6 MONTHES LATER

It was my first week in New York and I was living with my cousin's friend in an apartment, even six months later I still have the same gross job….

My first day at the Zoo was…. Not the best first day on the job. I was the Zoo's Pooper Scooper, meaning I was one of the three people that picked up the Animal's poop. Every other minute someone was calling my name to pick up the poop which got a bit annoying…..

"Sam! Lion's cage!" my friend Monique yelled through the walkie talkie hanging off my belt, "Okay! I got it.." I said back grabbing my supplies and heading to the lion cage.

An hour later, I was walking down the brick path to the supply closet with Monique. "I'm not kidding Sam… When was the last time you have been on a date?" I didn't answer. "Exactly…. Come on Sam… Just let me hook you up with one boyfriend's friends!" Monique said well playfully smacking my shoulder. I shook my head, "No Monique… You know I don't date…" I replied. We were passing the penguin exhibit; there was a young man in there. "Who's that?" I asked pointing the dark brown haired man currently feeding the penguins. "Oh…him? That's John… he started working here a week ago…" She said continuing walking, but I didn't move. "Are you coming, Sam?" I heard behind me, "Umm... huh? Oh yea… I'm coming…" I said walking over the Monique.

"So you coming to my party tonight?" Monique asked. "I don't know…. I mean I have a lot of stuff to do at the apartment." I replied looking at the ground. "Uh-huh… I totally believe you…." She said smirking, with an eyebrow raised. I rolled my eyes, "What if I told you I would invite Mr. Handsome." She said winking. "What do you mean?" I said, looking over at her. "Oh come on! I totally saw how you were looking at John as we were walking by!" I blushed, "What? No…. I wasn't looking at John…." I said, trying not to look Monique in the eye. "What's up with you and lying today?" She said, rolling her eyes and walking ahead of me. "Ok fine… I'll come…" I said, finally giving into Monique. She stopped and turned around and came running back to me, "Great! Be at my place at eight tonight! You can bring whoever you want!" She said, winking and running off with a huge grin. 'What have I gotten myself into?' I thought as I walked over to the supplies closet.

"So have any plans for tonight?" My roommate, Natalie, said. "Yea… I am going to my friend's party." I replied, looking up from my college homework. She started to grin, "Oh do you have a date?" She said, smirking. "Ha-ha funnnnyyy…." I replied, looking back down at my homework. "Oh come on Sam! You should NOT wait around for Mr. Right, you got to go find him! And you are not going to find him by sitting on your butt, going to parties without dates…." Natalie said, leaning against the kitchen counter crossing her arms. I looked up at her slightly, then back down, "I thought Mr. Right is supposed to find you…" I replied. "Not in New York…" She replied, I kept looking down. Maybe coming to New York wasn't the best idea….. I thought to myself.

AT THE PARTY

"Sam! Glad you could make it!" Monique said, grabbing my wrist and pulling me toward her living room. "Ya… Glad I could come!" I yelled over the loud pop music playing and putting on a fake smile. "Cool, Guess who showed up earlier…" Monique said, winking. I raised my eyebrow at her then realization came upon me…. John…. "Where is he?" I asked, looking around cautiously. "Hold your horses girl!" Monique said grabbing my shoulders, "He went into the kitchen earlier." She replied. I looked toward the kitchen, "Should I go talk to him?" I asked looking back at Monique. "YES!" She screamed in my face and pushed me toward the kitchen.

"What are you doing?" I said, in a whispering scream, trying to stay in one place as she pushed me. "Well I figured at since you would basically talk yourself out of talking to him, I figured I would just give you a head start before you… change… your… Will You PLEASE walk?" She said, pushing me even harder.

"I was going to GO! But I don't want to look like a complete NUT-CASE getting pushed into the kitchen by her best friend!" I said still in a screaming whisper. "Okay…. Okay…. But I am keeping my eye on you so I know you don't back out…" She said walking into the kitchen by herself the swinging door closing slowing behind her. 'Here goes everything…..' I thought then walked into the kitchen. As a walked in I saw a couple people I knew from work and other places across the city. "Sam! Over here!" I looked to the right close the refrigerator was my friend, Hailey and….. John. I cautiously walked over to them, "Hey Hailey…" I said, not even looking at John… yet. "Hey Sam, how is everything going at the Zoo since I left?" Hailey asked. 'Ehh…. Not so good because at since you left they hired a new guy, which is the guy standing next to you and that I TOTALLY have a crush on him!' I though inwardly but just replied with a simple "Good" and a fake smile. "Cool just wanted to make sure my getting a job at a Design Studio wasn't going to mess anything up." 'Even though it kinda did…' "Nope, we got everything under control there…" I said, still faking my smile. "Cool, anyways have you met John yet?" She said, pointing to the man next to her. "Umm…. No not yet, you work at the z-zoo right?" I said, trying to control my nervousness. "Yea, I do just started actually, I believe you work there too correct?" He said. "Yep, but I have been there for a half a year now." I replied, still having trouble looking him directly in the eye. "Oh cool, and I never caught your name." He said, I looked at him and into his dark brown eyes. "Sam, Sam Manson." I said, smiling. "Well nice to meet you, Sam." He said, returning the smile.

Lilly: So Did you guys hang out a lot after that?

Sam: Ya we became go friends

Lilly: Anything more then friends though?

Sam: Lilly… Do you know how awkward this is for me to talk about?

Lilly: If I say 'not very awkward' will you continue the story?

Sam: Fine…..

OK so that is it! AHHHH! So for not updating in awhile… I was on vacation for 2 weeks…. I know this chapter is SOOOOO short! I hope to make the next one longer… and PLEASE NO ONE GIVE UP ON THE STORY JUST BECAUSE I AM PAIRING SAM WITH OC's! I PROMISE IT ALL WORKS OUT IN THE END!

~Haley is Out!