Sawyer woke up happier than ever. She got ready with a smile on her face, and put on her best clothes. Today she would reclaim her position as a cheerleader. But first things first she sent Justin a text,

"Had fun yesterday! Even if I did get caught. ;)"

He texted back immediately,

"Let's do it again?"

Sawyer's heartbeat quickened, Did Justin like her? She knew he was one of the most eligible sophomores, and she really did like him. She felt like they bonded in his car.

"Sure! But it'd have to be after cheerleading practice…and I'm on lockdown right now :("

She put on her last bit of makeup and headed out her room. Peyton and Lucas were both in the kitchen this time. Sawyer looked at her mom who smiled at her and pointed her head towards the empty seat at the table. Sawyer felt a bit of angst having to face her father after their meltdown yesterday, but she sat down anyways.

"Morning sweetie." Peyton said with a smile on her face.

Sawyer locked eyes with her and smiled back wearily. Peyton felt her uneasiness. She nudged Lucas in the side prompting him to almost choke on his food. He got the message and cleared his throat,

"Morning Soy. Did you sleep well?"

Sawyer played with the eggs on her plate. She wasn't very hungry and she was waiting for Justin to text back.

"Soy!" Peyton said, bringing her back down to earth.

Her head shot up, "What? What's going on?" she asked confused.

Peyton rolled her eyes, "Dad asked you a question."

"Sorry." She mumbled.

Lucas tried again, "I asked if you slept well?"

"Uhh yeah I guess so."

Sawyer felt her phone vibrate, gleefully she took it out of her pocket.

"After your practice today we'll meet up. Don't worry about lockdown, I got you covered ;). I'm at school, in my car, right now btw."

Sawyer's smile went from ear to ear, but she wasn't sure what he meant by "having her covered."

Lucas gave Peyton a long glance. They didn't allow phones at the table. Peyton shrugged her shoulders, clearly annoyed as well.

"Soy put the phone away." Lucas told her.

"My bad." She said putting it back in her pocket. His text made her forget the grudge she had against her dad…she really wanted to get to school, so she decided to finally direct herself towards him, "Dad can we go now?"

"Honey it's still early." Peyton countered.

"I know, but I want to talk to Jessica about getting back on the team. She gets there early." It was a lie. She had no idea if Jessica was at school or not.

Lucas put his napkin down, "Alright I guess that's fair. Showing initiative. I'm proud of you! Let me get my stuff." He went towards their bedroom.

Sawyer felt a bit of shame. Lucas was proud of her, for a lie.

"Sawyer what was the text about?" Peyton asked curiously.

She smiled at her mom, "Don't worry about it mom." She said coyly

Peyton chuckled, "Ha. It was Justin, wasn't it?"

"NO!" Sawyer said defensively.

Peyton was no stranger to high school love, "Awww. Is my little girl falling in love?" She jokingly gushed.

Sawyer narrowed her eyes and shook her head, "Whatever mom! Quit it!"

She got up from the table. Peyton caught her and wrapped her in a hug, "I love you." Peyton kissed the top of her head and let her go.

"Love you too mom." Sawyer said glad that things were finally going back to normal.

Lucas came out, "Ready Soy?"

"Yeah I'm ready to go."

Her eyes averted him. He looked at Peyton, who mouthed the words "Apologize."

Lucas walked up to her, bent down to her level, and placed his hands on her shoulders. They felt heavy on her petite body.

"Are you mad at me baby? I'm sorry for embarrassing you. I'll try to stop." He was serious but warm in his approach. Sawyer remembered her mother's words, "he really loves you."

She said nothing for a moment but then in a burst of emotion wrapped her arms around his neck,

"Thanks daddy." she gushed.

He embraced her and picked her up. He spun with her for a small moment. The way he used to do it when she was younger.

Peyton watched them from the kitchen and felt relief flood her.

He put her down and she smiled at him. They walked to the car.

'This is gonna be a good day.' Sawyer thought.

