Just a warning, this is very much so a sam centered chapter. Sorry!
It had been a month since Michael was taken in by Brooke and Julian, and things seemed to have fallen into a routine for the Tree Hill Clan. Brooke, now four months and visibly pregnant was burying herself in motherhood books as well as the new lines that her clothing empire were set to release. She was constantly on the move. All the while Julian was directing his latest movie downtown. Unfortunately, Sam was feeling a bit of the after effects of it all.
"Sam! Michael!" Brooke yelled, "Breakfast kids!" She felt hands wrap around her and she turned around and gave Julian a kiss, "Morning baby." She whispered. Julian gave her a sly smile, "Everytime I stay at the studio late it makes me miss you SO. MUCH. MORE." He grabbed her by the waist and propped her up onto the counter. She gave out a short yelp, "Julian!" She said embarrassed, "I'm pregnant." She whispered looking down at her stomach.
He chuckled, "Which makes you all the more desirable." She let him get closer to her, as they were becoming increasingly affectionate Brooke looked up and saw a mortified Michael. Flustered, she pushed Julian off and pushed her hair back, "Uhh, Michael!" She said obviously still in shock.
He looked up, not wanting to look at Brooke in the eyes, "Ummm I, I should just go. Let me just, uhh...yeah." He picked up his bag but Brooke stopped him, "Honey wait, I'm sorry, we were just...kissing."
Julian shook his head in agreement, "Yeah bud, take a seat. Don't worry about it."
Still blushing Michael sat down.
When they all took a seat Brooke rose her eyebrow, "Michael is Sam awake?" She asked.
He took a swig of his juice, "Yeah, she was in the shower last I saw her."
Julian's eyes bulged, "You saw her in the shower?!"
Michael put his hands up, "WHOAH WHOAH. No!"
Brooke laughed, "Julian. There's a non-transparent shower curtain for a reason. Get your mind out of the gutter."
He still looked angry. Michael attempted to ease his nerves, "She leaves the door unlocked, and I knock before I go in. Don't worry Julian."
He poked his eggs violently, "That better be it."
Michael let out a chuckle. Julian could be clueless at times.
"Well I don't hear the shower anymore. I'm gonna go check on her." Brooke said.
As Brooke walked away, Julian eyed Michael, "So, a non-transparent shower curtain is the only barrier between you and my daughter huh?"
He rolled his eyes, and took a bite of toast, "Yes Julian."
Brooke walked over and opened the door to Sam's room not bothering to knock. "Hey Sam, if you don't come down I won't-" She stopped the rest and found Sam lying on the floor of her room, ready for school, but just staring at her ceiling. She went over and stood over her, hand on her hip. Sam looked at the figure towering over her,
"You look positively pregnant." She said flashing her mother a smile. Brooke rose her eyebrow at her. But said nothing, certain that Sam had more to say.
"You're looking pretty dapper too. Where you headed?" Sam asked sarcastically. Brooke knew that Sam already knew, "Sam, like you already know, because I told you a million times, I've got a meeting with Macys on the new line that's coming out."
Sam sat up, "Oh, right, right. Your other baby."
Brooke took her hand off her hip, "No Sam, not my other baby." She said copying Sam's tone, but then in a moment of frustration changed the subject, "Samantha why am I even humoring you? Can you get up?! What're you doing on the floor anyways?"
Sam got up, "Geez twenty questions now? I was just...meditating."
Brooke let out a small scoff, "Meditating?" She said with complete skepticism.
Sam shrugged, "Yeah. Meditating."
Brooke knew she was lying, "I'm just gonna pretend like what you said is true. When you're done "meditating" come down stairs. I'm leaving in fifteen minutes."
Sam grumbled out a "fine" and proceeded to sit down on her bed and put some things in her bag.
Before stepping out of the room, Brooke sighed and turned back around feeling guilty, "Sammy" She said softly. She looked up knowing where this was going, "Really Brooke, I'm fine."
