"No reservations. Tell me everything you're thinking about me. Call me a skank, a slut, a whore. I don't care. I'd rather you let out all that poison once, than drag it out. I'm tired of being your punching bag. So go ahead, do your worst and get it over with already."

Sam was offended, "Oh come on Brooke!"

Brooke didn't budge, "I'm serious Samantha. Go ahead. You've had so much to say, go ahead and finish." She goaded her.

Sam glared furiously at her mom, "You really want to know what I'm thinking?"

As she said this the letter that X gave Jack came to mind, as well as the memories she had of him.

Brooke made herself look tough. She didn't think Sam would take the bait. "I already told you didn't I?"

Sam lashed out deciding to let out her emotions of fear and anger, "Fine! I think you're a hypocrite! The only reason you're mad is because I found out about all the crap you pulled in high school. I think you're ashamed of me because I'm not perfect and happy go lucky like Sawyer! I think you're just like all the other foster moms I've ever had. You want me to be something that I'm not! You hate Jack. You hate my clothes. You hate my music. If I wasn't some poor kid on the street, would you have even cared?!"

She abruptly stood up to leave, but Brooke caught her and stood only inches from Sam's face, "Did I tell you we were done?" She said between clenched teeth.

"I'M DONE TALKING." Sam snarled.

Brooke wasn't letting her go this time, "Well I'm not. So I suggest you sit back down." She said in a rumbling whisper as she let go of Sam's arm.

Sam sat down and slouched into the couch crossing her arms.

Brooke stayed standing, "Now it's my turn to say what I'm thinking."

Sam rolled her eyes. "Go ahead! I've had the worst shit said to me. You think I care?" she retorted.

Brooke clenched her fists. Sam was pushing her limits.

She let out a deep breath, "Do you really think that less of me now?... That I would just insult you? That I'm just like all the other women that took care of you?"

Sam looked down, "I wouldn't be surprised if you did. It's not like you're my real mom anyways." She mumbled.

This is what Sam did. She was projecting her emotions. The stress of X's letter, sex, school, and the tension in their household all bottled up.

Brooke felt a burst of anger. How could Sam be so rude? She couldn't believe the words that came out of Sam's mouth.

She responded with sadness in her voice, "You know what Sam? I didn't raise you for most of your life. I'm not even your biological mom, but I love you as if you were mine. I guess that doesn't matter to you. You may not consider me as your real mom, but you're my real daughter. I'd like to think that I've done a better job than your other foster moms. But, maybe you're right. Maybe I am just like them, because the way you've been acting is nothing like what me and Julian have taught you. You've been nothing but rude and bratty. You've cared for no one but yourself and yea, I am ashamed. Not because of your decisions or your clothes or your boyfriend. I'm ashamed that you can be so callous to people who truly love you. You know better than that."

She waited for Sam to say something but she just saw her jaw clench and her lip slightly quiver. Brooke continued,

"I try Sam. I try to understand and be there for you, but recently you've just pushed me away. Only coming to me when you're in real trouble. I need you to try too."

Sam rolled her eyes. Brooke stared at her and sighed, "Just go to your room. I don't think you're up for talking, and I'm not up for the attitude any more."

Sam moved out of the way and stood up. She was leaving towards her room but Brooke stopped her, "Wait Sam." She said more authoritatively than before.

"Oh my God Brooke! What now?" Sam responded annoyed. She was tired of being lectured and scolded.

"You're still grounded. Coming home at 7 is not acceptable. I don't give a damn how mad you are. You'll still follow my rules. Obviously you don't want to be around me, and frankly the way you just acted, I don't want to be around you either. After school Peyton will drop you off at your dad's work. That's final. Now go."

Sam winced. She did want to be around Brooke, really badly. She hated that she so easily lashed out at her.

She stomped off to her room and slammed the door. Brooke massaged her temples and went back to work on her sketches.

… … …

It was Friday and Sawyer went to the gym for early morning practice. She had befriended all the cheerleaders and in just a matter of a week they had all become very close. Sawyer felt great. She was excited to meet with Justin after school. He promised to give her something better than the pills. She'd just have to work her magic on Lucas.

At lunch she went to his office.

"Hi Dad." She said coming in.

"Hey baby. Did you take your medicine?"

She rolled her eyes, "Yeah dad, I did."

She gave him a kiss on his cheek and sat on his lap.

Lucas gave her a suspicious look, "How much do you want?" He said knowingly.

Sawyer smiled, "I don't want money dad."

He grinned, "So you expect me to believe that you voluntarily sat on my lap with no ulterior motive?"

"Well, I don't know what the word ulterior means. BUT I do want this really, really small thing."

He groaned, "What is it?"

"Can I please go with one of my friends afterschool? We'll just be at the diner. I know I'm grounded, but just this once!"

