All Howls Eve

A/N: Thank you again for all the wonderful reviews! You guys inspire me to keep writing. I hope you enjoy this part and I'm hopping the drama will start to pick up next chapter... so keep reading!

"Ahh… Taylor," Seth mumbled nervously.

"Seth Cohen. Who would have thought?" Taylor swung around, hand on her hip, smiling evilly. Seth prayed that Summer wouldn't come looking for him for Taylor's sake, but on second thought she was the reason they had taken a "hiatus" from their relationship in the first place. Bring on Summer. As if on cue, there she stood, 5'2", eyes chiseled in pure hatred, hands on hips, eyebrows erect, lips pursed together, steam boiling out of her pores. Seth chuckled in spite of himself. He could hire Summer not just for his personal shopper but his bodyguard as well. If looks could kill Taylor would be gone, rotting.

"Why if it isn't Taylor Trash once again hitting on my boyfriend." She crossed her arms and willed herself to stay calm and not reach out and strangle her.

Taylor squeaked out a laugh, or what one would imagine as such. "Oh poor, popular, Summer Roberts. Ya know I kind of feel sorry for you, but not really. I can't believe you actually took him back…. after what happened with us," she said motioning towards Seth and winking cheekily. She actually had the nerve to take it further and reached out to pinch his butt. Before Taylor had time to look up into Summer's face she was thrown onto the floor. Summer's rage blackout in full swing within minutes and a hand print was already forming on Taylor's cheek. A clump of hair was wound up in Summer's hand before Seth stopped her.

"Summer come on you're making a scene," he whispered. He grabbed her sides and tried to pull her back.

"You're a stupid bitch!" Taylor cried, pawing her nails down Summer's cheek.

Summer lurched forward again, connecting with her jaw. "I'm surprised they let you out of the insane asylum!" she spat breathless.

"Summer seriously, she's not worth it." Seth peered over his shoulder where a stunned audience stood but relented from looking away. An announcement for security was heard over the loud speaker and Seth finally peeled Summer off of her. Taylor stood quickly in an attempt to get another round in with Summer. Seth spun around and grabbed her fist. "Touch my girlfriend again and I'll have you charged for assault. I suggest you get out of here before I let your little secret out of the bag." Her fist loosened in his grasp and he let her go. Seth was in no joking mood and for the first time had really stuck up for himself, well Summer rather. He was seething as much as her. Taylor was obviously shaken up.

"This isn't over," she said with little conviction left in her voice.

"It'll be over when you run into me again," Summer finished, letting out an aggravated yell.

"Come on," Seth said pushing her briskly along the path. He reached into his pocket and pulled out his cell. "Hey Ryan," he spoke after dialing, "we gotta jet."

"I can't believe I missed the fight," Ryan said stretching out on his bed.

"Yeah I know. When aren't you involved in a fight?" Seth sat down on the step, resting his hands in his lap.

After slipping by security Seth and Summer made a mad dash for the car, where they were meeting Ryan and Marissa. They dropped the girls off at their respected houses; Summer so she could officially cool off and try on her new outfits, and Marissa so she could spend some time with her dad. Seth had decided a while ago that he wanted to leave sooner than later tomorrow to get back on campus. Everyone had agreed. Newport just wasn't all that it was cracked up to be anymore. He was developing a real "bond" with college life and independence. The people were generally the same water polo nuts but it didn't really bother him anymore. It also didn't hurt that he wasn't constantly picked on. Seth decided to take it all in stride and for once was really happy with the way things had turned out. The east coast would have been a little much. He would have never gotten used to... what was it called?... snow. California was his home.

"Mmm yes but I don't fight with chicks."

"Yeah I'll admit I was reluctant to break it up, never thought it would be such a turn on." Both boys were silent, Seth picturing it in his mind and Ryan imagining it with his own details.

"So yeah, you and Summer seem pretty happy." Ryan sat up to catch Seth's face. He couldn't believe he was the one striking up a conversation about Summer. That was most definitely reserved for Seth and that included several times a day.

He grinned, dimples flashing. "You have no idea."

"I have some idea. I mean I've been listening to you talk about the girl since the first day we met on the 'Summer Breeze'," he replied coolly.

"Say all you want but I don't care. I'm actually very happy with my life now." Though it was rare for Seth to comment so little on the topic, there was no real need to. Everything was evident how he felt just by looking into his eyes.

