Summary: Marissa and Ryan are starting to hang around each other again, while she is decorating the Harbor High common area for the new school year. Meanwhile, Summer, who stops by, makes a shocking discovery.
Story Notes: This act takes place just shortly after the dance. No more than a few days.
Disclaimer: oddsbodkin17 is the queen of witty disclaimers. So I won't even try to live up. I own nothing of value. Not our house (apartment), not our car (it's the banks), and no, not even the characters of The O.C. (They belong to some guy named Josh Schwartz). But I do own my fingers, and this computer I am typing on, and the words in my head, which flow, through my fingers and on to this screen. Yup, I own all of that. So in other words don't steal my ideas!
Rating: It's as clean as they come. Ok, so I bet you're wondering why I rated this T and yet have had little in the series to warrant the rating. Well it's because of an upcoming act. And no, it doesn't involve Seth/Marissa having hot sex. Sorry guys.
Feedback Notes: Hmmm, Feedback. Yes, like doughnuts are to Homer, feedback is to me. So in other words, keep giving me your reviews.
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Summer walked up to the common area of Harbor High where Marissa was standing on top of a chair, putting up streamers. Ryan stood beneath Marissa holding onto the chair that held her up high.
"Coop! Hey. What's going on?"
Ryan motioned his head up and down to acknowledge Summer.
"Summer, great. I'm glad you're here. Can you pass me that tape over there," Marissa said as she held a piece of streamer in her hand and moved her head in the direction of the tape.
"Yeah sure," Summer replied.
She handed her the tape and looked over Marissa's decorative touches to the common area of Harbor High.
"Coop, this looks amazing."
"Should be for all the work I put in. Social Chair should not be a year around job. Things are only going to get busier once the school year starts. God, I don't even want to think about the fall fair."
"Oh God, how could I forget that." "Good times there," Summer said sarcastically as she thought of Seth kissing Anna.
Marissa and Ryan reflected on their first fall fair together. It, in fact, wasn't so bad for them. Marissa moved her head down to meet with Ryan's emotionless face and then smiled. Ryan smiled back.
"So who has seen Seth today," Ryan asked as he became restless with holding the chair in place.
"He's at a doctors appointment with Dr. Thomas and then he's going to the store to pick up some things for me and then he's gotta go home. The Nana is calling this afternoon and yeah, I think that's it," Marissa blurted without releasing she was revealing that she knew so much about Seth's day-to-day life.
" Awww, the Nana. I love the Nana. Wait, wow, Coop, you sure do know Cohen's schedule," Summer replied, surprised Marissa knew so much.
"For the amount of time she spends with him she should know what color of Spiderman underwear he wears."
"I do not spend that much time with Cohen," Marissa quipped back as though trying to defend herself.
"I counted three Jenga games this week alone."
"You two play Jenga together," Summer asked.
There was a hint of concern in her tone.
"We've just been hanging out, that's all."
"And you're totally cool with this Ryan?"
Ryan looked at Summer confused. Marissa waited on his words.
"It's not like Marissa is suddenly going to become attracted to Seth. I'm just surprised they're even sharing full conversations together. If it's working for them why should it bother me. I got the kid to tend to. There's no attachments here."
Summer nodded as though she somewhat understood.
Marissa processed Ryan's words of "attracted to Seth" and her right foot slipped off the chair. Ryan moved forward to protect her fall. He then glanced up at her and she came down meeting with his look.
"Thanks," Marissa said to Ryan.
"Are you ok Coop," Summer asked.
"Yeah, fine," Marissa replied back as she tried to cover up her emotions.
Ryan watched Marissa, knowing something was up, but chose to ignore it so he wouldn't have to deal with whatever drama was connected.
Summer's eyes peered over Marissa and was shocked and surprised to see Cohen's Atomic County sketchbook lying on the couch beside them.
"Ok, what are you doing with Cohen's drawings," Summer asked in a very questioning nature.
Marissa, who was trying to position herself back on the chair, looked down at the book.
