Sam had fallen for Sally from the first time he heard her recite poetry, on their second week of classes in Middle School. It was their first assignment for English, choosing a poem and share with the class. Her voice had been so clear and beautiful, her speech so impassionate, that he was completely hung to her every word.
He had loved and admired her ever since, but had kept his feelings private. He was so jealous of her, since she was smart, and everybody knew it, and everybody was okay with that. He could not get away with excelling in anything other than football. His friends would never let him live it down, his dates would sneer at it, and his father would complain that he was putting too much of an effort on something that was not useful.
Everyone expected him to be a big, dumb jock, preferably also a bully. He had to keep any of his intelligence or cultural interests hidden behind a mask of senseless violence.
It did not hurt that she is so damn beautiful, too. Those bright blue eyes, hiding behind her glasses. That long auburn hair he longed to run his fingers through. Those dangerous curves she was starting to develop, showing through the bulky sweaters she covered herself with.
Sam had known that the girl would not want anything to do with a bully, especially since his usual targets are mostly her close friends, so he had chosen to at least try to be decent as soon as they had entered high school. It is a slow and gradual change, and he is not exactly sure whether it is actually being noticed, but at least he is trying.
He had intended to wait until the end of their freshman year to confess his feelings, but he had seen the eyes of other boys on Sally. He knew, if he waited any longer, it might be too late. He had to let her know, and would let everyone else's opinions fall as they would.
Their homecoming dance is coming up soon and, as far as the blond knows, Sally is still in need of a date. It was convenient, since it is just after the easiest game of the season, and it is one he is guaranteed that he will shine. He will be looking good then, and he is willing to use any advantage he is able to get, as he knows that he will need them.
Sam could offer himself for the role, and even if she does not take him on it at first, it is still an opportunity to talk to her, wear her down and change her views on him. As long as she is still single, there is still hope, and he is determined to pursue it.
"Hey, Sally?" The blond asked with forced casualness, approaching her as she dropped books off in her locker.
She gave him a confused look. Despite the fact that they shared plenty of classes over the years, and even had a few friends in common, they never interacted much, to the point that she is surprised that he knows her name. Not unless he is being absolutely rotten to someone and she is giving him as bad as they are getting.
"What's up, Sam?"
He could not look her in the eye. His toes dug at the vinyl floor of the hallway.
"So, there's this dance coming up, y'know?" He began. "I was wondering if you might be willing to go with me?"
The auburn-haired girl did not respond immediately, and he hesitantly looked up at her. Her face was a mask.
"Sam, are you asking me on a date?" She questioned, sounding puzzled.
He smiled bashfully. "If I say yes, will you accept?"
Sally stared at him levelly. "You've been tormenting half the kids in this school for years. And now you want me to just forget all that and say, teehee, let's go out? No."
She slammed her locker shut and began to walk off.
"I've changed, though. I haven't done anything like that in months!" He defends, impassionate. "When is the last time you saw me bully anyone?"
She paused, still facing away from him, and thought about what he said.
"Okay. You're correct, I have not seen you persecuting others the same way in quite some time." The girl concedes. "Does that forgive everything else you've done, though? Still no."
"What can I do to prove to you I've changed?" Sam pleaded.
She turned back to him, the faintest hint of a smile beginning to turn the corner of her mouth.
"Apologize to Nathan, in public, during lunch. You have to mean it, be warned! Do that, and two more forms of penance, which I still need to ponder, and I'll go with you." Sally offered, thinking that he would back down for sure.
"Will you wait until I finish your challenges? No accepting anyone else's invitations?" He asked, making sure to cover all his bases.
The girl, in turn, scoffed. "You talk as if I have a line of suitors just waiting for me to pick one!"
"You'd be surprised." He countered cheekily.
The auburn-haired girl glared at him. "If it makes you feel better, fine, but I want the same commitment as you. No cheating, no backups, no making girls fall over backwards for you. If you want to quit, then you tell me honestly and up front."
"You got a deal." He smiled proudly. "Hit me with your best shot, Sal. Aquinas said that it's impossible for sin to be forgiven without penance, after all."
Sally raised an eyebrow. She cannot say that the quote was something that she expected out of him, especially since she knows that he was neither a catholic nor took Philosophy.
"He was talking about divine forgiveness, though." She pointed out, petulantly.
Sam shrugged. "He also said the grace of God is the cause of grace in humans."