Chapter 10

The Birthday Party

"Summer, thank you so much for doing this, I know you must be busy from all the wedding arrangements and all."

Summer smiled broadly at her best friend. "Please, this was like, a total release. Who knew my Mom would ever want to be involved with my life? And to such a damaging extent. Seriously Coop, if I ever see another sugared almond wedding favour, I – I will not be able to control what I do. I'll just – like, erupt or something."

"Nice," Marissa laughed. "Well, Lori loves it, and so do I."

Summer looked around and smiled a little smugly. It was Lori's third birthday party and she had practically begged Marissa to let her organise it. Anything to be out of her mother's clutches for the day. A huge castle-shaped bouncy castle took over the lawn in the Atwood's back garden, a huge buffet table of yummy kids food stretched out over the patio, along with the most adorable little tables and chairs, and the swimming pool was decorated with fairy lights – lifted above the pool so they weren't a danger.

"Speaking of Lori," Marissa said, "Here comes my little princess."

"Hi Lori, who's a big girl now huh?" Summer asked, pinching her cheek softly as she jumped into her Mom's arms.

"I'm sill not big Auwnie Suwwer," Lori said. "I have to be five for 'at. Just like Jack!"

Summer and Marissa laughed at the little girl's cuteness.

"Summer," Marissa said sharply, gesturing behind her. Summer turned to see Seth approaching.

"Ugh," She said disgusted, "he just won't take the hint!"

"Um, Summer, hey," Seth said, obviously uncomfortable. She turned to him and smiled falsely.

"Seth Cohen? So glad you could come! Please, help yourself to anything you like – as in food," Summer said, her voice dripping with syrupy sweetness.

"Wow, I actually think I prefer it when you're horrible to me," Seth said quietly.

"Well I'll keep talking like this then," Summer smiled.

"What was that Lori, you want a drink? Lets go then," Marissa said loudly. She started walking away as Lori protested:

"Mom-my! I'm not toisty! I wan' 'a hear what Oncle Seth says to Awnie Suwwer!"

"Where's um… whatshisface?" Seth asked, trying to make conversation.

"Oh, you mean my fiancé?"

"Yeah, him."

"He's over by the cheesecake, Oh look – he's waving," Summer looked straight past Seth and waved. Seth turned to see the man who he could vaguely remember posing on the stage. Sorry, proposing.

"Wow, nice looking guy you got there," Seth said.

"Oh God," Summer covered her mouth with her hands, "Is that – is that why you left? Because you were gay?"

Seth pulled a face, "ha ha. You're getting funny. When did that happen."

"Must have happened after you left – I all of a sudden got my sense of humour back."

"Probably because you didn't have someone to compete with right?"

"No, I guess the irony of you leaving again just hit me and I laughed. And I've been laughing ever since."

"Oh that's great, um, does Dom-a-dick laugh with you?"

"Oh yeah, Dominic does laugh with me. Ever since the day I met him,"

"Oh right, which was the day I left, right? And it was love at first sight?" Seth was suddenly getting a sour taste in the back of his throat. This would explain the letter.

"Almost right Seth, it was three days after you left. And it wasn't love at first sight because I wasstill in love with you!" Summer gasped and covered her mouth with her hand. The last bit had just slipped out. They stood staring at each other a little while, neither sure of what to say. Suddenly Dominic appeared beside Summer and put his hand around her shoulders.

"hey, there's my fiancée!" Dominic smiled. "We haven't talked since you got here sweetie," he whispered. Summer turned towards Dominic, freeing him from her gaze and he felt like he could breathe again. "And who's this?" Dominic went on, smiling at Seth.

"Um, this is… um Seth," Summer whispered. Dominic's eyes shone with surprise.

"Hi there," Seth greeted, sticking his hand out.

Dominic took it and smiled broadly, "Wow, so this is the Seth Cohen huh."

"Well, I wouldn't say the Seth Cohen. I mean, theres probably another crazy jewish kid out there called Seth Cohen I mean, the world is filled with billions – what are the odds of me being the only Seth Cohen, huh? I mean, its virtually one in however many billion – or something. But um yeah, I'm Seth Cohen."

Summer sent him a look as if to say what? Seth smiled.

"Wow. I'm amazed."

"Oh, so you know about our history then?" Seth asked.

"Of course – you're the infamous ex."

"Ex?"

