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Chapter 9: Start Me Up

6:47am. Cold, dark and scary. Why would anyone be outside putting themselves through the pain I was currently experiencing rather than be tucked up in bed, warm and sleeping? It seemed like a good idea last night but I was regretting it now.

"Keep up Sam. Push yourself, C'mon!' Nathan persuaded me to join him this morning, as my current fitness levels weren't up to scratch as far as he was concerned.

"Nathan, I'm not as fit as you! Wait up.' I panted. The only thing that kept me from stopping was the fear that I would be left behind as he got out of my sight.

"They're leaving at 7, we have to be home!' Deb and Dad were leaving for New York this morning. I suddenly got my 2nd wind as we took the corner into our street. We raced to the front door.

"You obviously didn't push yourself hard enough if you could sprint the last part Sam.'

"Shut.' I could barely breathe, "up!' I entered the house and dramatically dropped onto the tiles of the foyer. They were at least nice and cool. Nathan laughed at me and then made his way into the kitchen. He was barely sweating and I could barely breathe. But I relished in the knowledge that it was Friday, finally. My grounding was now over, my parents were all away for the weekend and tonight I had my first official date with Marvin McFadden. Could life get any better? I guess it wasn't really a date, Whitey just needed two people to write a report on the basketball program offered at Tree Hill for some book thing, we of course, both offered. So I'm counting it as a date. I was hoping we might catch a bite to eat or a movie afterwards. But don't worry, I've maintained that I learnt a lesson about lying from all this – if anyone asks, I will tell them. I juts don't think anyone will.

"Sam, get up off the floor!' Deb laughed, "We're leaving sweetie.' Deb and I made our peace on Monday morning. Our fights never usually lasted long, but another one was bound to occur soon, we just don't seem to get along. I jumped up and gave her a sweaty hug and kiss.

"Have a great time.' She smiled enthusiastically and met the cab in the driveway while my brothers carried out all their bags pulling stupid expressions of excitement faces behind her back. They found themselves hilarious.

"Are you going be ok Sam?' My dad appeared with a final workbag.

"Sure Dad. We'll be fine.' I smiled and hugged him.

"If anything goes wrong call me, I'll be on the next flight home, ok?'

"Dad, I'll be fine.' He smiled but looked concerned.

"Go Dad, Deb's waiting! Have fun.' I pushed him out the door.

We lined up at the cab. "Now boys, I know you'll abide by all the rules we discussed last night. And Sam be good, do what is asked of you.'

"Sure Deb.' I smiled but didn't mean it.

"Look out for each other.' Dad added, "And be good.'

"We've heard it all, just go!' Lucas laughed. The two laughed quickly and got in the cab, they were visibly excited and I genuinely hoped they had a great time. Just like a genuinely hoped Mom and Keith would have a good time when they came over last night to say goodbye. And just like I genuinely knew we would have the best time ever! We smiled and waved them out of a driveway. Dad and I did our usual 'olive juice' thing and off they went. As soon as the car was out of sight;

"Yes! This is gonna be awesome!' Nathan punched the air and ran inside.

"I don't like the sound of that.' Lucas followed. I decided on a shower rather than find out what Nathan was on about. I knew I would find out soon enough. I showered quickly, dressed and met the boys in the kitchen.

"Your brother has lost the plot!' Lucas shook his head sliding the cereal box across the counter to me.

"So he is my brother when he is an idiot?'

"That's right.'

"He has been your brother longer.'

"You love him more.'

"You guys realise I'm right here don't you?' Nathan pretended to be offended.

"Nathan, why have you lost the plot?' I inquired.

"Mr. Mom here thinks 80 people is too many people for Saturday night.'

"80 people? Is there 80 people in Tree Hill?' I was shocked yet so excited!

"That's not the point, the point is that is way too many people. The house will get trashed for sure.' Lucas was cleaning dishes in the sink now.

"Who cares, we have Sunday to clean it up!'

"It's stupid Nate. 30 people, tops.'

"It's a party Luke, not a afternoon tea!' Knowing this would go on forever I had to intervene.

