I was awakened by the aggressive opening of the door. I sat up so fast that Tara's head fell off my chest. I looked at the sleepy girl in fear. She still has my jacket on her. She opened her eyes, not understanding what was happening.

— I will fucking kill you! — Sam shouted

— Don't even touch her Sam! — Tara said covering me up

My eyes widened in shock that Tara was trying to defend me somehow. I guess, she still isn't sober.

— Don't worry about her, little sister, I was talking to you!

— What? — me and Tara asked the same time

We moved away from each other. I got out of bed and crossed my arms over my chest. She isn't mad at me? I was literally sleeping with her sister all over me. I don't know how, because I tried to be far away from her side of bed. I hate cuddling. Also especially, I didn't want to cuddle with Tara. It's uncomfortable.

— Freeman don't die! — we heard and high Liv showed up in a room

She still has confetti in her hair and weird pink glasses on her nose. Suggesting from the noise, the party is still going on. I took my phone from my pocket and checked what time is it. It's 4 a.m. Aren't they tired already?

— I was freaking out! You were supposed to be home at 2! And you promised me that you won't drink! — Sam shouted at Tara

— I know...I...

— You even blacked out drunk, Tara!

— Who told you? — shorter girl asked

— Wes! He was the only person that answered a fucking phone!

What a fucking hero. If only she knew.... Tara felt bad, so she fell silent and started looking at the floor. I understand why Sam is mad at her. She hasn't touched vodka in two years. She rejected bad habits, began to fix her life. She's probably afraid that Tara will start making the same mistakes she used to make.

— Heyyyy Sam...Sammy — Liv started waving her arms to get attention— Are you planning to hit Amber or can I go now?

— What the fuck Liv?! — I shouted and looked at my best friend confused

— I just want to know if I have to save you sis.

— You don't have to...— I said — She doesn't have to, right? — I asked fast and looked at Sam with fear

— I am not mad at you Amber — she said and I sighed calmly — I mean, at first, when I found out you were with her the whole time, I wanted to rip your hair out. But Liv and Wes said you were just making sure no one hurt her.

— I couldn't leave her alone like this — I explained — She was defenseless.

— I know. Thank you, Freeman.

I nodded and raised my eyebrows. It's shocking but Sam is actually acting like real human.

— Oh my god — Tara said with a smile — It was unexpected. I mean, you're not fighting or anything...

— Exactly! — my best friends screeched — I'm happy that no one is dying! You know, we live in Woodsboro and it's a party, so...

— Liv, go kiss Chad or something — I told her already tired of her intoxicated chatter

She saluted and left the room. I love how childish she is when she's drunk, but right now I feel like I'm dying.

— For the first time, I'm glad Amber didn't listen to me — Sam said

— What are you talking about? — Tara asked her and looked at her, then at me and again at her

— I threatened her a bit. Again.

When Sam said that she shrugged her shoulders like it was nothing.

— Jesus, Sam! — Tara shouted

— I didn't want her near you!

— I'm not afraid of you by the way — I said and smiled proudly

— You are — Sam rolled her eyes

— No.

— Yeah?

— Maybe a little.

Sam laughed and turned to Tara. It's nice that she isn't fighting me right now, but I still hate that bitch.

— Can you tell me what happened in the past? — she asked looking at us — Everyone is silent when I'm asking about your drama. You told Jill to broke up with Amber. But that's not all, is it?

I looked at Sam and she sighed.

— What does she knows? — she asked me

— Only about my thing with Jill. And that you ruined this.

— I saved you Amber.

— Whatever — I said and rolled my eyes

Sam sat down on bed, next to Tara. I leaned against the wall and put hands in my pockets.

— Amber and I...we were friends.

— You're joking — Tara's jaw dropped

— "Friends" is a bit of an exaggeration — I said

— Right. We partied together. We had this toxic ralationship. We were causing unnecessary problems, we were often caught by the police and doing other shit...Even drugs.

— Why the hell, no one ever told me about this? — Tara asked shocked — I mean, the teachers didn't talk positively about you, but I thought you were just dull.

