Okay, so I started to write this and was hit by the oh-so-dreaded writer's block. I had a random burst of inspiration for parts of this chapter in the middle of the library, so I kind of didn't study for my economics test. So I may fail an exam, but at least I got some work done, right? Hah. Anyway, thanks for the reviews- I'm always open to ideas, praise, criticism, whatever!

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Seth ignored her question, instead offering her his arm. She took it, and he led to her the car, where he opened her door for her. Suppressing a smile, she climbed into the Rover.

Summer couldn't quick sneaking glances at him as he drove. He drummed his fingers on the steering wheel to the tune of the Rooney CD that was playing, biting his lip as he dealt with traffic.

Her head swam. She knew that she was running the risk of being seen on a date with Seth Cohen, and she wasn't sure if she even cared anymore. For once her priorities weren't so clear.

They finally pulled into their destination, and Seth turned to her for a reaction.

"The zoo." It wasn't a question- it was a statement.

"The zoo," he echoed her, affirming.

"So we're going to spend all day looking at dirty animals in cages?"

"You used to love the zoo," he said, undaunted.

"Yeah, when I was like eight."

"Your favorite part," he continued as though she hadn't spoken, "was the otters. You wanted to buy one in the gift shop, and you threw a fit when they didn't have them."

If it were anyone else, it would have been slightly creepy, but because it was Seth, it was sweet.

"I suppose we'll have to stop by the penguins then," she said, sighing.

"What?"

"Penguins, Seth," she said impatiently. "That very same fieldtrip you were lost for like half an hour because you stayed in the penguin exhibit for too long."

He got out of the car and appeared in her window, opening the door for her.

"I didn't know you remembered me," he smiled.

"I liked your hair," she said simply.

"It hasn't changed much." They walked towards the entrance and he paid for two tickets.

"I know," she smiled slightly and tousled his dark hair.

Summer had to admit that it was different from most other dates she had been on... in a good way. Movies were great, but they weren't exactly the best environment for getting to know each other. She liked how she could mention anything with Seth, and it was okay.

"Do you ever wish we were kids again?" She asked as they both leaned against the rail, looking at the giraffes.

Seth looked at the kids running around, followed by tired parents. "I don't know," he shrugged. "I guess being excluded as a kid isn't any better than being excluded now."

He could tell that his comment made her uncomfortable; that hadn't been his goal.

"What about you?" He asked.

"Sometimes," she turned so that her back was against the railing. She paused, and Seth waited.

"It was just easier, you know? Not so many expectations."

"Life's a bitch," he nodded.

"Sometimes I wish Newport would disappear," she sighed.

"And I always thought you were so content here."

"Sometimes." She shook her head. "Let's not talk about this now." She smiled at him. "Let's go find those penguins, okay?"

The dark, cool exhibit contrasted sharply against the hot, bright, noisy outside.

"It's freezing," she shivered, watching the animals play through the glass.

He slipped his arm around her, and she leaned into him a little bit. All day long, whenever they had touched, her stomach had flipped. Every casual brush was met with the reaction- the same excitement she had become overwhelmed with whenever they kissed. She felt silly... she had never acted like this before.

The softness of his shirt against her cheek, the warmth of his arm, the way his hand rested on her shoulder, the faint smell of his cologne... she took it all in. She closed her eyes.

She suddenly snapped out of her daze. He was looking at her, a goofy smile on his face.

"What?" She began walking towards the exit, her cheeks flushed.

"Nothing, nothing..." He followed her.

They were eating hamburgers at a plastic table when Summer finally asked him.

"What happened with Elizabeth?"

Seth jabbed a french fry into glob of ketchup and sighed. He swirled the condiment slowly.

"You two really seemed to like each other," she prompted.

"Well I liked her a lot. And she liked me," Seth said vaguely. Summer waited him out. "Unfortunately, she liked a few other guys too." He finally added.

"What a bitch," Summer said bluntly, sipping her bottled water. "I hope you let her know that."

"Not really."

What do you mean?"

"Before Ryan and I left the party, I just told her that we probably shouldn't see each other anymore."

"Seth," Summer said bossily, "You can't just let people walk all over you like that, and not even say anything about it."

He shrugged.

"You know, you really let me have it at her party," she reminded him.

He finally met her eyes. "It hurt when I saw her kiss that other guy, Summer. A bitch, yes. But it wasn't the same with you. I cared enough to let you know what I was feeling."

She looked away. "Why?" She had been wondering this for a while. Despite everything, Seth was always there.

"I don't know," he said simply.

A silence grew between them, but it wasn't exactly awkward. They were both lost in thoughts of their situation... whatever it was. She watched him rip his napkin in little shreds.

"Do you want to go sailing?" He suddenly blurted out.

"Huh?" Smooth.

"As much as I'm enjoying my gourmet meal in this swanky little get-up here," Seth smiled, "I thought maybe we could get out of here and go sailing. We've seen pretty much everything."

"That was kind of random."

"Kind of." He smiled to himself.

She considered. She was having a good time, but this uncertainty about what was going to happen worried her. She wasn't sure how ready she was to jump into a relationship, with Seth Cohen of all people, but she also knew that she could fall for him very easily.

Or rather, that she was falling for him very easily.

Seth had been studying her for years, and he could read her face.

"You know, it's okay to do what you want to do sometimes. Just... for today, don't worry about anything but today, okay?"

"What are you talking about, Cohen?" She asked lamely. It bothered her that he could read her so well. He was supposed to be the one whose feelings were always written all over his face.

