A/N: -Gasp- An update?! Yay! :D What will happen to our troubled little friends? We shall see ;) PS: Sam is 16 and a Junior. I'm pretending Jake is only a year older :)

"So I thought maybe you could come to my house after school and we could work on homework then take Silly and Rose out," Jen rattled as they walked down the crowded halls.

"Yeah, totally. Oh! But I got to go find Mr. Blair first. I need to talk to him about being on the paper this year." Sam stopped and a few kids bumped into her.

Jen sighed. "Do you want me to go with you?"

"No, just go make sure the bus doesn't leave with out me…," Sam said shaking her head.

"No worries I don't think they will…that still sucks your parents couldn't pick you up."

With that Jen began walking again towards the bus lot. Sam pushed her way through the flow of students. Clearly she was going the wrong way. A people waved to her and she waved back to be polite, but was sure to keep moving forward so it didn't look like she had time to chat.

Sam tapped lightly on the door to Mr. Blair's classroom before opening the door. She smiled when she saw RJay in there and he returned her smile.

"Hey Sam."

"Hey RJay, is Mr. Blair here?"

"Yeah, he's in the darkroom."

Sam smiled and thanked RJay before knocking on the door to the dark room.

"Come in."

Sam opened the door just enough so she could fit inside then shut it behind her.

"Mr. Blair?"

He clipped a photograph onto the close line and turned to face Sam, even he cracked a smile.

"Forster. What brings you to my class room? Would you like to help develop these?"

Sam sighed, she loved to watch the photos develop and to work in the darkroom, but she didn't have time.

"Actually I have to run. I just wanted to know if you still had an opening spot for a photojournalist this year?"

Mr. Blair contained his smile and turned back to his photographs.

"There's always a spot open for you Forster. But would you have the time?"

"I'll make time sir. You know I love photography."

"I know. Ok then yes, we'll discuss it more tomorrow. But right now you better run…or you'll miss the bus."

Sam looked at her watch and screeched. "Thank you sir! See you tomorrow!" She called as she busted out of the darkroom. She said a quick goodbye to RJay and ran down the now nearly empty halls. Her heart sunk when she made it out the front door. The bus was gone.

"Miss the bus Brat?"

Sam sighed with relief and annoyance. Thank goodness he was here. Then again, how dare he? He ignores and avoids her for days now he is teasing her?

Oh, hell no.

"No genius I'm just standing here watching myself ride away on it…," she muttered sarcastically before hiking her book bag higher onto her shoulder.

"You know you just have to ask and I'll take you home."

"Your stupid Chevy probably would break down on the way."

"Sam not even your hatefulness could demolish this truck."

"I'll just go to the office and call my dad."

"Sam, I'm already here just ride home with me," Jake tried to reason.

"Why Jake? Why should I?" Sam asked furiously. Jake looked taken aback and hurt.

"Because, it'll save trouble for everyone. Besides I thought you would want to run to Phil's with me." He kicked the asphalt with the toe of his boot.

Sam wanted to forgive him. She wanted to laugh and joke with him again, poke fun at his Chevy. She wanted it all to be normal again. But things weren't normal. No longer did she know where she stood with Jake, friend? Or more than friends? Part of her wanted to kiss him, part of her wanted to laugh at Dumb and Dumber with him, and there was even a part of her that wanted to slap him.

"Jake your still here?"

Sam and Jake turned to see his mom, Maxine, walking out of the school.

"Oh, and Sam?"

"That's ok Jake I'll just catch a ride with your mom," Sam said turning away from him and walking towards Maxine's car. When Maxine saw Sam she gave her a sad smile, she knew it was hard for them when they were fighting…for real. Sam and Jake have always fought, but mostly as a joke. When they had a real fight—which was almost never—it took a toll on everyone.

Jake jumped in his truck and slammed the door before he sped off. Maxine sighed and shook her head, this was a bad one.

Sam silently climbed into Maxine's little car and buckled up. She stayed quiet as Mrs. Ely pulled out of the school and started down the empty highway.

"Sam?"

"Hmm?"

"It really isn't any of my business but just remember; Jake is your best friend—well so is Jennifer—but Jake has been there since before you were born. You guys went through everything together—you've shared the same loss…," Maxine took a deep breath and spared a sideways glance at Sam, she was clutching to her bag with white knuckles and staring out the window.

"And I know you hate hearing this all the time but he almost loss you too. I know he doesn't want that to happen again, even if the circumstances are very different, they are also the same."

Sam bit her lip and shielded her face with her hair. Ugh, why did she feel like crying…over Jake?!

"Let me tell you something you might not know. You're mom, she was like a mother to Jake too, I think Jake spent most of his younger years at your home. I was so busy with this teaching thing you know? Jake was my last kid so it took a lot of work to get back on track. So your mom she would always take Jake for me since he was still too little to help his brothers and father. Even as he got older he always found excuses to be at your house, with you and your mother.

"And when your mom died, it was like his own mother died too. He felt your grief along with grief for you," Maxine gave a sad laugh. "Who would have thought it possible but you guys became even closer. Inseparable really. So I'm just trying to say, I don't know what is tearing you guys apart—,"

Sam gave her an incredulous look and Maxine sighed. "Yes I've noticed…you two have been so distant. You haven't talk to each other. Even Jake's brothers are at loss wondering what they will tease him about…that's how lifeless he's been. So whatever it is I don't think it is worth losing your friendship over."

Sam wiped away a silent tear with her hand. Since when has their friendship been so complex? She sighed and cleared her throat.

"I don't suppose you would mind dropping me off at Phil's would you?"

Maxine smiled and shook her head, causing her blonde curls to bounce.

"Not at all."

Oh, boy...will these troubled teens be able to work out their little troubles? Review, and you shall see :)