Okay, so here's the deal. Everyone wants me to keep writing, and I admit
that I need the entertainment myself, and I kind of like this story (as
opposed to starting a new one). This will be like a part two, and I'll keep
posting here, so people can backtrack or whatever. It'll just make things
easier. SO this will be some about Seth and Summer's relationship once they
start dating, though I'm not sure how much I'll go into it- I don't want it
to end up as JUST fluff (not that there's anything wrong w/ that-- we all
need our fluff sometimes!). Maybe I'll work in some Ryan and Marissa,
though they aren't as fun to write. Soooo THANKS A LOT for all the reviews,
keep them coming! They definitely keep me motivated and remind me to
brainstorm during class (instead of taking notes).
_____________
Seth sucked on his bottom lip as they walked upstairs in Marissa's house. Summer suddenly stopped, turning around. She seemed to read his mind.
"The last time you were here, you were carrying me up the stairs," she stated.
"Yeah."
"I never thanked you for that... thanks."
Seth smiled a little and continued to follow her up the stairs. He was still feeling a little nervous, unsure of how he was supposed to treat Summer in front of Marissa. Where did he stand? Approaching the game room, Summer grabbed his hand and led him in, knowing she would have to make the move.
They had just been fooling around on her bed, and it surprised her to realize that she enjoyed this just as much; just holding his hand. God, she was turning soft.
"Seth and I are going out," Summer told Marissa bluntly, sitting down on the couch next to him. Seth let out a little laugh of relief. Marissa gave them both individual smiles, both of which having an "it's-about-time" style to them.
Ryan showed up not long after, noting Seth's arm around Summer with questioning eyebrows towards Marissa. She nodded, smiling at him, and they sat on the floor together.
They watched 'Swingers', a favorite comedy of Seth's, but he didn't pay any attention. He was still marveling at the fact that he and Summer were together. He could hold her hand, kiss her, talk to her, be with her... whenever he wanted.
Together.
Going out.
A couple.
Wow. He kissed the corner of her forehead.
_____________
Summer ran the brush through her hair a final time, hearing the doorbell ring. She studied herself in the mirror once more before skipping downstairs to see Seth. She opened the door and immediately laughed. He was leaning against the doorframe with a daisy between his teeth.
"What were you going to do if my dad answered the door?" She asked, slipping the flower out of his mouth.
"Run."
"Good plan. Lucky for you he's not here."
"You're gorgeous," Seth's eyes swept over her red dress. "Like, you know, wow." It thrilled him knowing that she had dressed up and spent time getting ready for him, for their date.
"I always thought that you cleaned up nice," she complimented in turn, noting his light blue striped collared shirt under his black suit jacket. It was very Seth. She accepted his extended arm, pleased.
Seth always made her feel so good about herself.
"Wanna hear my master plan?" He asked her once they had taken their seats in the restaurant. Wanting to show her a nice time, and had made reservations at a fancy little Italian place downtown.
"Hmm?"
"Tomorrow morning I'm hopping a plane to Australia and never looking back. You coming?" He crunched some ice between his teeth.
"Australia, huh? Why so?"
"Good accents. And I really just don't want to start school."
Summer nodded, reality rushing back at her. School would be starting in a few days. This time last year her chief concern was finding a killer outfit for the first day. Now she had Seth. She knew that things would be different that year, but she didn't care. It wasn't as though she had ever backed down from a challenge before.
"We'd better stay here," she informed him. "Somebody has to watch over Ryan and Marissa."
"Crazy kids." Seth shook his head.
They talked nonstop all night; about school, about Ryan and Marissa, about each other, and generally about everything. Summer found herself rambling just as much as Seth, which he loved. He never wanted her to drop her sarcasm or forward attitude, but he could tell that she was opening up to him and feeling comfortable in his company.
Summer knew too, and the realization was met with mixed emotions. She was scared, a reaction she knew was ungrounded; Seth wouldn't hurt her. She could trust him.
She noted his dimples and amazing smile, his cute way with words and his facial expressions. He felt his stomach flip whenever she laughed or met his eyes for long periods of time.
