Author Note

Hi everyone!

So I know before, I said I'd be starting a new fanfiction around Easter time but I managed to get loads written and decided to post it now! Writing is something I love and I'm going to be very commited to the fic but updates may be slower than in previous stories.

I've been planning this story for over two months now and I'm optimistic about responses. Its different to my previous stories, there aren't any maniac's after Seth and Summer to kill them, its more mellow and romantic. There will be lots of drama though!

So, I've split it into two parts. The first part is set at the end of senior year. Just a few notes to help you follow the plot.
- Julie and Dr Roberts never happened, he is still with his wife Gloria (Summer's stepmom)
- Seth and Summer are going to attend Berkely with R/M in the fall. This is all explained in chapter one but just a heads up.
-Other than that, every thing is the same!

Part two is set in the future be we'll worry about that when it comes

So, I think that's about it from me. The chapters are a little longer (about 3000+ words) but please dont be put off. The first three are chapters that I wrote when I first started with fanfiction so they are a little shaky but please be patient, it gets better!

Please leave me a comment. They mean SO much and big or small, they honestly help me to know what I'm doing right or wrong.

Thanks Everyone and Enjoy!
xxxxx

Disclaimer

I do not own The OC, any of its characters and I am not affiliated with FOX/The Oc in any way shape or form (If I was, I wouldnt be sat here ;))

With The Earth and Sky You Cheer and Sigh

Seth Cohen was one happy guy. He stood at the floor length mirror in his room, looking at his reflection. It was a great day for him.

Graduation.

The day that he would be done with high school forever and he couldn't wait. All the years he was bullied and treated like an outcast were over. Well they'd been over ever since Ryan turned up in Newport. But still, that wasn't the point here. It was going to be a big day.

Seth rooted through a drawer for a tie as Ryan entered the room.

"Hey man," Ryan said, leaning against the wall near the door.

"Hey," Seth called. He plucked out an expensive navy blue silk tie, for special occasions only. Seth turned to face his friend.

"So, who'd have thought you'd be stood here, huh? Ryan Atwood graduating the best school in Newport, dating one of the prettiest girls in school and going off to college," Seth said smiling at Ryan.

"I know," Ryan replied staring into space, "If someone would've told me this would be my life three years ago, I'd probably have punched them for messing with me."

"Oh yeah, back to 'old school Ryan' ways," Seth grinned. Ryan ignored him and continued.

"Anyway, look at you bro. Dating the girl you've always wanted and going off to college with her. Things have turned out pretty well huh?" Seth smiled.

"Yeah, I couldn't have predicted it either."

Both thought of the beckoning first year of college. After Seth's breakdown and 'pot faze' last year, it had been decided that all four would go to Berkeley. Seth didn't really like the idea but after being reminded that to go to Brown he'd have to leave California, he soon agreed. No matter how much he despised this town, he just couldn't let go, not yet anyway. Summer had offered that after college they could live somewhere cold (or brisk) and they promised each other that they'd do that. But for now, California was where they'd stay.

They both stood there, smiling in a daze, until Ryan shook himself back to reality.

"Come on, we gotta be down stairs, you're Mom and Dad wanted to take pictures."

"Yeah because I so want that to happen," Seth said sarcastically. He strolled over to his bed and picked up the jet black gown and mortar board lying on his stripy bedspread.

"Lets go."

Sandy and Kirsten Cohen were dressed to impress. Sandy in his best Armani suit and Kirsten in a gold, silk Versace creation.

As soon as the boys entered the kitchen, Kirsten let out a squeal and jumped up, pulling them both into a tight hug.

"Oh look at my boys! You look so handsome! All grown up." She started to get all teary eyed as she stood back.

Sandy got up and stood by his wife.

"They look so sharp. Now come on guys, I need photos." Sandy pulled out a small digital camera. Seth rolled his eyes but posed for many photos with his parents and Ryan.

After the longest 15 minutes ever, Sandy finally announced that they had to go. Kirsten looked really excited and rushed for the door like an eager dog that hadn't been on a walk for a year.

"So, are you meeting Summer and Marissa there?" Sandy asked the boys.

"Yeah we're meeting them there," Ryan replied as he climbed into the shiny Range Rover.

