Alright guys. Sam has a flashback to Mike in this chapter. It's not rape, because I can't bring myself to write that. But it still might be a bit strong for some, sorry! This one is also long, let me know if you guys prefer shorter chapters. I don't know if it's too much to read at one time or not.
"She did WHAT?"
"Exactly." Lucas groaned.
Brooke's driver lowered the window, "M'am are you okay?" He asked. He heard the distress and wasn't sure what to do. She lowered the phone, "I'm fine Maurice, really." She took a deep breath, "Lucas please tell me you killed that man."
He put a hand to his head and massaged his forehead, feeling it pulsate, "I did my best."
Brooke couldn't believe the audacity that Sam had.
"I just, I can't believe she did that. Tree Hill or not, that was too far, and she knows it." Brooke said firmly. Oh if she could get her hands on her mischevious daughter.
Lucas sighed, "I agree, but…Brooke I may have yelled at her in front of everyone. I freaked."
Brooke held no ill feelings for Lucas, "I would've done the same Luke, don't beat yourself up. She put herself in danger."
"I don't think I've ever felt so protective in my life."
Brooke smiled. Fatherhood came so easily sometimes.
Lucas took a deep breath and decided to tell her what was really bothering him, "Brooke she was refusing to leave...I needed her to go so I could pounce on the man so I, well, I, sort of spanked her. It was just one swat, and nothing else."
That threw Brooke for a loop.
"I know we haven't talked about discipline...in that way. And I don't know how you feel about me doing that. I'm sorry Brooke."
She was quiet for a bit, and all the possible things she was going to yell passed through his mind.
She nodded silently, then spoke. "I'm not upset Lucas. It was called for. She wasn't listening to you after she clearly put herself in an extremely compromising position."
There was a silence between them, but this time it was uncomfortable. It was filled with worry. A genuine, heart wrenching concern that only a daughter or a son can cause.
"So we're on the same page?" He asked. He hated the idea of ever having to spank Sam. Anything past a couple swats sounded like doling out hell, and hoped he'd never have to resort to that, "If, umm, you know, it ever has to come to an actual...spanking. we agree that it's what's best?"
"...Yeah." She whispered, now upset that they even had to talk about this. Why were they having this conversation only almost three months in? It felt so premature. She doubted Sam would ever do anything to warrant something like that. Well, she could hope.
"Where is she?" Brooke asked trying to move the conversation forward.
"In her room. I was going to banish her there anyways, but she ended up falling asleep in the car."
"M'am we're here. Do you want me to drive around a bit more so you can finish your conversation?" Maurice asked. Lucas heard his request on the other side.
Brooke looked towards him, "It's fine Maurice. Tell them I'll be right in. Just give me a minute or two."
She went back to the phone, "Where are you?" Lucas asked.
"I went into Raleigh for the day. I'm meeting with the division manager, but look, tell Sammy I'm calling her later on tonight."
"Does she know you're not in Tree Hill?" Lucas asked. He didn't want to say something that Brooke might not want Sam to know.
"It's fine. I told her where I'd be. She's getting over the seperation anxiety, I think." Brooke said with a bit of relief in her voice. It was getting easier for Brooke and Lucas to venture out without Sam questioning them, or feeling insecure about their absence.
"I'll let her know." Lucas said.
"Great. I really have to go, but Lucas you did the right thing. Maybe you were a bit brash, but it was in the moment, and I can't say I would've been any different."
Lucas couldn't be more grateful for her reassurance, "Thank you. Will we see you later on, or tomorrow?" He asked her.
Brooke turned towards the window and saw an exasperated Millie emerge waving her hand frantically urging Brooke to come in. She rolled her eyes, "I'll be there tomorrow. I really have to go Lucas."
He understood. She was Brooke Davis, after all, "Bye Brooke."
Lucas inhaled and exhaled deeply. He let himself fall back onto the chair, "Damn." Was all he could say. Who knew being a parent could be so draining?
…. …. … …
It wasn't too much later when Lucas decided to check on Sam. He had calmed down significantly, and felt that Sam was probably worked up with it all. He knocked twice, "Sam?" He asked, but there was no answer. Thinking she was still asleep he opened the door, but was surprised to see Sam at her desk writing in thick notebook, doing what he guessed was homework.
Sam turned the chair to look at him when she heard the door open. She was doing her best to hide her nervous emotions, too bad she was like an open book.
Lucas crossed his arms around his chest, "I knocked. You didn't hear?"
Sam just shook her head. It was probably best to talk as little as possible and not screw everything up even more.
"Do you understand why I was so upset?" He was serious, and did not try and offer any compassion, that would come later.
Sam wished he would sit down or something. Having him stand over her was not making this any easier.
She gulped, "Yes sir." That's how she had to address her past foster fathers, and figured it wasn't any different with Lucas.
"Get over here!"
An eight year old Sam quickly followed the voice, and then stood up as straight as she could in front of the man. Her chin quivered.
'If you cry you're gonna get it! Now shut up! And clean this mess up."
She willed back the tears. "Okay." She squeaked.
