A/N: I would like to thank everyone for the awesome reviews! It inspires me to update often, really! A special thanks to The O.C. Addict for being the first! I'm extremely pleased. Especially since this is my first fan fiction. To hanselel: yeah, I know. I was thinking of that, too, but it didn't really fit in anywhere particular. I promise when I need to describe something about someone's life, I'll put it in the story next time. Thank you for tip! And the name, Michael Ann, I think it's cool to combine a girls name and a guys name together. I like the sound of it. OH! And there will definitely be some R/M. But not right away. Things happen. Anyway, as I promised, the next chapter.
"Cohen," she read out loud, "why do I know that name?"
Knowing the final bell would ring real soon, she shrugged her shoulders and turned the doorknob, excited to see what she was to meet as she entered the classroom.
Michael Ann took a seat in the third row of desks — nearest to the door. A man who Michael Ann assumed was Mr. Cohen had his backed turned to her. He was talking to a boy, Nathan Hutch, and seemed to be gesturing wildly. Michael Ann studied Mr. Cohen a bit. He had that crazy, out-of-bed type of hair. Something that Michael Ann personally thought looked great on him. He was tall, but not too tall; and definitely toned, but not really muscular. He was, as Michael Ann could only put it, good-looking. Handsome, even. But she didn't see it. She didn't see what Natalie saw. She didn't see 'hotness', and she certainly didn't understand why the girls around her were giggling and staring at him like he was some type of super hero. As if reading her mind, Mr. Cohen turned his head towards the giggling girls and raised an eyebrow. His eyes traveled back to Nathan before he quickly turned around again and stared at Michael Ann with an intense gaze. Their eyes locked. He seemed shocked and somewhat baffled. Before he could do anything, a tap on the shoulder from Nathan caused him to break his concentration and continue on with what he was saying earlier.
"That was creepy…" Michael Ann thought to herself. "He better not get any ideas," she said, thinking of her now Ex-English teacher, Mr. Vernando. Her thoughts were quickly interrupted by the final bell and the sudden silence of the class.
Mr. Cohen walked up to his desk and turned to face his new fourth period class. He eyed each student carefully. It may have been Michael Ann, but she swore his stare lingered on her a little longer than the others.
He cleared his throat and let out an easy smile.
"Hello class," he began, "As you have all heard, Mr. Vernando was fired. That making me your new English teacher. Hi, nice to meet you. Yes, I am Mr. Cohen."
He held out a hand towards his audience.
"But please, I beg all of you," he beseeched, "call me Seth. Just Seth. Not Seth Cohen. Not Mr. Seth. But Seth. Regular and plain Seth. Got that? Mr. Cohen makes me sound so old," he explained, talking a little faster than the average person. Somehow, though, every student understood his introduction. Maybe it was a youth thing.
Pleased with the students reaction, Seth continued. "I suck at these types of things. You know, trying to entertain you." he laughed. "Okay. Okay. I just lied. I talk. A lot. Ramble really. And I could go on forever and ever and ever and ever and," he paused. "you get the point. Entertaining is my specialty. And I will be honest, too, just because I like all of you — and no, not in that way — but as friends. Because really, we're all friends here, right?" he asked, looking around the classroom to see some kids nod their heads.
"Wow," Michael Ann muttered under her breath, "He really does ramble," she thought.
"Right. So anyway. I am self-centered," he announced. "I think about myself 24/7. Day in, day out. Constantly. No joke. Actually, all I can think of right now is that I hope I don't sound like a jerk. I'm not stuck up or anything, I just like myself. A lot. So yes, one would be able to call me narcissistic. I wouldn't mind," the words rolled off his tongue so naturally, Michael Ann was sure Seth was used to talking about himself. It seemed so, too.
"I'd take it as a compliment," he continued, letting out a small chuckle. "And I hope you all like me as much as I like myself. Because really, it just makes things easier, don't you think?" He didn't stop for an answer. "I will begin to give you some more information on me."
The class laughed, and Michael Ann found herself laughing with them. This little fact surprised her. Yes, the class usually laughed when a teacher cracked a joke, except it didn't sound like this. It usually sounded rehearsed, in a boring monotone rhythm. But this time, it sounded genuine. Real and colorful. All disturbance left Michael Ann's head as she watched her new English teacher intently.
Seth took in a deep breath before beginning. "Let's see," he said, "I have been an English teacher for about… what? Five years now? Yes," he confirmed, "five years. Actually, I used to be an English teacher at Yale University. It's no lie. It was one of those rare chances aspiring teachers received and I took advantage of that. However, the kids I had to 'teach' were my age. I didn't exactly receive the respect I wanted. After a couple of months of pure torture," some kids laughed, "I decided to leave because I didn't want to put up with that bull-" Seth stopped himself before he said the actual words.
