Series: Scenes from an Italian Restaurant

Title: Goodbye Makes the Journey Harder Still

Author: Carla

Email: cmfloresfd@yahoo.com

Rating: PG

Pairing: Sam/OFC, Nicole/Carmen, Brooke/OMC

Disclaimers: Series title from Billy Joel's excellent song of the same. Chapter title inspired by Cat Stevens' song, So Very Young. I of course do not own Popular the show and its characters belong to Touchstone Television. I do however own Marcelene and Victoria Langdon as well as Cary Anderton.

Archiving: All of my stuff has been saved from the abyss of lost fic by Kim, archivist extraordinaire at http://www3.mb.sympatico.ca/~shadow27. All others please just let me know.

Feedback: Well I for one find it very helpful. All feedback the good the bad and the ugly can be sent to me at cmfloresfd@yahoo.com

A/N: This takes place a little more than a year after the events of The Dance of Life.

"Hey Mom can I talk to you for a minute?" Jane put down her book and looked up at her first born.

"Sure honey" she scooted over to make room for Sam "Sit down, what's going on?"

"You know I've always wanted to go to Columbia right?"

"It's what you've talked about since you were ten."

"Well I've been thinking that maybe…I mean how are we going to pay for it and its so far away. I don't know maybe it would be better…" Jane reached out and touched Sam's arm to get her attention.

"Sam, honey you don't worry about paying for it okay we'll figure something out. Mike said he would be willing to help you out like he will Brooke."

"Oh"

"Is this about something else?"

"I don't know maybe I shouldn't go so far away Mac is so little and I won't get to see her grow-up and my friends are pretty much staying local except for Carmen."

"Where's she going?"

"The Culinary Institute of America"

"Where's that?"

"In NY somewhere. Not close but not all that far away from Manhattan"

"So you'll have a friend in NY. Maybe you could get together on the weekends, keep in touch you know. Sam, college is about meeting new people and having new experiences. It's natural to be nervous. Now really why is it that you think you might not go to Columbia?" Jane tucked a stray lock of hair behind Sam's ear. "Is it Marcy?"

"Oh Mom I don't know what to do? I love her so much you know I can't imagine not being with her. But she only has a year left, less even, at UCLA. And even then she'll still be here. I don't want to lose her."

"Sweetie you have to do what's in your best interest. Follow your dreams don't put them on hold for someone. A lot of kids go through this every year it's hard I know. When I was in high school I had this boyfriend, Kenny Hansen, he was a year behind me. When I left for college I was sure that he and I could continue as we always had. You know I would still be his girl only we would only be able to see each other when I came home from school once a month and over the breaks. We would talk on the phone and write to each other and we were going to make the long distance thing work. And that was what happened for the first couple of months but as time went on it became obvious that Kenny and I had drifted apart. I was growing in ways that Kenny, who was still in high school, couldn't or simply wasn't growing in. Now I know it's not quite the same since Marcy is in college now but the point is people move on. It's part of going to college, part of growing up. Have you talked to Marcy about this? Do you know what her plans are after graduation?"

Sam sniffled and started to cry.

"Sam…"

"Maybe I could delay going to Columbia a year. I could work and save some money and this way I could …"

"Sweetie first you need to talk to Marcy. If you really want to take the time off and work maybe travel a little that's fine but do it because that's what you want to do not because you want to be with this girl. I know she means a lot to you and that you have been seeing each other for a while now"

"Mom we've been going out for over a year now"

"And if your relationship is as strong as you seem to think it is and if it really is as worth it as you say then you girls will work something out. Listen she knew that you were going to be applying to college and possibly moving away when she met you right?"

"Uh-huh"

"So I'm sure she's been expecting this conversation for some time"

"I applied to UCLA also and got in. I could just go there."

"Sam go to Columbia. It's what you've dreamed of and worked so hard for. Marcy knows this and if she loves you she well then hopefully she realizes that that might mean having to let you go."

"I really want to go to Columbia."

"I know. I guess that's why it's okay with me, your going you know? Mike is panicked at the idea of Brooke going to college far away. But you, you he's known that you were going to go to Columbia since the first time he and I talked about you and Brooke. You; he's still worried about you being so far away but he's resigned himself to it."

"What's he going to be like with Mac when she starts looking at colleges and worse still when she's dating?"

"I worry about that but we'll cross that bridge when we get to it." Jane reached over and patted Sam's jean clad thigh. "So?"

"So? Well I guess you're right and I should talk to Marcy. See what's going on with her maybe some time off would be good too. If I'm lucky she'll come with me to NY when she graduates and then it all won't matter anyway all this worrying you know?"

