Julian opened the door to find Brooke sitting in deep thought, drinking coffee. He knew something wasn't right.

"Sweetie?" He said unsure as he closed the door and put his things down.

Brooke looked up at him and just shook her head solemnly. He went over and pulled her into a hug. He felt her tears fall onto his thin shirt.

"Brooke, what happened?" He became increasingly worried.

He rubbed her back, "Brooke...please." He whispered.

She slowly left his embrace and wiped her tears. She had to be strong.

"Julian, Sam, Sam…."

"Sam what?" He said searching her eyes.

"She's cutting herself."She said not believing the words coming out of her mouth.

His heart dropped to his stomach, and felt his breathing shallow, "What?!"

"I found her trying to do it today."

He flopped into a seat next to her, "Oh my god." He said breathlessly. Everything was swirling in his mind.

Brooke felt something catch in her throat, "Hun, she has so, so, so many cuts all over her little body. We, we missed it. All this time, right in front of us. We missed it!"

He cupped his hands onto his mouth and let tears roll down his face, "Is she, why, why?" He looked at Brooke, "Why'd she do it?" His voice was quiet but desperate,"I, I don't know. Brooke, why?"

Brooke looked into Julian's eyes, he was so worried, so scared….so hurt. She had never seen him like this. This time it was her turn to go over and hug him, "I don't know Julian. She's in pain. We need to be there for her." She whispered in his ear as he cried on her shoulder.

After they both composed themselves, and Julian let his senses come back to him he took a deep breath and stood up, "Is she asleep?"

She shook her head in affirmation, "She's in our room."

He went in and found her deeply asleep. He laid down next to her and hugged her tightly. Feeling her breathing, and matching it. He didn't care what anybody said, the rage and sadness intertwined in him only confirmed that Sam was basically his flesh and blood. He sat up and saw Brooke standing in the doorway.

"Show me." He said.

Brooke went over and gently lifted the covers and lifted Sam's sleeve. Then carefully did the same for the cuts on her thighs.

He did his best to not cry again, and simply said, "My god Sammy." repeatedly in a whisper.

Brooke looked at him, "Julian we can't let her out of her sight….as much as she's gonna hate us for it."
"I don't care. Her safety comes first." Julian said resolutely.

Brooke bit her lip nervous for the coming days.

"Let's get to work babe."

Together they took out anything that Sam could use as a blade from her room and bathroom.

"Can we take the hinges off the doors?" Julian said looking at her.

"No. We just won't let her close it anymore."

"Brooke do you really think that's gonna work? We need to be forceful. We need to do everything possible." He said raising his voice.

"Julian." She said sharply, "We want to keep her close, not push her away. This is enough."

Julian saw the worry in her eyes. He nodded reluctantly.

"You're right. I guess we're done. Bed?" He said.

She nodded ready to fall asleep.

/ / / /

Sam woke up to a kiss on her forehead.
"Samson, time to wake up."

She saw her dad's face looking at her with concern. "Five more minutes Julian." She grumbled and turned around.

He rubbed her back, "Samson we need to talk before I go to work. Please get out of bed." His voice dripped with apprehension.

Sam's eyes popped open, 'Oh Shit.' She thought.

Reluctantly she sat up and put her hand through her hair, "I'm awake. HAPPY?" She responded annoyed.

Julian frowned at how flippant Sam could be after last night.

They both heard Brooke's voice, "Julian is Sammy awake? We have to talk to-" She came in to Sam and Julian both turning to her.

"Uhm Sam. Morning." She said.

Sam looked at her and then at Julian. She felt double teamed.

"I really, really don't want to talk to you guys." She rolled over and got off the bed. Julian grabbed her arm, "Samantha it's not a request."
Sam shook him loose. "Aren't you both gonna be late for work or something? Just leave. Don't want your movie" She said looking at Julian, "and your company" she said looking to Brooke, "to fall apart."

"Sam, stop that. You're always our priority." Brooke said softly.

Julian stood up and gently grabbed Sam's shoulders and sat her back on the bed.

She refused to look up at him.

"I'm not gonna pry." He said softly.

"Good because I'm not telling you." She spit back.

Brooke closed the door and walked towards them. She sat down next to Sam who scooted away from her.

He kneeled to her level, "I love you Samantha."

She blinked not knowing what to say.

"I love you, and I don't understand why you're doing this to yourself."
"I'm NOT doing it anymore damn it!"

