Spontaneity

A/N: God sorry it's been soooo long for me to get this next chapter up. I've had literally no motivation. I didn't know how to write it either but hopefully it's ok. The drama is building so hopefully you'll like that too. Let me know what you think. Do you think Summer's fear of college is over done or realistic? Thanks for the reviews... don't forget to leave me some more!

Once again Summer plopped into the stiff wooden chair in the dean's office as he closed the door and joined her at his desk. He had been persistently sending Summer a copious number of emails and she finally appeased him and set up the meeting. She didn't think it was such a big deal but obliged anyway.

"I see you've been avoiding this confrontation." Summer just shrugged, looking away. "Have you brought your questionnaire results?" Summer dug in her pocket and placed the crumpled papers on his desk, still not looking at him. He picked up the papers and glanced through them. An awkward silence followed for too long. "Soooo... fashion design. What do you think?"

Again she just shrugged. "I don't know. I'm not much of an artist."

"But you like fashion?" he persisted.

"Ah yeah sure." This guy was once again getting on her nerves. He had no right to put this amount of pressure on her. No one is supposed to know what they wanted in life. It's supposed to be spontaneous and exhilirating not perfectly mapped out. Ok so she had no clue what she wanted to major in, so what?

He stared at her for a moment, twisting up his face. "What are you afraid of?" he asked softly.

Summer's head finally snapped up towards his face. "What?" The nerve of this guy to pry into her life.

"I'm sorry. It just seems like you're scared of something... the future perhaps. I've had a lot of people in your very spot who were clueless about what they wanted to do with their lives but they were all determined to find out. Isn't that what you want? Why are you here furthering your education?"

That was a good question. Why was she here? Was it just because all her other friends went to college, because she had the money and means to do so, because that was what was expected of her? Did she even need to be in college? Surely money was not an issue. That's when she realised that she'd never had a dream. She never set a goal in life to reach out for. Suddenly she felt clammy and nauseous. "I... I feel a little uncomfortable talking about this."

"Oh, I appoligize. Deciding your future is surely a tough process and picking a major is only one obstacle. I just want to see you give it some thought. That is not to say once you decide on something it is definite. You can change it as much as you want. Knowing what you want from life is half the battle." Summer nodded slowly. "Ok I think we're done here. You may be excused. And good luck. If you have any questions about anything you know where to find me." He rose from his chair and reached his hand out to her. She took it slowly. Her hand was damp and cold. She hated shaking hands with people. It was too formal and proper.

The sun struck her as unusually bright as she pulled her sunglasses off the top of her head and over her eyes. She slowly trudged through the quad in a daze and felt the urge to cry. She didn't even know why. She felt helpless and lonely and didn't realize where her feet were carrying her until she reached the front of Seth and Ryan's dorm. Seth had reverted back to spending more time in his own room, not because either couple were sick of each other but because they wanted to be surrounded in their own possessions. Both Marissa and Seth of course still hadn't slept in their own beds for a while now though.

Instead of climbing the stairs up to their room Summer collapsed on the step outside and buried her head in her hands. She felt a headache coming on much to her disgust. She had a class in an hour but already decided to skip it. What was the point of going anyway? As she massaged her temples she heard her name being called out behind her. She didn't have to turn to know it was Seth.

"Hey, what are you doing?" he asked taking a seat beside her on the step. He knew by her actions that she was down and protectively wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her into him, placing a kiss on her head.

"Oh it's nothing," she whispered, looking up at him. She went to kiss him but he backed away.

"No, what is it? I know when something's bothering you. It's one of the perks of being in a relationship."

"I'm just confused is all." One again her head fell in defeat.

He nodded slowly until a revelation hit him. "Oh you saw the dean today didn't you?"

She just nodded. He stroked his hand through her hair until he reached her neck and massaged it warmly. "And you're upset because?..."

"Because... because... there's no purpose in my life."

Seth's eyes bugged. "What?" he asked incredulously.

"No I don't mean it like that... It's just... I don't know what I'm doing here. Everything is just moving too fast. Ya know?"

He nodded and placed a kiss on her nose. "I get it... and I love you," he said softly. "Do you know that?"

A smile finally graced her lips. "Yeah..." She rested her head on his shoulder and they stayed like that for a few minutes before Seth broke the endearing silence.

"How bout we go do something fun... just you and I."

Summer reached behind him and tugged on his backpack. "Don't you have class soon?"

"No," he lied.

"Oh please, I know your schedule. It's one of the perks of being in a relationship."

He grinned. "Yeah well fuck it. You're more important."

She placed a quick kiss on his lips but sweet just the same. "Well what do you want to do? I'm not really in the mood for sex."

Seth threw his hands up. "Who said anything about sex? Somebody's head is in the gutter."

Her head tilted. "Well somebody's idea of fun is most always about sex. So no, your headis the one always in the gutter."

