Boarding School Bliss

Chapter 17

Samantha was hurrying down the near-empty hallway on her way to meet Dawson when Cara abruptly stepped into her path, followed by Lyla. Samantha took a step back and raised an eyebrow at Cara, who was glaring harshly back at her.

"So, your little secret is revealed." Cara said, sounding ridiculously dramatic.

Samantha sighed. "So it is."

She tried to take a step around them, but Cara moved to stay in front of her. Samantha tilted her head impatiently. "What do you want, Cara?"

"This isn't going to be accepted, you know." When Samantha didn't rise to the bait, Cara tried again, her tone growing venomous. "You're not going to be accepted if you stay with him." She pretended to study her perfectly manicured nails when she added, "In fact, it's probably too late for you either way."

"I don't really care if I'm accepted by everyone else. Are you saying that you're not going to stand by me?" Samantha knew what Cara's answer would be, but she thought she should give her one last chance for the sake of their friendship.

Cara scoffed. "I'm not willing to throw away everything so that you can be with your loser boyfriend."

Samantha closed her eyes for a moment, reining in her temper, then glanced at Lyla who looked at her feet, avoiding her gaze and staying silent.

"Well, it's good to know who my true friends are," Samantha said. With that, she stepped past Cara, not bothering to keep her shoulder from bumping into hers.

Cara spun around and said, "You're okay with everyone thinking you're a loser?"

Samantha laughed a little with disbelief. "For the record, yes, I'm okay with that, but I choose to believe that not everyone thinks the way you do."

"You're wrong." Cara said, crossing her arms.

"I don't think she's a loser." A familiar voice said from behind Samantha.

Samantha turned to see Dawson standing behind her. She gave him a small smile and looked back at Cara.

Cara sneered at Dawson and said, "Don't talk to me."

Samantha laughed and threaded her fingers through Dawson's. She ignored Cara and looked up at Dawson. "There you are. I was just coming to find you, but I got a little distracted."

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Cara's jaw drop and her eyes narrow. She clearly wasn't used to being ignored.

"I see that. Are you ready to go?" He asked, giving her a sweet smile.

"Yes." Samantha said, following as Dawson led the way towards the entrance of the school.

Samantha knew that Cara was still seething. She hoped that would be the end of it, but she was sure it wouldn't. Cara wasn't really the type to let things go, especially if she felt wronged in some way. But Samantha wasn't worried about it. She knew things would never be the same, but having faced her parents after weeks of hanging out with Dawson made her realize just what she'd been settling for and it was no longer worth it. She wanted relationships with equal give-and-take. She couldn't live in a world where her happiness was controlled by what people thought of her.

Samantha followed Dawson to his car where they'd originally been planning to meet before he came to find her. They made their way to their favorite coffee shop where Meg was waiting to ambush Samantha. As soon as they walked through the door, she grabbed Samantha's arm and tugged her away.

Dawson rolled his eyes, "Again?" He called after them.

Meg laughed and waved him off. "So?" She raised her eyebrows at Samantha waiting for an update.

Samantha gave her the shortened version of everything that had happened since they'd last talked. When she finished talking, Meg pushed her in Dawson's direction, scolding Samantha for keeping him waiting. Samantha gave an exasperated sigh, but did as she was told.

She dropped onto the sofa that Dawson had claimed, wondering why he hadn't sat them at a table. "Are we not doing homework?" Samantha asked him, curiously, as she sat her bag at her feet.

"Maybe later." Dawson said, laying his arm behind her shoulders.

Samantha was hit with a wave of his delicious scent and had the sudden urge to cuddle him, but she felt the need to explain everything that had happened in between their argument and her jumping him in the hallway.

Dawson listened quietly as she explained how she'd gone home and had to face her parents. She explained how she wanted to be able to be herself and experience being accepted for who she really was rather than having to be on for everyone all the time. Samantha ended her story with what felt like her millionth apology since they'd been at the cafe.

"Stop apologizing." Dawson rolled his eyes, playfully. "It's not like you ditched me."

Samantha frowned. "I did for a little bit."

Dawson's eyes softened and he wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her closer to him. "It's okay." He sat quietly, for a moment, before adding, "I'm actually proud of you."

Samantha looked at him like he was crazy. "What? Why?"

Dawson shrugged. "Because that wasn't an easy decision to make. It's hard to stir up trouble and leave everything you're used to so that you can be true to yourself."

Samantha nodded. "Yes, it is. But, it's better." She nodded in emphasis, feeling very sure of herself.

Dawson grinned at her. "Yes, it is."

Meg dropped onto the sofa across from them with a huff. She frowned grumpily at them. "Are you two going to be sickly sweet all the time now?"

"I'm afraid so." Dawson answered.

Samantha laughed and said, "I thought you were rooting for us to get together."

"I was," Meg said, "But now I'm realizing exactly how single I am."

"Maybe if you did something other than work all the time you could find someone." Dawson told her.

Samantha glanced at the three different guys eyeing Meg with interest and raised an eyebrow in amusement. Meg seemed to be just as blind as Samantha was.

"I know, right?" Meg said. She sat forward and untied her apron, tossing it on the low table in between them.

"Are you done for tonight?" Samantha asked her.

"Yes. FInally."

"Cool! You can hang out with us!" Samantha said excitedly, then she glanced at Dawson. "Right?"

Dawson winked at her and said, "If she can handle us being sickly sweet to each other because I don't plan on stopping for her sake."

Samantha blushed and hid her smile against Dawson's shoulder. Meg made a gagging noise, pulling a laugh from Dawson. 

Author's note: Hey guys, SORRY!! Life has been busy busy busy, but here you go! The story is just almost over. Thanks for sticking with me and please vote if you like it :) If you're reading this, YOU'RE THE BEST.