*Sammie’s POV (Afternoon, Friday the 12th)

Is high school over yet? I really do not like school more and more by the second. Over a month into second semester and I already want to graduate and leave. I’m so annoyed with my teachers and stupid ignorant kids who don’t wanna learn. I’d be more inclined to try and graduate early if I knew what I was going to try and major in for college.

I’ve really been trying to figure it out ever since the New Year. I even started keeping a journal just to get my thoughts down and in order for my 2016 resolution. I went through all the core subjects and electives offered by the school and nothing really stood out to me. I’m hoping that changes by after Spring break.

Finally the bell rings and I’m done with stupid math. I walk out of the classroom and the walk to my next class isn’t any better than the classes themselves. It’s the last day of school before Valentine’s Day aka my least favorite day of the year. I’ve never had a boyfriend or even a date on Valentine’s Day so it sucks when I see all the couples in the hallway exchanging cute little gifts. Today isn’t any different; still no boyfriend and no valentine period. The sight around me is making me sick.

I’m walking past the main office when the door opens and the principal walks out clearly looking for someone. “Samantha!” he calls out. Shit…how am I in trouble?! “What is it, Mr. Jones?” I ask as politely as possible. “Samantha, would you be willing to show our new student around today? He’s just moved here from Australia. I’ve excused you from your last two classes to do so.” he says. Anything to get me out of class. “Sure, why not?”

“Great! Samantha, this is Luke. Come on out, Luke.” he says. Before me stands a giant. Not literally of course but he’s so tall! He has blonde hair, blue eyes, and a lip piercing. Hot. “I’ll leave you to it. Thank you, Samantha.” Mr. Jones says going back into the office. “Hi, I’m Luke Hemmings. Nice to meet you, Samantha.” the guy says extending his hand. “You too, Luke. But call me Sammie please. Samantha is too formal.”

“Okay, Sammie. So where are we going first?” he asks. “Let’s go through your schedule, I guess.” He hands me his schedule and I look it over. “We have a lot of the same classes. This will be easy. You’re also a senior?” I wonder. “Yep. I thought it was unfair that my parents made me move here with only one term left in school but they insisted.” At least you have parents.

“Yeah it is unfair. But just think, if you hadn’t moved here you wouldn’t know me.” I say jokingly. “Yeah I would really be missing out.” he says bantering back. I show him all around the school and show him all the classrooms. He’s a really nice guy. He’s really smart, witty, sweet, and he’s also a musician. He and Emily would get along great.

At this point we’re just wandering the halls talking. “So you play guitar, huh?” I ask. “That’s right. Do you play any instruments?” he asks. “No I’m not musical at all. My best friend Emily is though. She plays guitar, bass (string AND electric), piano, and the drums.” I say proudly talking her up. “Wow, that’s badass! Does she sing too?” “Not for her career, but she’s pretty good at that too.” I say.

“She actually is living in LA now as the songwriter for our friend Mackenzie and for Za--…ZM.” I forgot that only people Zayn has met know his name. “ZM?! His songs are great! I got his album off iTunes. Wait so…your friend is Emily Taylor?” he asks. Damn they’re getting known!

“That’s right, Hemmings! I am friends with super talented people. Eat your heart out.” I stick my tongue out at him. “Impressive, Winters.” he says sticking his tongue out too. A second later the final bell rings. “Well that’s my cue to leave. It was awesome meeting you, Luke. I’ll see you on Monday in class.” I say before starting down the stairs.

“Actually…we could see each other before then if you want.” Luke says. “Could we?” I ask turning around. “Yeah I mean…I don’t know my way around this city yet and…it’s Valentine’s Day this weekend so…I guess what I wanna ask is, will you be my valentine, Sammie?” he says with hopeful eyes.

He seems nice enough and I’d love something to do on Sunday so what the heck? “Yes, I will be your valentine. Only if you’ll be mine too.” I say with a smile. “Of course. Here, let me give you my number.” he says getting out a slip of paper and a pen. He writes it down and hands it to me. I then give him my number. “Shoot me a text with your address and I’ll try and find it.” he says laughing at the end. “Will do. See you then, Hemmings.” I say before leaving.