"Pffftt." His face scrunched in protest but his eyebrows rose at the same time on their own accord. "Can you blame me? We're pretty good."

Summer just giggled. "Seriously, what are we gonna do?"

"Go skinny dipping, eat hot fudge off each other, take a showe... ouch... that hurt," he said rubbing his arm where she slapped it.

"God Cohen you're such a baby and all those options will lead to sex dummy."

"Is that such a bad thing?"

"Well no, but not till tonight. It's only 1:00."

Seth's eyes brightened. "Oh! I have an idea. Come on," he said grabbing her hand and standing up. "Can we take your convertible?"

"May I ask where we're going?" Seth dragged her along behind him, in a rush to get wherever it was he was headed.

"No. Keys?" He stuck his hand out to receive them.

"Na uh, my car, but they're in my room." Seth whined, not wanting to walk all the way over to her dorm and up the stairs. "Don't worry we can take the elevator."

"That makes it so much better," he replied sarcastically.

She tugged on his hand, still entwined in hers. "Tell me where we're going." He turned to look at her and she pouted her lips.

"Mmm can't. But trust me I think you'll approve."

"Cohen, I don't like surprises."

His eyebrows rose. "Does that mean I have to take back your Chrismukkah present?"

"You already got me a present?" she asked sweetly.

"Well no but it sounded good didn't it?" She smacked him in the ribs as per usual and he squawked as per usual and their banter continued until they reached her door... as per usual. It was a staple in their relationship and they secretly enjoyed it. It wouldn't be nearly as fun without the bickering.

Summer grabbed the keys off her desk and turned into Seth's lips. He slipped his tongue in her mouth and pulled her over towards her bed. Her short legs found the mattress and she fell onto the bed with Seth on top of her. Finally Summer broke the suffocating kiss. "This was the fun you had in mind?"

"Well not at first but I just couldn't resist." He pecked her lips one more time and climbed off of her. "You're so damn cute," he said offering his hand to her.

She wrapped her arms around his waist and smiled. "You're not so bad yourself." He kissed her forehead and led her out the door towards the parking lot.

"So Cohen where are we going?" They had been driving for twenty minutes through traffic as Seth directed her where to turn.

"Turn off this god awful music and I'll tell you," he said groaning as Mariah Carey rang through the speakers.

She turned her head and glared. "Fine." Instead of opting to follow his order she reached over and turned the volume up even louder. The bass was overwhelmingly loud and definitely shaking the car. To top it off the song was called "Shake it Off."

Seth slumped down in his seat and tried to cover his ears but the noise was much too great for that. There was no point in fighting with Summer, she had him whipped after all. He closed his eyes for a few minutes trying to imagine he was in another place, perhaps the Bait Shop listening to real music, preferably Death Cab. When he remembered he was supposed to be giving her directions he opened his eyes to see Graham Street blur by, the one they were supposed to turn on. "Damn it. Ah Summer we were supposed to turn there."

"What?" she yelled over the music.

"We. Were. Supposed..." he yelled emphasing each word before he just decided to turn down the music. She once again glared at him and continued to after he told her she would have to turn around. She turned left into a restaurant but instead of pulling back into traffic she pulled up into a parking space.

"What are you doing?"

She got out and shut the door behind her. "We're eating. I'm hungry."

"Hey, this was supposed to be my spontaneous adventure. You can't just swoop in with your own ideas."

"I can when my stomach's growling."

He made no move to follow her as she slung her purse over her shoulder. "Well what if that was included?"

"Was it?"

"It doesn't matter, hypothetically you could have just assumed that it was or hoped or..."

"Ok, you're totally just rambling. Are you coming or do I have to eat by myself?"

He looked confused. "Did you miss the whole previous conversation?"

"Oh my god, you're giving me a headache," she said walking away from him, towards the entrance.

"You're so sexy when you're annoyed," he said sarcastically as he finally climbed out of the car.

Summer titled her head to the right. "Touche."

"You're quiet," Seth commented, taking a sip from his drink.

She hesitated before responding. "I'm thinking."

Seth reached across the table connecting their hands. "Care to enlighten me?"

"Umm.." Before she could finish her cell phone started ringing. "Hold on." She reached into her purse and pulled it out. "Hi Dad," she said trying to sound cheerful but it came out forced.

"Tell him I say hi," Seth whispered and finished with a pathetically hopeful smile.

Summer just rolled her eyes and obliged. "I'm fine... yeah... you're what?... well what am I supposed to do?" Her face fell into her hands as the conversation continued. Seth reached for her hand again and she gave him a small smile. "Yeah fine. I got to go. Talk to you later... yeah, love you too." Summer snapped her phone then dropped it on the table, a sudden anger surfacing. Seth retracted his hand immediately. "Urgh I can't believe him! He's ditching me on Thanksgiving to spend time with his new girlfriend! He is unnnnbelievable."

"You know you're always welcome at my house."

