Chapter 11:

The next day, I knew I had to put on a brave face. Although I still can't find a reason to be upset, I knew that it wasn't Justin's fault that I'm insane.

So, seeing Justin in his car outside waiting for me, I gave him the best smile I could muster and I could see him unclench.

I opened the door with my nonchalant 'Hi'

"Hi"

He usually turned on the radio but this time he didn't. When I reached over to turn it on, he stopped me to say, "I called you last night"

"Forgot to recharge my phone" I said totally detached

"I thought you didn't want to talk to me" I looked over at him and he had this guilty look on his face and I couldn't help but make it better

"I'm sorry Justin. I…." he stopped me midsentence to say "It's ok Sam, I'm sure you forgot"

Ouch… He called me Sam

"Sammy Justin… remember… just Sammy" I said gently

He looked over at me right then and I could tell a weight was lifted off his shoulder

"So…"

"So?"

"What's she like this Sarah??" He laughed at me and I couldn't help but get annoyed

"Jealous are we??" His manner was so easy that I couldn't help but say

"Maybe a little"

I could see that that amused him somehow then very carefully a full blown frown was on his face which he quickly removed

 what was that all about??

"She's nice"

"Just nice??"

He shrugged and said, "She's really nice" He suddenly smiled and said," You tried to set me up with her in freshman year, remember??"

"ME?" gasp

"Yeah, I told you I wasn't interested" Now that was interesting

"What changed?" He looked over at me as if to say something then looked away saying, "I did"

We got to school and I could see Sarah waiting by her car and as we pulled in her face went into a full blown grin. I looked at Justin and could see him smiling back…

oh barf

I could also see Seth with his gang of delinquents observing the situation. I left them talking to look for anyone I could find so I could leave the two love birds alone. I mean, I'm barely capable of accepting Justin having a girlfriend, I don't think I could handle them all over each other… alert alert annoying mental image

I could see Seth heading my way and I knew I was in no way ready to handle him right now so I said to him –though he couldn't hear me- and to the mental image that wouldn't leave me alone 'GO AWAY!'

I heard someone say, "Sammy?"

"Sam??"

I looked back and it was Sam following me. I let out a huge sigh of relief and I couldn't help but hug him. I felt him tense but I didn't comment. I finally found a friendly face

"Sammy"

I couldn't let him go… not yet.

"mhmmm?" He was wearing this smooth Jacket that smelt of vanilla and mint I couldn't help but stay there a while longer

"You ok?"

I lifted myself off by sheer will and looked at him to say,"Never better"

"Good, 'cause I need to tell you something." He took a breath, " Something I only just found out about" Another pause, " I mean I wasn't sure about until now"

I tried to focus a bit so I can register what he said… what could be so important for him to look as nervous as he does right now???

"Yeah??"

"I…"

"We better get to class" Justin was saying, Sarah was standing a couple of feet away waiting with one hand firmly placed over the other as if she didn't know what else to do with it when she didn't have Justin's hand to hold it.

I looked over at Sam and could tell he was …. Something. I didn't know what the way he looked even meant. So I took his hand as if to reassure him and whispered 'later'

He nodded once and looked over at Justin and gave a brief nod which Justin reciprocated. I wonder what it was he wanted to tell me?