~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Nick entered the kitchen to get breakfast and saw his mom on the phone. Grabbing an apple he sat at the table and half listened to the conversation.
"I know what you mean, he's the same way. Look, why don't you guys come over tonight. Nick is having some guests over and we're going to have a big cookout............tell her to bring a friend with her.........okay.........we'll see you at six. Don't forget your bathing suits. Okay, bye."
"What was that all about mom?"
"Oh geez Nick!!" Jane responded turning to face her son, "You scared me! Oh that was nothing. I was just inviting some guests of my own over tonight. You don't mind, do you?"
"Course not. Well I'll see you later, I'm heading out."
"Why don't you see if Sam needs a ride......"
"Mom.......no offense, but please butt out."
Jane watched as Nick stalked out of the house. She didn't know what to do. Nick had been depressed and withdrawn all week. She just hoped they got things cleared up soon.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
As soon as Sam walked into the school an overwhelming wave of depression washed over her. Looking around, she raced off to the nearest bathroom where she collapsed in a stall and cried.
Sera had seen Sam come in and saw the look on her face. Torn between making sure Sam was okay or just heading off to class, Sera just stood there for a few minutes. Finally she headed after Sam. Opening the bathroom door, she could hear her crying. Looking under each of the stall doors, she found Sam in the handicapped stall.
"Sam??"
The crying lowered to broken sobs.
"Sam? Come on, open up."
Sera waited until she heard the click of the lock being undone. Opening the door, Sera stepped into the stall and sat beside Sam.
"Wanna talk?"
"Yea......."
"What happened to us Sam?"
"I don't know.......that's what I was going to ask you. I mean.......Sera, you're my best friend.........and.........well lately you seem to hate me."
"Oh Sam, I don't hate you! I guess you were right..........I was jealous of Nick."
"But why?"
"I don't know.......I guess It thought you two would start hanging out and you wouldn't want to be friends with me anymore......."
"That's ridiculous Sera! There are things I can do with you that I couldn't do with Nick. Things between me and Nick are confusing as hell right now........and I really need you Sera.......I don't have anybody.........and I really miss you."
"I miss you too Sam......"
Both girls looked at each other, hugged and started crying. Pulling apart, they looked at each other and started laughing.
"How pathetic are we Sam? We're sitting on the floor of a bathroom stall.......crying!"
"I know! Thanks for coming after me."
"No problem......hey, it got me out of first period!"
Getting up, both girls washed their faces, gathered their stuff and headed off to their next class with the promise of meeting up for lunch.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Nick was not in the mood to go to school, but he knew there was no way out of it. Heading in, he decided to skip class and hang out in the drama room. He didn't think Mr. Thatcher would mind. He just needed to sit and think for a while. After checking with Mr. Thatcher, Nick headed into the auditorium and up to the catwalk. Nick was beyond confused about Sam. He'd always been able to deal with girls that liked him........but not Sam. It was different and he didn't know why. Nick felt awful for the way he'd been acting around Sam, but he couldn't seem to help it. Nick was no close to an answer when school let out and he left the catwalk to head home and prepare for the party.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Sam walked into the cafeteria and instantly spotted Sera. Pulling up a chair, she joined her.
"So Sam.........wanna talk about Nick?"
"Not really, but I guess I need to. Well, thanks to you for implanting the idea in my head, I now have a crush on him."
"Told you so!"
"Oh shut up.......anyway, he found out. Now he won't say two words to me. I don't know what to do.......as stupid as this sounds, I miss him."
"Oh Sam.......I'm sorry. Hey, he'll come around. He's just being your typical dumb guy! Just give him some time to think. Look, why don't we do something that'll get your mind off of him."
"Like what?"
"Lets have a sleepover. Come on, we'll do our nails and makeup, we'll play truth or dare, veg out. Talk about people behind their backs. It'll be fun!"
"Okay," Sam said laughing, "you're place or mine?"
"Yours........you've got more space. Meet me at my car after school and we'll go to your place, then we'll hit the stores and get my stuff, kay?"