"I know," she mouthed softly. "I just won't get to see him at all over break. Not once. He can't make even a few hours to spend with his only daughter on the holidays. Who knows, he probably won't even be around for Christmas either."

"I'm sorry," Seth mumbled trying to be of comfort but being at a loss for words.

"It's not your fault. Let's get out of here. I'm sick of feeling crappy."

"Right, my surprise."

Seth had taken the keys from a distraught Summer with little complaint. Though she put on a happy face, on the inside her stomach was churning. She let Seth drive and dozed off in the passenger seat. Just as she was falling into a deep slumber they finally reached their destination. Seth turned off the engine and grinned at Summer's sleeping form. Her head was rested against the door, her hair covering most of her face, her legs curled up on the seat almost in his lap. She looked so small and innocent. His hand reached out to push the hair out of her face and his lips immediately followed suit.

"Summer," he whispered in her ear. "We're here. Wake up."

"Cohen?" she asked groggily as if she had forgotten where she was. "Where are we?"

"I thought you could use a stress free day. So I made us appointments while you were in the bathroom at the restaurant to get massages."

Summer rubbed the sleep out of her eyes and smiled through a yawn. "That's sweet."

"You're already tired so now you'll be even more relaxed. You'll probably fall asleep again." He climbed out of the car and waited for her to follow but she didn't. "What's the matter?"

"Can we skip class everyday and do something like this?"

He grinned. "We'll see. Come one."

"Don't get my hopes up for nothing."

"Just... get out of the car." He opened the door and dragged her out.

When they walked through the doors they soon realised it wasn't just a massage parlour but it catered to all bodily pleasures: manicures and pedicures, waxing, tanning, a true beauty shop. Summer was in heaven while Seth felt a bit out of place. Summer slung her arm through his and put on her best pleading face. "Cohen?" she asked innocently. "Can we get a mani/pedi too?"

"We?" he asked incredulously.

"They're not just for girls. It feels really good. Come on. Pleeeeeasssseeeee."

He stared at her for a few minutes, waying the options and getting mixed expressions from Summer. He finally gave in. She melted him as always. There was no way he could say no to her even if it thoroughly shot down his masculinity. "Fine. On one condition... this is just between us."

"Oh, you don't think Ryan would approve?"

"Don't push your luck."

"Wooooowwww," Seth breathed as they passed through the double doors back into the parking lot two hours later. "Best day ever."

"Thanks for this," Summer said pulling him to a halt. She reached up on her tiptoes and kissed his lips. "I told you you would love the mani/pedi."

"My hands feel all soft and silky. And my feet... I mean wow. No wonder you girls love that so much."

Summer giggled. "Next time we both can go tanning and get waxes."

"I'm not gonna touch that one. I'll leave that for you and Marissa."

"Not like you have any hair anyway."

"Hey!"

"What? It's true." He turned his head away from her and dropped her hand. She just laughed. "It's not a bad thing you wacko."

"Oh name calling. There's something new."

"You know you love it. All my little pet names for you..."

"Pet names? The only pet names are Cohen and and mean things." She grinned and laced her fingers through his. "I don't know about the derogatory names but I like Cohen..."

"Well honey, that is your name."

"Is it? Hmm." She hit his arm but as if to right her action she lifted their hands and placed a kiss on his knuckles.

"That manicure worked wonders."

"It did didn't it?"

"Thank you, Cohen," she said as he opened her door.

"You already thanked me although it's not necessary. Consider it an early Chrismukkah present."

"No I don't like that idea. You'll short change me. How bout a cheering up present?"

"What?" He opened the driver side door and settled in. Summer once again didn't protest the fact that he was driving her car. He liked to have some control, and this was about the only time he could, especially with Summer as his girlfriend. "In that case I need some cheering up when we get back to your room." He rose his eyebrows suggestively.

Her mouth curved to the right in contemplative thought. "I think we can figure something out."

"Oh really?"

"Yeah, I can think of a few things."

He started the engine and they pulled out into traffic. "They better involve being naked."

When they got back to campus Seth headed to his dorm to take a shower. He gathered some fresh clothes for the morning and his homework, although he doubted he'd be very enthralled in completing it.

After Summer got out of her own shower she put on her pjs and curled up in bed. It was only 5 but she felt like being lazy. Her and Seth would most likely spend the rest of the day wrapped up in each other. Summer reached in her purse for her phone and noticed a missed call from of course, Seth. She flipped it open and dialed her voice mail. "Hey, I guess you're in the shower. I was wondering if you wanted to order a pizza but I guess we can decide when I get there. Be over in a half hour. Love you." Summer smiled as she flipped her phone shut. Seth was like a lost puppy without her. She liked her puppy though. He was the only thing that kept her sane. She sighed contently as she crawled under her sheets and flicked on the tv. The news channel came on, which she hated. Politics went right over her head. Her thumb inched towards the channel button but suddenly stopped. Her whole world was about to come crashing down.

Thanks for reading... what do you think?