Sunlight is streaming into Seth's room through the windows. Summer lies
curled in the covers on the right side of the bed, but Seth surprisingly
isn't around to occupy the left side. The only indication he was ever
there is that his imprint and the messed up sheets on the other side.
Summer stirs and slowly wakes up, yawning. She sits up and all of the
events of the previous day come flooding back in. She looks over at the
other side of the bed and is mildly surprised that Seth isn't there. She
just begins stretching her arms as his bedroom door opens and he slips in,
quietly shutting the door behind himself. He carries with him a plate with
eggs and toast on it. He notices she's awake and sits on the end of the
bed, in front of her.
"Goodmorning. I snuck some breakfast from downstairs. Are you hungry?"
She nods and eagerly begins devouring the food. She looks so much less glamourous without the makeup and the designer clothes, but only like this is her natural beauty revealed. She smiles up at Seth as she chews.
"You're welcome. We don't have to worry about making noise. My parents went out for the morning."
She puts the plate aside and they sit in tense silence for a moment.
"Thanks, Seth."
"Hey, no worries. So, um, do you, like, want to talk about what happened?"
She's caught off-guard at the implication.
"But nothing happened."
"No. No, I mean, last night when you showed up on my balcony. You'd been crying."
"Oh, that."
"Listen, Summer, I've never done this whole in-depth talking about deep emotions before, so you'll have to understand if I stumble along in the dark here, but I'm happy to listen."
Summer diverts her eyes uncomfortably.
"Well, I had just visited Marissa. She's okay now and everything, but it wasn't easy and I think I left kind of suddenly."
"Must've been hard."
"Yeah. It's funny how we've always spent all this time, effort and money into looking like our lives are perfect and easy when, in fact, they're anything but. Everything is such a front."
"Well, some of us don't have the luxury of a front and are forced to be who we really are all the time."
He's trying to cheer her up and is revealing more of himself than he intended.
"As much as I'm mean about it, at least you're honest, Cohen. There's nothing fake or insincere about you. Hell, I act stupid all the time because I think it will somehow make me better. What kind of ridiculous mentality is that?"
"You're just trying to survive. I keep telling myself that life beyond high school isn't as cut-throat."
"Seth?"
"Yeah?"
She examines him for a moment before looking away shyly at her feet and summoning the courage to ask her question.
"Do you like me for the same reasons other guys do? I mean, are you just interested in my cause I'm eye candy? Or do you actually want to date me because of who I am inside?"
It comes out sounding a little corny and she is embarassed for asking it.
"Wow. Um, if you're asking if I'm opposed to having sex with you? Then no. But that's not all I want. I want so much more than that. I've liked you before I even understood what sex was. And, yeah, you're beautiful, but I want to know you. And what we seem to have going right now - whether it's friendship or maybe something more than that - I like it."
The answer is more than she could have ever hoped for and she smiles at him and surprises him by giving him a hug.
"Listen, Seth, I know I'm in no position to ask for any more favors since you've already done a lot for me, so feel free to say no, but I was wondering if there was any way you could come with me to visit Marissa tonight?"
He smiles at her reassuringly.
"Yeah, I think I can manage that. It'll require some sneaking out."
"Cohen, you daredevil, you. Well, I guess I should get up and get dressed already."
Seth leans back and leers appreciatively.
"Why, yes, you should. And, by all means, go right ahead."
She rolls her eyes and whacks him on the arm.
"Get to stepping, pervert."
He makes a fuss, but gets up reluctantly and heads for the door.
"This is the kind of backwards society we're living in that permits a girl to evict a guy from his own room so she can use it to her own devices."
"Cry me a river, Cohen."
***
Ryan's in the pool house, sitting on the sofa and looking depressed. Seth wanders in and takes a seat next to him.
"Ryan, you should seriously watch yourself, because you could make brooding, like, a sport."
"Can't help it. I can't stop thinking about her."
