I think we are dealing with a very evil author here

.
I was thinking the exact same thing. How could things be looking up for Toby, who is getting the help that he needs, and Sam, who has Jason at least willing to be a friend, and we were under the initial impression that Seth and Cole were settling down?
Then....you pull the rug out from under poor Seth. He is the one character that I think deserves to have something good happen in his life due to the fact he has given so much of himself to help the others out.
I guess that is based on the assumption, that I'm sure you carefully planned and put in

, that there is something wrong with Cole, and that means there is something wrong with Cole and Seth. Who knows, maybe it is just something as simple as Seth's toothbrush colour clashes with the colour of Cole's bathroom

, and Cole doesn't know how to bring it up.
Also, I guess if you are truly evil

, you might take us in the direction of Toby running away from rehab, ending up on the streets as a junkie and Jason playing Sam the way she did him.
But your not evil

!!! Right?
Steve