17
CHAPTER 7: THE PARTY
TUESDAY MORNING, IN MARISSA'S BEDROOM
Summer and Marissa had decided to spend the day together... shopping. Marissa was in her room getting ready, doing her hair and fixing up her make-up.
"Coop!" Summer shouts from the hallway. "You, up here?"
"I'm in my room." Marissa replies.
Summer enters Marissa's room. "Eewww, Coop! I don't know how you've managed to live here for so long. This place is creepy, I couldn't do it."
"Yeh, well. I might not have to for much longer if Caleb goes to jail. My mom will have to find another place to stay and I can go move back with my dad." Marissa replies.
"Thought your dad was leaving?" Summer asks.
"No, he's decided to stay. He sold the boathouse the other night and is going to use the money to get a small apartment and use the rest to possibly start his own company again." Marissa replies.
Summer sits down on the chair in Marissa's room. She is wearing a very sexy pair of short, white jeans and a red top.
"So, spill it about Mark? He lives next door?" Summer asks.
"Yeh, he moved here last week. His dad got a job transfer and they moved in to the house next door. He's also going to be coming to Harbor..." Marissa starts answer.
"Ok, whatever. Just get to the juicy bits." Summer interrupts rudely.
"There are no juicy bits. We're just friends." Marissa replies.
"Oh, come on, Coop. Your style is to date the new guy first and become friends later... when did that change?" Summer says.
"We're just friends." Marissa reiterates. "He's a nice guy and all, but we'll see what happens. At this point, we are JUST FRIENDS."
"Ok, whatever." Summer says. "But if you want my advice, I'd date him. He nice, charming, not full of himself and easily accessible, I bet he's got great abs and is probably well endowed in the nether regions...."
"Summer!" Marissa exclaims while laughing and continues to do her hair in front of the mirror.
"You and Chino... over?" Summer continues her persistent line of questioning.
"I guess. He just comes back and expects everything to be normal... not happening." Marissa replies.
"What about you and Seth?" Marissa attempts to get all the attention off herself.
"Totally over." Summer says. "That a$$ was seeing other women while I spent the whole summer thinking and worrying about him. Besides, Kyle is much nicer... not all geeky and nerdy like what's his face..."
"Kyle? You're dating a water-polo guy?" Marissa says.
"Not dating, just... seeing." Summer responds. "And he seems to get on well with my dad. We went out for supper last night and they hit it off."
"Oh, I see." Marissa says with a smirk on her face.
"It's gonna feel weird though." Summer says. "Seeing as Ryan and Cohen will still be there and we'll have to still see them at school and stuff."
"Yeh, but we can ignore them I suppose?" Marissa says.
Marissa thinks back about Ryan and how seeing him yesterday at school just brought back some fond memories again of the two of the together.
"I guess." Summer responds
Summer thinks about having seen Seth last night at the restaurant. Even though she was with another guy, just seeing him also brought back some fond memories.
They both realize that it won't actually be that easy to just ignore them. Their feelings are still very strong for Ryan and Seth.
Summer snaps out of her thinking state.
"Hurry up, Coop. The mall waiteth for no man." Summer rushes Marissa. Marissa just finishes putting on her make up and they leave together in Summer's car.
TUESDAY MORNING, AT THE COHEN'S
Ryan walks in from the poolhouse to find Seth already in the kitchen having breakfast.
"Morning." Ryan mumbles and pours himself some coffee.
"Mmm" Seth responds finishing off a mouth-full of corn-flakes. "Ryan. You still haven't told me about what happened last night... that little performance at the Lighthouse."
"And I still what to know about Julie and Luke." Kirsten says as she enters the kitchen, still in her dressing gown.
"No, mom, no you don't." Seth answers.
"You know about it?" Kirsten says and looks at Ryan and then back at Seth. "You and I still need to chat about your little summer vacation... we haven't decided what to do with you yet." Kirsten says to Seth.
"Yes, great mom. Can't wait, really." Seth says.
Sandy walks in and asks. "Boys, aren't you going to school?"
"It's registration week, dad and we did all our registering yesterday, so the rest of the week is ours." Seth replies.
