*Bad news you guys, my internet is down, so I will only be able to post at school.

But I promise, I will post. Do not fret, I will find a way! So review to give me

encouragement. This chapter is basically the ride home...kinda short, but could

they just appear home? No my compadre, they could not. Usual disclaimer.*

Seth stood at the back of the Rover, loading bags beside Ryan. So Luke finally

cheated on Marissa. He saw it coming from a mile away (*Quick random question..if

you are on the metric system, would you say, "I saw it coming from a kilometer away"?

Just wondering!*) Power couples are bound to fall apart by some sort of scandal. But

the look on Ryan's face when he heard Luke and Marissa was priceless. It was a mixture

of sadness, pity, happiness, and then regret for feeling happy. Funny how he always tried

to hide his feelings, but his eyes always gave him away. He heard the clack of heels on

pavement and turned around to see Summer and Marissa, rolling their suitcases along.

"Hey!" Summer called brightly, and then seeing the look on Seth's face, turned

apprehensive.

Ryan stepped out from behind Seth and looked at Marissa. Her eyes were still red

from hours of crying, her hair was in a hasty ponytail from her not having time to fix it.

But in Ryan's eyes, she was the most beautiful girl in the world.

"Here, let me get your bags," he said softly, taking the bags from Marissa and

Summer.

"Thanks," Marissa mumbled, and then headed to the rear door.

Ryan threw their suitcases in and then walked to the opposite door and got in.

Summer and Seth were left, standing awkwardly.

"Seth..." she said awkwardly.

"Let's go!" he said loudly, slamming the hatch down and striding to the driver's

door.

Summer stood amazed. A few weeks ago it would have been her stalking away

from him. Embarrassed that he was talking to her. And he would be feeling the pain of

being scorned by his love. Now, she knew what it felt like to be in his shoes.

The car was void of any and all conversation. Seth popped in his Rooney CD,

and there was no argument. The only sounds in the car were the loud strains of guitar.

The first time anyone spoke to one another was when they had just crossed the border.

"Well, there goes the end of our summer," Ryan commented philosophically.

"Yup," Summer answered thoughtfully.

"I wonder what being a junior will feel like," Marissa thought aloud, "We are

upperclassman now. Have more power."

"Well, to quote Toby Maguire, with great power comes great responsibility. So

we better use our power for good...on second thought, never mind. Let's use it

however we want!"

Marissa and Ryan laughed. Summer looked to Seth and all he was doing was

staring at the road sullenly.

"Welcome to Orange County," Seth read, "We're home."

"Can you drop us off at Summer's house?" Marissa asked Seth, "Is it OK if I

crash with you for a few days, I really don't wanna go home yet," she asked, leaning

forward to Summer.

"Definitely," Summer said, "We can go shopping for school clothes and

supplies. Even though we actually don't need the clothes because of our horrendous

uniforms, there are a ton of good sales!"

"You can maybe. But I have to wear the same clothes as last year," Marissa said,

sounding depressed.

"Oh, I am sorry girl. I have no filter. Whatever I think just comes out!"

"It's fine."

"Turn here," Summer instructed Seth.

"I know where your house is," he snapped, pulling into her driveway.

They piled out of the car once it stopped and started pulling out the girl's luggage.

Summer unlocked the door with her key and they walked into the large home.

"Dad! Leanna! I'm home!" she yelled.

When no one answered, she went into the kitchen where she found a hastily

written note in her father's handwriting.

"Sugar,

Leanna and I went to Paris on a business trip. We won't be home
for a

few weeks. Hope you had a good time on your trip and I'll be
sure to

bring you back something good.

Love,

Dad

She threw the note back down on the table.

"Well Coop, it seems like we'll have the house to ourselves for the next three

weeks, at the least."

"Fun," Marissa said non-commitedly.

"Hey Marissa," Ryan said boldly, "Can I talk to you outside?"

"Sure," she said, placing her purse down on a bar stool.

Seth and Summer stood awkwardly in the kitchen.

"So do you want something to drink? I've got Cherry..."

"No," he cut her off, "I'm fine."

"What in the hell is your problem?" she asked angrily.

"Nothing, I just hate it when people are cruel hearted."

"Me? What are you talking about? I never did anything to you."

"Evidently you made me the laughing stock of the entire female Newport

population under eighteen. I don't like being played."

"What in the fuck are you talking about?"

"You know."

"No I don't!"

"I guess you toy with guy's emotions all the time, so I must be pretty forgettable."

"Seth," she said softly, moving towards him, "I think there's been..."

"I've got to go," he said, cutting her off and jerking away, "See you around," he

said, storming out.

*What is going to happen? Are they ever going to make up and be together. Well I

know but guess what? I'm not going to tell! Mwahahahahah! I enjoy being in

power! So please review and I will love your forever!*