Neither of the family hardly spoke as they travelled to Harbour School. All were overcome with the importance of the day. After all Sandy and Kirsten had a reason to be proud. Their only son and adopted son were heading into adulthood.

It was definitely a big day.

"Coop! You've seriously gotta help me here!" Summer screeched down her cell phone.

"Whoa, Sum. Calm down! You wont even be able to see what you're wearing. You're gonna be wearing a gown!"

Marissa was trying to do her make up and balance a phone in her other hand. No mean feat.

"Fine, whatever. I'll see you there I guess." Summer hung up the phone angrily.

She sat looking at her reflection in her antique mirror she had begged her father to buy her when she was 14.

I can't believe I'm graduating already! She thought.

She shook herself had walked over to her wardrobe.

Her pristinely manicured fingers swept across the assorted garments hastily. She had bought several different outfits for the day but she couldn't decide now that it was the actual day.

Her eyes flicked over the floaty, silky, bold fabrics, searching for the outfit that would stand proudly above the rest.

Her gaze rested across several outfits, outfits that gave her flashbacks to past, poignant events in her life. Like the flowery summer dress she'd worn to Julie Cooper and Caleb Nichols wedding. She instantly saw Marissa sobbing into Ryan's shoulder and Seth admitting he'd named his boat after her.

She looked across at the dark green ethnic style top which had gotten soaked when she and Cohen had that amazing upside down kiss in the rain. Her heart fluttered and her stare was diverted at the clock. She cursed under her breath and buried herself in dress upon dress, more determined than ever.

The Cohen's black Range Rover pulled up to Harbour School. They slid out into the warm July sun as Sandy handed the valet guy the car keys. The main ceremony would be taking place in the Harbour School Gardens, which was at the back of the school. The family reached the large area which had been specially decorated with banners and hundreds of chairs.

Families were gathered in small clusters around the family seating area as they waited for the ceremony to begin. As Seth and Ryan strolled over they spotted Summer and Marissa in a tight hug.

"Where's mine then Summer?" Seth remarked as he and Ryan crept up behind them.

"Trouser it, Cohen," Summer snapped. She smiled jokingly to show she was kidding and kissed him lightly on the lips. Ryan and Marissa had wandered off towards the fountain.

"So, I can't believe we're graduating already!" Summer gasped,

"These past three years have gone, like, so fast!"

"I know. It just feels like yesterday we went to Tijuana or me and Zach were fighting at the comic book launch," Seth reminisced.

Summer smiled fondly.

"Yeah, and if I've learned one thing, it's that you and your family are more dysfunctional than mine. Like how Marissa became your aunt or how Ryan has dated your Mom's stepsister and her illegitimate sister!" Summer laughed.

"I'm just glad we're doing this together," Seth smiled, taking Summer's hand.

Dr Kim's voice rang out through the muggy air, announcing that students and parents should make their way to their seats.

Summer squeezed Seth's hand and they started towards their seats.

Ryan and Marissa appeared behind them.

"Oh my god, this is so nerve racking!" Summer breathed as she and the other three took their seats near the front of the stage. Seth looked over and saw Kirsten waving frantically.

She and Sandy were sat next to Julie and Jimmy Cooper and Marissa's little sister Kaitlin. Julie was wiping away a tear as Jimmy patted her hand. Summer and Marissa were jabbering away to each other.

"Coop, is my hat straight?" Summer asked frantically.

"Yeah, oh god I bet I'm gonna trip up!"

Voices hushed as Dr Kim appeared at the podium on stage. She cleared her throat and began to speak.

"Hello and welcome the Harbour School's Class Of 2006 graduation ceremony. I would like to thank you all for coming to celebrate the success that these students have achieved over the past years spent in this school and that we will be sad to see them leave. Well we'd better get on."

Over the next hour several different guests and students spoke of 'the high school experience'.

After the last speaker finished Dr Kim approached the podium again.

"Thank you, Mr Wilde, for that rather long piece on behalf of the Parent Council," she said. Polite applause rippled amongst the crowd.

"It's now time for the penultimate part of the ceremony, the presentation of the Harbour School diplomas to the graduating students. When your name is called please ascend the stage via the steps to your left and leave the stage via the right hand steps. Now if all students would please rise," She made a gesture with her hands as they all stood up.

"Oh my god! This is it," Summer squealed.

