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Brian was having a really nice dream about a beautiful girl, walking naked on the beach, when the phone rang. Being yanked back into reality, Brian reached over and picked up the phone.
"Whoever it is......you're dead," he grumbled into the phone.
"Gee, nice to talk to you too Frick."
"Nick?? Why are you calling me??"
"Damn, harsh Bri. Can't a friend call his best friend??"
"No."
"Fine....."
"Okay Nick, what's wrong?"
"Nothing..."
"Don't do that.....I'm not going to spend 10 minutes trying to pry the problem out of you. I was having a really nice dream about a lovely naked girl on the beach....which you crudely yanked me out of....so what's wrong?"
"I don't know what to do about Sam....."
"Nick.....talk to her.....she used to be your best friend......you guys need to work this out......"
"I know....but......I dunno!!"
Brian sighed, laying back against his pillows, "Do you want me to come over?"
"Would you?"
"Yea....give me an hour or so to get up and get ready."
"Thanks Bri."
"No problem.....see you in a bit."
After hanging up, Brian groaned and slowly got out of bed. Rubbing sleep out of his eyes, he blindly walked into the bathroom, stripped and took a hot shower, hoping to wake himself up a bit.
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"HEY SAM!!!"
Sam moaned and put her head under the pillow trying to block out the sounds. Only problem with that is that her mom just decided to come upstairs and wake her up.
"Sweetie, phone."
"Who is it?" Sam mumbled from underneath her pillow.
"Jane."
Sam lifted her pillow up, "What does she want?"
"I don't know.....she wants to talk to you." Stephanie said, handing Sam the phone.
Holding her hand over the moutpiece, Sam waited until her mom had left the room before turning her attention to the phone.
"Hello?"
"Good morning Sam.....I have a huge favor to ask of you....."
"What is it?"
"Well.....I was supposed to take Aaron and his girlfriend bowling today.....only Angel came down with the flu........Do you think you could take them? I know it's a lot to ask since you just got back....but Nick's not feeling too well either and I don't want to have to tell Aaron to cancel."
"Okay, sure.....that's no problem. What time?"
"Well.....I think Beth is coming over in about an hour, so in about an hour and a half they should be ready I can't thank you enough for this Sam!"
"It's no problem Mrs. Carter....besides, I don't think Jordan and I had anything planned....all we've been doing it bumming on the beach."
Jane laughed good heartedly and they said their goodbyes. Sighing, Sam gradually got out of bed and wandered downstairs. She found Jordan in the kitchen, cooking some fries.
"G'morning Jordan."
"Hey Sam...bout time you got up...."
"Oh don't start that again!! Well we have plans today....or I do.....you don't have to come if you don't want to...."
"Where?"
"Well, Jane just called.....seems she was supposed to take Aaron and his girl bowling but Angel came down sick. So she wanted to know if I'd take them.....I said yea.....hope you don't mind....."
"Oh no! I love bowling! Besides, that Aaron kid is a trip! He cracks me up!"
After that Sam watched as Jordan finished making the fries and they both sat down to pig out. Jordan had a french fry fetish. She loved them and she was great at making them. After they were all gone, both girls headed upstairs to get ready.
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"Brian?! Sheesh, the tour hasn't been over one day and you're already here!" Jane joked with him.
"Yea I know, tell me about it! I feel like I see more of this house than my own!"
"Well, come in.....Nick is upstairs in his room......but could I ask you one thing...."
"Sure, what's wrong?"
"Well....I'm afraid to ask Nick....but what happened last night between him and Sam? We didn't make it backstage after the show......"
"Oh boy....lets see....he saw her in the crowd.....was shocked. Then when they met up backstage, she wanted to talk to him privately, and Nick kinda lost it. He began to vent the anger a bit.....then she ran off.....her friend yelled at Nick and slapped him.....and then he left."
Jane let out a deep sigh, "Man....I had hoped it would turn out better than that......"
Brian didn't say anything, just stood there looking at the ground.
"Well, thanks Brian, go on and see Nick now.....I swear...not even one day....," Jane mumbled as she turned around, shaking her head and smiling.
