Sam's P.O.V

We walked away and the others stepped into the elevator, and surprisingly, Amanda, Cole and Hayden left me with Winter. Bradley didnt like the idea of me being around Winter which I just rolled my eyes at then Hayden grabbed Bradley and took him into the elevator with the others. So now I was currently walking down the stair case with Winter.

She didnt say a word, she never said anything. All I could hear was our shoes hitting the concrete stairs. I wanted to say something that would help a conversation start but I couldn't think of any.

You okay? Nah, she would probably just say 'I'm fine' then we would be back to the silence.

"How's everyone?" Winter asked, breaking the silence which I was very thankful for. I looked at her and shrugged.

"Yeah, everyone's good." I say and Winter nudges my rib making me look at her as she chuckled. I looked into her eyes but not that noticeable so Winter wouldn't think I was a creep, and stared into them. That chuckle didn't sound like she was amused or she didn't want to laugh. She looked as if everything around her was crashing down inside. She looked so sad.

"You know I was talking about you too." Winter says and I nod and wave her off. "You don't need to worry about me." I say and she shakes her head. "You have looked after me, and now I have to do the same to you. It just...wouldnt be fair." She says which makes me furrow my brows but I don't say anything as she just smiles as we continue to walk down the many flights of stairs.

●●●

Amanda hugged Winter tight, as if this was the first time she has seen her in years. I frowned at the thought. Phillip was done with Winter right? He shouldn't come back and harass her, it wouldn't make sense. But then again, nothing makes sense right now.

"You can go son, all is good. Just look forward to a little visit soon. It will be fun." Phillip's last words got to me as soon as they left his mouth.

What the hell does that mean? If he thinks he is going to try something again, he is going to never expect the punch I am going to throw in his face. Winter can't handle all this anymore and I could tell. The way she looked at me...it was so sad. If only I knew what happened with Phillip and Winter before.

"I am never going to let you go again Winter, I swear. If that man even thinks he is coming near you again, I am going to be standing next to you with his grave right next to me. Okay?" Winter slightly smiled and let go of Amanda standing next to her as she nodded.

"Uh, Sam does Winter know about Alec yet?" I looked beside me to see Cole next me with a frown on his face. I face palmed myself. Shit. Now what is going to happen? How the hell are we going to tell her? She was close to Alec and she just got out of that shit with Phillip!

"No, but don't tell her yet. Wait for the right time." I tell Cole and he nods. I look back at Winter to see her looking down at the ground with a frown.

Definitely not now.

●●●

Winter's P.O.V

Ugh.

How in earth am I going to make this easy for everyone? I want to tell them...so very very bad but the words aren't just coming out.

I felt the tears prickling in my eyes as I looked out the window. A small frown was on my face. I didnt want to go with Phillip. I would have said no but I couldn't do that. I just couldn't. Not after what happened with Kyle. I am not letting him hurt anyone else, so that is why I said yes. I had to do this for them.

"Hey, you okay?" I noticed the car had stopped on the side of the road. I looked at Sam and he frowned and leaned over the seat to wipe the tears away from my face. I didnt realise I was crying until I saw my reflection in the window. I was crying.

"Why are you crying?" Sam asked and I shrugged, trying to push the subject away. "I just needed to. I haven't cried in a long time and they j-just started falling." I lie. Sam looked at me for a couple of seconds before opening his door and getting out. I watched as he walked around and come to my side. He opened the door and extended his hand, smiling down at me. I wiped the tears and looked at him.

"No Sam. I am not in the mood." I say and I see Sam chuckle slightly, making me smile inside. I always liked to see him in this mood.

"You don't even know what I am going to do yet? I might kill you in the woods or take you to an ice cream shop." Sam smiled and I frowned and looked down.

"Please kill me..." I mumble and Sam rolled his eyes and picked my up out of my seat and intertwined his hand in mine and shut the door. I looked around and noticed we were near a town that we haven't been in before.

Forget that, spend time with Sam. Forget about everything and just focus on you two!

What is your problem? No, I-

Before you lose him.

I frowned at my mind but shook the conversation away and looked up at Sam. We were surrounded by trees but further ahead I saw a sign that led us into the town. "Where are we going? Why can't we take your car?" Sam looked down at me and then looked up in the sky, his eyes slipping shut.

"I like walks. The breeze...the air...the freedom." Sam smiled but I looked away. I couldn't take it. He was so happy but in a few hours, he was going to be angry, upset and confused. I could already see it. The way he said freedom got to me. I wasn't going to have that. I was going to be controlled by Phillip. I wasn't going to have that freedom anymore. I was going to be trapped and I couldnt do anything about it.

"Besides, I think we both need it." Sam finished and I looked at the ground as we started walking, the warmth from his hand making me want to never let go.