"You know." He shrugged. "So do you want to go?"

"Fine," she said quickly.

Seth couldn't quit smiling as he drove them back to her house. She was going sailing with him.

"Ta daa!" Seth waved an arm at the sailboat.

"Summer's Breeze," she read slowly, "That'd better just be a coincidence."

Seth stayed quiet, his face slightly flushed.

Summer stared at the sails, avoiding looking at him. He had named his boat after her. She suddenly realized all of the expectations he probably had for her. How could she live up to any of it? She watched him mess with ropes and felt a little sick to her stomach.

"All ready?" Seth stood up, looking at her expectantly.

She had already brought it up once that day, but she was still curious. She had to know.

"Seth, why do you still like me after all these years?"

He didn't answer her immediately, but instead held out his hand, prompting her to join him on the boat. She took it and stepped onto it gingerly. She sat down and watched him work.

"Seth?" She pressed again.

He launched into it.

"You're gorgeous with that sharp cruelty that, for some reason, hurts so good. I know that's only one side to you, though. I know about that gentleness and love you have. And I've always wanted to be a part of it, all of it, not just one side or the other. I look at you and know that I can make you happy, and that you're the only one I really want to make happy, and it's always been that way. It's not a phase, it's the way things are. And whenever you do let that guard down for me, when you randomly kiss me or smile at me or touch me or laugh at my jokes or anything, I feel invincible. It's like everything is finally okay or something, that years of being excluded don't matter, because I have your attention and that's what I need. And somewhere in there, I think that you need me too, or at least I hope so."

She watched the water roll slowly beneath them. "Wow," she managed.

"Your turn," he said. "Why did you change your mind about me?"

Summer wasn't used to hearing emotional soliloquies, much less giving them. But after everything she had just told her, after bearing himself like that, she knew that she owed him honesty.

"I admit," she began, "It was Elizabeth at first. You were that kid who was obsessed with me, and suddenly there you were with her, holding her hand and smiling all goofy at her. I don't know, my motives were mixed at first, but... that kiss."

She paused.

"That kiss," she repeated, then stopped again. She looked at him. They were sitting on a boat, with the sun and the breeze, just them. She didn't have to worry about anyone or anything else.

"That kiss scared me," she said finally, "Because it was so perfect. I never expected it, not from you, and there it was. All I wanted was to run away or kiss you again... so I picked one." She was staring at her feet when she finished, not wanting to look at him. She'd never felt so vulnerable or insecure.

Seth saw her bite her lip and saw that she was spent for the moment. That had taken a lot out of her.

"And I just thought it was my dashing good looks," he said with a smile, "You know, tall dark and handsome. Or my dazzling wit and irresistible charm. Or the way that I make you weak in the knees every time I enter a room. Or-"

"Or the fact that you never shut up," she interrupted. "Oh wait, that's definitely not it..."

"Burn!" He shook his head, his grin even wider.

"I never knew you sailed. It's impressive." She changed the subject.

"Well, you never had much of a reason to know," he pointed out.

She shrugged. It was true. "But still, it's really cool."

"I go all the time," he said slowly, "If you ever want to come back out."

She nodded a little, and he smiled again.

They didn't talk much more, with Seth concentrating on sailing and Summer concentrating on watching him.

When they stepped back onto the deck, Seth once again extended his hand to help her. She rested her feet on solid ground, and he casually intertwined his fingers with hers.

She had kissed him twice, but it was still weird to be holding hands with Seth Cohen. It was so couple-y.

But it was also so comfortable.

She had to be home for dinner with her parents and Marissa, so he drove her home, his hand still holding hers. He walked her to her door in the dark and they both paused.

The first two times she had been instinctive and nervous, and he had been taken off guard. But now they were both thinking the same thing. Summer felt his warm lips on hers; she inhaled his aftershave and everything felt right. Their mouths opened together and she felt his warm tongue run lightly across hers. One hand appeared at her neck, barely touching her, giving her goose bumps. She moaned a little against his lips, a reaction that encouraged him.

So many times she had cringed at his touch and shot him looks of disgust.

Now she couldn't get enough of him.

He obviously knew what he was doing. Nothing felt nervous or clumsy. There was no worrying or thinking. He wasn't awkward or sloppy. He was perfect.

Her hands slid under his shirt, up his smooth back. He felt like her fingers were burning into him; she just wanted to touch him. She felt safe.

Seth was overwhelmed. He felt her washing over him. This was bliss, this was perfection. He took in every movement. Summer was pressed up against him, kissing him, giving him her undivided attention and affection.

The kiss ended and he lightly kissed the corner of her mouth, teasing her. She grabbed his belt loops with her fingers and brought him closer, kissing him again.

Neither of them heard the knob turn, but the instant light and noise from the open door quickly caught their attention. They snapped apart instantly, Summer's hands moving up to smooth her hair.

Marissa was standing in the doorway, her mouth slightly open with the corners up into a slight smile.

"Seth?" She asked in disbelief. They had pulled apart quickly, but not quickly enough.

"Uhhh..." Seth made some awkward, incomprehensible noise.

"It's not at all what it looks like," Summer said instantly, her first reaction. Seth's brow knitted up, and he shook his head.

"Well, call me when you figure out what it was," he said, and Summer could hear the hurt in his voice.

She stood there, feeling sick, as he drove away.

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There you go! I'll probably add in maybe two more chapters, but it depends on where the story takes me. Please review and give me any ideas!!