Sam jumped up from sleep when she felt a thud right next to her,
"Shit!" She yelled.
Tamara looked up at her laughing, " 'Sup kid."
Sam glared at her as she rubbed the sleep from her eyes.
Tamara now had a key to their home and she took advantage of that on the weekends and sometimes she'd come in late at night weekdays, but that was reserved for particularly bad days in her home. Sometimes when things got too loud, or Tamara fought with her foster mother she would call their house phone, or text Brooke and let them know she'd be coming. Brooke and Lucas never questioned her and allowed her to come. They would offer to pick her up, but Tamara needed that time getting to the house for herself. She was a solitary creature by nature.
"Can you not wake me up with a heart attack every time? I'd like to live past 14." Sam grumbled crankily.
Tamara shrugged, "Eh. I'll entertain the idea."
Sam rolled her eyes and laid back down putting an arm around her eyes, "What's up?" She asked.
"Let's go to the mall? I kinda just wanna walk around. We can watch a movie or something afterwards."
It had been a week since Sam broke down in the hotel and all three of the ditchers were done with their punishment to their great relief. They had all been grounded for the rest of the week. But this was a special grounding where when in school they were required to be under either Haley or Lucas's supervision before and after school, and during lunch as well. Manny and Sam certainly did not appreciate having Lucas at their first glee practice, and Liz turned beet red when Haley walked into soccer practice explaining to the coach that she was "watching Lizzie for her mother."
'You're babysitting a 14 year old?" The coach asked. God, Liz could die just then.
Haley gave a short nod, "She's grounded. So, yes."
The coach didn't try and argue and let Haley do her thing.
Sam noticed her mother would make the point of coming into her room every morning and rather than wake her up she'd lay down and hold her for a minute or so before giving her a kiss and having her get up. She knew it was because Brooke was feeling guilty for spending longer than usual days at the office that week. Sam understood how important her work was and told her mother this.
"Its okay mom. I know you're busy with work. I don't mind. Promise." Sam whispered on Thursday morning as she felt Brooke lay down next to her. She turned over so they were chest to chest and she was looking into Brooke's eyes.
Her mother gave her a warm smile and kissed her forehead, "I love you peanut." She said softly.
Sam also hadn't talked to Victoria since that day, but she knew the line of communication was open. She had heard her mother say there was a fashion show coming to Charlotte and she thought about asking if she could join in and hang out with Victoria there, that way her mama would be close by, you know, just in case.
"Where's Jack? Is he coming with us?" Sam asked the girl who was picking at her nail beds.
Tamara gave her a smirk, "You guys need to just cut the tension and admit y'all are in love with each other."
Sam sat back up, "We are not in love!" She huffed.
Tamara laughed, "Yeah...sure Sam."
Sam just pushed her friend causing her to stumble off, "Hey!" Tamara climbed back up onto the bed, "Come on. We should go over to Liz's before and wait for Jack there. Manny lives closer to her anyways so we'll wait for him too."
Sam nodded, "Yeah. L'emme just tell Brooke and Lucas."
Tamara hopped off, "Alright, I'll be watching tv. Hurry up and get ready."
Sam quickly threw on some navy blue khakis her mom had recently bought her and a sweater. Her parents were doing a lot of that, buying her new clothes. Turns out Sam's set of winter clothes consisted of only two flimsy sweaters and one coat, with two pairs of pants that she wore for all seasons. The ever-observant parents were quick to change that.
She slipped on some warm socks and her worn converse then topped it off with a coat and scarf. She was now conditioned to dress as warmly as possible. If she had any chance of getting out of her house as quickly as possible it meant being dressed appropriately for the weather, else she'd more likely than not be sent back up, and if she was being difficult, she'd be dragged back up by her mom or dad, well that only happened once, but it happened in front of Peyton and it was just mortifying.
Sam padded her way to Brooke's bedroom. It was her parent's bedroom now really. Lucas's house was on the market and the potential buyers were poised to sign and pay. His things had slowly been moving to Brooke's home for a month now. Sam was happy about it all. Her parents never talked about marriage though, at least not in her presence. But she knew it was inevitable. For now, she'd just throw some not so subtle hints about their consummation.
The door was half open and Sam peeked through. Both were still asleep but she decided it was best to wake Lucas up. Sam knew her mom was tired from all those late nights. She deserved all the sleep she could get. She walked as quietly as she could to her dad's side of the bed.
She shook him, "Luke." She whispered, "Dad."
He grabbed her hand and squeezed it gently, "Hmm, champ, what's up?" He mumbled his eyes still closed.
"I'm gonna go over to Liz's. Tamara's here. I'm gonna go with her."
He sat up and checked the time. It was nine in the morning. He never understood how Sam could wake up so easily on some mornings, while other times she needed a firm, but loving pat on her bottom to get her moving.
"If you give me a hug and a kiss, then you can go."
Sam rolled her eyes but did it anyways.
"Back by curfew at the latest kid. Okay?"
She nodded, "Mhm."
"Be a good girl." He told her as he did a once over of her clothing.
Scarf. Check.
Coat. Check.
"Dad, I know." She responded annoyed. It's not like telling her to "be good" would change the outcomes of what she would do anyways. Geez.
He laid back down, "Alright have fun."
She went over to her mom's side and gave her sleeping mother a kiss on her forehead, "Bye mom." She whispered. Brooke didn't even stir. She then looked at her dad who was watching her with a smile, "Bye dad."
"Bye baby girl."