But in the end, I didnt have a choice.

●●●

Amanda's P.O.V

"Winter said she is going to be back soon. Sam is making her walk around." I say and Cole nods as he looks at Alec who was laying down on the bed.

We didn't know when he would be able to get out. He hasn't woken up nor moved and all of us was worried. What if the doctors were wrong and Alec isn't going to wake up. What if he is in a coma? What if he is already...no. Stay strong. He is going to wake up soon.

"Don't you think it's a bit wierd?" Hayden spoke up and I looked at him with and frown. "What?"

"Why did Phillip let Winter go so easily? He usually would say no and argue and all that shit but now he is acting weird. I'm starting to worry about Winter cause none of us know what happened. Something obviously happened between them and thats why Winter has been down ever since we left the building." Hayden explained and I looked at Alec and sighed.

He was true about that. Winter hardly smiled. She wasn't herself. Winter always tells me everything no matter what so what was she hiding? She wouldn't hide stuff from me or us. If she is hiding something that obviously meant she is scared or she is trying to protect herself from something.

Winter wouldn't hide anything from us. Even if it was extremely bad, we would help her so why isn't she telling us anything? Winter wasn't scared to tell us, was she?

●●●

Winter's P.O.V

I have to change this attitude. If this is going to be the last day I ever see them, I am not going to spend it with me sad and angry am I? You have to be that girl again, even if it is just for one day. You have to be strong and show the real Winter because this Winter now is plain and boring. I need to show my happy side.

"Sam, please. I am not hungry." I sigh and wave him off. Sam looked down at me and smiled slightly, nudging my ribs, making a small chuckle escape my lips. "C'mon, everyone loves icecream...I will get you mint choc...?" I looked in front of me and looked at the shop.

Ugh, icecream always helps me when I am in a bad mood so why not?

"Okay." I smile at Sam and he smiled back, pushing the door open and looking around.

"Go sit down and I'll be back in a sec." I nod and go to one of the booths and sit down. I grabbed my phone out and see that Phillip had messaged me. My smiled immediately died. Great, how in the world does he have my number?

Me: Why and how do you have my number?

Phillip: Well, I do need it. Especially when your working for me tomorrow.

I clicked the name and blocked the number. I didnt need this right now. I don't need him doing this to me since he has already caused enough. My world is already crashing down because of him and now I am up to the point where I am sick and tired of even thinking about him.

I laid my head down on the table and sighed. "Why do you have to be such a pain?"

"Sorry. Didn't know I was causing some trouble in your life?" I looked up to see Sam frowning as he held the recipt, obviously waiting for the icecreams. I sighed and waved him off. "No, not you. It's just...someome." I say as Sam sits down opposite to me. He sighed and looked at me.

"Don't worry about him. He is gone now and I am going to protect you. All of us are. He isn't going to hurt you anymore." I looked at Sam and frowned. "No Sam, I have to worry because...he is just trouble and he won't stop till he finally gets what he wants. And we can't run forever." Sam looked at me with sadness in his eyes.

"Yeah, he is just trouble and trouble goes away. It always does and Phillip is going to give up soon, I promise." I frowned more and tilted my head slightly, looking Sam straight in the eyes.

"Promise?"

"Promise."

●●●

"Oh my! That one looks so cute!" I squeal and crouch down to see the dog barking while she wagged her tail happily. I smiled.

"The white one with the brown ear looks cute too." I looked at Sam to see him smiling at the dog that was sleeping on the little pillow. I nodded and looked at the other dogs.

I absolutely loved dogs. They were so cute and they were your best friends. They were so cute and I loved their little tails wagging in the air, wanting to play. I have had a couple of dogs in the past but they had either died from old age or ran away. I had this labrador named Max and he was my favourite. Even though I was 4, I still remember him. He never fetched or anything but he loved hugs and belly rubs. He died from old age but I always knew he loved the moments we shared. I might sound wierd right now but I can't help it. I am in love with dogs!

A little dog in the corner caught my eye which made me smile and also make my heart melt. It was a white labrador curled up in a ball sleeping with two other puppies next to it. It reminded me of Max straight away.

"Sam, I want this one." I say and Sam walked over to me and crouched down as looked at the puppy I was pointing at. He smiled and nodded. I watched the dog sleep silently while Sam went off to the counter to tell the person about the labrador.

I could just imagine it running around already.

"This one?" I looked at the guy who came over and Sam nodded. I watched at the guy picked up the puppy gently and hand it over to Sam. "This puppy is a she and her name is Snowflake." I immediately grinned at the name. Her name was like mine.

Sam gave the money to the guy and handed Snowflake over to me. She was still sleeping which made me bring Snowflake to my chest, making her warm as I wrapped my arms around her.

