Sam looked out, trying to remove herself from the fact that she was heading to Dr. Gold's office. Her sulking made Julian a little nervous, but he just tightened the wheel and looked towards the traffic, "We might be a bit late. This traffic is ridiculous." He said slightly turning to her trying to get some small talk.

She didn't bother turning to look at him, "Guess the universe doesn't want me going to some shrink either."
Julian took a deep breath, "You're not getting away from it, so you might as well accept it Samantha." He said a bit stringently.

She looked over at him, "That's the stupidest logic."

"Excuse me young lady?" He said on the verge of scolding her.

Sam didn't feel dissuaded, "That's arguing conformity. What if Martin Luther King decided to just accept Jim Crow laws? Or the colonists decided to not throw over that tea? No civil rights, and no america, that's what Julian. Take a history class."

He looked over at her and narrowed his eyes, "Watch the tone. As glad as I am that your intelligence has remained intact let's put things into perspective here. You're not trying to change the world, you're trying to weasel yourself out of a therapy session."

She sulked back into the seat, "Whatever." She said crossing her arms. He chuckled and looked on ahead.

After a few moments of silence between them, only the sound of the radio in the background, Sam's voice broke through once again. There was a noticeable absence of one member of the little family, "D-dad?" She said softly. He could hear the apprehension, "Yeah Samson?"

"Why didn't mom come?" She asked almost afraid for the answer.

He waited for the car to come to a full stop at the red light, "I didn't want to wake her. The baby kept her up all night, and it's been like this for a few days already. Plus all the worry she has. I just couldn't bring myself to do it. I'm sorry Sammy, I hope that doesn't upset you."
Sam looked at him feeling a bit confused, "Oh. It's fine I get it. It's just, well...she never told me that."

"Well, she knows you've had a lot on your mind lately."

Sam started to feel a little guilty, "Julian….what is she worried about?"
He sighed, weighing what the appropriate thing would be to say, "You mostly. She's been worried about you. We both have." He held the wheel with one hand and rubbed her arm with the other, noticing the guilt on Sam's face, Julian instantly felt the need to explain himself, "Baby I didn't say that to make you feel bad. It's our job to worry."
"I wish you wouldn't" Sam mumbled.

Julian sighed, "Sam we love you to death. You're fifteen, and need people to take care of you."

She bit her lip but said nothing else. They finally got to Gold's office. "Nervous?" He asked. "Sorta kinda. Not too much." Sam said. Once out Julian stopped and watched her walk. He remembered the first time they took her. She was a mess of nerves, anger, and fury. Now she calmly headed forward regardless of whether she wanted to go. Sam noticed his absence and turned around, "Julian? You coming?"

He snapped out of it and walked towards her with his goofy smile.

She eyed him suspiciously, "What?"
He put a hand in his pocket, "What about what?"
"You have that face, that goofy face on."

He laughed and put an arm around her, "I just love you. You're too cute."
"Spare me the gushiness Julian, please." She fake begged him.

"Alright, alright. But can I ask one more question?"
She rolled her eyes, "What now?"

"Are you gonna want to go to school after this or stay home?"

She thought for a bit, weighing her options. If she went to school she'd have to deal with the aftermath of the fight, but she also didn't want to be stuck at home,

"School." She finally said.

Once inside Gold's office, Sam took a seat where she usually did on the couch putting her legs up on the couch.

"Morning Sam." Gold said cheerfully.

"Morning." She said not so happily.

"So what's new?"
Sam raised an eyebrow, "Depends. How much do you know?"

He let a smile creep up, "How 'bout you tell me what you want to tell me and we'll go from there."

She let a frown befall her, "Where should I start?"

He looked at her warmly, "Start with what's been on your mind the most."

Sam's face fell, "Well I think I lost my best friend." Her voice was quiet.

"How so?" He asked.

"We got in a huge fight, like in school. Punches were thrown. And you know, ball's in my court now. She's apologized and it's just a matter of me saying: okay let's be friends."

"Hmmm." He said thoughtfully, "And I'm assuming you haven't?"

She hung her head, looking at her legs, "I don't think I want to...and that makes me so, so sad."

"You don't want to forgive her? Be friends with her?"

