Disclaimer: I know you're sick of reading this part (if you read this part at all), but as you all know I don't own any of the characters. Fox does, which bites. I wouldn't mind owning Seth and Summer though. Enjoy :)
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Chapter 7: Gone Again
Summer, very pale looking, stepped out of her mothers car and onto familiar territory, her driveway. She breathed in the fresh air, that the hospital just didn't have. She hadn't been home a full week, but to Summer, it felt like two months. And that was just way too long. Summer's mom helped her up to the front door before kissing the top of her head. "I'll see you in few hours. Mom, needs to go to work"
"OK," Summer told her mom before opening the door. The house was quiet and cold. Summer looked down at her watch. It was a little after 2PM. She wondered where Seth, Marissa and Ryan were. She started up the stairs when the front door opened. Anna and Seth walked through the door. Anna's hand was around Seth's waist. 'They probably gotten together while I was at the hospital', she thought. Summer's stomach sank as she continued up the stairs as quick as she could. Luckily for her, Seth and Anna went straight into the kitchen.
Summer sat at the top of the stairs and rested her head against the banister. A few seconds later, the front door swung open and in came the couple. Marissa and Ryan were laughing and holding hands. They, too, went straight into the kitchen. Summer rolled her eyes before getting up. "Summer?"
Summer stopped and looked at the bottom of the stairs. He stood there at the bottom of the stairs looking up, with a small smile on his face. "Hey, Seth"
The small smile on his face was now larger than before. He slowly made his way up to her. When he reached the top he hugged her immediately. Summer was taken back, but hugged him tightly. This was probably the last time she would have Seth so close to her like that. Seth pulled away and took a good look at Summer. She looked different. She looked pale and sick. He put his hand over her forehead. "No fever. Are you OK? You look sick"
"I'm just tired," Summer said smiling weakly. Seth pulled her in for another hug.
"So you have a good trip to your relative's place?" Seth asked. Summer didn't quite hear the question, but nodded anyway. She pulled away from him sat down, leaning her head against the banister once more.
"So you and Anna, huh? You guys look cute together," Summer said making an honest remark. "Actually, not cute. You two look great together"
"What are you talking about?," Seth asked her, his forehead wrinkling in confusion. "Anna and I aren't going out, dork. I told you we were just friends, I wouldn't lie to you."
"Oh, well I think you two should go out. Gosh, how weird is this. I come home and the first conversation we have is about you and Anna," Summer laughed. "If you and Anna aren't going out. What have you been up to for the past week?"
"Well I haven't been up to anything lately. When Marissa said you were going to be gone a week, I didn't actually think she was telling the truth. It was really boring without you, I'll tell you that" Seth answered truthfully. "I missed our late night talks and most importantly I missed you"
"Haha Cohen. You're so cheesy," Summer said hitting him on the shoulder. "You're such a jokester"
"Summer, I know I'm a jokester. But I'm not joking. I really did miss you," Seth said. "For some strange odd reason, I felt like a part of me was missing"
Summer held both hands over her hears and shook her head not wanting to hear any of it. She just had gotten home and Seth was already pulling some sort of prank on her. "OK, jokes over Seth. I'm tired, I'll see you later out on the balcony"
"Wait.." Summer shook her head, got up and walked to her room. Seth sighed and looked down at the bottom of the stairs. Anna stood there, with a questioning look on her face. "I couldn't tell her"
"Tell her tonight," Anna suggested. "I have to go. I'll stop by tomorrow"
"OK, drive safely," laughed Seth. Anna glared at him and ran out of the door. Walking to her car, Anna nodded. Seth liked Summer and only Summer. No one else. She smiled before hopping into her car.
***************
Summer sat outside on the balcony looking down at her watch. It was already 12:35AM and Seth wasn't out there with her. Frustrated, she got up and tapped on Seth's door. "Seth? .... Seth?"
No answer. Summer sighed as she slid down against his glass door. She had a hunch Seth was mad that she didn't give him the opportunity to finish what he wanted to say earlier, that and he was probably asleep. She leaned her head against the door. "I'm sorry for earlier. I was just really tired. If you knew what I knew, you'd understand."
