~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Sam watched from the bedroom window until she saw Brian and Nick leave. Figuring she was safe for at least a few hours, she set about getting ready for her date. Even though she didn't really like Zac all that much, she was still nervous. This was her first real date since the fiasco with Abby last year. Walking out into the hall, Sam headed to BJ's room. Knocking, she heard the radio go off and a moment later BJ opened the door.
"Oh hey Sam.....what's up?"
"Um.....I kinda need.......a favor."
"Uh sure.....what is it?"
"Well......will you help me get ready for my date?" Sam asked biting her lip.
BJ looked at her for a second before she began laughing.
"Oh I'm sorry Sam.......you looked so serious, I thought it was gonna be something major! Of course I'll help, it'll be fun."
BJ dragged Sam into her room and slammed the door shut.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"So you think you're ready Nick?"
"For what?"
"Um.....Nick.....where is your brain!? Are you ready for this audition?"
"Yea I guess."
"Nick, don't take this the wrong way.....but snap out of it! This could be a big break for you....don't mess it up."
"Brian, you don't understand so just butt out."
"Dammit Nick! You can't risk an opportunity like this because of a fight. And yes I do understand. You screwed up with Sam and you're too much of a wuss to try and fix it. Now for a couple of hours, get over it, or I'm gonna kick your butt!"
Nick looked at Brian and then turned to glare out the window for the remainder of the drive.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Wel;....what do you think?" BJ asked handing Sam a mirror.
Sam stared at herself in shock. It didn't even look like her in the mirror. BJ had spent hours washing, drying, and styling her hair as well as doing her makeup. The finished result was amazing.
"Whoa......."
"You hate it?! I'm sorry......lets see.......what can we....."
"No!! It's amazing! It looks nothing like me........you did a good job. You're really good at this stuff."
"Thanks......I've been wanting to do a make over on you for years! Sam you're gorgeous.........you just needed to wash the dirt away so to speak."
"Huh??"
"I mean, you need to clean it up.....and show the natural sparkle underneath......oh I'm sorry.....it sounded a lot better when mom said it."
Sam couldn't help herself, she just started laughing.
"You know Sam....that's the first time I've heard you laugh since you've been staying with us. I hope you and Nick work this out soon........cuz you two are depressing."
Sam chose to ignore that comment and move onto a more pressing question, "What should I wear BJ?"
That's all it took. That one little question sent BJ into a totally new direction. Dragging Sam to her house they searched through Sams closest and found nothing. BJ then dragged her back to her place where they searched BJ's closet and found something BJ deemed appropriate.
"Are you sure this is gonna look alright BJ?"
"Yes!! Now come on out, I wanna see."
BJ watched as Sam entered the room. She looked so un-Sam-like that all BJ could do was stare. With her hair, make-up and nails done to top off her outfit she looked.......classic. She was wearing a pair of snug fitting black jeans. A shiny, white, sleaveless crop top that tied at the waist and a pair of shiny, white sandals.
"Wow.......you look great Sam!"
"Really....."
"Yes!! Let's go show my mom!"
BJ grabbed Sam's hand and dragged her downstairs while yelling for her mom.
"Geez BJ, what is it?!"
"Mom, get a look at Sam."
Jane looked past her daughter and just stared at Sam.
"You look beautiful Sam. You're gonna knock him off his feet tonight."
"Thanks." Sam said blushing.
All three heads turned as the front door opened.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Brian and Nick were milling around the lobby with about a thousand other people waiting to be called in.
"Whoa.....there's a lot of people here," Nick said nervously.
"Yea I know," Brian said looking around, "Hey....there's Kev!"
"Who??"
"My cousin, Kevin. I didn't know he was gonna be here. YO! Kevin, over here!"
"Hey Bri, what's up?"
"Not much.....what are you doing here?"
"Oh I saw the ad and figured why not."
"Yea, same here. Oh man, I'm sorry guys. Kevin this is Nick, Nick this is my cousin Kevin."
Nick and Kevin exchanged handshakes and continued to chit chat until Kevin was called in to audition. As soon as he walked back out, Nick and Brian cornered him.
