LPOV

"Sam? I got your message. Where are you?" I called out to the forest.

The leaves rustled and he stepped out of the trees. Sam. My Sam. Oh, what would I do without him?

He walked forward slowly and stopped a few feet away from me. Sam had come home from where ever he was (he had refused to tell me) only a few days ago and had left a message with Seth that he wanted to talk to me. I had an awful feeling in the pit of my stomach now, but I forced it away.

"Leah." Sam reached out with one hand and touched my cheek lightly. "Lee-Lee... Something... happened."

"What is it? You can tell me. I'll understand." I smiled encouragingly.

Sam shook his head. "I can't explain it... But we can't..." He trailed off and looked down. "Lee-Lee, I'm so sorry."

The awful feeling came back again.

"What?" I choked out. "You're... breaking up with me?"

He was silent for a few seconds, then he looked at me with a pained expression. That was all the explanation I needed.

"No," I whispered, shaking my head. "But... why?"

"Leah..." He dropped his hand. We both know that I shouldn't be here. This is wrong. And baby it's killing me, it's killing you, both of us trying to be strong.

I stared at his lips, refusing to look into his eyes again.

I've got somewhere else to be, promises to keep, someone else who loves me and trusts me fast asleep. I've made up my mind. There is no turning back. She's been good to me and she deserves better than that.

My breath rushed out of me like someone had kicked me in the stomach. So there was someone else? There couldn't be. There's no way...

It's the hardest thing I'll ever have to do to look you in the eye and tell you I don't love you. It's the hardest thing I'll ever have to lie, to show no emotion when you start to cry. I can't let you see what you mean to me when my hands are tied and my heart's not free. We're not meant to be. It's the hardest thing I'll ever have to do, to turn around and walk away pretending I don't love you.

I turned around so he was nowhere in sight. I don't believe this. A part of me wanted to hold him in my arms and never let him go, never let him leave me. The other part wanted to punch him in the face for scaring me. The rest of me was still to stunned to react at all.

I know that we'll meet again. Fate has a place and time, so you can get on with your life. I've got to be cruel to be kind. Like Dr. Zhivago, all my love I'll be sending. But you will never know, 'cause there can be no happy ending.

No, no, no, no, no... Not happening! This cannot be happening! My lower lip began to tremble slightly. No, no, no...

It's the hardest thing I'll ever have to do, to look you in the eye and tell you I don't love you...

Tears were running down my face.

It's the hardest thing I'll ever have to lie, to show no emotion when you start to cry. I can't let you see what you mean to me when my hands are tied and my heart's not free. We're not meant to be. Oh, no...

No, no, no... My hands were shaking, so I balled them into fists.

It's the hardest thing I'll ever have to do, to turn around and walk away pretending I don't love you.

I sunk to the ground, too weak to stand now. I wrapped my arms around my legs and dropped my head, burying my face in my arms.

Another time, another day. As much as I want to, I can't stay. Oh... I've made up my mind, there is no turning back. She's been good to me and she deserves better than that.

Again with the she. Who is she? Do I know her?

It's the hardest thing I'll ever have to do, to look you in the eye and tell you I don't love you. It's the hardest thing I'll ever have to lie, to show no emotion when you start to cry. I can't let you see what you mean to me when my hands are tied and my heart's not free. We're not meant to be. Oh, it's the hardest thing I'll ever have to do, to turn around and walk away pretending I don't love you. What can I do? Oh, baby...

My eyes burned with anger and hurt. I lifted my head and looked at the tree behind him.

"Who is she?" I whispered.

Sam was silent for a few seconds. A few seconds too long.

"Who is she?!?" I screamed, jumping to my feet.

"Emily." Sam said her name like she was a precious jewel.

"Emily who?" I growled between my teeth.

"Emily Young, your cousin. Lee-Lee, I'm so sorry."

He didn't sound sorry.

Emily... my loving, loyal cousin, almost like my sister in so many ways... My Sam... I'll kill her for this.

"Lee-Lee-"

"Don't... CALL ME THAT! I don't believe you. I seriously don't! Just... just stay away from me, Sam."

Sam nodded once, and, after one long last glance at me, turned around and walked back through the forest.

I stomped off to my house and stormed inside, practically ripping the door off the hinges. Emily was so gonna pay for this.