Rating: PG-13/R for language
Disclaimer: I own nothing that has to do with the OC.
Author's Note: Well, I think there's only one chapter left in me after this one, so the end is near. For all of you who have continuously told me to write longer chapters, here it is. I think this one's a fairly decent length--for me anyways. I hope you enjoy this one because I really liked writing it. I'll be updating my other story, One, later today and I have another story that I've started, Still Fighting It, that I will also post later on--so please look out for them. Thank you for all the reviews and enjoy!
Lady in Red
Chapter 9: One Slowdance
Seth scanned the crowd of kids for Summer. No sign of her anywhere. There were people dancing everywhere, most of them drunk or high, making out with each other. Great party. If that one person hadn't been missing, he would have had a great time. Not that he didn't appreciate the effort his girlfriend took to plan and execute this little bash. Well, okay, little wasn't really the word. Sarah had practically invited all of Orange County, a lot of people he didn't know and would probably never see again. It's like she wanted to show him off or something. She was always so concerned about appearances, how he looked, what car he would be driving when he picked her up, what hot/fancy restaurant he was taking her to, etc. She was so much like the other girls he had dated. And he couldn't understand why. She was so sweet in the beginning, he was sure she was the girl from the party. But as she got to know him and his bank account, her demeanor towards him changed. She was just as demanding and petulant as Anna and all the others had been. He hadn't expected this from her at all.
In fact he was beginning to doubt it was her.
She knew everything about that night though. She had the dress, the hair, the body. She knew about the kiss, the abrupt exit. How could it not be her? Maybe he was a little more intoxicated that night than he thought. But she looked like her, her body type, and hair all fit. He didn't know. But what he did know was that he was completely miserable. Confused and miserable.
A pair of arms wrapped around him from behind and squeezed him softly. "Hey, baby, having a good time?"
"Sure, it's a great party, Sar. Thanks."
"No problem, anything I can do to make my little Sethy happy." He smiled. "Have you seen Anna, I needed to talk with her." His smile quickly turned into a frown. If it was one major thing that bothered him about his girlfriend, it was the fact that she and Anna had gotten so close. It was like they were better suited than he and Sarah were. They went shopping together, ate lunch together, and put people down together.
"No, I haven't seen her."
"Well, I'm going to go look, see ya!" she kissed him on the cheek and flounced off.
"So, that's the infamous lady in red?" Seth turned around and saw the person he had been waiting for the whole night.
"Roberts, you made it." He walked over to her and gave her a warm hug which, instead of warming her, sent chills down her spine.
"Yeah, I can't really stay long, but I stopped in to say hello."
"Cool, thanks for coming. Where's the bf?"
"Well, we're not really together anymore. It was getting kind of weird, we were starting to dress alike and think the same. But I'm sure you and your girlfriend don't have that problem. She did a great job, by the way, everything looks beautiful."
"Yeah, she definitely out did herself this time. So you want something to drink?"
She jingled her keys in the air, "I better not. Thanks though. Umm, I forgot your gift, but I'll leave it with Marissa to give to you, okay?"
"You didn't have to get me anything. But why can't I just get it from you later?"
"Well, I'm going to be gone for the summer, so if you can wait that long…"
"What? Where are you going?"
"San Diego. I'm doing research with their summer Marine Biology program."
"Wow, that sounds great. So you're not going to be around the club this summer?" She couldn't help but notice his face fall slightly at the mention of her leaving.
"Nope, not likely. But I'm sure you'll have a good time harassing other girls into getting your car for you." She reassuringly patted him on the back and smiled.
"Hey, do you want to dance? I really like this song, and I don't see Sarah anywhere."
"Won't she get pissed?"
"Nah, she trusts me--it's cool." He took Summer's hand and led her towards the dance floor that had been set up over the pool. They danced slowly, and he felt happier than he had been in weeks. There was something there--he knew it. The sparks always flew when he was with Summer. But he felt bad for feeling this way, his girlfriend had gone out of her way to make this party great. And here he was, debating whether to dump her or not. All that time spent, looking for his lady in red--he'd finally found her, now he was thinking about another girl. What was wrong with him? He was torn, and he had no clue what to do.
You're standing there alone
And so am I
But I want you here
By my side
Your smile at me is everything
The staring game, that song of love
I look you in the eyes
I try to read your thoughts
I ask you to go with me to a far off place
I look you in the eyes
I try to read your thoughts
I ask you to go with me to a far off place
You and me dancing the night away
I can feel your heart beating so hard
We look eye to eye, and I'm swept away
On a moonlit walk on the beach
Watching the sun rise for the first time
While I'm in a trance, from that one slow dance
You're standing there alone
And so am I
But I want you here by my side
Your smile at me, is everything
The staring game, that song of love
I look you in the eyes
I try to read your thoughts
I ask you to go with me to a far off place
I look you in the eyes
I try to read your thoughts
I ask you to go with me to a far off place
You and me dancing the night away
I can feel your heart beating so hard
We look eye to eye, and I'm swept away
On a moonlit walk on the beach
Watching the sun rise for the first time
While I'm in a trance, from that one slow dance
We don't have to talk
We don't have to laugh at all
I just want you here with me
We don't have to talk
We don't have to laugh at all
I just want you here
You and me
You and me dancing the night away
I can feel your heart beating so hard
We look eye to eye, and I'm swept away
On a moonlit walk on the beach
Watching the sun rise for the first time
While I'm in a trance, from that one slow dance
Seth? What are you doing?" Sarah stormed up to the both of them. "Who is this?"
