Sam laid sprawled onto Brooke's office couch. her face was covered with a pillow, her earbuds were in, and she was continuously playfully knocking on the wall. Brooke kept glaring over at the oblivious Sam. Maybe it wasn't such a good idea to give her the ipod back, but she was complaining of boredom so much at the moment that Brooke gave in. It was Friday afternoon and only her third day of a two week punishment.
"Hi Brooke, just was wondering if you could look over these sketches." One of Brooke's employees came in asking, then taking a quick look towards the perpetual knocking noise.
Brooke looked up from her work, "Sure Nick." Her newly created Tree Hill office now had four full time employees and two interns. It was also the buzz of the town.
Nick walked over and attempted to explain it to her but kept getting distracted by Sam. Brooke sighed, "Sorry Nick. Gimme a sec."
Nick nodded, "Sure thing. My sister's got a teen, I know how they can be."
Brooke could only smile with some embarrassment. She stood up and took the pillow off Sam's face, "Hey! I was using that!" Sam said sitting up, finally stopping the noise.
"Do you mind? I'm trying to work." Brooke said pointing to Nick clearly annoyed. Sam rolled her eyes and snatched the pillow back from Brooke, "Whatever. Do your thing Ms. Davis. I'll make sure not to be an intrusion." She sassed and put the headphones in before Brooke could say anything else.
Lucas had usually taken her after school since the grounding started, but he had an away game. Clearly Sam was not enjoying being stuck in an office, at least with Lucas she had stimulation.
Once Nick left Brooke once again went over and took the pillow, this time making sure it was out Sam's reach, "Up now." She ordered.
Sam groaned loudly, "Damn it Brooke!" Not bothering to sit up. She just wanted to be left alone. She had decided that being grounded sucked.
"Sam, let's go. Get up." Brooke said a hand on her hip, unimpressed by Sam's behavior, "I can't have you moping around my office. I can't get any work done with you knocking on the wall like that."
Sam got up, "Well what the hell am I gonna do then?"
Brooke folded her arms, "First, you're not going to speak to me like that. And second, you can go with Millie and help get the fabric from the distributor."
Go with a stranger? Sure, Sam hated being grounded, but she trusted no one in the office aside from Brooke. And to Sam this seemed like a daunting task. She quickly tried to come up with an excuse to stay.
"Can't I just stay here? I won't knock on the dumb wall." She whined. Brooke shook her head as she took out ten dollars and handed them to Sam, "Nope. Go with Millie and you can grab one of those large cups of diabetes that you love so much."
Sam rolled her eyes, "Icees, Brooke. Calm down."
"Yeah, those things." Brooke said playfully handing her the money. "Now get a move on, Millie's waiting for you."
Sam felt a gentle pat on her bottom nudge her towards the door, but in a split moment of uncertainty she grabbed Brooke's arm. Brooke saw the slight hint of fear in Sam's eyes.
"I'm gonna be right here when you come back." She said more kindly. Brooke and Lucas quickly learned that those simple words always allayed Sam's fears. Sam let go of Brooke's hand. "Fine." She said more quietly, "I'll go with your spazz assistant."
Brooke smiled, "Thank you."
When Sam walked out Millie was excitedly waiting for her, "Great let's go!"
Sam trudged along, "Why are you so excited?"
She just grabbed Sam's hand, "I am not! Now come on!"
As they walked out they were unexpectedly bombarded with paparazzi. Brooke had done a good job of hiding Sam's whereabouts, but they somehow found about her Tree Hill office, and that Sam was there. Sam, the coveted daughter that Brooke had announced.
The bright lights started flashing all over them, "Samantha!" She heard her name yelled from all directions.
"Sam, Brooke Davis's daughter!"..."What's your mom like?"..."What's it like being a foster kid?"..."Is it true she gave you up?" Sam had no idea what was going on. The lights dazed her, "Millie?!" She yelled. "Fuck off!" Sam added for emphasis towards the horde of men with cameras. Millie quickly grabbed Sam and pulled her back in.
"Sam, are you okay?" Millie asked, but Sam was angry. She hated bright lights. She once lived in a home completely lit up by fluorescent lighting. At night one of these lights was never turned off, but it flickered incessantly. She would pull the covers over her head when her foster parents left her alone, which was all the time, but the light never stopped flickering. She pulled from Millie and ran into Brooke's office angry.
