A/N: Well here I am with another chapter with more drama between the four teens of the OC. Thanks for the reviews!
DISCLAIMER: Only the plot!
Chapter Seven: Dance Night
The pounding beat met Summer and Ryan's ears as they entered the hall at the dance. Around them people were dressed to the nine's and dancing away to the music from the live band, The Killers.
"I didn't know they were playing," admitted Summer as Ryan led her through the crowd to the front, "Did you?"
"No, but Seth'll be happy," replied Ryan as him and Summer began dancing together.
As they were getting into the music Anna and Seth joined them. Anna looked cute in a pastel yellow strapless, knee length dress with white slip ons. Her long, blonde hair was curled nicely and bounced when she moved her head.
"Oh my god," said Seth, "Summer… why didn't you tell me?"
"I didn't know. I've hardly had anything to do with the planning of this. Just the napkins and crepe paper… pale blue and white."
"I don't see any crepe paper," said Anna looking around her, "But I did see the napkins. Blue with white stripes."
"Not that any one really cares."
Everyone followed Summer's gaze at the trampled napkins already covering the ground. Ryan hugged Summer as a slow song came on. Seth looked at Anna awkwardly, who just shrugged at him.
"Food?" said Seth?"
"Food," nodded Anna as the two left Summer and Ryan to dance alone.
"I think we scared them away," chuckled Ryan drawing Summer closer to him with his arms around her waist.
Summer smiled and rested her head on Ryan's shoulder, savouring the moment.
OC
The night continued with more music from The Killer's. Summer and Ryan spent most of it together and Seth and Anna mainly hung around the food and drink table talking.
After a rather energetic song ended, Summer headed to the girl's room, while Ryan joined Seth and Anna at the food and drink table.
Summer walked into the girl's room to find none other then Taylor reapplying blush to her cheeks. Summer ignored Taylor and pulled her lip-gloss out. Taylor glanced her way as she started on her eye shadow but Summer was already recapping her lip-gloss and sticking it into her little bag.
"Summer," said Taylor quickly as Summer headed for the door, "I really am telling the truth."
"What is it with you?" cried Summer spinning around to glare at Taylor angrily, "Do you have some goal to annoy me till I finally believe you? Ryan and Anna are friends! Get over your little fetish to destroy my life!"
"If you don't believe me take a look for yourself."
Summer rolled her eyes and walked out of the girl's room. She scanned the dancing crowd and spotted Anna and Ryan dancing together. Shrugging it off, even though she got a weird feeling from it, Summer walked over to where Seth was standing.
"Hey Cohen, isn't the point of coming to a dance, to dance?" said Summer taking a glass of punch that Seth offered her.
"Yeah, but dancing and me don't mix that well," said Seth with a shrug.
"So Anna asked Ryan?"
"No, Ryan offered."
"Oh," was all Summer could say. She looked up and over at the girl's room doorway to see Taylor smirking in her direction, "Well, that's Ryan for you. Always the gentleman."
"Yeah… right. Did you want the whole school to hear that?" asked Seth rubbing his ear from Summer literally screaming out the last part.
"No. Only Taylor. She keeps on trying to convince me that Ryan and Anna have a thing going on."
Seth looked over at Taylor frowning, "Even after you paid her a personal visit?"
"Yeah, that girl is seriously twisted. I swear she has a hit list."
"Thanks for the dance Ryan," said Anna as her and Ryan joined Seth and Summer.
Summer smiled at Ryan and hugged him tightly.
"What was that for?" asked Ryan curiously just as Seth's phone began buzzing.
"Oh, that's Marissa. Won't be long," said Seth leaving the dance hall.
Anna sighed, "Even when we aren't dating he leaves me for another woman… nothing against you Sum… it's just rude."
"That's just Seth," shrugged Summer.
"What, rude?"
"No! Oblivious to everything else around him. Especially when it comes to a girl," said Summer knowingly, seeing Taylor watching her, Ryan and Anna in great interest, "Does she have absolutely nothing better to do then stare?"
