A/N: Well thanks for the reviews and here we go with the next chapter!
DISCLAIMER: Yeah… I only own the plot, Katinka, Evie, Savannah and Jessica.
Chapter Twelve: Returning to Newport
A year passed and Christmas arrived. The previous Christmas Summer remained in New York spending it with her friends. She however received a call from Seth and Marissa, Kirsten and Sandy and a short one from Ryan. This Christmas, was during her second year at University, would be a special one as it would be the first time she saw Marissa and Seth since she headed for New York.
The morning of the day they arrived, Summer hurried about in fixing up the spare bedroom with fresh sheets, a warm blanket with a thick quilt with a maroon cover. She vacuumed the house and dusted the furniture. Glancing at her watch she saw she had two hours to get some groceries before Seth and Marissa were due to arrive. Pulling her thick brown wool jacket on that came to her knees and brown ugg boots, she collected her purse an car keys (she brought a car during her first year) and headed out to buy much needed food and other supplies.
The shops weren't that busy when she arrived, allowing Summer to get in and buy what she needed within half an hour. She pushed the trolley out to her car and was loading it up when someone called her name. Frowning, Summer looked around her and spotted someone very familiar walking quickly towards her.
"No way," said Summer to herself placing a bag in the boot of her black Holden SSZ, "Taylor? Taylor Townsend?"
"Summer! Oh my gosh, look at you!" cried the once annoying brunette, "Your hair is shorter!"
Summer smiled, she had cut he hair to her shoulders and had it layered giving it a natural wavy effect, "What are you doing in New York? You go to Berkeley."
Taylor nodded, "My grandmother lives just four blocks away. I'm visiting her for Christmas with my parents. How have you been? You look great! New York really has done you good."
Summer smiled again, "I am great. University is wonderful. I love my course and the coming summer I get to do a summer internship with a magazine company. I'm going to apply to do it with Vouge and the teacher says if they like me I will get a call back the next summer and one after that, and upon graduation they will hire me straight away. What about you? Interior or fashion?"
"Interior. It's much more interesting," said Taylor, "I should go… oh and Luke is attending Berkeley, did you know?"
Summer nodded, "Ryan told me. How is he?"
"Oh… he's good," said Taylor backing away from Summer, "I should ah, go. Nice seeing you Summer."
"Okay… bye," said Summer waving before finishing packing her car and climbing in.
At her home, she unpacked her car and put the groceries away. After completing her task she sat down in the lounge room and flicked on the television. A re-run episode of The Brady Bunch was the only interesting thing on. It was the episode where Jan got her glasses.
Just as Summer was getting into it her house phone rang. Summer stood up and ran over to her computer table and picked up the handset.
"Hello?" she said in a light tone.
"Hi." It was Ryan.
"Hey… Ryan. I haven't heard from you since April," said Summer a little icily. She still did have feelings for him, that she wouldn't deny but with lack of contact they were ebbing away to cold ashes.
"Yeah. I have been busy… with university stuff. Well… actually it's more then that. You saw Taylor today."
"Yeah," said Summer confused, "How do you know?"
"Well… her and I… Summer I'm dating Taylor. I have since June."
Summer remained silent, digesting the information, "Oh… okay. That'll explain her awkwardness when I mentioned you."
"Yeah. Um. I'm sure you are fine with it… I mean you have probably been dating."
"No, no I haven't," said Summer, "Ah look. I have to go. Seth and Marissa are due here soon. Take care Ryan."
Summer hung the phone up and turned away, a little dazed. Ryan was dating Taylor Townsend. It shouldn't matter. She wasn't madly in love with him anymore anyway. She was over Ryan Atwood, actually. He was becoming a distant memory.
A knock at her front door then a ring of the door bell caused Summer crash back down to reality. She ran towards the door, peered through the peep hole and unlocked the door grinning happily.
"Marissa!" cried Summer hugging her friend before letting her inside, "Seth!"
She greeted Seth with another hug and let him in, grabbing the bags from the cab driver and paying him.
"Welcome to New York," said Summer grinning out them, "And welcome to my little abode."
"Oh Summer! It's so great to see you!" said Marissa hugging Summer again.
She hadn't changed much. Her hair was a little darker from not having the Californian sun on it. It was longer as well, coming to the small of her back. Seth looked the same though. Same haircut and style.
