Chapter Three: There's So Much I Have Learned from You

Samantha was sitting on a private plane next to her school benefactor-turned aunt, Dorothea Sullivan. The entire scene seemed like it belonged in someone else's memory in a distant life that she'd never known.

She was so nervous, that she just kept fidgeting. First her hands were in her lap and then they weren't. First she was sitting then standing.

"You look worried."

"I'm not regretting coming here, if that's what you're thinking." Sam retorted.

"I wasn't, but well, that's good to know."

"Look Dorothea, Greece is a huge experience for me. I've never been out of the country so…"

"I won't give you a hard time or ask anything from you. I know how hard this semester has been for you Samantha, and a lot of that has to do with me misrepresenting information." She admitted. "And I know you're here more because you want to experience Greece than spend time with me."

"Dorothea. It's not that--"

"And that's completely fine. I was your age once and I know the importance of enjoying your college years. They really are the best years of your life."

"Thank you for--"

"And so I've hired someone to keep you company, to show you around. You're going to experience Greece fully. And don't bother arguing with me. Everything's already been paid for."

"Thanks for the key." Robyn commented after running into Noah in the bathroom. "Are you sure the girls won't mind?"

"They're both gone for the entire six weeks, so by the time they get back you'll be gone."

"So you mean that no one knows about me staying here?" Robyn looked around kind of panicky. "So, it's really just me and you … Noah, tell me again why you asked me to stay."

Noah gave a heavy sigh. He could either tell the truth and freak her out or make up a lame-o excuse, but he didn't have enough time for that. "You know I'm a film student."

"Oh really?" Robyn interjected, not liking where this was going.

"But before you jump to conclusion, listen to what I have to say. I've been working on a few ideas for a documentary about Charles U, you know nothing too inventive and when I saw you, I got the perfect idea. You're pre-med, right?"

"Yeah, isn't it obvious?"

"I could do something about you, your life and what it's really like being a pre-med student."

"Do you know how weird and creepy that sounds? School's out and we're the only ones left on this floor."

"I would never do anything … I'm not that kind of guy."

"Prove it." Robyn challenged.

"How?"

"Creepy guys with video cameras never want to be on film unless they're doing it and they never let their victims review the film. If I do this Noah, I have to have access to all of the uncut video. No filming me naked or half naked. No demeaning shots of my body--"

"I got it. Whatever you want, you've got it." Noah responded. "Now hold that spot while I go and get the camera."

"We are totally here. Finally!"Dawn yelled, dropping her bags in front of the business apartment that the Italian League had rented out for Devon. "Come on. Hurry." She rushed Devon who followed her into the hotel.

The plane had taken them to Rome and they still had to travel to Verona, but not before seeing San Marino and Venice first. Devon didn't know that Dawn had already come up with her own unofficial literary, but Italy was awesome, so far, and she wanted to do it right.

"We're not even in Verona yet. What are you so happy about?" He wondered, dragging in the suitcases.

"It's beautiful. Isn't it beautiful?"

"We just got here." Devon answered.

"Okay, we've been here ten minutes and your blasé attitude is wrecking my adrenaline rush." Dawn announced. "Come on Devon. I thought we were going to have fun. You slept for fourteen hours, meaning that you owe me 28 of you and me time."

"Yeah." He sighed. "You're right. I don't know what's wrong with me."

"We just need to get out there. Have some dinner, walk around. Get swept up in the beauty of Rome. We leave tomorrow, you do know that, right?"Dawn wondered, playing with Devon's hands lightheartedly.

"Yeah, I know."

"So how about it? Dinner, a walk, and maybe a little dancing?" She moved Devon's hands, which got him to smile finally. Dawn didn't know what had come over her, but she just felt so happy and full of life and she wanted to share that with everyone.

Minnesota was colder than before, at least to Kathryn. Maybe that was because she knew that her dad meant business about Charles U. If she couldn't go back, Kathryn would refuse to go back to school, ever.

She'd established herself there. She was a Gamma and up until making the mistake of meeting Beau, she had done everything right.

"Kathryn, hey Kat!" Her younger sister yelled, eager to have her older sister back.

"What is it Bethany?" She put down the latest issue of Marie Claire.

"I have two hours to get ready for this party and my period just came on and I can't find a stupid tampon anywhere!" Beth complained.

"Chill. I have one in my bag." Kathryn looked through her light blue coach bag. She always kept them in her purse, but maybe she's forgotten last time. "Or maybe … there's definitely some in my suitcase." She rummaged through her things until she found loose tampons. "Umm … Tampax pearl, cardboard, or compax?"

"Do you have the compact pearl?" Bethany wondered.

"Now you're just being picky. You get what I have to give you." Kathryn tossed her a couple to let Bethany choose.

