A/N: Thank you so much for your feedback thus far! This one is definitely longer, so be prepared to enter for the long haul!  I know that I said 10 reviews, but the lovely Mrs. Cohen has informed me that 10 is a large number… so let's make it 5 per chapter, and I'll update. Nonetheless, the more the merrier so please, please, whether you like this or hate it, please review! I have already made some changes to later chapters based on reader responses and it means a lot to me… which leads me to my next question:

I have received several reviews stating that you don't want any cheating going on. Fair enough. But does that mean that Seth & Summer need to stay together all throughout the story or not? Let me know as soon as you can… I have 8 chapters done and want to work on ch 9 tonight.

Disclaimer: I do not own the wonderful and witty Seth Cohen, nor the charming Summer Roberts, or anyone in between.

XXXXXXX

Although Seth's coursework was just as heavy, he spent the little free time he had on coffee breaks with Anna. The two had their own little corner at Starbucks where they could talk about the newest plastic surgery advances and comic books. He was really looking forward to his trip to Newport, set for the weekend, and raved about the warm weather that he would enjoy – if he ever made it outside of Summer's bedroom. Anna would just roll her eyes on those comments. She was happy that Seth and Summer had worked through their problems from last spring but his macho attitude was quite pathetic, in a Cohen-y way. Seth was really happy to get to spend time with Anna. Coming in a semester late had made it more difficult to get involved in the social aspects of school, and everyone was so busy with their studios that there wasn't much of a campus life to begin with. Coffee breaks with Anna kept him sane, and he really hoped that Summer could befriend Anna once again when she returned.

XXXX

Seth walked into his room and threw his book bag against the wall. Hard. Max and Elle, who had been making out – in little more than underwear – on Max's bed, looked up.

"Think of knocking?" Max said.

"Sorry," Seth replied, dejected.

"It's okay, Seth," Elle said as she put her shirt back over her bra. "Something bugging you?"

"No, yes, okay, so I'm supposed to be going back home this weekend to see Summer and then my stupid Fundamentals professor gives us this enormous project due on Tuesday morning. I mean, after all of the hours I've spent slaving in the studio for his dumb class, he couldn't have given us a Valentine's break?"

"Well, we do get President's week off the following week… and this is midterm crunch time…" Max said, nonchalantly.

"I don't care. My other classes, fine. But this stupid studio. This wasn't even written on the syllabus. He said "oh, well this will prepare you for the real world when you get projects thrown your way with pressing deadlines." I bet he's just pissed that no one will do his sorry ass."

Elle spoke up, "Seth, don't worry so much, just go to Newport and then pull an all-nighter on Monday."

"I can't do that. This will take literally all weekend. And I wouldn't care so much but this is 30 of our grade. Can you believe that crap?" Seth was outraged. "What am I going to tell Summer? I told her we'd make it work. And now I'm ditching her on Valentine's Day – which, coincidentally, happens to be our sort-of third anniversary." Seth buried his head in his hands.

"Hey, you made it last almost a month, Seth. That's a record here," Max replied. Elle hit him.

"Don't listen to what he says, just talk to Summer," Elle said. "I mean, she won't be happy but she'll accept it. You did come here to go to school, right? And it's not like you'll be seeing any other girls on Valentine's Day. Which, by the way, is the most pathetic holiday – totally manufactured by Hallmark and Hershey's…"

"You should meet my dad," Seth said.

"I still do expect flowers, Max," Elle said, facing her boyfriend.

"What am I going to do?" Seth said to no one in particular.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX'

Summer and Taylor sat in Summer's room, eating sushi and watching the Valley.

"So, how's it going with Ryan?" Summer asked.

"He still wants to take it slow, but at least it's going. I'm just not expecting anything for Valentine's Day. Seth?"

"We don't get to talk much. He's really busy all the time…"

"Ah, the co-ed life. You know when I was at the Sorbonne I barely had time to explore Paris. Between the classes and the trips to the bibliotheque, and of course, Henri-Michel…"

"Well, he doesn't have another girl there. Just Anna."