"I've got to go back and see my advisor on Wednesday." Ryan replies.
At that, Seth gets up and grabs Ryan who's standing against the cupboard with a cup of coffee in his hand. They head out to the poolhouse.
"Ok, spill it." Seth says as he sits down on the bed. Ryan stays standing. Then after a few minutes, sits on the chair opposite the bed.
"I saw Summer yesterday." Ryan begins, not enjoying this.
"hmmm... Thanks for that. I feel really enlightened with this information. But guess what Ryan, so did I. And she was ignoring me." Seth says sarcastically.
"... At the Lighthouse restaurant." Ryan finishes his sentence.
"And seeing her made your heart pulsate so much you couldn't put complete sentences together while speaking to my parents last night? I know how you feel... it happens to me all the time." Seth says in his usual sarcastic manner.
"...with Kyle and her dad." Ryan continues.
"Her dad, hey, and Kyle?" Seth asks and sits in the standard thinking position, but now he's not so sarcastic as his facial expressions change to a look of emotional hurt. Ryan nods. "You don't mean Water-polo Kyle?" Seth looks up at Ryan, who again just nods.
"God, she dumped me and dates a guy who shaves his legs!" Seth says exasperated and getting sarcastic again. It's not only his humor, but sarcasm is often the only way Seth can express himself.
"You don't know that they were dating." Ryan says.
"Her dad was there you say?" Seth asks. Ryan nods his head. "Did it look like he was having a good time?"
"Yeh, I suppose." Ryan says.
"Then they're dating. And if not, they will be." Seth says and flops back on the bed.
A long silence proceeded, as both Seth and Ryan thinking about the girls they once knew, or thought they knew, and loved.
Eventually Ryan breaks the silence. "You okay?" He asks Seth.
Seth just lies there for a moment, pondering.
"How do you compete with a guy who hates bodily hair?" Seth says thoughtfully.
"How do you compete with the guy who lives next door?" Ryan says.
"Kyle's living next door?" Seth enquires... then realizes. "OH right. Gotcha."
WEDNESDAY MORNING, BETWEEN THE LIVING ROOM AND THE KITCHEN
Kirsten is rushing here and there as she plans for Newport's latest charity event. Sandy is following her close behind.
"I don't know why you do this to yourself, honey." Sandy says.
"I don't, it just happens." Kirsten says as she walks from the kitchen back to the living room and picks up some papers on the table.
"Quit." Sandy says with enthusiasm on his face. "Quit."
"Sandy I can't quit, you know that. This is Julie's event and I offered to help." Kirsten says and walks back to the living room.
"Why is it that whenever you offer to help that woman you end up doing all the work?" Sandy persists. "Quit."
"This could quite possibly be our last social event for a long time, and I want it to be a good one." Kirsten stops and says to Sandy.
"Really? Last one! You're just trying to get my hopes up again, aren't you?" Sandy says with smiling.
"If a miracle doesn't happen for the Newport Group, then yes. We'll probably have to sell this house and move away." Kirsten says and resumes her pacing between the living room and the kitchen.
"Ah... stop it. I can't take all this excitement in one day. No more parties and then moving." Sandy says with even more enthusiasm.
"I've got to go make sure the hall's ready for tonight. You gonna give me hand?" Kirsten says to Sandy.
"You can have more than just my hand!" Sandy says and grabs Kirsten in to a loving hug. "Let's make our exit from Newport a big bang event."
"I don't know why you're been so smug about this..." Kirsten says. "If we have to move, you'll have to find a real job." She says with sarcastic mockery in her eyes.
Just then Julie enters through the front door.
"This is a disaster!" Julie exclaims. "The caterers have only catered for 200 people. Kirsten! This is going to be a disaster!"
"Julie... 200 people? How many people are you expecting?" Kirsten says as she lets go of Sandy who walks off to the kitchen.
"That's not all... the decorators can't make it until 3pm... that only leaves them 4 hours to get everything ready... it's going to be a disaster!" Julie says. "I need to sit down." She sits down on the sofa in the living room.
