Wake up

TWELVE

"I love you too." I said and snuggled into her chest.
She hugged me tightly as I drifted to sleep.

I woke up when we landed in England and we got off of the jet.
Mike took our bags to our room and we went to go eat with the squad.

"You still sleepy?" Tana asked and took my hand.
I shook my head and smiled a little.

I got a call from my manager.
That's so weird.

"Hey Rudy." I said.

"Hey Sam. So. How does recording tomorrow sound?"

"When?"

"Maybe. 13:24?"

"You want me to get up at 1?"

"In the afternoon. Yes."

"Okay fine."

"And.."

"And?"

"Interview?"

"I don't know Rudy."

"Come on. Quick one?"

"Fine. Bye. I'm going to eat with the squad."

"One more thing."

"What else?"

"You can't date Tana."

"Excuse me?"
Tana looked at me confusedly.
"Go in and other for me please?"
She nodded and kissed me.
She said I love you in sign language and I said it back.
"Explain."

"Well. Do you want that exposure on her?"

"People barely know who I am. Who's gonna care if they see Beyoncé's little drummer girl with someone?"

"The heads at the label. They don't want that."

"That meaning?"

"Same sex relationships for their artists."

"Why not?"

"Yo. Don't shoot the messenger."

"I will if he doesn't explain. I read the contract page to page. It didn't say anything about this."

"It's more of an unwritten rule. Look. They want sales. And with you dating a girl less guys will buy your stuff."

"That makes no fucking sense." I said and paced. "This makes no fucking sense. Okay. Listen. I'm gonna be with whoever I want and if I get dropped. Then I get dropped. Because this shit is ridiculous." I hung up and took a deep breath. I walked inside and saw they had reserved a party room for us.

I walked in and got knocked over by the force of the others.

We all got up and Logan hugged me by herself.

"How're you doing?"

"I'm making it." I said with a nod.

"We're here for you. You know that right?"

"Yeah Lo Lo. I know."

"Okay. Individual hugs." Haven said and we all lined up.
I went down and hugged everyone and kissed Tana when I got to her.

Everyone else went down the line and we all sat down and ordered.

"Okay. What's going on with sana?" Shalom asked.

"What?" Tana asked.

"You two together. Sana. Sammy. Tana." Alyexis said.

"Oh. We're together." Tana said. I nodded.

"Are you sure you wanna do this?" Raven asked me.

"Yeah. I didn't know at first. But when I was sleeping he was in one of my dreams and he said. 'Don't let me get in the way of your happiness.' So I went for it."

"Aw. That's nice."

"Can I ask about the day?" Courtney asked.

"Go ahead."

"What was it like to get. Shot?"

"It was like paintball to the extreme." I said. "Accept that it wasn't a sting on your leg or something it was your flesh being ripped."

"What a mental picture." Lea said.

We ate and went out to explore since we have a few days before the show.

"Rudy told me that I couldn't date you." I said to Tana.

"What?"

"He said that the heads don't want any gay relationships with their artists."

"What did you say?"

"That their logic was flawed and ridiculous. And I'm going to be with whoever I want. If they drop me. Oh well."

"You've got guts." She said."but. I don't wanna be the reason you get dropped."

"So you're breaking up with me?"

"Let's just. Keep things casual." She said with a wink.
So what I got from that is. Tone it down for the cameras and be together on personal time.

"Okay. Casual." I said and she held my hand. We caught up with the squad and the camera parade came to town.

"It's so hard being famous." Jayden said and flipped her hair.

"Sam! Sammy!"
I looked at them and waved as we kept walking. I grabbed Logan's hand.

"Everyone smile." I said and we did as we walked away quicker.

Time skip

Before the show we all sat together and hugged.
After what happened to the seven people who were killed and Izzy and me. There is no telling when you're gonna go.

So we have to love on you while you're sill here.

"I gotta go." I said and stood up. "I'll see you guys in the box."

"Sammy." Tana said and stood up. She put her hands on my face and I wrapped my arm around her lower back. We kissed and the light flashed again.

"Baby."

"Mm." She mumbled while kissing my neck.

"I gotta go now."
She pulled away and flicked her tongue at my new hickey.

"Aw shit." I said and looked back at her. She shrugged and I shook my head.
"You're gonna pay for this."

"I'm sure I am." She smirked at me and I shook my head while walking out.

I stuck my head back in. "I love you."

"I love you too baby." Tana said and I walked out for real.

"I got a friend. She's new in the scene but I think you'll like her."
I heard the crowd start cheering.

"SAMM! SAMM! SAMM!"

"You know her. You might love her. SAMM!"
I ran out on stage and he played our song I wish you would.
When we finished I told him about right hand.
"The floor is yours."

I smiled at some people and waved back.
"Sunderland!"
They all yelled.
"How y'all feeling?"
Another yelling reply.
"You guys are special because nobody knows this song yet. Accept me. So hopefully. You'll like it." I smiled and I saw a girl mouth 'we'll always love you SAMM.'

I put my hand over my heart and walked over to her. I kissed her hand.