Disclaimer: I own nothing.

The Return of Sam

Chapter 2

Sam Dullard walked into his bedroom and plopped down on his bed. School had just let out for the summer and he had just learned some big news from his mother; they were moving back to California. At first, Sam thought that her second marriage had failed and New York held too many memories for her. But, it was exactly the opposite. Paula was pregnant and both she and her current husband, Stan, felt that while New York was a great place for teenagers and adults; it was no place to raise an infant. Despite the fact that many people raised their children from birth in NYC, Paula believed that a quiet and relaxed environment would produce a good child. Sam thought this was bullshit, that while he might be smart, growing up in Kansas and California had nothing to do with intellect. But he didn't complain.

Sam loved New York; he found a great group of friends and attended a high school for "gifted" teens which presented him with more challenges. Upon first moving to New York, Sam was nervous. He hated being the new kid. Otto, Twister, and Reg had treated him like a freak when he first moved to Ocean Shores and had endure trying new and dangerous sports before they finally accepted him. He didn't want to go through that shit again, and he didn't. His first week in New York, he had met a bunch of kids his age who would be attending school with him in the fall. The sheer fact that Sam had spent three years in California made him seem cool and exotic.

So they took Sam all around New York and in exchange, he showed off some moves on his skateboard. That had been three years ago, and since then, Sam changed. He still skateboarded and was better than he ever dreamed of being. Since there was no surfable ocean, Sam hadn't surfed since he moved. Paula made him leave his surfboard in California since it was pointless to bring in to New York. When Sam first appeared in New York, he looked a bit like a California surf punk. Shaggy blond hair and a slight tan. His wardrobe consisted of t-shirts with surf logos, cargo shorts, flip flops, and board shorts. All that quickly changed by the time he turned 14.

Now, at 16 years old, Sam stood at 5'11", skinny, with hair that was styled as a fauxhawk (meaning that he had a Mohawk without shaving the sides of his head). As for his hair color, it was something he changed frequently. Since he moved to NYC his hair had been brown, black, red, and green (which his mother freaked over). Currently, his hair was a dark auburn color which he intended to keep for a while. Sam's clothes mostly consisted of torn up jeans, old band shirts, and zip up hoodies. When looking at pictures of him as a child and looking at him now, it was impossible to see any resemblance. The only thing that stayed the same was the black-framed glasses he wore.

Sam looked up at his clock and realized that he was supposed to meet his friends at their favorite record store in ten minutes. He jumped off his bed and grabbed his backpack and skateboard before running out the door. After a long winter, mild temperatures had finally come to New York. Sam had almost forgotten what it as like to go outside without a jacket on. He frowned knowing that this was a feeling he would need to get used too since he was moving back to California. It's not that Sam wasn't excited to see his old friends again, but the news had just been sprung on him, reminding him of the last time he moved and the time before that. On all three occasions, Sam came back from his last day of school to have his mother tell him that he would be going to a new school in a different state in the fall. He wondered how his friends would take it. When he approached the record store, he almost turned around to cower somewhere else in the city, but he had already been spotted by his friends in the window. Sam inhaled deeply and walked through the door.

"Wow, that really sucks man." Sam's friend Jimmy said as he flipped through the sale bin.

"This cannot be happening! Sam, we were all supposed to share an apartment after graduation so none of us would live in shitty dorm rooms!" Jane complained.

"I'm sorry guys. But hey, we only got one year of school to go, I can always move back for college." Sam argued.

"Oh come on dude. As soon as you move back, you'll become a surf bum, drop out, and live in a van on some beach." Davey joked. Jimmy, Jane, and Davey were all a year older than Sam, but they would all be seniors since Sam had skipped a grade in elementary school. The four of them planned to go to NYU or Columbia (whichever accepted them) and share an apartment.

"I don't think I can ever forgive you for leaving for an entire year, Samuel." Jane said in a fake serious tone of voice.

"How could I ever redeem myself?" Sam asked dryly. A smile formed on Jane's face.

"Well, you could buy that imported Bob Marley CD for me."

"You mean the one that costs forty bucks?" Sam asked. Jane nodded happily, and a devilish grin stretched over Sam's face.

"Now you've done it Janey." Davey said jokingly. Sam picked up the CD and turned his back towards the register where a bored looking man was flipping through a magazine. Sam dropped the CD into his backpack, zipped it, threw it over his shoulder and headed out the door with his three friends following him closely. As soon as they were a block away from the shop, the four friends broke into a fit of laughter.

