SATURDAY NIGHT, SETH & RYAN'S PLACE

12:45AM and the party was over. Seth and Ryan had just pulled up in to the drive way, with Zach trailing close behind.

They entered the house, Zach carrying a sports bag with some of his clothes in it.

"You can take the guest room… second door on the right." Ryan directed Zach.

"Thanks. And guys don't worry… you won't even know I'm here." Zach responded gratefully.

"Sure thing man, what are friends for?" Seth stated.

"Well, I'm just gonna go and unpack my stuff." Zach headed off towards his new room.

Seth and Ryan flopped down on the couch in the living, exhausted. This was the place they'd usually sit and discuss the events of the day.

"So, it's been a while since we've been able to get some quality Seth/Ryan time in. What's your take on all this…? Zach/Summer union… or disunion… You think as a result the door is now open just enough for me to slip my foot in?"

"No." Ryan responded firmly.

"Ok, good, that's what I was thinking… just needed to make sure we're on the same page."

There was a moment's silence before Seth spoke again.

"But are you sure? I mean, it does seem a bit of a waste to let such an opportunity go begging…" Seth was cut off.

"Yes, I'm sure. Remember last time you got in the way? It was a disaster."

Oh, so by 'disaster' you mean… we got back together?"

"Yeah, and then only to break up again, 'cause you though Anna coming to the same college was an 'opportunity' for you to force her and Summer to be friends."

"I wasn't forcing… I was… directing…"

"Well you DIRECTED Summer right out the picture."

Just then Zach came walking through. He sat down on the couch right in the middle between Ryan and Seth.

"So, what we're talking about?" Zach said.

"Nothing. The weather." Seth responded.

"Ah, cool." Zach replied. "Listen you guys; I just want you to know how much I appreciate you being so cool about this. I mean, especially for you Seth, it must be difficult not to want to jump in and just get involved and all. I think it's great for a guy to have friends like you."

"'Jump in' that's funny… yeah… no problem man. Glad to help." Seth responded, almost a little too eager.

Zach got up. "Guys, I think I'll head off to bed, but it's been good, and thanks again."

He stood up and started walking out the room. Suddenly he stopped and turned around, looking straight at Seth.

"Do you think I've made the right choice? I mean, I want to do this the right way, but I don't know if Summer will see it that way. Seth, you've known her the longest, how do you think she'll take it?"

"Um… I…" Seth hesitated, and then finally answered. "She'll think it's great that you have such strong beliefs dude, yeah…"

Zach left the room.

"Looks like out Seth/Ryan time has been invaded by the Zach attack. Seth/Ryan/Zach time… Just doesn't quite have the same ring to it." Seth said sarcastically.

… and with that Ryan's phone rang.

"Still getting those 1am calls buddy!" Seth said jokingly and got up to leave. "I'll give you some privacy."

BACK AT SUMMER'S PLACE NOW…

"I hate it, Coop!" Summer exclaimed as she prepared the guest bed. "I mean, I get how he wants to 'do this the right way' or whatever, but he needs to decide what the hell he wants. You know… Cohen… even with all his flaws and little faults and non-stop annoying babbling would NEVER have pulled a lame-ass stunt like this! If he wants out, then he must just stand up, be a man and say so, but don't go hiding behind some crappy reason like 'the right thing to do.' "

"Ok… angry sum?" Marissa said sarcastically.

"Angry, angry? No, I'm not angry… Rage blackout, yes…" Summer paused. "Did I mention that we haven't had sex in nearly 8 years?"

"Yes, several times."

"Apparently did you know that it's 'against God'?"

Summer sat down on the bed, dejected and feeling a little rejected. Marissa came and sat down next to her. There was a long silence before any one of them spoke.

"Maybe you should just get some rest." Marissa eventually said. "Well hit East Coast Mall in the morning… A little shopping normally does the trick for me!"

"Yeah, you probably right… it's quite late."

And with that Summer got up to leave the room.

"And Coop… Thanks… for being there… or here for me."

"Sure Sum… What are friends for right?"

Summer left the room, and Marissa flopped down on the bed. She spent a good hour trying to fall asleep thinking about Summer and how she was feeling hurt with Zach's decision to move out. But also, she was thinking how amazing it was that everything was so different.

Years back at school this is NOT how she thought things would have been for them at 25. Her and Ryan, Summer and Seth… the fantastic four were supposed to always be fantastic.

"Times change I guess." Marissa thought to herself.

Suddenly Marissa had an idea. Times change, but some things stay the same.

"He should still be up." She thought and started dialing the number.

"Hey." Ryan answered.

"Hey. Sorry for calling so late… or so early… just got a bit tired of Summer going on about Zach this and Zach that…"

"Yeah, know what you mean… Seth and Zach in the same house is not much fun either."

"So, wanna do breakfast tomorrow?"

"Breakfast might be pushing it… it is 1am…"

"Good point…"

"But we can do lunch."

"Lunch is on… Bait Shop?

"Sounds good."

"Ok. Good night."

"Night."

And with that Marissa turned over and fell asleep.