Summer carried plates and glasses into the kitchen and her father followed behind, arms laden with containers of leftovers. He placed them on the counter.
"Should I save some...?" she started to ask.
"Yes," Neil Roberts cut in. "Hopefully she'll have dinner later."
Summer nodded, closing up the lids and storing the containers in the fridge. Her step-mom was holed up in her room, a cooling gel mask over her eyes and blinds tightly shut. She feigned a migraine but more likely, she had downed some new pill that didn't agree with her delicate, chemically imbalanced system.
The doorbell rang and she swung the refrigerator door shut. "I'll get it," Neil told her. "You can finish up in here."
It didn't take her long. She could hear voices floating from the front entrance. Curious, she quickly washed her hands and went down the hall. She stopped short at the sight that greeted her.
"Cohen?" she blurted out.
Seth raised his hand in greeting. "Hey Summer. Sorry I didn't call first. I thought we could have that talk now."
"Oh. Okay."
Neil shook the younger man's hand. "Thank you again, Seth. You and Summer should talk. Take your time."
Summer stared in wonder after her father's back as he left them alone. She then turned to Seth, who was still standing there with a grin on his face. "What did you say to him?" she demanded.
"Nothing! He opened the door, invited me in and started going on about how grateful he was that I had been there for you at school. I take it you told him what happened?"
"Uh huh. Well, come on. Let's go upstairs."
They went up to her room and she closed the door. Sitting on the edge of her bed, she patted the space beside her until he took the invitation and sat down next to her. Noting the swelling on his cheek, she brushed it ever so gently with her fingertip. "Does it hurt?" she asked softly.
"Nah. You should see the other guy."
"I did see the other guy, remember? I still can't believe the way you came charging at him. You were, like, my white knight."
"Saving the damsel in distress." He bobbed his head in agreement. "Yeah, I like that."
She had to add something, lest his head explode from self-inflated pride. "Just for the record, I was more than capable of taking care of myself."
"I have no doubt."
"Good. But it was still sweet of you anyway. No one's ever done that for me before."
They were both quiet for a moment, simply regarding each other. Then they both tried to speak at once.
"So I..."
"I wanted..."
They smiled at each other, almost shyly. "You go first," Seth said.
Summer took a breath. "Okay. I wanted you to know that I told my father everything. And not just what happened today. I told him we started seeing each other again after you came back. And that we kind of broke up again. But he was really impressed by what you did today."
He looked surprised but pleased. "So what was his reaction?"
She thought back to their dinner conversation. In a way, it had been like fate. Her father was never home this early. But he had surprised her with take out from one of her favourite restaurants and they'd had the chance to really talk. "Well, at first he was pretty upset. Maybe more about the fact that I hadn't been honest with him. Then when I told him we had a fight and broke up at the party, he was all, 'I never liked him anyway'. Then I told him what happened today with el creepo Justin and how you just slammed the guy and he said, 'Well, maybe I misjudged the boy'."
Seth grinned at her again. "Really? He said that? I actually scored points with your dad. That's awesome."
"Yeah. Except the fact that we're not together anymore," Summer reminded him.
"Right. Except for that."
"So you wanted to talk to me. I'm listening."
He nodded. "Yeah, about Justin. He's not just your average creep. He's more along the lines of Dr. Evil. You know, like in Austin Powers..."
She cut him off impatiently. "I get the reference, Cohen. Go on."
"The guy had a whole master plan involving you, me, him, and Tanya. Did you know they're good friends?"
"Tanya and Justin? No."
"Well, they are. Just before last period, she confessed her sins to me. Get this. Justin asked her to come on to me at that party. Kiss me and whatever. They actually timed it so you would catch us. He did it to cause trouble between us. Make us break up. Then he could have you in his evil clutches all to himself."
Though she'd unwillingly gone over that night's events in her head countless times now, she'd always started from the horrible moment when she'd seen Seth and Tanya in a lip lock. Now she traced her mind back to when she'd been on the patio. Justin had come over and said he was concerned about Seth. That he'd spotted her boyfriend in the house looking overly drunk and maybe she should go inside to look for him.
"You're right. He is Dr. Evil!" she exclaimed, seething. All this time he'd been playing Mr. Nice Guy when he'd really been the villain. "He made it sound like you were in trouble so I'd go looking for you. Son of a bitch."
Seth smirked slightly. "Funny, that's exactly what I said."
She regarded him with some disbelief. "And Tanya told you this? Why?" Now she had to wonder if Tanya didn't have some ulterior motive.
He opened his mouth to speak then paused, as if uncomfortable with what he'd been about to reveal. "Listen. Let's make a pact here and now." Waving one hand back and forth, he proclaimed, "This talking between us is good. Let's go one step further and just spill our guts out to each other. I don't know what's going to happen when we're done but at least we'll be able to say we were honest with each other. No secrets. Can we do that?"
He looked very serious now and she gazed steadily into his dark eyes. "We can do that," she stated at last.
"Good. Okay. So yeah, I was telling you about Tanya. The weekend after Justin's party, I went to another one. At Tanya's house."
She arched an eyebrow as a surge of irritation shot through her. "Oh really."