"Brooke! There's a freakin' wall of reporters outside! Why do they know everything about me?!" Brooke got up in an instant and phoned security. Millie came in, "Brooke-"
"It's been handled." Brooke said. She then went over to Sam. She knew paparazzi could be...rough. Especially with their questions.
"Sam are you good? Did they ask you any questions?" She asked concerned, sitting down next to Sam.
Sam turned away, "I'm fine!" She huffed.
"Sammy I see tears in those blue eyes of yours."
Sam furiously wiped at any possible tears, "I'm not crying, I'm fine!" She said unconvincingly. She so was not fine.
Sam got up, moving away from her, "God, Brooke! I know you're like a hot shot and all, but do you mind not dragging me into your stupid circle?" She said angrily. Brooke was a little shocked, but nodded slowly, "Sam, I'm sorry. I don't know how they figured out you were here."
" Just, whatever. I'm calling Luke." Sam said frustrated.
Brooke felt awful, "Sam, he's at a game, remember?" She responded cautiously.
Sam looked at her, "Fine then, I'm calling Julian!" She stormed out of the office. Brooke was now glad Julian had stayed the extra day today. She looked to Millie, who explained everything. She massaged her neck, "Shit Millie. I can't do anything right." Millie just put an arm around her boss and friend.
Julian went into the office and found Sam sitting on a chair near the exit, "Hey kiddo, ready to get out of here?"
Sam looked at him, "Are they still there?" She asked airing her vulnerability. He extended his hand, "I know a back way." She took his hand, "Alright." He smiled, "But first we should say bye to Brooke."
Sam let go of his hand, "You can. I'll wait here."
"You know it's not her fault."
"Yes it is. She's the famous one."
He squeezed her hand, "Sam, Brooke's been working her ass off making sure none of her celebrity affects you. Something was bound to slip. I'm sorry."
He didn't get it. No one did. "Fine." She sighed.
…. ….. ….
"Why would you do this?!" Brooke hissed at Nick, "Why would you call paparazzi?! You must be out of your damn mind!"
Nick was not giving into her, "No, Brooke. You must be! I've been with you for five years. You are throwing this company away! Ever since you admitted to having some teenage ruffian as a daughter, you lost that edge! And you won't even show your daughter. People think you're lying. At least now there is proof of her! This will make headlines!"
Brooke eyes were like darts that aimed straight at him, "Let's get something straight Nicholas, I am not throwing anything away, and Samantha is my daughter who I will not treat as a business asset. I could care less what people think. Now I'm giving you an ultimatum you pull the plug on this paparazzi stint, or you're not walking into my office ever again."
"The board warned you about this Brooke! You know that I have the best interests of this company. And frankly, you, you do not! I'm not pulling it!"
"YOU WILL!" She hit her hand on the table for emphasis.
"There are 200 employees working for you!" He yelled, "If this company goes under because of your idiotic decision to take in and tell the world of your teenage child, then 200 livelihoods ARE AT STAKE!"
Their argument came to a screeching halt when they heard a throat clear itself. Brooke looked and Nick turned. There was Julian holding Sam's hand. Sam looked shaken, "B-brooke don't, don't fire him."
Brooke looked at Julian angrily, "What're you doing in here?"
Julian didn't let go of Sam's hand instead he squeezed it, "We wanted to say bye before we left."
Brooke turned to Sam, "Sam, wait outside for me, okay?."
Sam let go of Julian's hand, "Is what he said true?" She asked clearly afraid to hear her answer.
Brooke just shook her head, "Julian, take her home please. Sam I'll talk to you when I get home, okay sweetie?"
Nick clearly looked distraught at what the poor girl had just heard come out of his mouth.
"Brooke answer my question! Is all this my fault?"
Brooke was now clearly angry at the situation and felt her heart breaking for her daughter, "No Sam, it's not. Trust me."
Sam looked to Nick, "Well clearly he thinks so! God, Brooke I knew this couldn't work!"
Brooke eyes blazed at Nick. Then Millie came in, unbeknownst to the situation, "Brooke you have your rescheduled meeting with Style right now. Editor's in the conference room. Let's go, let's go!"
Sam took it all in. Millie absentmindedly checking the calendar on the ipad. Nick looking angry and sad at the same time. Julian looking as confused as ever, and Brooke's glare wanting to eat everyone up.