They were waiting outside for the valet to drive up in the Rover when she heard a familiar voice.
"Summer!" Seth thought he saw her wince before turning.
"Kate!" She was all smiles, giving the girl a small hug. Summer never grew too close to many people, but she naturally had an abundance of acquaintances. Kate was a good shopping partner, if nothing else.
"Tom is just inside," she explained, her eyes suddenly roaming to Seth.
"Oh, this is Seth. Seth, meet Kate." Seth gave a small smile, wanting to laugh ironically at Summer's introduction. Everyone in their school knew who Kate was.
"Um, hi." Kate shot Summer an incredulous look. "I didn't realize you two were... friends."
Summer considered her coolly. "We're dating, actually."
"Oh."
"Well, that's us." Summer nodded towards the Rover. "Bye Kate." She grabbed Seth's arm and practically dragged him to the car.
"Now that I officially want to shoot myself," Seth settled himself behind the wheel.
"What are you talking about?" She asked, but they both knew.
He turned his head. "Summer."
"Well, fuck her."
He knew that Summer was trying to show him how indifferent she felt towards the reaction, but he still felt humiliated. With school starting, he figured this was only the tip of the iceberg.
He walked her to her door, shooting her a sheepish smile.
Summer hated how embarrassed he looked. She grabbed his hands and placed them around her neck, moving hers around his back.
She knew how to make him feel better.
Her lips pulled at his neck before she placed them on his. All insecurities and worries fled Seth's mind as he fingered her silky hair. She liked him. That was all that mattered.
_____________
"I don't think that I was cut out for school uniforms," Ryan frowned, joining Seth in the kitchen.
"Nobody was," Seth agreed. He took a bite of Cocoa Pebbles, then reconsidered. "Except maybe Summer."
"Summer could kick you in the balls and you'd still call her beautiful," Ryan joked.
"I won't deny," Seth shrugged. "But anyway, I should warn you, by hanging out with me at school you'll be cool by association. You'll have to beat the girls off with sticks. It'll be wild."
Ryan shook his head, a small smile playing on his lips. "If you haven't noticed, I'm not exactly on the top of anyone's list for class favorite right now."
"Except Marissa's," Seth pointed out, his mouth full of cereal.
"We'll see."
Seth stood up, grabbing his backpack off the floor. "Here goes nothing."
Seth picked up Marissa and Summer, pulling into the school parking lot shortly. They began showing Ryan around the building and were cut off by the first bell.
"You have B lunch, right?" Seth asked nervously, even though they had discussed this already.
"Yes, Mr. Cohen," Summer said patiently. "All four of us do. I'll meet you in the cafeteria."
"Right. The cafeteria. That would make sense."
"Seth, chill. It's going to be okay."
"I know, I know." He gave her a light kiss on the lips. "I'll see you later."
He slipped into his advanced English class, glad to be out of the jostling crowds of the hallways.
"Seth!" Surprised, he saw Anna Stern sitting in the classroom. "Come sit over here!"
"Well hey there." Seth claimed the desk beside her, relieved at the sight of a friendly face.
"Long time no see," she commented pleasantly.
"Yeah, how was your trip?"
"Awesome," she smiled. "How was the rest of your summer?"
"Not too bad. You know, I pretty much just hung out with Ryan and Marissa and Summer..."
"Summer Roberts," Anna shook her head with a smile. "I still remember the look on her face at the Cotillion when she was stuck without a date."
Seth gave a small nod, unsure how to respond.
"Oh no, don't tell me you're still hung up on her?" She asked lightheartedly.
"Ah, actually yes. We're... together now."
"You and Summer." Her voice was full of disbelief.
"Yep, me and Summer." She was staring at him as though he had grown an extra head.
"I have to admit, I never really placed you two as, well, each other's type."
"Love works in strange ways," he supplied.
"You're in love?" Her eyebrows lifted a little.
"I don't know," he looked away, blushing.
"Well, whatever makes you happy," she said dismissively, once again shaking her head.