"Don't freak out, Summer," he pleaded. "I just wanted to go to a party. Any party. I asked Ryan to go but he was doing something with Marissa. So I went by myself. Had a couple of drinks. I, uh, talked with Tanya for a while. But I swear on...on..." His eyes darted around and he pointed towards her bedside table. "On Captain Oats' honour. And you know that noble steed would never lie. Nothing else happened. All we did was talk."
Though she couldn't help being faintly amused, she was careful not to show it. "Uh huh. So what did you talk about?
"A little about school. But mostly about me, actually. The amnesia and everything."
"Did you talk about me?" she asked.
"We touched on that subject, yes," he admitted. "But mostly in the context of how I'd royally screwed up and hurt you and that I was afraid you'd never forgive me."
"Oh," was the only reaction she could muster.
"But it worked out in the end. She started getting to know me and then she started feeling guilty about what she'd done and voila, she confessed to me. But don't get me wrong. I'm not pinning all the blame on Dr. Evil and his sidekick. I'm the one that got drunk and let raging hormones get the better of me. I know I said it that night but you were right, it was a pretty lousy apology. So I'm gonna say it again. I am really sorry about what I did."
She could tell he was being sincere this time. "I accept your apology," she stated, with what she hoped sounded like dignity. Swallowing hard, she bit her lip. She had intended to keep her little secret but since they'd promised to be honest with each other, her conscience wouldn't seem to allow it. "I have to confess something to you now."
"Okay. The floor is yours."
"It goes back to when you took off on your boat. I went to a party a couple of days after. I just wanted to, like, get drunk and party my ass off. Forget you even existed. So I went and Justin was there. We started talking and he was really nice. Then he kissed me."
As she expected, Seth's expression darkened, though he didn't say a word. She rushed on. "I totally wasn't expecting it and I didn't kiss him back. I swear on..." She waved towards the small table. "Princess Sparkle. That's the truth. He even tried to kiss me a second time but I stopped him cold."
"Well, thanks for telling me."
Her eyes narrowed at him. "Was that sarcastic? I can't tell with you."
With a sigh, he briefly closed his eyes. "Sorry. That did sound sarcastic and I don't mean to be. It's good that you told me. I'm glad. It just makes me even more pissed off with Justin."
"I know. Anyway, I wanted you to hear it from me. I wouldn't be surprised if he blabbed about it to you one day, trying to make it seem more than it really was." She shifted a bit on the bed. "So, you next. Tell me something else."
He tapped his lip with one finger, searching for the next tidbit to share. "I bought a CD."
That surprised her. "Oh yeah? You've started listening to music again?"
"A little. Guess I'll have to start rebuilding my collection."
"What CD?"
"That's the thing. I totally love it and I get the feeling it's important somehow but I don't know why. It's by Death Cab for Cutie. 'Something About Airplanes'."
She smiled, shaking her head a little. "It's the first CD you ever bought. That's why it's important. I think you were thirteen or something.
He stared off into space, mouth slightly parted. "Yeah," he said softly. "Yeah, I think I remember! This is great. It's like every time I talk to you, I remember something." His eyes gleamed with excitement. "But how did you know?"
She snorted. "Do you know how many times you forced me to listen to that stupid music? I can probably name everyone in the band too. But I'm glad for you. I was kind of wondering why you had your iPOD today, so this explains it."
"Death Cab," he said again. "Yeah. Cool." Snapping out of it, he patted her knee. "Your turn."
Confession might be good for the soul but it sure wasn't easy. She felt like all the protective layers she had built up over the years were being peeled away, one by one. She spoke quickly, before she could change her mind. "I'm jealous of Ryan. I mean, I was, before. Not so much now."
He stared at her, evidently with confusion. "Ryan," he repeated. "Why?"
"He's the reason you left. I wasn't enough to make you stay."
"Oh. And I guess that made you feel..."
"Small. Insignificant. Not good enough," she filled in.
"Well, if it's any consolation," he said slowly. "I feel like that around you. That I'm not good enough. I'm such a dork and you're so...popular."
She made a face, her voice laced with scorn. "Please, that is so high school. After this year, no one's going to care that I was popular. It doesn't mean anything in the real world." Her voice got lower and softer, as she scrunched the edge of the bedcover between her fingers. "The truth is, I'm really not good enough for you. You're way smarter than me. And your grandfather practically owns this town. Your family is important in Newport. My dad gives people new chins and boobs. And don't even get me started on my step-mom. That's my worst nightmare. That I'll end up like her. Married to some rich guy, popping pills and only pretending to be happy on the outside when I'm really shrivelling up and miserable on the inside."
"Summer, there's no way you're even capable of shrivelling," he quipped.
She gave him 'the look'. After pouring her heart out, he had the nerve to make jokes? He quickly composed a serious face again. "You're not going to end up like your step-mom. You would never do that to yourself."
"How do you know?" she shot back.
"You love life too much."
"That is so lame. That's really your answer?"
"I have no answers. Neither one of us is perfect. But you thinking you're not good enough for me? That's bullshit. So maybe me thinking the same about you is just as idiotic."
