"That needs way more sprinkles."
Brooke looked down at her two scoop vanilla ice cream, devoid of any sprinkles, "It doesn't have any." She said looking at Sam confused.
Sam grabbed the sprinkle bottle, "Exactly. They make everything taste better." She was about to dump it into Brooke's bowl, but Brooke intercepted and took it out of Sam's hands, "Nice try, but no thanks." She said giving her a playful glare. Sam blushed. Lucas watched the pair from across the table and only chuckled.
They had taken Sam to Ralph's after they dropped her friends back down in SouthSide. Of course there was also the task of telling her about Tree Hill. It wouldn't be pretty and they knew it, but hopefully ice cream would make it just a little better. That always works, right?
"We should probably switch your ice cream for some carrots or something." Brooke said. She had been trying, unsuccessfully, to get Sam to eat vegetables, yes as cliche as that sounded, the girl just absolutely hated them.
Sam let out a scoff, "Yeah right Brooke. Good luck trying." She said as she reached over and took a scoop of icecream from Brooke's bowl.
"You little thief." Brooke joked.
"Yes, but I'm your little thief." Sam added with a closed smile due to the mouthful of ice cream she had just pushed in.
Brooke and Lucas relished these moments, where Sam just let her guard down and let herself be their kid. She put an arm around her daughter, "That you are, my little munchkin."
A few moments later Brooke and Lucas met each other's eyes while Sam was completely focused on the ice cream. Lucas looked back at Sam and cleared his throat, "Hey Sam?"
She looked up and expected to hear the questions about Mike start coming. She knew she couldn't tell them. They'd hate her. They wouldn't want her. So she opted to only tell them some of the truth. Enough for it to be convincing, she thought.
Sam felt Brooke shift towards her. Crap, why now? She was perfectly fine enjoying her ice cream and sprinkles.
"Sam can you tell us about Mike?" Lucas said finishing his thought.
Sam put her spoon down, "It's not a big deal." She answered defensively. First mistake. She was supposed to be cool about it, give them what they want. Turns out even she was more upset than she thought.
"Yes it is a big deal Sam. Why did the police warn the school about him? What did he do sweetheart?" Brooke said putting an arm around Sam's shoulders again.
But this time Sam shrugged her arm away and put her hands in her lap, "He was...he was just a jerk, okay? He beat me up a couple times, that's it." Sam lied.
Neither Brooke or Lucas were buying it, but by the way Sam shrunk into herself so quickly they knew they had to tread lightly on the subject.
"Sam" Lucas said softly, "Are you sure?"
Sam said nothing, "I don't want to talk about him."
The quiet told her they were still thinking about it. She finally gave them a pained look. Her voice was much quieter, "Please don't make me."
They both sighed. This wasn't going as they had wished. But what could they expect? Brooke's mind went to the case report that Ms. Thrice was yet to give them, maybe that would give them more insight into Sam's past. But they had to deal with the present, and the very unsettling reality of having to move Sam to a whole other school.
"Sam, Mr. Jeffries was really worried about your safety." Lucas started.
Her head shot up, "What does he know?"
Lucas rose his eyebrow, "He knows plenty, he's the principal."
Sam huffed, "What, he wants security following me or something?" It was a joke, of course.
Brooke moved a bit closer to Sam, "No, Sam. He wants you to move to Tree Hill High."
Hell no, was Sam' first thought. How? Why?!
Her face had an incredulous look, "But you said no right? You told him that you guys wouldn't do that?"
They knew her stance on this. They had talked about, damn it!
Lucas shook his head, "We've been thinking about this Sam. We think it's the right thing to do. We'll get the paperwork ready this week and you can start in two weeks."
Sam looked at them with a betrayed surprise, "What? No! You, you can't do that! I'm not going to stupid Tree Hill!"
Some of the customers turned at her outburst. Brooke felt a rush of heat hit her cheeks, but kept it together. "Sam, this is what's best for you."
Sam wanted to shake them both. Why couldn't they see that this wasn't going to work? Tree Hill was full of perfect people. She wasn't. She was damaged.
"How would you know what's good for me? You've only known me for two months?! This is stupid!" Just as she said that she flung her arm to make a point, accidentally knocking the icecream bowl onto Brooke's lap. Melted ice cream streamed all over her skirt. Brooke's mouth dropped open. Lucas's eyes darted straight to their daughter.
