Chapter Nineteen

Summer wafted out of Seth's car, entangling her hands in those of his. They walked, laughing carelessly and talking to each other, neglecting the world around them. When Summer finally actually opened her eyes to look at the faces of her schoolmates, Summer was immediately grounded. She wondered why all of them seemed to be so wearily whispering while Seth and Summer passed, and why everyone was so intently staring the two down. Summer couldn't have been paranoid, because Seth had that same confused look on his face.

"Sum," Seth started, but Summer knew what he was going to ask.

"Yeah." Summer gulped down a wad of spit that resided in her throat. She looked around and glared at the people, whom once she had lead. What changed?

Seth and Summer spotted Marissa, and eventually Ryan coming down the hallway. Marissa smiled nervously at Summer, and Ryan just completely avoided their eyes as though he couldn't be seen with them. But Seth and Summer knew this wasn't the case – he seemed too hurt to look in Seth and Summer's unknowing eyes. Marissa came between Seth and Summer, as she placed her hands on their shoulders – this wasn't much of a consolation.

"M'rissa, mind telling us what the hell is going on?" Summer spoke quickly, and her voice was stern. Marissa bit her lip.

"Can't. This school is like a mob." Marissa answered with genuine fright piercing her eyes. Ryan had the same fragile look in his.

"What's going on?" Summer started to loose her temper, "Do people suddenly hate us, or something? I mean, what did I do? Seth got shot, I almost died myself, and what- who's spreading sht?" Summer asked impatiently, pressing Marissa with her beady eyes.

"Walk with me, this isn't going to be easy." Marissa said, still containing her remorseful look. Summer couldn't stand not knowing. "You guys, since you've been gone, people have been talking." Marissa stopped in front of the gym doors. It was dark- surprisingly dark, "I'm guessing we totally can't be seen. The mob is hungry for more rumours, and I cannot stand being the centre of them again. You're on your own, sweetheart." Marissa said coldly. They opened the door to the gym door, and entered the darkness. Marissa led them toward the bleachers, as soon there eyes became slightly adjusted to the darkness. Before Seth and Summer could see ahead of themselves, the lights shot open, and a gathering of people popped up from nearly, nowhere. They assembled with huge grins on their faces, laughing at Seth's and Summer's horrified expressions. They looked at banners hanging from the walls- Glad you're OKAY! They all wrote, in the same coloured print. Seth and Summer were grinning, as they started to get up.

"It's hard keeping secrets from you two." Ryan said with a wide grin on his face.

"You two! I can't believe you! You're rotten! Marissa, you could have at least told me to dress up!" Summer was squealing with happiness, wondering endlessly who had thought out such a thing. "Thank you." Summer said first to Marissa and Ryan, giving them both individual hugs, "Thank you." She said louder, to the whole population who seemed to gather. Summer realised people weren't glaring – they were just discussing what was about to happen. Summer started to tear, as she started waving her hand near her eyes to soothe the sting.

"Got to hand it to ya. You scared the crap out of us!" Seth managed to say, still frozen with shock. He smiled at everyone who had gathered. It was such an honour to have everyone assembled for their sake.

The principal was soon walking towards them, with a wide grin on her face. She was smiling her delicate smile, as her whole makeup-ed face had tiny laugh lines all over it.

"I am very glad to see that you are both alright, kids. It would have been a shame to loose you to such an accident." Summer smiled at her.

"Thank you, Mrs. It's great to be back here- nothing has changed, so I hope- otherwise, I have a lot of catching up to do." Summer said happily, as she shook the principal's hand, Seth did so immediately after.

"Thank you very much. What a welcome! Almost makes me want to come to school!" Seth joked, and the principal laughed. "Thanks, everyone!" Seth called out to the smiling crowd. He was surprised their cheeks didn't hurt from such extensive smiling.

"Marissa, I can't believe you didn't tell me." Summer nagged, with a smile on her face. "Who planned this?" Summer asked.

"Well, we were in charge of not telling you guys, and getting you all worked up, and afraid. You can basically thank the cheerleaders, for thinking of you- and Seth." Marissa added quickly. "Otherwise, the whole school was glad to see you two are okay." Marissa said proudly.

"I'm glad things will finally be back to normal- at least slightly back to normal." Summer said, but she was far from right. Going to class, she accidentally dropped her books- she admitted, she was a klutz at times, but she didn't need a mob of freshmen to pick her books up for her, she was perfectly capable of doing it herself . . . Coming out of class, kids she didn't even know where coming up to her, and asking what happened, and how it happened- what did they care for? People were giving her tightly packed envelopes, with Get well cards in them – She was well ALREADY! What was with these people? They were babying her, and pampering her beyond acquisition. During classes, teachers were giving her the easiest time ever- Summer didn't even have the occasion to give some well deserved attitude. The worst was during lunch- and at this point Summer completely snapped. She stood in line, like any regular person. Then, as she continued to stand, the whole line was letting her go ahead of them, and the person who was already ordering even offered – no insisted – to buy her lunch.

"What am I, poor?" Summer snapped quickly. She quickly put her hand to her head, as she looked toward Seth, who seemed to be getting the exact same treatment- he didn't seem to mind it, though. Summer looked toward him, in almost aggravation. She couldn't take it anymore. She asked someone sitting on a chair to get off of it- it was the nearest chair. Summer got up, on the chair, and whistled a loud, ear-piercing whistle. The entire chattering lunch room, almost immediately hushed. Summer, at this point, wished she wasn't on top of a chair in front of absolutely everyone, "Okay everybody, I'm Summer Roberts." They seemed bored by this announcement, giving her looks saying almost – Duh! We know already know that, how could we not? "Yes, I was shot at, and yes Seth Cohen was shot, but we're alive, we're good, and we're back to live out regular lives. This treatment was great in the beginning, but now? It's just unnecessary people! I want to forget but while I'm being pampered like some incapable person, well then how can I forget? You people are bouncing on my last nerve! I don't want 'Get well' letters, I don't want to get ahead in line, and I definitely don't want people to pay for my fricking lunch! Is that at least somewhat reasonable?" Summer looked around sadly, as she stared each person down, "If I can just be treated like I was treated before the accident. I can't stand it!"

"I can." Seth glared at Summer, once she got down from the chair, "I have never had this kind of treatment!" Seth said in a hoarse whisper to Summer, "The least you can do is let me savour it for a few hours!"

"Seth, don't take advantage of these people. They pity us- I don't need pity right now. I just want to forget, okay? I'm sorry if I burst your bubble, but I still have nightmares about that night- about you . . . dying. I can't take anything right now. It's just hard. And these people aren't helping. They're making me feel disabled or something- and I want to be normal." Summer was almost crying at this point. To this point, this day seemed so overwhelming. "I'm sorry." She pouted as she hugged Seth.

"It's okay, I didn't know you felt that way, Sum. It'll be okay, you know?" Seth said in his soothing voice. Summer smiled,

"I hope so, Seth. I really do. I don't want to remember." Summer continued to stare blankly, with a frown on her face.