Broken

Chapter 22 - Back to school

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>THANK YOU TO ANYONE WHO READS MY STORY! AND THANKS TO THOSE WHO COMMENTED!!! I AM SOOOOOOO SORRY FOR MAKING YOU WAIT FOR AN UPDATE! SORRY IT IS SHORT!! I WANTED TO UPDATE SOMTHING!! WORKING ON ANOTHER UPDATE! ENJOY AND COMMENT/VOTE/FAN IF YOU THINK IT IS WORTH IT!>>>>>>

SAMANTHA'S POV

That night I tossed and turned mercilessly. I don't know if it was because of the nap I took or just nerves for the approaching school day. Maybe it was both, but I was pretty sure nerves were the over ridding factor. I looked at the time on my phone and groaned. It was already 5:45. I was supposed to get up in about half an hour anyway, so it was no need for me to even try to sleep. I threw the blankets off of me and sat up. Rubbing the sleep from my eyes, I made my way towards the closet. After choosing a teal flowy shirt, black skinny jeans, and the necessary under garments, I continued my path to the bathroom for a shower. After twenty-five minutes, I was dressed and ready for school. I made sure all of my books and supplies were in my bag for when I was ready to leave. As I turned the corner towards the kitchen, I narrowly missed walking straight into Eric.

"Gosh! What is up with you Rivers boys and scaring people?" I asked taking a breath and he laughed.

"Well I cannot speak for my brother but I don't intentionally do it. You are the only person I have scared, so I don't think it is a reoccurring thing." He assured with a smile.

"Well maybe it is just a Samantha thing." I grumbled and he chuckled.

"Maybe your right. But you are kind of jumpy anyway so it isn't too hard to scare you." He said flashing his straight teeth. This family must be on a first name basis with their dentist because they all have perfect teeth!

"Touché." I nodded as I went to walk by him on my quest to the kitchen. I quickly made me a bowl of frosted flakes and took my seat at the table. As I looked up from my bowl, I noticed Eric was still standing in the doorway but now facing me.

"Ummm.....why are you staring at me as I eat? That is a huge creeper move." I informed and he shrugged.

"Just trying to figure you out. You are always so quiet and secretive. More so within the last few days. Is everything ok?" He asked genuinely and I swallowed the mouth full of cereal that occupied my mouth.

"Yeah. Everything is fine. Thanks." I replied with a small smile.

"Are you worried about school? Because if you are afraid Marc and Jasper will ditch you, you are wrong. I know you all had never really talked but now that you three are good friends there is nothing to fret about. You have both of them boys wrapped around your finger. This whole family actually. We all care about you Samantha." Eric emphasized each sentence as if he thought I needed to hear it. Maybe I did. I looked down at my bowl and smiled. I love this family. I really did.

"Thanks Eric. That means a lot. I care about all of you too." I agreed smiling a real smile this time. He flashed me a grin again as the seriousness of the conversation died out.

"I think we need to hug this out." He stated holding out his arms and I snickered.

"You boys are all alike." I mused as I stood from my chair and walked over to his awaiting arms. As we hugged I could tell he really meant what he had said earlier. This wasn't a fake hug. It was a hug you would expect to get from a true best friend or close family member. I already considered this man to be a brother.

"Ok break it up. I walk in to get a wonderful breakfast but walk in to see my best friends brother and my girlfriends best friend getting frisky. What would Marc think? Tisk tisk tisk. I feel like I am witnessing this family's undoing." Jasper commented sadly. But I just rolled my eyes and pulled away from Eric's embrace.