"Who?" asked Ryan.
"Taylor. She like has this total conspiracy against me being with you. I mean she is saying you and you, Anna, are having an affair behind my back."
Anna looked over at Taylor curiously, "I've never spoken to the girl but I don't like her. Why don't we play out her little fantasy? Then when she thinks she is getting what she wants we can find out why."
"I like your thinking," nodded Summer, "So… let's leave this thing called a dance and head back home and plan it out."
OC
After finding Seth and managing to get him off the phone from Marissa the four drove back to the Cohen home and crashed in the lounge room. Apparently from a note Ryan found on the kitchen fridge Kirsten and Sandy had gone out for dinner. Seth, who had no idea what was going on began setting up the play station, but was rudely stopped by Summer yanking the controllers out of his hands.
"Hey, Summer what are you doing?" cried Seth.
"Cohen, this is not a play station session this is a bring down Taylor Townsend planning session," replied Summer.
"Why are we planning that?"
Summer sighed, "Hello, didn't you hear a word I told you back at the dance?"
"Oh… the whole Ryan doesn't really like you because he is meant to be cheating on you with Anna."
"Finally, Cohen has managed to retain some knowledge!"
"I have four cans of cola, a packet of Doritos and this half eaten bag of mixed lollies," said Ryan entering the lounge room and handing everyone a can of drink.
Summer took hers and sat down with Ryan joining her a few seconds later with the Doritos as Anna and Seth had taken the lollies.
"So, what's the sich?" asked Seth earning weird looks from everyone.
"Seth… you need a life," said Anna patting him on the shoulder, "I was thinking on Monday, we'll purposely find Taylor, but pretend we don't notice her."
"That's not hard," shrugged Summer, "I do it most of the time."
"Well, Ryan, you and I need to swap looks… you know, simple little flirty ones and I'll pretend to have something to do and walk off, entering a classroom further down."
"I can say I need to go to the library," said Ryan with a shrug, "And follow Anna."
"No doubt Taylor will want to talk to me and of course it will be in private and in the classroom you guys just entered. She is totally going to fall on her face," said Summer as the front doorbell rang, "I'll get it."
The other three continued talking, with Seth asking what was he going to do. Summer reached the door and pulled it open to be welcomes by Marissa looking at her.
"Coop…er," said Summer slowly at the site of her ex-bestfriend, "What do you want?"
"I'm here to see Seth," replied Marissa in a monotone, "Is he home?"
"Wait here."
Summer shut the door on Marissa and walked back into the lounge room, looking at Seth furiously, "Cooper is at the door. She is waiting for you. Did you invite her over?"
"Ah, yeah," replied Seth standing up and leaving the room, where Summer sat down beside Ryan.
"Sum, they are friends. You can't stop him from inviting her over," said Ryan slipping an arm around her shoulders.
Summer nodded reluctantly in agreement, "So is all going ahead on Monday with the Taylor thing?"
Anna nodded, followed by Ryan.
"Good. Hey the movie Ten Things I Hate About You is playing on ABC," said Summer flicking on the television and flicking through to ABC, "I might go change first."
Summer stood and left the lounge room. As she walked up the staircase she heard Seth's bedroom door shut behind the sound of Marissa's voice.
OC
"So Mum has taken Caitlin to see that new Orlando Bloom movie and I got left home alone," said Marissa sitting on Seth's bed with him sitting beside her, "How was the dance?"
"Boring. Except Taylor Townsend has this weird fetish to ruin Summer and Ryan," said Seth with a shake of his head and began taking off his tie.
"Oh, well that would be Taylor for you. She was forever trying to take away my head spot of the Dance Committee. Hey you have The Killer's new album," spotted Marissa, leaning over Seth to take it off his bedside table, "Any good?"
Seth breathed deeply before nodding; his heart was racing too fast for him to speak. Even Summer never gave him a real serious case of loss of words.
Marissa smiled at Seth and put the CD down beside her, "Are you okay?"
