I am back to writing longer chapters (not really long though); which I hope you all like! Anyway's thank you for the great reviews--I love reading them :)
Chapter 4
Sam awoke the next morning to see Jason looking at her "You stayed here all night, awake?"
"It's what friends do. It is what I missed out on." he gave a half smile
"Could my friend make me some of his famous eggs?"
"Of course." He smiled and got off the bed "Are you coming?"
"I need to make a call first. I'll be out in a minute or two"
"Are you going to be alright?"
"Yeah. I think I am." And she grabbed her phone to give Monica a call. She left a message saying that she was right and should have taken her advice. Sam thanked Monica for giving her Jason and for coming to the art show.
"So, how are you feeling after last night" Jason asked taking the seat across from her
"I know it sounds cheesy but I feel free. I think that whatever comes next I am ready, I also want to do the things I missed out on"
"What do you mean?"
"I never go to be a typical college student. I never went to a party or any social event, I literally was a hermit."
"A very cute hermit" Jason joked "The parties are not that great and I will take you too any social event you want"
"I would first like to give myself an appearance do over. I am surprised people did not think I was homeless" she smiled and he gave a sweet smile back
"You do not look homeless, you look beautiful. Why don't you call Carly to take you out. And then the four of us will go out"
"Baby steps. Could we just stay in for a movie marathon best friend's style?"
"That sounds perfect."
Sam finished her breakfast and called Carly to go out for a makeover. They spent the day out on the town, updating Sam on the outside world she hid herself from for almost two years. "How are you and Jason" Carly inquired
"Good, we are getting back on track. It is nice to have someone I can count on again."
"I'm happy for you. Why don't we get the movies and get back to the apartment before Sonny falls asleep"
When they got back, Jason and Sonny were out getting a boatload of different ethnic foods, like they used to. "Carly, I am sorry for not telling you anything"
"You do not need to apologize, not for this."
"Hello ladies. You two ready" Sonny asked barging through the door. Sam turned around just as Jason walked through the door. She was stunning to him, he almost dropped the food. He was glad to see her face again, her smile.
"Yeah." Carly said and took the seat next Sam on the couch and snuggled into her. Jason sat on floor and Sonny sat on one of the chairs laughing at Sam and Carly curled up together. When the movie was over both Carly and Sam were asleep at opposite ends of the couch. Jason said good bye to Sonny who carried a sleeping Carly to the car.
Jason cleaned up the food and the living room area and walked over to Sam and sat down on the edge of the couch looking down at her in awe. He thought she would be more comfortable in her bed and proceeded to pick her up. Sam woke up from a deep sleep and started clawing at Jason. He sat her down and lifted her chin to look at him. "Sam, calm down. It is just me, its Jason."
Sam stopped flailing and looked in to Jason's baby blue eyes. She started to tear and he pulled her in a embrace and stayed like that for a good half hour. When she pulled away, she brushed her hand over the cuts she caused "I'm sorry"
"It's nothing. You do not have to apologize. I should have not tried to pick you up."
"Baby steps" she smiled. "I'm going to go to bed. Thanks for tonight" Sam got up and left quietly. Jason looked defeated, he could not help her. She could not let anyone touch her still, she could not feel. Sam woke up the next morning but stayed inside her room to draw. It was another dark piece, which she thought she had gotten over, but last night with Jason, reaffirmed the fact she cannot let a man get close to her. Jason knocked on her door when he heard something fall in her room, it was just her finding another pad of paper. He wanted to talk to her, but knew she was not ready. Instead he left her a note
Sam, I am sorry about last night. I should have known better than to pick you up. Do not worry about the scratches, they make me look tough (haha).I want to take you out tonight to a club opening since you wanted a more social scene. If it is too early I understand, if you do decide to come meet me at this address around 9:00. I hope to see you.
Love always, Jason.
Sam smiled at Jason's note, but was unsure about going. She did buy some nice party clothes with Carly yesterday. But going from hermit to a large party scene may be too big, on the flip side Sam thought this may be the medicine she needs to become herself again.
Sam decided to go to this club opening. She knew her friends would be there if she needed a quick escape and Jason would be more than willing to leave for her. She put on one of the dresses; a pink dress that hit above the knee. The bodice was all pink sequins and it had thick straps but a lower back and wore a black coat meeting at the knee over her dress. She saw Jason waiting for her and he looked nervous. As she crossed the street she yelled his name and her turned to look at her all dolled up—yet to see her dress.
"I'm glad you came. And whenever you want or need to leave let me know."
"Sounds good"
"I want you to meet some of my friends. Let me take your coat." Sam took off her coat and was stunned by Sam. He also noticed a huge scar on the back of her arm. She gave him a half smile when he looked concerned. "You look absolutely gorgeous"
"Not too much?"
