Chapter Four: So Here We Stand Just the Two of Us

It seemed like Kathryn's lie had become a reality, not overnight exactly but about a week later. Just in time for Christmas. Kathryn could not find a way to keep anything down.

She ate crackers and she threw them up. Ginger ale and even water didn't work. Even the smell of certain things make her upchuck reflex go into overdrive.

"Either you've got the stomach flu or some serious explaining to do." Bethany noted one day when Kathryn had been in and out of the bathroom three times before noon. That was a record.

"I think I jinxed myself after lying a couple of weeks ago." She sighed. "I would even say that I'm super hung over except I haven't been out this week."

"Well, get better soon. Otherwise the parentals will go all loco and bring in a personal, on-call house doc."

"Thanks for the advice Beth. I'll just tell my stomach to chill out and maybe it'll listen this time."

"Gosh you're cranky." Kathryn ignored her and lay back down on the bed with thoughts of her friends from Charles U. Running through her mind. She really wanted to call up Sam or even Noah right now…

Dorothea had planned it all out by hiring an on-call tour guide for Sam. He seemed really nice too, especially when Dorothea was around. They visited all of the great ruins, had gone to the beaches, and everything.

"So, how do you like Greece so far?" Adonis wondered.

"It's the most amazing place I've ever see-"

"I'm sure. Everyone who comes here falls in love with it." He responded, cutting Samantha off, which was something that he seemed to do often and frequently as though it didn't matter at all.

She ignored it and put up with him only because she had no one else and did not know enough Greek to get from point A to B. "So, what's on the agenda today?" Samantha kept up the cheerful façade, certain that whatever they did today would completely overshadow Adonis's stinky attitude.

"You want to go out somewhere again?"

"Yes. I want to see everything." She gushed.

"How about meet some new people, Greek locals?" Adonis offered even though he seemed to be mocking Sam.

"Sure."

"Good. I'll have my … brother meet us at the lake. There's a huge day party going on."

"Perfect." Samantha responded, applying more sunscreen to stop her skin from peeling and briefly thinking about what Dawn was doing in Italy.

"This is beautiful." Dawn gushed, referring to the Coliseum. It seemed like everyone had heard about 'Snaps Ortega' reprising her role and they were all loving her for it. The hospitality was out of this world.

"It is." Devon agreed, holding Dawn close to him as they continued to sway back and forth to imaginary music. "Is it all you wanted it to be?"

"And more." She looked up at him, smiling. It felt so good to finally be experiencing those things she watched her favorite characters do on TV. There was nothing that she could think of to top this moment right now.

"Would I ruin this if I asked what's with all the romantics? The carriage, the candlelit dinner, and now this? Are you trying to romance me?"Devon whispered.

Dawn laughed. "You're funny." She held onto him tighter. "Tonight is just a warm up compared to the late night beach walk I have planned, followed by a stay in a bed and breakfast."

"Wow." Devon slowed the dancing down for a moment. "You know I'm here to play ball."

"I know, but until you have practice, I want to make every moment here memorable." She answered back.

"And you're sure that all these theatrics won't make you start catching feelings for me?"

"Catching feelings? You wish." Dawn grinned. "You're the one with stars in his eyes, like no one's ever done anything for you before."

"Naw, I'm just impressed. No girl has ever gone out of their way, like this, for me. It feels good to be pampered."

"Kathryn, you have to drop these charges." She listened over her cell phone, sighing. It was Beau. "I'm sorry."

"Does that mean you're admitting guilt?"

"I'm admitting that there was a misunderstanding. I thought you wanted something that I didn't. Maybe I just love you more than you love me." He spoke over the phone, trying to manipulate her and make the assault charges go away.

"That's unlikely."

"We had a little fight babe … don't let it turn into this huge misrepresentation."

"Did you or did you not call me a slut, push me back into the bed and try to force yourself on me? Jerk!" Kathryn yelled, throwing the phone against the wall.

"So that's the real Beau story." Bethany stated.

"Could you do me a favor and stop eavesdropping?"

"The guys at the welcome back party said you were always such a tease in high school. But I'm not like that." Bethany informed her older sister.

"What does that mean?"

"It means that I do what I say I'm going to do."

"You don't … 'put out,' do you Beth?"

