Disclaimer: Fox and Josh Schwartz own The O.C. not me
"Nervous?" Summer asked.
"A little…this is just a weird situation."
"How?"
"I'm not used to telling everyone about us. We've always been sort of private…now we're completely not," Seth replied.
"We're still private people. We're just…getting our story out," Summer explained.
"Let's give a warm welcome to our first guest, Academy Award-winning actress, Summer Roberts," Oprah's voice boomed.
"I'll see you in a few minutes," Summer grinned and kissed Seth's cheek quickly before walking out on stage.
The audience was going nuts as Summer flashed a small smile and waved shyly.
"Welcome," Oprah said as they took their seats.
"Thank you for having me."
"First off, congratulations on your big Oscar win."
"Oh thank you. It-it's just all so surreal right now. I'm still in shock basically," Summer confessed.
"So let's get down to business shall we?" Oprah smiled.
"Sure. I'm an open book."
"Everyone is dying to know…how does it feel to win an Oscar?"
"Wow. That's not the question I was expecting," Summer laughed. "Winning an Oscar is just…incredible. I'm so fortunate to do what I do…and have people enjoy my work."
"It's no secret that you made an important announcement when you won," Oprah started.
"See this is what I was expecting," Summer teased.
"So tell us what's going on? You have a giant rock on your left hand."
"I do. And it's not just any rock. I am engaged."
"To…"
"To Seth Cohen. A lot of people don't know Seth or really care to and he's actually kind of happy about that. He's not looking to be an instant celebrity. He's just looking to marry me," Summer explained, the smile never leaving her face.
"I understand that you've known each other for a very long time, correct?"
"Yes. Seth and I grew up together…well that sounds like we really knew each other from birth or something," Summer snorted. "Truthfully, I didn't know Seth until we were in high school."
"High School?"
"We went to elementary school and middle school and all of that together but you know how it is when you run around with different crowds. I was in the 'in' crowd and he was…not."
"High school is a difficult time. I know when I was in high school you were either in that crowd or you just weren't," Oprah said.
"Harbor really wasn't any different. Everyone knew who Summer Roberts was and nobody cared who he was. In fact, if I'm going to be entirely honest, Seth wasn't even on my radar until we were sophomores."
"Well maybe we should bring him out. What do you all say? Should we bring Mr. Cohen out?" Oprah asked the audience.
Everyone cheered.
"Ladies and gentlemen, Seth Cohen."
Seth walked out onto the stage, shielding his eyes from the bright lights before he got adjusted to them.
"Hi," Seth smiled and shook Oprah's hand.
"Have a seat."
"Thank you," Seth said, his voice boomed because his microphone was up so loud. "Whoa." They turned down the volume on his mic a little. "That's better."
"So Seth Cohen, Summer tells us that you all met in high school," Oprah said, as they both sat down.
"Well technically, no. She lies. All the time. She's a pathological liar," Seth teased.
"Cohen," Summer shot him a look.
Seth grinned innocently before speaking again, "Actually, I knew Summer long before she knew me. I've known her since…kindergarten and she didn't pay any attention to me until high school."
"Wow. That makes me sound like a bitch," Summer muttered.
Everyone laughed.
"No. No you weren't."
"Yes I was," Summer laughed.
"Ok. So maybe a little. But I liked you anyway. See, in the third grade, I fell in love with this pretty, little, bossy brown-eyed brunette. And she was in the popular crowd. Summer like owned Harbor. Being famous is just like high school for her only on a larger scale," Seth explained.
"So you've loved her since third grade?"
"Yes."
"He was my stalker," Summer joked.
"Oh come on," Seth snorted.
"You named your boat after me before we even spoke to each other."
"Summer is a pretty name. Summer Breeze just happened to fit. And the fact that Summer was your name was just a bonus."
Summer glared at him before smiling.
"Anyway, where was I? Oh yeah. Summer was a popular bitch and I was a comic book loving geek. I had like no friends and somehow she ended up noticing me. It's still amazing," Seth finished.
"Somehow? I'll tell you how. My best friend and your brother hooked up…they got married by the way," Summer added the last part to Oprah.
"So you forced to spend time together through your friends and fell in love," Oprah concluded.
"I wouldn't really say forced," Seth shrugged.
"I would," Summer chuckled.
"Okay, so you were forced. I was a willing participant in the hanging out."
"When did you know you were in love?" Oprah asked.
"Third grade."
"The end of sophomore year."
"End of sophomore year? That's new to me," Seth said shocked.
"Are you serious? You knew that," Summer replied rolling her eyes.
"No I didn't. I didn't think that you did until after our junior year."
"You're joking, right? Cohen! You stood up on a coffee table and told the whole school how you felt about me. What's not to love?"
