Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: I don't own the OC, but I wish I did.
Author's note: There's only about one or two more chapters left of this story--which is sad because it's my first ever published on ff.net. But hopefully you will enjoy reading this chapter and the rest of them. I'll try to get them to you as soon as I possibly can. I'll be updating my other stories soon as well, so keep an eye out for them. The last installment of Lady in Red will definitely be coming tomorrow. Enjoy and please leave some reviews, as we near the end, I want to know what you thought of the story as a whole. Thanks.
One
Chapter 21: Pride will tear us both apart
Summer emerged from Marcy's office with a huge smile on her face. The promotion was hers, she was going to Paris! Finally, she could get away from everything; she could have time to herself and run away once more from her problems. She had been back in New York for almost a month since the wedding, but it felt like only days after. His words stuck in her memory, and no matter where she went or what she did, he was always on her mind. But, with a new position in a new location, maybe she could put him in the past where he belonged.
Seth, still in LA, did not give up that easily. He tried to contact her by phone once or twice a day--her secretary held all the calls. He tried letters, emails, whatever. Nothing. She was very good at ignoring him. He had finally told Brett about Summer, and how she was his inspiration for the show, and Brett had encouraged his friend to go after her, chase the girl he was in love with. And he was doing just that, but not really getting anywhere. But he had a plan that was bound to work. All he had left to do was get the girl.
---
"Summer? There are a whole lot of deliverymen here to see you."
"From where? Are they bringing in the Barbara Bui shoes that I ordered from Barneys?"
"No, I don't think so. I think you have to see this."
Summer walked outside of her office and gasped. A dozen or so men stood around the office, each holding a large flowerpot of orchids. Different sizes, colors, and shapes; he had remembered that they were her favorite flowers.
"Where should we put these ma'am?"
"Umm, I guess around the office, wherever there is space." Katie began cleaning up desk space and other employees started poking their heads out into the hall to see what was going on. The men arranged the flowers in the office, but one man stepped up to Summer and held a clear box out to her.
"This is the last one. Have a nice day."
"Thank you, you have a nice day also," the box held an exact duplicate of the corsage she had worn to the Winter Formal lying on top of a piece of paper that said. You can try to forget and deny me, but you will always remember us. We are undeniable.
---
The throngs of teenagers in the studio screamed as the young VJ returned to the stage to introduce the next segment.
"Hey guys, welcome back to TRL on this beautiful hot as hell summer day. Our next guest is no stranger to TRL, and you know he's created the hottest new teen drama on TV. On the video phone straight from LA to tell you the scoop on the upcoming two part season finale, Seth Cohen from One Marino Way!!! The kids all screamed as Seth's image splashed on the video monitors in the studio.
"Hey everyone." The in studio crowd roared back at Seth--everyone was so excited for the season finale. Everyone was talking about it.
"Hey man, how's it going?"
"Great, really hectic right now, but great."
"Congratulations. The last time we talked, was like 4-5 months ago, but the success of the show has been phenomenal. I hear you've just gotten picked up for the 2 seasons?"
"Yeah, we just signed a contract for two more seasons, hopefully more in the future. I want to thank all the fans for watching the show. I mean, really thank you guys."
"Well, thank you for making such an interesting and hot show. So, what do you have planned for the upcoming season finale?"
"Well, I'll try not to leak out too much, but Jess and Melissa will be heating up as a couple, but not with some interference by Cara. And Jason will still be struggling to keep his financial problems from Julia, who may or may not be having doubts about their marriage."
"And what about the super couple, Sam and Jamie?"
"Everyone always wants to know about Sam and Jamie. Well, they'll be working out their problems--I can't really say if they are going to end up together at the end of the season, but I can say that everything will come full circle. You're just going to have to stay tuned, I guess."
"Oh, why do you have to play us that way, man?"
"Sorry dude."
"So, how do you get the inspiration for Sam and Jamie. We've heard in interviews that you say you were totally like Sam in high school. Does that mean that there was a real-life Jamie?"
"Um, well, yeah I guess so. She's still around, but we're not together, even though I'd like to be because I'm still in love with her. So, if you're listening, I just want to say I'm sorry."