"Anna as in Anna Anna? His ex-girlfriend… from prom?"

"Yes. Her. They're just friends. She's like a… female Cohen. Nothing's going on," Summer said. "Right?"

"I'm sure you're right, Sum. Seth loves you."

"I know. I just get scared knowing that he's around all of these new people and that he may change."

"You did that last semester and he loves you for who you are. Even if he does change it will only be for the better."

"I guess. At least he'll be here this weekend. I got a new dress for the party – do you want to see it?"

"Sure," Taylor said as Summer walked to her closet. She took out the dress. It was strapless and red and looked very similar to what she wore at the first Valentine's Day party that she and Seth had attended together. "Tres gorgeous, Summer. Seth is a lucky man." Summers phone rang.

"Speaking of the man," Summer answered her phone. "Hey, Cohen."

"Summer," Seth said.

"Way to sound surprised, considering you're calling me."

"Yeah, well. So. How are you?"

"I'm fine, I was just showing Taylor the dress that I'm going to wear for the party this weekend."

"Is that so… because that's exactly what I was going to talk to you about. You see, my Fundamentals professor, Dr. Porto, decided to be a completely celibate ass and assign us a major studio project for Tuesday, something about being in the real world and having pressing deadlines, and I really wouldn't care but it counts for so much and is going to take at least seventy hours to compete which is totally ridiculous considering that we were just assigned the project today and it can only be completed in the stu…"

"Cohen, you're rambling."

"The thing is, I can't come home this weekend."

"You what?!?" Summer's voice dropped.

"Look, Sum, I really really want to be there and I know that it's Valentine's Day AND our anniversary, but hey, I'll be there next weekend."

"Unless if you have another excuse."

"No. Promise. Just have a good time and I'm really really sorry. Okay?"

"No, it's not okay," Summer yelled into the phone, tears welling up in her eyes. "You were the one who said we should have a long-distance relationship for another semester. That you just couldn't wait a few more months to start. For what? Do you actually like it there? No. All you do is sit in the studio and complain about the studio and hang out with Anna. Right? This is such bullshit, Cohen."

"I'm there so that we can live together. Yeah, we're not together now but that's because YOU got yourself KICKED OUT. So don't give me a hard time about having a tough schedule. Had you not gone on some stupid bunny crusade you'd be here right now and we wouldn't even be having this conversation."

"You know that isn't true," Summer answered. "You know what? Enjoy that goddamn studio. Hope you have so much fun all weekend long just SLAVING away and whining to Anna about how I'm so stupid and insensitive." Tears started pouring down her face. "I can't even talk to you right now." She hung up the phone before sobbing on her bed. Taylor rubbed her hand on Summer's back, trying to comfort her, but it was useless.

"See you next week," Seth said as he heard the dial tone.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Summer knew she was being irrational. Sure, Seth wasn't making it easy on her, blaming her for having to put up with the long-distance thing in the first place. She managed to hold herself together at work on Friday but broke down as soon as she got back to her room. Seth hadn't called her back since their phone argument.

Seth knew that Elle was wrong, that Summer wasn't going to take it lightly. But there was nothing to do about it short of flunking Fundamentals for the term. After lying on his bed, wallowing, for an hour, he decided to head to the studio and make progress on his project from hell.

It was Saturday night and all of Newport Beach was primping for the Valentines Day Singles Gala. Except Summer. The dress that she planned on wearing was still in her closet, tags still on, a garment bag protecting the delicate fabric. Summer sat on her bed, wiping her tearstained eyes with a dirty Kleenex and watching "The Valley." She hated how superficial it was, but the sheer amount of drama in these character's lives made her somehow feel better about her own self.

"Summer, you have to go," Taylor entered Summer's room, wearing a black cocktail dress and stilettos. Her hair was tousled and her bangs were swept to the side. She looked stunning. "Don't get this upset about Seth."

