A/N: Some people were having problems with this chapter, so I reposted it.

Y'all I know you're all anxious for Liz to get caught already! I'm letting you know it will happen next chapter, I promise! I hope you don't hate Liz. She's just confused!

Sam and Manny stood excitedly by their sign up sheet after the rally. It had a total of ten students signed up and the two kids considered that a feat! Their glee was screeched to a halt when a soccer player pushed the both of them. Many stumbled and dropped his notebook.

"Nerds! Thank God we didn't get you on the team Rodriguez!" The jock called laughing.

"It's Perez!" Manny corrected him angrily.

"Shut the hell up, at least we're not failing half our classes!" Sam called after.

Liz had been walking out with some of the cheerleaders when she saw what happened, "Mark, you idiot!" She said towards the boy. He stopped and rolled his eyes, "Come on, it was just a joke Liz." Liz cornered him towards the wall, "Back off them." She said in a harsh whisper. He narrowed his eyes, "Why do you care so much?" He then looked at her with mock realization, "Oh, right, I forgot they're your friends."

"How 'bout you just don't do it because that's what a decent human being would do."

Mark scoffed, "You hang out with Ashley. She's a bitch to everyone, so quit being hypocritical." He spit back and moved her so he could keep walking.

Liz stopped in front of Sam and Manny, "Mark's stupid guys." She told them, "Don't even listen to him." They nodded. There was always a slight hint of power and confidence in Liz when she donned her cheerleading outfit and hung around her other friends. It's not that she acted like she was ever too good for them, but when around her friends there was almost an unspoken barrier between them.

Sam gave her a friendly gaze, "Thanks." She simply said, "That was really cool of you." Manny nodded, "Yeah Liz, thanks." He looked to the other girls who seemed bored, "Lizzie are you coming with us to Pizza Planet tonight? I texted you, but you didn't answer. We're celebrating Sam's early release of house arrest. Jack and Tamara are gonna be there too."

One of the girls looked to Liz before she could say anything, "Liz we're all going to Sid's party tonight. You can't miss it."

Liz bit her lip and looked to her two misfit friends, "I, um, I'm sorry guys. Eat a slice of pizza for me."
"Well we can just go to the party with you." Manny offered. Sam held her breath. She knew that wasn't happening. They didn't run with that crowd.

"Sorry, invitation only." One of the girls said rather snarkily, "Seriously Liz can we go now?"

"Uhhmm. Yeah. Come on." She answered taking one last look at Manny and Sam giving them a weary smile, before she walked off with the girls.

Later on, the two waited in Sam's living room before they headed to meet Jack and Tamara at Pizza Planet. After the rally Lucas went to an away game with the basketball team, so he instructed Sam to wait for Brooke to come home before she went out anywhere. Sam whined in response but Lucas gave her a stern look and since he was with the varsity team when she asked she didn't try and argue not wanting his team to witness "Luke The Dad" come out.

But as much as Sam wanted to hide it, the team got a glimpse of Mr. Dad when Lucas picked her daughter up in his arms and gave her kiss after kiss all over her face. Even though Sam was pulling back, huffing 'Dad, stop!' he still managed to get a few good ones on her.

"You did so good in the rally Sammy. You gotta give me this one." He gave her a wink and one last kiss. Sam smiled, no longer caring who was there. Nobody, aside from Thrice, had ever taken so much interest in her talent, "Thank you." Sam said sincerely to Lucas. She gave her dad a kiss on the cheek, "Hope you guys win today." She whispered, her annoyed glare completely gone.

"Oh we will." He placed her feet on the floor once more.

It was now four in the afternoon and they were waiting for Brooke in the living room. They heard the lock jiggle and they both turned and faced the door from the couch. Brooke and Rebecca emerged.

"Brooke!" Sam said jumping the back of couch and stumbling a bit. "Sam!" Brooke said mimicking her excitement as she put her purse down catching Sam before her stumble turned into a fall.

Lucas shot her a text letting her know Sam was really eager to get out today. 'Be Warned.' The text read. He was definitely right. Brooke was so happy to see that Sam seemed happier. The rally's success really brightened her mood, the mother surmised. Sam gave her a quick hug, but Brooke held on to her at arms length.

"Can Manny and me go hangout with Jack and Tamara now?" Sam said quickly. She was getting cabin fever being stuck home all week, "Luke said I had to wait for you and now you're here. So can I go?"

Brooke laughed and looked to Manny who was already getting his things ready to leave, "Are you not going to grace Rebecca and me with a play by play of how the rally went?"

Sam sighed but acquiesced, "We did great! People really liked it. Ten people signed up already so that's a plus. We're gonna hold a meeting sometime next week." The mother figured that was as much of a play by play she was going to get. "Okay, well I'm proud of you Sam. Okay? Like, really proud. I need you to know that."

"I know you are." Sam responded more seriously looking directly at her mother.

…. …. …

"Well where are you guys going tonight?" Rebecca asked as Manny went to join them. They had now moved to the kitchen to Sam's chagrin since she just wanted to get out of the house, but her mother told her to humor her for a bit, which Sam reluctantly agreed to.

"Pizza Planet." Manny chirped up, "In celebration of our success and Sam's freedom."