"Seth left it at my place this morning," Marissa replied.
Summer didn't say a word, but she was shocked to hear Cohen had actually been at her place and just this morning. Truly, even Summer wasn't spending that much time with Marissa. But it also worried her that Marissa wasn't filling her in on her time shared with Cohen.
Summer came from behind the couch and picked up the sketchbook. It had been a while since she saw his drawings. She had just assumed he had put the comic to rest after the whole Zach partnership debacle.
As Marissa proceeded to hang the streamers, and Ryan took hold of his duty as chair holder, Summer traced her fingers over the pages. She lingered for a moment on old drawings of her other personality, Little Miss Vixen. She remembered when Seth watched in aw of her sexuality and beauty. She paused and then flipped through till reaching some of the final pages.
She was surprised to see an abundance of Marissa's other personality, Cosmo Girl. She had always known Seth to create her as a hot, sexual being, but now there was a newfound beauty that came forth. Summer couldn't define it, but there was something different.
She then moved on seeing drawing after drawing of the Ironist and Cosmo Girl saving Newport, and even going so far as to save the world. They were posed in perfect superhero form, almost like a Batman to a Robin, but with a bit more casual comfort.
"Oh my God Coop. Cohen has you guys as some sort of superhero team."
"It's just some fictional sketches. He doesn't breath life into them all the time," Marissa said.
She was fully unaware of the drawings intentions. She hadn't even opened the book to take a peak.
"I thought his full ego went into that thing," Ryan replied.
Summer wasn't so much reeling from their closeness, as she was surprised. She did feel a little left out, having not known the dynamics of the fantastic four were changing to such a strong degree. Worse yet, she broke inside knowing neither of them could talk to her about their new friendship.
She looked down and realized one more page remained. There lied a number of frames that showed the Ironist alone and distant from Cosmo Girl. He turned away in sorrow as little broken-hearts fluttered over his head. The Ironist was shown to be in internal conflict.
And then in the finale, possible, unconnected frame was a drawing of Seth and Marissa holding hands, each plastered with bright faces and warm smiles, all in a undefined place, one that clearly wasn't of this world. The unbroken hearts, well there were many floating around them both. But it was all framed inside what looked to be a dream sequence box.
Summer could think in terms of Seth and Marissa because she knew Ryan was right, these had to be a reflection of Seth and his life. That's what Atomic County was all about wasn't it? But it was clear to her, to a degree, Marissa was non-the-wiser and she knew she didn't want to stir the pot now.
She paused for a moment to reflect and then gather her thoughts. She then placed the book back down on the couch. She tried her best to return to the initial dynamic that was in the room before she discovered Seth's sketches. But something was clearly different and both Marissa and Ryan could tell. They each hesitated and then gave her an awkward half smile, before returning to their routine.
Marissa took a moment to process. She hadn't for one-second thought about the drawings, but she was realizing one thing. Although not intentional, she wasn't spending enough time with Summer. As much as she gravitated to Seth, as much as it made her feel alive, she knew she couldn't leave Summer's friendship in the dust.
"Hey, Sum. I'm almost done here." "What do you say I cancel my plans this afternoon and you and me hang at your place," Marissa asked.
"Yeah, cool Coop," Summer said in a distance voice.
Marissa's head turned away and her hands reached up to the railings where she was placing the streamers.
Just after Marissa turned away, Summer sighed and then turned back. She looked down at Seth's Atomic County book and paused. It was clear the dynamic was changing. But it wasn't because they were all loosing touch with each other's respective friendships. It was just a matter of life evolving. Ryan was now a full-time dad. Summer was now a grieving daughter and Cohen's ex. And Seth and Marissa? They were the by-product of these changes. And it was clear it had brought them close together.
Yet Summer realized something else. She felt it in her stomach. Something grander was emerging between the two of them. This was becoming more than friendship. 'At least for Seth anyway' she said in her head as her eyes drifted away from the sketchbook. 'At least for Seth.'