… … … …

Sam woke up and went directly to her mirror. She touched her cheek. It was no longer hot and Brooke's handprint was gone. It was only slightly red, barely noticeable. But the memory kept replaying in her head. Although she knew that her mom had reason to be angry after her tirade she had never expected this.

Sam got ready and walked out, not bothering to pay attention to her parents. She walked straight to the door.

Brooke looked down at her coffee cup as Sam walked past them.

Julian took initiative, "Samantha where do you think you're going? We have to talk!"

"There's nothing to say. And I'm going to school." She responded dryly.

He was about to stop her but Brooke grabbed his arm, "Let her." She whispered.

Julian looked at her incredulously, "Brooke! She's grounded!"

The door closed shut.

"JUST…just leave it." She said quietly.

Julian groaned showing his discontentment.

"I'll talk to her later. I'm not going to go easy on her, trust me. But I messed up too Julian." Brooke finally said.

'She called you a skank.' Brooke kept reminding herself.

… … …

Jack saw Sam and felt yesterday's events haunt him.

"Sam please tell me you're not in too much trouble!"

She gave him a quick hug, "I don't know. I'm in this weird place with my mom right now."

"What do you mean?" He asked curiously.

"She sort of called me a slut."

"WHAT?!" Jack's eyes widened.

She put her hands to his chest, "No, hold on! Her exact words were, 'You should be ashamed of yourself. I know you're not a slut.'…still not nice, but not exactly flat out, 'you're a slut'…"
Jack was still mad, "So then what?"

"I got mad and I said she was the school skank in her day. She freaked out on me and slapped me so damn hard."

He touched her cheek, "Are you okay?!"

Sam pushed his hand down, "I'm fine. She slapped me once, it hurt like hell, and I'm pretty pissed. What sucks though, is I can't stop replaying it in my head. Her calling me a slut, me calling her a skank, her going ape shit on me. Kind of reminds me of Linda."

Jack looked concerned, "Wait. Linda your crazy foster mom?"

She chuckled, "Yeah, her. I mean I know Brooke isn't going to go crazy at any moment like her. It just, I don't know, caught me off guard. The same way Linda always did."

Jack grabbed her hand, "Sam, Brooke is nothing like her."

Sam was getting frustrated that she couldn't explain herself, "I know that Jack! All I'm saying is at that moment my mind took me to Linda. I just want the memory to chill out before I talk to Brooke again. I don't want any stupid flashbacks."

Jack nodded, "I get it." He pulled her in for a hug, "Come on babe."

As they were walking someone called after them,

"Sam. Jack. Wait up!" She yelled.

They turned around, " 'Sup Rach." Sam said.

Rachel was Jack's younger sister by just six months. She was his foster parent's real daughter.

"Hey Pookie." He said. Jack loved her, as if they were blood related.

Rachel blushed, "Jack! Don't call me that at school!" She mumbled.

He laughed, "What? Mom says it all the time!" He enjoyed making her feel awkward.

She playfully pushed him, "Whatever. Mom told me to give you this." She looked at it and frowned.

"What's wrong?" Sam asked.

Rachel looked at Jack, "It's a letter from…from your brother."

Jack's face turned stone cold and Sam winced at her words, "Give it to me." He said.

Rachel handed it over and kissed Jack on the cheek, "It'll be okay Jack."

With that she went off.

Sam and Jack stared at the letter.

"Did he get out of prison?" Sam asked trying to hide her nerves.

"I don't think so. I hope not. Should I open it?"

Sam nodded yes, but the bell rang. "Damn it." They both said aloud.

… … …

Sawyer walked with her dad through the parking lot. She saw Justin in his car and motioned him to wait for her. They got to the gates, "I'm gonna wait for Jessica here. See ya dad."

He gave her a quick hug, "I'll see you at lunch baby. I'm not gonna be at school until then. So call mom if you need anything."

She waited for him to go inside and then ran to Justin's car.

"Wow I didn't think you were that excited to see me." Justin said flirtatiously.

She went inside and laughed, "Yeah well I like you."

She stopped dead. Did she just say that out loud?

He smiled more seriously, "Well I like you too."

Sawyer felt relief flood her body, "So, what did you mean by you have everything covered?"