As I’m getting in my car to go home, I get a text from Luke that says “See you then, Winters. ;)” Needless to say, I know that my Valentine’s Day will be different than any other. I can’t wait to tell Louis! That’s what I do as soon as I get in the door of our apartment.

“Hey, Lou!” I cheer setting my backpack down. Lou comes into the living room looking confused. “You’re never this happy after school. What happened?” He knows me like the back of his hand at this point. “I met someone. With an accent.” I say excitedly.

“I’m someone with an accent…what makes them different?” he laughs. “He’s Australian.” I say dreamily. “I’m seeing him on Sunday.” There’s silence for a minute. “Oh okay..have fun.” he says. “I’m sorry, Louis. I knew we said we’d do something for Valentine’s Day but…I finally have a valentine! Aren’t you happy for me?” I ask. “Yeah of course. Go on, have fun with him. Can I at least know his name?” “It’s Luke…Luke Hemmings.” I say going into dreamland again.

“C’mon, go do your homework, missy.” he says. “Fine, dad.” I say emphasizing dad. He jokingly gives me the finger and I give it right back before going to my room. Instead of starting my homework though, I decide to write a journal entry. I take it out of my nightstand drawer and open it taking out the bookmark. I put the date at the top and begin writing.

Before I know it, I’ve written more than a page in my book. It’s all about Luke. I read it back and realize that I really like him, and I only met him today. And he and I are hanging out on Sunday. Valentine’s Day! I can’t wait…hopefully I can find out if he feels the same. With that, I close my journal and get out my homework trying with all my might to focus on it instead of the image of Luke’s ocean blue eyes that’s refusing to leave my mind.

Two Days Later…

It’s Valentine’s Day!!! I am beyond excited to see Luke. He and I texted all day yesterday getting to know each other more. Really the only thing about me I haven’t told him is the biggest of all. I have literally no family left alive and I live with someone I met 9 months ago moving in with them after knowing them for only 2 months. It’s kind of a big thing and I’ll only tell him once I feel that I can trust him.

Anyway, I go through my closet trying to look for the cutest late winter outfit I can put together. It takes me a while but I land on the perfect one. I shower and eat a little something before putting the outfit on and doing my hair/makeup. I take a look in the mirror before going into the living room to wait for him.

Louis is sitting in the kitchen drinking something when I come in. “Hey, Lou! How do I look?” I ask while doing a turnaround of my body. “Cute! Maybe a little too cute.” he says. “Oh please.” I look at my phone and it’s almost noon. He should be here any minute. He’s gonna text me when he’s outside. I told him I’d meet him in the lobby. I just couldn’t handle him meeting Louis and asking who he is and where my parents are and stuff. That’s for another day.

Before I know it he texts me that he’s here. I squeal and say “Bye, Louis!” before going out the door to the lobby. I take the stairs because I’m too impatient to wait for the elevator. I get to the lobby and see him standing under the awning looking through the doors. He smiles big when he sees me. I go outside and he says “Hey, gorgeous. Where’s our first stop?” I look down and blush. “Follow me, Hemmings.”

I basically take him all over Chicago. We see all the sights and I show him where the theaters are and we walk down Michigan Avenue too. It’s not really decorated for Christmas anymore but it still looks beautiful. We’ve probably been up and down the whole city except for the residential parts and the kind of sketchy areas. He experiences Chicago pizza which is very amusing. I take him to Pizzeria Uno and his eyes get so big when he sees how deep the deep dish is.

We’ve been together all day and we’ve been so flirty back and forth that I would be surprised if he didn’t like me. It’s starting to get dark so we head back to my building. We’re walking down the sidewalk and he grabs my hand intertwining our fingers. I feel this electricity immediately when our hands touch. I wonder if he feels it too.

“It’s been an unreal day with you, Sammie. I didn’t realize how big the city really is until we basically walked the whole length of it today.” I laugh; Chicago seems so small to me having lived my whole life here. “It’s been a great day with you, Luke. I had a lot of fun showing you everything. We should hang out again soon.” He nods and says “I couldn’t agree more.”

