The next morning Noel and I were called to the front office. Sam was confused as to why they were being called to the office. Had someone found out about them sneaking off together? They had been careful most of the time but he had to admit that there were times when they weren't so carful. Sam threw on a shirt with his shorts and headed out of his cabin and in the direction of the office. When he was about halfway to the office he saw Noel coming up the trail to meet him. She stopped in front of him and looked at him questioningly, "What in the world do they want with us?" Sam's heart broke as she looked at him so scared. He shrugged, "I don't know what they could want with us unless they found out we have been sneaking off together." Noel's face crumpled and she looked as if she were about to cry. Sam pulled her into his strong arms, "Shhhh! It will be ok if they have. I'll take care of it. I'll take care of you." He stroked her hair and held her against his broad chest.

They stood together for a few seconds before Noel straightened up and gave Sam a determined look. She squared her shoulders and allowed Sam to take her hand. They walked together toward the office. As they rounded the corner to the front of the office, Sam recognized the car parked out front. He stopped, "It's my Uncle Bobby." The couple felt a relief wash over them. Noel was both nervous and excited to meet Sam's Uncle Bobby.

Sam opened the door and held it for Noel to walk through. Just inside the office they came face to face with the grizzled older man that was Sam's Uncle Bobby. Sam walked forward and embraced Bobby warmly. Bobby clapped him on the back a couple times warmly and then held the youth at arm's length. "How are you boy?", Noel watched the two men together and felt the warmth and love between them. It was different from the way Sam was with his dad. "I've been pretty good Bobby. I met this amazing girl.", Sam turns then to introduce Noel to Bobby. "Bobby this is Noel. Noel, Bobby.", Bobby watched as Sam's eyes shone brightly. Noel stepped forward to shake Bobby's hand but instead he pulled her into his warm embrace. He didn't say anything, only held her tightly.

The head counselor finally spoke, "Why don't we all sit down? I think we need to talk." Bobby released Noel and the three of them sat on the couch in the counselor's office. The counselor sits behind his desk and folds his hands together. "Noel we know about the dead rabbit in your foot locker. We will be looking in to who may have done that to you. Do you know of anyone that may have it out for you?" Noel sat back and crossed her arms over her body, "I don't know of anyone here that I have had any problems with. Everyone has been great as far as I know." The counselor continues, "So it is true that the two of you are a couple? Some of us had been wondering." Sam frowned at the counselor but answered, "Yes we have been spending time together and I really like Noel." Noel nods, "And I really like Sam. There's nothing wrong with us liking each other.", she said almost defiantly.

The counselor unfolded his hands, "Is there anyone who knows about your relationship that isn't happy about it?", he questioned. Sam and Noel looked at each other. Sam shook his head, "Not anyone that I can think of." Noel agrees with him. "Well we'll have to check on all of that and we'll have to keep a closer eye on the two of you." Sam squirmed in his seat and Noel felt her palms grow damp. They nodded. "Now for the reason that Mr. Singer is here." The counselor turns to Bobby for him to begin. "Noel, Sam called me last night to tell me what was going on here.", he looked at her and she knew that Bobby knew the real story and all of it. "He said you had tried to call your parents and were unable to get in touch with them.", Bobby continued. Noel watched his expression change. He slid to the edge of the couch and turned more toward Noel who was still sitting back beside Sam, his arm around the back of the couch behind her.

Bobby reached to take one of Noel's hands, "Sweetheart I went to check in on them this morning. It looks as if someone broke into their house last night and." Tears began slipping down Noel's cheeks. She somehow knew what Bobby was about to tell her. "We found them in their bed.", Bobby didn't finish what he was saying because Noel whirled and buried her face in Sam's chest. She cried into his shirt as she clung to him as if her life depended on it. She stayed that way for a long time and Sam just held her. Bobby and the counselor got up and gave them some privacy finally.

******************************

I clung to Sam and he held me just letting me cry it out. I had been crazy about him for a while but at this moment he was all I had left. Sure I had my grandparents but they were on up in years and weren't in the best of health. I worried about what I would do now. Where would I go? I didn't have any other family. Sam's arms around me gave me the strength I needed. I finally sat up and wiped my tears. Looking up at Sam I couldn't say anything. He leaned in and covered my lips with his. His hands on each side of my face held me in place. I clung to the front of his shirt. When we broke from our kiss I looked up at him and found my voice, "I can't stay here the rest of the week." Sam nodded at me. "I'll have Bobby take you to his house unless you want to go to your grandparents.", he stated. I shook my head, "My grandparents are not in any health to take me. I will need to visit with them and let them know what is going on if the cops haven't already but Bobby's sounds nice to me. Will you come with me?"

Sam's eyes are even softer than normal, "Of course I'll come with you. We'll get through this together.", he pulls me forward again and runs his large hand up and down my back. I relax into him and know that somehow everything is going to be alright. Bobby and the counselor came back in after a few minutes and I braced myself as I said, "I can't stay here now that this has happened. Bobby, would you take me to my grandparents?" I knew that if I said I was going with Bobby instead that the counselors wouldn't let me go with them. Bobby nodded, "I'll take you there sweetheart." His eyes were kind and I knew I would grow close to Bobby before it was all said and done.

Bobby looked to the counselor, "I'm going to take both of them with me. I think it would be best if since she and Sam are close that he's with her during her time of mourning." The counselor looked as if he wanted to argue with Bobby but when Bobby gave him a hard look he changed his mind. Nodding he said, "Ok you two go to your cabins and pack up your stuff. Bobby will be here waiting on you when you get back." Sam and I nod and walk out of the office. We go to Sam's cabin first and get his stuff and then he follows me to mine to get my stuff.

Anna sits on my bed, "Why are you leaving Noel? What's going on?" She is too eager to know what's going on for my liking. I keep packing my bag and try to ignore her. She just keeps on, "Noel there's got to be a reason you're leaving. We're supposed to be here another four days!" I finally look up at her and a few tears escape down my cheeks, "My parents have been killed!", I almost shouted at her. She looked stunned as she sat back with her eyes wide. I throw the last of my things into my bag and zip it closed. I throw it over my shoulder and open the door. Anna follows me to the door and stops short when she sees Sam standing outside waiting on me. "Are you leaving with him?", she asked accusingly. I whirl around and glare at her, "I am! What does it matter to you?" She gives me a hateful look, "I should have known you would drag him off with you!" I wondered what she meant by that but I didn't have a chance to ask because Sam stopped the conversation. "Look she's upset about her parents. We're going now. You can talk to the counselors if you want to know more and if they'll tell you. Come on Noel, Bobby is waiting."

With that he took my hand and led me back to the office where we met up with Bobby and he helped us put our stuff in the trunk of his car. Sam and I climbed in the backseat and he wrapped his long arms around me as I leaned back against him and looked out the side window. Bobby drove but I noticed him looking in the rearview mirror occasionally.