All the Waves of Blame Arrange as Broken Scenery
The graduation party was being enjoyed by everyone, bar one. Seth sat at the table in the corner of the room for most of the night. His family and friends were taking it in turns to try to coax him away but none prevailed. All the Newpsies were gossiping about Mr Roberts' outburst and Seth couldn't stand them talking that way about Summer.
It was nearly 11.30pm, she'd been missing for two and a half hours. Ryan wandered over to Seth for the third time, this time with Marissa in tow. They sat down either side of him gingerly.
"Hey," Ryan said hoping for a reply which would be more than he'd received previously.
"Hey," Seth muttered quietly. He continued to stare down at the ground.
"Why don't you come for a drink with Ryan and me?" Marissa suggested. Seth looked up and into her unflinching aqua eyes. He nodded and rose out of his seat. Ryan patted him on the back as he followed Marissa to the bar. They got their drinks and headed for the balcony.
Staring at the stars in the clear night sky, the three thought of the fact that high school was over, all were glad but secretly unhappy. The last three years had been eventful for all of them and even though they'd faced some traumatising incidents, all would probably admit to them being the best they had seen.
It got to 11.45 and Ryan suggested a quick walk on the beach before heading home a midnight, the time when many events ended and they needed a ride home, it wasn't exactly near to home. Seth went to tell his parents where they'd be and the three set off quickly.
Seth always found that a walk on the clean, white sanded beaches of Newport always made him feel better when he was down. The club was right on the coast line so it didn't take long to get onto the beach. Ryan and Marissa walked hand in hand and Seth missed Summer more than ever, he knew she loved walking by the sea at night time.
About 10 minutes into their walk Marissa spotted a shadowed figure sat on a hump of sand further along the beach.
"Guys, look!" She pointed furiously as she realised it could only be one person. Summer. Seth broke into a run towards her. He reached her in a matter of seconds.
Summer was doubled over her face stained with tears and mascara. One of her earrings was missing and the white rose hung limply from her tangled hair. He sat down next to her and pulled her towards him gently. She sobbed into his chest. He stroked her hair softly.
Ryan and Marissa appeared behind the pair, they hadn't been able to get there as quickly because of Marissa's dress.
"Have you been sat here all night?" Seth asked her. She simply nodded, a silent tear floating down her cheek. Ryan and Marissa sat down next to them and the four sat in silence, listening to the steady breaking of the waves onto the beach. Seth wrapped his arm around her and she whimpered quietly, leaning into his chest. It wasn't long until Ryan realised that they had to get back to the club as the party would be over.
The four dashed along the beach and just made it to the club as the adults were stood out front waiting for the valet to bring their cars around. Seth walked over to his parents, Summer behind him. Sandy saw the look on his sons face and his lost looking girlfriend behind him.
"She can stay for tonight only. And if anything at all happens, you will be grounded until you're 30. Got it?" Sandy whispered sternly in Seth's ear. Seth nodded, turning to Summer.
"You can stay at my house tonight," he told her.
"Thank you, Mr and Mrs Cohen," Summer mumbled at the two adults who nodded appreciatively.
Seth opened the door to the car for her as Summer climbed in gracefully. As the car pulled away from the club, she looked back at the club, with its lights twinkling in the veil of darkness. She closed her eyes an tried to block out all the thoughts racing through her mind.
"Is everything ok? Do you need anything else?" Kirsten asked Summer.
The two were in the guest bedroom where they'd agreed that she'd stay the night. She sat on the bed, holding a pillow tightly.
"Everything's great Mrs Cohen," Summer looked up and saw the look she was giving her.
"Sorry, Kirsten." Kirsten smiled warmly.
"Well goodnight honey, if you need anything, there's Sandy and me or the boys." Kirsten walked to the doorway.
"Oh, Kirsten," Summer called. She turned around, peering back at her.
"Thank you." Kirsten beamed and left, heading for her own bedroom.
As he watched his mother go downstairs, Seth emerged from his hiding place, behind a corner further up the hallway. He tiptoed to the guest room and knocked on the door softly. Hearing a muffled "Come in," he proceeded in pushing open the where a forlorn looking Summer was perched on the double bed.
