Disclaimer: I don't own anything related to the OC, but Josh Schwartz and FOX do.
Author's Note: Just to let all you guys know, this is what life would have been like if Ryan never came to Newport. Therefore he is not in this fic. Some things changed (ie: Julies marriage to Caleb), but some things stayed the same (LukeMarissa). If Marissa comes back, which is still unknown at this point I will not develop the LukeMarissa relationship. I never liked it in the first place and the only reason they are together in this fic is because of circumstance. I hope you like this chapter.
"Seth, are you sure this is the direction that you want to take the comic in? I thought we all agreed that Autumn would always be right out of Sean's reach."
"It was what we agreed to, but I think that we should give them a chance to be together. See what the kids think; if they don't like them then we can always break them up." Seth shuffled his papers up into a pile, "I have to go to dinner with Georgia, so this meeting is officially over. Thomas, we can discuss Autumn and Sean in detail on Monday."
He shook his head in understanding as Seth walked out the door. Seth grabbed his bag out of his office and headed towards his car. As he was driving in the direction of the restaurant, he picked up the phone and dialed the familiar number.
"Georgia Malone, district attorney's office."
"Hey honey."
"Hey…I wasn't expecting to hear from you so soon."
"Does that mean your still at the office?"
"I am so sorry, but something has come up and I'm gonna have to cancel. I promise I'll make it up to you though."
"Georgia, we had this planned for the past week. I never get to see you anymore, doesn't that bother you?"
"We get to see each other on the weekends….Seth if you're going to push the subject of moving again, I will hang up."
"I'm not. But you're in Los Angeles all week and I am here. What are we supposed to do about that?"
"It's not like you have to stay in Newport. Your offices can move, mine can't."
"Land of Oranges is based off Newport. If I move then what inspiration does that leave me with?"
"I can't discuss this right now. I am really sorry; I'll see you on Friday night."
"Bye."
Seth hung up the phone and pulled into the parking lot of the restaurant. He walked in with the intention of canceling his reservation and stopping by Casa Cohen for some dinner, which was until he saw her. Summer was sitting at a table by herself looking over some papers and drinking some fruity concoction. He looked up when the hostess spoke to him.
"Welcome to Cuervo. Do you have a reservation?"
"I did, but I am canceling. It should be under Cohen. However I am meeting someone else here." Seth pointed in the direction of Summer.
"I see, well you can go back. Have a nice evening."
He walked up to the table, "Are you enjoying yourself there."
Summer was completely caught off guard, but happy to see Seth. "Depends on what you consider enjoyment?"
"Well papers and such at dinner don't exactly register as fun for me. May be different for you."
"Trust me it's not. So, are you going to sit down or just hover over my table for the rest of the evening?"
Seth sat down and began to look at the menu, "So what do you recommend Ms. Roberts?"
She looked at the menu and spoke with a slight seductiveness, "What do you have a taste for?"
Seth didn't know exactly how to respond, "Uh…Mexican perhaps."
"I would hope so, considering we are at a Mexican restaurant."
"Yeah…."
Summer just smiled at Seth's nervousness, "So what are you doing here by yourself? I thought you had a girlfriend and therefore would never need to go to restaurant alone."
"I do have a girlfriend, who happens to live in Los Angeles and who happened to cancel our dinner date tonight. I came here to remove our reservation and I saw you sitting here by yourself. It looked like you needed some company."
"Awww…you're my hero Seth Cohen."
"It's a very difficult job being a superhero, but someone has to do it."
Summer laughed and she reached for her bag. As she was putting the papers away, Seth caught a glimpse of the latest issue of Land of Oranges.
He reached towards her bag, "Summer, what's that there?"
Summer knew he had seen it and she started to pull her bag back, "What are you talking about?"
He continued to reach and walked around the table to where Summer was sitting.
"Let me see…."
"Seth, there is nothing in here. I have no idea what you're talking about."
Seth pointed in the opposite direction, "Look it's Brad Pitt."
Summer took the bait and looked where he was pointing, "Where?" As she was falling for his trick, Seth reached in the bag and pulled out the comic. He sat back down and waited until Summer turned back around.
"Seth, that's not…" She saw his smirking as he was paging through the comic.
"I got a free copy while I was at the office today."
"Uh huh…sure. We don't give free copies out at the office, but nice try Summer."
She knew she had been defeated, "Alright, alright. I picked up the copy off your desk. I just wanted to start reading it before you introduce your heroine."
"I never would have thought you would be a comic girl."
"You barely know me Seth. And why would I not be a comic girl?"
"Just a prediction from your high school day's."
"I thought that I didn't know you back then."
"You didn't, but that doesn't mean that I didn't know you."
"Enlighten me, Mr. Cohen. What exactly do you know about me?"
Seth was afraid to respond but took the chance, "I know that in third grade everyday you shared your lunch with this little squirrel, whose lunch kept getting stolen by a fat squirrel." Summer just sat and listened as he continued, "And in sixth grade you read this poem, but your hand kept on shaking for some reason."
Summer whispered, "If I was a mermaid….I can't believe that you know that."
Seth just continued, "And you have been best friends with Marissa Cooper, for like ever. I remember that day at Harbor when you smacked Holly after she said something to Marissa about her dad. I was officially afraid of you after that."
Seth was about to continue when Summer put her hand on his, "That's not me any more Seth. There's no reason to be afraid of me."
Seth realized what he had just said, he felt ashamed. "I have to go…I shouldn't have told you this stuff. It was a long time ago."
He abruptly got up and walked out of the restaurant. Summer left money on the table and followed behind him. She nearly ran to keep up with him as he continued the path to his car.
"Seth….wait. There's nothing to be ashamed of. Your right, it was a long time ago."
Seth stopped and Summer nearly ran into him. He turned around and faced her. "Don't do this Summer. We are from two different worlds, it's not in the cards for us to do this."
"Do what? I wanna be your friend. Is that so much to ask?"
Seth looked down at the ground and then at his car. "I have to go…."
He got in his car and pulled out, heading towards home. Summer stood in the parking lot, her arms crossed while one tear fell down her cheek. She quickly wiped it away and got into her car. She drove away in the opposite direction as Seth had gone earlier, making her way to the only place she knew would give her peace.
Summer dragged a blanket and the book out to the beach. After settling herself, she turned on the lantern she had brought and opened the comic. She read of Sean's misery and his desire to be loved. He was confused with his hero status, whether to accept it or reject it. Ginger, the governor's daughter, gave Sean that security, but he didn't seem happy. After she finished half the comic, Summer closed her eyes and attempted to sleep. With a slight breeze the comic blew open to the page where Sean Canefinally gets the courage to talk to Autumn Rhodes, while Summer snored slightly under the glow of the moon.
Author's Note: So what did you think? Reviews are welcomed….
