Hey all, here's an update :) Thanks for all you that review, they make me happy. And Erin, I agree with you on the Smithy/Stevie front; thanks for your gorgeous lovely long reviews!

Chapter 10- When it rains

And when it rains

on this side of town it touches everything

Beth smiled, her blue eyes twinkled, and she stepped into the porch light. Max pulled her into his arms and kissed her. "What are you doing back?" he asked, surprised, happy. Beth looked up and smiled into his face,

"I missed home, and mum was doing my head in." It was late, and they didn't have long before she would have to go home to where she was staying with her father. For the time they did have, they stood together; him holding her, just quietly.

just say it again and mean it

we don't miss a thing

The next few days flew by in a blur, rumours circulated the school about Beth's return; when she came back, everyone was ecstatic to see her, Max especially. She looked better than ever, her long dark hair had been cut back to her shoulders, with loads of layers and a fluffy fringe. It was scene style, but she was in no way emo; it suited her well.

"Beth!" Stevie grinned, hugging her, "You're really back!"

Beth smiled back, truly happy to be home. She saw Stevie for once wasn't wrapped around Smithy and raised her eyebrows. As they went into their first lesson, which was English, they took a seat at the back and began to chat quietly, swapping news.

"What's going on with you and Smithy? It's the first day in months I haven't seen you with your tongue down his throat." Beth looked at her amused, her elbow leant on the table, ready for serious gossip.

"Oh, we broke up. It was okay, we're still great mates," Stevie smiled,

"Why.. What happened?" This was news to Beth, she really had thought they would work out.

Stevie knew different, herself and Dale Smith was a friendship only zone now, that's all it would ever be. They had slept together, something that their close friends knew, but it was pure lust. They were never both emotionally involved; sex and kisses was all very nice, but they both knew nothing could become of it.

"We weren't meant to be together, Beth, and there's someone he likes."

"Any hint on who it is?" she raised an eyebrow,

Stevie shook her head, "Only that she is taken, or he thinks so.."

You made yourself a bed

at the bottom of the blackest hole

and convinced yourself that it's not the reason

you don't see the sun anymore

Phil crossed the courtyard at break and went to talk to Smithy, Terry and Zain. Terry let out a huge belch as Sam and Jo walked up to them. "Charming." Sam commented, and Zain smirked. "You seen Stevie anywhere?" Sam asked, looking at Terry and Zain, but purposely keeping her eyes off Phil. Contrary to that, it was him that answered.

"She's in the canteen with Beth having a gossip," Sam shut her eyes momentarily and inhaled then exhaled, as if trying to stay in control of herself. She smiled softly at Smithy, and gave Terry a disgusted look.

"Next time burp when it's just you guys, yeah?" She took Jo by the arm and they went to the canteen in search of the girls.

Just running away

From all of the ones who love you

"Well, Honey and Dan broke up ages ago.." Beth pondered

"...So that just leaves Sam." Stevie nodded proudly, "Proper little detective, ain't I?"

"Speak of the devil," Beth murmured quietly and smiled up when Sam and Jo walked over, "Hey."

Sam smiled and sat in the chair by Stevie, stealing a chip from her plate.

"Welcome back," she said to Beth, shooting her friend a grin. "Australia wasn't all it's cracked up to be, then?"

Beth shook her head, and sighed. "It was crap. Missed rainy old England too much."

And oh, oh, how could you do it?

Oh, I, I never saw it coming

"Sam," Phil took her arm gently, at the end of the day,

"Phil, get off me." She shook him off angrily, "We don't want another one of your back-of-the-music-block sexual assaults, do we?" He was a bit hurt at that, looking at her through confused dark blue eyes. "Do you really expect an apology for that? You knew it was coming." She glared at him and turned, starting to walk away.

"Sam," he sighed, "Please. I want you, we were great together."

"No, Phil. No we weren't. Now leave me. I thought we could stay friends, but you had to go and make a move, didn't you?! I just wanted a friend, Phil." she sighed softly, her lips parting a fraction. "Now, please. I need to get home, before I'm late." Sam took off hurriedly, and Phil worried for her.

Oh, oh, I need the ending

So why can't you stay long enough to explain?

Later that winter afternoon, Sam left her house, mobile in hand. She pulled her jumper closer around her and walked to the park. It would be nice to see someone that relaxed her as much as he did.

"Hey," he said softly, getting up from where he'd sat on the bench and going to her,

"Hi Smithy," she smiled, walking with him through the grass. Call her crazy, but there was a flicker of something else. It wasn't anything sinister, no lustful feelings, but friendship. They walked and talked for some time, about her break-up with Phil, the situation he had caught her in a few days before, running away.

"It is so nice," she smiled, "To be with a guy that doesn't want anything back." she linked her confident fingers in his and continued to walk. He smiled at the compliment and took her round the corner, to the high street. "Fancy a pizza? Only I'm starving."

Sam smirked, "You always are. But I don't-"

"I'll pay," he offered, it wasn't pity, he was just being the great guy he always had been. This provoked a smile on her face and she nodded. They shared a pizza, and Sam finished first, not being able to eat any more. She sipped from her coke while Dale finished it off. Her eyes flicked in interest over his hair, features and his body language. She was surprised, he seemed comfortable, not on edge, not wanting anything at all. At the end of the evening, he walked her back home, right up to her front door.

"Thanks for dinner," she smiled and he grinned,

"No problem. See you tomorrow," he walked away from the house and waved.

She was left with a warm feeling in her stomach as she walked into the house, not the cold pit of fear she usually felt. Tonight she felt invincible.

"Night, Dad." she whispered, he was asleep on the sofa, and she was glad. She went quietly up the stairs, washed and got changed, then slipped between her pristine sheets; curling up under the warm covers and closing her eyes.

You can take your time

Take my time

New chap will be up soon! What do you reckon of the pairings? I had a play around :P Kelly x