"husband? I mean, you are divorced," Dominic laughed. Seth frowned confusedly

"Um, divorced?"

Dominic's smile disappeared and his grip on Summer's shoulder tightened. Summer sent him a pleading look.

"Hey man, I'm kidding with you. Of course we're divorced! Duh! I mean, if we weren't you'd be worried, right? So close to the big day and all. I mean, could a divorce actually go through that quick?" Seth threw the last part at Summer who winced.

"Depends on the terms," Dominic said. "I mean, how long did yours take?"

Seth and Summer stared at him blankly. "Oh God, I'm sorry. This must be uncomfortable, talking about your divorce when me and Summer are getting married."

"Oh, not at all," Seth said through gritted teeth, liking the way Summer was squirming uncomfortably. "Its you know, a trip down memory lane isn't it Summer. How long did our divorce take to come through?"

Summer rolled her eyes. "Oh it was fairly quick Seth. Abandoning me was a pretty good grounds for divorce," she smiled at the last bit

"Hey, I'm surprised you don't remember," Dominic said suddenly. Why the hell he wanted to elongate the horrible conversation was anybodies guess. "It was only two to three years ago. You'd think you'd remember your own divorce."

"Oh, it was a hard time for me. I was in some flea bitten motel in LA. Besides, I remember our wedding more," Once again he directed the last part of his response at Summer.

Summer felt tears well up in her eyes. She had to get out of here, away from Seth and his painful memories.

"Um Dominic, I want to go find Jack. Will you come with me?" She wanted to leave, but she did not want Seth and Dom on their own.


Seth slumped down on a pink chair next to Ryan who was sat on a lilac one.

"I'm screwed," he said softly.

"Yeah, these colours are really doing nothing for our image," Ryan grinned. Seth turned to him and rolled his eyes.

"What image, you're gay and I'm a pansy – the colours suit our image perfectly," Seth said, his voice definitely glum.

"Whoa! Enough of the gay – I'm married with children."

"Okay. You're whipped and I'm a coward."

"Whoa, what's with all of the disgusting self-pity?"

"Does life ever really feel unfair – like just… if you topped yourself it wouldn't really make a difference?"

Ryan threw Seth an uncomfortable look. "Do I need to put you on suicide watch Seth?"

"Man, I can't believe this. Why didn't I realise this before – before Dominic proposd would have been good."

"Seth, you know how talking about your problems makes me uncomfortable. I thought we talked about this." Seth slumped further over and put his head in his hands.

"Ryan," he said slowly. "I'm still in love with Summer."


AN:( I'm soooooooooo depressed! I got semi-flamed :sniff: cos someone said that I was a good writer but the story was LAME and PREDICTABLE…

:sniff:

But whatevs. Got more important things to do than mope about reviews – at least it was constructive – but please remember that I AM English and have never been to America before so I don't know what phrases are used here that aren't used there. And it isn't black and white because no one is just EVIL – they're all 3D, I just haven't had a chance to develop characters like Eva or Dominic yet.

Agh, sorry for rambling, it just I've never had a bad review before and this is the only story I actually want to finish, and its put a bit of a downer on my enthusiasm, and I am really sensitive. But for all of you who still like this, I'll keep it up I PROMISE – there, can't stop now! Heh heh

Ooh I'm tired – have to get up at SEVEN O'CLOCK tomorrow and BABYSIT! Agggh. Ooh, can you tell I'm just a little depressed this update? It's not really the review, its just that I've left a lot of stuff get on top of me and I think I might fail my exams 'cause I just froze up. Like last time, I was predicted A's and I got a C and a D, which are passes but just not really my standard.

Oh God, that made me look big-headed… But I'm not I swear! Okay, think happy things flowers, puppy dogs, Adam Brody, SethSummer, Adam Brody naked (:)), my soon-to-be-boyfriend (I'm working on him), my laptop, finishing this story…

There – all happy now!

Please keep reviewing!

Ooh, almost forgot, this update's question. Summers style? Season 1 cute and preppy or season 2 boho-sophisticated? I'm going to have to go with season 2 cos that's kind of my style :) love the whole mismatched look. Floaty skirts, chunky jewellery, layers. You get the picture – and is it just me or is Summer's hair so much nicer season 2? She looks so purdy! Oh god, I am such a girly girl obsessing about hair and fashion. And Adam Brody of course : gets dreamy look in eye: ;) signing off

Leanna 3 ( -that's a loveheart by the way)