Sam looked up at him, looking a bit desperate, "That's the thing! I don't know! and it scares me that I maybe don't want to be friends with Sawyer anymore. It scares me that my subconscious might just wanna burn that bridge, and I've been naively holding onto it for no reason."

"Why do you think this is happening?"

Sam thought for a moment, and let her mind wander to all their fights and arguments, "We're too different." She whispered sadly.

"Have you heard the phrase, opposites attract?" He countered softly.

"Not this time." Sam lamented.

….. … …

Sam got to school with her session with Gold fresh in her mind. He told her to not jump to any decisions, and to not feel guilty about her emotions, because emotions are visceral, it's the decision making process that matters. With that in mind she trudged her way into the school doors. Everyone was at lunch and she headed to the cafeteria. She found Jack waiting in line for lunch and she gave him a hug from behind, "Hey hunk." She said sarcastically.

Jack turned around and gave her a kiss on the lips, "Hey you. How was Gold?"

She shrugged, "It was whatever. More psychobabble." She replied. As they happily talked, Sam began to notice people staring at her. She tried to avoid it, but a group of guys came up to her, "Hey Sam, when are you gonna suck your thumb for us?" They then mimicked sucking their thumbs. She rolled her eyes, "Fuck off." She spit back. Jack glared at them menacingly, "Back off Jude." He seethed.

Jude and his friends laughed and walked on. "They're idiots, Sam." Jack said, but others began to mimic and snicker as they passed her. Sam felt her nerves boiling in anger. 'This is Sawyer's fault.' She thought.

The last straw came when one of Sawyer's friends gave her a slight push and kept walking. Sam got out the line, "HEY! You didn't see me walking or what?!"

Rachel turned around and walked back to her. Jack grabbed Sam's arm, "You're gonna get expelled. Stop it." He whispered.

Sam grounded herself as Rachel got closer. "What're you gonna do Sammy? Huh?" She said only inches from her face.

"You got a problem with me now?" Sam responded.

Rachel laughed along with her two chronies, "You're pathetic. What kind of friend are you to Sawyer? Did you forget that she was the one that introduced you to this school?"

Sam swallowed hard, "You know nothing about Sawyer and me, so shut the hell up."

Rachel narrowed her eyes, "Oh so you're tough Sam again, right? No one believes that anymore." Sam said nothing.

"Are you gonna start crying Sammy? Because by the looks of it, you've been stripped of the tough girl rep at this school. Sorry." She said not so sincerely.

Sawyer saw Rachel harassing Sam and went over quickly, "Hey back off Rachel!" She pushed her away, "God leave her alone!" She yelled, "Sam hasn't done anything to you."

Rachel rolled her eyes, "Whatever. I'm on your side Soy." She said then walked away. Sawyer turned to Jack and Sam, "Sammy I'm so sorry. She's just an idiot." She spoke quickly, "Your mom told me you went to Gold's today. How'd it go?"
Sam looked at her with anger pulsating, "I didn't need your help with that bitch."
Sawyer bit her lip nervously, "I know you didn't need help, I just-"
Sam cut her off, "You just what? Felt bad because this quite possibly might be your fault?"
Sawyer hung her head slightly. Sam nodded her head in disgust, "And don't worry about how it went." She said in reference to Gold's session, "It's none of your business, and honestly it's not like you'd understand." She said as she looked at the the three cheerleaders behind Sawyer, staring her down, "See ya whenever." She said dismissively.

She started walking away. Jack stared sympathetically at Sawyer, "Soy, she's a laughing stock. Did you expect her to jump back to you?" He rubbed her arm sympathetically, then headed to Sam.

Sawyer stood there, feeling lonely. She then turned to her "friends" who still had a dirty scowl on their faces. She started walking and they followed her, "Guys I'm gonna go find Michael." She left them and found Michael in Haley's classroom. She went in and dramatically put her head down on the desk by both of them, causing both Haley and Michael to look at her.

"Babe what happened?" Michael asked her. Haley eyed her half worried and half suspicious. "Sam hates me." She said.

Haley sighed and had Sawyer lift her head up, "Soy, soy come on lift your head up."

"What's the point?" She mumbled.

"The point is I have something to tell you and I'd appreciate if I could see your face as I said it." She said kindly.
Reluctantly Sawyer lifted her head back up, "There."