Seth had known that Summer was gong to have to put up with a lot of crap that day, but he hadn't figured on this. Anna was treating him as though he had sold out or something.
The teacher came in and interrupted his train of thought, though his mind kept drifting.
_____________
"Ew." Summer delivered her trademark line with a wrinkled nose, peering through the glass at the cafeteria food.
"Which is why I stick to pizza," Seth explained, picking off a pepperoni and popping it into his mouth.
"Salad," she decided, grabbing one.
"So..." Seth trailed as they looked over the rows of tables.
"Come on," she said, and he followed her uncertainly. He couldn't remember the last time that he had sat with a group at lunch.
He took a bite of pizza, watching Summer spark conversation as everyone caught up. Marissa and Ryan hadn't shown up yet, and he began wishing they would hurry.
"You guys know Seth Cohen," she motioned towards him naturally, as though they had no reason not to already know him.
"Cohen..." A brunette contemplated. "Summer, he may be from the richest family in Newport, but don't you think it's a little early in life to be dating just for money?" The group collapsed into laughter.
Seth tensed up, feeling queasy.
"And isn't it a little to early in the day for you to be acting like a bitch?" Summer snapped. The girls seemed to ignore her comment, moving on for the moment. She knew that she hadn't heard the last of it though; they weren't going to let her live this one down.
She turned to Seth, who was picking up his backpack.
"I'll meet you at the car after the bell," he said, visibly upset.
"Wait," she pleaded, feeling useless.
He kissed her on the forehead, wanting nothing more than to disappear into the crowds like he used to.
_____________
Summer sat frozen for a moment, a horrible feeling rising up in her. She wanted to run after him, but he was gone, and she had no idea where he was.
After lunch her classes slipped by in a daze as she worried over him. He didn't deserve to be treated like that, and she felt a pang of guilt. She had spoken to him so much worse than that before, thinking nothing of it.
She walked briskly through the parking lot, suppressing the urge to take off running towards his car. He was sitting on the hood, staring blankly off into space.
"Hey good looking," she greeted him.
"Do you realize that in the course of the day I've been called a queer, a dork, a fag, a pussy, a prick, and, in short, not good enough for you?" He turned his eyes on hers.
"And good looking," she added, a rare gentleness to her voice. She joined him on the hood as they waited for Marissa and Ryan, and she took his hand, unsure what to say.
"Your friends hate me." There was no surprise in his voice. After all, they had never liked him before, and they weren't going to warm up to him now that he was moving in on their turf.
"My so-called-friends... they're stupid, okay? And so is anyone else in this damn school who doesn't realize how great you are." Her words had a hard edge to them, and she was getting angry again.
Seth wanted to accept her answer, but this wasn't just about today. This was about tomorrow, and all the days following.
"Seth," she nudged him with her knee. "I'm coming home with you today." He kissed her palm.
Marissa and Ryan finally showed up, and Seth let the trio fill each other in on their first day as he battled the congestion on the road. He was angry at himself for letting all of the degrading remarks of the day get under his skin. He had used to pride himself on the ability to roll his eyes at them, but now he just felt incompetent. It wasn't fair to Summer, he thought, watching her reenact something from class that day. It was all backwards; she didn't seem give a damn about what the world thought, and he just wanted to be accepted into it. What had happened to his blase attitude on Newport teenagers?
It was insecurities. It was obvious that Summer cared for him, but he had this gnawing worry that she would let him fall flat on his back any moment. She was Newport's sixteen-year-old poster girl, and he was some bumbling moron. Maybe she thought he was cute, but he wondered if she would eventually open her eyes and grimace at what she saw.
He adored her, worshipped the ground she walked on, so naturally he didn't think he was good enough for her. Nobody was. Seth gripped the steering wheel and tried to get a hold of himself.
He could give her what she wanted. He could treat her like she deserved to be treated, and he could love her. He could show her how special she was... even if the world didn't want him to. He could, and he would.
Proud of his renewed resolve, he glanced at the girl next to him. She was already looking at him, and a slow smile spread across her face.
