Finals are done so here's the next chapter as promised enjoy it.

"Shelby, have you heard?" Madison asked as she approached Shelby during the passing period before 4th period.

"No Madi, I haven't. Do tell?" Shelby responded, always eager to hear the schools latest gossip.

Shelby felt pretty good this morning. After the talk she had with the diner girl yesterday and watching the diner girl run off after the talk, Shelby felt that things would start to look up for her.

"Word has it that Sam is wearing Austin's varsity jacket today." Madison told Shelby with excitement in her eyes; she just knew that drama was bound to start after Shelby found out.

"Ok…?" Shelby said not fully comprehending why Madison was telling her this and how it qualified as juicy gossip.

Madison slowly shook her head. Sometimes she really wondered why she was "friends" with this broad. More like why she tolerated this broad. Then she remembered her boyfriend Toby was on the football team and he wanted her to be a cheerleader. So she tried out and made it. Shelby had latched on to her and claimed her as a best friend. Fearful for her spot on the squad she hid her true self and became what Shelby expected of her.

"Ok let's try this again." Madison said. "Word has it that Sam Montgomery, the diner girl, is wearing Austin Aimes's, your boyfriend, varsity letters man jacket."

Shelby didn't believe it. It couldn't possibly be true. Austin didn't let anyone,meaning no one, where his varsity jackets.

As if she read her thoughts Madison said "Funny, I can't seem to remember you ever wearing it." She then shrugged and walked away; leaving Shelby feeling the all too familiar feeling of confused and flabbergasted.

Realizing Reality

Sam had slept through half of the day. How she had made it to all four periods, let alone on time, she was still trying to figure out. The bell rung signaling the end of fourth period, Sam's mind and body was just beginning to wake up. Sam picked up her bag and walked to her locker.

When Sam got to her locker, to her surprise, there stood her best friend Carter.

"Hey there, Stranger." Carter said in a weird cowboy accent.

Sam's whole face lit up and she launched herself into his arms. "Carter! You're alive." Sam hadn't seen nor heard from him since the dance. She heard about the diner's sign falling on his dad's Mercedes. Sam didn't know if he'd make it through his punishment alive. Glad to see him Sam told him "I have missed you."

"I've missed you too. Now you have some 'xplainin' to do, Lucy." Carter said in a really good impression of Ricardo from the I Love Lucy Show.

"I do?" Sam said confused.

"Mm-hmm girl friend, you really do." Carter said pointedly looking at the letters man jacket Sam was wearing.

Sam had forgotten she had it on and was so comfortable; it didn't seem like a big deal. So she just stood there looking at Carter, missing his hint, waiting for a hint. Finally seeing Sam was totally not getting what he needed her to Carter finally gave in.

"You, my best friend, are wearing Austin's letters man." Carter informed Sam. "And I am very curious as to why?"

"Oh!" Sam said finally understanding Carter's pointed look at her wardrobe. "I was freezing this morning and Austin being the nice guy he is, offered me his jacket, and would not take no for an answer."

"Uh-huh. So . . ." Carter said as he navigated to his real question. "It's you and Austin?"

Sam wanted to say yes, but honestly she was not sure. Sure Austin had called her baby on more than a few occasions, he made her feel special and she was irretrievably in love with him. But that didn't make them an item, did it? Sam wasn't sure how Austin felt about her. She wasn't sure if he just wanted friendship or if he, like her, wanted to be something more.

"Well, honestly Carter" Sam started to attempt to answer Carter.

"Yeah bro, it is Sam and me." Austin's voice came from behind Sam.

Sam turned around and gave Austin a hug, and he gave the top of her head a kiss. Turning back to Carter she proceeded to introduce the two dudes who were near and dear to her heart.

"It's nice to meet you Carter." Austin said giving Carter some dap.

"It's nice to meet you too, the Austin Aimes of North Valley High" Carter ranted.

Thankfully Sam cut him off by saying "Ok Carter, we get it. Now cut it out, you sound like a fan."

"Oh right." Carter said slightly blushing. "Well I better get going. I have to audition this weekend. I'll talk to you later Sam. Nice meeting you, again." Carter walked off.

Sam turned to Austin and he immediately wrapped his arms around her.

"You know Samarie, I love it when you're in my arms. It feels so right." Austin said looking down at Sam. She was a beautiful sight to behold, even with his letters man jacket swallowing her whole.

"I do agree. I absolutely, honestly, happily agree." Sam said grinning up at Austin.

He chuckled and Sam giggled.

"I need to ask you something." Austin said.

"Ok. I'm all ears." Sam said.

"Ok, no its more like I need to tell you something then ask you something." Austin restated.

"Kay shoot." Sam told him.

"Alright well Sam, I" Austin started but he was interrupted by the most annoying sound coming near him.

"Austin we need to talk." Shelby said arriving in front of him, and in back of Sam.

"Not Now Shelby." Austin said looking thoroughly annoyed. "We are in the middle of something."

"No, now babe. Now." Shelby demanded only succeeded in angering Austin.

"Shelby, I am not your babe. I am not your boyfriend. We are not together. We are hardly even friends. Now please leave myself and Sam alone."

For the first time Shelby recognized she and Austin were not alone. She had been so absorbed in letting Austin know the rumors about the diner girl and him she didn't notice Sam in Austin's arms.

"So then the rumors are true." Shelby said. "You and the diner girl are an item."

Sam turned in Austin's arms and looked at Shelby like she was crazy.

"What are you talking about, we aren't together." Sam said.

Sam's declaration kind of hurt Austin's feelings, he was a little hurt. But then again it was true. They weren't together. . . yet.

"No? Then why are you wearing his letters man jacket?" Shelby asked assuming Sam was lying to her.

"I was freezing cold this morning and Austin came in and being the good friend that he is, he let me wear it." Sam answered.

"Ok well everyone knows, jocks don't give their lettermen's jacket to anyone unless the love them deeply. Everyone who is anyone knows that. So you and Austin have to be an item. Your wearing the jacket proves that."

Austin was shocked. Maybe Shelby wasn't as dumb as she looked since she just laid his true feelings out there. How did she get that from Sam wearing a jacket. Given, it was a very important jacket that he wouldn't let anyone but Sam wear.

"Well we aren't together." Sam answered. Then her phone went off. Sam turned back around and spoke in softly to him "And I have a feeling that I'm going to have to leave school. So I'm going to get my work for the rest of the day. Austin you should talk to Shelby; whatever it is she has to say seems very important. And we'll talk later right?"

Austin smiled and kissed Sam's cheek. "Of course baby, I'll text you ok?"

Sam nodded her head and smiled at him then reached up on her tippy toes and gave him a kiss on his cheek and removed herself from Austin's arms.

"Really Austin, what are you thinking? She doesn't belong with you, I do." Shelby said.

"You're wrong Shelby." Austin said shaking his head. "And I don't belong with you."

Austin turned and walked away towards the cafeteria. But he couldn't help but laugh when he heard Shelby growl out of frustration and say "Why does everybody keep walking away from me?"