CHAPTER 11: THE HOUSEWARMING

HARBOR SCHOOL

Its now a week later, and in fact last period on Friday afternoon and for Seth and Ryan that just happens to be Physics. For Marissa and Summer, it's Math. It's a sunny, let not unbearably hot afternoon.

The Physics class is half way through and the teacher, Mr. Fillips is rambling on about some chemical reactions. He is a bald-head middle-aged man with a very boring, droning voice.

"Okay, you will now each be assigned lab partners. This will be your partner for the rest of the semester, and the person you will share a work bench with. To avoid any conflicts, I have decided to choose partners for you. When I read your names out, please make the necessary movements." Mr. Fillips says.

"John and Gracey... Andrew and Julie... Duncan and Melinda... Ryan and Vanessa... Wendy and Jonathan, Seth and Caroline..." Mr. Fillips reads out the names and the class change places as required.

Ryan moves to go sit next to Vanessa, and Caroline takes her place next to Seth.

"Seth Cohen." Seth introduces himself.

"I'm glad for you." Caroline replies coldly. She was a pretty blonde-haired, olive-skinned 17 year old. She had striking blue eyes and a really cute button nose. She is wearing a short, light-pink top that ends just able her belly button, which is decorated with a stud in it.

"Okay, well, now that we have the intros out the way..." Seth responds sarcastically, and Caroline sighs annoyingly.

"Look... Let's just both we adults about this... I don't like this arrangement any more than you do. That guy back there..." and she points a guy out in the corner... "is my boyfriend... try anything funny and he'll be all over you like white on rice. My suggestion: we just keep this arrangement strictly professional." Caroline says laying down the law.

"Right." Seth responds uneasily, looking back at the guy in the corner who catches Seth's gaze and shows him his fist hitting in to the palm of his other hand.

Over on the other side of the classroom, Ryan sits down next to Vanessa.

"Hi. I'm Vanessa Walland." Vanessa introduces herself. She is tall, dark-haired with freckles on her face. She is wearing a longish creamy/white dress that ends just below the knee.

"Ryan Atwood." Ryan turns to her and introduces himself.

"Yes, so I've heard." Vanessa says with a smile, which Ryan, out of politeness, returns.

"So, how's the baby?" Vanessa asks just out of the blue.

"Not mine." Ryan replies, but with a look of total bafflement on his face. Vanessa picks up on this and explains.

"Summer and I are on the cheerleading team."

"Ah." Ryan responds knowingly.

Just then the bell rings signaling the end of the class. Mr. Fillips barks off some orders for homework over the weekend.

"See you on Monday, partner." Vanessa says as she packs her books in her bag and gets up to leave.

Ryan just nods, puts his books away and catches up with Seth at the door.

"Your labby as friendly as mine?" Seth says with mockery.

"scaringly so." Ryan replies and the two of them exit the classroom.

SCHOOL HALLWAY, END OF MORNING CLASSES

The bell has rung and Summer and Marissa leave Math class together. Marissa was now back at school. She was making remarkable strides in her counseling sessions and she felt up to it again.

"Wow, skipping two weeks of school really doesn't seem like such a good thing now. I have so much to catch up on." Marissa says to Summer.

"Yeh." Summer responds kind of uninterested.

"I mean... Math alone... I feel like I'm missed a whole year!" Marissa says.

"Ok, Whaev, So, what time's your dad's housewarming tonight?" Summer says brushing off Marissa's sharing about her school problems.

"Sum... you not seriously thinking of going are you?" Marissa says shocked. "There's just gonna be like old people there."

"Thanks why they need some young blood to spice it up a bit. " Summer says, "We've got to be there to make sure they don't get up to anything... bad."

Marissa just laughs at Summer.

"Coop, trust me, the last thing you need right now is to be alone, and this party will help you to get your mind off things and get your life back to normal." Summer persists.

"I don't think life in Newport Beach can ever be just normal." Marissa points out.

Just then they see Seth and Ryan coming around the corner. The two parties walk up to each other and meet in mid-passage.

"Hey Hom's." Seth greets in a mock gangster language.

"Hey." Summer and Marissa greet in unison.

"So..." Ryan says and with a smile at Marissa.

"So... You guys are coming to the Coop party tonight right?" Summer asks.

"Uhmm...?" Ryan says confused. Marissa had not told anyone about the party, as she was not intending on going. She looks over a Ryan with a knowing look that said please just bail me out here.

"Oh, uhmm... yeh, for sure." Ryan responds. "We'll be there."

