A/N: Thanks again for the reviews! It is great hearing from you guys, and getting your perspectives on this story. And if you think it's interesting so far, just wait until Chapter Four. Yeah…I've got it all planned out – a sequel, too if this story turns out well!

Reviews:

xocourtneyxo: Yeah, I guess Rach does have a hint of Brooke's fiery attitude. I think she's got a bit of a unique personality, though. Thanks for reviewing…again!

DeuCe628: Thank you! I hope you like it so far. :)

Chapter Three

There's nothing like lazy summer days, especially when you have nothing better to do than eat Skittles and watch old episodes of The Valley. But eventually, after you think you've watched the exact same episode almost ten times, you get bored.

I turned off the TV, sitting in silence, thinking of what I could possibly do that wouldn't involve moving off the sofa. Nothing came to mind, so I stood up, sauntering quietly into the kitchen. I was completely by myself (with the exception of Charlie), since Aunt Jennine and Uncle Joey were out working. I sighed, looking around absently, trying to find something to do that would keep me occupied for possibly the rest of the day, if even at all possible. Suddenly, an idea hit me, and I quickly dashed for the front door.

I knocked three times on the front door, waiting silently for someone to answer.

"Oh, hey Rach."

"Hi, Ryan. On you're way out?" I asked, trying to start even the very slightest of a conversation.

He nodded. "I'm going to see Marissa." He answered, smiling weakly. "How're you doing?"

"I can't complain…you?"

"Pretty good." He replied, now smiling fully. "Looking for Seth, I assume?"

I nodded. "Yep, I even brought lemonade…" I trailed off, laughing quietly and holding up a carton of lemonade I'd so conveniently brought with me. "Don't ask."

"Trust me, I wasn't going to." Ryan responded, smirking.

"So, is Seth even home?" I questioned, my eyebrows raised.

"Yeah, he's in the living room…I think. C'mon in." He held the door open.

"Thank you, Ryan." I stated cheerfully, smiling.

"No problem. I've gotta go though – Marissa's probably waiting."

"Have fun." I answered nonchalantly, and watched as he left, waving before closing the door quietly behind him. It was probably the first actual "conversation" Ryan and I had ever shared – the first two times I'd run into him, our greeting was pretty basic and plain.

"Hey." "Hey." "What's up?" "Nothing much, you?" "Same old stuff." "Cool." "Yeah, well I'll see you around."

And then awkward silence, and then one of us waved politely and left. Pretty sad, when you think about it.

Anyways, I quietly headed towards the Cohen's living room, finding Seth silently sitting on the couch, staring blankly at the TV screen in front of him, while holding some kind of a controller in his hand, pressing buttons rapidly. He didn't look up when I entered the room, so I guessed he was consumed in one of his video games.

"Hey Cohen."

"Hey Rach." He answered quickly, his eyes still locked on the screen, his thumb still hitting various buttons on the controller.

I sat down next to him, the carton of lemonade sitting upright next to me. I watched the screen for a minute, trying to figure out what he could possibly be playing. I recognized some of the graphics from some commercial, but it took me a few minutes to think of the name. "Is that Auto Grand Theft?"

"Grand Theft Auto, you mean?" He corrected.

"Whatever."

"Yeah. The new one, too." He responded, hitting some button on the controller, clearly pausing the game, before turning to look at me. "Pretty cool, huh?"

"Just…awesome." I said sarcastically, earning a glare from Seth, so I hastily plastered a sweet, tempting smile to my face. "Sorry, but I'm a sucker for flowers, sunsets, and walks on the beach, not video games."

Seth shook his head slowly. "You don't know what you're talking about, Rachel. Video games will rule the world someday…you just watch."

"Seth, you're the weirdest person I've ever met."

"Is that a good thing?" He asked jokingly, smiling slightly.

"I'm not even going to dignify that with a response." I answered, laughing softly. "Anyways," I began, changing the subject. "I brought lemonade." I stated, lifting up the carton of lemonade to show him.

"Aww, you remembered."

"Of course I did!" I exclaimed, almost taken aback.

"Well of course you did…I just kinda forgot to make the cookies." Seth admitted, cringing a bit.

I feigned a gasp, biting my bottom lip. "It's over between us." I said jokingly, narrowing my eyes in his direction.

He laughed. "Sorry, Rach."

I shrugged. "I don't even like cookies that much, anyways."

"How can you not like cookies?" He questioned, staring at me incredulously. "They like, hold the universe together!"

"I like cookies, they just aren't my fave. I'd rather have like…ice cream instead. But those awesome Cookie Monster cookies that Mrs. Fields makes are to die for."

He was silent for a second, before a huge grin broke out onto his face. "Eureka, Rachel!"

"What?" I asked, kind of confused, and not sure of what to say.

"We'll go get ice cream as a substitute for cookies." He suggested, still grinning wildly.

I gasped falsely, yet again. "Brilliant, Seth."

He nodded, and turned towards the TV, doing something to save the current game he was playing, and shutting off the game system, which turned out to be a PS2, which he explained to me afterwards. He stood up, and held his hand out to help me up.

I took his hand, using my free hand to grab a hold of the lemonade. "What about this, though?" I asked, after I stood up, and gently dropped his hand.