Yet, the class couldn't help but gasp at the fact he almost said a swear word. Michael Ann hid a smile.
Seth coughed and shifted his eyes.
Michael Ann swore she saw him wink.
"Sorry about that," Seth said, letting out an uneasy laugh. "Got carried away…" he said. He concentrated on the floor, trying to remember what he was talking about.
Wait for it. Wait, wait…
Seth lifted his head brightly.
There it was.
"So!" he continued, "after leaving that dump, I did some teaching in other schools around the country. Obviously, I left those schools to be here, with all of you. You should all be thankful and grateful that I'm doing this." he joked, shooting a smile towards the back of class.
Michael Ann heard someone 'swoon'.
"Anyway, I'm afraid if I continue, I won't stop talking. And trust me, it has happened before. So! I guess I'll end in questions? Okay. Questions. Any questions?" he asked around, glancing at the boys in the corner.
A bunch of hands shot up in the air. Most of them girls, Michael Ann noted.
"You. There. In the green shirt. Question?" Seth asked as he pointed to a girl in an unbelievably lime green tank top.
The girl blushed and lowered her head a little. "Er, yes. Seth," she giggled nervously, emphasizing his name, "um, like, do you have a girlfriend?" she asked, "Or, like, a woman in your life?" Her hazel eyes held a gleam of hope.
Michael Ann turned her head and stared wildly at the girl. What a blunt question.
Seth turned a little red, but didn't falter. "Well, that is kind of personal. But if you must know, then no. There is no girl," he stated. "Not that I can't get any," he continued, "I mean, of course I can get a girl. Right boys?" Seth asked, motioning to the group of guys by the window.
The class laughed again, and the boys agreed. Maybe because they thought of Seth as one of them. Maybe because they were kissing ass. Whatever it was, Seth's whole 'girl' comment was really cliché. Something that would have made Michael Ann mark him as 'lame'. But she noticed. She noticed herself being pulled into Seth's 'charm' — Regardless of her own beliefs.
She was impressed, too. It was rare for her to feel that way towards a teacher. To look up to them. Worship them. Perhaps when she was younger, but not anymore. Living where she lived, the teachers weren't the nicest people around.
Being lost in her own thoughts, Michael Ann didn't hear another student get called on.
"How old are you, sir?" a girl, who was clad in an unbelievably short skirt, asked.
Seth grimaced and closed his eyes for a second. "Disgusting. And how old are you?" he muttered.
Michael Ann caught his words and instantly smirked. Glad someone agreed with her. 'My skirt wasn't that short…' she thought, referring to the scene that had happened earlier today.
"Wow. Lot's of personal questions today, huh?" he asked, keeping his eyes on the desk in front of him. He didn't want to look at a twelve year old's skin. Even if it was unintentional, it still made him feel dirty. Not to mention make him want to grab her and take her to the nearest department store where he would buy her a whole new wardrobe. It'd cost him a fortune. He must resist. "I recently turned 28," he answered, "wow. I am getting old. But hey! At least I'm not thirty." he reasoned with a smile. His dimples surfaced and the girls all shrieked in excitement. One of them probably fell into a coma.
Michael Ann rolled her eyes and looked down at the blank sheet of paper on her desk. 'Natalie.' she remember. She bent down and began digging through her backpack, searching for a writing utensil.
Noticing the sudden movement through the corner of his eye, Seth turned his head to the right and stared at the sight he had been trying to avoid since the beginning of class.
Michael Ann pulled out a pen and began writing. She felt someone's gaze on her and looked up to meet two brown eyes staring back at her.
Not again.
'I've got to know.' Seth finally said in his head and clapped his hands together, gathering everyone's attention once again. "Okay. Enough questions." he glanced at the clock, "It seems we're running out of time and there's something I planned, so we must begin now." the majority of the class groaned.
Seth smiled and rolled his eyes good-heartedly. "Don't worry." he said, "It's not going to be some boring class assignment. It's really simple. We are going to go through an introduction thing. You will stand up, give me your name, and give me two interesting facts about you. And yes, they have to be interesting. Because, to be frank, I really don't want to know anything boring about you. That would just make me like you less." Seth said playfully, shooting everyone a grin. One that seemed to have caused the girls behind Michael Ann to erupt into giggles.
Michael Ann refrained from rolling her eyes, but made gagging noises.
Seth caught this and shook his head with a little smile. "Okay," he said, he looked over at the boy who was first in the row of seats, "starting with you. In the front. What's your name?"
The boy was wearing a black polo shirt and khaki slacks. He lazily stood up and replied, "My name is Jeremy Boles."
Seth continued to stare at him, expecting more.
Jeremy let out an exaggerated sigh as if this was the most pointless thing in the world. "I'm in a band," he said, "and, uh, I like music." he finished.
Seth raised an eyebrow, but replied anyway, feigning interest. "Interesting. You like music?" he said. Michael Ann heard sarcasm in his voice. She hid a smile. "What kind?"