The man bent down staring at Sam with furious eyes, "Is that how you address me?" He spoke in a low growl.
Sam shook her head, "I'm sorry...sir."
"You're such a little crybaby," He spit as Sam's tears made their way down her cheeks, "Now go!" The man shoved her harshly.
She gave him a quick nod, "Yes sir." And moved quickly to do his bidding.
"Stupid fucking girl." He heard him mutter.
Meanwhile, Lucas wasn't letting up anytime soon, "Samantha, you were trying to scheme your way out of something we've told you multiple times is not going to happen. You cannot go around thinking that you're invincible. You are not!"
Sam looked at Lucas and sat up as straight as she could, "I'm sorry sir." She spoke quickly.
"The next time you do something that stupid Sam, trust me, you don't want to know what will happen."
The memory flashed into Sam's mind, "If you cry, you're gonna get it! Now shut up!"
She bit her lip and pulled at her sleeves, "Yes sir. I'm sorry." She looked straight at him, as she was taught to do. But it was getting really hard. Could he just leave already?
Lucas finally done with his speal looked at Sam and noticed that her face wasn't just filled with nerves, but it had genuine fear. He let his arms fall from their crossed position, "Samantha," He took a step towards her, and she grabbed the chair's arms as if bracing for impact.
Another memory, "Don't you move! You stay right there!"
She closed her eyes hard. "I won't do it again, I promise sir."
And it was like Lucas had an epiphany, "Sam open your eyes for me." He said more softly. She shook her head.
She felt him take her hand and gently stand her up, "Can you open your eyes now?" He asked.
She still shook her head, "N-no."
Lucas didn't know what Sam was thinking, but he knew her past was coming back to haunt her, "Sweetheart, I'm not going to hurt you, I promise."
Sam opened one eye, and when she saw Lucas's concerned look she opened the other. He put his hands on her shoulders, "Sammy? You don't have to call me sir."
"But I'm in trouble." She said in a sincere innocence.
He nodded, "When I yell, scold, or discipline you in any way it's because I care about you. It's not because I want to impose my power over you. I would never purposely hurt you champ."
Sam was confused, "But you're the dad."
Lucas wanted nothing more but strangle the men who distorted Sam's definition of a father. "Yes, and as your dad I promise to take care of you, and that means being a little mean sometimes, and I might seem scary whenever you're bad, but it's not because I want to be, it's because the situation calls for me to be stern with you. But that will never mean that I want to hurt you and try and scare you into submission."
Sam went over to her bed and sat down still directly in front of Lucas. She put her hands on her lap and sighed, "Am I allowed to cry when I'm in trouble like this again?"
Lucas felt something catch in his throat. He was the one that was going to cry, "Sammy you can cry all you want. Brooke and me will never make you hide your feelings."
He walked over and sat next to her, "Do you understand me Sam?"
Sam frowned. She really wanted to believe him, but there was a nagging voice in her head that told her one day she'd do something that would make him and Brooke snap, just like all the others, "I guess so."
He just wanted to be able to read Sam's mind, know what was going through there. He wanted to ease her fears and insecurities.
"You really scared me today." He said after some moments of quiet.
Sam, now a bit embarrassed of her actions turned her head sheepishly, "I was really scared too. I know it was stupid." She leaned on his shoulder and looked up at him.
Lucas put an arm around her, "Are you mad at me for yelling at you and giving you that swat?"
He saw her face redden, "Embarrassed is more like it." She admitted.
"Would you have listened to me if I didn't do that?"
She gave him a small smirk, "Probably not."
He allowed himself to chuckle a bit, "I knew it."
But Sam didn't reciprocate the lightheartedness. He could only feel for the girl leaning on him. What had she been thinking? What did they do to her?
"Come on Sam, I think you've been holed up in here long enough. Let's go out to eat."
She didn't bother moving, "I really don't want to." What she really meant was she felt like she didn't deserve it...his kindness.
He caressed her face, then remembered that his gesture was exactly what Mike did. That disgusting man. He didn't want to think it, and he sincerely hoped that what he thought he did to Sam was not the case.
He did his best to hide his frown, "Why not?" He questioned.
She shrugged, "You don't have to do that for me."
Lucas stood her up, "I want to. Come on, that's an order." He said playfully.
She finally let a smile grace her face, "Okay." Not that her acquiescence changed her insecurities.
…. …. ….. …..
It had been a few hours after dinner, and around 9:00pm. Sam pushed some of the day to the back of her mind and allowed herself to relax. Besides, Lucas had said plenty even at the restaurant. Sam was sure she was well versed in stranger danger, and could recite all the reasons why what she had done was beyond stupid.
She was laying on the couch stomach down and turned her head so she could watch tv, but there was nothing good so she was lazily flipping through the channels.
The ring of Lucas's phone brought her out of her television trance.
"Luke, your phone!" She yelled.
He walked out and shook his head smiling as he passed the sprawled out Sam on the couch.
"Cute look." He quipped.
She didn't bother responding, there was no comebacks coming to mind anyways.
He came back a few minutes later, and handed her the phone as he walked past the back of the couch, "It's your mom."