She smiled as he sat down next to her, extending his arm around her shoulders protectively. She allowed her head to loll onto his chest as he stroked her hair lovingly.
After around 5 minutes in which Seth and Summer sat comfortably in that position in silence, Summer moved her head to look up into Seth's eyes affectionately.
"I love you," she whispered. His heart leapt at hearing her say those three words which he'd said numerous times.
"I love you too," he replied.
Sighing as he glanced at his wristwatch, he started to get up. It was 2.15am already.
"Hey it's getting late. We'd better go to bed," he yawned, "It's been a long day." Seth stood up straight, stretching.
"Please don't go Seth," she pleaded, "sleep here instead."
"I can't Sum, my parents would ground me for life if they caught us." She nodded understandingly.
"Ok, just come see me in the morning."
He leant in to kiss her tenderly on the lips.
"Thanks, Seth, for everything," she smiled gratefully.
"Hey, it's what I'm here for." He took one last adoring look at her and left the room, closing the door softly behind him.
Summer was awakened the next morning by the bright summer sunshine streaming into the room. The blinds were closed but the light was so bright it just filled the room. Her hair was tangled and she still had mascara under her mahogany coloured eyes. She stretched her arms and yawned widely, looking at the clock hanging above the door. 9.46am.
There was a sudden knock at the door.
"Come in!" Summer yawned, propping up the pillows behind her so she sat upright comfortably. Seth entered and a delicious smell filled the room. He'd brought her a tray loaded with food, pancakes, fruit, bacon, eggs, juice and coffee were just some of the delights that lay upon it.
"Awww you brought me breakfast! Mmm it smells great," she grinned licking her lips. Seth set it down carefully in front of her.
"Here we have a special breakfast for one- or two if it's too much," Seth hinted not so subtly, longingly looking at the large stack of pancakes.
"Hey, grab a fork Cohen. You made it!" Summer handed him a fork and they began to eat the feast.
"So, how're you feeling today?" Seth asked, gulping some of the juice.
"A lot better, thanks. My head hurts a little but other than that I'm better than yesterday." Summer stabbed a piece of pancake and strawberry.
"So, are you gonna go home then later?" Seth said quietly.
"You trying to get rid of me already Cohen?" Summer joked. Her expression changed as she thought about it seriously.
"I really don't want to go home, but I guess I have to. I need some clean clothes and I guess I need to talk to my Dad. I wish I didn't though. I have nothing nice to say to either of them. They both ruined my graduation." Summer sighed, staring blankly into space.
"Well, we could roll by your house and get your clothes and then go out with Ryan and Marissa, save all the heavy stuff with your Dad for later. He should be at work. We have to go out it's the first official day of our new high school free life," Seth suggested the idea praying she'd say yes.
"Yeah, that sounds good," her face lit up, "My step mom should be at yogalates anyway." Seth smiled broadly and leaned over to kiss her. Summer kissed him back before pulling away.
"Now come on, get outta here I gotta change!" Summer exclaimed jumping out of bed with just her expensive lace underwear on. Seth looked at her with a confused look on his face.
"Summer are you planning on putting on your $500 gown?" Seth asked her. Her expression changed as it dawned on her that she only had her floor length evening gown.
"So what am I gonna do?" He stood up and exited the room, returning a few minutes later with a fluffy white bathrobe in hand. She took it from him, putting it on and tying the cord tightly. She followed Seth as he walked down the hall to his room. Summer laid on the bed while he opened his wardrobe.
"You might have left something here…"
He rifted through the neatly hung and folded clothes. 5 minutes later he extracted a little orange halter top and a pair of denim cut off shorts.
"Perfect!" Summer pulled them on over her underwear. "But what about shoes?"
"I'm sure my mom has a pair of old flip flops she wont mind you borrowing, anyway we're going back to your house so you can change.
She nodded and walked over to the mirror, flipping her hair a couple of times and running her fingers through it vigorously.
"Ready?" Seth groaned tiredly after she'd spent 10 minutes tossing her hair around.
"Kay, I'm ready," Seth grabbed his car keys which he'd left on his dresser and the two headed out into the California sunshine.
A/N Lots of views, not many reviews... If you do read, please leave me a comment, I'd like to know how people are finding the story. Thanks xx