Sam had erected icy barriers around her fragile heart, chiseled from the frostiest corners of the Arctic itself.

Past betrayals and stabbings have honed her caution into an art form, a survival instinct vital to walk on the treacherous grounds of Woodsboro. Its residents itself had molded her into a walking survival guide. Trusting anyone with hands, perfect for grabbing a knife, was a death sentence awaiting to happen.

She made that mistake with Richie—oh, damn him to hell.

Keep everyone at arm's length. Never let vulnerability peek through.

Observe, calculate, survive.

Those were her mantras.

But then, like a rogue ray of sunshine amidst a blizzard, the need for companionship thawed her defenses. It was craving for a connection, something more than the cold solitude she's been used to.

And you walked in at an unexpected, yet perfect, time of her life.

"You bought something for me?" You, the college kid with a heart of gold, asked.

The warmth of your presence thawed her into a new entity, carving something she hadn't felt in a long time—hope.

Placing the shopping bag on the mattress, Sam beckoned, "Yes, come here, sweet girl."

But instead of sitting at the vacant spot next to her, your thighs landed on hers like heavenly clouds. Oh, how satiating it was, like a rare oasis in a lonely desert.

Inviting you closer with hands wrapped around your waist, a contented sigh slipped from her mouth and against your neck. Your body was her teddy bear, a safety net against the harshness she's witnessed.

But that was the terms of this contract. Money for you, love and friendship for her—no strings attached.

"Want to try on the new clothes? I'm sure you'll fit them perfectly."

You always did—after all, you were her pretty little thing.