Sam tensed. Damn, she had forgotten that Luke told her she was going to call.
"It's Brooke?" She said losing her concentration again.
He could see her face fill with unease, "She's not going to yell at you. She promised."
Sam sat up, "I didn't think she was." She lied, although it didn't fool Lucas.
Sam took the phone and Lucas left, giving the two their privacy.
"H-hi Brooke." Sam said unsure of how this conversation was going to go.
Brooke thought she was going to be mad when she talked to Sam, but instead Sam's voice quelled so much of her angst, hearing she was okay instantly brightened her night, "Hi troublemaker." Brooke responded.
Sam crossed her legs on the couch, "Ugh, Broooooke." She whined, not too happy with the dig her mother gave her.
Sam heard Brooke instruct someone on the other side
"Can you get me the notes for today? I want to look them over on the ride home."
"Brooke you're not on your way yet?" She asked with some concern in her voice.
Brooke took the notes and only mouthed a thank you to Millie, "No Sam, I'm getting home late tonight. But that's not why I called."
Sam sighed and picked at the couch, "I know why you called." She said feeling absolutely sorry for herself, "But still, why aren't you home yet? It's getting late." As if she was the mother and Brooke was the child.
Brooke could tell Sam was working herself up, and needed to calm her down before they could talk about anything else, "Sweetheart," She said in a firm tone, "I'll be home by midnight. I'll text you."
Sam frowned, "Brooke I'll be asleep by then! What if you get hurt? What if you get into a car accident, or someone steals you and stuff? What about if-"
"Samantha," Brooke said halting her tirade, "Nothing will happen to me. I'll call you, and if you're still awake, or if my ring wakes you, pick it up and then you'll know I'll be home. Okay?"
Sam let herself sink into the couch, but didn't answer.
"Do you trust me?" Brooke said filling the quiet. Maybe Sam's anxiety wasn't quite as gone as they thought.
"Yes." Replied a small voice.
"Then know that I'll be okay, and I'll get home to you nice and safe." Brooke soothed her.
"Fine." She huffed.
Content with the forced out one word answer Brooke decided it was time to delve into it, "So, I hear you decided to take matters into your own hands today. How'd that turn out for you?"
She wasn't going to yell or lecture, Lucas had done that plenty. But she was going to let Sam know that what she did was wrong.
"Horribly. It went horribly." Sam spit.
"And whose fault is that?" Brooke goaded.
Sam rolled her eyes, "I don't know." She sassed.
"Oh?" Brooke said in fake surprise, "Well maybe a week's grounding will give you some time to think abou-"
"Mine, it was mine. God, just stop." Sam gave in. Nope, she didn't want to be grounded, that had really sucked.
"But Brooke, I promise, if he had just talked to you guys, you would've seen that he's not even that big a deal!"
Brooke didn't believe it one bit, "Well maybe if you told us what he did, then we would be the judges of that. But Lucas and I can only assume the worst."
Sam stiffened, "Well what, what are you assuming?"
There was a silence. Both of them knew what she was thinking, but the word was too vile to say.
"He didn't do...that" She whispered.
Brooke sighed, not knowing whether to believe her or not, "Sammy I won't push you on this, okay? I promise, I won't. But if you're hurting, please tell me. Please. you might want to talk to someone else about it." She alluded to professional help.
Sam sat up, "No Brooke, I'm fine." She wasn't, but she also didn't want to talk to a shrink.
"Are you okay Sam? Did he say something to you?"
Sam let a small tear make its way down her cheek, "I'm fine. He didn't do anything."
Brooke had a hard time believing her, "Sam you really can't lie to us about this."
"I'm not. He just touched my cheek again, that's it." Technically, she wasn't lying, "Lucas embarrassed me though."
Brooke cracked a smile, "Good. Maybe that'll get you to stop."
"If you were there, what would you have done?" Sam asked suddenly curious.
Brooke knew Sam was trying to steer the conversation to something more lighthearted and she grudgingly complied, "I would've killed him. And then I would've killed you."
Sam laughed, "Well good thing you weren't there. Your business trip saved you a stint in prison."
Brooke took a deep breath, letting her body relax into the chair she was sitting in, "You really scared your dad, Sam."
Sam groaned, "Are you gonna lecture me too? He already did plenty of that."
"No, I'm not. But Sammy, it scares me that you did that."
Sam could hear the worry in her mother's voice and it killed her that she was the cause of it, "I'm sorry Brooke. Please don't be scared. I won't do it again."
Brooke didn't want to let Sam on that she was tearing up with emotion. "You have to promise me Sam, and mean it. This won't happen again, promise me."
Sam nodded, "I promise it won't happen again."
She certainly didn't want to face that man again, anyways, It was a hail Mary attempt to stay at South Side and it had failed miserably.
Brooke sniffled a bit, away from the phone, but composed herself, "Okay then. It's getting late, and I'm about to head out Sam. I'll call you okay?"
" 'Kay."
"Don't get yourself into any more trouble. Lucas might just have a heart attack."
"Ha! Okay, I'll just wait until you get home then." Sam joked.
"Oh, great. Save it all for me." Brooke added sarcastically, "Goodnight munchkin."
