A/N: Thank you again for your reviews… just stick with it, I promise that things will eventually get better for S/S. Keep reviewing and have a happy holiday!
Disclaimer: Nope, not mine.
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Tim leaned into Summer. She looked at him before moving her head away from Tim. His lips crashed against her hair.
"Ew!" She shrieked, causing Tim to jump.
"What's wrong? I thought you…"
"Wanted this?" Summer cut off. "Why? Because I'm "on a break"? I'm not a cheater, Tim."
"On a break? News flash, Summer. Us kissing is not cheating."
"Well, I love Seth and I thought you'd be the first one to understand," Summer said, walking away from Tim.
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Jenny's lips grazed against Seth's.
"Jenny?" She moved away from Seth, startled.
"Sorry, it was the heat of the…" Jenny muttered.
"It's okay," Seth said. "You don't need to apologize. I mean, here I was telling you about my heartbreak, and we're watching perhaps the most romantic scene in action movie history, I can't say it wasn't inevitable."
"So you mean you want…"
"No." Seth cut her off. "I don't. At least not for a while. I'm hoping Summer will come to her senses and tell me that the break is over. She's destined to call me soon."
"I know, Seth," Jenny said, patting him on the back. "And it's honorable of you. Most RISD guys would just jump into bed with anyone willing. Most guys in general. This Summer girl is lucky."
"I don't know about that."
"Well, Elle's bed is still yours."
"You know, I think I should head back. The couch has gotten lonely without me on it."
"Seth, this doesn't have to be awkward," Jenny pleaded. "I'm really sorry."
"It's not you… I just need to get back. It was good meeting you, though, and I'm sure I'll see you around," Seth said before grabbing his parka and heading out the door.
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Summer continued to touch her lips. She hadn't done anything wrong, right? Yes, she flirted. Yes, she intentionally wore clothing that would get the guys' attention, and the dirty grinding on the dance floor probably didn't help the situation. Still, she couldn't figure out what her relationship with Seth was, let alone start a new one. Ugh, she was disgusted with herself, even though nothing happened. What if it had? What if Tim had kissed her, she contemplated. What if she kissed back? And there were sparks. And they hooked up, beyond that. Seth would be so hurt. She remembered how he was two years prior, when he thought that she and Zach were having sex in the room next door. He was protective of Summer, even when they weren't together. And he would be devastated if she was with another man. Summer shrugged. All she wanted was some simplicity.
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Seth continued to color in Little Miss Vixen's hair. He had an issue due to Dr. Stine this week and was suffering from writer's block. He didn't know how honest he should be, knowing full well that Dr. Stine was aware that Little Miss Vixen was a real person, as was Kid Chino. He had gotten up to the point where the Ironist books a flight home to see Little Miss Vixen for Valentine's Day. He pondered for a moment, should the Ironist go home, or should the events play out as is. What if he had gone? Then there wouldn't have been any breaks, any hurt, any wondering. It would have been easy. At this very moment, Seth would probably be on the phone with Summer, rambling on about the lameness of college parties here and the guy in his studio who hadn't showered in a week due to the workload, and how the girl sitting next to him brought in air freshening spray to ease the smell. Seth laughed, thinking of the situation. Summer would have responded with her signature "ew" and the two would talk about the sunny Newport weather, and her job, and the most recent Newpsie event. She would dish on what was going on with Newport's newest lovebirds – Ryan and Taylor – and he would ramble about nothing in particular. And then they would say their goodbyes and I love yous and hang up, thinking about one another for hours afterwards. Seth sighed. Until Summer called he would have to get used to these imaginary phone conversations.
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"Why don't you just call him?" Taylor offered.
"And say what? That I almost kissed my boss's fiance's coworker?"
"No. Just to talk to him. You two haven't spoken in two weeks. And I can assure you that right now Seth is sitting on his bed, staring at his phone, and rambling on about you to Captain Oats."
"Taylor, how do you know this stuff?" Summer asked.
"Because I'm observant. Look, you don't have to mention anything about Tim to Seth. It's not like anything happened."
"Then why do I feel so guilty about our, erm, almost-kiss?" Summer wondered.