"So what's going on tonight then?'

"Having a few people over for some horror movies.' Nathan smiled to himself.

"I'll be home latish, I'm writing some report for Whitey.' My comment seemed to go unnoticed as they continued to argue about the amount of people coming to the party. "Well I'm going ride over to Jason's, we'll ride to school. Bye.'

I grabbed my bike and headed to Jason's. Things seemed to have gotten themselves back to normal between Jase and I, although we didn't really discuss the whole bus incident of last Friday. I pushed the thought that something was wrong to the back of my mind, ignoring things you know are wrong is often easier than dealing with them.

"Jason! What's happening?' I pulled up in his driveway just as he pulled his bike out of the garage.

"Hey Sam. Free at last?'

"Nothing better!' I took off with a head start but he still beat me to the end of the road. We laughed and it felt good to just hang out with him.

"You know you haven't beaten me since we were 7, you should just give up now.' He teased.

"That's not true, I beat you once last year, or the year before.' I couldn't remember when.

"The time you locked my bike to the garage door?'

"Yeah that time.' I burst out laughing, "that counts.' I rode off quickly. We got to school and wheeled our bikes in; it wasn't worth risking a detention.

"You coming to Nate's party tomorrow night? I think it's gonna be pretty good.'

"Yeah, he invited me last week. I should make an appearance.' We locked our bikes up.

"Cool.'

"Do you mind if I bring someone?'

I was immediately intrigued but played it cool, "No worries, one person won't make much of a difference.'

He smiled.

"Who's the lucky girl?' I asked.

"Someone special. Someone I've gotten to know and kinda like.'

"Anyone I know?' I pushed.

"Nope.' Weird I thought I hadn't noticed him with anyone lately.

"Interesting.' I smirked.

"I've got Biology. Can't be late. Cya at Lunch.' He left me to wonder while I slowly made my way to English.

………………………………………………………………………………………………

"Around 500 words should cover it guys. Thanks for doings this, I appreciate it.'

"Sure Whitey.' I smiled at Mouth and he smiled back.

"I know what you two are up to, just so you know. I'll be next door. No monkey business.'

We laughed as soon as he left.

"I guess it's official now? Everyone seems to know.' He blushed a little.

"Sounds good to me.' I kissed him softly.

"We still on for getting an early dinner after this?'

"Yeah, for sure.' Was he kidding? I'd been hanging for it!

"Yeah I cleared it with Lucas first. So we're good to go.' He seemed excited.

"You asked Lucas? Why?' I was a little annoyed.

"I thought that was the right thing to do. I want to do this right Sam.'

"I get that but it sucks having to clear what I'm doing with my brother!'

"Just for a little while.' He offered.

I groaned and accepted it as fact, "I didn't say anything about it to him, and now he'll think I'm lying to him. I'm spose to have learnt my lesson about lying.'

"It will be fine Sam, stop stressing. Just don't lie. We have nothing to hide.' He smiled and put his hand on mine and at that moment he was right. Everything would be fine. Being with this guy made me believe that everything would always turn out ok, as long as I was with him. It was the first time I had ever felt this way about a guy, and I loved it.

………………………………………………………………………………………………

Mouth dropped me home around 6 o'clock and I was hungry. We decided on milkshakes and a walk along the river. It was perfect. We just talked about nothing, He initiated to hold hands in a last few miles and the whole thing was just amazing. I ran in the house excited as ever.

"Hey Scott Junior!' Skills greeted me from the lounge, "What's gossip girl?'

"Hey guys!' I instead addressed everyone sitting in the room; Bevin, Fergie, Peyton, Nathan and Hayley.

"How's my main man Mouth?' Skills isn't one to shut up, "He treating you right?'

"Skills, please.' I jumped on the couch next to Peyton.

"Well?' she turned to me quickly.

"We're getting married next week!' I said in mock excitement and jumped off the couch rolling my eyes, "What smells so good?' I followed the smell into the kitchen.

"Don't change the subject!' Hayley called after me, I chose to do just that and ignored her.