It overwhelmed her. She wanted run. She wanted Tamara, "I should've just asked Thrice to give Luke full custody. You can't do this Brooke!" Sam was about to leave the room but felt Julian hold her back,
"Everyone get out of my office!" Brooke's voice brought everyone's focus to her, not Sam, not a calendar, or the floor, but straight at her, "Get out, now!" She deadpanned, then looked at Sam, her face turning more gentle, "I need ten minutes. Just ten minutes to talk to my daughter." Shuffled footsteps made their way out the contemporary looking office. Sam wanted to leave, but wouldn't make things worse, after all she was already grounded, and she had just yelled at Brooke.
Brooke waited for the door to close completely. The click of the door led to a silence as Brooke sat on the sofa and patted it waiting for Sam to take her lead. But Sam wouldn't. "No, Brooke. Really just let me go home."
Brooke eyed Sam carefully, realizing that Sam wouldn't sit down she stood up and leaned on the desk, "Sam, let's talk."
"I don't want to." Her hands made their way into her pockets and she looked down at the floor nervously.
Brooke crossed her arms, "You never do Samantha. That's gonna have to to change."
"That's the thing Brooke, everything has to change because I'm here! I'm ruining your company! And one day you're gonna realize that and hate me for it! I don't want that Brooke!"
Sam, unwittingly had just "talked." Brooke got off the desk and took Sam's hand sitting her down at her chair. The big plushy one. She searched Sam's eyes, as Sam brought her legs onto the chair. Her knees up to her chest.
"I can never hate you." Brooke said truthfully.
Sam looked out the window then back at Brooke, "That's what you say now. It's happened before with other parents, and all those people didn't have 200 employees on the line." She grumbled.
Brooke wanted to kill Nick, for having ever said that, and silently cursed at herself for not having locked the door, "Well this time it's different, because you're mine, literally. And what Nick and everyone else doesn't understand is that this company owes all that it is to you."
Sam raised her eyebrow, intrigued.
"I worked this from the ground up because I was attempting to fill a hole that you left." She said softly pointing to her, "Didn't work though." She said with a sly smile.
Sam rested her chin on her knees, "What's gonna happen if you lose your company?" Sam asked worried.
Brooke gave her a reassuring look, "I'm Brooke Davis. That simply is out of the question. Nick is a damned fool." She was glad she could act so confident even when she knew she was going to have an emergency meeting with her board soon, about how to move forward, "Plus that's not something you need to worry about. Just know I would never leave 200 people out on the street."
Sam couldn't help but think the words, 'Like the way you did with me.' She swallowed trying to shake the thought out of her head. She got up abruptly as the thought began to overtake her emotions and dodged Brooke, "Okay, fine. I'm going with Julian now."
Brooke was completely unsure of how that talk was supposed to go, and if anything she had said went through to her, "Sam, wait a second!"
Sam groaned loudly and turned around. "You can't just leave like that." Brooke said with a hand on her hip.
"What do you want me to say?"
Brooke was also at a loss so she spoke from the heart, "I'm sorry you had to hear all of that. I just need you to believe me when I tell you that none of it is true."
Sam frowned, "Yeah...I know." She saw Brooke walk up to her and envelope her in a hug. Sam was surprised that she so easily jumped at the chance and gave her a strong hug back. "I'll see you at home." Brooke said rubbing her arm.
"Okay then."With that she left the office with Julian.
"What the hell does 'I know' mean?" Brooke mumbled to herself frustrated. She hoped one day soon Sam would be able to open up to her.
…. … …..
Once at home, Julian dropped his laptop bag on the floor, "It's been a long day, huh Sam?"
Sam grabbed some water, "Yup."
"So Brooke wants you to get started on some laundry. You know where everything is? You know how to do laundry?" Julian asked her.
Sam laughed, she'd been doing laundry for as long as she could remember, "Uhhh, yeah Julian, don't worry."
"So I have a flight to catch, but Lucas called said he's on his way here."
Sam snapped her head up, "What, why? he has a game."
"Brooke might've called him about today."
Sam felt so guilty, "You mean he left his game to come here?"
Julian shrugged, "You're his kid, buddy. Any parent would do it." Sam put her head in her hands, "I'm ruining their lives."
Julian went over on the bar stool next to her, "Whoah there." He said noticing how upset she was, "Quite the contrary, you brightened their lives. There's probably nothing I could say to prove that to you, but in time, you'll see what I mean."
"It's just I heard them talking when I came in late that one time. She had gone over to his house and they were so worried. It was weird and nice, and just...confusing."