"Which is so new and unexpected. Listen, man, we've done all we can. For now we unfortunately just have to sit back and wait. At least you can be comforted by the fact that you know that she's somewhere safe and that she's okay."
"Yeah, I suppose so. It's just that this is just one more example of the fucked-up kind of world we're all living in."
Seth's mind drifts off to an earlier conversation as he nods in agreement. Ryan looks over at him and knows immediately what his friend is thinking about.
"So you and Summer are having late-night rendez-vous, huh?"
Seth's neck snaps back and he looks shocked.
"I can see right to your balcony from here. Not to mention the high- pitched obscenities being muttered every time she climbs up to your room."
"Yeah, she's more limber than I would have thought."
Ryan raises his eyebrows in a surprised unspoken question at that.
"Yeah, right. I wish. Sadly, I think I'm being pigeonholed into being the nice-guy-girl's-best-friend type."
"Y'know, Seth, that has astonishing similarities to the boyfriend type."
"Except with sex. And believe me, I'd know if there were sex. Sadly, there is no sex."
"Well, you've waited this long..."
"Yeah, what's a few more years of my life?"
Ryan shakes his head at the absurdity of it all.
"How did we get to the point that our every mood and thought is defined by these... girls?"
"We're doomed, man. No doubt about it. So... playstation?"
"Why not? It's more reliable than a woman, any day."
***
Seth dashes up the stairs to his room after supper is finished. He opens and shuts the door quietly, grabbing his sweater off the back of his chair before heading to the balcony. He almost rushes right past Summer who is sitting back on his bed, flipping through a comic book looking bored.
"Hey, Cohen."
"What the hell? I'm just going to have to get you a rope ladder, aren't I?"
"Couldn't hurt. I'm getting some nasty scrapes on my arms. Are you ready to go?"
He tosses a paper bag at her, which she opens while he pulls on the sweater.
"Yeah. That's supper. It's just chicken, but it isn't bad. You can eat it on the way."
She smiles appreciatively and gets up as they both head for the balcony.
"So do you have some geeky mastermind plan so that you don't get caught?"
"Ryan's watching my back. Turns out you're not so stealth in your comings and goings there, Summer, cause he's been hearing quite the colorful language from the pool house."
She turns beet red and Seth laughs as they both haul themselves over the edge of the balcony.
***
This time the hospital room is lit up as Marissa sits up in bed reading a magazine. The door opens and Seth and Summer slip inside. Marissa smiles warmly at both of them and seems to be doing much better. Seth offers a little wave and follows Summer up as she takes a seat in the chair next to the bed.
"Heya, Coop. You look like you're doing better."
"Yeah, well, getting out of here is great motivation to feel better."
"That bad, huh?"
"Well, I don't get to see anyone most of the time and it's completely boring. And then doctors and nurses come in and ask me the same routine questions over and over again. It's boring and incredibly annoying."
"Ugh, tell them where to stick it. I brought Cohen with me this time for comedic relief."
Seth raises an eyebrow skeptically at Summer, but smiles at Marissa.
"I live to serve."
"Ryan couldn't make it?" Marissa's a little too casual when she says this, but neither of her friends think this is the time to press her on it.
"Sadly, he's covering for me and his absence would be more noticable being that I have no life while he does."
"Even if it is a recurring guest appearance at Chino."
Summer can always be counted on for adding confidence boosters. But it appears to be working as Marissa giggles.
"So what else am I missing being locked up in here?"
"Grey is the new black. My Dad's off to Bangladesh this time."
"Summer's sleeping with me."
"Seth!"
"What?!"
Marissa's eye bulge out of her head at this tidbit of juicy gossip.
"No, no. Sadly, it sounds better than it is."
"Seth, for God's sake, shut the hell up!"
Seth and Summer are sparring and he's really enjoying that all of this is getting to her. Marissa is in a state of shocked silence.
"Someone please explain."
"Well, with my Dad in Bangladesh the house has been so empty and with all that's been going on I've been kind of lonely. And dorks are this season's hottest accessory, so who am I to argue with Jane magazine? But it's really nothing but entirely platonic sleeping."
