A/N- 2 more to go till 100! Make me happy guys!

Chapter 24

Christmas, Chrismukkah, was over but that didn't mean things were slowing down at the Cohen house. In fact things were speeding up. Sandy and Kirsten were throwing a special New Year's Eve party inviting all their friends. They hadn't thrown a huge party since before Kirsten went to rehab so it was like old times. Ryan and Marissa walked into the main Cohen house finding Sandy and Kirsten in the kitchen talking to some caterers and Seth and Summer in the living room watching TV.

"Is there anything we can do Kirsten to help out?" Marissa asked politely.

"Not yet there isn't. If there is I'll let you know. Thanks for offering," she flashed Marissa a smile. Marissa walked over to where Ryan and Seth had decided to play a video game.

"You know, you guys can invite any of your friends if you want," Sandy offered to the foursome. They all looked at each other.

"Dad, we haven't been in Newport for a while…all of our friends are probably abroad for college," Seth pointed out.

"Just an offer, son," Sandy said.

"Is that all you guys ever do? Play video games?" Summer complained to Ryan and Seth.

"It's not all we do," Ryan shot back.

"You guys aren't eight anymore," Summer said.

"On in inside, yes!" Seth exclaimed. "AHA! I won again! Admit it dude, I am the champion and I always will be."

"I bet I can take you," Marissa said after a while.

"Please…I bet you've never played PS2 before in your life," Seth scoffed at Marissa's challenge.

"What? You scared I'm going to whip your butt?" Marissa asked him, smiling a devilish smile.

"What? No, of course not!" Seth said. "Come on then…but don't say I didn't warn you." A few minutes later, Marissa had in fact beaten Seth. "How? But? You. Beat. Me?"

"Looks that way, man," Ryan said, laughing.

"Aww, poor Cohen lost! It's okay baby," Summer joked.

"It is NOT okay! Marissa Cooper beat me!" Seth said, still not believing the fact that she had beaten him.

"I told you I could beat you," Marissa said with a satisfied smile on her face.

"Hmph!" Seth breathed.

"Hey you guys wanna go to South Coast?" Summer suggested after a while.

"Is shopping all you ever think about?" Seth asked her.

"Yes!" Summer responded.

"I'll go," Marissa agreed. "You coming Ry?"

"Sure…there's nothing really anything else to do," Ryan said. "Seth? You gonna come?" Seth shook his head.

"Seth, if your still upset about me beating you I promise not to tell anyone about your little mishap," Marissa promised him.

"Fine," Seth said. "But I'm never playing a video game with you again."

"Fine," Marissa replied.

"We're going to the mall," Ryan said, letting Sandy and Kirsten know.

"Anything you want us to pick up for you?" Summer asked sweetly.

"No thanks sweetie. Just have fun you guys," Kirsten said.

Once they were at the mall, Marissa and Summer headed to one of their favorite trendy boutiques and started flipping through the racks of designer clothes. Good thing Summer hadn't really gained so much baby fat yet so she could still fit in the majority of the clothes. After about 30 minutes, they had moved onto the dressing room with an armload of items each to try on. First Marissa came out with a white flowing skirt and pink camisole.

"What do you guys think?" she asked Ryan and Seth.

"What occasion are you buying for?" Seth yawned. That's when Summer came out of the dressing room beside Marissa's.

"We're not buying for anything specific. We're just buying," Summer answered his question. She was wearing a mini dress covered in blue sequins. It was strapless and came down to about mid-calf. "You like?" she asked motioning towards her dress. Seth's jaw just about dropped open.

"Wow," Seth managed to get out.

"I suppose you like it then," Summer smiled and walked back into the changing room to try on another outfit.

"I'm still standing here. What do you think of my outfit?" Marissa asked a bit impatient.

"You look cute," Ryan smiled. Marissa smiled back, and walked back into the changing room.

"How many outfits do you guys have in there?" Seth called.

"I don't know. I didn't count," Summer replied.

"Why? What does it matter?" Marissa added. She and Summer emerged wearing matching polka dot sundresses- Marissa's in blue, Summer's in red.

"It doesn't," Seth said.

"Does this look good?" Summer asked as she and Marissa posed together. Both boys nodded their heads. They looked bored out of their minds.

"You know, you don't have to stick around here. You guys can go to Starbucks or something and we'll meet you when we're finished," Marissa said. Seth immediately got up.

"Thank you so much!" he exclaimed. "Let's go Ryan." Ryan kissed Marissa quickly and followed Seth to the nearest Starbucks.

About 20 minutes later, both girls emerged carrying at least 5 bags each. It had been a very successful shopping trip. They walked towards Starbucks, spotting Seth and Ryan sitting at a table, sipping double lattes. Summer and Marissa plopped down on the empty seats at the tables.

"About time you guys got here," Seth said. Summer hit him. "What was that for?"

"We're allowed to take our time you know," she said to him.

"How many bags do you guys have?" Ryan asked.

"Five each," Summer said proudly.

"You guys really love to shop," Seth said stating the obvious.

"So we kind of got out of control…but its not every day anymore that we can just go to South Coast Plaza…we have to make the most of it," Marissa pointed out.

"Well thought out Coop," Summer said smiling.

"You guys want something to drink?" Seth offered.

"Nah, I'm not really thirsty," Marissa replied. "Thanks though." Seth turned to Summer.

"I'm not thirsty either," she said.

"You wanna go back then?" Ryan asked. They all nodded and got up to leave. As they were walking towards the mall's exit, they bumped into someone…a familiar someone.

"Oh my god! Hey…"

Haha! Cliffhanger! Who do you want the familiar face to be? Lemme know by reviewing!