Carmen peeked out of her bedroom door and down into the living room. Seth was sitting there, watching the television and cringing.

After Carmen had hidden herself behind the front door, Seth had explained that he had come to see Paul. Carmen had told him that Paul and Lena had gone to the beach, and Seth had insisted that he would wait for them to get back. Of course Carmen knew that might be hours away. However Seth didn't seemed fazed with this news.

'Okay, well..just wait.. until I get upstairs and then you can come in' Carmen had told him.

She thought she had heard Seth chuckle as she semi-closed the front door and did a mad dash up the stairs.

'Okay, you can come in now' she yelled from the landing, before ducking into her and Lena's room.

A fully clothed Carmen walked down the stairs, and stood stiffly next to the couch, not bold enough to sit down next to Seth. 'So, um, do you want a drink or something?'

'I'm good thanks' Seth had replied.

Carmen shifted uncomfortably, at least getting him a drink would have given her something to do. She didn't understand why she felt so self-conscious, Carmen was never intimidated by guys. Even exceptionally good looking ones, but there was something different about this guy, he had Carmen all flustered. She crossed the room and sat down on the couch opposite Seth.

Silence.

She glanced up at Seth, he looked perfectly comfortable sitting here with her in complete silence. Well, silent with the exception of some semi-celebrity praising the wonders of Thigh Miracle Wand from the other side of the room.

She couldn't stand the silence any longer. 'So, how do you know Paul?'

There was a pause, and suddenly Seth looked uncomfortable.

'Ah, our fathers were good friends when we were young, Paul and I have stuck together ever since'

'Oh' was Carmen's only reply. She knew Paul's father was a bit of a deadbeat. A drunk. However Paul loved his father deeply, and visited him whenever he could. Was Seth's father like Paul's? It was highly likely. Surprisingly, this news made Carmen slightly more comfortable. Knowing Seth had problems like anyone else, made him slightly less intimidating.

'So how come I haven't seen you before?' She asked him, if he and Paul were such good friends wouldn't she have seen him at some of the functions she had been to with Paul? Parties, football games, even the wedding.

Seth shrugged 'I've been out of town for awhile, I just got back today'

Carmen nodded, 'So are you here to stay now?'

Seth smiled 'I never stay anywhere for too long, but right now South Carolina is looking better than ever'

Carmen froze. Was that a line? Did her stepbrothers, gorgeously out of her league friend just hit on her? Before Carmen could reply, the front door swung open and Paul walked in, followed by Lena. Carmen watched Seth intensely as his gaze slipped from Paul to Lena. Well there goes any possible interest he may have had in me, she thought without any resentment towards Lena, she was used to it. Lena couldn't help it.

Seth stood up, and at the moment Paul noticed him, Carmen observed a thousand emotions run through Paul's face. The two men said nothing, but strode towards each other and embraced very unexpectedly. They did the manly thing and slapped each other on the back before they stepped apart. Paul was grinning from ear to ear, a rare sight.

There was history here, and Carmen was determined to find out about it. Seth was definitely intriguing.

AN/ Please Review. Seth is going to be a very interesting character, I can tell you that lol.