Brooke gave a loud "HA!" Sam shot her a look, "A whole week following you around is not fun!" She defended her self.

"You know some people would kill to follow Brooke Davis around for a day. You got a whole week of it." Brooke replied very pleased with herself, while Rebecca scoffed at her friend's smugness.

"Well they could take my place next time." Sam mumbled.

Brooke just rolled her eyes at her daughter.

"Where's Liz, guys? I thought she'd be with you two." Rebecca asked, realizing her daughter didn't sneak her a kiss and a long hug when her friends were out of sight. But the women didn't miss the faces of both teenagers frown. "She's with the cheerleaders." Sam replied trying to sound nonchalant. Rebecca nodded understanding that it was a sore subject. She knew her daughter was popular. The times she had picked up Rebecca from cheer practice she was always being fawned over by some jock, or she was joking around with the girls. And she understood that high school dynamics were complicated.

"Okay. Well are you two going to that party she's headed to tonight?" She asked trying to salvage the situation.

Brooke turned to the kids, slightly excited at the prospect of Sam going. She wanted Sam to branch out so badly, but knew that Sam was her own person and would do things her way and still flourish. "No. We're not invited." Manny sighed. Sam blushed and looked down. She saw her mom look at them excited at the idea of them going, and didn't want to see if that face had changed to disappointment.

Brooke could see shame befall her daughter. She reached an arm across the island and lifted her daughter's face gently and winked at her with a reassuring smile, "So where are you two headed after Pizza Planet then?" She asked. No, she would not allow her daughter to think any less of herself over a stupid party. Sam smiled grateful that Brooke didn't care, or at the very least acted like she didn't care about her status in school.

"The park probably." Their plans suddenly sounded so lame out loud. But Sam tried to shake it off, "So can we go now?" She tried once more,
"Back by eleven." Brooke said firmly. Sam and Manny jumped off the stools. " 'Kay. Bye Brooke, bye Rebecca!" Sam said leaving quickly before any more questions came.

Once gone Rebecca turned to her friend, "There's something going on between our girls isn't there?"

Brooke sighed and ran a hand through her hair, "I think so. Sam thinks we care about her being popular and feels so insecure about it. She thinks I'll somehow love her less because of it. I think she thinks Liz is a threat in that sense." Brooke said sadly.

Rebecca took out two wine glasses and poured herself one and one for her friend, "It'll be okay. She'll see that she has nothing to worry about. And I'm sure Liz isn't rubbing it in her face or anything."
"I know she isn't. I'm glad they're friends. But something happened between them on Thursday. I don't know if it's about what I just said, or its something more."

Rebecca agreed. Her phone started to ring and saw that it was her daughter. "Speak of the devil."

"Hi Lizzie." She said.

"Hey mom."

"What's up sweetie?" Rebecca asked,

Liz hesitated a bit.

Rebecca sat up straighter on the stool, "Okay, spit it out Lizzie." Her daughter wanted something, and she just knew it.

The chatter of friends behind her quieted, and Rebecca knew she had moved somewhere so she could be alone and plead her case.

Brooke watched her friend and laughed a bit. Is this how she sounded when she was on the phone with Sam?

"Mommy?"

Rebecca smiled knowingly, "Yes baby?"

Of course. Liz's friends could never know that Rebecca was still 'mommy.' Although she was sure that even Liz's "cool" friends still used the endearing word as well. She hoped Liz never stopped using it.

"Can I stay out later than eleven today? I won't get a chance to hang out if I have to be home by eleven. I don't wanna be the first person to leave either!" She started off pretty even keeled but her ask slowly had turned into more of a plea.

Rebecca sighed, "Elizabeth we have to be up by seven tomorrow and you get cranky when you don't get enough sleep, and I don't want to deal with that."

Liz stomped her foot in frustration on the other line, "I won't be cranky." She wasn't a toddler! She didn't get cranky, well just sometimes, but whatever. Her mother was so dramatic, "I promise I won't. I just wanna stay out a little longer like 12:30. Please, Ashley's mom said she'd take me home, so you don't have to worry. I'm fifteen now, please? Just this one time."

Rebecca looked to Brooke who gave her a look of solidarity. Being a mom was hard.

Rebecca took some time to think. It was a party. She wanted her daughter to enjoy herself. She'd be taken home by a mother, and was glad that Liz had called for permission.

"You just turned fifteen." Rebecca reminded her. "Twelve thirty and no later, or you're grounded. This isn't going to change your normal curfew though." The mother spoke seriously.

"Yes! Thanks mom! Love you."

"Love you too. Have a good time, and be safe."

"I will, promise. Bye!"

Liz walked back to her group of friends, "Where'd you go?" Ashley asked.

She shrugged, "My mom needed help with something." She put her phone away and went right back to her ice cream. Her friends didn't need to know the truth.

…. …. …..

Monday had rolled around and Sam was now sitting on top of a desk with her legs crossed. She was looking over some notes for math which she also had a test in, although she wasn't worried about Haley's exam.

Haley chuckled at Sam's position, "Not a fan of chairs kid?"
"Ehh, they're alright. I prefer desktops." Sam mused not taking her eyes off the notes.