"We will?" Seth says confused and Ryan quickly jabs him in the side, causing Seth to grab his side and rub it a bit.

"Great! We can all hang out like old-time's sake!" Summer responds. "See you later."

Seth and Summer walk off together and Marissa and Ryan are left there.

"Thanks for playing along." Marissa says gratefully to Ryan.

"No worries... now u just owe me!" Ryan says with a smile and the two of them walk off together.

JIMMY'S NEW HOUSE

It's Friday afternoon and Kirsten is helping Jimmy prepare for the housewarming party that evening.

He purchased a free-standing family home from the proceeds made from the sale of the boathouse. It's a three bed roomed, double-story house with an ocean view. It is painted white on the outside with blue shutters and guttering. The backyard is massive and has a pool and sauna enclosed.

Jimmy had also landed a job as an accounts manager for Wesson and Harrison, a local accounting firm in Newport Beach.

Jimmy is making last minute furniture placements, and Kirsten is doing some decorating with plants and paintings.

"I'm not very good at this interior design thing." Kirsten says as she puts a plant down on a side table and steps back to check it out. "This is more Julie's line."

"Nooo thank you." Jimmy says definitively. "This house is gonna be Julie-free."

After moving the final side-table in to the lounge area, he steps back to admire his handy work. He turns around and bumps straight in to Kirsten, who drops a pot-plant she is carrying in her hand.

"Oh... I am so sorry." Jimmy apologizes profusely.

"No, don't worry about it." Kirsten reassures him, and bends down to tidy up.

"No, leave that. I'll sort that out." Jimmy says and he quickly bends down to, but clumsily bumps heads with Kirsten. They both stand up and rub their heads.

"I'm really sorry..." Jimmy says uneasily.

"It's okay, really." Kirsten responds, still rubbing her head. There's an awkward silence for a moment as the two of them just look at each other.

"Uhmm... I should get these plants finished up." Kirsten says breaking the uneasiness.

"Yeh... I..." Jimmy struggles to get the words out.

Just then the front door opens and in walks Sandy.

"Oh, hey." Sandy says surprised to see Kirsten there. "I just wanted to come around to see if you needed a hand, but it seems you've got it covered."

"Oh, Sandy, hey." Jimmy says quickly. "Kirsten is helping with the arrangements for tonight. Could you give me hand with this... thing outside."

"Hey honey." Kirsten greets.

Sandy follows Jimmy outside and kisses Kirsten on the cheek as he passes her.

Down on the beach, behind the Cohen's place, Ryan and Seth are playing Frisbee on the sand, trying their best to relax after a long grueling week of school.

Seth, unable to hold his curiosity in anymore, pops the question: "So, Ryan, what's up with you and Marissa? You going out? Boyfriend and girlfriend? Or are you just friends? If you're just friends, does that mean you're both going to look for other people to date, or are you going to date on the sly? If you're going to date on the sly, what is the other person finds out? If you're dating, like seriously, are you gonna... you know... 'cause the last time you also... well, you know... and then there's Tracey's web in those whole colony... are you dating? Just being friends? 'Cause that then means a whole new set of questioning, like..."

"Whoa... just whoa!" Ryan stops Seth and grabs the Frisbee.

"Okay, I can give you more time, but you have to have a plan of action you... like, how..." Seth says and is cut off again.

"Marissa and I aren't dating..." Ryan says... "Nor am I dating Tracey..."

"Okay, so you're just gonna be friends. That's interesting... what you going to do together... play tag? Shave your chests?" Seth says sarcastically.

Ryan just looks at Seth trying to suppress his laughter, but he can't. He throws the Frisbee a little harder back at him this time. Seth misses and has to run back to get it. They decide to head back to the house to get ready for the party. They walk up the path leading to the Cohen property, still throwing the Frisbee lightly back and forth.

As the arrive at the house, they are surprised to find Summer and Marissa lying on the sun beds next to the pool. The ladies sit up as they see the guys approach.

"Eww, Cohen, you're like... hot and sweaty." Summer comments, grossed out.

"But Summer... I think someone like's it all hot and sweaty." Seth says jokingly and tries to hug Summer.

"God, Cohen... ewww." She quickly gets up and takes a step back, as she does she pushes Seth and he falls backwards in to the pool. A second or two later he pops up through the surface.

The remaining three just laugh at him.

"I think someone else needs to rinse off." And with that Marissa pushes Ryan in to the pool too.

