Chapter Three: Born to Try

Author's Note: I was late with the last chapter, but I swear the updates will be much more regular from now on. In case you haven't figured it out by now, Seth & Summer are also married with two children. Cameron or "Cam" is fourteen and Rachel is about six.


Elle and Cam wordlessly made their way back to the shore. They never talked when they were on their boards, but Elle was usually bursting with excitement towards the end. Cam found her silence unnerving. "So, uh, what are you doing this weekend?" He spoke.

"I have a soccer game this afternoon--against Pacific."

"Oh, you'll beat them."

"Of course we will! Would you expect anything else from the star goalie, Danielle Marie Atwood?" She giggles and he feels at ease. Sarcasm's their language, and they speak it so well.

They reached Sandy's spot on the shore. "Hey guys. What's so funny?" He raises an eyebrow, as Elle erupts back into giggles. She's always been bugging him to pluck.

Sandy looks puzzled as he hands Elle her Care Bears towel, taking her board from her as she dries off. She and Cam are still laughing, and Sandy does not like to be out of the loop. "Okay. So, anyone up for ice cream?"

Cam watches the game from the sidelines. It's not like Elle invited him to come, but the Spirit Club is always saying more people need to come to the games. Besides, he's come to hundreds of her soccer games in the past.

He watches as she blocks several goals. Her bottom lip quivers when the opposing team makes their third goal, and he recognizes the onset of a temper tantrum. Hers are almost as bad as Rachel's.

Cameron's surprised that she doesn't start sobbing. But then he stops himself. Because they're not four anymore.

As much as she may mock, she is Danielle Marie Atwood, one of the most popular freshman at Harbor High.

He waits for her after the game, outside the girls locker room. Before she comes out, he sees Jake. Jake's holding a bouquet of daisies behind his back, as though he's scared some of his dumb-jock friends will tease him about them.

Cam knows he should leave. He knows enough to know that Elle would choose her boyfriend over him. He's not quite sure if he blames her for it.

Elle nervously walks into the Cohen's foyer. She looks flawless on the outside. Inside, she wonders why she's trying. After all, it's just the Cohen's. She comes here for dinner every week. It's become a thing, because her housekeeper is off on Monday's. Her Mother has never been a good cook.

Marissa and Summer embrace as Rachel runs up to Elle. "Elle! Oh my god! Mommy bought bought me the coolest thing ever! It's a new my little pony and it's just like my Princess Pink! So now she has a special friend!"

She smiles, "Oh, it's soooo cool, Rach!"

Elle takes her chubby hand as Rachel pulls her up to the playroom. Elle sits in one of the teeny pink chairs as Rachel runs over with her two ponies. One is pink and battered. The other is a shiny new blue pony with a few dirty thumbprints.

Rachel looks genuinely worried as she sits across from Elle. "Except the blue pony doesn't have a name yet! And! Without a name, it's like it doesn't even exist! I don't want it to feel sad."

Elle pulls down a blue crayon and a piece of white paper from the shelf. "It's okay, Rachel! We'll think of the bestest name ever for the blue pony. Do you have any ideas?"

Rachel frowns, "Well...the pink pony has its color in its name. Maybe the blue one should too?"

Elle pretends to think really hard, rubbing her chin thoughtfully. "Um. Princess Blue?"

Rachel wrinkles her nose. "Ew."
Elle tries again, "How about...Baby Blue?"

Rachel's smile fills up her face as she grins, "Ooh! Perfect! You're the bestest, Elle." She gives her a hug. Her brother, standing in the hall, can't help but agree.