Haley just shook her head and went back to looking over the exam she'd be handing out. Sam caught her doing so and felt her chest tighten with the knowledge that Liz would be cheating, yet again, in Haley's class. She cleared her throat and tried to focus on the equations that were in front of her.

It was still early as Sam had decided to catch a ride with her dad and study in Haley's classroom.

The door to Haley's classroom opened and an older teacher walked in, "Hey Haley, here's the copies of the exam I made for the book."

Haley looked up, "Oh, thank you David." She took them and Sam saw as Haley put them in the pile of exams she'd be handing out.

Wait…what?

"Let's hope whoever took the exam learns their lesson." Haley said as she looked over the test given to her, "I'll hand out both versions and take it from there. If they're unlucky they'll get this one."

"Shit." Sam said to herself. How did Haley find out?

"What was that Sam?" Haley thought she heard her say something but wasn't sure.

"Uh nothing. Just talking to myself." Sam replied quickly.

The older teacher put a hand in his pocket, "These kids think they can get away with everything nowadays. Well I should get going. Best of luck Haley."
"See you David." Haley called.

Sam closed her notebook and swallowed the nerves. She slid off the desk. Haley didn't notice her leave, which Sam was grateful for. Quickening her pace she braved her nerves and went where most of the cheerleaders hung out.

"Liz!" Sam yelled. Liz turned to where her name was being called, "Sam? What's up?" She said walking towards her.

Sam stopped and tried to look less eccentric, "Umm just wanted to see if you were ready for the test in Aunt Haley's."
Liz rolled her eyes, "Sam can you stop? It's getting old."

Sam sighed, "Liz….Haley knows her test was stolen."
Liz felt her heart fall, "What, really? Shit, I'm so dead."

Sam bit her lip. It was a nervous tick she inherited from her mother, "Well, she has two versions of the test that she'll hand out now."

"So I get a shot?" Liz's hope gleamed in her eyes.

"Well yes." Sam muttered, "Just don't do it Liz. Why chance it? What if she catches you? Then you'll really be in trouble."

Liz sighed for what seemed like the millionth time around Sam, "Sam you don't get it. I'm dumb. I'm not smart like you, and I can't do everything! I have to choose. I wish I didn't have to cheat, seriously I do, but I'm just, I'm not good enough."

"You just don't want to try, or at least admit that you need help. I can help you! Stop hiding these things Liz." Sam almost pleaded with her friend. She didn't want Liz getting into trouble. Rebecca seemed very loving, but if she was anything like Brooke, getting in trouble was no fun.

Liz scoffed, "I wouldn't expect you to understand."
"Yeah, well why the hell not?"
"Because for most of your life it didn't matter if you failed or if you weren't perfect, or if you were an outcast or not because no one freakin' cared about you!"
Liz immediately saw the hurt flash in Sam's eyes. "Crap. Sam I didn't mean it like that." She said when the hurt written on Sam's face bubbled into watery eyes.

Sam pushed the hand that touched her. She was about to walk away but Liz grabbed onto her arm, "Sam listen to me. I'm so sorry." She pleaded, "I just meant-well that you weren't held to the expectations that I was, you know? I know you had foster parents that cared for you. I shouldn't have said that. Please believe me."

There was remorse in her words, but Sam couldn't help but still feel upset, "See you later Liz." Sam said walking away. Liz let her go, watching her best friend walk away.

Sam was back in Haley's classroom, what happened with Liz playing in her mind. It was obvious to her that Liz was so insecure about fitting in, about perfection, that it drove her to cheat. She sighed and decided to be the bigger person, whatever that meant.
She looked up at Haley, "So someone stole your exam?"

Haley looked at Sam tentatively and sighed, "Yes. It's a bit frustrating to know that someone did this."

Sam bit her lip, "I think that maybe they regret it."
"I doubt it." Haley scoffed.

"Well I think they do." Sam mumbled.

Haley put her pen down, "Well if they do, then they won't cheat and there will be nothing to worry about."
Sam rolled her eyes, "Aunt Haley it doesn't work like that. I mean they can regret it and still cheat because this is their grade on the line. Maybe they're just scared about failing."

Haley raised her eyebrow, "And what is it that you want me to do then?" She had a suspicious feeling that Sam knew who did this.

Sam shrugged, "Have you read the Bible before?" She looked up at Haley.

Haley wasn't sure where this was going. What in God's name did the Bible have to do with this? "I took a Biblical literature class once, so yes."
Sam nodded, "There's a story about this woman who was caught cheating on her husband and the super religious people brought her before Jesus. Do you know that story?"
Her words were so earnest. She crossed her legs Indian style on the top of the desk, "Do you Aunt Haley?"

Haley felt a bit baffled, "Well, um, no I don't remember it."

"Well they basically asked Jesus what they should do with the woman because the rules were that she was supposed to die by stoning. That's when they throw stones to kill you, but you probably know that."

Haley nodded in affirmation. Sam pressed on, "Anyways, so then when they told Jesus that I think what he said back to them was the coolest thing. He said that whoever hadn't sinned-"

"-Could throw the first stone." Haley said finishing Sam's thought. She remembered now.

