So I don't know if anyone is still reading this story….but I'm grounded, so yea…

-

The Cohen house was very quite. That eerie quite, the one that makes you nervous, That air of silence that is wavering with cloaked rambunction.

Perhaps it's the silence before the storm, depending on whose eyes you're looking through.

Everyone was doing their own thing. Investing in these scarce and much valued moments of alone time. Each using it how they see fit. How they want to be using it at this very time, not really wanting to savour it.

Kirsten had opted in spending this time by gathering herself. Sitting out at the patio, breathing in the fresh ocean air, taking in the scenery. Just taking a break.

Seth was holding up on the couch laying down, pillow clutched tightly to his chest. He was pretty much zoned out. Just replaying over and over again the whole funeral process; he's speech, Hailey's, the last sighting.

Ryan was sipping on his coffee, sitting in the family room. He was going through in his mind the processes to come. Mentally going through the course for the afternoon.

Hailey was leaning against the kitchen top. She was mainly worrying about the others, cycling through how Seth and Kirsten endured the funeral. How they were holding up, and attempting the see the forecast for what was in store for them soon.

And Summer was calming herself down, staring at the image in the mirror in truancy.

They all stayed in their separate squares of isolation for a while. The time sensation varying considerably from person to person.

Summer was first to break through the square. She never will be one to let anything sear into her, box her in. She checked her make up, staring intensely at every facial feature. Eyes. Nose. Lips. Cheeks. And for some reason, a memory of what Seth had said to her ages ago popped into her head.

- They were half way through their senior year, on just a normal Friday night, just getting ready in the normal routine they usually did when they were going to a once again normal Newport party. He had come to pick her up as per normal, walking straight in without knocking, taking a seat on her bed. They exchanged pleasantries before Seth sat patiently for Summer to finish getting ready. And out of nowhere when summer was doing the last check in the mirror, Seth randomly said to her, "Perfection can't be blemished," before smiling shyly, looking at his shoes. -

Summer closed her eyes, breathing for a second. She didn't know what he was rambling on about at the time, just rolling her eyes.

She let her tongue roll over her back left molars, and she couldn't help but wonder how many of these little subtle gifts she had missed. How much she had taken for granted, not dwelling on being appreciative but on feigning her usual annoyance, just cause…

She stood up straight, standing in wonderment. "Why the fuck did I have to remember that now." She said harshly, shoving makeup and other crap into the drawer. Not because she was suppose to put it back, but because she felt like shoving crap. It's that rage thing she's got going on.

She looked back at the mirror straitening her dress, tucking her hair behind her ears. Nodding once in acceptance she made her way out towards the kitchen. She stopped suddenly when she saw Seth lying down on the couch. She slowly made her way around to the front of the couch, encumbering herself with her previous thoughts. Seth had his eyes closed, but she could feel that he wasn't asleep. She took a seat on the end of the coffee table facing Seth, her hands nervously waiting in her lap.

Seth, as if sensing her presence, opened his eyes, then immediately closed them. She couldn't help know that he wished she would just go away. Anywhere. Just disperse from his sight. Probably forever.

It hurt Summer something special to see him feel this way about her. To look him face to face, and feel the distaste he is thinking about her. To put it how Summer is thinking right now, "Its fucking chilling." But it's not just oh damn, he hates me. It's the connotations of chilling, and the genuine resounding sensation that is, when someone you care so deeply for despises you so much. It's the cold shiver of guilt and remorse that spans through your body, letting you know every time you think about it.

After waiting a moment to see if Summer would leave him be, Seth sat up straight. He looked up to meet those known eyes, peering in to birth the confrontation. He purposely had to think of her eyes as known too. Any victory is a victory, doesn't matter if no one knows it.

Summer quietly spoke up. She was too tired and sapped of confidence and self security to adopt her usual approach. "Do you want to help get things started for the wake?"

Seth lowered his eyes to his lap, his face still directed to Summer's. "No, not yet."

Summer blinked a few times, wondering if there are much harder things to do in life then what she is trying to do now. She felt so constricted. She thinks her distaste on the feeling would be strangely close to something Seth's deeply distaste's now….

"Well, I….I am going to go start with the preparations. You can come when you're ready."

She waited a moment, unsure of how to precede next. She wanted to give him reassurance, but if she were to saying anything he could just spin it around and tare into it. And if she wanted to give him reassurance through touch, well she didn't think his look of loathing would go down well.

Seth smiled back patronisingly. "Okay Summer, why don't you go, and I'll meet you there." He said it smoothly without sarcasm, thought summer needn't have to hear it to it's there.

She knew some smart-arse comment was going to emerge soon, so she just shrugged it off. She stood up trying to smile in reassurance before making her way into the kitchen.

Seth shook his head in self loathing after Summer left. "Wow. I'm a fucking loser."

