Sawyer got up from bed not in the greatest mood. She knew she'd have to deal with Michael. After getting ready she headed out towards the kitchen.
"Morning honey." Lucas said while taking a sip of his coffee.
She quickly grabbed an apple from the bowl, "Hey." She said very shortly.
He cleared his throat noticing the bad mood emanating from his daughter, "You wanna come to school with me?" He asked, "I mean I know you go with a friend or Michael, but-"
She stopped him, suddenly her dad's innocence and eagerness made her feel warm and happy. He was so far from her problems. It was a breath of fresh air, "I'd love to daddy."
He smiled and felt her kiss his cheek.
"Oh." He responded pleasantly surprised.
She chuckled, "I'll be ready in five!" She went back to her room to get her things.
Peyton walked out and saw the goofy smile on Lucas's face, "Everything alright?" She asked suspiciously.
"I'm taking our daughter to school."
She lifted her eyebrow, not understanding his elation, "Oookay?"
He took another sip of coffee, "Her daddy's taking her to school, and she's actually happy about it."
She chuckled, then got closer to him. He grabbed her and gave her a kiss.
"Wow. Maybe she should go to school with you more often."
"Maybe." He whispered giving her one last kiss.
…. …. …..
Sam looked at her alarm clock and groaned. She refused to want to get up. Unfortunately, staying in bed was not an option.
Michael strolled right into her room, "Sam come on dude! We're gonna be late."
Sam threw a pillow at him and groaned.
"Look I'm not against jumping on top of you." He said throwing the pillow back at her.
"Where's Brooke and Julian?" She grumbled slowly waking up. She felt her fresh cuts throb and winced into her pillow.
He chewed on his piece of toast, "They left for work. You know crazy schedules and all."
She sat up and looked at Michael annoyed. He stared at her, "What?"
Sam threw the pillow at him, "Well get out so I can get ready!"
He rolled his eyes, "Geez. Okay!"
…. ….. …..
As they were making their way into school Sam noticed the uneasiness in Michael's face, "What's wrong?" She asked him.
"I, uh, well, Sawyer's mad at me."
Sam sighed, "For what?"
"Some guy invited her to a Buckley party Friday. I don't want her going."
Sam stopped him, "Wait, she's not actually going...is she?"
He gave her a small nod, "I, I think so."
"Damn it." She said frustrated.
They kept on walking, but Sawyer was nowhere to be found. By this time Jack had already joined them.
Sam knew that she'd probably be hiding out with Lucas. "I'll catch up with you later Michael. Jack I'll see you in class." She said giving him a kiss. Jack squeezed her hand momentarily, "Alright Sammy." He said quietly.
She saw through the door window that her uncle was at his desk working on some plays and Sawyer was on the couch lounging about. She opened the door and Sawyer smiled at her, "Hey Sam!" She said happily. Lucas looked up from his work, "Hi Sammy." He said as well.
"Hey Uncle Luke, how's the team?" She asked him, not really caring for the answer, but just being nice.
He smiled at her kindly, "Just fine."
She smirked, "I hear they really suck this time around." He gave her a look and she shrugged her shoulders, "Just saying."
"Yeah, go just say that somewhere else." He said grumbling.
Sam then turned to the amused Sawyer, "Hey, are you done being a daddy's girl? Come on!" Sawyer rolled her eyes and stood up. She then turned around at her dad, "See ya later dad?"
Although he smiled, he looked a little disheartened that this short time he had alone with her was cut short, "Okay baby. Have fun at school, love you."
With that he watched them walk away. He watched his daughter, a piece of his heart walk away. He shook off the growing emotion and looked back down at his work.
…. …. …
"Michael told me about the party." Sam said bluntly.
Sawyer grunted, "Ugh. You too now?...I just told him we should go and he flipped!"
"Because he has a good reason to flip! Why do you even wanna go to that?" She asked a bit disgusted.
Sawyer stopped walking, "I don't need your judgement either."
Sam took it down a bit, "Soy."
"What?" She asked growing furious.
"I'm sorry." She started off, "Look, it's just, not….it'll just get you into trouble Soy, and we've gotten into enough of that."
Sawyer couldn't stand the patronizing tone, "Okay Sam, I get it! Just Stop."
Sam looked at her, trying to study her, "You sure?"
"Yes! God."
"Fine. Whatever."
With that they kept walking into class. But Sam was still going to make Michael go to the party Friday to keep Sawyer in check.
On her way to class, she felt her phone vibrate. She looked at the number, and instantly knew it was Rebecca. "Uhh Soy I-I need to go somewhere tell Aunt Haley I went to the bathroom or something."
