Sam's Story

I sat at my desk staring down at my test. I have no idea what this teacher wants from me. She teaches us one thing one day, and expects us to all understand it, and to figure out all on our own a million other things that we suposably 'already learned in this unit' for the test. I finally look up and around the room. Many other students are in the same position as me. I look over to the clock, 3:10. Only five more minutes until school is over for the rest of the week. I take a deep breath and look at my paper again.

I haven't written anything for the past forty minutes. I hesitate to pick up my pencil, but end up doing it anyways. I start with the easiest question. My name. That could be many different names. In school it's Sam Alexander. When I'm out saving the world from various threats, it's Nova. When I'm with my friends it's Sparky. Last but not least whenever Peter's around me, he always calls me Captain Buckethead. The first time we met, he saw me as Nova, and since he's not very smart, he thought my helmet was a bucket on my head. He's just so, whats the word I'm looking for. A smart ass, a teachers pet. Yes, and definitely, but that's not it. The word I'm looking for is annoying. Yeah, he's one of my best friends, but he's so damn annoying.

The bell finally rings and I rush out of there. It's finally time to just go home. I slide down the stairs and go out to the front of the school. I sit on the bench and just wait a little, watching people walk past me, not thinking twice about me. I'm defiantly not one of the cool kids at school, and I'm actually okay with that. Popularity chews you up and spits you out. Trust me, not fun. I'm about to leave, but then I see her. Her long golden hair and her electric green eyes which are just like mine, and her piercing personality.

I really like her. I have for who knows how long. But girls like her, don't fall for guys like me. And with that thought I turn and start walking home, well actually to Peter's house since that's where I'm staying until The Helicarrier gets back up into shape.

"Sam! Wait up." A voice behind me yells. I turn and see her running up to me. Oh no, if she starts talking to me I'll probably say something stupid. Again.

"Um, uh. H-hey Scarlett." I say scratching the back of my neck. She smiles at me with her pearl white teeth, "I haven't talked to you in like forever."

"Yeah, forever..." I drift off not wanting to sound dumb buy talking too much.

"We should hang out today." She said like it was normal for us to talk. Like we're best friends. I mean don't get me wrong, I like being friends, but I much rather be more than friends. But then again who wouldn't.

"Today's not really a good day. I-I'm kinda busy, with stuff..." I say. I hope I didn't ruin her mood to hang out with me.

"Oh, okay. Maybe some other time then." She smiles and I do too, but I just know that mine is much more sad.

"It's been nice talking to you, Sam." Suddenly she throws her arms around my neck in a hug. At first I freeze and tense up, but when I realize that she's hugging me I untense and hug her right above her waist. I feel butterflies in my stomach. We let go and go our separate ways.

It's getting dark. Instead of going home, I head in direction to the park. To my happy place, especially for this day. I toss my backpack on the ground and climb the chain link fence around the border of the park. I sit up on the fence and take a deep breath. I look up at the stars.

"Hey Dad." I barely manage to whisper before a tear escapes from my eye. After that one I let the rest flow out.

I sit there, with my elbows on my knees, and my hands on my eyes. I'm not sure how long I've been like this, but when I look up again the starts are shining brighter than before.

"Sam? Is that you?" A familiar voice says behind me. No, not Scarlett. You have got to be kidding me.

"Y-Yeah. It's me." I wipe away a tear from my face, and jump off the fence. I land on the same side as Scarlett, "W-what are you doing here Scar?"

"This is where I come when I need to think. Why are you here?"

"This is my happy place." I say opening my arms motioning towards the park. I put on a fake smile trying to hide my puffy, red tear stained face.

"Sam, are you okay? Your face is all puffy and red." She says stepping closer to me. "Yeah...I'm fine..." She takes another step towards me, "Sam. You can tell me whats going on. I'm here for you."

I drop my head and take a deep breath. With that breath I smell her scent, of strawberries. I love her, which is why I need to tell her.

"I've never told anyone this, not even my closest friends." I take another deep breath, "My dad died this day five years ago. Today is the anniversary of his death." Another tear escapes my already squeezed shut eyes. A cold hand wipes it away. I look up at Scarlett, to my surprise she doesn't have pity written across her face. Instead a look of concern mixed in with a little bit of understanding. Her arms go around me in a comforting hug. She pulls away and looks me in the eyes.

"My sister died in a car accident when I was nine." She says with no hesitation in her voice but turning away from me. I was about to say I was sorry for her loss before she interupted my thoughts, "It's nice to get that off my chest. Expecially to someone who understands what its like. It's hard to lose someone you love."

She turns back to me, no tears on her face or in her eyes. Her hand slips in mine. She smiles and so do I.

"Scar, I need to tell you something." I say breaking our silence.

"Yes Sam." She batts her irresistible eyes. Just tell her you chicken.

"I've liked you since the second I layed eyes on you. Not just as friends though, as in I like-you like-you. What I'm trying to say is-" A pair of lips are gently placed on mine. Scarlett's arms snake up to my neck. I place mine on her waist and pull her closer to me. I feel her cold fingers rumage through my hair. I feel something in my stomach, like Fourth of July is happening inside of me. I guess thats what they mean when they say they felt sparks.

We pull away to take a breath. Wow. That felt....Amazing. I press our forheads together and look her in the eyes. She stares right back at me.

"You just kissed me." I whisper only loud enough for us to hear. She smiles, "Sometimes the girls have to make the first move."

And with that off my chest, I went back to just being myself. The one and only, Sam Alexander.