-

The next few hours swept by in bizarre fashion. People came, drank, spoke their memory's, expressed their condolences, ate, then left. The family did their job of mingling and accepting the words. Just standing not really caring what they had to say, just nodding every now and then. Most of these people didn't even understand him anyway. They just glazed over how funny and charming he was, and that he will be sorely missed.

After the first hour Seth got over it, and went to his room for a breather. This was definitely reminding him of why he wanted out of this place for so long.

For Seth, the wake felt off. Like he was doing the rounds, talking to people etc, but it was like he was watching the scene unfold from a third person. From an onlooking person observing the conversation. The totality of the day was getting to him, hence the escape to his room.

He sat on his bed cross legged wondering whether he should go down. He didn't want to piss off his mum or Ryan, but he really didn't like the atmosphere downstairs. His eyes surveyed the room, for some reason it seemed brighter. His eyes eventually landed on a book that lay on his bed side table. He read the title once, narrowing his eyes in usual scepticism.

He opened the bedside drawer, taking out his glass case. With one hand he grabbed the book and with the other he put on his reading glasses. He only got reading glasses last year. He wasn't too proud, but he had been told that they apparently really do suit him.

He held the book in one hand, questioning whether or not to pop the book's cherry. He traced over the letters from the name of the book' spine that frowned up at him. Tapping the spine a few times with the tip of his index finger he decided that now was not the time. He delicately placed the book back on the bedside table, turning to get off his and bed and almost shat himself in fright.

"Ohh shit!" He breathed deeply. After a moment he spoke again. "Joshua, never - Ever, do that again." Seth rolled his head back in anguish.

Joshua was standing their silent and motionless, his hands by his side, innocently smiling unknowingly.

"Shit."

Seth's head snapped back into place, his eyebrows rose in attention. "Ummm…-What?" He said in concentration.

"Shit." Joshua once again repeated, still smiling innocently, playing with his hands.

Seth looked at Josh. "Uhhh- no, no, no…. I said ship." Seth said, slightly worried.

"Shit – Shit. Shit. Shit." Josh continued, casually, as if saying he was thirsty and wanted some milk.

Seth laughed nervously scratching his head. "It's ship, Joshua. Ship…its P at the end, not T. Ship."

But Joshua didn't pay attention. "Shit." He said once again, but slowly wording it out, trying to pronounce it properly.

Seth scratched his neck nervously. "O, crap." He muttered softly to himself.

"Joshua, sh -," He stopped, trying to think of a better way to start. "You know that word you just said," he waited for Joshua to nod, "Well that word is not a proper word. And you don't want to be like a baby, making up words and all do you?"

Josh nodded again in agreement. But then after a second shook his head from side to side, in disagreement.

"But I heard you say shit."

Seth slumped his shoulders. He knew he wasn't going to win. He sighed in defeat, and in the knowledge that his manipulation skills were so dodgy, he couldn't even scheme on a young 4 year old boy.

He decided to adopt and knew approach. "Okay buddy, can you keep a secret?"

Joshua instantly smiled. "I sure can. I didn't tell anyone about this morning." He beamed proudly.

Seth calmed a bit at the knowledge that Josh could actually hold a secret. Well as least better then he could.

"But." Josh drifted off dubiously.

Seth looked down at him curiously. "But what?"

"I will keep your secret, but only if you come downstairs with me now." Joshua proposed to innocently.

Seth looked at Joshua in a concerned fashion. "Excuse me?"

Joshua sighed dramatically. "Seth, just come downstairs with me. And it will be all fine." He said it as if it was the simplest thing in the world.

Seth looked at him in amazement. Wow, I'm getting schooled by a 4 year old.

"Fine." Seth irritably agreed.

"K, good. Lets go." Josh smiled happily

"Wait! Wait!" Seth didn't really like who was dominating the interaction.

"What now?" Joshua said irritated.

Seth regarded him for a moment as he smiled at him impressed. "Do you want to know the meaning of the word?"

Seth hunched over squatting, so that he was face to face with Josh. He whispered some words into his ear about the meaning of the word.

Seth released a sigh of relief after the explanation.

Josh "Ahh-ed" in understanding. "I get ya."

Josh grabbed Seth's hand, leading out of the room downstairs in to the thick of the party. He led him straight through the crowd to the space that Hailey and Ryan occupied.

Josh let go of Seth's hand and tugged at the bottom of Ryan's shirt.

"Can I have my lollies now please?" He smiled up at him proudly.

Hailey laughed at Ryan. "You didn't even start looking and he already found him."

Ryan looked down at Joshua questioningly. "That was… - how did you find him so fast?"

Joshua shrugged indifferently, to eager to get amongst his lollies. "Lollies." He proclaimed.

Seth and Hailey just looked on amused as Ryan walked off to get Joshua his prised lollies.