The uncomfortable silence gave Summer reassurance that Seth was asleep. He wouldn't and couldn't hear anything of what she would say. But she continued to talk. "I've never told anyone this, not even Marissa or my mother. I talk to the stars at night. Yeah I know I'm crazy, but I just feel that talking to the stars is as close as I'll get to talking to my father"
Summer fell back as the sliding door opened. Her face turned red as she looked up. Seth was standing over her, smiling and extending his hand out to her. She hit it away and got up herself. "OMG, I thought you were asleep.. you heard everything I was saying"
Summer glared at him and stomped off to her door, but not in time. Seth got a hold of her and pulled her into his room. "You're secret's safe with me"
"It's not about keeping it a secret... it's just embarrassing," Summer said looking down. Summer felt her head being lifted. Seth leaned in and kissed her on the lips softly. Summer was in utter shock. Seth looked at her smiling. He could tell she enjoyed it. "Seth"
"Well back in Newport, I use to talk to the stars myself. I had a friend who passed away. He actually was my best friend, well he was into astronomy," Seth told her. "So what's this 'something' you know that I don't?"
"Why are you telling me this?" Summer asked ignoring his question.
"Because Summer, I like you." Seth said smiling. "A lot, actually. That's why I'm telling you this. And I know you like me too, otherwise you wouldn't have opened you mouth and said anything about the stars with me sleeping or not. And I asked Marissa, she didn't tell me. Her silence said it all."
She smiled. She cupped his face with her hands and drew him in close. She kissed him on the cheeks. Just as she pulled away, it started to pour hard outside. Summer was startled and let Seth go. "Summer, I was wondering if you'd like to be my girlfriend?"
Summer gulped. There it was, the question she had been waiting for a very long time. She wanted to say yes, but she knew she couldn't. "Seth .. I "
Seth shifted in his place. He was hurt, Summer could tell. As hard as he tried to conjure up the most relaxed and OK facial expression he could, Summer saw through him. "It's OK, I understand. You might want to go to your room, you're getting wet"
"Seth, I want to be with you, but there's things you don't know," Summer said a softly stepping into Seth's room. She closed the sliding door and walked over to his bed. "I just..I won't... I think it's best if we stay friends. I'm sorry"
"It's OK Summer. Don't worry about it. We'll just pretended the kiss never happened and I never asked you the question," Seth said slightly disappointed. "Are you planning to stay up all night, because I'm beat"
Summer shook her head. Seth was already pretending none of the kisses happened, she would too. "I'm afraid to be alone during this kind of weather. Will it be OK if I stayed in your room for the night"
Seth gave her a warm hearted smile and nodded his head. He took a pillow off of his bed and threw it onto the ground. "No, sleep on the bed with me, Please?"
Seth took the pillow from off the floor and placed it back onto the bed. He crawled underneath the bed, his back turned to Summer. She did the same. After a hour had past, Summer turned over and watched Seth sleep. She smiled at the little faint mumbles. She kissed him on the cheek. "I really like you Seth. I do, but I won't be around very long. I don't want to have you then lose you in a short while." With that said Summer closed her eyes and fell into a dreamless sleep.
Another after Summer fell asleep, Seth woke up from a dream. He was damped in sweat, he turned to his side; Summer was lying there, faced up and sleeping peacefully. He let out a relieved sigh. In his dream, Summer died. This was the second time he's dreamt about her dying. He wondered why, but pushed it aside in a matter of two seconds. He kissed the top of her forehead and ran his fingers through her raven hair. "I know you want to be more than just friends, I just don't understand what's holding you back"
********
Quarter to 5AM, Summer woke up trying to catch a breath of air. She could not. Panicking, she held her hand over her chest, like she always did, hoping for it to go away. As she waited, the more tight her chest got and the more harder for her to breath. There a sharp pain was felt, she needed her mother. This was not the typical pains she normally got, this was worst. An unknown painful feeling. Moving around, she noticed she was not in her room, but in Seth's. Shit, she thought before gathering everything in her, despite the pains she was feeling, to get up and walk to the door. She fell down a few times, but was lucky enough to avoid making any loud clusters that could wake the sleeping boy.