"Yeah. Exactly." Sam then got off the desktop at the sound of the bell, "We all make mistakes Mrs. Scott." She gave her aunt a sad smile then went to sit down as more people filed in.

Sam watched nervously as Haley passed out the tests. She felt a sense of relief when she realized that Liz got the normal version of the test. Liz turned to Sam and gave her a quick thumbs up. But all hopes were dashed when Haley went up to the front of the class.

"Before you guys begin I need to talk to you all." Haley started, "Someone in this class, as this is my only freshman English class, stole the original version of this test."

The class stayed silent. Ashley, Liz, and the three others who had the test did their best not to look at one another, although their hearts were beating right out of their chest.

"At first I was going to give you all the Advanced Placement version of the test, but then I decided to give you all two versions of the test."

She then stopped to gauge their reactions. Her students all looked at her with baited breath. Then she looked at Sam, "But then I talked to a very compassionate kid," Haley turned to her whole class, "and they helped me come to my decision."

She leaned onto her desk, "Now listen closely class. I'm leaving this room for five minutes. I expect five stolen tests on my desk, then we will continue on with the exam as if nothing happened. If five tests are not on my desk then you will all get the harder version of the test. Understood?"

Some mumbled out a 'yes' while others just nodded. She walked out and hoped peer pressure worked its magic.

Ashley was the first to speak, "Shit, Ron I thought you stole one and made copies!"

Ron blushed, "Is that what I said?...My bad Ash."

Liz turned to Sam with fury in her eyes, "What the hell did you tell her!?" She hissed in a whisper, "I could've gotten away with it! I had the right test, Sam!" She had been so close. She had vowed that this was the last time she'd cheat, and Sam had to go and ruin it all.

Sam said nothing besides an angry glare that she threw at Liz. She wasn't going to apologize any longer. She was happy with Haley's decision.

Seven minutes later, Haley came in and found five stolen tests on her desk. It turns out two out of the five cheaters had received the normal test, and the other three the advanced placement test. In the end most of them were glad for Mrs. Scott's reprieve.

Silently, Haley passed out the tests once more, "You all now have 40 minutes. And for those who stole my exam, this is the only free pass you'll ever receive. The next time someone thinks of doing this again you are all failing the exam, and I'll make sure there is disciplinary action."

She gave Liz a fleeting hard look that made the girl squirm. The guilty fidgeting was all Haley needed to know that she was somehow involved.

All the students, even Sam, wrote hurriedly within the last five minutes to finish up. When the bell rang they all left their tests on the desk and made their way out silently. The tension never really eased in the classroom. Sam avoided Haley's desk not in the mood to debrief about it or anything. Just as she was walking out Liz pushed past her.

"Bitch." Sam mumbled.

"You're no different." Liz said louder.

Manny got between the two. He didn't think a fight would ensue, but he didn't want to take any chances.

"Sam, come on. Let's just go." He gave Liz a fleeting glance. He too was upset that she had cheated.

Sam nodded ignoring Liz's angry stare, "Fine. Let's go." She said clearly tiffed.

But by the time lunch rolled around Sam was in no mood to stay in school. The dirty looks Ashley gave her she could usually ignore, but the fact that Liz was now there when Ashley did it and didn't care that her friend was clearly being rude to Sam was what hurt Sam the most. She didn't blame Liz for being mad, but she at least hoped her friend would defend her.

She hurried her way to Lucas's office in hopes that she'd catch him before he went to Haley's room. She was in luck.

"Luke?" Sam made her way into her dad's office.

Lucas looked up from his playbook, "Sam what brings you here?" He said excitedly. She rarely visited him at school, and he respected that.

Sam stood by the door, "I wanna go home." She spoke sadly and it made Lucas's bright smile turn into a frown.

"Champ, come here." He called her over, "What happened?"He didn't care whether Sam wanted to or not, he gently pulled her in and sat her on his lap. Sam gladly molded herself into him and felt Lucas kiss the top of her head, "Dad let me go home, please."

Lucas looked at her sadly, "Sammy what's wrong?" She said nothing and only looked down, grabbing Lucas's hand and tracing the lines on his hand lightly with her finger. "Would it help if I told you I knew what happened in Haley's class today?" Lucas added softly after a couple minutes of just sitting there with his baby girl. Sam stopped and gave him a small glance, "I knew she'd tell you." She sighed.

"Baby, is this why you're so upset?" Lucas lifted her chin to meet her eyes with one of his fingers, "Nobody got in trouble." He spoke gently, "You're okay."

Sam got off of Lucas quickly, "It's not that. I've just had a bad day. There's only three classes left. I won't miss much!"

Lucas sighed, "I'm sorry Sam, but you can't just leave, and I know you know that." He made a split second decision, "How 'bout I take you to Ralph's after school?" Sam was about to protest but his offer intrigued her. Lucas was always busy after school, but this time he was making time for her. "But you have practice." She pointed out. He rose an eyebrow, "But you're more important. And then we can pick up some groceries for dinner. My mom'll be home by then, and you'll get to meet her."

Sam thought for a second. It didn't seem like a very bad idea. She could endure biology with Liz and Ashley if it meant getting to hang out with Lucas, "Ummm, okay then. I guess that'll work."

