Rating for this chapter: PG

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One

Chapter 3: Mondays are the worst

Summer lazily strolled down Madison, toting, of course, many shopping bags. After reading the card last Friday, she needed some more retail therapy, even though it was a few days late. She began to feel sick again, just thinking of it. Summer was scared. Scared of what was to inevitably come of these unexpected events. In her mind, she felt the cardstock again, reading the glittery black cursive on the invitation. We request your presence at the engagement dinner of Ryan Atwood and Marissa Cooper… Summer had known this was bound to happen sometime soon, but she was hoping soon was like in ten to fifteen years from now. Everything was so soon, so sudden. She didn't want to return to Newport again. After all, it had been about a decade since the last time she was there. Sure, her job had taken her to Los Angeles many, many times, but she could never take that next step and drive down past the Orange Curtain. Why did you do this to me, Coop? Her mind fought it, but she knew it was for her own good; it was time to face her demons. The demons of her past. Speaking of demons, I better get back to the office soon for the meeting. She did not really want to see her editors mad right now. She passed by the all too familiar marble façade with the gleaming glass display cases, and she couldn't help it. Glancing at her watch, Summer decided that she still had a little bit more time until she really had to get back from her 3.5 hour lunch break. A woman walked out with a beautiful robin egg colored bag which made Summer twitch with jealousy. A little trip to Tiffany's never hurt anyone. And I could even pick up a gift for Coop and Chino. And if I happen to pick up some trinkets for myself to ease the pain, then so be it.

***

Summer sat in the conference room while the editors painfully went through every page on the new issue before it was sent to the printer. Her article had passed by about ten pages before, so now she was bored out of her mind. If the other pieces had been about something interesting other than the same articles about the right hairstyle for your face, she might be a little more involved in the process. And yes, it was a shock to hear that she didn't want to hear about good lip colors and blushes, but after working at Skin Deep for as long as she did, she had read everything she'd ever wanted to know about those topics.

"Alright, so everything looks good?" Marcy Patton, the head editor a.k.a. the CEO's daughter asked to the room full of people. Everyone nodded in agreement, hoping that this was it, "Ok, well, it's set to print then. And as an early present, I have next month's assignments ordered by department." Everyone groaned. Summer was already done with next month's article, she didn't care. She hightailed it out of there.

"Any calls, Katie?"

"Yep, a ton. I left the message pad on your desk."

"Thanks a lot, how was your weekend?" The only person Summer wasn't outwardly hostile to most of the time was her personal assistant. That's mostly because Summer didn't have many friends at the office. Surprise, surprise. She had no family in the area. Even if she did, most of her uncles and aunts didn't care about her and her cousins were all too old or too young to hang out with. That left her alone. Which is why it was comforting to hear about someone else's life. Sometimes.

"It was terrible, my sister was sick the whole time, so I had to stay with her. But I did get a chance to catch up on some TV," she rolled her eyes, as she was as much a party girl as Summer.

"Oh, yeah? What'd you watch?" Summer flipped through her mail, not really paying attention.

"Ohmigod. I saw the best show like ever. I don't know what it's called, but it's about these kids who live in California and are filthy rich and spoiled. It was awesome. You should really check it out; I bet a lot of our readers would love to watch a show like that. You could even write about it," Katie smiled triumphantly, after coming up with the great tip herself.

Summer nodded having already lost interest. "Oh, I'd like to, but I'm not usually around on the weekends."

"No, it's not usually on Fridays, it was an additional airing. It's usually on Tuesday nights at 9."

"Oh, ok. Thanks for the tip. I'll be in my office if anyone else calls," she made an effort to smile. Katie couldn't help it. She was still a kid who was so excited about the prospects of working for a real magazine, for a real writer. Summer had hired her because she displayed the youthful exuberance she once had towards life. The same energy that had been sucked out all those years ago, probably around the time she was 4 or 5 years old.

***

Summer sat in her leather chair, admiring clothes that her fashion department had just brought up to her. So many textures and colors. She loved this job! The higher employees got first dibs on everything, but everyone else got their fair share of the Hermes and Dior also. The best thing about being a recognized writer, people at the fashion houses knew her name. "Please send these gifts of our appreciation to the kind reviews of Summer Roberts. Love, Silvia Venturini Fendi," gushed the note that was sent with three new handbags. "Thank you so much to Summer, for her gracious and ever positive review of our show. Diane von Furstenberg," a card joining a gorgeous cream colored wrap dress cried.

