| "Well, in case you missed it Sam, it's not like he's unavailable. Besides, you have a boyfriend." "Brooke, that is not the point," Sam argued, crossing her arms over her chest. "The point is he's my friend and I'm concerned about him." On this morning, only moments ago, Sam had waltzed into the kitchen in the middle of breakfast and demanded that Brooke explain her sudden carnal lust for Harrison. Brooke, somewhat disturbed by this turn of events, but no less sympathetic, proceeded to calmly address her step-sister in a manner befitting their current situation.. "Well, you know, Sam, he's my friend too," the blonde responded, slightly hurt. What did she think she was gonna do to him anyway? Dress him up in 70's glam rock and present him with a pricy promise ring? Yeah, hi - rerun. "Okay so - so, when did you start having feelings for him?" Sam asked, so stricken by the incredulity of the situation that she could hardly get the words out. "I don't know Sammy," Brooke lamented briefly, if only for Sam's sake. "I can't explain it. It just, it happened." But suddenly, like the horizon of the Pacific Ocean, it dawned on her.. the look on the brunette's face, the nature of her defense.. "You like him don't you?" The assumption was more of a statement than a question. "Wh - Harrison?" Sam spat out in disbelief. "You do." "Brooke, you don't know what you're talking about." "Oh my god," the blonde stated, running her hands through her hair. "This all makes sense now." Sam shifted her weight uncomfortably on the floor, desperately searching, it seemed, for some form of retaliation. "So, so, if I did have feelings for Harrison, would you still go out with him?" "Sam," Brooke admonished. "Don't do that." "What?" the brunette asked, feigning ignorance rather deceptively. Brooke, for her part however, didn't buy it. "You know what. And it's not fair." "Great, well as a matter of fact I do have feelings for Harrison. Yeah, in fact, I've liked him since grade school. I just didn't do anything about it 'cause, 'cause I didn't wanna mess up our friendship." "Really?" Brooke stated dubiously. "Yeah, yeah absolutely." "You know, either you really do like him.. or that was really low. And I hope it wasn't the latter of the two." And with that Brooke was out the door, leaving Sam to wonder what the hell she had just done. _________________________ It had been but five peaceful seconds at her locker when Sam suddenly got the feeling like she was being closed in upon. After executing a quick 180, she found herself in front of two very surprised space invaders, which, not surprisingly, were in the form of Carmen and Lily. "Whoa, looks like somebody let the bed bugs bite," said Lily, after Sam literally growled at the two unsuspecting girls. "Guys, it's too early to play 'let's scare the crap out of Sam,' okay? Sam responded, sighing. Both Lily and Carmen look at each other and then subsequently at Sam. "Uh, sorry to disappoint 'Ms. Oscar I - woke - up - on - the - wrong -side - of - the - couch,' but we were just coming over to say 'hi,'" Carm replied. "You know, in some social circles, it's actually considered customary to greet your friends first thing in the morning - or so I've heard." "What's up with you today? Lily asked, directing her question towards Sam. "You know, I'm wondering something, you guys, and maybe.. maybe you can help me out with it because I am completely clueless at this point.. why is it that the beautiful people of this world are automatically revered as this higher class of people in society? I mean, why is it that because you're tall, blonde, and have a facial structure that doesn't scare people away, you have the right to get whatever you want?" "Brooke," Carmen deduced immediately, causing Lily and Sam to look over at her. "What?" she asked. Lily sighed. "What happened Sammy?" "God it's like, now Brooke decides that she's in love with Harrison. Harrison. Of all people. And d'you know what? She'll probably get him too." "Okay, first of all.. ohmygod! Brooke's got a thing for Harrison?!" Carm exclaimed with a smirk on her face. Sam nodded unceremoniously, despite the urge to roll her eyes at Carm's statement of the obvious. "Second of all, hate to the bearer of this well-known fact Sam, but.. you're dating George Austin - the studliest, most sought-after male specimen at Kennedy. What do you care?" "I don't know, but it's like she's rubbing it in my face or something. It's like, 'Hi, I'm Brooke McQueen, I can have any guy I want, but I'm gonna pick the only guy that's at least halfway decent for you social zeroes and date him just because I can.'" "Sam, I'm sure that's not what she's trying to do," Lily reasoned. "Oh come on, I mean, don't you guys feel like you're being cheated out of the few respectable guys left here at Kennedy?" "Sam, I hate to say this but, I don't know what you're talking about. I mean, last year, yes.. you're point would have been extremely valid. But this year - look, Lily's dating Josh, I am dating one hot-amale dance teacher, and you - like hello, somebody obviously doesn't tell you this enough because otherwise you wouldn't be so insecure but, Sam.. you're so FHM cover material, it's like, sickening. I mean, I really don't see what the problem is." "I don't know, I guess the idea the idea of the two of them together just bugs me, that's all." "Why?" Lily asked, genuinely confused at Sam's 'Brooke always gets the guy' speech.' She thought they'd gotten past that already. However, before she could even consider a response to the question, the bell rang, signaling all students to report to their respective homerooms. "Look, don't worry about it Sam.. just, concentrate on your relationship with George. You guys'll be fine. I promise." "Thanks Lil," Sam let out a big, theatrical sigh. "See ya later," she added, before heading off in the direction of her class. __________________________ When she walked into homeroom, Brooke was seated right behind Sam's chair, as she normally was. 'Ahh the joys of alphabetical seating arrangements,' Sam reminded herself for about the hundredth time since sophomore year. Plopping down in front of Brooke, Sam immediately dropped her bag to the floor and buried her face into her inner elbow. Maybe the world would just leave her alone for five minutes. That wasn't too much to ask, was it? No such luck, however. Almost as soon as she had nestled her face deep into her forearm, Sam felt a tap on the back of her shoulder. "So, what.. you don't say hi to me anymore?" the blonde smirked, sitting right behind her. Sam slowly turned around, a bit shocked by Brooke's hypersensitive response. It didn't seem like such a big deal, but still.. "Sorry, I - " "I know," Brooke cut her off, with a small grin on her face. Actually the fact that Brooke had been hurt over something as little as saying 'hi' was quite endearing. But of course, she immediately dismissed it and went about listening to whatever it was that Brooke had to say. "Look, I've thought about it, and I've decided that I'm not, going to pursue a relationship with Harrison. Wether you like him or not, doesn't really matter. You don't want me to date him.. so, I'm not going to." "Wh - wh - why?" Sam replied in shock. "Well, we've both known him a really long time, but you guys go so much deeper than we do. And I figure since we don't completely despise each other anymore, it's only fair that I respect your relationships with your friends - or, otherwise." "Brooke, that's really.. wow. Thank you. That really means a lot to me." Brooke nodded, seemingly content with her decision, and then lightly punched Sam on the arm in a friendly gesture. "So, you sittin' with me at lunch today? I promise I won't let Nicole rip on your threads." "Sure," Sam smiled. "And I promise I won't make any jokes involving cilicone, or saline, or whatever." she joked, to which Brooke could not stifle a laugh. Fact is, in recent days, Sam had been spending most of her luncheon hours with George, talking and laughing, just the two of them. But if she had to admit, Brooke kinda missed having the little rabble-rouser around. Things were always so much more interesting with Sam there to stir things up. Part 2 |