Chapter 14

Disclaimer: McG and Josh Schwartz own the O.C., I just wish I did.

A/N: This is a filler chapter...kinda...I'm running out of ideas, so if anyone has some good plot twist, leave it in your review or email me at xXbRiTnEy16@yahoo.com! Thanks.

Seth was driving on the narrow, twisted mountain roads when they passed a little shopping center with an ice cream shop.

"Ooh, Seth," Summer squealed, "ice cream!"

"No way," Seth protested, wanting to get back to the ski lodge and take a shower.

"Fine, then let go of the steering wheel," Summer insisted, grabbing the steering wheel.

"Summer, let go," Seth shouted, trying to regain control of the car.

The car swerved dangerously and they almost crashed into a tree. Almost. Fortunately Seth was quick with the brakes. The car stopped two inches away from the tree.

"Why did you do that, Summer? You could have killed all of us," Seth's anger overcame him. "What the hell were you thinking?"

Summer looked at him like a sad puppy dog. "I'm sorry," she said quietly, "I should've known better."

"Damn right you should have!" Seth wasn't going to go easy on her.

"God Seth, it was an accident," Marissa came to Summer's rescue. "She just wanted some ice cream. Why wouldn't you stop?"

"Marissa," Seth started, but was interrupted by Ryan.

"Seth, don't even start," Ryan said, giving a look to Seth that said: Avoid fighting with the women as much as possible.

Seth slumped down in his seat. No one understood him. Oh well. He rather liked it that way. He was the antagonist in their little circle of friends.

"Who wants some ice cream?" Seth said brightly, getting out of the car.

Summer, Marissa, and Ryan jumped out of the car, eager to stretch their legs and get a snack. Summer passed by Seth and whispered, "thank you."

Seth smiled. All was right with the world. At least in his world.

Much to Summer's disgust, Coop and Chino had decided to split a banana sundae. Ew. They had barely been back together for 2 days and already they were doing all the lovey-dovey couples things.

When they were done eating, they got back in the car. Seth would not start the car until Summer promised to let him handle the driving.

Finally, they arrived back to the lodge.

"Hey kids, how was skiing?" Sandy greeted them with a steaming mug of hot chocolate.

"It was great," Seth automatically answered. "What did you do today?"

Kirsten came over to them in a bathrobe that matched Sandy's. She put her arms around him.

"Well, we stayed in," she smiled.

Seth put his hand over his eyes. "Bad, bad image. Don't ever say that again, mom."

Marissa and Summer laughed.

Sandy decided to add to Seth's torture. "And we, uh, just got up."

Ryan's face contorted. "Too much information," he shook his head.

"We're going to go now, before the parentals decide to give us details," Seth squeaked, running out of the foyer.

Sandy and Kirsten gave each other high fives.

"We are too, too, good," Sandy commented, kissing his wife.

"We are, aren't we," Kirsten agreed.

Marissa headed up to Ryan's room "to talk." Ha. Like Ryan Atwood did any talking. And with the love of his life in the room? Forget it.

Seth turned to follow them up the stairs. "I'll, uh, see you later, Summer."

"Will you come with me, to the guest house?" Summer asked. "You know, to hang out. I don't want to be by myself while Coop and Chino get their mack on."

Seth smiled. This day was getting better and better.

"If you want," he replied, taking her hand in his. Let's put it this way...there was going to be a lot more than "hanging out" going on in the guest house.

You the man, Seth, you the man.