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Mystic Hearts:
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RabidZukoFangirl:
Just because you said 'Dawww' HA!

Jasper winked:
The fact that a jealous Jake made you grin...just like me! :D

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SammyConant6:
1. Lol not sure about that one! 2. Always! 3. Soon :)

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School's already takes to long...but add detention afterwards and it feels like a lifetime. Sadly, I was the only one stuck in detention so there was no napping. I tried working on homework...but that didn't last long. All I wanted to do was head home eat everything out of the fridge and take a long nap.

Maybe even figure out what the heck was going on.

I pushed my way out of the school, shambling down the halls like a zombie. The late afternoon sun blinded me as I headed outside wondering who was going to pick me up. Did the school call my dad or Gram? Were they angry enough to make me walk home?

I paused. Considering whether or not I should go find Mrs. Ely and ask her for a ride. With a sigh I turned back around and headed back inside. I walked towards Mrs. Ely's class room hoping she was still here.

"What the hell!"

I froze, turning to face one of my worst fears. Jake stormed down the hall towards me clearly angry. He stopped in front of me; his face distorted with anger. He took a deep breath, regaining his calm and looked down at me.

"What are you doin' Brat?" He asked a little defeated.

I was glad he wasn't yelling. That was for my dad to do later. But still I couldn't help but feel like a little kid getting chastised. I shrugged, deciding it probably would be best just to be straight forward with him today.

"I don't know...I'm sorry," I looked down at my sneakers. Apologizing sucked...because it was admitting I was wrong.

He sighed, shaking his head. "No need to apologize to me."

"Well I'm not apologizing to Rachel."

His mouth twitched. "I figured that." We stood silently and I waited for him to start laying into me. Surely, he had something to say...he always did.

"C'mon I'll give you a ride home," he shoved me back towards the door and I stumbled after him. Still I waited. But he said nothing else; he just quietly led the way and I followed just as silent. He opened the passenger door for me and threw our bags in the bed.

The silence was killing me. "Alright, just get it over with," I sighed.

He looked at me; half amused and half confused. "Get what over with?"

I waved my hands in the air trying to explain. "The...scolding."

He laughed and put his truck in drive. "You don't need a 'scolding' from me. I'm sure you've had enough of that today."

Which reminded me...

"Can you believe Rachel didn't get in trouble!" My anger bubbled up inside me. I was pretty sure if I saw Rachel right about now I could spit a fireball at her...yes, an actual fireball.

Jake frowned. "I thought she did?"

"No. She had to help clean up the mess but when it came to dishing out punishment Mr. Donn just stood there like a little girl and let that ugly cow take control." I growled in frustration. Mrs. Meyers was on my black-list...right under Rachel.

"Who's the ugly cow again?" Jake asked trying not to smile.

"Mrs. Meyers." I grumbled crossing my arms over my chest.

He smirked. "Right, I should have guessed."

I smacked the seat with the palms of my hands. "She gave me detention! But not Rachel...her dad probably pays Mrs. Meyers...she tried to say Rachel was the victim! She already thinks I have an anger problem so this was probably adding fuel to her pretty little fire. Mr. Donn stood there the entire time! Rachel called me a demon pretty much and you want to know what he did?" I rambled on and on.

"Nothing?" Jake guessed answering my last question.

"Nothing! The man needs to grow a pair. Maybe he could steal Mrs. Meyers...not like she needs them. Maybe Rachel's dad is working on a new study...brainwashing...no never mind Mrs. Meyers is just a bitch she deserves no excuse. Ugh, God, what do you think she told my dad? Do you think Mr. Donn talked to them? Probably not Mrs. Meyers probably keeps him in a hole she dug in her office so he can't get out and she only feeds him iceberg lettuce like a hermit-"

"Breath Sam," Jake interrupted my rambling, not bothering to hold back his laughter now. I huffed, not realizing that I was actually out of breath.

"Thank you."

We sat silently. I sat catching my breath...wishing I had a bottle of water or something.

I gave an angry screech; making Jake jump. "I could kill them! Do you know that? I've been watching a lot of CSI...I know how to cover up my tracks and dispose of their bodies. Oh, maybe I could feed Mrs. Meyers some Rachel chili. Oh, or-"

"Sam!" Jake interrupted me again. He glanced at me looking a little concerned. "That's just disturbing...remind me never to get on your bad side."

I laughed. It wasn't like I was really actually considering it...it was just amusing to think of... therapeutic almost.

Oh, maybe I was disturbed.

"It wasn't fair though...was it?" I asked calming down a little. "Zach didn't think so."

Jake frowned. "Zach? You've already talked to him about this?"

"Well, no. He heard the whole thing...," I shrugged. "He was out getting me paper towels when everyone was excused...when he came back we were getting a lecture...when everyone left he came out and helped me clean up." I looked down realizing I was still wearing his clothes. "And he let me borrow this," I plucked at my clothes, smiling a little.

