SAM

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s a m a n t h a
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"I am a feminist. I've been female for a long time now. I'd be stupid not to be on my own side."
- Maya Angelou.

"Reservation for Carter?"

Mr. Carter mutters dismissively to the waiter. I walked in at the back of the group, leaving behind Sam and his brother, Lucas. I hated having to do that, I hated having to leave him with that monster. The waiter leads us to a table in the centre of the room. Tables which seated other people surround us were watching our every move. On one side of the table, my mom, my dad, Mr. Parkins and Mrs. Parkins, one of my sisters and both of my brothers. At the head of the table is Mr. Carter. The other side is Mrs. Carter, my sister and the Carter boy. Cameron is his name by the way. I'm guessing the other 3 seats are for me, Sam and Lucas. I must have been standing there for a while because,

"Sam, aren't you going to sit?" Cameron asks me.

Everyone is staring at me. I give them a tight smile and take a seat next to Cameron. My eyes shift to the place cars. Lucas' name is one the place card next to me and next to him is Sam. I glance around to make sure that no one is looking at me. I switch Lucas' and Same place cards so that Sam sits next to me. I would never sit next to Lucas, never in a million years.

I see Lucas strolling towards us from the corner of my eye. He pulls out the seat next to me.

"Ahem, this is Sam's seat. No yours." I declare, staring into his cold green eyes. He sits down, leaving a space between me and him. Shortly after, Sam saunters our way with an irritated look on his face. He roughly wrenches the chair and lands onto the seat. Before I can ask him if he is okay, my stepfather stands and clears his throat. He receives everyone's attention immediately.

"Now that everyone is seated, we shall begin. We've called you all here for a special announcement. For 5 generations, the Parkins, the Perkins and the Carters have been in business together,"

I did not know this. I mean, that there is a lot of things that I do not know but I thought that the business was only created by the Perkins and Parkins. That's also how me and Sam met at his Grandpa's Farm, it was the first time we had met although our parents had been friends and partners for years. I still don't know the reason why we're here together though. My father continues,

"We've all watched our children grow. The Parkins Boys. Lucas, you been through so much but you've grown into such an impressive young gentleman," Sam and I scoff at this and receive annoyed glares before we compose ourselves, "And Samuel has not yet grown up into the man we want him to be but he will get there. Cameron Carter, even though we have no seen him in a very long time, I have witnessed his generosity and kindness. He has become such a gentleman and we thank the Carters. He is well-mannered, well-poised and has outshone everyone here."

Okay, so Sam gets a 5 seconds mention and Cameron Carter basically gets an introduction that feels as though he is about to appear on James Corden or Ellen. It's as though they are trying to impress us for some reason.

"My darling girl twins, Maura and Maria, you two have grown up so beautiful. You two are about to enter into are about to enter into 9th grade and conquer it you will!" The grown-ups at the table let out a few chuckles. Why would someone laugh at that? You'd think that people who have been on this on this Earth for +-40 years would have developed a better sense of humor.

"My  twin boys, Daniel and Dylan, taking the world by storm and reaching their goals. We have grown close ever since your father left," Awkward, "but I am honored that you know call me dad. They've just been offered a scholarships to Cardiff Metropolitan University and Durham University for their soccer in England! My star players of the family!" Really dad? The star players? They cannot even pass their English spelling test. Sure, they are really amazing good at soccer but I have skills too. I think.