She bit back a laugh. Their conversation had taken an almost ridiculous turn, as if they were in competition for who was less deserving than the other. "So you're basically saying we're both idiots."
A dimple flashed at her. 'I guess I am."
"Way to make me feel better," she groused.
"Do you?" he prodded. "Feel better?"
A tiny sigh escaped her as she contemplated the question. "Yeah. A little."
"Besides, what your dad does is important. Don't underestimate the power of boobs."
Finally laughing out loud, she hit him on the shoulder. "You're the boob, Cohen."
He placed a hand on his chest. "No. I'm the brawn," he deadpanned.
Although she rolled her eyes at him, their childish banter lifted her spirits. He could always make her laugh. She had missed this. But something else had been nagging at her ever since their fight and this was her opportunity to find out the truth. Even though she was afraid of what the answer might be.
"I have to ask you something," she said.
"Sure."
"When we had the fight, you said that maybe you were in love with the idea of me. What did you mean?"
"Ahh. Well, you've got to understand that in my screwed up memory, I've only known you for a few months. Yeah, I've always liked you since we were little and I like to think that I knew the real you. But if I'm really honest, that was just my childhood fantasy. That's what I meant by 'the idea of you'. I wish I could take it back but I know I can't. Just believe me when I say the flesh and blood you is way more interesting than any idea of you. Am I, uh, totally confusing you now?"
"No. I get it," she replied. "Are you sure I haven't disappointed you? Wait, maybe I don't want you to answer that," she hastily added.
He gave her a wry smile. "I think we've already established our mutual lack of perfection. Besides, how boring would that be, right? The last thing we want to do is become as plasticized as all the other Newpsies."
Leave it to Seth to give her so much to think about. Until he'd come along, she'd been coasting along just fine. She probably would have been satisfied to become a 'Newpsie', as he'd so aptly put it. Not the wacked out version like her step-mom, but someone who was content to stay at home, occasionally shop and spend the day at the spa, and perhaps host a swanky charity function or two. It would be a safe, cushiony existence. But Seth didn't seem to fit into that equation. She knew how much he despised this community. He'd always told her how much bigger and better the world was out there. That she really needed to expand her horizons. Problem was, that wasn't very safe. She'd always managed to keep those protective layers in place just so. Less chance of getting hurt that way. And though no one would ever dare to accuse Summer Roberts of being a coward, she supposed she really was, underneath it all.
"Summer."
"Hmm?" Jolted out of her thoughts, she gazed down at him. "What are you doing on the floor?"
Down on one knee, he took her hand, eyes beseeching. "I know this is asking a lot but I want us to try again. I finally feel like my life is getting back on track. Things are good at home. Except for the grounding thing, I guess, but I can live with that. Ryan's a great guy. My parents are pretty cool overall. School, well, I've got my work cut out for me but that's okay. I can deal with it. At least I know I won't let people walk all over me. I'm liking music again. Heck, I'm even going to miss video games while I'm grounded. And let's not forget that I'm starting to get my memory back. But the one thing that would make everything complete? It's you. It's always been you."
Her heart felt like it was getting squeezed by a tight fist in her chest. He'd said the same thing to her last year, even if he didn't remember. And just like last year, she felt like crying though she wasn't quite sure why. She was happy, of course, but it was more than that. He was the only boy she'd ever known who'd even attempted to get to know who she really was beneath the surface. And he was genuinely sweet. That was pretty rare these days.
"You know how cheesy that sounds, right?" she asked, her voice sounding oddly thick.
"Like a hunk of cheddar. I know."
"Mmm...more like brie," she teased. "But I like brie. So, okay, let's try this again."
Her breath caught in her throat when he actually lowered his head and kissed her hand. The cheesiness factor just shot through the roof. And she loved every bit of it. "You can get up now," she advised him.
A little wobbly, he stood up, wincing just a touch. "Ow, my back," he muttered.
She laughed at him. "What is this, old age?"
"I think Dr. Evil's fist might have something to do with it."
She reached out to him, one hand on his chest, the other sliding up the nape of his neck. "I know just the thing to make it better," she murmured.
Closing her eyes, she lost herself in the kiss. Lips, warmth and sweetness. The combination made her insides sigh with pleasure. When she finally forced herself to pull away, she added one condition. "Let's take things slow. Okay?"
His dimple winked at her again. "Anything you say, Summer."
A/N: Everyone say it with me now....awwww....
To famous99: Yes, I could have extended the Seth/Ryan conversation (did exist at one point but got cut) or had more reaction from Ryan but that's the choice I made in the end. Seth has warmed up to Ryan and is now sharing things openly with him. The fact that they are talking freely now shows progression in their relationship. I don't want to hammer the point home. But there will be a little more Seth/Ryan interaction later so you'll get your wish somewhat. As for no one reacting to the fact that Seth's first memory was of Summer, sorry but I see no relevance in that at all. They're happy he regained a memory, period – doesn't matter that it involved his girlfriend. My opinion, of course. But thanks very much for your balanced review. I appreciate the care and thought you put into it.
To everyone else: It's starting to sound repetitive but I mean it every time. Thank you for those reviews. They really make my day.