Finding My Way Home - Short Story

Chpt. 13 - Emotional Times

5 days later...

This week has passed by pretty fast. I've been texting back and forth with Stella a lot and I think I'm going to let Sam know that I've been seeing someone.

Her opinion is important to me now and I would really like for them to meet.

Most of the time that I wasn't at work, I hung out with Sam. We've been closer than ever.

She's had to sleep in my bed a couple times because she still has nightmares, but overall it going pretty good. Her body as almost back to normal, meaning she just hit average weight limit again.

We've both just got used to the way things are. Me, living with a 17 year old and her living in an actual house with somebody that cares for her.

I've come to really love her as part of my own family and I never want to lose her.

I woke Sam up from another nightmare. She was sweaty and had tear marks on her face. I hated seeing her like that. It made me feel powerless, knowing I can't take those memories away.

I crawled into the bed and pulled her close to me while she slowly tried to calm herself down.

"It's okay Sammy. I'm right here, I will always be here." I felt her tighten her hold on me as she sniffed slightly.

"T-Thank you." She shakingly said. I kissed her temple and closed my eyes.

"I want you to know that, even though I haven't known you for too long, I already feel such a strong bond towards you. I love you Sammy." She pulled back to look into my eyes, seeing if there was any sign of doubt, but she wasn't going to find any.

"I love you too Hailey." She slowly wispered out, as if it was a sentence she hadn't ever said out loud before.

-

Today I am going boxing again, however, I want to take Sam with me. I want to show and maybe even teach her some self defense moves and see if she enjoys it.

When I told her about my idea, she immediately refused, but after some trying and convincing, I got her to go with.

*ping

I grab my phone after I heard the message notification sound go off and smile as I see Stella texted me.

Stella
Morning! How are you and
Sam doing today?
Anything fun planned?

Hailey
Good morning to you too.
We are doing alright and I was
actually planning on taking
Sam with me to go boxing.

Stella
Sounds fun, break a leg.
(not literally...)

I shake my head while chuckling slightly. She's so silly. I really appreciate how supportive she's been with Sam and can't wait for them to officially meet.

I know it's sudden, but I am going to tell her tonight and then let them meet tomorrow. I just can't wait any longer.

Stella and I decided to become official and see where things go from here. I am hoping it will work out, but we'll have to see. It's still pretty early to tell.

-

"Hello Hailey! And I assume this is Sam?" Mark, my boxing instructor says as we enter the room.

Sam is wearing a pair of shorts with a t-shirt and I am wearing some leggings with a long sleeved shirt.

I sense that she is very nervous so I decide to be the one talking for now. She might trust me, but still has major trust issues with strangers.

"Hi, good to see you again. And yes, this is Sam. She's very shy though, so she will just be watching at first." I inform him.

"That's completely fine. It's nice to meet you." Mark says, looking over at her. Sam gives him a small smile and nods.

I lead her over to the bench on the side and put my bag with the towels and water bottles next to her.

"I'm going to do some training and you can watch to see how it goes okay? Then, if you want to, you could give it a try." She nodded and answered with a quiet 'yes'.

I gave her a gentle smile and kissed her head, before walking back to Mark.

I am not sure why I did that. But it felt natural and right, giving her this affection. Hopefully she doesn't mind.

-

It was late in the evening and we've just finished eating.

Boxing actually went reasonably good. She only joined us in the last 20 minutes of the session, but it looked like she had fun. And I was glad. I am definitely bringing her back.

However, now I was the one who was nervous. I am planning on talking to her about meeting Stella. Hopefully it goes okay.

"Sammy, could I talk to you for a minute?" I asked as I walked into her room. She was reading a book.

She looked at me with a nervous expression but nodded regardless. I took a seat next to her on the bed.

"Well I am going to ask you something and I would like to know your honest opinion-" before I had the chance to finish, I was cut off.

"No, n-no please, I don't w-want to go..." She suddenly started crying as she threw herself in my arms. "D-Don't make me go."

"Hey, hey, look at me." I said as I softly brabbed her face between my hand and looked at her trembling lip.

"I promise, I will never make you go. Okay? You can stay here forever. This is your home now." Her tears spilled out and she put her head in the crook of my neck.

"Sorry."

"It's okay. I understand." I whispered as I held her close.

When she calmed down, I tried again.

"So, what I was going to tell you, was that...I've met someone and I'd feel really happy if you two officially meet."

Sam pulled back from our embrace and looked at me with slight confusion. "Like a girlfriend?"

I gave her a smile before nodding. "Yeah, like that. Would you be okay with meeting her?" I watched as she went over it inside her head, probably thinking about how that meeting could go if she were to agree to it.

"Is she nice?" I chuckled at that.

"Yes, she is. And she has a great sense of humor. She is also looking forward to meeting you." Sam furrowed her brows again.

"Me? She knows about me?" She said in disbelief.

"Of course she does. So what do you say?"

"Um, when would I meet her?" She asked me nervously.

"Tomorrow?" I hesitantly said. She widened her eyes but agreed.

"As long as you're there, it will be okay. So yes, I would like to meet her. What's her name?"

I smiled at her before answering. "Her name is Stella."