After Sam graduates high school, she and Megan move to Columbia, Missouri at the end of June for Megan to further her education at Mizzou state university.

This series of shorts take place one year later...

| August 18 | Friday |

The sound of the alarm forced me to roll over on my stomach. I reached over to the nightstand for the third time this morning in a desperate attempt to hit the snooze button. I groaned as my tired hand touched and hit the phone, causing it to fall off the stand. Great. Just great.

I leaned over the edge of the bed and blindly searched for the phone now ringing from the floor. When I found it and brought it back up I was even more exhausted than before.

Just a few more minutes, I told myself.

Then I hit the snooze one more time.

That's when the bedroom lights flickered on. A weight sat heavy on my stomach. Before I could open my eyes Megan started to tickle me.

"You've snoozed three times," she claimed. "It's time to get up."

I twisted in horror as Megan's body pinned me down and her hands tortured my sides.

"I'm up! I'm up!" I gasped. "Stop tickling me!"

"What's the magic word?" she teased.

I writhed under her but could find no escape.

"Please!" I begged.

"Nope."

"Pretty please!"

"Try again."

"Megan," I hissed through stifled laughs.

"Oh now really, Sam. My name would be too easy," she answered with a laugh.

"I love you!" I shouted.

"I guess that's good enough."

Her hands released me but she remained sitting on my stomach. I glared at her and crossed my arms. She leaned down and planted a kiss on my lips so I would immediately forget why I was mad in the first place.

"Good morning," she said.

"Morning."

"How'd you sleep?"

"Not enough."

She rolled her eyes. "You always say that."

"Because it's true."

She climbed off of me and pulled me up so I could follow her to the kitchen.

"I made your coffee since you were being lazy," Megan teased.

I walked up behind her. My hands roamed around her waist as I brought my lips close to her ear. The smell of her freshly washed hair made me smile.

"Have I told you how amazing you are?" I joked.

She faced me with a smirk. "No. Wanna elaborate?"

"Nah. I think your head is big enough."

She frowned. "I should've let you be late for work."

"Then who would pay the bills?" I countered.

Those ice blue eyes narrowed before she turned away and sat at our dining table. I picked up my mug and decided to join her, even if it meant less time to get ready for work.

"Remember, Shawn's coming up tomorrow with Danna to see the bar," Megan revealed with a smile.

I just nodded in agreement as I sipped on my coffee.

Since moving to Columbia over a year ago the only motivation I had was the opening of Jinx 2. The only setback had been the fact that I wasn't twenty-one, which would change really soon. Just two more weeks. And once I was twenty-one there would be no more obstacles.

"Just one more month till we open the doors," I included.

"Have you read that management book Shawn sent you?" Megan wondered.

"Almost."

"Almost?"

"I'm still working on it."

Megan tilted her head. "You haven't started yet, have you?"

"Nope."

"Sam."

I smirked. "I like when you say my name like that. It's hot."

"The tone of disappointment turns you on?"

I sipped my coffee and winked.

Eventually I was forced to rush to the bathroom to dress for my day. Without much effort I threw my hair into a ponytail and changed into my work jeans and an old T-shirt. I was grateful it was Friday, which meant casual wear, but I knew Buddy wouldn't give me much grief regardless.

Before I left I found Megan still sitting at the table researching something on her laptop.

I leaned down and kissed her head. "I'm leaving."

"Have fun."

"Come get me for lunch?" I suggested. "You know, since you're off."

"Eleven-thirty?"

I grabbed my keys from the counter. "Yup."

"I love you!" Megan called.

I smirked. "You better."

Then I was out the door.

I hoped into my Camaro and cranked it to life, the sound of heavy rock filled my ears. Even though this was now my daily routine, it hadn't always been that way when we first moved here.

The first few months I had gone through a few part-time jobs but knew a full-time job was required for bills. And when I thought I would never catch a break my car decided to act up on me, which sent me over to Buddy's Auto Shop. Thus, blessing me with my first full-time gig.

~Flashback~

Okay, if this guy didn't take me seriously I was surely going to lose my cool.

"Ma'am, all I have to do is change your spark plugs," he said.

I rolled my eyes. "No. That's not all you have to do."

He was young, maybe in his late twenties. I was trying to keep my cool but found it difficult.