Sawyer didn't have a chance to say anything, "Wait-what?"
Sam ran towards the field and picked up the phone. She heard the automated message and waited for Rebecca to pick up,
"Hi Baby." She heard Rebecca's calm but nervous voice come through the phone.
"H-hey Rebecca." Sam suddenly felt anxious.
"Are you coming to see me sweetie?" She asked.
Sam felt guilty hearing Rebecca's kind words. She took a deep breath, "Uhm yeah, yeah. Wednesday...I think."
Sam heard Rebecca heave a sigh of relief, "And uh Sammy are you, are you going to bring me some money or something? I'm gonna get out soon you know? I need to ahve something you know?"
Sam bit her lip, "I-I don't know yet. We'll see."
She heard Rebecca's breathing. Sam started twiddle the hem of her shirt, feeling four years old once more. She stifled her words, stopping the word "mom" to come from her mouth.
Suddenly Rebecca's voice sounded sharp, "Samantha then why are you coming?"
Sam stayed quiet feeling used, but Rebecca quickly realized her mistake, "No, no Sammy. It's okay. Your presence is enough, okay sweetie? Okay? I just, I just need money that's all."
Sam felt her tears fall and squeaked out a "fine."
Rebecca hung up the phone with a "Goodbye. I love you."
Sam quickly wiped the tears off her face and headed into Haley's classroom taking a deep breath. She was five minutes late.
Sam opened the door to everyone writing furiously in their journals. They all looked up at her, then went back to the task at hand, except for Sawyer and Jack, but she gave them a smile to appease their nerves.
Haley put her hand on her hip and lifted her eyebrow, "You're already behind young lady. It's an in-class essay."
Haley picked up the prompt and extended her hand, signaling her to pick it up and head to her desk.
Sam covered up her sadness with cheekiness "Yeah yeah. I hear you." She went towards her and grabbed the paper.
"Watch. It." Haley said in a serious whisper. Sam then looked at her then quickly back down, "Sorry Aunt Haley." She whispered.
When she went to her desk she noticed Sam wipe stray tears from her cheek. She sighed knowing something wasn't right.
By the time the bell rang Sam felt a bit better. Jack grabbed her hand, "You okay?" He asked her.
Sam wasn't sure if she should tell him, "Uhmmm yeah. Let's go." As the trio was walking out Haley stopped Sam, "Samantha I need to talk to you."
Sam felt caught, "Aunt Haley, I have class."
"You have study period. I'll write you a note."
She let go of Jack's hand, "See you guys later I guess." She mumbled.
She sat down on top of Haley's desk letting her feet dangle. Haley stood in front of her and looked at her quietly, "What?" She asked annoyed.
Haley folded her arms, "Why were you crying?"
"W-wha?"
"Today in class when you were writing your essay. What's wrong Sammy?" She asked softer.
Sam folded her hands and crossed her feet, "I-I can't."
"You can't what?"
"Nothing." Sam said feeling vulnerable.
Haley sighed and lifted Sam's chin, "You know, you always act so tough, but I see right through you."
"Aunt Haley-" Sam whined looking away.
She kept going, "I really do."
Sam looked at her with daring eyes, "Yeah, well what do you see? Please, please enlighten me." Her sarcasm didn't fool Haley who dealt with the same kind of knee-jerk responses with old high school Brooke.
She gave her a smile and placed her hand on Sam's knee, "I see a girl blossoming into a young woman. But sometimes you forget that you're a part of a family and a support system. And guess what?" Haley said looking straight at Sam's eyes.
"What?" Sam grumbled embarrassed and annoyed.
"Everybody needs someone to lean on. Even your mom. Even your dad. Even me, and yes," She said pointing softly at her, "Even you little lady."
Sam frowned and pulled at her sleeves.
"Your emotions betray you sweetie. I know something's wrong, so why don't you tell me?" Haley said in a soothing voice. The hustle and bustle outside had died down, there was no more distractions for Sam. It was just her, her aunt, and the divide between them, her secret, her biological mother.
Sam cleared her throat, "You promise not to tell mom?" She asked her rather hopelessly because she already knew the answer.
"You know I can't do that."
Sam sighed, "It's just, well, it's Rebecca."
Haley looked at her confused, "Your biological mom?"
Sam nodded. Haley hid her discontent and basic hate towards the woman, and focused on Sam instead. "What'd she do to you Sam?"
She shook her head, "Nothing. She's, she's been calling me. See she's in prison now, and I wanna go see her. And I don't wanna go, but I have to go, I need to go Aunt Haley, I need to."
Haley stopped her. She had so many questions, but figured she'd leave that for Brooke, she had to deal with the increasingly distressed child in front of her, "Why do you need to go Sammy? If you don't want to, you don't have to."
