Alright, so this is kind of a 'teaser' one shot that takes place between "Swallowed in the Sea" and its sequal.

Yes, there will be a sequal and it is in progress. This was just a test-write to see how things will go, the reception, the writing style, etc.
Even though I wrote this...unfortunately I will not be writing the sequal but I will be proofing the chapters as they come and will be editing them accordingly.
So basically this was written to get the fan/reader base informed as to what is going on and tide you all over until the first chapter is released...and no it will NOT take off right after what happened here.
Apologies for all the grammatical errors and spelling mistakes...just formatted and havent installed MS Office 2007 yet so I wrote it all in WordPad.
Leave a comment if you feel so inclined and let me know what you think, do/dont like.

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The California sun lingered in the sky, still shining brightly even as the afternoon waivered.

"God I missed this Coop"

Summer layed back on her lawn chair and soaked in as much sun as she could.

"I didn't even get a chance to sun bathe in Hawaii. It was raining most of the time and the only time I did was on the boat with Cohen."

The lengthy blonde haired beauty lied back on the grass next to Summer, her arms propping her up.

Coop, aren't you hot in that? You make me hot just looking at you!"

Summer looked over at the ground and shook her head, not being able to conprehend how she could be wearing those clothes.

Marissa just smiled and lied down completely and folded her arms over her stomach.

Summer watched her amazed at how the white wool sweater and blue jeans seemed to have no effect on her temperature. Summer fanned her bikini clad body with her magazine.

Ever since Summer had arrived home from the airport with Ryan, she had spent the whole time lying out by the pool spilling everything that happened to a very interested and enthusiastic Marissa.

"I wish you could have been there."

Summer said lightly as she finished her story.

"Me too...but we still have the rest of today."

Marissa tried to keep Summer focused on the more positive events before her departure the following day.

Summer's cell phone broke the silence.

"Hello?

...oh hey Ryan

...yeah, I'm not so sure I really want to

...cause I think it would just sort of make everything harder

...yeah, alright thanks. Bye"

"Reminding you about dinner tonight?"

Marissa looked over at Summer who just tossed her phone back on the ground.

"Yeah, I just don't think I could have dinner at the Cohen's and not start sobbing like a little girl."

"I think you should still go. You're not going to see any of them for a long time."

"I don't think I can do it. I hate going to places where everyone is just standing around in silence."
Summer then got up and made her way around the pool and inside. Marissa quickly jumped to her feet and followed her.

"It's not going to be that bad...I'm going!"

Masrissa said as she scaled the stairs behind Summer and into her room.

"I have too much to do anyway. I haven't even started packing yet!"

"Sum, you dont even need to pack! Everything is still in it's bags from Hawaii!"

"That's not true. I still have my coats and shoes to pack..."

Summer darted around her room pulling articles of clothing from thier resting places and dumping them on her bed.

Marissa parked herself on the floor near the door way and sat up against the wall as she watched Summer pack.

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"Can we go now?"

"No"

"How 'bout now?"

"Coop!"

"Sum, you've finished packing everything, even the stuff you don't need."

Summer paused and looked around her. She had packed almost everything she owned.

"Fine" Summer exhaled.

"Good" Marissa stood up and walked towards Summer.

"There's just one thing you have to do for me though."

Summer sighed at the friend's additional request.

Marissa pointed her towards the large closet as they both walked over and stood in front of it.

"You have to wear something nice."

Marissa pointed to the select few dresses that always hung separately from all the other pieces of clothing. These were the dresses Summer always wore to weddings, funerals, etc.

"Okay"

Summer smiled vaguely at her friends and grabbed the closest dress.

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The doorbell rang just as Summer was putting on the final touches of her make up. She quickly tred down the stairs to see Ryan waiting in the door with his hands in his pockets.

"Hi"

Summer smiled at him.

Ryan forced a very small half smile back.

"I figured you'd need a ride"

"Thanks"

Summer saw Marissa just behind Ryan making her way to the Range Rover so she grabbed her purse from the small table by the entrance and closed the doors behind her.

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Summer and Marissa walked along the cement pathway just ahead of Ryan, who was walking abnormally slow.

"So how come you didn't have to get all dressed up?"

Ugh. "I am dressed up!"

Marissa looked down at her wool sweater and jeans and then back at Summer.

Summer simply rolled her eyes as they continued walking.

Marissa quickly stepped in front of Summer, turned to face and stopped her.

"I'm glad you made it."

"Thanks. Me too"

Summer's face formed a warm smile as she looking into her friend's eyes.

"Now that we're here, I'm glad you made me come to this dinner."

Marissa smiled faintly at Summer's words.

Upon hearing this Ryan came up behind Summer looking puzzled.

"What dinner?" He asked softly.

Summer turned around.

"You know, the Cohen's, dinner, you and me leaving...you know, the whole routine."

She smiled at Ryan as she tried to clarify things for him.

Ryan looked at her with an emotionless, solemn face.

"Where do you think we are?"

Summer stared at Ryan in confusion and then looked back behind her. She was about to say something to her best friend, only there was no one there.

For the first time since stepping out of the Range Rover, Summer surveyed everything around her, eyes darting from place to place. Her expression immediately disappeared.

Green grass and flowers of all sorts bunched together dotted the landscape. Behind every bouquet of flowers stood a thick marble head stone with a few words and numbers engraved into it.

Summer's eyes immediately glossed over and she felt a horrible feeling in the pit of her stomach.

She had realized what was happenning. Why she was wearing her best black dress.

She looked back at Ryan and noticed his black suit for the first time. A couple small tears silently rolled down her cheeks.

"Come on"

He held out his arm for Summer.

"It's this way"

Summer tucked herself underneath Ryan's arm. Her pulled her close, comforting her as best he could as they walked off the pathway to the large black marble head stone marking the last place either of them saw their friend.