Finally, after what seemed life forever, she reached the door. She did not hesitate to turn the knob and hurry on out of there. There was no way in hell she would let Seth see her like these or having him wonder is she was alright or not. For she knew the questions would slowly lead into a confession. For split second, Summer actually thought of cluing him in. But shook the thought away as she hurried down the hall to her mother's room. It was a miracle that she even reached the door of Heather's bedroom. She did not bother to knock, but instead busted through the door and cried out to her mother. Thank God, Summer's room was far from her mothers.
Heather, who was dreaming of her late husband, was frightened. Her eyes scanned the room and fell upon a figure lying by her bedroom door. The figure looked familiar, it was Summer. Then again, no one but her daughter came into her room. For it was not allowed. She had shared great memories with her husband and daughter in that room. Throwing back her covers, she reached for her keys; which were on her night stand. She ran over to her daughter discovering she was now unconscious. Fear washed through out her body. Fear of losing her only child. She was still breathing.
Heather carried her daughter, who didn't weigh a lot, in her arms and as fast as she could. Which isn't fast at all. She was really careful on the stairs. Praying to God, she wouldn't drop Summer. It was a success, they made it out of the house without notice. Who would notice them anyway?
After securing Summer into the passenger seat, Heather hopped behind the driver seat. This time, she did not bother to tell Marissa. She was a smart girl, she would think of something to cover up for them. The drive to the hospital was long and frightful for Heather. She was paranoid. At ever stop light, she reached over to her daughter to check up on any pulses. Upon arriving to the hospital emergency room, they were greeted by two doctors and a stretcher. Heather had made a phone call on their way over. She watched in tears and Summer was taken away on a stretcher. All she could do now was pray.
********
8AM. Surprisingly Seth woke up early. Usually he'd be up around 11. He smiled remembering that Summer had spent the night in his bed. He turned over and sighed. She wasn't in bed. A theory bubbled up in his head. Summer had gotten over her fears and had gone back to her room. Amused, Seth got up and went out onto the balcony. It was weird, for some reason he enjoyed walking out on to it. To his surprise the sliding door on her part was cracked open, just a enough for him to notice. He peeked into her room, she wasn't there.
"Seth," Ryan's voice boomed through his ears. Seth jumped back and faced his brother. Ryan was holding out a cup of Orange Juice and sporting a smile. Seth rolled his eyes, Ryan got some the night before. Seth took the glass from him and drank it all in 3 gulps. He handed it back to Ryan. "Summer and Heather went back to visit their relatives, but she isn't sure when they'd be coming back"
"What? She's gone again?" Seth asked taking a deep breath. Ryan looked at him weirdly. Had he not heard what he had just announced? Ryan sat on one of two chairs out on the balcony. Seth sat on the other. Silence filled the air, very common thing. Seth, unconsciously, began to tap his finger against the arm of the chair. Annoyed, Ryan shot him a death glare. Almost immediately, Seth stopped. "I asked her to be my girlfriend last night"
Ryan's annoyed expression eased away, he was smiling now. He obviously wanted details. "She didn't say yes but she didn't say no either. She wants to be friends. I mean I know she likes me, I'm sure of it. But .. I haven't got a clue on why she's holding back."
"Sorry man," Ryan sympathized. His smiling expression was now a frowning one. He knew how much Seth liked Summer. And despite all the shitty things Seth had done to Summer in the past, Ryan still thought they should be together. He didn't get it either. Summer liked Seth, no one gets over their first crush. And according to Marissa, Summer hasn't gotten over it. Not by a long shot. Ryan felt guilty about not telling his brother about this, but he made a promise to not say anything. He didn't want to break that promise. After all, trust is one of the basis of a relationship.
"Where's Marissa?" Seth asked out of the blue. His sudden discovery shocked him. It was rare to see Ryan without Marissa and vise-versa. The two were joint at the hip, went everywhere together, it was nauseating for Seth. The question ripped Ryan out of his thoughts.