Brooke grabbed her chin and turned it towards her, "Is it because of Rebecca?"

Sam looked at her disgruntled and pulled away, "Why does it matter. I said I won't do it anymore."

Both parents were desperate for her to open up.

'How could she have been so needy yesterday and suddenly flip on us!' Brooke thought as she looked at an angry Sam which so contrasted with the girl that was wrapped up in her arms last night.

"Sweetie if you don't talk to us, then you're going to talk to Dr. Gold."

Sam looked up quickly, "Are you kidding me?!"

"Sam, self-harm is not okay." Julian responded.

Sam's eyes practically bulged out of her sockets. Why was is so hard for them to understand and believe that she decided to stop? So what if she had urges and thoughts? She could control them…..right?

"I KNOW JULIAN!" Her voice went from quiet to loud, taking both Brooke and Julian by surprise, "Why's it so hard for you guys to believe me when I said that I stopped?! Did I grab the razor yesterday? Yeah, sure. BUT I STOPPED MYSELF. I don't need your help with this."

She got up and pushed past Julian. Both parents looked at each other with anger and worry boiling inside them. "She's not okay Julian. She's dealing with things the wrong way again." Brooke said as the cutting and sudden angry outbursts ran through her mind. What came next solidified their belief.
"YOU HAVE GOT TO BE FUCKING JOKING!"

Sam blasted herself back into their room, "You guys practically took anything with sharp edges out of my bathroom and room!"

Sam felt so angry inside all of a sudden, she needed an outlet, and her parents were the target. "You guys are so damn PARANOID! Call whoever the fuck you want. Call damn Gold, call the president. SEE IF I CARE."

"Samantha!" Brooke and Julian both said at the same time, "We're trying to help you!" Brooke exclaimed.

Julian having enough of her tantrum grabbed her hand and led her to the couch in the living room, "Samantha sit down and stay there." His voice exuding with compassionate authority.

Sam folded her arms, and looked up as her dad seemed to tower over her. Julian saw her small figure and imagined a toddler would look up at him in the same defiant, yet anxious manner.

"I want Michael here." She almost whispered.

"Sweetie speak louder, I couldn't hear you." He told her.

"Michael….here." She said again.

He looked over to Brooke, "I'll get him."

Michael stayed in his room, well aware of the situation, but too unsure whether it was okay for him to come out. He heard someone knock.

He cleared his throat, "Come in."

He saw Julian stride in, "Buddy you, Brooke, Sam, and me have to talk."

Michael felt a lump in his throat, "I-uhm, well I was just gonna head to school."

Julian outstretched his hand, "At this point we're all late to our respective places, so we might as well talk. Come on bud."

Michael saw the anger in Sam's eyes and decided to sit next to her. He felt her grab his hand. Brooke noticed, and was glad that Sam at least had someone to hold onto, to trust….but was saddened that it wasn't her.

Julian and Brooke sat down.

"Sammy." She started, "I know you're mad. But you have to understand where your dad and I are coming from. We're just worried about you."
Sam took a deep breath, "So worried that you forget to trust me." She answered.

Julian sighed, "I'm sorry if it feels that way, but for right now that's how things are going to work. We're taking you with Dr. Gold."

"Baby, it scared me seeing all those scars on your body. We're doing what's best for you." Brooke added.

Sam felt her eyes fill with tears. Her parents really didn't trust her at all. "I hate you both." She said in a whisper to them.

Michael turned to her, "Sam." He said quietly. Sam even surprised herself. She was in more pain than she had thought, but she had already said it.

Julian grabbed Brooke's hand, knowing that it hurt her hearing those words just as much as it hurt him, "And we love you." He said.

Brooke took a deep breath trying to compose herself, "Sam you're not getting out of it. I'm sorry." She said in a firm, but gentle manner.

"Whatever, do what you want." She mumbled, "Doesn't change how I feel about this."

Brooke and Julian decided to ignore her words.

"Style moved the interview to Saturday, but I'll call to cancel to take you to Gold then."
As mad as Sam was she knew how excited Brooke was for this, and after spewing the "I hate you," she needed to at least seem a little less selfish.
"Geezus Brooke, we can do the damn magazine spread, don't worry I won't bleed out. I can wait for next week."

Brooke was trying to stay calm, but Sam's spiteful words were inching her towards madness, "Samantha-"

Sam stopped her, "We can be one big happy family. No worries."