"Nothing? HA! Marissa, she wants me. Bad!"
Summer whacks Seth in the stomach and he keels over a little. Marissa can't suppress her laughter. Seth looks at Summer and points to Marissa.
"See? She sees it!"
"I swear, Coop, it's like owning a puppy. An increidbly stupid puppy that keeps walking into sliding glass doors and stuff. I'm one short step away from needing a pooper-scooper for him."
"Hey, everybody loves a puppy."
"Yeah, well, if this puppy doesn't watch himself he's going to get neutered."
Seth slowly retreats, keeping a careful eye on Summer, but a good distance. Marissa is busting a gut at their antics. Finally, the two notice their effect and are quiet pleased that they've managed to brighten her day.
"Listen, you two, I really want to thank you for coming to visit. I know everything has been so emotionally overwhelming lately and it means a lot to me that you're both here. I'm glad you don't think I'm some sort of pathetic psycho."
Summer looks at her friend sadly and Seth has moved back to Summer's side and rests a comforting hand on her shoulder. Marissa continues on appreciatively.
"And I've been feeling a lot better so I think they might be letting me go home soon. It's just really important to me that none of this gets out. I know that your parents know, Seth, and that's fine. I just don't want this getting out into the school gossip mill since people can be so vicious, y'know?"
"Hey, this is your life, Coop, and we all have a right to go through our emotional times. But we won't say anything to anyone."
"Yeah, Marissa, no worries."
"Thanks. I just want to put this whole distraught episode behind me and move on with my life."
"That's a really good attitude, Coop. And we're all here for you while you're doing that."
Marissa smiles as Summer reaches out and takes her friend's hand in her own.
"Well, I don't want to keep you two since there's no doubt a bed that is missing two hot naked bodies."
Summer rolls her eyes and makes gagging noises and Seth grins smugly and looks cockily at Summer.
"Uh-huh, uh-huh. I told you she sees it."
"Well, the next thing she'll be seeing is my foot up your ass if you don't watch yourself, Cohen."
"Summer, we've talked about this. I'm not into that kink."
Summer's jaw drops and Seth is basking in the glow of success. Marissa, on the other hand, is giggling hysterically.
"You two are going to have some crazy kids someday."
"Do NOT encourage him, Coop."
***
Summer and Seth exit the hospital feeling giddy and hyper. Summer is laughing as Seth walks just a step behind her, watching her amusedly. Impulsively she grabs his hand, surprising them both. Instead of drawing attention to it, though, they both just relax into it naturally.
"She seems to be doing really well."
"Yeah, she does, doesn't she? I'm really happy about it. Last night prospects didn't look that good."
"Well, hopefully she'll be out of there soon."
"Yeah, I miss having my best friend around. Although, you're not too bad a replacement, Cohen."
Seth pleasantly surprised at this turn of events.
"Is that what I am now?"
"Yes... and no."
"No?"
"I don't know. It's too early in the game to tell. But there's potential for all sorts of things at this point."
"Summer?"
"Yeah?"
"Do you want me to be your boyfriend?"
Instead of the usual gag-relfex reaction he'd expect from her, Summer goes quiet and contemplates her answer.
"Sometimes. But sometimes I just don't want to screw this up."
"This?"
"What's going on between us."
"Ah, yes. This."
"And I've never really had a boyfriend before. I mean, there have been guys I've dated and messed around with, but that isn't exactly the same thing."
"Not to mention what your friends would think if they saw you with me."
She looks guilty, but he doesn't judge her.
"Yeah, I hate the fact that those things affect me. Not that those people are really my friends, anyhow. Well, aside from Coop who seems to like you well enough. I don't think I'd want a friend like Holly or Luke."
"What about you? Do you like me well enough?"
A small smile plays on her lips as she stops to look at him.
"Yeah. I think I do."
She smiles at him and he smiles right back and there is quite a bit of tension between them. They're both excited and nervous.