Jane nodded.

"Mo…"

"Hav…"

"You first"

"Have you ever considered the possibility that she might not want to go to NY?"

"You mean that she might want to break up?"

"Yes"

"No Mom I haven't I can't think that way. I'll drive myself crazy I mean I think about what it would be like to not be near her sure but not be with her at all?" Sam shook her head "No I don't think that way. I can't think that way."

"I'm glad you came to talk to me. Hope I helped."

"You did thanks Mom" Sam leaned over to give Jane a quick peck on the cheek.

"When do you have to decide by?"

"My answer has to be post marked by Friday the 12th"

"So late next week then"

"Yeah"

"Well if you need to talk some more"

"I know `your door is always open' and all that"

"I love you, you brat."

"I love you too" Sam stood up and stretched. "Guess I'll go and call Marcy"

"Okay" Jane smiled up at her daughter "Good night sweetie"

"Night Mom"

One Week Later

Brooke slid her tray onto the table and sat down next to Nicole across from Sugar and Josh who were discussing the relative merits of Icy Hot versus Ben-Gay.

"So have you made your decision?"

"Mailed it this morning along with Mommy's check. You?"

"Like there was any question. Stanford. It's got a great pre-med program, I can come home and visit on the weekends if I really want to and Carey just started UCSF med school. So yeah no question about it, Stanford here I come." Brooke nudged Nicole with her elbow "So where?"

"Rennselear Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York"

"So far away why?"

"They have great math and engineering departments. And it's about as far away from my mother as I can get and still be on the continent." ((( and it's only two hours from Carmen's school. This way we can find a house somewhere in between. )))

"New York is so far away I'll miss you."

"I'll miss you too"

"Ah the weather will get to you, all that snow, and you'll be back you'll see"

Nicole laughed "Mary Cherry promised to help me pick out a fur this morning"

"I'm sure you'll find some stud to keep you warm"

"Brooke"

"C'mon Nikki"

"I am not `pining' after some guy okay. I'm not looking to meet some new stud or plaything. I'm happy with my life the way it is. I don't need a guy to feel good about myself and my life." ((( Brooke my friend I love you but you are without a doubt one of the most clueless people I have met. But then again I suppose I should have just told her about Carmen a long time ago. )))

"Calm down. Jeez don't get your thong in a knot. I wasn't trying to imply anything of the sort okay. Just that you're an attractive girl and I'm sure you'll meet somebody."

((( I have met someone Brooke. And I'm going to be with her. ))) Aloud Nic answered "I'm sorry B it's just my mom's on my back too about me going so far but I need to do this."

"Are you going to live on campus?"

"No. I started looking at listings on the Internet; so I could get an idea about what's out there how much etc."

"When are you going to go look?"

"Next month"

"Your mom going to?"

"Uh-huh as one of the executors of my trust she has to sign for any money I use to pay for the house so she wants to check it out for herself. If you ask me she's just nosy and trying to control the kind of place I get."

"Well what are you looking for?"

"Well it should have at least 3 bedrooms and two baths, a big kitchen I think would be nice, a music room, living room and a study. I guess an acre would be nice or maybe more. Mom will undoubtedly want to get something bigger because she thinks I need a live in maid. I don`t of course but I can tell this is going to be one of those `little' issues."

"That's awful big for one person though"

"Who said it was just for one"

"True. Though frankly Nicole I have a hard time seeing you with a roommate."

"Me too actually. I need the closet space." Brooke laughed, shaking her head as she did so.

"Now that I believe"

"What about you?"

"Off campus. Cary's folks have a place in Menlo Park that we're going to be using"

"Cool. Does Mike know you're planning on setting up a love nest?"

"God no. I'll deal with that when the time comes. I could just hear him `I'm not paying 25+ K a year for you to shack up with Romeo there. Oh no uh-uh you'll end up pregnant and then what or he'll break up with you and then where will you live?' God I love my father but he is such an ass sometimes."

"He's overly protective is all, you said he's the same way with Sam. Speaking of Sam…" The petite cheerleader nodded at Sam and Carmen who were headed towards the table.

"Hi Carmen" Brooke said.

"Brooke"

"Spam" Carmen scowled at Nicole who shrugged.

"Satan. Brooke, mind if we join you?"

"Not at all"

Carmen sat next to Nicole and Sam sat across from her.

"Nic was just telling me she's going to college in NY. Rennselear Polytechnic Institute is that right Nic."

"Uh-huh RPI"

"Where are you going again Carm?"

"The Culinary Institute of America not to far from Nic actually. About 2 or so hours away in Hyde Park."