"She had to do something, she'll be back later today," Ryan answered as he dusted lint off of his black shirt. Ryan rarely wore his wife beaters anymore. "So where stuck here all day. How fun"
********
Her hands trembled, her eyes uncontrollably wept and she barely had anything in her to continue, but she did. She walked down the quiet hospital hallway. The quietness sent chills up her spine. She shrugged it off, though, and continued down the hall. It was official, she hated the 1st floor. ICU. The hall look endless, she felt dizzy. Just as her legs were giving in, Marissa reached her destination. Summer's room. She could hear soft sobbing, she turned the knob and walked in. "Aunt?"
"Oh Marissa," Heather cried out getting up from her chair. She walked slowly toward her niece and enveloped her in a tight hug. They stayed that way for several minutes before Marissa pulled away. She hurried over to Summer. She was asleep. Machines were hooked up to her and once again silence fell upon them. The only thing that could be heard was the beeping of her heart monitor. Marissa took her hands into her own.
"You'll be alright," Marissa said unsure of her words. More unwanted tears fell from her sadden eyes. This was the first time, in a long time, that Marissa had cried this much. She closed her eyes, wishing Summer would open up her eyes and show off her beautiful eyes. Heather was still standing where Marissa had left her, only this time she looked more distraught then earlier. "What'd the doctor say?"
Silence. Heather shifted on her feet nervously and sadly. She walked up to Summer's bed and sat at the very end of it. Only a few feet away from where Marissa sat. She left like there was a massive lump in her throat, she could not say anything. "Aunt?"
"They said that her heart isn't pumping adequately. They suggested surgery, but it won't cure it. They also suggested a heart transplant," Heather cried softly looking downcast at her daughter. "I don't want to lose her"
********
Heather parked her car on the driveway and slowly got up. It was really late. She figured the kids would be asleep and she did not want to wake them from their dreams, if they were even dreaming. She smelled the fresh air of her home, she hadn't been there for the past three days. After Marissa's visit two nights before, she was convinced to go back home.
She crept into the house, unaware that Seth was in the kitchen fixing himself a snack, and shut the door behind her. Seth jumped at the sound of the front door being shut. He walked out of the kitchen and bumped into Heather. Seth dropped his peanut butter sandwich onto the carpeted floor. He cursed himself before squinting his eyes to see whom he had just bumped into. "Is that you, Mrs. Roberts?"
"Yes," Heather answered dryly. Seth noticed and felt uncomfortable. The vibes that was radiating off of Heather, wasn't happy like her normal vibes would be, it was sad and dark. Seth, did not know whether to ask her is she was feeling alright or not. After seconds of pondering, he'd decided that maybe something bad happened while visiting her relatives. It was none of his business. Something else came to mind.
"Heather, where's Summer?" Seth asked excitedly forgetting that his sandwich was still on the floor. Heather froze, she needed to come up with something quick. Heather shrugged her shoulders and moved around Seth. "Huh?"
"What do you mean? I was away on a trip with my co-workers," Heather lied. She had no idea Marissa had told them that she had told the boys that she and Summer were visiting relatives, again. Marissa had forgotten to mention it to her Aunt. She was too sad and bothered, that it slipped her mind. Seth raised an eyebrow, he was confused and wondered why Marissa would lie to himself and Ryan. "Please excuse my behavior. My co-workers said something not appropriate, ya know"
"OK," Seth said. Something was going on.
"For the next couple of week, I won't be home as much. I'll be going to meetings in other cities," Heather lied again. She hated herself for lying, but she promised Summer not to breathe a word to their guest. "If it's Ok, I'm going to bed. I had a rough day"
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Note: The part in the hospital, I'm not sure how a hospital is like up in New York, so I just made the ICU on the first floor (because at the hosptial here, it's on the first floor. LOL). And this chapter is definitely longer than Chapter 6. Sorry for not updating sooner. I've just been busy.
