[Loriot: I will guiltily admit that I do not have this finished. The third part that is. BUT I really, really wanted to post this. 'cause I do like it ... I rewrote one part about four times (and its the only part that I'm not entire set on, but the show must go on). Two things: 1 - I do reference an obscure movie in this part. A really bad movie called Troll 2. I watched it with a few of my friends this past semester for laughs. 2 - I purposely gave my two OCs gender neutral names. It amused me 'cause ... well, you'll see.]

Question Mark

One year, seven months, two weeks, and four days later Sammy's mom and Casey's dad called it quits (but, hey, who was counting?). Three months and two days after that, Sammy began her sophomore year of high school. She getting closer to sixteen each day and looking forward to getting her license (a rite of passage rather than necessity). She could finally fill out a pair of size five jeans and a b-cup bra. Not that she was counting that either; it simply meant more layers to put on, and more straps to argue with. It only mattered because she'd rapidly outgrown her old clothes. And, as in previous years, it took Grams a bit to pull together the money to buy the new clothes. But, really, Sammy just liked being tall – she'd surpassed both Holly and Marissa in height, but still remained almost-eye-level with Casey.

They had remained friends throughout the period which their parents dated. In fact, they had grown closer as the relationship progressed as they were effectively forced to spend time together. Neither had mentioned the "incident," trying to bypass that particular awkwardness as they weathered the early days of their parents' relationship. By the time freshman year had rolled around, the pair acted more like (really, almost inappropriately) close siblings than anything else. Sammy had actually obtained a boyfriend halfway through ninth grade. His name was Jamie – an extroverted, sarcastic, and sweet sophomore who played Varsity soccer, was a member of the National Honor Society, and loved to skateboard. Casey had ended up dating a girl from the drama department. Her name was Jude and she was quiet as a mouse until she got up on stage. Even so, they still spent "their" time together, Sammy returning to her place at the wall every few days.

One busy October morning, before classes, Casey and Sammy were hanging out near their lockers, coincidentally placed within a row of each other. Sammy leaned casually against the cool metal, holding her books in one arm as she waited for Casey to finish rummaging around in his locker.

"So, I have decided that I am not and never will be a good babysitter," Sammy sighed as she slouched lower against the lockers. Casey looked over at her, flashing a teasing smile.

"How'd your night with Dot's family go?"

Sammy groaned, lightly kicking Casey's shin. "Do not mock me, Acosta. Skylar somehow got a hold of a container of flour and proceeded to pour it all over the living room carpet while Nick decided it would be a good idea to paint the walls with sparkly blue toothpaste. To top it all off, Sky tried to brush his teeth with Cortisone cream – something which is not supposed to be ingested! I spent a half hour on the phone with Poison Control while Dot tried to calm her brother down." Casey snerked as he shut the door of his locker. Sammy glared. "Why Dot's parents decided it was a good idea to have more kids is beyond me."

"Are you babysitting again tonight?"

"Nah, I've got tonight to myself. Probably gonna work on the book report I have due for Walters or somethin'."

"As thrilling as that sounds – want to have a movie night at my place?"

A smile tugged at the corner of Sammy's mouth. "Tough choice."

"Come on – you, me, and a really bad horror film?" Casey cocked an eyebrow, tipping his head to the side slightly.

"Ah, sure, why not? Grams won't mind."

"Cool. I'll pick you outside the Highrise?"

By seven thirty-four, Sammy and Casey were settling into the Acosta's living room. As Casey was putting in the DVD, Sammy sat down on the couch, propping her legs up across the expanse, a bowl of popcorn sitting in her lap. When Casey turned around and noticed the lack of space left of the sofa, he rolled his eyes. Remote in one hand, he grabbed Sammy's ankles with the other and lifted them, carefully slipping into his seat (used to the routine by now). Sammy slouched down further, comfortably resting her feet across Casey's lap. Without a word, Casey hit the play button.

"Where's Warren tonight?" Sammy asked over the sound of the opening credits.

"Out … I think out to dinner with the director he's been working with recently."

"It's awesome that your dad's been doing so well. And on not-soaps." Sammy grinned broadly at Casey. Casey shrugged, eyes focused on the television, his fingers gently drumming a pattern on Sammy's bare ankle.

They were silent for awhile, watching as each blatantly stereotypical character was introduced. Sammy continued to munch on the popcorn as the characters sang 'Row, Row, Row Your Boat.'

"Pass the popcorn?" Casey asked.

"Yeah, sure." Sammy sat up, going to hand him the bowl, but as he was about to take it, she playfully leaned forward. "What's the magic word?" Casey blinked, eyes widening slightly as they were drawn to the low neckline of Sammy's shirt. A bit of blue-and-green striped bra peeking out behind her tank-and-hoodie combo. His grip on her ankle tightened slightly as he shook his head to clear his thoughts. Stupid male hormones.

"Geez, Casey, the question isn't that difficult," Sammy joked playfully, (very much so) oblivious to what had just occurred. She shoved the bowl into his hands and leaned against the armrest again, smirking as she turned her attention to the movie. Casey stared at Sammy's face in profile as the light flickered off her features. Minutes later he returned his attention back to the low budget green gore on his television screen.

By the end of the movie, the popcorn bowl has been discarded on the floor. With a sigh, Sammy sat up, pulling her legs from Casey's lap and stretched. Politely looking away, Casey shut down the DVD player. He sighed and pulled his legs up on the couch, sitting Indian-style.

