"Shit! Eric's picking me up in half an hour for dinner. I need to get ready!" Summer exclaimed, glancing at her watch. She was hanging out with Marissa, Ryan and Seth in the boys' dorm room, like they do every Friday afternoon. They had been watching Ferris Bueller's Day Off and she lost track of time. She quickly got up off the floor and slid her shoes on.

"You're still going out with that douche bag?" Seth scoffed and raised his eyebrows at her. Marissa playfully slapped his head. Summer rolled her eyes and looked back at him.

"Eric is not a douche bag. You're just jealous," she retorted with a smirk. He was taken aback by that comment and dropped his jaw in surprise.

"I'm not jealous. How could you think that?" he said with an exaggerated tone. The truth was he was a little jealous, not that he would ever admit it. He always felt a hint of jealousy whenever Summer went on a date. He never really worried about the relationship to advance beyond a few dates. Most of the guys she brought back were the typical preppy jocks who were overly cocky. But Eric was different. Summer and Jake had been dating for almost a month – way beyond Seth's comfort zone. Seth had to say that Eric was definitely more modest than the other guys were. But, there was something about him that was a little off, although Seth couldn't put his finger on it.

"Whatever," Summer sighed, "See ya later, guys!" She hurried down the hall to her dorm room that she shared with Marissa. She flung the door open and grabbed her stuff for showering. She raced to the hall showering area. That's the one thing she hated about college. She couldn't stand having to share the bathroom and shower with tons of other people. Summer shuddered as she stood in the shower stand.

After showering, Summer rushed back to the room to get dressed. She decided to wear the light pink dress she just bought from BCBG. Summer constantly tried to look great around Eric because he always complimented her on how she looked. She checked the time- 5:45. He'll be here in fifteen minutes! Summer let out a groan in frustration. Eric hated when she was late. Even if she was only a minute late, he complained. Summer quickly applied her make-up and straightened her hair. She slipped into her kitten heels and clambered down the stairs. As she burst out the door, she checked the time. 6:02, she read. Summer bit her lip nervously as she walked to Eric's car, waiting out front.

"Hi Eric," she said sweetly as she got in the car, "I'm so-"

"You're late," Eric interrupted, looking pissed off, "Why are you late?" Summer sighed anxiously.

"I was watching a movie with some friends and I lost track of time. I told you we hang out every Friday afternoon. Besides, I'm not that late. It's only three minutes past six." Eric glared at her with a stone expression and sighed.

"Okay, you're right. But from now on, be here on time," Eric suddenly smiled, "You look gorgeous tonight, Sum." She smiled back at him and breathed a sigh of relief inside.

Eric had taken Summer to the new Italian restaurant in L.A. They were engaged in light conversation when the tone suddenly became more serious. Eric looked into Summer's eyes and reached for her hand.
"Summer, I know that we have only been seeing each other for a month, but I have strong feelings for you," Eric started as Summer swallowed hard, afraid of what's to come, "I don't want you to think that I am taking this too fast, but I love you." Summer had a million thoughts racing through her head.

"I love you too," she spit out, unaware of what she was saying. She instantly regretted it. Summer didn't really feel like she loved Eric, but she didn't want him to feel bad or embarrassed. She smiled at him, trying to hide what she was thinking. He smiled back, pleased with her response. The rest of the dinner was mostly silent except for a few "mmm"s and "this is good"s.

During the whole car ride, Eric had a big smile on his face. Summer felt horrible and ashamed. As Eric pulled up to Summer's dorm building, he stopped her.

"So, how about we go to a movie and have dinner tomorrow?" Eric asked her. Summer bit her lip. She was supposed to go to Long Beach for the day with Ryan, Marissa and Seth tomorrow.

"Oh, I don't know. I'm going to Long Beach tomorrow with my friends," Summer responded. She gulped, not liking the way he reacted to her reply. His eyebrows furrowed and he grumbled.

"You are always hanging out with them. Whenever I want to do something with you, you're with them." Eric sneered at her.

"That's not true," Summer protested, "I hang out with you all the time. Besides, they're my best friends- I want to be with them too."

"Are they more important than me now? I am your boyfriend! You are supposed to be with me!" he snapped. Summer gave him a look of confusion.

"What are you talking about?," she cried, "am I not supposed to hang out with my friends now? You are being ridicu-" Suddenly, Eric's hand rose and a loud smacking sound thundered as Summer's cheek started to burn.

"Don't talk to me like that," he bellowed. Summer instinctively brought her hand to her cheek as she stared wide eyed at Eric, stunned by what just happened. He had hit her. Eric gasped and but his hand to his mouth.

"Oh my god! I'm so sorry. I don't know what I was thinking! I'm sorry, Sum! Please- I didn't mean to," he cried. Summer shook her head in shock. She backed up till she was flat against the car door.

"Summer, I love you. Please forgive me." She flinched as Eric reached to embrace her. Summer breathed deeply as she let him hold her. She was too shocked to refuse. She closed her eyes and came back to reality.

"I...I have to go now," she said as she reached for the door handle. She swallowed hard and got out of the car. As she walked towards the building, Eric called after her.

"Summer, please! I'm sorry!" She ran up the stairs to her room. As she reached the door to her dorm, she cursed quietly, seeing the light was on. She didn't want Marissa to see her like this. She rubbed her cheek before opening he door. When she entered the room, Marissa looked up. Her eyes widened as she saw Summer's face.

"Oh my god, Sum! What happened?" she asked. Summer bit her lip, thinking of a lie she could tell.

"I, um, banged into the car door as I was getting out of the car," she said. She looked at Marissa, seeing if she bought it.

"Ouch, that must of hurt." Summer sighed, relieved by her answer.

"Um, I think I'm going to go to sleep now. I'm really tired," Summer said warily as she changed into a tee shirt and boxers. Marissa nodded and went back to reading her magazine. Summer got under the covers and faced the wall. She let out a weak "good night" as she closed her eyes. She silently cried to herself until she fell asleep.
Well that's it for the 1st chapter! Hope you liked it! please review! was it too detailed? constructive criticism appreciated!