"Umm, Sarah, this is Summer. Summer, my girlfriend, Sarah."
"What the hell are you doing you bitch? Get away from my boyfriend."
"Excuse me? I wasn't aware that the only person who could talk to him was you." At this point, people started staring in their direction and murmuring amongst themselves in the way that only gossip fiends could.
"Well, maybe you should know your place. Why don't you go to the bar and fetch me a drink, then afterwards you can go and get my car."
"Hey, Sarah, that is totally uncalled for."
"Uncalled for? This whore has her hands all over you. It's obvious that she wants a little more than a friendly chat." Seth winced at the shrill quality that her voice employed. What the hell was going on? One minute, he had been talking to his friend and the next, his girlfriend had gone ballistic and he was forced to physically separate the two.
"What the fuck is your problem, you fake bitch? Feeling threatened?"
"By the hired help? I don't think so." Anna came to her friend's side and Summer saw that she was grinning from ear to ear.
"Summer, dear it's best that you leave. Give up now, hun. Seth is with Sarah now, and not you. He could never be with you, could you Seth? I mean, Summer the servant? That would be great for your reputation."
Seth looked towards the ground. He wanted to transport himself to another planet right at this second. On one hand, his girlfriend was a bitch and Summer didn't deserve to be treated like trash. On the other hand, Anna was right. His reputation would go to shit if he were to date her. And he hated that he cared about things like that, but he was shallow and he did care. It was not something he was proud of. All eyes were on him, but he did not say a word. He looked up pleadingly at Summer and saw her eyes, that were usually hard and pointed, wet with tears that threatened to fall at any moment. He looked around. Ryan stood leaning against a wall with Marissa at his side, looking disappointed. Marissa's fists were clenched and she looked ready to pounce on either Anna or Sarah. His friends watched him intently, wondering what move he would make.
"Well, Seth, I'm sorry you feel that way. I'm gonna go, back to my slave quarters, and back to my blue collar boyfriends. I don't need you or your pity so stop feeling sorry for me. And stop feeling sorry for yourself. I tried to think that you all were different, but you two are bitches and you are an asshole. Have a great fucking life. You deserve it."
She calmly walked out of the backyard, with Marissa trailing behind. "He is such a prick Sum, don't worry about it."
"I'm not."
"And I've always known those two were bitches."
"I know."
"Summer, you know you can talk to me."
"Thanks, Coop, but I really don't feel like talking right now. I'll see you later."
"Okay, bye." Marissa stood on the Cohen's driveway as Summer drove away.
---
She had just been humiliated. She didn't care that it had been in front of all those Newport bastards and bitches because she couldn't give less of a fuck about them, but Seth had hurt her. He stood by and did nothing while Anna and Sarah cut her down. He was more shallow than she had thought. She turned onto Ocean Avenue and just parked her car at the side of the road. It was late and there was hardly anyone around. A couple on a date, a two women walking a dog. She sat inside her car and rested her head on the steering wheel. She looked out over it to see the Coldstone where they had gotten ice cream. And the pier where they had fooled around and he had tackled her in the sand. And the coffee shop where she had just met him days ago. She didn't know why she felt so bad for herself. They were never dating. He didn't have any feelings invested in her, but she had some for him. And that had been her mistake.
There were only a few days left until she could leave. And get as far away from here as possible.
---
"Hey man."
"Hey." Seth looked down at his cereal bowl and pushed it away. He didn't have much of an appetite.
"You don't look so well."
"I don't feel that great. In fact, I feel completely shitty."
"Ah, still? Well, hate to say it, but you completely deserved it."
"Thanks, Ryan, that really helps."
"What? You stood by helplessly while your girlfriend let out a verbal lashing on Summer. Summer's never done anything to anyone. She's a sweet kid."
"Sarah was just protecting me. She didn't want Summer to be all over me. And what she said was true, pretty much. I can't date a girl like that."
"A girl like what? Poor? Hey, I'd like to remind you that a few years ago I was probably poorer than she was."
"Yeah, but you're you."
"Dude, she's a nice chick. Don't judge her because she doesn't drive a beamer or wear Armani. Stop being a dick and open your eyes. There's a lot more to people that outer appearances and social class. Your reputation isn't going anywhere. And if it does change because you date some girl, then isn't it worth it, to lose something as dumb as reputation to feel something as real at that?"
