Last Minute Love

Chapter Five: Smile Like You Mean It

Disclaimer: I don't own The OC whatsoever!

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THREE MONTHS LATER

"Wow, I can't believe it's finally November!" Seth exclaimed into the phone about ten minutes after he had entered his house. All four of them had taken two months off of school, knowing that they would have a lot to catch up when they get back but at least their parents were okay with it. Like they had a choice? They missed their "grown" babies too much. "Anna?"

"Oh. Yeah." Anna hadn't been herself since Summer had left. It seemed like everything started to turn upside down. For the first month she was gone, Seth had been moping around whining about how much he loved and missed Summer and how he made a mistake. That of course pissed Anna off so she broke up with him and it wasn't long until Seth came crawling back to her, promising that he would never mention Summer ever again. Being Anna, she forgave him. Who couldn't? A week after they were happily together, Anna recieved some devastating news. Apparently, back in Pittsburg, her aunt and uncle had passed away. They had been in a horrible car accident caused by some alcohol use. She didn't know what to do. Her aunt and uncle had been pretty much her own parents. She felt like her world had crashed and there was nothing else to live for. Except for maybe Seth. Seth had tried his best to cheer her up. From bringing her flowers everyday to showering her in kisses and gifts. Things weren't the same though. She knew she had Seth though, she was sure Summer wasn't coming back. She was right, wasn't she?

Just as she had thought about Summer, her name was said. "I can't even remember the last time I saw her." That was a lie. He had definitely remembered the last time he saw her. It was at the airport. He had pleaded her to stay. On his knees. And it didn't work. He didn't recieve a reply from Anna which made him think that it was wrong timing. But then again, it always was when it came to mentioning Summer to Anna. "Anna? You there?"

"Yeah, sorry." Anna let out a sigh and decided to go on and get the conversation over with, then she would quickly change the subject. "So what about Summer? Do you think she's really coming back?"

Seth hung his last shirt up and slid his closet door over so that it shut, with a proud look on his face. "Yeah, why wouldn't she? It's near Thanksgiving and she did promise to come back then. Plus, her dad and step-mom live here. And Zach as family here too." He was trying too hard to think of reasons why Summer was coming back as if he was convincing her to come back, Anna definitely caught on.

"Zach's family here moved to Italy, remember?" Anna snapped. Seth was the only thing she had left, she couldn't help but to be over protective.

"Oh, that's right. I'm sorry." He wasn't sure why he was apologizing but he just wanted her happy. He knew that she was going through a tough time but if there was one thing his parents told him to keep in mind always, is to stick by her side through the "thickest of the thick". He wasn't really sure what it meant until now.

"Uh huh."

He didn't even know how to keep a conversation going with her anymore. He was trying, he was definitely trying hard. But Anna wasn't Anna anymore and he was afraid that she was going to stay that way for the rest of her life. He knew that he loved her, just not what she was becoming.

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Summer paced nervously around the bedroom, trying to figure out how many tops she would actually need for the extra long visit. She couldn't believe that she was going to get away from Zach for a month, it had been something she was looking forward to. She loved him, she was maybe even in love with him but he had definitely changed. He wasn't the same sweet old Zach that he used to be. She felt trapped in a bubble ever since they'd been living together in New York for a month and she didn't know what to do. It made her so confused but she knew that she couldn't tell Marissa. And especially not Seth. She knew that he would do something and she didn't want to ruin what Seth and Anna were beginning to have. Her train of thought was broken as Zach had bursted into the room, staring at her in disgust as she held a lacey top, staring at her as she analyzed it before he snatched it out of her hand. She was getting used to that.

"What? What are you doing Zach!" Summer was furious and confused at the same time as she sat down her bed, her shoulders slump.

"You think you can dress like a slut while I'm away and get away with it?" His eyes glared at her, with the evil look in them. "I know what you're trying to pull. You're such a bitch. Why are you always trying to get in between Seth and Anna?" Ever since she had tried calling Seth about two weeks ago to tell him about her coming back early, Zach hadn't been acting like himself. It scared her a lot but she decided not to tell anyone, hoping that it was just a phase. She was starting to think that it wasn't one.

"It's just an undershirt, Zach! It's not like I'm going to walk around wearing just that." She knew that she didn't have to explain herself but she knew that if she hadn't at least tried, something bad would happen.

"Yeah, I wouldn't be surprised."

She couldn't believe he was hissing these words at her. She caught the top that had been thrown back at her. What happened to her Zach? What she was saying was the honest truth even though she knew that he hadn't believed her. Who would wear a sleeveless blouse when they had a disgusting bruise on their arm anyway?

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Short chapter but it reveals more about them and how they're doing now. Sorry to leave you guys on all hanging but I'm going to update asap!