Nah. He definitely wasn't letting this one go.
And if someone didn't like it, they could go to hell.
_____________
Alright, so there you go! This chapter didn't flow as well as the others did for me, but I went back later when I was feeling more into it. Sorry it's short, but I liked where it ends. My mind is already full of ideas for the next chapter, so hopefully I can get it out soon. As always, let me know what you think!
_____________
Seth sucked on his bottom lip as they walked upstairs in Marissa's house. Summer suddenly stopped, turning around. She seemed to read his mind.
"The last time you were here, you were carrying me up the stairs," she stated.
"Yeah."
"I never thanked you for that... thanks."
Seth smiled a little and continued to follow her up the stairs. He was still feeling a little nervous, unsure of how he was supposed to treat Summer in front of Marissa. Where did he stand? Approaching the game room, Summer grabbed his hand and led him in, knowing she would have to make the move.
They had just been fooling around on her bed, and it surprised her to realize that she enjoyed this just as much; just holding his hand. God, she was turning soft.
"Seth and I are going out," Summer told Marissa bluntly, sitting down on the couch next to him. Seth let out a little laugh of relief. Marissa gave them both individual smiles, both of which having an "it's-about-time" style to them.
Ryan showed up not long after, noting Seth's arm around Summer with questioning eyebrows towards Marissa. She nodded, smiling at him, and they sat on the floor together.
They watched 'Swingers', a favorite comedy of Seth's, but he didn't pay any attention. He was still marveling at the fact that he and Summer were together. He could hold her hand, kiss her, talk to her, be with her... whenever he wanted.
Together.
Going out.
A couple.
Wow. He kissed the corner of her forehead.
_____________
Summer ran the brush through her hair a final time, hearing the doorbell ring. She studied herself in the mirror once more before skipping downstairs to see Seth. She opened the door and immediately laughed. He was leaning against the doorframe with a daisy between his teeth.
"What were you going to do if my dad answered the door?" She asked, slipping the flower out of his mouth.
"Run."
"Good plan. Lucky for you he's not here."
"You're gorgeous," Seth's eyes swept over her red dress. "Like, you know, wow." It thrilled him knowing that she had dressed up and spent time getting ready for him, for their date.
"I always thought that you cleaned up nice," she complimented in turn, noting his light blue striped collared shirt under his black suit jacket. It was very Seth. She accepted his extended arm, pleased.
Seth always made her feel so good about herself.
"Wanna hear my master plan?" He asked her once they had taken their seats in the restaurant. Wanting to show her a nice time, and had made reservations at a fancy little Italian place downtown.
"Hmm?"
"Tomorrow morning I'm hopping a plane to Australia and never looking back. You coming?" He crunched some ice between his teeth.
"Australia, huh? Why so?"
"Good accents. And I really just don't want to start school."
Summer nodded, reality rushing back at her. School would be starting in a few days. This time last year her chief concern was finding a killer outfit for the first day. Now she had Seth. She knew that things would be different that year, but she didn't care. It wasn't as though she had ever backed down from a challenge before.
"We'd better stay here," she informed him. "Somebody has to watch over Ryan and Marissa."
"Crazy kids." Seth shook his head.
They talked nonstop all night; about school, about Ryan and Marissa, about each other, and generally about everything. Summer found herself rambling just as much as Seth, which he loved. He never wanted her to drop her sarcasm or forward attitude, but he could tell that she was opening up to him and feeling comfortable in his company.
Summer knew too, and the realization was met with mixed emotions. She was scared, a reaction she knew was ungrounded; Seth wouldn't hurt her. She could trust him.
She noted his dimples and amazing smile, his cute way with words and his facial expressions. He felt his stomach flip whenever she laughed or met his eyes for long periods of time.
They were waiting outside for the valet to drive up in the Rover when she heard a familiar voice.
"Summer!" Seth thought he saw her wince before turning.
"Kate!" She was all smiles, giving the girl a small hug. Summer never grew too close to many people, but she naturally had an abundance of acquaintances. Kate was a good shopping partner, if nothing else.