"I like it," said Seth looking around, "And again you have managed to find the perfect tree."
Summer smiled at her tree, it was large with the perfect branches and bright decorations.
"Wow… look at you two," said Summer smiling happily, "I haven't seen you in such a long, long time… over a year!"
"Look at you," replied Marissa, "Cute hair cut, you just look fabulous!"
Summer smiled, "Did you know Ryan is dating Taylor Townsend?"
Seth and Marissa looked at Summer stunned, proving they didn't know. Summer just nodded and shrugged and looked around.
"So, let me show you where you two will be staying at," said Summer walking across the room too a closed door. Seth and Marissa collected their bags and followed Summer into the white carpeted room with the maroon quilt covered bed.
"Nice," nodded Seth, "It's bigger then our room at our apartment."
"It is," admitted Marissa when Summer looked at her, "Only by a little bit. The lounge room is big though."
"Well I'll let you both settle in and I'll go make some hot chocolate," said Summer smiling.
"You cook now?" asked Seth.
"Yes. I taught myself and tonight we are having roast chicken, Italian herb potato's and beans with chicken gravy."
"Sounds… drool worthy."
Summer chuckled and headed over to the medium sized kitchen and flicked the jug on. She pulled out three cups and spooned in the chocolate mix. As she was carrying out two drinks, Seth and Marissa left the bedroom and sat down on the twin seater couch.
"Here you go," said Summer, "I'll be back."
She walked back into the kitchen and got her drink and packet of chocolate coated biscuits. She walked back into the lounge and sat down on one of the two single seaters and the three began chatting about uni life, new friends and things they heard going in Newport.
"I can't believe Ryan is dating Taylor," said Seth shaking his head, "When did you find out, Sum?"
"Just before you two arrived, actually," sighed Summer before shrugging, "A year has passed. Neither of us have really made any attempt to remain in contact really and I'm not madly in love with him anymore. If he wants to be with Taylor, let him go."
Marissa and Seth nodded but traded knowing looks. Summer looked away at the blank television screen and raised a hand to the necklace with the love heart locket.
OC
Five Years Later…"Summer, how is that article coming along?" asked her boss popping her head into her office, "We want Paris on this month's cover of Vouge."
"Give me an hour Tessa," said Summer tapping at her keyboard, "Believe me, Paris has answered things in this that she didn't even know she had answered."
Tessa smiled and hurried off barking at someone through the corridor. Twenty-four year old Summer Roberts, glanced at her pad of short hand written answers and typed a little faster. She was coming to the final part of her speech when her office phone began ringing.
"Hello?" said Summer picking up the receiver and setting it in the crook of her neck as she typed.
"Summer, someone called Marissa Cooper wishes to speak to you," said her the front desk receptionist, Cindy.
"Oh, yeah! Put her through," said Summer as she typed the last paragraph.
"Okay."
There was a beep and a click.
"Hello? Summer?" said Marissa uncertainly.
"Hey Coop, what's up?" asked Summer hitting the print button and swivelling around in her seat to collect the printed article.
"Have you got the week off?" asked Marissa.
"As soon as I hand my article in I'll be asking Tessa," replied Summer, "I swear I will Coop. Calm down I will be at your wedding."
"Okay… well you have no choice but to be, Summer. You are my Maid of Honour. Are you bringing your man with you?"
"Steven?" asked Summer, "Oh yeah. He should be coming. Maybe not with me but arriving a day before the wedding."
"Okay. Well call me back in an hour. You have to be here for it Summer!"
"I know Coop. Talk to you then," said Summer, "Bye."
"Bye."
Summer hung up and hurried out of her office and up the hall to Tessa's. She knocked and entered as Tessa hung up her phone.
"Oh! Excellent!" smiled Tessa, "I'll have the graphic's department get to work on the two pages now. You are in the big time now Summer!"
Summer grinned, "Thanks Tessa. Listen… remember a month back when I mentioned I needed next week off?"
"Yes I do and you can have your week off," said Tessa smiling, "We can survive one week without you. It's your friend from your high school days who is getting married?"
"Yeah. To my ex-boyfriend. They have been together for seven years now. Since senior year."