"I don't want to go, Taylor. Just leave me alone."

"As bossy as you are, Summer Roberts, I am bossier. And you are wearing that dress and going. So wipe that sorry look off your face, shower, and be dressed within the next thirty minutes. I'll be waiting downstairs."

"I'm not –"

"Yes you are, Sum. Ta!" Taylor said and left the room. Summer pouted and wallowed in self-pity for another minute before heading to the bathroom.

After doing her hair, putting on a small bit of makeup, and donning her new dress, Summer knew she looked hot. She took a photo of herself, planning to put it up on Facebook to make Seth remember what he was missing. She slid on a pair of Manolos and headed downstairs, where Taylor and Ryan were waiting, before the threesome headed over to the yacht club, where the party was being held. As soon as they arrived, Taylor and Ryan coupled off, leaving Summer on her own. She looked around. Yes, this was a singles gala, yet everyone was mingling with another, embracing someone else, dancing as a couple.

"Hi, Summer," Kirsten said as she saw the girl, standing alone. "I'm really sorry Seth didn't make it."

"No, it's okay, I understand. He has a lot of work, right?"

"Yes, but you know, Valentine's Day is my favorite holiday and I would just kill Sandy if he wasn't here with me." Summer frowned. "Oh, I'm sorry. You know, I'm sure Seth will call you on Tuesday or surprise you with something."

"I know."

"I better go make sure that Julie isn't going off with our whole male client base, but I just wanted to let you know that even though Seth is gone, you're welcome at my place for dinner whenever. And I'm sure we will be seeing you next weekend."

"Sure," Summer said as Kirsten headed over to the corner of the banquet hall. She went over to the bar and ordered herself a Sex on the Beach. It was the closest thing to getting some that she would be able to have.

"Sex on the Beach," the bartender said, sliding the glass towards her.

"For such a classy young woman, that's quite a dirty drink," Summer heard beside her. It was Tim, the young lawyer that she met at the Coastwatcher's benefit.

"Yeah, well," Summer muttered.

"I didn't expect to see you here," Tim said.

"I'm usually at these things. Well, haven't been in a few months, but I know the people running it. Though I haven't seen you before…"

"Law school does that to you. How's your job going? Carrie seems to like you a lot. She mentioned that you were great the last time she stopped by the office."

"Still liking it a lot. And Carrie's great as well. You?"

"I just got a big case to work on. Immigration law, which is exciting for me. You know, you go to a place like Stanford and everyone expects you to be pushing paper for a high-profile and well-paying firm. But I joined the profession for this. Helping out the little guys. It's much more rewarding." He sounded just like Sandy Cohen.

"Yeah, definitely. Are you going to order a drink?"

"Scotch on the rocks," Tim called to the bartender, who nodded. He looked her up and down. "So, did you bring a date tonight?"

"That's rather blunt," Summer said, almost flirting.

"So I take it…"

"I'm taken, actually, but no, my boyfriend isn't here. He's too busy working on some studio project out in Rhode Island."

"Ah, so he's from Brown," Tim said as he took his drink from the bar.

"No, he's from here. His mom's actually the one running this party. But he's studying at RISD, just started there last month."

"So you're pulling a long-distance relationship," Tim stated.

"Yes. I mean, only until May and then we'll both be here for the summer and back in Providence in September. And he'll be back next week."

"Ah. I did the long-distance relationship not too long ago."

"Really? What happened?"

"It just gets too complicated. You lead different lives, have a relationship basically over the phone, and then when you see one another it's just awkward. I mean, you don't know what to do when you first see them, then just stay in bed the rest of the trip, not even talking to each other. It's almost the same as calling a dating hotline every night and getting a prostitute once a month."

"No, you don't know Seth."

"I know. I'm just saying that it's tough. I was with Kate for three years, we did our undergrad together at Michigan. Then I go to Palo Alto, she stays there for law school, and within months we were barely even talking on the phone. Needless to say by the time it came to do are summer associate work we hadn't spoken to each other in over a month."

