"Ashley?" Sam said, confused.
"Yes, It's me Sam."
"Wha.. What are you doing here?"
"I.. I've come to call a truce."
"A truce? We're not fighting." Marshall said, sarcastically. Corrine hit him on the arm and whispered, "Not with you silly! With Sam!"
"Oh.. I see. Sorry." he said.
"Thank you." Ashley said to Corrine. Corrine gave her a nod.
"Anyway, what are you doing here? I mean, what's the truce for?" Sam asked.
"I know Uncle Victor called you not too long ago to do something for him. And when he found out that you couldn't do it, he called me up. Me, being the little rebel that I am, I accepted with no hesitation."
"What's that got to do with you being here?" asked Sam.
"Well, as you know, your job or rather, my job was to spy on the science club? Am I correct?"
"Yes, yes it was." Sam replied.
"But you never did it! We hardly saw you around!" Lucas said.
"I know. Uncle Victor somehow found out that I was doing absolutely nothing and terminated me from this job."
"So, why the truce?" asked Sam.
Ashley sighed. "Sam, mom called me a few days ago. I think 2 days ago, and she told me.." She sighed again. "She said that.. She needs an operation."
"What?" Sam was in total shock. Her body was trembling like mad. "I.." She couldn't continue her sentence, except she put both her palms over her face and started to cry.
Ashley came closer to her sister, and in the many years that they've been siblings, Ashley hugged her sister. Sam felt comfort in her arms and hugged her back.
The science club was shocked as well, but they shrugged of their shock and went closer to Sam and Ashley to give them comfort.
The next day, Sam and Ashley stayed in Corrine and Josie's dorm while the others had their classes. While the others were having lessons, Sam and Ashley were making up for lost times, when suddenly Sam's cell phone started to ring.
"Hello?"
"Samantha. Where is your sister Ashley?" asked Victor.
"She is with me."
"Give the phone to her." Samantha gave Ashley her phone and told her that it was their Uncle.
"Hello?" said Ashley.
"Ashley. I want you to spy for me again. I'm sorry I yelled at you before but you weren't doing anything and now I'm giving you a second chance."
"Uncle Victor, I refuse to spy for you."
"What? If you refuse, tell your sister that your mother will hear about her bad records."
Ashley told about Victors threat. Sam took the phone from Ashley and said, "Uncle Victor. I don't care if you tell my mom about my bad records, so go ahead and tell her"
Victor fell silent then just hung up.
Sam sighed. "Well, glad that's over."
"Me too."
"So, what do we do about mom?" asked Sam.
"I think.. We have to go back home. We have to be with her."
"I agree. But where are we going to get the money?"
"Don't worry little sis. I'll take care of it." Ashley said, as she smiled at Sam.
While Samantha and Ashley were having their sister-bonding time, the others were having science class.
Josie sighed and then soon remembered that Lucas was supposed to tell her something. Josie looked at Lucas and tore a piece of paper from her notebook and wrote,
Lucas, what were you supposed to tell me again?
Josie slid the paper to Lucas' side of the table. Lucas looked up at her and then read the note. He smiled, got out his pencil and wrote,
I'll tell you after this whole thing blows over. You know, the Sam and Ashley thing.
Lucas neatly folded the paper and slid it to Josie's side of the table. Jose got the note, sighed, then smiled at Lucas.
Vaughn noticed the note passing of Lucas and Josie and his heart felt like it was being crushed. He just bent his head down and sighed.
Josie saw Vaughn's heavy sigh and felt guilty once again. Lucas on the other hand, wanted to hold Josie's hand and help her relieve her guilt over what she did to Vaughn. He too felt guilty for that.
After 30 minutes, the bell rang.
"Alright. Class dismissed." said Professor Z. "Science Club. Stay."
Everyone quickly went out of the room while the science club stayed behind.
"Marshall, please call Ashley and Samantha." Professor Z said. With that being said, Marshall gave him a nod and went off to call Samantha and Ashley.
"Okay. Seeing as the mystery is finally solved. We're going to help Sam and Ashley go back home to their mother. Any ideas?" asked Professor Z.
"We could chip in." Corrine replied.
"Or.. We could do a fund raiser?" suggested Vaughn.
"Good ideas. But do you have enough to chip in for plane tickets?" Professor Z said and eyed Corrine. She just shrugged. "And a fund raiser would raise suspicion."
"So what do we do?" said Josie.
"It's alright guys! You don't have to do anything! Your hospitality and friendship are enough for us." Samantha said as she walked in with Marshall and Ashley.
"Really? But what about money for tickets to go back home?" said Lucas.
"I've got it covered. One of our aunts live around here and fortunately, she can get us discounts for tickets." Ashley said.
"Awesome." Josie said.
"So I guess. This means goodbye. Our aunt is coming any minute." Sam said.
"Thank you so much for everything guys!" Sam and Ashley chorused and hugged everyone.
The science club waved goodbye as the car drove off. Everyone went back inside but Lucas took Josie aside and said, "Alright Josie. I'm going to tell you now what I was going to say.. I was going to.." Lucas said. But before he could continue, Josie put her finger to his lips and whispered, "Let me patch something up first and I'll get back to you.. Please? I'll meet up with you on the rock near the lake."
Lucas knew it had something to do with Vaughn but he just smiled and nodded. Josie smiled at him and gave him a peck on the cheek.
"Thanks Lucas." Josie said then went off to find Vaughn.
Josie went to his dorm room, knowing that he went straight to his room after Sam and Ashley left. She hesitated for a moment, knowing that he was just on the other side of the door, then she just took in a deep breath and knocked on his door. Vaughn opened the door and was surprised to see Josie standing outside his room.
"Josie? I mean, Josie, come in."
Josie went in and told Vaughn to sit down and said, "Vaughn, the reason why I'm here is to apologize for what I did to you that day you saw me with Lucas."
"Josie.. You don't have to apologize. I understand your feelings for Lucas and I'm willing to accept that. But just remember that I'll always be here for you."
"Vaughn.. Thank you.. For understanding." Josie said then went to hug him.
Vaughn hugged her back, and he thought, "I wish I could hold you forever in my arms."
"I got to go Vaughn. Lucas is waiting. Thanks again for listening." she said and smiled.
"No problem Josie." he said, smiling as well.
Josie went out and closed the door behind her. She ran off to the lake. There she found Lucas quietly sitting on the rock they held hands with each other. Josie didn't want to stop his train of thought so she crept up silently beside him.
"Hey." she said.
"Hey. How'd it go?"
"It's ok now. We're ok."
"That's good."
"Mmhmm. So," She paused. "What's up? I'm all yours."
Lucas fell silent for a moment then shifted his position to look at her. He took her hands and said, "Josie.. I've been wanting to ask you this for a long time." He took a deep breath. "Josie, will you be my girlfriend?"
Josie knew in her heart that this was coming but acted surprise just for him. "Lucas," she said then just leaned over and kissed him. Their lips parted; Lucas smiled and asked, "So is that a yes?"
"Yes." she said, smiling.
Lucas' smile grew bigger and he knew his heart was filled with love and joy, he hugged her and she hugged him back. They parted from their embrace and Lucas asked, "So, you want to sit here? Staring at the lake?" He paused, smiled at her and added, "Holding hands?"
Josie looked into his eyes and kissed him again. Lucas knew what she meant. He took her hand into his and they both sat on the rock, staring at the beautiful still lake.
THE END