Before Ryan comes to stay, Seth has no friends, and he believes his life to be hell. He hates the area he lives in, filled with water polo playing guys and girls who don't spare a second glance at him. When Ryan comes along, they befriend each other quickly, and through Ryan Seth also gets to know his next door neighbor Marissa and Marissa's best friend, and Seths long love Summer.
Summer doesn't think Seth is worth her time at first and is openly mean to him, but there's a spark between them even she can't quite deny, and eventually they start dating.
But when Ryan leaves for Chino, Seth knows hes going to go back to the outsider kid. So he decides to sail away, leaving Summer just a note.
Seth & Summer quotes
Summer: My hair is frizzing out. I look like Howard Stern!
Seth: See, strangely, I feel like my Jew-fro benefits from this climate.
Summer: You're Jewish?
Seth: Yes. That's why I feel so comfortable in this desert heat.
Summer: I like Seth Cohen.
Seth: You, uh, what now?
Summer: Nothing. I wasn't talking to you. And if you tell anyone what you heard here, I'll kill you.
When Seth arrives back at school he understands that Summer may have moved on but to Seth he just believes shes moved onto another impersonator of himself.
Summer wants Zack, but he realises that the chemistry between Seth & Summer is to strong and the bond cannot be broken.
Summer & Zaxk quotes
Zach: I get it. You're one of those couples. Joannie and Chachi, Luke and Leia.
Seth: Luke and Leia were brother and sister.
Zach: Yeah, well, may the force be with you.
Summer:Wednesday? I can't. I have plans with Zach.
Marissa: Oh, more plans with Zach, huh?
Summer: Yes. The more time I spend with Zach, the less time I have to think about - God, what's his face? Built like a beanpole, curly hair, runs away like a little bitch on a sailboat leaving nothing but a note for his girlfriend who cried and cried over him till the Fourth of July when she decided she doesn't cry over bitches on boats.
Marissa: Seth. His name. It's Seth.
Summer: I know. I'm just doing that thing where I pretend I don't and I have to use a lot of descriptive insults to give voice to my inner pain.