Tessa smiled and brushed away an annoying lock of brown hair, "Well you get going. I'll see you back not the Monday coming but the Monday after."
Summer nodded, said goodbye and left the office. She entered hers collected her gear – handbag, keys, phone and writing materials for any ideas of what to ask Kate Bosworth when she interviewed her, her week back.
On her way out she dialled Marissa's mobile number and told she would be on the next flight back to Newport.
OC
"Taylor, I don't know," sighed Ryan as they drove to the Cohen's place, "Marissa was going to get in contact with her today from what Seth told me."
"Okay, I was only checking," replied Taylor patting Ryan on his thigh, "It will be the first you have seen her in seven years. Did you know she is dating a lawyer. I think Marissa said his name was Steven Blacklock."
Ryan nodded and pulled into the Cohen driveway, "How long?"
"Oh about two years I think. Before that she dated a few guys but obviously this is the one. Unlike you and me… six years."
Ryan smiled at Taylor and kissed her tenderly before they both got out of the car. Sandy greeted them at the door and led them inside.
"Guess what? Summer is catching a flight in an hour and will be here around midnight," said Sandy cheerfully, "You should see Kirsten. She is in a frenzy getting that room of hers set up."
"I'll go help her," said Taylor, kissing Ryan on the cheek and running upstairs.
"How are you?" asked Sandy and him and Ryan walked into the kitchen.
"I'm fine," replied Ryan taking a beer from Sandy.
"So, you are completely over Summer?"
"Sandy, it's been seven years, For six of those I have been with Taylor. I love Taylor."
Sandy nodded and dropped the subject, "How is work going?"
"Great. We are designing some new houses to be built on the development site twenty minutes from here," said Ryan, "So business is blooming at the moment."
"Hello!"
"Seth, Marissa!" called out Sandy from where he was with Ryan, "In the kitchen!"
Seth and Marissa walked in smiling and greeted Sandy and Ryan happily. They all sat around the table chatting about work, the upcoming wedding and arrival of Summer.
"The last picture I have of Summer," said Sandy, "Is of her graduating from NYU."
"Two years ago," nodded Seth, "We got that one to. So Ryan, when are you and Taylor getting married. You two have been together for six years, surely the wedding bells must be beginning to ring."
Ryan shrugged, "I really haven't got that next step on my mind yet."
"What if Taylor does?" asked Marissa, "She has been talking about children… within the next three years."
Ryan looked at Marissa in surprise, he had never planned on having children with Taylor. In his mind he imagined a mixed version of him and Taylor. It didn't go. But he did love Taylor. She was witty and had a good sense of humour.
"Okay, well the room is set," said Kirsten entering the kitchen with Taylor following, "Bed is made, flowers are set."
"You could change that room in a perfect office," said Taylor, "That way you could work from home and not worry about getting changed."
"No," said Kirsten firmly, "That is Summer's room. It will always be Summer's room."
Taylor just nodded a little put out. It was obvious that Kirsten had never taken to Taylor properly. Everyone could see that, including Ryan and Taylor herself.
"So Ryan, how is Trey these days?" asked Seth to fill in the silence.
"He's enjoying running his mechanic shop," said Ryan, "And his wife, Lillian is pregnant again. So my little nephew, Jason will soon have a little brother or sister."
"You didn't tell me that!" said Taylor a little annoyed.
"That's because you always tell me you don't want to hear about my 'Chino' brother."
"I have never said that!"
"You say it every time he rings, Taylor."
Everyone stood and walked outside to the back leaving the two to have a heated argument, which drifted out to them. The four remained silent, not daring to talk in case they came outside to them.
"… my brother and I will keep in contact with him regardless of his past!" shouted Ryan, "Everybody changes Taylor! When we first started dating you were nothing like this! You accepted everything and everyone! You have changed and not for the better!"
"How dare you say that!" screamed Taylor, "You haven't changed a bit, Ryan Atwood, and that is not a compliment either! You are still hung up on Summer Roberts and it has been seven god damn years!"
"I am over Summer! I haven't spoken to her since I started dating you! I haven't seen her or anything, Taylor!"
"Then why do you keep a picture of her in your wallet?" said Taylor coolly, "Of you and her together at the prom!"
Ryan fell silent for a few moments and the four outside swapped looks, "Why were you going through my wallet?"