As he pops his head up through the water, he sees Summer and Marissa standing on the edge of the pool, laughing at them. Seth and Ryan both glance at each other with knowing looks and smirks on their faces. They quickly climb out the pool and chase the girls around the yard. Ryan catches Marissa from behind and Seth grabs Summer in a bear-hug. The four of them jump in to the pool together. They splash around and playfully push each other under the water for a while. After about 20 minutes they climb out and dry off.

"So, what have you guys got for a gift?" Summer asks.

"Gift... for what?" Ryan asks.

"A housewarming gift. Everyone knows you take gifts to housewarming parties. That's why they have them." Summer replies.

"Uhmm... oh." Ryan responds uncertainly.

"Guess we're on a mission... to the mall." Marissa says. "Go get yourself ready... we'll meet you out front." And she throws her towel at Ryan.

THE ARCHES

Caleb sat at the table and tapped his fork on the side of his water glass irritably. He sighed heavily and ordered a scotch. Just then he found whom he was waiting for standing over him, "Nana Cohen! How nice of you to show up."

"I'm sorry Caleb I was held up at the drug store. Customer service just isn't what it used to be." She answered while accepting a kiss on the cheek. "So how've you been Cal?" she asked interested.

"Oh you know the usual. All this time on my hands now, especially not having people like you are calling me everyday asking me to save the trees or the orphans or something equally time consuming." Caleb replied.

"Nice to know we have such a generous man at the head of our community." She replied with a smile. Caleb laughed softly.

"So Sophie what are you having? I think the salmon looks delicious today."

ELSEWHERE IN THE MALL

"So what do you think? A plant, painting, power tool or pocket knife?" Seth asked Ryan as the four of them walked through the mall looking for a decent-enough housewarming gift.

"I dunno..." Ryan replied with a very confused look on his face.

"Coop, you know your dad... what'd he like?" Summer asks Marissa.

"All of the above?" Marissa replies unsurely.

They continue to shop around for a few hours checking out everything from toy stores, art galleries and DYI home improvements.

BACK AT ARCHES

Two hours later Caleb finished off another scotch and he called for the cheque. He helped Sophie pull on her coat and led her to the exit. "Thank you for such a delicious lunch, Caleb." Sophie said happily.

"Oh it was most certainly my pleasure." He answered.

"So Cal how did it make you feel?" she asked searchingly.

"What?"

"Buying a sick old lady lunch purely out of sympathy?"

"Sophie..."

"Caleb," she said while shaking her head, "I know why you bought me lunch. You feel sorry for me. I understand."

"Sophie I took you out simply for the pleasure in your company."

"Oh balls Caleb. When have you ever enjoyed my company?"

"Since I realised how good company is hard to find, especially when you're married to Julie Cooper." Caleb muttered under his breath. Sophie tilted her head to the side and reached up and took his face in her hands, "Thank you." She said softly before placing a kiss on his cheek.

ELSEWHERE IN THE MALL

The quartet emerges from the final shop with four gifts, one each of a painting, a plant, a hand drill and a pocket-knife.

As they leave the shop, they spot Caleb and the Nana, the Nana placing a kiss on Caleb's cheek. Summer notices it first and draws the other's attention to it.

Not at all sure how to react, they just stood there in complete disbelief as Caleb and the Nana walked arm in arm in the opposite direction to them.

Eventually when they're out of site and everyone has recovered just slightly from the shock, Summer breaks the silence.

"So in theory then, Cohen, this could mean that you and Coop..." Summer says.

"Oh, oh, no, please don't say it." Seth says in anguish as he covers his ears.

"Yeh, and your parents could be like..." Marissa says as the three of them are clearly getting a kick out of Seth's pain.

"Oh, man... no. Bad dream, bad dream." Seth holds his hands to his heads and shakes his head.

Summer comes alongside Seth and puts her arm over his shoulder. "It's not that bad Cohen. Two old people finding love... It's kinda sweet."

"Yeh, except he's married to her mom." Seth points back to Marissa who is walking behind them with Ryan.

AT JIMMY'S HOUSEWARMING PARTY

The house is looking absolutely stunning. From the décor to the entrées, everything is just perfect. All the guests have arrived, including Julie and Caleb, and the Nana. The Nana and Caleb have been making eyes at each other the whole evening.

Seth and Summer are standing to one side enjoying some drinks, well Summer is, while Seth is still freaking out about his grandmother and grandfather hooking up. He is looking and feeling quite sick.

"Well, what can I say Jimmy, you've really outdone yourself." Julie walks over to Jimmy who is standing making small talk with some other friends.

