Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: I do not own anything.
Author's Note: Here's the next chapter. To answer a question posed by Benzbabidoll: most of the things that Ryan has been through on the show are not the same as in this story. Yes he has come to Newport to live with the Cohens, but he is more of a social person and a bit of a player, as is Marissa. He has fit into Newport society fairly well because of Seth's social status. Thanks and keep leaving reviews and comments!
Lady in Red
Chapter 3: it's just you and me
"Seth, honey, aren't you going to get dressed soon? We have to leave in an hour."
"Mom, it takes me like 10 minutes to put a suit on and I already showered."
"Okay, just make sure you look presentable. A lot of people on the Group's board are going to be there and I want you to look decent."
"Sure, mom. Whatever," he trudged up to his room, not looking forward to the party at all.
All of Newport's worst would be there. His ex-girlfriend and all of her lackeys would be skanking around, looking for tail and coke. At least he had his boys there tonight. If the party got too lame, they could always go back to Luke's or Jimmy's and smoke up or get wasted. He threw on his shirt and quickly tied his tie into a double Windsor. Ryan peeked his head in the door.
"Yo, man. Can I borrow some of your cologne?"
"Sure. Putting the moves on that cheerleader tonight?" Seth knew his adopted brother was a player, and he wished he could be the same: sleep with a girl and feel nothing. Well, he could actually do that, but he didn't like doing it. He did have a conscience after all.
"Nah, I dumped her. She was getting way too clingy. I think I'm working on something new tonight."
"Ah, good luck to you."
"What about you?"
"What about me?"
"There are gonna be a lot of girls there tonight. I'm sure one of them would love to go home with the prize that is Seth Cohen."
"I've either dated or shunned all of the girls that are gonna be there tonight, so I don't think there's gonna be any fresh meat left for me."
"You never know."
"Well, whatever. I'm not really looking for anything. I'll probably end up going to Luke's anyway."
"Alright, see you later then."
"Late, man."
***
Summer walked into the banquet tent hesitantly, with Marissa at her side. She had helped decorate it only a few hours earlier. The walls were draped in brightly colored Indian fabrics, with splashed of gold, orange, green, and red capturing and enthralling her visual senses. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, shining their light upon the hundreds of men and women wearing outrageously expensive and beautiful gowns and suits. Everyone had masks with feathers and glitter and rhinestones. She was wearing the said red dress that Marissa had gushed on about. Marissa convinced her father that she needed it. And of course, Jimmy Cooper could not turn down his daughter. Summer had to admit, it was beautiful. It was a tube dress that flowed out into several ragged strips of fabric, as if someone had cut up the dress while she was twirling. There was a pale chiffon pink layer that was overlaid by a darker red chiffon layer. There was no sparkle to it or crazy floral design, but it was breathtakingly beautiful. The color of her dress accentuated the her hard earned surf tan. Her necklace, also borrowed from Marissa, was a vintage-y looking black and gold with red stones, which matched the mask that she and Marissa had made. Her hair, with temporary red and gold streaks was pulled back into a knot at the nape of her neck. She was simplicity in its most beautiful form.
She was a little taken aback at the scene in front of her. She hadn't really been to a society event of this magnitude. The others had been at Marissa's house; they had not been this grand. It was magnificent. She felt so small and insignificant in this room, with these people.
"Come on, Sum. Let's dance!" Marissa dragged her out onto the dance floor into a crowd of Harbor High people. No one noticed that she was unfamiliar. She fit into their crowd completely. It was too easy.
Seth stood at the bar, observing all of the society whores in front of him. He was a little tipsy and was feeling a little bold. Maybe he would find a girl to take home tonight. A bunch of them were dancing in the middle of the dance floor in a large group. Some of his friends were trying to get in on the action. Luke was working on Holly, Jason was working on Mandy. Seth wouldn't touch those two with an 80 foot pole. Well, he wouldn't get on them again.
Then he saw her.
