•Sammy•

I started to stand up, and instantly felt a blush creep onto my face. I turned to the person that I'd knocked down, and was shocked to see Topher for the second time today.

"Sorry again, I didn't see where I was going."

"It's fine, really. What are you doing here anyway?" He was staring at me, almost smiling. The blush grew more, and I stuttered to find the right words to say.

"Uh- Amy wanted a drink, so I was forced to get her one." I felt uneasy as I admitted this to Topher, because nobody knew what happened at home besides me and our parents.

"Forced? Can't she get one herself?"

"She likes to have me do everything for her." I nervously rubbed at my arms, because they were covered with red marks, bruises, and scratches from the walk home from the beach.

"Doesn't that seem kind of rude, for a sister? Really, I mean if you think about it." He smiled down at me, and I could feel myself heating up.

"No, actually this is the least she does to me. She does lots of things that are worse."

Topher led me to a nearby table, and held out a seat for me. I sat down, and was kind of nervous because a) I was scared Topher would ask about my life at home, and b) This has never happened to me before.

"Tell me what she does." He was staring right into my eyes, and looked perfectly sincere and concerned.

"Well, she'll push me around if I don't do what she says, and- oh, no!" I was suddenly scared, because Amy would do the worst things to me and hurt me if I wasn't back home with a lemonade soon.

"What's wrong, Sammy?" Topher looked straight at me again, and took my hand as he said my name. I felt butterflies in my stomach, and nervously smiled at him, trying to act normal.

"I was told to come here to get a lemonade for Amy, and she'll hurt me if I don't get it soon and get back home. Sorry, I have to go."

•Topher•

Sammy surprised me when she said Amy would hurt her. I saw her as rude, of course, but hurting Sammy if she didn't get things on time? That was plain wrong.

"Let me help. She may not be as rude to you if I show up with you."

"Show up with me?"

"Yeah, it'll be like I'm walking you home." I smiled reassuringly at her, hoping to calm Sammy down.

"Well, uh, sure? I guess that would be okay." Sammy put her hand in her pocket, and pulled out 5 dollars. "I need to buy the lemonade first."

"I'll pay for it, it's the least I can do." I took the money from her, and joined the line, which was only a few people long. Sammy watched me, shocked as I quickly bought a lemonade for Amy.

"Here, Sammy. Now let's go to your place." I quickly took her hand, and her hand instantly flew to her arms. I only got a quick look, but saw they had some scratches. "Hey, are you sure you're okay? You don't look like it." Sammy's face turned red, and she avoided my eyes as she pulled her arms back.

"Oh, yeah, you could say that." Sammy still wouldn't look at me, and it almost hurt to see her so insecure and scared. "Can we go a bit faster, please?"

"Sammy, I know there's something wrong and I honestly hate to see you so upset." I pulled her closer so she couldn't try to leave me, then looked into her green-blue eyes.

"Fine. Amy, well, she hurts me all the time. She calls me Samey, sometimes Sparemy. She thinks I'm her clone, and- I can't tell you anymore!" Sammy looked away from me, tears forming in her eyes.

"Sammy, you have to do something. Amy isn't your boss, you are." I wiped at the tears in her eyes, and smiled gently at her. Slowly, she began to smile back and unexpectedly hugged me.

"Thanks, Topher. You're so sweet."

"You're welcome, Sammy."

•Sammy•

I never saw myself randomly hugging Topher, espcially since I had always been shy around everyone. But he was so nice to actually care about me, and I needed someone to trust. Topher had come around, and I realized he was that type of person.

"So, are we still on for that frozen yogurt date tomorrow?"

"Yes, Sammy. I know we are." Topher looked at me, and I felt myself melt inside. I shyly smiled at him, and watched him return it. "I'm sure Amy won't ruin it, either."

I was so caught up in Topher's eyes and smile, that I didn't see Amy standing at the steps of the house. "It's about time, Sparemy. Where's my lemonade?"

"Here, Amy." I took it out of Topher's hand, and gave it to her. "It's all yours."

"It's probably not even cold anymore, I can feel it. You messed up."

Topher grabbed my hand, maybe because he saw how upset Amy had made me. Either way, Amy didn't see it. She kept insulting me, and eventually saw Topher next to me. "What is he doing with you, Samey? Obviously, he thought you were me."

"Sammy, I have to go. See you tomorrow?"

"I hope so. Bye, Topher."

As soon as he left, Amy turned and glared at me. "So, you think Topher can be your little boyfriend? He must be really stupid or blind, to not see how much better I am than you. He'll never be yours, ever!" Amy pushed me down the steps, causing me to fall and scrape my knees. "Samey, you got what you deserved, for now." Then, she left me.

I felt like crying, right there in front of the house. I had hoped Topher would be there to hug me, make me feel better, but of course he wasn't. I wondered what he was doing, and if he was thinking about me.

I hoped you enjoyed the chapter, I read your reviews (thanks!) and the people that guessed Sammy ran into Topher were right.

•Isn't it sweet how Sammy hugged Topher?

•How will the date go?

•Is Topher thinking of Sammy?

•Will Amy constantly get between Sammy and Topher?

Bye! :)