Lucas looked at Joe confused. "What are you talkin' about now Joe?"
Michael didn't want to ruin his chances with Sawyer so he quickly spoke up, "Can you leave already?! Damn you're annoying." He boldly said at the security guard.
Sawyer bit her lip, well aware that he did it to save her hide. Everyone else stayed quiet, ready to see what was about to unfold. Joe walked menacingly towards Michael, who was cowering inwardly at the hefty man gunning his way. Lucas quickly jumped in.
"Alright! Okay, Joe how about you and me talk later? These kids need to get their detention going. Leave the kid alone, yeah?" He put his hands on Joe's wide chest. Joe scoffed, "Whatever. See you later Lucas." He pointed his finger at Michael, "You betta pray to God that you don't get into any mo' trouble kid."
Michael just glared at him, but his muscles relaxed once Joe was out of sight.
Lucas cleared his throat and scanned the whole group of kids, who were waiting for his instructions. Sawyer kept her head down, not wanting to see her dad's stare. He looked at her and frowned, but was brought back to Earth when one of the kids in front coughed loudly.
"Ahem, alright kids you know the drill. No talking. Get out your homework, if you don't have anything to do, because like good students you finished your homework at HOME, then raise your hand and we'll call your first period teacher to give you some work." A few kids raised their hands. Sawyer hesitated, but raised her hand, well aware that her dad would get mad if he thought she didn't have her work done. She felt it an eternity before her dad finally came towards her desk.
He grabbed a chair and sat right next to her, Sawyer blushed, "Dad. Stop bringing attention over here." She said through gritted teeth.
Lucas frowned, "Why were you late Soy?" He said with genuine interest.
She was relieved to know that her dad didn't seem mad, "I lost track of time, I was talking with a friend." She whispered, still painfully aware that there was a whole room of other kids possibly listening in on the conversation between daughter and father.
He sighed, "Alright fine. I'm not mad. It was just surprising to see you come into detention. But don't let it happen again."
She sunk into her chair, "I'm sorry."
He smiled, "It's okay baby. But I do need you to come by Aunt Haley's room at lunch."
She sat up, "Why?"
"Because we need to talk. All three of us. She wants to talk about English, your grades, and some other things." Those "other things" was code for Peyton. And Haley really wanted to talk to Sawyer about their relationship.
"Dad I can't. I'm busy at lunch."
He raised his eyebrow at her.
She sighed, "You and mom promised that you working here wouldn't interfere with my own plans and life here at school. That hasn't been happening lately." She said hesitantly.
Lucas frowned. It was true, and he really hasn't been keeping up his part of the bargain. But he certainly wasn't going to be less observant, so he figured he'd indulge her this one whim.
He folded his arms, "Fine. Tell me what you're gonna do, and we'll talk, all the three of us, on another day."
"Should I tell him about Michael?" She thought. She looked at Lucas with pleading eyes, "Dad stop. Please."
Her refusal to say anything made him feel a little nervous about her plans, "Sawyer Scott." He said a little more forcefully.
The rest of the room was not necessarily keen to their conversation. Some had their headphones in, others whispering amongst themselves. They took full advantage of Lucas's diverted attention. Everyone except for Michael.
She looked down, "It's nothing. Geez."
"It's a boy. Isn't it?" She said nothing. "Soy it's not a big deal if it is. I get it." He reassured her, but Sawyer stayed quiet anyways. A fuse went off in Lucas's head,
"Is it Justin?! Sawyer I swear if it is, you are in SO much trouble!" He whispered through gritted teeth.
"No!" She spit back.
Lucas felt his blood boil. He knew she was hiding something, "Sawyer if you're lying to me, and I find out you're still talking to Justin, trust me you won't have Sam to stop your punishment and save your ass." He said in one quick breath.
Sawyer shook her head furiously, "I promise daddy. It's not Justin, really." She said trying to convince him.
He looked at her long and hard, "Fine Sawyer. I trust you. Don't ruin it."
She sighed relieved.
"HEY! Headphones out of those ears!" Lucas yelled to everyone. Sawyer smiled, and found a book to read in her bag.
