Sam found herself sitting in a now abandoned park. When she arrived there were mothers, fathers, and children all around. It wasn't dark then, but it was now. How long had she been sitting in this park? How much longer till she'd crack and break like life, Fiona, and obviously so many others wanted her too?

A little while ago, well apparently, hours ago Sam was beaten for being happy. Sam was beaten because she had a piece of happiness that Fiona had no control over . . . till now. Fiona declared that Sam would not have a place to stay, a car, or a "family" if she would not break things off with Austin. Yes, after being beaten, Sam's bit of happiness was pulled from her grasp.

And that is exactly what Sam had been sitting at the park mulling over. What did happiness have against her? What did she ever do to happiness besides long for and support it? How was she supposed to let her heart go? What they had was real. He would know that deep in her heart this wasn't what she wanted.

"SAM?" Austin yelled, and ran over to her.

"Great." Sam mumbled to herself after she turned to acknowledge the object of her thoughts, yet she wouldn't , she couldn't look at him.

Head down and refusing to look at Austin, Sam began to cry silently. How in the world was she supposed to this?

"So, are we just not going to talk?" Austin asked after 7 minutes of silence. Sam still didn't move a muscle. "What is going on baby? Why weren't you at the game?"

"Fiona called, said I needed to meet her at the house immediately." Sam managed to mumble out.

Sighing, and trying not to let his irritation come through and project it at Sam Austin responded. "What did she want this time?"

"She wanted to talk to me." Sam answered.

"For two hours?" Austin asked feeling a bit more irritated.

"No. After she was done" Sam chose her words carefully "uh, making her point I came here to think."

Austin, who was use to his girlfriend being there for his games and being there after the games, was now irritated and agitated. "Why couldn't you come to the game Sam? I kept looking for you. Worrying about you. And yet you were here in this park 'thinking' to yourself."

If it were not for the bruise now forming around Sam's right eye and the bruise to complementing it on the side of Sam's face she would have looked up in shock. Where was her boyfriend at and who the heck was this standing in front of her? Couldn't he tell something was terribly wrong?

"Well, since you aren't talking I'll leave you to 'think to yourself' in peace. Later Samantha." Austin said walking away from Sam.

Sam thought to herself that it must be fate.

Realizing Reality

Sam spent the whole night at the park and she couldn't miss school anymore, so she had to go. Not only did she have to go but she had to take a shower and get ready in the locker room. Thank God she had spare clothes in her car.

As Sam walked out the locker room she bumped into Madison.

"Oh I'm so sorry." They both said at the same time.

"Oh my Gosh. What happened to your face Sammy?" Madison said. "Oh no. She didn't."

Madison was secretly in Sam and Austin's corner. She believed in them and could see they had what it takes. Yesterday Shelby had told her that she handled the situation and she and Austin would be together soon.

"Not to be rude but why are you talking to me? I'm diner girl, and your best friend doesn't like me." Sam said trying to side step Madison.

"Ok. I know you probably won't believe me but Shelby is not my best friend. As a matter of fact the only friend I have is my boyfriend. Shelby just took a liking to me when I joined cheer and claimed me. But I am talking to you because I like you. You seem like such a nice, sweet, humble person; a person who definitely does not deserve this. Who did this to you? Was it Shelby? If it was, so help me God"

Sam kind of giggled dazed could Madison possibly be a good friend? Definitely. Then Sam proceeded to tell Madison everything. After which Madison was seething with anger and Sam was once again near tears. Madison seeing this asked Sam a simple question.

"Can I give you a hug? You really need one." She asked. And Sam smiled a nodded.

They hugged and Madison went in search of Toby to tell him to get his teammate up on game, while Sam simply drifted down the halls to her first period. Head down and avoiding any and everyone.

Austin had just entered the school. As soon as he got in his car the night before he'd been feeling like a complete tool. It was obvious something was wrong with his love as the conversation took place; but it was even more apparent after he reviewed the conversation in his head. She was too quiet as if she was scared, and for the life of him he couldn't remember her looking at him, not even once. His plan was to make a bee line to her first class and beg for her forgiveness and for her to tell him what's bothering her. But of course Shelby had other plans.

Realizing Reality

Austin had a free period for fourth and near the end of third he received a text from his teammate saying they needed to talk. Austin found this strange. He and Toby were cool but not close, but if his teammate needed to talk to him he'd be there for him.

As Austin approached the bleachers he saw Toby and three bleachers over was Sam and Madison talking. He was thoroughly confused Madison usually hung around with Shelby. But Sam looked to be enjoying herself. Austin made a move to go talk to Sam but Toby stood and shook his head and motioned that they needed to talk first. Austin's stare lingered on Sam her hood was up and her hair was covering her profile. Austin proceeded up the steps to Toby.

"Alright Toby. What's up man?" Austin said as he sat down.

"Look man I know we ain't close or anything like that but somebody's got to tell you." Toby started.

"Tell me what?" Austin said confused.

"It's about your girl, Sammy."

"What about Sam?" Austin said.

"She got slapped around by step-mother last night, pretty bad. That is why she wasn't at the game. Not to mention her step mother told her she wouldn't have anything if she stays with you." Toby broke it down for Austin. "Now I know it is not my business. But me and my girl Madison really think y'all have what it takes. And what y'all have is real. See I heard about how you treated her last night. She thinks you guys are over. So I am asking you to be the man I know you are, and prove her wrong."

Toby finished looking Austin dead in his eyes. Toby really didn't know Sam till earlier today but after meeting her he considered her his little sister and he didn't want anyone to hurt her. He was thinking about how to deal with her step-mom and her situation, but he knew that Austin made her happy so he was going to support them.

Austin sat there and let everything sink in. So not only had he been a complete tool but Sam had so much going on and he wasn't there for her.

"Thanks Toby." Austin finally said. "Can we go over to our girls now?"

"Yeah but before we go we need to figure out where she's going to live, because she will not sleep in the park again." Toby said, shocking Austin.

"SAM SLEPT WHERE?" Austin yelled out staring at her.

Hearing Austin's rather loud Sam turned on instinct to tell Austin everything was fine and to calm down, forgetting about her bruises.

Austin saw the bruises and became enraged. How dare that witch put her hands on his Sam. Who does she think she is? Austin walked over to Sam and sat behind her and just held her.

"I'm sorry." They both said at the same time.

"Awwwww." Madison said giggling.

"Baby, hush." Toby said finally making it over to the group, then he leaned down and gave her a peck on the lips.

"Well it was cute babe." She said as Toby mirrored Austin and Sam's position.

"I missed you." Sam and Austin said at the same time.

This time both couples laughed lightly and Toby, being the dork he is, screamed out "JINX! You each owe me a soda!" And of course this caused the light laughter to turn into a complete loud and hard laughter session.