Haley took a second, "Sweetie, let's not be dramatic here. Sam'll come around, but for now don't push it with her."
"So just act like we're not friends, you really think that's gonna work?"
Haley hesitated, "I don't know what'll work, I just know that she doesn't need you or your friends hounding her."
"Yeah, tell your friends to chill out Soy." Michael chimed in, "It's like they're ready to pounce on her."

Sawyer knew they were right. Haley saw the sadness in Sawyer's bright blue eyes. She thought back to Sawyer's toddler days where those eyes could get everyone to melt. She sighed and then rubbed her back, "I know it's tough." She spoke softly, "You'll be okay baby."

… …. ….

Sam stalked into her home. She had left early and was in no mood to go back. She dropped her stuff on the floor, only to find Brooke asleep on the couch. She smiled warmly, and then grabbed a blanket and placed it over her mom.

"Julian is that you?" Brooke sleepily responded.

"Ewww think again." Sam said as she fixed the blanket. Brooke's eyes popped open, "Samantha?"

"Go back to sleep Brooke." , She said then walked off to the kitchen.

Brooke sat up, letting the blanket fall from her shoulders. "Sam, your father said you went back to school."

She shrugged as she took the bite out of an apple, "Wasn't feeling it."

Brooke narrowed her eyes then got up and walked to the kitchen taking a seat at the island,

She stared at her daughter until Sam felt compelled to respond. "Are you just gonna stare at me all day? Would you like me to pose or something?...Is my face the new line of B. Davis?!" She said satirically.

Brooke gave her an obvious fake smile, "Ha ha Samantha."
Sam took another bite out of her apple. She really was trying to avoid the impending questions that Brooke was going to throw out her.

"Sammy."
'Here it comes.' Sam thought

"How was Gold's?"

She gave her mom an annoyed look but answered anyway, "It was fine."

Brooke nodded, but she knew there was so much more to the story, "Okay, just fine?" She prodded a bit more.

"Yeah. Just fine."

Brooke looked at her waiting for another answer. When it didn't come she sighed heavily, "Sammy, because you're a minor, he has to tell me and dad certain things. And he called letting us know that you have something to tell us. And I'm sure it wasn't that you're just fine."

Sam felt her self freeze in time. She didn't want to do it. She didn't want to say it, because that would mean making Brooke and Julian think that they failed in helping her, and that hurt her more than anything.

"So Sam you're struggle, does it seem a little unimaginable to get through at times?"

Sam looked at Gold her eyes quivering, "You mean have I thought about killing myself?"

Gold looked at her quizzically, "Is that what you thought I meant?"

Sam stayed quiet. Remembering those few times in her room when the cuts weren't deep enough, when hearing the rest of her family laugh outside her door, while she cried made her want to close her eyes and never want to wake up.

"Samantha." Gold said.

"Yes. Yes, okay?!" She told him finally.

Gold nodded, "Sam, how recent was this?" He referred to the new discovery about her suicidal thoughts.

"Recent, I guess...but I'm over it. I swear." She responded.

Sam threw the apple away and looked at Brooke, "He, he wants me on meds." She said quietly and almost embarrassed, "He wanted me to tell you that meds might help because I'm, well depressed or something dumb like that."
Brooke closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She had to be strong. "Okay, W-well, I guess first we'll have him refer us to-"
Sam's eyes widened, "MOM NO!" She said loudly surprising Brooke, "You're not actually gonna follow what he says are you?!"

Brooke looked at her confused, "Sammy if he thinks that's what's best for you." She then stopped herself. Sam needed to be heard and not talked at, "Sweetie, what do you want?" She said quietly.

"I don't want pills Brooke. They just make things worse. I was on them before I came here. Please don't make me. Please."

Brooke sighed, "Come here Sam."
"look can you just say no."
Brooke raised her voice a little, "Sam, I said come here."
Sam reluctantly went and stood in front of Brooke. "What now?"
She grabbed her hands, "We won't get the pills if you don't want them, but if you put yourself in a position where you hurt yourself, I won't have any choice, but to do so."

Sam rolled her eyes.

"Sam don't roll your eyes. This is serious." Brooke scolded her.
"Fine, fine. Okay?"