Sam had grabbed some things for Snowflake while I stood up heading towards the door, my eyes never leaving the small puppy.

"Snowflake...I like it." Sam said as we left the store. I smiled and placed my head on Sam's shoulder.

People may see differently in Sam but I think I see the most. I have seen his mad side, his sad side, his defensive side and his happy side. He may have many other sides but right now, I knew Sam long enough to know that these were the important ones. That's why I liked him. He was sweet in so many ways and people might see the bad side of him but that's only because they don't give him a chance.

"Thank you Sam." I whispered and he wrapped an arm around my waist. "No, thank you Winter."

●●●

I walked in the house with the biggest smile on my face. Amanda immediately jumped up and ran to me. She looked at me and smiled, probably because she saw me smiling. Amanda's eyes trailed down to my arms to see Snowflake laying there peacefully.

"Naw! Who is this!" Amanda looked up at me with a huge grin. I looked at Sam who stood beside me and smiled at him them at Amanda. "This is Snowflake." I say and Amanda held her hands out, wanting to hold the adorable little puppy. I handed Snowflake over to her as she held her close to her.

I walked over to Cole and sat next to him. He looked up from his phone and smiled. "Someone's happy." I nod and look around to see Hayden sitting on the floor next to Amanda as they looked at Snowflake. Emmaree was in the kitchen, laying her head on the table and Sam was looking at his phone. I frowned and looked at Cole.

"Is Alec asleep or something?" Cole's eyes widened a little but he quickly hid that as he closed his eyes. I noticed Sam, Amanda and Hayden were looking at me with frowns. I stood up and looked around the lounge room.

"Alec?" I shouted so he could hear me from downstairs. I was expecting his tall figure to stand at the top of the stairs but I didn't. I waited for a couple of seconds and then headed up stairs.

"Alec, where are you?" I called again and I didn't he anything. I looked in every room but I couldn't find him.

I felt a tug on my arm and I smiled, knowing I finally found Alec. But turned around to see Amanda's frown. My heart clenched tightly. What is happening?

"Uh, Winter...Alec's...in hospital."

●●●

"Alec!" I yelled and rushed into the room as the tears started to fall. I looked at his body and he didn't move or say anything. I rested my hand on his chest and looked at his face. It was pale and I knew that was a bad sign.

"Come on Alec. Please please wake up. I just want to hear your voice!" I whispered and held Alec's hand in mine. His hand was freezing like he had been holding a cube of ice for hours.

"Winter please stop. You have to-"

"Why didn't you tell me!" I looked around my shoulder to see Sam frowning as he stepped closer. I was angry now. He kept coming closer but I held my hand up. "Answer the damn question!" I yelled making him stop. He ran a hand through his hair and sighed.

"I am sorry Winter. It was just with everything going on with Phillip and the sadness I could see in your eyes. I couldn't watch the hurt that was going to run through you if I told you before." I glared at Sam and looked down at Alec, still holding his cold hand.

"You knew I was close to Alec. You should of told me anyway! If I am in that kind of mood, don't try and act like everything is okay! I asked how everyone was doing back when we were walking down the stairs and you didn't even mention Alec. How dare you! He is you brother Sam!" I shouted and Sam stepped closer, his soft expression turning to anger.

"Don't you dare use that tone! All I have been doing is worrying about you every since my fucking father kidnapped you! We were all worried and now your getting angry because I didnt tell you this? I planned on telling you sooner, just not now because it was not the time!" He shouted back, his fists clenching in anger. I let go of Alec's hand and walked towards Sam, glaring at him with ever step I took.

"You were worried huh?  Well do me a favour and stop worrying! I can handle myself! I don't need you acting like a big brother towards me because you obviously aren't! You don't know my life story so back off! All you do is cause me pain and your doing it again now! What the hell is wrong with you?!"

Sam rose an eyebrow and looked at me with cold eyes. "Cause you pain? Oh I would love to know how I do that." Sam challenged, a small smirk on his face. I gritted my teeth together and turned around, my back facing him.

I looked up at Sam and frowned. "What-" That was all the came out of my mouth when Sam's fist connected with my jaw...and I fell to the ground, my head bumping the cold concrete.

...

Sam groaned and stood up. "What do you want!" He shouts and I stand up as well and glare at him.

"I want answers, you rude jerk!" I yell back and Alec stands up and puts a hand on Sam's shoulder.

...

At least he got my mind off the girl who was in Sam's room... wearing his shirt.

I shook my head and got me out of my thoughts. I wanted to apologize right now, I shouldn't of snapped at him but I had a feeling I had to do this. Things were getting way to confusing and I wanted to know what I was feeling now.