He winked at her, "I know Jessica. I talked to her for you already. You're in and she'll let you out of practice early."

Sawyer was ecstatic, "DUDE! That's sooo awesome! How do you know her though?"

He hesitated, "You promise not to freak out?"

"Come on, tell me!" She pushed him.

"She's my sister."

Sawyer frowned and backed up a bit.

Justin sighed, "See, this is why I didn't want to tell you."

She sighed, "No, I'm sorry. It's just a little weird. But it's fine, really. That's kind of cool actually."

The bell rang. She turned to look out the window, then back at him.

"Alright let's go to class?"

"Sure." He said.

Sawyer's eyes went to the pills in the cupholder, "Ummm do you think I can have some right now? I have an English test and I need to relax. I don't think I'm doing well in that class…and it's my aunt's class. She promised not to tell anyone if I got my grade up. That's not happening."

"Umm yeah sure." He said feeling bad for her, "But only two okay? These pills are damn expensive."

She nodded, "Where can I get my own?"

"I'll give you the address, but we'll go together for the first time. 'Kay?"

She grinned, "Thanks Justin." She leaned in and kissed him. They went to class. Sawyer downed the pills. Once it took effect, her test didn't seem to matter anymore. But then she started feeling noxious as she stared blankly at her test. Then a splitting headache plagued her.

'Shit' She thought, 'Aunt Haley's gonna freak.'

Unbeknownst to Sawyer, mixing her diabetic pills with the relaxants caused her these symptoms. If she had taken anymore there would be graver consequences.

"Sawyer are you alright?" Haley asked concerned.

Sawyer covered her mouth and ran to the restroom. Haley glanced at Sam and Sam returned her a confused expression.

Haley went up to her, "Go with Soy sweetie. You'll finish the test at lunch." She whispered. Sam got up and went to the restroom. She found Sawyer throwing up.

"Oh my God Soy, what's wrong?!" she ran to her and rubbed her back.

Sawyer finished and sat down on the floor, "I, I don't know. I just feel sick."

Sam looked at her, "Did you take those stupid pills?"

Sawyer pushed Sam's hand away, "It's not the stupid pills damn. I didn't take any today."

"Alright fine. Geez. I was just asking." She said putting her hands up in innocence.

"Come on let's take you to your dad." Sam offered Sawyer her hand.

Sawyer got up with Sam's help, "He's not here, he went to some meeting and won't be back until lunch."

"Okay we'll call your mom."

"NO!" Sawyer said. She was thinking about Justin and cheerleading.

She covered her mouth again and turned back into the toilet and started throwing up again.

Sam took out her phone and called Peyton.

"Hello? Sam, you should be in class." Peyton said.

"Aunt Peyton-"

Peyton heard Sawyer, "Sam who's throwing up? Are you okay?!"

Sam looked at Sawyer, "Umm it's Sawyer. She's sick. Can you come pick her up?"

Peyton panicked, Sawyer never got sick, and when she did, it was serious.

"What's wrong with her!? Is it her blood sugar?!"

Sam wasn't sure,"Uhhh, well, I don't really know."

"Okay Sam. Take her to the nurse's office and wait with her until I get there. Do it now." Peyton ordered her.

"Okay, I will."

Sawyer felt weak and Sam took her to the nurse's office. Peyton finally came. It hurt her to see Sawyer so weak. She was lying on the couch huddled into a ball, holding on to her stomach.

Sam stood up, "It's not her blood sugar Aunt Peyton. I asked the nurse. She's just coming down with something, she says it might be the flu."

Peyton nodded feeling better, "Go to class Sam. Thank you." Sam reluctantly left.

She sat down next to Sawyer, "Baby what hurts?" she said softly as she rubbed her arm.

Sawyer didn't want to give in to her childish impulses. She didn't want to act sick in front of her mom, but hearing her mother's soft voice and concerned face made her forget the front.

"Momma I'm sick! My stomach hurts and my head hurts." She cried.

"I know. I know. Come here pumpkin." She picked Sawyer up and gathered her into her arms. Sawyer rested her head on her mother's shoulder, and wiped her tears with her arm.