Brooke tapped Sam's hand with her own, "I want to hear a definitive 'yes mom I understand' not an Okay." She raised her eyebrow waiting.

"Ugh, Brooke come on."

Brooke didn't give in, "I'm waiting Samantha."

Sam cracked under her mom's gaze, "Yes mom I understand." She said in a forced mumble.

Brooke let her hands go and then gave her a strong hug, "My sweet girl." She whispered as she cupped her close. Sam was grateful for the gesture, and hugged her back. When they let go Sam was about to leave when Brooke intervened,

"Wait, Sam…..Is it loneliness?" She asked out of nowhere.

Sam was thrown for a loop"What?"

"Do you feel lonely Sam?" She rephrased her inquiry.
Sam looked at the floor, "Sometimes, yeah."

"I'm sorry if you've ever needed me and I wasn't there." She said softly.

Sam's lip quivered, "You were there Brooke." With that she turned around and went into her room.

Brooke watched her leave and pushed her hair back. She exhaled then put a hand on her stomach and thought of both her children.

…. ….. …..

FRIDAY NIGHT

Michael sat on Sam's bed anxiously waiting for Sawyer to text back. Sam got to her room and rolled her eyes at the sight, "She's not gonna text you back." She remarked as she put her stuff down.

"Hello to you to."

"Hi Michael!" Sam said in a fake friendly voice. He smirked. Sam then went over and sat on the bed, "She's getting ready, she's not gonna text you back, I already told you."

Michael frowned, "I really wanted to go."
Sam shrugged, "We don't roll in that circle dude. Get used to it."
Michael turned to her annoyed, "Why do you keep hating on your best friend. She's really trying Sam. And I get why you're not talking to her, but stop belittling her and her circle, no matter how bad they are."

Sam looked at him a little surprised, "Fine, sorry." She knew he was right. Her anger was turning into a grudge and she knew they had to make peace sooner rather than later.

Michael put his phone down and sighed. "Hey Sam you've been out a lot lately."

"Yeah, so?" She said as she took off her shoes, "Jack's parents are finally letting me hang out with him, so we don't have to stick to school and stuff."

"Yeah but you've literally been gone 'till like the moment the clock strikes 9 just so you won't get in trouble for missing curfew, then you just come straight to your room and shower then sleep. Then you leave all early for school."

Sam knew he was belaboring his point, "What's your point Michael?"

He sat up, "Seems like you're trying to avoid Brooke and Julian. You've had like two conversations this whole week with them?" He was right, she was. She was actually just trying to avoid everything. She was tired of the questions, and the worried looks that they gave her.

"Well I'm here early today aren't I? It's 6 o' clock."

Michael gave her a look, "Well good luck 'cause Brooke's been pretty upset that you just shut them out, and the moment she comes through the front door it's not gonna be pretty."

Sam rolled her eyes. He then watched him go back to his phone and thought of a way to make both him and herself happy. "Hey Michael, it's the weekend, so we can stay out a bit later."
"Yeah so?"

He saw the sparkle in her eye and got nervous, "What're you thinking?"

"Let's crash the party. I know where Chase lives. You can see Sawyer and surprise her!"

He thought for a second, "Won't we get caught?"

"What's the worst they can do? Turn us away?" Sam countered.

Michael narrowed his eyes at her, "You just don't want to have to face Brooke and Julian tonight."

Sam rose her eyebrow, "Fine we won't go then." Michael caved, "Alright, fine. Let's go!"

Her smile grew, "Awesome! Let's hurry up and get ready. We're probably gonna be late anyways."

"How are we gonna get there?"

Sam thought for a bit, "Jack's mom works by here, I'll ask her for a lift, it's like on her way home."

He agreed and with that they got ready.

Sam came out in a black dress and Michael came out in a suit and tie that Julian gave him for his birthday, he finally put it to use and he looked extremely nice. The pair of them looked beautiful. As they were heading to leave, Sam started to write a note for her parents to see so they wouldn't worry, but just as she was finishing up Julian and Brooke came in together.

"Whoah!" Julian exclaimed, "Michael, buddy you look GREAT!" Michael blushed.

"Shit." Sam thought as she put the note down. "Buddy where are you going?" Brooke asked him. Sam still wasn't in view. "And where's Sam is she home yet?" Julian asked.