Zach had asked me out...

But as a date? Or just as friends? Oh, no. Does he like me? Do I like him? I think I do...I don't know. How would I know?

Panic built inside of me along with all these questions. Along with worry...since when would I care?

Does that mean I like him?

I squeaked, not meaning to and Jake glanced over. There was a flicker of something in his eyes...annoyance? But before I could tell his hat had shadowed them away from my view.

"Are you okay?" He asked.

I looked up realizing we were stopped. We were already at River Bend? Time flies when you're angry...and panicked.

I sat up and unbuckled. "Hm? Oh, yeah. It's just been a long couple of days...," I trailed off. Letting the events of the past few days hit me. There was so much to think about...so much to figure out. I really thought my brain might explode.

I sighed and fell back against the seat, wanting nothing more than to rip my hair out. I felt like I was carrying an elephant on my shoulders and there was a circus going on in my brain. Everything was so chaotic and out of control. I wanted to scream with frustration...and cry a little bit. But I wouldn't.

As if sensing my roller coaster of emotions Jake evacuated the truck. I snorted, not really as amused as I usually would be. He opened my door and I jumped, surprised.

I blinked at him and he sighed. "Am I gunna have to drag you out of there?"

Shoving him back I hopped out. Someone couldn't wait to get rid of me...sheesh. I started marching towards the house but Jake caught me by my hood on my sweat shirt.

"This way," he motioned for the barn and I followed. He opened the tack room door and handed me my saddle and grabbed one for himself.

I smiled. He knew me too well...

x-x-x-x

We rode in content silence. Ace had started off jigging with happiness but after a short gallop he settled. Jake rode Strawberry who looked annoyed. But of course she didn't dare misbehave with Jake riding...bastard.

"Do you keep secrets?" I asked after awhile. Jake looked like I had woken him from a nap; he rubbed the back of his neck, his brows scrunched in confusion. I took an exasperated breath, almost wishing I didn't say anything. "I mean...does your family keep secrets from each other?"

Jake sat up taller, his curiosity peaked. "Um, no not really."

Of course. His family was practically perfect. I sighed...feeling like maybe I should just talk...I mean I've gotten this far right?

"I think Gram and dad are keeping secrets from me," I said, playing with Ace's mane. I glared over at Jake. "I swear if you say they are just trying to protect me I'll make you into some Jake chili," I warned.

He snorted before looking at me seriously. "Is this about something you heard last night?" He asked, catching on.

I nodded. "Gram was...mad. That's the only reason I started listening...Gram never sounds like she did," I rubbed my arms remembering the aggravation in Gram's voice. "She kept pushing my dad to say yes to something...but he would just say he couldn't...not for 'him'," I made little air quotes, still aggravated that I didn't know who they were talking about.

"Him?" Jake asked and boy, did I wish I had an answer. Instead, I nodded unable to elaborate.

"Jake...," I could hear the desperation in my own voice so I wasn't surprised when Jake pulled Strawberry to a halt and stared at me.

"Whatever it is...it might be able to save River Bend."

Jake let out a deep breath and took off his hat so he could rub his temples. "Are you sure?"

Again, I nodded. "Gram said so herself."

Jake shook his head. "It doesn't make sense...if it could save River Bend why wouldn't Wyatt do it?"

I shrugged. "I've been trying to figure that out too. Gram was scolding him for being prideful...so it has to do with something with whoever 'him' is."

Jake shoved his hat back on and stared at me. I tried to keep my face neutral, but I felt myself choking on frustration, tears threatening to spill.

Don't cry. Don't you dare.

"Sam?"

Oh hell. I looked down as a silent tear slid down my face, hoping that my hat would hide it.

"Awe Sam...," Jake sighed. I heard his saddle squeak and he dismounted and next thing I knew he was dragging me off of Ace. I rubbed my eyes furiously hoping to hide those shameful tears but it was too late. Jake had seen them.

Falling into a heap on the dirt, I buried my face. Jake sat down next to me and I leaned on him.

"It's just not fair!" I hissed. Frustration made the tears keep coming. "Why won't dad do it? We could stay!"

Jake shook his head.

"Why won't they just talk to me?" I whispered, realizing I felt a little betrayed by them.

"C'mere." Jake grunted and dragged me into a death grip that was surprisingly comforting. After a while my tears stopped and my frustration eased up...replaced by embarrassment.

"Maybe you should talk to them," Jake suggested. "Put them on the spot so they won't be able to keep secrets from you."

I was so surprised by his suggestion that I sat back to look at his face. He was serious. I felt a small smile play on my lips.

He was a bloody genius.


Wow! Sam's jumbled feelings are making my head spin o.O REVIEW!