"Sam we don't have to do this." Brooke reassured her.

Sam shrugged, "I'm not fragile Brooke, I can handle an interview."

Julian looked at Brooke, then back at Sam, "Alright then. Go get ready for school, you're late. I'll take both of you."

Sam got up and left, saying nothing else, pulling away when her mom tried grabbing her hand, "leave me alone." She said breathlessly and angry. If you asked her why she was so mad herself she really couldn't give you an answer, which just made Sam even more mad. Maybe she really did need to see Gold.

Michael looked at Julian and Brooke, "She didn't mean all that. She's just messed up right now."
Brooke smiled, "I know Michael. You don't have to defend her, we already know."

"I just, I get it. You know?"
"We understand." Julian told him.

Brooke scooted over and gave Michael a hug, "Thank you."

"For what?"
"Bud she trusts you. As much as she "hates" us she trusts you, and I'm glad you've been such a good brother to her."
He blushed, "I caught her with a blade before." He blurted out.
Julian and Brooke frowned.

"I thought she threw it away!" He hung his head, "I should've told you. I'm sorry." He said ruefully.

Brooke patted his back, "Go finish getting ready for school. You and I will talk later."

… …. …..

FRIDAY

It was friday. D-Day for Sawyer. She was about to embark on her first private school party at Buckley, and couldn't be more ecstatic. The night would be wondrous alongside Chase, who she imagined would be nothing but the perfect gentlemen. She only wished Michael would be there too.

When she got to school she searched out Sam, "HEY SAMMY!" She yelled to her.

Sam turned around and gave her a small smile, "Hey Soy."

"No Hi for me?" Jack asked her.

"My bad Jack."

He shrugged, "Why are you so excited anyways?"
Sawyer chuckled, "The Buckley party's tonight." She saw Sam's face turn to distaste, "Look I know you don't want me to go, but I'm not a child, and you're not my mom Sam, so you can at least pretend to be excited for me."
Sam frowned, "If you're looking for a shared sentiment of joy over a stupid party then you have the wrong friend Soy. Go take that to Caitlyn or another one of your cheerleaders."
Sawyer felt her blood boil, "Fuck You Sam." She said giving her a slight push, "Go be a jerk elsewhere," and then turned to open her locker.

"WHOAH." Jack said. He whispered in Sam's ear, "Kinda harsh babe."

Sam sighed, realizing she was a little too honest this time around, but the tension within her own house was plaguing her, and she was taking it out on her friends.

"Sawyer." She said looking to her, but she continued to ignore Sam.

"Soy come on. Look, I'm sorry okay. I was just being honest, and I'm not in a real good mood, and I just took it out on you."
Sawyer turned around, "Sam you do realize you haven't been in a good mood all week right? God, it's getting old."

Sam bit back the harsh words that were dying to leave her mouth. How could Sawyer not notice that all she needed was a friend. Then again, did Sam even take the time to tell her what was going on?

"You're right." She said stringently, "I'm sorry."

Jack put his arm around her shoulders to provide her some comfort. He knew all about what was going on in Sam's life and knew that Sawyer's words hurt her, "Soy calm down alright. Just be cool."

Sawyer ignored him, "Seriously Sam, what's been up with you lately? I know the whole thing with Rebecca rocked your world, but has it been bugging you that bad?" She said now looking at Sam.

Sam clenched her fists, and felt Jack tighten his grip around her, "Gee Soy, maybe if you'd take the time and realize that life doesn't revolve around you, then you'd know what's going on with me!" Sam's voice rose, and shrugged Jack off, "Let go Jack, I'm not gonna hit her." She said looking at Sawyer angrily.

Sawyer huffed, "OH there you go acting all tough again."

"At least I don't act like the victim all the time." Sam rebuffed.

Both girls were airing each other's insecurities, and the situation was escalating quickly. Some kids noticing the girls began to gather. Jack grabbed Sam's hand, but she moved it away. He took a step back, and then ran to find Michael, if he couldn't calm Sam down, then he could calm Sawyer.

Sawyer laughed, "Me, the victim?! OH YEAH RIGHT SAM. You've ALWAYS been poor little foster kid Sam. It's been THREE years Sam! When are you gonna stop using that as an excuse, huh?!"

Suddenly Sam felt heat rise to her face, "I don't use that as an excuse." Her voice was low, but furious.