"Rock. Indie. Alternative. Mostly punk rock." Jeremy replied, indifference in his voice.
Seth nodded his head, looking a little impressed, but Michael Ann was sure he was mocking him. "Oh really? Punk rock? I like that, too. Actually, I'm more of an indie fan, myself. But later, maybe we can talk bands?" he suggested, making polite conversation.
Jeremy's careless expression didn't change. "Awesome." he droned out.
Seth just smiled and turned to the next kid beside him. "Anyway," he said, "You. What's your story?"
Things continued in that direction, student after student, until Seth's eyes fell onto the girl sitting in the corner, next to the door. The person he wanted to know the most about. Michael Ann.
Seeing as he was fixating on her, Michael Ann realized it was her turn. She was so busy staring at him, she didn't think of herself. Feeling a little foolish, Michael Ann turned a bright red, but shook it away. She slowly stood up and cleared her throat. She ignored Seth's penetrating stare. "Uh, Hello." she began, her voice coming out a little more hoarse than she wanted it to. "My name is,"
Seth leaned forward more, making sure he didn't miss a word.
"Michael Ann Roberts," she said. She noticed Seth's eyes grow into tennis balls. She swore she thought they were going to spontaneously pop out any second and hit all the girls in the back in the face. Like a game of ping pong. If only.
"Uh," she continued, "there's nothing interesting about me. Not really, anyway. I don't really like talking about myself. I tend to fixate on other people." she said. "So, I'm sorry to disappoint you. I mean, okay. I talk a lot too. I'm not going to lie. But that's not interesting. And I —" she stuttered, "I, for once, am at lost with words." she turned her head with a confused expression. "Which is weird because my mom would tell me over and over again that I talk a lot. Like, a lot, a lot. Something she says isn't a compliment." she laughed nervously. "I, uh, guess I'm boring, huh? So you must like me less." she said, referring to Seth's little joke about disliking boring people.
God, she was nervous. The fact he was looking at her so strangely wasn't helping, either. She did want to make a good impression, after all.
Seth smiled at her effort at a joke, it was funny, he admitted. He cleared his throat and tried to think of something to say. He couldn't. 'Roberts' echoed through his head like in the movies. You know, when you screamed something, it would just keep saying the same thing over and over again. Gradually changing from loud to soft. 'Roberts… Roberts… Roberts'. He laughed out loud at his inner monologue.
"Sir?" Michael Ann asked, sounding a little unsure.
Seth look up, realizing there was a class full of students staring at him. "Oh yeah!" he said, cursing himself, "uhhhh… if you can't think of anything interesting about yourself… why don't you talk about something else?" he suggested, liking his plan. He was brilliant, after all. "Like, say, your hobbies? Likes? Dislikes? Family, perhaps…?" he trailed off, trying hard not to sound obvious.
Michael Ann didn't notice. "Uh, okay." she replied. "I guess I'll talk about my interests? I," she looked down, looking a little embarrassed, "well, I love reading. It's one of my favorite things in the whole world. At home, I have like, a million books. It's my dream to own my own library. I know it sounds geeky or whatever, but it's something I've always wanted. Especially growing up like I did, I didn't have much back then. So it's something I've stuck to since I was little. Ever since my mother read me The Adventures of Spiderman, I couldn't stop reading." she looked back up to meet Seth's gaze. Was he judging her?
He smiled. Spiderman. Was it the Roberts he knew? He didn't want to assume. And would Summer really read a comic book to her child? He made a mental note to tease her about that next time he saw her.
Look at that. He was already planning to see her. He didn't even know if it was Summer. "Go on." Seth urged. "You love reading… what kind?"
Feeling a little better at his encouragement, she did. "Yes. Uh, well, actually, at this moment, I'm in love with classic books. You know, the ones written way back in the day when the women wore dresses as outside clothes and men wore really tight stockings." she smiled a little. "There was this phase when I was really into mysteries. I'll admit right now, I own the whole collection of Nancy Drew novels. It was an unhealthy addiction, yes, but I assure you, that's over and done with." she gave him a shy smile, not really sure of what to do. It seemed everyone was paying attention to her. "So anyway, yes. I'd have to say Classics are my favorite right now. Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert, specifically. But only because it was my mother's favorite and I could totally relate. We both had the same opinions." she said.
Seth's eyes, again, widened. Madame Bovary? But that's… "Really?" he asked, intrigued. "That's great. I love a reader." he said. "I enjoyed Madame Bovary, too. Actually, that book has done many wonders." he said matter-of-factly. "It was picked up one day, in a hospital, and read by a girl I never expected knew how read. Of course, I was proved wrong, and well, it just made me like her more." He sent her a smile, showing it was just a joke.
