The Beginning.

Chapter 16: Ding ding ding

-September 2nd, 1994-

8 months had passed. Sam had moved to Sunnyvale, and Deena had been frozen in time in Shadyside.

For the first few months, they couldn't help but attempt to call or contact each other somehow. They sometimes even sent letters. But naturally, circumstances, distance and their own struggles had made their already crumbled relationship bitter and cold. It was outside forces that decided this - not them. It would never be them.

Deena had exhausted herself by fighting with her own mind, using unhealthy coping strategies and eventually shutting off from feelings. Sam had used a similar technique and pretended Deena didn't even exist. She somehow winded up dating a boy called Peter - a boy who had been after Sam for a long time, for only one thing. Sam also pretended to get back into cheerleading, hung out with frat boys and narcissistic girls. They were both living fake lives, becoming more and more depressed and desperate. But it was too late and too painful for more sadness. Only anger produced itself.

It'd been exactly a year ago that they both met, which meant that today was Shadyside VS Sunnyvale cheerleading competition with a few other events.

Just like last year, Deena didn't want to go. This time though, she had to as she'd joined band again. Kate and Simon practically forced her into it after becoming so melancholic when Sam left. She also knew she would probably see Sam at some point today, so she coldly grabbed their memory box with intention of giving it to her. She also tried to write her a note, but the whirling contradicting feelings of frustration and love made it difficult.

Deena hesitantly stepped onto the bus and sat near the middle of the bus on the window seat. People left her with no hope and annoyance, more than they usually did, so she shoved her headphones over her ears and played 'creep' by Radiohead through them on max volume. She started to bang her drumsticks to the beat but slowly stopped as they passed a very memorable bus stop.

She saw it coming, but didn't fully realise the emotions it would stir up. This is where she first laid her eyes on Sam. Her eyes started to fill as the bus zoomed past the stop. Her stomach fluttered and her heart ached. Orange leaves blew in circles and patterns where Sam stood that year ago.

"Let it go, let it go." Deena began to whisper to herself as she soothed herself with deep breaths. She did this very regularly.

After a very uncomfortable and overwhelming journey, the bus arrived at Sunnyvale school. Deena quickly made her way to the courtyard to meet Kate and Simon - she needed distraction from her own thoughts. The trio stayed together for the duration of the evening, grouping up later on in the field where the schools merged and danced. Unsurprisingly, fights usually started too.

The three were huddled together like penguins when Deena saw what she had been dreading and hoping for at the same time - Sam. Her Sam. Her Sam with another boy, groping her in front of just about everyone.

Time genuinely stopped. It really did. A massive lump grew steadily in Deena's throat, heat rose to her head and her lip quivered at the sheer sight of Sam with this boy. She had to escape, and she had to do it fast. Deena pushed her way through the crowd, trying not to alert or draw attention to her face that was full of emotion. She then walked briskly through the corridor, retrieved the memory box and went outside, took long shaky breaths and slid her back down the wall.

While she was pulling her hands through her hair and getting her breath, she wondered how this could have possibly happened. How could it have come to this. The thoughts whizzed round her anxious and tired brain like a tornado. Then she looked up, and to the side. Sam. Sam had seen Deena run off. She'd been looking for Deena all night.

"Sam." Deena spoke. Her heart rate fastened and she was both elated, nervous and fuming. You could hear it all in her voice, or at least Sam could.

Sam stood there nervously. despite it all, she was so happy to see Deena.

"I didn't think you were coming." There was a pause. "I thought you quit band." Sam wavered.

There was so much tension, tension in every sort of way possible. They missed each other so much, but the negative feelings and months of despair overwhelmed the optimism.

"Yeah I did. Here." Deena said coldly and bluntly. She pushed the box towards Sam with her shoe. Sam stuttered and knelt down. She knew what Deena was doing. When she opened the box and saw the memories inside, a wave of sadness and nostalgia washed over her.

"Is this my stuff?" Sam asked with innocence and hopelessness.

Deena had a million sarcastic comments stored up, but only managed, through her sorrow -

"Ding, ding, ding."

And the story continued. Fortunately, with a happy ending.

*The end! Thanks so much for all your feedback, support and sticking with the story. I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. What a brilliant trilogy. I love Sameena to PIECES but (and this doesn't happen too often) the plot was amazing too. Have a great day and life guys ha :) <3*