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Chapter Twenty Four (PART II)

"What happened Cohen?" She giggled, realizing his story might be something a little bizarre for her liking. She rolled her eyes as she smiled at him.

"Don't worry, Sum, it's not a stupid story. I'll bet you'll be proud." He grinned widely, and Summer just shook her head, as she laughed.

"Shoot." She settled down a bit, staring into Seth's chocolaty eyes. She admired the depth, and the entirety of it all. She hadn't really admired Seth, and his wholeness in a while. The way his lips moved when he spoke, and his gentle, adorable lisp made Summer yearn to kiss them- she knew she couldn't though, and sadly, she accepted it. She also stared at the way his hair curled perfectly on his head, created simply, dark locks. His complexion was so clear, and smooth- somehow everything about Seth Cohen made her shiver with pride, pride that she was with him.

"Well, I beat up Daniel Brooke." He announced proudly, a little loudly so that everyone in his surroundings. Summer burst out laughing, and at this, Seth felt a little hurt.

"No, seriously, what?" She asked, not realizing that was his big news. Once his face sunk, she rubbed his arm, "Oh, honey, I wouldn't laugh at you if it was the other way around." She smiled, "I know you're harmless, and that's why I love you." She smiled, as she exhaled, "So, what's the big news?"

Seth merely stared at her. She widened her eyes, as if prompting him to speak up. He waved his hand, with a small frown on his face, "Naw, it's nothing." He muttered as he turned around, ready to listen into the pre-examination discussions.

Summer stared at him, and then she shrugged, Whatever.. – she thought. Seth sat there in his seat, his sharp shoulders tilted over, into a steady slouch. He was doodling on his notebook paper, scratching and scribbling random things. He had his face prepped up against his knuckles, which told Summer clearly that he was upset. Summer decided to ignore it for a little while, because she, too, had to focus on the discussion, something she had not been doing for a while now.

At the end of the very solemn lesson, Seth started to walk out of the classroom, his eyes trailing the ground. He quickly enlightened when Summer came over, so that she couldn't pity him further.

"Aw, honey what's the matter?" She looked up at him. Seth smiled a small smile, which Summer noticed wasn't one of his happy-go-lucky ones, "If you say nothing, I will kill, Seth." She said gravely, "What is up?"

"The roof?" He replied dumbly. She stared at him, with a small pout, as she wrapped her arms around his waist.

"Seth…" She pressed softly.

"What? Nothing is up- other than the roof." He said, keeping his hands firmly at his sides. Summer pushed them to her own waist, but he rejected the invitation. She shook her head, surprised that he was pissed off over something, and wouldn't tell her.

"Seth!" She said a little louder. Marissa walked up behind them,

"Hey guys." She said smiling, knowing that she had interrupted an already awkward situation. She felt it in the air, however she had a sole purpose for the interruption, "Do you guys know where Ryan might be?" Seth only looked at her blankly, and Summer glared at her. Marissa rolled her eyes, "Well sorry for interrupting, but I'm in search of my boyfriend, so I can quarrel with him instead of watching you two." She said it in a tone of voice, that made it seem as though Seth and Summer should have known the reason for her interruption in the first place.

"Office." Summer said, as she fidgeted with her lips, and managed to smile a bit, "And sorry about being.. well, you know." Marissa nodded, smiled and walked away. Summer realized she now had troubles with Marissa, too, "Seth." She said uncomfortably, "Tell me what's bothering you- please?" She asked kindly, looking up at him with her big, beady eyes.

"Whatever I'll tell you, you'll just mock me, so I might as well say nothing is up, so that I can avoid humiliation in front of you." Seth said earnestly.

"Seth!" She said in a whiny tone, "That's just it; I am your fiancé, so shouldn't that mean that we're completely honest with each other, and not be afraid to speak up? Shouldn't that also mean that we try and change our faults? Come on, Seth.. tell me what's up, honestly this time." Summer closed her eyes, and exhaled. She opened them, only to see Seth's blank face again.

"Okay, fine. I'll tell you," Seth paused, unsure if he should continue, or not.

"Shoot." Summer said, creasing her eyebrows a little, showing Seth an adorable, and completely irresistible expression, that informed him that she was just dying to know.

"Okay, well, what is so surprising about me beating up Brooke?" He asked her, displaying his conflict upfront.

"Oh God.." Summer giggled, "Is that what's bothering you? Didn't I already justify my opinion?" She raised an eyebrow, "Seth, you're just too adorable to beat someone up. Beating someone up is more Ryan's job, and ever wonder why I'm not with Ryan?" She smiled, "Think about it. I fell for you, for the guy you are- cause you also don't beat up guys for fun."

"Sum! But this wasn't for fun, this was for you." Seth looked at her, his face constantly portraying constant emotions like hurt, and shock.

"Why for me, Seth? I can fight my own battles. Just 'cause I'm a girl, doesn't mean I can't tell him to shove it." Summer's face had tensioned. It seemed nothing she said was getting through to Seth.

"Yeah, you really told him to 'Shove it' there, right? That's why he had to come to the bathroom and repeat that he was going to, quote: 'Get my sexy girlfriend…'. You can ask Ryan, and you can tell by Daniel's damaged face- I did it." Seth announced, and then added quickly, before Summer could shudder his ego further, "And believe me, or don't, but it was me, for you- and he's going to stay away from you."