The girls in the back fumed. Michael Ann suspected they noticed Seth's attention was all on her. She smiled. Yes, she was a sick girl.
"And your mother?" he said, trying not to pry. Hint, hint. "You seemed to talk a lot about her."
Michael Ann returned the smile proudly. "Yes, I love my mom a lot. Well, you see, I don't really have a family." she said. "I live with my mother only, and I've never met my father."
Seth's mouth dropped a little.
"My mom is a clothes designer—"
"AND A HOTTIE!" one of the boys, Nathan, yelled out. His friends around him laughed and some gave him high fives. The girls in the back all laughed. Seth smiled a little, but motioned Michael Ann to continue.
Ignoring the outburst, she did. "As I was saying before I was rudely interrupted," she shot Nathan her meanest glare, "my mom is a clothes designer. A successful one, I might add. And we've been living here, in Colorado, since I can remember. That's pretty much it, to tell you the truth." Michael Ann finished.
Seth nodded his. "Well, that's fine. I didn't really need to know that much…"
Michael Ann sent him a 'then why'd you urge me to continue?!' look.
"But! I'm glad you shared." he said, saving himself. "So uh, your mother, what's her name?"
Michael Ann raised an eyebrow suspiciously.
Seth caught on to her expression and replied quickly, "I just want to know if I've seen her stuff before. That's all. One of my best friends is in design, too. So I see a lot of fashion and what not. I'm just curious." he repeated, hoping she'd believe him.
She did. "Oh! Well, her name is,"
Seth braced himself.
"Summer. Summer Roberts." Michael Ann let out.
Seth's mouth dropped. For real this time. Summer Roberts — his Summer Roberts — had a child. A child! Who was… let's see, seventh grade… she'd have to be, what, twelve? Yes, twelve. But wait a minute, twelve... "I was with her twelve years ago." Seth whispered to himself. It couldn't be his. Why would she leave, then? That means… that means, she, she cheated?
"Sir?" Michael Ann asked, interrupting Seth's thoughts.
Seth looked up, confused. "Huh?" he asked. "Oh! Yeah! Sorry, no. Um, I've never seen her stuff, no. But, uh, I will definitely look into it. Yes. Erm, You may sit down now. Sorry I didn't tell you to earlier." he let out a nervous laugh. "So, uh, apparently," Seth looked to the boys, "Your mother is a 'hottie'?" he asked, trying to direct the attention elsewhere.
The boys took the bait and snickered. One of them whistled like the wolf in the movies. And another yelled out, "TOTAL BABE!"
Michael Ann jerked her head to the side and sent all the boys a death glare. "Shut up! That would be my mother you're talking about." she snapped. "How would you like it if I started calling your dad a 'hottie'? Please! That's just disgusting!"
Nathan scoffed and rolled his eyes. "Hey listen," he began, "don't get all jealous on your mom because guys like her more than they like you. That's so not cool." he stated arrogantly.
Michael Ann huffed. "Like you would know what 'cool' is." she retorted.
Jeremy, usually staying out of things school and student related because he was 'holier than thou', joined in. "She makes an excellent point." he said.
Nathan looked at Jeremy sharply. "Is that a challenge?" he shot back.
"Maybe it is." Jeremy replied coolly.
"HEY—" Nathan began but was quickly interrupted by Seth, the peacemaker.
"Whoa. Whoa. Whoa. Students!" he said briskly, "Calm down! Or, well, not students. Friends! Yes. Friends! Calm down. It's not a big deal. Boys," he looked at Nathan and his little 'group', "please, stay with girls your own age. You're starting to sound like a man I once knew named Luke." he stated, grimacing at the thought.
"Who?" the class asked together, forgetting the whole 'almost fight'.
Seth looked at everyone. "Wha—? Oh! Never mind. Just a guy. Not important. Anyway! Back to the point. Introductions, right..."
And so it continued. Each student stood up and said a few words to the teacher, getting to know each other better. Unknown to them, though, was that Seth wasn't paying attention. He kept thinking about his conclusion and Michael Ann. Summer's daughter. Yes, his thoughts were clouded with Summer Roberts, the girl who stole his heart many years ago and never gave it back.
"…and I also—" the girl in yellow began, but was cut off by the loud bell, signaling that class was over and time for lunch.
Almost all the kids jumped up to leave but Seth stopped them. "Uh, okay. Okay." he panicked. "We'll finish the introductions and stuff tomorrow, okay?" he asked quickly. "And don't forget to bring a pencil tomorrow. You're going to need it."
The students looked at him impatiently.
Seth's eyes lit up. "OH! Class dismissed." he said.
The students began filing out, rushing to get to lunch. Nathan stopped in front of Michael Ann and smirked. "You're lucky your boyfriend was there to take your side." he spat out. And wanting the last word, he briskly walked out of the classroom without looking back. He was so cool.