Ryan smiled, actually happy for him. He had Marissa, Seth had Summer. It was perfect. He hoped it would always be that way, but would never openly express his emotion on the subject. As everyone already knew he wasn't much with the "words". Seth handled that for the both of them. "How bout a little Playstation?"

"You totally read my mind, man."

Summer and Marissa were unpacking when Seth barged through their door. He made no attempt at subtlety as he reached out to his girlfriend, pressing his lips to hers with no regard to her none too impressed roommate watching. "Wow you're not anxious or anything," Marissa said with annoyance clear in her tone. She finished putting her clothes in the drawer and thought of any excuse to leave the room. "What's Ryan doing?" She kept her eyes avoided from Seth and Summer seeing how they were turning into PDA exhibitionists with her in front of them. She was rather surprised with Summer's outright desire to stay glued to his mouth even though they hadn't exchanged a single word.

Seth barely pulled away from her lips but Marissa could make out some incoherent mumbling something along the lines of in their room. "Alright well I'm..." Her voice trailed off realizing she need not give an explanation where she was going or even that she was leaving. Clearly they didn't care. She quickly left and made no mistake in letting the door slam, reverberating off the walls and finally making them break their kiss.

"Mmm wow," Summer said breathlessly. "What was that for? I didn't know seeing me unpack was such a turn on." He grinned as he watched her go back to hanging up her clothes.

"Anything you do is a turn on. You know it would have been better if you were naked but I'll take what I can get."

Summer turned sharply and threw her skirt at him. "You're such a dork."

"No actually I came to see if you wanted to order a pizza. I thought maybe we could hang here, watch a movie, have a lil dessert." His eyebrows rose at the last suggestion, clearly with no intent of actual dessert being on the agenda.

"Ohhh really?" Summer said seductively.

"Yes really," he said urging her on. She crawled up to him where he was sitting on her bed with his back against the wall. She placed a short but lingering kiss on his lips. "Sounds... mmm... perfect," she ended smiling.

"Good." He reached in for another kiss but she turned away from him.

"But first we need to talk." She sat next to him with her legs outstretched. His were dangling off the bed while her toes barely peaked over the edge.

"No worries I know what you want, mushroom and onion right?" He reached in his pocket for his cell but she knocked it out of his hand.

He looked into her eyes which were now hard. He swore she was partly bi-polar or perhaps that was just a reflection of her rage blackouts. "No, real talk dufus."

"I gotta say, the sophistication of your name calling is comparable to that of a six year..." Before could finish she had clapped her hand over his mouth.

"Shut up. I'll do the talking." She took a deep breath, letting out her aggravation with him in her exhale. Her mood again changed. It was still serious but warmer in a sense. "I just wanted to make sure we were ok. I mean we haven't really talked about... anything really."

"What are you talking about?"

She replied softly. "Well Taylor..."
"Is that it?" he said cutting her off.

"Um I don't know... I guess so." She looked annoyed that she had suddenly lost control of the conversation.

"Well what's there to say? You fuckin put her in her place and boy was I proud." Her mouth curled at the corners. "She was a stupid obstacle that came between us but it's time to put the past behind us. I know you're still not over what happened but really I'm ok... and you should too. We are fine."

"Ok," she answered simply still not entirely sure but her mind was cut off by his wandering lips. She suddenly pushed him back. "Hey what did you mean about her secret?"

"You remembered that? I didn't think you would. You were so far into a rage blackout."

She slapped his chest. "Hey just because I was in a rage blackout doesn't mean I was entirely clueless to what was going on around me."

"Ah..." He started to counter her arguement but thought better of it. "Fine."

"So I'm waiting. What did you mean?"

His eyes narrowed. "You really want to know? I mean it has nothing to do with anything."

"Hey that bitch was responsible for our break up. I have the right to know."

"You really think she was entirely responsible for our break up?"

She crossed her arms, her mood again switching gears. "Now you're sticking up for her!"

"No, I'm just saying there were other things that played a part in..." He noticed her face and changed his approach. "Alright look if you really want to know... she was atmitted into the hospital for the whole summer before our junior year because she tried to commit suicide. Her mother had been verbally abusing her her entire life."

Summer stayed still for a few minutes while she processed this. "Wow... I thought you just meant her affair with Dean Hess." He shook his head. "Sounds a little too familiar. Oliver anyone?"

Seth nodded in a daze. "Can we just forget about all of this now?"

"Yeah of course," she said nodding slowly. "Now about that pizza..."