"Yeah but I didn't know that you actually did."
"How did you both knew that you loved each other?" Oprah asked smiling at their banter.
"I got this feeling in the pit of my stomach every time I'd see her…plus Summer just has this way about her. Everyone in America can agree with me on this one. She's just- I don't really know how to describe it- but it's like you either love her or you hate her…and she kind of makes it impossible to hate her…even when she's mean to you," Seth rambled.
Summer rolled her eyes but blushed.
"And what about you Summer?"
"He's the only guy I know who can keep up with my mouth. I love to argue and he's the only guy I've ever known who can keep it coming. He doesn't back down and just keeps on arguing with me until we're both blue in the face. But in the end, I can't help it, I keep coming back to him. We fight and it only makes me love him more. That's half of the reason I even started to notice him in the first place," Summer answered.
"So you both fight a lot?"
"All the time," they replied together.
The audience laughed.
"But it's not serious fighting," Seth explained.
"It's just our way of communicating…it's how we flirt," Summer added.
"What do you admire most about each other?" Oprah asked.
"He makes me laugh. I love that about him. There's never a dull moment with Cohen. He's constantly keeping me on my toes. And I really admire that about him…his sense of humor…and how open he is about everything. He's never afraid to show how he feels and I wish I could be more like that."
"Yeah but that's only because you make people work to get your trust and your feelings and everything. That's one of the best things about you. You're really loyal to your friends and you pick them carefully," Seth pointed out.
"So you admire Summer for her loyalty to her friends and not trusting just anyone?"
"There are so many reasons why I love and admire her. She's the strongest person I know. She has this wall built up. She doesn't trust just anyone. You really have to work at it…but once she lets you in, it's the best feeling in the world. She is so strong and independent but she has this innocence about her that half the time I don't think she even realizes she has. It really strikes me at the strangest times. I know how strong she is but at the same time I want to be there for her and protect her and if she ever crumbles, I want to be the guy to pick up the pieces. I want to be strong for her."
Summer's eyes had tears in them. Oprah's did too. Summer quickly wiped her eyes and laughed.
"You're so cheesy, Cohen."
"So high school sweethearts and now you're engaged," Oprah smiled warmly.
"It wasn't easy getting here but here we are," Summer grinned.
"It wasn't easy? Care to elaborate?"
"Maybe Seth should take this one," Summer said pointedly.
"Seth?" Oprah asked him with a smirk.
"Ok. See, first off, I need to say that I'm not perfect and I've made many, many stupid mistakes that nearly cost me everything. I hope that no one hates me for my past errors. With that said, I screwed up…a lot. In high school, I dated another girl after Summer finally showed interest in me because I figured it was the safer route…but then I realized that I can't change how I feel about Summer," Seth began to explain.
"So he picked someone else over you?"
"He did…and I really wasn't too happy about that…but I forgave him and we got together anyway," Summer confessed.
"But that wasn't the worst of it," Seth piped up. "I left for an entire summer…and all I left her was a note to say goodbye."
"Ouch. And you still took him back?" Oprah asked incredulously.
"It gets worse," Summer grimaced.
"I ran away from home basically because my best friend, my brother, he moved out and I thought that my life would just go back to the way it was. So I left when he did. I was afraid to lose Summer…which I did anyway. But luckily for me, she gave me another chance."
"Which you abused," Summer snorted.
"She thought I cheated on her in college- which I didn't- but it really didn't look good for me. I can't exactly blame her. So she went away to Spain and I moved to New York before she got back. I didn't really say goodbye or anything. I just got a job and moved. Then we didn't see each other for almost two years. During which she became an actress and met Matt Evans."
"Speaking of Matt, can we touch on that subject?"
"Matt was very sweet and I liked him a lot. He is for the most part, a great guy. He just wasn't that guy for me. What people don't realize is that Seth was my Matt before there ever was a Matt in my life," Summer explained.
"So was it just a thing? I don't want to say a show but…" Oprah trailed off.
"It wasn't a show for the press. I know a lot of people think that. But I genuinely cared for him. We just weren't right for each other in the end."
Seth sat quietly during this part of the conversation. He was fighting back every impulse to tell the world just how much of a jerk Matt really was.
"And you and Seth are right for each other."
Summer glanced at him, "We are. There's a reason why I keep taking him back. I never knew exactly why but I think it's because we're supposed to be together. No one makes me feel all of the things that Seth does, good or bad. He's the reason I am the way I am. Regardless of how many times we've both screwed this up, he's the one I want to spend the rest of my life with."
"You look to be silently fuming. You obviously have a different opinion of the Matt Evans situation," Oprah prodded.
