Chapter One

Stacey sat on the stairs of her front stoop, her arms wrapped around her body as a cool breeze unexpectedly passed through. She barely paid it any attention, however, her eyes glued to the car now cruising down her street, toward her house. It pulled up out front, and after a few seconds the door opened, and Stacey stood up, making her way toward the car.

She didn't pause as she went straight into Sam's arms, and they stood there next to his car, in an embrace so tight, the cool breeze didn't stand a chance of getting in between them.

"I wish you didn't have to go," she said, her voice muffled with her face against his shoulder.

Sam pulled back, and looked down at her, "I wish you could come with me," he said, his familiar crooked smile warming her, until she suddenly realised she wouldn't be seeing it every day anymore.

Stacey looked away, and leaned back against his chest.

They stood there, in the same position, until Sam pulled away again, and grabbing her hand led them to Stacey's front porch, and the rocking chair Maureen had purchased a few years earlier.

They sat in it as they always did, Stacey on Sam's lap, her thighs draped across his in a criss cross.

She played with the chain around his neck, the one she had given him for his seventeenth birthday, which he had worn every day since.

"So," she started, with false bravado in her voice, "when do you start classes?"

Sam shrugged, "in about a week, I think. You go back to school about then, right?" he asked, squeezing her thigh reassuringly. She nodded.

"We'll both be so busy, I'm sure it'll be no time until we see each other again," he said in what she assumed was meant to be a reassuring way, but it only hurt more.

"Sam…" she started, but was unable to bring herself to say it. She looked away, back toward his car.

"What Stace?" he asked, turning her face gently so she was looking at him.

Stacey sighed, and brought her hand up to play with the back of his hair, curling it around her fingers.

"What if…" she bit her lip, not wanting to say it, partly because she knew what Sam would say, and partly because she knew that his answer would not abate her fears.

He looked at her like he knew what was coming, but didn't say anything, giving her time.

"What if you meet someone?" she asked, not able to look at him.

Instead of answering directly, Sam sighed. "Stacey, how long have we been together?" he asked her, his face expressionless.

She frowned, "almost a year."

Sam nodded, "but it feels like forever, right? I mean, we've always been… together, even when we've been apart. This is no different," he said, pulling her toward him.

Stacey rested her chin on his shoulder, and thought about what Sam had said.

Yes, she had liked him since she was twelve, and first moved to Stoneybrook. And yes, they had dated on and off in Middle School. And they'd been on again since her sophmore year. But they had never faced a test quite like this before.

Stacey had always felt insecure dating a senior, but Sam had always seemed to have eyes only for her.

But that was when he knew all the girls he went to school with. Stacey knew it would be a different story with new, hot college girls.

College girls who were experienced and willing to give Sam what she hadn't yet.

Who wanted a clingy high school girlfriend, who wasn't willing to sleep with you, and who had only fooled around with you a couple of times, when you could sleep with all the college girls- make that college women- you wanted?

Stacey realised she'd been silent for awhile, and looked back at Sam. He was studying her, the hurt in his eyes now obvious, and suddenly, she felt bad. This was their last time together for who knew how long, and she was ruining it with her insecurity.

She smiled at him, and nodded. Leaning forward, she kissed him, to reassure him, to reassure herself, that she trusted him. Soon the kiss became far more intense and passionate than it usually did, unless they were alone in Sam's room. If Sam was surprised, he didn't show it, meeting Stacey's intensity immediately.

The kiss seemed to last for years, until at last, Sam pulled back, groaning.

"You can't do that to me Stace. It's not fair," he said, rubbing his face.

"Well… maybe… we should take things further," she said, not quite sure how to put into words what she wanted to do for him, with him.

Sam's jaw practically dropped, "are you – do you mean…?" he trailed off, leaving the question hanging in between them.

Stacey took a deep breath, and nodded. Sam stared at her, studying her again, before shaking his head, "Stacey, we can't. Not now," he said, sighing.

Stacey felt her face heat up, and she got off Sam's lap quickly, walking to lean against the porch railing.

"Fine, I guess you'd rather wait to be with some hot college girl, right?" she asked spitefully, the humiliation she felt making her blood boil.

Sam got up, and walked over to her quickly, before she could walk off. She turned away, unable to look at him.

"Stacey," he said, his voice firm, "how many times have I told you, I'm not interested in anyone else? College, high school, the elderly, whoever," he gave her a small smile, but she didn't meet his gaze.

"Trust me Stace, if I weren't leaving in an hour, I'd be carrying you up those stairs right about now," he said, his voice earnest.

She finally looked at him, a small smile creeping across her face. "Really?" she asked in a small voice.

Sam gave her a look, "how long have I wanted to be with you?" he asked her, stroking her cheek, "but I love you too much to be with you, and then leave you straight away."

Stacey sighed, feeling stupid, but also, relieved.

"I'm sorry… I guess I'm just worried," she said, scrunching up her nose.

"No, really? I couldn't tell," Sam teased, and Stacey swatted him.

She leaned forward to kiss him, successfully pushing all thoughts of Sam and College out of her thoughts for the first time in weeks.