Julian felt his heart skip a beat. Brooke with Lucas late at night? That was the night Brooke left him at the airport. What was she doing when he wasn't around? He suddenly felt sick, but hid it.
"Thanks for picking me up Julian." Sam said finishing her thought. He had spaced out and didn't hear what she said after her Brooke and Lucas comment.
He pulled her in for a side hug, then messed up her hair, "Whatever you need, I'm here. I gotta go Samson, but do your laundry alright? And she'll probably want you to clean the kitchen."
"You know I hate being grounded?" She said as got up and trudged her way towards the dishes in the sink, "Ha! I hated it back in the day too. Nice to see that it works though."
Sam just rolled her eyes, "Bye Julian."
He chuckled as he picked up his stuff, "Call me if you need anything! Bye Samson!" He walked out with a frown on his face and whipped out his phone. He scrolled through his contacts and got to Peyton. He hesitated but called anyways.
"Julian, why are you calling me?" Peyton asked.
"We need to meet." He said seriously, "I have three hours before my flight."
She sighed, "Julian, we can't do this."
"It's not about what happened between us. I need to talk to you about Brooke...and Lucas...and their history."
Peyton tensed, "Why?"
Julian was getting annoyed, "Can we meet or not Peyton. Please." He was desperate.
"Fine, fine. Come over, I'm home."
"Okay, I'll see you in a bit."
He needed to know. He loved Brooke, but he needed to know if the feeling was mutual. But it scared him to go to Peyton's. She was the one that got away. He never really got over her.
…. …. ….
"Sammy I'm here!" Lucas said as he came through the door. That's when he found Sam laying down on the dryer just looking up. He walked over, "Champ, what on earth are you doing here?"
"Bored outta my mind." She grumbled.
He laughed, "Brooke's got you doing stuff around the house?"
She sat up, "Why couldn't I have gone with you to the game? Everything would've been better if I did."
He watched her cross her legs. "Well, we thought being with Brooke would've been better."
"That worked out wonderfully." Sam quipped sarcastically.
"Are you mad at her?" He asked more seriously. As he leaned on the washer in front of the dryer that Sam was sitting on. She shrugged, "Everything's just so much easier with you. I like staying with you Luke." As much as he loved hearing those words he knew Sam wasn't telling him everything. "Why don't you like staying here with Brooke?"
"I don't know. I do like it here, it's just she's the one that, she left and, well, just nevermind."
The dryer beeped
"I have to fold my clothes now." Sam jumped off and opened the dryer.
Lucas crossed his arms across his chest, "We can still talk Sam. I'd like for you to finish that statement."
She ignored him as she took her shirts out and started folding them. He noticed the holes in some of her shirts and made a mental note to talk to Brooke about new clothes. Clothes were obviously her department.
She wanted to play hardball, and he would play right back. "Sammy, I think you resent Brooke a little. You resent her because she's the one that gave you up."
Sam stopped what she was doing and turned to him with daggers in her eyes, "I never said that!"
"Tell me it isn't true, and I'll apologize for putting words in your mouth."
She couldn't. His words were true, and she couldn't deny it. Instead she went back to folding, "Whatever Luke." She said shutting down the conversation. Lucas sighed then grabbed a shirt alongside her, "I don't know what you've been through." He said softly. She stopped for a moment but kept folding. He grabbed one of the last shirts, "And neither does she. And I'm sure that you've been hurt one too many times." His voice caught, "And you didn't have a mom or dad to protect you from it. Just please believe me when I tell you she's trying and so am I. We're trying Sam to make up for it. I know it'll never be enough. And I don't know if you can ever forgive her for having done what she did, but as much as it kills you, it's killing her." He handed Sam the shirt he folded. She took it, "Thank you."
He smiled and kissed the top of her head, "I'll be in the kitchen, cooking something up. And if you wanna keep talking, I'm here too."
She grabbed her shirts and walked up the stairs. Lucas was right. She wondered how long it'd take for her to get over it...if she ever would.
Sam had stayed in her room, reading a book she had read many time before. She was glad Lucas was there. Hearing his happy whistling made her feel safe, but she was upset that she resented Brooke, upset at what had happened, and upset that she was sure to have the flickering lights nightmare at night once more.
It was around six o' clock when she heard Brooke come in. He heard their muffled talking and Brooke laughing loudly, followed by Luke. It was nice. It felt like a family.