"So where were you hiding?" Hailey questioned Seth.

"Uhh… I just needed a break. Just went to my room for a while." He answered sincerely. "But I had already done the rounds so don't worry."

Hailey nodded back carefully. "You fine?"

Seth nodded back quietly.

Ryan arrived back. "I knew something was up when he proposed the bet."

Hailey raised an eyebrow. "He's like 4 years old. He's not some mastermind hustler."

Seth smiled to himself before walking of to get a drink.

Ryan narrowed his eyes at Seth's retreating form. "I bet they both conspired against me. I saw Seth's sneaky smile. They're probably splitting the lollies right now."

Hailey laughed shaking her head slightly. "Actually, I wouldn't put it past Seth."

Seth poured himself a scotch and coke, not being bothered to wait for a waiter. He laughed at the thought. The irony always got him.

He walked over to the doors that lead to the pool house, opening it slightly. Inside, he discovered a group of kids, which was kind of weird considering that children were never part of the invited, to the party's etc. Seth just shrugged and walked in. It was silent, with all of the kid's eyes glued to the television. Seth moved over to check out what the intriguing show was, before slouching and falling onto the bed when he found out.

Wrestling.

Seth never could understand what was so interesting about it. He found it nauseating watching big muscly men wearing the smallest amounts of clothing possible, rubbing up against each other, with all the holding and touching. He shuddered at the thought.

He sat on the bed, cross legged, and watched over the children as their attention remained in full with the television.

He looked over at Joshua, who was sitting playing with a bunch of familiar toy cars. He smiled to himself watching Joshua enthusiastically line up the cars in no particular order.

Seth knew why he came in here straight away. There were no illusions. He loved reminiscing, thinking back about when times were good. Being a child in Newport not having any problems, life being so simple. He couldn't help the snicker that came out from he's being jealous of these kids.

One of the young girls around seven spoke up as a wrestler made their entrance. "Eww, his making his entrance to G-unit. How lame." She stated purely, complete with head bobble.

Seth spoke up going along with her flow. "I know hey." He shook his head in wondering. "I mean, if I were him I would choose something, way better. Like something heaps gangsta and pumping up… yeah… The pussycat dolls. Definitely."

The young girl scrunched up her face slightly weirded out. "Nooo. You can't do that."

Seth looked back at her, mirroring her facial expression. "What? Why not?"

Joshua faced Seth, looking at him strangely innocently asked. "Why would you choose them?" Totally missing his joke. Well in fairness it was a crap joke.

The young girl added after Josh. "I mean the pussycat dolls, yuk."

Seth laughed at himself while shrugging dismissively. "Well, if you guys say so."

He got up to leave while amusedly mumbling to himself. "It doesn't matter their age, I'm still a loser."

Laughing at himself, (probably the only time he ever laughs sincerely) he opened the pool room door, to be met by the one and only.

His smile instantly leapt off his face.

Summer timidly smiled. "I was just going to check on the kids."

"Mmmm." Was all that Seth said in reply.

"So how are they doing? Everyone still got all their limbs?" Summer inquired nervously.

"Yup." He sucked in his lips rasing his eyebrows in expectation, waiting for her to move aside so he could walk away from her.

Summer looked up at him, visibly saddened. The moment of tension wavered and Seth finally realised that she wasn't going to move. He chewed on his bottom lip for a second before taking a step back slowly closing the pool room door.

Summer released a laboured breathe she didn't even know she was holding. This was really starting eat at her. Seth was just ignoring her. Acting like she wasn't, isn't part of his life any more. Just an insignificant mishap that he happened to come across in his life.

She inhaled an uneasy breathe. She glanced up to the door, deciding to open it.

She walked through it peering around, to check out where Seth was. She stood quietly realising that he hadn't notice her follow him in. He was sitting down playing cars with Joshua, talking animatedly about something.

After a minute of paralysing insecurities and self doubt passed, she tremulously made her way over taking a seat on the ground next to Seth and Joshua.

Seth looked up immediately when he saw a figure. Summer saw him instantly clench his jaw and she felt the question surround them.

Was she going to sit down with them?

Seth's eyes lingered on her. Watching. Waiting.

It wasn't like he was daring her personally. It was like, this is how it's playing out. She chose to come in, is she going to follow through.

Summer bit her lip anxiously as she simply stared at Seth. She kept eye contact as she slowly sat down next to Joshua. Seth just looked away as if he was bored boy looking at birds flying around in pretty patterns.

They were sitting in a triangle shape. Seth and Summer were sitting opposite each other with Joshua between them and slightly to the side so that the cars were in the middle of the triangle.

And Seth just straight up ignored her presence. He just engaged himself once again in the toy cars.

He starting sorting out the cars with Joshua and telling him all the special things about them. Joshua sat their totally oblivious to the tension surrounding him, listening to every word that Seth was saying.