Anyway, aww, guys thanks for all the reviews. You make me happy :) Glad you're enjoying this story. Hope this chapter was okay. Please leave the me some reviews. Thanks.
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Chapter 7: Gone Again
Summer, very pale looking, stepped out of her mothers car and onto familiar territory, her driveway. She breathed in the fresh air, that the hospital just didn't have. She hadn't been home a full week, but to Summer, it felt like two months. And that was just way too long. Summer's mom helped her up to the front door before kissing the top of her head. "I'll see you in few hours. Mom, needs to go to work"
"OK," Summer told her mom before opening the door. The house was quiet and cold. Summer looked down at her watch. It was a little after 2PM. She wondered where Seth, Marissa and Ryan were. She started up the stairs when the front door opened. Anna and Seth walked through the door. Anna's hand was around Seth's waist. 'They probably gotten together while I was at the hospital', she thought. Summer's stomach sank as she continued up the stairs as quick as she could. Luckily for her, Seth and Anna went straight into the kitchen.
Summer sat at the top of the stairs and rested her head against the banister. A few seconds later, the front door swung open and in came the couple. Marissa and Ryan were laughing and holding hands. They, too, went straight into the kitchen. Summer rolled her eyes before getting up. "Summer?"
Summer stopped and looked at the bottom of the stairs. He stood there at the bottom of the stairs looking up, with a small smile on his face. "Hey, Seth"
The small smile on his face was now larger than before. He slowly made his way up to her. When he reached the top he hugged her immediately. Summer was taken back, but hugged him tightly. This was probably the last time she would have Seth so close to her like that. Seth pulled away and took a good look at Summer. She looked different. She looked pale and sick. He put his hand over her forehead. "No fever. Are you OK? You look sick"
"I'm just tired," Summer said smiling weakly. Seth pulled her in for another hug.
"So you have a good trip to your relative's place?" Seth asked. Summer didn't quite hear the question, but nodded anyway. She pulled away from him sat down, leaning her head against the banister once more.
"So you and Anna, huh? You guys look cute together," Summer said making an honest remark. "Actually, not cute. You two look great together"
"What are you talking about?," Seth asked her, his forehead wrinkling in confusion. "Anna and I aren't going out, dork. I told you we were just friends, I wouldn't lie to you."
"Oh, well I think you two should go out. Gosh, how weird is this. I come home and the first conversation we have is about you and Anna," Summer laughed. "If you and Anna aren't going out. What have you been up to for the past week?"
"Well I haven't been up to anything lately. When Marissa said you were going to be gone a week, I didn't actually think she was telling the truth. It was really boring without you, I'll tell you that" Seth answered truthfully. "I missed our late night talks and most importantly I missed you"
"Haha Cohen. You're so cheesy," Summer said hitting him on the shoulder. "You're such a jokester"
"Summer, I know I'm a jokester. But I'm not joking. I really did miss you," Seth said. "For some strange odd reason, I felt like a part of me was missing"
Summer held both hands over her hears and shook her head not wanting to hear any of it. She just had gotten home and Seth was already pulling some sort of prank on her. "OK, jokes over Seth. I'm tired, I'll see you later out on the balcony"
"Wait.." Summer shook her head, got up and walked to her room. Seth sighed and looked down at the bottom of the stairs. Anna stood there, with a questioning look on her face. "I couldn't tell her"
"Tell her tonight," Anna suggested. "I have to go. I'll stop by tomorrow"
"OK, drive safely," laughed Seth. Anna glared at him and ran out of the door. Walking to her car, Anna nodded. Seth liked Summer and only Summer. No one else. She smiled before hopping into her car.
***************
Summer sat outside on the balcony looking down at her watch. It was already 12:35AM and Seth wasn't out there with her. Frustrated, she got up and tapped on Seth's door. "Seth? .... Seth?"
No answer. Summer sighed as she slid down against his glass door. She had a hunch Seth was mad that she didn't give him the opportunity to finish what he wanted to say earlier, that and he was probably asleep. She leaned her head against the door. "I'm sorry for earlier. I was just really tired. If you knew what I knew, you'd understand."
