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"So what's going on Nick?"
"What do you mean Sam?"
"You know what I mean! You and my mother are up to something. What is it?"
"I have no clue what you're talking about Sam. I came over early and you just weren't up yet. And I didn't want to wake you so I talked to your mom for a bit."
"Liar."
"Sam!!"
"Nick!!! Look, my birthday is only a week away......I know you're up to something. If you guys are planning a surprise party......cancel it!"
"Sam.....your folks know how much you hate surprise parties. They were going to plan one, but I told your mom not to. Besides, I was hoping you'd let me take you out on your birthday."
Sam looked at Nick for a few moments to see if he'd crack. When he didn't, she nodded.
"Okay.....what do you have in mind?"
"I don't know yet......what would you like to do?"
"I don't care."
"Okay, in that case, I'm going to take you to Fun Land and make you play on the kiddie stuff."
"No way!! I haven't been there in ages!! No way, no how!!"
Nick just laughed but didn't say another word. Pulling into a big parking lot, Nick but the truck in park and turned to Sam.
"What are we doing here?"
"You're going to drive."
"What?!"
"You're going to drive. Come on, get out and get in the drivers seat."
"Are you insane Nick! No way!"
"Why not?"
"Cuz.......I don't want to....."
"Sam! Come on, you need to learn how to drive!"
"Why?"
"Well, you're gonna be going off to college in a couple of months....you're gonna need to know then."
"No I'm not......I don't have a car.....so I see no reason to try and torture myself with attempting to learn how to drive."
"You may not have a car, but when you're at those Frat parties and the people you came with are drunk and can't drive, you're gonna have to know how to so you can get everyone home. Besides, this is part of my birthday gift to you."
"No."
"Samantha Marie Michaels.....you get in the drivers seat now!"
Sam looked at Nick with a mixture of shock and anger in her eyes.
"I've told you on numerous occasions not to call me Samantha. You know I hate it."
"I know, now come on, switch seats."
Sam got out of the truck and grumbled as she walked around to the drivers seat.
"Okay, now what?"
"Put your seatbelt on first. Then adjust your mirrors."
Sam did as he told and put her seatbelt on and then adjusted the mirrors before turning to look at him.
"Okay......first, now put your foot on the brake......good........make sure the emergency break is off..........good......okay, now put the truck into Drive...........okay.......now just take your foot off of the brake and put it on the accelorator."
Sam did as he said and then slammed on the brakes as the truck lurched forward.
"See!! I told you , I can't do this!!"
"Relax Sam.....it takes practice. You're doing fine. Okay.....now let off the brake......good.....and gently press down on the accelorator...........good.....see you're doing fine."
This continued for about ten minutes before Nick told her to stop.
"Now comes the fun park. Turning!!"
Sam just looked at him in horror, "You're kidding, right?"
"Nope!! Relax Sam......it's not that hard! Why are you freaking out so much?"
"Cuz......this is your truck!!"
"So what......you can't hurt it Sam, so just relax. Besides, there's nothing here for you to hit! Now, put your blinker on for a left turn......."
"Which way is left? Up or down?"
"Down is left and up is right."
Sam nodded, bit her lip and turned the blinker on and then looked at Nick questioningly.
"Now turn......just accelerate a little bit and turn the wheel to the left......"
Nick watched her as she did this...........she looked so serious, he almost started laughing. He continued to direct her through her first driving lesson.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"So, you wanna drive home Sam?"
"Are you insane Nick!!! Hell no!!"
Nick just started laughing, "Yea I thought so, but I thought I'd ask anyways. Come on, lets go get some lunch."
Nick and Sam switched seats and then headed off to the nearest food chain. After getting their food, they found a booth and sat down.
"So what have you been up to lately Sam?"
"What do you mean?"
"Nothing.....just what have you been up to? We haven't really talked lately....so what's going on?"
"Not much......going to school and doing homework......that's about it. Your turn."
"Sam answer kinda. All I've done is rehearse."
"Yea? How's that going?"
"Fine......we're going to start making a demo tape next week. Then we ship is out and hope for the best."
"You guys will get signed and you know it. You're all talented and 4 out of 5 of you are good looking."
"Hey!! Wait......who are you putting down?"
"You!"
"HEY!! You bite!"
Sam just smiled and they continued eating. As Sam was taking a sip of her soda, Nick started making funny faces at someone behind her. Catching Sam by surprise, she ended up laughing and spitting her soda out.
Nick just looked at her before murmering, "I guess we know you spit now...."
"Nick!!! You are disgusting!"
All he did was smile.
"So who were you making funny faces at?"
"Oh some little boy that was outside with his mom."
Sam shook her head and they finished lunch.
"Okay, now what?"
"Well......I kinda have to stop by Brian's for a little bit. You're more than welcome to come or I can take you home. What would you like?"