Michael Ann just rolled her eyes and began putting her supplies away. She picked up the note for Natalie and folded it roughly, wanting to hurry and get to lunch.
"Michael Ann?" Seth asked from his desk.
Michael Ann looked up from her note. "Yes, sir?" she replied cautiously.
"Could you come up here for a second? I promise it won't take that long."
"Um," she looked down at her note and back up to Seth, "Sure." she said. She stuffed the note in her backpack and pulled the straps on. She reluctantly walked up to Mr. Cohen's desk.
"Yes?" she asked patiently. She noticed Natalie waiting for her at the door.
"I was wondering," he said. "Could you meet me after school today?"
Michael Ann eyed him weirdly, unsure of what to say. "Uh, I'm sorry. I can't. You see, my mom has to pick me up, like, right after school. AND! Today is Monday! So I have soccer practice." she explained. "She has to take me to the field by three-thirty. So, it's kind of rush. And I don't like to waste any time."
Okay, so she lied. But it was just little white lie. She didn't really want to be stuck with her teacher after school. Especially one that keeps on staring at her. Michael Ann did play soccer, but she has to be at the field at four-thirty. Usually, her and her mother would go out for ice cream or do a little shopping and what-not.
Seth nodded his head, showing he understood. "Oh… okay." he said, sounding disappointed. "I see… but um, it's just that, I really need to discuss something with you…" he trailed off.
Michael Ann bit her lip. "Oh, well…"
"I know!" he said suddenly, "How about I walk you down to your, uh," he paused, "mothers. I wouldn't mind meeting her." he said.
Michael Ann opened her mouth to object but changed her mind. She knew he was going to stop asking until she said yes. She sighed in defeat. "Um, okay. That's fine. I'll be back here after school."
Seth smiled gratefully. "Alright! Thanks!" he said. "Guess you better run off to lunch. Do you need a note?" he asked.
Michael Ann gave him a tight-lipped smile and said no. She turned around and immediately walked out of the room, meeting up with Natalie who pranced on her for questions.
"What was all that about?!" Natalie asked. The hallway was still full of people, chattering away.
"Nothing." Michael Ann replied, feeling a bit weird.
"MOVE IT." the hallway monitors yelled. "GET TO CLASS. LUNCH. HURRY."
Seth stared at the spot that was recently occupied by Michael Ann. He couldn't believe how much she looked like Summer. Not only that, but he would be seeing Summer. Again. After twelve really, really, long years.
Michael Ann and Natalie squeezed out of the front doors of the school once the final bell rang.
"Oh, crap!" Michael Ann exclaimed, forgetting about her new English teacher.
"What's wrong?" Natalie asked, digging through her backpack.
"I've got to go back to English class. See Seth." she complained.
Natalie rolled her eyes and smiled. "I don't see why you're whining." she said. "He's so hot! You should feel lucky!"
Michael Ann laughed and hit Natalie's shoulder playfully. "Remember what I said earlier: I don't think he's hot. But he's pretty cool. I just, I, for some reason, don't want him to meet my mom. And I didn't want to be stuck with a teacher. But oh well." she shrugged it off.
Natalie smiled and saw a lady standing a couple yards away, waving. She waved back. "There's my mom." Natalie said to Michael Ann. "Gotta go!" she turned around and took off towards the lady.
Michael Ann followed suit and began running, heading towards the opposite direction, back into the building. "I'll see you tomorrow!" she yelled over her shoulder. "Call me tonight, 'kay?"
"Sure thing, Mike!" Natalie yelled back.
Michael Ann slowed down to a walk once she reached the English hallway and started for Seth's room. Before she could knock on his door, Seth appeared.
"Hi, sir—" she started.
"Seth." he cut in. He was pulling on his jacket.
"Seth." Michael Ann repeated. "You ready? My mom is out there waiting. I, uh, I saw her car." she stated firmly, feeling a little awkward.
"Yeah. Sure I am. I mean, there's nothing for me to get ready for… So yeah. Yeah! Uh, let's go?" Seth suggested as he motioned towards the exit. They both began walking together in an uncomfortable silence.
"That's my mom's car right there." Michael Ann pointed out to a white BMW once they were outside.
"Oh." came Seth's reply. The two continued on walking down the path until they reached the mentioned car. Seth stayed back a couple of steps as Michael Ann walked up to the passenger seat. He could see Summer perfectly.
"Hey sweetie!" Summer exclaimed after seeing her daughter. "How was your day at school, today?" she asked. She did not notice the legs beside Michael Ann.
'She sounds the same,' thought Seth, 'and she's still beautiful.' He couldn't help but smile. It was Summer. But as quickly as his smile came, it vanished. He remembered instantly of his earlier thoughts. Did she cheat?
"Oh, it was fine. The usual, you know?" Michael Ann said, bringing Seth back to earth. "Yeah. Anyway. Mom, remember how last week my English teacher, Mr. Vernando, got fired?" she asked her mother.
