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This is a place to put any more conversation between Sarah and Sammy.

Sarah waves it off.  "I don't think it's so much about being reformed as Alicia's sense of humor runs towards the 'gotcha' one up mentality.  I hope that's it anyway.  I think I'll have to figure Alicia out sometime next year.  I haven't managed so far.  Not that I could ever really figure anyone out.  It's not like I want to just slap a label on people and call it case closed."

She smirks at a thought.  "If you'd have called her a prude and said she was too chicken to outdo you she would have tried, reformed or not.  And what do you mean by reformed anyway?  I must have missed something.  I'm totally six episodes behind on school drama.  Been living in my own little world." 

Sammy makes a face.  "If I was trying to seduce Donnie, I might have called her a prude and dared her.  It would have been fun to watch.  But I wasn't, and when she started getting all judgemental on me... that's been going on for a while.  She says she wants to talk, but she doesn't really listen; she's always jumping to conclusions, assuming she knows what I'm thinking and feeling when most times she doesn't have half a clue.  The reformed thing is -- its not BAD, she's just preachy about it.  She's been studying all the time with Laney, and going almost every day to spar at Jack's, and running around playing vigilante when she's not playing pillow games with Rhys-- I think she must have broke him.  Have you seen him around lately?--  Anyhow, she seems to think now she has the right to tell me what I should do and how I should be because all of a sudden she [fingerquote] knows [/fingerquote] all the answers.  She doesn't.  She doesn't even have the questions straight yet."

Sarah nods.  "Yeah, no newkid sightings in a while.  On the other hand it's not like we'd know if he was around or not if he wasn't in a chatty mood.  I have more than once had the horrible notion that Alicia is wearing him like clothing."

She shivers a little at the notion in disturbed fascination.   

"So that explains you and Alicia.  What's the deal with you and captain incredible?  You seemed frosty at the table?"  She pauses and says, "I'm sorry.  Ignore that last question.  I'm prying into stuff that you very pointedly just got up and walked away from.  I just want you to know that I'm always around for you.  Yes, even if I am wrapped around Colin.  I will pull myself away for you anytime.  Day, night, weekends, whatever.  In case you need somebody to hang with, or grab coffee or shop or anything instead of heading out alone.  Or if you do, give me a ring along the way.  Send me photos from Maine or whatever.

She shrugs and smiles hopefully at Sammy, "Just keep in touch.  I don't always have a whole lot of good advice but I'm excellent at listening and goofing off."

"Thanks.  I didn't mean to be frosty," Sammy says, looking away.  "I let myself like him more than he likes me, that's all.  I'm trying to keep myself far enough away that I don't hurt myself any more, but be close enough to have a civil conversation.  Guess I need to work on that some more.  It's hard with her around.  Its like there's a buzzing horsefly always biting at my sore spot so it never gets better; it just gets maggoty."  She grimaces.  "Sorry.  TMI."

They get to the music room.  There's a box sitting next to a door, filled with folders.  Sammy removes a folder with her name on it.  "See?  Wasn't making this up. Had a real reason for leaving the cafeteria.  I'm clever like that."

"Yep," says Sarah with a big nod and grin.  "That is what I always say.  That Sammy is cleeeever."
She looks around the music room a bit before saying, "Wow.  I haven't been in here since the crazy love stalker kid."  She blows out some air.  "Good times, good times." 

"Yeah.  Maybe we should go now."

Visions of mouth-to-mouth resuscitation being firmly shoved to the back of her head, Sammy tucks the folder under her arm.  "I'm going to find someplace quiet for the rest of lunch.  Its nice outside; the library ought to have plenty of empty seats."

Sarah nods and says, "Okay.  Catch ya later?  I'm going to head back to eat a couple bites of my sandwich."

"Cool.  Later."  Sammy waves and walks in a direction opposite to Sarah till Sarah's out of sight.  Then she goes back in the music room, closes the door to a crack, and slumps down a wall behind a stack of instrument cases, wearily closing her eyes and wishing for hours and hours of clear blue sky.