Hey guys! Sorry it took a little while to update. I just finished exams and I had a tournament, but I'm all caught up now! snaps for me.

This chapter is very long. It took me a while to write, and I worked really hard. I hope you like it! Also, thank you all my lovely readers and commentators, I really appreciate it. This chapter would not have been written with out you. Seriously.

On to the chapter:

Too much sugar

Willow had another headache and this time it was back with a vengeance. She blamed it on all the sugar she'd been consuming lately. Sam drove through Fortworth silently. Willow felt a little awkward because of Sam's earlier confession. Now all of her plans went down the drain. Well Shit…

She definitely couldn't avoid Cohen much longer. Despite her failed attempts at ignoring and avoiding him, he was constantly in her thoughts. And now she finds out Sam likes her…a lot…so there is no way for her to use him a distraction with out hurting him. damn myself and my raging teenage hormones.

"hey Will?" She glanced over tentatively and saw a small smile on his lips. He looked comfortable enough.

"mhm?"

"why are you avoiding Cohen?" he looked over and shot her a look that said 'cut the crap'…he hasn't given me a reason not to trust him…She considered telling him the truth, but with his new feelings out in the open that would probably be a bad thing. She was trying to formulate a reasonable half-lie when Sam spoke again, "the whole truth." Damn, you've got to be a bad liar if people know you're lying before you even try.

"No control." it took it a second for her to realize her own words, they had just slipped from her lips. And then it took her another second to realize it was true. Sam's face got extremely smug.

"And since you're spending so much time with me I assume that means you feel in control around me." it wasn't a question. Willow didn't even know how to react, but she knew it was true. "I find it funny how even the girl who actually is different, gets sucked in. This time there's a twist though, he didn't even have to work for it." the smug look he had earlier turned into a grimace. Despite the truth in his words he had crossed a line.

"Since when do you get to assume my feelings for me? I don't feel like I have control because Cohen takes it away, it's almost forcible." trees rushed by as words flew out of her mouth, "I like spending time with you because I LIKE YOU. And I have never ever been sucked into something without my consent. And to say he hasn't even done anything? Do you realize what you just said? What am I , some crazy sex driven slut? Think again, douche bag! You obviously don't think highly enough of me to trust my emotions and not assume I have ulterior motives!" the car had stopped moving and Willow was panting with raging anger. " you, Sam, are an ass who assumes every girl is so easily controlled. I allow you to think for your self, but you obviously don't have the same respect for me."

Willow threw the door open and stamped into the school. Sam sat there shocked, he considered going after her, but it would be pointless. Willow was too mad for rational thoughts.

Willow fiddled around with the lock on her locker but was too mad to focus. She rested her forehead against the cool metal and tried to calm her breathing. Sam had really gotten under her skin, she obviously cared about him. The worst part was everything he had said was true, she was just over reacting. what the hell am I going to do? she would just figure this out tonight…DAMN IT! Sam if my effing ride! Just then a whole flock of girls came out of various class rooms heading for the gym. my ride home should be promising.

The girls cleared the hall as Willow banged her head on the locker. OUCH, shit, my headache! you know you're angry when you forget about a splitting migraine. Willow messaged her temples as a polite voice spoke.

"You are willow." the girl was roughly 5' 10" with long brown hair and blue fathomless eyes. The girl was obviously athletic with her small chest, muscled legs and tone body. There was a bouncing blond by her side who was obviously excited about something.

Willow pinched the bridge of her nose firmly. "that's what they tell me." both girls looked pleased and the blond one even stopped bobbing…for maybe .25 seconds.

"I'm Lorraine." the girl held out her hand and willow just looked at it. She recovered quickly and pointed at the bubbly blond, "this is Jamie" . the girl, Lorraine, obviously had something she wanted to say by the looks of her twiddling fingers and meek posture. "I- I'm in your second period and I-I-…well, I googled you."

Willow finally made eye contact and noticed the girl was very uneasy. I'm sure not making her feel any better. but Willow was too pissed to care about proper manners right now. That didn't quite stop Lorraine from going on, "I know you stopped playing, but…do you...I mean, could just come to the volleyball meeting it's right now and you wouldn't have to go back to class. And it's definitely not a commitment. And…and…we need you!" the girl finished with a hopeful, pleading look.

The bouncy blond was now filling in the vocal backgrounds with "please, please, please, please." Willow thought she would strangle her. Woah, where had that come from? Never in her life had she heard a more obnoxious voice. no need to be a bitch just because your head hurts.

Willow began to consider their offer. It would be a break from school, and she could avoid tutoring. Plus, a meeting never hurt anyone. Maybe she could go to a practice or two, just to see. let's just start with the meeting.

"I'll go if Blondie over there puts a cork in it." Jamie looked deflated, but the headache was reaching a point where color was starting to fade out. every time she closed her eye she saw Cohen. Almost like my impending doom. she opened her eyes resolute. "sorry, I have a bad headache" her apology landed on deaf ears. Apparently Jamie had just walked away too eager to wait for Willow to make up her mind.

"let's go, I think we're late" Lorraine lead the way and Willow sighed. "don't worry about Jamie, she's probably already forgiven you." she finished with a smile. if only my problems were so easily solved.

One problem could possibly be in the process of being solved though, her distraction problem. Volleyball was something she promised she would never reconsider, after her mom… mentally shaking her self they walked into the gym.

What could it hurt?