"Y-yeah. Hey um, do you want some ice cream? We have some ice cream… in the kitchen."
Marissa grinned again and nodded. Her and Seth headed out of the kitchen and down stairs as Summer left her room changed into a pink night gown with Hot Angel printed across the front in white letters. Marissa glanced at Summer, who merely looked down at where she was stepping to avoid Marissa's eyes.
"Summer, hurry up! The movie has started!" shouted Ryan from the lounge room archway, "Oh, hi Marissa."
"Hi," waved Marissa before catching up with Seth.
Summer bounded down the stairs, pushed past Marissa and ran over to Ryan grinning.
"What are you so happy about?" asked Ryan.
"Jenny called, some girl I know from Chem. Anyway she said someone spiked the punch at the dance after we left and the guy who did it kept offering Taylor some… she dobbed him into his mother last month for wagging school… he got her so drunk she got on stage and began singing Britney Spear's song Crazy. Wendy got some photo's and is going to email them to me," chuckled Summer remembering the phone call she had received as she was pulling off her dress, "Where'd Anna go?"
"Home. Her Mum called… her father is sick."
"Oh… I'll call her tomorrow."
"Come on. The movie is on."
Summer allowed Ryan to drag her into the lounge room and both sat down, with Summer leaning on Ryan and his arm around her waist, and began watching the well-replayed movie.
OC
"Don't you like choc chip ice-cream?" asked Seth watching Marissa stare at her bowl.
"I do… I want to tell you something," said Marissa nervously, glancing at Seth before looking away.
"Okay… you know you are turning this into an awkward moment."
Marissa grinned a little before looking at Seth and taking in a deep breath, "I like you Seth. A lot."
"A… well then."
"I know it's sudden and all but Summer and Ryan have gotten past everything and so have I… and these last few days I have found myself thinking about you constantly and I couldn't figure out why… until tonight when I saw you. I like you more then as a friend."
Seth just nodded. He knew his feelings for Summer was over, living with her actually made it easier to get over her and he did see how happy her and Ryan were together. But Marissa… he looked at her and looked back at his plate. She was beautiful and she did make him feel all funny like in the stomach. But more then friends? He'd known her since he could only crawl! Her mother and his were bestfriend's, even if they didn't admit it.
"Marissa… I need some time to think about this," said Seth, "At the moment I have no idea what I am feeling."
Marissa nodded, stood and left the kitchen grabbing her purse and car keys. From the lounge room, Summer and Ryan looked from the television seeing a tear streaked face Marissa open the front door. Summer looked at Ryan, stood and ran out of the house after Marissa, while Ryan headed into the kitchen.
OC
"Coop! Coop, wait up!" said Summer loudly running in front of Marissa and leaning on the car door, "Look I know we have totally been like ten year-olds to each other, but you are crying and now you have no choice but to tell me why."
Marissa placed her hands on her hips and looked at Summer as if she was insane but it didn't take her long to crack and throw her hands up in the air in complete confusion mixed with embarrassment.
"Well are you going to tell me?" asked Summer getting a nod from Marissa, "Good. Let's go up to my room. My legs are getting eaten alive my those blood sucking things."
"Mosquitos," mumbled Marissa following Summer up the front steps.
"That's them," said Summer opening the door.
Her and Marissa walked up stairs and into the door across from Seth's. Summer sat on her bed and motioned Marissa to sit across from her. Summer reached over to her left bedside table and grabbed the stereo remote and hit the play button. An Australian band, The Rogue Trader's came on playing their song Fashion. Marissa sighed and fiddled with the yellow quilt cover.
"Well, are you going to talk or am I going to have to go down and ask Cohen to tell me?" asked Summer in a demanding tone.
"I made a complete fool of myself," said Marissa looking at Summer, "Why do you care?"
Summer sighed and grabbed one of Marissa's hand, "Coop, you have been my friend since elementary school. Why wouldn't I care?"
"I don't know."
"Then spill the beans, girl!"
"Okay, okay. I told Seth I liked him."