I laughed shortly and then my eyes met Sam and I stopped.

— No one wanted to upset us — I said and smirked — We had Jill Roberts on our side. She was unstoppable and crazy.

— Not always in a good way — Sam added

Jill was quite the psychopath. She looks so innocent and hides the devil inside.

— We did what we wanted to. It was sick that me, 14 year old was clubbing with two mentally unstable twenties.

— I am mentally stable — Sam said defensive

— Keep it for the therapist — I answered and pecked my lips

Tara got up and started pacing back and forth. She's probably starting to regret asking.

— Okay, so what ruined your pseudo gang era?

— We'd better not go into details — I said

— I found out that...dad...— I looked at Sam knowingly and Tara noticed that, but didn't say anyting — will send you back home. I had to fixed my life to take care of you. Things got complicated. I had to find a job and finally became an adult. It was hard to fix the image.

— Jill moved out, scared that her romance with a minor will come to light — I added — I got even worse. When things didn't go my way, I got into fights. And then my parents found out I was doing drugs. Sam told them.

— I did it because I thought they'd send you to therapy and help you! — she explained

— Well they didn't, but I had to put makeup on my black eye! — I revealed and Tara looked at me with compassion

— You couldn't control yourself anymore, you'd do anything to get drugs! I didn't know your mother would react like that.

Those were the days when my father was still in control. He really tried to do good. Mom never tried.

Tara covered her face with her hands and sighed. I would have reacted the same way in her place.

— Sam, were you the one who drugged Amber that day? To make her more chill — Tara asked — Be honest.

They're looking at each other in silence. Come on Samantha, admit it.

— Yes. I did it. I got her into it. And then I kept pushing her to do it — she said and covered her face with shame — I didn't wanted to be alone in this shit.

Tara opened her mouth. She is sad and disappointed. I just closed my eyes for a while and I clenched my jaw. I was hoping this conversation would never happen, but Tara deserves the truth.

— How could you...

— It was selfish I know...

— I mean all this time, you've been telling me how bad Amber is! And I believed you! — Tara said and she smiled almost crying — I was mean to her and pushed her away. Literally when I told you I wanted to be friends with her, you started talking shit about her. I bet half of that wasn't truth!

She really did. At first Tara tried to talk to me, smiled when she saw me. She wanted to be a part of our group. And then suddenly, after Sam saw us all together once, Tara stopped. She ignored me, she was cold, so I was teasing her. I even heard her telling someone she hated me. I decided to hate her too.

— I was afraid Amber would do to you what I did to her!

— Fuck off Sam! — she said and left the room

Sam quickly got up to run after her but I stopped her.

— Give her some time. I will go and find her.

— And what are you gonna say to her? Huh? — she pushed me but I decided stand up to her again

I grabbed her clothes and pinned her against the wall that a picture fell off.

— Calm down Sam. Stop it.

She has really calmed down and is not trying to pull away.

— I won't say anything to burden you, don't worry. If I wanted her to think badly of you, I would have talked to her a long time ago. Actually, I could explain to her now all the details you left out, but I didn't. Seriously, didn't it ever occur to you that I've already moved on? You've been running the drama for the last two years.

— I wanted to protect her — she said calmly

— Well, you didn't. She isn't honest with you! You surround her too much, Sam. Let her live, make mistakes and learn from them!

— And have you learned anything? — she asked with a rude smile on her face

— Yeah. To trust no one. Thank you for that.

I released the girl and quickly left the room looking for Tara. I went downstairs and found her in the kitchen with a joint in hand. Mindy is standing next to her.

— Don't let her smoke — I said and took it from Tara

— You're not her mother — Mindy snatched the joint from my hand — It's not like you hate each other? Why do you care?

— You're mad at me, I know, but this isn't the time. Let's go Tara... — I wanted to embrace her but she moved away

— Are you taking her to your house again?

So she know. Sam must have spilled it when she was looking for Tara on Friday. Maybe that's why she was so upset. Instead of going to her, I stayed with her friend.

— We just had an unpleasant conversation with Sam. She shouldn't smoke or drink now. Can't you see she's broken?

