Everything's Falling, And I Am Included In That

Her blood pumped vigorously around her weakening body. Her body was tense and her eyes were steely. All Summer Roberts wanted to do was turn the plane around and fly back to Hawaii. But she couldn't. She had to go home, to finally face her Dad for the first time since he sent her here. She took another deep breath and her hands were shaking.

Only one hour left until we land. Back in Orange County and my nightmare starts again. Face my Dad and make out everything is fine, when its not. Face Gloria and her smug drugged up expression that makes me want to push her down a flight of stairs. Watch my Dad go through Divorce No. 2. I hate Newport. I hate Newport. I hate Newport.

Summer felt Seth's soft hand rest on top of hers and she sighed happily.

Oh, if I could take you with me Seth. To sit beside me and hold my hand whilst Gloria starts another argument. To hold and comfort me when my Dad thinks he can't take it anymore. To reassure me when I think about running away. I wish I could just keep you forever, then I'd never feel this bad again.

She grit her teeth as she glanced out at the fluffy white clouds and inhaled another gulp of air. She glanced down at her hand and saw her ring glimmering in the light. She gazed down at it fondly, this was something she could keep forever and always remember the best week she'd ever had.

Seth saw her staring at her ring and smiled to himself. As soon as he'd seen it in the store, he knew she had to have it. And he was right, she loved it. She'd said how she was never going to take it off, except when she showered and swam. Even if it wasn't on her finger, she'd have it. He continued to read his magazine, a furtive smile still on his face.

"Don't make me do this," Summer whispered as she gazed at the large house in front of her eyes. It was dark now and the lights in the garden lit it up magnificently. It looked like a palace, but to Summer it was a slaughter house. Marissa rubbed her hand comfortingly.

"Its going to be fine Summer. I promise you. But you know you need to do this and if at any time, you need a place to stay, my door is always open."

"Thanks Coop," Summer looked at her friend gratifyingly and Marissa nodded.

Summer took a deep breath and gave her friends one last look, it was a mixture of defiance and fear. She opened the door and climbed out. Seth did the same, to help her get her luggage. Minutes later, her cases sat beside her on the porch and Seth faced her. Tears prickled at her eyes and she tried to wipe them away.

"You sure you don't want me to come?" Seth asked.

"No, you need to go home, your Mom will want to see you. I can do this," Summer nodded.

"Okay, but if you need me, I'm here."

"I know and thank you Seth, for the best week I've ever had."

Seth nodded and Summer fell into his arms. They shared one more hug and a quick kiss before Summer was left alone, on the porch, watching her friends drive away. She was alone and this was it. She hastily wiped her eyes and reached for the door knob. This was it…

He watched as his daughter sat uneasily on the couch, she was silent yet he knew her head would be buzzing with thought. Neil reached for the pitcher of iced-tea and poured a glass for Summer and then for himself. He garnished it with a slice of lemon and added ice before carrying it through to her. She mumbled a thanks when he handed it to her and a heavy silence hung between the two.

"What time is it?" Summer asked quietly.

"10 past 8," Neil replied.

"What time is she coming?" Summer stressed the 'she', almost making it sound like a swear word.

"Gloria will be here about half past," Neil tried to look at Summer but she deliberately avoided his gaze.

"Y'know Sum we can't…" Neil began but was interrupted by the doorbell.

"You should get that," Summer said, no emotion in her voice. Neil nodded then set down his drink, heading for the door.

Thank god. At least I didn't have to talk to Dad. Now Gloria is here and it should be ten times worse. Oh, I'd give anything to get out of here. Just let me curl up in a dark corner. Let me lock myself in the bathroom. Let something happen to stop this. Let aliens land on the planet or an asteroid hit the earth. Anything.

She heard voices and moments later, Gloria flounced into the room. She didn't even acknowledge Summer, merely sat down in the large leather armchair. Soon after Neil followed and sat opposite Summer on the other couch. There was a distance between the three. Like an invisible blockade, a communication breakdown.

"So, Summer… uh, lets just get straight to it. Gloria and I have decided that, we should, separate…" Neil found it hard to get the words out but secretly Summer was delighted.

Finally, that vile woman will be out of our lives. No more midnight raids of Summer's medicine cabinet. No more humiliating occurrences at events. No. More. Gloria. YES!

