~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
For the first time in what seemed like months, Sam slept peacefully. When she woke up she was actually kinda happy.
"Hey mom," Sam said walking into the kitchen.
"Hey sweetie.......you certainly look happy this morning. Any particular reason?"
"No......I just slept really good last night."
"Ok.....are you ready to meet with your counselor?"
"Yup, sure am."
"Have you decided what you're going to do?"
"Not really. I have to hear what she says first. Right now, I'm leaning towards the early graduation though."
"Oh that's great sweetie!"
"Oops, gotta go or I'm gonna be later. I'll see you later."
Sam hurried out the door and on her way to school. She didn't think it'd be a good idea to be late especially if she was thinking about early graduation. Besides, she wanted to find Sera and get her opinion.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Later that day, Sam, Stephanie and Scott Michaels sat in Ms. Patroli's office.
"Now Sam.....in order to do this, you'd have to keep your grades higher than a C and you'd have to take your senior math and government classes over the summer. Other than that you've pretty much got everything covered. Also, you will be considered a senior, so you will get prom and the senior class trip this year. Now I know this is a lot to think about, but I'll need to know your decision by Friday."
"I wanna do it."
"Are you sure sweetie? You can think about this for a bit before you decide."
"No mom, I wanna do it. I don't need to think about it."
"Okay, I guess this is settled then. Sam, I'll start on the paperwork right now. Any activities pertaining to seniors, now pertain to you as well. Thank you for coming in Mr. and Mrs. Michaels."
After the handshakes, everyone filed out of the room. Sam headed back to class as her folks headed home. Sam sat through one boring class after another while she waited for lunch. She wanted to find Sera and Nick and let them know. When she had approached Sera earlier, Sera had ignored her completely.
Sam raced into the cafeteria and spotted Sera at their usual table. Once Sera noticed Sam, she started packing up her stuff.
"Sera!! Will you just listen for a second? Please?"
"Fine."
"Look, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to bite your head off yesterday. Can you forgive me?"
Sera looked at her for a few minutes before answering, "Yea I guess. I mean it's not my fault you're in denial about Nick."
"You just don't give up, do you? Anyway, guess what?"
"What?"
"Me and my folks had a meeting with Ms. Patroli today."
"Why?? Are you failing?"
"NO! Actually, she said my grades were good enough for me to graduate this year."
"What?! Are you going to?"
"Yea, I decided to do it. So actually, I'm a senior now. I won't get my diploma until the end of the summer cuz I've got to take two classes during summer school, but I'll be in the ceremony this year."
"Really? Whoa.......that's.........cool I guess."
"What? I thought you'd be happy for me."
"I am! It's just weird. I mean, you won't be graduating with me......."
"I know, that's what I told Nick."
"Oh.....so he knows?"
"No, he doesn't know that I decided to do it. He was home when Ms. Patroli called yesterday so I talked to him about it."
"Oh...."
"Don't tell me you're jealous...."
"Of course not!! Don't be ridiculous."
"Okay, just checking. Cuz you know, there's no competition between you two."
"I know. Well, congrats Sam, I gotta go."
Sam watched as Sera grabbed her stuff and left. She knew Sera was either still mad at her, or she was upset about this. Looking around in vain for Nick, Sam eventually got up and headed to her next class.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Nick spent his day avoiding Sam. He made sure he got to school late and avoided her in the halls. At lunch he strolled into the cafeteria only to turn and quickly leave as soon as he saw Sam and Sera. Now as he drove home, he felt incredibly guilty. He had no proof that Sam like him. And here he was ignoring her. There wasn't much he could do about it today though. He had to get home so him and Brian could head to Mr. Woods office.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Sam's earlier happiness was fading fast. She had been trying to Nick all day to tell him the news but she hadn't managed to find him yet. It was almost like he was trying to avoid her. As soon as she walked into her house she ran up her room and picked up the phone. She figured she might as well find out what was wrong with Nick now and get it over with. Dialing the number, Sam waited. After the third ring Jane picked dup.
"Hello?"
"Hi Mrs. Carter, it's Sam. Could I speak with Nick please?"
"I'm sorry Sam, he's not here. Him and Brian went to meet with that guy about the talent competition thing they won."
"Oh yea......could you please tell him to call me when he gets in? It's important."
"Sure thing Sam."
"Thanks, bye."
Sam slowly hung up the phone and flopped back on her bed.
"Now what!," she muttered aloud. Sam grabbed her favorite teddy bear, curled up with it and fell asleep.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Nervous Nick?"
"Yea, just a little bit."
Nick and Brian were sitting outside of the building waiting on Kevin. They still had half an hour before their meeting.
"So am I......we shouldn't be though, I mean we've already won."
Nick just nodded and resumed staring out the window.
"Hey, there he is Bri."