Summer's brow knitted together in confusion. "...yeah?"
"Well, we got this new English teacher. Today and…"
"Oh yeah?" Summer asked, sounding genuinely interested. "That's cool. How is he?"
"Pretty cool." Michael Ann replied offhandedly. "But I mean, like I was saying—" she was cut off by Seth.
He bent his knees to see clearly into the passenger seat and smiled. It wasn't a nice smile. It was a cold one. His eyes held nothing. No emotion. He had blocked everything off. "Hi. Miss Roberts? I'm Seth Cohen. Your daughter's new English teacher."
Summer just stared at him wide-eyed. Speechless. Her hands dropped from the wheel.
Michael Ann noticed the strange exchange and looked from Seth back to her mom. "Uh, mom?" she asked carefully. "You gonna say something?"
Summer just sat there, sticking to silence. It was like she had just seen a ghost.
"Hellooo?" Michael Ann stretched out. "Anyone there?" she asked, slightly annoyed and impatient.
Summer jerked her head towards Michael Ann, finally pulled out of her muse. She noticed her expression. "Huh? What? Oh uh, yeah. Mr. Cohen," she turned her attention to the man standing next to Michael Ann and cleared her throat. "it's nice to meet you." She stuck out her hand. What the hell was going on?
Seth hesitated before accepting Summer's hand. He shook it firmly, never breaking eye contact.
When the two hands pulled away, Michael Ann become nervous. Do they know each other already? "So, uh, anyways…You two have met." she confirmed, "Mom?" she looked at her mother, "can we go now?"
At the sound of her daughter's voice, Summer took her eyes off Seth and shook her thoughts away. "Um. Yeah." she said, her voice sounding unsure, "Yeah. Uh, come on. Get in the car. Mr. Cohen," she looked back at Seth, "it was a pleasure mee—"
"MIKE! MIKE!"
Michael Ann, Summer, and Seth all turned around to find an excited Natalie running towards them.
"Mike!" she called out again, flailing her hands in the air.
Seth and Summer exchanged looks.
Michael Ann turned a little red. "Hey Nat. What's up?" she said to her best friend, amusement was clear in her voice. "I thought you were gonna call me tonight?"
Natalie was breathing hard, huffing and puffing. "Oh!" she let out, still out of breath. "Um.." she started, she glanced at Summer and Seth. Looking at her teacher, she blushed. "Yeah. No. I'll still call. It's just, my mom wanted to know if you wanted to go out for ice cream with us or whatever. You know, like, before soccer practice?" she asked, giving Summer a smile and a little wave. She turned back to Michael Ann. "Mom said we have to leave soon. There's that sale over that… you know," she grimaced, "old people store."
Michael Ann laughed. It was an inside joke. "Oh. Okay. I'd love to." Michael Ann looked over at her mom. "Mom? Is that okay?" she asked, sounding hopeful.
Summer nodded her head and moved her hands onto the steering wheel. She needed to squeeze something. "Yeah. Of course, honey. Go ahead. That's fine."
Michael Ann grinned and Natalie squealed. "Okay! Thanks! Can you pick—" Michael Ann realized something. Her face turned guilty. "Oh jeeze, mom. I'm sorry."
Summer looked bemused. "Huh? For what?" she asked. She noticed Seth slowly backing away from the corner of her eye.
"I'm sorry for having to make you drive all the way out here and leave empty handed..." Michael Ann trailed off, looking down at her shoes.
Summer smiled and let out a hearty laugh. "No. Don't be silly. It's okay."
Michael Ann gave her a pointed look.
"Really." Summer persuaded, "I'm fine. Have fun, alright?"
"Umm…" Michael Ann looked at her teacher who was a few feet away, then back at her mom.
Seth noticed this. "Oh. Well, yeah." he said, taking a couple steps forward. He turned in Summer's direction. "Like you said, it was a pleasure meeting you. Really." he looked down and began shuffling his feet. "I'll, uh, I'll just go back to my class. Paper work and stuff…" he explained. He looked up at Michael Ann. "Sorry for just barging in here. But, uh, I still need to discuss something with you. So… is tomorrow alright?"
Michael Ann nodded her head and let out a whistle. "Okay," she said, "Me and Nat need to get going. Thanks again mom. I'll see you guys later. Bye!" Michael Ann waved and began to walk away with a now giggling Natalie. She whispered something in Michael Ann's ear. Michael Ann smiled and turned back around. "Bye Seth!" she yelled across the campus.
Seth simpered and waved back. "Bye Michael Ann!" he yelled back. He looked over at Summer one last time, satisfied at her reaction, and turned around to head back into the school.
Summer watched Seth walk into the building, he never looked back. She sighed very loudly and rested her head down onto the steering wheel. "This is going to be a very long day." she muttered.
