Bradley Point of View
Chapter 1 – "The First Years"
Sharing her Dad with Sam wasn't something she mined. She felt sorry for Sam, having lost his mother and father when he was seven. Carol Ann tried very hard to include him in everything she did.
Allan and Lora had often told her to be nice to Sam but it wasn't necessary. From the first time she meet Sam, she instantly liked him.
At school she looked after him and had become his very best friend. Carol being two grades ahead of Sam made him look very cool to his friends.
During elementary and junior high they were inseparable. Where Sam was you could be sure to find Carol.
High School was a different story all together. Sam was a handsome boy and being Kevin Flynn's son made him very popular. Sam tried his best to ignore all the hype that sometimes surrounded him. Carol would often show up just in time to get him out of his predicaments.
Carol had noticed as Sam got older he was becoming bitter about his father and about ENCOM. Keeping him grounded and with her was all she wanted or hoped for.
Her senior year of high school was hard for her to face. Knowing she would go off to college and leave Sam behind haunted her daily. She sat in her room, staring at the pictures on her wall. Every picture of her included Sam, even the ones of her family.
Her best girlfriend, Charlie, often teased her that she was in love with Sam. Charlie had brought it to her attention that neither her nor Sam had dated much or had a relationship that lasted more than a few weeks.
It was a month before graduation when Charlie stopped by to help Carol send out invitations. She noticed Sam's bike outside, sending a grin creeping across her face.
Mrs. Bradley lets Charlie in, telling her the Carol and Sam are out back. Charlie gets to the backyard, finding the two of them sitting in the gazebo. Sam was lying in Carol's lap, while she played with his hair.
"Ain't this cozy. What's up girl?" Charlie winks at Carol watching Sam jerk up.
"Hi Charlie, I was just leaving." Sam smiles at Charlie as he looks back at Carol before leaving.
Carol walks over to the patio table, yelling for her mom. "Mom, can you bring me the invitations. Charlie is going to help me send some out."
Lora sits the box down in front of them, asking if they want any refreshments. After a quick snack, the girls dig into the pile and start address the envelopes.
"So, how long had Flynn been here before I interrupted?" Charlie almost giggles it out.
"A while I guess, why?" Carol shoots her a nasty look.
"You two looked awful comfortable." Charlie elbows Carol, smirking playfully.
"How many times to I have to tell you, Sam is just a friend." Carol picks up another invitation, looking away from Charlie.
"I'm sorry Carol Ann…you make it so easy to tease you. When are you going to admit you love that boy? You know you do. It's written all over your face." Charlie takes another envelope while gazing at Carol's face.
"I'm leaving here and going to Cal Tech soon. He'll be here and I'll be there, without him. I can't afford to admit anything Charlie." Carol wipes a tear from the corner of her eye.
Charlie throws her arms around Carol, squeezing her tight. "I'm sorry girl. Here I am excited that we're going off to college together and you're missing Sam already."
Charlie's hazel eyes tear up, noticing Carol was in pain. They turn towards each other, holding hands. Carol tries to smile, her sadness consuming her.
"Charlie, if I tell you something you have to promise to keep it to yourself. I have loved Sam all my life. It has hit me hard lately. I think I truly fell in love with him when I was 15. I know he's younger than me but still, even at 13 he had my heart. I've tried dating, tried moving on but no one compares to Sam. He's my everything." Carol looks at the ground, biting her bottom lip.
Charlie squeezes her hands, grinning back at her. "Oh Carol, I've know that for years but it's really good to hear you say it. What are you going to do? Are you going to tell him before you leave for school in the fall?"
"No, I can't. I can't tell him I love him and leave. I sure can't tell him I love him and hope he feels the same way. What if I lose him, what if I ruin what we do have?" Panic was echoing from her voice.
Charlie scoots back in her chair, sipping on her soda. "Sam Flynn…not love you. Right!"
"What do you mean by the Charlie?" Carol creases her eyebrows, her cobalt blue eyes burning at her.
"I walk into to Sam lying in your lap, laughing and smiling at you. He doesn't date much Carol and he's always with you. I can't speak for Sam but his body language speaks volumes." Charlie gives her a very satisfied look.
"Even if you think so Charlie, I can't take that chance." Carol licks an envelope, ending the conversation.
The weeks leading up to graduation went by so fast. Carol and Sam spent every moment together. Sam's grandmother adored Carol and loved having her over. Carol could tell Sam was still grieving the loss of his grandfather. It had been three years but it still felt fresh.
The day before graduation Sam had big plans for Carol. He pulls up on his bike, lifting the visor of his helmet up. Carol was sitting on the front porch, reading.
"Hey Bradley, drop the book and get on." Sam reaches around, grabbing a helmet for her.