…. …. …. …..
Sam looked around her empty house. Brooke would come around 1:00 pm, but for now everything looked so peaceful. So different from the turmoil she felt inside her head. All she wanted was to lay down sprawled on her couch. She smiled and jumped onto the couch. She felt a comfortable relaxation. Soon enough Sam was falling into a deep sleep.
Her sleep was interrupted by three harsh knocks on the front door. She woke up in a start. Her heart beat fast. "Shit get yourself together Sam!" She thought, "They're just knocking."
She opened the door and felt her muscles relax when she saw that it was just Jack.
"Jack you idiot!" She said as he walked in.
"What?"
Sam rolled her eyes, "You can't keep skipping school dude."
He walked to the sofa clumsily. Sam noticed the odd way he was walking, "Chill out dude. You skip too." He said nonchalantly. Sam had nothing to say because it was far too true. She followed him and sat on the table in front of him, "What's wrong with you?" She asked bluntly.
He snorted, "Nothing. Damn."
She looked at him closer, "Are you, are you high on something?" Then she bent closer and smelled his breath, "You're high AND drunk? What the fuck Jack?!"
He shrugged his shoulders, "My fuckin' brother just died. I didn't know whether I was gonna live or die for like a month. I can indulge myself."
She was taken aback by how distraught Jack was, "So you think drugs and booze is indulging?" She yelled back.
He stood up abruptly, "Fuck you." He said and walked towards the door. Sam wasn't fazed she got in front of him and grabbed his shirt, "So you're just gonna LEAVE!?"
Jack pushed her off, "Let me go Sam" he said as he tried to get past her, but she pushed him back. His face contorted with anger, "What the hell you gonna do? Huh Jack? You wanna hit me?! GO AHEAD." She dared him. He clenched his fists, "Let me leave Sam DAMN IT."
She pushed him back again, "Damn it Jack! Don't you get it?! It's okay to be hurting you stupid idiot! But you gotta talk about it!"
He grabbed her by both of the arms and shook her, "What do you want me to say?!
Her voice began to crack, "The truth. What you're feeling. Anything."
He looked at her crazed, "You're the same way you hypocrite!" He hissed.
She tried to get out of his grasp but he held on tighter, "You know it's true! What about the hell you've been through?!" Huh Sam!?"
She started punching his chest, "Let go of me!"
His eyes looked wild, "NO! We're both screwed up. Why can't we just talk about it!"
"That's what I just told you!." She said strained as she fought against his grip.
"I'm a FUCK UP!" He screamed. Sam stopped wrestling him. He finally let go of her and stumbled towards the corner and slid down to the floor, "That's how I feel." He whispered. Sam was stunned. He looked at her, "Well say something!"
She thought for a moment, "I'm a loser who wants everyone to love me, but I'm too stupid to accept it completely."
He looked at her, "I'm a pushover that should've protected you from my brother."
She sat cross-legged in front of him, "Sometimes I hate myself and I just want to disappear." He grabbed her hand, "Me too." He whispered.
She stared at him and began stroking his arm, "I'm sorry your brother died." It hurt her to say it, but she knew how oddly dependent they were of one another. Suddenly Jack burst into tears and held onto Sam for dear life, "I'm sorry." He kept on saying. "Why'd he die? Why was he such a jerk?" He repeated. Sam just let him cry, feeling overwhelmed herself. He was slowly becoming louder and louder, she knew it was the drugs and alcohol coming into play as well. "Oh my God." She kept on repeating in her head.
Brooke opened the door with a smile on her face, but the sound of a hysterical boy crying quickly changed that. She turned the corner and found Sam holding onto a broken and crying Jack. Sam looked at Brooke and mouthed the words, "Mom help."
She quickly dropped her things and rushed to them. She gently moved Jack from Sam and let him fall into her arms, "He's high mom and he's drunk. He crying about everything that happened. He just came here out of nowhere, I swear!" Sam said in one breath. Brooke nodded, well aware. She rocked him in her arms, "It's okay sweetie. Sshhhh. Sshhh. I'm here Jack. Your mom and dad are coming." She looked at the scared Sam, "Samantha call his parents. Warm up water and put one of the tea bags from the small drawer in it." Sam shook her head and did as she was told. She came with the tea moments later. Jack was calming down by then, "Drink this Jack." Brooke looked at Sam, "Go sit on the couch Sam okay?"
