Summer lay in bed awake. The sun is pouring in the window. It was a week since the funeral. 2 weeks since graduation and the accident. She had left the house 3 times since that day. Once for the funeral, once to see Seth and dragged once by Taylor before she left for Cabo. Summer rolled over and squinted in the sunlight. It was prime tanning season. Summer wasn't tanning. Not this year. There was no Marissa to keep her company. Cohen wasn't much use. He hated the heat and his SPF application technique left a lot to be desired. Plus she couldn't scope out hot guys with him. Not that it mattered. She missed Marissa. At first the wound was raw now it was healing over. The pain had changed from a searing cut to a dull ache. Nothing was the same. The person who knew her the best was gone. Sure she still had the memories, but memories no one else knew about. She couldn't share them. Instead they built up inside, festering.
The clock read 11.30. Time for 'The Valley'. She flipped the tv on.
A couple of hours later Seth came over.
Seth: Hey Sum- hugging her
Summer: Hey
Seth: I brought Blade
They watched the entire movie in silence. Not touching. He left as soon as the last credit rolled. He couldn't escape quickly enough. Unlike him she couldn't escape the feelings. Loss. Pain. Regret. Anger. Numbness
The poolhouseRyan lay on the bed staring at the ceiling. He could vaguely hear Nintendo noises coming from the house. Seth was the only one home. He had heard Sandy and Kirsten at breakfast. Sandy had gone to the Newport Group and Kirsten to cardio barre. Hauling himself out of bed he headed to the house and made coffee.
He returned to the poolhouse and started to bandage his fists. He started to pummel the punchbag.
He started to sweat. Pausing his eye caught a photo of Marissa.
He punched harder. Marissa's eyes watching from the photo
The sweat was running down his back. Her eyes traced his every move
Still he punched harder until blood appeared on his fists.
He crouched on the floor trying to avoid her happy gaze.
He went for a shower. The hot needles of water were agony on his sore muscles. He turned the temperature down until it was icy cold.
After half an hour he left the shower. The moment he set foot in his room her eyes caught his.
He had to get out.
The beachSummer wandered slowly along the beach. She had wanted to escape but the darkness was making her frightened. The only light came from the boardwalk and a rig out at sea. Ahead she saw a lifeguard station. She picked up her pace. When she reached it she ran up the ramp and sat leaning against the hut.
Ryan was pounding along the sand. In his mind all he could see was her. Her eyes, her hair, her skin. He wanted to scream.
Summer is staring out to sea.
Volchok: Well, well look who it is
Summer looks shaken. Volchok is standing at the base of the ramp.
Summer: What do you want?
Volchok: Same as you
Summer: How do you know what I want?
Volchok: Cos I want her back too
Summer screams: You bastard!
She charges down the ramp
A noise pierces Ryan's consciousness. He sees a petite woman lunging at a man.
Summer screaming: You killed her
She slaps Volchok.
The noise was Summer. Ryan was sure of it and that was Volchok. Ryan started sprinting.
Summer slaps Volchok again. He reaches out to stop her. She scratches him with her other hand as his arm contacts her head. She stares for a split second as the pain of being punched in the face registers before punching him in the chest
Ryan hears her screaming
You don't get to want her back. You killed her. You took her from me, she was my best friend. From Ryan, the love of her life and her family. You sick bastard. Her tiny fists are pummelling his chest. All the time Volchok is grabbing for her. He succeeds and twists her arm. Tears are streaming down Summer's face
Volchok: I love her
Ryan shouting: Let her go
Volchok turns just as Ryan lands a punch on him. Volchok falls to the ground
Ryan stands back as the other man pulls himself up
The two men stand eye to eye. This is it. Ryan charges at Volchok.