The Sands of Time
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Chapter 1
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Seth Cohen pulled the simple blue duvet back onto his mattress from its creased heap on the floor. His shoulders moved in motion to the blaring guitar riffs that echoed within the four walls of his bedroom from his stereo. He took a step back, feeling the early morning breeze from this open window brush the bare skin of his calves. He shivered slightly, wishing he had bothered to pull on some pajama bottoms.
He looked over at his bed, admiring his best efforts to make it look somewhat presentable. Who only knew what his mother would say if she somehow, using her special 'Mom powers' Seth knew she had, clocked on to what he had his 'mystery visitor' had gotten up to in said bed the night before. Okay, so it would not be that hard for his Mom, even with 'Mom powers', to work out his 'mystery visitor's' identity. It was not as if he was some kind of male slut who had a different 'mystery visitor' every night.
Seth tilted his chin to the side in a way he could only describe as the over-acted 'thinking face' that poor-rated actors tended to overuse in the 'Saved By The Bell' style shows. The face they used when they were having a daydream lined in pink fuzz. Still, to the onlooker Seth reckoned he looked rather minty.
His initial daydream of Seth Cohen and 'mystery visitor' number fifteen, identity code 10654 had suddenly subsided as 'mystery visitor' number one, identity code not applicable, stepped out of his adjoining bathroom in nothing but his Death Cab T-shirt and a thong. A black laced thong at that. He unconsciously smiled a lopsided grin that contained half an ounce of love and half an ounce of impish mischief. He pushed the thoughts and the grin aside as he locked eyes with her, nodding his head towards the bed he was standing besides.
"Pretty good effort huh?"
She raised her eyebrows at him, shrugging her shoulders in annoyance. She began shouting something but Seth could not hear her due to the blare coming from his stereo.
"What?" He shouted back.
This triggered off an angry storm from her to the other side of his bedroom and he watched on in confusion. She pulled the plug on the stereo at the exact same time Seth chose to shout at the top of his lungs.
"I can't hear a word you're saying Summer!"
His eyes bulged immediately and he slapped a hand over his mouth for added drama.
"Shit Summer!" He whispered harshly. "What the hell?!"
"Okay Cohen, I still cannot hear a word you're saying." Summer stated, not bothering to lower her voice, as Seth seemed to be doing.
"What's with the drama?" She asked, one eyebrow raised and hands on hips.
Seth sighed, exasperated, ignoring his girlfriend's question momentarily as he tiptoed in a cartoon like manner towards his bedroom door, cracking it open slightly and peering out. He looked up and down the hallway in both directions. When he was content that the coast was clear, he shut the door carefully and walked back to his bed, perching on the end. He scratched the back of his head before locking eyes with Summer, who looked at him, amused.
"Summer...my parents!" He whispered again, wanting to shout 'DUH!' at the top of his lungs for it being the most obvious thing in the world to him.
Summer's eyebrows furrowed in confusion as she continued to stare at him from the other side of the room. "They don't know I'm here, quit sweating."
"They'll know now they've heard me shout your name at someone that's not me, when I'm meant to be in here alooone quietly packing like the good son they think I am. Now that image is tainted Summer, tainted!"
Summer bit her bottom lip seductively as she crossed the room, walking slowly over to him, her eyes never leaving his.
Seth wet his lips as his mouth went dry, recognizing that look on her face immediately. His grin returned as she climbed onto the end of the bed, straddling his lap, resting one knee either side of his thighs. She leaned her upper body forward, pressing her lips ever so slightly against his ear.
"I think I know a way to keep us quiet." She whispered before lightly kissing his earlobe.
Seth sighed in pleasure before snapping back to reality and pushing at his girlfriend's shoulders slightly so that distance was created between them.
"Summer, do you really think that this will keep us quiet?" He asked questioningly.
She leaned into him again, slowly kissing her way down his neck, murmuring in between kisses, "mmm hmmm, we can bite our tongues," and with that she clearly did the opposite of biting her tongue, slowly sliding it down his neck in between soft kisses.
Suddenly, Seth lost all self-control and rational thoughts, putting his hands on Summer's hips, pulling her further onto his lap. His hands slid under the back of the T-shirt she wore, softly caressing the smooth skin of her back. He was definitely not going to refuse these types of advances from his girlfriend. His very hot, very horny girlfriend at that.
This was the second time in a matter of hours that this had happened. Summer had called him last night, the night before his second annual TJ trip, telling him that she was not going to spend another night sleeping alone and that she wanted him over, now. Seth, of course, was never going to get away with 'staying over at Summer's' even though he would inform his parents that there would only be sleeping involved. Neither would he get away with 'going over to Summer's for a study date that just so happens to last all night'.