"Whatever you say." Sawyer said rolling her eyes, "But you know it's true."

"And why don't you GROW up Sawyer. People always have to protect you, because you're too naive to take care of yourself! You act like such a child sometimes." She then got closer, "I'm surprised your parents haven't made good on their threat to spank you."

Sawyer's eyes narrowed, "At least I'm not the one that cries for her mommy and daddy when things get too scary." She then turned to the small crowd, "Big ol' tough Sam can't take a little nightmare, so her parents have to coddle her until it's all better for their little baby." She crooned.

Sam's eyes widened, and felt tears of rage fill her eyes. Sawyer then leaned in, "Wanna cry Sammy?"

Both girls looked at each other with fury in their eyes, "...Or maybe you just wanna suck your thumb?"

Sam lost it, "YOU LITTLE BITCH!" She pushed Sawyer hard, making her fall to the floor. The oohs of the crowd attracted more kids. Sawyer got up and tried punching Sam, who dodged it. She then pushed her down. Soon enough they were both on the floor, but Sawyer was no match for Sam. She had Sawyer pinned down in no time, "Who's the baby now Soy! Huh?!"

Sawyer tried to get away, "Let go!"

"No! You wanna know why I've been in such a bad mood?!"
"I don't fucking care!" Sawyer screamed.

Sam's eyes were filled with tears, "I've been cutting myself! I had no one to talk to! My parents found out, and it's felt like hell since then. I NEEDED YOU! "
Sawyer stopped fighting, "What?"

But Sam didn't let her go, she was still furious. Sam felt someone grab her. It was a security guard. Haley then picked Sawyer up off the ground, "What the hell has gotten into you two?!"
"OFFICE NOW!" The guard barked. Sam tried to get away, "FUCK OFF!" She yelled at him.

He grabbed her by the collar of his shirt, "Little lady DO NOT mess with me."

Sawyer was being dragged to the office in a daze, confused, angry, and saddened all together.

… ….. ….

Both girls were put in separate rooms. They had scrapes from falling and Sawyer had a bruise on her arm where Sam had held her.

Sawyer sat with tears in her eyes. Haley had left for her class, although she dogged Sawyer out enough. She sat there nursing her arm, feeling like the worst friend, but still extremely angry with Sam, but her nerves were also eating her. She was dead, she thought. She was rocked out of her thoughts when Lucas and Peyton both walked in. "Mom. Dad." She said sitting up.

"What happened Sawyer?" Peyton said earnestly, "What could've possibly caused you two to fight?"

Sawyer shrunk, "I don't know." She said quietly, "I'm sorry."
Lucas saw the bruise, "Sam did this to you?!"

"She was holding me down hard." She said meekly.

Peyton bent down to look at Sawyer at eye level, "I'm disappointed in you."
Sawyer pouted, "You don't even know what happened! It's not my fault!"

Peyton scoffed, "Sawyer Scott, of course it's your fault. It's both yours and Sam's fault. You do not STOOP to physical violence, and I'd appreciate if you'd take responsibility for your actions!" She then bent down to Sawyer's eye level, "Understood?"

Sawyer looked at her mother with big puppy dog eyes, feeling very much like the child Sam claimed her to be. "o-okay." She responded in an almost inaudible whisper."

"What?" Peyton asked cupping her ear.

Sawyer swallowed nervously, "Y-yes mommy." Her mother's words made her feel exposed. They made her feel contrite and small. Peyton nodded at her daughter's sudden penitence."Good. Now, we have to go in there and you have to explain to the principal what happened, and you better tell him the truth young lady." Peyton said in a low angry tone, "Got it?"

Sawyer shook her head rapidly, "Yes momma."

Lucas grabbed her hand, "Come on Soy let's go."

Sawyer felt it weird that her mom seemed more angry than her father, but dared not question the situation.

Sam felt her whole body shake she couldn't believe what Sawyer had told the whole world, and that she had done the same to her. She sat holding her knees up, her face looking as angry and steely as ever.

Brooke and Julian entered the room, to which Sam responded by looking away and towards the window. She felt the chair turn, she was now facing her father.

"I'm not talking to anyone." She said defiantly.

Julian spoke, "You might not want to talk to us, but if you don't tell your principal what happened you're risking expulsion."
Sam looked at him surprised, "For what?! I barely even hurt her!"
"It's zero tolerance Samson, and she has the bruises not you." Julian responded.

