work experience ~ s.w

twelve

"Then I'm here." He says softly, taking my hand in his own.

"I've never felt this way about anyone." I sigh, looking at the ground. From a young age my mom drilled it into me that I shouldn't fall in love too young. She fell for my dad when she was just my age now. If only she could have turned back time and been truly happy. That's all I cared about.

"It's because you don't let yourself fall."

"Falling only causes pain." I sigh looking at the ground. "Tell that to my mom."

"I can't. You haven't breathed a word about anything going on in your life other than your lousy dad and your amazing brother."

"You really want to let yourself into this hot mess?" I say with a slight laugh. Since j was 12, everything I've done has been for Chase. I even considered dropping out of school at 16 to take care of him but what example would that have set? I refuse to be next in line for the useless couch potato, hated asshole, self absorbed slob position. My father's got that role down to a tee.

"More than anything in the world" He answers. I look up at him, staring him straight in the eyes. I think he's being genuine. Maybe I should give him a chance? He's come this far, he seems to be staying. Although this might scare him off...

"My mom died 5 years ago. When I was 12, Zach was only 4 at the time so he doesn't remember any of it. You'd think that the loss of my mom would be the reason my dad turned to drink but no, he's been a drunk since before I can remember. I don't even know why my mom stayed with him all that time."

"If she didn't then you wouldn't have been born"

"I'd rather have not been born to see her happy just once." I sigh. "But anyway, my dad's a total dick. He used to hit my mom and threaten to hurt Zach all the time."

"Did he ever hit you?"

"He's done much worse than hit me." I say quietly looking to the ground.

"Now I know why you're so uneasy when I touch you." He says gripping my hand tighter.

"Everytime I close my eyes I see him there, right in front of me laughing in my face. My mom screams and cries and Zach just sits in the corner burying his head in his hands." I tell Sam. "I know I shouldn't put up with it now but I can't stop him."

"Wait, he does it now?"

"Not since I turned 18." I sigh. "It's not a game anymore."

"Viola, you should have told someone."

"Who's going to believe some slutty little girl over a full grown man who happens to be her own flesh and blood? I wouldn't that's for sure."

"Well I'm believing you now aren't I?" He tells me.

"It doesn't matter anymore. As soon as I can, I'm getting out of that place."

"Live with me then?"

"Sam-"

"I'm being serious."

"I'm your employee for the week. That's totally unprofessional."

"Yes but after that week you'll be my girlfriend so what's the problem?"

"I barely even know you. I don't even know where you live."

"You know a lot more than you think"

"You sound sure of yourself" I smirk. "That I'll be your girlfriend that is"

"You've already let yourself fall for me, it's just a matter of time now."

I can't help but smile as Sam as I hear the doors open loudly. I turn my gaze quickly to the doctor stood in the doorway; blood stains his scrubs. He looks like he's just got out of the operating room. Please don't say my name. Please don't call for me. Please-

"Viola Harper?" He says as my heart drops. I take a gulp as I stand to greet him. "I'm afraid it's not good news." With his words my heart breaks into a million tiny pieces. "Zach is alive but the surgery revealed that both his kidneys have failed. He went into paralytic shock because his kidneys stopped regulating the sugars in his blood. He'll be a diabetic for the rest of his life."

"What are you saying?"

"Zach needs a kidney transplant. As soon as possible." He tells me.

"Then take mine. I volunteer." I tell the doctor confidently.

"I'm afraid it's not that simple Miss Harper. You see, Zach has a very unique blood type-"

"AB, yeah I know." I say as Sam takes my hand from beside me.

"And our files tell us that your blood type is an O. I'm afraid to tell you that you aren't a match."

"Then what do we do?" I beg.

"Test me" Sam speaks up. I turn to Sam but before I can protest he's already talking. "Viola I'm going to do this. I'm going to get tested and if I'm a match them I'm giving him a kidney. All my life I've been waiting to do something good for someone else and for the last few years I've felt myself on a constant downward spiral to self loathing. I'm doing this. If not for myself then for Zach. For you."

"Well then, follow me." The doctor says as they both disappear through the heavy double doors.

How could Sam do this? Doesn't he know that this could ruin his life? Doesn't he know that this could hold him back from so much? How could he risk his health and even his life for a little boy he barely knows? How could he do that for me? We just met.

How is it so easy to fall in love with someone after willing yourself not to for years? How is it so simple for Sam to just throw is life away for me? How is it so easy for me to feel this way about a boy who's totally wrong for me?

Have you ever been so widely attracted so someone that you can actually feel it driving you crazy? That's how being with Sam makes me feel. This whole time I've been telling myself that I can't, that I shouldn't be happy; but now with Sam I can't help but smile. No one has ever stepped up and taken care of Zach and I, not even our own father, but now, a complete stranger has stepped forward and said he'll do something life changing for my little brother and I. I'm not just talking about the kidney tests, it's the living situation, the help at the diner, the happiness he provides us with.

I have a feeling that whatever this is with Sam, isn't just work experience.