1 Sammy's Girl

Ch.2 Conversations

Story of my life . . . sang Sam's cell phone as she reached to answer it. "Hi, Jen," she answered already knowing who it was.

"Hey, so what did you want to talk about?"

"Not here meet me at the river in 10?

" Ok"

Ten minutes later Sam was at the river waiting for Jen. A couple minutes later Jen rode up on her horse, Silly.

"What's up?" she asked.

"Well, I... its Darrell. He's been acting... weird. I don't know but I think he's gonna ask me out again. I don't know what to do..."

" Oh .. Just do what your heart says. Don't get worked up because he might not even ask you out! If he does then if you love him say yes... if you don't say no. Just don't make him mad. Umm, how exactly do you feel about him?"

Sam shifted uncomfortable in the saddle. " Well, I'm not sure. I mean I liked it when we were going out but, I like him more as a friend. And what about Jake?" They both knew that Jake had yelled at Darrell for asking her out. At first they didn't understand why he was so mad, but then Jen found out that Jake liked Sam. So far, Jake had no clue that they knew and he hadn't done anything to flirt with Sam let alone ask her out.

"Oh he'll get over it!" Still, Sam wasn't sure and she didn't want to hurt her best friend.

The next morning Sam wasn't sure if she wanted to face Darrell or not. There is no reason not to want to face him, she thought. He hasn't done anything wrong and its not like I'm dating anyone. Still she couldn't get that feeling the something was gonna happen today from her head.

By the time lunch was about to start, Sam still hadn't seen Darrell and thought maybe he had stayed home. So far, so good she thought.

Sam and Jen were just sitting down when Jake and Darrell

appeared. " Where have you been?" Jen asked before any of them had a chance to say anything.

Jake and Darrell exchanged nervous glances and Jake rubbed the back of his neck showing that he was nervous. Darrell finally realized that Jake wasn't going to say anything so he spoke up. "Well um... I.. sorta got in a fight with that Slocum kid."

"You mean that YOU got in a fight with Ryan," Jake corrected.

"Well... yeah I guess I did get in a fight with him. But then you got involved!" Sam and Jen looked at each other and rolled their eyes. Darrell was always trying to blame stuff on Jake.

"Ok we get the point, but why did you guys start fighting?" Once again Jake and Darrell exchanged nervous looks.

"Well, I heard Ryan tell Rachel that you were dressing like her cause you want to be just like her. Rachel got all snotty and said you would never be as beautiful as her. I got really peeved and told her that you were already more beautiful than she would ever be." By now Darrell was blushing furiously and looked to Jake for help.

Jake quickly picked up the hint and said "When I came down the hall, Darrell and Ryan fighting Of course I joined in to help Darrell out. Of course we out numbered Ryan and had almost won when Rachel came down the hall leading my mom. Of course she was mad, and sent us to the principals office. Thats where we have been ever since."

" Uh, Sam can you close your mouth?" Sam had not even realized that her mouth had been hanging open through almost the whole story, she was so stunned.

" So your saying that this whole fight was about me?" Sam asked because she still could not believe Darrell had risked detention because of her. Both Darrell and Jake nodded. Darrell mumbled something about having to get something from his locker and took off. Jake, of course followed his best friend.

Jen opened her mouth to say something, but before she could say anything Sam said, "Don't you dare say it Jennifer Kenworthy!" knowing what she was going to say.

"Are you staying for dinner Jake?" Sam asked as they pulled up to Riverbend Ranch. " Gram left some food in the frig." Sam's dad and Brynna had gone to Las Vegas for the weekend and Gram was staying at Ms.Allen's. Jake being his usual self just nodded and headed toward the barn.

A little while later Sam and Jake were tacked and up and ready to go for a ride. Most of then ride went the way they usually did: quiet and uneventful. Finally, Sam couldn't take it any more " Jake, why did Darrell make such a big deal out of what Rachel said?"

At first she didn't think he was going to answer but, he finally began " Sam, I don't really know. I... never mind." Slightly embarrassed he started trotting ahead. Sam, who knew Jake decided not to press the issue, because if he wanted her to know then he would tell her.

Sam was just getting ready to go inside after Jake when she heard a car coming across the bridge. "Hey, Sammy Girl, is Jake here?" came Darrell's voice from the car.

"Yeah, he's inside."

"Ok good. I actually came to see you." Sam was surprised by this answer and even more surprised when he came behind her and planted a kiss on her head.

"Sam.. I.. I'm..." he started

"Darrell!" Jake bellowed from the porch.