"That was possibly the funniest movie I've ever seen," Sammy smiled happily. There was a brief pause before she started laughing loudly. "'Tightening my belt against hunger pains?' Where did the writers come up with this stuff?"

"I have to say my favorite line was either 'You don't piss on hospitality' or … well, the pseudo-sex scene was a riot." Sammy made a face, sticking her tongue out in disgust.

"Ugh … let's never eat popcorn again, please."

"Deal."

They lapsed into a comfortable silence, Sammy sleepily resting her head on her knees, her legs pulled to her chest.

"Where's Jude been lately? I've not seen her in a while." Sammy questioned Casey quietly, peering at him through half closed eyes.

"Oh … yeah. We broke up a couple days ago."

"… I'm sorry."

"Don't be. It was a mutual thing. 'We grew apart' as she liked to say." Casey shrugged, meeting Sammy's gaze evenly. To be honest with himself, he was quite relieved it finally happened. Jude was fantastic, he'd really liked her, but … they hadn't clicked. 'Course … there was that reason that Jude had brought up …

"Oh," Sammy responded softly. She was silent, eyes downcast. She'd broken up with Jamie months ago. She'd been heartbroken; she remembered crying that night, Grams holding her as she sobbed. Mrs. Wedgewood had called to see if everything was okay, relaying her 'sympathy' to Sammy as best she could.

It wasn't just the break up that had left her aching, though. It was the fight that led up to the break up, and the realization the she'd had in the midst of the argument. Jamie had broken up with her for one very specific reason – she spent too much time with Casey. He accused her of being in love with him. While she was yelling at him, pink in the face, denying everything he'd accused her of – she realized that Jamie was right. She still did care for Casey (a lot), and probably always would. He was her friend, her first crush, her first kiss, he was ...

He was taken.

She was furious (at her mother, at herself), miserable, and so utterly confused that she, in a very out of character moment, nearly cried on the spot.

That's what upset her the most. The fact that he was taken, the fact that he'd moved on like she had thought she had.

No, actually, what upset her most was the fact that she was acting like such a lovesick wuss.

So – she accepted it and resolved not to think about it, carrying on with her life as she'd done in the past, though the thought was always in the back of her mind. Even so, she'd found herself acting like her eighth grade self again – internally spazzing when he came near, daydreaming about his eyes …

And she had thought, had been given reasonable evidence that (just maybe) he still felt like she did. The sweet smiles, the casual way he would (find an excuse to) touch her … arms, legs, (even) hips, the way he teased her. They were actions that she wouldn't have given much thought before, but, now, it they didn't seem as friend-ish as Sammy had once perceived.

And now … now that he was no longer with anyone, she might have a chance. Just maybe. Sammy bit the inside of her lip, debating if she should tell him.

They had been sitting in silence for awhile before Sammy spoke up again, "Did I ever tell you why Jamie broke up with me?"

"Not really … I just know you two had a fight and that was it. Marissa was pestering me for days for details, saying you wouldn't tell her a thing."

"I didn't really tell anyone, really." Sammy sighed. She shifted, sitting Indian Style elbows resting on her knees. Casey mirrored her position, their knees touching. He met her gaze; she returned it evenly, her bangs obscuring her eyes slightly.

"Out with it, Keyes." Casey nudged her knee with his gently. Sammy began to speak, her voice faltering. She absently picked at her already chipping green nail polish. Casey frowned, biting the inside of cheek. "I'll tell you why I broke up with Jude if you tell me why you broke up with Jamie."

"Have you ever noticed both their names begin with 'J'?"

"You're stalling." Sammy blinked; suddenly shy, she averted her gaze.

"I know that Jamie supposedly started our fight, but, honestly, it was my fault. I doomed our relationship to fail before it began." Sammy ran a hand through her choppy hair. She fell silent.

"How?" Casey murmured.

Sammy mumbled something, cheeks growing pink. Casey cocked an eyebrow.

"… Sammy, I didn't catch any of that." Sammy groaned in frustration. This was not going well. At all. Damn her stupid brain! This was the worst possible moment to be unable to form coherent sentences! Taking a deep breath, she tried again, voice faltering.

"He broke up with me because he thought – knew – that I didn't have feelings for him. Probably never did, now that I've thought about it. I've always …" Casey nodded, encouraging her to continue.

Sammy sighed instead, brushing Casey's bangs from his (warm and chocolaty) eyes before resting her hand lightly on his leg. Casey's eyes closed lazily, as he sighed, realizing what she'd been trying to communicate. Reaching toward her, he mimicked her gesture. Opening his eyes, he smiled slightly. He watched intently as her head grew dangerously close to his, not daring to breathe. "Casey?" she murmured, nervously, questioningly, hopefully. Unable to make a sound, he simply tightened his grip on her leg slightly. Then … Sammy Keyes kissed him. Carefully she pressed his lip to his, hesitantly at first, but as he tilted his head slightly kissing her back, she responded by kissing him harder, pressing her body closer to Casey as he slid his hand towards her torso, his hand warming the inch or so of bare skin near her hips as it brushed by. By the time they'd pulled away, Sammy had nearly ended up in Casey's lap; his hands had found their way under her tank, warming the skin at the small of her back. Sammy's cheeks were burning pink as she avoided Casey's gaze. Placing his knuckles against her jaw, he gently made her look at him. He was grinning blissfully.

"You know, Jude and I actually broke up for the same reason," he murmured before capturing her mouth once more, grazing her bottom lip gently with his teeth. Sammy sighed contently, lacing her fingers through his hair.

To Be Continued ...