Brooke went over and kissed her forehead, "You are my other baby." She said before leaving.
Sam watched her go and then let out a long breath, feeling a lot of relief. Giving a quick glance to the hallway she took the small blade out of her pocket, where she hid it when Brooke walked in. Although it didn't show, she was glad that her mother had stepped in when she did, preventing her from reverting to old habits. Sam stared at the blade turning it over in her hand. Michael happened to walk past her room, "Hey!" He said cheerfully. Frightened, Sam dropped the blade onto her lap, but quickly picked it up.
"What is that?" He asked curiously.
"Um, it's nothing. Come on, let's go." She said rushing to pick up her backpack. Michael was no fool, Sam tried to get past him, but he stopped her.
"WHAT?!" She said annoyed. Michael stared at her, "What's in your hand?" He asked once more.
"I said nothing." Sam's voice escalated, "Now get outta my way Michael." As she pushed past him, he grabbed a hold of her hand. She tried to get him to let go, but he managed to get her hand open. He found the small blade in the palm of her hand. It had given her a slight cut during their struggle. "Sammy?" He said looking up at her. She averted his gaze and grabbed the blade back from him, "Michael it's nothing okay?" Her eyes pleaded with him.
He felt a lump in his throat, "Sam please tell me you're not cutting."
She bit her lip and then threw the blade away, in an effort to prove her point, "I'm not. See?"
He squinted his eyes, not sure whether to believe her.
"Look, my mom and dad don't have to know about this okay?"
"Why, because they might figure out that-"
"NO!" She said exasperated, "Because they're gonna make a big deal out of nothing. I wasn't trying to hurt myself Michael. Now come on, Brooke's probably waiting for us, and I don't feel like getting my head bitten off for making her late." She said smiling, hoping the joke would ease the tension.
He gave in, "Fine." As they walked out he bent down and grabbed the blade from the trash, and then put it in his pocket.
Both of them walked out and into the car. "I call shotgun!" Sam said rushing into the front. Brooke put on her sunglasses, "Finally. You two are gonna be the death of me." She said playfully. Michael went into the back and put on his seatbelt.
"Well you have one more one the way, so you better get used to it." Sam said.
Brooke put the key in the ignition, "Ha. Ha. Sam, very funny." As she turned back, Michael's concerned face came into view, "Hey buddy, you okay?" She asked.
Michael looked at Brooke, and then at Sam whose look could kill him, "What, umm, yeah Brooke, I'm fine. Just thinking."
Sam let out a nervous laughter, "Yeah mom, see, he's fine. Let's go?"
Brooke looked at him once more, "You sure?"
"Yeah, definitely. Let's go."
She turned on the car and headed out. Sam felt relief flood her veins.
After what seemed like an endless car ride, they finally got to school, "Alright guys. Dad's gonna be at work late. He has to shoot a night scene or something like that, but I'll be home by five. And remember I'm going to be in meetings so if you need something call dad. Unless, of course there's an emergency."
Brooke gave Sam a kiss on the cheek, "Have a nice day at school sweetheart."
"Thanks mom." Sam got out hurriedly, and walked towards the school.
"You too bud," She said softly towards Michael, "Keep an eye on her for me alright?" She said with a wink. Michael nodded and got out, feeling guilty all of a sudden. He ran to catch up with Sam who was now with Sawyer.
"Geez Sam you couldn't wait for me?" He said out of breath.
She glared at him, "You're a jerk! You almost ratted me out." She turned to Sawyer, "I gotta go Soy, gonna catch up with Jack. Wanna hang out after school?"
"Aww sorry Sam, Brittany invited me over, and well you know that she doesn't really..."
"Like me." Sam said, finishing her sentence, "Yeah, I get it." She looked disappointed, "Alright, well I'll catch you later." She turned over and glared at Michael, "See you at home." She said coldly.
Michael's jaw fell, "Sam, come on! I didn't even-ugh!"
Sawyer looked at Michael, "Trouble in paradise?"
