SAM's POV

~Arriving at Jake's house~

Parking in front of his house, I get out and walk up his driveway to the front door. He had a modest house, decent size, nothing too flashy. I ring the doorbell and a few seconds later, Jake opens the door to let me in.

"Hey!"

"Sup!" I greet him.

"I was just getting some water bottles and snacks. We'll be in the rec room downstairs," he says, while grabbing an armful of snacks from the kitchen area in the next room.

"Do you need help?" I ask.

"Can you carry the water bottles?"

"Sure," I reply, while taking the three water bottles from him. He gets a large bag of crunchy Cheetos, an apple, a banana, and a bag of Twizzlers.

"Someone's hungry. Your mama ain't feeding you?" I ask, jokingly.

"Shush," He replies with a grin.

I follow him down the stairs to the rec room which is two floors below the main floor. Seems like it's actually in the basement. While descending the stairs, I hear a faint sound of a television on and a treadmill running. Reaching the bottom of the stairs, I noticed that we're not alone. My not-so-best-friend Diggy was running on the treadmill with nothing but basketball shorts, white Nike's, and long black socks on. I was kind of surprised that he was there and honestly super annoyed to see his face. He hasn't texted me once since the Homecoming situation.

Jake set the snacks on the little table that was between the couch and the television. In the corner was the treadmill where Diggy was working out. I followed Jake and set the water bottles onto the little table, avoiding looking at Diggy, and began opening the Twizzler bag.

"We got some snacks," Jake says to him. 

"What is she doing here?" Diggy asks. I hear the treadmill being turned off.

"I invited her over, man. I thought we could all chill, you know, like friends..."

Diggy didn't respond. Jake took a water bottle and passed it to Diggy.

"Thanks."

"No problemo. So, your mom okay with you spending the night?" Jake asks before sipping his bottle of water.

"Yeah, man. She's not the one upset," Diggy responds.

"Who's upset?"

"Julie. She's all mad because I'm not hanging with her tonight... doing too much," Diggy wipes his sweat from his face with a towel.

"Dude, all girls get mad over stuff like that. They want you to be with them 24/7, and have manicures, and watch chick flicks."

"Not all girls are like that... some know how to give their man some space," I say while playing with my hair.

"Oh, my bad." Jake laughs a little.

"She keeps texting me every minute telling me that she misses me. Ever since Homecoming, she's been extra clingy," Diggy says.

Hm, maybe Julie's acting different as part of Chris's plan. He mentioned how Dig could be scared out of the relationship if Julie started being super controlling or something. But, if that's true, that means Julie would have to be in on the secret... that me and Chris are faking so that they can eventually be together. But that means Chris would've had to tell Julie his entire plan. Which means they would have to be working together. But that would be weird, right? I don't know; this is all confusing.

"Did y'all do anything after the dance?" Jake asks.

There was a pause. I turned the volume up on the television. I opened the bag of Cheetos and started munching on them. Honestly, I wish he would shut up talking about her... I'm still not over the fact that he ditched our bestie night for that thang.

"Nah... just hung out," Diggy finally reveals.

"Well, you made the right choice by kicking it here," Jake replies.

"Yeah, but I thought it was only us. You said nothing about Sam being here."

"Look, I might've planned for both of y'all to be here..."

"Why?" Diggy replies with a harsh tone.

"You guys had some misunderstandings, alright? I think it's time to stop being childish and start acting like friends again."

"Well, that's not a problem for me, but SOME people just can't achieve that level of maturity," I say with a judgmental glance toward Diggy.

"Yeah, because we all know you're the most mature teenager at Wesley High," Diggy says in a sarcastic tone.

"I am," I reply back.

"Yeah, whatever, Sam."

"So, uh, Diggy, you done with your workout? I got an apple and banana in case you didn't want to break your health kick," Jake says while tapping his foot.

"I think I'm gonna make a smoothie then take a shower, man." Diggy grunts while stepping off the treadmill, still shirtless.

"Okay. Hey, don't get any crusty mess in my shower -- my mom just cleaned it."

"Shut up." Diggy throws his sweaty towel at Jake and heads upstairs to the kitchen.

Finally he's gone!!