Lucas gave her a serious glance, "Soy you know that-"

She pleaded, "Daddy ppppllleeeaaassse?"

He sighed heavily, "Who is it?"

She thought for a second, "Ummm Stacy."

He knew it was a bad idea, but how could he say no to her, "Alright fine. Just this once. I'll deal with your mom."

She jumped off his lap, "Awesome thanks Dad!"

"Wait!" He said.

She stopped, "What?"

"Look up the word ulterior Soy."

She sighed, "Sure dad. Whatever."

They both laughed.

… … …

Sam hadn't talked to Brooke since their debacle on Tuesday; she hadn't talked to Jack since their argument over the letter. He avoided her at all costs and Sam felt horrible. Sawyer was only spending time with the cheerleaders and Justin. Sam felt increasingly alone. Her only hope was Julian, who kept her head above water thankfully.

"Have a nice day at school Samson." Julian said dropping her off.

Sam stayed in the seat. The car behind impatiently beeped at them.

Julian rolled down the window and stuck out his head, "Chill out Jerk!"

He put his head back in and then drove somewhere to park.

"Sammy what's up?" He asked.

Sam shrugged looking at the tattered bracelet falling of her wrist.

Julian gave her a sympathetic smile, "You're gonna be late."

"Who cares." She said.

"Your mom does Sam."

"No she doesn't. She hasn't even talked to me."

Julian gave her a look, "Sam I think it goes both ways."

She stayed quiet.

"Alright Kid. What's been going on at school? Usually you're too excited to spend time with Jack."

She tensed at his name and Julian picked up on it.

"Okay, I get it. Trouble with Jack?"

She nodded.

"Samson I'm here for you. Okay? If you don't want to talk about it that's fine. But I'm a guy I think I'd be a lot of help in that department."

He got Sam to smile. She knew he wouldn't ever be able to help with this. It was about X, but she appreciated the gesture. Sam undid her seatbelt, "Thanks." She said.

Once inside Sam saw Jack by his locker, she looked down acting like she never saw him.

"Sam wait up!" He called after her.

She turned around, "Now you wanna talk?...whatever." She stalked off.

Jack didn't give up, "Hold on! Babe please. I-I read the letter!"

That got Sam's attention, he grabbed her hand, "Please hear me out." He said.

Sam looked in his eyes, "What'd it say?" she asked nervously.

The bell rang but Jack pulled her. They went to the back of the bleachers and sat down on the grass.

"He said he got out of prison. Good behavior I guess. He's in a rehab program right now. He gets out in two weeks and he's coming back for me."

Sam didn't believe Jack, it couldn't be that simple. "What else? That's it? He can't even do that, he lost custody. There's no threats, no anything?!"

Jack looked at her, "Sam. They check the letters at the center before they send them. I think the words 'I'm coming back for you' is the hidden threat. I don't know how he's gonna get me back but I'm sure it'll be against my will. Then he said to say hi to you for me. I don't know, what-what if he wants to kidnap us or something."

Sam's heart stopped, "No! He-he can't!"

Jack plucked at the grass, "He knows where we live. It won't be that hard."

"What about Brooke?" She asked.

"I don't know Sam! All I know is he's coming back."

"Well what the hell do we do?"

Jack looked at her, "Maybe we should tell Brooke and Julian."

Sam stood up, "Are you crazy?! They'll put me on permanent lockdown! Look it's not that hard, we'll just carry protection or something with us like all the time. I'm tired of relying on others!"

Jack looked a little nervous. "I kind of thought of that too. He took a knife out of his bag. It's for you. I don't want you unprotected and I figured a gun is too dangerous."

Sam's eyed widened, but she took the knife anyways and put it in her bag.

"Where'd you get it?" She asked.

"Umm, well they were X's. He left them all."

"Oh." Sam plainly said.

They waited together for the bell to ring for their next class.

"Brooke's gonna be even more pissed." She said out of the blue.

"Why?" He asked.

She looked at her watch, "We skipped English. Haley teaches that class. She'll probably call Brooke or something. Damn. Everything's just getting worse and worse." She said forlornly.

Jack wrapped her in a hug and they laid down together. He felt bad, but there was nothing he could do.

After school Sam waited with Jack for her Aunt Peyton. When she came Jack gave her a goodbye kiss, "I love you." He whispered.

Sam went inside and noticed the clearly aggravated expression on Peyton's face.

"Come in the front Sam. Sawyer's not coming." Peyton remarked.

"I thought she was grounded?
Sam asked confused.

"She is, but her wonderful father decided to be a softy." She turned towards Sam, "Do you know her friend Stacy?"

Sam knew Sawyer didn't have a friend named Stacy 'Yeah and her real name is Justin' she thought.

"Umm no. I think she's a cheerleader. Don't really hang around with that crowd." Sam said.