"Dude, you never fail to impress me with that criminal skill." Jimmy said as he pulled out a pack of cigarettes and offered it to the group.

"Well, we've got a new Marley CD and an afternoon to kill, what could we possibly do?" Jane asked. Sam exhaled a cloud of smoke and said-

"Blaze session at Jimmy's place!"

"Okay, but we're gonna need snacks, booze, and a box of phillies." He turned to Sam. "You got anymore room in that backpack?"

"Yep." Sam said. Jimmy turned to Davey.

"Got your fake I.D.?"

"You bet." Finally, he turned to Jane and said.

"You got a box of-"

"Sure do."

"What flavor?"

"Strawberry."

"Good enough for me." Jimmy said. "As for me, I got a half ounce of weed, a basement and parents who are in Connecticut for the week."

"What about your little brother?" Jane asked.

"He won't bug us unless he wants me to flush his hamster down the toilet again."

"I can't believe your parents bought him another one." Sam said. Jimmy shrugged.

"Anyway, let's get to work guys." So the four friends broke into two groups. Sam and Davey went to a convenience store where Davey purchased a bottle of tequila while Sam snuck candy bars and snack cakes into his backpack. Meanwhile Jimmy and Jane went to Jimmy's place to roll a blunt and clean up his room. Sam always got a rush when he shoplifted. After spending his childhood abiding by the rules, he found stealing, underage drinking, and smoking opened him up to a world of fun and spontaneous adventures with friends. Sam and his friends were known as the biggest potheads at their high school, but they still managed to succeed academically.

On their way to Jimmy's, Sam rode his skateboard and performed small tricks for Davey who shouted out scores. But the walk was bittersweet. Sam knew they still had two months before he was to leave for California, but the feeling of nostalgia along with abandonment still lingered.

One hour later the four teens found themselves in Jimmy's basement listening to Bob Marley, passing a blunt, laughing, and talking. Jimmy was the son of a wealthy couple who never seemed to be at home. His parents actually owned the apartment building they lived in and allowed Jimmy to live in the one room basement apartment while they and his brother lived on the fifth floor. Jimmy had decorated the apartment with posters, street signs, and tapestries. Not one space of wall, or ceiling for that matter was exposed. Jimmy was grateful for having his own space where he could entertain his friends with out the nagging of his parents. The fact that he sold marijuana also made the situation better since he would never have to worry about his parents finding his stash.

Sam was sitting on the couch between Jane and Jimmy taking a hit from the blunt that was nearly cashed.

"Dude, this shit done." Sam choked out as he exhaled.

"It lasted for a while though." Davey said as he handed Sam an ashtray.

"Well, you know what we gotta do now." Jane said smiling

"Order pizza?" asked Jimmy.

"Have an orgy?" asked Sam.

"Hail a cab, ride across town and not pay?" asked Davey.

"No…break out the tequila and roll another blunt because summer is here!!" Jane screamed with the joy. The boys started holler along with her until they heard a banging from upstairs.

"You kids keep it down!" A muffled voice screamed through ceiling.

"My parents own the building, jerk! You keep it down!" Jimmy yelled up at the ceiling.

"Yeah!" screamed the other three.

"Oh, fuck you!" the voice said. The four of them just laughed. Sam pulled the tequila out of his bag and started pouring shots. They each took a shot glass and raised it up.

"To summer." Said Davey before they tilted their heads back and allowed the alcohol to pour down their throats. After grimacing a bit, Jane unwrapped a cheap cigar as Jimmy prepared the weed and Sam poured more shots. After they finished off the bottle and the blunt, they watched T.V. knowing that they could not wander the streets of New York at night in their condition. And that their parents were still awake.

By 1:30 am, Sam decided it was safe for him to depart. Before he left, he bought a bag of weed from Jimmy and said goodbye to everyone. As he turned the doorknob, Jane yelled out to him-

"Sam, wait up!"

"Yeah?"

"I'm heading back too, and you know how dangerous the streets are for a pretty girl like me." She said in a mock innocent tone. Sam laughed. Jane lived a block away from Sam.

