Title: Thanks to You

Disclaimer: I don't own anything. Fox does.

Summary: Takes place after the "The Secret" episode that aired Nov.26, 2003

Rating: PG-13

Classification: S/S, S/A, R/M

Genre: romance; angst

Author's Note: Thank you, thank you to: A Whispered Dream, In Fair Verona, EricandDonna4Ever, Sammy11, dolcegrazia and DCfanatic4890 for all their wonderful feedback. Thanks to everyone else who has commented on this story, I truly appreciate it.

Enjoy the chapter, a lot of Summer anguish.

Chapter 2 : Ice Queen Extraordinaire

"Is that all?"

"Coop, I've told you everything that happened. We walked around the boardwalk and kissed each other good night at the end. There's nothing else to tell."

Marissa frowned at Summer, "Oh come on, Summer. Are you trying to tell me that you didn't try to put the moves on him?"

Summer stared at Marissa in disgust, "Um. Ew! Seth Cohen is like a virgin and stuff. He's not into that, Coop."

"But he liiiiikes you. He'll do you, any day!" Marissa started poking Summer's arm. "He liiiiikes you."

"Don't say things like that! Seth is not that kind of guy. Besides, if he 'liiiiikes' me so much, then why didn't he try to put the moves on me?"

Marissa shrugged and stopped poking Summer. "Who knows. But I'm telling you Sum, that kid has it for you bad."

"Whatever. So that's all there is to say about the date. It's weird though, because, like, even though I didn't do stuff with him; I had a really great time." Summer began to gather her books and shoved it into her bag.

"Are you leaving already?" Marissa asked her.

"Yeah, I promised Seth I'd be home by six so that he could call me."

Marissa grinned. "Oh. Seth."

Summer picked up a pillow and threw it at Marissa. "Shut up, Coop!"

--

At 6:01 Summer walked through the door, but before she had a chance to put her things in her room, the phone rang.

"Hello? Roberts household."

"So professional-sounding. I love it. Unwary telemarketers would never suspect that you're this feisty little thing."

"Hi to you too, Seth."

"Hey, Summer. Can you come out and play?" Seth asked.

Summer had to laugh at Seth's humor. "Well, I've been a good girl so I'm sure Daddy and step-mommy wouldn't mind. Bring your dolls … or better yet, Captain Oats!"

Seth faked a laugh and said, "Very funny. I'll go fuel up my Batmobile right now so that I can arrive in style."

After Summer hung up, she grabbed her things and brought them to her room. She needed a rest after the endless string of activities she had done throughout the day. She laid on her bed and stared at her pink-stucco ceiling. She closed her eyes and thoughts began to rush through her head.

When did she start to enjoy Seth Cohen's company? Seth Cohen – the guy she didn't realize had existed until a few months ago. When did her brain begin to register his name, mannerisms and looks? When did her stomach start doing flip flops each time he touched her? It happened so fast, she did not understand what she was feeling. She was Summer Roberts. She's not supposed to actually like anyone. Fool around, sure – that was her specialty. But actually have feelings for a person? That was unheard of.

This can't be happening. Summer had to snap out of this vibe. She needed to become the Ice Queen Extraordinaire. That is who she was, after all.

--

            Seth knocked at the door and waited patiently for Summer to open it. Summer checked her hair in the hallway mirror before opening the door.

"Welcome to my hell."

"Well then I must've come to the wrong place. I could've sworn I was going to heaven." Seth outstretched his hands to give Summer a hug but she turned away. Now hurt, Seth suddenly became uncomfortable.  Summer noticed Seth's discomfort, but did nothing to ease him. 

Seth sat himself down in the sitting room couch and placed his hands on his lap, waiting for Summer to speak.  She sat down next to him and put her arms around his neck. She kissed him purposely and hard until Seth had to pull away for fresh air. As she was about to take Seth's sweater off, she suddenly remembered her need to be distant from people, particularly Seth. She stopped attempting to take off Seth's sweater and pushed him away. Seth sat there with his mouth open, expecting more passionate kisses.

"Cohen, maybe we're going too fast. Last night's date was boring and I did not have a great time."

The look on Seth's face after she said that hurt Summer more than having to say the words themselves. She wanted to go to Seth, put his face between her hands and tell him that she was lying, it was actually the best date she had gone on. And that she was starting to like him. Actually like him. But she was scared. Liking someone meant that the person had the potential to hurt her. And Summer couldn't handle those emotions.  Summer was a fragile person, despite her imposing demeanor on the outside.  She was a delicate daisy, refusing to let her petals fall in a game of 'he-likes-me, he-likes-me-not'.

Seth sat next to Summer, confused. Should he leave? Stay? Try to kiss her one more time because she looked so hot at that moment? He decided against the latter. "Summer, I don't understand. You looked like you were having fun, unless you were doing this whole reverse psychology thing on me last night because then that is … is … just not, not nice at all."

Summer bit her bottom lip and got up. "Seth, can you please leave? I've had an exhausting day and I am not in the mood to entertain."

Seth stood up and walked towards the door. He contemplated in his head as to whether or not he should say what he wanted to say. He liked Summer a lot, but it was time she realized that her actions affected him so he went ahead and said it, "Yeah, Summer., toying with people's emotions must be really tiring." Seth looked at her sadly one last time before turning towards the door and letting himself out.

Summer used every ounce of self-control that she contained in her petite frame to prevent herself from opening the door, running outside and putting her arms around Seth.

This was for the best. Summer must not allow herself to fall in like -- with anyone. Besides, she was Summer Roberts. She wasn't exactly known for her dazzling personality. She was sure that Seth needed someone who was his equal, someone who was caring enough to be sensitive to his wants. Summer couldn't possibly give him that. She was too reserved to be in any kind of relationship.

Summer went back to her room and laid in bed; wondering if she'd ever allow herself to like anyone.

First of all, there's no one you can talk to.

When there is, they just don't seem to hear.
Words don't seem to matter much anyway,
they can't describe the pain, they can't explain the fear.
Then the nights grow cold and hard to live through,

Still you hate to see the morning come.
Somehow tomorrow doesn't matter much anymore,
the future holds no promise, your life's already done.

"Falling Out of Love" – John Denver