DAY 1: THE BIG DEAL
EVENING - POOL HOUSE
Ryan was eating some M&M's in bed, watching TV. Summer opened the door and got in.
"Hi Atwood."
"Roberts."
"Have you seen Seth? - she asked with a little concern - He's not in his bedroom."
"No, I think he might've gone to the comic book club."
"Oh, right...the comic book club- Summer's expression suddenly saddened – How strange, uh?- she forced a sarcastically smile - OK, it doesn't matter. See you."
"Hey, Sum! - Ryan stopped her before she reached the door – Everything OK? I think he'd be back soon if you wanna wait for him."
"And then hear him talking two hours about the last news on the X-Men saga or some other little monster with spinning blades? No, thank you."
"Yeah...run away now, you who can!" Ryan smiled, then reaching out to her with the yellow package, he added: "M&M's?"
"Uhm...I shouldn't...but screw the calories!" She accepted the offer and sat on the bed next to him. "So...what are you watching? May I?" She stole the remote from his hand.
"Sure..." He looked at her baffled.
"Oh my God! - she suddenly screamed in disbelief- Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes broke up! How is it even possible, they were the perfect couple!"
"Yup." Ryan nodded, not caring at all about the whole show biz thing.
"See? It always go that way. One day he starts going to those stupid Scientology club and he's always away in meetings and stuff and, because of that, he doesn't appreciate her like he used to do. Then, they start fighting for the stupidest things and, before they even realize, they got nothing left to say and..." Summer started sobbing.
"Summer? Are you really crying over Tom and Katie?"
"Yes, I mean, no! It's just...it all looks so familiar..."
"You know that Seth appreciates you very much, and I dare anyone not to do it."
"Thanks", she stopped crying and shared a little smile.
"C'mere." Ryan hugged her to comfort her. While separating, they stared into each other's eyes for a brief moment and then kissed.
"Wait – Ryan pulled back – What the hell are we doing?"
"Uhm, no, I swear I didn't mean to -
"Me neither."
Ryan and Summer looked at each other in embarrassment.
"Uhm, I really should go, I just remember I have to finish my chemistry project", Summer said, while getting up from the bed.
"Yeah, me too."
"Right...Bye then – She added, feeling extremely uncomfortable. "Oh, about Seth and what happened here -
"Nothing happened here", Ryan interrupted immediately.
"Exactly! Just a terrible mistake, why tell him?"
In that moment, Seth entered the pool house.
"Tell him what? Were you talking about me?"
"Uhm, why tell him I stepped by if I'm already leaving?", Summer mumbled.
"Yeah, right that", Ryan confirmed.
"Why are you already leaving?", Seth asked, surprised by her strange behavior.
"I'm sorry, but I really have to finish my chemistry project. See you tomorrow, bye."
Before finishing the sentence, she was already out of the room.
"Uhm, ok, bye", Seth replied to the closing door. Then, turning to Ryan he asked in a confused and frantically way: "Do you know what's going on with her? Did I make something wrong? Do you think it's still about the story with Anna? Oh, no, wait, is it about the comic book, or no, wait, wait, is it about my hair? I knew this haircut doesn't suit me well, maybe I should start shower in hair gel like Zach..."
"Seth – Ryan rolled his eyes - I have to study, do you mind?"
"Uhm, ok, but don't you think this tuft make me look like a looser?"
Ryan glared at him.
"All right, I go."
Seth left the pool house, while Ryan sighed.