Jake sits on the couch beside me and eats some Twizzlers. "Why you always gotta say something smart?"

"Why you gotta invite him?" I reply.

"Because he's my friend, and you're my friend. Friends invite friends over."

"You didn't ask me if I wanted to stay over," I say. I was sort of joking; it's not like I really expected a sleepover with Jake. He's cool, but we ain't that cool.

"I didn't know you wanted to," Jake says while chuckling, "Didn't think your mom would allow it and neither would your boy toy."

"First of all, my mama doesn't run me. I'm a grown woman and you're just a friend. Not like she'd have anything to worry about. And Chris has nothing to do about this."

"So he hasn't banned you from your friends yet?" He asks.

"What do you mean?" I furrow my eyebrows.

"Nada..." He snatches the bag of Cheetos from me. I push him and grab the bag of Twizzlers.

***

After finishing the bag of chewy treats and an episode of Moesha, I decided to go upstairs and creep through Jake's house. He ordered a pizza for us to eat that should be here in half an hour, so I got some time to spare since he's nowhere to be found at the moment.

Walking through his living room, I look at all of his family pictures. Jake is an only child, like me, but he has several cousins, also like me. He lives with his mother and his dad comes to visit a few times a month. He's never had any trouble with his dad, he just never had the chance to bond with him since his parent's divorce. Freshman year, he told me all about his family and his dad and his mom, and how he's had to be the man of the house since middle school. Besides Diggy, Jake is the most mature guy that I know. He's not childish like most the guys at school and he can be a good listener. You're probably asking why am I telling you all of this. Well, last night ya girl had the craziest dream!

~

Outside, eating food with Chris at a restaurant...

Chris: "I'm glad you're my girlfriend, Sam."

Sam: "I am, too." (smiling big)

Chris: "Nobody understands me the way you do. You complete me."

Sam: "Aww, you're so sweet."

They kiss each other for a few seconds; Sam's cell phone goes off and she answers it.

Sam: "Hello... I'm hanging with Chris... okay. No, no, it's fine. I understand... I'll be there soon, bye."

Chris: "Who was that?" (frowns)

Sam: "Baby, my friend needs help. It's an emergency."

Chris: "Is everything okay?"

Sam: "Yes, I need to leave right now though."

Chris: "Are you cheating on me?" (he grabs Sam's wrist really tight and glares into her eyes)

Sam: (confused, looking down at his tight grasp on her arm) "Baby...?"

Chris: (let's go and laughs) "Just kidding. Just call me later, ok?"

Sam: "Mhm." (she quickly gets up and drives to her friend's house)

At her friend's house, in their bedroom, sitting on the bed...

Sam: "I'm SO glad you called me when you did. Chris was getting boring."

Jake: "Don't worry, daddy is here and he'll take care of you." (gets on top of Sam and they start making out and doing more)

~

"Are you snooping through my stuff?" Jake asked from behind me.

"Oh! Stop sneaking up on people," I reply, turning to him, "I was looking at your interesting family pictures."

"Yeah, soooo interesting," he says sarcastically.

"Is your mom still working double time at that restaurant?"

"Yeah, that's where she is right now. It's payday this week and she's hoping to save up for a Christmas present for me."

"That's nice," I say.

"I doubt she can afford it though... I told her I wanted some new headphones and an iPhone."

"Okay?" I reply, not really seeing the issue.

"She makes $400 dollars a week and has all these expensive medical bills to pay from her last surgery. And though my dad pays his child support, I'm 18 now, so by the time that I graduate, mama won't have any extra money coming in. That's why I'm not going to college," Jake looks disappointed or sad and sits down in a chair.

"What are you talking about? You have to go to college," I reply.

"Sam, I can't afford it."

"...but you applied for all those scholarships -- AND to UCLA! I'm sure with your grades and athleticism, you'll have lots of dollars coming in."

"It's not that simple. Look, I'm the only one my mama has... there's no way I can leave her here while I'm out in California throwing a ball around. I'm staying here to take care of her. I'll get another job, and help around the house, and--"

"Doesn't your aunt live around the street?"