The uncomfortable silence gave Summer reassurance that Seth was asleep. He wouldn't and couldn't hear anything of what she would say. But she continued to talk. "I've never told anyone this, not even Marissa or my mother. I talk to the stars at night. Yeah I know I'm crazy, but I just feel that talking to the stars is as close as I'll get to talking to my father"
Summer fell back as the sliding door opened. Her face turned red as she looked up. Seth was standing over her, smiling and extending his hand out to her. She hit it away and got up herself. "OMG, I thought you were asleep.. you heard everything I was saying"
Summer glared at him and stomped off to her door, but not in time. Seth got a hold of her and pulled her into his room. "You're secret's safe with me"
"It's not about keeping it a secret... it's just embarrassing," Summer said looking down. Summer felt her head being lifted. Seth leaned in and kissed her on the lips softly. Summer was in utter shock. Seth looked at her smiling. He could tell she enjoyed it. "Seth"
"Well back in Newport, I use to talk to the stars myself. I had a friend who passed away. He actually was my best friend, well he was into astronomy," Seth told her. "So what's this 'something' you know that I don't?"
"Why are you telling me this?" Summer asked ignoring his question.
"Because Summer, I like you." Seth said smiling. "A lot, actually. That's why I'm telling you this. And I know you like me too, otherwise you wouldn't have opened you mouth and said anything about the stars with me sleeping or not. And I asked Marissa, she didn't tell me. Her silence said it all."
She smiled. She cupped his face with her hands and drew him in close. She kissed him on the cheeks. Just as she pulled away, it started to pour hard outside. Summer was startled and let Seth go. "Summer, I was wondering if you'd like to be my girlfriend?"
Summer gulped. There it was, the question she had been waiting for a very long time. She wanted to say yes, but she knew she couldn't. "Seth .. I "
Seth shifted in his place. He was hurt, Summer could tell. As hard as he tried to conjure up the most relaxed and OK facial expression he could, Summer saw through him. "It's OK, I understand. You might want to go to your room, you're getting wet"
"Seth, I want to be with you, but there's things you don't know," Summer said a softly stepping into Seth's room. She closed the sliding door and walked over to his bed. "I just..I won't... I think it's best if we stay friends. I'm sorry"
"It's OK Summer. Don't worry about it. We'll just pretended the kiss never happened and I never asked you the question," Seth said slightly disappointed. "Are you planning to stay up all night, because I'm beat"
Summer shook her head. Seth was already pretending none of the kisses happened, she would too. "I'm afraid to be alone during this kind of weather. Will it be OK if I stayed in your room for the night"
Seth gave her a warm hearted smile and nodded his head. He took a pillow off of his bed and threw it onto the ground. "No, sleep on the bed with me, Please?"
Seth took the pillow from off the floor and placed it back onto the bed. He crawled underneath the bed, his back turned to Summer. She did the same. After a hour had past, Summer turned over and watched Seth sleep. She smiled at the little faint mumbles. She kissed him on the cheek. "I really like you Seth. I do, but I won't be around very long. I don't want to have you then lose you in a short while." With that said Summer closed her eyes and fell into a dreamless sleep.
Another after Summer fell asleep, Seth woke up from a dream. He was damped in sweat, he turned to his side; Summer was lying there, faced up and sleeping peacefully. He let out a relieved sigh. In his dream, Summer died. This was the second time he's dreamt about her dying. He wondered why, but pushed it aside in a matter of two seconds. He kissed the top of her forehead and ran his fingers through her raven hair. "I know you want to be more than just friends, I just don't understand what's holding you back"
********
Quarter to 5AM, Summer woke up trying to catch a breath of air. She could not. Panicking, she held her hand over her chest, like she always did, hoping for it to go away. As she waited, the more tight her chest got and the more harder for her to breath. There a sharp pain was felt, she needed her mother. This was not the typical pains she normally got, this was worst. An unknown painful feeling. Moving around, she noticed she was not in her room, but in Seth's. Shit, she thought before gathering everything in her, despite the pains she was feeling, to get up and walk to the door. She fell down a few times, but was lucky enough to avoid making any loud clusters that could wake the sleeping boy.