Sam felt her heart stop a moment. Oh, man was she dead.
"Shit, Brooke I'm sorry." Sam said, momentarily forgetting her anger. She grabbed a napkin but Brooke rose her hand up, "Samantha no." She pressed her fingers together trying to compose herself, "Get up and go to the car." Brooke ordered.
"But, but, Why?" Sam unwisely asked.
"Just go." Brooke said tersely.
"Brooke, let me just-"
"NOW." She commanded leaving no room for discussion. Lucas quietly handed Sam the keys. Sam pushed up from the table, "God, fine!"
When Lucas and Brooke came out after paying for their ice cream, around five minutes later, Sam was sitting in the back her head leaned onto the window. She was refusing to look at them. Her guilt for the ice cream fiasco was just as much as her anger for their decision to move her to Tree Hill.
Brooke and Lucas occasionally stole a glance in the rearview mirror. They saw Sam wipe her cheek a few times. Brooke sighed and grabbed Lucas's hand and squeezed it. Why did seeing your kid cry have to hurt so much?
Once they came into the driveway Lucas turned around, "Go into the kitchen Sam so we can finish talking." His voice wasn't angry. He simply said it.
"Can I at least put my stuff away?" She finally spoke.
He nodded, "Yes."
Once Sam got out, Brooke undid her seatbelt, "I have some clothes in the trunk. I should probably change. Can I use your room?"
Lucas sighed, "Yeah, but Brooke you're not seriously mad about the skirt are you? It really was an accident."
Brooke rolled her eyes, "I'm not mad about that. I'm mad that the reason I have ice cream all over my lap is because our daughter can't handle bad news. She had a tantrum Lucas."
He couldn't argue with her there. He leaned in and gave her shoulder a small squeeze.
As she made her way upstairs she was almost run over by Sam who was dashing down, "Sam, slow down!" She said grabbing a hold of Sam's arm before the girl tripped on herself, "You know you're clumsy, you have to be careful." Brooke added, still speaking a bit clipped towards Sam.
Sam pushed a bag into Brooke's hands, "Here, have it." She said urgently.
Brooke looked at the bag and sure enough there was money in it. She looked to her daughter and let go of her arm. She could see so much guilt in her blue eyes. "Sam what is this?" She asked with kindness in her voice.
"It's for your skirt I ruined." She started, pointing to the skirt with dried ice cream all over it, "I know it's expensive, and I probably didn't give you enough, but I'll pay you back! I'm sorry, please don't be mad at me. Please don't." She said all in one breath. She was about to keep talking, but her confession melted Brooke's heart, "Samantha." She said putting the money back into Sam's hands, "I don't care about the dumb skirt. It's just clothes." She lifted her chin, "Sam, I care about you."
Sam was still confused, "But, but you sent me to the car."
Brooke sighed. Maybe doing that was a mistake, considering that Sam was easily confused and in need of constant assurance. "Because you were having a tantrum, and I needed you to calm down." Brooke explained.
Sam sighed, "No, I wasn't."
"Sam, yes you were. The ice cream fell because you flung your arms out while yelling at us."
"I wasn't having a tantrum!" Sam exclaimed stamping her foot. But that ended her argument quickly. She blushed as she saw Brooke raise her eyebrow.
"You want to do that again?" Brooke asked her with warning.
Sam looked at the carpeted stairs, "No, m'am."
"I'm going to go change, head to the kitchen, okay?"
Sam didn't answer, she just complied.
Once Brooke came down she saw that Lucas was making some food. They had missed dinner to go get ice cream, but they didn't even get to finish that. Sam was just sitting on the stool with her head down and her arms folded across her chest. Lucas caught Brooke staring and gave her a small smirk as he looked over at the moping Sam.
Sam looked up when she saw Brooke come into the kitchen. She had changed into some jeans. Sam was always in awe at how put together Brooke always looked.
Lucas put the spatula down and moved a bit closer. "Sam, I know you've only lived with us for two months, but that doesn't change the fact that in this dynamic you are the child, and Brooke and I are your parents. And, look, you've only been at SouthSide for a few months. It's only your freshmen year, you still have your whole high school career left."
Sam tried her best not to yell. "You guys just don't get it. I can't go to Tree Hill!"