We get to the front of my building and he steps in front of me and takes my hands. “Thanks again for showing me around and for being my valentine. I almost forgot to tell you: Happy Valentine’s Day.” He is so precious. “Happy Valentine’s Day. Thanks for being my valentine. I’ll see you tomorrow at school.” “See you then.” He gives me a hug.

This is the time in the evening when the guy would then either leave without so much as a ‘good night’, or he makes his move. I’m wondering which one he’s going to do as we slowly pull away from the hug. I look up at him as he looks down at me. It’s windy (go figure) and so he gently moves the hair out of my face. And then, it happens. He makes his move. SPARKS!

He says he’ll text me later and leaves. I walk casually back into the building and once I know he’s gone, I run back up to the apartment, having a mini dance party by myself in the hallway before calming down and walking in. Lou is sitting on the couch directly facing the TV, watching a movie. He turns at my entrance.

“Hey, Sam! How was your day with Luke?” I play it cool saying “Fun! We’re planning on hanging out again sometime. I’m kinda tired so I’m gonna get ready for bed. I’ll join you soon.” “Good! Sounds like a plan.” he says. I go into my room, close the door, and collapse onto the bed. I. Feel. Fantastic. I have to write about this.

I get out my journal again and write an entry for today. Again it’s all about Luke and everything we did, ending with the most magical kiss I’ve had. I read it over and smile. I really did have an awesome Valentine’s Day and a few days ago I never would have thought it. I just feel bad that I abandoned Louis. He doesn’t have a girlfriend and he was probably lonely. Either way, I’m here now to end the day with him like always.

I change into pajamas and take my makeup off before going back out there and sitting next to him on the couch. I lay my head on his shoulder. “Tuckered out?” he asks sounding tired himself. “Totally. I won’t be up too much longer.” I look at the TV for the first time to see what he’s been watching.

I can’t believe it. He’s been sitting at home and watching The Notebook out of all movies, when he’s alone and single on Valentine’s Day. This is so sad. “I can’t believe you’re watching this! Isn’t it a little sad for the occasion?”

I only asked out of curiosity but a few seconds later I hear a sniffle above my ear and I sit up to see Louis…crying?! Oh my God!! “Louis what’s the matter!? What did I say?” He catches his breath before he gets out “I used to watch this all the time. One of my favorite movies. Then she ruined it.” “Who ruined it?” I ask intrigued.

“My ex girlfriend. We broke up right before I moved here.” Oh gosh… “She ruined it because from then on it’s only made me think of her. I was flipping through the channels and it appeared. Once I saw it I couldn’t turn it off. But now it makes me really miss her and—I still love her so m—“ he says before he gets choked up. “Louis I am so sorry. Come here.”

I spread my arms out and he gladly comes into them hugging me and sobbing into my shoulder. I have never seen him like this; so emotional and vulnerable. After he calms down again he wipes his eyes and says, “I’ve been wanting to tell you about our break up for a while, but I never wanted to put even more on you than you already have had in your life.” So that’s what he’s been almost telling me for months?!

I say “If I had known about this, I never would have gone out with Luke today. I would have stayed here with you and watched an action comedy or something and ordered pizza!” “You were so excited. I didn’t wanna take you away from that.” he says.

“I don’t care, Lou. You are way more important to me than some guy I just met. I don’t care what I’ve been through; if you need me just say the word and I’ll be here to listen for as long as you need. It works both ways, you know.”

He looks at me smiling. “You’re the best little sister figure I could’ve asked for. I love you, Sammie.” I smile getting choked up myself. “You’re the best big brother figure I could’ve asked for. I love you too, Louis.” So Louis and I end our night by sitting on our couch, The Notebook playing in the background, crying tears of joy and sadness in each other’s arms.

Notes

The end of this chapter was so difficult to write. So sad and sweet at the same time! Sorry it's up so late. Bad internet connection. Until tomorrow, take care lovelies! <3