Looking up, Brian saw Kevin heading towards them. After they all exchanged hello's, they headed inside. Kevin walked up to the receptionist to find out where they should go.
"Excuse me......we're here to see Mr. Wood."
"Name please."
"Kevin Richardson, Brian Littrell and Nick Carter."
"Oh yea, the talent competition winners. If you'll just go into that room and have a seat, Mr. Wood will be with you momentarily. The other winners are already in there."
Kevin thanked her and herded Nick and Brian into the room. The two people stood up as soon as they entered. Kevin took the responsibility of introducing everyone.
"Hey, I'm Kevin," he said shaking their hands.
"Hi, I'm AJ and this is Howie."
"Nice to meet you all, this is Brian and that's Nick."
They all sat down after everyone had shaken hands. The silence stretched between them and wasn't broken until Mr. Wood entered.
"Good afternoon gentlemen!" he said walking in, "Okay, lets get the introductions out of the way. We'll do this the easy way. When I call your name, just stand up. Okay, Brian Littrell........Kevin Richardson.........AJ McLean.........Howie Dorough..........and Nick Carter. Good, now everyone please have a seat and we'll get down to business. You all are very talented. We held that competition to get some new, fresh talent to form a singing group. Here's what's going to happen if you choose to sign on with us. You all will practice and get a good sound down. For now, you'll just do cover songs. We'll make a demo tape and send it out to the various record labels. We'll work on finding out each of your individual strong points and strengthening them even more. After we've got that down, we'll work on your act and your performing skills. Hopefully we'll get you guys out there in the public eye. Any questions?"
No one said a word as they absorbed this information.
"Great! Now, we have a packet for you each to take home and look over. Nick, you'll need your folks to look over this as well. Now, we'll set up another date for you guys to come in and sign the appropriate forms. At that time, bring any parents and or lawyers you'd like to have look over everything. Now, we'd like to hear you all sing again. First, we'd like you all to sing a solo, then some stuff as a group so we can hear what you all sound like together."
One by one, each of them stood up and sang the song they auditioned with. Once that was over, they all got together and decided to perform "End of the Road" by Boys II Men. After a few minutes of practice they sang it for Mr. Wood.
"I'm very impressed! You guys sound great together! Well, I think that's all we need to cover today. How is Saturday afternoon looking for everyone? Would that be a good time to come back in?"
Everyone nodded and after shaking hands again, filed outside.
"Well, do you guys all went to get together before Saturday? Kind of to get to know each other?" Kevin asked everyone as they stood outside.
"Sure, that sounds like fun actually. Where do we want to meet up?" AJ asked looking around.
"Well.......we could do it at my place. We've got a pool and a big yard. We could have a cook out or something."
"Yea, that's a great idea Nick.....think your folks will mind?"
"Brian....when have you known my parents to mind having people over? No, they won't care."
"Cool.....where do you live?"
Nick proceeded to give Kevin, Howie and AJ directions to his place and then him and Brian got in the car and they headed back to Nicks.
"So......what do you think of all this Bri?"
"I don't know.......it's kinda cool.....I mean, think about it.......if we're good enough, we could get a record deal! That would be awesome."
"Yea........"
"What's wrong Nick?"
"Oh nothing......just thinking about Sam....."
"What? I thought you two made up....."
"Well we did......and then BJ, Angel and mom had to go and point out stuff last night....."
"Point out what?"
"That Sam likes me."
"You mean to tell me, you honestly didn't know?!"
"What you did too!?"
"Well, it's kinda obvious Nick......just like it's obvious you like her."
"What?!! No way Bri.......it's........Sam!"
"I know! Come on Nick......you mean in the 16 years you've known her......you've never wondered what it would be like to kiss her?"
"NO!! I mean......well.......NO, of course not!"
Brian looked at Nicks face and just shook his head and chuckled.
"What??"
"Nick you've got it bad and you don't even know it!! Look, we've all seen the way you look at her, the way you act around her and the way well.....lets just say, you're lousy at hiding the fact that you like her. And she's the same way. But neither of you will admit it! Just cuz you've been friends for so long doesn't mean that there can't be more. You two would be a cute couple."
"Brian......I don't know where you're getting this stuff, really. I do not like Sam like that. She's a great friend.....end of story!"
"Okay, okay....whatever you say. I guess I'll see you Friday night.....Later dude!"
Nick hopped out of the car and walked inside.
"Nick?? Is that you??"
"Yes, mom!"
"So, how was it?" Jane asked coming into the entranceway.
"Well....they want the 5 of us to form a singing group......and if we're good enough, we might be able to get a record deal."
"What?!! Oh that's great honey!" Jane squealed, grabbing Nick in a hug.
"Yea.....I guess so......it's just surprising."