— Amber, don't act like my sister — Tara said and took joint from Mindy

— Tara, please, let's go for a walk or sit in a room.

— Give me a break. I have to think okay? I'm fed up with both of you.

I furrowed my brow and clenched my fist. Mindy looks at us suspiciously, and I try not to make eye contact.

— Come on Amber. Go away — my ex said

— Will you keep her sober when I'm gone? — I asked

— It's a party — she laughed — And why do you care Freeman?

— Amazing. Thank you! — I said mad — Go fuck yourself Mindy.

I left the kitchen and sat on the sofa. Now I have to stay here and make sure she won't do something stupid.

What if Tara and Mindy end up like Tara did with me? She is very brave when she isn't sober. I won't fucking let it happen.

I went back to the kitchen to keep an eye on them. They just smoke and talk. I stood by CeCe, who hadn't gone home yet.

— Hello again — I said with a fake smile

— Oh, hi Amber. Thanks for not agreeing, before.

— Yeah. How are you? — I asked and I looked at Tara and Mindy by the corner of my eye

Tara takes a drag on the joint gracefully. She is looking into Mindy's eyes the way she looked at me when we smoked a cigarette. Could Tara try to seduce Mindy? Where the fuck is Sam and her over-protection when needed?!

I looked back at CeCe and she is looking at me confused.

— So how are you? — I repeated

— I just told you. But of course, you never listen — she said that quite aggressively and walked away pushing me with her shoulder

I turned to look for someone to feign interest. I don't want it to look like I'm in the kitchen just to watch Tara. Hannah! Amazing! I quickly approached the girl I was flirting with not so long ago.

— Hi Hannah! — I said — Good to see you again.

— Oh you remember me! — she said and start smiling

— How could I not? — I looked at Tara and again at Hannah — I wanted to call but I was a little scared.

— Of?

— I don't know, sometimes I'm a coward when it comes to pretty girls.

— You're sweet Amber — she said and her smile faded — But my name isn't even Hannah!

She hit me on the cheek with her open hand. I feel the eyes of many people on me. God. I hear Mindy and Tara laughing and it raises my blood pressure.

— You promised you will call me! — girl shouted — Fuck you!

— You're crazy! And you're not all that beautiful — I said pissed off and left the kitchen

What the fuck was that? I went out in front of the house and wanted to took cigs out of my pocket. Bur Tara has my jacket.

— Fuck this — I said and just sat down on stairs

— Do you want a cigarette? — Sam asked and she appeared next to me

— Yes, please.

— I know she has your jacket, and you always keep cigarettes in it.

She took out a package and give it to me. I took one cig and she lent me a lighter.

— Thanks.

I took a drag and blew the smoke out of my mouth. What a relief.

— I'm going home. Hope you're right and Tara can handle it herself.

— When will you tell her the whole truth? — I asked

— Someday I'll tell. Don't interfere with this, Amber and I won't interfere with your things.

— Sounds good.

— But if you go too far, I'll fucking destroy you.

— That sounds good too — I said and we laughed

— Bye.

— Bye.

She was about to leave but stopped.

— Tara's straight, right? — she asked

She surprised me and I raised my eyebrows. I took a longer drag than usual, thinking about an answer.

— I guess so. I never noticed that she had somthing to girls — I lied and I remembered how she screamed my name while having an orgasm

— I was afraid you were fucking when she was sleeping at your place.

— Don't worry, she's not my type.

— Too young? — Sam smirked

And here we go again...

— Not funny Sam.

— Whatever. Bye.

— See ya.

— I hope not.

She left and I took a drag on my cigarette. Sam Carpenter will kill me brutally one day.

Less than five minutes later, I felt someone grab my arm. I turned around and saw Tara. I immediately got up.

— I puked on your jacket — she showed me a dirty sleeve — Sorry.

I sighed and looked up at the sky.

— I'll buy a new one — I said tired

I don't even want to yell at her when I see her in this wasted state.

— I wanna go home.

— I'll call us an Uber. Go wash up and put jacket in the washing machine.

She nodded and slowly went back into the house. Jesus Christ.