Marissa had, in fact, gone home early from school. She decided to duck out of the last period of the day, considering it was only wind ensemble, and talk her parents about what the school had told her. When she got home, she found her mother and father sitting at the kitchen table talking. They stopped when she came in, and asked her to come grab a chair, so they could talk about what had happened that day, and what to do next.

Meanwhile, at school, Ryan got a ride home with Summer that day because she was coming over to their house, and Marissahad just gone home. Seth sat up front with Summer, of course. Ryan sat in the back. It was about a ten minute drive from the school to Seth and Ryan's house. When Seth, Summer, and Ryan got to the house, they went inside, got drinks from the refrigerator, and were going to sit down in the family room to play some Playstation. While Summer really did not like video games, she did not object this time. However, to their surprise, Sandy was home. He was sitting in the family room, talking with Julie Cooper.

"Hey, Dad, guess what? Ryan and Marissa no longer just friends. They are officially a couple, again. And why are you home?" Seth asked. He sat down next to his father on the couch with his root beer.

"Hey, that's great! But Seth, Summer - you'd better sit down. Ryan, I think you already know about this," Sandy told them. Ryan nodded his head. Seth and Summer appeared to be puzzled.

"What does he know?" Seth asked. He looked back and forth between his father and Julie Cooper.

"Today the Dean of Discipline and Dr. Kim met with Julie and myself, and then later met with Ryan and Marissa. They had been investigating the violence surrounding students at The Harbor School, when they came upon the four of you," Sandy started to explain.

"The four of us? Then why wasn't Summer's dad called, or why weren't Summer and I brought in?" Seth asked. He could talk for everyone in the room, it seemed, most of the time.

"Because most of the violence among the four of you was concentrated between Ryan and Marissa. They investigated, and she talked to us. Told me that Ryan would be put on a sort of probation, through the school, where he would meet with Dr. Kim and the Dean every day. He told Julie, and myself that Marissa... she would no longer be able to attend The Harbor School as of Monday," Sandy continued. The kids looked at him in shook. Julie shared their pain.

"What! How can they kick her out?" Summer asked angrily. Seth was paralyzed, unable to speak.

"I don't know, Summer, I honestly don't know. That decision was made by the school officials, not myself," Sandy told her.

Finally, Seth asked, "So what will happen to her?"

"Well, that's what Julie and I were discussing. She and Jimmy still have to talk about it, but right now, it looks like Marissa will have to attend Newport Union High School, as of Monday," Sandy told them.

"Oh, my God," Summer said quietly. She could not believe this. After they had all just gotten past a rough time, Seth, Summer, Ryan, and Marissa were now being broken up. Her best friend would not go to the same school as her anymore, nor would they have the same circle of friends. The link between them would be Seth and Ryan

Seth turned to Ryan and asked, "Dude, why didn't you say anything?"

Ryan looked at him for a moment. They all knew he was not much of a talker; however, this was big - life altering for them. He replied, "It wasn't my place, man."

"How did Marissa take the news when they told her?" Julie asked Ryan.

He looked at her. This was one of the first times he had looked at her, and not felt afraid that she was going to kill him. He told her, "Okay, I guess. I mean, she was mad, but not overly."

It was then that the doorbell rang. Sandy excused himself from the group, and went over to answer it. The person at the door was Marissa. She had changed into more casual dress attire. She asked if Ryan was home. Sandy told her that he was home. He ushered Marissa into the family room where she found Ryan, Seth, Summer, and her mom sitting.

"Hey," Marissa said.

"Hi, Sweetie," her mother greeted her. "Well, I should be going. See you later, Sandy. See you at home, Marissa." Ryan walked over to Marissa and kissed her.

"Coop, why didn't you say anything?" Summer asked. She wanted to know why Marissa did not tell her first.

"I don't know. It all seemed so... sudden," she told Summer.

"Well, look," Ryan said, "Marissa's here now, so do you guys want to do something?"

"Sure," Seth replied. He looked at Summer.

"Okay. Wanna go down to the pier or something?" Summer suggested.

"All right," Marissa replied. Ryan nodded, and Sethtold her yeswith his "Seth" look.

Ryan, Marissa, Seth, and Summer got up, walked out of the living room, and headed out the door. They got into Summer'sBMW convertible. Seth and her were in front, and Ryan and Marissa were in the back. They drove the five minutes down to the pier, got out of the car, and started to walked around. They walked in a row - Seth, Summer, Marissa, and Ryan.

Marissa sighed and said, "Why does everything have to be this complicated. I mean, why does this have to happen now? I feel like my life is falling apart."

"Coop, I'm sorry, and no matter what, we'll get you through it," Summer told her. Ryan hugged her and Seth hugged Summer.

"Hey, what do you say we go and get some Balboa Bars?" Ryan asked them.

"Sure," Marissa replied with a smile. It was then thatshe felt that with her friends, she could get through this.