Disclaimer: I don't own the OC. The wonderful people at fox do. All I own is this shirt on my back and my underwear....wait...no I don't own that either. Damn

Summer collapsed onto her bed sobbing. But this was unlike all her other breakdowns in the last week and a half. This time she was crying tears of joy. Seth loved her. He actually said he loved her. Summer had always feared that he was going to leave her when he finally woke up from this reverie. But, somehow, he loved her, and told her that. Seth was ok, and he was in love with her, not anna, not anyone else, but her. For the first since Seth left, summer felt herself smile, and it actually made it all the way up to her eyes. She loved him too. This was a lot to process all at once summer thought. "Damn, I wish he was here, that no sex ban would have so been lifted tonight."

Marissa woke up feeling very unusual. She started to panic, but then realized that the reason for this feeling was that today was the first day since Ryan left that she did not wake up completely drunk and numb from a night of drinking and popping pills. She was not sure she wanted to be sober, because them she would have to face whatever that was in her heart. However, she was tired of being drunk all the time. It was not going to change anything though. Ryan was gone, and even though the Vodka numbed the pain, it never really goes away, and she suppose it was better to deal with it now that let it build up and becomes the pink elephant sitting in the room that no one will acknowledge. Plus summer needs her. Seth was gone too, and even though summer will never admit it, she loved Seth, really and truly loved him. The least she can do is be there for summer, because no matter what anyone says about her, she had always been a good friend to Marissa.

They had come full circle. It was almost as though Ryan and Seth were figments of their imagination. It was almost as though this whole year did not happen. But it did, and she can't just forget that. Marissa lay in the bed wondering if Ryan ever thought about her. If he missed her as much as she missed him. Because she did miss him. What if she had never met Oliver and broke up with Ryan? What if Ryan had ...God, she can "what if" herself to death. The fact still remains that it was all her fault. It was her fault that Ryan left, even Seth pointed that out. It was her fault that Seth left, making her best friend a miserable wreck. The best thing that had happened in their lives she had fucked up, and that is a piece o knowledge she was not handling well.

Summer woke up feeling like a brand new person. Cohen was Ok. He loved her. Even though he was still god knows where, at least she knew he was ok.

And he loved her.

Summer remembered that day when she told anna the reason why she was ignoring Seth at school. Well, at least now she knew that Seth wont be one of those guys that will leave her when he found out the real her. At least now summer knew that the reason he left was not because he did not love, but for other reasons she can understand. He loved her, and summer wanted to make sure he understood that she wont give up on him as long he does not give up on her.

For some reason, she knew that she could not tell anyone that she had spoken to Seth. At least not for now. She did not want to jeopardize that little trust that he had placed back in her.

"So Coop, waddya wanna do today?" Summer said cheerfully.

"God, you are in a good mood."

"Just trying to raise the spirits y'know. We don't have to be in bumville the entire time."

"Yeah well tone it done. All the pep is making me feel like I am going to gag."

"Ahh you're just pissed cause you are sober, which by the way, you might want to get used to cause I will be on your ass like white on rice from now on."

"Yeah yeah. Anyhow, I am not really up to doing much. Cant we just hang out here today?"

"Sure" Summer was glad that Marissa wanted to stay home. She hoped Seth would call her Back, and she wanted to be around incase he did.

"We could go swimming, and I could have Louisa whip us up some virgin pina coladas again." Summer looked over at Marissa saw that she was not hearing a word.

"Coop, y'know, he didn't leave because he did not love you. He loves you a lot. He kicked I dunno how many asses to be with you. He left because he felt it was the right thing to do."

"But he left me here at the hands of the gruesome twosome."

Summer chuckled lightly and got a death glare from Marissa

"Ryan has taught you well I see." This time she got a chuckle from Marissa

"Don't worry, we have each other, things will work out....you'll see." Summer smiled inwardly because she never believed that statement until last night.

"You think I should call Ryan?" Marissa asked with a worried glance over to summer.

"Umm, I don't want to tell you what to do with that, cause lord knows I am no Dr. Phil, but I think you should give it a few more days. This must be hard for him too. He'll come around and call. I promise."

"God, I need a drink." Marissa said Grumpily

"Aaaand that is my cue to go get those coladas. It's like drinking without the bad breath and regretful one night stands!"

"Sum?"

Marissa scooted over to where summer was sitting no the couch and hugged her tightly.

"Thanks..I mean I know you are going through a lot too with Seth being gone, but you totally looked out for me...so thanks." Marissa said to her best friend with tears in her eyes.

"Eh, no biggie. I am a candy striper y'know...this is kinda my thing."