Lucas loved how affectionate Sam was. Their daughter truly was a sensitive soul. She was extremely conscientious of other's feelings and loved showing her parents her love just as much as they did to her. Of course, often, the snuggling and cuddling was something she'd prefer to keep in the comfort of their home and not out in public.
Sam began to walk out then smiled devilishly.
"What?" Lucas asked.
She began to close the door, "I'll lock the door and give you two privacy. Empty house. I'm sure you guys are gonna take advantage of that."
Lucas threw a pillow at the door, "Out!" He said with narrowed eyes though his chuckle made him less threatening. Sam turned the lock on the door and closed it. She rolled her eyes as she walked down the steps to Tamara.
But Lucas knew Sam was right. Being alone with Brooke was a rare thing. They had a kid, and that kids had friends, and for some reason Brooke's house was THE house to hang out in after school. A great part of their lives now revolved around Sam and they wouldn't have it any other way. But they did take advantage of those moments when it was just the two of them.
He stared at his sleeping love and wedged over slowly and wrapped his arms around her. He held her for ten minutes, then kissed her neck until her eyes began to flutter open, "Luke." She mumbled.
"Hi sexy." He murmured.
Brooke gave him a lazy smile, "Hi handsome."
He slowly turned her so they could face each other, "We're alone." He whispered.
"Sam?"
"Left to Liz's with Tamara. Our door is locked. We have an empty house."
Brooke's eyes opened and she slid up a bit to kiss Luke.
He loved the feel of her luscious lips on his.
"I have you all to myself." She purred.
He smiled and felt giddiness over take him. His hands moved under her nightgown and he pulled down her panties. Brooke smiled through a deep kiss at the feel of his hands moving down on her.
He let Brooke push him onto his back and he watched as she went down and slid his boxers off, her eyes glimmering with excitement.
She moved back on top of him and slid forward so she was straddling his hips. She lifted her arms and slid off her own nightgown. Luke's eyes looked her up and down. He scooted up onto the headboard and held her in place then undid the snap of her bra.
He couldn't not do it. He couldn't possibly resist. He breathed in her sweet scent and looked at her now nude body. She was his goddess.
"You're so beautiful." His voice was husky.
"Yeah? Well everything about you excites the hell out of me." Brooke said as she moved down and began to kiss his neck.
Luke panted, thirsty, so very thirsty, for more of Brooke's touch. He grabbed onto her, feeling crazy, hungry, for her.
The sensation Brooke felt at Luke's movements, the intensity, made her moan and just lust for more. The wildness rising inside her, crashing over her and obliterating any control she could have thought to possess. All she could do was feel and the feeling was wonderful.
…. …. …
Unlike the excitement brewing in her own home, Sam laid next to Tamara on Liz's bed waiting for Liz to finish getting ready.
Liz came out of her closet pulling her sweater down her stomach, "Guys, we can't just go to the movies after the mall. That's so boring!"
Tamara rolled her eyes, "Well what would you suggest we do? Anything I'm up for your mommy would probably ground you for."
She wouldn't admit that she also didn't want to see Brooke's disappointed face fall on her either. She'd rather project it onto Liz.
"Not if we don't get caught." Liz shot back.
Sam's ears perked up as she put her phone down. She was down for some fun. The past month had been an exhausting one.
Liz looked at Sam, "Sammy, come on, you know it's been a rough couple of weeks. We should do something cooler than the movies."
"Well I can get us high." Tamara said, "Which I doubt you wanna do."
Sam glared at her friend, "T. Shut up. We're not doing that."
Tamara scoffed, "Well there's some kickbacks that I know about, but Liz's precious mommy won't let her go to Southside."
Liz stuck her tongue out, "Whatever, T. and I might not be a cheerleader but I'm still invited to places. The beach bonfire is today. We can go after the mall."
Sam smiled, "That sounds cool. We can do that."
They heard the doorbell ring and Sam jumped off the bed, "It's Jack. I'll get it!"
"He's not allowed in my room!" Liz called after, "Stay downstairs with him and Manny should be here in five."
Sam nodded as she bounded down, excited to see her Jack. But Rebecca had beat her to the door. She halted her running so she wouldn't crash into the woman. "Hi Jack." Rebecca said with a smile.
"Hi Ms. Stein."
Rebecca moved out of the way so he could come in. She saw Sam right behind her and smiled at the girl. She had heard the three girls upstairs while she was getting ready for the day, but had yet to say hello to any of them.
She wrapped her up in a hug and kissed her head, "Hi sweetheart."
"Hi Rebecca. Sorry did we wake you up? I told Tamara to shut up, but she doesn't know how to whisper."
Rebecca chuckled, "You two stay down here. No boys allowed upstairs. And I was already awake kiddo. No worries."
Sam grabbed Jack's hand and headed into the living room, "Alright cool!" She told the woman as they headed out.
Rebecca watched the pair sit on the couch and caught Jack sneak a peck to her lips. She narrowed her eyes and wondered what exactly those two were. Friends? A couple?
She was brought out of her thoughts by her favorite little terror, "Morning mom!"
Rebecca turned to her daughter and caught her arm just as she was bounding past her, "No hug or kiss?"
Liz blushed as she watched Tamara smirk at her.
"Mom." She whispered the whine.
Rebecca pulled the girl in and gave her a kiss to the cheek anyway, "Come on bug, help me make breakfast. I'm feeding you kids before you head out."
Liz groaned but acquiesced to her mother's gentle order.