"Tom is just inside," she explained, her eyes suddenly roaming to Seth.
"Oh, this is Seth. Seth, meet Kate." Seth gave a small smile, wanting to laugh ironically at Summer's introduction. Everyone in their school knew who Kate was.
"Um, hi." Kate shot Summer an incredulous look. "I didn't realize you two were... friends."
Summer considered her coolly. "We're dating, actually."
"Oh."
"Well, that's us." Summer nodded towards the Rover. "Bye Kate." She grabbed Seth's arm and practically dragged him to the car.
"Now that I officially want to shoot myself," Seth settled himself behind the wheel.
"What are you talking about?" She asked, but they both knew.
He turned his head. "Summer."
"Well, fuck her."
He knew that Summer was trying to show him how indifferent she felt towards the reaction, but he still felt humiliated. With school starting, he figured this was only the tip of the iceberg.
He walked her to her door, shooting her a sheepish smile.
Summer hated how embarrassed he looked. She grabbed his hands and placed them around her neck, moving hers around his back.
She knew how to make him feel better.
Her lips pulled at his neck before she placed them on his. All insecurities and worries fled Seth's mind as he fingered her silky hair. She liked him. That was all that mattered.
_____________
"I don't think that I was cut out for school uniforms," Ryan frowned, joining Seth in the kitchen.
"Nobody was," Seth agreed. He took a bite of Cocoa Pebbles, then reconsidered. "Except maybe Summer."
"Summer could kick you in the balls and you'd still call her beautiful," Ryan joked.
"I won't deny," Seth shrugged. "But anyway, I should warn you, by hanging out with me at school you'll be cool by association. You'll have to beat the girls off with sticks. It'll be wild."
Ryan shook his head, a small smile playing on his lips. "If you haven't noticed, I'm not exactly on the top of anyone's list for class favorite right now."
"Except Marissa's," Seth pointed out, his mouth full of cereal.
"We'll see."
Seth stood up, grabbing his backpack off the floor. "Here goes nothing."
Seth picked up Marissa and Summer, pulling into the school parking lot shortly. They began showing Ryan around the building and were cut off by the first bell.
"You have B lunch, right?" Seth asked nervously, even though they had discussed this already.
"Yes, Mr. Cohen," Summer said patiently. "All four of us do. I'll meet you in the cafeteria."
"Right. The cafeteria. That would make sense."
"Seth, chill. It's going to be okay."
"I know, I know." He gave her a light kiss on the lips. "I'll see you later."
He slipped into his advanced English class, glad to be out of the jostling crowds of the hallways.
"Seth!" Surprised, he saw Anna Stern sitting in the classroom. "Come sit over here!"
"Well hey there." Seth claimed the desk beside her, relieved at the sight of a friendly face.
"Long time no see," she commented pleasantly.
"Yeah, how was your trip?"
"Awesome," she smiled. "How was the rest of your summer?"
"Not too bad. You know, I pretty much just hung out with Ryan and Marissa and Summer..."
"Summer Roberts," Anna shook her head with a smile. "I still remember the look on her face at the Cotillion when she was stuck without a date."
Seth gave a small nod, unsure how to respond.
"Oh no, don't tell me you're still hung up on her?" She asked lightheartedly.
"Ah, actually yes. We're... together now."
"You and Summer." Her voice was full of disbelief.
"Yep, me and Summer." She was staring at him as though he had grown an extra head.
"I have to admit, I never really placed you two as, well, each other's type."
"Love works in strange ways," he supplied.
"You're in love?" Her eyebrows lifted a little.
"I don't know," he looked away, blushing.
"Well, whatever makes you happy," she said dismissively, once again shaking her head.
Seth had known that Summer was gong to have to put up with a lot of crap that day, but he hadn't figured on this. Anna was treating him as though he had sold out or something.
The teacher came in and interrupted his train of thought, though his mind kept drifting.
_____________
"Ew." Summer delivered her trademark line with a wrinkled nose, peering through the glass at the cafeteria food.
