Sorry for the wait. I was out of town, but thanks again for reading and for positive reviews!
**
Ryan watched Seth and Marissa dance in the middle of the living room. He didn't know whether to feel jealous, happy, or guilty. In fact, he was probably feeling all three. He leaned against the wall as other party-goers brushed past him. He suddenly felt very alone. He didn't belong here. Not with the guys and their blonde hair and sporty shorts or with the girls and their fake and bake tans and cover up foundation skin.
He continued to watch Seth and Marissa. That made sense. That was normal. He and Marissa? Never in a million years.
A figure caught his eye on the other side of the dance floor.
Summer.
She was also watching Seth and Marissa. She frowned and touched her lips as if recalling their kiss. At least Ryan knew that she was feeling guilty about it. She slid into a chair and lowered her head into her hands.
"Hey, Ryan!" Seth came up to him. "Did you see me out there? I was busting a move!"
Ryan's attention went from Summer to Seth. He tried to peek another look at Summer, but Seth blocked his view.
"You were great," Ryan said.
Seth pulled Marissa to his side. "Thanks to my teacher."
Marissa avoided eye contact with Ryan. "Hey."
Ryan studied her for a moment. Her cheeks seemed to grow red at his presence. "Hey."
"We're going to get a drink," Seth said to Ryan. "Want anything?"
"I'm okay," Ryan said.
As soon as they left, Ryan looked back at Summer, but the chair was empty.
**
"So, you and Summer are, like, best friends, right?" Seth said as he poured himself a soft drink. "I mean, you two are pretty close?" He took a drink from his cup innocently. "You two talk about everything together. Girls do that a lot, right?"
Marissa smiled at his questions. She knew Seth had a crush on Summer. Ever since the first grade, it was obvious to everyone. Well, except maybe for Summer.
"You guys probably talk about make-up, and movies, and uh, candy, and boys," Seth continued. "Like you probably talk to Summer about Luke and she talks to you about…"
"Seth…"
He almost spit out his last gulp of cola. "She does?"
"Seth, what do you want me to do?" she asked.
"Nothing." He placed his drink down and ran his hand through his hair nervously. "I mean, we're friends, right? I let you beat me at Ninja Masters and…"
"I beat you fair and square," she said.
Seth glanced around the kitchen. "Keep it down, okay?" He lowered his voice. "So, you beat me at Ninja Masters and you gave me some dancing lessons, I think that qualifies us to be friends, am I right?"
Marissa nodded.
"As your friend, could you do some digging for me?" he asked.
"I wish I could help, Seth," she said, "but Summer and I aren't exactly talking right now."
"What happened?"
"I wish I knew. She's been giving me the cold shoulder for a few days now."
Seth grinned. "This is perfect!"
"What?"
"I mean, sorry that you and Summer are best buds right now," he said, "but this can work out for you and me."
"How?"
"I can go to Summer as your go-between. I'll tell her that you're hurting and that you want to talk," Seth said. "And then she can tell me what's going on and I can come back and tell you. I'll be her shoulder to cry on and you can get your best friend back."
"You think it will work?"
"My plans never fail."
**
"I hate my life." Summer fell back onto her bed and looked up at the ceiling, but it kept going in and out of focus. She groaned and clutched her head. She didn't even remember who had given her a ride home. Kelly? Or maybe it was Holly? She turned to her side and groaned even louder from the pain of the sudden movement.
Her skin was sticky with sweat, but her hands were cold and shaky. Vomit rose in her throat, but not high enough for her to rush to the toilet. She kicked off her sandals and lifted her legs up to the bed; the cool sheets felt marvelous under her hot skin. She licked her lips and thought about her clumsy kiss with Ryan. God, she was stupid. What the hell was she thinking? But, he was right there. She took a chance and she was now regretting it. Still, she couldn't get the taste of his mouth out of hers. His mouth tasted of beer and smoke. The mixture was intoxicating.
It could never happen again. It was a mistake. A moment of weakness. Ryan had no feelings for her. Marissa was the one he wanted and Marissa wanted him too.
"I hate my life," she said again.
**
"Uh, hey, Summer."
Summer looked up through her sunglasses at Seth. She raised her eyebrows. "What?"
"I'm Seth Cohen. I live next door to Marissa and…"
"I know who you are," she said impatiently. Her head was still throbbing from last night. Her bloodshot eyes were hidden behind her sunglasses—a disguise for when she snuck out of the house early this morning in case her father and Gloria were awake.
"Oh, you do?" Seth said. He sat down across from her in the booth. "You've never spoken to me before so I just assumed…"
"What do you want?" She took drink of her orange juice. "I have a huge headache and I really don't feel like talking to anyone right now."
"Well, that's what you get for boozing," Seth said aside.
"What did you say?"
"Nothing," he said quickly. "Anyway, I just had a message from Marissa to give to you, that's all."
Summer immediately sat up with interest. "Marissa? What did she say?"
"She misses you and uh, she wants to make sure you're doing okay," Seth said. "She doesn't know what's going on for sure, but she hopes you and her can start talking again."
Summer's eyes saddened. "Tell her it's not her fault."
"What isn't her fault?"
"That I'm the worst friend she's ever had." Summer got up and gathered her things. "Thanks for the message."
**
Ryan turned the corner and bumped into a person. He faltered on the boardwalk and mumbled, "Sorry."
Summer was standing in front of him. She was dressed in jeans and a white tank-top. Her dark hair was up in a careless ponytail. Her eyes were hidden behind a pair of sunglasses. The strap of a red bag was hanging on her shoulder.
"You okay?" he asked.
"Fine," she said, pushing past him.
He grabbed her arm suddenly. "Are you sure?"
"I said I'm fine." She pulled her arm loose and walked away from him.
Ryan watched her go until she disappeared in the crowds.
**
"Did you order without me?" Ryan took a seat in the booth that Seth was sitting in.
"Not yet," Seth said. "I got distracted by someone."
"Summer?"
"She was just here."
"I saw her leaving," Ryan said. "She looked pretty upset."
"She was," Seth said. "I think something's going on between her and Marissa. They're not talking. It might be a fight or something."
"A fight?"
"Probably over a guy too," Seth said. "All I can say is that they better not be fighting over Luke. It is so not worth it."
Ryan looked away uneasily. Did Summer tell Marissa about the kiss on the beach? About the extra time he and Summer had been spending together?
"Hey, Ryan, you okay?" Seth asked.
Ryan turned back to him. "Oh, sorry."
"It's okay, buddy," Seth said. "I'm sure Marissa could use a sympathetic ear at the moment if you know what I mean."
"Yeah, sure."
"And while you're comforting Marissa," Seth said, "I'll be with Summer."
Ryan looked away again.