Michael felt a little nervous, "Uhm, well Sam and me are going to that Gala event with Sawyer."

"Wait, they invited both of you?" Brooke asked, "And Sam's actually going?"
Sam mustered up the courage and walked out. Brooke and Julian looked shocked. Sam had never dressed up before. They momentarily forgot that they needed to talk to Sam about her recent absent nature at home.

"Hey guys! We're about to head out. Jack's mom is probably already outside waiting for us." By fortune her phone dinged and it was Jack's mom, letting her know she was in the driveway, "See? She's here we gotta go. Bye!"

As she was trying to rush out Julian caught her arm, "Hold on just a sec Samson."
Brooke put her hand on her hip, "First off, as a fashion designer I have to complement you. You look absolutely stunning sweetheart. But as your mother: Young lady, you've been gone this whole week, what makes you think it's okay to just wander in and out? This isn't a hotel, it's your home."

Sam felt the pressure, "Guys, do we have to do this now? Jack's mom is waiting." She pleaded.

"And you've kept us waiting this whole week!" Julian exclaimed"

"Stop being so dramatic!" Sam said back.

Michael looked at her trying to figure out how to salvage the situation. Julian then turned to him, "Hey bud, can you go and tell her to give us ten minutes? Let her know Sam might not be coming out."

"What?!" Sam cried at his words.

He nodded and went out looking sympathetically at Sam.

They both turned back to her. She scoffed, "I haven't been late once. I didn't miss curfew. You guys have no reason to stop me from going! What did I do wrong?"

Brooke took a deep breath, "We haven't seen you this whole week. Except for when you come in and greet us with a mumble. Have you forgotten that we're your parents and require some level of communication?"
Sam rolled her eyes, "Everything I do in this house has to be scrutinized and I'm tired of it. So I'm depressed?! Big freakin' whoop. I'm working on it, I am!"

Brooke and Julian looked at her with growing uneasiness. Sam continued, "Believe me, I am. And both of you have ben unbelievably helpful, but I don't need your help right now."

Brooke stopped her right there, "Whoah whoah whoah. Alright big girl. you seem to have forgotten that you are a CHILD. And this isn't a matter of you needing us or not needing us. This is a matter of answering to us because you are still not an adult as much as you want to act like one." She responded annoyed with Sam's attitude.

Sam felt stupid and only scoffed in response. There was a quiet that felt like an eternity, "Can I go...please?...I'm sorry?"

She looked up and saw the worry in both their eyes. She couldn't stand it, that she was the cause of their sleepless nights. Sam relented, "Okay. Fine, happy now? Can I at least go to my room and take this uncomfortable dress off?" She was fuming inside, but knew better than to fight once more. Brooke saw the disappointment in her eyes, "You can go." She said.

"What?" Julian and Sam said simultaneously.

"Go. But we talk tomorrow about this, don't think you're not in trouble."
She smiled wide, and gave her mom a hug, "Thanks Brooke!"

Julian turned to Brooke, "You're weak." He said jokingly. She smiled, "I am. I know."

…. … …

Michael stared at the grand house before them. They both felt out of place as the invitees walked in. "Do you think Sawyer's already there?"

Sam got onto her phone, "Yeah she is. Check her instagram."

Michael frowned, "So...now what? There's like security everywhere."

Sam chuckled, "You would not have survived foster care. Thank God we saved you from it."

Michael let himself laugh. Sam surveyed the land and saw an opening, "We'll jump that fence. The security are busy so they won't even notice."

Michael looked down at his clothes, "In my suit?!"

"YES. In your suit. Michael." Sam said looking over at him.

They stealthily made their way up and over the fence. Sam way ahead of Michael.

"Michael come on!" She said to him anxiously.

He huffed, "I'm trying!

"Try harder!"

"Some of us weren't born criminals!" He said back. Sam glared at him, "So much jokes for such a weak guy."

He finally got over and jumped landing next to her, "Not weak just careful." He said winking at her. She scoffed and chuckled.

As they made their way in Sam and Michael kept a peeled eye for Sawyer. "Where do you think she is?" He asked her.

"Hmmm, well they look like they're in high school, let's follow them."