Peyton sighed, "Alright. So Julian's right?"

"Yeah." Sam mumbled.

Peyton looked at her niece, "Sweetie you're gonna have to learn to let go of that pride. You're just pushing Brooke away. And one day you're really gonna need her even if it doesn't seem like it now."

"I know." Sam said. She then put on her earbuds on and turned up the music. 'Maybe you need to talk to Sawyer too.' Sam thought.

… … …

After school Sawyer went towards Justin's car. She found him there with a big smile on his face.

"What's up Soy?" He said giving her a kiss on the cheek.

She played off the kiss, although she wanted to squeal in delight. "Hey Justin." She responded.

"You ready to go? We're gonna try something new today. You excited?"

"What's it gonna be?" She asked.

"It's not a big deal. Just weed. They have other stuff like crack, but that's on the dangerous side. We'll just stick with the soft stuff. And you can buy the pills there too."

Sawyer felt a little scared. Was weed worse than the pills? Was she getting high with pills?

"Soy!" He asked snapping her out of it.

She shook her head, "Umm okay yeah. Sounds good, but I kinda have to be home by 6."

He frowned, "Oh. Well that's fine. We'll just do everything quickly then. Do you have sunglasses?" He said this while getting into the car and Sawyer followed.

"Yeah I do. Why?"

He laughed, "To cover up your eyes when you get home. They'll get really red. Just tell your parents your eyes got irritated, allergies or something. And go straight to your room afterwards. You don't want to say something too stupid in front of them."

This was a whole new world to Sawyer but she nodded in agreement. "Alright then." She hoped to God her parents didn't catch her.

Justin drove to the sketchier side of town. Sawyer felt really nervous but Justin squeezed her hand. They walked to an apartment where a man with long dreads greeted them.

"What up Justin who's this pretty piece of babe." He asked touching Sawyer's cheek. She recoiled.

Justin pushed him off, "She's my girl Ronnie! Back off."

Sawyer blushed. It was the first time he had called her 'his girl.'

"Damn Justin! Have you gotten some of that ass?" Ronnie said.

Justin whispered in Sawyer's ear, "Don't listen to him, he's an idiot."

Soon enough they got into a circle. Justin showed Sam the basics of smoking weed. He didn't smoke, knowing that he would have to take care of Sawyer after. Her first couple hits she coughed violently. Everyone laughed heartily in response, but she got the handle of it.

Justin looked at his watch, "Yo Soy, we gotta go."

Sawyer eye's were bloodshot, "Whoah dude! You're like the cutest guy I've ever seen ya know that?"

Justin laughed, "Alright come on. Let's get you home."

Ronnie gave him Sawyer's pills, "Tell her these are on the house." He winked at Sawyer.

She felt amazing. Nothing mattered whatsoever. Life was full of possibilities. It was the best feeling ever.

'This has to be the equivalent of like ten pills.' She thought.

When they got to her house Justin put the sunglasses on her. "Try not to talk unless they ask you anything. "

She nodded, listening intently to his instructions. "Okay cool." He said.

He then drowned her in perfume, "What're you doing?" She asked laughing.

"You smell like weed." He said matter of factly.

She just started laughing crazily. Justin calmed her down, "Soy come on get serious! I'm not getting in trouble for getting you high."

She finally got out of the car and went inside. Peyton gave her a not so welcome greeting from the kitchen,

"We grounded you." She said seriously as Sawyer passed by her. She stopped cold. Sawyer turned around. Both her parents were there, "Huh?" she said.

"We grounded you. That's the last time you do that Sawyer without asking both of us. Next time the answer is no anyways."

Lucas mouthed the words "sorry" towards Sawyer.

"What's with the sunglasses Soy?" Lucas asked her.

Sawyer panicked, "Oh um it's nothing."

Peyton didn't believe her and walked towards her.

"It's nothing mom. I just have really bad allergies. Must be the pollen or something." She quickly said.

Peyton took off the sunglasses to find her bloodshot eyes, "Soy! Where did you go?" She demanded.

Sawyer got annoyed, "I already told dad! I went to the diner with Stacy. My eyes were already getting irritated at school gosh! Don't you believe me?"

Peyton stared at her suspiciously, but caved, "Fine. Take some Benadryl."

"Okay then." She said.

Peyton pulled her in for a hug, "Sweetie lay off the perfume." She laughed.

Sawyer laughed nervously with her.

Once in her room she took out her pills and hid them in her drawer. The high was wearing off, but it was one of her best experiences yet. She couldn't imagine not trying it again.

I worked on this on the clock just for you guys! I did it as soon as I could because you've all been reviewing so faithfully and it warms my heart :). So tell me what you think! Brooke and Sam? Sawyer's rebellion, is it going too far? Or is it typical. Hmmmm…write whatever you'd like ;P