"Summer, you have a call on line one," Katie spoke on the speaker phone. Summer hated when Katie would not tell her who was on the line. What if she didn't want to talk to that person, like say her step-mother, or something. Well, whatever. I'm sure it's just some up and coming who wants me to pay attention to their products.

"Hello? Summer Roberts." Summer flipped open a magazine and started skimming.

"Summer? Hey!" She dropped the magazine.

"Coop?"

"Hi, how are you!" Marissa sounded very hesitant. She was kind of scared of Summer's reaction to her calling her, after not informing her about the engagement. After all, they hadn't really talked in a few months.

"I'm fine. You're obviously doing really well. Congrats!" Summer was an excellent actress and she felt her voice was devoid of any emotions that would give anything away. I mean, ask any man she has dated. However, if Marissa had seen her face, she would have seen the look of sadness that washed over her. Coop was like her best and only real friend. She had many "friends" in New York and in the fashion industry, but she knew that they were secretly wishing for her downfall one day. And in LA? Well, you could forget about it. Summer Roberts stood alone.

"Thanks. Listen, I'm sorry for not calling you sooner. I tried once a week or two ago, but your secretary said you were out of the country. And then things just got really hectic, and I couldn't call you…"

Bullshit. "No, no it's fine sweetie. I'm just glad I received an invite. We really should get together sometime. It feels like I haven't seen you in ages!"

"Yeah, I'd love that. Summer, I wanted to ask you something."

"Can I get you a Vera Wang gown at a good price? Say no more."

"No, no it's not that, although that's a really really good idea, come to think about it," Marissa giggled. Summer smiled into the receiver.

"Okay, then shoot."

"Well, I was wondering if you'd like to be my co-maid of honor. I mean, you've been my oldest friends throughout the years and have stuck with me through everything. And Ryan and I, both want you in this wedding," Summer listened as Marissa spoke, slowly getting a little emotional, but not teary. Summer did not cry for anyone under any circumstance. Coop was asking her to be a maid of honor. She still valued their friendship as much as Summer did.

"Summer?"

"Oh! Of course I'd love to be a maid of honor. Thank you sooo much. This means a lot to me, Coop. I have to start planning your bridal shower and bachelorette party now!"

"About that," Uh-oh, what was she going to say next, "Ryan and I were kind of hoping to have one big party- like for the both of us, instead of doing the whole male stripper, getting wasted thing."

"I like the thought. I've been to a lot of those this year, and let me say tres chic."

"Of course you're going to have to plan the thing out with the best man, but I mean…"

And there it was. Even though Coop had not even said his name, Summer knew it was coming. She had been building up defenses for years, but she found that her arsenal would never be ready for the thoughts of him again.

"Those are small details that can be dealt with later." Marissa heard the change in Summer's voice. She heard the anger and the defeat. She hoped that the wedding would allow the two to settle their differences once and for all, so that everyone could get on with their lives.

"So, who's the other co-maid of honor," Summer changed the subject as fast as she could.

"Caitlin. I thought maybe she could handle it, but you know, she's still in school and not over 21, so major party planning at any nightspots is out of the question for her."

"Well, that's cool. When's the wedding going to be?"

"June 21st, at the Ritz." Summer was jealous; she had always wanted to get married there. At the rate she was going, that was never going to happen.

"That doesn't give us a lot of time for everything, it's like 7 months away."

"I know, but we don't care if it's too small. I mean, compared to me, he hardly has any guests. And my mother, you should see her. I think she's embarrassed still. There are gonna be like no Newpsies there."

"That's great. It really is." Her tone was flat as hell.

"Oh, Summer I'm so sorry. You're probably in the middle of something important. I shouldn't have called you here. It's just that your cell phone is always off or something…"

"Don't worry about it. You can call whatever number you want. Listen, I gotta go down to the image layout department, but I'll call you later ok? Then maybe we can plan my flights and everything."

"Okay, thanks Summer. I'll see you soon, bye!"

Summer was kind of nauseated. She couldn't not get over the whole "best man" thing. She would try to be an adult, for the first time in her life, and put things in the past where they belonged. Coop was finally happy, and she would be damned if her wedding wasn't the best day ever.