They made their way blending in with the other kids, and they found themselves inside the massive home, where the party turned from boring to teenage fun. "Whoah." Michael said. "Damn." Sam responded. It was packed and there was a club like atmosphere inside. "Your Aunt Peyton and Uncle Lucas let Sawyer into this?" He said unbelievingly. Sam shook her head, "Doubt it. They probably just parted at the gates or something."

"Well I need to find her so I can surprise her!" He said gleefully.

… …. …..

Chase led Sawyer up the stairs offering her a drink which she took and took a sip out of not wanting to look lame.

"Wait, wait." He said as he watched her.
"What?" She asked him. He smiled kindly at her, "Don't drink it if you don't want. I don't want to force you to do something you don't want to do." He said softly as he brushed her hair out of her face.

She blushed and put the drink aside, "Thanks."

"What's wrong?" He asked her noticing the uneasiness in her face. She shrugged away from him, "Nothing." She said but was thinking about Michael. He knew what was on her mind and was getting angry that his plan wasn't working.

They were at the top of the stairs and he looked out, "There's a lot of people right?"

Sawyer nodded, "Yeah, a tad."

He smiled, "Wanna go somewhere calmer? Don't worry it's just to have some place to talk and nothing else."

She let him take her into a guest room, where it was just the two of them, "Much calmer now, see?" He said happily. Sawyer looked at him as he took off his shoes, "What're you doing?" She said having a small epiphany.

"Umm, uh, nothing. I just want to relax. You can take off yours if you want."

"No thanks." She said put off.

He was getting annoyed, "What's on your mind Soy?"

She shrugged, "Michael I guess. Just wish he was here." She said, "You know what on second thought maybe we should go out. This might look wrong."

As he saw his prize walking out, Chase panicked. He grabbed her arm semi roughly.

"What the hell?!" She said surprised.

"Sorry, sorry, it's just, come on, can't we just hang out here?"

Sawyer gave him a disgusted look, "Chase stop." She said pulling her hand away. Chase got in between her and the door, "Wait, wait, Sawyer what'll it take?"

"What'll what take?" She said getting increasingly anxious.

She looked at her up and down, "You and me...you know." Her eyes widened, "Chase. Let me out."

…. ….. …

"Uhm excuse me?" Michael asked a group of people. They turned and looked at him scornfully, "Who are you?"

He ignored their question, "Have you seen a girl named Sawyer? She's wearing a long midnight blue gown?"

They smirked at him, "Oh Sawyer." They said well aware that she was the girl that Chase was trying to conquer, "Yeah, umm she's not available."

Michael started feeling uneasy, "What do you mean unavailable?" At this point Sam met up with Michael. They looked at the the two friends, "As in she's busy." Then someone else chimed in, "With Chase."

Michael felt his face burn up and Sam immediately grabbed him. The group laughed and walked away. Sam instantly knew something wasn't right. She put aside any ill feelings, "Michael we have to find Sawyer." They both looked at each other then quickly went up the steps of the home. They went into two rooms finding them empty. Sam found her heart to be pounding fast, she didn't want Sawyer to ever have to suffer to what she suffered, and she would do anything to protect her from that fate. Michael felt adrenaline rushing over him, he didn't know what he would find, but he knew his reaction would not be good.

"Please Sawyer, come on!" He said, "You don't like me?"
She grew angrier, "NO! I like Michael! I thought we could be friends. You listened to me, but I guess not. Move out of the way!"

He clenched his fists. He was going to lose the bet, in a last ditch effort he pulled her close to him, "Just one kiss and you'll see that you want this, I promise."
"STOP IT CHASE!" Sawyer forcefully pushed him off her, "okay, okay. I'm sorry!" Chase responded.

"You fucking disgust me!" Sawyer said opening the door. In that instant she saw Sam and Michael. Michael's eyes met with hers. He saw the fear in her eyes. She felt herself overcome with emotion and she ran to him, "Michael!" She said as she practically fell into his arms. He grabbed her and hugged her, showering her with reassurances, "I got you Soy. I got you. It's okay. I'm here." He whispered as he held her in his arms. Sam was about to head into the room where she was but Michael stopped her, "Sam wait!" He hissed. She stopped and looked over. "Sawyer comes first." He said looking at her. Sam looked at the girl in his arms and knew he was right. They went into another room and locked the door.