He smiled at his baby girl, glad that ice cream and spending time with dad was still a form of persuasion for his 14 year old.

…. …. ….

Sam now sat in Biology. Mr. Parks blandly speaking, while Ashley clicked through his powerpoint. Sam sighed bored to tears. Why did she need this in real life again? At least Liz and Ashley were ignoring her.

She attempted to listen but it was just too much. Mr. Parks never even bothered to look at his screen as he talked. Usually whoever was in charge of the powerpoint would leave it on one slide and he never even noticed. Sam put her head down on the desk and started doodling some, wishing she was at home playing piano. Suddenly she heard some slight snickering. She looked up and saw the screen. Ashley had put up a word document, with large words saying

Sam is a _.

Sam saw Liz type something in, since she sat next to Ashley in class.

Sam is a tattletale.

She just rolled her eyes at Liz. So stupid.

Ashley started writing a sentence about everyone in class. Everyone seemed to be enjoying the little prank. The class did their best to stay quiet as they didn't want to distract Mr. Parks and this was just too much fun. Sam paid no more heed. She thought it was stupid anyways. But she felt her neighbor lightly elbow her after a while. She looked up and once more her name was up there, yet again.

Sam is a

Ashley looked over at Sam, and Sam mouthed the words 'fuck off' to her. Bad idea. This was all Ashley needed to let loose.

Sam is a loser.

Sam is a

She then backspaced and put in the words foster care in for Sam.

Sam quickly looked over and saw the smile that Liz had donned for Ashley turn into a frown.

Foster care is a

Foster care is a loser.

Foster care is unloved.

With each sentence being written Sam felt herself break into smaller pieces.

Foster care is just a charity case.

She saw as Liz pushed Ashley's hands off the keyboard and quickly erased what was written, but the damage had been done. She got up, scraping the floor with the chair. All eyes went to her once she stood, including Mr. Parks.

"Ms. Walker?" He asked finally broken from his biology trance. Sam grabbed her bag and cleared her throat, "I-I have to go use the bathroom."

"Leave your bag Ms. Walker and take the pass." He spoke firmly. Park's eyes narrowed at her dangerously, "Don't you dare Ms. Walker." Realizing what she wanted to do, "Sit back down. NOW." She just shook her head, "I-I can't stay here." and hurried her way out.

Liz felt helpless, "Mr. Parks I have to use the bathroom too."

"No!" He yelled. "Nobody else! Clearly Ms. Walker has better things to do than learn." He told the class.

Liz just slunk into her chair. She truly felt like a horrible friend. She dismissed Ashley's whispered apologies, but at least Ashley had finally felt bad for what she had done.

Sam got a text from Liz. It was an apology. But Sam just tucked her phone away and sighed deeply. She already knew Lucas would be the first to find out. She knew she was in for it, but she couldn't stay there any longer, but she did know exactly what she wanted to do, and it was staring straight at her. It was the piano in her mother's home. It was her piano, who knew how long she had before someone rained down on her, but she'd relish the solitude.

Slowly she played some practice keys, letting the ring of the notes surround her. Sam breathed in, then Canon in D melted off her fingers as it glided on the keys. Her shoulders shook by the end with a sob and she allowed herself to cry as she finished off the song. Finally another song came to mind, and her fingers graced the keys once more.

Karen heard the beautiful sounds of the piano from downstairs when she opened the door. She carefully she made her way down. As she did Karen realized Sam was also singing though lightly. She got to the bottom of the stairs then stood by the half closed door.

She watched the girl, hidden away. She was beautiful and small, her eyes piercing and sad. She was her parent's spitting image, and she felt pride swell in her. This was her grandbaby. Karen frowned at the thought of her granddaughter getting in trouble.

The words Sam was singing along with the piano became clearer to Karen as her thoughts calmed,

'And I am feeling so small.

It was over my head.

I know nothing at all.

And I will stumble and fall.

I'm still learning to love.

Just starting to crawl."

Karen felt a pang in her heart as she took in the scene. She sent a quick text to her son telling him Sam was safe in the home, and that she'd stay with her.

She then garnered the courage and knocked lightly, "Samantha?"

Sam looked up startled by the intrusion. Her playing and singing had stopped suddenly. But she knew who it was, Lucas had showed her a picture of her grandmother.

Sam stumbled over her words, "I-Umm, I-I mean, you're-"

"I'm Karen." She said warmly then walked closer noticing the apprehension written on Sam's face. She watched her grandmother move towards her.

"Can I sit?" Karen asked pointing to the bench. Sam scooted over some. Karen took a seat then turned to look at Sam who was fiddling with her sleeves, pulling at them nervously.

"Your father told me you played." She laid a hand on Sam's arm, remembering when she took Brooke in, and seeing some of that girl's same vulnerability in Sam, "You play marvelously Samantha."

Sam looked at her and nodded, "Thank you Ms, umm –" What was she supposed to call her?

"Just call me Karen, or grandma if you'd like."

"You can call me Sam or Sammy, or whatever really. I don't care."

Karen nodded, "I'd like to hear you play again. If you don't mind."

Sam smiled, "I hoped you'd let me keep playing."

