Miraculously I made it to the end of the school term without failing, but I gave most of the credit to Megan herself for helping when she didn't have to. Not only did I pass every final, but my grades had jumped from F's and D's to A's and B's within the matter of a month. Shawn himself didn't believe it until I received my final grade report of the year.

On the last day of class before break I had been eager to escape from campus. Yet, there was the saddening thought that I wouldn't be able to see Megan for a few weeks. Now that she no longer lived with us, speaking to her outside the classroom setting was impossible.

But before I was able to leave school that afternoon, Megan had called me back one final time.

"Sam, come see," she called from her desk. I could hear the smile in her voice.

I dropped my bag and waltzed up with a smirk. "You just want a few extra minutes with your favorite student before break."

"You wish."

I joined her behind her desk, looking at what she was doing on her computer. She had pulled up my final grade and I smiled at what I saw.

"You finished the term with an A in history."

"It's a miracle," I joked.

"Damn right."

I sighed in relief. "I really don't know how to repay you."

She shook her head. "That's not necessary."

"Why'd you do it?"

She glanced at me, her cheeks flushing just a bit before answering. "I didn't want you to be a six year senior."

I shoved her. "I'd make sure I ended up back in your class. I keep you on your toes."

"That's true... but there are things you have to accomplish outside of high school. And if investing a little of my time helps you get where you need to be then... I'm happy to do it."

I just stared at her. Man, was I gonna miss her over break. As much as I hated thinking about how much I liked Megan, denying it only tore me up inside. It was there, plain as day, but what was I to do? I knew deep down romances never lasted, and why screw up what Megan and I had now? Not to mention the whole fact that she was my teacher. Love was just a concept I refused to acknowledge. It had never worked for me. So I doubted if it would work now.

"What are you doing for Christmas?" she asked.

I shrugged. "Shawn and I usually have our own little thing in the morning and then he joins mom and dad later."

Her eyes fell. "Are you gonna go?"

"I don't think so."

After last time I figured mom still had a bit of growing to do, and even when I hated seeing my dad suffer I knew mom had to come around. She would. I knew she would. Or so I hoped. Maybe having expectations was a bad idea considering every time I did I was always let down.

"Well, if your Christmas ends up being a bust, I invited Shawn to my birthday celebration. I'd like it if you tagged along," she offered.

"I'll get to meet all your screwed up family?" I joked.

"Yes, including the gold-digging step-grandmother." She cringed. "God that sounds weird."

I felt a wide smile spreading across my face. "Does this mean I have to get you a present?"

"You don't have to get me anything."

But I knew I would get her something. It was the least I could do after everything she had done for me over the past month.

"I'll be there," I accepted. "How old are you gonna be again? Thirty-five?"

She frowned. "Okay, you're uninvited."

I laughed. "Oh I'm just kidding. You don't look a day over twenty-eight."

This time she laughed. "More like twenty-four. Now get out."

But there was something lingering in the back of my mind. A question. A question I had been pondering with since Thanksgiving. I hadn't had the balls to dig deeper but for some reason I was restless today.

"Can I ask you something?" I requested, hoping she didn't get the wrong idea when I did.

Her soft eyes locked with mine. "Yeah."

"That night at the hospital, when you walked in... You had looked so... scared." I couldn't control the tremble in my voice. God I just didn't want her to ice me out again because of this.

She nodded. "Because I was."

"Why?"

Why exactly was I even asking this? For reassurance? To solidify what I was hoping was true in the back of my mind? That Megan not only cared about me for me, but because she cared about me selfishly too.

She took a moment, shuffling the papers on her desk and leaning forward in thought. I had started to believe she wouldn't answer until she turned towards me.

"When Shawn called me and told me you were in the hospital... I panicked. I left my dad's house in a hurry without a second thought as to why or how you had ended up there. And I was so scared Sam."

She paused before continuing. "And as soon as I was walking down the hall to your room I saw Shawn and the doctor. It didn't look good and that's when I thought about losing you. I thought about hearing those awful words 'she didn't make it'. It was enough to scare me back into reality."