Finally, after what seemed life forever, she reached the door. She did not hesitate to turn the knob and hurry on out of there. There was no way in hell she would let Seth see her like these or having him wonder is she was alright or not. For she knew the questions would slowly lead into a confession. For split second, Summer actually thought of cluing him in. But shook the thought away as she hurried down the hall to her mother's room. It was a miracle that she even reached the door of Heather's bedroom. She did not bother to knock, but instead busted through the door and cried out to her mother. Thank God, Summer's room was far from her mothers.
Heather, who was dreaming of her late husband, was frightened. Her eyes scanned the room and fell upon a figure lying by her bedroom door. The figure looked familiar, it was Summer. Then again, no one but her daughter came into her room. For it was not allowed. She had shared great memories with her husband and daughter in that room. Throwing back her covers, she reached for her keys; which were on her night stand. She ran over to her daughter discovering she was now unconscious. Fear washed through out her body. Fear of losing her only child. She was still breathing.
Heather carried her daughter, who didn't weigh a lot, in her arms and as fast as she could. Which isn't fast at all. She was really careful on the stairs. Praying to God, she wouldn't drop Summer. It was a success, they made it out of the house without notice. Who would notice them anyway?
After securing Summer into the passenger seat, Heather hopped behind the driver seat. This time, she did not bother to tell Marissa. She was a smart girl, she would think of something to cover up for them. The drive to the hospital was long and frightful for Heather. She was paranoid. At ever stop light, she reached over to her daughter to check up on any pulses. Upon arriving to the hospital emergency room, they were greeted by two doctors and a stretcher. Heather had made a phone call on their way over. She watched in tears and Summer was taken away on a stretcher. All she could do now was pray.
********
8AM. Surprisingly Seth woke up early. Usually he'd be up around 11. He smiled remembering that Summer had spent the night in his bed. He turned over and sighed. She wasn't in bed. A theory bubbled up in his head. Summer had gotten over her fears and had gone back to her room. Amused, Seth got up and went out onto the balcony. It was weird, for some reason he enjoyed walking out on to it. To his surprise the sliding door on her part was cracked open, just a enough for him to notice. He peeked into her room, she wasn't there.
"Seth," Ryan's voice boomed through his ears. Seth jumped back and faced his brother. Ryan was holding out a cup of Orange Juice and sporting a smile. Seth rolled his eyes, Ryan got some the night before. Seth took the glass from him and drank it all in 3 gulps. He handed it back to Ryan. "Summer and Heather went back to visit their relatives, but she isn't sure when they'd be coming back"
"What? She's gone again?" Seth asked taking a deep breath. Ryan looked at him weirdly. Had he not heard what he had just announced? Ryan sat on one of two chairs out on the balcony. Seth sat on the other. Silence filled the air, very common thing. Seth, unconsciously, began to tap his finger against the arm of the chair. Annoyed, Ryan shot him a death glare. Almost immediately, Seth stopped. "I asked her to be my girlfriend last night"
Ryan's annoyed expression eased away, he was smiling now. He obviously wanted details. "She didn't say yes but she didn't say no either. She wants to be friends. I mean I know she likes me, I'm sure of it. But .. I haven't got a clue on why she's holding back."
"Sorry man," Ryan sympathized. His smiling expression was now a frowning one. He knew how much Seth liked Summer. And despite all the shitty things Seth had done to Summer in the past, Ryan still thought they should be together. He didn't get it either. Summer liked Seth, no one gets over their first crush. And according to Marissa, Summer hasn't gotten over it. Not by a long shot. Ryan felt guilty about not telling his brother about this, but he made a promise to not say anything. He didn't want to break that promise. After all, trust is one of the basis of a relationship.
"Where's Marissa?" Seth asked out of the blue. His sudden discovery shocked him. It was rare to see Ryan without Marissa and vise-versa. The two were joint at the hip, went everywhere together, it was nauseating for Seth. The question ripped Ryan out of his thoughts.