"Well, why do you have to stop by?"
"We need to rehearse a song for about an hour."
"I'll tag along.....no big deal......not like I had anything else planned."
"Good, lets go."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"So where is Nick, Bri?"
"He should be here in a minute Kev......he said he was taking Sam out so her mom could get some stuff for the party...."
"Oh yea....when is that?"
"Next week. And we're the entertainment. Her mom asked if we'd perform.....I hope you guys don't mind."
"No way......it should be fun. Does she know about the party?"
"NO!!!" Brian, Kevin and Howie all yelled simultaneously.
"Geez......ask a simple question and get your head bitten off....."
"Sorry AJ.......didn't mean to snap. No, Sam doesn't know about the party.....so don't you say a word! They've been trying forever to pull off a surprise party and it never works. She hates them and usually finds out. But this year, Nick is helping instead of blabbing like he used to."
"Okay, cool, so I take it we don't even mention her birthday?"
"Exactly!"
Before the conversation could go any farther, the doorbell rang. Howie, being closest, opened it up.
"Hey Nick, bout time you showed up. Oh, hey Sam."
"Hi Howie.....I take it, Nick is late?"
"Yea......but that's okay.......we were just sitting around, goofing off."
After all the hello's were exchanged, the guys got down to business while Sam sat on the couch and watched. They got so into what they were doing that they seemed to forget she was even there. Sam sat there watching them for over an hour before they finally took a break.
"Okay guys, lets take 5 and grab some grub," Kevin asid.
As they broke apart, Brian turned to Sam, "Oh sorry Sam......I guess we kinda forgot about you...."
"Gee thanks!"
"AW!! You're welcome!!! Come on, lets go raid the kitchen with the other guys."
Laughing, Sam followed after Brian. Everyone looked up when they entered the kitchen.
"Sorry Sam......I didn't think it'd take this long."
"That's okay Nick....it's kinda fun watching you guys. You're getting really good together!"
After the choruses of 'Thanks' they all resumed eating.
"So......are we done for the day or what?"
"Yea I guess......I think we've rehearsed that song to death," Kevin exclaimed.
Everyone else nodded in agreement and slowly began to pack up.
"So what's everyone doing tonight?"
"I've got a date," AJ hollared from another room.
"I'm going to veg out in front of the tv......" Kevin said with a dreamy look on his face.
"What about you Howie?"
"I'm gonna spend some time with my folks. We're all going out to dinner."
"Nick? Your turn!"
"Brian, you are so cheesy sometimes. I don't know what I'm doing tonight.....how about you?"
"Gee Nick....lets see, I'm going to sit at home............and that's about it!"
"Man Brian, you need a life!!!"
Everyone began laughing at that while Brian turned a lovely shade of crimson.
After a few more minutes of friendly bantering, they all started to head out.
"Yo Brian....why don't you come on over later. We'll have a nintendo-a-thon with Aaron."
Brian pulled Nick aside, "Aren't you going to hang out with Sam?"
"I don't know......even if she is over, you can still come. We'll goof off or something."
"Okay.....you sure? I mean, if you want to spend some time with Sam, I've got no problem vegging out tonight."
"Na, come on over. Say in about an hour or so......you can join us for dinner."
"Okay, see ya later then."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Later that day, Nick, Brian and Aaron were sitting in Nick's room have a serious competition of videogames when Sam walked in.
"Uh oh......"
"What?" Nick said, never taking his eyes off the screen.
"You can smell the video game testosterone in here.....yuck!"
"Hey, no video game, male bashing in this room," Brian cried.
Sam just laughed and found a seat on the bed. For the next hour, Sam watched them play video games and argue. Almost asleep due to boredom, Sam got up, stretched and headed towards the door.
"Where you going Sam?"
"Home."
"Why? It's still early."
"Becuase, I'm half asleep due to boredom. No offense guys....but watching you three play video games is about as exciting as watching paint dry."
"We love you too Sam," Brian responded sarcastically from the floor.
"Come on Sam......stick around. I'll stop playing and we can make fun of these two," Nick pleaded giving her the puppy dog look she hated so much.
"Oh alright!"
Sam plopped back down on the bed and Nick joined her. For yet another hour they watched and made fun of Brian and Aaron as they played. The two looked so serious, you couldn't help but laugh.
"Do I look that bad when I play?" Nick whispered in her ear.
Sam nodded and began giggling.
"Oh you think that's funny!" Nick said as he began tickling her, "Shhh....." Nick whispered when Sam started laughing.
"Well......stop.....tickling me......then......" she gasped.
Nick did as he was told. He stopped tickling her but started kissing her.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
After ten minutes of not hearing Sam or Nick, Aaron turned around to find out why they were so quiet.
"OH GROSS!!! How can you two breathe like that!!"
Brian turned to see Nick and Sam making out, although they jumped apart when Aaron yelled.
