*Using the same idea of "Wonder in the Thunder"*

Another thunder came through loud and clear. She had nearly pulled her hair out if it wasn't for Elizabeth lying on her lap. She hated it so much. Thunder. She couldn't explain exactly why. She just did with every fiber in her body. But she had Elizabeth to comfort her. And for once, her mother was there too. Although, she'd never run into her for comfort. That'd be pathetic. She was 18 for God's sake! She couldn't let some harmless thunder scare her! But she did. There was nothing she could do about it. She had tried to fight it for several years but with no luck.
Please go away, please go away.
The rain was banging toward her window in heavy doses. She wondered how she would be able to concentrate tomorrow. She had classes until 3 and then there was Sam who she had promised to stay with for an hour to prepare for an upcoming handing-in.
Sam. How did they end up here? She kept asking herself why he had dared to socialize with a boring bookworm like her. Hardly Sam's type. But then again. She wasn't sure which kind of type Sam would go out with. She had heard rumors, yes. About large breasted, hot women, always looking for some action. She didn't know whether to believe it or not. It didn't sound made up but…
They never discussed the matter. To be frank, she had the feeling that he tried to avoid it.
Did it really matter? It was none of her business really. She should just be thrilled that he wanted to have anything to do with her at all. No one else would just a few weeks ago.
He was the only one who had ever taken time to participate in her activities. A few girls had back in high-school, but that wasn't the same. Sam was…A guy. Strangely enough. She had never experienced anything like that with a guy. There had been boys in her life. A few. But none of them had ever shown interest in what she liked. The only thing they were interested in was 'getting something'. Luckily her father had seen through their façades and forbid her from keep seeing them. So when he told her to hold onto Sam, she was positively stunned. She had never heard her father say anything like that about any other guy, she had brought home before. Maybe it was because he wanted her to have someone to turn to, or perhaps he did in fact see Sam as a fine young man. The 'right guy' to take care of his little girl.
All she knew was-

Her thinking was interrupted by a knock on the window. She listened intense for a moment but there were no more knockings to be heard. She must have been imagining it. But there it was again.
She was frightened and on edge to hide under her blanket, but then, outside the window, standing on the roof, soaking wet, was Sam. She was in deep despair by his presence, but nevertheless, she hurried to the window to let him in.

"Did I wake you up?"

"Sam! What on earth are you doing here? It's 2 am!"

"I know, I know. It's just- my brother came home this evening and we got into a huge argument about something ridiculous… and then my dad interfered, clearly supporting Derek. I had enough and stormed out of there."

"You're telling me, you've walked all the way from your home to here?! Your house is on the other side of the college!"

"Actually, I ran most of the time, but yeah. I was hoping, I could stay here for the night."

"Well, of course. Just- Sam you're soaking wet. We have to find you some clothes!"

She ran to one of her drawers and got him a towel.

"Here," she said and handed him the towel.

"Thank you."

"Sam, I- God! You're white as a sheet, let me-"

"Diane," he said and took her hand by surprise. She froze.

"Calm down. I'm gonna be fine. It's just a little rain, that's all."

"And thunder," she murmured.

"And thunder," he chuckled.
He could always make her smile.

"Fine. I'll uhm- I'll go check and see if I can find some of my dad's old clothes. I'm not sure if my mother threw it out or not, but I'm going to check. You stay here and be very quiet. My mother is right upstairs."

"Shouldn't I go up and introduce myself?" he said sarcastically.

"Sam…"

"Alright. I'll stay here," he smiled.

"I'll be right back."

She left and in the meanwhile Sam tried to dry his hair. She came back 5 minutes later.

"I didn't manage to find anything," she said sadly.

He nodded.

"Uhm- but uh…"

"Yeah?"

"If you hand me your clothes I can put it in the dryer. Then it'll be dry for the morning."

Oh, this was embarrassing.

"Sure," he said. "How uh- how much of it should I- give you?"