"Goodnight. Bye Brooke."
…. …. …. ….
Sam lay in bed early Saturday night. She had just come from South Side with her friends, so she was taking some time to wind down. Her mind went to her starting at Tree Hill on Monday.
Wow, just a few months ago she'd never think to be in this kind of predicament. Going to Tree Hill? Never. That was the land of milk and honey. How did she make it here? Sam got comfortable in bed as she started thinking. Tamara and Jack had laid with her in the park for most of the day. It was nice. But now she was alone in her room.
She remembered that time that Mike told her that he was going to move them to Tree Hill, the first time the city was on her radar. Sam remembered getting really excited that day because everyone's dream was to move to that side of town. It was also the day when Sam first encountered Mike's darker side.
"Hi Mike!" An eleven year old Sam said excitedly to the man coming into her room, "Where's Joan? I need to tell her that we're going to Tree Hill!"
Mike laughed and closed the door locking it in the process. Sam looked at him funny from the bed she was sitting on, she was never allowed, under any circumstance, to lock the door.
"What's wrong sweet baby?" He asked as he got closer to her.
Sam crossed her legs. Why was Mike acting so funny?
"Nothing." She said scrunching up her nose.
He sat down on the bed and smiled at her, placing a hand on her leg. He felt her stiffen so he massaged her leg. Sam watched as his hand made it's way up her thigh and down to her knee, squeezing her upper thigh at times.
Up and down.
Up and down.
For some reason, she was grateful for the protection of the pants she was wearing.
"M-mike what're you doing?" Sam asked confused.
He let go, "What, you don't want me touching you? Your daddy can't touch you now?"
Sam knew that voice. He was getting a little mad, and she didn't like to make him or Joan mad. They were really nice to her. "No, I'm sorry sir."
He smiled once more, "Good. Now get up off the bed for Mike, and stand in front of me."
Sam did as she was told, not knowing any better.
Mike moved her in between his legs and his eyes went from the top of her head to her socked feet. "You're a cute little thing." He said in a rough voice.
She looked down at her feet.
"Hey!" He barked. Sam's head shot up.
He grabbed her chin roughly, "Don't you look down when I'm addressing you. Got that?"
Sam nodded hurriedly. He placed some pats on her cheek, letting her know that she was in danger of a hard slap from her foster father if she didn't listen.
"Now where were we?" He showed her his teeth once again.
"Are you my sweet baby girl Sam?" He asked.
She gulped, "Y-yes."
He licked his lips and adjusted himself, "I knew it. You love me, don't you?"
Sam was confused.
"Don't you?" He spoke a bit louder. Sam didn't want to get slapped so she just said yes, "Yeah, I, I love you Mike."
"I fucking knew it." He said with a small chuckle.
She watched helplessly as the man unbuttoned her jeans and pulled them down. Sam, even at eleven years old knew this wasn't right.
"Mike what're you-"
"HUSH!" He ordered with a biting slap to her thigh, "I'm just getting you out of your jeans. Don't be such a loud mouth." He said.
"Step out." Mike ordered.
Sam did so. Her shirt only made it to the tops of her panties. She felt terribly exposed as he stared at her, as if he could see right through her clothes.
He grabbed the hem of her shirt and saw her try and step back, only pulling her closer. Mike lifted her shirt past her stomach and started to breathe heavily. He loved it.
She was still young and that's where his tortured attraction was. The girl had not yet developed hips. Sam was perfect in his eyes. She had no waist and her tummy was small and round, just like a child's.
He then looked down and turned her around. Her bottom, also like a child's, was small, chubby and firm. It made him dizzy how much he was enjoying this. He caressed her backside, making Sam's eyes go wide. He turned her back around and smoothed his hand over her stomach, then gave her belly button a small kiss. He stopped the kisses at the tops of her panties. He was a pervert, but he knew boundaries.
"Look at you in those little cotton panties with little dolls on them." He said snapping the waistband and staring straight at them. This only made Sam's tears fall even harder.
"You're such a baby, sweet girl. But it's okay. I like that."
He stared into her bright, engaging eyes, which were now pouring tears, and her lips were quivering.
"Why so sad? You just told me you loved me. Didn't ya?"
Sam nodded, "Y-yes sir."
He put a finger to her lips and started to rub it around feeling their softness.
"So supple." He groaned.
Mike then pulled her even closer, so he could kiss her tear stained cheeks. He inched his lips closer to her mouth.
"You're mine." he whispered forcefully. Sam wanted to die just then. "Pleas stop." she squeaked.
He paused and just as he was about to kiss her lips something clicked in his mind, and it was like he was a completely different person. He pushed her back, suddenly disgusted with himself, but poured his anger onto the young girl,
Sam looked at his furious eyes with fear.
"YOU BITCH!" He roared, then proceeded to grab her roughly by the upper arm.
He slapped her twice, "You little whore!"
Sam didn't know what to do, she hadn't meant to do anything, "I'm sorry Mike! I'm sorry!" She held her cheek that was stinging with pain.