Summer smiled. Seth could tell she still didn't believe his account of the story, but she realized how worked up he was getting over it, so she let him win, "Aw, honey," She kissed him gently on the lips, "You're so hot, protecting me like that." She grinned deeply. But then she frowned, "Word is you got caught though- got caught on top of Daniel, beating the crap out of him."

"So if that's the word, why you don't you believe it?" Seth snapped quickly.

"Honey, hasn't anyone ever told you rumours aren't ever true? I only assumed that it was the same case here." She pouted, "Don't be mad, I believe you now."

"Now's too late, Sum." He frowned, "And yeah, I did get caught, but I got out of suspension."

"How!" Summer stared at him wildly, her eyes wide and curious.

He laughed, "That information is not for disbelievers." He smiled, as he gave her a kiss on the lips. Class was over a long while ago, but Seth and Summer were the only two in the hallway, enjoying the silence and serenity. Finally, they heard footsteps coming from down the hall. Seth and Summer pulled away, only to spot Marissa and Ryan walking hand in hand.

Summer smiled at the two, and particularly at Marissa. Her smile conveyed guilt, and a small question of forgiveness.

"Yeah, Sum, you're forgiven for being, a you-know-what." Marissa giggled.

"You read my mind! Wow!" Summer exclaimed excitedly, as the guys laughed.

"Nah, I've just seen it so many times.." Marissa giggled, "Forget it, Sum. I understand the situation." She winked, "But now that things are better, how about we go to the mall, the beach, grab a burger? Anything?" She was open to any ideas, as she cuddled into Ryan's shoulder.

"I could just crash on a couch, cuddle with my honey, and-" Seth started,

"Seth, if you continue with that sentence-" Ryan interrupted impertinently.

"Whaaat? I was only going to say cuddle with my honey, and watch a movie, oh dirty-minded Ryan. What did you have on mind?" He laughed, and plastered a goofy smile on his face.

"You never have to know." Ryan said, with a grin, "So, what are we doing tonight?" Ryan asked, in an objective voice.

"Honestly, I wouldn't mind a movie either. It's been a long day.. really long day. I'm kinda tired." She pouted, looking around the gathering of friends.

"So, all for a movie, hands up?" Summer and Seth put their hands up, Marissa and Ryan eventually did too. They figured any plans were good ones.

"But you two," Ryan pointed at Seth and Summer, "If the room requires any less lighting the ones in the school, we're ditching the little rendez-vous. Same goes for earplugs- this time, I'm just not gunna tolerate it. It's a movie, or it's a date- you two pick before you gross both me and Marissa out." Ryan warned them. Seth and Summer giggled,

"Well, I personally don't know what you two are talking about." Summer said, and allowed Seth to finish off.

"Is it just me, or was it you two that were canoodling the last time we met up?" Seth laughed, and so did the whole gang.

The hallway seemed quite imperviously deserted, however in a moment's time, around five or six guys turned the corner. Seth and Ryan looked at them- Daniel. Marissa bit her lip, and Summer almost gasped out loud.

God, is Daniel coming back for revenge? – Summer thought worriedly, and her expression didn't hide her fear.

The group soon hustled toward the Fantastic Four. All five buff guys, were glaring at Ryan and Seth, however Daniel in particular was staring intently at Summer. This time, he wasn't worried that Seth would bash him in the face- he had backup.

"So Seth, dare to repeat what you didn't finish before?" Daniel threatened.

Ryan stepped up, toward Daniel, "Didn't you get enough earlier?" Ryan asked demandingly, as he glared at the superficial jock.

"Actually, I got a lot less then enough. If you haven't noticed, Seth couldn't beat me up if he tried, even if I did manage to take his 'fiancé' away from him." Daniel snarled, "And unfortunately, now Seth is going to be the one to get massively bashed.

"Why 'cause you couldn't do it alone, you need backup now?" Ryan asked him harshly, as he kept his face close to Daniel's in a menacing manner. Daniels backup intervened, and pushed Ryan behind slightly, "Don't touch me." Ryan said gravely, to the guy that had pushed him.

"I could do it myself," Daniel started, "I just wanted Seth to get it good." He nodded, "So let's settle this once and for all, Cohen."

"Hey, Cohen's my name for him, you boob." Summer squealed from behind the guys. She glared at Daniel, pushing Ryan and Seth aside. As she walked up to Daniel, looking up at him with her defiant stare, "You listen. If you know what's good for you, get the hell away from me, my friends, and my fiancé you freaking ass hat. Understand, that I don't want you. You're trash, and you're worthless to me. I want you out of my freaking life now, and for always, cause you're just such a freaking stupid jock, that you don't understand no the first time. So are you happy now? No! No I don't like you, I never liked you, and I pray to God that I will die before I start liking you." Summer shrieked, as she went to turn around. Before she said, 'Come on guys' Daniel turned her over, and wrapped her into a kiss. Summer pushed him away, before Seth could. Her reflexes worked faster then she could think, and her hand was soon splattered across his face, as the whole hall was filled with an consuming slap.

Daniel's hand flung to the place that Summer had slapped him, and he glared at her.

"What?" Summer asked him, "If you ever fucking touch me again, I will file a restraining order against you." Summer hissed, as she then quickly turned around. The foursome followed her, and Daniel decided to discontinue the plan.

Once the four were out of the building, Seth cuddled her, "You were hot down there." He smiled at her, and she smiled back gently.

"Why thank you, Seth." She said proudly, "Now let's go before they come back for more." Summer said quickly, and impatiently.