"Do you mind telling us what the hell you were thinking? What you were both thinking should I say." Brooke said with her arms folded.

Sam rolled her eyes and stuck her guns not saying a word. She put her knees back up and put her head down.

Brooke sighed, she knew it wasn't normal behavior for the two best friends. She knew Sam was putting up a front. She stayed quiet and sat next to her, rubbing her back occasionally.

After Sawyer spoke, they sent her back to the room with her parents. It was Sam's turn to go in. She felt Julian hold her shoulders and lead her to the principal's office.

Sam sat between Brooke and Julian. She felt nervous.

"Good morning, I'm Mr. Gomez, but you both already know me so we can skip the introductions." The principal said. Sam had been here before.

"Parents, please refrain from talking as your daughter recounts the story."

"Are you kidding me right now?!" Brooke responded, "My daughter is risking expulsion and I can't advocate on her behalf? What kind of crappy system is this?!"

Sam turned to her mother, "Brooke! Stop it! I don't need your help with this."

Brooke mumbled out a fine, then looked at the principal who looked a little stunned, "Are you gonna speak?" She asked clearly annoyed.

He rolled his eyes then turned to Sam, "Samantha, Miss Scott has told me her side of the story. I'd advise that you stick to the facts, alright?"

Sam shook her head.

"Now it's my understanding this started with a disagreement about a party?" He asked.

Brooke and Julian listened intently, watching and listening to their daughter.

Sam shook her head, "Soy wanted to go to some party that I thought was dumb, I told her to go find someone else to revel in the fun with."
"And then what?" He asked.

Listening to Sam speak, surprised Brooke and Julian, Sam had a whole other social world outside their house, something they tended to forget.

"She got mad, and I apologized saying I was just in a bad mood, but she took it to a whole other level and said I've been in a bad mood all week and that I should just get over it."

"Mhm." He said.

"But she didn't know why I was in a bad mood, and I called her out for being self centered, and that escalated."

The principal cleared his throat, "She said you said very personal things about her in front of many other kids."
Her parents turned to look at her. Sam held on to the arms of the chair, "Yeah, I called her a child, and so did she. She talked about me being a foster kid, and other personal stuff, so I pushed her, then she tried punching me, and then I pinned her to the floor and held her down."

The principal then looked at Sam more sympathetically, do you wanna talk about what happened after that?

Sam shrugged, still trying to speak in a matter of fact manner, "I told her I'd been cutting myself and that she wasn't there for me."
Brooke grabbed Sam's hand and Sam squeezed it, grateful for the gesture.

"I'm sorry." Sam said, "I'll apologize. I was just mad."
She looked at Julian, "I didn't mean it all." and then turned to Brooke, "Mom, I just got real mad, okay?"

"I know Sam. I know." Brooke assured her with a small smile.

"Ms. Baker you understand that you could be expelled for this?"
Sam shook her head nervously, "Yes."

Brooke bit her tongue, trying not to say anything.

The principal looked at the regret written all over Sam's face. He cleared his throat, "Due to the very personal nature of this fight. I'll let it slide. But I need you to leave the premises for the day, and I expect this argument between two good friends like sawyer and you to end." He said with a wink.

Sam nodded, "Yes sir."

With that they were dismissed. They walked out to the car only to find Sawyer and her parents waiting. Peyton extended her arm and pulled Brooke in for a hug, "I'm sorry." She whispered.

"They just need to talk it out." Brooke said.

Sawyer looked at Sam, while Sam looked at the bruise on her arm, "Sorry I hurt you." Sam said gruffly.

She then tried getting into the car, but Brooke put her arm out, "Samantha stop. Sawyer wants to say something to you."

"Brooke, I don't want to do-" but Sam felt Brooke turn her back around. Sawyer had her hands folded and looked at Sam nervously, "I shouldn't have said those things about you, or to you in front of everyone...or ever. I'm sorry, and I'm sorry I was so selfish, that I wasn't there for you. I feel horrible that you couldn't come to me."

Sam bit her lip, "I shouldn't have said what I said. It was a mistake." She sounded terse, obviously still reeling from the fight.
Sawyer grabbed her hand, "I didn't know you were cutting Sam." She said softly, but Sam pulled back, "That was the point." She said incensed. With that she went into the car.

