(Disclaimer: I don't own anything at all. So don't sue me. Please.)

A Note from the Author: Seriously, you guys, your reviews made my day. I'm so glad that the last chapter sounded okay, and I guess rewriting it was a good idea after all. I'm just going to keep writing writing writing, and hopefully I'll write enough chapters to be able to take a break for my term papers (which are due at the end of this month!), and still update. Anyway, no use delaying the chapter any longer. Again, please read and review, because I would be eternally grateful. And… onwards!

Chapter Eight

Seth returned with much fanfare, and the Cohen family decided to celebrate with a big lavish dinner. Because although Seth would like to say that over the summer, he had grown up and matured, he still didn't have a damn clue how to cook and ended up starved and basically malnourished for the duration of his vacation, living off of takeout and junk food.

Only Ryan, Seth, Kirsten, and Sandy were present, all together in some big show of family support. The happy mood took an abrupt turn when Seth inquired about what Ryan did all by himself while he was away.

Ryan noticed the wary looks Kirsten and Sandy exchanged, but tried to ignore them. "Nothing much, really. Summer –" And at the mention of her name, he had to pause momentarily to collect his thoughts. "– stopped by a couple of times to look for you. I hung out with her when I was bored, and uh, we didn't do much anyway. And I made some progress on the ninja game and discovered T.V. Uh… but yeah, nothing new." He shrugged for emphasis.

Seth looked surprised. "And apparently, you've discovered the joy of speech. Welcome to the club, my friend. Membership is five dollars, but I'll waive the fee if you can guess the secret password."

Ryan could only sheepishly agree. "Yeah, well, don't get used to it."

Then the doorbell abruptly rang and Rosa the housekeeper went to get it, only to return with Summer.

"Oh! I'm totally sorry, I didn't know you guys were still, like, eating dinner. I'll come back when it's more convenient." Summer, embarrassed and a little uncharacteristically flustered, turned towards the front door, when Seth jumped up from his seat. Ryan tried to focus on spearing the takeout egg rolls with his fork.

"Wait! Summer! I need to talk to you. I…" Seth (yes, Seth) was at a loss as to what to say next.

Sandy got the hint and motioned for Summer to stay. "Actually, Kirsten and I were just about to go upstairs and review some plans for, ah… the new restaurant. Right, KiKi?" He grinned cheekily.

Kirsten, a little annoyed that he would use that hateful nickname, just smiled politely at Summer and nodded. She would get her 'revenge' on Sandy for that later.

The two left, and then there were three.

The room was silent, while Ryan pushed his food around the plate and Seth looked at Summer expectantly. All she could do was sigh and follow him into his room.

Ryan couldn't help but feel disappointed somehow. Damn takeout. It always gave him heartburn.

Seth and Summer were in his room with the door closed behind them, and she already knew what he was going to say. In fact, she had had time to review the scenario about a million times before she decided to impulsively barge into the house, but she let him have some time to talk. She found that he liked talking, and it would be cruel to deny him that right.

"Look, Summer, I'm sorry I just left like that, but I just needed some time to think, and I thought you needed some time too, and, well, I'm just really sorry, and I know you hate me and think I'm this horrible, evil person, but I just hope you can forgive me and –"

Summer cut him off, which was a good thing, since he was about to run out of breath. "I know."

A bit confused at the flatness of her answer, he added, "Did I mention I was sorry? Because I can say it in Spanish. And French. And if you give me a couple of seconds with the computer, I could probably say it in Klingon."

Seth was about to start rambling again out of nervousness, so Summer decided to just get it over with. She had thought about it, sleepless for all of last night, and she knew what she had to do.

She had to break up with him. She didn't know where this new moral compass came from, but, dammit, it really wasn't fair to either of them to continue their relationship despite her cheating on him with Ryan. If she didn't tell him, it would be this hovering deadweight hanging over her head, and she had thought she could manage it, but she just, well, couldn't. And if he knew the truth, it would break his heart even more so than the words she had to say right now.

"Seth… There isn't, like, an easy way for me to say this, so I'm just going to say it. This. Us. It can't work. I'm sorry, but I just can't do this anymore."

Seth looked dumbfounded for a moment, then stricken with grief. "I… I don't understand. I thought that –"

Summer felt the hot tears gathering in her eyes. "I'm sorry, Cohen."

Seth looked straight at her and haltingly proclaimed, "But Summer. I…" And here, his voice cracked.

"I love you."