"So cous, what did you have to do?"
"Well, they took a polaroid of me, had me sing something and then said to have a nice day."
"Oh....well that seems easy enough," Nick mumbled.
"So Kev, what are you gonna do now?"
"Not much......I might hit the gym....or head to the beach."
"Well, we're gonna go grab a bite to eat after we audition. Wanna come?"
"Sure, that's cool. I'll just chill with you guys here."
"MR. BRIAN LITTRELL......YOU'RE UP!"
"Good luck cous."
"Thanks Kevin......see ya in a bit guys."
Nick and Kevin watched as Brian walked over to the audition room and disappeared inside.
"So......Nick.....how do you know Brian?"
"We met at an audition."
"That's cool."
Kevin looked around as the silence stretched. He was never happier to see his cousin when he came out. Nick didn't seem very sociable.
"See, not hard at all, was it Bri?"
"Nope....easy as pie.....they seemed very nice."
"MR. NICK CARTER..........YOU'RE TURN!!"
"Hey Nick.....," Brian said pulling him aside, "don't think about Sam while you're in there. Just concentrate on your song and you'll do fine."
Nick nodded and made his way over to the door. He wasn't in there 5 minutes and he came out......looking a tad bit better than when he went in.
"Go well I take it?"
"Yea Frick......it was kinda fun."
"You are a sick boy......are we ready to eat?"
They all unanimously agreed they were starving and headed out to a local diner to grab a bite to eat. Nick was feeling a bit better and acting a lot more sociable to everyone. By the time they were done eating, they all agreed to get together later on in the week and hang out. Nick and Brian left Kevin back at his car and headed back to Nick's place.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Sam stared as Brian and Nick entered, talking loudly. Once they realized they were being watched, they both clammed up instantly. Nick looked up and saw someone new on the stairs........and then realized it was Sam. His jaw dropped open. Seeing this as a perfect opportunity to let the two make up, Jane grabbed BJ and took her into the kitchen where Brian swiftly followed.
"Hey Sam........"
"Hey," she answered softly.
"You look......great."
"Thanks.....well, I better go upstairs and uh......wait for um.....Zac...."
"Wait.....Sam......can't we just.....can't we get over this?"
"I'd love to Nick......but I don't know you anymore. I don't think I can be friends with you anymore.......it just doesn't work...."
"Look, I know you're mad at me for the whole thing with Abby, and I'm really sorry. I don't know how else to tell you that. I just wanted to get her back for what she did to you.......if I had known you would have reacted like that I wouldn't have done it."
"That's just it Nick......you should have known. I mean, you should have known I wouldn't like it.....I can't stand her, and you let me think you liked her."
"Well, if I should have known you wouldn't like it.......then you should have known I'd never go for a girl like Abby."
Nick and Sam just stared at each other......both right yet both wrong.
"See.......it just doesn't work anymore Nick......I can't do this......"
Turning, Sam went upstairs to the spare room and waited for Zac to show up. Nick just stared after her.
"Honey......is everything ok?" Jane asked walking in.
"Yea.....everythings just the way it was......"
"Oh that's great honey. I'm glad you two made up."
"No mom......everythings the way it was earlier today......not the way it was before the fight. She still doesn't want to have anything to do with me."
"Oh.....I'm sorry......"
Nick just shook his head and went to his room. He wasn't up there long before Brian came in to talk to him.
"Hey......Nick......you gotta let this one go."
"Brian.....I don't really want to talk about this."
"Well, you have to.....deal with it. Nick......I'm afraid you can't push Sam into forgiving you......you have to move on and just let her go."
"I can't."
"Why not?"
"Brian.....I've known her forever."
"Yea.....what's the real reason?"
"What do you mean?"
"What's the real reason you can't let Sam go? Just say it."
"I don't know what you're talking about Bri......that is the real reason, she was one of my best friends and I hate to know that I hurt her and there's no way I can fix that."
Leaving Brian sitting on his bed, Nick went back downstairs and out the door......almost. As he opened the door, Zac was getting ready to knock.