"Okay, so I've never done this before, so I'm just going to go ahead and do it, okay?"
And with that Seth leans in and kisses Summer lightly on the lips. It doesn't last too long and it leaves just enough tension left so that they're both wanting more.
"Wow. Okay then."
Seth has gained confidence from this move and he grabs her hand again as they continue walking along home.
***
Seth shuts the sliding glass door behind himself as they're both in his room now. A newfound awkwardness is between them since the kiss, though. They're both jumpy and hyper-aware of one another.
"So, um, y'know, there's no pressure because of what happened earlier."
She nods in agreement.
"Right. Of course not."
"And if you don't want to sleep here-"
"No, no. I do. It's fine."
He nods and goes to his chest of drawers grabbing pyjamas for her.
"I'll just give you a minute."
"Seth, you don't have to do that."
His jaw drops and he is stunned.
"What?"
"Well, no, I'm not that easy. But you don't have to scamper off. Just turn around."
"Oh, okay. Yeah."
He complies quickly, but his over-zealous reaction has been noted by her. He's obviously distracted by the situation, though, as she slips into the pyjamas quickly.
"Done."
He turns back around as she's crawling under the comforter. He goes and grabs some pyjamas for himself.
"Why are you grabbing a shirt, Seth?"
"Um, to sleep in?"
"You didn't wear one last night."
"Well, yeah, that's because I wasn't expecting you. And now you're here so..."
"God, Seth, there's no need for that much modesty."
He looks awkward, but he shrugs and pulls his shirt off over his head and pulls his pyjama pants on over his boxers. Then he climbs into bed next to her. They're both completely awake and neither looks at the other. Finally Summer looses her patience and makes the first move by scooting closer to him. He turns to face her and they are milimetres apart.
"We're not going to have sex tonight, Cohen."
"Right, nada on the sex."
She rolls her eyes at his seriousness before scooting her face just a little closer and kisses him. It's less lustfilled and is a little more innocent and tentative. They both let it build slowly and begin moving their bodies closer together. Suddenly it starts getting quiet a bit more passionate and steamy and finally Summer moves back.
"Yeah, we should stop now, Seth. Before we can't."
"You're right. So, um, goodnight?"
"Yeah, goodnight."
He kisses the tip her nose and she smiles as he leans back and she leans into his neck. They embrace and settle off into a peaceful sleep.
"Goodmorning. I snuck some breakfast from downstairs. Are you hungry?"
She nods and eagerly begins devouring the food. She looks so much less glamourous without the makeup and the designer clothes, but only like this is her natural beauty revealed. She smiles up at Seth as she chews.
"You're welcome. We don't have to worry about making noise. My parents went out for the morning."
She puts the plate aside and they sit in tense silence for a moment.
"Thanks, Seth."
"Hey, no worries. So, um, do you, like, want to talk about what happened?"
She's caught off-guard at the implication.
"But nothing happened."
"No. No, I mean, last night when you showed up on my balcony. You'd been crying."
"Oh, that."
"Listen, Summer, I've never done this whole in-depth talking about deep emotions before, so you'll have to understand if I stumble along in the dark here, but I'm happy to listen."
Summer diverts her eyes uncomfortably.
"Well, I had just visited Marissa. She's okay now and everything, but it wasn't easy and I think I left kind of suddenly."
"Must've been hard."
"Yeah. It's funny how we've always spent all this time, effort and money into looking like our lives are perfect and easy when, in fact, they're anything but. Everything is such a front."
"Well, some of us don't have the luxury of a front and are forced to be who we really are all the time."
He's trying to cheer her up and is revealing more of himself than he intended.
"As much as I'm mean about it, at least you're honest, Cohen. There's nothing fake or insincere about you. Hell, I act stupid all the time because I think it will somehow make me better. What kind of ridiculous mentality is that?"
"You're just trying to survive. I keep telling myself that life beyond high school isn't as cut-throat."
"Seth?"
"Yeah?"
She examines him for a moment before looking away shyly at her feet and summoning the courage to ask her question.