Summer parked her white car into the deserted school parking lot. She opened her door and stood up onto the pavement. She straightened out her blouse and skirt, flipped her hair, and slowly crossed the campus and walked up into the school.
She stopped by the main office, her heels clicking against the slippery hallway. "Hello Patty," she said with a smile. "I was wondering—"
"Ah! Miss Roberts! Good for you stop by." Mr. Rumpus popped his head out of his office. "Can I, ah, help you with anything?" the balding man asked.
"Oh… Um. Well… I'm sure Patty can help me out." Summer replied, pointing towards Patty and returning his smile. Only, it seemed fake. "Thank you, though." she said. She looked back at Patty. "I would like to know where the English class room for Mr. Cohen is." she sounded eager. "Think you can give me a hand?"
"Oh! The new English teacher?" Patty asked, a blush was surfacing. "Such a doll. Quite the charmer." she said with a sly grin. "He's down the hall and to your right. Room eight."
"Thanks Patty." Summer said with a grateful smile. "See you around for the annual picnic."
Patty winked and nodded her head. "Sure thing, sugar. Wouldn't miss it for the world."
Summer gave her another smile and began walking out of the office.
"Don't forget the breadsticks this time." Patty called out.
Summer raised her arm to show she heard. "Promise." she yelled back.
"What does he have that I don't have?" muttered the principle after watching Summer's back. He stalked back into his office.
Patty reached over her desk and pulled out a file, shaking her head. "Hair." she replied.
The door was already open, so Summer peeked in. She saw Seth's legs resting on his desk, concentrating on a file in his hands. She noticed he was muttering about something, looking confused. Summer hid a smile and knocked on the door.
Seth looked up from his smile and his automatic response was to fall back in his chair from shock. He figured she would have ran away and hid. He quickly regained his balance and pushed himself up, using the desk for support. "Uh. Um. Hi Summer…" he stuttered, looking extremely embarrassed.
Summer stifled a laugh. Same ol' Cohen. "Hey Cohen." Summer replied shyly. She bit down on her bottom lip and stayed in place. She wasn't sure if she should walk in without his permission or not.
Seth smiled at the nickname. No one calls him "Cohen" anymore. Maybe Mr. Cohen, but, you get the point. He suddenly realized he was smiling and stopped. 'Stay in control, man.' he thought to himself. He shook away all his thoughts and walked away from his desk to the front. "Miss Roberts." Seth said stiffly, starting over. He looked away, trying to act indifferent to the whole situation. Especially about him falling.
Summer raised an eyebrow at his sudden change and decided she was going to walk in. She turned around and shut the door quietly. When she turned back around, Seth was staring at her.
There was an awkward silence.
Summer was surprised Seth could be quiet for that long. She was even more surprised that she was the first to break it. "Seth," she grumbled, "does it have to be like this?"
Seth raised both eyebrows. "Like what?" He went for the innocent act.
Summer sighed and gave him her pleading eyes. "This." she emphasized. "Awkward. Silent. Cold?" she tried. Seth was shaking his head as if all she was saying was absurd. "Well, at least you're being cold. Not me. I'm being nice." she slightly pouted.
Seth looked up and laughed bitterly. "You expect me to just welcome you back?!" he asked, his gaze returning to hers. It was blazing. "'Hey Summer!'" he began in a fake 'perky' voice. "'I haven't seen or spoken to you since you left me! And with nothing to find you! But hey! It's no big deal. I mean, okay," he cocked his head in an understanding way, "'you broke my heart. But that was only twelve years ago. I forgot all about it. I forgive you! Let's be friends!'" he finished, hugging himself all over.
Summer narrowed her eyes. "Not fair…" she murmured.
Seth's eyes widened. "Not fair?!" he yelled angrily, flinging his arms up in the air. "Summer!" he exclaimed, "You left me! Out of the blue. For no reason." he deadpanned. "And we were doing great! Seriously. Summer. We were doing so great." His voice broke a little, his emotions were getting the best of him. "Then," he added, "you just left. Fled. Whatever. Without leaving anything for us to find you. No note. No telephone call. Nothing. You could have dropped a bomb on us, telling us you were leaving. I wouldn't have minded. Beats not knowing at all. But you didn't. You disappeared. And I was worried as hell. I thought someone might have kidnapped you! Or worse," he paused, looking at her sharply, "You were killed. Anything could have happened! Then! Neil comes to my house. Tells me that you left. Purposely. How the hell do you think that makes me feel?!" he asked, his voice gradually lowering.
"Hey!" she said, her voice sounding emotional but demanding. "It was just as hard for me to leave you as it was for you to see me gone!" she said loudly. Thank God for sound proof classrooms.
"Then why did you do it?!" Seth shot back. "Because you got pregnant?!"
Summer looked surprised and stumbled back.