Kirsten comes back from the kitchen, hands Julie a cup of coffee, who takes it in both hands and takes a sip. Kirsten sits down on the sofa opposite Julie.
"Julie that will be enough time. I've asked Ryan to help and he'll get Seth, so there's more hands. It'll be fine. I've worked it all out." Kirsten says reassuringly to Julie.
"Oh, Kirsten thank you. Marissa and her new friend, what's his name, Mark, will be there too. She said they can all help out!" Julie says with something of a renewed vigor and stands up.
"Excellent. We were just heading down there now. You're going to come with us?" Kirsten says as she gets up.
Sandy, Kirsten and Julie leave the house together.
IN THE POOLHOUSE
Ryan is getting ready to go see his advisor. He is sitting at the bottom of the bed, tying his shoe laces.
Seth enters.
"Hey Ryan, I was thinking... After your visit this morning, we could perhaps do a bit of sailing... we haven't done that for ages and the go down to the beach find us some new honeys" Seth says as he walks in and sits down on the chair.
"We can't. I promised your mom we'd help out with moving stuff for tonight's party." Ryan says.
"We, Ryan?" Seth says. "What's this 'we'? You know I don't do manual hard labor... You've forgotten: I'm the brains... you're the brawn. Never the two shall inter-mingle, okay."
"You can tell your mom that then... sure she'll understand." Ryan says with a grin on her face.
"Uhmm... ok... what time must we be where?" Seth says keeping in mind it's not a good idea to say no to his mom.
"But Ryan, after that, can we just put some Seth/Ryan time on the books? I feel we're like living past each other..." Seth says persistently.
"Yeh, sure." Ryan says in a hurry.
"You ever see that movie Sliding Doors, Ryan?... that's what we're like... just sliding past each other." Seth says as he follows Ryan out the door.
Sure... you and me... tonight... after the party." Ryan says, leaving Seth standing there who throws his arms in the air.
AT THE HALL
Later that day Ryan and Seth arrive at the hall together... just around lunch time.
Kirsten catches them. "How was your meeting with your advisor?" She asks Ryan
"She wasn't there... I just left the assignment on her desk." He replies.
At that point Marissa and Mark, and Summer and Kyle arrive. Kyle's not looking too impressed about being there, but Summer kind of forced him to come.
"Don't worry; it'll all be over in a few hours." Seth says to Kyle.
Kyle just looks at him. "Shut up, queer!" Kyle responds.
"At least I don't have gleaming smooth legs." Seth says quietly under his breath, but Kyle hears him.
"What you say?" Kyle says and steps in front of him, right in his face.
"Nothing okay. I just said I wonder where's the gleaming loose pegs." Seth says slightly timidly. "We need them... to pin up the chandeliers." Seth points up to the light-fittings.
Ryan and Mark both step in from the side. "Got a problem, man?" Ryan asks Kyle with a look of don't-mess-with-me on his face. Mark clenches his fits for a fight.
Kirsten swiftly steps in to dissolve a potential fight. "Uhmm... boys, thanks for coming around to help." Kirsten says quickly, as the four of them disperse.
Kirsten promptly dishes out orders: "Ryan and Mark, I need you guys to move those tables over there to over here." Kirsten says pointing as she talks.
"Seth, I need you to make sure all the paintings on the walls are straight... maybe get Marissa to help you with that..." Kirsten says
"Summer could you please double-check the guest list for me and Kyle, come with me, I have something special for you to do." Kirsten finishes barking out orders as her and Kyle walk off.
Ryan and Mark head off to arrange the tables. Ryan decides to take the high road and make some small talk with Mark.
"Nice little stunt you almost pulled off there." Ryan enquires as the two of the pick up a table.
"Thanks. I just don't like a$$holes like that who try and act all big stuff." Mark replies as he lifts his end of the table. "Besides, You are quite the take-charge kind of man."
"Some guys around here are not easy to mix with." Ryan replies. "You've just got to look after your own and you'll be fine. So, how've you found Newport so far?" Ryan says lightheartedly referring to the recent events.
"Cool. Haven't had much time to explore, but it seems cool." Mark says jokingly. "Tell me, how did you manage to fit in so quickly?"