She was dancing in the group, but she was definitely dancing a little more subdued and conservatively than the others. There was a shy quality about her that was familiar, but he couldn't figure out where he'd seen her before. He didn't think he had. He would have definitely noticed her. Something about her was so familiar though. She stayed by Marissa's side as they danced. The chandeliers caught the light off of her auburn-gold streaked hair. Her dress was gorgeous. It wasn't too ostentatious or overtly sexual. It was perfect in its simplicity. She was perfect.
***
The ballroom was stifling her. At first, it had been so new and exciting, but after being freaked by another Ken doll looking guy for the twentieth time that night, Summer was exhausted. She walked out onto the veranda, where the party had spilled out. People sat on the chairs, drunk and passed out. Couples giggled as they stole away for some alone time. Young girls talked about mergers and deals while flirting with men old enough to be their fathers. She took a glass of water and downed it. It was so hot in there. She heard rustling behind her. A guy in a black suit with a simple black mask adorned with only a few sequins and rhinestones walked up beside her and grabbed a glass for himself. He looked at her and smiled. She smiled back even though she was scared to death. Curly hair, sparkling brown eyes. It had to be. What if he recognized her? He looked at her once again with a blank look. Nope, he had no idea who she was. Who was she kidding, guys like Seth Cohen did not notice girls who worked in country clubs as their valet fetchers who clumsily fell off ladders.
"It's hot in there, isn't it?" he asked, his eyes shining in the moonlight.
"Yeah, really is."
"Do you go to Harbor?"
"No, I'm not from Newport."
"Cool," he thoughtfully paused waiting for her to answer. Nope, guess not. "I guess you're not going to elaborate on that."
She stood there in silence. He was making her uncomfortable. She didn't want her masquerade to be over now. Pun intended. "Do you go to Harbor?"
"Unfortunately yes. Well, it's not so bad, I guess." The sound of the waves crashing could be heard as the last strains of the song died out inside. The sea air cooled both of them down.
"It's really beautiful here."
"Yeah, I know. The perks of living by the beach." He stared into her eyes. They were as dark as this night, but he saw possibility and hope in them. He wanted to know everything about this girl. He wanted to unravel her mystery. "I don't want to sound too forward or anything, but do you want to dance?"
"It's kinda hot in there."
"We don't have to dance in there. We can dance out here. I'd rather be out here in the moonlight and covered in the ocean's mist than in someone else's sweat."
"Lovely picture you paint."
"I try." He extended his hand to her and she paused before grabbing it. What was the harm. She could dance with someone else's prince charming if she couldn't find her own.
The music filtered out of the tent. "What a fitting song…" He clasped his hands around her waist and he held her close. He knew he was getting in a little bit deep, but he felt a spark as soon as he touched her. Call it a feeling, but as soon as he held her in his arms, he knew. This girl was special. She was different that the others, she was mysterious. She could be the person he was looking for; she fit.
She felt the closeness of their bodies, but she didn't mind. They fit together easily and it wasn't uncomfortable. She leaned her head against his shoulder. They swayed along with the music and Seth started singing along with the lyrics. If she hadn't been so against romance, she would have reveled in how perfect the moment was. And it was. Perfect.
I've never seen you looking so lovely as you did tonight
I've never seen you shine so bright
I've never seen so many men ask you if you wanted to dance
They're looking for a little romance
Given half a chance
And I've never seen that dress you're wearing
Or that highlights in your hair
That catch your eyes
I have been blind
The lady in red is dancing with me
Cheek to cheek
There's nobody here
It's just you and me
It's where I wanna be
But I hardly know this beauty by my side
I'll never forget the way you look tonight
I've never seen you looking so gorgeous as you did tonight
I've never seen you shine so bright, you were amazing
I've never seen so many people want to be there by your side
And when you turned to me and smiled it took my breath away
And I have never had such a feeling, such a feeling
Of complete and utter love, as I do tonight
The lady in red is dancing with me
Cheek to cheek
There's nobody here
It's just you and me
It's where I wanna be
But I hardly know this beauty by my side
I'll never forget the way you look tonight
I never will forget the way you look tonight
The lady in red
My lady in red
I love you
Lady in Red by Chris DeBurgh