"Okay, it's a date! I guess we should get to class........ugh!!! I'll see you after school. Oh......and Sera.........thanks."
Sam headed off to class feeling a little bit better. At least her and Sera were working things out.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Nick knew something was up as soon as he walked inside the house. Jane was on a cleaning rampage, something she only did when she was nervous about something.
"Mom? What's going on?"
"Huh? Nothing sweetie."
"Then why are you cleaning?"
"Because we're having company tonight. I was the place to look nice."
"Sure mom........is there anything I can do to help?"
"Yes actually there is. Go clean out the pool and set up the stereo and tables out there."
Nick nodded and headed outback. He spent the next few hours cleaning all the dirt and gunk out of the pool and setting everything up out there. He was just finishing when the doorbell rang with the arrival of the first guest.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"So, think your parents are gonna mind?"
"Na, they'll just be happy I'm not sitting in my room alone again."
As Sam and Sera walked inside, Stephanie was coming down the stairs.
"Hi honey, hello Sera."
"Hi Mrs. Michaels."
"Mom, is it okay if Sera sleeps over?"
"Sure that's fine. But we're going out tonight, so you'll have to join us Sera."
"Where are we going mom?"
"To a party."
"Come on mom! I don't want to go!"
"Sam, you're going. This isn't open for discussion. Sera is more than welcome to come. You girls will need your bathing suits. We leave at six, so be ready."
"Sounds great Mrs. Michaels. Lets go Sam," Sera said dragging Sam up the stairs.
Sam didn't say a word until they reached her room and shut the door.
"Sera! Why did you say we'd go! I don't want to go to some lame party!"
"Come on Sam, it might be fun. So what, we'll go to this party for a little bit then we'll split. Come on, lets go get my stuff and then get ready.
Sam grudgingly agreed and they headed to Sera's to get her stuff and let her folks know what was going on.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Nick ran to answer the door. Jane was still setting up the food and everyone else was already swimming. Opening the door he found Brian and Kevin.
"Hey guys!"
"Hey Nick......anyone else here yet?"
"Nope, you guys are the first. Everyone's outback swimming. So, get your suits on and lets go."
After showing Kevin to the restroom, Brian headed to Nick's room to change. On his way back down, he heard the doorbell. Seeing no one else around, he answered it.
"Hey.....Brian, right?"
"Yea, that's me.......you are......no, don't tell me! I gotta learn this.....um......Howie?"
"Yea, AJ's right behind me.....he forgot his bag in the car."
"Okay, come on in. Everyone's getting their swimsuits on and heading to the pool. So, if you want, you can change in Nick's room. It's the second door on the left at the top of the stairs."
"Okay, thanks."
Howie headed up the stairs just as AJ approached the door.
"Yo! Everyone here already?"
"Yea, you're the last one. Restroom is around the corner. Pool is outback through the living room. Make yourself at home. Go change and meet us outback."
AJ nodded and headed off to change while Brian headed out back to hit the pool.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Girls!!! Are you ready??"
"YEA MOM! We'll be down in a minute!!"
"Well hurry!! We're gonna be late!"
Sam just rolled her eyes at Sera and grabbed her bookbag. They already had their swimsuits on. Heading downstairs, they saw Stephanie and Scott waiting by the front door.
"Hey dad!"
"Hey sweetie, and how are you Sera?"
"I'm fine Mr. Michaels, how about yourself?"
"Doing great. You two ready?"
"Yup, we're going to follow you in Sera's car so we can leave to catch a movie."
"That won't be necessary Sam."
"What do you mean dad?"
"We're walking."
"Where is this party?"
"You'll see."
Sam and Sera followed behind them as they walked out. Looking at each other confused, it finally dawned on Sam who was having the party when her folks headed up the Carter's driveway.
"NO WAY DAD! I refuse to go. You can't make me!"
"Sam.....do not make me raise my voice to you. The Carter's invited us and we're going. And you will be nice!"
Shooting her father and scowl, they waited for someone to answer the door. After a few minutes, Jane finally opened it.
"Hey guys! Come in, everyone else is out back swimming, so come on. Hi Sam."
