Cleaning out the past

Chapter 5

It was 10:30AM when Summer arrived at the theme park. She walked up to the gates and waited in the fairly long line to buy a ticket.

She couldn't help but feel a little bad for Seth, she hadn't meant to say anything to Anna, but when she saw her all her feelings for Seth had rushed into her head and she wanted to punish him for what he'd done.

"How many?" the women behind the glass asked, snapping Summer out of her trance.

"Oh, just one, for the day." Summer replied tossing her father's credit card down on the counter.

Inside the theme park she found a small stand with maps of the park. Grabbing one she headed on her way to check out some of the rides.

******

"Well Seth?" Anna sniffled. Seth hadn't answered after several seconds and Anna looked a little hurt.

"Anna why would I do something like that?" Seth breathed.

"I don't know, because you don't want to mess with my head?" Anna cried, tears streaming down her rosy cheeks.

"I didn't do anything, I swear, Anna, sit down, god, why would I lie?" Seth rambled.

"I don't know… because you have a sick mind and you want to see me suffer?" Anna suggested, falling back into her chair.

"I promise, I chose you, you have to believe me." Seth pleaded. He couldn't stand to see Anna so upset so he continued on his lying spree.

"Seth, I thought you were different. You care about peoples feelings, but spare me, how the hell do you drop a knife on your shoulder?" Anna spoke, choking back tears.

"Anna, I'm doing something nice for a friend, that's all we are, you, you're my girlfriend, I would never do anything to hurt you!" Seth tried convincing.

"I'm going back to the hotel." Anna said tossing a crumpled 10 onto the table.

Several people from other tables stood open-mouthed as she walked out of the restaurant, leaving Seth to wallow in his own lies.

******

Summer stood in line for Splash Mountain, tapping her foot impatiently. She'd been standing in line for half and hour, and couldn't turn around because of the sandwiched together people.

After what seemed like eternity the line began to move and she was third from the front. As another set of cars arrived someone pushed through the crowd, shoving the people behind Summer aside.

"What the fuck did you tell Anna?" Seth bellowed. Some children behind them stood open mouthed while their parents shot nasty glances at Seth.

"Excuse me? Why would I talk to her, I can't stand her." Summer rolled her eyes as she sat down in the wooden raft like seat.

Seth shoved the people next to her out of the way and hopped in next to Summer. "You said something, and you obviously upset her." Seth whispered as their cart took off.

"All I said was she was lucky to have someone like you…" Summer sneered, staring straight ahead as the descended the first hill, water splashed the pair and they sat oblivious to their surroundings.

"Oh god!" Seth mumbled.

Summer looked over at him. "You had it coming." She whispered, so he could barely hear.

"I liked Anna, their was a certain security with her, we have some of the same interests, but you just can't see someone happy can you?" Seth blurted out.

Summer couldn't believe her ears. "Oh puh-lease, she's the female version of you, it's like dating a mirror, Cohen." Summer answered.

Seth couldn't think of anything to say so he left his mouth agape, staring into the side of Summer's head.

"Why don't you just admit that you're jealous?" Seth suddenly spoke.

Summer turned to him. "Why the hell would I be jealous of you and Tinkerbell?" Summer replied.

Seth smiled. "Because you think I'm irresistible…" He joked. Summer nudged him.

"Were supposed to be arguing right now!" She snapped.

Seth cracked a smile and leaned into Summer's lips.

*FLASH*

They both pulled apart and saw the tiny camera that took pictures of the people when on this particular ride.

"Oh no…" Seth mumbled.

Once off the ride they went to the photo booth. The two had decided to not get a picture and ask the workers to delete it.

When they got their though there was around twenty already printed off.

"Umm. We don't want the picture, can you get rid of it?" Summer asked sweetly.

"Nonsense, if you can't afford it you can have this on the house, you two are so adorable together!" the lady smiled.

"No, we need to get rid of them. All." Seth cut in.

The woman reluctantly agreed and handed the stack to Seth who found the nearest trash bin.

"Oh god, I just finish telling her I didn't do it and I do it again." Seth rambled. Summer looked over at him feeling a little hurt, all he could think of was his whore, when she was standing right in front of him.

Seth walked towards a small fast food joint, and Summer jogged to keep up.

They both got a drink out of the vending machine and sat down on the bench in the shade.

"Look Seth nothing personal, but your decision making skills suck. You need to pick one of us, and stop changing your mind. You're just gonna end up hurting yourself in the end.

Seth looked up and Summer flashed him a sympathetic smile.

"Who would of thought I'd ever have to girls, to choose from." Seth laughed.

"Who ever would of thought I would end up liking you?" Summer laughed.

"It's always been you Summer. Since you read that stupid poem to the class." Seth groaned. Summer laughed aloud at the thought of the poem.