Sam only started sobbing harder when he saw him undo the belt from the loops, "Nooo!" She wailed, "Please, Mike, no!" Sam was practically begging the man, not the belt again, that had happened so long ago when she was six, and now the punishment was coming again at eleven.
He grabbed her once more, "You brought this upon yourself!" He yelled. Then pushed her stomach down to the bed and started to hit her hard with the belt. Sam yelled and yelled. He let it hit her almost twelve times before he picked her back up, and pushed her towards the wall, "You disgust me." He spit. In reality he disgusted himself.
Mike hated that he lusted for Sam. But he did. He lusted for the girl's skinny little legs. Her soft lips and baby bottom. She was the picture of innocence, and he absolutely adored that.
Sam ran from him and ran until she found Joan. She clung to the woman's side, crying uncontrollably. The woman saw Mike come from the crying girl's room, then looked down and realized Sam wasn't wearing any pants. It was as if someone took the air out of her.
Mike glared at Joan, "If I come back and that girl is still crying, I ain't holdin' back." He growled then slammed the door as he left the house.
Joan did not offer the girl much comfort, but allowed Sam to hold onto her, "Sam you have to calm down now." She said.
They never did move to Tree Hill and Mike made sure to always tell Sam it was her fault.
But the man had enough self control to never go past a few kisses and massages, and although he always took off her jeans, he only started taking off Sam's shirt when she turned twelve, and that was when the beatings really started getting worse.
The situation was always the same. He would go until he forced himself to stop, then he became angry and took it out on Sam with slaps, beltings, pushes and shoves. Sam, more often than not came out sore or bruised up from these episodes. That's when Sam started to delve her emotions onto a thick notebook that she still wrote in. It was one addressed to her mother and father, her real ones.
Luckily, Sam left that house two months after she turned twelve.
Sam came back from her flashback visibly shaken. She was grasping onto her blanket for dear life, and her thumb was in her mouth. Her room no longer offered her comfort. She needed Brooke and Lucas. But she couldn't just tell them about Mike. She wanted to be held, but they wouldn't just hold her without a reason, that's just stupid and she knew it. So Sam quickly thought of watching a movie. She always leaned on one of them when they did that, and they usually held her. Perfect.
Sam quickly made her way down the stairs, "Hey Lucas!" She said.
When she made it the bottom of the stairs, she was surprised to find Haley and Nathan along with her parents. They were all holding a glass of wine, and were staring expectantly at Sam.
"Yeah Sam?" Lucas said.
Sam felt like an intruder and figured she'd just have to deal with it by herself, "Umm, nevermind. It doesn't matter anymore." Her voice was rushed.
But Lucas and Brooke knew better. It looked like she had seen a ghost, "No Sam, tell us. We were just finishing up in here, right guys?" Lucas said to his friends. They followed his lead, "Yeah Sam." Nathan said, "We were just talking."
"I just," She looked at Brooke who gave her an empathetic smile, "I just wanted to watch a movie with you guys." She directed herself towards Brooke and Lucas, "It was a stupid idea anyways, nevermind. I'm gonna go back upstairs." But her emotions betrayed her as they could see her try and hold back a sob.
"A movie sounds like a great idea." Haley said kindly, "Sam that's not stupid. Guys lets all watch a movie?" She said to her friends giving them hidden glares for them to accept.
The "yes's" were heard all around the room.
Sam looked at them and gave them a tired smile. She was doing everything not to break down into tears, and they all knew something was wrong with the flustered child in front of them.
"What movie do you want to watch?" Lucas asked.
She shrugged, "I, I don't care. Just something easy to watch."
He nodded, "We'll find something on tv."
"Hey Sam, why don't you head upstairs so you can change into some more comfortable clothes?" Brooke asked.
What she really wanted was to give Sam the chance to calm down in private, she was sure Sam didn't want to cry in front of Haley and Nathan.
Sam gave Brooke a hurried look, "No!"
They all looked at her, a little surprised.
She didn't want to be up there alone, not now, "I mean, um, Brooke can you come with me? I need you to come with me." It was practically a plea.
Brooke felt her heart fall. Her daughter looked so confused and scared, "Of course Sammy." Sam waited for Brooke to follow her and headed upstairs. Brooke turned her head and gave her friends a glance, they all shared in her confusion.
Sam turned to her mother who was closing the door.
Don't lock it!" Sam told her helplessly.
Brooke let go of the knob, "I wasn't going to." She looked at Sam with much concern, "Sam, tell me what's wrong."
Brooke sat on the bed and watched as Sam started to change into her sleeping shirt and some sweatpants, "Brooke I was just on my bed and-"
She couldn't tell her what really happened, but she needed to think of something, "And then I fell asleep, and I woke up really scared."
She started tearing up, "I, I had a stupid nightmare." She pulled up her pants and just stood there letting frustrated tears fall down, "It was just stupid! I don't know why I'm so upset, and scared, and I know you guys were talking and stuff! I'm sorry I was disrespectful!"
"Sam, sweetie come here, come here to me." Brooke cooed. Sam walked over and flopped down next to Brooke who wrapped her in a hug, "I'm sorry you had a nightmare baby."
