Inside of the French classroom, Seth sat on his desk with his head buried in his arms. The rest of the class was sleeping, if not throwing paper airplanes or shooting spitballs at Taylor Townsend.

"Could you stop?" Taylor said to the girl behind her. As she turned around, another spitball, this time coming from in front of her, hit her directly in the face. She closed her eyes in frustration and put her head down with a frown.

"Purple shirt," Seth began. The girl sitting near Taylor looked at him. "Yeah, you. Would you mind stopping?" Taylor turned to Seth, surprised. She gave off a slight smile.

"Oh, please. Are you with this loser, or against her?" said the girl. Seth opened his mouth, but no words would come out. He had to make a decision. Was he going to ignore everything that was going on, or would he take action and possibly ruin his already low reputation? Seth looked at Taylor, a slight frown on his face. He looked at her for a few seconds until the bell went off, sending him scurrying out of class. Everyone in the class piled up their books and walked out of class, all smiling and laughing with another person. She just stood there, no one else remaining in the class, except for Seth, who she didn't even notice.

"I really am the biggest loser." She gathered her things and walked out of class.

Seth watched her leave the classroom, slightly upset to see her like that. But as much as he wanted to help, he couldn't, because half of those girls laughing at her would be his friends once he got his dream date with Summer Roberts.

He grabbed his books and jammed them into his aged out of shape backpack. As he left the room, he noticed another group of girls who associated with Summer pointing to him and whispering. It was such an uncomfortable situation for him. He sometimes thought about giving up with Summer, and now that he had someone else like him, he didn't have to be all alone. Still, he felt like he had some hope left, and he wasn't going to throw it all away just yet, although there wasn't much he even had to throw away.

As he continued to walk down the hallway, right past the pointing and staring, haunting flashbacks jumble through his mind. He remembered all of the disappointing things in his life, including his bar-mitzvah in which nobody even showed up to, his constant interactions with the water-polo team, and especially just the fact that his parents actually believed that he was happy in Newport. His life was such a letdown. If only he could be someone else, like Luke, maybe. Luke Ward had everything. He was the highest on the food chain, and not only did he have Marissa Cooper, Newport's princess to be, but he was the captain of the water-polo team, a straight out implication that he had the most respect in the school. The one thing Luke didn't have, though, was sailing. For once in his life, Seth was going to use one of his bizarre talents and hobbies to his advantage. One day, Seth was going to get on his boat and follow his dream of getting out of Newport and going straight to Tahiti. Whether or not Summer was to come with him, Seth needed to get out of Orange County. But he wasn't going to go yet. He was going to give it some time, because although there was no chance of his year improving in the least bit, he wouldn't let himself leave jus yet. He would wait until the summer to get away from everything.

"Are you kidding me?" Marissa said to another girl walking beside her.

"I know, right?" said the girl.

"Oh, yeah. Alyssa? Do you know where we try out for Social Chair?"

"Well, my sister was it last year. I'll ask her."

"Wait. Nicole Zaretsky is your sister?" she asked curiously.

"Yeah. You know her?"

"Alyssa, she's like a legend at Harbor. Of course I know her."

"Well, I'll talk to you later about it. See you." She smiled at Marissa and walked away. Marissa continued down the hallway, walking to her locker. A girl passed hr by and waved. It seemed as if the whole school knew Marissa by now, and a good number of them were becoming good friends with her. She reached her locker and noticed she had a free period. She dropped her books down by her locker and approached Summer, standing at the opposite end of the hall.

"Move it, loser," said Summer to a lightheaded Seth. "I have places to be."

"Hi, Summer. Seth Cohen. Pleasure to meet you." Seth stuck out his hand and she shot him a harsh look. He slowly took his hand back. Summer walked right past him, slamming her shoulder into his.

"I think she likes me."

Marissa gave a slight frown, feeling bad for Seth. She followed Summer into the library, where Holly and her friend Elaine Chapman were sitting. Summer and Marissa sat at the library table.

"Guys, you will not believe this. I think I have a plan. I can save this party!" said an excited Holly.

"Well…" said Marissa.