He nods once and takes a sip of his wine. "It's mostly thanks to your husband, Jules." Jimmy replies.

Julie now takes a sip of her drink. "He's known for his generosity." Julie says.

"And that's obviously why you married him." Jimmy retorts, and Julie just walks away.

Sandy comes up to Jimmy. "Great party Jimmy." Sandy compliments.

"Thanks. You know it wouldn't have happened if it weren't for your help... you and Kirsten." Jimmy replied politely.

Sandy pats Jimmy on the back and walks away to his wife, who's standing on the other side of the garden near the bar. Kirsten sees him approach and a smile appears across her face.

"Jimmy's got a nice place here." Kirsten says as he approaches.

"It wouldn't be if it weren't for your helping him this afternoon." Sandy says blankly and orders a drink.

"You helped too." Kirsten corrected him.

"Except, he didn't call me for my help, which brings me to the one question I've been trying to figure out for a long time now." Sandy says as he takes his drink from the barman. "Why is it, then whenever your friend Jimmy needs help, you are the very first person he seems to call?"

"Oh Sandy, you know Jimmy and I have been friends since high school. We've shared almost everything with each other." Kirsten replies.

"Even spouses?" Sandy quips.

"No. Not spouses." Kirsten says firmly, and locks eyes with Sandy "You know Jimmy's been through a lot... a lot more than most people go through in a lifetime. He's only now just managing to find his feet again in the community."

Sandy takes a sip of his drink and so does Kirsten. "Jimmy and I are just friends, Sandy. Nothing more. Just friends." Kirsten says with conviction.

Sandy takes a slow sip of his drink and eventually gives in and puts his arm around his wife.

"I know. I suppose I can't blame another man for wanting to spend some extra time with the most gorgeous woman in the country." Sandy says with love in his eyes.

Kirsten laughs at him. "I must say, this jealousy act is rather charming though."

Close to the bar, just a table or two to the left, Seth and Summer are sitting at a table eating lightly on some sandwiches. As the night wore on, Seth's mind changed from being concerned about his grandparents and became more interested in food.

Summer takes the final sandwich from their platter in the middle of the table. As she does a bit of mayo falls on her ring finger. She holds it out to Seth. "Lick it."

Seth looks at her and shakes his head. "Summer, I don't like mayo." Summer just gives him a look and Seth realizes exactly what that look means. He quickly licks her finger clean.

"Thanks. I hate the taste of mayo on its own." Summer replies.

"It wasn't nearly as sweet as you, Summer." Seth says.

Summer laughs at him. "You are so cheesy, Cohen."

Seth smiles back at her and gets up and holds out his hand. "Wanna dance?"

Summer puts the sandwich down and gets up and takes Seth's hand just as the DJ begins to play a slowish song. A few other couples join in on the dance floor.

At a far off table, Marissa is sitting alone. Ryan comes up to her and holds out his hand. "Want to dance?" He asks.

Marissa puts her drink down and takes Ryan's hand. The two of them go and slow-dance on the floor. Marissa looks ravishing in a long, red dress, similar to the one she wore the day Ryan left for Chino again.

"You look lovely tonight." Ryan comments and Marissa smiles at him.

"Thank you. I feel a lot happier than the last time we danced together." Marissa responds.

The two of them dance in good old vintage Ryan and Marissa fashion. They both look to be closely enjoying themselves.

"Would you care to dance?" Caleb walks up to Sophie who is sitting by herself smoking.

"Do I look like the type who can dance?" The Nana responds and puts her cigarette out.

"You're never too old to learn." Caleb says charmingly. The Nana eventually gives in after a few more persuasive words from Caleb and the two of them take to the dance floor.

Jimmy walks over to Julie who is standing by the bar and has just seen Caleb ask the Nana to dance.

"Looks like the Nana and Caleb are becoming quite friendly these days." Jimmy observes.

"Honestly, Jimmy. You read far too much in to situations. He clearly just feels sorry for her." Julie replies, but she doesn't seem too convinced herself.

"Well, he's having a lot of fun for someone who's just feeling sorry." Jimmy replies and walks off.

Julie gulps down the remainder of her drink and walks up to Caleb on the dance floor. "Nana, do you mind?" Julie cuts in on their dance and takes Caleb's hand. The Nana goes and sits down again and lights another cigarette.

"I hope this is not what I think it is." Julie says to Caleb.

"I have no idea what you're talking about." Caleb replies sternly to Julie.