That's when an older gentlemen walked over to us. His fading brown hair hung just above his shoulders with a mustache to match. His arms rested on his beer belly.

"Jake, what's the problem?" he asked.

"Nothing," the young guy defended. "This chick just keeps hanging over my shoulder and telling me what to do."

The older man let out a sigh and stepped towards me. His calloused hand reached out.

"What's your name, sweetie?" he asked.

"Sam," I answered.

"Buddy," he introduced. "Now what's wrong with your car?"

Finally, someone who was willing to listen.

I leaned over the engine. "He's right. I need new spark plugs, but the gasket and valves need to be replaced. That's what I was trying to tell him."

Buddy nodded and then leaned over my engine too, examining the damage. After a second he leaned back and looked at Jake.

"Jake, go grab a set of plugs and a valve kit. She's right."

Jake just looked at me before disappearing back into the shop.

Buddy leaned over my hood. "Can't say it's everyday someone comes in and embarrasses Jake like that." He laughed. "Especially a pretty girl like yourself."

"Yeah well, I rebuilt this car with my dad," I answered. "So I know a few things."

"You're new to town? Can't say I recognize you."

"Moved here back in June."

"College?"

"My girlfriend's in college," I stated. "I'm just looking for a job."

For only a moment did Buddy stop to glance at me. I held my breath. Usually I had no problem coming out to people, but I needed this guy to be cool and fix my car. Maybe I should've just kept my mouth shut. What if he was one of those jerks that refused to serve me because of my sexuality?

"Huh," he mumbled. "What's she going to school for?"

I smiled. "Getting her masters and then her Ph.D. She wants to be a professor."

"That's very ambitious. You say you're looking for a job?"

My heart sped up. "Yes sir."

"Are you available full-time?"

"Yes, I am. Do you know of a place?"

He wiped his hands. "Yeah, here. I need a secretary to take appointments and such. Also, to help out around the shop. You've already proved you're better than Jake."

I couldn't help but feel giddy with excitement. "I'd love to."

Jake returned with the kit. "Would you like me to do the rest?"

The phone rang in the office. "No. Go answer the phone. Sam and I will finish up in here," Buddy said before waving him off.

Jake left after releasing an exasperated sigh.

Then Buddy faced me. "When can you start?"

"Tomorrow," I nearly blurted. "Or whenever you need me."

He just smiled. "How about you come by tomorrow morning and we'll fill out the paperwork."

"That sounds good."

"Great," he answered. "Now tell me, where'd you get this bad boy?"

"It was my grandfather's," I replied. "And it's a girl."

"Of course."

~ ~ ~

Friday's usually weren't significant at the shop, so I expected things to stay quiet until after lunch. I impatiently watched the clock and thought about Megan, who was probably running a few errands right about now.

Then my phone buzzed in my pocket.

I pulled it out and answered. "Hello."

"You sounded so professional just now," Blair teased on the other end. "Your job really shaped you up."

"Really?"

"Really. You almost sounded like an adult."

I rolled my eyes. "What do you want Blair?"

"I need to ask your opinion on something."

"Yes, you should drop out of college and become a professional stripper," I joked.

"You're really not funny."

I suppressed my laughter. "Okay I'm sorry. Continue."

"Tony asked me to move in with him," she confessed.

"Okay?" I answered. "What's the problem?"

She sighed. "Don't you think it's kind of soon?"

"Blair, you two have been dating for like, ever."

"Seven months, Sam," she corrected. "Not even a year."

"I think you should." I continued my doodle on the appointment sheet. "You practically live with him already. Besides, aren't you always complaining about how much you hate the dorms?"

"I just know living with someone is a serious commitment."

"Yeah," I agreed. "And you two will learn a lot about each other." I leaned back in my chair. "Look, if me and Megan can do it, you can too."

I heard her exhale. "You're right. I was just overthinking."

"That's your thing."

"Shut up."

"You're welcome."

"Yeah thanks," she said. "Oh, isn't Shawn and Danna coming up this weekend?"

"Yup."

"Are you going see the bar?"

"We are."

"Can I come?"

"You're inviting yourself?" I teased.

"Yes, because my best friend didn't."