Sam winced at the word 'baby.' She really didn't want to hear it at that moment.
"You were not being disrespectful, I promise. Don't you worry about that." She kissed her forehead, "And you're a kid Sam, my kid, you don't have to worry about what I'm doing, if you're scared or upset you come to me, no questions asked."
Sam just squeaked out an 'okay' in response.
"What was the nightmare about Sammy?" Brooke asked her daughter. Sam froze. What should she say?
"Just stupid clowns. I hate them." The clown she was thinking of was Mike.
Brooke rubbed her arm, "It's over now Sam. It's over."
Brooke gave her daughter a good, loving squeeze and kissed the top of her hair, "I'm right here Sam. Right here for you." She assured her.
Fifteen minutes later Sam's head was resting on Lucas who had a protective arm around her as they all watched Finding Nemo. She felt safe once more, and let herself fall into the plot of the movie.
Haley looked to Brooke who whispered that she had a nightmare. It was a sufficient explanation for them. Haley could see how comfortable Sam was with her parents, and it warmed her heart. She knew that if Jamie were with them he would be lying on his dad as well.
Brooke stole some glances at Sam. Poor girl probably despised clowns with all her being.
… … …. …. …. …..
The day had finally come. It was Monday and Sam's first day at Tree Hill High. The weekend was spent mostly in South Side with her friends. Brooke and Lucas didn't really bother her about it, aside from nagging her to make sure she got home by curfew.
Lucas and Brooke waited downstairs anxiously for Sam to come down. It was quite possible that they were more nervous than their daughter. I mean, it was high school, and kids can be cruel, and Sam, Sam's so young, and cute, so vulnerable, and naive...and they had to stop before they worried themselves to death.
Lucas felt something knock the wind out of him, "Oomph. Geezus Brooke, why'd you do that?" He glared at her.
"I asked you a question, and you ignored it."
He rolled his eyes, "What?"
"You made sure that Sam's in Haley's class right?"
"For the millionth time, yes." It really was like the millionth time.
She put her cup in the sink, "Just double checking."
Sam walked down and threw her bookbag onto the couch. She wore dark wash jeans, and a mauve colored crew neck sweatshirt with a loose white shirt underneath, and of course her tattered chuck taylors. She didn't bother trying to impress anyone. She was resigned to the idea of Tree Hill. She'd just have to suck it up and deal, with as much grace as a fourteen year old could.
"Morning Sam." Brooke said trying to hide all of her own motherly emotions.
"Hey." She said in a yawn as she walked to the kitchen, "What're you doing here?" She asked Brooke, "Shouldn't you be at work or something?"
It was her week with Lucas and Brooke didn't really come over in the mornings.
"Well it's your first day and I wanted to be here to see you off." She said pouring Sam a cup of half coffee, half milk, and a whole lot of sugar, just how Sam liked it.
"It's not like I'm going into kindergarten Brooke." Sam said accepting the coffee.
"I know, but still."
Lucas was finishing up his own breakfast, "We'll leave in like fifteen minutes, Sam, sound good?"
Sam looked at him from the brim of her cup, "Mhm. That's fine."
"How're you feeling? Excited? Nervous?" Lucas asked her.
"More like indifferent." She grumbled.
"Sam, trust me. You'll like it. You'll make lots of great friends and memories."
They could say all they wanted, it wouldn't change her feelings towards Tree Hill.
"I had friends. All the girls from Clydesville went to South side, and I could've made memories there too."
Lucas did his best not to look at Sam with an annoyed glare. He was tired of all the moping.
"Alright Sam, fine. Whatever you say." Brooke said promptly ending that argument.
Lucas got up to get his things. Brooke stood Sam up from the chair, and looked her over from top to bottom.
"Brooooke," She groaned, "What're you doing?"
"It's cold outside, you can't just wear that sweater. Go put on a coat." Brooke said fixing some of Sam's hair.
Sam hated wearing coats. They were so bulky.
"I don't wanna wear a coat. I won't be cold."
Brooke walked towards Luke's coat hanger and took Sam's down, then promptly handed it to her, "Put it on. I won't have you getting sick because then you'll get Lucas sick, and probably me as well."
Sam roughly took it from her hands and pulled it on, "And here I was thinking you were worried about me." She said sarcastically.
Brooke smiled, then leaned in and gave her a kiss on the forehead, "That too. I have to go Sam, but you have nothing to worry about. I hope you have a good first day."
Sam got a hold of her arm, and gave her that same look that she used to give them in the first weeks of her staying with them. That uncertainty when they left for one reason or the other.
Brooke understood and didn't need to have Sam explain away and rationalize her actions, "You call me, or find Lucas or Haley if you need anything." She put a hand on Sam's head and let it slide the length of her hair, "I'm gonna tell Millie to send all your calls straight to me, regardless of who I'm talking to, okay?"
Sam gave her a small smile, "Thank you." She whispered, then embraced Brooke, "Bye."
"Wait, Sam."
"Yeah?"
"No nightmares, right?" She hoped to God that Sam didn't hide her nightmares. She wanted to know, she wanted to be there to make her feel better.
