In Your Arms

by Becky Andrews

  “Yeah, sure. Sam’s right, though. I will never take you back. You’ll have an easier time trying to get back with Mr. Stevens than with me,” he said, walking over toward Sam, wrapping his arm around her waist.

  Tracy gave a little aggressive scream and stalked off.

  “So you liked me in eighth grade, huh?” Sam said, turning to look up at Phillip.

  “Yes, but as you can see, I was cruelly tricked.” He smiled at her.

  “Were you trying to live up to the gullible sports player stereotype? But now, your eyes are open, you’re clear...”

  “Yes.”

  “So what are you going to do about it?”

  “Kiss you,” he said, looking into her eyes. “Because I know your secret, Samantha Baker.”

  “And what would that be?” She smiled.

  “You liked me too,” he said, leaning down and kissing her gently on the lips.

  They parted and quickly noticed the crowd standing around them. The entire school, or at least the crowd who was in the cafeteria, had seen the three of them leave the cafeteria and wanted to see what was happening in the hallway. Everyone stared at the couple and it wasn’t until the bell rang a few seconds later that the crowd began to disperse.

  Well, now it was official. “Now we won’t have to sneak around anymore,” Sam said, realizing the whole school had just seen them kiss.

  “I wasn’t going to sneak around forever, Sam,” he said softly.

  “You just needed time. I know,” she said, taking his hand in hers.

  Phillip looked down at their hands then looked back up at Sam and smiled. “Come on, let’s get to class,” he said. “I’ll walk you to US history, right?”

  “Yeah,” she agreed, still amazed that this was happening. Phillip was her boyfriend, and he was walking her to class. She’d dreamed of this for years.

  As they walked up to Mr. Wright’s classroom, Phillip stopped and turned to face Sam. “So I’ll see you in study hall?”

  “I look forward to it,” she said.

  Phillip bent down and gave Sam a kiss on her cheek then walked down the hall to his next class. Sam walked into the classroom and sat down next to Alex.

  “So I saw he was walking you to class,” Alex said.

  “Yes, then he kissed me on the cheek.”

  “Okay, so today after lunch, what was that?” Alex asked. “You two were like holding hands, looking lovingly in each other’s eyes, talking, kissing.”

  “All right, all right. You don’t have to tell me what I already know. Well, he overheard some things Tracy said to me—”

  “Did you fight with her?”

  “No, she just wanted to tell me that she’d get Phillip back, but then he overheard that she just used him to boost her popularity.”

  “Ouch.”

  “Yeah, but he seemed pretty okay with it.”

  “Okay with it? Sam, he was kissing you like there was no tomorrow.”

  “Alex, it wasn’t that dramatic.”

  “Well, it was for all of us who were watching.”

  “I know, thanks for being one of the spectators,” Sam laughed.

  “Just think of it like this, now it’s not such a big deal anymore. We all know you are with Phillip so it won’t be so bad. It will still be awkward, I think, but not terribly unbearable.”

  “Thanks for the captivating pep talk, Alex,” she said as Mr. Wright walked into the classroom which signaled silence. She was already looking forward for the lesson finishing so she could be in the computer room speaking to Phillip.

  * * *

  PhilyCheeseSteak: So how was Mr. Wright and US history?

  SamIam: Boring as usual, but not too bad. We were talking about the end of WWII.

  PhilyCheeseSteak: That’s fun stuff right there.

  SamIam: haha, how right you are.

  PhilyCheeseSteak: Hey, so I was wondering if you want to come over tonight. I have football practice till five but you could come over after. And I was thinking Alex and Michael could come too.

  SamIam: Of course. I’d love to come over, I’ll ask Alex about it.

  * * *

  SamIam: Hey, you! Do you want to come to Phillip’s house tonight after say sixish?

  AlexisCool: Yeah! What are we going to do? Didn’t you say his house was huge? With a guard tower and everything….

  SamIam: Calm yourself. Yes, it’s huge, but it’s not a guard tower, it’s a guard house looking thingy.

  * * *

  SamIam: Alex wants to know what we would do.

