The staffroom was in the top ten of Sam's the most awkward places on the planet, as soon as the door flung open to reveal Tom. The calm darkness of the early hour suddenly grew excruciatingly uncomfortable as he paused for a second before shifting towards his locker. It was silent in the staffroom- there were no heavenly distractions that she was relying on being her conversation initiator- the only possible thing that she could think of on the spot, was to comment on the empty tea bag pot- but she never drank tea and neither did he; what was the point?

The sound of him fiddling with his locker keys in the breakable lock pinched the tension but didn't loosen it. Sam cleared her throat but didn't speak freezing still in sudden realisation. Her eyes puffy, stared toward the opposite white-washed wall. She hadn't actually spoken to him since she took the pregnancy test. There had been odd sentences like "They're under 18 - they're yours..." (She had the proceeded to thrust the clipboard into his stomach, passively) or "Shut up you're irritating me." (He would have taken that as a joke, she knew. Even if that wasn't what she'd intended.)

However, she hadn't physically been in a conversation with him- being petite did have its perks; she'd managed to avoid a situation like this until now by using her small frame to her own advantage. Being alone with him now and not saying anything, would be bound to raise eyebrows.

He clicked the locker open and rummaged inside, causing the flimsy metal to twang and rattle. To Sam it sounded like he was looking for something; she then copied, swinging her rucksack around off her shoulder. Resting it on the granite counter, she unzipped it sharply but it tugged away. The teeth, somehow had gotten caught on her thermal jacket.

"Shi..." she uttered under her breath, as she teared hard at the zip- it ripped the sleeve. She stopped herself before the whole word came out, remembering Tom behind her would be listening closely. Her boney shoulders touched her earlobes, bracing herself for him to react.

Her heart somersaulted as he gave her an amused snigger. For a moment she was sure he would continue into laughing at her; the rising temperature in the room would fall into their usual, comfortable range- it would be normal. That's all she wanted- familiarity. Nothing more escaped Tom's mouth, and the heat boiled higher and higher.

As she continued into her bag with frozen, trembling fingers, she reached for the watch intending to give it back to Tom. He continued too; moving things around in his locker, placing his scrubs down by his feet in a messy ball. If he wasn't going to break the ice, it would have to be her. Feeling into an inside compartment, the cool metal wristwatch found its way into her hand. Now or never. Her chest fluttered.

"Looking for something?" Tom exclaimed in a high pitched tone, just as Sam parted her lips. It took her back, when he spoke first- she turned to look at him, toes curling in her trainers. Tom hadn't stopped to set eyes on her and still had his face in the locker. It was almost as if he hadn't spoken at all, but he didn't pursued to talk, so Sam assumed he was waiting for her to answer.

"Err, yer actually..." she started, drawing the watch out of the rucksack. Tom was in a grey t-shirt that clung in all the right places- his jeans were a washed out dark blue. She looked at herself in her cycling trousers and sopping trainers. Her hair fell in rat-like strands by her shoulders, dripping in rain water. She never really cared about appearances, but to Tom she must look a fright. Proper sexy. She sighed. "I believe this belongs to you?" The hand that had been concealed by the waterproof lining of the rucksack emerged holding out the watch in the air clear for Tom to see. The other hand reached for her drooping ponytail, twisting it in nerves.

Tom tilted his head backwards, almost hitting his head on the locker door. "What!" he exclaimed when he saw it dangling in Sam's palm. "Is... That's my watch!" he beamed. Ecstatically he bounced towards Sam who couldn't help her lips curving into a little grin. Not that she realised then, but Tom was the only person who could have made her smile at that point in time: he just looked so adorable- he may be over six feet tall, but to her, he resembled an exited child finding out the best news ever. A child who was completely engrossed in the watch and failed to acknowledge her...

"I thought you might be pleased." Sam said in monotone, although her eyes were beginning to shine. She waggled her wrist letting the watch distract and tease Tom.

"I, I just can't believe you found it! I mean... we looked everywhere didn't we?" Tom's words were driven by happiness, she could tell. Her smile, brief lived, died when she caught Tom's eye. Its bubbly gleam melted her insides but at the same time, made her want to cry. What if he does feel the same way... You should tell him...

"It's broken. I don't know how- I'm sorry." Sam admitted, but Tom's expression didn't waver. She didn't think he'd heard her.

"Oh, Sam! That's okay; I'm just pleased it hasn't disappeared of the face of the earth! My Mum would've killed me." Tom replied, nicely enough. Sam was getting increasingly infuriated that he only seemed interested in the watch; completely blanking her apart from answering. Why couldn't her just look at her? Is that too much to ask?

"You're almost thirty, you know." She huffed, angered and almost defending herself. Subconsciously she wanted Tom to realise something was wrong- but obviously didn't admit that to herself.

"She's still my Mum! She gave it to me after my finals... I bet she won't even notice the crack." He continued, not noticing her change of tone.

"Yes, whatever." Sam spat. "Just take it. I don't care." she thrust it onto the counter in front of him.

"Sam?"

"Tom, would you just leave me alone?" She exclaimed, still calm but her voice was raised. She grabbed her rucksack and speeded towards the changing rooms.

"Sam, I've hardly spoken to you all week! How can I possibly be bothering you?" He sounded collected but she could tell he was confused. Turning around she saw him standing almost guiltily, looking genuinely concerned.

"Just forget it, will you? There's you watch..." She pointed at the counter, her arm tensed in anger. "Why would you care anyway?" she practically whispered.

"Care about what?" He asked, storming back to his locker, snatching the watch on the way. He clenched his teeth trying to control his thoughts. He needed to ask now.

Me! She wanted to scream at him, but couldn't. Why can't you tell I need you? All she wanted was for him to cradle her in is safe, strong arms and tell her it would all be okay. She could tell him everything, he would listen. They would talk; talk as a couple- not just flirtatious chatter, and the she could admit that she loved him and he would kiss her hard on the lips in reply. For him to want her like she wanted him. That was it. He just doesn't get it. He never will.

Tom started to thrash stuff around in his locker again, more harshly that before. Sam looked at him through scarlet smoke. Any other fling and she could handle it. But she saw him every day- had to see him moving on too. I'm pregnant for God's sakes. I can't just forget...

"Look Sam. Let's not, okay? I, I just need, um." Tom started catching her attention. Sam could hardly believe her ears. How very dare he? "I... well... It's probably not the right time to ask..."

"You're right! It's not!" Sam finally shouted in rage. Cutting Tom off, who now looked totally mortified, had made ears twitch outside the door. No one came in, thank God. Sam snarled at him before charging into the changing rooms, slamming the door with an uncontrolled force.