When his foster parents got their Sam opened the door and told them the synopsis of what happened. She said bye to Jack with a long hug.
"Sweetie come on." Brooke said pulling her away. She watched as her boyfriend walked away looking defeated, and depressed. She went to her room, completely ignoring Brooke, closed the door carefully, and laid down.
Sam was half asleep in a ball and sucking her thumb. There was far too much was on her mind, and she needed to relieve stress. She didn't hear the door knob turn and didn't notice Brooke standing in front of her. "Sam, sweetie?" she said softly. Sam opened her eyes and quickly took her thumb out of her mouth. Brooke acted like she didn't notice it, as to not make her more uncomfortable. "Can we talk?" She asked.
Sam sat up and crossed her legs, "Uhm. Yeah sure." Brooke sat down next to her. "Sam, you know Jack's not in a good place right now. You know that right?" Sam shook her head, "I know, but he'll be fine. I'm here for him." Sam said.
Brooke took a deep breath, "Sweetie they're going to take him away for a while."
Sam shot up, "What do you mean?!" Brooke grabbed her hand, "They're going upstate with relatives for a few weeks, so Jack can get away from everything." "You guys can still talk and text." She added.
Her eyes started to water, "But Brooke I need him here. Now more than ever!"
"I know Sammy. I know, but they think this is the best thing for him. And they're probably right."
Sam's tears gushed, "We were supposed to be completely open to one another now! I was gonna tell him about my nightmares and all the scary things in my head! Now what?! What am I supposed to do?!"
"I know it's not the same, but you can still call him." She said once more.
"It's not fair! Sam cried openly. "Mom, it's not FAIR!" She had so many emotions. It wasn't just about Jack any longer. It was about X, Gold, rape, nightmares, fears. It was about letting go of all of it, for at least a fleeting moment of time. Brooke recognized this and just pulled her in and held onto the increasingly emotional Sam.
"I know baby. I know. Let it out Sam. It's okay." Brooke said soothingly rubbing her back as she gently rocked her back and forth, wrapped in her arms. Sam sobbed openly, " I'm just tired mom." She said between cries. "Tired of what?" Brooke asked. "Everything! I want to be better. I don't want nightmares, I don't want to have to wet the bed, and-"Brooke stopped her, "Hey, hey. No, no stop Sammy." She said lifting Sam's face so that they were staring at one another. "You ARE normal. And one day those things WILL get better." She spoke reassuringly. "But how do you know?!" Sam asked exasperated. Brooke stroked a stray hair from her face, "Because you're the strongest girl I know, and we'll get through it together. You, dad, and me. The bed wetting will stop once you get past the initial shock. You've gotten much better! It hardly happens any longer! And we're here to help you get past it. But you need to TALK to us."
Sam buried herself in the crook of Brooke's neck and stayed there for a moment.
Sam sniffled. Her crying had waned, "I'm embarrassed."Brooke shook her head, "Don't be. We're your parents. That's what we're here for."
"What about my nightmares when are they gonna go away?"Broke looked into her daughters eyes they were so desperate, desperate to know the answers. Answers she didn't necessarily have. "I don't know Sam, but when you get one just come into my room or call me. Talk to me. Get it out, don't keep it in Samantha" she said more seriously.
"You sound like Dr. Gold" Sam mumbled.
Brooke gave her a small shake, "Maybe because there's a grain of truth to it." She said raising an eyebrow.
"I guess." She said meekly. She wanted to lay down and rest with her mom, the crying had taken a lot out of her, but knew that Brooke had to go back to work so she hesitated. Brooke checked the time, and then saw her distressed daughter. She smiled warmly at her, "Come on sweetie. Lay down, I'll stay with you."
Sam looked at her suspiciously, "Don't you have to go back to work?"