Just then Marissa and Ryan dance past them and overhear Caleb denying everything. "Well, Caleb, it didn't look like nothing at the mall this afternoon." Marissa throws the spanner in the works and her and Ryan dance off again. Ryan just smiles at her.

Julie stops dancing, causing Caleb to stop too. "Cal, what is going on?" Julie demands.

"Nothing Jules. Sophie and I were just having lunch." Caleb says uneasily.

"And you'd rather dance with your friends that your wife?" Julie replies angrily. She stops dancing and storms off leaving Caleb standing stranded on the dance floor.

THE END OF THE HOUSEWARMING

An hour later and the party has pretty much come to an end. Most of the guests have left. The Nana is sitting at a table by herself looking very tired and alone. Caleb chased after Julie after she stormed out. Seth and Summer join her at the table.

"Ouww..., my feet are killing me." Summer says and rubs her toes.

"So Nana, enjoy your first Newport party?" Seth asks as he sits down looking very bushed himself.

"No." The Nana replies bluntly.

"Well, join the club." Seth responded.

"Sethalar, let me give you some advice about love." The Nana says and continues despite Seth's protests. "Love does not get any easier, even at my age."

"Well, that is very insightful, thank you." Seth replied somewhat sarcastically.

Marissa and Ryan and Sandy and Kirsten join them at the table.

"You all almost ready to go?" Sandy questions.

"Yeh, except my mom and Caleb have left already..." Marissa starts

"Oh, hey... uhmm.... I can give..." Ryan begins to offer, but then realizes he came with the Cohen's. He turns to Sandy. "... if that's okay...?"

"Hey, yeh, sure. You can take my car and I'll go with Sandy..." Kirsten offers her car and hands Ryan the keys.

"Uhmm... how does he get the keys so easily?" Seth asks slightly sarcastically. He just gets looks back from Sandy and Kirsten.

"Thanks." Ryan says and takes the keys. "We're gonna go." Him and Marissa get up to leave.

"Yeh, I think we'll be leaving too." Sandy says and Kirsten and the Nana get up. "Summer, you need a ride?"

"Uhmm... no, we'll go with Ryan." Seth replies quickly.

"Okay, but don't be too late and Ryan keep an eye on him please." Kirsten responds.

"Oh, oh... what's with that?" Seth responds shrugging his shoulders. Again he just gets looks back.

The group said their good-byes to Jimmy and congratulated him on a well organized party. Sandy, Kirsten and the Nana leave in one vehicle and Ryan, Marissa, Seth and Summer leave in Kirsten's SUV.

First, they go and drop Summer off. Seth helps her out the door by doing his accepted gentleman duty and opening the door of the car for Summer. He then walks her to the door of her place and kisses her good night.

"I had a good time tonight, Summer." Seth says and he strokes back her hair.

"Yeh, me too." Summer responds with a sweet smile.

They kiss once more and Summer goes inside and Seth heads back to the SUV.

"Getting serious there, hey buddy!" Ryan says jokingly as Seth climbs back in.

Seth slumps back in to the seat very tired. He closes his eyes. "Just drive cabbie, just drive."

Ryan starts up the car and they drive off to Marissa's place. Twenty minutes later they get there. Seth is fast asleep in the back.

"So, here we are." Marissa says sheepishly.

"Yeah." Ryan replies. They just sit there for a while.

"Well, ok then." Marissa says and undoes her seatbelt.

"Oh, uhmm, let me ..." Ryan quickly jumps out and open's Marissa's door from the outside. She climbs out, and he walks her to the door.

"Thanks." Marissa says politely.

"Pleasure." Ryan replies.

"... I mean for the ride..." Marissa qualifies herself. "... and the dance."

Ryan smiles at her. The two of them hug, kinda awkwardly.

"Why does this seem so awkward?" Ryan asks.

"I don't know. I mean, it shouldn't, right?" Marissa replies.

"Right." Ryan responds.

"So..." Marissa says and again there's an awkwardness between them. "Good night then."

"Good night." Ryan says.

Marissa unlocks the door. As she turns the key in the hole, Ryan contemplates pulling her around and kissing her. As he decides, Marissa opens the door and walks in.

"Good night." Marissa responds as she enters the house.

"You too." Is all the reply Ryan can get out. They smile at each other and Ryan walks away backwards as Marissa closes the door. He turns and heads back to the car, where Seth has been awake, witnessing everything.

"Getting a little serious, hey buddy!" Seth returns Ryan's banter from earlier. Ryan just playfully backhand's Seth on the side of the head as he gets back in the car.

They drive back to the home.