His parents had never been big on allowing him or Ryan to sleep in the same beds as their girlfriends, under their roof or any other roof for that matter. His Mom had called it 'an example of bad parenting'. However, this had gotten drastically worse when she had caught Seth sneaking back into the house at six am after having spent the past three nights at his girlfriend's house, but claiming he had gone on a field trip with litmag to a Shakespeare conference. Needless to say he was in a lot of trouble after that little fiasco and the 'no sex in the house' rule was in full force.
So, feeling in a rebellious mood and knowing that if by any chance him and Summer were caught, his parents would always have a few days to simmer down whilst he was in Mexico. However, it had only occurred to him that morning that if caught, his parents would most likely ban him from going to Mexico, and that would mean one week not full of unsupervised fun and one week not full of lots and lots of sex with his very hot girlfriend. Ergo, that was why he had been so paranoid this morning and that was why he was trying ever so hard not to get turned on by Summer's lips on his neck, and Summer's hands pulling off his T-shirt, and Summer's hips grinding into his.
He moaned into her hair as his fingers glided through her dark strands and he inhaled the scent of her freshly washed locks.
Summer became even more proactive, pushing gently at Seth's shoulders so that they were both lying on his bed. He tilted his head to capture Summer's lips with his in a hard, urgent kiss.
Breaths became heavier and hands explored as clothes were discarded. Seth thought he might die from sexual frustration right there and then but things got so much worse when Kirsten Cohen's voice sounded outside of Seth's door.
"Seth, breakfast is ready."
He didn't think it was possible that his heart could beat any faster than it already was, but he was ever so wrong about that as it practically leapt out of his chest. He was stunned to silence as he looked up at Summer, who was staring at him with wide eyes and a perfect 'o' shaped mouth.
"Seth? Are you okay? Can I come in?"
The doorknob turned, as if in slow motion, and Seth somehow managed to find his voice before what would be the worst thing that had ever happened to him, happened.
"No! Mom! I'm...uh...I'm packing naked! Yes, that is what I am doing and you, walking in on me all naked and packing? No. Not good for the whole mother/son relationship."
Kirsten fell silent outside the door and Summer stared at him with a mixture of amusement and confusion.
If Kirsten had have walked in at that moment, she would have seen her practically naked son lying on his bed with his practically naked girlfriend lying on top of him, limbs tangled and hands places hands should not be if seen through a mother's eye. Seth would for sure not only be banned from going to Mexico; he'd be grounded for life, no exaggeration. He would also never be able to look his mother in the eye ever again.
"Seth?" Kirsten asked suspiciously. "Are you sure everything's okay?"
Seth sighed, giving Summer a pointed look as he gritted his teeth. "Yes Mom. I'll be down for bagels in two seconds."
Kirsten obviously accepted her son's response as her footsteps retreated down the hallway.
A second of absolute relief passed before Summer immediately scrambled off of Seth, running to pick up her traveling clothes from their neat pile on Seth's computer chair. At the same time Seth pulled out the first T-shirt and pair of pants that he laid hands on from his closet, throwing them on in lightning speed.
"Cohen, how the hell am I going to get out of here?" Summer asked as she pulled on her spaghetti strap vest, uttering a frustrated sigh when she realized it was on back to front.
Seth didn't even bother looking up from his position on the floor as he threw a bunch of clothes into his backpack, seeing as he was meant to have spent the past hour or so packing.
"Window." He muttered simply.
"Uh, you must be kidding me Cohen! I am not climbing out of your second story window and down the wall like Tobey Maguire or whatever!"
Seth looked up at Summer, who was looking at him as if he had three heads. He threw the last T-shirt into his bag before getting up, grabbing Summer's hand and pulling her behind him as they entered the hallway.
As he closed the door, Seth looked at Summer, contemplating for a moment, before pulled her in front of him, one arm around her waist, the other covering her mouth. It probably would have looked funny in a situation other than this one, him kidnapping Summer in his own home. Of course, it was inevitable that she would struggle, and she even resorted to biting the inside of his palm a few times. Seth did not budge though, knowing that it was all too likely that she would make a loud enough noise to attract the attention of his parents if she was not physically forced to shut up.
Seth led them quietly and slowly down the stairs, stopping at the bottom up against the wall, peering his head around the corner to look for any signs of human life.
Suddenly, both Seth and Summer's bodies went still as a body appeared in the hallway. Summer let out a muffled shriek behind Seth's hand, which immediately attracted the attention of the passer-by.
Ryan Attwood looked up and across to the stairs where he saw two bodies pressed up against the wall, trying unsuccessfully to hide. He walked up to them, raising an eyebrow in amusement.
Seth let go of Summer momentarily, as he flayed his arms at Ryan, silently telling him in a very extravagant way to shut his mouth and keep watch for his parents as he shoved Summer out of the front door.
Ryan smiled again, shaking his head at his brother before nodding in agreement to Seth's plea and standing watch by the kitchen door. When he was confident that all was clear, he gave the thumbs up to Seth, who grabbed Summer's hand and ran to the front door, and cracking it open as quietly as possible. He turned to Summer and offered her a small smile and a quick kiss on the lips, before tapping on his watch and holding up ten fingers, signaling that he would be out and ready to go in ten minutes. Summer nodded her head before leaning in for another kiss, then turning and retreating down the Cohen's driveway.