"I'm not here to trash talk anyone. I'm here to talk about my fiancé and get our side of the story out there. I just want people to know that I've loved Summer Roberts long before she was THE Summer Roberts. We've been together on and off and there's a real reason why we're engaged. It's not for show. It's because we love each other. Whether or not people accept that, I don't really care. I just care that I'm with her. And if America wants my fiancé to be with Matt Evans, then they clearly don't know the real Matt or more importantly the real Summer," Seth said firmly.
Oprah waited for him to continue.
"Alright. Let me put it this way. Mr. Evans and I are not at the top of each other's fan lists. We've had our confrontations and all I really need to say about it is that I'm not going to say anything about it."
"Your confrontations including the one after Summer's movie premiere?"
"I don't want to discuss it. Summer says he's a great guy and we'll just leave it that. I don't need to comment."
"Well I do," Summer spoke up.
Oprah looked at her curiously.
"Seth and I have had a lot of trouble from Matt. From what I've heard, he has moved on so that is wonderful. He will make some girl some day very happy, but not me. I have Seth. I've always had Seth. Matt had trouble accepting that, but every time we encounter him and he tries to stir things, Seth is the bigger man. He doesn't pick a fight. He doesn't lift a finger. He stands up for me and I love him for it. But I also love that won't stoop to Matt's level," Summer said.
"So Matt has harassed you both?"
"Matt has done more than harass. I'm not trying to smear his image but people need to understand that I'm not with Matt and I won't be with him every again. And Matt needs to understand that too."
"I understand that after the movie premiere, it almost came down to blows. Media coverage was minimized but it could have gotten out of hand," Oprah continued to prod.
"Mr. Evans made a lot of inappropriate comments and as much as I wanted to bash his face in…I didn't…only because Summer asked me not to. But we are not on good terms. I'm not the one with jealousy issues and I'm not the one picking the fights. But I'm not a fan of his and I won't be," Seth said angrily.
oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
"Why did you say all of that about Matt? Do you know that he could very easily sue you?" Summer asked angrily after they left the studio.
"So it's ok for you to talk about him but I can't?"
"Yeah because he won't try to sue me, he'll try to drag your ass down if he can."
"Well I'm sorry but she asked and I tried to avoid it but the more she kept digging the more pissed I got. I hate that guy. I hate the things he's said to. I hate the way he looks at you. I hate the way he treats you. I know you said you admire that I can be the better man, but I don't know how much longer I can be better," Seth spat.
"So you're going fight him? Do you know how ridiculous you sound?"
"I'm not going to go search for him to kick his ass, Summer. But next time he starts something, I'm not backing down. If that pisses you off or makes you think less of me, then I'm sorry. But I can't just sit back and take it anymore. I'm the geeky kid from high school anymore. I don't deal with bullies. I can take care of myself. I can take care of us. And I won't put up with it anymore."
"He's going to sue your ass," Summer said, trying to stay angry.
"Then let him. But at least he can sue me with a broken nose," Seth threatened.
"This is ridiculous! He's half way across the country right now and you're going to fight him? Maybe he won't even bother us anymore!"
"Maybe he won't stop until we're out of the press! Until his name is out of our conversations! Maybe he needs to get his face punched!"
"Maybe you'll just get yours punched instead!"
"Summer, I'm not that guy from high school! I'm tired of everyone thinking that I have to back down! I tried of not standing up for myself! For you!" Seth snapped.
"Then get head your head kicked in! And then I'll thank you for it! Because gee at least you stood up for us! It doesn't matter if we get sued! It doesn't matter if you get the shit beat out of you! Or hey, maybe you won't! Maybe you'll kick the shit out of him and get thrown in jail if you beat him too much! Now there's a thought! We could get married in the hospital! Or we can get married after you get out of prison! Or how about we get married and have a shitty wedding because we can't afford any better because we got sued!" Summer raved.
"Ok. Now you're being a little irrational."
"Irrational? Irrational is practically threatening to kick my ex-boyfriend's ass on national television!"
"I'm sorry! What do you want me to say?"
"I don't know! I'm still in shock that ninja boy, hard ass Seth Cohen came out to speak on Oprah!"
"Ninja boy, hard ass?" Seth laughed.
"Shut up, Cohen! I'm not talking to you right now! No! I'm not speaking to you for…at least the rest of the day!"
"Summer," Seth whined.
She just waved him off and flipped her hair at him before walking away.
"This is stupid. I can't believe you're going to ignore me over this."
She didn't reply.
"Ok fine! We'll just not talk today. We'll be silent the whole plane ride home," Seth scoffed and followed behind her.
ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
"Maybe it's just that time of the month," Ryan suggested.
"You think?"