"We just wanted to tell you in person honey," Neil continued, "I feel like such a failure, letting you down again, first your Mom and now this…"

Gloria snorted sarcastically and Neil glared at her.

"Something in your throat Gloria? A hairball perhaps?" Summer spat at her step-mother.

"Don't talk to me like that you little…"

"STOP!" Neil thundered, "I will not have this, not tonight." Summer and Gloria fell silent.

"Summer, what do you think, you haven't said anything about this yet…"

"I, uh, I'm happy. And don't be sorry Dad, it wasn't your fault that Mom left…" Neil smiled at his daughter and they acknowledged each other for the first time that night.

"Sorry to interrupt this touching moment but is that it? Can I leave now?" Gloria asked.

"Oh I'm sorry, have they released a new painkiller and you need to be there to buy them all with my Dad's money?" Summer asked in a mocking voice.

"Don't you dare talk to me like that!" Gloria was on her feet now and Summer was flooded with anger.

"I'll talk to you how the hell I like you stupid whore. All you've ever done is leech off my Dad. Our money, our house, our lifestyle! And you haven't even had the courtesy to apologise for ruining my graduation!" Summer cried. Neil stood up.

"She has a point Gloria. I think you owe Summer an apology." The two Roberts' glared at Gloria who smiled sarcastically.

"No."

"What?"

"No, I'm not apologising to you. Summer Roberts. The bitchy brat who has always had everything handed to her on a gold plate. Ha! I'd rather let a truck roll over me than apologise to you!"

"I can arrange to have a truck roll over you Gloria, I'd do it with pleasure." The two women continued to shriek at each other and Neil tried to stop them but he couldn't.

Suddenly, a stabbing pain in his chest took hold of his body. His left arm was numb.

No. This can't be happening. Not now. Please God. NO.

Neil gripped his chest and the pain was too much. Everything was in slow motion as he fell to the ground. Silence fell.

"DAD!" Summer screamed. Neil was slipping away. He was on the floor. The pain was controlling him.

"NEIL!"

"DAD!"

Darkness.

Waiting Rooms. What horrible places. There was no comfort here, no warmth. It was a desolate, empty place. You could sit inches away from someone and feel like your miles apart. Whenever a nurse enters the room, everyone looks up, anxious, hopeful. But their anxiety is short-lived. They're nervous, waiting for the bad news. No one expects good news. Waiting rooms prolong the inevitable. Three year old magazines decorate the tables and a T.V. is on, but no one watches. No one is happy. They wait. A room in which you wait for life or death. Everyone is alone. Why did Summer have to be one of them?

Usually, in bad situations, Summer's head would be bursting with noise. Thought, feeling, emotion would bounce around in her head. Not now. Her head was empty. She'd been robbed of her thoughts, feelings. She was hollow. The cold chair stung Summer's exposed skin where her top and jeans parted.

He's going to die. I know it. And he took his last breath whilst I argued with his wife. If he wakes up, he'll hate me. I'm a terrible daughter. I should be clinging onto life, not him. Its my fault. My dad's dying and its all my fault.

Summer glanced at the clock. 11.25pm. Three hours. She'd been in this wretched place three hours. No-one had told her anything. Gloria had taken off an hour ago. She was in the hospital somewhere and Summer would rather her be than sat here. If she had to share this pain, she would not share it with her. Summer closed her eyes. They were still dry, She couldn't understand why she hadn't cried yet. There was all this pent up emotion inside her but she couldn't release it.

Why? Why is this happening? I'm the most terrible daughter. My Dad is going to die and I can't even cry. I deserve to have a heart attack. I deserve to be dying. I'm the worst daughter in the world. My Dad is dying and its all my fault.

Even though her eyes were shut, she knew he was there. Why had she called him? It had only been 10 minutes ago and he was already here. She felt his warm breath tickle at her cheek. She gradually opened her eyes and there he was. Seth. His hair was a mess and he looked petrified. His skin was pale and his eyes hollow.

He sat beside her, not knowing whether to touch her. She looked so fragile. As if she'd shatter at the slightest touch. The two sat side by side, no words spoken. Then she fell onto him. Her body was racked with emotion and she let it out. The tears gushed out of her eyes so much they stung. Her body ached with sadness and all she could do was cry.

A/N Thanks for the lovely reviews! Glad you're enjoyng the story so far and I hope the drama this chapter was refreshing after the fluff. Leave me some more comments ;) Thanks!