  PhilyCheeseSteak: Um…anything they want, but I was thinking about watching a movie.

  * * *

  SamIam: Alex, he said we would watch a movie, or anything you wanted to do.

  AlexisCool: How big is the TV?

  SamIam: You are way too excited…but it’s huge, like the size of the table huge…like it stands on its own huge with surround sound and comfy couches and lounge chairs.

  AlexisCool: I am soooo coming and dragging Michael along with me.

  SamIam: Glad you are excited. So we’ll go about six and you can follow me.

  AlexisCool: Sounds awesome. I’ll let Michael know.

  * * *

  SamIam: So she sounds excited.

  PhilyCheeseSteak: About coming or about watching a movie on a huge television screen?

  SamIam: Both…maybe.

  PhilyCheeseSteak: That’s fine. I’m guessing she’s going to bring Michael with her.

  SamIam: Yeah, she said she’d drag him with her.

  PhilyCheeseSteak: Oh, that sounds pleasant.

  SamIam: Don’t worry, I wouldn’t drag you anywhere…

  PhilyCheeseSteak: Good to know.

  SamIam: Although, I can be very persuasive when I need to be.

  PhilyCheeseSteak: I believe it. I think I would agree to anything if you were there to persuade me.

  SamIam: Oh really? I might just have to persuade you some more then.

  PhilyCheeseSteak: I wouldn’t mind…

  SamIam: What do you need me to persuade for you?

  PhilyCheeseSteak: Anything…

  SamIam: Anything, huh? Well, I am in want of some fine jewelry, maybe diamonds or sapphires…maybe pearls.

  PhilyCheeseSteak: Okay, so maybe not anything.

  SamIam: What my charms aren’t enough?

  PhilyCheeseSteak: I don’t think your persuasion extends to that.

  SamIam: You would be surprised.

  * * *

  AlexisCool: Hey, Sam. Michael said that he could come.

  SamIam: Great, so we’ll leave about six. Hopefully my mom will be on board. I mean it is a school night.

  AlexisCool: Pish Posh, just tell her we will be studying for a test—it’s a study group.

  SamIam: Maybe you could come over and tell my mother that. She wouldn’t believe me if I told her.

  AlexisCool: Well, at least she still doesn’t know you two are dating. Because when that gets out, she won’t let you go over to his house on a school night.

  SamIam: That’s why you need to come over and ask for me. Be my best friend and lie to my mother.

  AlexisCool: The things I do for you…

  SamIam: But I sure do love you for it.

  AlexisCool: So what are you and Phillip talking about?

  SamIam: Well, we’re talking about persuasion and how I would be able to persuade him to do anything…

  AlexisCool: Anything? That’s some powerful persuasion.

  SamIam: Not anything, apparently. I told him I wanted some fine jewelry, but he said he could not be persuaded, but give me five minutes and I’m sure he’d buy me something the next day!

  AlexisCool: SAM!!!

  SamIam: I'm only messing

  The bell rang shortly after Sam’s conversation with Alex, forcing her to log off in a hurry. Sam picked up her backpack and left the room with the rest of the class.

  “Sam, wait up,” Phillip called as he managed to get out of the classroom.

 
Sam turned around and waited for Phillip to catch up to her. “Sorry. I’m just not used to you yet.”

  “Not used to me? Well, I think I’m going to have to persuade you to not forget me so easily.” He winked.

  “Believe me, you are a hard man to forget,” she said.

  “So I’m that persuasive?”

  “Perhaps,” she said then began to walk up the stairs, Phillip following behind her.

  They walked into Ms. Hatchet’s classroom and sat down in their usual seats. “Only one more hour, we can make it.”

  * * *

  “Ms. Hatchet is always so much fun, I'm so glad that is over,” Sam said as they began to walk down the stairs after class had finished.

  “Well, I didn’t expect that she’d give us another pop quiz nor did I anticipate her handing out group projects.”

  “At least she stuck you two on the same team,” Alex interrupted.

  “You and Michael are on the same team too,” Sam said, confused.

  “Oh I know. I was just pointing out the bright side.”

  “So I’ll see you around six?” Phillip asked, in a hurry to get to practice.