Carol drops her book, running toward Sam. "Where we going?"
"You'll see, just hold on tight." Sam pulls his visor back down, revving the bike up.
Carol loved riding with him. When they were together like this she got to be close to him, to hold him. She loved feeling him in her arms; the smell of him was completely intoxicating.
Sam pulls the bike up in front of an abandoned garage, sitting between two large bridges. "What do you think?"
Carol gets off the bike, taking in everything. "Think of what, why are we here?"
Sam pulls out a remote; the garage door begins to lift. They walk inside, dust and dirt are everywhere.
"I bought it today. I thought I could use it to hang out in…you know give me my own space." Sam's blue eyes twinkled with excitement.
"You're not leaving your grandmothers are you?" Carol's shocked expression lingering on her face.
"No, I couldn't leave her alone like that. Maybe someday I might move in here but for now it's our space." Sam watched Carol's face. His usually grin flashing across his face.
"Oh, in that case, yeah…I love it. You need to fix it up a bit. Some furniture and a little paint, that's all you really need." Carol grins back at Sam, her heart rate starting to run away from her.
"We've got the rest of the summer to fix it up and you'll be coming back in for visit in the fall. I've really not done much with the money I have so consider this my graduation present to you. I'll give you a remote so you can come here whenever you want." Sam watches as Carol looks the place over. He can tell she's already making plans.
Graduation day comes and Carol can't wait for the day to be over. She hated anything that put her in the spot light. Charlie comes over to her house to get ready and they leave for the gymnasium together.
When Carol walks in she sees Sam waiting for her, roses in hand. "So, you're officially out of here."
Carol takes the rose, smelling them briefly. "Thanks, their beautiful. Uh…yeah, out of here. I just want all of this over and done with. What are you doing later?"
Sam smirks slightly, his eyes locking on to hers. "Hopefully something with you. What did you have in mind Bradley?"
Charlie walks up behind Carol, taking one of the roses from her. "Thanks Flynn." She kisses Sam on the cheek before trotting off.
"The parents are having me a graduation party but you know me, really not looking forward to it. How about we hang out at the party for a bit then sneak off to our garage." Carol takes Sam's hand, feeling him lace his fingers into hers.
"Sure, we can do that. You better get going; your mother is staring at us." Carol hugs him tight, not wanting to walk away from him.
Carol gets in line for the procession to begin. She leans her head out, looking for Charlie. She spots her a few people down from her, talking with Sam.
Graduation comes and goes; family and friend congratulate her on being class valedictorian. Allan and Lora gush over her and brag on her accomplishments. On the car ride back, Carol questions Charlie about her conversation with Sam.
"What were you and Sam talking about? I saw you talking to him so don't say you weren't." Carol stares Charlie down, intent on getting an answer.
"I asked him what you couldn't." Charlie looks out the car window.
"Asked him what?" Carol more determined to get an answer.
"I asked him if he only thought of you as a friend. He said you've always been there for him. He was glad Allan and Lora are in his life but he'd never made it without you. He said he's always thought of you as his best friend but yeah he can see how the word friend didn't really describe what you two are to each other." Charlie does her best to whisper all of this to Carol, noticing that Lora was listening in.
The party goes by in a blur, Carol making small talk with people, smiling when required. The hours tick by and Sam doesn't show. She runs up to her room in tears. Charlie knocks on the door, walking in behind her.
"Carol, I'm sure he'll show. If anything I said spooked him then I'm sorry. If you want, I'll go look for him." Charlie is about to sit on the bed next to her when she can hear Sam yelling under her window.
"Hey Bradley, you up there?" Sam stood in the backyard, his blue eyes looking beautiful in the star light.
Carol throws up the window, looking down at him. "Hey Flynn, you coming up?"
Sam waves at her to come down, holding her helmet in his hands.
She changes clothes and dashes down the back stairs. "Charlie, tell my Mom we are hanging out at your house. I'll call you tomorrow."
She hugs Charlie before running to Sam.
They pull up to the garage, Carol still sitting on the bike. Sam opens the door and pulls up a large switch. The lights flicker on, the garage completely empty.
Sam spreads a blanket out on the floor and she sits down. He pulls his bike in, smiling at her.
"Well, this is a start. I'm sure we'll have this place ready in no time." Sam lies down placing his head in her lap.
They talk all night, Carol finally ending up lying on his chest. "You know you can come to Cal Tech to see me. It's not that far Sam. Those are going to be the longest two years without you."
Sam kisses her hair, sighing slightly. "I know but I'll be there before you know it. Just promise me you won't forget me."
Carol snaps up, her hands on his chest. "Forget you…never. You're my Sam and that will never change. I could say the same thing about you."
They laugh at each other, wishing the night didn't have to end.