Brooke nodded, thinking Sam was worried about her friends, "Sammy we'll get Tamara and Jack monthly bus passes, so they can be here with you as much as they'd like."
They didn't understand, and Sam was getting angrier by the minute. She wouldn't fit in, and she knew it.
"You're forcing me. I won't know anyone." She said bluntly.
Brooke could see Sam closing off, once again, "Lucas'll be there and so will Haley. You'll know them."
Sam wanted to groan. She'll know two teachers, one of which was her father? No thanks. She'll just be a target, "This really sucks and you guys don't care."
Lucas went a little deeper because their little girl was letting everything they said go from one ear and out the other, "Sam, of course we care. We let you stay at Southside after all the fights Lucas saw break out and even after that lockdown. But that man today he was the last straw. We're not doing this just for fun. Your safety is concerned, and we're not going to budge on this, I'm sorry."
Brooke saw Sam's face harden as Lucas was talking, especially at the mention of this mysterious man.
"Sweetie, It's okay if you don't want to talk about him. We won't make you. but that's not stopping us from protecting you from him. But I'm not going to lie, I wish you'd tell us." Brooke admitted.
Sam tightened her fists. No, she wouldn't tell them about Mike already!
"Tree Hill is not for me. I'm going to hate it, and it'll be the worst four years of my life." She said angrily, then got up and left the room.
They let her go. At least she wasn't fighting them. It was more like a furious resignation.
"I'll get dinner finished and we'll call her down then, give her a chance to cool off." Lucas said kissing Brooke on the forehead and giving her a small side hug. Brooke wanted to melt into him. "I really hope this is the right decision."
"It is Brooke."
He, for one, would drag Sam to school if he had to. He didn't want her going back to SouthSide. "She's just being dramatic. Kind of like someone I knew in high school." He said giving her the side eye. She gave him a gentle push,"Oh, whatever. i was not dramatic! I was just in tune with my feelings."
"Is that what you call it?" He said laughing.
…. …. ….
Brooke could hear some of Sam's music. She never met someone with such an eclectic taste. It literally went from Kendrick Lamar to Taylor Swift. She chuckled a bit then went in the room. Sam was on her chair spinning absentmindedly in it.
"Hey," Brooke said as she walked in and turned the music down, "Dinner's ready."
"I'm not hungry." She said stopping the chair, but looked away from her mother. She was actually pretty starving. But she'd be damned before she gave in.
"Sam you haven't had food since lunch." She took a step closer trying to be as kind as possible. She knew that this was probably a really bad day for Sam, "Come on, you have to eat something."
"No, I don't." Sam said. Didn't Brooke get she was mad at them?
"Samantha, let's go." Brooke spoke, severity creeping into her voce, "It's time for dinner."
"I said I'm not hungry." Sam spoke more firmly and entered into a staring contest with Brooke. "I'm not eating and I'm not coming down." She added after a moment, "But you probably don't really care what I have to say. It's not like my opinion matters to you or Lucas."
Brooke clenched her fist, "Young lady-" She spoke through her teeth
Sam stopped her, "You can leave now."
Brooke felt her whole body tense. She had had enough of Sam's petulance for the day. She threw an icy glare at Sam and stepped closer to her, "Samantha. I understand that you're mad at me and your father. You can be mad and angry, but I do not want any disrespect." She seethed, "Now, you want to act like a cranky child, I'll treat you like one."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Sam said with narrowed eyes. She watched as Brooke went over to her drawer and took out her shirt, then handed it to her, "Get changed. Wash you face, brush your teeth, and then lay down. It's bedtime for you."
Sam's eyes almost popped out of their sockets. Brooke did not really mean that. Did she? It was only 7:00pm. She wasn't even tired! Maybe just a little tired. And she wasn't cranky! Why couldn't she just be mad? This was so stupid.
"No." The word hung heavily in the air, "I'm not tired."
They got to the point where a cold and tense moment of silence fell over them. Brooke felt her whole body want to charge at Sam.
"You've had a long day, and I want you in bed." Her voice now sounded dangerous and Sam knew it.
Brooke picked her up by the arm from the chair and bent down so she was face to face with her, Sam didn't allow this to break her resolve, she still looked at Brooke angrily.
"I'm going downstairs, when I come back up I expect you in that bed." Brooke said in a low tone pointing to the bed. She didn't bother to wait for Sam to go into the bed. She simply left.
... ... ...