"Do you like me for the same reasons other guys do? I mean, are you just interested in my cause I'm eye candy? Or do you actually want to date me because of who I am inside?"
It comes out sounding a little corny and she is embarassed for asking it.
"Wow. Um, if you're asking if I'm opposed to having sex with you? Then no. But that's not all I want. I want so much more than that. I've liked you before I even understood what sex was. And, yeah, you're beautiful, but I want to know you. And what we seem to have going right now - whether it's friendship or maybe something more than that - I like it."
The answer is more than she could have ever hoped for and she smiles at him and surprises him by giving him a hug.
"Listen, Seth, I know I'm in no position to ask for any more favors since you've already done a lot for me, so feel free to say no, but I was wondering if there was any way you could come with me to visit Marissa tonight?"
He smiles at her reassuringly.
"Yeah, I think I can manage that. It'll require some sneaking out."
"Cohen, you daredevil, you. Well, I guess I should get up and get dressed already."
Seth leans back and leers appreciatively.
"Why, yes, you should. And, by all means, go right ahead."
She rolls her eyes and whacks him on the arm.
"Get to stepping, pervert."
He makes a fuss, but gets up reluctantly and heads for the door.
"This is the kind of backwards society we're living in that permits a girl to evict a guy from his own room so she can use it to her own devices."
"Cry me a river, Cohen."
***
Ryan's in the pool house, sitting on the sofa and looking depressed. Seth wanders in and takes a seat next to him.
"Ryan, you should seriously watch yourself, because you could make brooding, like, a sport."
"Can't help it. I can't stop thinking about her."
"Which is so new and unexpected. Listen, man, we've done all we can. For now we unfortunately just have to sit back and wait. At least you can be comforted by the fact that you know that she's somewhere safe and that she's okay."
"Yeah, I suppose so. It's just that this is just one more example of the fucked-up kind of world we're all living in."
Seth's mind drifts off to an earlier conversation as he nods in agreement. Ryan looks over at him and knows immediately what his friend is thinking about.
"So you and Summer are having late-night rendez-vous, huh?"
Seth's neck snaps back and he looks shocked.
"I can see right to your balcony from here. Not to mention the high- pitched obscenities being muttered every time she climbs up to your room."
"Yeah, she's more limber than I would have thought."
Ryan raises his eyebrows in a surprised unspoken question at that.
"Yeah, right. I wish. Sadly, I think I'm being pigeonholed into being the nice-guy-girl's-best-friend type."
"Y'know, Seth, that has astonishing similarities to the boyfriend type."
"Except with sex. And believe me, I'd know if there were sex. Sadly, there is no sex."
"Well, you've waited this long..."
"Yeah, what's a few more years of my life?"
Ryan shakes his head at the absurdity of it all.
"How did we get to the point that our every mood and thought is defined by these... girls?"
"We're doomed, man. No doubt about it. So... playstation?"
"Why not? It's more reliable than a woman, any day."
***
Seth dashes up the stairs to his room after supper is finished. He opens and shuts the door quietly, grabbing his sweater off the back of his chair before heading to the balcony. He almost rushes right past Summer who is sitting back on his bed, flipping through a comic book looking bored.
"Hey, Cohen."
"What the hell? I'm just going to have to get you a rope ladder, aren't I?"
"Couldn't hurt. I'm getting some nasty scrapes on my arms. Are you ready to go?"
He tosses a paper bag at her, which she opens while he pulls on the sweater.
"Yeah. That's supper. It's just chicken, but it isn't bad. You can eat it on the way."
She smiles appreciatively and gets up as they both head for the balcony.
"So do you have some geeky mastermind plan so that you don't get caught?"
"Ryan's watching my back. Turns out you're not so stealth in your comings and goings there, Summer, cause he's been hearing quite the colorful language from the pool house."
She turns beet red and Seth laughs as they both haul themselves over the edge of the balcony.
