The Beginning

Chapter 25

Sam had a remarkably happy childhood.

Her father was a doctor at the local hospital, and he was a very good father. He would bring takeout every Saturday-from Panda Express to In n' Out to many more- and they would have the best dinner at the end of the week. Her mom was a teacher at the local elementary school, and every time she would ask for assistance, Sam would happily say yes. A wave of nostalgia would hit Sam every time she saw the little kids. There were some days where she wanted to be a kid again, full of no worries and having fun every day.

However, fourth grade was a nightmare for her. Her family and every one of her friends were as friendly as they always were, but she had a stutter that got worse and worse until she stuttered in every situation. Sadly, this was a target for Brittany Conner, the new girl. She was all flashy and popular and rich, and she quickly gained a posse. Brittany would take every opportunity to bully and humiliate Sam until she didn't want to go to school anymore. She was bullied so often that she had to go to a therapist to help console her.

She met her best friends Riley and Carlos in the nicest way possible.

Brittany had just kicked her books over. As she was scrambling trying to get them stacked, Brittany started taunting her.

"Aww, looks like the freak got her poor books kicked," she said, making a fake crying face. Behind her, her posse started to laugh and point at Sam.

"T-t-that w-wasn't v-very nice," Sam stuttered, causing more laughing and howling from Brittany's posse.

"Look, everyone! She's STUTTERING again. How embarrassing for you. You can't even talk right," Brittany sneered.

"She may not talk right, but at least she's not a bully," a voice said.

Sam turned to see a girl with black hair and interesting eyes glaring at Brittany. "Brittany, get lost. Leave her alone," she snapped.

Sam felt a wave of admiration. She's so brave! I wish I could be like that.

"She can't say things right, Riley. Why shouldn't I bully her?" Brittany asked, facing her and crossing her arms.

"Well, number one, it's not a funny thing to do. Two, what would you do if you had a stutter like her? I'm sure you'll get bullied as hard as her."

"So what?" Brittany said, smirking. "I'm not going to get in trouble."

Riley held up her phone. "I was recording the entire thing. You're in BIG trouble."

After turning in the evidence to the principal, Brittany was expelled, and her posse pleaded not to get expelled, saying "they were forced to, and they didn't want to make her mad." The principal gave them a two week suspension, and Brittany became the poster girl for bullying.

Riley came up to her as Sam watched Brittany leave the front office, tears streaking down her cheeks. "Glad that monster finally left," she said.

"T-Thank you," Sam said.

"Hey, it's no problem. Always glad to help someone out," she answered, smiling.

After that, Riley took her to meet Carlos, who was just as friendly and warm as Riley was. Right then and there, Sam knew that she made the right choice. They would spend the weekends hanging out, being the friends they were meant to be.

All of these thoughts came to Sam after she was knocked out by the sonic wave. As she came into consciousness, Carlos' worried face was looking down at her. "Are you okay?" he asked, helping her up.

As soon as Sam stood up, dizziness overwhelmed her, and she had to sit down. "Oh, fine. Just a bit dizzy," she said sarcastically.

Carlos laughed. "Yeah, I'm still a bit dizzy, too."