Rock Bottom (Josh Washington x Sam Giddings)
hello again! i have SO many ideas for this fic, and although i know no one's reading it, i'm continuing it! i know this chapter isn't all that good, but i promise it gets better!
date: April 9th, 2026.
wc: 1146
Chapter 2: Starting High School
When Sam's mother came, Sam's excuse was that she had slipped while playing sports and hurt her arm. The car was quiet, "Anything wrong, hun?" "Nothing." "Is it 'cuz of that Chris guy? I can tell you like him." Sam groaned. She didn't like any of her guy friends (at least, that's what she thought), but her mother was so adamant on her and Chris getting together. (Which made no sense, by the way. They looked like siblings!)
"No, mom. Can I just go home and rest? My arm hurts." The car was silent after that. Her mom turned on the radio to fill the silence. To Sam, it seemed like she could never be too quiet, too silent. She always had to fill the space with something, overcompensate--anything! Maybe that's why Sam was so quiet, so non-confrontational. Her mom usually did all the talking.
The next day, Hannah called her. It went to voicemail.
"Hey, Sam! Please pick up my call. I'm worried! Josh told me that you got hurt rock-climbing, which is just horrible! I hope you get better soon, and I'll come over later with Beth!" Click.
Sam stayed in her room the entire day--until her mom informed her of Hannah and Beth's presence. Then she got up, changed quickly, and put her hair up. Sam didn't really get why she was so upset, about everything happening with Josh. Liking her best friend's brother is ridiculous. Right?
A whole ton of people signed Sam's cast. A pretty blonde girl named Jessica who wrote in cursive handwriting, Emily, who wrote her name with a heart replacing the i's dot, Josh, who added a smiley face at the end, and even Chris offered to, to Sam's mother's delight.
Everything was good for a while. Sam's arm healed, she made two new friends: Jessica and Emily, and summer vacation was wonderful.
One day, the Washingtons invited Sam to the pool. She was in front of the mirror, struggling to choose what swimsuit she should wear. It was difficult! Especially since Josh was going to be there. Speak of the devil, Josh texted her.
Josh: sammy, whats taking so long
Josh: im outside Sam: I don't know what to wear. Josh: cmon
Josh: you look good in everything
Josh: i dont want to be late sammy
Josh: do u want that >:( Sam: No.
Josh: then cmon!!!! Josh: no ones gonna to judge u
She finally left, joining Hannah, Josh, and Beth in their car. He grinned at Sam, putting a hand on her shoulder. She felt so cliche, like there were butterflies in her stomach. "See, I was right. You look great! Real pretty-" "Josh!" Beth groaned. "Sorry, sorry." At the pool, there were a few others there. Jessica and Emily came, too. Chris had come with a girl he'd recently met named Ashley, who was Sam's age.
She sat next to Ashley, leaning back and putting on her sunglasses. She opened up her book. Josh sneaked behind her, grinning. "Sammy, you can't just tan the entire time. We're here to have fun!" "I am having fun! Look! Mockingjay. You should read it." "You know what's more fun than an evil government?" "What?" Sam replied with a sarcastic tone.
"Swimming! Pleaseeee, Sammy, for me?" Josh looked at her with those stupid puppy eyes. So cute. She sighed, standing up and closing her book. "Alright." Josh grinned and followed her to the edge of the pool, before pushing her in. Sam screamed once she'd come up for air. "Josh Oh my god-" He grinned, "What?" If you asked Josh now, he would tell you that that moment had been the best of his summer. Watching Sam get absolutely soaked? While he stayed perfectly dry (for about 4 seconds...)? It was great. Everything was great.
Until it wasn't. In ninth grade, Josh was no where to be seen. Not in school, not at home, not even his sisters knew where he was. Sam tried to get over it--she had bigger fish to fry. She couldn't keep fawning over Josh. Though, she was a little worried about him...it didn't matter. She was in high school now! That meant new friends, new classes, and-ugh-new boys.
Hannah had fallen in love, at least, according to her. She met a guy named Mike, a real charmer, but also a real douche. He had played at least three girls and absolutely humiliated them. Sam and Beth warned Hannah, telling her that he's a bad guy. It didn't help that Hannah wasn't the prettiest. Everyone's pretty in their own way, but--Hannah just looked kinda nerdy. like a dork. She wasn't effortlessly beautiful like Beth, but also didn't have that cool girl style that Sam did.
Sam liked to think she fell in love, too. During lunch, one day, she bumped into someone. A guy. He was tall, with light brown hair and pale features. Sam felt like she could see his soul through his blue eyes. It all lasted a moment, before she realized he had spilled his drink on her. He frowned, using his napkin to help clean her shirt, "God, I am so sorry." "It's okay," Sam responded weakly. Her face was red. Sam loved having cute guy Caleb around. Finally getting over Josh was wonderful, needed even! She had been right, it was just a phase, just another part of the awkward transition from kid to teenager.
That was until Josh called her. It was the middle of the night, and Sam had almost let the call to go to voicemail. There was heavy breathing on the other end. "Hey, um, Sammy? I wanted to tell you--cuz you're one of the people I can trust, you know? Like, really trust. I'm not-I'm not doing so hot. I'm with some doctors, and I got some mental problems, and I'm really sorry. I thought, we um, had something, I guess? Like, a friendship or something--sorry, it's just this new medication. I just wanted to let you know. I'll be out later. I'll come to you. You don't gotta worry about me. I'm okay." And just like that, Sam's entire world was crushed. She accepted that she'd spend the rest of her days worrying about him. How couldn't she? It was horrible. Sam wanted to help, but she could barely understand the intricacies of her own mind, let alone Josh's!
The next day at school, Hannah could tell something was wrong. Everyone could. Even Caleb asked if she was okay, and she said nothing. How was she supposed to respond? At home, she couldn't think of anything but Josh. How he was doing. When he'd be back.
High school was supposed to be their thing together. What could ruin that? Sam was a good person. She was smart, kind, and funny. If she let her world be consumed by Josh, what would be left?
hi guys! im so sorry, i know this is a longer chapter, but im kind of obsessed with them! if yall have any idea on what i should put as tags, PLEASE let me know :(
-ice <3
Chapter 3
other chapter(s): chapter 1