***
This time the hospital room is lit up as Marissa sits up in bed reading a magazine. The door opens and Seth and Summer slip inside. Marissa smiles warmly at both of them and seems to be doing much better. Seth offers a little wave and follows Summer up as she takes a seat in the chair next to the bed.
"Heya, Coop. You look like you're doing better."
"Yeah, well, getting out of here is great motivation to feel better."
"That bad, huh?"
"Well, I don't get to see anyone most of the time and it's completely boring. And then doctors and nurses come in and ask me the same routine questions over and over again. It's boring and incredibly annoying."
"Ugh, tell them where to stick it. I brought Cohen with me this time for comedic relief."
Seth raises an eyebrow skeptically at Summer, but smiles at Marissa.
"I live to serve."
"Ryan couldn't make it?" Marissa's a little too casual when she says this, but neither of her friends think this is the time to press her on it.
"Sadly, he's covering for me and his absence would be more noticable being that I have no life while he does."
"Even if it is a recurring guest appearance at Chino."
Summer can always be counted on for adding confidence boosters. But it appears to be working as Marissa giggles.
"So what else am I missing being locked up in here?"
"Grey is the new black. My Dad's off to Bangladesh this time."
"Summer's sleeping with me."
"Seth!"
"What?!"
Marissa's eye bulge out of her head at this tidbit of juicy gossip.
"No, no. Sadly, it sounds better than it is."
"Seth, for God's sake, shut the hell up!"
Seth and Summer are sparring and he's really enjoying that all of this is getting to her. Marissa is in a state of shocked silence.
"Someone please explain."
"Well, with my Dad in Bangladesh the house has been so empty and with all that's been going on I've been kind of lonely. And dorks are this season's hottest accessory, so who am I to argue with Jane magazine? But it's really nothing but entirely platonic sleeping."
"Nothing? HA! Marissa, she wants me. Bad!"
Summer whacks Seth in the stomach and he keels over a little. Marissa can't suppress her laughter. Seth looks at Summer and points to Marissa.
"See? She sees it!"
"I swear, Coop, it's like owning a puppy. An increidbly stupid puppy that keeps walking into sliding glass doors and stuff. I'm one short step away from needing a pooper-scooper for him."
"Hey, everybody loves a puppy."
"Yeah, well, if this puppy doesn't watch himself he's going to get neutered."
Seth slowly retreats, keeping a careful eye on Summer, but a good distance. Marissa is busting a gut at their antics. Finally, the two notice their effect and are quiet pleased that they've managed to brighten her day.
"Listen, you two, I really want to thank you for coming to visit. I know everything has been so emotionally overwhelming lately and it means a lot to me that you're both here. I'm glad you don't think I'm some sort of pathetic psycho."
Summer looks at her friend sadly and Seth has moved back to Summer's side and rests a comforting hand on her shoulder. Marissa continues on appreciatively.
"And I've been feeling a lot better so I think they might be letting me go home soon. It's just really important to me that none of this gets out. I know that your parents know, Seth, and that's fine. I just don't want this getting out into the school gossip mill since people can be so vicious, y'know?"
"Hey, this is your life, Coop, and we all have a right to go through our emotional times. But we won't say anything to anyone."
"Yeah, Marissa, no worries."
"Thanks. I just want to put this whole distraught episode behind me and move on with my life."
"That's a really good attitude, Coop. And we're all here for you while you're doing that."
Marissa smiles as Summer reaches out and takes her friend's hand in her own.
"Well, I don't want to keep you two since there's no doubt a bed that is missing two hot naked bodies."
Summer rolls her eyes and makes gagging noises and Seth grins smugly and looks cockily at Summer.
"Uh-huh, uh-huh. I told you she sees it."
"Well, the next thing she'll be seeing is my foot up your ass if you don't watch yourself, Cohen."
"Summer, we've talked about this. I'm not into that kink."
Summer's jaw drops and Seth is basking in the glow of success. Marissa, on the other hand, is giggling hysterically.
"You two are going to have some crazy kids someday."
"Do NOT encourage him, Coop."