Brooke sat down with a loud huff. Lucas looked completely confused, "Uhh..where's Sam?" He asked.
"In her room. She's not hungry, and I sent her to bed."
Lucas could tell her and Sam had probably gotten into an argument...yet again. "But it's only seven."
"Yeah, well she wasn't being very forthcoming, and I just said it." Brooke said unhappily, "I should've just left the room. Do you think she'll be even angrier, if that's possible?"
Lucas gave her a small smile, "She's upset. I think sleep will do her well."
Brooke allowed a smile to creep up on her, "I'll check on her after dinner, before I leave home."
"Brooke" He looked up and stopped once he reached her beautiful eyes, "I doubt Sam tells you this enough, but you are a great mother."
She gave him a slow nod and whispered out a thank you.
Brooke and Lucas washed the dishes side by side. Usually Lucas and Sam did this together. "I don't know why you just don't use your dishwasher." Brooke said as she dried plate.
"Dishwashers are for pansies. And Sam asks me the same thing." He laughed at how similar Brooke and Sam were.
She rolled her eyes, "Well great minds think alike."
"Well the older great mind should go upstairs and talk to the little great mind." Lucas said turning off the water as they had finished.
Brooke put the last plate away, "Easy for you to say."
He splashed her with some water and Brooke let out a small squeal, "You jerk!" He brought her in for a hug. When they pulled away, Brooke's arms were still around his neck and they stayed glued to each other's eyes. His smile faded, but his heart beat intensified, as did Brooke's.
He leaned in tentatively. She didn't stop him. "Can I?" He asked trying to be respectful. She said nothing, but this time leaned in herself and gave him the kiss that he so wanted. Their spark raged on as he put his hand at the back of her head.
She finally let go and fixed her shirt. She felt flushed, and was afraid that had they continued, their clothes would've been off in a second. He cleared his throat, "Wow." He said quietly.
"I, I'm gonna go check on Sam, then head out."
He hated that it seemed like they kissed and ran. "Why can't we ever talk about it?"
"Talk about what?"
"Us, this kiss. The other kisses we've had. You can't keep playing with my feelings. I love you, and you know that. But please don't make me believe that this can happen, if it's not."
Brooke just stared at him for a second, realizing that he was right, but angry that he was being so blunt, "Fine. You're right."
"What, what does 'you're right' mean?" He asked.
"I won't do it anymore. I'm sorry for confusing you." She said picking up her bag, "I'm going upstairs and then I'll leave. Goodnight Lucas."
Shit. He shouldn't have said anything. He loved the kissing, the sexual tension. But once again, he was just Sam's dad, but Brooke would give in soon, he hoped.
…. …. ….
Brooke walked in to Sam lying on her side on top of the covers, her arms tightly across her chest. She saw how droopy her eyes were but then how she shot them up and lasered them. Sam didn't want Brooke to know she was actually tired. She wanted to show her how stupid it was that she was in bed at this time, and how angry she was about going to Tree Hill.
Brooke was quiet. Although she wanted to smile at Sam's childish pose. She didn't say a word, only went over to Sam's desk where she had left her blanket and bear and picked them up. Sam saw Brooke standing right in front of her but refused to look at her. Brooke gently placed the beloved blanket over Sam. It was a bit fresh inside Lucas's house and Sam wasn't wearing any pants. She had to be cold, and Brooke wouldn't let her stubborn girl have to suffer due to her own capriciousness.
She crouched down and Sam moved her gaze away from her mother. Brooke undid Sam's crossed arms and put Barry the bear between them.
She stepped back a bit and gave Sam one good look, "It's okay to be angry Sam. I'm sorry this is how things turned out for you, I know you didn't want to move from Southside."
There was still no attempt from Sam to acknowledge Brooke. Although she was extremely appreciative for the blanket and bear.
"I'm leaving now." Brooke said. She saw Sam's eyes fall at her words. Sam wanted her to stay. She loved Lucas and her together. Brooke caressed her cheek and Sam finally made eye contact. Brooke smiled, "I love you sweetheart." She gave her a kiss on the forehead.
"I'm sorry for having an attitude." Sam mumbled, forcing herself to say it as Brooke moved away from the bed.
Brooke smiled, "I know." She said softly, "Get some sleep."
