Chapter 17

"You're ten minutes late. You know what that means?"
The pizza delivery boy just let out a sigh.
"Thanks" Seth handed the boy a five dollar tip and shut the door.
"Finally!" Marissa called out.
"I know" Seth said "40 minutes for two pizzas."
Ryan signalled to Seth "Hey man, what are you complaining for? You didn't have to pay for them, did ya?"
"I guess your right."
Summer pulled on Ryan's shirt. "Can start watching the movie now?"
"Yeah." Ryan got up and put the dvd in the player and threw the case back towards the couch.
All four settled down, pizza in hand and watched as the opening credits. Just as they ended, keys rustled in the door. Kirsten and Sandy entered deep in conversation, not even noticing the four sitting together.
"Hey Mom. Dad."
"Seth? Hi sweetie. Oh, I didn't expect you, to be sitting... with Ryan? And Marissa?"
Marissa looked down at her hands whilst Seth and Ryan stood up and walked towards their parents to explain the quick change of events.
Ryan spoke first. "Well, we spoke about everything and well.."
"He was unbelievabley adult and we've kinda sorted things out" Seth interrupted.
"Well..." was all Sandy could say.
Kirsten walked foward and hugged both of the boys.
After the extremely long motherly hug, Ryan pulled away. "We were just about to watch ET. You wanna join us?"
Sandy and Kirsten looked at each other.
"We've got free pizza!" Seth exclaimed.
Confusion crossed both parent's faces. "Nevermind" Seth said quietly.
"So are or you gonna join us?" Ryan prompted.
"Yeah, why not?" Sandy answered.
"Yeah ok." Kirsten added.
"Ok then."

Two days later, Seth and Marissa were sitting cuddling on the beach. This was the first time they had been out together in a very public place. The beach was filled with all the usual suspects for a Saturday; Harbor School's water polo players, football jocks and cheerleaders.
Seth and Marissa could hear the murmurs and whispers directed about them but for once, both did not care.
"They must think you've gone crazy to be with a guy like me."
"What do you mean?" Marissa asked.
Seth looked away from her. "The social outcast, the geek, the loser." Marissa just laughed.
"If you really think you are all of those then you seriously need a doctor."
"Seth smiled.
"Look" Marissa continued "who cares what those people think. They are not important. What's important is that I see this amazingly funny, charming, sweet, sensitive guy and that I love him."
All of Seth's worries drifted away in an instant. The pair leaned in for a passionate kiss which was only broken by the sound of Marissa's cell.
Marissa looked down at it and when she saw who it was, she answered it. "'Hey Summer... Seth and I are just at the beach... yeah if you want, I'll just ask Seth. Ok I'll call you back in a minute. Bye' That was Summer" Marissa informed Seth. "She and Ryan are at the Crab Shack and wondered if we wanted to join them?"
Seth paused and then answered. "Yeah, that sounds good. I'm getting hungry."
"Me too. Ok, I just phone Summer to tell her we're coming."
Seth stood up and wiped the sand of off his pants. A few feet away, one of the jocks threw a football at Seth's head, which knocked him to the ground. There was an outburst of laughter from the Newport brats which made Marissa turn around. When she saw Seth lying on the floor she hung up the phone and ran over to him.
"Seth, are you ok?"
"Yeah, I'm fine. Happens all the time."
"Yeah, well it won't anymore." Without saying a word, she pulled him to his feet and gave him the biggest display of affection. The Newport brats were stunned into silence by the John Hughes moment and when it finished, Seth and Marissa turned round and just smiled at them.
"Let's go." Seth whispered into Marissa's ear.
"Yeah." They joined hands and walked off, Marissa resting her head on Seth's shoulder