Brooke went over and gave Sawyer a hug, "It's a sensitive subject sweetie."
She looked at her aunt, "I'm sorry aunt Brooke. I really am."

Brooke nodded, "We all make mistakes. Sam said some pretty messed up things to you too."

"But I took it too far! " She bemoaned.

Lucas put a hand on her shoulder, "Come on sweetie. Aunt Brooke and Julian have to go."

All while this was happening, Julian went into the back of the car following Sam. He sat next to Sam who was staring in the opposite window. He cleared his throat, "Can we call a momentary truce?"

She looked at him, "What?"

"You're mad at me and mom, and now you're mad at your best friend. Who's left to comfort you?"

She shrugged, "Michael. Jack. Not you, not mom."

He shook his head, "I get it. You don't wanna talk to us. So I will."

He waited and could tell that she was listening, "You're at this point in your life where everything really just plain sucks. Things aren't going your way and it seems like you're all alone, and baby that's the worst place to be. Mom and me know that you're not cutting anymore, but we're doing these things out of precaution. And yes, that really blows, and I'm sorry, but that's just the way things are. I'm sorry that mom and me are so incredibly paranoid, that we just want to keep you safe and sound, even if that means you hating us momentarily. Just know that we love you eternally...I know your life has never been ideal, and you always have to deal with things that no one else does, but that's the hand you've been dealt. And I've always been and continue to be proud of you, for handling it with as much grace as the circumstance allows. Baby, I love you."
He leaned over and kissed the top of her head. Sam felt a tear roll down her cheek. He looked at her quietly. She wiped the tear off, "Thanks dad."

Brooke came in and realized that Julian had said something to Sam. She looked at her daughter and felt her heart break for her. "Sammy, I'm sorry sweetie, but you're gonna have to come with me to work okay?"

Sam didn't want to fight with her parents, yet again, so she shrugged her shoulders while still looking out the window, "Okay, that's fine."

"Alright Sammy, I'm gonna go head to work now. I'll see you later. Be good." Julian told her, hoping to at least see a smirk cross her face. Nothing.

"See ya." Sam said.

Brooke and Sam headed into her office together with silence between the two of them.

As they walked in they were greeted by many people, which made Sam feel uncomfortable, but she braved through smiling at each greeter.

Brooke opened up her office and Sam went in quickly thankful to be away from the attention.

"They really love you out there Sam." Brooke said chuckling.

Sam sat down on one of the chairs and pulled out her phone, "I don't know why, I never gave them a reason to."

Brooke took a seat at her desk, "Well I talk a lot about you, so of course they love you."
Sam lifted her eyebrow, but decided not to say anything about it. She preferred for Brooke not to get mushy.

Brooke looked at her deeply.

"What?" Sam asked. "You didn't deserve all those things Sawyer said about you." She said softly. Sam put her phone back down, "Yeah, well, I said things too. And you know some of the things she said were kinda right."

Brooke slightly frowned. She wanted to disagree, she wanted to scoop her up and tell her she was perfect, but that wouldn't fix anything. She wanted to tickle her, just to see Sam break into laughter and smiles. She missed her daughter's smile. But she went with questions. They were her safest bet to get Sam to talk.

"You think so?"

Sam nodded slightly as she pulled at her sleeves, her wrists itching for some sort of pain, "...Do you?" She asked nervously as she looked up at Brooke, her eyes still red from the silent tears that fell during their car ride. Brooke felt the words hit her in the pit of her heart, "No. I promise you baby. No. You've grown so much Sam, so, so, much."

Sam lifted the sleeves of her arm, the cuts still obvious, though healing. She looked at them and wanted to cry. Brooke watched her movements, "Sam?" She said quietly. Sam looked up from her trance. Brooke took a deep breath "Baby are you thinking about hurting yourself again?"

She put her sleeve back down and looked away, but she didn't need to say anything else. Brooke went over and lifted Sam's sleeves back up. Sam tried to pull back, but she held on, "No Sam." She said.

Brooke looked at the scars forming and then back up at Sam, "You, Samantha, are what I look forward to every day." Sam just stared at her, holding in the oncoming tears as much as she could, but some were escaping her. She nodded, as she listened to her mother speak. "I'm proud of you Sammy."

Brooke let go of her arms. Sam squeaked out a simple "thank you." It wasn't a reconciliation, but Sam couldn't have asked for a better response from her mother. It was just what she needed at that moment, and she was grateful.