Brian turned towards the stairs and took them two at a time. Outside of Nick's room, he put his ear to the door and heard nothing. Silently opening the door, he saw Nick on his bed with a pillow over his head. Grinning, Brian tip toed over to the bed and jumped on it, screaming at the top of his lungs. Nick jumped about a mile in the air with a look of terror on his face.
"BRIAN!! Are you trying to give me a damn heart attack!!" Nick shrieked, holding his arm across his chest.
"Why, yes I am. The tour has been over for one day and you've already got me at your place!! Now what do you want to do?"
"I dunno...."
"UGH!!! You made me come all the way over here and you don't have any plans in mind!!?"
Just then Aaron came running in the room, "B-Rok!! What are you doing here?"
"Nick asked me over doofus....why else would I be here!?"
"Oh okay.....hey Nick.....do you have a shirt I could borrow?"
"Why?"
"Cuz, me and Beth are going bowling and I want to look nice......and all my nice clothes are dirty. So....please??"
"Sure, fine.....go look through the closet and pick something out."
Brian and Nick watched as Aaron made his way to the closet and began going through it meticulously. After about 10 minutes the boy finally decided on a 'bowling' shirt replica that was light blue.
"Gee Aaron.....a bowling shirt to go bowling in.....how original....."
"Shut up Nick! I like it....."
"Okay, okay.....who's taking you guys?"
"Well mom was, but Angel's sick, so I think Sam and her friend are taking us."
Brian looked at Nick sharply, noticing the pained look in his eyes.
"Well Airboy, have fun! We'll see you later.....oh and close the door on your way out....I gotta talk to Nick for a minute," Brian said as Aaron began to leave.
As soon as the door shut, Brian turned back to Nick.
"Talk to her Nicky......it'll help."
"I dunno Bri......everytime I see her I just wanna yell!"
Brian didn't respond.....he didn't know what to say to him.
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Later on at the bowling alley, Sam noticed that Aaron seemed a little nervous. He kept getting gutter balls as he bowled and was jittery. When Elisabeth went up to bowl, Sam pulled Aaron up to the consession stand to figure out what was wrong.
"Hey AC, what's the matter?"
"Oh...nothing...."
"Come on Aaron.....you can't lie to me.....what's going on?"
"Well....today is mine and Beth's 4 month anniversary.....and I wanted it to be special.....I got her a present and all......but I wanted to do something else....I just don't know what....."
"Aww!! It's your 4 month anniversary!? That's so cute!!" Sam gushed as Aaron rolled his eyes, "So what did you get her?"
"A bracelet.....it's an ID bracelet that's engraved."
"OH! What does it say??"
"Well it has her nickname, Beth, and on the inside it says 'To the girl who holds my heart, Love Aaron' ......what do you think?"
"OH! That's so sweet AC!! Well lets see.....we can make a big production of it.....like when you present the gift to her . I dunno....serenade her!! That always made me melt."
"But what would I sing?"
"Um.....lemme think for a minute......while I'm doing that...order some food....a few orders of fries so we don't look like total dorks. I mean, I dragged you over here and if we return empty handed people are gonna wonder!"
As they moved up in line, Sam thought about what song Aaron could sing to Beth.
"Well Aaron.....how about we hit the juke box and just pick one from there that you know......you can do a little performance for her."
"Okay, thanks Sam!"
"No problem AC, that's what I'm here for. Lets take the food back, then we'll go to the jukebox after we eat."
Nodding, Aaron and Sam grabbed thier trays of food and headed back to the table by their lane.
"FOOD!!" Jordan cried, "AND IT'S FRENCH FRIES!!"
"Jordie has a fry fetish," Sam explained to Aaron and Beth, who looked thoroughly confused.
They both nodded, looking at Jordan like she was a weirdo.
"HEY!! Leave me alone....I love these things." Jordan defended, shoving a handful of fries in her mouth.
"Hey Aaron, lets go pick out a song on the jukebox," Sam hinted standing up.
Aaron nodded and followed her over to the box and they went through the titles trying to find one.
"Hey, Aaron...how about this one, 'Got My Mind Set On You'?"
Aaron looked at the box for a second before a grin formed.
"Yea I know that one.....think it'll work? It's not really romantic...."