"Let's go home sweetheart? You can rest there." Peyton added.

Sawyer nodded. She refused to believe that it was the pills. Instead, she willed herself to believe that it really was the flu.

… … …

Brooke knocked on Peyton's door

"P! P. Sawyer!" She yelled.

Peyton opened the door, "Brooke what's wrong?" She asked.

"I need my best friend."

Peyton opened her door further and Brooke came in.

They went into the kitchen, passing by Sawyer who was laying on the couch in pajamas, watching TV.

"What's wrong with Soy?" Brooke asked her.

Peyton looked her daughter's direction, "She got sick at school today. It just broke my heart Brooke. She was so vulnerable lying there in the nurse's office. But I'm glad Sam was there to help her." She smiled, "You have a good kid Brooke."

Brooke frowned, "Damn it Peyton! Can you make me feel any worse?"

"What's wrong with you?" Peyton remarked.

Brooke flopped onto the bar stool, "We got into an argument yesterday."

"OOOHH Okay." Peyton responded knowingly.

Brooke took a deep breath, "I caught her half naked with Jack yesterday. After dragging her ass home I yelled my head off about her having sex. It turns out they never had sex, but they were about too. I said she should be ashamed of herself and that she was acting like a slut."

Peyton's jaw dropped, "Brooke!"

She looked at Peyton, "I know! I know! I failed miserably, but then she brought up highschool Brooke."

Peyton grabbed her hands, "You mean the Queen Bee of Sex?"

Brooke shook her head, "Yes! She called me the school skank! I lost it and I slapped her hard." She mumbled the last part as she put her head into her arms.

Peyton smiled, "Brooke come on. You were a bit of a…"

"A whore!" Brooke exclaimed.

Peyton gave her a reprimanding look, "Hey! My kid's right over there! Calm down." She whispered

Brooke chuckled, "It's not like she doesn't know what the word means Peyton. And yeah I know I was. But I'll be damned if Sam ever finds out about the details of it all. She stormed off Peyt. I feel horrible. I screwed up."

Peyton shook her head, "She was out of line Brooke. She stormed off because she was surprised and probably a little hurt. You know Sam has more pride than anyone else in the whole world. She seemed fine today. You just have to talk to her. Tell her what you're thinking."

Brooke rested her head on her hand, "We were pretty big skanks in our day huh?" She started to laugh.

Peyton pointed towards Sawyer, "SHUT UP!" She whispered and started to chuckle, "And you were, not me."

"Yeah sure Peyt. You were the holy one."

They both laughed.

Sawyer heard them and was a little freaked out. But now she knew she had to talk to Sam tomorrow. She was feeling a little better and she took out one of the pills in her pocket and swallowed it. She loved the feeling more than anything else.

… … …

Sam got home at seven in the evening. Her and Jack got into an argument about the letter. He refused to open it. She was dying to see what was inside. She headed straight to her room.

"You're late." Brooke told her from her desk.

"I didn't know sluts had a curfew."

Sam knew she was dragging it out, but every time she saw Brooke her anger rose again.

Brooke put her pencil down sharply and looked up from her sketch. "Samantha." She said coldly.

Sam turned, "What the hell do you want?" She said through her teeth.

Brook stood up and gently grabbed Sam's arm. Sam reluctantly followed. She sat her down on the couch and she sat down as well.

"You messed up too Sam. Your words hurt, but I should never have called you that. I should never have hit you. It was a mistake. You're not a slut."

Brooke brought her hand up to Sam's cheek to caress her, but Sam flinched.

"Whatever." Sam snapped.

Brooke grew tired of Sam's aloofness. She offered an olive branch and she refused. She composed herself and took a breath, "Fine, Let it out Sam" She told her.

"What?" Sam said confused by Brooke's statement.

"No reservations. Tell me everything you're thinking about me. Call me a skank, a slut, a whore. I don't care. I'd rather you let out all that poison once, then drag it out. I'm tired of being your punching bag. So go ahead, do your worst and get it over with already."

… … …

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