Sam didn't even bother with a reply, she just followed her parents through to the back deck.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Nick looked up from his plate when his mom came back through the doors. His mouth dropped open when he saw Sam and her parents along with Sera. Getting up, he walked quickly to his mother.
"Mom! What is she doing here?"
"I invited her Nick."
"Mom......I can't believe you. I told you to butt out!"
With that he turned and went back to finish eating. Brian headed over to him when he saw Sam come in. Neither of them looked happy. Sam and Sera headed to the farthest corner to sit, while Nick just ignored her completely.
"Hey Nick......be the adult."
"What do you mean Bri?"
"You're acting like a two year old right now. I'm sure Sam feels really welcome right now."
"I don't care Bri."
"Yes you do......now stop acting like a baby and suck it up."
Nick watched as Brian got up and walked over to Sam.
"Hey Sam."
"Hey Brian, what's up? You remember Sera, right?"
"Yea, hey Sera. Um....not much is going on."
"So what's this party for anyway?"
"Well, that competition thing we won......well there were 5 of us that won, so we all decided to get together and get to know each other. We might be spending a lot of time together, so we may as well get it over with now."
"Oh cool."
Before Brian could continue, Kevin came up to him.
"Hey cous.......what's up with Nick.....he's sure in a fowl mood now."
"That would be my fault," Sam said looking at this incredibly tall guy.
"OH.....why?"
"No reason......Nick's just a jerk."
"Sam! Be nice! Kevin this is Sam, Sam this is my cousin, Kevin. Sam and Nick are having problems right now."
"Oh........you two just break up or something."
"Kevin......don't go there. Trust me, Sam will kick your butt. Oh......sorry Sera, my brain is gone. Kevin this is Sam's friend Sera."
After the obligatory hello's, both Kevin and Brian headed off. The tension was just a tad bit too much in that corner. As Sam watched, she saw the two of them hook up with two other guys who were complete strangers and watched them walk away whispering.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"So......she seems......."
"Kevin, don't even go there. It's a long story. We've got to do some major relationship repairs tonight, or Nick is gonna be an ass all night long."
"Okay.....well, lets go steal our new buddies and see what they have to say."
Smiling at each other, they headed over to Howie and AJ. Brian explained the whole story to them and they wall quietly walked away to make a plan.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
When the guys returned they split up and headed off in two directions. Howie and Kevin headed over to Nick while Brian and AJ went in Sam's direction. Without bothering to speak, Howie and Kevin grabbed Nick and tossed him in the pool. Brian and AJ did the same thing with Sam. Both of them came up sputtering.
"YOU GUYS ARE DEAD!!!" Nick yelled.
All of the other guests had stopped to stare. Brian approached the pool.
"Look you two. You are not getting out of that pool until you two work this crap out and grow up!"
That statement was met with a round of applause. Sam and Nick glared at each other.
"You're a jerk Nick!"
"And you're a......you're a........"
"I'm a what?!"
"A..........UGH!!!!! You're such a pain!"
"Likewise!!!"
"SAM! NICK!! You two need to grow up! Why don't you try talking instead of yelling. Might get more accomplished that way!"
"Sera shut up!" they both yelled simultaneously.
For the next hour, Sam and Nick glared at each other while Brian, Kevin, Howie, AJ and Sera guarded the edge of the pool to make sure they couldn't get out. Everyone else had gone back to the party.
"Guys.....I hate to tell you this, but it isn't working," Sera pointed out.
"Yea, I know.......hey, well, they need to talk, right? Why don't we all play a small game of truth and dare! This way they'll have to talk, or get put in some really embarrassing situations."
"AJ, I love the way your brain works! That's perfect. We'll put them in a corner and block them in. Then all we need to do is make sure we ask them all the questions."
Everyone agreed to this plan and turned back to their prisoners.
"Okay guys, get out."
"It's about time Brian. You guys are in serious trouble."
"Um.....nope, fraid not Nick. You guys haven't caught onto the fact that you have no say right now. So, get out, we're gonna get to the bottom of this once and for all!"
