The O.C.
Family
By: Mark A Hogan Jr.
Chapter Two
Zack drove down the highway toward Newport Harbor for the twelfth time that night. Summer sat in front with Zack while Marissa sat in the back with Seth. No one had said a word since they left the Cohen home.
Seth stared out the window, watching the signs go by. He soon noticed the sign that said their exit was one mile ahead. Summer noticed as well. She hoped that he wouldn't ask Zack to drop him off somewhere else that would leave her with just the other two.
"Zack," Seth said quietly not turning from the window, "Could you drop me off at the Bait Shop?"
"Sure, Seth." Zack replied.
Summer and Marissa turned and looked at Seth. Zack focused on the road, wanting to do as the girls had done. Instead he watched the road, hit the turn signal, and turned down the ramp toward Newport Harbor.
Summer wanted to let one of her rage blackouts go on him. When she heard Seth say, "the Bait Shop" she knew why he wanted to go there. Alex was working and Seth was her new little fling. She just wanted to scream.
Zack eventually pulled over to the side of the street, right in front of the Bait Shop. He turned to face Seth, but it was too late. Seth had already gotten out of the car and slammed the door. Zack sighed and tuned back around, letting his arms fall to his lap. He didn't know what to do.
"He'll call if he needs a ride," Zack said with a sigh. "Lets go."
Zack put the car into gear, but before he could take his foot off the break Summer had flown out of the car and was running to catch up with Seth. She ran in front of him to try and cut him off from entering the bar. She stood there, trying to catch her breath as Seth slowly walked up to her.
"What is wrong with you?!" she shouted. "We were told to go to Mr. Cooper's boat. Get back in the car!"
Seth looked at Summer and blinked a few times, "Go ahead and go to the boat. We all know how hard it is when we are around each other to not have an awkward time. If I stay here you, Marissa, and Zack won't have to worry about anything awkward."
"Get in the car, Seth!" she shouted at the top of her lungs, people coming into and out of the bar now watching them.
"No." Seth said quietly, looking toward the ground.
Without thinking she raised her hand and slapped Seth with all her might straight across his face. When the realization of her actions sank in she raised her hands to her face in disbelief. Seth stood motionless and not even phased from the blow.
"Feel better now?" Seth asked neutral. "I know you've wanted to do that for a while now, huh?"
"I'm so sorry, Seth!" Summer said with tears in her eyes. "I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to hit you…"
"What is going on out here?!" a female voice called from inside the Bait Shop. "Seth, are you alright?"
At this point Alex came running out from the bar full force. She sped past Summer and ran straight to Seth. In the light from the street lamps you could see blood beginning to drip from his nose and the huge, red handprint now covering his left cheek. Alex turned and looked to Summer.
"What the hell is you deal, Bitch?" she yelled at Summer. "First you act as if he never existed and now you completely ignore him because of something stupid that he's long since made up for. You've got some real nerve!"
Summer stood speechless. She couldn't believe what she had done, and that she could have even thought about doing that to Seth was heartbreaking. She wanted to break down and cry right then and there, but tried to hold it in.
"Come on, Seth," Alex said as she slowly ushered Seth inside. "You know, Summer, even when he's with another girl you're all he talks about."
With those final words Alex and Seth disappeared into the Bait Shop.
"Seth, talk to me." Alex pleaded for the one hundredth time. "It's me, Alex."
Seth sat on the bar stool paralyzed. He was in shock from Summer's slap and with all that was on his mind he zoned into his own reality. Alex tried everything she could to get Seth to talk, none if it was working.
"Come on," Alex said, finally giving up and helping the comatose Cohen off the chair. "You can rest in my office."
Alex shoved her way through the large crowd of people that filled the Bait Shop. She opened her door and helped Seth over to the couch where he slumped over, his trance in full force. She adjusted him so that he was laying on his back and then returned to the costumers, checking on him occasionally out of worry.
"God, Seth," she said to herself, "I hope you're alright. If you need anything, I'm here."
Zack left Marissa and Summer at the boat. Marissa consoled a crying Summer most of the evening. She was so upset about slapping Seth and then what she must have looked like to everyone that was watching. Marissa held her friend until she cried herself asleep. Marissa moved the sleeping Summer into the guest bed and returned to the galley. She grabbed a bottle of vodka and opened it, sighing before taking a drink.
"First Summer and Seth, the me and Ryan," she said in her head. "Now me and DJ, and soon Summer and Zack. Are we all meant to be alone?"
To Be Continued…