"Oh hey Nick......where's Sam?"
"She's upstairs........come in," Nick said grudgingly.
"Well, how nice of you," Zac sneered.
"Let me tell you one thing Zac......you hurt Sam in any way, shape or form and I'll kill you. Don't forget that."
"Oh....big threat Nick.....she ain't your girl, so butt out."
Before Nick could say another word, Jane walked in.
"Oh hello......this must be Zac?"
"Hello ma'am, pleasure to meet you," Zac said politely, shaking her hand.
Jane just smiled and then hollared to Sam. All three sets of eyes were on Sam as she walked down the stairs. One set, full of anger and hurt, another full of excitement and trepedition and lastly, one set full of slickness and lust. Sam didn't know which set scared her more as she walked down the stairs. Once she reached the bottom, she took Zac's hand and they headed out to his car.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"So......where are we going Zac?" Sam asked once they were settled in the car.
"Well, Kelly Jacobs is throwing a big party so we're gonna go there."
Sam just nodded and stared out the window and they drove to the party. She wished she had stayed at the Carters......she just knew tonight was going to be horrible. Pulling up to the house, they saw the party was already in full swing. Zac grabbed her hand and hurried her inside. Once they were inside, he pretty much made sure she stayed by his side the entire time........as he downed one beer after another. About an hour into the party she managed to slip away to the restroom for a moment of peace.
"God.....why did I do this? How stupid am I," she mumbled as she stared as herself in the mirror.
Her moment of peace was short lived, for it seemed every girl at the party needed to use the toilet. Letting herself out and back downstairs, Zac joined her quickly.
"Hey.....where did you go babe?" He slurred in her ear.
"The restroom Zac......I think you've had too much to drink, why don't you slow down?"
"I have not had too much to drink.....I'm just fine."
Pulling her over to the table, Sam watched for another hour as he drank glass after glass. She was beginning to wonder how she was going to get home, when he shakily stood up.
"Come on babe.....let's go," he slurred while pulling her to the door.
"Give me the keys Zac......you aren't driving."
"Whatever babe."
As Zac pulled Sam outside, she tried to pull away, but he kept his grip strong. As he pinned her up against his car, Sam felt her stomach turn. The smell of alcohol clung to him. Turning her head, she attempted to ward off his slobbery kisses.
"Come on Sam.....don't be a baby....."
"Get off of me Zac," Sam said through clenched teeth, "You are drunk....now give me the keys and I'll call a cab."
"No way bitch.....no one tells me what to do. You think you're high and mighty.....well find your own way home."
Zac pushed Sam away and stumbled into his car. Starting it up, he squeeled tires as he swerved down the street. Sighing, Sam looked back at the house. Deciding she'd rather walk than go back in there, Sam slowly walked down the street. After a couple blocks, she came to a gas station. Sam stood on the corner and stared at the phone. After a few minutes of debate she walked over and picked it up.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Nick was playing video games with Aaron and Angel when the phone rang. After the third ring he went to pick it up.
"Hello?? No Aaron, hit the B button........sorry, Hello?"
"Hi......"
"Sam?? Is that you?"
"Yea.......," Sam said softly and began crying.
"Whoa....what's wrong Sam? What happened?"
"Nothing....um....god I hate to do this......can you come pick me up?"
"Of course.....where are you?"
Sam told him the name of the gas station and the street names. Hanging up the phone, Nick looked at BJ who had come in.
"I gotta go get Sam.....can you handle these two until mom gets back?"
"Sure.....what happened?"
"I don't know.....I'll be back in a little while."
BJ nodded as Nick took off out the door.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Sam sat on the curb and waited for Nick to show up. She hated having to call him, but she had no clue how to get home from here and she didn't have enough money for a cab. It took Nick about 20 minutes to get there. Once he pulled up, Sam jumped in the truck.
"Thanks...."
"No problem.....what happened? Where's Zac?"
Sam just shook her head and looked out the window. Nick stared at her for a few minutes before he started the truck up and took off. He didn't head home though....he headed to a spot he and Sam used to go to as kids. A set of caves right on the beach. Sam looked at him in surprise as he pulled into a parking space and turned the truck off.