"Which is why I stick to pizza," Seth explained, picking off a pepperoni and popping it into his mouth.
"Salad," she decided, grabbing one.
"So..." Seth trailed as they looked over the rows of tables.
"Come on," she said, and he followed her uncertainly. He couldn't remember the last time that he had sat with a group at lunch.
He took a bite of pizza, watching Summer spark conversation as everyone caught up. Marissa and Ryan hadn't shown up yet, and he began wishing they would hurry.
"You guys know Seth Cohen," she motioned towards him naturally, as though they had no reason not to already know him.
"Cohen..." A brunette contemplated. "Summer, he may be from the richest family in Newport, but don't you think it's a little early in life to be dating just for money?" The group collapsed into laughter.
Seth tensed up, feeling queasy.
"And isn't it a little to early in the day for you to be acting like a bitch?" Summer snapped. The girls seemed to ignore her comment, moving on for the moment. She knew that she hadn't heard the last of it though; they weren't going to let her live this one down.
She turned to Seth, who was picking up his backpack.
"I'll meet you at the car after the bell," he said, visibly upset.
"Wait," she pleaded, feeling useless.
He kissed her on the forehead, wanting nothing more than to disappear into the crowds like he used to.
_____________
Summer sat frozen for a moment, a horrible feeling rising up in her. She wanted to run after him, but he was gone, and she had no idea where he was.
After lunch her classes slipped by in a daze as she worried over him. He didn't deserve to be treated like that, and she felt a pang of guilt. She had spoken to him so much worse than that before, thinking nothing of it.
She walked briskly through the parking lot, suppressing the urge to take off running towards his car. He was sitting on the hood, staring blankly off into space.
"Hey good looking," she greeted him.
"Do you realize that in the course of the day I've been called a queer, a dork, a fag, a pussy, a prick, and, in short, not good enough for you?" He turned his eyes on hers.
"And good looking," she added, a rare gentleness to her voice. She joined him on the hood as they waited for Marissa and Ryan, and she took his hand, unsure what to say.
"Your friends hate me." There was no surprise in his voice. After all, they had never liked him before, and they weren't going to warm up to him now that he was moving in on their turf.
"My so-called-friends... they're stupid, okay? And so is anyone else in this damn school who doesn't realize how great you are." Her words had a hard edge to them, and she was getting angry again.
Seth wanted to accept her answer, but this wasn't just about today. This was about tomorrow, and all the days following.
"Seth," she nudged him with her knee. "I'm coming home with you today." He kissed her palm.
Marissa and Ryan finally showed up, and Seth let the trio fill each other in on their first day as he battled the congestion on the road. He was angry at himself for letting all of the degrading remarks of the day get under his skin. He had used to pride himself on the ability to roll his eyes at them, but now he just felt incompetent. It wasn't fair to Summer, he thought, watching her reenact something from class that day. It was all backwards; she didn't seem give a damn about what the world thought, and he just wanted to be accepted into it. What had happened to his blase attitude on Newport teenagers?
It was insecurities. It was obvious that Summer cared for him, but he had this gnawing worry that she would let him fall flat on his back any moment. She was Newport's sixteen-year-old poster girl, and he was some bumbling moron. Maybe she thought he was cute, but he wondered if she would eventually open her eyes and grimace at what she saw.
He adored her, worshipped the ground she walked on, so naturally he didn't think he was good enough for her. Nobody was. Seth gripped the steering wheel and tried to get a hold of himself.
He could give her what she wanted. He could treat her like she deserved to be treated, and he could love her. He could show her how special she was... even if the world didn't want him to. He could, and he would.
Proud of his renewed resolve, he glanced at the girl next to him. She was already looking at him, and a slow smile spread across her face.
Nah. He definitely wasn't letting this one go.
And if someone didn't like it, they could go to hell.
_____________
Alright, so there you go! This chapter didn't flow as well as the others did for me, but I went back later when I was feeling more into it. Sorry it's short, but I liked where it ends. My mind is already full of ideas for the next chapter, so hopefully I can get it out soon. As always, let me know what you think!