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And Deep Inside, I'm Not As Tough As I Seem

Summer looked into her mirror, trying to block out the noise from downstairs. After the fiasco at the graduation ceremony earlier, her father had been yelling at the step mom since they came in.

It was their worst argument yet. Summer wondered whether they'd break up.

She didn't really know how she'd feel if this happened.

It wasn't like she and her step mom were friends but she was sort of used to her being around. It would be good to be the only girl in her dad's life again though. She stood pondering this thought while the voices downstairs got even louder.

Gloria Roberts was angry. You probably couldn't tell from her facial expression as it was hard to do that nowadays, what with all the free botox that her husband gave her, but she glanced in the mirror and saw that she was turning a violent shade of crimson.

"Neil! I shall NOT say this again! It wasn't my fault!" She yelled across the room at her husband. Neil Roberts stood up from his leather recliner and strode over to the dark mahogany drinks cabinet. He took down a large bottle of scotch and poured himself a large quantity of it into a glass. He took a huge gulp of it.

"Gloria, you knew how important today was to Summer and me. Not only are you denying something which was clearly your fault, but you haven't even apologised to my daughter." Gloria sighed, glaring at Neil.

"I haven't had the time, but I shall," she declared.

"Ha! You haven't got time! What the hell do you have to do?"

"I have to get ready for the party tonight dear," she stated.

"Oh no you don't. After today you're not coming to the party tonight. No way! Summer wont have it…" Neil started but Gloria interrupted.

"Hmph! Why does she have a say in this she is only a teenager." Neil stared at his wife.

"I wasn't finished. As I was saying, Summer wont have it and neither will I," he snarled.

Gloria's mouth fell open. She flounced out of the room and stormed upstairs.

Neil heard a door slam loudly. He shook his head, drained the glass in one mouthful and left the room to freshen up.

"Come in!" Ryan shouted. Seth strode in and sat down slowly on a wicker chair near the door, trying not to wrinkle his new suit.

"Hey man, how are you?" Ryan asked from the bathroom.

"I'm good, actually, considering, y'know," he replied.

"Considering what?"

"The fact that Summer is depressed on the best day of high school, the day it finishes."

Ryan didn't know how to reply so he just emerged from the bathroom and sat down next to Seth.

"And, I just called her and it was like the Jerry Springer Show in the background, her dad and step mom were yelling really loud, I wouldn't be surprised if there was a murder there later on," Seth sighed thinking of Summer caught in the middle of it all. Ryan laced up his shoes and sprang up to grab his jacket.

"Come on bro, it's about time we made tracks." Seth nodded slowly and followed Ryan out of the door, shutting it behind him.

The two of them headed across the back yard towards the kitchen door.

Sandy and Kirsten were sat in the family room, each sporting a different outfit, much more fancy than their daytime attire. When the boys entered the room they jumped up and stood looking at the two, with the same proud look on their faces as there had been that very morning.

Kirsten pulled them both into a hug. When they were released, she stepped back, just staring at the two, her eyes glazed with what looked like more tears. Seth noticed this and hastily hurried his family towards the door.

The post graduation party was being thrown by the Parent Council and the Student Events Committee for the families of the graduates at the country club. As social chair, Marissa had been stressing about the party for months, mainly because it would be the last ever event she would have to plan and organise. The Cohen's arrived at the club promptly at 8.00pm. This was mostly because of Seth's neurotic urge to be on time for Summer.

As they climbed out of the car at the front of the club, the Coopers pulled up behind them. Well, only two of them. Jimmy and Kaitlin jumped out of the silver Mercedes. Jimmy spotted the Cohen's and dragged Kaitlin over, she was eager to go inside.

"Hey Jimmy, how you doin'?" Sandy shook his hand, "Where's the other two?"

"Oh, Jules and Marissa came early to help set up." Seth remembered that Julie was one of the most active Parent Council members.

"Shall we?" Sandy gestured towards the entrance. The six of them set off towards the entrance.

As they entered the main room, in which the event would be held, everyone of them stood back in awe. This had be the most glamorous and classy event Seth had ever seen. Everywhere they looked was a glimmer of gold or silver. The balcony doors were open and the reddy-orange light from the sunset outside streamed in. Seth glanced at his watch and saw it was 8.10.

"Listen you guys, I'm going to meet Summer," he said quickly. He walked towards the light streaming in and stepped outside.

The view outside was more beautiful than inside. The sun was a flaming shade of red and was slowly beginning to disappear beneath the rippling blue ocean. Seth leant against the stone pillar at the very end of the balcony. He felt someone poke him from behind. As he whirled around he saw Summer stood behind him, her hands on her hips.

"You said to meet you by the balcony entrance," she glared.

"Oh, I'm sorry, but you're here now so… Uh, you look great tonight," he bit his lip hoping she'd buy it and forgive him. The scowl on her face turned into a smile.

"Thanks Cohen, not so bad yourself." She laughed.

She had a cream, strapless dress on with an expensive looking pair of gold chandelier earrings. The dress was floor length as this event was black tie.

Her dark hair was softly curled and a small white rose was clipped in on the left hand side. She had on very little make-up- that was what Seth liked most about her, she didn't have to wear loads of make-up, she was naturally beautiful. And looking at her then, he couldn't have felt luckier. He stood there, staring at her, taking in her appearance.

"Uh, Cohen? Hello? You coming back down to Earth?" she waved at him. He shook himself.

"Oh, um, sorry. You, you just look really beautiful tonight," he said, smiling shyly. She moved closer.

"Well Cohen, you obviously know that, with me, flattery will get you everywhere." He leant over and kissed her softly.

"Glad to hear it." He extended his arm and wrapped it around her shoulders gently.