Over the past few weeks the foursome had implemented an unspoken ritual. Seth had practically moved himself in with Summer while Marissa shaked up in Seth and Ryan's room. The only time they went back to their "actual" rooms was when they needed a change of clothes and to put in some "actual" time with their roommates. They liked their new arrangement though. There were no parents to establish rules and the only one's that did, the RAs, obviously could care less. Summer smiled every morning she woke up in Seth's arms. She was usually the first to spring into the day since her classes were earlier than his. Though the alarm clock would eventually wake them both, Seth was always more reluctant to start the day. On some days though they would just lay with each other and forget about classes and everything else. Summer especially liked these days because she didn't have to contemplate her unsettling future. She had ignored the dean on his first email about a return meeting but she doubted she could keep it up much longer.

"Cohen... Cohen..." She shook his shoulder but he refused to acknowledge her. This time she yelled and finally his eyes shot open.

"God women, what do you want? It's Saturday." He closed his eyes and turned his back to her.

"Coooooheeeeen," she whined. "You're ruining my favorite holiday."

"Humph," he mumbled. "It's not Chrismukkah today..."

"Not you're favorite holiday dummy, mine. Cohen, its Halloween!" she squealed.

"Wake me when it's over." He pulled the sheet over his head and pretended to ignore her.

"Ugh, you're such a party pooper. Fine, I'll just go get trashed by myself and raped by some sleazy frat guy."

"No you won't," he mumbled. "Ryan and Marissa will be there. You'll be fine."

She pushed him and he nearly fell off the bed. "God, some boyfriend you are."

He reached out to the floor and stopped himself before he tumbled over. "Could these beds be any smaller? God, who ever heard of a twin bed anyway?"

"They're trying to promote abstinence."

"Summer this is college. They're promoting a cheap lifestyle. Not to mention these dorm rooms aren't all that big to begin with. I think two queen beds would just about fill the whole room."

"Ok, whatever. Are you awake now? I want to go to brunch." She shook his shoulder for greater effect.

"No," he replied in a baby voice. "You. Me. Here. Now. Not. Ever. Leaving."

Summer giggled and he pulled her down on top of him. "Fine… just for like an hour more." He grinned.

"I can do an hour."

"Are you talking about sex or sleep? Because if you're talking about sex you're insane. You can't last five minutes with me."

Seth's eyebrows rose. "Wanna bet?" Summer inhaled and sucked in her bottom lip.

Seth had pitched the idea that the fantastic foursome go as the comic book characters he invented for the Halloween party. At first they refused but Summer realized she already had her costume all set. Though it meant skipping out on shopping it also meant skipping out on having the arduous chore of deciding a costume. Ryan soon joined the bandwagon when Seth decribed his outfit, which wasn't too elaborate. That ultimately put Marissa on board, not wanting to be the difficult one, a title she had actually maintained much of her life. So it was settled.

"Seth how did you get out of wearing basically just a suit while I look like prima ballerina over here?" Marissa asked huffily.

"You're forgetting I was the creator of such costumes."

"Do I even need to ask why I'm the most scantily clad?" Summer asked. Seth just winked and she grinned.

"Ryan, aren't you glad we took that trip to the Halloween store?" Seth said admiring Ryan's "fists of furry".

"Delighted," he said sarcastically, fumbling with the can of beer in his hand. "When I finish this we can head out."

"Cohen, we gotta do something to jazz up that outfit of yours."

"Please don't say jazz in that context ever again."

"Shut up. Sit down," she said pointing to her bed. Summer put her hand to her chin for a moment while she thought then suddenly made a movement towards the pile of cosmetics and hair products on the floor.

"Oh no. There's no way I'm wearing makeup."

"I wasn't getting make up, but that's not a bad idea either."

"You're gonna turn me into a female ironist?"

"Just shut up and trust me," she said giving him a look. She grabbed a bottle of hair spray and a comb.

"Don't mess with my jew fro, it took a while to get it just right."

"Come on I've been working with my hair since forever. I know what I'm doing."

"Yes but you don't have a jew fro."

"And thank god for that," she said with a grin.

"Fine. Do what you want."

"Are you starting to get bored?" Marissa whispered to Ryan. He rolled his eyes, nodding in full agreement. She reached into the fridge and grabbed them each another beer.

"Ok," Summer announced, finally done manipulating his hair to stick up. "Have a look. I left out the make up for your benefit."

Seth stood and examined his hair in the mirror. "It's umm..." He was unsure how to answer. It was certainly different, that's for sure.

"It's hot," Summer answered for him.