Lucas was in the kitchen cooking up a storm. It looked like a stir-fry. It smelt amazing. "Hey Lukey!'

"Hey.' He looked busy so I turned to leave, "You lied to me Sam.'

"I didn't lie Luke.' I turned back to face him, "You didn't ask.' I added weakly.

"That's bullshit and you know it!'

"Whatever I didn't do anything wrong. Mouth asked you anyway!'

"So? You should have said something!'

"Fine ok? Sorry.' I didn't want to argue with him but I still didn't think I did anything wrong.

"I cooked you tofu and veggies separate.' He handed me a plate.

"Thanks.'

"Let's make a deal, no more lying? Ever.' He offered pensively.

"Deal.' I smiled sheepishly and headed out to the lounge. Before I could be interrogated with anymore questions Lucas called them into the kitchen for their dinner. We all sat and ate in the lounge watching re runs of Laguna Beach, something we would never be allowed to do while Dad and Deb were around.

"This is great Luke!' Peyton was impressed by his culinary skills.

"It's delicious!' Hayley added.

"The Bomb!' Fergie came to the party.

"Thanks guys, I try.' He smiled modestly.

"Karen taught him, I wish she'd teach my Mom.' Nathan laughed and we all joined him. Deb's bad cook was notorious with all of our friends. Just as we all started on some of the horror stories of Deb's cooking past the phone rang.

"I'll get it!' I jumped up quickly; I loved answering the phone, that way I get in on what is generally going on. I'm not a sticky beak like Nate says, just curious.

'Oh Hey Daddy!' Nathan mocked me in the background with a 'daddy' imitation. "Yes Dad everything is fine. School was good. Yes we all went. We're just eating dinner. Lucas cooked. Yeah it's good. He is good. Him too. I'm fine. No, no trouble. Everything is good. Yep. Yep. Yes. After school? I hung out with Mouth and wrote a report for Whitey. In his office. Yeah. Yes Dad. Ok. Yes. Yes. Yeah."

Nathan continued to ridicule me in the background, "Oh Hey Dad, Nathan isn't really home, I lied. He got expelled for drug possession. He is in the slammer.' Nathan jumped up and tried to grab the phone.

"No Dad I'm just kidding. Yes I know it wasn't funny. I don't know. No. No. Ok. Are you guys having fun? How's the hotel? Cool. Ok, I'll put him on. Love you too.' I handed the phone to Nathan, "He wants to talk to you!' I grinned. Nathan took the phone in the other room.

"What are you doing tonight Sam?' Peyton asked.

"Don't know. Might message friends, see what's happening.'

"Maybe a quiet one tonight Sam, it's a big day tomorrow and a big night tomorrow night.'

"Don't try and tell me what to do all subtly Luke.' That annoyed me.

"Ok, be home by 9 tonight. Better?'

"Shut up Lucas!' I stormed upstairs, more embarrassed then pissed off that he was babying me in front of everyone. I grabbed my cell and messaged Jason, just wanting to get out of the house.

"I'm bored. Wanna do something?' No one ever accused me of beating around the bush. Within a minute a had a reply;

"Can't, sorry. I'm out with a friend.'

Ok weird. What was going on with him lately? Who is this 'friend?' I was being dogged for I wondered. Strange. After an hour wasting time snooping around people's myspace pages and fearing boredom on a Friday night I swallowed my pride a little and went back downstairs to join in the horror movie marathon.

"What are we watching then?' I jumped between Hayley and Nathan and was quickly evicted from that seat.

"Mason family!' Peyton held up a DVD which frightened me a little just by the cover.

"Sam, maybe not a good idea if you watch this.' Lucas cautioned.

"Why?'

"You're scared of your own shadow!' Skills laughed and Bevin joined him.

"Shut up! I am not.' Not my own shadow but I admit I do scare easily.

"You didn't sleep for a week after watching Harry Potter!' Nathan still found that hysterical.

"That movie is sooo not for kids!' Seriously, it freaked me out.