"Yes, but she has four kids of her own," Jake begins. "If you're suggesting my aunt take care of my mom, that's a no. I'm the best person to take care of her anyway."

Chewing on my fingernails, I pace back and forth in front of him trying to think.

"There's gotta be a way to get you more money, bro. Maybe you can put out a petition or something--?"

"Right, because people would love to give their hard earned money to some random Latino kid who lives with his lonely mother that can barely pay her bills." He cuts his eyes at me.

"I'm gonna need you to stop being sarcastic for one second," I roll my eyes at him.

Jake gets up and walks over to me, looking me in the eye.

"Sam, I appreciate you trying to help, but I have to figure this one out on my own," he walks out the room and downstairs.

"No, you won't..."

***

Upstairs, I knock on the guest room door. I hear Diggy's rude response and open the door anyway. Before I could make another step, I see my former best friend laying back on the bed with only a towel wrapped around his waist. His chest was nicely toned and so was his six pack. I stared at his body for a second in awe... I've never seen anything so gawd da--

"SAM!"

I instantly snap out of my dream state and stare at Diggy confused. "What?"

"Take a picture, it'll last longer," he replies, giving me a smirk. He turns his attention back to this cell phone.

Ignoring his comment, I step into the room and close the door behind me. "Is that what you were doing? Taking mirror selfies and showing it to all your girlfriends?"

"Nah, just one. Watchu know 'bout that?" He smirks at me again and rests his left arm behind his head, his arm flexes.

I click my tongue and cross my arms. "Right, well, imma need you to put a shirt on while I talk to you."

"What could you possibly need to talk to me about? Julie?"

"I have a favor to ask."

"You have a favor to ask?" Diggy laughs. "Since when do you ask for things? You just take it like the selfish person that you are. You don't need permission from anyone to do whatever you want."

"Shut up and listen."

"Last time I checked, you weren't my mother," he retorts back.

"I'm 'bout to slap you like a mother if you keep it up."

"Ooh, I'm so scared!" He laughs again.

Feeling annoyed, I charge toward him and snatch his phone out of his hands, throwing it on the floor. He frowns and sits up in bed with the angriest of glares.

"Why did you throw my phone?!"

"Because I need your attention. It has to do with Jake." I sit on the edge of the bed and face him.

Sighing, he replies, "This better be good."

"He told me he's not going to UCLA next fall."

"What?" He seems genuinely surprised.

"His mom isn't making enough money to afford it... she's behind on her bills."

"What about his dad? He makes like a fortune with his car selling business."

"He only gives them child support, but you know as soon as Jake graduates, those funds will be cut off. That's why I was thinking of asking people if they'd donate money to his family so he can go to college," I explain.

"I doubt he'd want to seem like a charity case, Sam." Diggy rubs his head then rubs his abs. I sigh and look down at his body, before looking him in the eyes again.

"I know. That's why I was wondering if you could ask a certain someone who's parents own their own business and live in a mansion..." I bite my bottom lip.

"You want me to ask Julie?"

I nod my head.

"Tuh. You're so pathetic. You've bad mouthed her the whole week, then the moment you're in despair, you want to act all good and use her for her money?! Really?!"

"It's for a good cause!"

"Right, a 'good cause'. As if Jake even wants your help. And the cause will only make YOU look like some hero," he argues. "Why are you even doing this? Is it because you have a little crush on Jake?"

"WHAT?!"

He laughs and nods his head. "Yep, I know you have feelings for him. Working with him in class, going to the mall together. Then he invites you over to his house. Are you doing this to impress him?"

"Diggy, listen to yourself." I'm very disgusted right now. He's making too many assumptions that have nothing to do with anything.

"So did you start liking him after Julie came, or after you listened to his sob story?"

Filled with anger and annoyance, I lean toward him and start smacking him upside the head. He grabs a hold of my wrists, but I don't stop trying to fight him. By this time, I'm straddling him on the bed and he's yelling for me to stop. I yell at him and call him so many names in the book of bad words. I try to pull my arms away from his grasp and succeed, then I push his arms away and smack him in the head again. 

Diggy grabs onto my arms and flips me over on the bed, getting on top of me. His angry eyes staring into mine; our faces almost touching. I don't know why, but I started to get really hot.

