A/N: This chapter is short, I know but I'm used to doing one-shots.

I can finally post this chapter! I finished it about a week ago but I havn't been able to log in untill now.

Would You Love Me Anyway
by Louie91

Over the next week Summer got to know Ryan, Marissa, Theresa and Seth a lot better, they were quickly becoming her best friends. She found herself not wanting school to end but eventually Friday did come around and she found herself not looking forward to the weekend at all. Although that was before she new about the charity fundraiser. Marissa had mentioned it a few times but only in passing. It wasn't until Friday afternoon at Benny's that she realised that she was actually invited. Marissa had apologised at least half a dozen times for not inviting her formally, she was just so used to the others knowing that if she mentioned a party they were invited. Summer couldn't care less. She was going to a party for the first time in nearly nine months! But then of course she realised she had nothing to wear.

"Don't worry about it," Marissa had assured her when she had mentioned it, just wear jeans and a top if you want, it doesn't have to be fancy." So now, here she was, in Marissa Coopers bedroom in her mother's mansion, wearing a pair of new jeans, a pink button down top and Tobey in a carry bag strapped to her chest. She felt kinda frumpy, but otherwise she was in high spirits. Ryan, Theresa and Seth were there as well. Ryan was holding Sue but Brendan and Zeke were playing on Brendan's bed with some plush action figures Seth had brought for Zeke. There uplifting conversation about Dr Briggs (there biology teacher's) extremely long nose hairs was suddenly interrupted by a loud knock on the door. Julie Cooper strode in.

"Marissa," She practically hissed, "I told you I didn't want you hiding up here all night. There are some very outspoken people out there. I want our new family to make a good impression." With that she left. Marissa rolled her eyes. Julie had recently gotten another new rich husband. That was her main motivation for throwing the event.

"Well I better go 'mingle'," She said using air quotes, "anyone care to join?"

"No thanks, I've filled my life's quota of mingling already." Seth joked. Ryan and Theresa just shock their heads. Summer stood up, slowly so she didn't jostle Tobey too much and walked over to Marissa, "I'm in."

The lower floor of the house was filled with gests. They were dressed remotely casual but Summer had been around enough of these people to realise they were well off. Every now and then people stopped Marissa to 'chat'. They were the gossipers, Summer observed. Almost as if out of nowhere, a boy about their age appeared next to them.

"Hey." Marissa jumped. Then spun around.

"Hello Luke," She didn't sound very friendly.

They talked for a bit. Well, Luke talked, Marissa offered one or two word answers, Summer observed. Eventually he was called away by to talk to someone and as he left he brushed against Marissa's shoulder, she flinched.

"Who was he?" Summer asked when he was gone.

"No one," Marissa brushed it of hastily and Summer dropped it. After another ten minutes or so Tobey let our a high-pitched wail. She had been fidgety for a little while and Summer new she was hungry.

"I've got to go feed her," She told Marissa quietly while she tried to comfort the screaming baby.

"Sure," She replied, "You can use a spare room upstairs if you want."

"Thanks," Summer made her way through the crowd and back up the stairs. She went into the first bedroom that she found. Theresa was already in there, feeding Sue.

"Mind if I join you?" Summer asked uncertainly.

"Sure," Theresa patted a spot on the bed next to her. "I left the boys to there own devices, I'm not sure how they'll cope."

Summer Laughed as she sat down. She started unbuttoning her shirt. Tobey was quieter now.

"Your lucky to have such a great guy like Ryan," It just came out; she didn't know why she said it. Theresa cast her eyes down.

"Sometimes I'm not so sure." She mumbled.

"Pardon?" Summer wasn't sure she had heard her.

"He doesn't love me," Theresa sighed. "I know that."

"I'm sure he does."

"As a friend maybe, but not how I wish he would, not how he wished he could." Summer didn't know what to say.

"I was the girl next door. Back in Chino." She clarified, "Were I grew up hardly anyone had more than one parent and we didn't really have relationships either. I mean, we had sex, but it was never anything more. When I told him I was pregnant I was ready for him to bolt, I was so shocked when he didn't. He didn't want to be like his dad. Ever since then I've felt like I owe him. The only reason I'm still at school is so he wouldn't quit. He was always different to the other boys. He was kind and he was smart, he could have really gone places. I don't deserve him." By now Theresa was crying and clutching her daughter tight. "Sorry I dropped all this on you Summer, I'm not usually so emotional."

"It's alright Theresa."

"No it's not." Theresa shook her head before bolting out the door with her daughter. Summer just sat there. She shouldn't have asked that question. Later, when she was on her way home in Seth's car he asked her how her night was.

"It was alright." Was all she answered?

"Good. So you wouldn't mind doing it again? Because although he may not know it, there is a little boy asleep in the back seat who would really like you too come to his birthday party next Saturday."

"Well I wouldn't want to let him down," Summer joked. Seth laughed.

"I wonder why Ryan and Theresa left so early." He wondered out loud. "I didn't get a chance to invite them.

"I don't know," She couldn't tell him what Theresa had said, she new that much

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