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Isaac couldn't help the bright smile that spread onto his face when he saw Sam in the hallway, raking a hand through his unruly curls as he made his way over to her.
"You know," He began, leaning against the locker next to hers. "I believe I was promised some help on my algebra homework."
Sam looked over at the boy, a bright grin breaking out onto her face when she saw his smile. "Good morning to you too, Lahey."
Isaac chuckled. "Morning, Fletcher. Miss me?"
"Oh, it was complete hell without you. I had no one to tell my horrible puns to!" Sam said, placing the back of her hand against her forehead dramatically and falling back against the lockers.
"Wow, how did you even survive?" Isaac teased, tilting his head to the side.
"It was a struggle, but I managed. I'm a lot tougher than you think, you know." Sam joked, giving a playful punch to the blonde boy's shoulder.
Isaac hissed softly in pain, not because she hit him hard, but because she managed to hit a fresh bruise on his arm, compliments of his father.
Sam frowned. "Geez, did I really hit you that hard?" She asked, her hazel eyes laced with concern.
"No, no, it wasn't you," Isaac said, rubbing his arm softly. "I uh, got a bruise playing lacrosse the other day." He shrugged it off.
Sam arched an eyebrow, remembering his words from the night she found him in tears, moments before he swallowed that pill bottle.
The only family I have is my dad, who hates me enough to lock me in the freezer.
That night he was weary and suicidal, so he probably didn't realize he had said it when he did. Did he even realize it now?
"Lacrosse, huh?" She asked quietly, not wanting to push him.
Isaac opened his mouth to reply, but then closed it again, instead just giving her a pleading look, as if begging her not to make him say it.
Sam seemed to get the hint, and instead of pressing on the subject, she gave him a soft smile. "Maybe you shouldn't get so competitive then, huh Lahey?"
Isaac breathed a sigh of relief, giving her a grateful smile. "How do you suggest I win, then?"
"I don't know why you're asking me, I know absolutely nothing about sports." Sam admitted, shoving her books into her bag and shutting her locker.
"Nothing, huh? Well, we're obviously going to have to fix that. I can't be seen hanging around with someone who doesn't know anything about sports. It could ruin my reputation." Isaac teased with a playful shrug.
"Ah. We wouldn't want that." Sam said, tipping her head to the side.
"Absolutely not. It would be catastrophic."
Sam laughed gently, shaking her head and looking up into his blue hues. "Reason five," She said. "How funny you are."
Isaac, as always, blushed a deep red and glanced down at his feet, wringing his fingers together. "Thanks," He mumbled out, not knowing what else to say.
Sam chuckled, shaking her head. "You're welcome, Lahey. Now come on. We don't want to be late to class, do we?"
***
"Miss Fletcher?"
Sam looked up from her paper when she heard her last name, only to find herself gazing up into the eyes of the guidance councilor. Mrs. Barone, she thought her name was.
"Yes, ma'am?" She answered, her brow furrowing in confusion.
"Can I speak to you in the hallway for a moment? And bring your stuff with you. Don't worry, you're not in trouble." Mrs. Barone smiled, but it looked sad and forced. What was going on?
"Of course," Sam said softly, shoving her books into her bag and slinging it over her shoulder as she got to her feet. She glanced back at Isaac, who's eyes were locked on her in a concerned gaze. She smiled softly at him and gave him a small wave before exiting the classroom behind Mrs. Barone. "Is everything okay?" She asked, her brow furrowing.
The older woman sighed, shaking her head. "I'm afraid not."
Sam frowned, wringing her fingers together nervously. "What is it?"
"Sam, it's your brother Jacob. There was an accident."