"Your blouse and pants," she murmured, looking in the other direction.

He started to undress.

"Done," he said and handed her the close.

"I'll go put it in the dryer. See if you can find another blanket in one of the top drawers," she said before leaving.

She came back shortly after to see him stay just like when she left him.

"I couldn't find one," he said.

"Are you sure?"

"Completely. I looked more than once."

"Well, alright. I guess, we just have to share mine then."

"You sure? I can just-"

"Don't be silly, Sam. You're freezing and your only clothing is your…"

"Okay, but I don't want make you feel uncomfortable in your own home."

"You're not. Now, let's just go to sleep. It's been a rough day and we both have classes tomorrow."

He nodded and followed her to the bed.

There was plenty of space for both of them in the bed. The only problem was, the blanket wasn't as large as the bed so they had to lie close. But that didn't bother any one of them.

"Are you cosy?" he whispered.

"Yes, are you?"

"I'm good," he smiled.

He closed his eyes for a couple of minutes. She used the time to study him. His hair was still a bit wet after being out in the rain. The rain had made it all curly. She liked actually liked it that way and felt the urge to run her fingers through it, but came to her senses. He mumbled. She wondered if he had fallen asleep.
But then he said her name as tender as ever.

"Diane?"

"Yes, Sam?"

"Listen."

She listened for a while.

"I can't hear anything."

"Exactly. The rain stopped. And so did the thunder."

The thunder. She had completely forgotten about the thunder. She had been too busy dealing with Sam's visit that she hadn't even noticed it.

She laughed in relief.

"What's up?" he smiled with closed eyes.

"I just really- hate thunder. It's nice that's it's gone."

"Hate it how?"

"It's silly."

"No, tell me," he said and opened his eyes to look right into her glowing ones.

"It frightens me."

"Really?"

"Mhm."

"You didn't seem frightened when I came. Just stressed and confused."

"I was too busy to notice it when you came."

"Well, you're always welcome to call me, you know. If you feel the need for comfort."

"In the middle of the night? Because of some ridiculous thunder?"

"Sure, why not."

"Sam, are you forgetting that you have to get some sleep yourself."

"So are you."

"Well, it's my problem too."

"I tell you what. Next time thunder comes around, I'll be here, making sure you get some rest too."

"But Sam you can't-"

"If I want to, I can."

She smiled.

"Why are you always like this?" she smirked as she admired him.

"Like what?"

"Caring. You always put my needs before yours. How come?"

"I just think you're important, that's all."

"Important, how?"

"Sch, Diane. I'm trying to sleep here!"

They both shared a laugh.

"I just really like you, okay? You brought a lot to my life."

"Touché," she whispered.

"Does that answer satisfy your question for tonight? 'Cause I'd sure like to get some sleep."

"I suppose it does. Goodnight, Sam."

"Goodnight, Diane."

She closed her eyes while his remained open. She was a sleeping beauty with her long, shinny, blond hair and her eyes as blue as the sky. She could be his everything.

"She's yours if you want her to be."

He recalled Jenson's words. He wondered if he was right. Did she really feel the same about him, as he felt about her? He was afraid that'd he never know, but he was also afraid that he would.
What if she loved him too, but she was just keeping it to herself like him? Or even worse…what if she didn't? He was afraid of losing her. Right now was pretty terrific. They were like brother and sister, taking care of each other. But he wanted more than that. He wanted to be able to press his lips against hers. He wanted to call her more than a friend. Just lying this close to her nearly paralyzed him.
But set she wasn't feeling the same way? If he ever told her how he felt and she answered that she didn't feel the same way…what would he do? Lose her forever? He didn't want that. How could he risk that?

"Sam?"

"Yeah?"

"Weren't you supposed to get some sleep?"

"You're right."

He took a chance and placed a quick kiss on her forehead.

"Night-night."

He closed his eyes and so did she. Nothing was to be heard. Only the pounding heart of Diane Chambers.