Rating: PG-13/R for language
Disclaimer: I own nothing…
Author's note: Well only a few chapters left--this chapter plants the seeds for the last few, so bear with me. Also, I started to write a new story, Still Fighting It, which I will post sometime later today. Please read that story (and this one) and tell me what you think! Thanks for the feedback--I appreciate all the comments. I may also be writing a one-shot this weekend, so keep an eye out for more stories from me…thanks and enjoy!
One
Chapter 19: I'll put a spell on you…
Summer dreaded coming back, but the day was near. Marissa's wedding was in two weeks and tonight was the Bachelor/Bachelorette Party. They were all in Vegas with dozens of Ryan and Marissa's friends. The whole party had ended up at Light, a club that was the hotbed for celebrities--Seth's choice. Beautiful girls and boys drinking fancy drinks and hooking up left and right.
The perfect environment for a heartbroken individual.
Everyone was already wasted and having the time of their lives out on the dance floor, but Summer really did not feel like partying. She sat alone in a booth, watching all the debaucherous scenes around her. Since when was she not the partying type? Even when she had returned to New York, she had declined all offers to go out and attend the biggest parties in town. The people of that whole scene were so empty and cold. Parties held no hope for her. Even the taste of alcohol, once a comfort, disgusted her.
Maybe she just needed a change of scenery. After the wedding, she'd ask Marcy if she could get relocated to Skin Deep's office in Paris. She could start over where no one knew her. Where she wouldn't be constantly reminded of everything that had happened in the past. That was it, she just needed a change of pace. She needed to get away from everything. A guy from across the bar smiled at her, and she smiled back. He started walking over, and Summer mentally checked to see if Seth was watching. He was. He always was. She could have a little bit of fun with this. If he could screw around with her feelings, she could most certainly do the same to him.
Seth watched her from the bar. She was grinding against some tool. He took another shot and asked for another. He turned around to look again and saw her wrapping her arms around the guy's neck and letting his pelvis thrust into her. She didn't seem to be turning him away. Whatever. He could play that game too. He looked around the dance floor for his next target, immediately locking eyes with a hot brunette smiling at him. Perfect, something to get his mind off things. He took the shot for courage and headed out onto the floor.
Seth pulled himself up on a barstool. He was really starting to feel the effect of the alcohol. He may have had a bit too much this time. The girl he was dancing with left with her friends long ago after he could barely support himself. Summer was dripping over the same guy. What did that guy have that he didn't? A chiseled face and some hardcore pecs for starters. Now they were practically having intercourse on the dance floor. Seth once recalled a conversation in which Summer claimed to not be a fan of the PDA, but times change, because the two were kissing and nuzzling in full view of anyone who cared to look. Seth ordered another drink. He was not a happy man.
Summer was getting a little tired of this whole situation. Sure, Mike was a nice guy, but he was getting increasingly drunk and more slobbery. She had only meant to tease Seth a little bit, not feel like a gigantic whore. Mike's hands were planted firmly on her ass and his tongue slid over her collarbone. She looked over at the bar, but could no longer see Seth sitting there anymore.
"Hey, babe? You wanna go back to my room now?"
"Umm, why don't you get a head start and I'll meet you there." He nodded and stumbled towards the casino. She was glad to be rid of him that easy. Usually they put up more of a fight, but Mike was definitely beyond intoxicated.
She stepped out into the summer weather. Although it was about 2 AM, it was still humid. Throngs of people still filled the streets of the Strip, looking for more parties or going home after getting trashed. She walked along, not stopping to take any of those fliers the guys in the yellow shirts handed out or looking at any of the casinos. She just wanted to get home and sleep. People pushed past a man walking not too far in front of her. He was stumbling and wavering around. It wasn't. It could not be. Well, it could most definitely be, but what were the chances.
"Seth?" A low mumble escaped from his lips. He had no idea where the hell he was or where he was going. It felt like he had been circling for the last hour. She wrapped his arm around her shoulder and threw all of her body weight into supporting him. "Come on, let's get you in bed."
"Haven't you already had enough sex for one night, and now you want to get me in bed?" he slurred, but his point came across perfectly. "I meant to ask, how was your quickie?"
"Not like it's any of your business, but we didn't do anything."
"Sure Summer I believe that. I do."
"Shut up Seth, I'll leave your drunk ass here."
"You might as well, you left me once before, so it shouldn't be so hard the second time."