Brian helped Sam out of the pool and led her to a chair in the corner of the deck. After AJ and Howie got Nick out, they followed Brian. Sitting Nick down beside Sam, the others surrounded them.
"Guess what we're gonna play now?!!!" AJ asked with enthusiasm. Getting evil glances from the two prisoners he continued on, "Well, we're gonna play a lovely game of truth or dare. Okay......not a word from the prisoners. Why don't you start Brian."
"I'd be honored AJ! Okay, Nick, truth or dare?"
"Truth..."
"Hm.....lets see, we'll start off easy......are you mad at Sam?"
"No......my turn, Sera, truth or dare?"
"Truth."
"Okay.....are you jealous that Sam is graduating early?"
"Of course not Nick. I'm happy for her. Yea I'm upset she won't be there next year, but if this is what she wants to do, then I'm all for it. Okay Sam......you're turn, truth or dare?"
"Gee, lets see, I'm screwed either way aren't I? Truth....keep in mind you're staying over and I will easily hurt you."
"Oh you're funny Sam!! Do you like Nick?"
Everyone was staring at her as she thought of a way to answer this.
"Okay.....I will admit, thanks to Sera, I have a small crush on him......that's all. And it's no big deal.....it's not like I love him or something."
They all continued on with this game for a while. AJ had been right, it was the perfect way to get Sam and Nick to admit stuff.
"Okay Nick......truth or dare?"
"Truth Brian."
"Do you like Sam?"
Sam couldn't even bring herself to look at Nick. She didn't want to know the answer.
"I don't know....."
Sam just let this sink in as they continued on. She didn't have long to think before AJ was looking at her expectantly.
"What??"
"Truth or dare Sam?"
"Oh....dare I guess."
AJ looked at the others and smiled evilly, which had Sam instantly regretting her choice.
"You're gonna love this one. Kevin, we'll need your help.....ah what the hell, we'll need everyone! Guess what Sam! You get to play seven minutes in heaven.......with Nick."
"What?! No way."
"Yup, fraid so, you chose dare and that's the dare. You and Nick have to go into a closet for 7 minutes and make out. Hey Sera......got any lipstick on you? This way we'll know if they did or if they just sat there."
Sam and Nick both shot him murderous looks as they were dragged into the house.
"So what closet should it be Brian?"
"Hmm.....lets go with Nick's. It's kinda small.......they'll really be stuck."
Sera was searching her bag for lipstick as the others dragged Sam and Nick up to his room. Arriving there, Sera put lipstick on and then they were shoved into the closet and the door was shut. The others waited outside of Nick's door. They didn't want to embarrass them too much, but they wanted to make sure they completed the dare. Nick and Sam just sat in the closet.
"You know, we should really just get this over with. They aren't gonna let us out until we do," Nick pointed out.
"No."
"What?"
"I refuse to be bullied into making out with you."
"Sam......no offense, I don't really want to do this either, but I refuse to be stuck in my closet all night!"
"Fine! What the hell are we supposed to do? I can't see shit in here!"
"Gee lets see......it's called seven minutes in heaven......we're supposed to make out for seven minutes. I don't think you need to see to kiss."
Before Sam could open her mouth to answer him, he had leaned down and begun kissing her. Going with the flow, Sam just followed his lead. It wasn't exactly all she'd been dreaming of. They were both angry and pissed off, which totally ruined any romantic factor that might have been involved if this had happened naturally. After a few moments, the door opened and light spilled in on them.
"Well needless to say Brian, I think they completed the dare," Sera said giggling.
Sam and Nick broke apart and sent more evil glares their way.
"Are we done with this damn game now?"
"Are you two gonna get over this childishness and start behaving like adults?"
"What are you talking about?"
"Come on guys. You two have been friends for 16 years! Get over this little thing. So Sam thinks you're cute Nick.......big deal! That doesn't mean you two still can't be friends. I mean, I don't think Sam is gonna try to jump your bones every time she sees you, are you Sam?"
Sam started giggling and shook her head no.