"Then what?"

"We ended it. It was easier that way."

"And did you love her?"

"I think so. It was tough to end it but for the best."

"Well, I know that I love Seth. I think we'll be fine."

"I don't know the guy, so I'll take your word for it. But rather than spending the day in misery," he looked at her innocently. "Would you like to dance?" Summer paused for a second.

"Sure," she said as she took Tim's hand and headed to the dance floor.

The rest of the night was a blur. She danced a lot, drank a hell of a lot, and practically spilled her heart out to Tim. He was a nice guy, no Seth, but still was charming and witty and smart. Very smart. She could tell that he was interested in her, and although she didn't share the same feelings for him, she flirted back. Cohen was not going to ruin her life.

"So, Summer, it's getting late. Do you want to split a cab?"

"Sure," she said as he called for a car to drive them back. A driver pulled up and Tim escorted Summer to the car.

"We're here," he said, nudging Summer as the car pulled up in her driveway. "Wake up."

"Uh, yeah," Summer looked around. Tim got out of the car and opened up the door for her, motioning to the driver to wait for him. He grabbed her by the arm and walked her to her door.

"Look, Summer, I had a great time with you tonight. You have my number, feel free to call me if you want to meet for coffee or lunch sometime. Just to hang, as friends. Okay?"

"Okay," Summer said, looking into his eyes.

"Take care. And good luck with Seth." He kissed her cheek and walked back to the car. Seth. She had forgotten about him, she thought as she made her way back to her room, passing out on her bed with no attempt to take off her dress. She shouldn't feel guilty for spending the night doing something than crying over him. And it wasn't like she was cheating.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Seth raised his head from the drafting table and rubbed his eyes when he heard a message alert go off on his phone. What time is it, he wondered, looking at the faceplate of his phone. 9am, Sunday. He had been in the studio since Thursday night, leaving only on Friday evening to shower and Saturday morning to pick up some food at a convenience store. It wasn't like he was alone. The rest of his Fundamentals class looked equally miserable, each sitting at their own drafting table, working on a project that meant absolutely nothing to them, taking turns sleeping on the two couches in the adjacent student lounge. So this is what college is like, Seth thought. Miserable professors, miserable projects, and no time for fun. He looked down at the text message that he had received.

Figured you may need something edible. Meet at Flo's Diner at ten? – Anna.

Food sounded great, he thought as his stomach rumbled.

Okay, just need to shower. 10:30 work? – S

He scrambled to get his coat on and head over to East Hall. The winter cold hit him straight in the face, waking him up. The snow crunched on the ground beneath him as he entered the dormitory. He walked up the steps and into his room, grabbing a towel and his shower caddy before giving himself a much needed cleaning. He then put on a tight Modest Mouse shirt, his favorite track jacket, worn corduroys, and a long scarf. He picked up the parka that Summer had bought him – his part of the his-and-hers parka set. He lingered over it for a while before heading out.

"So she was upset?" Anna asked.

"That's an understatement," Seth responded, shoving a forkful of eggs into his mouth.

"Have you spoken to her since?"

"No, she hasn't called."

"She'll forgive you, you know she loves you."

"I know. I just couldn't do anything else."

"I know. And she knows too. She's just upset because she misses you," Anna said. "Just don't forget to call her on Valentine's Day."

"When is that again?"

"Tuesday. Day after tomorrow. God, have you really not been sleeping?"

"Nope, studio."

"If I remember correctly you'll be done with that Tuesday morning. Whatever you do, don't forget to acknowledge that it is Valentine's Day, the day in which Cupid arrives with hands full of machine-produced chocolate and half-dead long stem roses."

"You're quite the romantic, Anna Stern," Seth said.

"You know it," she replied, winking a she lifted her mug of coffee to her mouth.

Will Seth & Summer work out their problems in time for the most romantic day of the year? Or will Tim & Anna get in their way? Submit your reviews and I'll post another chapter.