"Why wouldn't I?"

The smile she had fell, "Because I know Luke probably made you come and drag me back to school."
Karen chuckled a bit, "He actually wanted me to stay home with you if you were here."
Well that was a surprise, "Oh." Sam said, "Well thank you. You probably don't wanna be here. I'm sorry for ruining your plans."
Karen saw a tear make its way down Sam's face as she sniffed. She didn't know what happened at school, but could tell the girl was hurt on many levels. She gently turned Sam to face her and wiped her cheeks with her thumb, "My plans were to meet you Samantha. That's why we're having a special dinner, but I'm glad I got this alone time with you. No matter the circumstance." She spoke gently, "I wouldn't want to be anywhere else."

Sam gave her a weary smile, "You're really nice. Dad was right."
"Well I'm glad you think so. I am your grandmother after all." Karen said stifling a smile, "I'm here for you Sam. Just like your parents, I'm here for you too."

"But you barely know me." Sam said confused. How could this woman already be making such outlandish statements?

"You are my blood. You're my son's daughter. You are wonderful, and I can see so much compassion in those eyes of yours. Samantha I've loved you since the moment your father told me that you found him."

"I've never had a grandma before." Sam sniffled.
Karen's eyes gleamed with love, "Well get used to it kid. Because now you do."

Without another word Sam turned around and prepared to play. Slowly Karen realized the song. It was the music to "My Heart Will Go On." She tried to stifle the tears but she let some fall. Her granddaughter's grace on the instrument astounded her.

When Sam finished she looked up and saw Karen's watery eyes.

"Thank you." Sam said softly, "For telling me that you love me." After the vitriol Ashley wrote, it was definitely needed.

Sam threw her arms around the woman and it took a second for Karen to hug her back, but she did so.

Sam was the first to let go, a bit embarrassed that she had flung herself at the woman so easily, "I'm going upstairs now, is that okay?"

Karen nodded, "Of course Sam. Go right ahead. I'll be around if you need anything. Lucas will be coming after school." She watched the small girl go with pride and sadness all the same.

As Sam lay in bed she saw her phone light up. It was Liz. She sighed and turned the phone over. A minute or so later she received the ding of a voicemail. Curiosity got the best of her and she decided to listen to it.

Sam, I screwed up. I was mad. Ashley's a jerk. All that stuff she wrote, it's not true Sam. I'm so sorry. Please call me back. I'm going over for dinner tonight. Can we talk after?

Making a split second decision Sam snuck out from the back door of the house. Karen was in the living room and never noticed her leaving. As she walked to the bus stop Sam felt guilt wash over her. Her grandmother seemed so kind, but she didn't want to face Liz, not now. She didn't want to deal with anyone from Tree Hill. She wanted Jack and Tamara. But, feeling the burden of responsibility she texted her father, telling him she had gone to Southside, although she made sure not to check her phone after that.

… …. ….

It was 7:13 and Sam felt Jack squeeze her hand. She had gone over to his house and begged him to come back to her dad's house with her. She was planning on skipping the dinner, but thought better of it. She was crazy, but not that crazy!

Jack hadn't gone over since they were caught last time, but he'd do anything for Sam. Even if he was scared. "So are we going in?" He asked her.

"I hope they're all eating already, so Luke can't yell at me then." She mumbled.

Jack kissed her cheek, "Liz is here?"
"Yeah."

"We'll just eat quickly."
"Luke won't let you up in my room. I wish he would."

"I'll go hang out with Manny after, it's all good Sam. Let's just get through this dinner."

Sam took a deep breath and opened the door. She heard the chorus of voices in the dining room quiet down.

"I'm so dead." Sam whispered.

"Samantha, come sit down." Lucas called firmly. She walked with Jack behind. When they both came into view, she saw her dad's face darken.

Jack gulped, "Umm, good, umm evening?"

Sam took his hand and they both sat down. Liz immediately looked down at her food when Jack gave her an angry smirk.

"Samantha, I want you to eat and then go upstairs. I don't want to see you doing nothing else." Lucas's voice resounded in the now quiet dining room.
"Honey-" Karen said softly,

"No Mom." Lucas stopped her, "She left this house after already ditching school."

He glared his daughter down as he spoke. Everyone felt the frustration and anger hang in the air. Sam's head hung as Lucas scolded her. He was so mad at her. She felt Jack take her hand under the table.

"She worried you half to death, and didn't have the decency to let you know she left. Isn't that right Samantha?" Luke's eyebrow rose, and Sam thought she couldn't take his anger any longer.

She sniffled, "Y-yes sir."

Before he could say anything else, Sam stood up abruptly and put the napkin on the table, then ran out and up to her room before a sob could escape her.

Jack felt anger pulsate in his veins, his head shot up, "You have no idea what Sam's going through!" He said staring directly at Lucas, "Quit being a jerk!"

He then glared at Liz, "Some friend you are." He muttered and quickened his pace out the room and the house.

Lucas pushed his hair back and gripped the fork. Everyone seemed to be staring at him or trying to focus on their food. Lucas didn't miss the glares that his mother was sending his way. The dinner, needless to say was a flop. All included parties slowly made their way home leaving unfinished plates of food.

