Chapter 3

It was about three o'clock when Seth and Ryan arrived at the Crab Shack, twenty-five minutes later then what had been planned. As they walked in they noticed Marissa and Summer were already seated by the window, so they walked over.
"Where have you two been?" Marissa inquired. "You're almost a half-hour late."
"Sorry, I had to wait for Seth to get ready." Ryan replied.
"Yeah, sorry about that" added Seth "My Jew-Fro isn't really working for me today. I had to fix it."
Both girls giggled at his remark, Marissa laughing slightly harder than usual.
"Been waiting long?" Ryan asked.
"Not really we got her ten minutes ago hoping for a fashionably late entrance but you got beat us to that." Summer responded, her tone a little more cheerful than normal.
"So, are we allowed to sit down? I mean, we did apoligise."
"Yeah, sure." Marissa said.
"Why don't you come and sit down next to me Seth?"
Taken a back, it took Seth a little while to respond.
"uh, yeah. O.K. Summer. If you don't mind."
"Not at all."
Seth plonked himself down inbetween Summer and Marissa, his left shoulder touching Marissa's.
Marissa thought to herself "Why has Summer changed toward Seth? An hour ago she was calling him a geek and now she's flirting with him?"
"Well I guess then I'm stuck with you, Marissa" Ryan said jokingly.
"You don't have to" she replied in an angry tone.
"Hey, I was kidding. I didn't mean it. I love sitting next to you."
Marissa let out a small sigh and smiled sweetly at him. "I know you do. I've just been a bit off lately, not quite feeling myself."
Hearing this, Seth wrapped his arm around her and said "Don't worry. What you've been through lately you're allowed to be a little off with people. We don't mind, do we?"
Summer and Ryan shook their heads.
This brought Marissa alot of comfort, more comfort than she should be receiving from just a friend.
"Thanks Seth" Marissa kissed him lightly on the cheek.
At that moment they looked at each other and gazed into each other's eyes. Marissa felt the goosebumps she had felt earlier at the Cohen's but she noticed that Seth's arm had done the same. Their gaze was broken seconds later by Summer.
"What shall we eat. I'm starving."
"Me too." Ryan replied
"Uh, me too." "And me."
A feeling of confusion once again passed over Marissa, but this time she knew that she had definately developed feelings for Seth, feelings she didn't know she could feel for him,and now especially as she was in a relationship with his almost brother.
Once they had eaten, the group just sat and talked for a while. Ryan informed them that he had been asked to do an extra shift at the Crab Shack tonight, so would be staying. Summer also said that she would go straight home so that she could catch the six o'clock repeat showing of The Valley of last weeks episode.
"I think it's just us two then, Marissa. Would you mind if I walked you home?"
"Oh my God!" Marissa thought "I've got be be alone with Seth. I can't say no, can I?"
"Of course not. I would love you to. I mean, No, that's fine. Thank you." Marissa Replied, secretly feeling dread and excitement at the prospect.