"Dinner, Sam!" He heard Lucas yell. Sam made her way down, the two were already at the table. Brooke wasn't sure if she was supposed to bring up today, yet again. But Sam's moping told her it probably wasn't the right thing to do.
"So, I probably need to buy some more books." Sam said plainly. Lucas let a simple smile grace his lips. Brooke just chuckled, "Running out of things to read in these two weeks?"
"Well I'm not reading Mr. Bestsellers over here again. They're not my genre."
Lucas faked offense, "My books are eclectic."
Sam poked at the chicken, "No, your books are stale."
He took a bite of his food, "Well they're best sellers so your opinion is a minority."
She just laughed and began to eat. Brooke was ranting off about something that a Style editor told her meanwhile Lucas listened, but Sam's mind was elsewhere until she abruptly interrupted, "Brooke that guy, that Nick guy, you didn't fire him, did you?"
Brooke stopped talking, and Lucas stopped chewing, "Uhm, no he's not fired. He pulled the story, got the magazines to not publish them."
Sam looked at her curiously, "And if he hadn't you would've fired him?"
It looks like they were talking about it after all. Brooke put her fork down, "Yes."
"Because of me?"
"Because what he did was unethical, and he knew it."
The same thought that had crossed Sam's mind before, came once more, 'Like what you did to me.' Damn it, Lucas really was right. Brooke's abandonment bothered her more than she thought it had. She put a mouthful of food in her mouth to give her time to regroup. Brooke looked at her like she was a maniac, "Sam slow down."
Sam swallowed hard and drank some of her juice, "I was just wondering." Sam said finally. Brooke looked at Lucas, then back at Sam, "Okay. Well just know that all that paparazzi nonsense won't be happening again."
"Brooke, don't say something you're not sure of."
Brooke could see the seriousness in Sam's eyes, "I know Sam. We'll do our best."
"We?" Sam's eyes furrowed,
"The company, I mean."
Sam's eyes widened, "You mean, I'm like, a priority of your company now?"
"Well your safety's been compromised because of the company. So currently, yeah."
Sam thought that was cool. The fact that some foster kid, suddenly became the talk of a multimillion dollar business, "Can your company buy me some books?" She said with a sly smile.
Brooke laughed, "Sure, if by company, you mean me, then yes,"
"I'm just messing. I don't need new books, I'll just raid Luke's bookshelf."
Lucas gave her a wink, "Of course."
"You know Sam, I think maybe you and Brooke should go shopping for some clothes." Lucas said nonchalantly. He and Brooke had a talk about Sam's old clothing before dinner, and of course Brooke excitedly agreed.
Sam shot up alert, "My clothes are fine. I don't need new ones."
"Sam some of your shirts had holes in them." Luke pointed out.
She looked at him defensively, "I don't need new clothes Luke. Just drop it."
Brooke was confused. Who wouldn't want new clothes? "If you don't want me to go with you that's fine. I get it, you're 14."
Sam rolled her eyes, "That's not it. I just don't need new clothes, alright?" She didn't want them to waste money on her. More than they already had. She didn't want to be a burden. They dropped the subject, not wanting to argue after such a long day.
"Alright, fine. We'll talk about it later." Luke said innocently.
Sam groaned in her mind. They always wanted to talk. As they were finishing up Sam picked up her plate and put it in the sink. "Luke, you have my stuff in your car?" It was Friday and she was switching over to Brooke's house.
"Hey Sam?" Brooke asked.
"Yeah?"
"If you want to stay with Luke, it's fine with me. I understand." Brooke hadn't forgot Sam's words. She wanted Sam to stay with her, but needed to put her needs before her own.
Sam gulped. She hadn't meant those words, not when she said them to Brooke or when she said them to Lucas. As much as she was mad at Brooke, Sam still loved being around her.
"Nah, I'm good here." She said as if it wasn't a big deal. Brooke breathed a sigh of relief. "Champ my keys are on the table go ahead and get your stuff." Luke said happy that Sam wasn't going to deny Brooke her presence.
… …. ….
It was 9:30 and Sam had already stalked off to her bedroom, heeding to the nine o' clock bedtime, but not first without making it clear to Brooke and Lucas how much she hated it. Despite her complaints she was out like a light by 10pm almost every day, which amused both parents.
Brooke was leaning on Lucas as they watched tv, while Lucas's finger played with Brooke's soft hair.
"Lucas, what're we doing?" Brooke asked sadly.