"Seth, you know I like, you, and I know you like me, but I don't deserve you, go back to Anna, I'm sorry." Summer abruptly said as she stood and jogged away from Seth.

"What the hell just happened here?" he asked himself and stood to try and catch up with her. The crowd shifted and he could no longer see her.

******

Somehow after all of what Seth had said, Summer still ran away. She couldn't stand the thought of Seth treating her like a queen when she treated him like dirt.

She pulled out the picture of the two of them on Splash Mountain. She'd taken one from the pile and slipped it into her purse when she thought Seth wasn't watching.

Summer couldn't stand to go back to the hotel, where Anna was just a door away, so she went to the only other place to go.

Her mom's place.

She let herself in with the key she had in her purse and turned on the overhead lights. She walked down the halls running her hands over the white walls, leaving a tiny trail of fingerprints.

She led herself into the unicorn room, as she'd called it.

Inside she picked up an empty box and began loading the ornaments and stuffed animals from all over the room into the cardboard box.

When it was full she went to grab another one but accidentally pulled a full one down on her lap. Inside were all the letters and pictures.

After curiosity got the better of her she picked up a square, yellow, envelope with balloon stickers covering the back.

She pulled out a birthday card reading Happy Birthday to a super 9-year-old, Love mom.

Summer set it down and picked up a rectangular white envelope. It was postmarked August 16, 2003.

Summer ripped open the envelope and pulled out the lined paper with a tidy scroll across it.

Dear Summer,

It has been awhile and I though perhaps I could try another letter to you.

I know you are upset that I left as I did, but you have to understand it was for the best. I would really like it if you would just read one of the many letters I send to you. I miss you like crazy, and would love to see the young lady you have become.

When I left I was young and foolish. I had you at such a young age I was only 24 when I left. Whatever you think though, you are NOT the reason I left. I left for me. You were my angel, but I couldn't stand it any longer. I had severe depression, and checked into a clinic as soon as I left.

My original plan was to return to my family, but I just kept putting it off and off until it was too late you would have been 14. I couldn't, I wasn't brave, I hope you are braver than me, and don't run from what you want.

Anyway, I hope you will give me a second chance, I love you so much!
Love your mother.

Summer set the letter down on the floor and hugged her knees into her chest. Tears slid down her tan cheeks and she wept into her lap. She was exactly like her.

Summer continued pouring through old letters throughout the night. Her mother had been trying to contact her all along; it was her father that had been sending them back though.

*****

"Anna?" Seth whispered as he pushed open the hotel room door.

Anna was sitting cross-legged on the bed as she watched the TV screen. Britney Spears danced to her newest song, and Seth kept himself from vomiting as Anna hummed along.

"Anna, we need to talk…" Seth began. Anna continued to hum along, clearly ignoring Seth.

"Anna, listen to me." He demanded.

She turned over, looking at him dryly. "What?"

Seth licked his lips, his mouth suddenly extremely dry. "I don't know how to say this, but…" Seth trailed off.

Anna stood up shaking her legs out, "want to go swimming?" She said with sudden interest.

"Anna, no, listen to me!" Seth replied pushing her back onto the bed. "I just want you to know that…" Seth quickly made up his mind on what he'd been debating to say all day.

"Just wanted to say that, I'm glad were together." Seth bowed his head; he'd been to cowardly again to just tell Anna the truth.

The rest of their evening was spent in front of the TV, they'd gotten another movie and Anna was transfixed on the story line. They'd gotten How to Deal with Mandy Moore.

Seth rolled onto his back, the movie was dull, and the only part that was even remotely interesting was seeing her dad, who looked oddly familiar.

"Anna, I'm just going to go downstairs and get some air." Seth whispered standing up.

"We have a balcony." was all Anna said in response.

Seth shrugged and headed down the elevator and went and sat down at the park bench outside.

He looked sideways at the young man sitting beside him. "Oliver?" Seth breathed.

The boy set his book down. "Seth, hi!" he greeted.

It was a little strange that Oliver was here but Seth shrugged it off and engaged in a conversation.

"So, how's it going?" Oliver questioned.

"Fine, Summer told me she liked me, then walked away, don't you hate how you can't have what you really want?" Seth asked the other boy.

A far off look came to his eyes. "Yeah." Oliver replied.

Seth looked down. He wasn't used to talking to anyone about this kind of stuff, yet here he was with his 'brothers' worst enemy.

"So how's Marissa?" Seth inquired after some silence.

"Oh good, good, Is Ryan still mad?" Seth let out a snort.

"No not at all, he's skipping around, picking flowers… of course he is" Seth laughed.

Oliver shrugged. "Well I should get back upstairs. Anna will be waiting, see you around Oliver…" Seth waved and re-entered the hotel.

****