"Either is this one.' Lucas continued to baby me; I think it just fueled my want to see the movie.

"Lucas, just put on the stupid movie, I'll be fine.' I sat on the floor in front of him and Peyton.

"Ok, don't wake me if you can't sleep tonight though.'

I was scared in the first 10 minutes, with a pillow covered my eyes 90 of the time. I tried to act brave but I felt sick to my stomach with this crap. It was worse than Harry Potter, way worse. I snuggled into Lucas leg. As much as I wanted to leave the room and stop the horror, going anywhere alone wasn't doing it for me. I spent the rest of the movie with my face buried into a pillow and running through all the basketball plays I could think of in my mind. But no matter how hard I tried to block out the movie it's all I could hear. I hate when my brain works against me.

Finally the credits rolled with spooky music and I thanked God it was over.

"How good was that?' Fergie was impressed.

"Do you know why that was so scary?' Lucas always had a discussion after a movie, he couldn't just say whether he liked it or not, "It's true. That all really happened.'

Everyone else nodded and I instantly felt my blood pressure rise, "WHAT?'

"Charles Manson, he is a real guy, all that happened.' I wanted to thank Peyton for the reassurance.

"Why? You scared there Sam?' Lucas asked me, being a smart ass.

"No!' I shoot out, "I just didn't know it was a true story.' Scared? I almost was wetting my pants.

"We better be off! Game tomorrow.' Skills jumped up and headed to the door thanking Lucas for dinner. Bevin and Fergie followed.

"We're off to bed!' Nathan announced and he and Hayley went upstairs.

"Wait for me!' I followed them upstairs and as bravely as I could entered my own room by myself.

"Are you alright Sam?' Hayley followed me in.

"Yeah, fine.' I lied.

"Want to sleep in with me and Nate?'

"I'll be fine, thanks.' Just a movie I told myself.

"Ok. Good night.' She turned out the light and left. Nathan yelled out goodnight from across the hall and I then spent 5 minutes telling myself that if someone broke in a stabbed me over and over he would surely be in hearing distance. It didn't help. I lay wide-awake in bed in a position that would allow me a quick run out the door if anyone entered my window. Every sound was a man climbing my window with a knife. I wanted to call my Dad and tell him I needed him home. I never felt safer than when my Dad was near. I was scared of Santa until I was about 9 (don't laugh) and on Christmas Eve every year Dad would sleep on the floor in my room, otherwise I couldn't sleep. I wanted him on my floor now! After almost half an hour of what I can only describe as hell I jumped out of bed making sure I jumped far enough that anyone under my bed couldn't grab my ankles and I ran into the hall. I went to Lucas' room but before I burst in a heard giggling and knowing him and Brooke were more often than not…busy, I opted for Nathan's room.

As soon as I entered his room I felt safe. Nathan was more like Dad than Lucas and that was reassuring to me. If I was being murdered Nathan would be of more help to me than Lucas anyway I told myself as I crept over to my brothers bed.

"Nathan!' I whispered loudly, "Nate?'

"What?' he almost jumped out of bed, stirring Hayley too.

"I'm freaking shitting myself! Can I sleep with you guys?'

"What time is it?' he rubbed his eyes.

"Time for you to move over!' I launched myself to land between them.

Hayley laughed sleepily, "Night!'

"Sam, can't you sleep on the floor! I'm squashed.'

"I'm safer here. Goodnight.' I rolled over and wasn't scared for another second.

Hope you all are liking it. Basically a filler but still. Next chapter is going to be the biggest yet! Jason's mystery friend is revealed, Isn't Brooke away? And Nayley and in for a surprise!! Be excited, be very excited. I can guarantee a few fights, a few revelations, maybe a punch on?? You'll have to review and read to find out hey?!

And coming up after all this drama, Time with the grandparents, a big blow out with Deb, and eventually I want to do a Christmas chapter!

Thanks for reading! Please review! If you are reading every chapter and no reviewing, please do it. My 8th chapter has over 300 views and only 8 reviews leading me to believe quite a few more people are reading! Thanks to my loyal reviewers!