Chapter 18

Ryan and Summer were sitting in The Crab Shack, still waiting for Seth and Marissa.

"So," Summer started "Do you have any plans for the rest of summer?"

"For you?" Ryan said confused.

Summer let out a huge laugh, making a couple of tables turn to look at her.

"No, not me. I mean the last few weeks of summer break."

"Oh." Ryan looked towards his hand and smiled, embarrassed.

"So, any plans?" Summer repeated.

"I'm not sure. You?"

Summer shrugged. "No, not really. Probably a few shopping trips, see a few movies. Nothing interesting."

"Well it's more than what I've got planned."

Just as Summer went to speak, they heard the door open. When they looked across, they saw Marissa and Seth, both of whom had smiles from ear to ear.

"Hey guys" they chirped in unison.

"Hi. "Summer said "What's going on?"

Marissa and Seth just looked at each other with adoration.

"Nothing" Seth replied.

"Come on guys, it's not nothing. Tell us." Summer continued, with Ryan looking on with the same look of curiosity on his face as she did.

"Marissa and I were on the beach and I got hit in the head by a football."

"And that's made you happy?" Ryan said, confused.

Marissa and Seth let out small laughs.

"No it's not that," Seth replied, "It was just the expressions on their faces, when they realised that Marissa was with me, well you know, as my girlfriend. That's what was funny. They were so shocked."

"Oh." Ryan looked away, with a slight discomfort at the thought of Seth and Marissa being real.

"So, you guys ready to eat coz we've been sat here forever and I think the waitress is getting impatient." Summer asked.

"Yeah, I'm starved." Marissa said, patting her stomach.

"Ok then, I called her over." Summer waved her hand at the waitress who walked towards them, her face plastered in a fake smile.

"So what can I get you?"

Seth and Marissa both ordered Crab Sticks with a side of French fries, Summer settling on the lobster. "What?" She said, "I'm hungry." as if to defend her choice. When the waitress looked at Ryan, he was still undecided.

"I think I'll just have the crab sticks too, but no fries. Thanks."

When the waitress returned to the counter, Marissa excused herself to go to the bathroom. "Summer, you gotta pee?"

"Yeah I'll come with." She said, getting up from the table.

"Be back in a minute."

When they reached the bathroom both girls adjusted their makeup in the mirror.

"Coop, can I ask you something?"

"Yeah, sure."

Summer turned to face Marissa, a serious look on her face.

"Do you love him?"

Marissa let out a small, joy-filled sigh. "Yeah, I think I do."

Summer let a smile spread across her face. "Coop!" She pulled her friend in for a hug. "That's so sweet. I've never seen you this way with anyone before. It's like, your glowing."

"I know, " Marissa replied, "I feel like I found someone who loves me for me. Not because I'm the Homecoming queen, or because I have the right look. Just me. Sound's so corny, I know"

Summer was quick to reply. "No, it doesn't. Well it does, but you deserve someone to treat you like that. After all you had to put up with Luke for all those years!"

Both girls laughed and locked arms. "I bet the boys are thinking we've falling in or something." Summer joke.

" Yeah we should get back." Marissa added. "Look, Summer, I know you still think what I did to Ryan was really bitchy, but I couldn't help it. I fell hard and suddenly. But thanks for being there for me, and for Ryan."

Summer hug her BBF again, "No problem."