"I do!" She said loudly, "You, you don't get it. I just, I just want to see her and that's it. That's all. Just one last time."
Haley knew it wouldn't be her last time, but could sense Sam's anxiety.
She grabbed a hold of her hand, "Sammy. Sammy, listen to me."
Sam stopped and looked at her.
"I'm going to tell Brooke okay."
Sam felt a wave of worry, "No Aunt Haley. Come on!" She whined.
Haley lifted her eyebrow, "Sam, look, we need to tell your mom. I'm gonna call her and give her a heads up. And then after school, I want you to talk to her about this. Okay?"
Sam rolled her eyes, "She won't let me go." She grumbled.
"Don't underestimate your mother. She will. I promise."
"Whatever." She said annoyed.
"I promise." Haley said once more.
"Fine." Sam finally gave in.
With that Sam hopped off the table and grabbed her bag, "Can I go now?" She asked.
Haley went into her desk and grabbed a note, "Well can you let me write a note first?"
"Oh...yeah."
She handed it to Sam and then gave her a strong squeeze, "Wasn't that hard to talk about was it?"
Sam shrugged, "Thanks Aunt Haley."
Haley nodded and watched her go out the door. She grabbed her cell-phone and decided to call Brooke now and get it over with.
… …. ….
"She WHAT?!" Brooke screeched through the phone, "I'm gonna kill that damn Rebecca."
Haley tried to calm her down, "Brooke let me finish! Please."
She heard her take deep, measured breaths, "Okay go ahead." Brooke said.
"She's not exactly trying to see Sam conventionally."
"What do you mean?" Brooke asked concerned.
"She's in prison Brooke. She's been calling Sam from prison."
Brooke felt her heart fall to the pit of her stomach. She just imagined Sam finding out that Rebecca was in prison, "Oh. Oh my God." She said too stunned.
"And Sammy told you this?" Brooke asked notably calmer.
"Yeah sweetie, she did. I don't know how long it's been going on, I'm just glad she told someone."
Brooke felt her heartbeat quicken. She lowered the blinds in her office, not wanting any of her employees to see her. "She wants to go see her, doesn't she?" As much as it hurt her to say those words, Brooke knew that Sam still cared for her.
"Yeah B. she does. I told her you'd let her. Will you?" Haley asked hopeful.
Brooke pursed her lips. Her heart said no, but she knew what the right answer was, "Yes."
Haley felt relief, "She's going to talk to you about it tonight. So be ready."
Brooke took a moment to compose her thoughts, "Can you drive her to my office downtown after school? I'm not in the store today."
"Sure thing. I love you B Davis."
"I love you too." Brooke said hanging up the phone.
…. …. …..
The bell rung and the hordes of high schoolers made their way out of Tree Hill High. Jack and Sam stayed behind by the lockers holding onto each other, savoring every moment they had together.
"Do you parents still hate me?" Sam asked.
Jack frowned, "I told them that i'm gonna keep hanging with you. You're my girl, you know? We'll just wait it out."
Sam looked disheartened at his response. Jack lifted her chin, "How's stuff with Rebecca?"
"I told Haley." She said plainly.
"Shit. Really? Is that a good thing or a bad thing?"
She took a deep breath, "I have to tell my mom now. We'll see how that goes. But I don't know I hope I can go."
Jack was no idiot, "Does she want money Sam? Don't give it to her." He said responding to his own question.
"What's it to you?" Sam retorted.
"Don't let her play you Sam. Come on, you're smarter than that. Why do you think she's been so nice to you and calling you all those nice names? You think she means it?"
Sam, angry that Jack couldn't see how Rebecca's approval was something that still hit her hard, pushed him, "God, just go home Jack."
She started walking towards Haley's car.
Jack grabbed his bag from the floor, "Awww, Sam, hold on!" He ran towards her, "Sam, wait up!"
Sam turned back around, "I'm serious Jack! Go home!" She was fuming.
"I'm sorry! That was stupid!" He yelled.
Sam ignored him.
Michael caught up with Jack, "Dude, what'd you do?" He said confused. "I, I guess was a bit inconsiderate."
"Are you going to Brooke's office too?" He asked him.
"Nah. I have tutoring and stuff. But, uhh have you seen Sawyer. I need to talk to her."
Jack looked at him, "Come on Michael, use your brain. She's a cheerleader, she's probably at practice."
"Oh. Right." He said plainly, "Well I'll see you later Jack!" He said, heading towards the gymnasium.