And Summer just sat there, wordlessly. Just watching the two of them getting all happy about some stupid toy cars. As time went on, the more frustrated and exasperated Summer became. It sinuously built up till she just couldn't handle it.

"So you're just going to ignore me.?" She said softly. It came out exactly how she was feeling.

And Seth ignored it to the bone. He didn't even stir. If Summer didn't know any better she would have thought he didn't hear. Except she knew that he did.

Summer breathed in again and she tightened her jaw.

"Seth." She whispered.

But nothing.

Seth ran his fingers through a pile of cars, his fingers landing on a fairly large purple car. "Joshua Check this out."

His voice didn't even seem fazed.

"This car can open up, and guess what's inside?" Seth said excitedly. He placed the car in Joshua's keen open hand.

"Don't tell me it's another car." He said elated.

Summer just watch on solemnly.

Joshua smiled once he had opened it up. "Ohh that is so cool."

Seth smiled sweetly at Joshua. "Yeah it is huh. Actually, there are a few other cars that have special things about them."

Summer was getting worn down again. "Seth." She once again pronounced.

And again he totally ignored her. Summer swallowed as she started burning up.

"Really what else is there?" Joshua asked.

"Cohen…" Summer asked once more, but a bit more headedly and with expectation.

Seth languidly picked up another car still completely unfazed. "This one changes colour if u put it next to something cold or hot." He said pointing to an even orange coloured car.

Summer felt the anguish rising, frustration creeping, and she could tell Seth knew too. She was staring intently at him. "So what…. you're just - you're just going to pretend that I…" she couldn't even finish the sentence. She bit down on her bottom lip sighing.

"No waaaayyyyy." Joshua exclaimed wide eyed.

Seth nodded earnestly. "Oh, I'm speaking the truth. Here let me show you." He picked up the car, holding it still for a moment. He then leant forward to Summer, holding the car out, placing it close to her heart. Summer just looked up at him wondering what the hell he was doing.

"See when you put it next to something really cold, the car turns blue." He then leant back so he was in his previous sitting position and out of Summer's arm's length.

Josh looked at him puzzled.

Summer glared at him in a clearly unimpressed expression. Her mouth slightly ajar, eyes searing, left eyebrow raised, tongue poised, words itching to come out.

Seth's eyes took in her whole appearance. And at this moment he couldn't not think she was looking. So. Fucking. Hot.

And all his brain could say was "wow."

After a moment of turbulent silence passed Summer spoke up, breaking him out of his hypocritical reverie.

"That's funny is it?" Summer heatedly asked / invited.

Seth held the car up as if blocking Summer's line of sight. "And now the car will turn red."

Fuck he could be such a smartass Summer thought to herself. She inhaled a large breathe to calm herself down, but it didn't do shit. She just wanted to…

She didn't even know.

Fuck she hated how he could do that too her.

"I don't get it…" Joshua said annoyed before crossing his arms, not too happily.

Seth just smiled endearingly at him.

"That's cause there's nothing to get sweetie." Summer explained eloquently before returning her harsh gaze to Seth.

Josh looked up at her confused.

She looked back down at Josh altering her harsh gaze to a soft motherly one. "Joshua, why don't you go try and check it out in the bathroom."

Joshua looked back at her still confused. "How would the bathroom help?" He thought for a moment before figuring it out for himself. "Ohh, the taps. Hot and cold."

He got up and ran eagerly to the pool house bathroom leaving Seth and Summer sitting face to face.

Summer looked at Seth after watching Josh flee, but to her utter dismay Seth was also attempting to.

Summer wanted to tell him to stop. To talk to her. To just say something, anything. A 'get away from' or 'just leave me alone' would be better then getting purely ignored. Maybe its cause what just happened a few hours ago at the funeral, and this was his way of evening it out. Or maybe it's because he actually can't stand to be in her presence.

She watched him longingly as he left the pool house.

Summer after a moment, asked herself what the hell she was trying to do when she followed him in here? She knew that if they started to talk, things would escalate real quick. And it really wasn't the place to have a screaming matching.

Maybe Cohen knew that? She thought optimistically. A slither of doubt wormed it's way into her thoughts, but she gated it, concentrating on her optimism.

-

The Wake had finished, and everyone sighed in relief.

It went by relatively uneventfully, which in this household was a welcomed pleasant surprise.

All the guess' had left and the caters had all but finished the cleaning up. Ryan was splade out on the family room couch exhausted. Hailey was sipping on coffee on the phone. Summer was playing with Joshua in the living room.

Seth came from the bathroom. He wasn't up to anything shifty, he had just been washing his face and taking a breather. He sat languidly next to Ryan on the couch.

"Where is everyone?" Seth asked.

"Dunno. I think Hailey is on the phone." He replied.