"Whoa! You heard it here first on TRL, there is a real life Jamie Clarke out there and Seth is very sorry, so come on, take him back. He wants to be with you."
"Thanks Jaymon."
"No problem, man. One Marino Way is on Tuesday nights, 9/8 Central on the WB, so check it out!!!"
"Thanks a lot guys."
"Thank you, Seth. Seth Cohen everybody! We'll be right back after this break with your number 3 video on the countdown. Yeah!!!"
Summer quickened her pace on the elliptical machine. She was at the gym and she was being subjected to torture. It was just her luck that they'd be playing a rerun of that day's TRL while she was doing her workout. She couldn't escape it.
"Oh my god, Gina, can you believe it? That was so sweet. I hope he finds her and she takes him back. Sam and Jamie have such a tumultuous relationship, that would suck if it happened like that in real life."
"Please, he should just dump her and get with me. Seth Cohen is hot!"
"I know, she's so lucky. He's like hot and talented. His show is so good."
"Oh, yeah, did you see the episode where Callie and Randy get into the fight over Valentine's Day? Or the one where Sam declares his love for Jamie in the middle of the lunchroom?"
"How about the one where Jess helps Melissa get away from her mom?"
"Oh, in the hospital? Then he brings her the flowers? So cute."
Summer rolled her eyes and continued striding quickly. Only a few minutes left, then you can get away from this. The MTV news logo flashed across the screen and Suchin Pak chirped on about the day's news.
"Everyone is talking about One Marino Way creator Seth Cohen's mystery woman. On TRL today, Cohen leaked that his beloved characters, Sam and Jamie are based after himself and a girl from his past." The same clip on TRL played while all the women in the gym stopped to look at the television. "Rolling Stone later leaked an interview that will be featured in an upcoming issue in which he states, "In the beginning it was back and forth like Sam and Jamie. She'd mess it up and then I would. But this last time, I really messed the relationship up badly, and I wouldn't be surprised if she never wanted to see me again, but I want her to know that I love her with all my heart and that this is my Lloyd Dobbler moment." Sources close to Cohen say that he has been in love with his Jamie for a long time and that Sam's miserable experience in love completely mirrors his own experience with her. If you'd like to find out more information on Seth Cohen or One Marino Way check out MTV.com. Or check us out 10 to the hour, every hour with MTV news, where you hear it first."
The women all let out their sighs and swoons. How romantic they whispered, life was imitating screen. She's so lucky. I would kill to have someone declare their love for me like that. How sweet of him. How sad for him. These women didn't even know anything about them. He was not going to win her back with some publicity stunt for his show. She grabbed her stuff from the locker room and headed out the door quickly, back into the land of reality.
Summer collapsed on her couch upon entering her apartment. She was drenched in sweat and summer rain. Kenji sniffed her first, but decided against greeting her by licking at her legs. The rooms smelt of his orchids--fragrant, but a little bitter. She didn't know why she was running away. She just had to. She couldn't give into him, no matter how much she wanted to. She had pride that she could not sacrifice. So did he. But he had laid it all on the line, everything was out there. Now it was her turn. The ball was in her court. She could decide what she wanted to do with his heart, and hers. Hopefully she'd make the right decision for the both of them.
Came in from a rainy Thursday on the avenue,
Thought I heard you talking softly
I turned on the lights, the TV and the radio
Still I can't escape the ghost of you
What is happening to it all?
Crazy some say-
Where is the life that I recognize?
Gone away
But I won't cry for yesterday
There's an ordinary world somehow I have to find
And as I try to make my way to the ordinary world
I will learn to survive
Passion or coincidence once prompted me to say-
Pride will tear us both apart
Well now pride's gone out the window, cross the rooftops, runaway
Left me in the vacuum of my heart
What is happening to me?
Crazy some say
Where is my friend when I need you most?
Gone away
Papers in the roadside tell of suffering and greed,
Feared today; forgot tomorrow
Here beside the news of holy war and holy need,
Ours is just a little sorrowed talk-
Blown away
Just blowing away
Ordinary World by Duran Duran