I was almost too dumbfounded to answer her monologue. "W-What exactly was reality?"

Her eyes met mine. "That I care about you."

A weight lifted off of my chest at her words. She cared about me. Megan Adams cared about me, Sam Carson, the girl who had been labeled as a lost cause. Something about this really pulled at my heart.

"Well thank you," I hesitated. "For caring."

She just smiled. "It's hard not to, Sam."

When had we gotten this close? And why wasn't she breaking the moment like she usually did? I could feel the pull, and it was stronger than ever. It felt like I was suffocating and Megan was the oxygen I desperately needed. I had never felt this before.

And I was scared.

I pulled away. "Well uh, have a good Christmas and... I'll see you on your birthday."

She too was startled by our moment and nodded it off. "Y-Yeah, um, stay safe please."

And I left, feeling the pounding in my chest once again. Usually this was controllable. All my life I had been able to choose whether I wanted to stop it or not.

But I felt as if it was like trying to stop a freight train. Impossible. I could hear the whining of the engine from afar, making me aware of its approach. How on earth had it gotten to this point without me realizing?

And what the hell was I gonna do about it?

* * *

"So what's in the box?" Shawn asked as he glanced over from the driver's seat.

I frowned. "It's a wrapped roll of toilet paper."

"Really?"

"No, you idiot."

He narrowed his eyes. "So you really got Megan a present?"

"Yes?"

He just nodded and mumbled a "huh".

It wasn't anything super special. Just a coffee mug with a cheesy quote I had found at a super market. I had immediately thought of Megan and decided it would be a perfect gift.

"Have you met her family before?" I asked, curious as to whether we would be the only non-family there.

"Plenty of times," he confessed. "Her dad loves me."

"Well aren't you Mr. Star Child," I mocked.

"I hate to break it to you," he chuckled. "But I am the star child."

I huffed.

"Her parents are great people, but I've never met the extended family. And from what I've heard they're an... interesting group of people."

So Shawn knew a little bit more about Megan too, just like me. Suddenly I no longer felt special.

"Honestly, I think she invited us just so she wouldn't be expected to socialize with her family."

Wow. If that was true, then I was nervous for this party.

Eventually we pulled up outside of a curved driveway, one that resembled Emma's. Except this one was bigger. Much bigger. Dang. I immediately assumed this was the grandfather's house.

Shawn looked at my box. "That better not really be a roll of toilet paper."

"It's a mug, you dork."

He frowned. "Don't call me a dork."

"Dork."

I followed him out of the truck and ran my hand through my hair. I had put in some effort on my appearance, which included light make up and a nice outfit. Yet I still felt under-dressed standing at the front door. Maybe I should've worn something different-

That's when the door opened, Megan coming into view. "Oh thank God," she pulled Shawn inside and I followed. "My aunt has been driving me crazy."

I laughed. "You're already crazy."

She frowned, then spotted the box in my hands. "Sam, what's that?"

"It's your present."

She didn't look convinced. "You got me a present?"

Shawn laughed. "I said the same thing!"

"What is it?"

I offered it over to her. "Why don't you just open it and see since everyone's convinced it's a bomb or something."

She unwrapped it and revealed the mug, a small smile stretching on her face. "Okay, this is cute."

"Much better than a roll of toilet paper," Shawn agreed.

I just rolled my eyes.

Shawn strolled off and went to talk to who I assumed to be Megan's dad, leaving us alone.

"Thank you," she stated. "But you really didn't have to."

"Yeah, I really did. It's your birthday," I answered with a smile. I couldn't help but study her just a moment longer. She looked good. Like really good. So good, that it took me a second to pull myself back into reality. "Alright, so who's the evil gold digger?" I asked.

Megan turned and searched. "She's over there, by the fireplace."

I spotted her talking with an older man. If I was being honest she didn't look over forty-three, which was odd considering Megan's grandfather was probably much older. But I'd be lying if I said she wasn't smokin' hot.

I nodded. "She's hot."