I rolled my eyes. "Whatever. I gotta go. Buddy's giving me the eye."

"See you later."

I hung up and joined Buddy and Jake in the shop, hoping today passed quickly. This was the last weekend before the Fall semester started and I wanted to spend it with the people who meant most to me.

* * *

"I can't wait to see it," Megan exclaimed. "Aren't you excited?"

I squeezed her hand as we walked up to the building. "Of course I am."

"Yeah well, you can have a little more pep in your step," Blair jabbed.

I rolled my eyes. "Looks like Shawn and Danna are already here."

My hand found the door and Megan walked in first, then Blair and Tony. When I walked in the lights were on, which showed me everything that was right and wrong with the place. A little cleaning could do, but the building had a fantastic vibe.

Danna and Shawn looked up from behind the bar.

"What do you think?" Danna asked.

"I think it's perfect," I answered.

"Just wait till I show you all the features."

Danna and Shawn exited from behind the bar and started the grand tour. It really was something. Not only did we have a killer sound system, but we also had a live music setup and a small stage. When Danna dimmed the main lights the LED's on the bar lit the room. Most of the alcohol was here or on its way. And of course my favorite feature was the two pool tables, accompanied with other bar games. This place would be a hit, no doubt.

"Danna, everyone on campus is already talking about this bar and it's not even open yet," Megan revealed.

"I've been doing some promo," she boasted. "I'm glad it worked."

"When's the big day?" Blair wondered.

"September twenty-second," Danna confirmed.

That's when the front door opened, interrupting our tour. A man with styled, jet black hair and eyes to match casually waltzed across the floor, studying the building. For a moment everyone stood silent with confusion.

Danna addressed him. "Can I help you?"

"No," he deadpanned. "Just scoping out my competition."

I raised my brow at his tone. A bad feeling dirtied my stomach.

"I'm the owner of the bar across the street," he confessed. "AJ's."

"And I'm assuming you're A.J.?" I mocked.

"It's Andy," he countered. His arms folded across his chest as he looked at Shawn. "You the owner?"

"I am," Danna answered.

"Oh really?" Andy seemed surprised.

I rolled my eyes. I already knew what this guy's deal was. He was a sexist piece of trash, because God forbid a woman own a bar, right?

"Yeah really," I defended. "She also owns a very successful bar in Baldwin."

"Yeah the homosexual bar, or whatever," he brushed off. "I've heard of it."

"It's an LGBT bar," Danna stated. "Just so we're clear."

The tension was high and no one understood the reason. This man just came in here with this chip on his shoulder, and I had a feeling he would be troublesome down the road.

"I'm just here to tell you to let your people know; stay on your side of the road, if you know what I mean," he jabbed. "I don't want any trouble from your kind."

My mouth must've been on the floor because Megan's grip on my hand tightened. She knew what was coming.

I stepped forward. "Lemme tell you something-"

"There will be no trouble," Danna cut me off. "And you can leave now."

Andy's dark eyes scanned mine before he nodded himself off, leaving the rest of us to process what had just happened.

"Was that guy serious?" Tony asked. "I mean, people like him really exist?"

"You'd be surprised," Danna finished. "But I'm not worried."

"Bet he wouldn't be talkin' like that if he knew you burned a guy's house down," Blair mumbled to me.

I looked at her and laughed. Megan didn't find it funny.

"I have an idea," I said.

"Uh oh," Blair responded.

"I say we go out tonight and check out AJ's. You know, to 'scope out the competition'," I suggested.

"That's a horrible idea." Blair paused and thought. "Let's do it."

"We should not," Megan disagreed. "I don't wanna go anywhere near that man's bar. Besides, you and Blair aren't even twenty-one."

"We have fake I.D.'s," I countered.

"That are so noticeably fake."

I crossed my arms. "Megan, what's the worst that can happen?"

"A lot."

"Like?"

She rolled her eyes. "We could get kicked out."

"So? I've been kicked out of bars before. It's not that bad."

"We could get mugged."

Okay, now she was being irrational.

"Me and Tony can hold it down," I comforted.

"That's not reassuring at all," Blair challenged.

I faced my best friend. "Shut up."

"Just sayin'."

"It'll be fun," I persuaded. "A nice celebration before the semester starts."

Tony just nodded his head with a smile.