He looked down at her, "We're watching tv." Of course he knew she was talking about their relationship.
Brooke moved from his embrace, "I mean us, Lucas."
Lucas sighed, "We're being parents."
"Then why am I laying on you, like there's more between us? Why are we having family dinners like I'm married to you."
He lowered the volume on the television, "You had a long day. I'm here as a friend." They both knew he was reaching.
"Lucas we're not in high school anymore. We both have fiance's that Sam knows about. We can't keep sending her mixed messages!"
Lucas let out a long breath, then turned to her, "Brooke. That girl's whole life is a mixed message. She was alone for thirteen years, and all of a sudden she's being parented. She's more confused than anyone I've ever met! She's the only girl I know that needs to be told that we won't disappear into thin air if she's out of our sight for a second, but then will go ahead and disappear herself without a care in the world. We can't possibly make things worse!"
"Yes, we can Luke! I did that! I left her. I'm the reason she's like this. I'm not messing her up more than I already have." Her whispers were harsh, but harsh to herself. Luke searched her eyes, "You didn't know Brooke. You didn't know she wasn't adopted." He gently pushed her back into his embrace, so badly wanting the words 'I Love You' to come out of his mouth, but he couldn't.
It was thirty minutes later when Sam appeared. She was a bit shocked to see Brooke with her head on Lucas's chest, "Uhhh." She could only utter.
Both Brooke and Lucas shot up. She smiled knowingly, "Still here, Luke?" She rose her eyebrow.
Lucas's ears burned red, "We were uhm, watching a movie."
She smirked, "I'm sure Peyton would love that."
Brooke glared at Sam, warning her to stop. "Sam shouldn't you be asleep? Why aren't you changed? It's 10 o clock." She noticed Sam walk a bit closer, "I, I can't."
"Can't what?" Brooke asked.
"I can't sleep. Can you come with me really quick?" Her voice seemed urgent.
Brooke stood up. She was still in her work clothes, and followed Sam up the stairs.
"I forgot your shirt at Lucas's. Please don't be mad." She said turning to her, worried. Brooke's eyes softened, "I'm not mad Sammy. It's okay. Do you want to use another?"
Sam was glad Brooke offered. She was so hoping to hear her offer her another shirt. She had grown accustomed to the smell and feel of Brooke's shirts, and like her teddy bear and blanket, had become another weapon in her arsenal for the night. "Can I?"
"Of course, Sam. Go get ready for bed. I'll bring you another shirt." Brooke went over to her bedroom and took out another oversized t shirt. This time it was grey with a pocket on the upper left corner. She went into Sam's room, finding her in the middle of the bed, in nothing but her bra and panties as she flipped through one of the B. Davis magazines that were in the office.
"Here you go." Brooke said giving her the shirt.
Sam just slipped it on letting it hang loosely and pool around her crossed legs. She looked up, meeting her eyes, "Thanks Brooke."
"Come on. It's already an hour past nine. Get into bed." Brooke prompted her gently.
Sam closed the magazine, "Ugh. Fine." Brooke watched as she crawled in under the covers. "Night Sammy." Brooke said before she walked out.
"Brooke." She heard the voice behind her. She turned back around and saw as Sam got out of bed leaving behind her blanket, but still holding her bear. Her skinny bare legs were half covered by the large shirt. She did a quick jump off the bed, and then gave Brooke a small hug and kiss on the cheek, "I didn't mean what I said. I want you to have custody of me. " Her voice was a slight whisper. Sam didn't want Brooke to feel unwanted, and she didn't want her to tell the judge to give Luke full custody.
Brooke caressed her cheek, "I know Sammy. Nothing you say is going to lessen what I feel about you."
Sam simply nodded, feeling much better, "Oh, Okay then. Night." she said and went to bed still clutching the bear. The scene reminded Brooke of Lucas's words. Sam's behavior did consist purely of mixed messages.
…. ….. …..
The lights flickered, and Sam was in the middle of a room with four rabid dogs walking closer and closer to her. She was alone, cuffed to a pole. She fought and fought the cuffs, but it was useless. "Momma!" She yelled, but no one came. "Daddy!" Nobody was there. She looked up to the flickering lights that suddenly broke shattering glass all around her and injuring the dogs, but one threat turned to another as a fire broke out. Suddenly, she could no longer breathe.
