The morning was cold, Sam walked through the streets heading towards the town centre she was going to buy a new coat. She hadn't really thought what kind she wanted though; all she knew was that she needed one. She felt colder with every step she took, she had two hundred dollars, even though she was payed well she always spent the money quickly so she hardly ever had any. She quickened her pace as she approached the crowded city centre, she went into the shopping centre and started wondering around looking in all the clothes shop windows as she passed them, she was heading for the fancy coat shop; it was by far the most expensive shop here. She finally arrived and gazed in at all the coats as they hung; she took a gulp of air and walked into the shop. She looked around the shop in awe, it was open and bright, the walls were an elegant cream and the furniture was of red velvet and gold, Sam had never felt so out of place.

Carly Shay was putting coats back on their hangers, it had already been done but her employees never did it right so she was always re-doing it. Once she finished she headed to the counter to see if anyone was waiting, once she saw that no-one was she went to talk to Bethany, one of her employees. Bethany was about 21, she had long brown hair that was straight, her eyes were blue and her skin was tanned. She was the youngest of Carly's employees, she loved fun and many times Carly had to remind her she was working but other than that she was a pretty good employee.

"Bethany?"

"Yes" Bethany replied as she stopped putting coats back.

"Can you go work on the till please?"

"Sure thing boss" Bethany replied as she wandered off towards the counter. Carly sighed as she watched her walking away, today she felt incredibly tired. Last night she had been out with Freddie, they were still in contact. They had gone out for a few drinks, Freddie had been promoted and they'd been celebrating. Carly's thoughts drifted to Sam, she hadn't seen her in years, eight to be precise. They had been eighteen, it seemed like yesterday but Carly knew better than to let herself think about the past, it brought her to tears every time she did. Instead she busied herself by helping her costumers find the coat they wanted, she had been working here since she had finished her course in college. She had studied from the age of eighteen to twenty-four, she had wanted to be a kindergarten teacher but she couldn't get a job. She still lived with Spencer because well to be honest he wasn't mature enough to live by himself and Carly would be worried about him twenty four seven. Spencer was still a mad artist but when Sam left he became quieter, most people wouldn't notice it but Freddie and Carly did. Carly told Bethany to take a break and she did just that, then she helped a few more people. She glanced at the clock and cursed under her breath, it was only eleven thirty it felt about two at least. Carly stood up and glided gracefully to help another costumer, it was an elderly lady who had hearing difficulty, great Carly thought to herself. Once she had finished helping her she noticed a woman with long blonde curly hair, she was wearing fish net tights, a black leather skirt and a skimpy vest top, Carly thought she must be freezing. Carly then began walking swiftly over to her, once she was behind her she gently tapped the woman's shoulder, the woman slowly turned around and when she did Carly gasped.

"Sam?" She whispered not believing her eyes. "Is it you?" The woman nodded as tears began to well in her eyes, Carly had already tears streaming down her face.

"It is me, Carls" Sam said gently as Carly embraced her, they were both crying. Carly suddenly realised they were in the middle of the shop and grabbed Sam's hand and led her towards the office she had after telling Mae, another employee, to cover for her. When they got to the office they broke down and again and sobbed for a while before Sam composed herself, Carly tried to compose herself but was failing miserably.

"Hey, don't cry Carly. It's alright I'm here" Sam said trying to soothe Carly.

"But you weren't before"

"I know, but now I am"

"I missed you"

"And I missed you but I'm back"

"I missed you"

"I know"

"How could you leave?"

"I'll tell you later when you've calmed down"

"Calm down!" Carly suddenly shouted as she stood up "How can you tell me to calm down after you left without a trace for eight years and then suddenly appear?"

"I don't know" Sam said meekly.

"You don't know?" Sam shook her head slowly as she looked at the floor. "Get out!" Carly suddenly shouted again.

"What? You don't mean that Carls!"

"Yes I do and don't call me that"

"But Carl-"

"I said don't call me that"

"Carly, I'm sorry I ran away. I was stupid and young. I thought I had to" Carly rolled her eyes and scoffed. Sam continued "I wanted to stay but I couldn't, I had to leave. I wasn't happy, I missed him and everything there reminded me of him! You don't understand, no-one you love has ever left you!"

"That's not true, you left. You left Sam, you were my best friend and I loved you like a sister!" Carly snapped.

"I loved you like a sister too Carls, I still do. You're the best friend I've had. I missed you so, so much. More than Melanie and my mum, more than everybody"

"Except for him"

"No the same as him maybe more, he had been gone for a while when I left"

"Really?" Carly asked her voice soft and her eyes child like.

"Really" Sam replied nodding her head. Carly smiled weakly.

"He missed you" Sam looked confused.

"Really?"

"Really, a lot. He still loved you"

"No he didn't, you read the letter"

"Yeah I did" Carly said softly "And he still loved you when he wrote it, I promise"

"You swear?"

"I swear"

"Ankle swear?"

"Ankle swear" They both stood up and ankle swore.

"Do you want to get a coffee?" Sam asked.

"Sure, but first do you want a shower and a change of clothes?"

"Why?"

"Because, well you smell and look like prostitute" Sam smiled at Carly and nodded her head.

"Yeah, I guess I do" They then linked arms and walked out of the office together, like they were best friends again.