….. … …..

Sawyer walked into her house with her head held down. She was heading to her room, but her dad's voice stopped her,

"Sawyer not just yet, come here." She turned around slowly and headed to the couch where her parents were sitting. She could tell that they wanted her to sit right in between both of them, so she reluctantly did.

"I already feel horrible." She said as she sat down, "Are you guys just gonna make it worse?" Peyton looked into her daughter's eyes, "You said some very personal things about Sam's life Sawyer. Why would you ever think that's okay young lady?"

"She...she was being..." Sawyer realized that her reason was actually quite foolish.

"She was being what Sawyer?" Lucas asked.

"Mean."

"Mean?"

Sawyer shook her head, "I know it sounds stupid, but she's been so moody and I got tired of it!"

Peyton couldn't believe how spoiled Sawyer was sounding. "Sawyer Scott are you listening to yourself? Did you even take the time out of your busy schedule to ask Sam how she was doing? Did you ever bother to ask how she was feeling? If I recall, Sam always makes sure to do so for you."

Sawyer felt tears fill her eyes, "I know! I-I feel really bad about it!" The tears fell freely onto her now rosy cheeks.

Lucas then put his hand on her knee, "And we know she aired some things for you, but what you told that crowd, calling her a 'baby', talking about things only family knows, was absolutely wrong. Those things are a product of her past, how would you feel if someone brought up your pill problem?" He rose his eyebrow.

Sawyer's face crumpled suddenly feeling the full weight of what she did, "I-I'm sorry, I am! But she, she won't talk to me anymore!" She turned to Peyton, "Mommy she's so mad!"

Peyton sighed slightly and extended her arms, inviting Sawyer into her embrace, which she took. Peyton brushed her hair, "You're gonna need to apologize once she's calmed down. I promise things'll work out."

Sawyer sniffled, but greedily took in her mother's faint scent, she hadn't been wrapped like this with her mother for a while. After a long moment, she felt Peyton kiss the top of her head, "Now you go off to your room this minute. No party tonight, understood?"

She looked at her daughter with warning in her eyes. "Yes momma, understood." Sawyer said trying to hide her annoyance.

She got up, and Lucas was already standing with his arms folded. Sawyer looked up at him. He sighed, "Come here young lady."
"What're you gonna do?" She asked suspiciously. She went up to him and he hugged her tightly. He then grabbed her arm and gave her two mild swats.

SPANK

"No, dad!"

"Don't you ever get into another fight!"

"I won't!" She said embarrassed.

SPANK

"And you think about what comes out of your mouth before you say it!"

"Daddy I will!"

He let her go, "Are you sure Soy?"

"Mhm. Yes, I promise." She said as she rubbed the sting,

He pulled her in for one last hug, "Now go to your room. Michael can come over later."

She nodded and went off.

She was upset that she was going to miss the party, but found solace in the fact that her parents allowed Michael to come over after school. They enjoyed their time together, but Michael was out the door by nine. It was around 1:00 am when Sawyer heard a knock at her window, it was Chase. She instructed him to wait, since her dad had sealed the window. She went out back quietly.

"Why aren't you at your party?" She whispered.

"You weren't there." He said smoothly, "I was hoping my tree hill high cheerleader would've shown up."
She smiled, "Well some things came up. I'm sorry."

He handed her a slip of paper, "This is my phone number. We need to hang out sometime. I'll show you the wild side."
She looked at him funny, "No thanks." and handed him back the paper.

He put it back in her hands, "Look, I know you've got a guy. I'm not trying to take you from him. You just seem really down to earth unlike the Buckley girls, and I wanna be your friend that's it."
She looked at him suspiciously, "Wait, how'd you find my house?"
"You'll never know because I'll never tell you."

He pecked her on the cheek, "Goodnight Sawyer. Michael's girlfriend and hopefully soon to be my friend. I gotta go, but text me!"

Sawyer stood there dumbfounded.

"I guess hanging out with him wouldn't hurt." She thought out loud.

I know, it took me FOREVER to put this up. But I hope you enjoyed it.

What do you think of Sam and Sawyer's argument? Was it justified? What about the Chase plotline? I had originally wanted Sawyer to go to the party, but felt some Soy and Sam action needed to happen, so now I'm not sure where to go with it. Please review :)!

Also, five reviews and I'll write another chapter within three days! I need to make it up for all of you! Happy Reading :)