Sam woke up in a sweat. Her breaths were hard and quick. She hurriedly checked the bed. She hadn't wet the bed in a long while, but she also hadn't had that nightmare in a long while either. She felt relief. It was dry. The last time she wet was not a pleasant experience. She felt like the scum of the earth, thanks to her foster mother and sister. And now she couldn't go back to sleep. Her mind was on overdrive.
The foster home with the flickering lights was the home she stayed in before she went to Clydesvillle. She was six years old, and had never felt the sting of a belt, until that home. Her foster father was a cruel man. And so every time she dreamt of those flickering lights, those memories came back.
"Lay on the bed!" The man spit at the terrified six year old Sam.
"Dada, no!" She yelled. He made her call him daddy or dada, and she hated it.
He roughly grabbed her upper arm, "You wanna break my shit? This is what you get!."
"I didn't mean to! I'm sorry!" Her big blue eyes were pooling over with tears.
He ignored her cries and pulled her little shorts down and then her underwear. She cried harder feeling even more vulnerable. He easily bent her over the bed and started bringing the belt down harshly.
Each bite of the belt stung worse than the previous. Sam thought she would die just then, and in her terror cried out for her mommy. But not the one married to this monster, but the one that she knew was out there. The one that would come save her.
Sam let the flashback fade naturally, noticing that she was slightly shaking.
She checked her phone it was midnight. She brought the shirt she had closer to her face, so she could wrap herself up in the scent. She tucked her knees in, but still felt terribly alone. Sam got up and tiptoed her way to the house phone, bringing it up to her room.
Tamara wasn't with Marcus today, so she couldn't get a hold of her, since she didn't have a phone, so she called Jack.
"Sammy?" Jack asked sleepily.
"Jack I had that dream again." Her voice was scared.
"Are you at Brooke's?" He asked getting out of bed. "Yeah, yeah I am."
"I'm calling a taxi I'll be there in twenty minutes." He said to her.
Sam got up and took out the money Brooke and Lucas had given her during the month, planning on paying Jack back. She sat and waited until she heard the familiar knock at her window. She first locked her door and then went over and opened the window. Jack looked at her with a soft, sad smile, "Hi Sammy." He said as he climbed in. He took off his shoes and jacket, then waited for Sam to go into the bed, then he got in as well.
He held her, saying nothing, just being there. This was their relationship. They had never done anything more than hold one another.
"You have to leave early in the morning, so Brooke won't see you." She whispered feeling safe once more.
"Don't worry, I will. I can't let Sue catch me anyways...Hey Sam?"
"Mhm?" She said quite tired now.
"I've missed this, but why didn't you ask Brooke to come in?"
Sam opened her eyes. She didn't really know, it was just a natural response to call her friends. "I just, you guys were there first people I thought of."
She felt him nuzzle in closer, "That's a new shirt." He pointed out.
"It's Brooke's. I like it." She responded.
He rubbed her arm, "I like it too. We should go to sleep."
He rubbed her arm until he was sure she fell asleep. He looked at her new room. It was so nice, so clean. He was happy for Sam. Happy that she finally had a family that she deserved.
… …. ….
Brooke woke up suddenly. She looked at her surroundings and found herself asleep on her couch on top of Lucas. She got up in a start, "Lucas!" She hissed, hitting him in the process. He woke up frightened, "Shit! Brooke, what?"
"Get out!"
"What happened?"
"You!" She said pointing at him and the couch. "Sam'll see us! Go home now!"
Lucas tried to put on his boots in midsleep, "Geezus Brooke, nothing happened between us. We just fell asleep."
Brooke grabbed one of his boots and threw it towards the door, "Get out! I'm not doing this to Peyton or Julian. We have to stop."
Lucas stood up and grabbed her arm, "But what're you doing to us?" He said with a daring glare. "Tell me you want this, right now. And I'll end it with Peyton."
Brooke's eyes widened, She did the only thing she could think of. Her hand moved and gave him a resounding slap, "Fuck you, Lucas."
He grabbed his cheek, realizing he must've sounded like an ass. "I'm leaving, don't worry. I'm sorry I shouldn't have said that." He said as he picked up his boot and left her home.
Sam woke up to loud movements downstairs. She turned and Jack had already left. It was six in the morning. She smiled when she saw that he had taken the money she left for him. She got up, wrapping herself in her blanket as it was a little chilly, and saw that Brooke wasn't in her bed. She went into her room and checked the bathroom, "Brooke?" She said softly. That's when she heard Lucas's voice, "Nothing happened between us. We just fell asleep!"