"I kind of didn't have a choice. It was either the Cohen's or Juvi..." Ryan responded half-smiling now.
"Yeh, I head about that. Marissa told me." Mark says as he and Ryan put down the first table and head back for another one.
"She did?" Ryan asks a little suspicious.
"Yeh. You are all she talks about it. When ever we're together it is like, 'I remember when Ryan did that...', or 'Ryan did it this way...' Man! It is difficult living in the shoes of someone like you!" Mark exclaims teasingly.
Ryan just half smiles as they pick up another table.
"You interested in her?" Ryan asks Mark
"I... I don't know man." Mark says feeling a little uncomfortable. "I mean... you're her ex... speaking to you about it is..."
"It's cool. I mean, she's cool." Ryan says uncomfortably. "Besides, it seems like she's ready to move on, so if you want to..."
"...But your reputation for hitting people..." Marks says smiling at Ryan
"I promise I won't hit you." Ryan says teasingly back at Mark. "... at least not more than once..."
"Glad to hear it." Mark says
"but of course... you'll be in hospital for a long while." Ryan replies jokingly.
They put down the second table and take a break and chat for a little while. Ryan and Mark talk for a long while about all kinds of things. The two of them seem to be hitting off a very unlikely friendship.
On the other end of the hall, Seth and Marissa are inspecting the works of art and murals.
"How was your summer?" Seth says after a long while of silence.
"Good. And yours?" Marissa says
"Good." Seth replies.
"I'm sure it was." Marissa says sarcastically.
"What does that mean?" Seth asks quizzically.
"Summer told me about your little trip to Catalina and the new 'friends' you made while you were there." Marissa says unpleasantly.
"She did?" Seth responded in a half-sarcastic kind of way.
"You really hurt her feelings you know." Marissa responded.
"Well, if she would just stop and listen to me, she would know that is not how it went down. They were just friends helping me out. Chances are I'm never going to see them again anyway." Seth responded defensively. He and Marissa continue to adjust the paintings.
"What about you and Ryan?" Seth reverts the conversation off himself.
"It's not easy dating a guy who you know could always run off to sort out someone else's crisis. Besides, Ryan made his own bed... and slept in it... with another woman... now he must live in it by himself." Marissa said.
"Wow. That's very understanding of you, Marissa. I'm sure he'll be glad to know you've got his back in every situation." Seth said sarcastically.
"Don't preach to me Seth Cohen! You spilt the moment he left. His moving hurt you as much as me, so don't get all self-righteous." Marissa says, almost shouting.
"Well, at least I know a little something about forgiveness. You should try it some day. Maybe you won't be all so uptight so often." Seth said and walked away leaving Marissa standing there thinking about Ryan.
THAT EVENING AT THE PARTY
The party had been underway for almost an hour already and just about all the guests had arrived. Everything was perfect. It was an evening of cocktails, live music and dancing. Kirsten was standing near the entrance of the room with her hair up, and dressed in a stunning custom-designed black evening gown with sequence of silver beading running down the back and across the front.
"Kiki, this party is amazing." Julie says as she walks up to Kirsten sipping on some champaign.
Kirsten just takes another sip of her wine and doesn't say a word. She is totally exhausted from the day's preparations.
"Oh, Richard!" Julie shouts from across the room as she sees some she recognized. "Catch up with you later Kirsten." And off Julie rushes to engage in another shallow conversation.
Caleb hovers towards Kirsten and kisses her on the side of the cheek. "Fabulous party once again, Kiki."
"Thanks dad." Kirsten replies. "How you holding up?" She asks with concern.
"As well as can be expected." Caleb replies. "Don't worry about me. I have yet to let anyone walk over me, so I'll be fine."
Over at the bar Ryan orders a drink for himself and Seth. They are both dressed in handsome Armani suits and ties.
"So, Ryan. I saw you and Mark being all buddy-buddy this afternoon." Seth asks. "What's the deal? Going behind enemy lines? A lill case of keeping your enemies closer? Huh, huh?"
"No, he's cool." Ryan says.