Ryan would be the first of the four to have to go up as it would be in alphabetical order.

There were only two people before him, Sara Abforte was called and then Brooke Andrews and then…

"Ryan Atwood!" Ryan strode towards the steps and ascended them carefully.

Seth, Summer and Marissa cheered loudly and he saw Sandy and Kirsten on their feet applauding.

"Congratulations Ryan, it appears I was wrong about hesitating in letting you in."

Dr Kim shook his hand, giving him the roll of paper fastened delicately by a striking blue ribbon.

"Thank you for giving me the chance," Ryan said smiling.

He posed for the mandatory photo which parents could purchase.

He walked back to his seat still smiling and feeling proud of himself.

Before long Dr Kim was announcing the C names.

"Seth Cohen!" Seth closed his eyes briefly and set off for the stage, the sound of his friends whooping and cheering in the background. He carefully climbed the steps and saw his parents on their feet again. His mom was crying as she clapped enthusiastically, Sandy's protective arm around her shoulder.

"Well done Seth," Dr Kim congratulated him and handed over the diploma. Seth smiled broadly and waved at his parents.

There was only one person between Seth and Marissa, so once Olivia Commons had left the stage, crying hysterically, Dr Kim was saying…

"Marissa Cooper!" She took a deep breath as Ryan released her hand. She looked at her friends gratifyingly and set off toward the steps, smiling to herself as she heard Summer's chants of "GO COOP!" Her parents were applauding the loudest, even Kaitlin got into the spirit.

Marissa accepted her diploma and posed for a photo which no doubt would be sitting in the Cooper's front room within days.

It was ages before Summer was called, this worked her up even more. She grew even more nervous as she saw Natalie Mathews trip and tumble down the stairs and Lucas Heron's robe get caught on the rail and tear.

"Summer Roberts!" Dr Kim finally announced.

She was shaking as she set off for the podium, but the sight of her three friends cheering wildly along with her father wiping away a tear hastily- her step mom sitting very placidly alongside him with her miniature Chihuahua on her lap- encouraged her. She climbed the steps, successfully collected her diploma and was posing for her photo when her father stood up, still applauding.

Her step mom, still clearly high on whatever she'd been prescribed or could get her hands on, rose too. Obviously forgetting about the Chihuahua on her lap she let out a screech when the dog leapt out of her lap and made a dash for the stage.

People screamed as the tiny creature ran amok, doing more damage than you'd think, knocking over the expensive miniature potted plants which lined the aisle. Some teachers tried to stop the animal from reaching the stage. Seth, Ryan and Marissa watched in horror as Summer looked like she was going to burst into tears.

The dog was finally caught by Mr Kowalski, the head of Science. It was reunited with Summer's step mom, rather reluctantly.

Seth guessed that the brief taste of freedom had felt good.

Dr Kim brought the crowd to order again as Summer swept off the stage, her face a deep shade of crimson.

Her gaze locked onto her father, who mouthed, "I'm sorry honey."

She half ran back to her seat as her dad dragged her step mom out of the ceremony.

"Sum, are you okay?" Marissa whispered as the ceremony continued. Summer just nodded and stood in silence. Seth took her hand and squeezed it. She looked over at him, her eyes welling up with tears. Seth smiled.

"Everything will be fine, at least you didn't fall over!" She smiled and laughed, wiping her eyes on the sleeve of her gown.

She rested her head on his shoulder and they stood like that until the diploma ceremony was over.

Before they knew it Dr Kim was announcing,

"Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you the Harbour School graduating class of 2006!"

The area exploded and the four of them tossed their caps into the air along with their classmates.

They all cheered and hugged each other for a good 10 minutes before their parents appeared.

Seth leaned over to Summer.

"I'm sorry about what happened but I think you know that today is too big a day to be upset," he whispered in her ear reassuringly.

Summer smiled.

"Don't worry I'm not gonna dwell on this but you'd better believe she's gonna pay. My dad will be really mad."

"Well then I guess I'll keep my distance," he joked.

Kirsten appeared at Seth's side then and he noticed she had really red eyes from crying.

"Hi, Summer. Are you okay honey?" Kirsten asked softly.

"I'm fine thanks Mrs Cohen," Summer replied politely.

Kirsten reached over and hugged Summer tightly.