"Work can wait. You're more important than fashion." To hear those words made Sam gush. Brooke outstretched her hand and guided Sam onto her lap. She stroked her hair and listened as Sam talked about Jack, giving her advice when necessary. Slowly Sam fell to sleep, and began to suck her thumb. Brooke bit her lip, not sure whether to let her or not, but decided that it was her coping mechanism. Who was she to stop her? When she was sure she fell to sleep, she texted her assistant, "leave me the work on my desk, I'll come in at 5. "
She stared at Sam nervous for her. She was scared that Sam would be depressed with Jack gone. She hoped to God she was wrong.
… … ...
Sawyer walked out of her classroom and waited for Michael by the lunch lines. He found her and gave her a warm smile, "Hey." He said simply. Sawyer returned the smile, "Where do you want to sit?" she asked.
He turned around and started walking. Sawyer was confused, but realized she was supposed to follow him, " can you at least talk before you leave?!" She yelled walking quickly after him. They got to the field and say behind the bleachers, " I like it here." he said as he took out a sack lunch, "It's away from everyone else."
Sawyer looked at his brown paper bag with the smile on the side, "Hey that's the lunch from the shelter." She pointed out. "Are you still working on that journalistic piece?" She asked innocently.
Michael hesitated, "No it's not. This is mine."
Sawyer furrowed her eyebrows, " I put a smile on the side of the lunches I make in the morning. That one has a smile. "
He stayed quiet.
"Why are you lying?" She added. She saw his eyes flicker with embarrassment, "What's wrong Michael?"
He looked at the bag and then pushed it towards her. "Keep it then."
She pushed it back to him disgusted, " I didn't say to give it back to me!" She retorted, "What's up with you dude? You always freak out."
Michael just shook his head frustrated, "Why do you even care?"
She scoffed, " uh, YOU'RE the one that wanted to talk to me, remember?"
He felt caught, and quickly regretted setting this up, " You just wouldn't understand Sawyer."
She folded her arms, "You don't give me the chance to understand. How would you even know?"
He let out a deep sigh and looked at her, "Fine." He decided to rip off the band-aid, "I lied. I'm not working on a journalist piece."
"What're you talking about?" She said feeling caught off guard.
"I'm homeless."
Sawyer stared at him, "homeless?" She said shocked.
He rolled his eyes, "Yeah Sawyer that's what I said. Me and my mom. We lost the shitty home we already had and now we're bumming it."
"Michael I'm, I'm sorry."
He rolled his eyes once more, "I didn't ask for your pity Sawyer. I just don't want to lie to you anymore."
She felt guilty all of a sudden, "Does anyone else know?"
He chuckled, "It's not something I put out there, so no."
Sawyer looked down, "Well thanks for telling me. "..."What's it like? I can't imagine being-"
He stopped her, "Stop Sawyer. It's just a piece of my life? Get it? Being homeless isn't my identity. I know it's hard for you to understand with your two parent, two income household. My life's pretty fucked up but I don't want to talk about it, get it?"
Sawyer immediately saw another Sam in front of her, but she was strangely attracted to him.
Michael sawyer eyes glaze over with judgement, "I better go. You have cheerleaders to get to."
Sawyer stopped him, "Wait! I always hang out with them. We should hang out."
He looked at her unsure, "Really?"
She smiled, "Yeah, lets get lunch."
He shrugged, "Okay then. Thanks by the way."
She shrugged back, "You're welcome."
He laughed, "Do you even know what I'm thanking you for?"
She chuckled, "Of course! For being an amazing and awesome girl, right?"
"Ha! Yeah that's exactly what I meant."
Sawyer picked up her bag and Michael watched her, "You're such a slow poke."
"Slow poke?" She said mockingly. "Who even says that anymore?!"
He narrowed his eyes, "Pfft. I do. Get over it. Now come on!" He said grabbing her hand, "We're not gonna get food at your pace."
Together they walked towards the cafeteria.
I hope you liked it! Tell me what you think! Please review guys, it's why I write. I haven't had much, but I appreciate everyone who does! Thanks :)