Megan shoved me. "Sam, that's gross."

"I'm not saying I wanna sleep with her. I'm just saying kudos to gramps."

That's when an elderly man rolled his way up to where Megan and I stood. Before he had a chance to introduce himself I already knew who he was.

"Megan, sweetie who's your beautiful friend here?" he asked, sticking out his hand. "I don't believe we've met."

I took his hand and shook. "It's Sam."

He cradled my hand in both of his that shook a little bit. He held a bright smile on his face. "And I'm Megan's almost-deceased grandfather."

"That's not funny," Megan defended.

He waved his hand. "Honey, you and I both know my hourglass is almost empty."

"You can't go anywhere till I'm married," Megan joked.

He pointed a shaky finger with a grin. "Better make it quick then." That's when he started to reach into his jacket pocket. "And since I remembered, I wanna give you this. I believe it's long overdue."

An envelope emerged and I silently wondered if this was the check that could possibly change Megan's life for the better. I could see a look cross her face that let me know she had thought the same thing.

She took it but didn't open it right away. She bent down and hugged the old man. "Thank you."

He just smiled. "You deserve a little peace of mind. And knowing I gave you this will give me some too." Then he looked at me. "Sam, take care of my baby-girl will you?"

I just laughed it off. "I'll try, but you know she's a handful."

Megan nudged me. "You have no room to talk."

Her grandfather became distracted with another family member as I watched Megan tamper with the envelope.

"You gonna open it?" I asked.

She took a deep breath and nodded.

Her fingers tore the paper carefully, as if she was afraid to damage what was inside. The anticipation of this moment was so high I could barely wait any longer.

She slipped the check out from the envelope and we both peered down eagerly. But my shoulder's slumped when I read the grand total.

He had written a check for only three grand.

Megan tensed next to me and let out a sigh. I knew she was disappointed, but she couldn't show it. Megan was anything but selfish. So even if the total had been a mistake she wouldn't tell her grandfather. I felt bad for her.

"Well at least it's something," she stated.

I took it from her and studied it. Something about this situation seemed off. And yes, her grandfather was elderly but he wasn't stupid. Not to mention the handwriting on the check.

Growing up with bad grades and perfecting my mom's signature along the way, I knew forgery when I saw it. And this check was not written by an old man with the beginning stages of Parkinson's.

I handed it back to her. "I'm sorry."

She shook her head. "It's fine."

I knew I had to find the real check, but where to start? Maybe getting away from Megan would be a good thing.

"I'm gonna go find Shawn," I stated.

She just nodded me off.

I made my way around small groups of people, smiling and trying to blend in. The evil gold digger had disappeared into the kitchen with one of her minions, so I figured a little spying couldn't hurt my investigation.

I stumbled in on them talking. Both of their eyes landed on me.

An innocent smile broke through. "Sorry. I was just looking for the bathroom."

Evil step-grandmother nodded. "Through the hall, last door on your left."

With that I turned and disappeared around the corner, pressing my back against the wall. Hopefully they resumed their conversation soon.

"He gave Megan the check. I swear if I wouldn't look out for that man he would lose everything he owned. You know he wanted to give her thirty grand?"

Her friend grunted in disapproval. "That's just excessive. I mean, I understand she's the only grandchild now that Lacey's gone but... that man has no idea what he's doing with his money."

I was so angry I wanted to puke. Were they stupid? And who was she to play God with Megan's life and determine whether she deserved that money? She had no idea!

"Where'd you put the real check?"

"Under the master bed. He can't even get down there anymore so it's safe. I'll rip it up tonight."

Without waiting any further, I escaped through the back exit of the kitchen. I had to find the master bedroom. If there was anything Megan deserved on her birthday, it was that check. And I believed I was the perfect person to sneak around and find it. After all, it was the least I could do.

Lucky for me the staircase was secluded from where the rest of the party was taking place, so disappearing was easy. I crept and prayed I didn't run into anyone while up here. Surely I wouldn't be able to talk myself out of this situation if I was caught.