"Ok Paris Hilton."

"Can we get this show on the road," Ryan said burping loud after draining the last of his beer. "I'm starting to get tired."

"Well you may want to cool it on the alcohol Atwood. We haven't even gotten to the party and god knows Coop will need an escort."

"Sum you dazzle me with your wit," Marissa said seriously but playfully. Summer laughed.

"Alright let's go. I just need to grab my mask."

"Hey, I wrote that out remember? You didn't like it."

"Well, maybe I do now, makes me look like more of a super hero."

Seth grabbed it out of her hand. "Don't. I want to be able to see your face. Plus alcohol equals lots of making out and it'll just get in the way."

"Let's go before I puke," Marissa said already halfway out the door, attached to Ryan's hand.

"Cohen, I'll be right back," Summer yelled over the music. "Coop, bathroom, now." She tugged her away from Ryan and pulled her up the stairs, afraid to let go of her hand. The place was packed full of sweaty, drunk, dressed up, college kids. Of course there was a long line of people waiting for the bathroom. A horde of about 10 girls came giggling out the door together with no regard to the line of irritated bystanders. Summer instead headed out the front door. "I guess I'm peeing outside." The girls walked around the house towards the back where Summer hopped there would be some privacy. Around the side of the house they in turn embarked on someone else's privacy, actually two people's privacy.

"Oh my god," Marissa laughed, not caring how unsubtle or sorry she was for stumbling upon something that was meant for privacy. Some girl was straddling perhaps probably one of the frat guys, totally having sex in the wet leaves beside the house. Summer broke out into laughter but the couple remained stoic. They were either too embarrassed to say anything or so drunk that they didn't even notice. They finally kept walking until they got some privacy along the back side of the house.

"Wow... that was fuckin hilarious," Summer said handing Marissa her drink who proceeded to drink it without even thinking. Summer squatted down past the window and peed. "Hey!" Summer yelled standing up shakily and grabbing her drink back. "Get your own."

"Fine I plan to." Marissa stumbled her way up the back steps and off down the stairs leaving Summer in her wake.

"Thanks a lot Coop!" she yelled after her as she struggled to get up the steps. She ran into one of the frat brothers at the top of the stairs. "Hey Bennnnnnnyyy," Summer exaggerated. "Some people are having sex outside your window," she slurred and giggled.

"Nooooo way. I gotta see." He pushed past her out the door and around the side of the house. Summer heard laughter until it was drowned out by the music. She clutched the railing for dear life as she made her way down the packed staircase to the basement, where the real party was. Music was bumping out of the speakers but all you could really hear was the bass above everything. People were dancing and generally having a great time. Summer loved this holiday above all other because she felt like a kid again, dressed up and pretending to be someone she isn't. Except her costume was actually a fictionalized Summer based on Seth's crazy mind and back when she was six and went tricker treating there was no alcohol involved. But this definitely was better than all that. She made her way to the bar to refill her jungle juice and set out to once again find her boyfriend. She finally found him hauled up in the corner sitting on the couch, nursing his beer. He was all by himself but completely in a daze. Summer smiled and sauntered over to him. "Hey babe," she said straddling his lap.

He grinned wrapping his arms around her waist and squeazing along the leather skirt. "Hey there Lil Miss Vixen." Summer giggled, something she did a lot when she was drunk, and pressed her lips to his. All was forgotten for a while as they made out and openly gropped each other but no one around noticed, they were all too busy with their own drunken adventures. Summer finally broke the kiss and slid off his lap. "Come on," she said pulling him off the couch. "Let's dance." Summer had all intentions of doing just that but Seth had other plans. They were close to the wall and he hurriedly pushed her up against it, again capturing her lips in a heated kiss. Summer was a bit surprised at first but not at all opposed to doing this instead. His hands started on her cheeks then tangled themselves in her hair and started slowly trailing down her sides. Summer shivered under his touch and slowly crept her hands up his shirt, teasing him as well. Seth's hands disappeared behind her and cupped her ass under her skirt. She moaned and involuntarily moved into him.

Just as things started to heat up Seth was wrenched away from her mouth as someone plowed into him. "Hey man watch it!" he yelled turning around to look him in the face. Seth's throat hitched.

"Cohen? Summer?"

Summer felt like she had been slapped across the face. Life had a cruel way of drudging up the past and interrupting her relationship with Seth. First Taylor, now him. Who was next... Anna? She felt trapped in her own life. So much for letting the past go.

Ok... let me know what you think...