~ Moonstruck ~
by Catherine Q


Disclaimers:
Copyright: Although the main character in this story might bear some physical resemblance to characters from Xena: Warrior Princess, the story was born out of my overactive imagination and I modified character traits to suit my needs. No copyright infringement implied or intended.

Sexual Content: This story depicts a loving relationship between two consenting, adult women and contains scenes of intimacy. The subtext has clearly processed into main text and might be unsuitable for really young ones or sensitive adults. I'd say PG13.

Setting: The story is set in modern day West-Virginia.

Special Thanks: Also a major thanks to Sandy for beta reading my story and encouraging me.

Comments/Feedback: This is my first attempt at writing fan-fiction. English is my second language so please don't get too upset if I left any mistakes in it. I really, *really*, would appreciate feedback so if you have a minute to spare please let me know what you think. You can reach me at: tiggerclaws99@hotmail.com

I can not promise regular updates, but I will do what I can.


Chapter 2


"What about Jeremy?

Sam looked around the busy hall to see if she could him anywhere. Jeremy was like 6'2" so he was hard to overlook.

"What about him ?"


Sam hadn't been able to spot him anywhere and she cast Mandy a confused look.
Mandy had been Sam's best friend for as long as she could remember. They had been neighbors their whole life
and even though they had moved out of their parents' homes they hadn't lost track of each other. Sam liked the little Cuban woman a lot. She had a friendly round face with deep black eyes. Her hair was short and spiked.
Mandy was also the only one who knew about Sam's preferences and even though she was straight herself she supported her friend.

"Well, he's handsome, right?" Mandy cocked her head and raised her eyebrows.

"I guess so."
Sam cleared her throat ", Man, you know me, what are you talking about ?"

" Ohh Sam," Mandy rolled her eyes, "The ball, I'm talking about the Christmas ball."

"Ohh, the ball!" Sam's face lit up for a second. She had always loved to dance and the ball was something she had been looking forward to all year.

Sam frowned ", I still don't get though, you already have a boyfr .."

She stopped mid-sentence and shook her head disbelieving.

"Ohh no, no, you've got to be kidding."

"Sam, why not ?"

The blonde woman leaned closer to her friend so no one could overhear what they were discussing. She put her hands on her shoulders and looked her in the eye.

"Look Sam, I am really sorry, but you can't show up there with a girl. Seriously."

Sam didn't say anything. She just stood there staring off in the distance. Mandy's words were still ringing in her head. Somehow it had never occurred to her that she wouldn't be able to attend the ball with someone she cared about. At least not in that way. All year she had been looking forward to it and now it was all shattered.
She could feel the tears welling up in her eyes and bit her lip to keep from crying.

"It's just," Sam got a Kleenex from her bag and blew her nose ", Mandy, I," slowly she turned around until she was facing her friend again and was greeted by a warm smile.

"I had never really thought about it. This just ruins it for me. I don't know if you understand. It's hard to explain."

Mandy thought for a second and said. "I can try to understand. The way I see it, it would be the same as when I wasn't allowed to go with Freddy."

Sam looked at her best friend. Especially on times like this she realized how lucky she was to have met someone that understood and supported her, no matter what. Someone who liked her for her.

"Thanks Man, I'm so glad you understand," Sam sighed ", Tartarus! You are right.
I DO need a ball date or my mom will kill me. Do you think Jeremy would want to be my date ?"

Mandy motioned her friend to come closer. "I've been asking around a bit for you and I'm pretty sure he fancies you. He's just a bit shy."

Sam shot Mandy an incredulous look. "You've been planning the whole time haven't you ?" she looked at her friend quasi-stern. " 'fess up girlfriend"

Mandy giggled at the phrase. "Me, as if I would do that!" and she flashed Sam an angelic smile trying not to burst out laughing.

"Oh, you!" Sam gave Mandy a playful slap on her arm and then became serious again.

"I really don't know what I should do. Jeremy's a great guy, I really like him, but I have no feelings for him whatsoever. It would be unfair Mandy. I can't"

Mandy smiled, her friend was always so thoughtful of everyone's feelings that she often forgot about herself completely. This was one of the things she liked best about her friend. Always looking out for everybody.
It had been like that too when they were younger. People would pick on her because she was from Cuba and Sam would always stand up for her. This time it would be the other way around, she would look after Sam.

