"How are you Sam, need anything else?" I asked looking at Sam's pale face.

We were setting in the station and waiting for the bus to arrive, it had been around half an hour since we arrived there.

Sam appeared lost and more than just a bit afraid but she seemed as if she was holding out well.

She turned her face to me at my question and forced a smile:

"Hmh, I'm great... I mean as good as I can be, considering all of this."

I gave her a similar forced smile, held her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.

She looked at me silently for a bit before looking at her feet and returning a gentle squeeze of her own, but after that, she said in a soft voice:

"Thank you, Judy... For.. For everything, I brought you so much trouble over the last few days... I'm sorry for..."

"Sam.." Without letting her finish, I called out to her, stopping whatever she was going to say "You have no reason to feel sorry, and I didn't do much, neither was whatever happened any problem or trouble at all, I'm more than a bit happy that you're doing all of this, it's not easy, if I were in your shoes I don't know if I even have what it takes to do what you did and what you're doing..."

I stopped for a bit, which made, Sam lift her head and look at me, seeing her holding my gaze I continued:

"You never brought me or anyone trouble, and no one will ever see dealing with you and your matters as something troublesome, if they do, then, they simply don't deserve your attention or interest, most people who care will do their best to help, that includes me, Alex, the manager... And of course.. Your family, I'm sure that they won't find your returning troublesome in any way.."

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Sam just nodded at me and then we fall into silence.

After a few seconds I felt Sam turn her head to me, turning my eyes towards her she said:

"You should go to the shop... I feel bad that we left the manager just like that... It seems that the bus will be a bit late..."

Only after her words did I look at my phone, it was later than I thought it was, I felt a bit sorry for the manager, I did call and tell her that I'll be late and she knew that Sam won't be coming as I had told her and the others about what has been going on with Sam after Britteny came to the shop, as I expected the manager was understanding on her side, she was always like that.

After looking at my phone, I lifted my head and frowned a bit:

"You sure you're alright... You seem as if you can use some company.." I really didn't want to leave her on her own, especially at that moment.

"I.. I can handle it... I think..." She said with a bitter smile "But it's coming no matter what... And I've already made my mind.. I'll try my best to see it through.."

We talked for a bit more and she finally got me to leave.

I was still uncertain and hesitating but I had to go, but not before getting her to promise to call me as soon as she reaches home or whenever she feels like it.

I reach the shop in an absent-minded state, opening the door I see the manager and Alex.

The latter walked to me and asked in a worried tone:

"Good morning Judy, how is Sam?"

"She's good, she's returning home right now," I answered her while nodding to the manager who was listening to what I was saying while looking towards me.

"That's good, that's good, she deserves the best, that Brittney..." It was clear that Alex wasn't just a bit mad about what happened yesterday when Brittney came.

It was around midday when she came, at that time I hadn't told the others everything that happened between her and Sam the day before, I just said that Sam had a fight with her and came to me at night and that she was staying at my place at the moment.

So not knowing what really happened the manger just greeted her normally as she would do anyone, but Brittney didn't even acknowledge her and headed straight towards me demanding to know where she was and to take her to her.

I was already burning inside from what she did to Sam the day before, so seeing her there demanding to see her and all, I couldn't take it.

I said some words that I normally wouldn't say, Brittney seemed to have that effect on me, and almost took things physically if Alex and the manager didn't stop me.

It was only then that the manager and Alex understood that things weren't as simple as a couple's fight and that they were a lot worst, after chasing Brittney from the shop I explained some of what happened to Sam the night before and how she was when she came to me at around 3 in the morning.

"At least she's safer now and she had already taken a step forward." The manager sighed.

The rest of the shift was, as usual, nothing weird happened nor did that Brittney come to seek trouble.

Around 2 pm or so, when there were no customers, and the work was a bit slow, I got my phone and decided to call Sam, quite a considerate amount of time had passed by then and she still hadn't called me yet, so I wanted to check on her and see how she was.

I soon found her number and called her, but she didn't pick up, my heart skipped a beat as I took a deep breath, forced myself to calm down before calling again, yet... It was the same.

I started having a really bad feeling about the whole thing and called again, and again, and again, and again...