Rebecca watched the boy and girl from the kitchen. She felt a sense of relief when she saw Jack and Sam's visible annoyance after Tamara sat in between the both of them.
"Liz?"
"Yeah?" Liz was utterly concentrated on mixing the batter for the pancakes.
"Jack and Sam, are they a couple?"
She turned to look at her daughter. Liz just shrugged, "They like each other, but they like to pretend like they're just friends."
Rebecca blinked a bit then went back to the eggs cooking in the pan, "Oh."
She just couldn't picture Sam with a boyfriend, and knew Brooke and Lucas couldn't either. The parents knew they couldn't take Jack away from her. That boy had been with her through thick and thin, and very much someone Sam was desperate hold onto. Him and Tamara. But as they grew out of childhood and into adolescence those strong feelings were moving past friendship, and both Brooke and Lucas could tell the pair were moving into something more. But this was still their Sammy. The same girl who still slept with a blanket wrapped tightly in her hand, a worn bear under her hold, one she did not let her mother or father wash for fear of it losing the smell and warmth she'd grown to love. This was a girl who still liked to cuddle with her parents and on occasions sucked her thumb. This girl in a relationship?...with a boy?
It boggled the minds of her parent's. But then they remembered she was also the girl that suffered silently while a man grabbed at her. She was the girl who learned early on how to cook and clean for herself. She had seen more than probably all the kids she went to school with. The whole thing was just confusing.
They both silently wondered if other teenagers were in the same boat. But they wouldn't kid themselves. They knew Sam was different.
Sam had met with Mrs. Lopez that week. The therapist required all new patients to meet with her weekly for one month, and then biweekly, until finally, monthly.
That week she had talked to the parents at length about Sam never allowing herself to grieve about anything in her life. Her fears translated into her very childish need for comfort. Comfort that, for most of her life came from a bear and a blanket. Sam had never voiced her pain, and it was only recently that she had allowed it to surface. All these unresolved issues would make her a very emotional and sensitive teenager. This, of course, was already coupled with the normal growing pains of adolescence. But the parents knew this already. Lopez had simply reaffirmed it.
A weary Lucas asked the therapist if Sam would heal from her past and the woman gave him a reserved smile
"These things take time." Lopez said, "Don't deny her affection if she seeks it. She trusts you both the most. That she has made very clear. And she has already made significant strides. Let her air her vulnerabilities. It might be frustrating in the moment but be glad that it is you she's lashing out at, and not translating that out in the world. Drugs, alcohol, sex. I've seen plenty foster children turn to those outlets. She has you now. You got her just in time."
Brooke and Lucas could only blink back tears, thinking of what could've been, as the she spoke to them.
That night Lucas feeling a desperate need to protect his daughter plopped down next to her while she was watching tv and pulled her close. Sam looked at him, "What's wrong dad?" There was something off. His face looked so worried.
He gave a weak smile, "I just want to keep you safe all the time and the only way I can think of doing that is keeping you wrapped up in my arms."
She chuckled lightly and rested her head on his chest. She said nothing else, and neither did he. They didn't need to. Sam knew Lopez had talked to Brooke and Lucas. Although she didn't know what she told them, she figured it wasn't all sunshine and roses.
…. …. ...
The gang walked onto the beach after having gone to the mall and went towards where the bonfire was. Liz had found some of the girls from the soccer team and slowly migrated towards them. The others didn't mind it. Tamara and Jack were arguing about some random fact about beach sand. For as much as they hated school, Jack always picked up random facts and loved to point them out. Tamara thought he was an idiot, and wrong most of the time. They were all sitting by one of the two bonfires. Sam was laying her head on Jack's legs, which were stretched out, and Manny was lying down looking up at the clear, darkening sky.
"I'm telling you T. there are more stars in space then there is sand in the world." Jack said squishing the beachy sand beneath him.
"Bull. Shit." Tamara said, "I'm not arguing with you about this. Look at all the sand Jack! And this is just one little beach."
Sam just rolled her eyes. Those two could never agree about anything.
"I'm telling you a fact Tamara. It's not my fault you wanna stay stupid."
Tamara threw a bunch of sand at Jack, "It's in my eyes you jerk!" He screeched.
Manny sat up to the commotion, while Sam just sighed and sat up then gently bent Jack's head forward. "Let me put some water in your eyes."
He let Sam guide his movements. Her very touch soothing him.
"Keep your eyes open." She cupped her hands and poured the liquid from her water bottle into her hand and then splashed it into his eyes a couple times until he felt the irritation pass.
He looked up and Sam was still staring at him, "Better?" She struggled to say as she was mesmerized by his stare. He just nodded feeling the breath being taken from him.
"Kiss already!" Came Tamara's voice. Jack frowned and glared her down, "Screw you T."
"You're just mad because you're dumb fact is WRONG."
Manny whipped out his phone to settle this once and for all. He gasped then smirked at them, and then showed it to Tamara, "Looks like Jack's right this time Tamara. Sorry."
"Told you!" Jack yelled excitedly at the girl staring at the phone and frowning. He pointed to his head, "It's like I've got the internet in my head."
Sam laughed, "Jack, shut up!"
Liz walked back with two other girls from soccer and plopped down next to them, "Hey guys. This is Nicole and Joti."
"You're in my PE class." Joti told Sam.
Sam nodded as she sat up, "For sure. I hate that class."
Joti shurgged, "I hate all my classes."
The kids all shook their heads as if they were all in solidarity against the evils of schooling.