"Hey, what are you guys doing?!" Jake opened the door and stared at us in disbelief.

Diggy lets go of my arms and gets off of me. I was kind of disappointed.

"Um... is there something you guys wanna tell me?" Jake asks with a smirk.

Rolling my eyes, I roll off of the bed and walk out of the room past Jake.

"Sam? Where are you going?"

"Home." I bluntly reply.

"But the pizza will be here in any minute--"

"I'll talk to you later," I reply before slamming his front door shut and jumping into my car to head home. If Diggy doesn't want to do me a favor, looks like I'll have to tackle this problem on my own.

DIGGY's POV

I fix the towel around my waist and lay back on the bed. After all the drama she has put me through regarding Julie and she wants me to ask her for money? For Jake? Typical Sam. Only hangs with people for her benefit. And Jake... ha! He's way out of her league; he's too smart. I guess she feels that if she can raise money for him, he'll become her boyfriend or something. Ugh, so stupid.

"What happened?" Jake was still standing at the doorway looking at me with this crazy look.

"Sam happened. She came in here to start drama, as usual," I reply. I look up at the bedroom ceiling and sigh.

"Are you sure you didn't say something to make her mad? That's the only thing that would make her leave--"

"So you're sticking up for your girlfriend? Good man. She's wrong though."

"My girlfriend? What are you talking about man?"

"Be honest, Jake," I look him in his face, "Do you like Sam?"

"She's my friend... we've been friends since freshman year."

"Yeah, but things change. Did you give her something?" I ask with a slight grin.

"Dig, why are you asking me all these questions? Just tell me why I heard yelling up here and why I came in and saw you on top of her--?"

"Don't worry. I wasn't cheating, if that's what you mean."

"Bro..." Jake frowns. He looks like he's confused. "What is wrong with you man? I mean, I knew you could have a sharp tongue, but towards your enemies, not towards your friends."

"Sam is my enemy."

"Oh, yeah? Since when?"

"Since she's opened her big mouth about Julie," I reply.

"That's all you care about, huh? Julie. Nobody can talk bad about Julie. But if someone happens to talk bad or hurt your friends, it's nothing," Jake says. Why does he seem so butt hurt about this? It's kinda weird but funny.

"That's not true. Julie is my girlfriend, and I'm just trying to let her know that she's appreciated and let my friends know that they need to respect our relationship."

"That's cool, but I just think you're being extreme about it. Like, do you think she'd defend you as much as you're defending her? You two just met--"

"What are you saying?" I ask, waiting for his point. It doesn't matter how long we've known each other, I like Julie and she likes me. I know she'll defend me the same that I'm defending her, period. It's all about simple respect, that's all.

Jake shakes his head and walks out the room.

"Bro... nothing. Forget it."

I sigh. Before he leaves I call his name. "Jake! One more thing."

"Yeah?"

"You're my friend regardless. Even though I'm having issues with Sam... I know you'll never do anything to make me lose my trust in you, man. We good, okay?"

"Yeah, okay," he shakes his head before leaving again.

 Shaking my head, I get up and decide to get changed into my pajamas. As I pull my sweatpants up over my boxers and throw my black t-shirt over my head, I receive a text on my cell phone. It was Julie.

JULIE: baby i miss u

ME: babe i'm only at Jake's house for tonight. We can chill tomorrow. Promise.

JULIE: I have cheer practice 2morrow morning & shopping in the evening

ME: I could help u shop 4 stuff

JULIE: No you suck at shopping

ME: :O i'm offended

JULIE: Sorry Daniel lol. It'll be faster if u weren't there.

ME: Well how are we gonna hang?

JULIE: How about Thursday? u can help me and my mom hang decorations

ME: Fun...

JULIE: Stop it. u could stay 4 dinner afterwards too, then we can have fun in my room ;)

DIGGY: Mmm i like the last option ;)

JULIE: lol knew you would. i have to tell you something too

DIGGY: what is it?

JULIE: i'll tell you thursday babe. g2g <3

DIGGY: Ok? bye

Wonder what she has to tell me? Guess it'll have to wait. In the meantime, I smell a hot and cheesy pizza calling my name!