Chapter two

Wow.

 Last night.

 Thinking about Logan made me feel guilty. I couldn't help the thoughts and emotions running through my mind. Last night.

 It was supposed to have been a quiet night , and it was anything but .I can't believe that I...

Wait I'm getting a little ahead of my story here. About two weeks ago my mom announced that she would be out of town in a few weeks to spend the weekend with her new boyfriend in the city. I was a little bummed until she mentioned to me that since my birthday would be the following Tuesday that if I wanted to throw a party on Saturday night I could. My friends and I were ecstatic I wanted it to be the best party of the year, and soon I was inviting everyone I knew. Things were coming together, people said they would be there. The entire BSC was coming of course, as were most of the football team, and cheer-leading squad. Cokie Mason and her crowd said that they were boycotting but honestly it didn't bother me if her little group wouldn't be there. Eighth grade was along time ago they seriously needed to let go of things, and besides Cokie was still hung up on Logan that was something I definitely did not want to deal with at my own birthday party.

Before I knew it Saturday arrived and I was beside myself with party plans. I wanted to make sure that just the right music was going to play so I sorted through a few mix Cd's I made and even included one with that old U4ME song everyone loved back when we were thirteen. It would get the dancing going. About an hour before the party was set to begin I was freaking out over not being able to style my hair right (why on a night you want to be perfect does your hair always not want to be?) when the phone rang. I immediately dropped my brush and dashed for it trying to breathe as I answered but I was sure that people were going to call and cancel. "Hello?" I answered worriedly

 "Hey Stace?" A familiar voice responded oh no it was Kristy maybe she was sick, maybe everyone was sick, maybe... "Stace are you there?"

 "Yea here, sorry what's up?"

 "Are you Ok you sound kind of weird?"

"I'm fine, what's going on?"

"Hey Charlie and Sam are up from NYU for the weekend and I was wondering if you would mind if they came along with me?"

 I breathed a sigh of relief why did she even have to ask? Of course they were invited. I would have asked them myself I knew they were in town.

 "Not a problem Kris the more the merrier"

 "Great see-ya"

 "Yea Bye".

 I hung up the phone and grinned at my harried reflection in the mirror it was stupid to get all upset over a party I realized. If I didn't relax I wouldn't have any fun.

 The doorbell rang as I was putting on the last accessory for my outfit. The earrings Logan had given me for our three month anniversary. I ran down the stairs to answer it and was greeted by Logan standing on my front porch. "Hey!"

 he said as a grin spread across his face as he took in my outfit. The look in his eyes told me that the short black skirt coupled with a white sheer long sleeved shirt over a lacy white camisole was a good choice. His words confirmed my thought

"You look awesome Stacey"

 I grinned as I tilted my chin to give him a welcoming kiss

"Not so bad your self Bruno" I responded as he let his hands slip around my waist and started to deepen the kiss i had started.

"Wow Guys sure you want us here?"

 we broke apart at the sound of voices behind us and I glanced over Logan's shoulder and saw Claudia and Dawn giggling behind him. I blushed and so did Logan as we stepped aside allowing the girls to enter.

"Are we the first here?" Dawn asked as she made her way over to the refreshments had set up, and gave me a thumbs up when she spotted the bowl of trail mix I had set out for her.

 "Nope, everyone else is hiding from you" I answered sarcastically as I wandered over to the stereo system to start the music.

 "Ok, stupid question" Dawn conceded as the doorbell rang again.

 Claudia opened the door to Pete, Mary Anne, Jessi, and And Mal. Soon enough the door just stayed open as more and more people filtered in I glanced around the room and to my relief saw all my friends mingling. I started off going around to each group talking making sure everyone knew where to find food and drinks when I finally gave up people didn't need my help.

"Hey wanna dance?" Logan whispered in my ear as he came up behind me. I looked over to where we had cleared an area for dancing and saw that the floor was a getting crowded. Grabbing Logan's hand we made our way to a spot on the dance floor and started to move to the music. We danced for several songs before I had to stop to grab a drink and Logan decided he was hungry , together we made the party rounds talking to people.

 I was growing bored though as Logan started talking about football with some of the guys and I slipped away to see what the other BSC members were up too. A hand snagged my wrist as I was walking past a group of giggling cheerleaders. I glanced over to receive the birthday greeting people had been giving me all nigh,t and stopped short when I saw that the hand attached to mine at the moment belonged to no other than Sam Thomas.

 "Hey Stace Great party, thanks for letting my come"

"No problem Sam you're always welcome here you know that" I subtly looked him over and could tell he was doing the same to me.

Now here's our history Sam and I were kind of dating back when I was 13 and he was 15. We broke up because it wasn't working but stayed close friends he was always around after all. When I got to high school we hung out a few times but I was with Ethan at the time. Now I hadn't seen Sam really since he left to go to NYU a year and a half ago. When he was here I was usually in the city seeing my dad and vice versa. So I was slightly surprised by his appearance I know I had a totally gorgeous boyfriend but from the looks of him it looked like Sam had been working out, and he was a handsome as ever.

 "You're looking hot Stace" he finally said.

My eyes traveled up to meet his, I was slightly taken aback by  his eyes at that moment although he looked great as usual his eyes held something else. They were missing something, and I had a feeling that something was going on with him.

