(Author's Note: Sorry for the lack of updates, however thank you for the reviews. Let me know what you think!)

Chapter Twenty

Summer sat in her room, as her television boomed, and cast shadows in the darkening room. She bit her lip, as she tried to emancipate her mind from the image of Seth's pouting face, and his strong, nevertheless sickening words. Summer closed her eyes deeply, as she crossed her legs on her bed. She felt awkward with every motion she made, and she realized Seth couldn't have gotten far- he couldn't of. She got up off of her bed, and took a glance at herself. She looked perfect; except for the mess that was going on inside. Her feet trampled outside her bedroom door, and soon, she was dashing down the stairs and outside her front door,

"Summer, where are you off to?" Her father's voice said worriedly,

"I'll be back in a few." Summer's piercing voice trickled out of her mouth, as she was far out of her house. She saw a dark silhouette, trudging toward the horizon. If she ran, she would make it to him, and she actually considered it. Soon, her heels were clicking and clacking down the sidewalk, and within a matter of time, her eyes met with Seth Cohen's.

His gaze was as shocked as her own, when she finally stopped, a little breathless. She looked up at him, not knowing what she was doing. Confusion trampled across her heart, as she looked up at him and laughed, "I'm sorry," She said, as she looked away, "I don't know what I'm doing here." She said, her tone more serious and challenging, "Sorry Seth, is basically all I came here to say; nothing more." She tried to convince herself, and with a last shrug, she turned around, as she lowered her head,

"Summer," Seth's voice entangled itself into Summer's already raging conscience. She turned around, as she tilted her head, as if ready for anything to slap her in the face, "You don't have to lie to yourself." Seth said, as his lips crumpled into an angered frown. Summer looked at him fiercely,

"Lie?" She asked him, as though she choked on his words, "When I say I'm sorry, I mean Cohen." She smiled gently, "I don't know what you mean." She said, "Other than I'm sorry – which I already said, thank you very much – I've got nothing to say." She said, as she turned around to leave. Seth exhaled, realizing Summer was making it so much harder for him to speak his mind.

The night wasn't entirely perfect either. Cars were storming the roads, and echoes of distant parties were filling the air. Summer simply smiled at him, a peculiar smile that he couldn't define, nor ignore, "Never mind." Seth nodded, as he shook his head gently, trying to make an open escape for his savage thoughts.

"Okay." Summer laughed a bit, her voice constantly preppy, and confident, "Fine by me, Cohen." She smiled, "Good night." She said quickly, as she started to walk down the sidewalk boldly. Seth watched her leave, and soon took her lead, as he started to walk the other way. His hands were placed in his pockets shamelessly, as he fumbled with his fingers, not knowing why he felt as though he had lost a million bucks- probably, because he had.

Summer couldn't help but feel constant awkwardness drifting through the air. She wondered if she had consumed her feelings well, and whether she had smothered her emotions clearly. She stuffed a tickling feeling in the pit of her stomach, down further, so that she could neglect it, and ignore with the sole hopes that it would go away. She kept repeating to herself, that whatever she felt, wasn't a feeling meant for Seth Cohen. She kept repeating to herself, that it simply could not be to Seth Cohen. Girls like me, don't fall for guys like Seth – She thought, her mind rampaging through all his expressions.

Her throat was getting dry, and in addition, she couldn't explain why. She knew she could never fall in like with Seth Cohen. It was just bizarre, even thinking about it. She decided that she wouldn't. Now that Seth left, she didn't have to look back. She didn't have to do anything, but her body made her head turn around, at the exact moment Seth did. She looked into his eyes, from such a distance, as she tried to explain to herself, in that moment, before she looked away, what exactly she was feeling. Seth continued to watch her leave, his eyes brimmed with uncertainty.

Summer smiled to herself, as she continued to walk, pride carrying her feet. She approached her house casually, as she opened the door. Her dad was waiting at the kitchen table, and she plopped down in front of him, "Were you actually worried?" Summer asked him, as she giggled.

"Well, yes, Summer. But you don't need to know that, now that you're back." He grinned, "Anything to eat?" He offered her, noticing she looked a bit hungry.

"No thanks." She said quickly, as she pressed her lips together, "I'm going to go upstairs; crash early tonight." Summer smiled, at her father's worried face.

"Did something happen?"

"I don't think so." Summer answered him in disbelief. Honestly, she needed some time to herself to answer that question. She was definitely not sure, "Goodnight daddy." She said, giving him a peck on the cheek, before she walked up the stairs, crashing down on her comfortable bed.

"Goodnight Marissa." Ryan said softly, as he smiled at her. She rolled her eyes,

"You know Ryan, if you want a fricking kiss, kiss me already." She laughed, as she looked up at him. He grinned,

"Will do." He said, as he kissed her ever so gently.

"So this is what you've been up to, Marissa." Julie swung the door open, as she glared at Ryan. Ryan pulled away from Marissa quickly, as he looked up at her mother frightfully, "Marissa, we'll discuss this later." Julie raised an eyebrow feverously, "At least, now I know why you're spending so much time, 'Hanging out with Seth'. However, this way, it going to cause you a two week grounding. Say your goodnights, and this young boy will be on his way." Julie spoke slowly, keeping her continuous glare, sweltering against Ryan's feeble face.

"I'm Ryan Atwood." Ryan extended his hand, trying to break the ice. Julie smirked, as she looked at his hand in disgust. She nodded, as she slammed the door shut, entering the dimly lit house. Marissa looked down, as she tried to find appropriate words to express herself, "You know what? Don't explain yourself. Moms are always weird when they find their daughters making out on their front foyer." Ryan, too, looked away, as he placed his hands on his hips, "So goodnight, then." Ryan looked at her clumsily, as he leaned in to give her a peck on the cheek.

Clearly, Marissa misunderstood that, as she cradled his face in her two hands, pulling him into a deep kiss. She pulled away with a smile, "I owed you that." She nodded, as she smiled shyly, turning to her door, "Goodnight- hopefully, for the last time tonight." Ryan laughed,

"Yeah, goodnight Marissa." He said, as he watched her disappear into her house, just as Julie had. As Ryan approached the Cohen household, he saw a figure walking from the darkness. He recognize the familiarity to be Seth Cohen. Ryan jogged over to him, as he swung his arm to his shoulder, in what was supposed to be a playful punch. It startled Seth, as he looked up abruptly, "You alright man?" Ryan asked, as he walked alongside his friend.

Seth glanced at him quickly, "Yeah, I'm fine. Thanks." Seth said coolly, as he twisted his fingers out of his pockets, "Really, don't worry yourself about it Ryan. Now that you're happy, I can't bring you down." He said gently. They reached the front door, and Ryan just stared at Seth, feeling quite distant from him,

"Listen, if you want to talk-"

"I don't want to talk." Seth cut him off, "It's not like I'll come to you anyway." Seth said coldly.

"Where is this coming from?" Ryan asked, staring at him vilely, so that Seth would understand that Ryan wouldn't take his shit.

"I'm not in the mood." Seth muttered somewhat apologetically.