"Did mum go anywhere?"

"Umm, I don't think so. I think she is outside near the pool."

Seth was curious. "What is she doing out there by herself?"

Ryan turned to Seth confused why that was such a big deal. "I don't know. She just wants to be alone."

Seth inwardly cringed. He knew exactly what being alone felt like. And at a time like this, no one wants to be alone.

He got up and was about to go check up on his mum when he stilled. "Umm, Ryan? Summer's not out there with her is she?"

Ryan did a weird sigh / smile thing. "Nah she isn't. She is playing with Josh in the living room.

Seth breathed a sigh of relief turning to make his way to the pool, but turned back after one step. He looked down at Ryan curiously.

"Didn't you say that you didn't know where anyone was?"

Ryan just shrugged. "I didn't know if they were going to be still there..."

Seth shook his head. "And you guys think I'm the weird one." He said as he made his way out to the pool. He got to the glass doors that lead to the pool, halting himself at them. He peered over the check if Kirsten was there, which she was. To his surprise Joshua was sitting in her lap. They were not talking or anything, they were just simply sitting together.

Seth waited, watching over them for a few moments. They were still no words spoken. He waited another couple of minutes before opening the door and making his way to them. Before he could make it to the steps, Joshua was standing in front of him simply looking up at him.

"Hey." Seth said.

Joshua answered by smiling up at him.

Seth licked his lips curiously. "What were you guys doing?"

Joshua replied unknowingly, in an even, simple answer. "She just needed someone to sit with her."

Josh shrugged as he trudged in to the house. Seth watched him go as a foreign warmth filled him.

He walked over to the pool taking a seat at the side of the corner. He rolled up his pants to his knees, dipping his legs in the pool. Kirsten was sitting perpendicular to him, her legs already comforted by the soothing water.

Kirsten sadly smiled up to him.

Seth endearingly smiled back before saying abruptly, "Hi mummy."

Kirsten slightly laughed. "Hi Son."

"What cha doing?" Seth inquired.

Kirsten leaned back placing her hands in her lap. "Ohh nothing. Just thinking…" she drifted off.

He raised his eyebrows in knowing. "Thinking, huh….Well you know that doesn't to anybody any good."

Kirsten looked at him pursing her lips together. "Actually I like thinking about things. Thinking them through… understanding…" She once again drifted off.

Seth waited a moment, reflecting on what his mother was talking about.

He smiled up at her saying softly, "If you say so."

The time was around 7, and the sun was well on its way to hiding. The sky had a few clouds scattered around which left the sight calming and peaceful, tranquil even.

Kirsten looked up taking it all in. She inhaled smoothly before exhaling. "Life.."

Seth smiled solemnly, "Life." He repeated.

She scrunched up her mouth and nose and Seth thought about how special his mum is. "It's a bitch isn't it."

Seth laughed. He definitely wasn't expecting that out of his mother's mouth.

"Ohh, isn't it." He said back, smiling endearingly.

She laughed at his response, placing her hands behind her, leaning back onto their support.

The clicking of heels came from behind them. They both looked back, Seth hoping to God that it wasn't Summer.

Hailey came gracefully strolling up the few stairs. She took a seat next to Seth, using his shoulder as leverage to help herself sit steadily.

"God Seth." Hailey exclaimed once she was seated. "Could you be any worse at being my leverage to sit?"

"Yeah, he is quite unstable…" Summer appeared from nowhere walking to the side of Kirsten, taking a seat by her side, dipping her feet in to the pool as well.

Seth let the innuendo roll off his back. Psshhh, if she wanted to play that game, he would play that game. He would play it way better then she had ever seen it before.

He was concentrating on not letting Hailey push him in to the pool, and had not noticed Summer making her way after Hailey. Why does she have to impede on everything, invite herself everywhere.

"You were so wobbly," Hailey pressed, "I don't want to fall in to the pool."

"You were so jarring," Seth indifferently replied, "I don't want to fall in to the pool either."

Kirsten just simply looked on, watching her family interact.

"Don't be so flimsy." Hailey sordidly replied.

Seth mouthed 'what'. "I'm sorry…" he wheezed. "I'll just change my body structure right now…"

"Good, you do that."

Ryan came walking up, taking a seat next to Summer. He copied everyone else, rolling up his pants and dipping his feet into the pool.

Seth watched Ryan take his seat before asking, "Where is Marissa?"

He shrugged "I don't know. I only see little Marissa now."

Seth's eyes widened. "You mean Marissa has a child! Wow, that's interesting."

Everyone looked at him weirdly.

Ryan shook his head, not at all surprised that Seth came to that conclusion. "I meant it as in I don't see much of her cause of her demanding job."

Seth pursed his lips together wondering why he said that. "Okay then, fair enough"

"Anyways…" Seth said trying to move on, "The wake was all good? No blunders or anything?

