Lessons Learned-

Six- Final Exam

Disclaimer: No, in all this time I haven't updated I haven't been getting the rights to The OC.

A/N: I actually had posted this a while ago, and then I realized around last week that it never worked. So I had to re-write it, but I actually like this version better. I'll also be posting this on my LJ too if you want to replies to your reviews. Not many people know my LJ name though. Anyways, I've loved writing this story, it's been really fun actually. Who doesn't like writing as early-season one's ditzy but lovable Summer! It was good SS filler fic until the reunion for me and I hope it was for you guys too! Thanks for all the reviews, it really is awesome that you take time to just say you like it at that. Thanks, and enjoy!


I walk into Algebra and guess what? One seat left. Next to Cohen and Tinkerbell. This can't get any worse.

"I hope you all remembered to study," Mrs. Berg says.

Shit. Shit. Shit!

I totally forgot about the test. With Coop gone and this whole Cohen crap…I cannot believe I'm about to fail. I can't. I'll just think of everything Cohen taught me.

I look down at my paper. I'm gonna do this.


I need Coop. It's Wednesday night, The Valley's on and I'm alone. Like always. Because recently? I've really been screwing up.

I grab the phone and dial the number to Coop's dorm or whatever it is. Two rings, then "Hello,"

Oh my God, it's so good to hear her again. I need intense Coop therapy now.

"Coop…" I whisper.

"Sum! What's up?" she shrieks into the phone.

I flinch. "God, don't make me go deaf," I reply. Does rehab increase voice volume or something?

"How's Ryan?" she asks automatically.

"I," I pause, "I don't know. I need help,"

Coop's silent, I guess that's my cue. "I don't know what to do about Cohen. He's all over that Pittsburgh chick, and I shouldn't care, right? But I mean, there's never been a guy like him that's all...nice to me. You know, right? And If I really like him, and he likes me, then why's he with Tinker-bitch?" I explain in a quick breath.

"Well...do you even know if they're going out?" Coop asks slowly.

"No, but like, hel-lo!" I say. God, is it not obvious? "She's all, 'Oh, Cohen, I'll save you from Summer!' and he's all 'Blah blah comic books!'"

Coop says nothing. Fuck this silent thing, I didn't call for her to not say anything. What bull. "Coop!" I shriek.

"Sum, I'm gone, okay? Do you get it? I don't get to see you, I don't get to see Ryan, I don't get to see my sister of my dad. And that was all because I kept fucking up. So just think about it, because..." she stops, "You get it, right?"

I bite my bottom lip and then stuff a few popcorn cornels into my mouth and grind them with my teeth. "Yeah. I do," I mutter softly.

And I actually do, it's not like when I'd tell Cohen I'd get the math because it would make me look smart. It's serious. I need to stop being in denial or I'll lose him. If I already haven't.

"So...how are you?" I ask.

"I'm okay. There are some really nice people here, except for this girl Marie..."


First period of the day – Algebra. I guess I better just get it over with. I spot Cohen alone. So Pittsburgh hasn't gotten here yet. Or maybe she just isn't here. Probably chocked on some super-edgy food or like, got a head infection from her crappy blonde hair dye. That job is so do-it-yourself. But whatevs, not the point.

I walk over slowly and then grab Cohen's hand. He looks down at my skeptically. I want to say something, but I can't. It's weird, I always know what to say but now I just...can't.

"I talked to Coop and I – " I start, but Ms. Berg cuts me off. Damn that slut!

"Everyone take your seats," she orders. It's such an order.

I sit down next to Cohen. "Summer, I don't understand what's going on," he states.

"I just...I'm sorry," I spit out.

"Miss Roberts, please stop talking," Ms. Super-Bitch demands.

Ugh, why can't this all just be over with?


Finally I can clear things up with Cohen. The thing is, I don't know what to say. At all. Do I ask him out, do I tell him I want to be...a thing?

"Miss Roberts and Mr. Cohen, please come to my desk,"

Oh, guess who? What a surprise!

We both stand there. I hope this is quick.

"Miss Roberts, I'm not giving back the quizzes until tomorrow, but I thought you should see yours," she explains as she hands me the paper.

Oh. My. God! 92! That's like all of my grades combined and multiplied by four.

"And so this means, Mr. Cohen, that your tutor sessions are done. Congratulations, you're a very good teacher," she says.

Oh.

So now I have no excuse. I really have to talk to him now.

We both walk out of there sort of slowly, sort of melancholy. "92. That's awesome," Cohen says.

I nod.

"I'll see you around," he sighs, and then walks in the opposite direction.

I take a sharp breath in, and then yelp, "Cohen, wait!"

His face says everything, "For what?". And I want to answer him.

"I..." I tilt my head, "I need some help with the extra credit," I say with a smile.

He takes a few steps towards me. "So you mean..." he trails off.

"Cohen, I mean I want you. This. I don't want to screw around anymore. So, I mean, I know I've been like the bitch of the century but if you could just like, forget that, you know? It's hard for me, I mean, I've worked on something forever and it's not so easy but," I take a breath, "I'm rambling, right? It doesn't matter. I mean, what matters is like, how you feel because –"

He cuts me off, and not with words. He wraps his hands around my waist and then pulls me to him and puts his lips on mine. Wow, and you'd think a geek couldn't kiss, but Cohen defies that rule.

But he defies a lot of things.

We pull apart. "So this means that we're – " he says.

I nod. "Yeah. And you and Tinkerbell are –"

"Just friends. It's always you. Always," he whispers into my mouth before he kisses me again.

He tastes like chocolate. Like mischievousness. Like a risk. I pull him closer, and I really don't care who sees. In fact, I want everyone to see. Because I have Seth Cohen and they don't.

Lesson learned.