Michael sat down and Sawyer stayed in his embrace, "I'm so glad you're here!" She said in a voice of extreme gratitude. Sam paced the floor as she waited for Sawyer to calm down, when Michael's soothing words started to have an effect, Sam sat down.

"Sawyer what did he do to you?" She braced herself for the worst.

Sawyer sat up and looked down at her lap, "He-he tried to have sex with me and wouldn't take no for an answer." She said almost ashamed. Sawyer felt herself shiver when she realized how far Chase could've gone. Michael got up and headed out silently with anger boiling inside. Sam watched him leave but said nothing, knowing that he was about to go defend Sawyer. Instead, she grabbed Sawyer's hand and waited for Sawyer to turn and look at her. When she finally did she spoke up,

"You're staying with me tonight. You need a friend...a best friend." Sawyer formed a weak smile and squeezed Sam's hand. "Thank you." She said quietly, knowing that this was a moment of reconciliation as well as solidarity between them.

…. ….. ….

Michael overlooked at the party downstairs in search for Chase. He saw him talking to a group of friends. He let his anger take over and then rushed downstairs. Chase saw him, "What're you doing here?" He asked him pompously.

Michael pushed him against the wall causing everybody around to gasp, "You little bitch. You get your jollys out of coercing girls to have sex with you?!" He pushed him further with his arm, "Huh?! Say something!" His voice was rough and scary.

Chase gulped, "Get off me Michael." He said as level headed as possible.

Michael was never one to choose violence, instead he used words. "What're you hiding under those pants? Huh Chase? Haven't gotten laid yet? Is that what it is?" Everyone who knew Chase were surprised at Michael's boldness. Chase laughed nervously, "Come on you all know that I'm not a virgin!" He exclaimed.

Michael chuckled, "Why do you find the need to defend yourself, then, huh? If it's the truth, then it's the truth."

Michael got closer to Chase's face and could see the fear in his eyes, "See everyone I have a theory." Michael announced. "You're still a child. Am I right Chase? Still in pull ups. Is that why you like to prey on girls, so you can feel like a big kid?" By then the music was turned down and everyone was watching and listening. Even Chase's "friends" were watching, after all no one talked to Chase Hamilton like that, ever. "Shut the hell up." Chase said. He tried to get unpinned off the wall but Michael only pushed him back. He then raised his fist as if he was about to throw a punch, causing Chase to flinch and give a small whimper.

Michael put his fist down, "Do me a favor and go potty Chasey. You look scared, and little boys like you tend to have accidents when they're scared, because you sure as hell are not a man, nor will you ever be." He gave him one more small shove then walked out. Chase watched him walk away, and said nothing, feeling the heat of shame right on him. "Show's over damn it!" Chase said to the eerie quiet after.

Michael waited for Sawyer and Sam to come out on the lawn and when they did he took Sawyer's hand, "That bastard shouldn't bother you anymore." He said. Sawyer smiled, "Thanks Michael."

Sawyer went over to her parent's table and sat freshened up before so they couldn't tell that she'd been crying.

"Hi sweetie." Peyton said, "Having fun?"

Sawyer bit her lip, "Mom can I go over to Sam's house for the night?"

"Right now?" Lucas answered. She nodded, "Her and Michael kinda sorta crashed the party, but now we all wanna leave. So can I?"

Lucas rolled his eyes, "Don't even tell me how they got in."

Peyton checked her watch, "Well it is getting late. How're you guys getting to Sam's house?" She asked. "Aunt Brooke's picking us up."

"Alright that sounds fine with me." She said looking to Lucas. He shook his head, "Works for me." He then opened his arms, "Come on then give us a goodnight kiss."

She heeded his wish and walked over, "Night daddy." He gave her a tight hug, "Night Soybean. Glad you had fun with Chase and his friends tonight." She cringed at his name. "Mhm." He let go and she went over to her mom, "Night Momma." She patted her back, "Night pumpkin. Don't stay up too late, you have a doctor's appointment tomorrow morning." Sawyer shook her head, "Okay. Bye guys."

As she walked away she wondered how she was going to break it to them, that they were endorsing the father of someone who almost forced her to have sex. She sighed heavily, hoping it'd all work out.

Here it is! Hope you like it, PLEASE REVIEW! It took forever and a day to get 5 for my previous one.