More people started coming towards the bonfire and it soon became a jovial experience. Tamara and Jack didn't feel rejected because of their Southside status. For a moment the lines became blurred. But that quickly came to an end with the appearance of none other than Ashley.
Sam was the first to see her and visibly stiffened.
It was true that Ashley had gone over with her mother to Lucas's house to apologize to Sam. It was pretty embarrassing for the head cheerleader to have to be dragged like some punk kid. The queen bee should not be forced to do such things! Besides she had apologized to Sam at school the Monday after the incident and Sam just mumbled out a "whatever. It's fine." All sins were erased, right?! It was ridiculous that her mother was forcing her to do this again!
But yet there she was standing in front of Coach Scott's house on Thursday, her mother holding her arm, a stern look on her face. It had practically been a week! Why was this being dragged out? Ugh.
"I don't want to do this!" Ashley whispered in a hiss as they walked up the driveway.
The mother didn't budge, "Well maybe you should've thought of that before you decided to be so rude little girl! And what's worse is I had to get a call from this girl's mother about this! Ashley, I swear to God, you're a smart girl. You know better!"
Ashley just hung her head as they got to the door. Her mother waited for her to ring the doorbell, but Ashley did not. She let out a huff and did it for her daughter. Her grip never leaving her daughter's arm.
The door opened up and Ashley's face couldn't turn a brighter shade of red, "C-coach Scott."
The coach in Lucas saw the head cheerleader, and the father in him saw the girl who hurt his kid. He folded his arms across his chest then looked at the older woman, "Ms. Harris, please come in."
He moved over so they could walk in and the pair stopped right in front of the door.
"I don't want to be too much trouble, nor waste your time. I just brought my daughter here to apologize to Samantha."
Brooke stepped out of the kitchen once she recognized the voice coming from the living room as Ashley's mother.
Ashley saw her idol, well once her idol, I guess, and looked down quickly shuffling her feet.
Ms. Harris saw Brooke and gave her a short nod and sheepish smile once Brooke went to stand next to Lucas, "I also wanted to let you know that Ashley here has been punished for her actions. I'm so sorry this happened. I feel horrible."
She gave her daughter a gentle push. Ashley felt blood rush to her face and she lifted her head up, "Sorry Coach Scott. I'm sorry Ms. Davis."
"Ashley, thank you for apologizing to us, but the person who needs to hear it is Sam."
Ashley sniffled, "I-I know."
God, she had better not start crying. She willed back the tears and took a deep breath to calm down.
"Sammy!" Lucas called. Sam was hanging out with Jack and Tamara in their basement when she heard her dad's voice. She begrudgingly made her way upstairs. She stopped in front of the basement door when she saw who was there.
Brooke held out her arm and beckoned Sam with her hand, "Sam, Ashley has something to say to you. Can you come here, please?"
Brooke really hoped Sam just did as she was told without a fight. She wouldn't blame her kid if she refused, but that just meant she'd have to get stern, and she really didn't want to scold Sam in front of Ashley or Ms. Harris.
Sam looked at her parents and then at Ms. Harris, who looked very upset, and then Ashley. The queen bee was embarrassed! She genuinely looked embarrassed, and maybe even remorseful. This was not a look Sam had seen the queen bee don and Sam couldn't lie, it gave her some pleasure to see Ashley in such a position.
She walked over to her parents and subconsciously stood slightly behind her father, holding onto the back of his shirt.
"Go on Ashley." Her mother told her, "Tell Sam what you have to tell her."
Sam looked at the other girl expectantly. The girl wasn't saying anything. Figures. Of course, she wouldn't.
Brooke sighed. But Ms. Harris wasn't giving up, "Ashley." She said more sternly.
The girl finally looked up, "Sam." She cleared her throat, "I'm uhh, I'm sorry."
Ashley actually was sorry. She didn't mind being a little mean, but she didn't realize that Sam was so sensitive about it. If she had known she wouldn't have been so harsh. She would have toned it down dramatically, or just left her alone all together.
She gave Sam an earnest look that took the smaller girl aback. She squeezed the fabric of her dad's shirt that was in her hand.
"I didn't know that you were so umm, sentimental about that stuff. I didn't mean to be so mean. I won't say that stuff anymore."
Sam nodded, "It's...it's okay, I guess. We can um, just agree to leave each other alone."
Ashley rubbed her hands together, "Okay."
When the mother and daughter left, Brooke and Lucas looked at their daughter with a smile, "You're a great kid. You know that?" Lucas spoke through his toothy smile.
Sam pecked them both on the cheek, "It must be in the genes."
…. …. ….
But although Ashley had stuck to her promise about leaving Sam alone, her anger against the small girl was rising as the weeks passed, as was her anger towards Liz.
The cheer routines had revolved around both her and Liz, and with Liz's unexpected departure they were unable to place at Regionals. A blow to the dedicated head cheerleader. And Ashley knew why. It was all because of Sam.
"Well look who decided to drop by." Ashley said waltzing closer, "Little Lizzie and the rest of her vagabond crew."
Liz who was talking with her friends stopped short of her sentence and turned towards the voice. She noticed Sam's tense face, along with Tamara's bitch face coming on.
Ashley's arm crossed and everyone around them quieted.
"Back off Ashley." Liz warned.
Ashley sat down on one of the chairs, "Why? You think you're better than me Liz? Clearly, right? Because you left cheer!"
Liz sighed, "God Ash just drop it already!"
Ashley threw a stick into the fire and only glared at Liz then looked at Sam, "Hi lose….oh, whoops. I mean...Samantha."