"Not at all" He said mesmerized "Look at me I am actually wearing a button down shirt" Sam laughed
"You look very handsome" with that said Jason took her hand and walked over to the group he was with
"Everyone this is Sam, Sam this is everyone" Jason smiled at her
"Nice to meet you, I am sorry I did not meet any of you sooner"
"Us too, we had heard a lot about the great Sam McCall." One boy said "I am Adam"
"I am not sure what to say to that" she laughed shaking the hand he held out, which was out of her comfort zone, Jason placed a reassuring hand on her back. She flinched a little but Jason was just trying to help.
"I will introduce you to the group, since Jason is missing his manners tonight " a girl with big framed glasses said "I am Maggie, this is Troy, Henry—he's a flirt…beware, Brittany, Heather, Jon, Adam, Charlie, Lucy and you know Sonny and Carly."
"Okay, I will not remember any of those." She laughed. Most of the group left except for Maggie.
"I saw your work at the art exhibit. You are amazing. I came as Jason's date because I did not want to go alone. We are just friends in case you were wondering."
"Not really. But I am glad you liked my work"
"I am sorry that you went through so much pain. I cannot imagine what I do in your situation; you handled it all very well"
"Thanks, I guess" Sam said still a little bit uncomfortable in talking about
"I work for the school paper, I was there to write an article, but I wanted to make sure it was okay to write about your experience. I know it is private even though some people know about it."
"I guess you can write about it. Do you mind not making it a front page article?"
"I can do that. See you two later" and she skipped off
"She is sort of wacky. Like a little sister."
"Oh. So what do you want to do?" she rocked back and forth on her heels
"Sonny and Carly have a table. We can hang near them. Do you want a drink first?"
"Ummm. Can I just have a tonic water?"
"Sure thing." And Sam followed Jason to the bar. They sat with Carly and Sonny until the two wanted to dance. "You can go with them, I am sure there are plenty of girls that would love to dance with you"
"I invited you here. I am not going to abandon you"
"Jason, go have fun. I am fine"
"Are you sure, maybe I can have someone sit with you?"
"I do not need a babysitter. GO." Jason gave Sam's hand I squeeze and went to goof around with his friends. Sam sat back on the couches just watching the scene unfold. A man came up to Sam and that is when things got shaky
"Hey there hot stuff"
"Not happening" Sam said and sipped more of her tonic water
"Girls don't dress like that unless they are looking for something"
"I am not looking for anything, especially you. Now if you would leave that would be great."
He tried to sit down but Sam kicked him "That's it you little tease" and he grabbed her arm. Sam had a flashback and tried to scream. One of Jason's friends came up; Jon.
"I think you need to leave the girl alone or she will dismember you" squeezing the man's shoulder. The guy ran off and Jon sat opposite of Sam. "Are you okay?"
"No. I need to find Jason and leave"
"I can take you outside if you need air"
"No, I just need Jason." She said looking around panicked.
Carly saw what happened and ran to find Jason. "Some guy went for Sam. Jon is with her now but she looks panicked and ready to break down. You need to get her out of here, NOW" Jason sprang into action to find Sam.
When he arrived at the table she saw Jon trying to calm Sam down. Jon knew about Sam, after Maggie told them about how brave she was. He proceeded to tell his group of friends that his dad beat him when he was little and knows a thing or two about pain. "SAM" Jason yelled
"JASON" she ran into his arms and he gave a nod to Jon and took Sam back to his car. The ride home was silent and when they got the apartment Sam went straight to her room to change and then through the dress she was wearing out the window. She came out in an oversized sweatshirt and sweatpants. She looked somber and ready to shut down on him.
"How are you feeling" Jason asked from a far
"Do I have to answer that?" she walked over to the couch brining her knees to her chin
"No, but I want you to be able to talk to me."
"I want to, but I need you to agree on one condition"
"Okay" Jason said making his way over to the couch
"Do not say 'I'm so sorry, Sam'"
"Fine. Tell me what happened."
"So the guy came over and I told him to basically go away. He said that girls don't dress l like I was unless they were looking for something"
"You looked beautiful tonight."
"You are supposed to say that—you're my best friend"
"You need to stop putting yourself down."
"This is going nowhere. I should go to bed. WAIT"
"What's a matter"
Sam asked Jason for Maggie's number and proceeded to call her and ask to publish her story front page. Maggie ended up writing a cover story only on Sam, she wanted people who also went through rape to be able to come out of their shadows. She looked at Sam as an inspiration.
Sam's story ended up being published and was one of the most read papers in the past year. The Times picked it up and interviewed Maggie publishing the story to the City. Sam received many letters of her bravery and others about their own rape and how they have come out as well
I know this was not one of my better chapters but I still hope you liked it. Please review, that way I can change my ideas based on readers opinions.
:)