She then heard a loud thud hit the floor. Still half asleep, and unable to really register much, she saw Brooke's bed as the closest comfort to lay her head on once more. She hopped up and sat in the middle. She placed the blanket over her head, dozing off as she strained to hear what was happening downstairs. It sounded like juicy stuff, but she was still half asleep.
A few moments later Brooke walked into her room and stopped when she saw a half asleep Sam sitting in the middle of her bed, her eyes closing and opening, with a blanket over her head. "Sam?" She asked. It truly was a cute sight. Sam looked like a tired toddler.
"I heard noises and you weren't in your room." She answered honestly. Brooke could tell that Sam was one of those kids that spoke the most sincerely when they were tired. There was no sarcasm in sight.
She checked the time it was 6:15, and it was Saturday. They still had a few more hours of sleep. She went over and undid the bed, "Lay down Sammy. I'm here now."
Sam pulled the blanket off her head and crawled in, pulling her knees in.
Suddenly all the anger Brooke had felt melted. She quickly got out of her clothes and into a short night gown.
Sam was almost asleep, "Brooke, will you stay here with me? Don't go to work, please." She whispered. Brooke's heart almost jumped out. Sam obviously didn't realize it was Saturday, yet.
"It's Saturday Sammy. I'm not going in." Brook answered softly almost chuckling. She got on the bed and Sam did what she always did when someone slept with her, she cuddled into her. Brooke had never been this close to Sam, but it felt so natural. She wrapped her arms around her. She felt as Sam took in deep breaths, "You smell good." Sam said lazily. Brooke thought sleepy Sam was hilarious, "Do I? I took a shower." She played along.
"I'm gonna smell good like you someday." She yawned.
Brooke almost burst out laughing, "Alright Sam, I know you will."
Brooke then had an idea, "Hey Sammy, why don't you want me buying you clothes?" She said gently.
She felt Sam shrug, "I don't want you to spend your money on me. That'd be a burden, and that's bad. I don't wanna be bad."
Brooke wasn't about to talk to Sam about this now, but her heart melted at Sam's honesty. She patted her bottom softly, "Okay sweetie, back to sleep, come on." She slowly started rubbing Sam's back to ease her back to a slumber. She had to figure out a way to get Sam to believe that she was not a burden. She closed her eyes worried about what Sam had just admitted.
It was around 9am and Sam woke up leaning on Brooke's side, while Brooke was sitting up with her head on the headboard, very focused on the emails she was writing. Her arm was around Sam.
Sam stayed still watching as Brooke's hand's typed, watching the professionalism of her words flow onto the page. It was weird but fun, seeing that business side of her.
A while later Brooke looked down and saw Sam's eyes wide open watching her screen, "Hey you." She said lifting her arm so Sam could move, but she didn't she stayed.
"Morning." Sam said softly. She had no recollection of anything she had said in the early morning, which was probably for the better.
Brooke kept looking at Sam who was transfixed on the screen. Sam started reading the email out loud to herself " Having said that I believe that my recommendation...of what?" Sam said still not realizing Brooke was looking at her amused, "Brooke, you stopped writing." She finally looked up, She blushed at Brooke's amused face, "How long have you been watching me write emails?"
Sam got closer and put her head on Brooke's lap, "Like fifteen minutes." She put her hand on Brooke's and started to play with the ring on her finger. It had to have real diamonds. They were beautiful. Brooke let her play with it as she brushed Sam's hair with her hand.
"Are you gonna finish this email?" Sam said as she moved her head out of Brooke's way and laid it on Brooke's side once more,
"This last one, and then we can get out of bed."
"I kinda like it here." Sam said watching Brooke finish it up.
"Me too, but Luke's got some work for you to do around his house."
Sam moaned, "Uuuuggghhhh." She pushed herself up, "I'll just get up now. This sucks." She said now annoyed that she had to do work. "I hate this!"
Brooke closed her laptop. She had forgotten that Sam was a teenager. Wasn't it only moments ago, like literally moments ago that she was laying her head on Brooke's lap?
Brooke sighed, "Is two weeks over yet?" She mumbled to herself.
Hope you liked it! Sam's adventures are about to get started! And Jack and Sam's sleepovers won't end here ;). Peyton and Julian are precariously close to finding out about the baffled and in love parents. Please review! Let me know if you'd like me to incorporate something. And thank you to all your wonderful reviews, they make me so happy!