Something big is about to happen after this chapter. Hold on to your seats, it's going to be an amazing ride ;) Ha
"Ow! Violette my hair is attached to my head...and let's keep it that way," Sam complained as Violette tug and teased her hair trying to style it just right.
"Quit whining you baby," Violette grumbled tugging on a piece a hair a little harder than necessary making Sam squeak.
"Evil...," she muttered trying to keep her head in place while Violette pulled, combed, and pinned more pieces.
"Viola! All done you ninny," Violette said tossing the comb onto Sam's bed and picking up the hand mirror. "What do you think?" She asked holding the mirror in front of Sam for her to see.
"Wow," Sam gingerly touched one of her many pinned curls that were elegantly stacked on her head.
"I know, I'm a pure genius," Violette said cockily resting her hands on her hips. "Gabe won't be able to take his eyes off of you...hell the whole student body won't be able to hot mamma," Violette grinned and went to Sam's closet; she grabbed the shoes and handed them to Sam to put on.
"You are ready," Violette grabbed Sam's hand and pulled her to her feet. "Let's go downstairs and show Gram my masterpiece."
Sam took a deep breathe looking into the mirror one last time before following Violette.
"You know my dad is going to have a conniption about this dress right?" Sam said tugging at the short hem of her red dress. She knew she should have put something else on first...but Violette insisted.
"It's your night, don't worry about it. I'll take care of papa," Violette said winking.
Sam grimaced. "I'd rather you not."
Violette just shrugged and went down the stairs before Sam. She burst into the kitchen motioning for Sam to wait.
"Ladies and gentlemen, may I present, the lovely: Samantha."
Sam rolled her eyes at Violette's grand introduction and walked into the kitchen to the sound of audible gasps.
"My word," Gram sighed standing up from the table. She walked to Sam and gave her a big hug pulling back with tears in her eyes.
"Oh, Gram you're not going to cry are you?" Sam asked suddenly embarrassed.
"I'm your grandma I have the right to cry," Gram chastised. "Honey, you look gorgeous! Doesn't she Wyatt?"
Wyatt let out the breath he was holding and stood in front of Sam. She looked at her feet nervously and was surprised to feel herself in his strong grasp. She hugged him back and smiled relieved.
"You look stunning, Sam. All grown up...not sure if I like it," Wyatt said his voice sounding a little too gruff as he tried to tease her.
"Don't worry dad, you know I'm always gunna be your little girl," she said giving him a kiss on the cheek.
"Sam! Look at you! All grown up and looking darling!"
Sam turned and was shocked to find Maxine at her doorway. "Mrs. Ely? What are you doing here?"
She pulled a camera from her pocking smiling sheepishly. "Well I wanted to get pictures of someone's homecoming. Besides, you are like a daughter to me so I had to come see you all dressed up and I'm glad I did!"
Of course. Sam should have known. There was no way Jake was going to let his mom take pictures of him...no matter what the occasion was. Maxine began fanning her eyes as if she was Miss America herself. Sam's cheeks flushed, she was starting to feel a little self conscious.
"Let's go outside so I can get some pictures! Wyatt don't you run away I mean you too mister!" Maxine called pinning Wyatt on the spot. He grumbled and shoved his hat further down on his head, reluctantly complying to Mrs. Ely's wishes. "Samantha, what time is your date getting--oh," Mrs. Ely opened the door and froze.
Gabe smiled at her. "I guess now...," Mrs. Ely said smiling back at him. "You look dashing! So handsome...come, come, we were just going outside to take pictures...where's Sam?"
Sam stepped into Gabe's view. Shock spread over his face and he blinked once slowly, finally smiling. Sam walked up to him, Mrs. Ely stepping outside dragging Wyatt and Gram with her.
"Wow, Sam you look so beautiful," he said gazing at her intently. Sam felt the heat of his gaze and tried not to get flustered.
She smiled. "You look handsome as well," she said and meaning it whole-heartedly.
"Ok, lovebirds, parentals are outside waiting to get a picture of you two cuties so let's hurry this gag fest up," Violette said from behind Sam...reminding her that they weren't alone. Sam rolled her eyes and Gabe cleared his throat to keep from laughing.
Sam's face hurt after smiling for so many pictures and she was beginning to worry that her face might get stuck like that. Gabe, being a good sport--and also probably used to it--didn't complain at all. In fact, he seemed genuinely excited and happy, not at all bothered by Gram and Mrs. Ely's fussing.
"Ow, ow, Sammy girl!" Sam looked over to Mrs. Ely's car to see Quinn and Brian get out. She looked at Mrs. Ely pleadingly but she just smiled sheepishly once again and shrugged. Brian gave her a hug before being pushed away by Quinn who gave her a big bear hug.
"Don't mess up her hair!" Violette yelled making both the Ely boys laugh.
"Oh, geez. Not the hair," Quinn said imitating a female voice.
"Please don't tease Vi...she's violent," Sam whispered to Quinn who barked a quick laugh, trying to play it off with a cough. "Who's the lucky guy?" Quinn asked nodding at Gabe.
"Quinn you are so rude. Don't you remember Gabe?" Sam said shoving him and putting her arm around Gabe's waist.
"Oh! Yeah, how's it goin' dude?" Quinn said sounding like the air head that he is.
Gabe smiled. "Good thanks. How's it for you?"
"Alright, though I'm so sad I won't be able to dance with little Sammy girl here," he pretended to wipe a tear from his eye and Sam snorted.
"Tragic," Violette said sarcastically handing Sam a bag.
Sam looked at her confused. "What's this?" She whispered to Violette.
"A change of clothes...just in case," Violette winked and Sam thought her jaw would hit the ground. "For an after party you dirty nasty girl...get your mind out of the gutter," she nodded towards Gabe's car and Sam quickly went to put the bag in it.
When she turned around she saw her dad talking to Gabe alone. Fear crawled into her stomach making her feel sick, what on earth was her father saying? He smiled and patted Gabe on the shoulder and for the second time that day she was waiting for her jaw to hit the floor.
Gabe was smiling to as he met Sam by the car.
"What was that about?" She asked nodding towards her dad.
"A man to man talk...as in I promise to keep your daughter safe talk," Gabe said grinning at her and she smiled back.
"Here I was thinking he was going to chase you away with a shotgun and you wind up getting approval," she said shaking her head. The world was full of surprises.
He raised a brow. "And for that I'm glad...you ready?" He opened the door for her and she climbed in waving to her friends and family.
Yet, for some reason she couldn't help feeling sadness in her heart.