Author's Notes: It may be quite awhile before I finish this 'fic. Sorry to those who were waiting for its completion. In the meantime, however, I have several other multiple-part stories that are even better, so check those out.

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This time, Seth was right at Summer's heels when she tried running from him. She'd pissed him off, big-time. He was sick of putting up with her shit, and it was about time somebody - anybody called her on it.

"What is *with* you?" he exclaimed, maneuvering his way through the throng of people. "My god! You run so hot and cold. How the hell is anyone supposed to keep up with you? On minute you're kissing me, the next minute you won't even look me in the eye. One minute we're dancing, the next minute you're running away from me like I just tried to rape you."

They were in an alcove. Not many people were passing by, but just enough so that they were raising some eyebrows. All of the sudden, Summer halted. Spinning around, she shot him her death glare. Once upon a time, it had frightened him to the verge of tears. It still sent shivers down his spine, but after seeing her use it so often and never acting upon any of her threats, it no longer affected him the same way.

"That's *not* funny," she spat.

"Then make up your freaking mind!" Seth shouted. A short burst of unamused laughter spouted from her cherry-red lips.

"*I* can't make up *my* mind?" she exclaimed. "You are such a *hypocrite*, Cohen! One minute you want me, the next minute you want Anna, the next minute you want both, the next minute you want neither. We've been telling you to make up your mind for weeks and you *still* haven't."

"These things take time! What do you want me to do - flip a coin? I don't want to choose because I don't want to hurt either of you! I've said this already."

"Well, stop saying. Stop talking - *do* something! Choose! Yeah, somebody's gonna get hurt, but that's nobody's fault - that's life. Stop being such a wuss and just tell me that you already chose Anna."

Seth had been all prepared to yell right back, but Summer's comment stunned him into silence. "Wait..." he finally choked out. "You thought I chose Anna?" Summer looked confused.

"Well...yeah," she said. "I saw you kiss her earlier, i just thought that...why wouldn't you be together?"

"Summer...I chose *you*." Now it was Summer's turn for a shocked silence. If he had chosen her, then why the hell had he kissed Anna?

"Wait...I get it now. She rejected you, so I'm sloppy seconds?"

"No!" Seth exclaimed. "You'll never be sloppy anythings." He took a step closer. "Summer...all I've ever wanted is you."

Damn him. Damn him and his sweet words and his effortless good looks. Summer was about to cry - she could feel it. And she wasn't *supposed* to cry. Damn him again. She needed to get away. Away from him and those eyes that made her melt. Damn! Hadn't she promised herself just fifteen minutes ago that she was going to give up on Seth Cohen? Anna or no Anna, she and Seth together was just a bad idea. She couldn't deal with someone like him - someone who knew her so well, who could affect her so deeply. Summer was strong; independent. She didn't need someone like Seth in her life.

So said her head. Her heart, however...

"I just want to know," he was saying, and he was getting even closer. Oh, this was *bad*. "Do you...want me too?"

Well, there it was - the question of the night. Did she, Summer Roberts, want Seth Cohen?

Summer took a deep breath.

"No."