"Um…put it in the fridge, and we'll drink it when we come back, sound good?"

"Sure thing." I answered, and he led me to the kitchen. I opened the fridge door, and carefully placed the lemonade on one of the various shelves. I closed the fridge, and afterwards, we headed for the front door.

We ended up by walking to the nearest ice cream store, considering neither of us had a car at the moment. I ordered my favorite, Tiger Tail ice cream – which was orange-flavored ice cream with streaks of black licorice – of course, and Seth was just about to order regular chocolate ice cream before I practically forced him to try some of my ice cream. He simply responded; "WOW. That's good ice cream." and then ordered the same.

After that, we headed for the nearest outdoor bench, and sat down. The bench just happened to have a nice, calming view of the beach (which was surprisingly deserted), so we sat in silence for a minute, eating our ice cream, and watching as the waves rolled in.

"This is probably the best flavor of ice cream I've like, ever had." He commented, breaking the silence.

"I told you so. It's my absolute favorite, but it's pretty rare."

"All I know is that it's damn delicious." Seth answered, grinning.

"Tell me about it." I replied lamely, flipping my hair out of my eyes, before I continuing to eat away at my ice cream. It really was good – something I'd definitely have to agree on.

He finished a few minutes before I did, so I guessed he must've enjoyed it. "I think Tiger Tail ice cream is the new sickeningly sweet substance that holds the universe together. Forget cookies, I totally love this ice cream."

I laughed faintly, finally finishing off my ice cream. "Wow…glad to know you like it so much."

"Like it? Rachel, I love it!"

I shook my head. "You're crazy, Cohen." I stated jokingly, glancing over at him.

He smiled. "Yeah, I know…"

"The beach is pretty quiet, huh?" I changed the subject, after sighing heavily, but cheerfully at the same time.

He nodded energetically. "I seriously don't think I've ever seen it so empty."

"We should probably take advantage of the silence and go swimming." I suggested, and then frowned. "But I'm wearing new jeans."

Seth grinned mischievously, glancing over at me. "We could at least go for a walk." He said, and not waiting for an answer, stood up, and practically made a run for the warm, sun-absorbing sand.

I rolled my eyes and stood up as well, walking after him. We took off our shoes and left them in the middle of the beach, walking closer and closer to the water. I rolled up the bottoms of my jeans so that they looked like very stylish capris, and so that I could walk practically into the water without getting my pants wet.

I stared down at the waves as they lapped persistently at my ankles, before looking up, just in time to see Seth run past me, diving into the water, with all of his clothes on. I laughed out loud, shaking my head. What a dork.

He surfaced, grinning madly, and I had to admit – he did look slightly cuter when he was drenched from head to toe. "Come on in, Rach! The water's great!"

"You must've been dropped on your head as a child if you honestly think I'm going to go in with all of my clothes on." I answered stubbornly, crossing my arms over my chest.

"Then take your clothes off."

"HA. Nice try, Seth." I rolled my eyes, and didn't move.

"Okay, fine." He finally gave up, and slowly trudged through the water back towards the beach. "I'll just have to make you go in." He added hastily, scooping me up into his arms, and practically carrying me into the water. I was laughing hysterically, my face completely red.

"SETH!" I shrieked, through a fit of giggles. "Put me down – now!"

"Has anyone ever told you how cute you look when you're mad?"

"Setttttthhhh!" I whined, trying not to laugh, while ignoring his last comment. "Put me down! I'm already soaked; you don't have to hold me anymore."

"Well if I let you go, you'll either run away OR you could drown." He answered, smiling mischievously.

"I wouldn't drown – I was a lifeguard for three years." I said matter-of-factly, looking up at him.

"So then you'd run away."

"Nooo, I won't!" I protested, whining childishly.

"Do you swear on your love of Tiger Tail ice cream that you won't run away from me?" He asked, his eyebrows raised.

"Yes, Seth."

"All right then." He gave in, setting me down. Thankfully the water where we were wasn't very deep, and I could touch the bottom with ease.

"Thank you!" I said gratefully, staring in disgust at my soaked t-shirt. "Can we go back now?"

"What? We just got here!"

"I'm cold, and my shirt is now officially see-through." I complained, frowning slightly.

Seth sighed, giving in once again. "Fine, but you owe me a trip to the beach."

"Sure." I promised, nodding quickly.

"Do you want me to carry you back to shore, Princess?" He suggested, grinning playfully.

"Oh man…Princess isn't my new nickname, is it?" I groaned, wincing the slightest bit.

"It just might be." And without waiting for my response, he picked me up again, carrying my not only back to the beach, but back to where our shoes were lying.

"Thanks." I said, grinning, and kneeling down to put my shoes on. "I've got my own transportation service just across the street."

Seth laughed gently, waiting until I finished tying my shoelaces before heading back to the concrete sidewalk with me. Well, at least he didn't abandon me. We walked home, taking up only a mere 7 minutes of our time. When we finally arrived back at the Cohen's, we went to the kitchen and drank a ton of lemonade, just as promised.

It turned out to be a good day – and on the even brighter side, The Valley was starting their summer season tonight, and I ended up convincing Seth to watch it.

A/N: Ha. Long chapter, eh? Please review; let me know what you think! It took me like,hours to write it.