"See Nick!! It's just your stupid machoism that's preventing you two from being friends. You're the one that can't handle the fact that she likes you."
"It's not that! It's......I don't know..........weird......I don't know......."
"Why is it so weird Nick? I mean.....it's not like I would ever try anything with you. I've known you too long. I don't know......I think you're cute......that's about it. It's not big deal."
"I know......look Sam.....I know I've been a jerk lately......I don't know why......I just didn't know how to act around you anymore. I'm sorry."
"That's okay. If it makes you feel better.......I've really got the hots for Brian."
Sam looked at Brian and started laughing. Brian started freaking out and acting like he couldn't look at her anymore. Once Nick realized he was being made fun of, he jumped on Brian's back and began pummeling him.
"Ouch, ouch Frack!! Please don't hurt me," Brian exclaimed in a high pitched voice.
Slowly everyone filed back downstairs and outside. When they got out there, Jane came up to them.
"Where have you guys been?"
"Um.....well, we all went inside to resolve the Nick and Sam issue."
"Well, is it resolved Brian?"
"For now."
"Thank god......you two were pathetic!"
"Gee thanks mom!"
Jane just smiled and went back to the adults. Now that the tension was broken between Sam and Nick, everyone sat back and was able to relax a little bit.
"So now what guys?" Howie asked looking at everyone.
"Well first........who are you all?? And why are you here? I mean, I know you all won some competition, but that's all I know." Sam asked in confusion.
"Oh yea.....oops. Okay, lets see, where should we start. Well, with this competition thing, we're gonna form a singing group. Maybe get a record deal and all that stuff. Now lets see, that's AJ.......then Howie.......you know Brian, that's his cousin Kevin and you know me."
"Okay......so you guys are gonna be singers? Well......why don't you sing something then."
Getting up, the guys formed a circle and whispered to each other. After a few nods and a few weird looks they came back and stood in front of Sam and Sera. Then they began singing "My Girl". Once they started singing, everyone outside came over and listened. Once they were done everyone began clapping.
"That was really good guys. I'm amazed. You guys sound like you've been singing together for years!"
"Thanks dad," Nick said grinning from ear to ear.
After that, they pretty much went off and practiced some stuff together. Sam and Sera headed to Sam's to continue with their sleepover and after a little bit, the party ended and everyone headed home.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Sam and Sera sat in her room painting their nails and talking.
"So.......are you mad at me Sam?"
"Na......not anymore. I wanted to kill you earlier though!"
"I'm sorry.......but well, we knew you guys would never make up on your own, so we figured we'd help."
"Yea......but come on, Seven minutes in Heaven! I was so embarrassed!"
"Yea......but did you enjoy it?"
Sam just smiled and blushed.
"I knew it!! So.....what do you think is gonna happen between you two? I mean, now that you aren't being forced to talk. Think you guys are gonna go back to being buttheads or actually be adult about this!?"
"I don't know......hopefully the adult thing."
Not long after, they turned out the light and fell asleep exhausted.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Everyone from the party had left. Now it was only Nick and Brian.
"Hey Frack.......sorry bout earlier. Hope we didn't embarrass you too much."
"No, that's okay."
"So what do you thinks gonna happen between you and Sam?"
"What do you mean?"
"Are you two gonna stop acting like kids and talk or are you two gonna go back to the way it was before the closet."
"I don't know........I guess we'll talk......kinda have to. I don't think our parents will let us go without talking!"
"True......so.......how was the closet??"
"Whatever do you mean Bri?"
"Did you enjoy your seven minutes in heaven or not?"
"Well............"
"Come on Nick, spill it!"
"Well, I'll say one thing.........she's a good kisser."
"I knew it!! You've got the hots for her!! Tell her Nick!!"
"I do not have the hots for her Bri......I just enjoyed kissing her, no big deal."
"You're impossible Frack!!!!"
"I know, g'night Bri, I'm tired!"
Brian said goodnight they headed upstairs. Brian headed to the spare room while Nick headed to his. He couldn't help but think about how nice it had been kissing Sam. In fact, those thoughts were on his mind as he laid down and fell asleep.