~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Nick saw Sera grab Sam as she walked in the building and pull her over to the lockers. Nick settled back against the lockers with a smirk as he waited. A few moments later Sam looked at him, rolled his eyes and stalked off. Taking one last look at Sam, he headed over to Sera.
"What's up with her?"
"Well Nick......I'd have to say you've pissed her off royally. I'd stay away from her for awhile."
"Great!! I give up!! She's so.........so......I don't know! I try to do something for her and she gets mad. I don't know her anymore."
"Nick, have you really looked or listened to Sam lately?"
"What do you mean?"
"Geez Nick, open your eyes and look at how she acts around you now!"
With that, Sera turned and walked away leaving Nick standing there bewildered. Shaking his head, he headed off to class.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The day had gone by incredibly slow for Sam. Everyone was talking about Nick and Abby's date. Luckily Sam had managed to avoid Nick all day. But she knew she'd have to see him at their play rehearsal that night.
After her last class, Sam literally ran out of the school and all the way home. Slamming her front door, she raced upstairs to get her stuff ready for rehearsal. The drama department was doing an original production called "In The Halls". It was about a typical high school day. Well, maybe not typical, but close enough. Her and Nick had some scenes together. Sam just hoped that they wouldn't have to rehearse those particular scenes tonight. Going downstairs, Sam grabbed a bite to eat and them left for rehearsal. She wanted to be early so she could avoid Nick.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Nick saw Sam dart out of the school after the last bell. He was about to go after her when he saw Sera and decided to get some info.
"Hey Sera!! Can I talk to you for a minute?"
"I guess."
"What did you mean when you asked if I've really looked at of listened to Sam lately?"
"Just that Nick. Have you really looked or listened to her? Nick you're treating her the same way you did when she was 10. She's not 10 years old anymore! She's growing up!! She's confused!! And you're not helping!!!"
Nick just stared at her shocked. He'd never actually heard Sera yell before.
"I don't treat her the same way as when she was 10......"
"Yes you do!! You're still treating her like she's your little sister! Open your eyes Nick, she's not your little sister."
"Well, how else am I supposed to treat her? I've known her for 16 years!"
"Why not try treating her like a friend! Lately it seems the only reason you talk to her is when you need something! Grow up Nick!"
Sera turned and walked out of the school while Nick just stood there with his mouth hanging open. Turning in the opposite direction he headed to his favorite place to think.........the drama room.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Sam was so lost in her thoughts as she walked back to school that she didn't notice someone pull up beside her.
"SAM!!"
Looking up she saw herself staring at one of the most popular guys in school.......Zac Thomas.
"Yea?," Sam questioned warily.
"I've been meaning to talk to you. I, uh......well, I was wondering if you'd like to go to a movie this weekend?"
"Why?"
"What do you mean why?"
"Well lets see......you're a senior.......and as long as I've been at this school, I've never seen you with anyone besides a snobby cheerleader. Why do you wanna take a drama freak out?"
"Well, I'd hardly call you a freak Sam. You're pretty, intelligent, sassy, and I just want to get to know you better. Come on, what do you say?"
Sam looked untrustingly at him a moment before an idea struck her. Nick and Zac hated each other. This could be the perfect revenge on him. And it'd get her out of the house for a night. Turning back to Zac, she smiled.
"Sure, sounds like fun."
"Great, I'll pick you up at 7 on Saturday. See ya Sam."
With that he sped off and Sam continued on to school while thinking of how good it was gonna feel to get back at Nick.
Arriving at school she saw she still had an hour to go before rehearsal. Sam decided to head to the one place she knew Nick wouldn't be able to get to her........the girls bathroom. There she waited until rehearsal started.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Nick saw Sam come into the auditorium right before rehearsal started. He was about to go talk to her when Mr. Thatcher walked in and began rehearsal.
"Okay everybody!! Listen up!! We're down to our last couple of weeks. We're gonna try something different tonight. We aren't going to rehearse "In The Halls", we're gonna try some improvisational games to improve your skills. So, everybody, get with a partner please!"
As everyone began pairing up Nick looked for Sam, hoping they'd be partners so he'd have a chance to talk to her, but he searched in vain. She was already paired up with a shy girl from the class. Putting Sam out of his mind for awhile, he grabbed a partner and started improving. Mr. Thatcher had everyone doing all these weird games. It was hilarious. Soon though, rehearsal was over and everyone was packing up. Now was Nick's chance.
"Hey Sam!! Wait up!!"
Sam groaned as soon as she heard his voice. She had been so close. Picking up her pace she continued to walk out of the school and head home.
"Dammit Sam! Would you stop!!," Nick yelled grabbing her arm.
"Nick, just leave me alone," Sam said through clenched teeth.
"Sam.........I just wanted to apologize. I know I screwed up......I'm sorry. I thought you'd be happy that I got a little revenge on Abby for you."
"Well I'm not. That and the fact that you didn't tell me in advance. I mean, come on, am I supposed to be a mind reader and know when you're taking a girl on a fake date!?"
"Well, I didn't want people to think you set me up to it, I thought it'd be more realistic if you really didn't know."
"Well, you're excuse sucks. Everyone already thinks it was my idea........they've been talking about it all day, thank you ever so much!"
Sam turned and began walking away from Nick.
"Sam!!!" Nick hollared as he watched her walk away, "Geez, why can't that girl just listen one time!"
Muttering under his breath, Nick raced back to his truck and got in. Squeeling tires out of the parking lot, he followed Sam, slowing down once he was beside her.
"Sam! Would you get in the truck please? At least let me give you a lift home. There's no point in you walking."
"No........just leave me alone Nick!!"
"I can't!"
"Why not?!!"
"Cuz.........you're my friend........you're stuck."
"Yea, well you're not my friend, so go away!"
Nick put the truck in park and jumped out.
"Sam!! Why are you so mad?? What exactly did I do??"
"Nick........I don't want to talk about this right now, ok! I've had a bad day and I"m not in the mood!!"
"Fine........why don't we get together Saturday and we'll go out and talk."
"I can't."
"Why not?"
"I've got a date."
"Oh........well, with who?"
"Zac Thomas."
"WHAT?!! You're going out with that loser?? Are you insane Sam!!?"
"Nick, whom I date it my decision.......not yours."
"Fine. Later Sam."
Nick stormed back to his truck, jumped in and sped off, leaving Sam standing there.........kinda happy, but kinda guilty. Here she was, mad at him for dating someone he knew she couldn't stand, and here she was doing the same thing. But the look on his face had been worth it. He looked ticked off beyond belief. Resuming her pace, Sam headed home to bed. Nick wasn't at home yet when she got there. He must have been ticked off......
"Oh well," Sam said shrugging her shoulders, "Paybacks are hell."
Closing the door behind her, Sam headed off to bed........and a night of nightmares.......