Rise

Chapter Four

After their kiss that day all was right with the world, well, Faith's world that is. She was ready to forgive Sam completely now because for one she missed him and two she felt her trust renewed in him after she heard Alix's ultimatum revelation.

After their kiss Faith broke away from Sam's gaze to see Meghan waiting for her.

"Oh, she's my ride. I gotta go." She bite her bottom lip ruefully. Sam picked up on her gesture.

"Why don't I give you a ride home today?" Faith looked at Meghan to make sure it was okay.

"Okay. I'll see you tomorrow then." Meghan said as she turned to leave. Sam reached for Faith's hand lacing his fingers through hers.

"You ready?" He asked.

"I have to grab my stuff really quick." They walked to the flag hallway and Faith went to grab her book bag. Sam reached down and grabbed it before her. Sam had always been quite the gentleman, most of the time. They walked out to his car and he tossed her book bag in the back, held her door open for her, and shut it when she got in.

"So," he said when he finally got in the car, "I was hoping we could make a quick little pit stop before I drop you off at home. Is that cool with you?" He asked flashing her his most charming smile.

"Sure." They drove in silence both afraid to breath too loud in fear of disturbing the new found peace they had just came to. Sam broke the awkward tension. He reached across the center console and gently took Faith's hand. The car slowed down as he pulled into Twisty Treat's parking lot. He let go of Faith's hand and pulled into a parking spot. He turned off the engine, but made no move to get out of the car. Sam turned and looked at Faith taking in all her features. She turned towards him looking into is deep brown eyes.

"Sam, what's wrong?"

"Faith, are we..." He paused for a second.

"Yes." She continued to hold his gaze. "But you can't hurt me again. I can't take anymore."

"I know, baby." Sam looked away. "So I thought for our fourth first date I could buy you some ice cream." He smirked mischievously. After the first time Sam and Faith had broken up and gotten back together Sam had jokingly called their first date after reuniting their "second first date."

"This better be our last first date." She said as they walked up to the counter to order.

"I'll have a large peanut butter ice cream cone, and she'll have a medium cookie dough twister."

"Small." I interrupted.

"Okay, make that a small. That'll be all. Thanks." Sam smiled at the girl behind the counter. Faith watched as she blushed ever so slightly. They got their ice cream and went and sat at one of the tables underneath a pink and white umbrella. Faith stared down at her ice cream contemplating. Sam knew that look. That was Faith's "I'm not happy with whatever you just did" face.

"Oh shit, what did I do?"

"Nothing." He knew faith too well for her to pull any of that "nothing" bull shit.

"Faith." Sam's serious tone caught her off guard. She looked from her ice cream. "I want to have a better relationship than we had before so you can't pull that "nothing" line of bull shit on me. Tell me what's wrong."

"I literally don't want to tell you because you didn't do anything wrong."

"Well then what's bothering you babe?"

"It's just that..." She looked down again. "I don't think you understand how you come off to other girls."

"I was not flirting with that chick at the window. I swear Faith." Sam said defensively.