Disclaimer: I own nothing affiliated with A Cinderella Story. Higher ups beat me on that piece of real estate.

A/N: It's been about three months since I updated this bad boy, and I expect just about everyone who's read it to have forgotten every word...but that's okay. I'm just going to finish this fic anyway. :) I hope you guys enjoy this!


"Are you okay, Carter?"

Carter stopped playing with the pink straw in his coke, courtesy of Fiona, and turned to his best buddy, Sam. "Huh?"

She stopped wiping the counter with the rag in her hand and frowned at him, taking note of the fact that his burger and fries lay untouched, his coke unsipped. Something, though she wasn't sure what, was definitely wrong. "Okay," she leaned against the counter, "what's up?"

"Nothing, really."

"Nothing? So, you're depressed because of...nothing?" Sam raised her brows and took a sip of Carter's coke, smiling when his lips curled upward. "Come on, Carter! I know you. Something's wrong. Tell me."

He sighed dejectedly and did a little spin on his seat. "Okay, so, let's say, hypothetically speaking, there's this girl I like."

Sam squealed. "What's her name!?"

Carter glared at her and deadpanned, "Hypothetical, Sam. Stay with me here." He closed his eyes and began again. "And let's say that she's way out of my leaque, totally gorgeous, and never in a million years could I be her Mr. Prince Charming."

"Ouch," Sam sympathized. "She's already got a boyfriend?"

"Well, no, but -

"Then what are you doing here, Carter!? Go get the girl!"

"Sam. Hypothetical." He mentally banged his head against the wall, cursing his friend for being so oblivious.

"Whatever. Hypothetical my ass. What's her name?" She was really excited because Carter had never really shown a true interest in anyone before, save for Shelby, but she didn't really count.

"Sam," Carter sighed.

Sam thought he was just frustrated with her, but Carter had just revealed his secret, though unintentionally. He held his breath, waiting for her reaction.

She blinked. "Yeah? What? Fine. Don't tell me." She picked up her rag and started to walk away to the kitchen. Over her shoulder she called, "But don't think I won't find out who this mystery girl is one way or another!"

Carter released the breath and took a ferocious bite out of a cold french fry. "Thanks, God. If my life couldn't be any more humiliating enough, you had to throw that in my face."


"So, how do you feel about twenty questions?"

Sam and Austin were sitting down in a pretty quiet ice cream parlor, Sam happily munching away with her Rocky Road while Austin took a quick sip of his fruit smoothie. They had started with a movie, nothing too bad, just a pretty good comedy that had the two laughing. Things were easy going, nothing embarrassing had happened so far. Afterwards Austin took her for a quick bite, burgers and fries. Sam really appreciated it, too, as there was no way she was going to pretend as if she wanted a salad and an ice water. She wasn't one of those girls.

Sam looked up mid-lick and smiled. She let the cream slide down before asking, "Twenty questions? I, uh -

Austin sat up a little straighter and ran his fingers through his hair. For a second Sam thought he'd done it on purpose to get a rise out of her. "I'll go first," he declared. "Um...do you like me?" His eyes twinkled at his oh-so-clever question, because he knew that there was no escape from his question.

She got tongue-tied trying to evade the question but then finally rolled her eyes. "Yes, okay?" She smiled regardless and used her spoon to stir her ice cream up. "My turn," she said, setting the dessert to the side. "When you found out it was me, were you genuinely happy? I mean, honestly?"

He took a large slurp of the Strawberry-Kiwi Fusion-ish drink and then nodded his head towards her. "Absolutely. Do you know what kind of relief it is, to like a girl who doesn't obsess over her weight or care that she's good at sports? I just...I like you, Sam. A lot. More than a lot, actually." He looked embarrassed for a second but then moved his hand to touch hers. "I know that this is moving a little fast, and I don't want to freak you out or anything, but I - I've never felt this way for anyone before."

Sam looked down, but then took a hold of his hand, giving it a good squeeze. "You're not the only one, Austin," she whispered. At his smile she shook her head and grinned. "Next question."

"Okay. Um...dancing or romantic candle-lit dinner?"

"Oh, that's easy. Dinner." She laughed and shrugged girlishly. "Girl's got to eat!"

Austin laughed along with her and then smiled. "Great. It's a date."

"Wait, what?"

"This Saturday, I want you to come and have a romantic candle-lit dinner courtesy of Austin Ames." He leaned back with his smoothie and smiled at the look on her face.

"I - I don't know if I."

"No buts. Please."

Sam smiled and took a bite of her melty Rocky Road. "Um, of course."


"He asked me on a second date, Carter!"

"Great."

Sam frowned at her buddy and elbowed him as they walked across the softball field. "What's up?"

"Nothing," he sighed.

"Doesn't sound like nothing."

"Sam. Forget it, okay? It's nothing. So, did you pick up your costume yet?"

Sam's eyes widened. "Oh, crap! The dance! I totally forgot that it's tomorrow night! Austin and I -

"Right. Of course. You know what, Sam? Why don't you just go with Austin? I mean...you deserve to go with the guy you really like," he finished softly.

Sam bit her lip but couldn't help but feel a bit more excited. "Are you sure?"

Carter handed her a bat and tossed a ball high up in the air. "Absolutely."


A/N: La la la. I finally updated. After three months. Now that...that is a record, I have to say. -bows- Go ahead and virtually throw something at me. :)