"You told me to get your credit card. And I pulled it out and it fell out with it."
"Taylor, I don't own a credit card. I never have and I know I never will. So why were you going through my wallet?"
"The reason why I went through your wallet doesn't matter! What does is you still have a picture of someone you claim you are over," said Taylor. She looked away before looking back at Ryan, "Do you even really, truly love me?"
Ryan looked at Taylor in surprise, "What makes you ask me that?"
"How about the fact that when anyone, here, snaps at me or puts me down… you don't even jump to my defence, yet I can remember clearly that when that person was Summer Roberts, you were on their case without a second thought."
"Taylor…"
"Just answer my question Ryan!"
"I do love you…"
"But only as a friend," whispered Taylor looking at Ryan, "Right?"
Ryan sighed. He knew it was true. He never felt the flip of the stomach, or a tingling sensation whenever she touched him. He had only ever experienced that with one other person and that was Summer.
Ryan finally nodded and Taylor just nodded back. She turned and grabbed her handbag and phone.
"Right well… I'll move out."
"No," said Ryan, "I will. I can stay here for a while until I get a place. I'll umm… drive you back and collect my gear."
Taylor nodded and the two left without a word to the other four.
OC
Summer stepped out into the warm breeze of California. If there was one major thing she missed about Newport it would have to be the warm breeze that smelt of the salty sea. She waved down a taxi and climbed in, as he stuck her suitcase in the boot. She gave the address and was soon on the way to her old home. Her phone buzzed and Summer pulled it from her pocket to see it was Steven ringing her.
"Hey," said Summer answering it, "I'm safe in California."
"Good to hear," said Steve, before a giggle burst out from someone with him.
"Who's that?" asked Summer curiously, "Steve? Who is with you?"
"Oh, uh no one."
"It doesn't sound that way," said Summer icily.
"Steve, babe, tell her to fuck off," said a seductive voice followed by a growl.
"So this is the reason why you couldn't make it this week? Or the dinner we were meant to have last night?" said Summer angrily, "You cheating on me with some slut!"
"Sum, you know I wouldn't do that."
"Come on Steve… come on."
"You know what Steve?" said Summer angrily, her eyesight blurring with tears, "I really did love you. I gave you my heart everything! And… and you can just go to hell. Don't even bother knocking on my door because I won't be letting you in again. "
Summer snapped the phone shut and stared out the window, letting the tears fall down her cheeks making her mascara run. The taxi pulled into the Cohen's driveway allowing Summer to see Sandy and Seth carting in suitcase's, garbage bags and a few boxes. But Sandy placed his box on the front step as the taxi pulled up. Summer hastily wiped away her tears and the mascara. She took a deep breath and when Sandy pulled the door open she couldn't help but smile happily.
"Summer!" cried Sandy embracing her into a long time coming hug, "Oh it has been too long, far too long!"
"It's so good to see you again," laughed Summer hugging Sandy tightly, "How are you?"
"I'm brilliant. Let's get you inside. You must have had one long day."
"Yeah I have," replied Summer paying the taxi driver after she set her gear on the ground.
"I'll take that," said Sandy as they headed for the front door.
"Who is moving in?" asked Summer curiously as they walked up the front steps.
Before Sandy could reply the front door swung open with Ryan walking out. Summer smiled, while Ryan froze on the spot.
"Hi Ryan," said Summer with a smile at him, "So you are the one moving back in?"
"Yeah… Taylor and I broke up," he replied.
"It seems break ups are on the agenda today."
Ryan and Sandy gave Summer a curious look but Summer screamed and ran into the house past Ryan and ran into the open arms of a smiling Kirsten. Kirsten and her cried a little as they talked to each other, about how the other looked, life and anything else important. Sandy walked in and carried Summer's bag up to her room.
Ryan walked past lugging a heavy bag behind him. As Summer pulled away from Kirsten Seth walked in with Marissa.
"Coop!" cried Summer hugging her before turned to Seth, "Hey Cohen!"
Seth hugged Summer smiling before going off to grab that last few things of Ryan's.
"I'll just go and unpack and be down in a minute," said Summer glancing at the clock, it was nearing one in the morning.
"I'll help," said Kirsten, "Come on Marissa."