Summer clenched her teeth together. "You chose to not accept me, Seth. Do not blame your pitiful existence on me. We could have had something, but you chose to go a different path."
"You were the one who never acknowledged me, ever."
"I don't want to talk about this. We're at the hotel, we'll get to your room, then we don't have to talk for the rest of the trip."
She sighed as she stepped off the elevator. It had been a long day. Imagine riding in a party bus with Luke "I always bring enough beer with me to last 6 months" Ward. As long as Coop was happy though, it was fine with her. Even if it meant having to cast Seth through a hallway, drunk off his ass.
Seth started moaning and clutching his stomach. Summer stopped in her tracks.
"What's wrong," she sounded more annoyed than anything, but she still was concerned. Seth curled up, holding his side. "Cohen? Cohen are you okay?"
"My fucking head is going to explode." His eyes were glassy and bloodshot. His face was paler than usual. She was staring to panic.
Summer had never taken care of anyone that had been ill before. She was the one who was usually drunk and almost passed out. "Oh god, Seth? What the fuck did you do?"
"I dunno, it hurts, though." She rolled her eyes. He moaned again, and it was obvious that he was in a lot of pain.
"How much did you drink?"
"A lot."
"That doesn't help me. Stand up."
"It fuckin hurts to move."
"Come on, I'll help you up and we can go back to your room so you can lie down and I can
figure out if I need to call a doctor or something."
"No doctors."
"Okay, it's not my fault if you die of alcohol poisoning."
"I'm fine, I just didn't eat anything. GOD, Damn it!" She put her arm around his waist and slowly dragged him through the hall as he yelped with pain. She supported his body weight with her own and laboriously trekked down the hall to his room. Getting to the room, he pulled her down with him on top of the covers. She gently lifted the covers and helped him into bed, removing any clothing that would constrict him. Summer tucked him in and retrieved a damp cloth to wipe the sweat off his face. She poured him a glass of water and helped him drink a little bit of it, then called room service for some soup and ginger ale. Hopefully that would put his stomach at ease for a little while. It seemed to work, since he quickly quieted down and the pains soon faded.
She fed him and then let him settle into bed. She brushed the hair off his forehead and looked at him. He looked peaceful as he tried to fall asleep. Like a little child. One that she could take care of. He looked into her eyes and saw something that he had never seen before. She was actually caring for someone other than herself. He took her hand and held it by his side. But as soon as he fell asleep, she removed it. This would not happen to her again. He had already hurt her too many times. This time she was done with him. Wasn't she?
I've been watching your world from afar
I've been trying to be where you are
I've been secretly falling apart
I'll see…
To me, you're strange and you're beautiful
You'd be so perfect with me but you just can't see
You turn every head but you don't see me
I'll put a spell on you
You'll fall asleep and I'll put a spell on you
When I wake you, I'll be the first thing you see
And you'll realize that you love me
Sometimes the last thing you want comes in first
Sometimes the first thing you want never comes
I know that waiting is all you can do
Sometimes…
I'll put a spell on you
You'll fall asleep and I'll put a spell on you
And when I wake up I'll be the first thing you see
And you'll realize that you love me
I'll put a spell on you
You'll fall asleep and I'll put a spell on you
When I wake you up, I'll be the first thing you see
And you'll realize that you love me
She sat on a chair in the corner of his room until she was sure that he wasn't going to puke all over the place then aspirate on it. He pulled the covers up to his chin and his unruly hair poked out from underneath the sheets. He looked like a little boy. She gathered her things and cleaned up his room. He mumbled in his half sleep/half conscious state, saying combinations of words that did not make sense.
"Sum, I will never let go of you, I love you way too much," he mumbled the last sentence, but she heard it clearly. She stopped and replayed what was just said. She looked back at him, but he was sleeping, his mouth moving slightly. Did he mean what he had just said this time? On the beach, she had been sure that it was another ruse to trick her, but this was in his semi-subconscious state. This sentence made almost too much sense for her. She was more content hating Seth, not forgiving him. She needed to hold on to her hatred for him because that's what made her strong. If she let him in again, the vicious cycle would start over and she'd end up crying alone in her room. She couldn't deny the shiver that was sent up her spine when she heard him say those words. He was undeniable. He could have that effect on her anytime. A little trigger went off in her brain, that maybe just maybe, something could go right this time and she could forgive him. She walked out to her room and prepared herself for another restless night.
Strange and Beautiful by Aqualung