Rating: G
Disclaimer: I do not own anything.
Note: I think I only have one more chapter after this chapter in me for this story. As promised, it will be completed either tomorrow or Valentine's Day. I'll most likely be updating my other story, One, as well. Thank you for all your great comments. I'm thrilled that people are actually reading my stories. Happy reading…
Meet You There
Chapter 4: no matter where life takes me to…
Seth walked along the streets, watching all of the people emerging from restaurants with their significant others. Couples smuggled up against each other, holding hands and kissing. They were going home to celebrate Valentine's Day in the way it was intended. He looked back and saw the large red heart illuminated on the sides of the building he was just atop. Seth wondered if she how long had she waited, and if she was now like all of the others, going back to a hotel with her fiancée. He continued walking, having nowhere to go. He finally stopped after a long while at a ratty looking building with posters covering the windows. A-1 Records. Still open. Seth loved that New York City was the city that never slept. It gave lonely people like him without dates on Valentine's Day places to go. Raucous punk music filled his ears as he opened the door to the little shop. This seemed like his kind of store. Maybe he could find something to soothe his soul.
***
Summer walked along the avenue for blocks it seemed, with her mascara running in pools from her cheeks. Some people stared, but most paid no attention to her. She flagged down a cab, and got into it as it screeched to a halt.
"Where to, Ma'am?" the cab driver spoke with a thick accent that she could not discern.
"Chambers Hotel. 56th and 5th." She stared out into the night at nothing at all. She saw the Empire State Building with it's signature red Valentine's hearts on the four faces of the building. What a sham of a holiday. "Wait, actually, never mind. I'm going to walk."
"Miss, that is 20 blocks away from here and it is freezing."
"I know, thank you. I just need to walk."
She got out of the cab, back into the bitter winter air. She walked for awhile towards the vicinity of her hotel, but then stopped and changed directions. She didn't want to return to the hotel so early. New York City was the city that never slept. She could surely find something to do. People bustled around on the street, heading home to their sweethearts and lovers. Groups of singles filled the bars and restaurants, hoping to find their significant others. Summer walked past them all. Eventually she ended up in some place where she didn't recognize any of the buildings, but it didn't matter. She saw a store with its lights on still, and raucous music filtering out of the doors. A-1 Records. It was worth a try, maybe she could find something to ease her pain.
***
Seth had made his way to the back of the store, sifting through the bins and bins of records. This place was great. Almost great enough to make him forget about what had transpired earlier. He had already picked up a few things that looked interesting to him and was almost ready to go. He was tired. All he wanted to do was go home and sleep, and try to return to normal. He picked up the LPs and walked toward the cash register.
Summer stood with her back to the cash register in a well hidden corner of the store. She picked up another album and examined it carefully. This would be perfect to listen to and just forget about everything. She hadn't really liked the Pixies before, but in college Seth had introduced their sound to her. Doolittle was one of the best records she had ever heard in her life. She already had the album back home in France, but she needed to listen to it now. Here.
Seth paid for his selections: the Cure's Disintegration and The Pixies' Doolittle. The cashier placed his receipt inside the bag and handed it to Seth. He made his way to the door, then stopped and looked at some of the stacks in the front of the store. Not finding anything of particular interest, Seth braved himself for the cool and exited the store. The bell on the door jingled softly.
Summer heard the bell jangle as a customer left the store. She hadn't thought anyone else was in the store when she came in. So there were other people who were out and about on Valentine's Day without anyone. She handed the Pixies album to the cashier who looked at her strangely.
"What? I have mascara all over my face, so what."
"Nah, the guy who just left, bought the same album. Weird."
"Oh, sorry." Summer reddened. She wasn't so rude normally. Valentine's Day brought out the best in her. She wiped off her face with her sleeve and grabbed the bag from the cashier as he finished. She just wanted to get out of there. The mold and dust from the records were starting to suffocate her. She practically ran toward the door and swung it open. Running into another customer who was entering the store.
Brown hair, brown eyes, fair skin. Their eyes locked, and neither of them said a word. It was a deer in headlights situation. Neither knew what to do or what to feel. Seth walked past her and up to the cashier. "Hey man, you forgot to give me my credit card back."
The kid shuffled some of the papers that were strewn about on the counter until he found the card. "Sorry man." Seth turned back around and was greeted by Summer's steely glare.
"Seth Cohen! I thought you were dead or something." She still stood several feet away from him, afraid to touch him or come any closer. The cashier had no idea what the hell was going on.
"Sorry." His eyes were cast down at the floor. She was more beautiful up close.
"I thought we were meeting tonight. I waited for you, but you never came." Her eyes started welling up again as she forced the whispered words out into the air between them.
"I know, I'm really sorry. My plane was delayed and there was a whole mess with the hotel. By the time I got there, the observatory was closed." He hated lying to her, but he had no choice. He didn't want her to know what he had seen. He wanted her to tell him herself.
"It's great to see you. You look awesome." She had nothing to say. All this time, she had been planning to tell him how she felt, but now no words came to her mind.
"So do you."
"Why is this so awkward? We haven't seen each other for 5 years and now we're at a lost for words? Shouldn't it be the opposite?"
"You're right. Do you want to go grab something to eat or drink? We can catch up. I'm sure you have a lot to tell me," Seth winced slightly at his words. He really didn't want to know.
"Sure. We can go to Serendipity 3 and get a Frrrozen Hot Chocolate." Summer smiled brightly, showing Seth that she was still as beautiful as ever.
"Okay, lead the way."
Their cab ride was uncomfortable. They would talk for a few minutes, then there would be silence for another few minutes. Seth wondered when she was going to tell him about her soon to be husband. Summer wondered why Seth was acting so aloof and cold. But both tried to be polite and keep their appearances. But both knew that appearances could be deceiving.
I'll meet you there
No matter where life takes me to
I'll meet you there
And even if I need you here
I'll meet you there
No matter where life takes me to
I'll meet you there
And even if I need you here
I'll meet you there
Meet you there by Simple Plan
