Disclaimer: SM owns all.

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" I'll always love you Lee-lee," promised Sam in his deep husky voice that made my head spin,"forever.........."

It was the summer into 11th grade, and Sam and I were sitting outside on my lawn, waiting for my cousin Emily and her parents. They were going to come for our annual July 4th party. Sam and I were sitting on the grass, his arms around me.

What had I done to deserve him? I asked myself, Sam was my idea of a perfect paradise. Sam's strong arms held me protectively, and we basked in the sunshine. Sam treated me like I was the most important thing in his world. When I was with him I could only dissappear into his chocolate brown eyes and the depth they held.

A dark green Jeep Wrangler ambled up the gravel driveway. Emily was here! I grinned at Sam and lept up to welcome Emily and her family.

"Leah," Emily called,"long time no see!" She chuckled; we had ran into each other at a mutual friend's get-together last week.

"Ouch, you're so sunburned," I noticed,"I'll get some creme for you- why don't you wait with Sam?"

Emily blushed, but agreed. Although Emily was over a year older than me she was very shy around guys. I showed Emily to the lawn where Sam was sitting, introduced them to each other, and left to get the creme for Emily.

I traipsed up the the wooden stairs to my bedroom. I looked around the shelf above my desk, and then found what I was looking for. I went back down the stairs, and was greeted with a sight far too painful for me to handle.

Sam. Looking at Emily with a look of pure adoration on his face. Emily stared back at him looking a little scared, and a lot confused.

"SAM!" I screeched, breaking his mesmerized trance,"What are you doing?" I screamed, hardly aware of the hysterical edge my voice took on.

"I need to talk to you, Leah." He answered, his voice cold and emotionless.

Leah. Not Lee-lee he said, but Leah.

"I can't do this anymore," he continued, "I'm sorry."

"But you promised," I pleaded, "you promised you would love me forever!"

Sam stared back at me, his face void of expression.

"No, no..........you.........but....," I stuttered, unable to form a complete sentence, " you said we were forever."

Sam just repeated, "I'm sorry Leah. I can't."

"Is this a joke?" I demanded. "Don't do this to me. You can't, what...why?" I shuddered as I fought down dozens of tears.

"I just can't Leah. I love her now." Sam icily said.

"Who?" I begged, choking and sobbing as tears ran down my face, "Emily? But you just met her. You've known me for seven years. Please Sam. Is it me? Did I do something wrong? Please, I'll change- I'll change for you."

"No Leah, it's not you. I can't explain it." Sam said, trying fruitlessly to explain his sudden change of heart.

"Sam!" I moaned, my eyes wild. I hit his chest with my hands, putting all my strength into the mass confusion I felt. Sam just stood there, calm and collected. Why couldn't he see what he was doing to me? Finally I stopped, and just sat, small and alone. Sam stood there, just watching me.

"I'm sorry, Leah." He repeated yet again. Then Sam turned away, to walk back to his Emily.