Sam heard her mother walking out. She closed her eyes and then took a deep breath, "Wait Brooke, don't leave if you're mad at me." She once again willed herself to say.
She was embarrassed, but the thought of her mom mad at her, and leaving meant the possibility of her leaving for good, at least in Sam's mind.
Brooke knew this and it bothered her that Sam still thought that, but wouldn't push her to talk about it. She turned back around, and Sam was still in her angry pose, although her eyes were now softer.
"I'm not mad at you Sam, I'm frustrated."
Sam closed her eyes, "Oh." She whispered. Sam wasn't sure what frustration entailed. To her there was only two states of being for parents, "mad" and just "okay."
"What does that mean...that you're frustrated?"
Brooke took the opportunity to go back and sit near Sam. "Sammy sit up for me a sec."
Sam did as she was told. Brooke almost wanted to give her an 'I told you so' look as she saw Sam rub her eyes sleepily and yawn as she sat up.
"Sammy, I know things are hard, and I know you're upset, but at the same time it's like you don't listen to us, and only hear what you want, then lash out. The situation frustrates me. It's been a rough day for all of us, and I just needed you to lay down, but you decided that being disrespectful would lead things to go your way."
Sam gave her a sheepish look, "So, are you, are you just going home? I'm still going to your house next week? I mean, I get it if you don't want me there. I'm a pain, I know." She just needed to make sure.
Brooke's heart almost broke at the uncertainty in Sam's voice and eyes. She moved closer to Sam, "Samantha, you're most certainly not a pain. And nothing you do will ever keep you from my house. Wanna know why?"
"Why?"
Brooke gave her a smile and tapped Sam's nose with her finger, "Because it's your home too."
Sam smiled and leaned in giving Brooke a hug and a kiss on the cheek. Her arms were still around Brooke's neck and Brooke held her, rubbing soothing circles on her back.
"I'm gonna head out Sammy, okay?" Brooke whispered once Sam was almost asleep.
The girl nodded, "Goodnight Brooke, I love you...even if I am mad about stupid Tree Hill." She said in a whisper. Brooke rolled her eyes but gave her one last squeeze. The 'I love you's' were coming more and more often and it filled her with so much happiness, "Goodnight sweetie. Be good for Lucas. I love you too."
Sam let go and crawled back into bed feeling momentarily better. Brooke waited for her to get all settled in then walked out giving Sam a small wink and closed the door quietly. She would've gone down and toward Lucas to say goodnight, but opted against it considering what had just happened. But Lucas didn't allow it.
"You're not going to say goodnight?" He asked standing in in the middle of his house.
"Goodnight Lucas." Brooke said not moving from the door.
"Wait." He said before she opened it. He wanted to tell her to forget what he had said, but he clammed up and spoke about the most prominent thing on his mind, "How is she? Is Sam asleep?"
Brooke tried to keep a neutral face, "I just put her to bed again. She's not worked up anymore. I would go up now, before she falls completely asleep."
He nodded, "Oh." He said rubbing the back of his neck, "Well umm, I'll get the forms and everything ready tomorrow. I know you have a couple meetings to go to."
Brooke was grateful at how understanding and accommodating Lucas was, "Thank you, and I should probably get going Luke. I'll see you later."
He frowned, "Bye Brooke."
Once she closed the door he whispered out an 'I love you.'
Brooke got into her car and sank into the seat leaning back, 'I love you.' She finally said in response to Lucas's goodbye.
Lucas went into Sam's dim room and saw her sitr, "Hey champ" He whispered, "You awake?"
"Mhm." She mumbled obviously already half gone. He walked in and realized how much of today had drained his little girl. She had been accosted by a grown man, then given the worst news. He felt for her, "Peanut," He said affectionately as he walked in, "You mind if I lay with you?"
She nodded meekly, "I don't mind."
He got on the bed and placed his back on the headboard sitting up.
Sam in her half asleep daze, did as she always did and cuddled into him. Laying her head on his lap and curling in with her bear still fastened in her arms. "I'm still mad at you though." She mumbled. He stifled a laugh. It was hard to take her seriously when she was in this state.
He smiled and rubbed her arm softly, "I know you are." He said gently. He stayed with her until she was way beyond the early stages of sleep.
When he got up he picked her up gently and held her up in his arms with one arm as he undid the covers and placed her in. He then placed the blanket and the bear back in her arms.