"What's the plan?" Summer asked.

"You know that girl Jess Sanders?" Holly asked.

"Who the hell is that?" said Summer.

"Oh, no. Sum, you remember Jess. She's the one that I was really good friends with, until she trashed my house last year. My parents killed me for that."

"Well, anyway, she just moved next door to me. I called my dad and told him she's going to come for a couple of minutes. She has this thing that she can attach to the answering machine. Basically, I can delete messages from the house through my cell."

"Holy crap, Holly! You're saved!" Summer said.

"You really lucked out, you know," said Elaine

"Hey, Elaine, do you know what happened to Kevin? Luke's been looking for him for a long time."

"We… we broke up a couple of days ago. I haven't spoken to him since."

"Oh, I'm so sorry." Marissa gently patted Elaine on the shoulder.

"Don't worry about it guys. This party will totally rock, and we can forget about all of our pathetic little problems."

"Sum's right. This party is going to be great. I just have to delete the message. Hopefully, my father didn't get it yet." Holly took out her phone, dialing the ten digit number. She waited for the answering machine to pick up, and dialed 1 as Jess had instructed her.

"Hi, Mr. and Mrs. Fischer. My name is Mrs. Groblint. I teach you daughter Holly's history class, and I'm sorry to say that we're having some major problems. Constant talking is preventing the class from learning. Perhaps if you stop spoiling your daughter, and teach her---" Holly dialed 7. "Message Erased."

"Well, that was easy. I'm so glad my dad didn't find it yet."

"Hold up, Holly. You're dad might have listened to it and left it on the answering machine," said Elaine.

"Trust me, he would have called."

"Okay, me and Summer are going to get something. You guys want to come?"

"I'll go," Elaine volunteered. The three of them walked out of the library. As they did, Jess Sanders walked into the library from the opposite side. She approached Holly and pulled out a chair, sitting down in it with that evil look on her face that could scare children away.

"Did you delete it yet?"

"Yes I did. Thanks Jess," she said. "You're a lifesaver."

"So this party, open to everyone?"

"Oh, Jess, you're invited for sure."

"Yeah, I know. I was thinking of inviting a few friends though," she said. "You know, if it's okay with you."

"I don't see why not. A friend of yours is a friend of mine." Jess smiled at her and got up from the chair. She brushed her light blonde hair back as she walked out of the library, her tight denim miniskirt going back and forth as each of her legs moved forward. Holly grabbed her books and got up from the table, leaving the library and heading to her locker.

"Finally, Mom," began Caitlin, filing her nails in the front seat of her mother's Porsche. "I don't see what the big deal is here."

Julie rolled her eyes, trying to hide the frustration she was getting. Caitlin was such a little her, it was scary. The only difference was that when Julie was growing up, she didn't have anything. She had to make a life for herself. Caitlin, on the other hand, was a completely different story. She had everything handed to her, and would probably build a life off a rich, attractive man some day and live in a house even bigger than the one she was living in now. "Caitlin, why don't we have a silent ride? We're almost at the stables and I have a bad headache." Caitlin remained silent for the rest of the ride. After a few moments, Julie stopped at the sight of a big sign reading Windway Stables. She and Caitlin got out of the car, Julie slamming the door shut as Caitlin ran into the stables. Julie hurried in trying to catch up with Caitlin, who had already reached her horse's stable.

"Pearl, don't be scared. Mommy's going to be fine. Besides, this gives me a chance to be in style this season and have a white horse."

"Caitlin, the manager is over there," said Julie, pointing to a man standing outside one of the stables. "Why don't we go talk to him?" Caitlin smiled and Julie gave a false smile back. Caitlin rushed ahead, and Julie stood there with an angry look on her face.

"Hello, young lady. How may I help you---"

"White. It has to be white. Oh yeah, and no spots or anything. Just solid white. Has to be fast… I'm a daredevil."

"Caitlin, give the man a chance to breathe," said Julie, smiling at the man in trying to get past the awkwardness. "Hi, we're here to buy my daughter a new horse. Our old one---"

"My old one," corrected Caitlin. Julie let out a small laugh, trying to ignore Caitlin's comment.

