An almost twacked out looking Seth sat in the lounge of Harbor High School, his art book in his lap, pencil in one hand and a large cup of coffee in the other. He had been doing most of the work on the comic book over the past week with Zach. He and Summer still managing to do a good job of avoiding each other, despite being quasi- business partners. Summer walked into the lounge, making a pit stop at the small café and ordering herself a cup of coffee. As she waited for her coffee, she glanced across the lounge immediately noticing Seth sitting on one of the couches. She got her coffee and hesitantly made her way over to him.
Summer: Cohen, you look like crap…
Seth: Why thank you, Summer.
Summer took a seat on the couch opposite Seth and eyed him up and down.
Summer: Maybe you should lay off the caffeine.
Seth: There are twenty-four usable hours in every day.
Summer sipped her cup of coffee while watching Seth's leg bounce up and down. Suddenly, Zach barged into the lounge, immediately spotting Seth and Summer, and made his way towards them. Zach took a seat next to Seth, with a big grin on his face.
Zach: Dude! You're never going to guess who I got off the phone with.
Seth opened his mouth to speak, but Zach pushed on, not letting him get a word in.
Zach: Okay, one of my dad's interns, who knows a guy, who's cousin's, neighbor's, mom's, best friend's brother…whatever, I just got off the phone with a guy that works for Wild Storm!
Seth shook his head for a second taking in all the information. Summer sat stunned on the opposite couch, oblivious to what just happened. She looked back and forth between Zach and Seth, quizzically.
Summer: What's Wild Storm?
Zach: It's an awesome comic book company. I just got off the phone with a rep, and pitched him our idea for the comic book. He said if he likes the artwork, he might be interested.
Seth: Really?
Zach: Yeah.
Seth: Wow.
Seth nodded his head, still slightly confused at the whole situation and brought his cup of coffee up to his lips, taking a sip.
Zach: Oh! And you have to nail Summer.
Seth almost choked on his coffee and immediately coughed looking over at Zach, slightly perturbed. Both Seth and Summer spoke at the same time.
Seth: What?
Summer: Excuse me?
Zach looked between the two and then focused on Seth.
Zach: I pitched him Little Miss Vixen, and he loved her.
Summer: He loved me?
Zach: I set up a meeting with him. Pack your bags, because we're going on a road trip to San Diego!
Zach looked ecstatic, but Seth and Summer both looked like they'd been hit by a bus. Zach turned his attention towards Summer.
Zach: You have to finish your costume…
Summer: Um…okay.
Zach turned towards Seth.
Zach: …and you have to be at Summer's tonight, to draw her.
Seth nodded hesitantly, and Summer shook her head, internally assuring herself everything would be okay. Seth was watching Summer, but trying not to make it too obvious.
Seth: Wait a second…when are we supposed to meet with him?
Zach: Next weekend.
Seth: Oh…
Summer: Wait, that's the first weekend of spring break…what about Cabo?
Zach: We're going to meet with him Saturday morning. We can have our flights changed and catch a flight to Cabo from San Diego.
Summer: Oh…I guess that would work.
Zach: And dude, you should totally come with us. I mean, assuming our meeting goes well, we can all go down to Cabo and celebrate together.
Seth: Um…I don't know.
Zach: Come on, man.
Seth: Uh…okay…I guess.
Zach smiled and slapped Seth on the shoulder.
Zach: It's going to be great.
Just as quickly as Zach had come, he had left again. Leaving Seth and Summer sitting across from each other, alone. Seth looked over at Summer and their eyes met briefly, before they both tore away. In an instant, Summer stood up and looked down at Seth.
Summer: So…be at my house around seven?
Seth: Yeah…okay.
Summer nodded and awkwardly turned away from Seth, only to stop a few steps later, and turn back.
Summer: If we're going to be in close quarters for an extended period of time…do you think you could go home, take a shower and get some sleep?
Seth smiled and looked up at Summer, nodding his head. She managed a smile as well, and turned, once again, walking away. Seth sat by himself for about five minutes, idly bouncing his leg up and down and sipping his coffee. Ryan and Marissa approached hand in hand and sat down on the couch Summer had been seated on.
Marissa: Hey, Seth.
Ryan: Hey, man.
Seth: What's up guys?
Both Ryan and Marissa shrugged their shoulders and looked at Seth.
Seth: Well, that's a good thing…because I really need to talk about me.
Ryan: When don't you talk about you?
Seth: When I'm talking about Summer.
Marissa: He's got a point there.
Ryan tilted his head to the side slightly in agreement.
Seth: Listen…I think I might have just got in over my head.
Ryan: As if you haven't already?
Seth: I just agreed to go on a road trip to San Diego with Summer and Zach…and I'm pretty sure I just agreed to go Cabo with them over spring break…
Marissa: What?
Seth: Yeah, that's what I'm thinking.
Ryan: Why are you going to San Diego?
Seth: We're going to pitch our comic book to a suit down there. Zach knows a guy who knows a guy…
Marissa: Wow, that's cool.
Seth: Yeah, but it's like a three hour drive to San Diego. Just the three of us…and then the plane ride to Cabo…and then the week in Cabo…
Seth stopped, looking up in the air briefly.
Seth: …I'm definitely going to need things to keep me busy.
Ryan: Seth. Why don't you just…not go to Cabo?
Seth's arms were flailing around in the air in front of him. He pointed at Ryan and Marissa and spoke quickly, emphasizing his words with his hands.
Seth: Because, the more I think about it, the more I think it will be perfect. I mean if I stay home, I'm going to be agonizing about whether or not Summer and Zach are down there having sex 24/7…this way, I can keep an eye on them. You know…slide myself into situations…strictly business you know…no romance.
Ryan: What makes you think they haven't already had sex?
Seth: Oh my God, Ryan! Don't say things like that to me.
Seth put his arms around his head, and Ryan shrugged his shoulders, a small smile on his face.
Ryan: So basically you're going to go with them to try and sabotage any possibility of them having a good time.
Seth: It may just be the caffeine talking, but yes! That is exactly what I'm talking about.
Suddenly Seth's head jerked towards Marissa.
Seth: Please tell me they haven't had sex.
Seth's attempt at pleading amused both Ryan and Marissa. She laughed slightly and shook her head.
Marissa: I don't think so…but I don't know for sure.
Seth stood up confident, as if he could hear "We are the Champions" ringing in his ears.
Seth: That's good enough for me…for now, anyway. I'm going to go home, take a shower and get some sleep.
Ryan: Actually, I think that might be a good idea.
Seth gave a nod to both Ryan and Marissa and walked out of the student lounge. Ryan looked over at Marissa and smiled.
Ryan: More than a year and half later and he is still getting weirder.
Marissa smiled and reached over holding onto Ryan's hand. A few seconds later, Seth reappeared in the lounge and made a beeline for Ryan and Marissa. He stood in front of them, out of breath.
Seth: Made it…to…the car…
Seth continues to breath heavily.
Seth: …don't have…keys…
Seth takes a deep breath in, and lets it out slowly, finally catching his breath.
Seth: …need keys.
Ryan looked down at his watch and then stood up.
Ryan: I think I should drive you home.
Seth: Yeah…that might be a good idea.