"Goodnight baby girl." He whispered placing a kiss on the top of her head.
Both he and Brooke were learning how much Sam thrived on affection and care, as much as she would probably hate to admit it. Every hug, kiss, pat, and cuddle meant so much more to a love deprived Sam, and they gladly obliged when Sam's guard was down and she let them in. This night was one of those nights.
… …. …
It was Wednesday and Sam's last week at SouthSide was coming to an end. She was surprised at how easily Tamara and Jack took it. They didn't want to tell her, but they figured this would happen sooner or later, so they had resigned themselves to the idea. Plus Brooke had called Tamara without Sam knowing and explained everything to her as well as alleviated some of the teenager's fears about it. She had also mentioned the restraining order again, which Tamara flat out refused once more. Although Brooke felt she was slowly hitting at her resolve.
"So I guess we can hang out wednesdays and thursdays after school right?" Jack asked, "All three of us?"
Tamara looked away, not wanting to show Sam her discontent with it all.
Sam sighed sadly, "This is so stupid. I think I can still stay. I just need to convince them that I'm safe here."
Tamara turned to her, "Sam we have like three days. How're you gonna do that."
They could see the wheels begin to turn in Sam's mind. Oh no, this was either going to be really good, or really bad.
"I have an idea. I can talk to Mike, tell him to apologize to the principal and my parents and stuff."
Jack and Tamara almost burst out laughing until they realized she was serious, "Sam are you kidding me? That man hurt you." Jack said in a whisper. "You can't go near him." He urged.
Tamara, who was more daring, spoke more bluntly, "Sam don't be stupid. You know that's fucking idiotic."
Sam stared Tamara down. Her idea was not idiotic and she'd prove it to them. "You guys think I'm some little weakling when I'm not." She told them pointedly.
"No, we're just trying to protect you Sam." Tamara said, "You don't know what the guy can do."
Sam shoulders slumped, "It's not like I could even if I wanted to, I don't know when I'm ever gonna see him again."
That was true, and for that they were grateful because the look of determination in Sam's eyes told them that had he been there she would've bolted towards the man.
As they were sitting and talking around the front school yard, now that it was after school, Jack saw Lucas go into the school, "Sam what's your dad doing?" He asked, "And who's that lady?"
She turned and saw him make his way in with Haley, "Probably finishing the stupid transfer stuff up. That's Haley, they're like best friends and works at Tree Hill. She probably caught a ride with him or something."
Just as she finished her sentence, a bald headed man in a faded brown jacket caught her eye. It was Mike. He was roaming the perimeter. She made sure that Jack and Tamara didn't notice him, and made quick work of getting rid of them for the time being, "Hey guys let's go in and wait with Lucas. He can give us a ride to Clydesville and we can go to the diner with Angela."
They looked at each other and nodded, "Cool!" Tamara added.
They made it to the steps, when Sam came up with an excuse to leave them, "Oh shoot. You guys go in the office. That's probably where he is. I forgot I have to umm, talk to Smith about a missing assignment. I'll be back soon."
Jack groaned, "Sam you're dad scares me. I don't want to talk to him if you're not there."
Tamara poked his rib, "Chill out. Lucas is cool, alright."
Sam breathed a sense of relief as Tamara prodded Jack to go in with her, "Go talk to Smith, Sam!" She said when she noticed the brunette stay perfectly still on the steps. "Oh...right!"
Sam pretended to walk to a classroom, then when she heard the office door close she booked it to the outside.
She dashed down and crashed into the man she was looking for as she was about to turn the corner.
"M-mike." She said a bit stunned. She was looking for him, but certainly didn't expect crash into him, her head right onto his lower chest. She backed off and held onto the fence railing once she had a bit of space between the menacing man, "I, I was looking for you." She said apprehensively.
He gave her a bare toothed smile, showing his yellowing teeth, "Well, well, well. Look who's seeking me out now. I always knew you still loved me. Am I right Sam?"
He took one step and she took another back. She shook her head, avoiding answering his question verbally, "I, umm, I-"
He walked closer and Sam froze. Shit, why did she have to freeze now. Her head hung, "MIke stop it. I just wanna tell you something. It's important."
He saw her avoiding his gaze, something he hated since she lived with him.
"Hey." He spoke with an authority that Sam was familiarized with, and made her wince, "Are you a stupid little girl? Look me in the eyes when I'm talking." He growled.