"I think I know the just horse for you two---"

"The horse just for me," Caitlin corrected once again, turning her head to her mother as Julie let out a sigh. "It's my horse, Mommy, not yours."

"Well excuse me then, young lady. Why don't you two… or why not just you, little girl, come over here. I'm going to show you a horse that fits your exact description," said the man.

"Where is she?" Caitlin asked. The man led her to the last stable, where Caitlin observes a fine looking horse. She began to pet the horse after a few moments. "Nice color, tan, smooth, the left hind leg sticks out a little… I'll take it."

Julie was filled with relief. Finally, this horse business was over. Caitlin had been obsessing about Pearl for the past month, and now it was all over. But then again, the last time Caitlin bought horse- or the last five times, for that matter- it died in one month.

"All right, sweetie. You got your horse. Now what do you say to the man?"

"What's her name?"

"Thank you---"

"I said what's her name?" Caitlin said demandingly.

"She's called Snowcone," said the man.

"Snowpea? What kind of name is that?" Caitlin said, disgusted. "How about Snowball?"

"Thank you very much. You can call us about the payment," Julie said as she smiled at the man. She turned around and put her hand on Caitlin's back. As the two of then into the car, Julie opened her mouth, about to come down on Caitlin, but Caitlin blasted the radio, Julie jerking her head back. "Caitlin! Turn that down!" she yelled.

"What?" Caitlin replied. Julie pushed the radio button off and Caitlin turned to her. "Hey! I was listening to that!"

"Caitlin, I am sick of this. Sure, you may have Cooper blood in you, but sweetie… you've taken spoiled to a whole new level!"

"What is that supposed to mean?" Caitlin snapped. "I thought I was your little princess."

"Caitlin, you were my little princess- when you were five years old. You're in fifth grade now, honey. You can't keep asking us for things like these. You're going to have to fend for yourself one day, you know," said Julie.

"So what are you saying?"

"I'm saying that your father and I are going to start being much more strict with you. You've asked for way too many things, from dresses to ponies to cell phones- it has to end. You need to limit yourself to the things you ask for, or just figure out a way to get them for yourself."

"You mean like a, a j-job?" she asked, terrified. "Mom---"

"Enough, Caitlin! It's not like we're asking that much from you!"

"Are you kidding me, Mom? You're practically disinheriting me!"

"I'm warning you, if you don't stop this bickering right now, you're going to have to stay home from Caribbean Night!"

"Oh, poor me," she teased.

"Fine. Then you can sit in your room all night."

"Please, as if that's going to teach me a lesson. I have Tivo in my room, Mom," Caitlin said arrogantly.

"We're going to have serious talk, young lady, because if you keep this up we really are going to have to disinherit you," she said.

"Whatever." Caitlin angrily turned her head away from her mother and looked at the view around her, sighing at her mother's attitude.

"Look, Mr. Nichol, Mrs. Cohen, the Newport Group is having an excellent year. I'm truly impressed. But what you're asking for, it's just too much for any company. I'm sorry," said a concerned man dressed a fancy suit, sitting across the table from Kirsten and Caleb.

"Oh, spare me. You haven't even listened to a word we've been saying," Caleb said directly.

"Dad," Kirsten said, embarrassed.

"Mr. Nichol, I'm afraid we're going to have to leave now," said another man, sitting next to the other. The two men got up from their chairs and walked out of the office. After the two of them were long gone, Caleb got up from hi chair angrily and let out a disappointed sigh.

"Don't worry, Dad," comforted Kirsten. "They'll come around eventually."

"We've been working our asses off for this?"

"I know it seems like nothing is happening, Dad, but this is one of our goals. Just because it didn't happen yet, that doesn't mean it won't. We have plenty of things going on around here that are bringing us great success."

"I know, Kiki. I just wish we could have this."

"Don't worry, Dad. I'm just relieved it's over," she said comforted.

"You know, it's ironic. If anyone freaked out in there, it was me," he began. "I guess you can say I lost my temper."

"Are you feeling okay, Dad? Because you never admit it when you're wrong."