Once everyone left Karen turned her head towards Lucas, "Lucas, as mad as you are, that child is hurt. I saw her today. She was not okay. You know this!" She hissed at her son.

Lucas clenched his fists. He felt so overwhelmed. "Mom she can't keep doing this!" He said exasperated, "Just leaving whenever the hell she wants. I-I don't know what's wrong with her. She won't talk to me about it!" His voice cracked and he stood up not wanting his mom to see him break down. This was supposed to be a nice dinner, damn it!

Karen sighed and slowly went over to her son and sat him back down, "She's acting out because something is bothering her. Now I know that she can't get away with just leaving when she pleases, but you also have to see things from her point of view honey, and once you realize the root of it all you then make your expectations clear."

Lucas sighed deeply, "I shouldn't have yelled at her." He said sadly, "At least not in front of anyone."
"You didn't yell. You scolded, albeit, a bit harshly."

"I wish Brooke was here." He added. Brooke had left an hour earlier to Charlottesville. Her plane left at 7:00pm. She had hoped she could say bye to Sam before, and left equally frustrated as Lucas was.

Karen looked at her watch, it was already 8:00, "Go up and talk to her."

"Mom, I-"
"Now, Lucas." She spoke more firmly.

He sighed, hoping Sam wanted to talk to him after the jerk move he pulled on her.

When he opened the door to his daughter's bedroom he saw Sam huddled in, her knees to her chest on her bed. She was crying and holding tightly to her bear and her blanket covered her. He was surprised to see she had gotten herself ready for bed without even being prompted. Usually it took a couple warnings for her to scamper off unwillingly.

Sam heard her door close and she sat up carefully, "I'm sorry sir." She said glancing at her father who was walking towards the other side of her bed. She did her best to stifle any oncoming tears.

Yet again, she had messed it all up. Nothing seemed to be going her way. She was a charity case, unloved, unwanted. Ashley was right, still just some foster kid.

Lucas sat down and rested his head on the headboard and sighed deeply before tunring to his daughter.

"Why'd you do it? Why did you leave?"

"I-I'm a loser at school. I don't fit in at Tree Hill. I feel like I fit in at Southside."

Lucas sighed, "What about your club?" He asked softly, "You're doing wonderfully in school champ. You've flourished."

She just shrugged and looked away. She couldn't explain everything, nor did she have the energy to do so.

"I shouldn't have said those things to you at dinner." Lucas said after a moment of silence.

Sam sniffled, "I-I deserved it anyways." She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand.

Lucas jerked his head motioning her to come to him. She scooted towards him and he gathered her up in his arms, "No. No you did not. You may have deserved a scolding but not the way I went about it. I should've talked to you separately. I'm sorry. Do you forgive me Sam?"

"Yes sir." Sam said trying to keep calm.

Lucas rubbed her back, "If it's not Lucas, then it's dad or daddy to you, little miss. I'm not a sergeant. I hope you don't feel like I am." He told her gently.

She grabbed his hand and brought it closer to her. He kissed her head, "I don't want you running off like that." His voice muffled by her hair. He lifted his head up, "You know this, and that's why I was so mad. And you are not a loser. What made you think that?"

Sam just pushed herself into his chest, "I don't want you and mom to think I'm a loser."

"You're not baby. I promise, we don't think that at all." It killed him to see her so upset about this.

"Can I call mom?" She asked him, "I don't want her to think that I didn't want to say bye on purpose. I-" Her voice caught, "I was just…upset."

"Sweetheart she's probably really tired. How 'bout you call her tomorrow?"

Sam looked at her father distressed, "No dad! She's gonna think I don't care if I don't call now." Her tears renewed, "I just wanna say sorry and that I love her. I don't-" Ashley's words hit her once more. Fostercare is unloved. She broke into a sob.

"I don't want her to stop loving me!" Sam cried.

In an instant Luke had Sam cradled in his arms.

"Hey now, calm down." He soothed her, "Your mom won't ever stop loving you, and neither will I. What's making you think this?"

She avoided the question and let out a small hiccup.

He sighed and took out his phone, "Let's call mom now. You'll see, she still loves you very, very much."

Sam sat up from Lucas's embrace and wiped her tears and nose, then took the phone.

"Luke what's wrong? You said Sam was asleep." Brooke asked the moment she picked up .

"Mom?" Sam said preemptively.

Brooke could tell Sam had been crying.

"Sweetheart." Brooke said in a tired sigh.

"Mama I just wanted to say sorry. I didn't mean to not say bye to you. I love you, I do. Don't think that I was being mean on purpose. I'm not a horrible person, I'm really trying and-"
"Sammy, honey. Stop." Brooke said, "I don't think that at all. I know something happened at school, and even though you didn't handle it well, I don't think you did any of it to be spiteful. I know that sweetie."

Sam sniffled, "You still love me, right?"
Brooke felt so much sorrow for her daughter. Why had it felt like they had taken two steps back with her all of a sudden?

"Forever and always. More than all the stars combined, princess. You are absolutely the sweetest, and not the least bit horrible. I love you times infinity."

"I, I love you too. I'm sorry." Sam said quietly.