"Fine," Megan caved. "I'll go. But I'm not getting drunk."

"Sure," I teased. "Whatever you say babe."

"Just remember to be here tomorrow morning," Shawn finished. "We still have things to do."

Megan just gave me an uneasy look as we continued touring the bar.

* * *

"I can't believe we're doing this," Megan exclaimed next to me.

"Stop worrying so much," I ordered and dropped my arm around her shoulder. "You didn't get all hot just to worry, did you?"

"Gag," Blair teased.

I reached around Megan and flicked Blair's ear.

The taxi came to a halt as the crowded street indicated our arrival.

"Here we go," I said.

"Into the lion's den," Blair included.

I opened the door and let Megan and Blair out as Tony exited from the passenger. Most of the crowd was already here, so we would blend in well. Hopefully the owner wasn't present. If he was we would surely be recognized.

We walked in without a problem. Loud music bumped through the building as Megan guided us over to an empty table in the corner.

I sat and inspected the crowd. "What do you guys think?"

"Kinda loud," Blair shouted. "The music's overpowering."

That's when a bartender made her way over to our table. She almost seemed as if she didn't want to be here.

"Can I get you guys some drinks?" she offered.

"Gin and tonic," Megan blurted.

I just looked at her.

"What?" she asked.

"Thought you weren't getting drunk?" I questioned.

"One won't get me drunk."

"It's also dollar shots until eleven," the bartender informed.

"What kind do you recommend?" Tony asked.

"We have a great house shot recipe."

"Then four of those," he included. "I'll also have a Dos Equis."

"Jack and coke," I ordered. "Single."

"Cranberry and vodka, please," Blair stated with a smile.

Then without further ado, the bartender left.

"She didn't even card us." Blair laughed. "I love this place."

I punched her in the arm. "No you don't."

"Maybe that's why it's so popular," Blair concluded.

"Or it's because all the bartenders are girls," I observed. "Most of the people in here are men."

"It's definitely sporty," Megan said.

It didn't take the bartender long to make it back with what we had ordered but she didn't stick around after.

I held up my shot. "Here's to scoping out the competition."

We downed our shots which weren't all that bad. But that didn't mean the place got an A-plus in my book just yet.

"Anyone wanna play foosball?" Tony asked.

I stood from the table. "You're on."

"I'm playing winner!" Blair shouted.

Tony snagged the table and I stood on the other side with Megan next to me.

"You know," she started. "This place isn't half bad."

"It's okay."

"They have a jukebox."

I looked up. "You think they have any Def Leppard on there?"

"What if they do?" she teased.

I saw what she was doing. She was trying to make it seem as if I liked the place. And I didn't. But if they had Def Leppard on that jukebox then they'd at least have my respect.

"Stop distracting me," I ordered. "I have to beat Tony."

Tony sipped his beer. "Game on."

* * *

"I can't believe I'm about to beat Sam at something," Megan teased as she leaned over the foosball table.

"You're not," I defended.

"Yes, I am."

I narrowed my eyes.

Even with Megan I was insanely competitive, but no way was I losing. We were tied for the win and the stakes were high.

"Drop the ball, Blair," I ordered.

Blair's hand hovered over the table, the little white ball between her fingers. I locked eyes with Megan, who had a big smile on her face.

The worst thing about this was that she was way more drunk than I was and we were tied. It didn't make any sense!

The ball dropped and Megan wasted no time. I didn't either, but she was quick. Her players hit the ball with so much force I had no time to even react.

The ball flew straight into my goal and Megan screamed in victory.

"I won!" She jumped up and down. "I finally beat you at something!"

I crossed my arms in disbelief.

She made her way around the table and brought her face close to mine.

"Guess what," she whispered.

I almost forgot I was mad. "What?"

"I beat you." Then she kissed me.

Okay, I was mad again.

"Are you guys ready to go?" I asked.

"No," Megan disagreed.

"I'm not asking you," I countered. "You're drunk."

"Am not."

I tilted my head.

She giggled. "Okay, yeah I am."

That's when a familiar face caught mine, and my skin ran cold. It was Andy. He was here and was making his way over to us right now.

I pulled Megan towards me as he quickly approached.

"I guess I wasn't clear when I said stay on your side of the road," he jabbed.

