Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer's, not mine. I'm just playing with her characters.

The Story of Sam and Emily

Chapter 9

Emily Young

When I got home from my work at the local bookshop exactly ten days after I had last seen him, I found a bunch of red roses outside my door; Attached was a note with the words Forgive me, SU on. I looked around, in case Sam had delivered them himself and was still lingering, although I hated myself for doing so, then I tossed them in the trash. As beautiful as they were, and as much as I loved roses; they were my favourite flowers after all, I couldn't forgive Sam for what he had to Leah with just one bunch of flowers. And if he happened to be watching I had to let him know that.

He didn't seem to get the message though. The next day was another bunch, the card saying I thought you might want a replacement. SU. These also went straight into the trash can, as much as I hated to do so, but I couldn't forgive him. I couldn't help once again looking out to see if he was still around, especially as the note suggested that he had seen what I had done the day previously but I could see no-one.

This continued for two weeks. I couldn't seem to make him understand that I didn't want the flowers. They just kept appearing, all with the same message, save the second bunch. Forgive me, SU. But I couldn't. I hated the man. He had ruined Leah. Even after nearly a month of breaking up with Him, she was a wreck. I'd only recently started calling Him, Him, as his name (as much as I didn't want to think like that) gave me inappropriate thoughts and I really shouldn't think of him like that when Leah was in the state she was.

But after two weeks everything changed. Instead of finding a bunch of flowers outside of my door, I found Him. He was standing there and looking kind of forlorn.

"What are you doing here?" I asked sharply.

If anything He looked even unhappier after that. "Emily, I want to talk to you."

"I thought I told you I never wanted to see you again."

"Which is why, every time you receive a bunch of flowers you look around to see if you can see me." He said flatly,and I cursed myself for that small allowance.

However I quickly rallied myself, "Well, don't you think it's sort of stalkerish to be watching me receive flowers which I have shown very clearly that I don't want." I said coldly.

He blushed, "Emily, I just want a second chance. I know I messed up. I hurt Leah in the worst way possible and I know that she is still torn up about it. But is there ever an easy way to break up with someone?"

"Yes. Don't break up with them."

"So you would rather I married Leah and lived a lie for the rest of my life?" he asked, "Because it seems to me that would cause more pain in the long run. Both for her and me. Is that what you really wanted?"

I hated that His logic was so flawless there. Of course I wouldn't have wanted that for Him, or Leah, but that didn't mean that I could forgive him so easily.

"It's not just that. It's that you made a pass at me, Leah's best friend and confidante, only half an hour or so after you had broken up with her. That is something I can never tell her. And we tell each other everything. Have you any idea what this could do to our relationship?"

"I should never have done that. I didn't realise that it would put a strain on your relationship with Leah, but I couldn't help it. Would you believe me if I said that you were the only one for me Emily?" Sam asked, gently.

"For how long? How long will it be until you decide that some other young girl is the one for you?" I asked coldly.

He looked horrified. "Emily! I would never do that to you! How could you even think that?"

"It's what you did to Leah. Your affections changed from her to me swiftly enough. How do I know that it won't happen again? That's if I even consider giving you a second chance. I can't decide right now. I hate you too much."

He looked deeply wounded. "Emily, I truly don't know what more I can say to you. I made a grave error when I kissed you but that doesn't change how I feel about you. Since the last time I'd seen you before Leah's graduation, I've changed so much in so many ways. So when I first laid my eyes on yours after that time, it was like I was seeing the light for the first time, after years of blindness. You were it for me and you always will be. I know that what happened to Leah is getting in the way of this relationship, because I, more than anyone except your families, know how close you were, and still are, but I truly hope you reconsider. You can know that I will always love you in a way that no-one has ever loved before. Please, if you come to a decision either way, let me know. I'm sorry for everything I did to Leah. Truly." And with that He walked off into the trees, hanging his head sadly.

That night I slept badly. Sam had completely thrown me for six. I had no idea what to do. What he had said to me had been possibly the most romantic thing that I had ever heard, and I had no doubt that it was completely genuine. He had said it right from the bottom of his soul, and I couldn't help but believe him. I now understood why he had done what he had. When its love at first sight, why fight it? Hadn't I myself fallen in love with him when I saw him again, even if I hadn't had any intentions of doing anything with those feelings?

Despite what he had done to Leah, I couldn't fight those feelings any more. As much as I wanted to hate him, I loved him with all my heart. He had captured it with a few romantic words and his gorgeous brown eyes that hadn't ceased pleading silently with me throughout our entire meeting. I knew next to nothing about him, other than the love-struck praises Leah had sung about him, but for some reason that didn't matter. I felt like I knew his soul and that was enough for me.

But the question remained. Would I give him a second chance? Did he deserve it? I hadn't necessarily forgiven him over Leah, but it did seem to have taken a back seat to my other feelings regarding Sam. Was that enough? Did I care anymore?

Throughout the rest of the day, I fought with this dilemma. Even if I did give him a second chance, how would I let him know? Could I give him a second chance? Should I?

But when I got home and found another bunch of roses on my doorstep, I knew that this was make or break time. I understood that I had had enough time to think and I had to decide.

Slowly, I picked up the flowers, and read the note; Well? I half-turned towards the trash can, at the same time as searching the trees for him, instinctively knowing he was out there. I couldn't see him, but I could tell.

Just as slowly, I turned back towards the house, still holding the roses, and walked inside, carrying them with me.

AN: So, I've been absent for a while again. I'm sorry. I've had exams, university ones which are really scary, but I passed with a 2:1 for my first year which I'm very happy about. For those who don't understand, since I know America has a different system etc, that's 60-70% average for the whole year. So yay!

I have also been in France, in fact right now, I am sitting in the evening sun after another very hot day, and I didn't realise I could post this, as I needed the copy 'n' paste option which has only recently become available, as the laptop I'm borrowing (I'm here for 6 weeks, but I didn't have enough weight limit to bring my own laptop) is ancient.

But, the good news is my beta has got all the chapters I've written back to me, so if possible, I will post one in about 2 weeks time, but then there will be another wait, as I'm going to Eastern Europe for three weeks, and I doubt I'll have any internet connection there at all.

Speaking of Beta's I'm thinking of looking for a second beta, not because my first one's rubbish, because she's not, she's fabulous, but because, she and I are both British (woo, go London Olympics!) and we probably don't have a good enough grasp or American idiosyncrasies to fully have American characters (I'm sure there are some Britishisms in here somewhere.) So, if anyone is interested in being an American beta for me please review or PM me or something, cos I'd love to have you. :)

Epically long AN, sorry about that. Many thanks to HopingForLove for betaing this, as always.

Review?

Layla x