"Hey Kat, are you going tonight?"

"Going where?"

"Welcome back party. All your friends will be there. Shannon too." Beth answered.

"No." Kathryn replied softly. She could just see it now. All of her classmates gushing over their fiancées and almost fiancées. It just wasn't fair. "No … I don't feel well. I'm a little jet lagged."

"Oh. I'm sure that hour time difference is killing you."

"Bethany, count me out. Tell everyone I'm ... sick. In fact, tell mom and dad too. I'm really sick."

"Fine. And what should I do if they ask about Beau Beachum?"

"Just be neutral. Don't say anything good or bad. Let them think whatever they want."

"You've been acting really weird since you've been back Kathryn and whatever it is, I'll find out. You know it."

"There's nothing going on. I'm just tired."

"If you keep doing that, you'll never be able to stop." Lee warned after walking in on Trent doing a line.

"I already have a father."

"Trent, what are you doing here?" Lee wondered.

"Why are you here?"

"The silent alarm went off. I thought a couple of boneheads were trying to use my place for their own private pleasure. I got out of bed--"

"Stop yelling, please. You're ruining it."

"Good! Maybe you'll get the picture." Lee paused. "Listen to me and listen up good, you only have one life Trent."

"Those are your words of wisdom? I was expecting 'drug free is the way to be' but what you just said really touched me."

"I'm serious." Lee knocked the remaining cocaine from the table. "You can't do this to yourself anymore." He got so worked up that he immediately had to sit down.

"Lee, are you--"

"Things aren't looking too good for me Trent and I need someone to leave this place to, someone to count on."

"You mean me?"

"I mean. Get yourself cleaned up. Sober up. They're giving me 3 to 6 more months of life, but in case that falls through … I'm counting on you. This could be yours Trent. All yours."

Trent sat speechless, trying to formulate words, but unable to do so intelligibly.

"If you don't do it for me or yourself, at least think of Sam."

"Look at what I found at the front desk, a list of all the things to do in Rome. And we're a few miles from the Coliseum, which is awesome." Dawn commented, putting the finishing touches on her look and waiting for Devon who appeared in a pair of slacks and a nice button down shirt. "Did you dress up for me?"

"Yeah. You wanted to go to dinner so…" Devon shrugged.

"And how are we getting there? I was thinking we could get on one of those carriage rides and head out to the Coliseum. Pay off some people to let us in for our own private dance party…"

"Sure." Devon shrugged again.

"You don't seem too happy about this. You haven't complimented my dress, and it's all making me feel like you regret me being here."She nagged.

"I don't, but this is so extreme Dawn. What happened to taking things slowly?"

"One minute we're friends then the next you're talking like we're in a relationship. What exactly are we?"

"Whatever you want us to be Dawn." He answered with a sigh, trying to please her and not cause any conflict.

"See that's the attitude that makes me not want to be here. I want what you want." She challenged. "So call it."

"Fine. I want to have fun. Forget about Charles U. This is going to be my life here in Italy and you're the first person to be a part of it."

"Okay, well then lighten up." Dawn argued back. She just didn't know what to do. It was getting so difficult for no reason. She got quiet for a while trying to think about it. Was she being too forward or was Devon just pushing her away?

"I apologize." Devon backed down suddenly. "You look beautiful." He observed, hugging Dawn warmly. "It's all about us tonight."He whispered, smoothing Dawn's hair back and kissing her tenderly as if to make himself believe in what he was saying.

"It had better be." She whispered in between kisses.

"So, have I finally gained your trust?" Noah wondered. It was amazing how quickly people can get attached to one another. One week and he was really falling for this girl. She was way too beguiling not to get caught up.

"You're perfectly harmless."

"Ouch."

"It's not a bad thing. It's totally good." Robyn replied, putting her book down for a second. "Come over here."

"Already beat you there," Noah said, referring to the focus on his video camera.

"Put the camera down. I have something to ask you."

"I hope it's good." Noah carefully placed the machine on the table, but still on record.

"It is." Robyn smiled. "I don't know if you have any post-Christmas plans or anything, but well … how would you feel about spending New Years with me, possibly, maybe?"

"In Canada or…"

"Umm … sure. I've never been."

"You'll love it." Noah proclaimed, not knowing whether or not it was appropriate for him to touch her while on camera. She was really funny about that and the whole touchy-touchy thing was new to him with her. Until two days ago, he didn't think that Robyn felt that way about him.

Up Next:

Kat has a dirty little secret

Dawn and Devon try to make the impossible work

Samantha gets in a little trouble with the law

(A/N: If you're still reading, let me know. How is it so far? I went on a writing binge and purged 6 chapters out in one day. Let me know what you think and I will make future chapters a little shorter. --NL)