He opened the doors and saw Sawyer stretching with a group of friends. He went up to her, although she did her best to ignore him. He knew he was treading water because the basketball players were on the other side of the gym practicing, meaning Lucas's ever watchful eye was there.
"Soy." He said, now at her side on the mat. She turned over to the girl next to her. He felt slighted. "Sawyer, come on, let me talk to you." He said his voice growing a little louder. She looked at him, "Are you gonna dictate yet another part of my life?"
Michael cleared his throat, "Sawyer can we talk without the drama please?"
"Get off the mat, jerk!" One of her friends spit at him. Suddenly feeling unwanted he lifted up his hands and began stepping back, "See you later Sawyer." He said obviously hurt.
Sawyer looked disgusted at her friend, "What the hell Tiff, why'd you do that?"
"What?" Her friend asked confused. She sighed and got up, "Michael wait!" She said loudly. Lucas turned around hearing the familiar tone of her daughter's voice. He tried to act preoccupied, but he couldn't help and look over.
Michael turned back. She folded her arms, "Five minutes, because we start any second now."
He nodded, "I'm sorry for being so harsh yesterday."
She glared at him, but softened up seeing his sincerity, "I guess I overreacted too. But I'm going to the party Michael, whether you want to go or not. Soo…."
He tried to hide his annoyed demeanor, "Fine. I guess we won't hang out on the weekend then."
"Michael you really don't wanna go do you?"
"No!" He said louder than expected, "And you already know that I don't want you to go either. But I'm not going to stop you."
She kissed him on the cheek, "You won't be mad if I go?"
He smiled, and then decided to be daring ,knowing that everyone was watching, including Lucas, he grabbed her waist and slowly pushed her against his body, and then gave her a kiss on the lips, "I'll still love you." He said jokingly as he let go of her lips.
Everyone made oohhs and aahs. Sawyer blushed. Lucas felt his blood boil, and disregarded the remarks from his players, "Damn coach. That's your girl. Did you see that?!" "Yo Coach Scott, that boy and your daughter. Watch out." He blew his whistle loudly, "ALRIGHT EVERYONE, BACK TO WORK!" His voice boomed throughout the gym.
Sawyer laughed, "Great job Michael. Way to poke the bear." She said.
"I gotta go." He gave her a wink, and headed out. He was gonna go to that party, but only to check on his girlfriend.
… ….. …
Sam went into her mother's office building. The receptionist smiled warmly at her, "Hello miss." She said, "How can I help you?"
Sam cleared her throat, "I'm here to see Brooke Davis."
The receptionist looked at her confused. A raggedy teenager, here to see their CEO? She was skeptical. "Uhhmm, sweetie can I have your name and reason for visiting?"
'Wow.' Sam thought, 'I guess I really don't come here enough.'
"Umm Samantha Davis. And I'm here to see my mom, Brooke Davis."
The receptionist looked stunned and immediately embarrassed, "Oh I'm sorry sweetie. I wasn't aware."
"It's okay. Can I go up and see her?" She asked her, understanding the receptionist's confusion.
"Sure thing. Lemme just make sure she's not in a meeting."
She phoned in and Brooke's voice came through, "Hey Sarah. What's up?" She asked.
"Your daughter's here to see you." The receptionist said looking at Sam.
"Great. Let her up!"
Sam nodded and whispered a "thanks" to the receptionist.
"Wait, do you know where it is?" She asked her.
"Yeah, ninth floor. I got it." Sam responded.
Sam got to the floor and was overwhelmed by commotion. She spotted her mom's office at the end of the floor. People stared her up and down as she walked towards Brooke's office. When she opened the door, her mother's familiar face brought her relief.
She stayed near the doorway. Brooke looked up, "Hi sweet pea."
Sam closed the door, "Everyone's staring at me. Like I'm some kind of alien or something."
She sat down on a chair, "Wow. These are new." She said feeling the fabric.
Brooke laughed, "Sammy you've only been here once, so yeah, seeing you is like an alien sighting. Especially with those clothes."
"Ha. Ha. Ms/ Fashion Mogul." Sam said sarcastically, "Don't hate because you're envous of my youth."
Brooke narrowed her eyes, "yeah, yeah. That's enough out of you little miss rebellious."
Sam ignored her and looked at her mother's office, she saw pictures of herself, of julian, and of all three of them. She smiled.
"You like it?" Brooke asked.
"It's….cozy." Sam responded.
Brooke got up and closed her blinds once more. She went over and sat on the chair next to Sam. She sighed as she looked at Sam's wide green eyes, "Haley called me today."
Sam fidgeted in the chair, "So you know, right?"
Brooke looked into her daughter's eyes, "Do you want to talk to me about it?" She asked, hoping to God, the answer was yes.
