SEE YOU SOON

As the days flew by, the four friends finally finished the whole apartment; there were no more boxes around, the kitchen was full of food and the rooms were fully furnished. Everything was perfect. But 'all good things must come to an end' as Seth would say. He and Summer were headed back East tomorrow and Ryan and Marissa would go back to school in a couple of days.

"I'm really going to miss this." Marissa spoke. They were all gathered around the table, eating their dinner.

"Me too." Summer agreed sadly. "You both have to promise me that you'll come visit? Or at least call every now and then or email or–"

"Don't worry, Summer, we will," Ryan assured her.

"Good."

"Yeah, man, there's no such thing as Seth/Ryan time without a 'Ryan'. You have to call at least once a day." Seth told him.

"I'll try my best." Ryan laughed. Good ol' Seth, he thought. But he also had to admit, he was going to miss him. Yes, they survived 3 years of college apart already, but the past holiday... it just seemed harder to let go this time.

"Well it's getting late, I think I'm going to go pack..." Summer stood up from the table and grabbed her plate.

Marissa immediately stood up and took the plate from her hands, "No way, let Ryan and Seth do this. I'll help you pack." She kissed Ryan on the cheek and left the plates on the table. She then grabbed Summer's hand and they giggled their way into the spare room.

"Well, man, looks like you and I have been volunteered..." Ryan stood up and made his way to the kitchen.

"You know," Seth said, bringing a ton of plates, "I hate doing chores. But right now, it doesn't feel so bad."

"Seth, are you smoking pot again?" Ryan questioned, half joking-half serious.

"Ha ha. No don't worry. But I mean, I was just saying... I don't know, I guess I'm just going to miss Seth/Ryan time. I've accomplished more this past holiday with you by my side, than the past 3 years alone in Brown."

"Seth, you've come a long way both with and without me. Soon you're going to be a married man. You're going to just have to accept the whole 'independent' concept." Ryan said to him. Seth didn't respond and just continued to clean up. "But..." Ryan spoke again, "You know you always got me."

Seth looked up to him, "Thanks man."

"So how are you going to do this whole comic book thing?"

"Graphic Novel you mean? I am not sure yet. Still waiting on Zach to call... He's got to finalize some things with Reid before talking to me. But no matter what, I'm still going to Brown with Summer. So I guess I'll just have to write it there. No way am I moving to Newport and leaving Summer..."

"That's good. For both you and Summer. It's a win-win."

"Exactly. I just hope it's possible."

"You'll find a way." Ryan encouraged him. They were now working side-by-side at the sink, Ryan washing and Seth drying and putting away.

"So you stoked for this whole internship?"

"Yeah, I think it'll be good."

"What are you exactly going to do?"

"I'm just working alongside with a few people, helping out in whatever way I can."

"OH so basically you're the one getting coffees and running stupid errands?"

"Shut up. I get paid too so that's a win-win."

"Everything's a win-win lately." Seth replied, unsure.

"Yeah..." Ryan sort of agreed.

Seth looked at Ryan. Ryan now knew where he was getting at.

"Nope, no way. Nothing's going to happen!"

"You never know!"

"SETH! It's like you want something bad to happen." Ryan was getting frustrated and annoyed.

"No, it's not like that. I'm just saying, you better watch out. Look out for Marissa and yourself, just in case."

"You're going crazy..." Ryan dismissed Seth.

Seth gave him a creepy look, "Maybe... I am... or maybe... I'm just right..."

Ryan was creeped out and grabbed the towel from Seth's hands. He put it over Seth's face, "Stop looking at me like that."

"Ryan my friend," Seth removed the towel from his face, "Just do me a favour and listen to your wise brother over here..."

"Whatever... dry, now." He said, handing Seth wet dishes.

In the other room, Marissa and Summer were folding clothes and putting them in neat piles on the bed.

"I'm going to miss you Coop."

"I'm going to miss you too. Hey, if you ever need help with the wedding or just wanna talk, you better call me right away."

"Oh I know! Actually, that reminds me... I don't know if I just assumed you'd know but I guess I better ask you just in case..."

"What is it?"

"You're going to be... I mean, will you be my maid of honour?"

"Sum, of course. You know there is nowhere else I would rather be than beside you on your big day." Marissa went over and hugged Summer tightly. "I love you."

"Thanks so much, Coop. I love you too."

"Wait, if I'm your maid of honour... that means... I totally get to plan the bachelorette party!"

"Yeah, better make it good!" Summer laughed.

"Hmmm... Strippers?"

"STRIPPERS!" Summer shrieked in excitement. They continued to laugh and talk about the bachelorette party and soon after Ryan and Seth walked in.

"What's this about strippers?" Seth asked.

"Oh... nothing," Marissa grinned. She went over to Ryan and took his hand, "It's getting late. We're going to let you guys finish packing, goodnight!"

The blonde couple headed for their room and Ryan closed the door behind them, "So... strippers?"

"Bachelorette party," Marissa answered. Ryan raised his eyebrows. "What? It's not a bachelorette party without strippers!"

"What if I'm not okay with the idea of a shirtless horny man giving my girlfriend a lap dance?"

"Then I'd say 'sucks to be you'?" Marissa teased.

Ryan tackled Marissa onto the bed until he was on top of her. He started to kiss her and down her neck.

"You have nothing to worry about..." Marissa said seriously.

Ryan stopped kissing to look at her in the eyes, "I know. I trust you."

/

The next morning, Ryan, Marissa, Seth and Summer were saying their goodbyes.

"Thank you so much for helping us unpack... settle in... and keeping us company," Marissa hugged Seth.

"I'd rather be with you guys than back East" Seth replied.

Summer gave Ryan a hug, though she had to tiptoe because he was too tall for her, "Take care of yourself, Atwood. And take care of Coop. I'll rip out your jugular if you don't."

"Don't worry..." Ryan assured her.

Marissa then took her turn, moving from Seth to Summer, "Remember, call me whenever you want! And let me know when this wedding's going to be, because I want to plan this bachelorette party. It'll be the best Sum."

"I know I'm looking forward to those strippers." She joked. They shared their last emotional hug goodbye as Seth and Ryan rolled their eyes.

"Psh, our women are so emotional..." He commented. Marissa and Summer turned to them two.

"Aren't you guys going to hug or something?"

Seth and Ryan looked at each other for a moment. Then Seth laughed as Ryan offered him his hand, "Good luck with the rest of this school year. Call me whenever," Ryan said casually.

"You guys are so boring!" Marissa said. "HUG!"

"Yeah, hug!" Summer joined her.

"Fine, fine..." Seth went over and hugged Ryan. "Oh yeah, that's the spot." The two brothers laughed it off and Summer and Marissa smiled.

"That's better!" Summer said.

"Okay, we better go. Got a plane to catch!" Seth opened the door and carried their suitcases.

"I love you guys. We'll see you soon!" Summer waved goodbye, following Seth out the door and into the elevator.

Ryan and Marissa stood from their door and smiled at their direction, "We'll see you soon!"

Short Chapter. But I promise you: longer, drama-filled chapters ahead!