The three women went up stairs and Summer grinned at her old room. The pink walls, yellow bedspread, white furniture.
"It's all the same. I thought you would've changed it by now," said Summer unzipping her suitcase.
"Never," said Kirsten, "Seth's room and the pool house are still the same. How are you really Summer?"
Summer shrugged, "I just rang Steve… and another woman was with him," she shrugged again with a sigh, "I guess it explains why he couldn't come with me today or to the dinner last night… he was cheating on me."
Marissa placed an arm around Summer's shoulder's, "Oh Sum…"
"It took me ages to give my heart to anyone after Ryan. And I gave it to Steve and he goes and breaks it by screwing around! I'm a fool… a complete fool."
"No you aren't," said Kirsten placing a hand on Summer's arm, "Steve was the fool to do this to you. He is the one who lost something – someone great. You didn't loose a thing. Not one thing."
Summer wiped a few tears away, giving a small smile but it didn't last as she began to sob. Marissa made Summer sat down and her and Kirsten sat on either side of Summer consoling her.
"You should be happy," said Kirsten, "You are with family again and we are all glad to see you. Plus you are young Summer, you will find someone and they will love you back and never hurt you."
"Only one guy has ever been that way to me," sobbed Summer, "And that was Ryan! But that was seven years ago and I don't even know who he is anymore and now I am crying over Ryan!"
Marissa and Kirsten laughed a little causing Summer to spurt out a little giggle and wipe her tears away.
"You must be starved," said Kirsten, "I'll go and make you something."
Summer nodded and stood up and unpacked her bag with Marissa's help.
"Did Ryan tell you him and Taylor just broke up… like earlier tonight?" asked Marissa curiously as she hung up a cute skirt Summer had brought from a expensive store in New York.
"Yeah," nodded Summer not really caring about that fact that Ryan was suddenly single and so was she. Her heart was broken and hurting all because of Steve.
Summer pulled out a t-shirt and out fell a photo of her and Steve at the Central Park. She picked it up and just stared at it before Marissa came over to her.
Steve had sandy blonde hair and blue eyes… he looked a little like someone downstairs. But Marissa didn't say anything.
"Dirt bag," muttered Summer mutinously before she ripped the photo up, "I want to scream at him… tell him how much he hurt me!"
"Ring him," said Marissa simply, "Call him and tell him how you feel."
Summer pulled her phone out and hit Steven's number on speed dial. It rang three times before Steven answered it.
"Summer, baby I know you must think that I'm a-"
Summer cut him off before he finished, "A dirt bag? A complete jerk, arsehole, bastard, a fucking low life? Would you like me to continue?"
"Summer I didn't cheat on you!"
"Bull shit Steven! I'm not a naïve person! I heard that woman, she was right on you because her voice was clear as a bell into the phone! Tell me the truth, at least give me that much!"
"Okay… fine… I have been cheating on you."
"For how long?"
"Half a year…"
"Six months?" cried Summer, "Since April?"
"Yeah. Around that."
"W-who with?"
"Tessa…"
"Tessa? My boss Tessa?" screamed Summer with such venom that Marissa left the room.
OC
"What's going on?" asked Seth as Marissa walked into the kitchen where everyone else was, "What's Summer yelling for?"
"Steven was cheating her on with her boss," said Marissa quietly, "She is on the phone at the moment giving him what for."
"Poor thing," sighed Sandy, "I don't mean to be rude but I'm off to bed. I have work in the morning."
Sandy kissed Kirsten goodnight and said it to the other three. On his way out of the kitchen, Summer walked in. He said night to her, which Summer replied before walking in looking calm and collected.
"He admitted it and tomorrow I am resigning from working at Vouge," said Summer with a sigh, looking as though she were moments from breaking down.
"I might go to bed too," said Ryan, "Night all."
His eyes lingered on Summer for a moment but she had her head down as she wiped away a few tears. Seth left the kitchen for the lounge room and Kirsten slid Summer a bowl of cookies and cream ice-cream. With a little laugh Summer took a spoonful of it and the three women began making snide and nasty comments about Steven and Tessa.
A/N: Longest chapter yet I think! I know I did rush it a little but I wanted to get too five years ahead and bring out the storylines and what has happened. Anyway, more soon, please review!
Bye for now!
Love yas!
Love Coz!