He used to do that when she was in trouble. He used to do that when they were alone and she would try and ignore him. Like a trained reaction her head shot up and she apologized immediately, "I'm sorry." She said quickly.
He relished in the fact that he still had her under his thumb, "Oh, now you're sorry." He said now inches from her, "You weren't sorry when you left my home. You didn't like it there sweet thing?"
He eyed her up and down. Sam squirmed in place, still holding the railing of the fence like a lifeline.
What was she there to do again? She should've listened, this was a stupid idea. She wanted nothing more than to see Brooke or Lucas behind the man and run into their arms. Hell, she didn't care, Tamara and Jack would be good to have next to her at this point.
"Mike, I, they're making me leave Southside because of you. You have to tell them you're not dangerous and that you'll leave me alone at school."
She bit her lip after she said it and squeezed the railing tighter. He cocked his head at her admonition.
Mike was definitely dangerous in the eyes of many, but Sam was used to him. She was in her home for a year after all. She knew what made him tick, and what he was capable of. She was scared to death of being left alone with him, but knew he could never hurt her in public. She took one more step back and gulped.
"You want me to save you, huh?"
She figured she could play into his pride, and nodded hurriedly, hoping that would appease him.
He studied her for a moment, seeing her clearly uncomfortable and slightly squirm. This gave him a surge of power over the young girl, like what he used to have over her.
He got close enough to caress her cheek much like he did the last time. Sam stiffened at his touch. He smiled at her fear and pushed some of her hair back, "You still don't look a day over twelve. Still have that cute little look to yourself." His whisper sounded sinister. Sam felt her throat catch, "Mike, will you, will you do it?"
He chuckled, "Don't cry sweet thing." He put a finger to her mouth, "I'll do whatever you want, if it means still being able to look at your pretty face."
He wiped a finger on a tear that fell down Sam's face.
… ….. …..
Lucas walked out of the vice principal's office with Haley and recognized the two teenagers sitting on the bench.
He went over, "Hey you two." He said kindly, "I thought you'd be outta here with Sam somewhere. Where's my little kiddo anyway?" Lucas then furrowed his brow, "Wait, You two aren't in trouble are you? "
Jack avoided his gaze, and Lucas noticed. He loved that he intimidated the boy.
"Yeah, we were actually waiting for Sam. She's talking to a teacher. And uh, no we're not in trouble." Tamara answered.
They avoided asking him if they could get a ride. It just didn't feel right. But thankfully he offered, "Well then why don't you guys wait for her in my car. I'll take you wherever you guys were planning on going, and I'll shoot her a text letting her know you guys are with me."
They both nodded feeling Then he smacked his forehead, "Oh sorry guys, this is my friend Haley."
Haley gave them a warm smile and introduced herself to the two teens. "Nice to meet you two. Sam talks a lot about you."
They both felt a bit uncomfortable being in the spotlight. Lucas caught on, "Well come on. Let's get outta here."
As they were heading out Tamara and Jack froze, causing Lucas and Haley to bump into them. "Guys what's going -"
He stopped as he saw what the two kids saw. Haley was unsure of what was going on, but knew that the man caressing Sam's face was probably the man that Lucas had mentioned.
Lucas felt his body rage as he saw the man touching his daughter's face. A daughter whose whole body looked like it wanted to run but was glued to her spot. That tender touch was only reserved for two people, him and Brooke, and Lucas was about to fly off the handle.
"HEY!" He yelled forcefully. Sam and Mike turned. "Shit." Sam said. Mike wasn't sure who the man was, and nobody was sure how Lucas managed to get to the pair so quickly. "BACK OFF!" He yelled and seconds later was grabbing Mike by the collar lifting him up. Sam backed up quickly, everything was happening so fast.
"What the hell are you doing with my daughter?!" Lucas seethed. He manhandled Mike practically lifting him off the ground, "You get a kick out of terrifying little girls!?"
Mike felt like Lucas was cutting off his breathing, "She's the one that came to me this time, big daddy." Mike mocked, still in a cool tone.
Lucas let him go and Mike dusted himself off.
Sam stiffened, "Shit. Shit. Shit." She thought. Lucas's eyes darkened and suddenly all his worry and anger turned to the small fourteen year old behind him, "Samantha." He said in a low rumble.
