A/N: So here's the final installment of Cross Coastal. As soon as I receive 10 reviews, I'll post my newest story (title forthcoming). It's another Seth/Summer angst-fest, sorta. You'll see. Anyways, like I promised, I am making this a happy ending. I'll consider doing a sequel to this story in the future, if I have enough of a demand for it, but for now I'm going to work on the next story (which has 10 chapters written so far) and another one in the works… but your reviews make me productive, so who knows?
Anyways, here's the story, enjoy & let me know what you think both about this chapter and the fic as a whole!
And on a random note… in chapter 4 I had Seth and Anna going to Flo's Diner, which sounded familiar albeit generic. So I'm reading televisionista or some website like that and apparently there's a Flo's Diner up here (Toronto)… where Rachel Bilson & Adam Brody were photographed eating back in October. Go figure. So there's some more OC trivia for y'all!
Disclaimer: Not mine…
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"Just one week of hell left," Max said, crossing his feet on his bed.
"Yep, can't believe we survived this term," Seth responded as he loaded up his backpack with snacks, getting ready to head back to the studio. "Shouldn't you be, um… heading out?"
"Just want to get some Elle time in before I head back to the basement of doom," Max smirked.
"Which reminds me, gotta go call Summer before I head back into the inferno."
"She has got you whipped, man," Max replied.
"I'm not complaining," Seth said as he grabbed his bag and flung it over his shoulder. Over the past five weeks he made sure to make the long-distance relationship work. He called Summer every day, even on days when he had nothing to talk about, or when he was stuck in the studio and in the middle of a group project – much to the chagrin of the rest of his group mates. The distance was still not fun, Seth decided, but there was one more week and then the couple would be back together, forever… assuming that Summer wouldn't break and enter any more labs.
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"I'll see you next Sunday!" Summer exclaimed into the phone.
"Yeah, I can't wait. I'm starting to miss the Newpsie luncheons, and benefit galas, and plastic surgery... and… I can't think of anything else I missed," Seth joked.
"Be happy that you have a full week of me not being able to physically unwrap my rage blackouts on you."
"I will take full advantage of that."
"So have you figured out what you're going to do this summer?" Summer asked.
"The comic book store is happy to have me back."
"Great."
"Yep. Now, I'd like to put off death a little longer but I'm here and Dante's calling me in… talk to you soon, Summer, love you." Seth closed the faceplate of his phone and sighed before entering the studio.
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Seth walked into Dr. Stine's office. He was exhausted, having been pulling all-nighters for the past few nights, but when Dr. Stine left him an urgent message he dropped what he was doing and made his way to the office.
"Seth," Dr. Stine said warmly.
"Hi Dr. Stine, how are you?"
"I should ask you that, you look exhausted."
"You know, crunch time."
"Of course. Well, it's almost summer break."
"Yep. The light at the end of a long and trying tunnel."
"I just got a call from one of my colleagues in New York, Bill Supple. He runs a sizeable comic book company. He's looking for an intern for the summer, $15 an hour, and they'll help with housing. It's a great opportunity…"
Seth thought. Comic books. Cash. New York City, center of the universe. But then there was Summer. Summer, the love of his life, the girl to whom he promised that he would make things right with. Summer…
"Seth?"
"Um, no. I think I have to go back to California," he said.
"Little Miss Vixen?" Seth blushed and tried to keep a smile from escaping his lips.
"Yes."
"Well, you will need some new material for your upcoming issues given that we have the independent study together next term. Have a great summer, and send me updates… I'm a sucker for comic book spoilers," Dr. Stine said, extending his hand to Seth who shook it.
"Will do, enjoy yours, Dr. Stine."
"Sure thing. And say hi to Little Miss for me." Seth smiled and left the room.
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Summer stood outside the gate, waiting for his arrival. Fifteen more minutes, she thought. Fifteen minutes gone extremely slow. Then she saw people leaving the gate. First some older men in business suits, presumably first class. Then a larger group, and finally…
"Seth," she said, breathlessly. She approached him, shyly, not sure whether it was appropriate to embrace him or just say hello. She didn't have to think. Seth dropped his bags and pulled her into a tight hug.
"I missed you," Seth said.
"Me too." Seth leaned down and kissed her on the lips. She kissed back.
"Maybe we should wait until we get back to your place," she suggested.
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"Seth, welcome back!" Kirsten exclaimed as he entered the house.
"Yep."
"Summer."
"Hi Mrs. Cohen."
"So tell me all about the last few weeks, Seth. I missed you so much," she said, pulling him into a tight embrace.
"Um… I didn't see the light of day, stayed in the studio, got sexiled fifteen times…"
"Sexiled?" Kirsten asked, inquisitively.
"Long story… um, that's about it. So I think I'm going to go unpack," he said as he and Summer made their way to the staircase.
"Don't think that I don't know…" Kirsten drifted off.
"I missed this place," Summer admitted once she and Cohen entered his room. "I haven't been here since…"
"President's week," he stated flatly. She looked at him, concerned. "It's behind us now, Summer, don't worry about it."
"I know, it's just crazy that…"
"What's important is that we're together here, now," he said, letting his dimples show as he smiled.
"Right. But, we have to make up for lost time," Summer said as she looked up and kissed him. The kiss deepened as the pair made their way to the bed. Everything was going to be okay.
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The End! Please review!!! As soon as I get 10 reviews for this chapter/full story I'll post my new one!
And five points if you get the "NYC, center of the universe" reference.