  “Yeah, see you then,” Alex said. “Now get to practice or you’ll be late.”

  Phillip bent down and kissed her on the cheek then ran off, putting his stuff away at his locker then rushing toward the locker room.

  “Perfect, absolutely perfect,” Sam commented out loud.

  “Was that meant to be internalized?” Alex smiled at Sam.

  “Maybe, but he is, isn’t he?”

  “For you, yes. So I’ll stop by your house and ask your mom?”

  “Sounds good. You and Michael going out for coffee?”

  “Yeah, before we hit the books.”

  “Okay, see you later then,” Sam said as Alex made her way out of the school entrance and toward her motorcycle.

  Chapter Twelve

  The doorbell rang at exactly six o’clock. “I’ll get it!” Sam screamed as she ran down the stairs.

  Sam opened the door. “Right on time,” she said, letting Alex in the house. “Mom! I have a question to ask you.”

  Sam’s mother came out of the kitchen, “Yes, dear?”

  “Hi, Mrs. Baker,” Alex said.

  “Hello, Alexis. How are you?”

  “I’m fine. I was wondering though, if Sam could join me, Michael, and Phillip. We formed a study group for our Biology class and are studying tonight.”

  “Oh my, is the test tomorrow?” Sam’s mom asked.

  “Yes, and it is going to be very hard,” Alex said dramatically.

  “Well, I do think it is beneficial to study in groups. Will you promise me you will work? I want to see an A on your next test.”

  “I promise. Is that a yes?” Sam asked.

  “Yes, but I want you to be home by ten.”

  Sam smiled at Alex. “Okay, I’m going to go get my stuff and go with Alex.”

  “Okay, but ten o’clock.”

  “Yes, Mom.”

  Sam ran upstairs with Alex and got her things together.

  “I can’t believe it was that easy,” Alex commented.

  “Yeah, I know, remind me to have you do that more often,” Sam said. “Okay, I think I have everything. Ready?”

  “Yeah, Michael will follow us in his car, he’s parked out front.”

  Sam and Alex walked back down the stairs and out the door. As directed, Michael followed Sam all the way to Phillip’s house.

  “Oh my God! It’s huge!” Alex exclaimed as they pulled into the driveway.

  “I know, you’ll love the inside.”

  “I already love the outside.”

  They got out of the car and walked up the entrance to the front door, which opened as they neared.

  “Hey, guys,” Phillip said. “Glad you could all make it, especially you.” Phillip took Sam’s hand in his and kissed her gently on the lips.

  Sam smiled up at him. “So what are we waiting for? I believe we came here for some entertainment?”

  Phillip laughed. “Right through here.” They walked inside and, as Sam predicted, Alex fell in love.

  “I love this house. How do you use all the space? It’s so vast,” Alex cried.

  “You can look around if you want,” Phillip said.

  Immediately Alex took Michael by the hand and began to explore the downstairs just like Sam had done.

  “So now that I have you to myself…” Phillip said with a wicked grin.

  “The question is, what are you going to do?” Sam asked.

  “I think I’m going to kiss you,” he said with a smile.

  “Wise choice,” she said as Phillip leaned in closer.

  “So I think I’ll buy you that fine jewelry now,” Phillip said as they parted. He pulled something out of his pocket and put it in Sam's hands.

  “Ah, so I do have some persuasion left.” She laughed at the plastic toy ring and necklace set.

  “Oh, I think you have a lot of persuasion left,” he said as he kissed her again.

  “I think we should get Alex and Michael and start that movie, before I get sidetracked.”

  “Are you sure you want to watch the movie? I mean, I don’t mind getting sidetracked,” Phillip said softly as he began to kiss her neck.

  “There will be plenty of time to get sidetracked later.” She took his hand and began to look for Alex, who had disappeared into the music room.

  “I thought I would find you in here,” Sam said, opening the door.

  “This place is awesome. I definitely need to come back sometime,” Alex told Phillip.

  “Yeah sure, anytime,” Phillip agreed.

  “So are we ready to watch the movie, then?” Alex asked.