Sam needed to explain herself, "I, I needed to talk to him!" She said in her defense. It was true that she was terrified before her, but Lucas's intrusion was starting to work her up.
Lucas wanted to put the girl over his knee, something that he had never felt before. It was the same feeling that Haley had when Jamie ran into the street. He remembered her swiftly grabbing him and swatting him five times, leaving the little seven year old boy in tears, promising his mommy never to do it again.
He grabbed her by one of her arms, "How can you be so careless Samantha! He's dangerous!" He said pointing to Mike who hadn't left yet. He shook Sam for emphasis, "NEVER AGAIN. Do you understand me!?"
Sam had never experienced this Lucas before. She tried to get away from his grasp but he only shook her arm once more, "Do not fight me on this." He boomed.
"I don't want to go to Tree Hill. I wanted him to talk to you about it and how he wouldn't bother me! Let me go!" Sam whined and yelled back.
Mike loved this. In his twisted thoughts Sam's struggle was his gain. 'She hates this man. She'll come back to me.' He thought.
Lucas gave Sam an incredulous look still refusing to let go of his grasp. "That is enough Samantha." He said in a resounding authoritative voice, that made the two teenagers on the step cringe, "If I hear one more word about Tree Hill you're grounded for two weeks! Now you get your little butt into the car. You're not going with your friends, you're coming straight home and into your room." He let her go, but Sam didn't move. His eyes lasered and he bent down. "You will go now." He rumbled in a whisper, then grabbed Sam's arm more gently and gave her a firm swat that Sam was not expecting.
She let out a small whimper, but quickly obeyed and made her way straight to his car avoiding Tamara and Jack's sympathetic glare. Haley bid them goodbye and advised them to get home because they wouldn't be spending time with Sam today. They nodded and made their way to Clydesville alone.
She could see that Lucas was trying to scare the living daylights out of Mike. She sighed and went over to Lucas's car. The girl was sitting in the back her head resting on the window.
She quietly opened the back door and slipped in next to her. Sam did her best to ignore the adult sitting next to her. Her plan had failed, and now Lucas was mad at her, and he had hit her, well swatted her, mostly for effect, but man was it embarrassing. What if Lucas turned into her other foster fathers? His eyes looked so scary. She shook the thought away. Then there was Mike. She was sure she'd have her scariest nightmare yet. She let out a sigh and a sniffle.
Haley cleared her throat, "Honey?" She began, "You okay?"
Sam shook her head honestly, "No." She brought her legs up to her chest and then closed her eyes, letting Haley know that she didn't want to talk.
Lucas came in, obviously still amped up. He closed his door hard. "Lucas!" Haley admonished. "Your daughter is asleep. Calm down, now."
Lucas turned around harshly, but softened a bit when he saw Sam's small figure, which was once capriciously fighting him, now peacefully asleep.
He then remembered the danger she put herself in and felt anger rise again, "I can't believe she did that, all because of Tree Hill!"
Haley shook her head, "No Lucas, you can't believe it because you can't understand it. Yes, i agree you did the right thing by scolding her, but did you really have to yell at her like that in front of everyone?"
He rubbed his face, "I don't know what you want me to say Haley."
She scoffed, "Nothing to me. You need to talk to your daughter."
He said nothing and turned on the truck leading them back home. He was finding it hard to see how what he did was wrong. His focus went into the road, meanwhile Haley noticed Sam bring her thumb to her mouth. That was new. She had never done it before. Haley softly sighed and slowly pushed Sam's thumb down and just rubbed her back. Lucas looked to the rearview mirror and saw the exchange. His heart fell. No, he couldn't let guilt overtake him. What Sam had done was wrong, and she knew it.
He dropped Haley off at her house, but not before receiving another dose of Haley's brutal honesty. He waved her off and drove home in silence only listening to Sam's evened breathing. Once there he undid her seatbelt and saw that she was still in such a deep sleep. Damn, she must've been really emotionally drained. He put his arms under hers and then picked her up ever so gently and took her to her room. Once laid down Sam curled in.
He closed the door and called Brooke..
"Hello?" Brooke answered the phone, "Lucas is something wrong?" She asked him, knowing that Lucas didn't normally call at 4pm.
"Brooke you have to talk to your daughter." Frustration evident in his voice.
Hey y'all! What do you think? Did Lucas handle this all wrong? Please review! Hope you enjoyed it!