"That's cool I guess. If anyone tries to start something, I just gotta show off the old guns." Sam said patting his slightly muscled but skinny arms. Jane laughed and pulled Sam by the arm while waving goodbye to Jimmy and Davey. Jimmy managed to catch Sam's eye and give him a wink and a sly smirk. Sam knew why. For the past three years, an unspoken of bundle of sexual frustration existed between Sam and Jane. No real relationship besides friendship existed between the two, despite the fact that they had made out on several occasions while drunk. Despite this, there was no awkwardness between them. On one hand, Jane reminded Sam of Reggie, but on the other hand, she was totally different. Jane was more of a "bad-girl" and an artist; she shoplifted and smoked with Sam and painted very well. Reggie was an athlete and a lot less crazy than Jane. But there were also similarities. They were both pretty and attracted to Sam, which he never quite understood.

"Want one?" Jane asked Sam, breaking his strain of thoughts. She was holding up a pack of cigarettes.

"I'll smoke one of my own. I don't mind bumming off of those other two losers, but I couldn't do that to you." Sam joked as he pulled out one of his own cigarettes.

"Well, you did steal me a CD and dinner tonight. So if anything, I should give you a cigarette."

"I'll save that offer for a rainy day when I'm out and craving nicotine. It sucks, since you can't really steal smokes."

"All you gotta do is distract the guy behind the counter and sneak out a carton." Jane suggested.

"Well, we'll figure out a way before I have to leave." Sam smiled. Five minutes later, they reached Sam's building. Sam turned towards Jane and said-

"My high has totally worn off, I think I'm gonna smoke a joint and hit the sack. Care to join me?"

"Just for the joint or for bed too?" Jane asked suggestively.

"See how you feel." Sam said as seductively as he could. The two friends decided to clime up the three flights of fire escapes to the window that led into Sam's bedroom. The fire escape made it easier for Sam sneak in and out late at night. He could've used the front door, since he convinced his mother that he was always at his Jimmy's place studying (which believe it or not, they did a lot during the school year). But he never wanted to run into his mother while stoned, drunk, or taking a girl into his room.

Sam climbed through the window and sat down at his desk. He frantically started to roll a joint as fast as he could while still trying to keep it neat and tight. Jane meanwhile was perched on his window sill watching him while taking drags from a cigarette. When Sam finished they both stepped outside onto the escape landing and sat down in the flimsy metal chairs Sam kept there for company. The air was slightly cool but still mild enough to feel comfortable. The pleasant and subtle coolness reminded Sam about Ocean Shores and Reggie. Realizing he was in Jane's company, he banished the memories from his head and focused his attention on lighting the joint and handing it to Jane.

"Ladies first." He said.

"What a gentleman." Jane complimented as she took a hit. "My, my, Sam. This is quite a fatty."

"Well, I like to make my joints like that when I'm with other people."

"Funny, I figured you trying to get me so stoned that I would be too tired to go home and just spend the night with you." Jane said nonchalantly as she passed the joint to Sam. Sam was taken back somewhat.

"What? No, I-"

"Don't bother Sam." Jane interrupted. "I wasn't planning on going home anyway." She smiled at him, and Sam felt like he was thirteen years old again standing awkwardly in front of Reggie Rocket. I'm not that kid anymore. Sam thought to himself. He shook away any feelings of nervousness and smirked at Jane.

"Well then, how about we finish this sucker off and head inside, out of the cold."

"As long as you'll warm me up." Jane said while jokingly fluttering her eyelashes.

"With bells on my toes Janey" Sam said while blowing smoke into the night sky.

"What does that expression mean anyway?" Jane asked

"I don't know" Sam confessed. Jane laughed and let a stream of smoke flow into Sam's face. "I think this is done" She said, holding up the smoldering roach. Sam took it out of her hand and threw down to the city streets. He grabbed her hand and led her inside.

Sam was on his bed under Jane as she rubbed her hands down his bare chest and abdomen. Sam was not buff, but he had enough muscle definition to impress girls. Their mouths were connected in a fierce kiss. Sam let his hands wander from Jane's hips through under the back of her shirt. She disconnected her mouth from his and pulled her shirt over her head and flung it across the room. Sam sat up and flipped her over so that he was on top. She laughed in surprise and continued kissing him.

"Sam-do you…have any…condoms?" she asked between kisses. Sam sat up again.

"Are you sure you want to?" he asked

"Of course I want to."

"Yeah, but with me?" Sam asked smiling. Jane returned his smile and rolled her eyes.

"Well, I'm 17 and you're 16. Face it, we're both way too old to be virgins." She joked.

"What makes you think I'm a virgin?" Sam asked with a smirk.

