Disclaimers: Read Chapter 1
A/N: Hey all! Sorry it's taken so long but that whole time without OC goodness took away my muse. But now, it's back and I can start getting inspiration again. This part is short and kind of cheesy but I'll try to get some more substantial stuff out later hopefully filled with Seth/Summer goodness!! Enjoy!
~*~
A week later, Seth was checked out of the hospital. He was weak but otherwise in fine condition. The whole family was at his beck and call and was checking on him every five minutes. Seth enjoyed the attention for all of ten minutes before the constant worrying started grating his nerves.
Seth was sitting in the living room playing a video game with Ryan. He was happy, he was kicking butt although he suspected that Ryan was letting him win. Kirsten and Sandy poked their heads in, "Seth, honey, can we get you anything?" Kirsten asked for the tenth time that day.
Seth sighed, hit pause and threw his controller down. He stood up and looked at each occupant, "I'm going to say something and I'm only going to say it once so I want you all to listen real carefully, ok?"
He was answered by three tentative nods. "Alright, I'm FINE. F…I…N…E. You guys don't have to check on me constantly, I understand that everyone is worried. But not to worry, give me another week and I'll be back to 100 percent and showing Ryan some more of my dance moves. Alright, so can everyone move on and stop treating me like a child?"
Kirsten and Sandy looked sheepish and could only nod while scurrying out of the room. Ryan only shrugged and turned to look at the game. Seth took a deep breath and sat back down to resume the game.
Two minutes later
"You sure you're ok because I can…" Kirsten's nervous voice rang out from the kitchen.
"Mom!" Seth yelled from his position.
"Ok, ok, sorry. Not another word." Kirsten's voice could be heard.
Two minutes later
"You sure you ok man." Ryan hesitantly asked from his side.
Seth sighed and gave a weak chuckle, "Man, I miss the stoic guy that never really spoke."
~*~
Marissa leaped off her bed at the insistent knocking on her door, "Alright, alright, hold your horses, I'm moving as fast as I can." She opened the door and was barely allowed to acknowledge the person there, "Summer…"
Summer barged into the room and plopped herself on the bed. Marissa turned around and regarded the still figure on her bed. "Summer?"
"Coop, I need help."
"With what?"
Summer sat up on the bed and scooted back to rest against the headboard. She hugged her knees to her chest and Marissa was given a glimpse of the little girl inside. Summer sighed, "Seth Cohen."
Marissa moved to sit next to her best friend and gently put an arm around her shoulders, "What about him?" she asked gently.
"He just jumped in front of me, without a thought. He didn't even care about his own safety. After all I've done to him…" Summer trailed off with a guilty look on her face.
Marissa sat there silently waiting for her friend to continue. She knew that this was a fragile situation, one that Summer had never been confronted with. The girl had a lot to deal with. "I just don't understand Coop. Why?" A lone tear made it's way down Summer's face.
Marissa tried to hide her surprise. Summer had not cried since they were 8 years old and the squirrel in the park disappeared. Marissa enveloped her friend in a fierce hug, "Because Summer, he's a good guy. He just doesn't want to see you hurt. There's no ulterior motive, he just cares."
Summer hung onto her friend and let the words sink in. Seth Cohen was a good guy. He didn't want anything from her; he was just doing a good thing. She owed her life to someone she had treated like dirt for her entire life. Summer realized that all this time, her life had been a meaningless façade. From now on, things were going to be very different.
TBC