The presence of a coke on her desk was testament to the emotional
control issues she was having. Usually water was her drink of
choice. Caffeine was her last resort in a loosing battle. Her goal
was to disappear into a well of carbonated goodness. She pulled the
hood of her black Roxy hoodie over her head. She needed to have
something dark surrounding her face so she felt like she could look
out at the world and it couldn’t see in. It helped her
concentrate
on her task. She wiped her hands on her camouflage pants. They
seemed to radiate heat gathered from her laptop.

When the door closed shutting Harrison out of the McQueen home, at
least one of its occupants exhaled in relief. The confrontation that
her boyfriend had been intent on instigating could have gone worse.
She hadn’t actually broken up with him, which was a plus where
her
stress factor was concerned. It was going to have to be done
eventually. The stairs seem so steep and she was so tired. When she
made it to the top she heard a sad melody. The song reminded her of
Sam. Her hand settled on the door so she could feel the sound
vibrations coming out of the stereo on the other side. A smooth
voice penetrated her mind. She considered whether she should go in
the room. She wanted to see Sam.

So she knocked and opened the door. She saw Sam sitting facing her
laptop. The clothes were pretty typical for Sam when she was tucked
away in her room. She always admired the talent that Sam had for
wearing camo. Not too many girls could pull it off without looking
militant. They faced each other for the first time since last night
and neither knew what to say. There was no smile this time. There
was only straight faced need. A need to know and to explore.

Sam was the first to speak.

"How was your date?"

"Sucked," Brooke said and sat on the unmade bed.

Sam concentrated on the hand that was now playing with the edge of
her comforter. She remembered how that hand felt on her skin.

"Why have you got your hoodie on? It`s pretty warm in
here."

Brooke searched Sam’s down turned face for answers. When she
didn’t
receive one she lifted her hand to wave it in front of Sam.

"Sammy… you in there?"