" I know, amiga. You do need a date though and Jeremy is a decent guy, you can trust him not to play tricks on you. Going with him doesn't mean you're obliged to sleep with him or kiss him even. Just make sure he knows that you don't want that. Please think it over."
Sam knew Mandy was right, it seemed like the 'perfect' date.

"Okay, I'll think it over."

Mandy put her books in her backpack and closer her locker. She was relieved that her friend seemed to agree with her on Jeremy. He really was a terrific guy.

"Well amiga, I gotta run, American history again!
," Mandy made an ugly face and stuck out her tongue.

"Yeah, I'd better head towards English class myself."
Sam waved bye to Mandy and started gathering her books from her locker and walked around the corner. She was quite content with Mandy's solution for the ball, but still she felt hurt. She didn't grudge her friends to be able to go with the person they loved, she just wished she could have the same.
My notebook !! It is still in my locker. Sweet Zeus, where's my head today ?!
Should I ? I'll go get it .. miss Surprise will kill me if I don't have it with me.
With a sigh Sam turned around the corner to collect her notebook.

***

9:38:16 AM.
That's erm 45-39 ... 6 minutes.

6 Minutes left for Kieran to get her assignment in. She didn't really care that it wasn't a strict deadline. For she was a diligent student, maybe a little too diligent even, turning in something late felt like betrayal of the trust her teachers had in her. That those same teachers, used to the student habit of turning things in a little later, didn't check to see who had turned in their assignment immediately didn't occur to her.
She was running through the crowded halls dodging students who seemed to appear out of nowhere. She could feel the stares burn on her back, hear the laughing and the whispers as she ran by them, but she didn't care. They had never liked her in the first place, but she could not be bothered by this. Kieran liked her solitude.
She was about to turn the corner when a little guy from algebra class suddenly appeared in front of her. Kieran took a giant leap towards the side, only missing him by an inch. She could hear him yelling at her but she didn't have any time to lose. She was approaching the corner and she knew she would make it in time if she kept up this pace. If only she could slow down before the corner so that she wouldn't bump into someone…but no time for that.

***

Kieran raced around the corner and closed her eyes as she braced herself for a possible impact... Nothing happened. Quickly she opened her eyes again. She glanced at her watched 9:40:41 She would make it easily.

Sam threw her locker shut and stepped back. This time she had everything she needed.
… minus 40 or well 41, that's …

Kieran tried to jump aside as she saw something orange, or maybe yellow, looming in front of her, but is was too late.

Sam didn't know who had crashed into her, but he had swept her off her feet. She sat up and rubbed her sore ass only half succeeding in biting back her tears. Her books and a bunch of papers she did not recognize were spread out all over the place.
Kieran, who had come down as well, was already back on her feet and running around the hall collecting the mess of papers that once was her assignment.

"Just who do you think you are, to come running through here and knock me off my feet without even saying .."

The words got stuck in her throat as she realized the woman she was ranting at was Kieran. She remembered the mysterious woman who had picked her up that night very well. Secretly she had hoped the woman would have stopped by her apartment sometime but after a couple of week she had given up hope.

"Kieran …" Sam looked at Kieran as if she was some kind of ghost appearance and also a little embarrassed. She had every right to be angry, but this made it a whole different story. She owed this woman so much.

Kieran turned around and her eyes grew large as she recognized Samantha. When she heard the soft voice it had reminded her of Samantha's but she didn't dare to hope it actually was her. Of course she was the last person she wanted to knock of her feet but she had always hoped she would see her again. The thought of stopping by her apartment had crossed her mind frequently and from time to time she found herself driving in that direction, but Kieran wasn't sure the young woman would appreciate it.

"Samantha ... hi," she scanned the floor quickly to make sure she had gotten all her sheets back," I'm sorry. I really am, but I'm kinda in a hurry."

And with that she was off again, leaving a dumbstruck Samantha sitting in the middle of the hall. All this time she had been longing to see her again and now that she was here she was gone again before she had any chance to speak to her, or exchange phone numbers.
The bell rang and Sam realized she was alone. All the other students had left without her even noticing. For a moment all she was aware of had been Kieran running around, snatching sheets from the floor before they would get trod on. And now she too had left.

Continued in Part 3.



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