Kirsten nodded. "Yeah, I think it all went well. People all seemed alright, so I think it's safe to say we are in the clear."

"Yeah, everything went as planned." Ryan remarked. "The caterer's had everything timed, and ran on schedule with it, so yea, it was good."

"Anyone hear any comments on the food? Cause Terrence Walsh, was complaining….once again." Hailey rolled her eyes.

"He said it to you too!?" Summer laughed. "Oh my god, he whinged to me too about it."

"The Prawn Wadis was…" Hailey started before Summer chimed in finishing the sentence at the same time. "just too salty." They both finished off laughing snidely at the poor guy.

Seth spoke up softly feeling sorry for the poor fella being picked on by the two harpies'. "It's just his opinion."

"It was not too salty." Summer gestured with her hand. Hailey shrugged agreeing with her.

"I'm just saying, he might not like salty food." Seth tried to reason.

Summer simply looked at him saying evenly, "But it wasn't salty."

Ryan looked blandly at Kirsten who smiled back.

"I'm just saying, he might not like salt. It's just, in his opinion, it was salty." Seth carefully explained, actually not being a smartass about it.

Summer, now working her attitude, looked at Hailey rasing an eyebrow before looking back at Seth. "Well his opinion is wrong."

Seth tilted his head to the side, his eyes remaining on his life antagonist. He felt that tingle sprout in his chest.

"Summer," he said purely, "an opinion can't be wrong."

She stated back menacingly. "Yes it can."

He narrowed he's eyebrows. "No, it can't." He replied.

"Yes, it can." She said back in the same menacing tone, adding a condescending nuance. "You see, what you wore yesterday…. in your opinion was cool, but sweetie, it was just plain wrong." She appeased condescendingly.

Seth looked at her in that "you're an idiot" way, his bottom lip visibly wet and full. "Yeah, sure thing. Cause your logic counts for so much."

Summer smiled sweetly. "Uh huh."

Seth licked his lips watching her, waiting a few moments. Ryan, Kirsten and Hailey could see him getting into it. "That doesn't mean – that's just what you – …. I don't care." His body language betraying his words. He wasn't stuttering. He was smoothly saying he words, just chopping and changing which direction to reply to her.

Summer remained level. "That's what I thought." Still implemented the same tone that was gnawing at Seth. She knew it too.

Hailey Ooooed at her reply.

Seth quickly nodded his head once as the tingle ignited in his brain. "It's funny how you are saying that, but you don't have a clue what clothes I was actually wearing."

The both of them were sliding deeper into the 'discussion' (not argument), becoming oblivious to the others who were sitting back enjoying the theatre.

Summer sighed; promoting the idea he had lost and was just wasting his time. "And what clothes were they?" she said raising her eyebrows in question.

Seth on whim tried to say two brands that Summer would deem high wearing quality. "I was wearing a plain white 'Guess' T-shirt and some…" he drifted off trying to figure out how to pronounce the next brand. He didn't know how to, so he just mumbled it. "And some 'Soobie' light blue jeans."

Summer did a disbelieving laugh, shaking her head. "Firstly, you so didn't - and secondly, you can't even spell," she paused for affect, "'Soobie'" she mocked, by saying it how he did.

Hailey looked over to Summer, sharing a secret laugh.

Seth Shrugged confidently. "T-s-u-b-i"

Summer smiled, it was like taking patronising to a whole new level.

Seth felt it was demeaning.

"What?" He asked slightly irritated, doing his best to cover it up. This time his tone and words were betraying his body language.

Summer just shrugged, not at all modestly.

Seth looked at Hailey who was silently laughing. He looked to his mum, who shrugged.

"I've never even heard of the brand." She supplied as an apology.

He looked to Ryan who raised his eyebrows as if saying, 'Are you guys still talking about clothes?'

"Okay, what?" Seth said, over it. "Just put me out of my misery." He continued harmonically.

Summer laugh dwindled to an end, hesitating at the pure tone and words Seth choose to use. She looked around to the other wondering if they caught it too, but gauging from their body language she guessed they didn't. Maybe she was just hypersensitive to his undertones.

"It's umm, it's spelt K-s-u-b-i." She stated knowingly.

Seth opened his mouth but then closed it. "Crap." He exhaled loudly. "I could have sworn it was T."

Hailey laughed before filling him in. "It was named with a T, but they changed it."

He looked at her in a non to pleased fashion. "Who does that, who changes the name of their brand once it becomes recognised?" Seth said mystified.

"I think they were getting sued or something." Hailey filled in.

"Stupid universe." He muttered. "Just wanted to make me lose." He continued to himself. "Dammit, she wanted to play that game. I'm just going along with what she wants, getting strung along… as per usual."

Fuck. Why couldn't I have just said diesel or Calvin Klein.