"Because you think it's your fault. True, you were probably sending him signals, but it's not like you initiated…"
"I get it, Taylor. I just keep asking myself, what would have happened if I let him kiss me and kissed back. You know, if things got out of control and…"
"Did you want it?"
"No. I don't think so," Summer admitted.
"Is that a yes or a no, Summer," Taylor said.
"It's complicated."
"Then uncomplicate it."
"How do I do that?" Summer asked, flopping onto her bed and looking up at Taylor.
"Let me ask you, do you love Seth?"
"Of course I do."
"And do you like Tim?"
"As a friend, maybe."
"Are you attracted to Tim?"
"He's handsome, but, not now…"
"Well, then why would you have wanted to kiss him or…"
"He was there. And he wanted me. A lot."
"I know Seth's not here right now, but is he worth the wait?" Taylor asked. "And you don't have to tell me that, I think you can figure out the answer on your own. But call him, talk to him. Even if it's just to hear his voice."
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Should I just call her? Seth wondered to himself. No, he reasoned. If she didn't pick up then he'd wind up leaving her a voicemail that could be taken the wrong way. And she may pick up and tell him that she moved on, that she found another guy, that the break is now a break-up. Seth was afraid of the possible outcomes. He would just need to wait for her to call.
Three hours later and the thought of a phone call to Summer was still on his mind. Maybe she would want to hear from him. Maybe she would tell him how dumb she was for ending it and how she was going to get on the next flight to Rhode Island to see him. Maybe…
Seth's thoughts were cut off from the door opening. Max entered the room.
"Man, what's up?" Max asked.
"Nothing, just thinking," Seth replied.
"Still about Summer?"
"I cannot tell a lie."
"Dude, you really need to move on. It's been two weeks, she isn't going to call. Why trap yourself here?"
"I'm not trapping myself anywhere."
"Enjoy the term. Spring break is in three weeks, and then it's gonna be hell until May. Just move on."
"Why do you care so much if I move on?"
"Because you always being here is starting to interfere with my sex life," Max said, slightly raising his voice. "Elle can't stand making out with me knowing what a sad, sad individual you are. Really, all you need is some ass. You know that Jenny has been talking about you to Elle all the time."
"What about?"
"Something to do with Spiderman and her room after that party."
"Nothing happened," Seth said, slightly irritated.
"If nothing happened, then there would be nothing to talk about."
"Okay, fine, she tried to kiss me, but I pulled away. Happy now?"
"Why would you do that?"
"Because Summer…"
"Jenny's hot. Summer's on the other side of the country. And she's the one that decided to take a break. So even if you did it with Jenny, it's not like you're straying from your monogamous roots."
"Says Max the Manwhore."
"Just sayin'. Enjoy yourself. Or at least leave the room for a little while so that I can enjoy myself."
"Fine," Seth said, getting up. "I was planning to meet Anna for dinner anyways."
"Anna..." a small smile escaped Max's lips. "You dog, you." Seth smirked at him and left the room.
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After a somewhat therapeutic dinner with Anna, during which Seth lamented, rambled, tried a stab at humor, and discussed the nature of existence in an extended monologue, he returned to his dorm room. Max was out, thankfully. Even though Max was his main daily interaction, he just couldn't understand the guy. He didn't get why Max thought that his relationship with Summer was so easy to forget, why it was unimportant. He sat against his bed. Maybe Max did have a point and Seth was too vested in the relationship. Summer could be thinking just like Max. Seth knew that he was never the conventional Newport teen. Luke had been, as had the rest of the water polo team. But not Seth. Everyone thought that tying oneself down with their high school sweetheart was old-fashioned, impractical. Seth and Summer were on a mission to prove them wrong. Now Summer was doubting it, Seth thought. Maybe it was a one-man mission on an issue meant for two.
Seth looked at his desk where the framed picture of he and Summer stood. He grabbed the frame and placed it in a drawer, covering it with some papers. It was time to move on.
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Will Seth actually move on? Or will he rekindle his relationship with Summer? What will happen when Seth returns to Newport Beach for Spring Break?