Seth closed the door, turning and resting his back against it as he let out a huge sigh of relief. He then walked up to Ryan, patting him on the back briefly as he walked past.
"Ryan, dude, you are a life saver."
Ryan smirked as he walked with Seth into the kitchen. "Bit of a late night rendezvous was there?"
Seth smiled widely. "Like you wouldn't believe buddy."
They entered the kitchen; both taking a seat at the island where two plates containing plain bagels had been set out in front of each of them.
"Coffee or orange juice boys?" Kirsten asked from the refrigerator.
"Yes please, just OJ please." Ryan replied.
"Seth?"
"No thanks Mom, throat's still a little sore from the old tonsillitis. The throat is still not too partial to mass amounts of swallowing that drinking requires." Seth choked for effect.
"Son, you haven't had fluids since yesterday morning. You must drink something." Sandy interjected.
"He'll be drinking quite a bit in Mexico." Ryan stated, chuckling to himself.
"I certainly hope not." Kirsten whipped her head up from the counter where she was pouring Ryan's orange juice. "Even in Mexico you boys are still underage and I don't want to get a call from the police or the hospital. No repeat of last year. Jimmy is already reluctant enough about letting Marissa go."
"Okay Mom, no sweat." Seth attempted to stop his mother's rant. There will be nothing but coke entering our systems, and that is the coke of the legal and liquid variety."
"Boys, why did I hear the front door close before you came in for breakfast?" Sandy turned around to face the boys from his position in front of the kettle. His large eyebrows raised in question. Kirsten looked up out of interest, eyeing the boys suspiciously.
Seth's heart stopped. "I...well...of course it opened because..." he turned to Ryan for help but Ryan sat there silently, obviously not keen on helping Seth out for a second time that morning.
"...because I was seeing how warm it was outside." Seth summed up carefully, slightly unconvincingly.
His parents both raised their eyebrows.
"You know, the whole debate over long sleeves versus short sleeves. It's very important, all the cool kids are doing it."
"Seth, you're traveling, you'll be in a car where the weather will most likely be very different to the weather at nine am in Newport." Kirsten stated logically.
"Well, I like to be comfortable. Being too hot or too cold, if only for a short amount of time while still in Newport, is not an option for me."
Ryan chuckled besides Seth, and Sandy and Kirsten shared an amused look before everyone went back to eating bagels and coffee.
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Seth and Ryan finished their bagels and went to collect their bags from the bedroom and pool house. The doorbell then sounded and Sandy answered the door to Marissa and Summer.
"Good morning, ladies." Sandy beamed.
"Hey Mr. Cohen." Marissa greeted, entering the house as her eyes searched the hall for Ryan.
"Hey Sandy." Summer offered quietly, waving slightly. Her eyes met Sandy's briefly before hurrying past him and into the entranceway.
"The boys have just gone to collect their things. They'll be down shortly." Sandy stated.
"Thanks." Marissa smiled.
With that Ryan returned from the pool house carrying one hold-all bag, smiling as he approached Marissa. He offered a quiet "hey" before kissing her briefly on the lips, very aware of Sandy standing beside him.
Seth then bounded down the stairs, backpack on his back, and shared a knowing smile with Summer as he spotted her standing at the bottom of the stairs.
"Hello Summer, my dear. You do look radiant this morning. It is obviously due to the fact that my mind has been refreshed from not seeing you since yesterday afternoon."
Summer's eyes bulged warningly at Seth's less than subtle cover up.
Sandy shook his head in confusion. "Okay, so you kids be careful. Ryan, do you have the map?"
"It's in the Rover." Ryan confirmed.
"Dad, it's Tijuana, not the Amazon. Have faith in our navigation skills oh wise one" Seth said, patting his father's back.
"Watch it son." Sandy joked, smacking the back of Seth's head lightly. "I'll salt your game if you're not careful."
The four teens laughed before Kirsten entered the entranceway to wave them off.
"Be careful and we'll see you in five days." Kirsten smiled.
She approached Ryan, hugging him. He hugged her back awkwardly. She then took Seth in the same motherly hug and offered final good-byes as the teens stepped out of the front door.
"Summer, are my eyes deceiving me or do you only have one bag?" Seth asked as Ryan unlocked the Range Rover and Seth and Summer climbed into the back seat, Ryan and Marissa sitting up front.
"Cohen, check the trunk. Two cases, two bags and a vanity." Summer replied simply.
"Too good to be true." Seth muttered to himself.
Summer stuck her tongue out at her boyfriend before leaning up front and placing her head between Ryan and Marissa.
"Chino, hit the gas! We're going to TJ!"
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Please review. Chapter 2 coming soon.
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