Wait, is it 'I' before 'E' or other way around…. Stupid universe.

"Whatever." Seth spoke up. "My clothes are comfortable and cool, so beat it."

Summer nodded endearingly in pseudo agreement. "Uh huh, yeah sure."

And the mocking got to him, it passed his line of tolerance. He looked back straight at her, confronting her teasing straight on. "Well that is just your opinion, and I stoping caring about that a long time ago, so I could not possibly care less of what you think or say."

An unnerving tension took captive of the ambiance.

Summer's eyes lit up, a snide smile laced her lips. "Cohen…" she once again appeased, "I know your hero is Napoleon Dynamite and everything, but try not dressing and idolising someone who everyone laughs at, not with."

He narrowed his eyes, shaking his head ever so slightly. Summer could see she was really getting to him, she could see the retort gathering, the words percolating, anxious and eager to escape and wreak havoc.

But then he stopped.

He just dipped his head watching as he splashed his feet in the pool….

After a moment Ryan uncharacteristically spoke up. "So how is it to be back? Much stuff changed?"

Seth shrugged putting on another one of his small fake smiles. "It's Newport. It will be the same forever."

Summer was only now feeling the totality of what Seth had previously said, about him not caring about her opinion etc. Her shoulders where slumped and a distasteful gnawing at the pit of her stomach was working its way to capturing her full attention.

"What about the people? Heaps of people have changed… new hair dues, implants, personality's…." Ryan drifted off waiting for Seth to say something.

Seth laughed at Ryan saying new personality's. "New personality's, well that wouldn't surprise me." He thought for a moment thinking of how to answer Ryan's question. "Well… I'm not sure, I wasn't really paying attention to that stuff."

"What about Danny Helden. The dude is on verge of a nervous breakdown." Hailey asked.

"I didn't really know him that well before." Seth one shoulder shrugged.

"Ohh." He gasped upon remembering, everyone looked at him suddenly very interested. "Taryn flirted with me."

Everyone sighed in disappointment. "Who hasn't she flirted with." Hailey proclaimed shamelessly.

"Really?" Seth said surprised.

Ryan laughed. "Yeah dude. I have been in some very uncomfortable situations before"

Summer slightly squirmed smiling timidly. "She even confronted me with a proposal once."

Kirsten gasped at Summer's revelation. "Are you serious?"

Summer nodded back coyly.

Kirsten shook her head slightly from side to side. "Wow."

"What you think of think of Bella Dean? A bit bigger huh?" Ryan once again questioned.

Hailey added. "She put on a ton of weight."

Seth nodded in agreement. "Yeah, she pulled a ripchord."

They laughed before Hailey said, "So true." She smiled then continued. "I saw you talking to Sara for a while. How was that?"

Summer wasn't paying much attention to the conversation. Her mind was still walking through Seth's comments.

Seth shook his head from side to side, in displeasure. "She just stuck to me and wouldn't let go. And she was so boring. It was like talking to a shoe."

Hailey looked at him in confusion. "You mean she is like an accessory?"

"I was actually going for rubber soul. Like synthetic, artificial, but whatever's good for you." He shrugged.

Hailey laughed. "Just put a label on her."

Kirsten looked at him guardedly. "She is not that bad. She is fine when I talk to her."

Hailey grinned. "Ask Summer how she is." She said as everyone looked at her.

Summer shrugged indifferently. "She gave me the shits one day so I just ignore her."

Hailey laughed. "She blatantly ignores what she says. Then when she asks why Summer didn't do it Summer acts all energetic, pretending like she totally forgot. It's hilarious."

Seth looked vigilantly from Hailey to Summer back to Hailey. "How is that different from what Summer's normally like?" Feigning like he was being serious, cause he actually kinda was. "Ryan don't you hate it when girls lie to you, then go off and do something else?"

Ryan answered carefully. "Yeah…"

Summer regarded Seth momentarily before saying, "Hailey, don't you hate it how guys always misunderstand things, and aren't bothered to try and understand. They just cast it aside as not their fault cause they cant see it with their narrow retarded short sightedness."

Hailey replied cautiously. "Yaa…"

Seth looked directly at Summer. "Ryan don't you –"

"Urggh. You guys have already done this, remember." Kirsten raised her eyebrows in expectation. "Remember last night? Lost? The tv each other?"

Ryan and Hailey looked at each thinking 'wtf?'

Kirsten looked at Seth to Summer back to Seth, waiting for them to cave into resignation. But neither seemed to be backing down. They were just too caught up in each other.

'Somethings never change, she thought to herself.

"That felt like ages ago." Seth mumbled

"Enough with the double meaning convo. You've done it before, it's lame and old." She stated tiredly.