"Oh come on.....we all know you can sing. When your father gets home, we'll all sit down and discuss it. Oh yea, before I forget. Sam called. She wants you to call her.......said it was important."
Nick nodded and headed up to his room. Once there he sat and stared at his phone. He didn't really want to call Sam......he felt weird now. Looking over to his window he saw her light was off, so maybe she wasn't home. With that thought in mind he dialed her number.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"SAM!!!! Telephone!!!!!!" Stephanie screamed up the stairs
Sam stirred out of her sleep when she heard her mother scream again. Slowly picking up the phone she sat up.
"Hello...." she mumbled into the receiver.
"Hey Sam....you called?"
"Oh yea, hey Nick. What's up?"
"Nothing."
There was a brief moment of silence before Sam spoke next.
"Okay, what's wrong?"
"What do you mean Sam?"
"What's wrong? You're mad at me......what did I do now?"
"Nothing, I'm not mad....."
"Then why were you avoiding me today?"
"I don't know what you're talking about...."
"Nick, cut the bullshit! You knew I had my meeting with Ms. Patroli today and for some odd reason I never once saw your face at school. I mean, usually I see you once or twice.....the school isn't that big. So why were you avoiding me?"
"I wasn't Sam.....I got to school late...."
"Yea whatever. Just thought you'd like to know, I'm taking the early graduation. Bye."
With that Sam hung up and placed her head in her hands and cried. She didn't know why she was crying, she just knew she had to let it out. A little while later there was a soft knock at her door.
"Yea??"
"Sam? Are you okay sweetie?"
"Yea mom, I'm fine....."
"Can I come in?"
"I guess....."
Stephanie walked in and looked at her daughter who looked liked she'd been crying.
"What's wrong sweetie?"
"It's nothing mom....."
"It's Nick isn't it?"
"Huh?" Sam looked up at her mother in surprise.
"Don't look so surprised dear. I'm not dumb......I've been there. You like him don't you?"
Sam looked at her mom, started crying and shook her head. Stephanie sat beside her daughter and hugged her as she cried.
"It's okay sweetie......"
"No it's not!! I mean....it's Nick......someone I've known forever......I can't like him.....it's not fair!!!"
"Not fair to who dear?"
"Him......me......both of us!"
"Sam.......have you told him?"
"Are you insane mom!! Of course not!"
"Well dear......I hate to tell you this, but he knows. I could tell when he called. He didn't want to call."
"I know......he hates me now......"
"No, he doesn't hate you! I think he's afraid. I mean, here you are......someone he's known forever and now suddenly you like him. It can be scary. He doesn't know where he stands anymore. Just give him some time dear. It'll all work out sooner or later.....I promise."
"Thanks mom........if you don't mind, I just wanna go to bed....I've got a headache."
"Sure sweetie."
Stephanie kissed Sam's forehead and then left the room. Sam got ready for bed and thought about Nick. She didn't know what to do anymore.....
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Nick slowly hung up the phone. Just when him and Sam were getting back to "normal" all this had to pop up. He just didn't know what to do. Hearing his father come home, Nick headed down. He needed someone to talk to.
"Hey, dad?"
"Yes Oh hey Nick......I've been told congratulations are in order, so, congrats!"
"Thanks.....um......can we talk?"
"Sure, pull up a couch. What do you wanna talk about?"
"Girls."
"Oh...kay.....is it time for that man to man talk?"
"Dad......we had that already.....like 10 years ago.....relax. It's not that bad.....I guess."
"Whew......good! Okay, what's the problem?"
"Sam."
"Ah......I was wondering when you were gonna open your eyes."
"What do you mean?"
"It took you long enough to notice Sam. She's been right under your nose for 16 years......it's about time you noticed that she grew up."
"Man....you and Brian both! Sheesh......I don't like her like that. But she likes me.....and I know......and I don't know how to act around her."
"Nick.....I'm your father and I love you......but you're in some serious denial here. We've all been noticing how you are with Sam now. I hate to tell you this, but you aren't very good at hiding your feelings. I don't see the problem sun. You both like each other, no don't interrupt me, you both like each other, you're both too scared to admit it, and you both need to."
"Dad.....you aren't helping!"
"I know.....sorry son. Here's my advice to you. You've known Sam for 16 years....that's a long time.......don't let her disappear from you life. Who cares if you like her or if she likes you. You two are friends whether you like it or not. So just act the way you've always acted. Also......kiss her."
"DAD!!"
"Nick! Come on now, you're mom and I want to discuss this singing thing with you."
Nick followed his dad into the kitchen where they all went over the paperwork he had brought home. After going through it over and over again, they decided that when they all went to the meeting on Saturday they'd have their lawyer with them......just to be safe. After Nick let them know about the mini-party on Friday, he headed upstairs to bed. He had a lot of thinking to do.......