Sam rolled her eyes and directed herself back at the others she was talking to. They had done a good job of avoiding each other. She could will herself to ignore Ashley now too.
"What's wrong Sam?" Ashley pressed forward, "Got nothing to say to me?"
One of the boys scoffed, "Ash, shut up!"
Tamara felt herself getting angrier and angrier. If that blonde haired bimbo said one mean thing, the sight wouldn't be pretty.
Sam smirked a bit and turned back, "Ash, why don't you haul your attention seeking ass somewhere else? Clearly I have nothing to say to you because you're not worth my time. Oh and careful not to do anything stupid, your mom might drag you to my house again."
The small girl gave the head cheerleader a smug look of content. She had got her.
"OOOOHHHHHHH." Came the collective voice of the crowd.
"DAMN ASH, GOT SCHOOLED!"
Tamara and Liz's mouth both opened up in surprise but they both chuckled and gave Sam a proud look.
Manny leaned into Jack, "This is not going to end well."
Jack nodded, "Get ready man."
God, girls could be the worst sometimes.
Ashley's friends were surprised that the girl had it in her, but were fully prepared to follow through with whatever Ashley was set to do.
Ashley's eyes narrowed, "The only reason I'm not beating your ass up for that comment is because one of your poor thug friends is probably carrying a gun or a knife and I actually want to leave this party alive."
Sam was about to get up fully ready to hurl herself at Ashley, but Tamara beat her to it.
"You fucking twig of a bitch!" Tamara lunged at the girl and picked her up off the chair.
Ashley pushed Tamara off her. Sam saw Tamara fall and stood up, "Hey!" She yelled. Jack grabbed Sam's arm, "Sammy, stop!" He already knew that Sam would throw herself in any situation for Tamara, no matter how scrawny and unprepared she was. His eyes widened as he saw Liz fall right into the mix as well. Pushing and pulling the hair of the girls that were trying to grab Tamara.
Soon enough Ashley's friend tried to grab Sam, but Manny grabbed her to stop anything from happening, but the adrenaline amongst the girls was pumping and Jack and Manny were not enough to stop the madness that began to ensue.
Unfortunately, the rest of the kids took advantage of the sight and began to pull out their phones, never missing a good opportunity to record a fight.
Sam who had already pushed and pulled at plenty of other girls getting scratched up in the process, felt herself lunge at one of Ashley's friends when the girl scowled at her and told her she should "get the hell out of Tree Hill."
"Fuck you!" Sam screamed at her and threw a punch that must've landed near the girl's nose or maybe on her nose because she looked up and saw blood.
Sam must've frozen because she saw the same girls' fist hit her square in the stomach. Sam stumbled to the floor the wind completely knocked out of her.
Someone picked her up and got her out of the chaos. It was Jack. She looked at her with a stern care, "Don't move. I swear to God, Sam. Don't move."
He went back in and saw Tamara on top of Ashley. The head cheerleader had managed to rip Tamara's shirt and ruin her hair but Tamara had her now pinned to the ground after fighting off one of her cronies.
"Get the fuck off you freak!" Ashley yelled. There were tears in her eyes because the fall had really hurt.
Tamara's eyes were furious. Manny and Jack ran towards them at the same time.
Tamara's fist was raised and but Manny pulled her off before she could do anything.
"Chill Tamara!"
Ashley stood up but was caught by Jack. She held her side with tears streaming down her face.
"You leave us all the fuck alone!" Tamara seethed.
Ahsley held in her sobs, "You're the one that came at me!"
Jack let her go and walked towards her friends.
Liz gave Ashely a glare, "Maybe you'll actually stop being such a bitch now."
"Not likely." One of Ashley's friends added.
Sam walked towards them and grabbed Tamara's hand and squeezed it. The touch calmed Tamara down. Sam gave Ashley a killer stare.
Manny looked at Liz, "Let's go. We should leave."
Liz shook her head, "No. Ashley should leave."
One of the boys looked at the head cheerleader then to Liz. "Ash, yeah, man, you should go."
"No, we'll leave." Tamara seethed and marched with Sam in tow and the others behind her.
The crew had walked silently until they turned the corner and stood near the entrance of a small diner. They finally took a moment to take in what had happened as well as the state of their looks. They were all a mess. Particularly, the girls. Sam could tell there was probably a bruise where that damn girl had hit her stomach because walking was becoming a bit painful. But as Tamara's eyes met Sam's, a small smile crept onto her lips. Sam reciprocated the gesture and they both started chuckling, until it turned into outright laughing,
"You punched that girl in the nose Sam!" Tamara said laughing.
"Well she would've attacked you if I didn't."
Liz looked at the boys and then started laughing a bit nervously at the two girls passing jokes about this. But it didn't take much for the other to realize the humor in the whole situation, and soon enough all the kids joined into the fun. It seemed they all needed to diffuse the tension they were feeling and laughter was the best way to do it.
"Let's just agree that Ashley will forever hate you Sam." Liz said.
Sam nodded, "Yeah. Haters gonna hate, I guess."
"You're so dumb." Tamara said putting an arm around her friend, "You had some serious guts though. My little Sammy, all grown up!"
Sam pushed her arm off while laughing, "Whatever, T!"
"Come on." Manny said pulling them inside, "You guys need to get those scratches on your arms cleaned up and fix up your appearance unless y'all want to look a mess when you get home."
….. …. ….
The kids now sat inside the diner waiting on the food that they had ordered.