"Agreed. Any guy prepared to take on the water polo captain is cool in my books too. But what's your GP?" Seth enquires.
"Nothing. We just chatted." Ryan replies just managing to recollect the whole GP story.
"Just chatted?" Seth says sarcastically.
"Yes, just chatted." Ryan says affirming.
As they turn around they see Marissa and Mark dancing. Summer is trying to get Kyle to dance, but he's not all too keen on the idea. As they turn back towards the bar, Seth catches sight of someone entering the hall. He quickly turns around to face the bar again and pulls Ryan around too.
"Ryan... slowing turn around and look towards the doorway..." Seth says.
Ryan turns and Seth quickly stops him. "Not so quick... you'll make it look like your looking. You gotta be stealth."
"Seth. Who'm I looking at?" Ryan asks.
"Deborah, Ryan. The girl from Catalina I told you about. She's there." Seth says.
"What's she wearing?" Ryan asks
"Red dress... blond hair..." Seth replies.
"You mean Ms. Julian?" Ryan asks.
"Ms who?..." Seth says and turns around look now to.
"No man... that one over there in the red..." Seth says
"That's Ms Julian... Debbie..." Ryan and Seth suddenly both look at each other in bewilderment. Debbie Julian, the Academic Advisor and Deborah from Catalina are one in the same person! And she's not alone. Tracey has also tagged alone.
"Good lord! Dude, your advisor is my..." Seth starts and then stops as she heads over in their direction. "Ok, she's coming this way. Just act cool, just act cool." Seth says.
"That's gonna be difficult for you." Ryan says to Seth as he takes a big sip of his drink.
"Good evening gentlemen. Ryan. Seth." Debbie says and looks at the two of them as she says their names. Tracey comes alongside her, and Seth introduces Ryan and Tracey.
Tracey is a little shorter than Debbie, but still taller than Ryan. She is wearing a slivery dress and has dark brunette hair.
"Good... evening Deborah. Tracey." Seth greets them very politely. "It's been a while."
"Hi... Ms... Deb..." Ryan says stumbling to decide what to call her. She just smiles at him.
"So, what you boys been up to? I read your paper Ryan... I'm very impressed. We may need to look over those subjects of yours." Debbie says to Ryan.
"yeh.. cool." Ryan says uneasily.
"So, you're a teacher?" Seth asks still totally shocked.
"Actually, I'm a guidance councilor by profession. This is my last year of studying and I'm doing my internship at Harbor." Debbie explained.
"And I'm just here for the fun!" Tracey said as she laughs.
"Wow. You never told me before." Seth responded.
"You never asked." Debbie retorted.
"So, Seth, where's this Summer I've heard so much about?" Tracey asks.
Seth points shyly in Summer's direction.
"Doesn't look like she's YOUR girlfriend." Debbie says emphasizing the 'your'.
"Thank you for that good observation. We're kind of apart for a while..." Seth says.
"They're broken up." Ryan corrects him.
"Ah... I'm getting the picture." Debbie says.
"And you... you must have a girlfriend... young stud such as yourself." Tracey says looking Ryan up and down.
"No... she's over there with that other guy." Ryan says and points them out on the dance floor.
"Oh, you boys are all alone tonight." Debbie says with mock concern.
"Your sensitivity is so... non-existent." Seth replies.
After the four of them stand in awkward silence for a while, Tracey decides to speak up.
"Well, are you going to ask us to dance or we just gonna stand and talk all night long?" Tracey prompts sarcastically. Seth and Ryan look at each other and then Ryan takes Tracey's hand and Seth Debbie's. They go dance for a while on the floor.
On the other side of the room, Summer spots them and is suddenly feeling very jealous. "Who's that... thing Cohen is with?" She thinks to herself.
Frustrated, Summer turns to Kyle. "Come... we're dancing!" She grabs his hand and pulls a reluctant Kyle on to the dance floor.
Marissa and Mark are already dancing. She spots Ryan with Tracey and wonders who she is and where she's come from. "Must be his chaperone." She thinks jealously to herself, and then puts her head on Mark's shoulder.