Ryan walked out of the room and Seth sat alone. Ryan was always right. He could make all the excuses he wanted, but he knew that he was being a complete asshole, unfair to her. She didn't deserve to be treated that way, whether they were together or not. She was a good friend to him, but he had not kept his end of the bargain. Seth ran up to his room to change. He had a plan, he was going to make it up to Summer.
---
Summer helped carry boxes to the banquet room. The hall was abuzz of people, setting up for another Newport event. She was glad to be rid of their presence for a few months. The bitch crew stood at one end of the room, watching and pointing.
Seth walked in, but instead of heading towards his girlfriend, he walked to Summer.
"Hey Roberts." She ignored him and focused on the task at hand. "Summer."
He grabbed her arm, "Summer do you really think it's a good idea to ignore the members? You could get fired for that."
"Oh, I forgot, I'm you servant and you are my master. You can boss me around and threaten me all you want, but I don't care. Let go of my arm."
"Look, I didn't mean it that way. I just want to talk to you."
"I don't have anything to say to you, so end of conversation."
"I'm sorry." He tilted her head up to meet his eyes. She shook his hand off.
"For what, not standing up for me or agreeing with the skanks? Why don't you go back to you lady in red, you two are perfect for each other."
"Look, I'm really sorry. I like you a lot Summer. If it means anything, I'm breaking up with Sarah."
"Oh, so you think that now that you break up with Sarah, you can just choose me and I'd come running back to you?" She glared at him from the corner of her eye. "You must be joking. You think you can come in here armed with a half-ass apology and everything would go back to normal. You're more dense than I thought. I don't want anything to have to do with you."
"Let me change your mind." He moved in and kissed her, in front of everyone. Sarah fumed in the back of the room. He felt a familiar spark as he kissed her. She felt like passing out from his touch.
"Get off of me you asshole! Leave me alone!" Summer ran out of the room, biting her lip. She had been perfectly content with being pissed and angry and depressed over him, but he had to go and kiss her. The two seconds the kiss lasted took all of the pain away. It was perfection. Why did he make her feel this way? He was an asshole, a prick who thought she was worthless. Why was she still into him? Why did he make things so hard?
Sarah rushed over to him, and nearly steam rolled him. "What the hell was that? You kissed her!"
"Oh, yeah. I want to break up."
"You insensitive jerk! I did everything for you! I bought that stupid dress, and listened to that stupid song! I became a freaking brunette for you!"
"What?" Seth was confused, what was she saying?
"Sarah, shut up!" Anna sounded royally pissed, and he knew how that sounded.
"No, you got me into this, but you're on your own. It's going to take me months before my natural color comes back!" Sarah ran out of the room, crying and clutching her dark strands.
"What the hell was she talking about?"
"God, you are so dense. She wasn't the lady in red, Seth." The realization hit him like a wrecking ball. Sure, he had his doubts all along, but hearing it from Anna made it real. She wasn't the girl he had been looking for all long; they'd fucked him over.
"Then who the fuck is she?" his voice came out as sort of a whimper.
"She's my cousin. I thought it would be fun to toy with you a bit--and let me tell you, it was very amusing. Especially the stuff with Summer-that was an added bonus that no one could've seen coming," Anna said this slowly and deliberately, relishing in the change of emotions on Seth's face. She had gotten everything she wanted and more because not only did Seth get hurt, but he dragged that emo girl with him. It was too priceless.
"You bitch." He wished Marissa were here to hit her. He wanted to, but walked out of the room before he could do anything he'd regret.
He walked out to the valet, giving the claim slip to the valet. He turned and nearly collided with Marissa.
"Jesus and Moses where were you like 3 minutes ago when I needed you?" She looked at him, his face red, the veins in his neck slightly bulging, by Seth Cohen standards anyways.
"Um driving here?"
"Rhetorical question, Marissa. If you see Summer just tell her that I'm sorry. I'm really, really sorry."
"What happened?" She began to feel that familiar feeling of anger rise up again. What had she missed? Had something happened between the Newport Hos and Summer again?
"It's too long to tell right now, just get a recap from Ryan later. I just screwed things up badly."
"More than you have already screwed up with her?" He shot her a look. "Oh, yeah, she gave me your birthday present. It's in my car, hold on." She retrieved a box from the car. He carefully unwrapped it. Inside was a mixed cd and a gift certificate to Cold Stone. He smiled at the memory of them being together that night. He put the two items back in the box, and his hand grazed something hard wrapped in tissue paper. He took the paper off and gaped at the box.
"What is it?" Marissa peered into the box.
"Shit, I have to find her." He closed the box and hopped into his car. "Thanks, Marissa."
He sped off, leaving her confused in front of the club. Both he and Summer had a knack for leaving her without a clue. She couldn't figure out what the big deal was--all she could see in the box was a black sequined mask.
One Slowdance by Rufio