The final bell rang through the halls of Harbor High School, as kids flocked out of their respective classes, making a beeline for the parking lot. Marissa made her way to her car, and found Summer leaning against it, waiting for her.

Summer: Hey Coop.

Marissa: Hey Sum.

Summer: You ready?

Marissa: Yeah, let's go.

The two girls got into Marissa's red Mustang, and pulled out of the parking lot headed towards Fashion Island.

Summer: So where did you go at lunch? Zach and I were looking for you.

Marissa: Oh, Seth and I…

Summer's head jolted up and towards Marissa at the mention of Seth's name.

Marissa: …went to In and Out to pick up lunch for us, and Ryan.

Summer: Oh…hey, are Seth and L-…

Summer stopped abruptly, suddenly rethinking what she was going to say.

Summer: …and…Ryan…doing okay? With the baby I mean.

Marissa took her eyes off the road for a second looking over at Summer, and knowing all too well what she really wanted to ask.

Marissa: Um…I'm not sure Seth has really noticed Samantha yet, and Ryan…well, he's dealing with it…honestly, I know there's a part of him that's enjoying it…

A smile appeared on Marissa's face.

Marissa: …he's grown attached.

Summer: What about you, are you dealing with it?

Marissa: Yeah, I mean I have to, right?

Summer shrugged her shoulders and looked out the front window.

Marissa: It is weird how in just one moment, everything can change so dramatically.

Summer: Isn't that how it usually happens here?

Marissa looked over at Summer and they shared a smile.

Marissa: I don't know though, I think in some completely odd, would only happen in Newport Beach sort of way, it will all work out…eventually.

Summer: I think I know what you mean. But it's still hard to imagine how something that small and adorable could affect our lives so much…even now. In an instant, everything was different, everything changed, it was like…

Summer sat up straight in her seat and spoke in a confirming voice.

Summer: …Ryan left because of the baby, Seth left because of Ryan, it's the baby's fault. But then when I saw her, I couldn't blame her, and these things I've been thinking since the beginning of last summer don't even make sense anymore.

Marissa: I know, I thought that too…until I held her, well before that, but last night she woke me up crying, I think we bonded.

Summer: Now who's attached?

Marissa glanced over at Summer briefly, who smiled and then continued talking.

Summer: Anyway, so now I don't know what to think…who knows what could have happened, Cohen and I could have still been together.

Marissa brought the car to a halt at a stoplight, and turned towards Summer.

Marissa: I thought you said that you guys would have broken up anyway.

Summer: I said that?

Marissa's attention was brought back to the road as the light turned green, and she began driving again. She slowed the car down as she turned into an underground parking lot for the mall.

Marissa: I think it was something along the lines of, "he would have found some Cohen-y way to break us up."

Summer: Oh…

Marissa drove up an aisle of parked cars, and eventually found a spot. She parked the car and turned it off, gathering her things, when she realized Summer was sitting completely still staring straight ahead.

Marissa: Sum…we're here.

Summer immediately snapped out of it and looked over at Marissa nodding her head. She opened the passenger door and stepped out, leaving Marissa in the car a bit confused. Eventually, Marissa opened her door and stepped out of the car, locking it and then looking over at her friend.

Marissa: Sum, are you okay?

Summer: Yeah…nothing a little shopping can't take care of.

A few hours later, the girls were sitting at a table in the food court, empty plates of food sit in front of them, and shopping bags full of clothing sit on the floor, surrounding their feet.

Summer: So you told him to leave, and then he just showed up on your dad's boat?

Marissa: Yeah.

Summer: What did he say?

Marissa: He said that he was happy once…with me…

Summer made the "aww" face as she continued listening to Marissa.

Marissa: …and, other than Samantha's arrival the other day, things have been surprisingly calm.

Summer: Wow, I'm really happy for you Coop.

Marissa: Thanks.

Summer nodded her head and smiled as she brought her straw up to her lips, sipping her drink. Marissa looked down at her plate and polished off a few straggling fries left on her plate. Summer set her cup down looking across the table at a yawning Marissa.

Summer: (Smiling) Those sleepovers at Ryan's just aren't as fun as they used to be, huh?

Marissa finished her yawn and smiled at Summer.

Marissa: You'd think we'd be getting more sleep, not less.

Summer: Funny how those things work out.

Both girls laughed as they stood up from the table, and walked to the trashcan to throw the remains of their lunches away. They gathered all their bags, and began walking back through the mall.

Marissa: So are we done, or is there more shopping?

Summer: I think we should probably go; my dad might kill me when he sees how much I spent on shoes.

Marissa laughed and nodded her head as they made their way back to the parking garage and Marissa's car.

Marissa pulled her car back onto the main road and started the drive towards Summer's house. Summer was staring out the passenger window, and Marissa was sneaking glances towards her.

Marissa: So when are you going to ask me about Seth and Lindsay?

Summer: What?

Marissa: Come on…

Summer: Well, since you brought it up…

Marissa: Since you obviously can't, and obviously want to know.

Summer: Look, Coop…

Marissa: (Interrupting) They're not seeing each other.

Summer: Oh…that's…

Marissa: (Interrupting) What you wanted to hear.

Summer's mouth opened wide, as a playful look of shock appeared on her face.

Summer: Shut up! That is so not true.

Marissa: You still like him.

Summer: Eww! Coop, don't even say that!

Marissa: You like Seth Cohen.

Summer: Seriously Coop, stop it.

Marissa: You like him, you love him…

Marissa leaned towards the passenger seat slightly laughing and making fun of herself, and the night she had said that to Summer on Caleb's yacht, what seemed like so long ago.

Summer: Okay, okay…I get it…

Marissa continued laughing as she settled back into her seat.

Summer: …God, do you remember my date that night, what was his name? Whatever; he was like shrooming the whole time.

Marissa: Yeah, I remember, and that's the night I told everybody about my mom and Caleb.

Summer: (Quietly) That's the night I realized I liked Seth Cohen…

Marissa looked over at Summer, while Summer shifted her gaze towards the window and stared out at the scenery.

Marissa: Sorry Sum…I didn't mean…

Summer: It's okay.

The two drove in silence for a little while, neither knowing what to say.

Marissa: Hey, I'm going over to Ryan's, why don't you come with me?

Summer: I don't know.

Marissa: Come on, it'll be fun.

Summer glanced over at Marissa.

Marissa: Okay, it'll probably be awkward, but maybe you and Seth can actually talk.

Summer shrugged her shoulders and looked out the window once again.

Summer: Well, I know he has the first season of The Valley on DVD, so at least I can watch that if I get bored…or I need to drown out his rambling.

Marissa internalized a laugh, but her smile shone through as she made a quick right hand turn, heading towards the Cohen's.