"What am I supposed to tell Brooke and Lucas?" Sam asked as she lifted her shirt a bit to reveal the purplish splotch on the left side of her stomach. Jack winced as he looked at the bruise.
"Shit Sam." He mumbled, "That looks gross put your shirt down."
She rolled her eyes, "You've seen worse."
Sam saw the waiter coming with their food and she smoothed her shirt back down but raised her arm sleeves and saw the scratches there. They had cleaned them off and only two needed more significant care, as they were a bit deeper, but nothing that required stitches. At least it was winter and she could hide those with long sleeves, and thank God for the diner first aid kit.
Liz looked visibly worried as she checked her face on the reflection of the napkin holder for any marks, "Are you sure I don't have any scratches on my face? My mom's gonna kill me if she finds out about this."
Jack snorted, "For the millionth time, no."
The waiter put their food down and gave them all a smile, "Enjoy, kids!"
When he walked off Tamara grabbed a fry and happily popped it into her mouth, "Benefit of being a foster kid. Nobody cares. Right Jack?"
Jack shrugged, "I think we can agree to that."
Manny chuckled, "Benefits of swearing an oath of nonviolence. Fighting will never get me into trouble."
"You swore an oath to nonviolence?" Sam asked turning to Manny who looked very pleased with himself.
He nodded excitedly, "Yup! Some guy on TV preaches about the stuff and I just repeated after him and now I'm totally official."
Sam let out a small laugh. He frowned when he noticed nobody else appreciated his oath.
"What? I'm serious!"
"Sorry. Sorry." Sam said trying to hold it in, "I respect that."
"Well." He said flustered, "Moving it right along. Sam your parents won't find out it's being covered up by your shirt anyways."
Sam bit her lip, "Yeah, but it hurts."
"Take Advil." Liz said,
Tamara stopped eating, "Hold up Sam. I might have something!"
She wasn't sure if she had run out of the ointment that the doctor had given her. She checked her backpack to see, and they were in luck "Here." She threw it towards Sam, "There's like a little bit left, but it should be enough. just put it on at night, it'll make it smaller and stuff."
Sam pushed it into her own backpack, "Thanks T."
They all started to enjoy their food and as quiet began to envelop them Sam looked back up, "So...should we watch a movie?"
… …. ….
Sam walked into her house at a quarter to ten and noticed that it was rather quiet. She furrowed her brows, fully expecting someone around. She rounded into the kitchen and saw Peyton.
"Peyton!" She said happily.
Peyton turned from the stove where she was boiling milk for hot chocolate, "Kiddo!"
She went over and wrapped Sam up in a hug and squeezed her. Sam yelped in pain from the bruise and doubled over when Peyton let go.
"Oh my God Sam! Are you okay?"
She put a hand on Sam's back. The girl stood up and nodded, "S-sorry. I, um...cramps."
Peyton looked at her skeptically, "Cramps?"
Sam felt herself getting nervous. She quickly changed the subject, "Yeah cramps. Sorry. Umm, w-where's my mom and dad?"
"They went to pick out a movie to watch. Nathan and Haley are coming too." Peyton kept looking her over and stepped up to her to check on her again, but Sam took a step back, "Okay cool. I'm, uh,"
She had to get out of there. She needed to rub that ointment stuff and probably take a pain pill or two.
"I'm pretty tired. I think I'm just gonna go upstairs."
Peyton frowned, "Aww kid, you don't want to watch with us?"
"I just came from a movie. It's okay."
Peyton nodded and kissed her head, "Well then stay with me at least until your parents come back."
Sam reluctantly agreed and hoped to God her parents didn't hug her when they came in.
Sam squirmed a bit on the seat. Peyton put a mug of hot chocolate in front of her. Sam took a sip and smiled.
"How's the therapy sessions bud?" Peyton asked. She clicked off the stovetop and poured her own mug then went to lean on the island where Sam was sitting.
Sam took another drink, "It's been okay. She's nice, my therapist."
"Do you think it's been helping?" Peyton asked gently.
Sam thought about the question for a moment. Lopez had finally managed to crack Sam at their third session. Sam had mentioned her writing, and then after pulling teeth Lopez got her to admit about Mike and a very basic description of "He hurt me. He hurt me. I hate him!"
Sam looked back at Peyton, "She knows how to talk to me. I'm not scared to talk to her either. And, and she's been helping me understand like what I'm feeling and stuff like that."
"I'm glad Sam."
"I'm glad too." Sam admitted.
"And school, that Ashley girl hasn't been bothering you?"
Sam almost spit out the hot chocolate at the mention of her name.
Peyton looked at her with skepticism, "Samantha?"
"What? No, nothing."
"Sam, has that girl been bothering you?" Peyton pressed more sternly.
"No!"
Peyton could tell the girl was straight lying, "Samantha do not lie to me."
"Sam got off the stool, "God, Peyton. You're not my mother."
Peyton placed her hands on her hips, "I know I'm not your mother Samantha. But obviously you are-"
"I don't have to tell you anything. Just drop it." She stomped out of the room and up the stairs into her room.
Peyton stood there stunned. She wasn't sure what had just happened, or what she was supposed to do now. She gave it a few minutes but Sam hadn't moved from upstairs. She sighed and walked up. She looked at the closed door in front of her and could hear the TV coming from inside.
She knocked lightly, "Sam?"
No answer came, but she knew that Brooke and Lucas didn't allow the door to be locked so she opened the door slowly, "Samantha?"