Seth shrugged evenly, his eyes sparkling. "Fine, fuck innuendo, Summer you - "

Summer raised her hand to cut him off but started talking anyways. "You can act pretentious to what happened but - "

There was just mutterings of accusations and claims of different things, their voices overlapping each other for a few moments before Hailey coughed out, "Time and a place people, time and a place."

Kirsten knowingly said softly. "It's just their visceral connection."

Summer and Seth both wound down to silence. Seth breathed heavily, his eyes lids hanging low and Summer could only imagine what was going through his head at this moment, the genuine distaste and loathing.

Seth gritted his teeth to make sure he didn't start talking / shouting at her again. God she is just unbelievable. He just buried his father a few hours ago, he's feeling weary and miserable, and just to make it worse she wants to hang around and be around his family all the time.

They both knew what was happening. They had been prolonging the confrontation. It needed to be had, and it was cause tension and emotions to spill out at random conversations and it was starting to affect others.

The quite continued, and it reminded Seth of that eerie quite that he heard at the beginning of the chapter.

The quite adopt a morose nuance, it's like you could see it floating in the air around them.

After a few moments Kirsten softly spoke up. She placed a hand on Seth's legs who was sitting to her right. She placed a hand on Summer's arm who was sitting to her left. She said softly while looking from Hailey to Seth to Summer to Ryan, "You are all I have left."

The quite spoke up taking his que.

Seth took hold of his mother's hand, giving to a warm embrace.

"You guys are all I have now. You are all I have left." She sighed "You are all I have left to live for." She leaned back looking up into the sky. "And you Newport, you can't even give me a stupid normal sun set."

Everyone smiled.

And Seth spoke, cause he had to. "Eh Newport. You're like frivolous homeless people. You just don't make sense."

Summer and Ryan shook their heads, not at all surprised.

Hailey looked over at Seth. "You, just… wow"

"I love you too, Aunty." Eh proclaimed without hesitation.

"Don't call me aunty. Ever. I'm getting married soon. I don't need to be feeling any older then I already am."

Summer jotted in. "Aww sweetie you're not old. Besides it's what's in the heart that counts."

Seth laughed at Summer's response. "Mmmmm-hmmm. I can't agree more." It was smeared in sarcasm.

Hailey and Summer looked at each other before turning their gaze on Seth. "At least you two can agree on one thing."

"Ahhhhh clever" he faked laughed. "At least we know you didn't loose that many brain cells from your extra curricular activities."

Kirsten sat watching her family. The one she just claimed to live for, to be her everything, bicker for no reason. She took a relaxing breath.

She was so proud.

"Whatever Seth" Hailey said nonchalantly. "You got nothing."

"Whatever Hailey." He repeated her sentiment. "Ahh my backs a bit sore, it must be from all that weight that was using me as leverage."

Hailey looked at him incredulously. "See you got nothing."

"Owww." He felt up his back going along with faking his back pain, his face contorted in faked agony. "Damn I might have a stress fracture from all that weight."

Hailey raised her eyebrows. "Keep it up Seth we'll see what else gets fractured." She said warningly even she was smiling,"

"You said you would only fight me verbally."

"I was talking about your ego." She smiled

Summer added her two cents. "Cause we all know who would win in a real one." She said lightly.

Kirsten laughed taking in the beautiful sunset. "Don't bite off more then you can chew sweetie." Its tranquillity must have been working on her.

Seth splashed a little not liking getting ganged on. He looked from his mom to Summer. "Thankyou Summer that was so useful."

"Your welcome. It was useful huh."

"Yeah totally. As about as useful as a stripper's name."

Kirsten looked at him raising an eyebrow. "That better not be from experience."

Seth quivered for a moment. "Nahh, its not, its just Ryan - " He looked over at Ryan who was shaking his head furiously telling Seth 'don't drag me into this' "Its umm - Hailey told me."

Summer watched on smiling. He always puts his foot in it.

Kirsten furrowed her brow in confusion. "How would Hailey know?"

Hailey nodded in agreement still glaring at him. "Yeah Seth, how would I know?"

Summer and Ryan both started laughing.

Seth just repeated his mother's earlier statement. "Don't bite off more then you can chew. Done, lesson learned."

"Uhuh." Kirsten said sceptically.

Seth just smiled back sweetly.

Kirsten shook her head. He definitely is Sandy's Son.

"So anyone's legs becoming numb or is it just me?" Ryan asked. No wonder why he never talks, his timing matches the amount of hair he has on his chest.

But none the less everyone agreed, getting out of the pool. They slowly made their way into the house.

But once Seth got to the door he stopped, waited. He knew what he had to do. He turned to meet Summer face to face. A shiver of angst rippled down his spine. He lowered his head before raising it to meet her eyes, which were glued to his. He motioned to the stairs with his head before lowering his head making his way to them. Summer suddenly became assumed with trepidation and uncertainty, shakingly followed behind him.

-

And so the story begins….