"I know you're sorry Sammy. But we still need to talk about it. I'll see you tomorrow night, and dad and me will talk to you about it, okay? But dad told me it was an early bedtime for you, so I want you to go to bed now."

"Okay. Night mama." She whispered.

Brooke hoped the feeling of hearing Sam call her that never left. "Night honeybunch."

Sam handed the phone back to her father.

"Told you Champ. Mom loves you no matter what."

"And so do you?"

"So do I." He said with a smile.

She looked at him with big, tender eyes, "Dad?"
He put the phone on her bedside table, "Yes?"

Sam wrung her hands together, "I know I'm still in trouble and you guys are gonna talk to me about it tomorrow, but c-can you just hold me tonight?" She finally got the courage to look straight at him, "I want you to hold me."

All the frustration that he felt almost completely melted. "Of course champ." He gently pulled her closer to him, so he could cradle her once more, then began to pat her bottom. He and Brooke noticed it was a sure fire way to get their girl to calm down.

"Am I grounded?" Sam asked gripping her dad's shirt as she was soothed.

"We'll talk about that with mom tomorrow. Right now I want you to try and go to sleep. It's bedtime for you."

Sam just nodded into him. She felt safe again, and that's what mattered.

A few minutes later Karen passed by and saw the scene. Lucas held a finger up to his lips since Sam was almost asleep. Karen nodded and watched her son cradle Sam in his arms, rocking her gently. She was sure that this scene would never leave her mind.

….. …. ….

Liz sat atop her mother's bathroom counter and leaned onto the mirror as she had always done since she was a toddler, and watched her mom remove her makeup. Rebecca would be slow with the process because she loved the quiet time she had with her daughter.

"Mom?" Liz asked sitting up.

Rebecca glanced over, "Hmm?"

Liz picked at some fuzz on her socks. "If you and dad would've stayed together, you woulnd't have kept me right? I-I'd be adopted somewhere…or in foster care?"
Rebecca put the wipe she was about to put on her face down. She looked at her daughter and could see a range of emotions. Remorse, fear, worry.

"Did your father tell you that?" It came out more gruffly than she'd like. How had her daughter known about the ultimatum her exboyfriend had made to her all those years ago?

Liz hung her head, "Yea." She muttered, "The last time I saw him." She looked up at her mom, "He said he was glad you decided not to stay with him because if not he wouldn't have gotten to meet me."

Rebecca took a deep breath. That damn bastard! He only occasionally visited Liz and when he did something always happened, but Rebecca let him because Liz was hell bent on having some sort of relationship with her father, no matter how paltry. He was a rich man and would shower her with gifts that he sent on Christmas and her birthday, but that was the extent of it all. It killed Rebecca to see how invested Liz was in having a relationship with that man. He was the reason she was a cheerleader. He mentioned it to her and she jumped at the chance of making the man proud.

"So yes?" Liz pushed forward, "If you would have stayed with him-"
Rebecca put a hand on her daughter's knee, "Maybe sweetie. But I never would've have stayed with him because I could never let you go. Never."

Liz just nodded. She was thinking about Sam. How that very well coud've been her. Ashley was such a bitch. The words up on the screen were engrained in her head, she could only imagine what Sam was feeling.

Rebecca studied her daughter. She could tell Liz was going to ask another question, and she was right.

"Do you think Aunt Brooke would've kept Sam if she could do it all over again?"

Her questions made Liz seem so small. Rebecca gave her a small smile, "I think so. I think your Aunt Brooke regretted giving Sam up since the moment it happened."
"But what makes you and her different? You didn't give me up and she gave Sam up." Liz asked. She just didn't understand why Sam had to have suffered so much.

Rebecca thought about how to answer the question, "Buggyboo I was much older than your Aunt Brooke when I had you. She was only 18 and her mother was very mean to her about it. I didn't have that kind of pressure. I was 22 and out of college, and grandma was supportive of me."

"Mommy, do you think if Aunt Brooke had a mom like you or like grandma or Karen then Sam would have stayed with her?"

Rebecca smiled at the innocence that still gleamed in her daughter's eyes from time to time, "Yes. I don't doubt it at all."

Liz gave a small frown and leaned back into the mirror. Rebecca, realizing the questions had stopped went back to her task. She knew there was something going on between Liz ad Sam, and it was plaguing her daughter. She hoped things would work themselves out before her and Brooke would have to intervene.

Once finished she took a step back then put her hands under her daughter's armpits. "Up we go bug."

Liz was perfectly capable of getting off the counter, but it was something they had done since she was a toddler, and it kind of never stopped. Rebecca would help her off and then take her to bed.

Her feet now on the floor Liz leaned into her mother as she was tired, "Can I sleep with you tonight?" She asked looking up at her.

Rebecca kissed her daughter's head, "Yes, you can sleep with mom. Let's go."
And so mother and daughter crawled into bed and Liz huddled herself close to her mother, grateful that she had known her mother since birth, but saddened that Sam had to wait fourteen years to be able to cuddle with her own mom.

Please continue to review. School starts Monday :(, so I'm hoping to right the next chapter before that. But it depends how motivated I am, lol. Let me know what you think of the situation! Or anything, really. You guys make me so happy!