I turned around and glared at Sam. "Remember when you punched me in the face because you were drunk? Do you remember when we had all those arguments about little things that didn't even matter? You may remember those things but that doesn't change the fact that you are cold hearted, selfish and an arrogant jerk who needs to learn the meaning of respect! You will never change Sam because you do have the name of a bad boy. You can't change who you have become because that would require you going back to the past and change your mistakes! But you can't so deal with it!"

Sam's eyes turned cold but I showed no emotion to his reaction. "I fucking care Winter. I may be a dick but that doesn't mean I don't care because I fucking do! You hide so many things from me...oh and I actually know one!  So the night you ran away, that was because of me right? What the hell did I do! I honestly want to know!"  I felt a lump in my throat from what he just said.

How does he know?

I slowly closed my eyes. Now what the hell was I going to say? I wanted to change the subject but I wanted to get it off my chest but I would sound so stupid! We weren't dating so why should I care! What ever he did was none of my business!

I was now stuck. I was hiding stuff from him. I knew that but that was because they were all about him! It's like telling your friends about who you liked and you couldn't even tell him even though you wanted to really bad. It was impossible and it woukd turn out as a disaster...

"Waiting doesn't go good for me Winter." I heard Sam's voice break my thoughts. I looked up at him and for once I saw what I wanted to see again. The Samuel Henry Anderson.

I saw the sadness, the anger, the frustration...the boy who was showing all his emotions, not the ones that were what everyone else saw. I saw him. The Sam who no one even bothered to know...the real one. So many thoughts were running in my head and eventually, one slipped out.

"You slept with that girl...the g-girl with the brown hair and she was wearing your t-shirt...you...did her...or maybe you guys are dating?" I immediately held my mouth and looked at the ground, avoiding Sam's stare that I knew was burning into my head. Why in earth did you have to say that!!!

"Winter, what are you talking about?" I suddenly got frustrated and looked up at Sam my eyes starting to water.

I guess this is what happens when you fall for Sam Anderson. Your emotions get all over the place making you look like a total new person to everyone.

"The night I ran away, I went to go and check on you and I opened the door and saw a girl who was wearing your jumper as you two sat on the bed, smiling and smirking." I say, my heart racing. Sam's eyes narrowed but not in an angry way.

"I was helping a friend, Winter. I didnt do her and she isn't my girlfriend. I was...she got splashed with water by a car that had passed and I gave her one of my shirts since she was soaked. She is like a sister to me anyway." I blushed with embarrassment. Oh my lord! Now I really wish the floor would swallow me up whole.

"Oh." I mumbled. I looked up slowly to see Sam frowning. "Can I ask something now?" I shrugged and he crossed his arms over his chest as he looked at me with a frown.

"Why were you ignoring me?" I looked at Sam and furrowed my eyebrows. "That's for me to know." I say, trying to not let another thing slip out of my mouth. Sam threw his arms in the air and rolled his eyes.

"This is what I am talking about Winter! You hide things from me, for what reason! You confusing me and everytime I look into your eyes I feel like I can trust you because...I just can! And you pushing everything away is making me feel like it's my fault! Just tell me what the fuck I did..." Sam looked at me with a sad frown. I felt a tear drop fall and run down my cheek as I looked at Sam. I felt all the memories we had together flash into my mind, making another tear drop fall.

"Winter, your coming with us. In the car." Sam said and I turned around and shook my head.

"That...that is not happening." I say with a frown.

...

"I'm probably going to get a cold!" I say with a shiver.

"If you get sick, I'll call you a doctor...wait, I don't really care." Sam said with a smirk and I rolled my eyes at him.

...

He popped up and smirked at me. "You know, your gonna pay for that. I wasn't planning on swimming at 4 in the morning." He says and I gasp playfully. I start to swim towards the other side of the pool and I look behind me and smile successfully when Sam was still swimming towards me.

But then I squealed when he grabbed my legs and pulled me under water. I opened my eyes and saw Sam grinning.

...

"Haven't you heard that a drunken man's words are his true thoughts?" I mentally face palmed myself.

"So your a man?" Sam asked me, amused. I was about to say something until Sam put his index finger on my lips and continued to speak.

"I think it's time to go back inside, the guys are probably waiting." And with that, Sam removed his finger and planted a light kiss on my cheek.

"Please." I heard Sam's voice say in a soothing tone like he was about to let out a few tears himself. I looked at the ground, took in a deep breath before letting out the words I never wished to escape my mouth.

"Because I'm in love with you Sam...that's why."

●●●

Oh baby jesus! What do you guys think! I can't believe this chapter has been so long and full of excitement! Lordy, I can't even believe I forced myself to type this!

Do you guys like it? Vote and comment! What do you think is going to happen next? Thoughts?

By the way, this chapter isn't edited so please don't scream when you come across one of my many mistakes in this book. Sorryyyy.

Love you all!

-XmysterysmileX