***
Summer and Seth exit the hospital feeling giddy and hyper. Summer is laughing as Seth walks just a step behind her, watching her amusedly. Impulsively she grabs his hand, surprising them both. Instead of drawing attention to it, though, they both just relax into it naturally.
"She seems to be doing really well."
"Yeah, she does, doesn't she? I'm really happy about it. Last night prospects didn't look that good."
"Well, hopefully she'll be out of there soon."
"Yeah, I miss having my best friend around. Although, you're not too bad a replacement, Cohen."
Seth pleasantly surprised at this turn of events.
"Is that what I am now?"
"Yes... and no."
"No?"
"I don't know. It's too early in the game to tell. But there's potential for all sorts of things at this point."
"Summer?"
"Yeah?"
"Do you want me to be your boyfriend?"
Instead of the usual gag-relfex reaction he'd expect from her, Summer goes quiet and contemplates her answer.
"Sometimes. But sometimes I just don't want to screw this up."
"This?"
"What's going on between us."
"Ah, yes. This."
"And I've never really had a boyfriend before. I mean, there have been guys I've dated and messed around with, but that isn't exactly the same thing."
"Not to mention what your friends would think if they saw you with me."
She looks guilty, but he doesn't judge her.
"Yeah, I hate the fact that those things affect me. Not that those people are really my friends, anyhow. Well, aside from Coop who seems to like you well enough. I don't think I'd want a friend like Holly or Luke."
"What about you? Do you like me well enough?"
A small smile plays on her lips as she stops to look at him.
"Yeah. I think I do."
She smiles at him and he smiles right back and there is quite a bit of tension between them. They're both excited and nervous.
"Okay, so I've never done this before, so I'm just going to go ahead and do it, okay?"
And with that Seth leans in and kisses Summer lightly on the lips. It doesn't last too long and it leaves just enough tension left so that they're both wanting more.
"Wow. Okay then."
Seth has gained confidence from this move and he grabs her hand again as they continue walking along home.
***
Seth shuts the sliding glass door behind himself as they're both in his room now. A newfound awkwardness is between them since the kiss, though. They're both jumpy and hyper-aware of one another.
"So, um, y'know, there's no pressure because of what happened earlier."
She nods in agreement.
"Right. Of course not."
"And if you don't want to sleep here-"
"No, no. I do. It's fine."
He nods and goes to his chest of drawers grabbing pyjamas for her.
"I'll just give you a minute."
"Seth, you don't have to do that."
His jaw drops and he is stunned.
"What?"
"Well, no, I'm not that easy. But you don't have to scamper off. Just turn around."
"Oh, okay. Yeah."
He complies quickly, but his over-zealous reaction has been noted by her. He's obviously distracted by the situation, though, as she slips into the pyjamas quickly.
"Done."
He turns back around as she's crawling under the comforter. He goes and grabs some pyjamas for himself.
"Why are you grabbing a shirt, Seth?"
"Um, to sleep in?"
"You didn't wear one last night."
"Well, yeah, that's because I wasn't expecting you. And now you're here so..."
"God, Seth, there's no need for that much modesty."
He looks awkward, but he shrugs and pulls his shirt off over his head and pulls his pyjama pants on over his boxers. Then he climbs into bed next to her. They're both completely awake and neither looks at the other. Finally Summer looses her patience and makes the first move by scooting closer to him. He turns to face her and they are milimetres apart.
"We're not going to have sex tonight, Cohen."
"Right, nada on the sex."
She rolls her eyes at his seriousness before scooting her face just a little closer and kisses him. It's less lustfilled and is a little more innocent and tentative. They both let it build slowly and begin moving their bodies closer together. Suddenly it starts getting quiet a bit more passionate and steamy and finally Summer moves back.
"Yeah, we should stop now, Seth. Before we can't."
"You're right. So, um, goodnight?"
"Yeah, goodnight."
He kisses the tip her nose and she smiles as he leans back and she leans into his neck. They embrace and settle off into a peaceful sleep.
