The Beginning.

Chapter 4: Can I give you a lift home?

-September 2nd 1993-

Deena looked up from the address written on her hand and stared at the huge mansion that it brought her to.
"Damn." She said out loud.
Kate and Simon walked up beside her. "Damn indeed." Kate added.
People flooded the house as they walked in. You could smell the hormones. And the alcohol.

Meanwhile, Sam was inside, drinking flat beer. The boys of Sunnyvale had seemed to adopt her. Sam was a quiet and complex girl, who could be taken advantage of. However, if she needed to be, she could be cold and unforgiving.

One of the boys touched her waist. She stood there and furrowed her eyebrows at him.
"Get off." She spat and took a few steps back. "You're missing out." Shrugged the boy. "Come on, let's go upstairs." He attempted to whisper. She pushed him away from her as he tried to grab her forearm.
"Leave me alone." Sam said, stubborn. "I don't want you." She finished under her breath. The boy had given up at this point, and his friends drunkenly shoved a beer into his hand. "There's other bitches here, Peter." Loudly said one of his friends.
"Yes there is." Peter said, with confidence.

Sam waddled off, feeling like she was about to burst into tears. Her eyes scanned the room for the brunette with curly hair. For about half an hour, Deena had been wandering around the house, trying to find Sam. She had walked in on two couples having sex, someone throwing up in a bathroom and witnessed a group of people taking drugs. She persevered though, and ended up in what looked like a home office. 

"Why the fuck do people have houses this big." Denna uttered to herself in annoyance.

There was suddenly a tap on Deena's shoulder. It startled her and literally made her jump. She spun around, it was Sam.

"I agree, too many rooms." Sam replied with a giggle. She was clearly upset though, a tear was rolling down her cheek. Before Deena could say anything back to her, she looked at Sam and her glassy eyes with a face of empathy. Sam saw that Deena knew something was up, and Sam quickly wiped the tear away with part of her own sleeve.

Deena's instinct kicked in and she suggested they sit down and talk. It was what they both needed, and deeply wanted.
They both perched themselves on the edge of an office desk. There was a chair but neither of them sat in it.
Sam started. "I'm sorry." Deena looked at her, puzzled. "
This is like de ja vu." Sam gushed.
"What do you mean?" Asked Deena softly.
"Well, less than 8 hours ago you were sitting next to me holding my bleeding nose, and now I'm here crying." She lightly chuckled and wiped her wet nose.
"Don't be silly." Deena shook her head and smiled. "I'm just sorry that you missed out on the competition." Deena confessed, feeling partly guilty.
"Oh don't be, I don't even like cheerleading. My mom forces me to do it. I don't think I'll ever live up to her standards." Sam wiped her nose again and sniffled.

"I'm sorry you deal with that. It's not right."
Sam gave her a warm smile. Her tears had stopped.
"Do you get on with your parents?" Sam asked gently.
"Well, my mom died when I was young. I don't really remember her that well." Deena replied.
Sam looked as though she was about to start crying again.
"And my dad, well, I hardly see him. He drinks. A lot."
"I'm sorry." Said Sam, pain in her voice. She wanted to take it all away from her.

Although she's only known Deena for a little while, Sam can already tell that Deena puts up a front. Not in a bad way, just a wall to protect herself. It seemed to subconsciously crumble when she was around Sam.
Deena tilted her head back, trying to stop her eyes from filling. She took a deep breath. "Everyone has issues right?" Deena laughed.
Sam knew it was a fake laugh.
The silence was back, only briefly. No words were spoken, but something inside Sam made her feel like she needed to do this.
This being, slowly placing her hand in Deena's.
When Sam took it, Deena gulped. She felt like the whole world could've heard it.

Without even thinking about it, Deena slowly rubbed her thumb up and down Sam's hand.
You could cut the tension with a knife.
They were about to make eye contact, but Simon flung the door open.
Sam quickly took her hand away from Deena's, she looked embarrassed. Deena noticed this.
"Deena!" Simon screamed with relief. "There you are."
Deena sighed and Sam had her head down.
"Oh. Ohhhh I'm sorry, I'm sorry." He apologised.
Deena shook her head and widened her eyes as to say 'Shut. The. Fuck. Up.'
"Ok yep I am sorry...buUt can you give me lift to work? They've just called me. You haven't been drinking right?" Simon asked, you could hear the desperation in his voice. He needed this money.
Deena gave him a soft smile. "Yes, you idiot, I can take you."
Simon gave her a massive grin and two thumbs up.
"I'll meet you downstairs." Deena said.
Simon left them. Sam still looked timid. Deena took a few steps towards Sam and played with her fingers.
"Can I give you a lift home?" Deena suggested. Hoping the answer would be yes.