"You became popular because you were the pretty blonde girl who always knew what to say. I do what I have to do."

"Beth. You have to stop this."

"Don't touch me." Her little sister threatened. "You mention this again and the whole town knows how you chased Beau Beachum away. Tease."

Samantha was actually having a good time with Adonis and his friends. They seemed super cool and his brother was looking at her the way Trent used to. She could get used to this.

"So, you like Greece?"

"A lot … it's beautiful."

"If you don't mind me being too forward … it's nothing compared to you." He spurred as Sam grinned despite herself. Whatever was in this punch she was drinking was really strong … strong enough to make b.s. like this guy was feeding seem like the words of a renown poet.

"That's very kind of you Pio but you don't have to try so hard. I like you." She admitted, gulping down the rest of her beverage and looking away. Did she actually say that? Had she actually…

"Good then … you might want to spend more time with me?"

"Maybe. What do you have in mind?"

"Adonis and I are taking a little trip to Costa Rica. Just a few days and … I think you might like it there." Pio offered in his charming way.

Samantha was seriously contemplating this idea, considering that Dawn told her that she needed to live more and … that a summer fling would serve her well. Maybe Dawn was right.

"When do we leave?"

"Tomorrow."Pio explained, kissing Samantha boldly as the two started making out wildly. Their little encounter was enough to keep Sam distracted and completely tuned out to anything else that was going on.

Trent had stopped snorting coke … well, not permanently but he wasn't doing it every day anymore. Lee was sort of his inspiration this way…

But there were still times, whenever he thought about Sam, when he couldn't stand it anymore. She was it. And he lost it. And he was damn … Trent found himself picking up his cell and dialing a number he knew too well.

No matter where he would find the money this time.

Dawn opened her eyes reluctantly the next day. They would have enough time to get breakfast here and then they'd have to leave Rome without engaging in further adventures there. "I don't want to wake up." She muttered.

"We have to if you want to eat." Devon replied, already up and sweaty from a morning jog.

"You look glistening. How did you manage the 6 hour time difference?" Dawn asked, yawning.

"I have to condition my body. Doesn't matter what time it is." He explained. "Hey, do you want the shower first or …"

"You go ahead." Dawn was already planning to have the hotel bring in breakfast for them. "Room service, I'd like some breakfast."

"What would you like?"

"Bring up a little of everything you have."

Beau needed to do some damage control. Kathryn could not go through with the charges. It would ruin him…

Sam couldn't believe where she was right now or what was happening. One moment, she was going through airport security, like everyone else, and the next moment she was face down with her hands tied behind her back.

She didn't know very much Greek, but she knew enough to know that she had been arrested. And when they pulled some foreign substance out of her bag, she pieced it together and knew it was drugs. She was going down for drugs.

"Breakfast in bed? Now, I do not deserve this." When Devon reappeared from the shower and the room had suddenly transformed into an upscale buffet, if that even existed.

"This…" Dawn pointed at all of the food. "Isn't for you. I'm a hungry girl."

"Hilarious." Devon chuckled, picking up the pitcher of orange juice and pouring himself a glass. "Want some?"

"Sure." Dawn smirked. She was still reeling from last night. It was terribly beautiful and something she'd never forget and it was almost sad that it was over. It was such a thin line between laughter and tears. "I know that basketball stars need their energy, so I saved you all the sausage and bacon. And I made sure we didn't get the greasy stuff either. Beef and turkey."

"You actually listened when I did my basketball diet rant? You're the first that I haven't bored with that."

"Yeah, well you listened to me dote on Belair High so much that it's making me sick." Dawn started playing with her hair suddenly, unable to stop herself from smiling. The whole romantic Italian getaway with a ripped, super gorgeous boyfriend-type was bringing out this giddy side of her.

"What's with the smile?"

"The smile … you know this blueberry bagel is just sooo good."

"Oh really?"

"Really." Dawn continued smirking, keeping the truth to herself. She wouldn't want Devon to know that she actually liked him … a little. That always scared guys off.

(A/N: This chapter has literally been here for over 6 months. I just thought I posted it already. Since I can't find the rest of Boys with Girlfriends or Please Stay in My Past, I'll just update this. If you're still reading, review. Luv. Peace. –NL)