"Oh, don't look so surprised." Seth snapped, jerking his head at her. "It's not that hard to figure out. She's twelve years old and in the seventh grade. Twelve years ago, you were with me." he said quietly. "And to tell you the truth," he added, "I think I know why you left." he shot her a curious look.
"Yeah?" Summer asked sarcastically. "Why?" she challenged. Summer knew Seth couldn't know. Or even think of it. He wasn't that smart. And besides, it wasn't something you could just guess.
"My only guess is," he began softly, "is that you cheated."
There was a silence.
Seth studied her, his eyes not sure of her reaction.
Summer blinked twice before she realized what he said and her eyes widened. "What?!" she yelled. "I—" she stopped. "Wow." she said, her voice returning to normal. She shot him a disapproving stare. "I never thought that you'd, Seth Cohen, would ever accuse me of that. Me. After all we've went through…" she left the words hanging. How could he think that? That she would cheat on him. She loved him. "I thought you were smarter than that."
Seth looked guilty for a second but his expression immediately changed back to anger. He scoffed. "Don't try that crap on me, Summer. It's not going to work anymore."
"I DIDN'T CHEAT!" Summer yelled, placing both hands on her hips.
"No? Well, then, how else do you explain it?" He looked lost. "I'm thinking… I don't know. You cheated on me. You know, slept with a guy. Got pregnant." He saw Summer's nostrils flare. "Then," he continued, "realized if you stayed with me, I would see the baby. That I'd see nothing resembling me." he looked down at his shoes. "So you took off. Maybe running away with your 'lover'" he air quoted in a slightly mocking way.
"Seth, I said I didn't cheat. And you could give me a little more credit." Summer hissed at him. She looked away, out the window.
"Summer! Look at me!" Seth yelled.
She did.
"Then you tell me." he said. "Tell me. Why didn't you tell me you were pregnant?! And why did you take off?!"
"Seth. I, I—" Summer stuttered.
"Did you think I would run away?" Seth cut in. "Abandon you?!" he yelled. "Summer! This is me. Seth Cohen. You know, that guy. You knew how much I adored you. And you knew how much I loved you." his voice had gotten quiet.
Loved. Ouch.
Seth opened his mouth, but then closed it. He moved closer to Summer. "I can't think of any good reason to why you would leave me." he said softly. "Even then I didn't." he looked at her shoulder. "I tried so hard to give myself reasons, you know? Maybe it was something I did. Or something I didn't do. I don't know. And I kept thinking that maybe, you would change your mind and come back. Because that's how much I thought we loved each other. Enough to bring you back to me." He looked back up at Summer, squarely in the eye.
"Seth," Summer begged, "I promise you. There were no reasons. You did nothing wrong. I didn't leave because I wanted to," she said, "I left because I had to. I had no other option." Without wanting to, tears began to form around Summer's eyes. She blinked them away. "I wanted to come back and see you. I did. Really. But, But I couldn't. No. Not without—" she stopped, and looked behind Seth's head.
"Yes?" Seth urged on.
She didn't want to explain it now. She tried a different approach. "She's yours, you know." Summer said, looking back at Seth.
"What?" he asked, clearly confused. Summer just changed the subject. Why didn't she come back?
"Michael Ann." Summer explained. "She's yours. You're her father."
"Summer, that has not—" realization hit Seth. Hard. He certainly wasn't thinking of Michael Ann, Summer's daughter. Not as his, anyway. Just Summer and her reasons for leaving. "She's mine?" he asked. He knew it. He wasn't stupid. But he had to ask. And he couldn't help but feel shocked.
Summer gave him a sad smile. "It's obvious," she said softly. "I said I didn't cheat. She's twelve years old."
Seth nodded his head, looking at his hands. "Right…" he said, "She's mine. She's mine. I'm Michael Ann's father." He scratched his head. "I guess," he stuttered, "I guess, I kind of new that. I, uh, I just wasn't thinking of her..." he trailed off.
There was another awkward silence.
This time, it was Seth to break it. Not too happy, I might add. "Summer," he said in a calm voice with an edge, "I want to know what the hell happened. I missed twelve years of your life… and… and my daughters life. I, I wasn't there to support her. Summer," he looked furious, "Explain to me why I couldn't be there for you. Please. Tell me why."
Summer knew this was coming up. She couldn't hide from it forever. She closed her eyes and took in a deep breath. "Okay," she said slowly, "It's your grandfather. Caleb." she took in another breath. "It's Caleb Nichol's fault."
A/N: I'm sorry you guys! This was a pretty bad chapter. I had this nice conversation (okay, not so much nice, but anyway) and it was really good and it made things less confusing. But I don't know what happened to my file. So I rewrote everything. Not easy. If you have any questions, just ask, ill get back to you all. Thank you! R &R :D
Next Time:
- Caleb Nichol? Flashback.