He shook his head, "It's Sam, she's...I don't know, probably on her period or something." He said deflecting from the real reason.
"No she's not."
His face looked grossed out, "Eww you know when she's on her period?"
She shrugged, "Yeah. It's not that big a deal."
He laughed, "For girls it's not." He wrapped his arms around her, "I didn't give my girl friend a proper hello." And then proceeded to give her a small kiss."
He pushed away from her slowly. "So you're hanging with Brittany after school?"
"Yeah, wish you could come." She said playfully poking at his chest, "I know, but I have my weight in make-up work from all the school I missed before coming here, if I wanna be on track to graduate."
Sawyer understood, "Yeah, I know."
Michael put his hand in his pocket and felt the silvery cold of the blade he had found Sam with he then cleared his throat, "Hey Soy, does Sam seem okay to you?"
Sawyer looked at him confused, "What do you mean? Is this because of what just happened? I thought you said she was just being moody"
He kept playing with the sharp metal, "No, yeah, I know. But besides that nothing's been going on, right?"
Sawyer thought for a moment, "Honestly, I've been so busy with all the cheer girls, since it's try out season and conditioning for next year, we haven't really hung out one on one, but she'd tell me if something was wrong, and she hasn't."
"Oh."
"Why?"
He took his hand out of his pocket, "No, no reason. Just wondering."
…. …. ….
Sam caught up with her boyfriend and gave him a big hug.
"Hey Sam!"
He grabbed a hold of her and gave her a kiss, "I missed you this weekend." He said. She let her body rest on the lockers and Jack leaned and let his hand rest on the lockers above her. She looked up at his eyes, "Are your parents really still mad?"
He rolled his eyes, "Yeah. They don't want me seeing you anymore Sam, 'cause of, well, everything that's happened."
She felt guilty that whenever something happened to her Jack somehow wound up in the middle, "I know, and it's not your fault." She said disheartened. Jack used his finger to brush her hair out of her face, "I'm doing my best Sam. School's all we got now."
"Are you still on probation for missing curfew too many times?" She asked him.
"Yeah, I violated the terms of probation, so they extended it. Yet another glorious aspect of foster care." His sarcasm reminded Sam that she managed to escape, but he hadn't.
Sam felt her eyes water, "Jack this is all my fault. I shouldn't've dragged you into all my own crap because-"
"Hey, hey" He said putting a finger to her lips, "I wanted to do all those things, because I love you. Don't blame yourself Sam."
"And babe?"
"Yeah?" She said softly.
"Remember don't tell anyone about this. Not Michael or Sawyer, and definitely not your parents!" He was embarrassed of his situation, and even a little scared.
Jack was on the verge of getting kicked out of his foster home, because of his probation, and in an effort to stop this from happening his foster parents tried to stop it at the root of the problem, which they believed was Sam.
Unfortunately for Sam she felt that she had to be strong for him at the moment, regardless of what was going on with her. But like Sam, Jack wasn't selfish, "How're you Sam?"
She put on a fake smile, "How I am doesn't matter Jack. I just don't want you to have to move because of things that weren't even your fault."
He looked at her until she looked back at him. He spoke gently, "Sam, I mean it. How are you? You just got the news, and you act like you're okay."
She shrugged, "It was two weeks ago."
He sighed, "It's still something big, Sammy. Rebecca's in prison. Are you gonna go visit her?"
Two weeks ago Sam had received a collect call. When she picked up it was Rebecca, and she was crying into the phone telling Sam to go visit her. Since then, she had called numerous times, but Sam ignored them all. She didn't want Rebecca in her life, and was angry at herself that she felt sympathy and maybe even sadness for her predicament. After all, Sam didn't believe Rebecca deserved to be there.
The bell rang, which cut off their conversation. "Oh fun. Class." Sam mumbled.
"We can skip?" Jack offered.
"It's English." She said defeated.
"oh, right. Your aunt."