Summer's mouth fell open, "You like Cohen?"
Marissa nodded.
"Well, what's the big deal? He likes you. That is totally obvious to even the most dim witted person."
"But he said he didn't know what he felt for me."
Summer groaned, "Coop, this is Cohen we are talking about. Cohen. Say it with me now Co-hen."
Marissa smiled a little, "So what do you mean by that?"
"Oh, he's just being a complete jerk about it and just give him a day or until Ryan has finished with him," shrugged Summer as the next song from the Australian band started, White Lightening.
"What are you listening too?" asked Marissa curiously.
"Rouge Traders. An Australian band. It's like punk mixed with dance."
"I like it. Burn me a copy okay?"
Summer smiled at Marissa and pulled her off the bed to begin dancing. She turned the music up and soon the two friends-again were grooving away to the music.
OC
"You do like her, then?" asked Ryan getting frustrated with Seth's babbling.
"Yes," said Seth pointing at Ryan and doing his Seth nod, "Yes I do."
"Then what is the big deal?"
"Because Ryan, I have known Marissa since I was a toddler."
"And you have known Summer for that long too."
"I know but I was actually on talking terms with Marissa, not Summer. What if I screw this one up?"
"Seth, Marissa likes you and she probably has the same fears as you. Be brave and take a stab at it. If you don't you'll be questioning the outcome for the rest of your life. Beside's its been a month since the break up happened."
Seth nodded and sighed, "Has she gone yet?"
"I don't know. Summer went after her to talk to her and find out what happened."
"Ah, double teaming. Very Ryan and Summer."
Ryan chuckled and patted Seth on the shoulder, "Come on, man. Let's go back to the house."
Seth groaned a little but walked with Ryan back into the Cohen house hold as Sandy and Kirsten entered the kitchen. From upstairs they could hear loud music trailing down to them.
Drive fast don't crash,
Make your money make it last,
Hang tight kick back,
Prepare yourself for the attack…
"What is that music?" asked Sandy staring at the ceiling in wonder.
"Something Summer is listening too," said Seth, "Hey, Ryan come up with me. With women it is best to travel in packs."
"But there is only two of us," pointed out Ryan.
"Don't ruin the moment Ryan."
Ryan just shook his head and followed Seth up stairs till they stopped outside Summer's bedroom door where the music was louder.
Fake it baby they won't even know,
You can make it,
Cos everybody knows that's the way to go…
"Should I knock?" whispered Seth.
"Just knock Seth," replied Ryan in a bored tone.
Seth nodded and knocked loudly. The music stopped and the door was opened by Summer. She looked from Ryan to Seth expectantly and pulled the door open stepping back.
"Coop, you and Seth can talk here. Come on Ryan," said Summer pulling Ryan by the hand and down the stairs behind her, "He likes her doesn't he?"
"Yeah," said Ryan as they walked across the foyer to the kitchen where Kirsten was pouring two coffees, "Hello."
"Hi Summer," smiled Kirsten, "How was the dance?"
"Oh, it was alright. But over all it was just another social event to look good at. And I did."
Sandy, Kirsten and Ryan laughed with Summer and all began chatting about anything and everything. While upstairs Seth and Marissa were still standing around looking them awkwardly.
"Umm," said Seth finally after looking at the CD cover of what Summer and Marissa were just dancing around too, "So umm. You and Summer friends again?"
Marissa nodded, "Sorry about before."
"No! No… don't be. I should be. I was being an idiot… in other words me."
Marissa just looked at Seth who stepped closer to her.
"Marissa I like you a lot too."
Marissa smiled a little before allowing Seth to kiss her softly on the lips.
"I already knew that," smirked Marissa, "Everyone did."
"Well it is Orange County and everyone knows everyone's business before they even do."
"That is true," nodded Marissa before kissing Seth again.
A/N: There you go. Another chapter and another one should be on the way soon. I had huge writers block while typing this. But I have idea's for the next chapter.
Bye for now!
Love yas!
Love Coz!