"Well, if you need anything, just ask. And call me Kirsten." Summer smiled gratefully.

Seth looked from one to the other and grinned.

"Oh you guys," he laughed.

"You always know how to spoil a moment," Kirsten smiled.

"That, he gets from me," Sandy reached over and kissed his wife on the cheek. Summer leaned over to Seth.

"I'll be back in a second." She swiftly disappeared behind the hedge in the direction of the fountain.

Seth turned back to his parents. Ryan had come over as Marissa had been trapped by her family too.

"How's Summer?" Ryan asked.

"Not good, she pretty much wants to kill her step mom and who wouldn't? You saw how she totally ruined Summer's moment. I just hope she doesn't do anything drastic because she's really upset," Seth sighed.

"Poor girl," Sandy added.

Meanwhile, Summer had gone in search of her Dad. It took her a while to find him but eventually she saw him perched on the side of the fountain, looking into the crystal clear water.

"Dad?" Summer walked up to him and perched herself by him.

"Oh, hey Sum." He seemed like he didn't know what to say to her. Summer leaned across to her father and he hugged her tightly as she burst into tears.

"I…I just can't b…believe what she did. She humiliated me!" she wept, her chin wobbling uncontrollably.

"I know princess, I know," her dad comforted her, "Believe me when I say that I'm not gonna overlook this."

The two sat there, on the edge of the fountain wall, Summer sobbing into her dad's shoulder, looking way younger than she was.

"W…Where is she now?" Summer stuttered.

"I called her a cab and sent her home. Now Sum," He began, "we are gonna go home and get ready for the party tonight and we'll deal with everything tomorrow. You are gonna have a good time and not let her ruin your whole day. Ok princess?"

She smiled fondly at him and hugged him tighter.

"Thanks Dad."

"No problem, now go and say bye to Seth and your friends cause we need to be going so you can look beautiful for tonight." He saw the look on Summer's face and corrected himself.

"Sorry honey, even more beautiful." She kissed her Dad on the cheek and set off to look for Seth, Coop and Ryan.

She arranged to meet her Dad at the front of school in 15 minutes.

"Seth we've been waiting for ages, we're gonna have to go soon, you know how long it takes your mother to get changed," Sandy said tiredly to his son as Kirsten glared.

Seth wasn't leaving until he'd seen Summer, she'd disappeared half an hour ago.

"Please just 10 more minutes!" he pleaded with his parents. They sighed heavily but at that moment the brunette appeared from the other side of the hedges. Seth ran over to her.

"Hey, are you okay? You look like you've been crying. Aw I knew this would happen. Look you can ride with us and um we can stop at your house, pick up your clothes and…"

Summer stood with her mouth open as Seth jabbered on and on.

"Whoa Cohen! Just… Whoa!" Summer interrupted. Seth stopped and fell silent.

"I'm fine. I've just talked to my Dad and everything will be fine. We're going to the party and she'll be staying home. We're gonna sort it out tomorrow. Ok?" Seth nodded, pleased that she was okay.

"So do you need a ride?" Seth asked her.

"No I gotta go meet my Dad out front."

"Well we're going that way, walk you?" Seth asked gently. Summer smiled and nodded.

"Hey, are we going already?" Seth called to his parents. They prised Ryan from Marissa, promising to meet later, and set off toward the front entrance.

When Summer's Dad saw them all approaching, he climbed out of the sleek black BMW and strode over to Seth and Summer.

"Hi Seth, how're you doin'?" Mr Roberts extended a hand in Seth's direction. Seth took it looking very taken aback at Mr Roberts' warmth towards him.

"Uh, I'm doin' good thanks, Sir," Seth replied straightening up a little. Mr Roberts nodded and smiled at him.

"Well Sum, we'd better be going," Mr Roberts sighed gesturing towards the car.

"Yeah, I guess," Summer said, "So I'll see you later Cohen?"

"Yeah, sure it starts at eight so I'll meet you by the balcony entrance at about eight fifteen?" Summer nodded and hugged him quickly and climbed into her dad's idling car.

Seth waved as they disappeared down the driveway.

"Come on, man. We gotta get home." Ryan patted Seth on the back and the Cohen's started towards their Range Rover, Seth wondering how long Summer could keep up the façade.