Disclaimer: Once again, I sadly own nothing.

Summary: Seth and Summer both have second thoughts on their wedding day. SS Three-parter.


"But right now
Everything is turning blue
And right now
The sun is trying to kill the moon
And right now
I wish I could follow you
To the shore of freedom
Where no one lives"

Summer Roberts paced around her room, her walking mimicking that of a caged tiger at the zoo. Her head hurt, her stomach was churning, and her labored breathing was coming out in short gasps.

Her best friend sat on the hotel room's bed, her eyes watching Summer as she walked to and fro, to and fro. "You know, you're gonna wear a hole into that carpet if you keep on doing what you're doing." Summer looked at her friend, her face distraught.

"Thanks for the joke, Coop, but now is not the time." She threw herself on a nearby chair and brought her elbows to her knees, her face resting in her hands.

Marissa noticed her friend's lost demeanor and immediately her face softened. She moved to where Summer sat and knelt down in front of her. A hand came to rest on Summer's back, while the other lifted Summer's chin and forced it to stare at her.

Summer's eyes were glassed with unhushed tears and she bit her lip to keep them from falling. Marissa rubbed her back in an attempt of calming her down and as one lone tear traveled down the path of Summer's face, she raised her thumb to wipe it away.

"Coop," Summer whispered in a broken voice. "What if I make a horrible decision? What if Cohen and I aren't really, you know, meant to be? I'll be throwing my life away!"

Marissa rubbed small circles on Summer's back. "Sum, you're my best friend. I've known you since we were in, like, diapers. So I guess you could say I know you better than anybody does. Well, except Seth that is."

Summer looked at Marissa and listened intently at the words coming for her mouth. "And since I know you like I know myself, I know that you love this guy."

Summer's eyes fell into a downcast and Marissa, once again, raised her finger to lift up Summer's head to look at her. "I mean, at first I wondered, 'What the hell does she see in this guy?' Because let's be honest; Seth Cohen was never actually on Hip Radar."

A laugh elicited itself from Summer's lips and Marissa smiled. "But then when I saw you guys together, as a couple, I got it. I understood." Summer raised herself from her position and sat straight on the chair.

"What did you understand?" she asked. Her voice deeply resembled that of a little girl's.

Marissa lifted herself off from her knees and pulled up a chair next to Summer's. "I understood why you liked him so much. Sum, he made you who you are today. When we were younger, both of us, you know, were pretty immature." Summer felt her lips quirk in a small smile as she nodded. "And, you have to admit, you were a bit of a bitch."

Summer giggled and lightly slapped Marissa on the arm. "Whatev, Coop." Marissa smiled as she continued.

"And then, ding. Here comes Cohen. And he changed you, Sum. You became who you are today. He loved you so much; he loves you so much. I can see it in his eyes when he looks at you. It's like his puzzle of a life finally comes together. And I see how much you love him in your eyes, too. You don't get that kind of devotion all the time, Summer."

Summer nodded in realization, but worry began to fill her eyes once again. She turned to Marissa, "It's not the love I'm worried about, it's just…when we're married...I don't wanna be like my mom, Coop."

Marissa's smile turned a little bit sad and she took Summer's hands in her own. "You're not her, Sum. Who's to say that you'll leave your husband? If the love's there, there'll be no reason to leave. You do love him, don't you?"

Summer sighed. "With all my heart."

Marissa nodded in conclusion. "Then you won't have to worry about anything."

Summer face was quickly lit up with a bright smile. She leaned forward, giving Marissa a large hug. Marissa encircled her arms around her best friend, as well. "Thanks, Coop," Summer whispered. She slid herself out of Marissa's arms and stood up from her chair.

"You know, all brides need this kind of reassurance. Julia Roberts totally didn't have this kind of talk in Runaway Bride. She needs a Coop."

Marissa stood up as well and laughed, hitting Summer on the shoulder.

"C'mon. Let's get you married."