"Come on Sam."
Not wanting to argue, Sam got out and followed him. He led her up to what had been "their" cave when they were younger.
"Remember when we used to come and play in here?" he asked.
"Yea.....what are we doing here Nick?"
"We're gonna talk. You can't run away up here. We need to talk Sam."
Sam sat down and faced away from him.
"What happened tonight for one? What did he do to you Sam?"
"He didn't do anything."
"Then why did you have to call and have me pick you up?"
"Cuz he got drunk. And.....and I refused to get in a car with him. And......and that's all."
"That's all he did? He didn't try anything with you?"
Sam didn't say anything but just sat there.
"Sam?"
"He was so out of it......he wouldn't let me go......he just kept drinking and drinking.....and then......"
"And then what?"
"And then he tried to force me into the car......"
Sam covered her face and started crying.......something she hated doing.
"It's okay Sam....," Nick said as he sat behind Sam and hugged her.
"I......I was scared......I didn't know if he'd let me go or not.....I...."
"Shhh....it's okay......trust me, he won't ever bother you again. Not if he wants to live. I'm glad you called me Sam......"
Sam sniffled and tried to pull away, but Nick wouldn't let her.
"Nick......"
"Sam, we need to talk. I can't stand us fighting. Brian can tell you that. I've been acting worse than a girl who's PMSing."
Sam tried not to, but found herself giggling anyway.
"Well that's a start.....now can we please talk......and try to sort all this out?"
Once Sam nodded, Nick let her go and they sat face to face.
"You know Sam......I wanted to kill you when you said you were going out with Zac tonight....."
"I know......I felt the same way when you said you were going out with Abby. This was my way of getting revenge on you."
"What!?! Well.......it worked. I wanted to ring your neck as well as kick his butt. What happened to us Sam? We used to be able to talk about anything....."
"We grew up Nick."
"That's a cop out and you know it. Just because we're growing up doesn't mean we have to stop being friends."
"I don't know Nick......we've both changed.....and......"
"And what? So what, we've both changed.....it happens......does that mean we can't hang out anymore?"
"I don't know.....we haven't really hung out in a long time Nick......"
"What do you mean?"
"We don't hang out anymore. We see each other at rehearsals. You barely even speak to me unless you need something."
"That's not true Sam....."
"Yes it is!! We never talk anymore. The only time you talk to me in school is either during rehearsal or when you need a favor. Case in point......last time we talked during school was when you needed a babysitter for Aaron. Things have changed. You hang out with Brian now and I hang out with Sera. We've been drifting apart for years now.......ever since we started high school."
"But we can change that.......I mean, so what, we've both screwed up. Why can't we just wipe the slate clean and start over?"
"It's not that easy Nick. It's just not that easy."
"Well, can't we at least make an attempt to get back the friendship we had when we were really little? I mean......can't we start hanging out again?"
"I don't know....."
"Come on Sam.....we can at least give it a try. Say we make a date to goof off once a week. Just the two of us....we'll just sit back, chill......I'll kick your ass at videogames....go to the beach, movies, whatever.....just hang out and get to know each other again. What do you say?"
Sam looked at Nick. What her was proposing sounded nice. She missed the friendship they used to have. Deciding it couldn't kill her to try it, Sam nodded her head.
"Great! Now lets get out of here....high tide should be coming in soon. Don't want to get stranded up here."
Both Nick and Sam headed back down to the beach and up to the truck. They completed the short drive to the Carter's in silence. Entering the house, Sam headed straight up to bed while Nick went and filled BJ and their mom in on what happened.
Later on Sam laid in bed thinking. She wanted things to go back to normal....but she just wasn't sure it could. So many things had changed since her and Nick had been close. Somehow, she just didn't think everything could go back to the way things were. But she decided she had to give it a try.....just to prove to herself that she didn't give up. Little did she know, but just down the hall, Nick's thoughts were pretty similar to Sam's. Both really wanted their old friendship back, yet both had doubt about it and where all this would lead.