"Nope. You’d better get back to what you were working on when I got here. What was it anyway? An article on the effects of gravity on a granite pencil vs. a cute perky upturned nose?" Sam’s eyes widened.

"I see that I can expect a fair amount of flirting?" she teased. Lily blushed and covered her mouth with one hand when she realized what she had said.

"I am so sorry," she mumbled through her hand, absolutely mortified. Sam burst out laughing.

"It’s OK, Lily, honest. Besides, it was kind of cute. Just be careful if others are around," Sam giggled. Lily smiled and gave Sam a chaste kiss on the cheek.

"Thanks for being so understanding, Sam," she said quietly. Sam shrugged.

"That’s what friends are supposed to do, Lily. Be there for one another no matter what. And I’m here for you. I hope you know that now." Lily nodded.

"I do. Thanks again. Talk to you later," she said as she opened the door.

"Later Lily," Sam called as she went to retrieve her pencil from photo-Nicole’s forehead. (Well, it’s certainly been an interesting afternoon)

Unknown to both conversationalists, Brooke had arrived at the room shortly after Lily to see if Sam had wanted a ride home and then left just before Lily exited and had overheard every word uttered by the two. She stood around the corner of the newspaper office in stunned shock.

(Lily is in love with Sam but Sam is in love with me? How the Hell did that happen and what the Hell do I do now? ) She wondered. Just then Lily rounded the corner and almost bumped into her.

"Oh, hey Brooke," Lily greeted her. Brooke noticed that the look in Lily’s eyes was slightly jealous but no less friendly.

"Uh, hi Lily. Have you seen Sam? I wanted to know if she needed a ride home," Brooke managed to cover her surprise at overhearing their very private conversation. An unreadable look, that if Brooke had to name she’d call longing or regret, passed over Lily’s face but it disappeared too quickly for Brooke to be sure.

"She’s in the `paper office. She probably needs a ride too. I gotta get to work so I’ll talk to you later," Lily dashed off leaving Brooke in her wake. Brooke watched her go for a few seconds before walking slowly to the door to the newspaper office. She really wasn’t sure she wanted to face Sam right now, knowing what she knew. The decision was taken away from her when the door flew open and Sam walked out, knocking her over.

"Whoa, Brooke, ya might wanna learn to knock first," Sam quipped as she offered her hand to the fallen girl. "You OK?" Brooke nodded as she brushed herself off.

"Hurricane Sam," she laughed nervously. (Why am I nervous?) Sam smiled brightly.

"That about sums me up," she agreed. "What can I do for you?"

"Need a ride home?" Brooke offered. Sam eyed her suspiciously for a second but then shrugged.

"Yeah, sure, why not," she said as they walked towards the school exit. As they walked together in silence, Brooke mulled over exactly what she was going to do with the knowledge she gained that afternoon.