Chapter Eleven

Summer sat capriciously on her bed, and her excitement kept her from sleeping soundly. She thought she was on "okay" grounds with Cohen, but she definitely didn't want it exposed to the world. It was hard enough telling Marissa, let alone telling the whole mob at school.

Next morning, Ryan Atwood rised out of bed, in the pool house, toppling over any nuisance that was powdering the ground. "Ah, Crap." Ryan yelled angrily, even though his eyes were practically closed. He jammed into the bathroom, and started with the dailies. When he got out, he slapped on a t-shirt, and dragged on some pants. He walked back to the bathroom, remembering he had a girlfriend- he couldn't go to school like he had dressed in the dark. He sprinkled cologne, on his clothes and rubbed it on his neck. This awakening sensation, and vigorous smell made Ryan smile- he was going to see Marissa once more today. Ryan gallopped back to the Cohen house, and already, a bliss full of tasteful aromas tickled his nose- he knew, this was nothing different then Kirsten's breakfast.

"Good morning." Kirsten said, in her usual preppy tone of voice.

"Good morning." Ryan echoed, "Where's Seth?"

"Right over hear, man." Seth appeared in the doorway, showing one more giddy-spirited person in the house. Each, busy with their morning rituals.

"All we need is a giddy Sandy, and then our neighbours will completely think we're insane leprochauns." Ryan said dismissively, while seconds later, Sandy appeared with his pearly white smile plastered on his face.

"Gooood Morning." Sandy announced, sitting down impatiently at the table. "This smell is driving me crazy!" He picked up his fork, and knife that were carefully placed beside him, and turned towards Kirsten.

"It's coming, it's coming." Kirsten bellowed happily. She brought pancakes, and French toast to the table, quilting the entire eating area with its abundance. "Bon apetite!" Kirsten wished, before she sat down herself. "I miss these kinds of mornings… when everyone isn't so self-inflicted with problems, and we're all happy-go-lucky." Kirsten started, with a mouthful of pancakes swelling in her mouth.

"That's life. So unexpected, darling." Sandy replied, leaning over to Kirsten, to give her a Good-morning kiss. Kirsten quirked an eyebrow, and grinned.

"Now this, is how it should be everyday." Seth said, choking down a wad of pancakes.

After breakfast, Ryan jumped into the car with Seth, ready to pick up the glamourous Marissa, from her house. Seth, the driver, honked impatiently as he waited parked in her driveway. Marissa came running out of the door, rushing hastily.

"Sorry guys." She scooted beside Ryan, getting an extraordinary good-morning kiss from Ryan.

"It's okay, baby." Ryan said, while cuddling his girlfriend in his arms. Marissa then looked at Seth, imagining the most outrageous scenes.

"So Seth," Marissa paused cunningly, "How are things, with," Marissa sighed, as if thinking, "With Summer?" She tried to sound unusually casual, but Seth understood Marissa knew something.

"Well," Seth stopped, imitating the sence in Marissa's voice, "Not so, I mean, not too good." Seth sent a little white lie, but it wasn't technically a lie. He knew very well, that just because Summer "forgave" him, it was no reason to parade. Besides, she wouldn't talk to him at school, anyways.

"What do you mean not so good?" Marissa snapped back anxiously, eyeing Seth closely.

"I mean, what I mean. It's not so good," Seth replied, and slowly stopped to think of what else to say. "Marissa- how can it be good, if Summer doesn't love me?" Seth asked rhetorically, hoping Marissa would drop the subject, of the dark haired barbie.

Marissa groaned, as if she didn't hear what she wanted to hear. Then she turned to Ryan, and she looked at him uncertainly. She knew she would catch him by surprise, if she kissed him. So she did.

She almost pounced on Ryan, leaning on his chest, engaging in passionate, and enthusiastic kisses. Marissa finally stunned Ryan completely, by slowly involving her tongue in the mouth-to-mouth mess. She caressed his tongue slowly, her leg entangled with his- her hands grasping his freshly shaven face. As surprised Ryan was, he reacted fast, holding Marissa tightly around her waist, and caressing her back gently.

"Get a room!" Seth shreiked from the front seat, regretting this awkward situation. "Make-out, but NOT in my car." Marissa, grinning, pulled away from Ryan, respecting Seth's desire.

"Sorry Seth," Marissa shrugged, and said meaninglessly. "Can't help it! I can't keep my hands off my man." Marissa turned to Ryan, and she raised an eyebrow confidently. Marissa took ahold of Ryan's hand, and held it in her's.

"Well can't you at least stay off eachother, near me?" Seth begged intolerantly.

"Hey man, don't be such a love grinch. Summer will come along too." Ryan assured the grumpy looking Seth.

"Ya, ya." Seth replied, while pulling up into the school. He quickly found a parking space close to the school, and to his surprise, Summer was just coming out of her own car. Seth quivered, "On second thought, why don't I park on the other side of the parking lot? It'll be great exercize!" Seth announced nervously. Marissa merely laughed.

"Come on!" She yelled at Seth, "Besides, she's already spotted us." Marissa pointed out the Summer, who was grinning from ear to ear, waiting impatiently for Marissa, and Ryan… apparently not Seth.

"Ah crap." Seth spat out, turning off the engine, in the original spot. He jumped out of the car, and waited for Marissa and Ryan to get out. Of course, they had a legitimate reason to stay planted in their seats, as they took advantage of Seth leaving, and were once more romantically kissing in the backseat. "Why do you always make out?" Seth growled desperately, kicking the two out of the car, who were still linked hand-by-hand. Ryan and Marissa, giggled, looking at Seth, who was trying to cover up his nervousness.

"Hey guys," Summer said in her usual, perky voice. "Hi Cohen." She even added, looking straight at him. Cohen looked up, enlightened, but was too late to see Summer looking at him.

"Hey Summer." Seth quickly replied, unsurely. Summer shot a quick smile, under her nose, hoping no one would see.

"Hey Sum!" Marissa and Ryan said in unison, bursting out in laughter once they did. Marissa and Ryan were in a playful, joke-y mood. Marissa then, suddenly (who apparently loved to surprise Ryan) jumped on his back comfortably, demanding a piggy back ride. The two laughing the entire way to the welcoming doors of the school, were admired by every passing couple in school, all thinking: They're ba-ack…