STILL AT THE PARTY
Kirsten is sitting at a table by herself as Sandy is off on the other side of the hall chatting with a crowd of people and strangely enough looking like he's having more fun at this party than his wife. From the corner of his eye he spots his wife looking very dejected and tired. He quickly ends his conversation with the crowd and heads over to Kirsten.
"Hey gorgeous." Sandy says as he stands alongside Kirsten. She looks up at him and gives him a very tired, but courteous smile.
"Wanna dance?" Sandy asks and stretches out his hand. Kirsten puts her drink down and places her hand in his as she stands up. They begin dancing as a slow song is playing.
"You look ravishing tonight." Sandy compliments Kirsten. They dance for what seems like forever. Occasionally they catch a glimpse of Julie and Caleb, Ryan and Tracey, Seth and Debbie, and the others dancing on the other end of the dance floor. The night seems perfect.
Julie and Caleb come dancing over to Kirsten and Sandy.
"Kiki," Julie calls Kirsten's attention. "Over there... the far table on the right." Julie indicates in the direction. Kirsten swings Sandy around and looks in the direction Julie has pointed out. She sees who Julie has spotted; Mr Arthur Rutherford from the meeting on Monday morning.
"I'm going over to chat to him." Julie says.
"No. Julie. Just leave it. I think there's been enough drama already." Kirsten says with 'us' being a reference to the Newport Group.
"Give her a chance Kiki." Caleb says. "... maybe she can pull off a miracle."
"You'll be hoping so." Sandy says to Caleb.
"Come over in twenty minutes and just follow my lead." Julie says and her Caleb leaves the dance floor.
"Oh, Sandy... I don't like the sound of this." Kirsten says.
"Well... Maybe for once Cal is right, you don't have much to loose, so I say just go with it." Sandy says, with good intentions.
After a while Kirsten and Sandy leave the dance floor too.
Kirsten feels nervous about this, wondering what Julie could be up to. She makes her way over to greet them, if only to stop the natural disaster, which is Julie Cooper Nichol, and of cause to introduce Sandy, who is not too chuffed with the idea now.
"Good evening Mr Rutherford." Kirsten politely greets as Arthur stands up.
"Please, call me Arthur." He says.
"This is my husband, Sandy." Kirsten introduces and Arthur and Sandy shake hands.
"And this is my beautiful wife, Virginia." Arthur introduces her. "Please, sit with us. We were just talking about the Newport Group deal."
"You where?" Kirsten says and looks at Julie.
"I'm not getting my hands dirty on this one." Sandy says and leaves the group. He makes his way over to Caleb who is standing off in the distance out of sight.
"Bet you sweating like a whore in a synagogue right now, hey Cal." Sandy says smugly.
Caleb just looks at him and takes a big sip of his drink.
"It's make or break time Cal. This is the last throw of the dice. If you've never been a praying man, now's a good time to start. If only for nothing other than because Julie's there!" Sandy says and pats Caleb on the shoulder.
Back at the table, Kirsten sits down.
"Julie was just telling me about your plans for the company, now that you're at the helm." Arthur explains to Kirsten.
"She was?" Kirsten says again looking over at Julie, who just smiles sheepishly.
"Yes, and I must say I am very impressed. Your five year excavation plan and amalgamation with some of the top construction companies is by far one of the best ideas I've heard for ages." Arthur continues. Kirsten keeps smiling, trying to stay in on what's going on.
"Kirsten, why don't you tell Mr Rutherford about the company's plans to fund the reconditioning of Orange County's historical monuments and edifices?" Julie says, putting Kirsten on the spot.
Arthur looks at Kirsten very intriguingly at this idea. Kirsten just gives Julie a glance that could make hell freeze over.
"Uhmm... yes. It's not completely finalized yet, but we believe our memorial buildings describe something of this wonderful county's personality and thus should be preserved at any cost." Kirsten says off the top of her head.
Arthur's wife gently indicates to him that time is getting on and that they need to be on their way.
"Ladies, tell you what: I would be a fool to not seriously consider investing in to a company with such promise." Arthur says as he stands up with his wife. "Give my secretary a call in the morning and let's set up an appointment to discuss the finer details."
