A/N; I figured I'd put 2 posts up at once as I got so many reviews and also because the previous post was pretty short-so I hope you enjoy it!
Seth was sat in the student lounge nursing a large cup of coffee when Summer walked in. She was glancing around the room looking for a familiar face when Seth looked up and caught her eye. He smiled a little tentatively and signalled for her to come and join him.
She hesitated briefly, they hadn't spent any time alone together since the episode in Summer's room and she had to admit she felt a little nervous at how things may have changed between them because of it.
However, as she paused she caught sight of the well-thumbed comic book sticking out of Seth's bag and laughed to herself. The majority of her unease disappeared as she realised that nothing had changed at all, he was still the same Seth Cohen. And, she mused as she made her way over to him; she wanted to make sure that they stayed a part of each others lives, even if just as friends. And this was the way to start.
"Hey Cohen" she said as she dropped her bag onto the floor and sat down next to him on the sofa.
"Hello Summer"
An awkward silence followed and they both stared around the room, at a loss for something to say. After a few moments however they glanced at each other simultaneously and burst out laughing.
The idea of the two of them, two of the chattiest people in Newport, having nothing to say to each other, highlighted what a ridiculous situation they'd let themselves get into. So at that moment a silent agreement was made between them not to mention what had gone on previously and to do their best to carry on as normal.
"So, no emergency shoes needed his week then Cohen?" Summer enquired her eyes wide with mock innocence.
"Actually no" Seth replied smiling "Although, my mom was so impressed with what we picked out that she's thinking of sending Ryan shopping with you soon"
"I'm afraid I think Ryan is beyond even MY help!" Summer laughed at the thought, even Marissa had given up on trying to inject some style into Ryan's wardrobe.
"You never know, he'll be the one laughing when Wife-Beaters start gracing the covers of Vogue"
"Oh my God I think my designs will make it into Vogue before a Wife Beater does. And that seems like it'll happen…well never the way things are going!"
"Don't say that Sum. You know you have loads of talent, we just need some big shot fashion dude to realise it. Hey maybe then you could incorporate Wife Beaters into your Autumn line?" Seth bounced up and down in his chair with excitement.
"Cohen!" Summer scolded, whacking him over the head with her purse "Not helpful!"
Summer sighed and sat back into the sofa. She was happy to find that things were still so easy between her and Seth, looking across she clocked his contented face and realised that he was thinking the exact same thing.
"So…" Seth began "The Autumn dance, are you going?" He held his breath a little, worried that Summer would get the wrong idea. He had only been asking out of interest but was unsure whether it was a little premature in their fairly fragile friendship to bring up potentially awkward topics.
"Uh…" Summer was a little taken aback, but then took a deep breath and instructed herself to calm down. There was no reason why this had to be a difficult conversation. "Yeah, Coop begged… I couldn't say no" She shrugged her shoulders "Something about her fears for polystyrene corn!"
"Yeah well Ryan didn't so much beg as threaten me…so I'll be there too. You know how much he hates these events but he's just going for Marissa"
"I believe Coop can be very persuasive" Summer raised her eyebrow a little suggestively
"Oh Dear Lord Woman, the mental images! I don't need to think about that!" Seth covered his face with his hands to try and block out the offending visuals.
"So Cohen…are you going alone or…"
"Alone" Seth interrupted "Yep I'm being a third wheel. Something I feel highly qualified for." Despite herself, she breathed a sigh of relief before she realised that Seth was now looking at her a little expectantly.
"Oh me too" She said hastily, visibly putting Seth's mind at rest "Looks like I'll be the fourth wheel"
They sat for a moment in comfortable silence both recognising how ridiculous that situation would be.
"You know what?" they both said in unison, then laughed.
"You first" Said Summer
"Well I was just thinking how it's a little silly really… I mean if Ryan and Marissa are going to be together and we'll both be with them… and we'll probably all go together then maybe we should just…what I mean to say is….we maybe could…"
"Cohen. You're rambling" Summer said shaking her head with amusement as she watched him squirm.
"Yeah sorry" Seth looked a little sheepish. "What I'm trying to say is, why don't we go together?...As friends obviously" He added hastily
"Obviously" agreed Summer nodding "Yeah I'd like that Cohen"
"Great" he grinned, getting up off his seat "I'll pick you up at 8?"
"Sure, I'll see you then"
Seth waved in acknowledgement as he walked out of the student lounge. Summer took a deep breath; "We can manage to go as friends" She told herself sternly "Surely it won't be that difficult, besides I'm happy with how things are at the moment". She sighed and picked up her bag ready for her next class, it was that last part that she had always had trouble making herself believe, and the more time she spent with him, the harder it became.
Thanks for reading! P.s I love reviews (possibly the least subtle hint ever!)