In the days following, Sam became fixated with David's recovery from a difference. She watched every newscast she could after school. Her grades plummeted in the next few weeks, until she was pulling a C average.
"Samantha," Mrs. Greene, her guidance counselor addressed her, "I understand that you are concerned with the president's son David's recovery, but this is now affecting your GPA. You are finishing your junior year of high school, Samantha. You need to focus on the SATs and such. I would recommend patching everything up with him, now."
"Yes, ma'am." she nodded.
After school, Sam called David's cell phone. He didn't answer, so she called the special number the President had given her for emergencies. It was the President's personal cell phone. She dialed the number and waited while it rang.
"Samantha, what's wrong?" the President sounded concerned. He knew of no emergency situation.
"David won't answer his phone and I have to talk to him."
"That's not an emergency, Samantha!"
"It is to me. I have to talk to him, and I don't exactly know the number of the White House."
"Call his cell phone." the President decided. "I'll make sure he talks to you."
"Thanks."
"No problem--but Samantha?"
"Yes?"
"No more non-emergencies, okay?"
"Yes, sir. Good-bye." Sam hung up and dialed David's cell phone again.
"Hello, Samantha." the President answered the phone. "Here he is." Sam's heart began to beat double time.
"Hello." David said flatly.
"Don't hang up."
"Why not?" he challenged.
"Because I need to talk to you."
"Don't you have Jack over?"
"No. He broke up with Lucy, and decided that it would be in his best interest not to associate with us anymore."
"Oh." David said, feeling very small.
"Look, David. I'm sorry for doing that, for using you. It was so wrong of me, and you were right--I was being selfish. But I was trying to trick myself into thinking that I didn't love you."
"Did it work?" he asked sarcastically.
"No."
"Where would we go from here, Sam? If I forgave you, and we got back together, could we get over this?"
"Could we?" she asked.
"I don't know." he said honestly.
"I don't know, either, but I'll find out." Sam promised, and hung up before she burst into tears.