Eventually I stumbled into the master bedroom and locked the door behind me. For a moment I felt like a super-agent sneaking into a classified area or something. It felt cool. My heart was pumping and my blood was racing. I fell onto my knees and reached under the bed.

My hand found a suitcase and I pulled it out. I snapped it open to reveal a familiar looking envelope lying right on top with Megan's name front and center. This had to be it.

I grabbed it and slipped the envelope into my jacket pocket before exiting the room silently.

It wasn't until I was walking back down the stairs that I realized what I had just done. I had snuck through an unfamiliar house and basically stolen a check all for Megan. And I knew I wouldn't have done that for anyone else but her.

I found her sitting with Shawn on the couch with a glass of wine that looked extra full. Guess she could use a little good news on her birthday.

I walked up to her. "Megan can you come see?"

She just looked up at me. "Why?"

"Just come see."

"No?"

Jeez, grumpy pants.

"Please?"

"What is it?" Shawn asked.

At this point I just said the first thing I thought of. "I started my period."

Yeah, it was brash but Megan knew by the look on my face that I was lying. Shawn on the other hand had immediately lost interest in the conversation.

Megan stood. "Um yeah, come see. I think I have something in my purse."

I followed her into a small room that looked more like a storage unit where she closed the door behind us.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

I slipped out the envelope. "I have the second part of your birthday present."

The look on her face spoke a million words. I wished I could've taken a picture when she took the envelope from me.

She studied the check. "Sam... where did you get this?"

"Heard the evil gold-digger talking to one of her minions in the kitchen..." I leaned against the wall with a smirk. "Apparently she thought thirty-grand was too much money for a gift so she switched the original check with the other one."

Megan's arms fell to her sides in shock and she looked at me. I expected her to say something but no words came. For just a split second I almost believed she was mad at me. Then a huge smile grazed her lips.

And she just started to laugh.

I stood there a bit confused. "What's so funny?"

She shook her head. "This whole situation is just... it's a lot. I'm sorry." She tried suppressing her giggles but eventually gave up.

Then I started to laugh at her. "I think you've lost your mind."

"I think so too," she responded.

For a second there was a moment of stillness. As if time had stopped when Megan looked up at me again. How was it that every time I saw her that pull got stronger and stronger? I felt like we were opposite magnets.

"Thank you," she whispered. "I just... thank you."

I could practically see more words on the tip of her tongue but she held back like she normally did. She was good at doing that.

I shrugged. "You deserve that Megan."

She just smiled at me, her fingers playing with the piece of paper in her hands. Dammit she was just so cute. The way she bit her lip made me move closer to her. And the red on her cheeks just made her all the more endearing. I needed to get out of this small space before I did something that would probably get me slapped.

I started towards the door. "We should probably rejoin the party."

"Y-Yeah," she responded, snapping out of her thoughts. What I would give to know what she was thinking.

We reached for the door at the same time, our hands touching. It was a weird sensation. Like all of a sudden Megan was the sun and she was burning me alive. The closeness of the situation made it hard to breathe. Did she feel that too or was I the only one? It wasn't until she broke the moment that I realized I had never craved someone so much.

We rejoined the party but for some reason my mind stayed in the storage closet. I couldn't stop thinking about the way she had looked at me. And Megan had wanted to say something, but what? I hated that she had a filter. I hated that I felt the tension growing stronger and stronger yet she seemed immune. Did she feel it like I did or was it a one-way street? Suddenly I felt like an emotional mess.

But eventually the party came to an end. Family members began to leave and I found myself needing to as well. I was drained from all that I was feeling, and if I was being completely honest, it terrified me.

I had felt many things with many girls, but what I felt for Megan was foreign. She wasn't like anyone I had ever met.

She was a woman. Someone who knew what she wanted and never slowed until she got it. She was beautiful and kind. Everything about her seemed crafted to perfection, but I knew she wasn't. I was one of the few who she had opened up to, and I was one of the few she cared about.

And after so long of being numb, Megan had managed to make me feel like a human again.