Kirsten and Julie look completely perplexed and amazed. "Mr Rutherford, thank you. We'll talk in the morning." Kirsten says as her and Julie stands up and shakes his hand.
"Good evening ladies. I look forward to dealing with you in the future." And with that Arthur leaves.
"Julie, I don't what all that happened here and I don't know that I want to, but well done..." Kirsten says and hugs Julie. "... And thank you."
AT THE END OF THE PARTY
The time is 11:30pm and just about everyone's gone home. Seth, Ryan Debbie and Tracey are sitting around at a table just chatting. Marissa, Summer, Mark and Kyle had left quite a bit earlier.
"So what you guys doing now?" Debbie asks Ryan and Seth.
"Zzzz." Is all that Seth says.
"Come on man. The night is young." Tracey insists.
"You got any better ideas?" Ryan asks.
Tracey and Debbie both look at each other. "Actually, yes. There's this party..." Tracey begins to advertise.
"Oh no. Those things normally do not go down well with me." Ryan cuts in.
"Awww, come on. It'll be fun." Tracey persists.
"No, I really don't think it'll be a good idea." Ryan says.
"There may even be strippers there." Tracey says.
Ryan and Seth look at each; Seth suddenly not so tired.
"Well, it won't hurt." Ryan says. "Maybe for a little while."
"And if it sucks, we can always leave." Seth reasons with Ryan.
With that the four of them get up and head out. Seth informs Sandy of their plans as he leaves.
Half an hour later they arrive at the party. There is loud rave music playing, a bon fire on the front lawn and even an open bar. As they walk up the path to the front door, Debbie and Tracey are greeted by almost everyone they pass. They enter the house, and where the music is the loudest.
The quartet split up in to a duo... Debbie and Tracey head off and greet everyone they know and Seth and Ryan just kind of stand there for a while looking slightly lost. There is dancing and dim disco-strobe lighting. Sure enough on a table in the middle of the room is a stripper. Seth grabs some pretzels from a bow on a nearby table and stands and watches looking very impressed.
"This party is awesome!" Seth yells above the music at Ryan.
Ryan pats Seth on the back and heads off to the kitchen to grab a beer and then heads out back.
As he steps outside he sees Marissa and Mark are there too, but they do not see him. As he's about to go over to greet them, they pull in to a romantic kiss.
Ryan stops and just looks for while, before deciding against going to speak to them. He turns around to go back inside and as he does almost walks straight in to Tracey.
"What to do get some privacy?" Tracey asks.
Ryan takes a mouthful of beer. "Sure." He says and they both enter the house again. They pass Seth who is still standing watching the stripper and munching on pretzels. Ryan follows Tracey up the stairs to the first room on the right. The lights are off. They both enter and Tracey closes the door behind them.
"Thanks. I just needed..." Ryan begins, but is cut off as Tracey turns his around and attacks him with her lips. "...some breathing space." Ryan completes his sentence as they stop kissing, but not for long. They kiss again, this time longer, and they fall back on to the bed. Tracey starts unbuttoning Ryan's shirt.
Back down stairs Seth is still watching the stripper. As he stands there be sees Summer sitting by herself on the couch on the far side of the lounge.
He decides to go over and chat.
"Hey." Seth says. Summer just gives him an uninterested look.
"Kyle is..." Seth asks. Summer motions to the left with her head and Seth spots Kyle hanging around with his water-polo friends, looking very, very drunk. Seth decides to sit down next to Summer. There's a long, awkward silence for a while.
"Why do I always have such bad luck with guys?" Summer eventually says and takes a bit of her celery stick. But before Seth could say anything, Summer quickly blocks him. "Don't answer that."
"So where's Ryan?" Summer asks.
"I dunno; probably making out somewhere with some poor unsuspecting victim." Seth replies.
"uh hu. Never learns." Summer retorts.
"So, Cohen just tell me... You and her you never..." Summer asks as she looks over at Debbie who is dancing with another guy on the floor.
"Never... not once." Seth replies confidently.
"hmmm... okay." Summer responds.
"Okay what?" Seth asks.
"Just, Okay." Summer says.