Sam was sitting on her bed with a frown on her face as she watched TV, "I don't want to talk about it. Just leave it alone." She murmured not looking at the woman.
Peyton sat down at the edge of the bed, "Kiddo look, you're going to have to-"
Sam's head snapped up, her eyes filled with worry, "Don't tell my parents about this. Just forget it Peyton."
Sam was pretty sure she'd get into some sort of trouble this time. I mean she had squared one of Ashley's friends in the nose. Shit, she hoped that girl's mother didn't end up finding out what happened.
She was the one that told Ashley to haul her "attention seeking ass" elsewhere which was what set the queen bee off in the first place. Ashley's words didn't really affect her like last time. In the heat of the moment, of course it had struck a nerve, but Sam wouldn't dwell on it. She felt bad that Peyton thought that she was somehow hurting in that sense.
"Sammy, your parents have a right to know."
Sam hit the bed with her hand out of frustration, "God, no they don't!" She saw the stern glare that fell over Peyton and she withered back a bit, "Peyton everything is fine. I'm fine, really."
"Then why did you freak out when I asked you about her?"
Sam huffed as she tried to quickly think of something, "I don't know. It's just, things are just weird okay. It's just weird. And she tried talking to me and I ignored her the other day and I probably told her to-"
"To what?"
"To...fuck off. Or something like that."
Sam hoped it was a believable enough story. She looked up to reach Peyton's eyes and could see she was trying to think of how to adress this.
"Please don't tell mom or dad." Sam said more quietly.
Peyton let out a deep sigh, "...I won't."
Sam felt a huge burden fall off her shoulders. Thank God. Crisis averted.
Peyton watched as Sam visibly relaxed. She wasn't sure if she was doing the right thing, but it didn't seem like too big a deal. Sam probably felt guilty for saying what she did and was nervous that Brooke or Luke would get onto her about it. At least that's what she would've felt had it been her in Sam's shoes.
"Try not to be so blunt about it next time thought. You know the whole 'fuck off' thing." Peyton said more lightly.
Sam chuckled nervously. They both heard the front door open, "Looks like your parents are here. I'm gonna go down."
Sam gave Peyton a weary look.
"Don't worry Sam. I won't say anything." She repeated, "But you know they probably wouldn't get mad about you telling her off. They probably would've done worse at your age."
Sam's eyes widened, but Peyton winked at her and quickly exited the room before Sam asked her any questions about Brooke and Lucas at her age.
She walked down and caught Brooke and Lucas kissing, "Eww get a room."
"You sound like Sam." Lucas said letting go of Brooke with one last peck.
"Well we're like two peas in a pod, then."
"Yeah, she's moody just like teenage Peyton too." Brooke added.
Peyton just scoffed at such an admission.
"Did she come home?" Brooke asked checking her watch. It was almost Sam's curfew, "I feel like I haven't seen her all week!"
"Yup. Came in about half an hour ago. She's up in her room. Just came from there."
Brooke heard the doorbell, "Can you let Haley and Nathan in?" She asked Lucas, "I'm gonna go check in with Sam for a bit."
Sam was putting the ointment inside the drawer of her nightstand when her mom came in.
"Hey Sammy."
She noticed Sam looked rather tired and turned to the TV where some form of reality show was playing in the background. She walked over to Sam's side and took a seat.
"Hey." Sam told her mother with a tired smile, "I didn't wake you up in the morning to say bye because I know you're tired from work all week."
Brooke nudged her head telling Sam to make some room for her. Sam did so and Brooke scooted and leaned onto the headboard then pulled her daughter in hugging Sam to her chest. She hadn't gotten a chance that week to just hold Sam except for that short minute or so in the morning, "I missed you this week buddy."
Sam tried not to wince as her mother held her. Luckily Brooke was gentle and didn't squeeze her.
Sam frowned as she felt a sliver of guilt creep up on her, but not enough to want to tell her what happened.
"You don't have to feel bad for working." Sam whispered, playing with Brooke's necklace, "You work more than any of my other foster moms and you still manage to pay more attention to me than they did."
Brooke sighed, "I'm not your foster mom though." She said softly, "I am your mom."
She felt Sam nod her fingers still toying with her necklace, "Yeah, but…"
Brooke looked down at her daughter, "But what?"
Sam didn't want to say it. She didn't want to make her mother mad.
"But what Sammy?"
"I'm still technically, you know, just a foster kid. You and dad haven't, umm, adopted me, so you know under law I'm just, I'm just a foster kid."
Her mom's silence made her look up towards her with some panic in her eyes, " I mean I know that shouldn't matter. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that. I know you and dad love me. Don't be mad."
Brooke cupped her cheek, "Shhh, I'm not mad. Calm down Sammy. Dad and I are under a probationary period. It lasts a year, that's why we haven't adopted you."
Sam looked at her quizzically, "W-why?"
Brooke gave a small frown, "Well we were the ones, well I was the one that gave you up. Trust isn't all that high, you know? It's not standard protocol, but the judge wanted to see if it worked first, before placing you in our hands permanently."
Sam slid from her mom and crossed her legs indian style on the bed, "Why didn't you guys tell me? I thought that-" She ducked her head, "Well I didn't know what to think. I kinda just pushed it to the back of my mind."
She felt her mother's fingers raise her chin until their eyes met, "I'm sorry Sam. We didn't mean to make you think that we weren't sure about keeping you or something. I guess it was a natural bond we formed with you that the formality of adoption wasn't on the forefront of our minds. Sweetheart if it was bothering you, you should've told us."
