Vig #9 - Hallway Encounter
Sam kept her head ducked down, avoiding the eyes of the students in the hallways as she did and keeping them planted firmly on the floor ahead of her. The pain of Austin's rejection was a fresh as it had been the night before; he'd had the opportunity to say something - anything - and simply turned away.
She shouldn't have been surprised, but she was. His only saving grace was that he hadn't been laughing. Her own pain had been too great to understand the expression on his face. Not that it mattered; the only thing that mattered was that Austin hadn't said a thing. He'd sat there as she'd been ridiculed and made fun of; sat and watched as Shelby and the 'cool' kids proceeded to tear into her character and shred it like tissue.
Blinking back tears, she ducked her head further, using the brim of her ball cap as a shield. It was all she had left. All around her she could hear the kids whispering about Sam Montgomery who'd presumed to think she was good enough for Austin Ames. The worst part was that she hadn't, not really. She'd believed she might be a good match for Nomad before she'd discovered he was Austin; she should have followed her instinct that night at the Homecoming dance and left before he'd had the chance to entrance her.
Stupid, she admonished herself, blinking back yet more tears and not really paying much attention to where she was going as she adjusted her bag over her shoulder. Charm is just a weapon and you fell for it; hook, line and sinker. You didn't even feel it until that awful show yesterday.
What had she ever done to Brianna and Gabriella that she'd deserved this? She did Brianna's school work and did it well - maybe a little too well. She did everything both of them asked of her, discounting those things she felt were illegal, and never-
"Oof!"
A solid body in her way sent her sprawling, her book bag taking the brunt of the blow as she was knocked back on her backside and her books slid out everywhere. It was a familiar position at the Diner whenever she ran into Fiona - and an unwelcome reminder. Great, she thought peevishly - and was interrupted by the very familiar and unwelcome voice of the boy who'd been plaguing her thoughts.
"Man, I'm sor - Sam?"
Unwilling to look up, or answer him - she didn't owe him anything - Sam gathered herself, moving to tuck the books that had slid free back inside her bag. She caught him crouch out of the corner of her eye, his jeans tightening across his thighs as one knee hit the floor. He scooped up a couple of her books before she could and handed them over without comment - and Sam made sure she avoided his hands when she took them back.
With her books safely packed away, Sam made to get up.
"Here, let me help you."
If she'd had any doubt as to whom it was crouched before her, the silver ring on the third finger of his right hand would have given it away. But, unfortunately, she didn't have the luxury of not knowing who he was. Nor did it help that just the sight of that hand, offered so much like it had been at the Homecoming Dance, was enough to send tears sliding down her cheeks.
"I'm fine," she managed to choke out, ignoring his proffered hand and ducking her head as she rose without his assistance. "Just... leave me alone."
"Sam, I-"
As she was regaining her feet and trying to turn away all at the same time, someone bumped into her from behind and sent her sprawling forward - into Austin. Her cap was knocked askew and off from the force of her impact against his chest. They hit the floor and Austin rolled with the blow - much like he did on the football field - except he wasn't cradling a football this time.
Sam closed her eyes, unable to stem the tears that sprang forth with the feel of his touch. Even through the green jacket she'd worn as a way to hide from everyone, she could feel the strength in those fingers. He'd danced with her, held her before - much as he was now - and the memory was heart breaking.
"Sam?"
Biting her lip as she kept her head down, she pushed up and away - except Austin still had one hand wrapped around her upper arm. She tugged at it, trying to break away. "Let me go."
"Look at me," he pleaded softly.
All around them, students passed by giving them curious looks - and why wouldn't they? Austin was practically flat on his back with Sam crouch across one thigh as she tried to get to her feet. Pulling backwards, Sam refused to do as he asked; she didn't owe him anything. He'd played her for a fool and she wasn't going to be twice burned.
His grip on her arm ease - but only because Austin moved towards her, shifting into a sitting position. Using the opportunity, Sam jerked her arm away and scrambled backwards. Laughter could be heard all about her and there was no doubt in her mind that people were laughing at her again.
"Sam!"
Scrambling to her feet, she made to move - except she didn't have her hat. Turning to look, she found it extended towards her in those familiar fingers. Brushing the back of one hand across her cheek, she reached for it but he didn't let it go.
"Look at me, Sam."
Something in his tone told her that he wouldn't let go of her hat until she did. It was blackmail to get what he wanted; and Austin Ames always got what he wanted. Giving in, Sam allowed her gaze to lift, trailing those fingers back to a strong, tanned wrist, up the gray sleeve of his shirt, up the strong lines of his throat. Her courage wavered as she saw his jaw bunch, but somehow she found the strength to keep going - only this time she closed her eyes as she lifted her head, only to open them when she knew she'd be looking into his.
What she saw was not what she expected and it did nothing to alleviate the confusion and humiliation the last 24 hours had visited on her. She didn't even try to understand what he seemed to want to tell her.
"I've looked," she told him, her voice wavering. "Can I have my hat back?"
The way she said it sounded as if she were asking for more and only by sheer force of will - and the knowledge that people were paying attention to their by-play - kept the wince to a twitch. Tears were already sliding down her cheeks; they didn't need anything more from her. Yet, Austin seemed to understand she wasn't just asking for her hat back; she was asking for her heart back too.
"Sam... I'm sorry."
A tug on her hat gained its freedom and as she slid it back on her head, she didn't break the eye contact for a long second. She couldn't smile, and didn't even try, with a single, short nod of acknowledgement. He couldn't give her back what she'd freely given.
"Me too."
Turning on her heel, she fled towards her next class and left Austin standing in the middle of the hallway and the gossip mongers with yet more fodder on the girl who'd presumed to walk in a world where she didn't belong.
fin