"Thanks, looks like NYU's been good to you too. Are you enjoying college life?"

 "Some days are better than others" he responded playfully "tonight's looking up though"

I grinned same old Sam I thought. "Thanks, I'm taken though" I grinned back.

As I said those words I felt an arm slide around my waist and caught a whiff of Logan's cologne as he rested his chin on top of my head. "Yes, you are defiantly taken" he chimed in as he held out a hand for Sam to take.

 "Hey Thomas, how's College going?"

"Bruno, "Sam responded shaking his hand firmly. "Pretty good, I'll ah leave you too alone."

 Sam walked away and I turned to Logan and suggested we dance, little did I know that that one encounter with Sam would lead to such an odd chain of events. The party fizzled out about one-thirty and Logan was the last to leave after helping me clean up. He didn't want to leave and frankly after about 15 minutes of some pretty intense making out I didn't want him too but I knew I should make him and he respected that and left.

The following day I spent catching up on homework and I hit the mall with Claud for awhile. I headed home turned on the TV and changed into my nightgown ready to enjoy a night alone. I love my Mom I do but I have to admit I do enjoy quiet nights of just me time. The TV held nothing that interested me so I decided to light some candles in the living room start a fire in the fireplace make myself some hot Cocoa and finish the book I was reading before I went to bed. I had finished the cocoa and was curled up on the couch reading when the doorbell rang.

Somewhat startled I glanced at the clock it was only nine-thirty maybe Logan had decided to stop by I glanced around the living room and giggled softly to my self. Maybe I had been hoping for that. I certainly had set up a romantic scenario. I stood to answer the door glancing in the hall mirror as I did so, my blonde wavy hair was slightly tousled but all-in all I looked ok. I was taken aback when I opened the door and found Sam Thomas standing on my porch looking very distressed.

 "Sam?"

 "Hi Stacey , sorry to barge in on you but I need to talk to someone outside my family "

Curiously I stepped aside and let him in he stepped into the living room and glanced around nervously

 "I Umm didn't interrupt anything did I?" He asked blushing slightly.

"No" I grinned "Just a fun-filled night of reading" I motioned to the book lying on the coffee table.

 "Can I get you something to drink?" I asked trying to act normal but dying of curiosity.

"umm...what have you got?"

"Cocoa, Tea, soda, juice...a couple of wine coolers left over from last night"

"The wine cooler?" he asked tentatively.

 Honestly he looked like he needed it so I nodded and walked into the kitchen to grab the two wine coolers that were left , it wouldn't kill me to join him no one should drink alone, and as long a I adjusted my insulin dose in the morning a little alcohol wouldn't kill me. I handed him the bottle and joined him on the couch turning to face him

 "So Sam, what's up?"

 "Umm I...First I want to apologize for last night I didn't mean anything by flirting I just..."

 "You just flirt" I finished for him "No big deal. It's flattering"

He looked a little relieved as he ran a hand through his hair.

"I need to talk to someone Stacey someone who won't tell everyone, someone who won't judge me and when I saw you last night it hit me that you'll never judge me that you will listen and care and that's what I need"

 I tilted my head inquisitively and he continued. Starting in on school, and girls, and everything that was going on in his life. After about twenty minutes of non stop talking he stopped and looked at me.

 "Well that's it, I may fail, and I'm uncomfortable at NYU. I love the city, but I miss my family, and I never see Charlie so he may as well not even be there"

I thought for a moment before answering

"so you're lonely Sam?"

 "Lonely and in over my head with the double major but I can't admit to my family I'm failing"

"Pride will get you every time" I whispered softly as I drew him toward me for a long hard hug as I thought for a moment.

"Wow this feels nice" he mumbled into my hair.

 I pulled away from him and unthinkingly settled myself against his chest with his arms around me. He was a good friend .I needed to comfort him, and I couldn't find the words, but something told me that if he felt the comforting of a close friend it would help. We sat silently for a few moments, and I slowly started to dispense advice.

"I say talk to Charlie and let him help you out before you go to your parents , drop the double major if you have to but if you talk with a counselor you probably can salvage some credits ,as for feeling lonely; well if you ever need to talk I'm here"

 We sat quietly before he spoke up

"Thank you, thank you for letting me know, thank you for opening up some room in your heart for an old friend"

I felt him lean over, I sensed what was going to happen next and I'm not sure why I didn't move away, we had been drinking maybe it was the alcohol, I wasn't used to it. In any case He kissed me and I responded I responded with more passion than I'd ever kissed Sam with before. Before I knew it was sitting in his lap and the making out was getting intense , hands were wandering and lips were traveling over necks and shoulders he slipped my robe off of me and then pulled back for a second I opened my eyes to meet his and he softly asked "Do you want to stop?" I shook my head no I didn't want to. It was wrong, but at that moment being with Sam felt more right than anything in my life. It was sweet and tender; it was more than I'd ever done, and as I lay in his arms on my living room couch. Feeling him breathe evenly beside me seeing his hair fall over his forehead, feeling his body curled up next to mine...the only thought running through my head was I just lost my Virginity, and not to my boyfriend of three months but to my ex. My best friend's brother, Sam Thomas.