Sam felt a bit bad that she lied to her parents, but she couldn't have them knowing, "No, not since Saturday."
Brooke smiled relieved, "Bye kiddo. I'll see you later on tonight."
… …. …. ….
Sam stared at her locker, trying to ignore the hustle and bustle around her. Lucas had just let her go after showing her where all her classes would be. He insisted on staying with her until the bell rung and walking her to her first class, Haley's English class, but Sam quickly put that idea to rest. If she were to be deemed a loser, it'd have to be on her own term's not because of her father's doing. Hell to the no.
Her thoughts were brashly put to a stop when she felt herself pushed to her locker.
Some dumb jock had crashed into her in his attempts to catch a basketball. "Whoa, sorry." He gave her one quick look, "Sorry, freshman." He said in a not so caring way then went back about his business.
"Idiot." Sam mumbled then went to opening her locker, stuffing the dumb coat in. She missed South Side already. Right now she'd probably be chatting it up with Tamara. Sigh. Sometimes life really sucked.
The bell rang and suddenly a horde of people made their way to class. Sam felt herself getting pushed around since she didn't really have the automatic walk to class down pat the way the rest of them did.
"Move it shrimp."
"Fuck, you're slow."
"Hurry up!"
Sam made a quick turn and just waited for the crowd to slow. Damn, where was her class again? She walked a few halls, but seemed to have gotten a bit confused. Not too much later the bell rang. Well, just great.
… …. …. ….
Haley scanned her classroom, with no sign of Sam. She really hoped that Sam didn't try and skip class, especially her class of all classes. I mean, come on! She was best friends with Lucas for God's sake!
Her class's increasing volume brought her back,
"Alright class, quiet down." She said easing the chatter and looking to the door just in case Sam made her way in, but still no sign,
"Guys, alright! Chill out already. Let's get started." She finally said giving in they were already three minutes into class anyways.
Haley was handing out the new books they were about to read when her door opened. The class and Haley turned towards the open door. Low, and behold there stood a small and coy Sam. The students looked at the girl whose eyes looked straight at Haley, "Sorry, Ha-, Mrs. Scott, I got lost."
Haley felt relieved, "No problem. Just wait by my desk." She instructed.
Sam's statement let them instantly know she was new, and so they started sizing her up. They looked her up and down and Sam could only blush as she made her way to Haley's desk in the corner.
The popular freshmen girls could imagine that Sam was a potential threat if she decided to care for her appearance a bit more. The tossed on jeans, loose sweater, and raggedy shoes played her beauty down and they knew it. They had to admit her eyes were striking and, unfortunately, so was her face. But they wrote her off, she'd never become a threat, she looked like she didn't care much.
Haley went over to Sam, "Sam, I thought Lucas showed you where the room was." She spoke in a whisper so the rest of the class wouldn't listen, but it was obvious they were straining to. Haley could see the red face the girl was showing so she let it go for now, "Nevermind, it's fine. Just go take a seat right over there." Sam followed Haley's finger. Her seat was in the second to last row and she was on the end. Relief. She wouldn't have to cross through everyone. She made her way, head down, and sat down.
The book in front of her was one she'd heard of, but never read.
"Great Expectations." She read to herself.
She put it down when Haley's teaching voice started up, " 'Kay guys, before we start I want to introduce you to Samantha Walker." She said pointing to Sam.
Perfect, that's exactly what Sam needed. Everyone turned to her. Some smirking, others not caring, and some of the popular girls glaring her down. Sam shrunk into the chair and gave them a half hearted smile. "Hi." She said quietly.
That was good enough for Haely, "Great! I'd advise all of you to be nice to your classmate, and help her out where necessary."
She gave a small smile to Sam, who wanted to be eaten up by the ground at that moment. Haley wasn't trying to be embarrassing, she would've done the same thing had it been any other new student, but to any fourteen year old, everything was a personal attack.
"This is one of Charles Dickens' greatest novels." Haley held up the book, "It tells the story of a young, poor boy who's trying to reach his two dreams," said Haley, "He's trying to become a gentleman and marry his crush, the beautiful Estella."
Sam let her voice trail off into the distance and opened up the book skimming it slightly. She scanned the room and could instantly see the factions and cliques. Where would she find herself? She wasn't a cheerleader, or athletic, and there were no foster kids here to get close to. She hoped to find someone soon because wandering Tree Hill's halls alone wouldn't' be easy. Everyone seemed so...privileged, then she remembered, she was privileged now to, but she didn't grow up as such. So that made it different, right?
Then she caught some kid staring at her and he quickly looked away. Sam crossed her arms and got comfortable in the chair. Might as well listen to Haley's lecture. The book seemed interesting enough.
The bell rang and everyone rushed to stand up, except for Sam. She was waiting for everyone to go before she did, but one of the girls went over to her. Haley watched the exchange from her desk.
"Hi I'm Ashley." She gave her a huge smile. Sam eyed her curiously, "Uhm Hi?"
The girl was wearing a cheerleading uniform, "I just wanted to tell you that you're pretty. A little fashion backwards, but pretty.."