"No, but if she listens to the lyrics it will be. Here, you go back to the lane and get ready, I'll select it when you're ready."
Aaron bounded back over to their lane and Sam saw him whisper to Beth and then watched as he took position on the lane and she sat down. Sam turned, put the money in and selected the song. Then she headed back to the lane to watch the show herself. She watched in amazement as Aaron just started strutting his stuff and dancing around the aisle as he sang.
I got my mind set on you!
I got my mind set on you!
I got my mind set on you!
I got my mind set on you!
But it's gonna take money,
A whole lot of spending money.
It's gonna take plenty of money,
To do it right, child.
It's gonna take time,
A whole lot of precious time.
It's gonna take patience and time,
To do it, to do it, to do it, to do it, to do it,
To do it right!
I got my mind set on you!
I got my mind set on you!
I got my mind set on you!
I got my mind set on you!
And this time, I know it's real,
The feelings that I feel.
I know if I put my mind to it,
I know that I really can do it.
I got my mind set on you!
I got my mind set on you!
I got my mind set on you!
I got my mind set on you!
But it's gonna take money,
A whole lot of spending money.
It's gonna take plenty of money,
To do it right, child.
It's gonna take time,
A whole lot of precious time.
It's gonna take patience and time,
To do it, to do it, to do it, to do it, to do it,
To do it right!
Aaron ended with a flourish, right in front of Beth. Leaning down, he grabbed her hand and kissed the top of it.
"Happy 4 month anniversary," he said handing her the box with her bracelet.
Beth took the box and carefully opened it. Reaching inside, she gently removed the bracelet and read it.
"Oh Aaron!! Thank you!! I love it....and the show....that was so sweet," she said giving Aaron a very long kiss.
Once all the lovey dovey parts were done, they finished their game and headed out. On the way out, Aaron pulled Sam aside.
"Thanks Sam....."
"No problem AC...glad to help."
Aaron just grinned as they headed to the car and then to drop Beth off and go home.
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Nick and Brian were sitting in the living room playing video games when the door opened. Both of them looked up.
"Come on!! You gotta see what I've done with my room......and she's never seen it, so you gotta!" Aaron cried dragging Sam into the house with Jordan following behind laughing.
Aaron continued to drag them upstairs to his room while Brian and Nick just looked at each other.
"Now's your shot bro......talk to her."
Nick just nodded and waited for them to come back down. A few minutes later they finally came trooping down the stairs. Sam and Jordan stopped once they reached the bottom, since Nick was kind of blocking their way.
"Hi Sam...." Nick said shyly.
"Hi Nick........."
"Can we talk?"
"Um.....sure....."
Nick nodded and then gestured back towards the patio. Before she could turn to go, Brian came up to her.
"Hey girl," he said smiling.
Sam couldn't respond, she felt so guilty. Looking at the floor, she could feel her eyes welling up. She didn't want to cry, but she didn't know what to do. As if sensing her inner turmoil, Brian reached out and pulled her into a hug.
"It's okay," he whispered into her ear, "It's all in the past...."
Nodding, Sam stepped out of his embrace and followed Nick out on to the patio. Taking a deep breath they turned to face each other.
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Brian, Jordan and Aaron stood in the hallway silently. After a few minutes, Aaron finally gave in.
"Okay!! I'll do the introductions since no one else apparently is. Jordan this is Brian, Brian this is Jordan. There, done! I'm gonna go upstairs!"
Brian and Jordan watched as Aaron huffed his way upstairs. Looking back at each other, they both began to laugh.
"So, you wanna sit down? They might be awhile out there."
"Yea sure...."
After sitting down, they both kinda stared off into space, neither of them knowing what to say.
"So....you're a friend of Sam's......where are you from?"
"Originally, I'm from Maryland....but we moved to Florida when I was only 10. Been here ever since."
"Cool...."
"Yea......well I guess I should apologize for last night. I know I didn't make the best impression and I'm sorry.....it was a weird day...."
"Hey, don't sweat it....it was quite funny actually. To me at least."
The both looked up at each other and began laughing. After that, there were no more akward periods, they began talking like they'd been friends all their lives.
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"Okay, first I want to say sorry for yelling last night. You surprised me by showing up....I wasn't ready to handle you yet...."