After the coach had gushed over Willow and her unbelievable come back to volleyball, and how lucky they were and what it would mean for their record, He finally moved on. He talked about the upcoming camps and open gyms. Try outs were already over, but obviously Willow was an exception. He handed her a flier and the schedule for the season. They had a game coming up the following week. The coach probably left the meeting in the best mood of his life, while Willow…well she was just mostly amused.

Willow left the meeting with Lorraine. Lorraine was someone Willow could see herself being a friend with. She was a great listener and would talk about anything. " alright, Jamie and I are in the starting line-up, I'm usually starting outside, but I can do right side." she must really want to win if she's willing to give up her starting position," Jamie is the setter, our libero is pretty good. We just really need a utility player. You can be our everything girl." Lorraine was smiling so forcefully Willow could feel the happiness radiating off of her.

"I don't need starting outside" I don't want to replace anyone. "I can play anywhere, which is fine." just then they turned the corner and Willow ran straight into…a wall?

Lorraine ducked her head and whispered a parting gesture, promising to meet up later. As Willow got her bearings she looked to see what she ran into. damn it all.

"watch where you're going" Cohen looked satisfied with himself. Actually, this looks like he set me up.

"were you waiting here for me?" straight to the point, good ol' Willow.

"I am leaning against a wall." casually sexy had a whole new meaning.

"ok smart ass, wanna play it like that? Game on." Cohen looked pleased at this statement, but his face dropped as Willow tried to step around him.

"where's the fire?"

"Holding me against my will?" she shrugged, "wouldn't be the first time." she had obviously caught him off guard, he fumbled to recover.

"you can leave if you want. doesn't seem like you're putting up much of a fight though." the challenge in his eyes screamed sexuality. He obviously wanted a fight…of some kind.

"Fight? that's what you want?" she kept her face blank as she watched Cohen absorb that. He didn't think she was being literal and prepared for a mock fight. Willow faked left while Cohen side stepped to block her path. He was so focused on her he didn't notice that when she faked left again he was bound to hit the wall he was just leaning up against. She quickly slid past him. He gripped her hand at the last second in an attempt to make her stay. Instantly she grabbed his hand with her free one, spun under his arm pinning his right arm behind his back. Holy SHIT! Act like that was intentional!

She leaned in close while whispering in his ear from behind, "play nice." she released him and Cohen looked flabbergasted. "now, do you have a purpose or are you just screwing with my mind?" Cohen tried to regain his dignity, but it was ripped apart. A girl had just bested him. embarrassing. Willow tried with all of her might not to giggle aloud.

"actually, yes." Cohen pulled out several papers that were rolled that had been in his back pocket, "the teacher gave me these to give to you…extra work or something." Willow took the papers. At the top they said 'Extra Work'. Tutoring bullshit?

Frustrated Willow closed her eyes and sighed as she wrinkled up the papers. She felt a hand grasp her own free hand and looked up to see concern filled eyes. "are you ok?" She couldn't really process this. Cohen has a soft side?

"I- uh, yea. There's some stuff I have to straighten out" She fixed her book bag and turned to leave when she heard a distinct whistle. She flew around to confront the perpetrator.

There leaning against the wall was the same god-in-human-flesh who had just showed concern, not a minute before. "lookin' good, Mercer." he had obviously regained some dignity.

"PIG!" I can not believe I fell for the whole concerned act! UGH! she stormed out of the front door. As she stepped into the car Sam was waiting in she saw Cohen's smug look drop. A small grin stretched across her face as Sam pulled away from the curb.

I guess we're even.

( : )

The ride home was quiet. Sam kept peeping over at Willow, she seemed irritated. When they were almost to her house Sam finally broke the silence. "I am an asshole." Willow tried to speak, but he pushed on, "no, just listen." he took a deep breath, " I usually don't get jealous, but I am. I said some terrible things and you have every right to be mad at me. your emotions are your own, but I just wish… I could be a bigger factor." Sam ran his hand through his curly hair, " I am willing to be friends, but I care too much about you to just watch you get hurt. And most importantly…I have the greatest respect for you." now he smiled as he pulled to a stop in the drive way, "ma'am"

He could see Willow's shoulders relax. "I over reacted too Sam. I'm sorry. I- I just don't know how to feel. My head is spinning and I can't figure this out. It'll take a while, but friends is good for me right now. I'm not saying I won't give you a chance, just…" before she could finish she was cut off.

Sam had been taking her words to heart, but she needed to know how serious the competition was, how serious I am about her. The single finger laid upon her lips to stop her rambling slid down. He directed her chin upwards. He leaned in slowly and gently brushed his lips against hers once. She didn't move so he took that as a positive sign. He dipped his head and softly kissed her bottom lip. She was paralyzed, but he was energized. He was trembling all over.

"I'll wait" he whispered against her pale pink lips. Forever.

Willow gathered her things, gave Sam a last confused look filled with…longing? The car door closed with a soft thud as Willow's irresistible form vanished behind her front door. Sam started up the car and pulled out of the drive way.

That went better than I expected, I think.

*phew* six pages? Holy crap!

So definite Sam action…hmm. And Cohen showing concern? What is this world coming to? What's a girl to do? Tell me what YOU would do.

On the bright side, Willow has to go to tutoring sooner or later. ; ) don't worry.

Make sure to leave me some reader lovin'! Review, review, review!

Later Lovlies