Sam wasn't sure how to respond. Was that an insult, or a compliment? "Thanks, I guess."
Ashley nodded, "You actually kind of look like my idol."
Sam stood up and grabbed her bag, "Well that's cool I guess." This girl was crazy.
"Yeah, she was the most popular girl here and now she's a famous designer." Ashley said, "She's amazing, Brooke Davis."
Sam froze and almost burst out laughing at the mention of her mom's name, but didn't mention to the girl that her idol, was in fact her mother. The very woman who made her wear her stupid coat today and who forces her to eat carrots, bleh.
"Oh." Was all Sam said. She had known Brooke was popular, but the fact that she was still known must've meant that Broke left a mark. God, she hoped people never found out who her mother was.
"Well I have to go now." said Ashley in a chipper voice. Sam nodded and watched her leave.
Ashley went to her group of friends, "She won't be a problem. If she even tries to climb up the ladder we can take her down, not intimidating at all." They all smiled at her and went on their way.
Haley went over to Sam, "Do you need help getting to your next class?" She asked, not wanting her to be late again.
Sam slung her bag over her shoulder, "No, I think I got a hang of it now. Sorry about being late. I just got kinda confused."
Haley put an arm on her shoulder, "No worries. I'm glad I have you in class. You haven't read the book yet, right?"
Haley saw that Sam was holding the book in her hand. Sam looked at it, "No, but it sounds cool. I think I'll enjoy it."
Haley chuckled, "I'm glad. You might be one of the few who actually read it."
Sam smiled, "I, umm, I should go. I don't wanna be late again."
Haley then looked at her more seriously, "Careful with Ashley. She's….questionable."
Sam raised her eyebrow, and Haley could see Brooke written all over that face.
"Don't worry. I'm not planning on joining any stupid cheerleading team. I'm not planning on doing anything in this dumb school."
With that she walked away. Haley sighed, hoping the girl found someone in this dumb school, as she so pleasantly put it.
Sam went to her locker and took out her books, then looked at her schedule. "Biology 110." It read.
Sam rolled her eyebrows. "This blows." She said out loud. She absolutely hated science.
"Hi." said a voice behind her, which made her jump. She turned and recognized the kid as the one that was staring at her in Haley's class.
"What?" She said not too kindly.
"My name's Manny Perez, well Emmanuel, but people call me Manny. You were in class with me just now."
Sam gave him a smile, "Yeah I know, I saw you staring at me." She chuckled and closed her locker.
"It's just that I was new like two weeks ago, and so are you! Maybe we can be new together!"
He was WAAYYY to excited for Sam's liking. This kid looked the part of chic geek perfectly. Oh, boy. She half wondered what he would've been wearing had he been in Southside. He was wearing red corduroys, a blue button down and a red skinny tie.
He frowned, "Why aren't you saying anything? Oh no, did I scare you away? My mom says I talk too much sometimes and people don't like that. Am I talking too much now? I'm so sorry. This stuff just comes out of my mou-"
Sam put a hand up, "Dude, shut up!" She said, "Calm down." People were starting to look their way and just laugh at the pair. The two newbies. Sam saw his face fall in dejection.
He pushed up his glasses, "Sorry." He said quietly.
She sighed, "Come on. You wanna, um, walk me to my class?"
His face lit up, "Yes, sure! I'd love to accompany you my fair lady!" Seriously, this kid was way far on the weird scale, but Sam appreciated his kindness.
As they made their way to the class Manny kept on talking. Sam just half listened, at least she wasn't alone now.
"You're probably wondering why I'm all dressed up today." He spoke without giving Sam a chance to say something, "Well, I'm trying out for the soccer team today. I want to impress them by showing them that I'm serious about it, thus I've taken the liberty to show them that I've come as if it was an interview for a job. I'm so excited!"
Sam looked at him curiously, he didn't look like the soccer type.
"You play soccer?" She asked him.
He shrugged and adjusted his messenger bag, "Not really, but I want to make my dad proud. He loves the game. So I'm just gonna give it a shot!" He said enthusiastically.
Sam looked at him, trying to hide her sympathy.
"You know you're going to have to change for actual tryouts." She advised him.
He nodded, "Oh I know." He spoke seriously, "But the guys will see me around school like this, and know that I mean business."
Poor guy. He had no chance, "Oh, well...good luck." Sam said, not wanting to break his excitement.
But then, an empty room caught Sam's eye. Even if she wanted to, her body wouldn't let her not stop. She gasped in a bit of excitement.
Manny looked at her in confusion, "Sam what is it?" He stared in, trying to see what made her stop.
Her old school didn't have one, but there it was, and it looked absolutely beautiful. Sam ignored Manny's question and opened the door.
"Oh my God." She said, her smile wide.
Okay folks, I didn't plan on ending it here, but it was getting too long! But don't fret, more will come soon! I'm introducing something about Sam that we didn't know before, and her secret will come to the fore soon as well! Also, Julian and Peyton will make it back into the mix in the coming chapters, along with Jack and Tamara! Please review, they are so helpful, and wonderful!
P.S. Check out the photobucket link on my profile to see the characters' outfits!