"Shut up." Jane laughed. Sam grinned and turned his attention to kissing her neck and collar bone.

"Uh, Sam…condoms?"

"Oh yeah." Sam snapped up and pulled out a box of condoms his step-dad gave him two months ago from his bed side drawer. "You know these are only 98 effective against pregnancy."

"It's alright, I'm on the pill."

"Then why do we need the condom?" Sam asked.

"Because I don't know the other girls you've been fucking, you stud." Jane joked. Sam laughed.

"Now where were we?" he asked.

"Somewhere near second base." She replied. Sam chuckled and lowered his mouth to hers.

Sam awoke the next day with Jane's arm draped over his chest. Their clothes were scattered all over the room in which the scent of marijuana still lingered. Sam slowly slipped out of bed and pulled on a pair of shorts and a shirt before walking through the rest of the apartment to see if his mother and step-father were present; neither were. A note for Sam from Paula sat on the clean kitchen counter. It contained their plans to go out after work and that they would not return till late. She left money for pizza. This was a usual occurrence for Sam, but he could never forget the Paula of his childhood. Over-worked and worrying about her son constantly. Her new husband, Stan, changed everything. He was free-spirited and easy-going despite having a high stressed job as a lawyer. His spontaneous ways had been part of the reason why they had moved to New York in the first place. Paula didn't argue at all, unlike Sam. She believed that a new husband deserved a new location and a new home.

Part of Stan rubbed off on Paula (Sam didn't want to know how); she styled her hair with more flare, she replaced her drab divorced mother wardrobe with more stylish and younger looking clothes since she still had the figure for them. She even walked with more confidence. As for her teenage son, she was somewhat oblivious. She believed Sam was a perfect child with good grades who only dyed his hair to bring more color into his life. Sam was just grateful that she didn't know he smoked.

Sam walked back to his room where he found Jane in a towel with wet hair having obviously showered.

"Hey." Sam said

"Lovely morning isn't it?" Jane asked. No awkwardness was in the air, for which Sam was thankful for.

"It will be a lot nicer once I have some coffee. Care to join me for breakfast at the diner down the street?"

"A ritzy place like that? You'd better shower and put on a suit." Jane joked, knowing the diner probably served the cheapest pancakes in the city.

"Fine, I'll do just that. Do you need clothes to change into? I could loan you some sweatpants and a hoodie or something." Sam offered.

"It's fine. I got clean clothes in my bag. See?" Jane held a clean par of jeans and a shirt.

"Why do have those? Were planning on spending the night since yesterday afternoon?" Sam asked, shocked.

"Don't flatter yourself Dullard. I only packed these clothes because I thought I would spend the night at my aunt's place in Greenwich. She's out of town this week."

"You mean, we could have just gone over to your aunt's place instead of risking my parents hearing us?" Sam asked.

"One- Greenwich is a long bus ride away. Two- I was horny, and couldn't deal with anymore travel. Three- Your parents sleep like rocks. And four- I think you liked the fact that your mother was close by. It added a sense of danger with made it even naughtier." Jane joked.

Sam just rolled his eyes and walked into the bathroom.

"So, was it as good for you as it was for me?" Sam asked casually. The two recently deflowered friends had just placed their order with the waitress and were sipping coffee at a small table in the diner.

"The first time was sucky, but it's supposed to be like that. The second time was better, and the third-"Jane smiled "the third time was by far the best for both of us." She winked. Sam chuckled.

"What about the fourth time?" he asked

"Fourth time?" she said with confusion.

"Oh wait- that was after you fell asleep." Sam joked.

"You're one sick son of a bitch, Sam."

"Oh come on, you know that's a total turn-on." Jane chucked a sugar packet at Sam's head. "So…what exactly are we now?" he asked awkwardly. Both of them knew they would have to answer this question eventually.

"Hmmmm….how about friends who fuck? No dating each other or having a complicated relationship. Just end up in bed together every now and then."

"In that case, I hope there are a lot of now and thens before the end of summer." Sam said.

"We shall see Mr. Dullard. We shall see." Jane took a sip of coffee as the waitress set down their meals on the table.

So summer passed on. Sam spent his remaining time in New York hanging out with his crew and working part time in his step-father's office, filing papers and making coffee runs for anyone who went through a caffeine withdrawal. Over the weeks, Sam had learned more about their move back to Ocean Shores. Unfortunately, they were not able to buy back the old house on the cul-de-sac. Instead, Stan purchased a house right next to the beach. It was located right outside of Ocean Shores, but along with the house came beach-front property which was hard to come by. It was one of the few things Sam looked forward too; surfing on his private part of beach, trying to get his skill back before heading to the public beach with friends.