Summer rested her head on her boyfriends shoulder and stared into his brown eyes. She loved his eyes, they sucked her in and made her want to never leave him. His arm drifted down and took her hand, clasping it carefully in his own.

"Come on," he whispered in her ear and began to walk towards the steps leading to the garden.

Seth and Summer walked further into the gardens. Summer had never been down here before, her family wasn't usually invited to the really swish events that took place here, mainly because of the Newpsies failure to accept her step mom into their clique.

Seth, on the other hand, had been to the club many times, his mom was one of the richest Newpsies and many of Newport's events were organised by her. He led her around a tall hedge and there lay a small fountain. But it was one of the most beautiful fountains Summer had ever seen.

The crystal clear water rippled down the marble statues and into a deep pool. The gentle swishing of the water fall was so relaxing and calming that it made her forget everything that had happened today.

"So, do you like it? I discovered this place ages ago, before Ryan came. I'd get so bored and fed up of all those shallow Newport people at these lame events that I'd just come here and it'd make me instantly calm," Seth reminisced, looking into the pool's crystal depths.

"I love it," Summer whispered. She turned to face Seth. "I love you." He stared at her, whenever she said those words, he felt like he'd faint. He looked deeply into her chestnut coloured eyes and knew she'd meant it.

"I love you too." Summer arms flew around his neck and she kissed him passionately. She never wanted it to end.

When they finally finished kissing Seth held her tightly. She opened her eyes and saw the sun dipping down below the horizon, it was beginning to get dark.

"Don't ever let go," she breathed into his chest.

Thoughts raced through his mind. Here he was, stood by the secret fountain in the gardens of the classiest country club in miles, with Summer Roberts, who'd just said she loved him, Seth Cohen, he never wanted to leave this place. If he did he thought that the magic would disappear. Summer glanced up at the building, hundreds of white lights had illuminated the balcony and soft music was drifting out of the building hypnotically.

"We'd better get back," Summer muttered, sighing deeply.

"Yeah I guess," Seth agreed. So they set off, back to reality, hand in hand, both not believing what had just happened.

Neil Roberts was slumped over the bar, his third glass of whisky in hand. His face was pale and drawn with a look of worry etched on his tired features. He was contemplating the situation he was in, the blazing row with his wife and the upset he'd caused his daughter.

He sighed, praying that history wouldn't repeat itself, so that when he got home, his wife would be gone and he would max out his platinum card buying stuff for Summer, longing for her to forgive him. They'd got through it once, he couldn't handle it all over again.

Sandy Cohen had noticed Mr Roberts' place at the bar for the past hour and decided that he'd go and have a word with him. As he approached him, Sandy recognised the familiar smell of alcohol that Kirsten always smelled of when going through her phase of alcoholism.

He slid into the vacant seat next to Neil.

"Hey Neil, how are you doin'? " Sandy asked. Neil glanced across at his visitor quickly.

"I'm fine, its just been a long day," he muttered. Sandy nodded.

"Yeah, it has," Sandy looked at Neil who drained the glass in one last gulp.

Meanwhile, Seth and Summer had re-entered the main room and searched for Ryan and Marissa. It wasn't long until they both appeared. Marissa was also wearing an amazing floor length gown that must've cost hundreds of dollars.

"Hey, were have you two been, we've been looking all over for you," Marissa said, her blue eyes twinkling in the hazy light.

Seth gave Summer a warning look so she wouldn't reveal his secret hiding place.

"Uh, we just went out for some air," she smiled.

"Oh, ok. So what do you think? Is it ok? Y'know the party?" Marissa looked at them worriedly.

"Coop! It's great, it really is! I love it," A look of relief swept over Marissa's face.

The two girls walked over to a table near the stage and sat down, admiring each others outfits and the party.

"How is Summer?" Ryan asked quietly

"Oh, she's fine, I think her Dad will just buy her a pair of shoes and she'll forgive him," Seth replied. The boys set off for the table where the girls were sitting.

Sandy was still sat by the bar with Neil. After his fourth whisky was drained, he decided it was time to say something.

"Listen Neil, I know it's been a hard day but don't you think you'd better lay off the drink a little bit?" Sandy looked very meaningfully at him. Neil turned slowly to face Sandy, looking him deeply in the eye.

"Why don't you mind your own business buddy?" he slurred, "I know what you're like. When you are at these things you always single out someone who isn't behaving as perfectly as you are!" He was on his feet now, his volume raised significantly.

"Look Neil, I'm not being nosy I just think you should be thinking about Summer. Please sit down and keep your voice down. Don't do it for me, do it for your daughter." Sandy pleaded with him, the last thing he wanted was a shouting match to break out.

He touched his arm gently but Neil flared up.

"Don't touch me!" He swung around, knocking the glass onto the floor.

The room had gone quiet. Summer and the others couldn't see who it was from their table.

"Oh god, another dysfunctional parent gets drunk and spoils the party for their kid,"

Summer rose out of her chair and began to walk around the corner. The other three followed her.

"I wonder what sad old parent it is now, I feel so sorry for their kid…" She stopped in her tracks as she saw her father propped up by the bar, shouting his mouth off at anyone who tried to help him.

"You, look at you all! You look down your noses at me and my family because my wife left us. We don't need your sympathy because I can't stand any of you! So keep your pity for yourselves and your messed up families." The room was deadly silent, every pair of eyes on Mr Roberts.

Seth tried to grab Summer's hand but she pulled away. She ran for the door, the faint sound of her sobs amplified by the thick silence in the room. Neil Roberts watched his daughter flee and after one last hostile look at the room of people, followed her out of the door.

Seth started to go after her but was stopped by his mother.

"Don't honey, they need to work this out on their own." He looked at her forlornly, knowing she was right but wishing she wasn't. He slowly turned around to face Ryan and Marissa, knowing that they'd be thinking the same as him.