"Yeah. I mean we all know how Summer can be when…she gets irritated really easily and it's not much of a surprise that you happened to be on the receiving end."
"What do you mean by that?" Seth asked shortly.
"Oh I wasn't trying to say anything by it. I just- you're with her all the time so naturally she's going to lash out at you."
"True…so you don't think I should be worried?"
"This is Summer we're talking about. She has rage blackouts like every other day and then you two make up and whatever," Ryan snorted.
"Right," Seth nodded.
"I don't know why he doesn't understand that. The whole point of the interview was to get people to like Seth, not have half a million Matt Evans fans wanting to murder him for threatening their beloved," Summer scoffed.
"Did you tell him that?"
"And other things."
"Other things?" Marissa asked.
"Just that he was going to get his scrawny ass slapped with a law suit if he isn't careful."
"Do you really think that Matt would sue Seth for telling people that they don't like each other?"
"Well….probably not. But you never know!"
"Sum," Marissa said, giving her the look.
"Ok. Fine. I don't know why I flipped out like I did. Sure it was a stupid thing for him to say…but at the same time it was kind of cute to hear him being all manly and protective. Plus a fight between Cohen and Matt? Shirtless and bathed in chocolate?" Summer smirked.
"WHAT!"
"Ok. Bad idea. Cohen would so get his ass kicked and Matt is a total ass…but it's still nice to think about it. I mean they both look pretty good without shirts and in chocolate…yeah ten times better."
"Matt is a jerk and you want to fantasize about him wrestling your fiance in chocolate?" Marissa laughed.
"Well no, not exactly…but having Cohen and a lot of chocolate-that's the kind of thing girls dream of…well maybe not Cohen exactly but a good guy and great food."
"Isn't that what the honeymoon's for?"
"Coop!" Summer shrieked as Marissa blushed. Then Summer seemed to be forming a plan. "You know might I have to discuss this with Cohen."
"But I thought you weren't talking to him."
"Oh…right, I'm not."
"Summer, it's not that big of a deal. Ryan used to punch people for me all the time. It was like a weekly thing for us," Marissa shrugged.
"I know," Summer said softly. "It's just…I'm leaving in like less than a week. I won't see you guys for like ever. I don't know what to do…it's easier to be mad at him over something stupid than to think about how hard this going to be."
Marissa smiled slightly before wrapping Summer in a hug.
"You'll still see us. It's not for like ever. It'll be for like two weeks. And you'll still see Seth. It'll be fine. After you finish this movie then you just don't have to do anymore movies that require you to fly to some other country."
"Why am I doing this movie?" Summer pouted.
"It's your job."
"Oh yeah. I guess you're right."
They both nodded to each other and sighed.
"This is gonna suck," Summer muttered.
"At least you'll have a beach in Australia, too. It beats filming in like…Antarctica."
"Yeah because everyone makes movies in Antarctica."
"Shut up," Marissa laughed.
"See I'll miss this…and I'll miss Cohen."
Marissa nodded sadly.
"It's like going to college clear on the opposite side of the earth," Summer sighed.
"Except we're not in college anymore, you have a job now, I have a job now, we all have jobs now…and I'm married and you're engaged."
"Yeah but it's not like we don't get to hang out as much as we did before. Usually its just like college. You and Chino were practically married then so it's not that different," Summer snorted.
Marissa rolled her eyes.
"What am I going to do? I'll be away from everyone for like four months."
"You'll still come home every two weeks…and we'll come visit you if you can't come home."
"That's what Cohen said," Summer smiled slightly.
"He's right."
"I know."
"You know something else?" Marissa asked.
"What?"
"You should go talk to him."
Summer smiled again, "I know."
"So I'll see you?"
"I'm leaving in like five days. Do we ever not see each other at least once a day?"
"True."
"Well I guess that's going to change," Summer said sadly.
"It'll be ok. You've made movies in other places before."
"Yeah in L.A. or principle photography was in L.A. and the rest of the scenes in other places were only shot for like a week. This is four months, Coop."
"I know and I'm gonna miss you a lot…but I still think you should go talk to Seth."
Summer nodded, "Ok. So I'll see you tomorrow then…we'll go shopping for something for me to wear in Australia."
"There you go. See it's not all bad. You get new clothes."
They both laughed.
(AN: So there was the Oprah interview! And then a little drama...but basically its just setting us all up for what's coming next: Summer's big move to Australia for her movie. Absence makes the heart grow fonder? We'll see. But I really think it's time for me to get down to business and get some drama and action in this story. It's so much slower than the last story. Probably because I have no time to write these days...but only two weeks of classes left and then I'll be writing all the time! Thanks to everyone who's still reading this and sticking with me. Keep on reading!)