"No you were clear," I stated. "But we just wanted to uh... scope out the competition." Then I looked around. "Which doesn't look like much."

"Yeah, cause this music sucks!" Blair shouted. Tony's eyes went wide.

"U-Uh yeah, I mean you don't even have any Def Leppard on your jukebox," I continued. "That's lame."

He rolled his eyes. "Then you can get out of my bar."

"Gladly," I finished.

Then Megan poked his chest. "You're not very nice, you know."

His eyes narrowed as I pulled her out of the bar in a hurry.

"Told you something bad would happen," Megan said, trying not to sound drunk.

"But yet you had the most fun out of all of us," I included.

"Those gin and tonics were strong."

I laughed. "I bet they were."

We caught a taxi and all four of us climbed in to head home. As much as I didn't want to admit it, I believed Jinx 2 would have some competition. But a little competition never hurt anyone, right?

"Sam," Blair blurted. "I think..." She hiccupped. "AJ's is trash."

I looked over to her. "Really?"

"No." She laughed. "But I thought that would make you feel better."

"Yeah well, it didn't."

"Oops."

Megan, on the other hand, was quiet next to me except for her constant giggles. She was so drunk.

"Babe," I directed to her. "You okay?"

"I'm great..." She took my hand. "No. I'm fantastic."

I laughed as she placed her head on my shoulder in the backseat of our taxi.

Tony and Blair were dropped off first and we agreed to meet again later this weekend before the start of the new semester. Then it was just Megan and I.

Then out of nowhere Megan's head popped up.

"Did you let me win at foosball?" she wondered.

I just smiled to myself. "Would you be mad if I told you yes?"

"Very."

"Then yes," I said. "I let you win."

She looked at me with an angry expression. Okay, she looked really cute right now.

"You better be lying."

"You want me to lie to you?"

"No," she paused. "Wait, yes. I want you to tell me I won fair and square."

"You won fair and square."

"Good." She let out a big sigh. "I really want a pizza."

"Then we'll get pizza."

When we got home I helped Megan inside and then took a minute to order a pizza to be delivered to our apartment. When I was done I found her in our bedroom attempting to take off her heels.

"Sam, I need your help," she whined before throwing herself down on our bed. 

I walked over to her and began helping her. "Did you have fun tonight?"

"Yeah, but only because I was with you," she answered. "Not because AJ's is fun or anything."

After removing her shoes, I gave her a devious smile. "Do you want me to remove anything else?"

She just laughed. "No, I'm too drunk."

I pulled her towards me and leaned down. "But you're really cute when your drunk."

"You're really cute when I'm drunk too."

My mouth hung open in disbelief.

"I'm just kidding. You're always really cute." Then she grabbed my face and kissed me. This time a little longer than usual.

Even after so long she never failed to ignite something deep inside me. But now it was no longer scary or foreign. It was always a familiar burn that I craved. I loved it. And I loved her.

Before we could get carried away she stopped the kiss. "I need to change."

"What's stopping you?" I teased.

"You're on top of me."

I just smiled and pulled her off of the bed. She changed and by the time she was done the doorbell was ringing. Thank God for late night delivery.

I brought the pizza in and Megan ran out the bedroom.

"Oh my God you're the best girlfriend ever," she confessed.

I grabbed two waters and two plates as she took her place on the couch. She didn't bother waiting for me.

I sat in front of her. "You couldn't wait for me?"

She shook her head. "No I was starving."

I couldn't help but laugh at her childishness.

I bit into my pizza. "Well it was rude of you not to wait."

"You'll forgive me."

"Oh really?"

"Well yeah," she said. "You always do. Because you love me."

"That's very true."

She just smiled and continued to eat her pizza.

"I'm glad we went out," I stated. "Even if it was to AJ's."

"And even though we got kicked out?"

"Even though we got kicked out."

I looked up and knew that fun nights like that wouldn't come often after Monday, but I believed we were ready.

"Come Monday we'll be really busy again," I included.

"Yeah, but we'll be okay. Like we always are."

She gave me a reassuring smile which calmed my growing anxiety. Megan could always do that, but she was always right. We would be fine.

I believed that this chapter of our lives would definitely top the last. And I was more than ready.