Chapter 2, Sam

The rest of the week dragged on as I waited for Saturday to come. Jake came to work the horses, I did my chorus, and everything was normal.

''Hey Sam'' Jake said as he walked into the kitchen like he owned the place. His hair was back in his leather tie, he had on a plain white t-shirt with his dirty old blue jeans on. His same old Hat on his head.

''Hey Jake are u excited for tomorrow?''

''Sure am. I was thinkin do ya wanna go to the Phantoms secret valley for camping?'' He said. I sat down in a kitchen chair and thought about Blackie. I haven't seen him since the night of the bonfire. Where Jake took my hand for the first time since we were kids. I look down at the table trying not to cry. I didn't even know if he was alive.

''What's wrong Sam?'' Jake asked sitting next to me.

''I don't even know if he is alive Jake'' He put his arm around my shoulders and hugged to his chest. Wow Jake has changed.

''that's okay Sam we don't have to go there.'' Just then the phone rang and Jake reached over and answered it.

'' Oh hey Jen''

''Ya I'm home''

''Here she is''

He handed the phone and smiled.

''Hey Jen''

''Hi Sam, I was wondering if u want to hang out tomorrow?''

''Sorry Jen me and Jake are gonna go camping tomorrow. Hey! Do you want to come?''

''Lets me ask on minute…'' I heard Jen ask her mom then come back to the phone very quickly.

''Hey can Darrell come?'' I looked at Jake and smiled. He would like to see his best friend.

''Ya sure.''

''Ok cool, I can come and Dar is gonna ask his parents. Where are we going?''

''War drum flats.'' Jake smiled at me then. I blew a piece of hair away from my eyes but it came back. Jake grabbed it a tucked it behind my ear.

''SAM!''

''WHAT!''

''nothing I will see you tomorrow.''

''Bye Jen''

''Bye Sam'' I set the phone down and looked at Jake. I got up and started for the door.

''Where are you going brat?''

''Riding'' I skipped to the barn and grabbed a lead rope. I headed to Tempests stall and quickly attached the lead rope on and dragged out of the stall. I brushed off her back, cleaned her hoofs, and quickly threw the tack on. I started out of the barn to see Jake on Maddy full tacked up.

''Ha you thought you were fast.''

''Shut Ely'' swung on quickly and set Tempest across the bridge.

Jake

We set across the bridge at a jog and headed for lost canyon. I looked oven to see Sam taking off her hat to revile her long auburn hair flowing behind her back. She placed her hat back on and looked at me.

''what?''

''Nothing'' I looked back at the dirt in front of me. Dang why did Sam have to be so perfect! I mean come on! She is your best friend and your crush! DUDE! GET ALHOLD OF YOURSELF SHE DOESN'T LIKE YOU!

''So Jake have a girlfriend?'' Her voice took me out of my thoughts.

''Ummm no'' dang now she's talking about girls? Great!

''Any hopefuls?''

''only one'' whoops slip up.

''WHO?'' she almost nearly yelled. You! I wanted to say that so bad but I didn't.

''Umm''

''Sorry Jake I didn't mean it like that.''

''It okay''

''so who is the mystery girl?''

''I will tell you later.''