Sam then punched him in the arm, suddenly having an epiphany "You can't afford to get into trouble!"
"OW!" He said rubbing the spot she hit so squarely.
"Jack seriously, we're not skipping, like ever. Or until you're out of the clear."
He sighed, "Fine. Come on. We're gonna be late."
Hand in hand, they headed into class. They took advantage of every moment they had together. When they walked in Haley looked at them, "Almost late Mr. Daniels, Ms. Davis."
"Too bad almost doesn't qualify as actually being late." Sam said smiling at Haley.
Haley rolled her eyes. The bell rang and she put a finger up pointing up to the intercom, "There it is. Take a seat jokester." She said referring to Sam.
When she sat down, Sawyer leaned over, "Hey" She whispered.
Sam looked over, "What's up?"
Sawyer didn't know how to phrase it, she took a moment, "Michael seemed worried about you. Are you okay?"
Sam thought of the question. It was simple, but it's reality was harsh. How could she tell Sawyer that she felt left out with her, that Jack had problems with foster care, and that her mom was in prison? She felt like her hands were tied.
"I'm fine. Michael just always needs to be worrying about something. Don't worry."
Sam looked back up and attempted to listen to the words that Haley was saying.
… …. ….
After school, the gang went their separate ways. Sawyer to practice, then Brittany's. Jack, straight home. And Michael went to tutoring. Sam found herself skating down the street alone. It wasn't the same without Jack, or anyone really. She felt alone. She stopped abruptly and picked up her board, choosing to walk instead. Her headphones stuck in and she let the music drown everything else out.
She wondered whether it was worth going to see Rebecca, or if it'd just bring back memories that she'd rather forget. She thought of her parents who absolutely hated Rebecca and who were not bashful at showing it. Annoyed with herself and all the thoughts reeling in her mind Sam pulled her headphones out.
She opened the door of her house and set her things down. Sam was surprised to see her mom home. She checked her watch it was only four o clock. Brooke was on the couch, watching Project Runway with the volume on low.
Brooke noticed Sam come in and walk by, "Hey Baby." Brooke said gently.
"Hi," Sam said hesitantly, "I thought you were coming later?"
"Me too, but our meetings ended early." Brooke responded.
Sam noticed the tired look on her face. She walked over and sat down on the couch.
"And I thought you were gonna be out. No friends today?" Brooke asked innocently.
"Nah. I felt like coming home." Sam said in a manner showing that the topic was sensitive.
Brooke smiled. She understood. Or at least she thought she did. "I get it." She said grabbing a hold of her daughter's hand. After looking at airbrushed, overly dressed and accessorized models all day, Sam's simplicity and natural features stood out to Brooke, "You're so beautiful, you know that?"
Sam blushed at her mother's words, and leaned over and cuddled up onto her mother.
Brooke kissed the top of Sam's head. "What's going on Sammy?" She said in a hoarse whisper. A moody teenager, or at least Brook's moody teenager, suddenly turning cuddly and needy only meant that there was something going on.
But Brooke's affection only made Sam feel emotional. She said nothing, but snuggled in closer at her mother's questioning words, laying her head by her chest.
When she heard no answer, and felt Sam nestle in closer, Brooke realized that maybe her best option was to just be there for her. She grabbed the blanket next to them and wrapped Sam in it.
"Okay Sammy." She spoke tenderly, "You wanna watch tv with me?" She said looking down at her seemingly distressed daughter.
They hadn't done so in a while. Sam, too afraid to speak and have her voice break just nodded.
Brooke began to rub Sam's back. She heard Sam sniffle once or twice, but she refused to move from her position cuddled with Brooke. She felt comfortable and protected, and was glad the Brooke just let her be, rather than pry.
"I'm here sweetheart." Brooke said after a moment, "Right here."
Please Review (motivation, remember?)! I hope you like it! Also, although the series is winding down, I don't think I'm going to set a chapter cap. That just makes me nervous. lol. Please tell me any suggestions you have, I'll reply and take them into account!