"Must be the coffee," he suggested. Kirsten let out a small laugh.

"Must be."

Sandy Cohen slammed the door to his black Lexus shut. He put his keys in his suit pocket and knocked on the door to an, old and worn out house. As he waited for n answer, he looked around him, noticing houses similar to the one he was about to walk into, junky old cars, and tattooed, angry men taking out the garbage. One of the men looked at Sandy for a moment, observing his suit, tie, and shoes, and his fancy car. The man threw the bag of garbage to the end of his driveway and made his way into his house. As he did, a woman opened the door in front of Sandy. Startled, he turned around to see the woman opening the door for him.

"Hi, Mr. Cohen," said the woman, wearing sweatpants and a long sleeved, light green shirt with buttons at the top, concealing a bruise slightly below her neck. She quickly put her hand against her neck, afraid that Sandy would see it. "Thank you for coming."

"No problem."

"Please, come in," she said, moving to the side and allowing Sandy to pass. "I'm sure it's not the kind of house you're used to. Sorry about the mess."

"Trust me, this doesn't even begin to compare to some of the places I've seen," he said, smiling. The woman smiled back. "Your husband's not here," he stated.

"No. He went out for a little." She sighed and looked down.

"Oh," Sandy said. The woman now looked up at him again.

"Would you like something to drink?" she asked. "Coffee?"

"I'm all right, thanks," he replied.

"Well then, why don't we sit down and discuss the case?" she said.

"Okay," he began before the two of them walked to the filthy, cramped kitchen and sat down at the table. "There might be some complications in the case."

"How so?"

"Well, you know how the last time I met with you, I asked to speak with your son alone."

"Yes," she said.

"Well, it's a good thing I did," he told her.

"What do you mean?"

"Sometimes, when I talk to a kid, he tells me more information than his mother does," he said.

"He told you," the woman responded nervously.

"I would have found out sometime or other," Sandy replied.

"Mr. Cohen, I can't testify. You don't understand. No one understands. This is not something that if I stand up to, it will just go away. He is going to kill me," she said tensely.

"Look. It's all clear now. And with the circumstances what they are, Ben has a good shot. But the only way we can do this is if we convince everyone that Ben had a reason in the first place. And there's always the additional bonus of helping yourself out."

"I know it sounds easy, Mr. Cohen. But there's no way he won't find out about this. It's too dangerous," she worried.

"Well, if you're not going to do it for yourself," he began. "Do it for Ben."

Julie slammed the door with anger as she and Caitlin walked into the house. Jimmy came out of the kitchen to greet them and noticed the look on Julie's face.

"Hey guys. What's going on?"

"You wouldn't understand. You're just going to take Mommy's side," Caitlin hissed. She stormed up the stairs and into her room.

"Am I that annoying?" Julie asked Jimmy.

"What?" Jimmy said, confused.

"I mean, of course she's going to turn out a little spoiled, she's a Cooper. But I hope that attitude doesn't come from me."

"Well, what happened? I mean, the last time I checked in with you, you were okay with this horse business," Jimmy said.

"Yeah, I was, until I realized what a mess this is. I mean, yeah, it's never worth the argument when t comes to Caitlin. But if we do keep giving her what she wants, how is she ever going to learn?"

"I don't know. We should really have Marissa talk to her. The two of them can connect a lot better than you do."

"Good point. That was one of the most annoying rides of my life. Obviously I can't handle it. I'll try to catch her after school. She did say she has some thing to go to tonight, though," said Julie.

"Don't worry about it, Jules. Everything will be fine." Jimmy smiled at her and Julie smiled right back. Jimmy leaned in for a kiss, but were immediately interrupted.

"This stupid TV won't work!" screamed a hysterical Caitlin from her room. Julie let out a light sigh, the only thing that would ever come out of her mouth after hearing Caitlin.

"I wish I had an excuse to leave," said Julie.

"You want to leave? Already?" he said.

"Caitlin," she began. "Not you," she said, smiling. "Oh, no, I just realized I told the girls I'd meet them at Joan's. I have to go. Bye Jimmy." She gave him a quick peck on the cheek and walked out of the house.