Sam was grateful that Brooke was stifling her anger towards Rebecca, "I'm sorry I didn't tell you earlier." She contended.
"I'm glad you're telling me now." She said in her raspy voice.
Sam was about to say something, but a knock on Brooke's door interrupted them, "Later Chuck! I'm busy." Brooke said authoritatively.
Sam smiled at her mother's leadership. Her presence was strong.
"Go ahead Sam."
"It was drugs." Sam squeaked, "She's there because of the drugs." Her voice broke slightly. She thought of the blade in her room when she felt the overwhelming need to cry. She cleared her throat and looked back up at her mom.
Brooke got a hold of her hands. "I'm sorry baby." She said sympathetically.
"I wanna go see her." Sam said definitively.
"When?" Brooke asked.
"Wednesday."
Brooke looked unhappy, but knew that this was something Sam had to do, "I'll have to move some things around, but-"
Sam sat up a little more, "Wait, wait, Brooke I thought I could go by myself."
"Sam, you didn't think I was actually going to let you go to a PRISON on your own, did you?"
Sam felt indignant, "Uhhhm yeah. Yeah, I did. I'm not stupid, I'm not gonna get hurt."
Brooke shook her head in disapproval, "I'm sorry Sam, but that's not happening. I'm going with you."
"You can't go!" Sam said in an outburst.
Brooke felt confused, "Hold on just a second-"
Sam continued, "Brooke! You're my mom, and so was she! You both hate each other. You'll probably just get into an argument. You can't go!"
Brooke felt her heart break for a second when she heard Sam's words. Sam realized her mistake, "Can dad come with me instead?" She said much calmer.
Brooke fought back her eyes from watering, "Ahem. Yeah, we'll ask him."
Sam got a better idea, "Wait, Aunt Haley! I want her to come with me, please mom."
Brooke shook her head, "Okay, I'll talk to her."
Sam relaxed, "Thanks." She said quietly.
"Come here Sam." Brooke stood up and opened up her arms. Sam melted into her embrace. Brooke kissed the top of her head. She waited for Sam to let go of her. "Gonna go hang out with Jack?" She asked.
Sam frowned, "No. We haven't been seeing eye to eye lately."
Brooke felt horrible for her daughter, "You wanna stay with me?"
Sam looked around, "Uhh, no thanks. I'll just go skate around, find a hobby, or something."
Brooke chuckled, but could tell that Sam was feeling lonely, she was beginning to feel worried, "Alright. I love you Sam."
Sam headed out, "Love you too!"
"Wait, Sam hold on!"
She turned around before closing the door, "Yeah?"
"It's not fun being lonely. I'm here for you. Dad's here for you. Okay? Don't shut down."
Sam felt her mother's words in her heart, 'Thanks...mom."
As she walked out the stares continued, she rolled her eyes, "Yes! I'm Samantha Davis, damn it!"
She walked out and hopped onto her skateboard skating towards her house.
Once inside her house, the quiet left her alone with her thoughts. She replayed the phone calls in her mind.
"Just once more." She thought to herself.
She went to her room and seized her blade, and once more let it cut her flesh. The blood flowing felt wonderful, but as Sam laid in her room, she suddenly felt pitiful. Disgusted of her position she violently cleaned herself up, hurting her wounds in the process. Sam grabbed the blade and ran outside. She threw it across the street with tears running down her face. "I hate you!" She yelled out loud to nothing, and no one. "I hate you so much!"
Breathing heavily, she wiped her tears with her hand and went back into the house. She laid down on the couch and turned on the tv. It was playing pre-recorded America's Next Top Model. "Mom." Sam thought.
The ache in her thigh and arm was strong, so she just laid there, watching the models parade around.
…. …. ….
Michael came in half an hour later. He heard the tv drone on, and saw Sam huddled in the edge. He smiled and sat next to her. "Sammy." He whispered.
"Hmmm?" She mumbled half-asleep.
"You okay?" He asked her. She nodded and turned to the TV screen, "Just tired."
He placed a blanket on her, "Let's watch something else?" He asked her.
She chuckled, "Fine."
Michael watched her for a minute. She felt his stare, "What now?" She asked him.
"Nothing. You just look so cute all huddled up like that." He said in a childish voice, "Aww, I just want to pinch your wittle cheeks!"
Sam rolled her eyes, and gave him a small kick with her leg, "Shut up dude."
He smiled and looked back at the tv, "You got it...dude."
She appreciated his presence. It was comforting. It was warm and brotherly.
What do you think so far? I'm sensing some drama on Wednesday and Friday! Please Review! I'm aiming for five :D I missed writing, and I hope you thoroughly enjoyed it!