On the subject of old friends, Sam was nervous and excited about seeing his old gang again. He decided not to send any e-mails to them saying that he was coming back. It would be more entertaining to surprise them. During dinner with his mom and step-dad, Sam learned even more good news.

"I got a call from Ocean Shores High School today." Paula said while cutting her chicken.

"What'd they want?" Sam asked

"Well, I sent them your transcript last week with the transfer papers. Congratulations Sam. Since you went to a tougher school and got so many advanced credits they're allowing you to graduate after the first semester!" Paula said excitedly.

"That's great!" Sam said. Stan reached over patted his shoulder

"Way to go, kid." He congratulated. "Now what are you gonna do with your life?" he asked in false seriousness.

"Well, can I move back here after I graduate?" Paula and Stan exchanged looks of shock. "I mean, I want to go to college here anyway. I know I can get into NYU."

"Well Sam, I'm gonna have to think about that. I know how much you like it here, but I don't know how much help I'm going need with the new baby yet."

"Mom, please." He pleaded. Paula shot him a look of annoyance.

"Where would you live, Samuel? Where?" she asked

"I could live with Jimmy for a while, he wouldn't mind. I could get a job and give his parents rent."

"Well…I'll think about it Sam. Let's just see how things go in California." Sam nodded and dropped the subject, knowing that she would come around if he didn't badger her.

As for his strange relationship with Jane, they seemed to end up in bed together once a week. They shared no public displays of affection. Sam told his friends about coming back early, and they were ecstatic.

"You better not screw up, Sam!" Jimmy said as he mixed up a batch of margaritas in his parent's blender. It was Sam's last night in New York and his decided to have a final get together before Sam left. They were currently in Jimmy's parent's apartment having drinks before they went out for a night of re-visiting all their favorite hang-out places.

"Don't worry, everything will be fine. I'll go back for a few months, breeze through some classes, and before you know it we will be back here celebrating my valiant return with a blunt and a gallon of rum!" Sam reassured them.

"Yeah, but that's not till January." Jane whined.

"Don't worry Janey, we can always find a replacement and ditch him as soon as Sam comes back." Davey said.

"Oh Davey, don't go all mushy on me." Sam said sarcastically, prompting a roar of laughter from his friends. The downed their drinks quickly, allowing the booze to take control of their bodies at a fast rate.

"Let's blow this bitch and cause some mayhem!" Jimmy shouted as he bounded to the door. Davey let out a whoop and followed close behind. Sam and Jane only rolled their eyes and looked at each other. Jane pulled Sam towards her kissed him shortly but deeply.

"What was that for?" Sam asked. Jane shrugged.

"Well, Dingus and Mingus left the room and I'm partially drunk."
"Jane, control yourself. Save some for when we ditch those losers." Sam smirked. Jess threw her head back and laughter and pulled him out the door.

After four hours of craziness, the group reconvened at Jimmy's to share a final blunt. After they finished, Sam hugged Jimmy and Davey goodbye. Jimmy handed Sam a bag of weed on his way out the door.

"Just a little parting gift. On the house." He smiled. Sam and Jane walked back to Sam's apartment together. They stopped in front of Sam's building and climbed up the fire escape in silence. There, they shared a final joint.

"These next few months are gonna suck without you." Jane said.

"Just keep busy and they'll go by fast." Sam said. Jane nodded and looked up at him.

"I don't want to make this a long, mushy goodbye."

"You're just afraid you'll start crying." Sam teased.

"Shut up." Jane said before pulling Sam into a heated, final kiss. "Well..." she said after they finally separated.

"Until we meet again, huh?" Sam said.

"Until we meet again." Jane smiled. Without another word, she turned around climbed down the fire escape. Sam watched her for a moment before going into his room crammed with boxes and a complete lack of decoration. He lay down and thought about what he was going to face in the next few days. He would only have a week to settle down before starting school. Would anyone recognize him? Would anyone even remember him for that matter? These thoughts raced through his head. He started to regret not sending an e-mail to his friends about returning. After three years of limited communication, would they welcome him back with open arms, or looks of shock and disgust?

Next chapter: School is back in session.

Reviews please!! Good, bad and indifferent.

A/N: thanks to everyone who has reviewed so far!