"I'm sorry....I didn't know that Jordan was taking me to see the concert....or I.....I dunno...."
"Yea, Jordan told me it was all her and my mom's idea."
Sam just sat there looking at her shoes.
"Sam, I have a lot of anger towards you. And it's not something that's just gonna go away because you said you were sorry. You ruined my life pretty much....for 2 years........and now that I'm finally getting it back, you pop up.....why?"
"Why what? Why did I leave......or why did I come back?" Sam asked quietly.
"Both."
"Okay.....I left......god this is hard. I was having a hard time Nick. I mean I graduated early and I was going off to college....and it was a big step for me. I felt like I was being shoved out into the world and I wasn't ready yet. I mean, everyone seemed so happy for me to go......and well I dunno.....Anyways, I was confused...I didn't know what I wanted anymore. And then you told me you loved me. I freaked. Plain and simple. I thought you said it because you didn't want me to leave......and instead of taking that as a good thing....that you wanted me near or something.....I took it as you trying to control my life or ruin my chance at a decent future. I don't know why that's what went through my mind, but it did. That's as close to understanding it as I've gotten." Sam whispered. Taking a deep breath, she continued, "Now as to why I came back......I'm not sure. I mean I missed my home and my folks. I honestly thought you wouldn't be here. I'd heard about your success and all so I thought you'd be gone by now.....but I dunno.....maybe subconsciously I wanted to come home and see you so I could move on. I don't know Nick......I wish I could tell you something else......something that made sense maybe.....but I just don't know......I know I hurt you.....and you don't know how sorry I am for that......I know you'll never believe me when I say I didn't want to hurt you. After awhile, I figured out what I did was stupid and hurtful, but by then I didn't know where you were and I just thought it would be best to let it die and for us all to move on."
Nick sat quietly until she stopped talking.
"Sam.....did it ever even occur to you to pick up the phone? I mean, you just left......no warning, nothing! For all I knew, you were dead. God Sam....I called you all the time....I wrote you everyday.....did you ever get any of the messages or letters?"
"Yea.....I got them all......"
"Then why the hell didn't you write back or call??"
"I.....I couldn't......I didn't know what to say to you.....I.......god....I don't know Nick!!"
"Yea, well I don't know doesn't cut it anymore."
"Dammit Nick!! I'm trying here okay!! I just......I can't talk to you anymore......I don't know how...."
"Open your mouth.....it's not that hard."
"Yes it is!! You're sitting here staring at me with hatred and you expect me to be able to open up to you!! I can't......."
"Fine.....I tried......you said you wanted to talk last night, I gave you the chance. Now if you don't mind.....please leave. I don't want to see you anymore. I'm moving on Sam.....goodbye."
With those harsh words, Nick stood up, walked inside and headed up to his room, going right past Brian and Jordan.
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Jordan and Brian looked at each other with raised brows.
"Wonder what happened......" Brian mused.
He didn't have to wait too long. A moment later, Sam came inside and into the room.
"You ready Jordie?" she asked quietly.
"What happened Sam?" Jordan asked concerned.
"Nothing...."
"Come on Sam, what happened?" Brian gently prodded.
"I......I told him why I left......and why I came back......and......and...." Sam stuttered as she began to cry, "He doesn't care....he won't accept my apology or......or even try......to......to understand........he's so......angry......"
Brian stood there for a minute before going up and pulling Sam into a hug.
"I'm sorry sweetie......it's okay......he'll come around," he whispered into her ear, while smoothing down her hair.
Sam just stood there and cried in his arms. She hadn't been able to cry openly since they had left the dorm. After a few minutes she pulled out of Brian's arms and smiled up at him.
"Thanks Brian.....for everything....I figured you would have hated me too...."
"Na.....I was mad for awhile.....but you know me, I can't hold a grudge."
"Thanks...."
"And don't worry about Nick, he will come around. Even if I have to hurt him!"
Sam smiled and nodded even though she didn't believe him. Motioning to Jordan the two girls walked outside and back to Sam's. Going inside, Sam pleaded a heachache and went to crash early. Jordan sat in the guestroom and tried to think of what to do to help Sam. Little did she know, Brian was doing the exact same thing next door.