"She had to do something, she'll be back later today," Ryan answered as he dusted lint off of his black shirt. Ryan rarely wore his wife beaters anymore. "So where stuck here all day. How fun"
********
Her hands trembled, her eyes uncontrollably wept and she barely had anything in her to continue, but she did. She walked down the quiet hospital hallway. The quietness sent chills up her spine. She shrugged it off, though, and continued down the hall. It was official, she hated the 1st floor. ICU. The hall look endless, she felt dizzy. Just as her legs were giving in, Marissa reached her destination. Summer's room. She could hear soft sobbing, she turned the knob and walked in. "Aunt?"
"Oh Marissa," Heather cried out getting up from her chair. She walked slowly toward her niece and enveloped her in a tight hug. They stayed that way for several minutes before Marissa pulled away. She hurried over to Summer. She was asleep. Machines were hooked up to her and once again silence fell upon them. The only thing that could be heard was the beeping of her heart monitor. Marissa took her hands into her own.
"You'll be alright," Marissa said unsure of her words. More unwanted tears fell from her sadden eyes. This was the first time, in a long time, that Marissa had cried this much. She closed her eyes, wishing Summer would open up her eyes and show off her beautiful eyes. Heather was still standing where Marissa had left her, only this time she looked more distraught then earlier. "What'd the doctor say?"
Silence. Heather shifted on her feet nervously and sadly. She walked up to Summer's bed and sat at the very end of it. Only a few feet away from where Marissa sat. She left like there was a massive lump in her throat, she could not say anything. "Aunt?"
"They said that her heart isn't pumping adequately. They suggested surgery, but it won't cure it. They also suggested a heart transplant," Heather cried softly looking downcast at her daughter. "I don't want to lose her"
********
Heather parked her car on the driveway and slowly got up. It was really late. She figured the kids would be asleep and she did not want to wake them from their dreams, if they were even dreaming. She smelled the fresh air of her home, she hadn't been there for the past three days. After Marissa's visit two nights before, she was convinced to go back home.
She crept into the house, unaware that Seth was in the kitchen fixing himself a snack, and shut the door behind her. Seth jumped at the sound of the front door being shut. He walked out of the kitchen and bumped into Heather. Seth dropped his peanut butter sandwich onto the carpeted floor. He cursed himself before squinting his eyes to see whom he had just bumped into. "Is that you, Mrs. Roberts?"
"Yes," Heather answered dryly. Seth noticed and felt uncomfortable. The vibes that was radiating off of Heather, wasn't happy like her normal vibes would be, it was sad and dark. Seth, did not know whether to ask her is she was feeling alright or not. After seconds of pondering, he'd decided that maybe something bad happened while visiting her relatives. It was none of his business. Something else came to mind.
"Heather, where's Summer?" Seth asked excitedly forgetting that his sandwich was still on the floor. Heather froze, she needed to come up with something quick. Heather shrugged her shoulders and moved around Seth. "Huh?"
"What do you mean? I was away on a trip with my co-workers," Heather lied. She had no idea Marissa had told them that she had told the boys that she and Summer were visiting relatives, again. Marissa had forgotten to mention it to her Aunt. She was too sad and bothered, that it slipped her mind. Seth raised an eyebrow, he was confused and wondered why Marissa would lie to himself and Ryan. "Please excuse my behavior. My co-workers said something not appropriate, ya know"
"OK," Seth said. Something was going on.
"For the next couple of week, I won't be home as much. I'll be going to meetings in other cities," Heather lied again. She hated herself for lying, but she promised Summer not to breathe a word to their guest. "If it's Ok, I'm going to bed. I had a rough day"
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Note: The part in the hospital, I'm not sure how a hospital is like up in New York, so I just made the ICU on the first floor (because at the hosptial here, it's on the first floor. LOL). And this chapter is definitely longer than Chapter 6. Sorry for not updating sooner. I've just been busy.
Anyway, aww, guys thanks for all the reviews. You make me happy :) Glad you're enjoying this story. Hope this chapter was okay. Please leave the me some reviews. Thanks.