"So you're going to be a chef huh?" Brooke said.

"No one makes tofu salad like Carmen" Sam turned at the sound of Lily's voice behind her. The petite activist sat next to Sam and continued talking "Carm is the best cook I have ever had the pleasure of having cooked for me."

"Hey Carm you never cooked for me. How come?"

"You've been shacked up with Marcy"

"Oh" Sam looked down at her tray listlessly poking at her mystery meat and the gelatinous substance that covered it.

"Sam?" Brooke reached over and grabbed Sam's hand, while she shot Carmen a look that could have peeled paint off the walls.

"I'm alright Brooke"

"Did I say something wrong?"

"Sam?" the blonde cheerleader looked at her stepsister and raised an eyebrow in silent question.

"Tell her. I was going to anyway."

"Marcy broke things off with Sam"

"What!" Lily squeaked.

"Not really, Brooke. Look I'm going to Columbia or I will be when I send in the acceptance letter…remind me to do that tonight Brooke" Brooke nodded " When the school semester starts and I move then things will end with Marcy and I."

"Why?"

"She doesn't want to do the long distance thing. She thinks its ridiculous that we should just enjoy each other for the time we have left and see each other when I am in town. She doesn't want to make any promises about joining me in NYC when she graduates next year…thinks this will be for the better"

Sam started crying and Lily gathered her into her embrace, tucking the taller brunette's head into her shoulder and stroking her hair while she murmured words of comfort.

"God what a bitch"

"Fuck you Nicole"

"What?! I mean she supposedly loves you right or has this past year, all the crap you went through with Mike and your Mom, been a lie…a joke to her?"

"No she says she loves me and everything its just…"

"Just nothing then. She graduates when in December of this year?"

"Yeah"

"And she's basically saying that being away from you for 4-5 months is too long and that she can't wait. Can't wait for what? That's bullshit Sam and you deserve better than that?"

Sam looked at Nicole as if she had sprouted a third head before nodding her head and slapping her hand on the table.

"Nic's right I do deserve better. You know I offered to delay my entrance, to stay here till she was done and then we could go to NY together…"

"And…" Nicole prompted.

"That's when she gave me the speech about how she always figured that I would go away to college and that as such she and I were always a temporary thing."

"See, like I said a bitch"

"Oh Sam I'm sorry"

"Thanks Carmen"

Lily stood up and collected her trash.

"Where are you headed?"

"I have a phone call to make that I forgot about"

"Oh…see you after school then?"

"Yeah, sure thing Sam"

Lily walked out of the cafeteria to use the pay phone by the principle's office. Dropping in a quarter she dialed.

*** Hello ***

"Tor"

"Lily"

"Yeah"

"Your calling about Sam right"

"Is she there?"

"No. Why don't you come over tonight? I'll drive you to school in the morning this way you can maybe try and talk some sense into Marcelene."

"What was she thinking?"

"I don't know frankly. She's been crying since last night"

"Well good maybe we can make her see sense before Sam sends in the paper work to enroll come September."

"She hasn't yet?"

"No and tomorrow is the deadline"

"So we've got our work cut out for us then?"

"Yep."

"You work today?"

"Uh-huh"

"I'll pick you up after work then"

"See you later"

"Later"

The phone rang and the sleeping form on the bed reached out a hand and fumbled for the receiver.

"Hmphfello"

"Ask for the deferment please?"

"Hmmpphhh…Marcy?" Sam sat up, rubbing the sleep from her eyes she peered at the clock radio display. "It's 3:30 in the fucking Marcy what do you want?"

"Take the deferment please. Sam stay and when I`m done after graduation we can go on a trip maybe backpacking through Europe."

"And then what?"

"And then we move to NY and you start Columbia and I go to graduate school. Then if I'm lucky you'll marry me Sam. I love you so much and I was stupid to ever suggest that we break up. I need you, need to be with you. You're the only one I want."

"I love you too"

"I know that what I did was hurtful. I just got scared is all; all of a sudden it was like I couldn't hide my head in the sand anymore about you leaving for school. And then you offered to stay and I got even more scared because I wanted it so much you know."

"Come get me"

"Look outside"

Sam got up and looked out her window. There in the drive way stood Marcy her bike on its kickstand behind her. She was holding two helmets.

Lily closed her locker and turned around practically into Sam who pulled the petite Latina into her embrace. "Thank you Lily. Thank you so much. Marcy told me everything."

"Your welcome. You should thank Tory too when you get the chance. It wasn't that hard to convince her. She was more than half way there on her own."

"Still. I will always remember this and I'll send you postcards from Europe."