Sam shrugged, "It didn't really. Just sometimes."
Brooke gave Sam's knee a gentle squeeze, "I promise that the moment we're allowed, dad and I are going to put in the papers. Okay?"
"Really." Sam asked.
Brooke held out her pinky. Sam interlocked her pinky with Brooke's, "Pinky promise." Brooke said finishing off the deal with her daughter.
"So, back to more basic stuff. How was your day?" The mother asked as they let go.
Sam just knew her mom was going to ask that, so luckily she wouldn't freeze like she did with Peyton, "It was fun. We went to the mall."
"Did you buy anything?"
Sam shook her head, "I don't need anything."
Brooke wished Sam would get over her reluctance to spend on herself. "But you know you could right? Buy something, if you wanted to? That's why we give you money. It's for whatever you want."
Sam nodded, "I know mom. I just didn't need anything."
"But you didn't want anything?"
Sam sighed, "Mom." She responded with frustration.
Brooke put her hands up, "Alright, alright. I'm done interrogating you about it."
"Don't you guys have a movie to watch or something?"
"Wanna come down and see it with us?"
Sam shrugged, "Not really. We watched a movie, and I'm kinda tired."
"Alright kiddo. We'll be right downstairs okay?"
"Mhm."
"Remember Sam, regardless of what the law says, we love you more than the number of stars in the sky."
Sam chuckled as she thought of Jack and Tamara arguing about the stars and sand that day.
"What's so funny?" Brooke said smiling along with her silently chuckling daughter.
"Did you know there's more stars on the earth than sand on the beach?"
Brooke gave her a confused look but gently brought Sam's head towards her and kissed the top of it, "No I didn't, but we love you with all of that times infinity."
…. …. ….
Lucas walked into Sam's room after the movie. She was already lying in bed with the lights turned off, "Champ?" He whispered as he walked in.
"I'm awake." Though Lucas could tell she was only half awake.
He walked over and tightened the covers that were already over her, "You have fun today?"
"Yeah, sorta."
"Sorta?"
She was half asleep by now and they usually got the most out of her when she was tired and her defenses were down.
"We went to a bonfire before the movies."
"Oh?" Lucas asked a bit intrigued. As far as he knew she only went to the mall then the movies. He took a seat by Sam. "Did something happen at the bonfire?"
Sam snuggled into her covers and tightened her hold on Barry and her blanket, "Yeah, but we left, so it's okay."
Lucas looked at her daughter who was on the verge of falling asleep. He wasn't sure if he should probe this any further. Sam seemed fine while they watched the movie. She had gone down to grab a slice of pizza and then made fun of the movie they were watching before going back up. They hadn't gotten any calls from angry parents, police, principals, etc. This was probably something Sam and her friends handled on their own, right? And Lucas understood teenagers had their own levels of autonomy that parents needed to respect. So it was okay to just leave this alone?
"So you're okay now baby girl?"
She mumbled out a, 'Yeah daddy, I'm fine."
He watched her for a bit more then kissed her forehead when he was sure she was asleep, "Don't let the bedbugs bite Sammy." He whispered.
He walked towards their room and opened the door. Brooke watched his confused expression, "What's up?"
"Sam went to the beach bonfire today."
"She did?" Brooke said surprised, "She didn't tell me that."
The beach bonfire was legendary at Tree Hill High. Brooke and Lucas had certainly gone. It was lots of fun and she was kinda happy to know that Sam was doing something she had done as a highschooler as well.
Lucas could tell Broke was reminiscing a bit of their own times at the beach bonfire
"She said they left to the movies though because something happened, but that she's fine now."
Brooke's beaming smile frowned, "What? What happened?"
He took off his shirt and pulled down his pants leaving him in boxers, "I don't know. She just said that it's fine now. We should leave it. She didn't seem bothered by it."
Brooke bit her lip. What could've happened? She couldn't help her maternal mind working in overdrive.
"It's probably just teenage stuff Brooke. We shouldn't worry about it."
Brooke sighed and went over to him on the bed, "She asked me why we haven't adopted her today."
He held her close to him, "You explained it to her?"
"I did. She seemed alright about it. I thought she was going to throw a fit, but she was calm."
He chuckled, "She's adjusting. She's finally moving forward emotionally."
Brooke snuggled into him, "Seven months ago did you think your life would look like this."
"I thought it would maybe years from now, but not so soon." He said laughing softly, "Life's crazy, huh?"
… …. ….
Two days later Brooke was at her office desk on a phone call with one of the editors in New York when she heard a ding from her email. She gave it a quick glance and saw that it was from her publicist. Looking over the recipients she saw that Rebecca was also one of the recipients. The headline read, "Urgent: Sam and Elizabeth."
Brooke's heart stopped. She cut her editor off, "Hey Daniel, can I call you back or have Millie call you back?"
Daniel paused, "Um, sure yes. I'll be expecting the call today or tomorrow."
But Brooke was much too intrigued with the email in her inbox, "Yes, sure. We'll be in touch soon Daniel. Thank you."
She hung up the phone then opened the email but before she could read or look at anything Rebecca strode into the office.
"I'm going to kill our daughters."
Brooke felt her heart fall. What had her little monster done now?
Ashley deserved that! I have a feeling Brooke and Lucas will understand ;)
Hope y'all enjoyed it! Please tell me what you think in a review. I spent my Sunday night writing rather than doing homework, lol. But I knew you guys are all wonderful and didn't want to keep you waiting. Let me know of what you want to see more or less of, or whatever!