Chapter Four: As Fast as I can
Disclaimer: Not mine! All hail Josh Schwartz and his genius.
Feedback is very much appreciated. In fact, I probably wouldn't have continued if I didn't get such a positive response.
Running away had never solved Summer's problems. Her mother had abandoned them all those years ago, just so she could make out with the pool boy.
Kate had tried to explain it to Summer once or twice. She used to love her Mother, she used to wish that her hair could be as shiny, that she could be as niceā¦
But as soon as she walked out that door, it all changed. She couldn't bear to be in the same room with her anymore.
Even though Kate had tried to explain all her different reasons for leaving her family, the only one that made sense to Summer was that she couldn't stand her daughter and husband.
She wondered if Erica thought that too. It certainly seemed like it as she ran up her stairs sobbing. Seth quickly followed her, mumbling an excuse. But Summer knew him all too well, and she knew that he was as broken inside as their daughter was. She fought back the tears as she saw how she had hurt them. As much as she had tried to protect them, all she had done was the opposite.
Marissa uncomfortably shifted on the couch. She was genuinely shocked to see her former best friend--or were they still best friends? Marissa wasn't sure how they stood. Afterall, once SethandSummer were supposed to be total soulmates, and now he was just Seth. Alone in the huge house she had insisted they needed. Raising the daughter she went insane shopping for. Doing all the things they had thought Summer would do for their family.
Looking at her, she felt like they were strangers. Coop & Summ used to have sleepovers every Friday night, shopping sprees every Sunday afternoon. Even when they were dating Ryan and Seth, those two were BFFs too, so it was totally logical for the four of them to hang out. Sometimes, Marissa had confided to her shrink that she thought she knew Summer better than she knew herself.
Now she didn't know her at all, and that scared her.
Summer broke the uncomfortable silence, "So what does Erica usually do when she spazzes? Sneak Jessica in her window?"
The last part had meant to break the ice. To bring back happy memories. Their daughters were going to be bestest friends, just like their mothers and fathers. It would all have been perfect.
Of course, this was Newport. The young couples should have realized that nothing was ever perfect.
Marissa wanted to cry. "I miscarried Jessica."
Summer's hand flew to her mouth. "Oh my god! I'm so sorry, sweetie. I had no idea."
"You have no idea about a lot that has happened." Summer saw Marissa bite her lip, and instantly knew she didn't mean to insult her.
"I deserved that," she sighed. "So what has happened? Did you & Chino have other kids?"
Marissa crossed and uncrossed her legs. She didn't expect so much of a blast from the past. What next? Would Ryan be coming in soon, too? Might as well re-break Marissa & Seth's hearts together.
"Ryan and I...we never ended up getting married." She flashed her diamond engagement ring, almost out of habit. "That's Mrs. Luke Ward to you."
"Shit. You married...Luke? Why? I thought he moved to Canada or something?"
"No, he was doing some work in Milan. He's managing the business side of Prada. We've been married for six years." She smiled wistfully. "Eri was our flower girl."
"Oh. Okay, so back up. What happened to Ryan?" Summer couldn't believe all that had happened. She couldn't help but wonder what it all would be like if she had never left. Packing her bags, she had never thought of Marissa and Ryan. Only of the hurt she might cause Erica, and if she would break Seth Cohen's heart. Images of Michael and a younger Summer flashed through her mind.
"I miscarried the day after you left. Ryan and I...well, you know how we always fought. I guess it was inevitable." Marissa shrugged, but she didn't seem so sure of herself.
"Eek. So it was all my fault?!"
"No, it wasn't! God, stop thinking about yourself for five minutes."
Summer was quieter. "I'm sorry. You're right, I'm a selfish bitch."
"I didn't mean it like that! I love you! You're my bestest friend ever!"
"Am I still really? Or have you moved onto like, Holly or some fellow soccer mom?" She felt like she had totally disrupted a long awaited peace.
"Summ! Of course you're my best friend. You've been gone for ten years, and yeah, we had no idea where the hell you were! Did you know Seth hired a private investigator?! We all missed you so much. But you're here now...right?"
She started to cry, and Marissa was shocked. She had never, ever seen Summer Roberts-Cohen cry. It was just something she refused to do in front of other people. Except Seth. But he was the exception to all of Summer's unwritten rules.
Marissa moved closer to Summer, and Summer instinctively placed her head in Marissa's lap. She spoke through her sobs, "I'm such a horrible friend! And...Erica! I'm just like my Mom, and that's exactly what I didn't want to do. But....Seth...."
"Hmm?"
"Has he moved on? I know I've tried, but I feel like I need closure or something."
"Hon, that's what divorce papers are for."
Seth walked in. "Closure?" It was the last thing he expected to come of her visit.