"Uh.....well AC...you just kinda.....breathe through your nose....." Nick said blushing, while Sam refused to look at the boy.
"That's still gross!!! Was your tongue in her mouth?"
"Uh.....um.......uh," was all Nick managed to sputter.
"Yes Aaron, Nick had his tongue in Sam's mouth," Brian said, laughing.
"Thanks Frick......you're a great help!"
"Why did you have your tongue in her mouth Nick?"
"Well Aaron......um.......," Nick looked to Sam for help, but she was too busy blushing to be much help, "I mean......it's......well.......I......"
"It's a part of kissing Aaron. I believe it's called French Kissing."
"Okay Bri.....now why do they do that?"
Brian tried to control his laughing, "I have no idea AC....no idea.....come on, rematch."
A few moments later, they were caught back up in the video game and Aaron forgot all about the kissing incident. Or so Nick hoped. Suddenly, Nick and Sam looked at each other shyly.
"Maybe I should be going now......I need to get some sleep......"
"Sure.....come on, I'll walk you home," Nick said standing up, "Hey, Bri, AC....I'm gonna walk Sam home, I'll be right back."
After he turned around, Brian and Aaron looked at each other and went "Oooohhhhh!!" and began giggling.
Rolling her eyes, Sam followed Nick out and down the stairs. When they reached Sam's they both just stood there......not saying a word.
"So......"
"So..............I think I need to teach Aaron the word Tact......I don't think he's gotten the meaning of that one yet........"
Both of them began laughing quietly.
"Well, thanks for the driving lesson....hope I didn't scare you too much..."
"No problem.......in fact, we've got another lesson......same time, same place tomorrow."
"What?!"
"I'm taking you out again tomorrow. So be up and ready."
"Okay......."
"Well, g'night......"
"G'night......"
Both of them just stood there looking at each other. Finally, Nick leaned forward and gently kissed Sam's forehead before turning and heading home.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
When Nick walked back into his house, he could hear Aaron and Brian in the living room. The closer he got, the slower he walked.
"It was so gross mom!! He had his tongue in her mouth!!!"
Nick could hear his parents trying to control their laughter as well as Brian.
"NICK! Is that you?!"
"Uh.....yea mom......."
"Could you come in here please!"
Nick slowly walked into the room and saw everyone sitting there. Brian and his dad were coughing to cover up their laughter. His mom, however, looked dead serious.
"Nick, what is this about you and Sam and tongues!?"
"Uh......um.......well, you see......um.......," Nick sputtered, starting to sweat. It was then he noticed that Jane had started laughing.
By now, everyone in the room was laughing hysterically.
"Well, thank you so much Aaron.....I hope you remember I will get you back for this! I'm going to bed now. GOODNIGHT!"
As Nick stomped up the stairs, embarrassed, everyone else sat in the living room and continued to laugh.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Sam watched as Nick turned and left and then headed inside herself. After a quick hello to her parents, Sam headed upstairs to take a bath and then get some sleep. She was exhausted. She wasn't in her room two minutes when her mom came in.
"Sweetie....you got mail.....sorry, I completely forgot until you had left," her mom said handing her an envelope.
It was from Florida State......one of the main colleges she had applied to. Sam looked at her mom nervously.
"Go on sweetie.....open it!"
Taking a deep breath, Sam tore open the envelope and scanned the letter. In shock, she dropped the letter to the ground.
"What?? What is it sweetie?"
"I'm in......I got accepted to Florida State......"
"Oh my God!!!"
Stephanie and Sam started jumping up and down, squeeling.
"HEY SAM!!"
Both Sam and Stephanie stopped squeeling and looked towards the window. As Sam headed over to it, Stephanie slowly made her way out of her daughters room, shutting the door behind her.
"Yea?"
"What's with the squeeling?"
"Oh sorry.....um.....I just got accepted into a college...."
"Really? What one!?"
"Florida State...."
"Whoa......that's kinda far isn't it?"
"Not really......just a couple of hours away...."
"Well, Congratulations!"
"Thanks...."
"Are you going to go there or wait to see what other school accepts you?"
"I think I'm gonna go to Florida State.....that was my first choice.....I just never thought I'd get in..."
"Oh okay........well, I'm gonna go to sleep now.....see ya tomorrow."
"Goodnight....."
Sam watched as Nick shut his window and walked away. Now she didn't know what to think. At first she was happy she got accepted.....but she thought Nick would be happy for her. He didn't seem very pleased though. In fact, he almost seemed angry at her. Sighing, Sam forgot about her bath, got into her pajama's and fell asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Nick closed his window and walked back to his bed. He couldn't believe Sam had decided to go to Florida State. He was happy for her and all, but they'd never lived next door to each other all their lives and now she was talking about going to college a few hours away. It kinda freaked him out. How would it be without Sam being right next door..........