  “What movie did you want to watch? We have a ton, so you can go look and pick one,” Phillip said as they made their way into the living room.

  “Oh my gosh! You have Finding Nemo. We so have to watch this,” Alex burst out the minute she saw the movie on the shelf. “Remember, Sam, when we used to watch this and we had all the lines memorized?”

  Sam smiled. “Yeah, I remember. But remember that time when we were watching Spiderman and we got so mad at Mary Jane that we began to throw popcorn at the screen?”

  “Oh my gosh, that night was so much fun.” Alex grinned at the memory.

  “We are not watching that, especially if you know all the lines. I can’t stand it when people say the character’s lines. It ruins the ambience,” Michael said, taking the case away from Alex and placing it back on the shelf.

  “Well then, what do you want to watch?” Alex said, placing her hands on her hips.

  “How about this one?” Michael said, pulling out Alien vs. Predator.

  “No way are we watching that one. It’s so scary and gross,” Sam said.

  “Fine, what would you choose?” Michael said, placing the movie back on the shelf.

  “Um,” Sam continued to look on the shelf. “Okay, what about Fight Club?”

  “I’m fine with that one,” Alex said.

  “Yeah, me too, I haven’t seen it in a long time,” Michael agreed.

  “Finally, something we can all agree on.” Phillip laughed.

  Sam handed the case to Phillip who took it and placed the disc in the machine. Sam sat down on the couch and Phillip followed after dimming the lights. Michael and Alex took the oversized lounge chair.

  It took about an hour and a half to finish the movie, but needless to say none of the four were doing much watching. Sam and Phillip made out until her lips burned.

  “Good movie, good movie,” Phillip said as the credits began to roll.

  Sam laughed and hit him softly on the arm. “You wouldn’t know.”

  Phillip smiled then leaned forward to turn off the television. “So what do you want to do now? It’s only seven-thirty.”

  “I’m starving, actually,” Sam chimed in.

  “Me too. Phillip, what do you have to eat in this joint?” Alex said.

/>   “Al, a little—”

  “If you two are going to be dating and if we are hanging out here more, he needs to learn that I am abrasive and somewhat obtrusive in my manner of speech.” Alex laughed.

  “Fine. So what do we have to eat?” Sam turned to Phillip.

  “Follow me,” Phillip said as he stood up and led them into the large kitchen. “My mother ordered pizza, if that’s okay. She didn’t know if we would be able to find something to eat on our own.”

  “Pizza’s fine,” Sam said, smelling the delicious sent of pepperoni and cheese.

  It wasn’t too long before they had devoured almost all of the pizza. “So who’s ready for another movie?” Michael asked.

  “If we can find one we can agree upon,” Sam said as they walked back to the living room.

  “I was thinking about Casino Royale ,” Michael said, pulling it off the shelf.

  “I’m fine with that,” Sam and Alex said.

  “Sounds good,” Phillip agreed.

  Sam sat down on the couch next to Phillip as the movie started. She brought her legs up and cuddled with Phillip underneath a blanket he wrapped over them. As the movie progressed, she turned to kiss Phillip, putting her hand on his leg to balance herself. She noticed a strange hardness in Phillip’s lap, and she gasped when she realized what it was. Tentatively she placed her hand on him, awed by the heat and hardness.

  “What are you doing?” Phillip gave her a pained smile.

  “Touching you,” she whispered, brushing her hand across the foreign feeling part of him again.

  “You don't have to do this, Sam,” he groaned softly, glancing over at their friends.

  “Don't worry, they're both fast asleep. You might have to give me some directions though,” Sam said shakily.

  “Are you sure?” he asked, his blue eyes dark with passion.

  She nodded. “Yes, I want to make you feel the way I did in the closet.”

  He glanced over toward Alex and Michael again, checking for himself that they were both sleeping. “Ok,” he breathed, reaching beneath the blanket and moving things around for a minute before he leaned back and wrapped her hand in his, placing it on his hard length, which he’d freed from his jeans and now lay stiffly against his belly. He was hot and satiny smooth to the touch, and she looked up at him as she experimentally closed her hand around him.