The Beginning.

Chapter 5: What's your favourite colour?

-September 2nd, 1993-

Simon slams Deena's car door shut and gives her a hearty thank you before running into the store where he works. Simon always seemed to be in a good mood, or at least he found the humour in everything. Which is surprising, considering how much he works, and how little of the money he earns actually goes in his pocket.

Deena gives him a wave. "You wanna get in the front?" Deena asked and patted the passenger seat. She looked to the backseat of the car where Sam was sat. She accepted Deena's offer.

Sam hadn't said too much on the drive. "Sure." She smiled nervously. "Feel free to hop over." Deena added with a chuckle. "Right." Sam tried to manoeuvre herself into the front seat. She fell onto her ankles and her back hit the door. She sat there, looking as if she'd fallen from a height. Deena let out a wheeze as soon as she knew Sam wasn't actually hurt, and they both broke into laughter.

"Are you ok?" Deena asked through giggles. "Yep, yup, yes." Sam replied, half embarrassed and half in hysterics. Sam eventually managed to pull the seatbelt over her and after some preparation, they head off.
Fortunately, Sam's tumble had broken the ice and the car journey was lovely.
They talked and talked and talked. Asking each other questions left, right and centre. About everything.
Deep things, silly things. Questions about how they both ended up here and where they wanted to go, passions, hobbies, food, traits and habits, embarrassments, music and artists. Continuously learning more about each other.
When there were silences, it was awkward, but not in an uncomfortable way. It was more of a tension.
"What's your favourite colour?" Deena asked genuinely.
Sam giggled. They exchanged answers.
It felt like no time had passed as they pulled up to Sam's house. All of a sudden Sam went inside her shell again and pressed herself into the seat.
"Hey." Deena turned herself toward Sam and took her hands off the steering wheel. "You all good?" She asked.
"Well, I'm not now." She paused and sighed with a defeated smile. "You know, things with my mom are rocky." Deena nodded with empathy and big eyes. She'd already asked Sam if she wanted to stay at hers after Sam explained how rough things were at home, but she hesitantly declined. Even though she wanted to say yes.
"But I was good tonight." The smile got bigger and more sincere. She looked at Deena with loving eyes. "Thank you." Sam whispered.
Deena's heart fluttered and her stomach turned. She played with her hands in her lap and tilted her head downwards to look at them. She felt something was about to happen, and she was right.
Sam didn't know what is was. Whether it was the alcohol, the buzz of the night, attraction or admiration, but without any control over herself, she slowly reached out her arm and tilted Deena's head up with her thumb. They both gulped this time. Sam continued to keep her hand close, and slid a few strands of Deena's frizzy dark hazel hair behind her ear.
Deena wasn't used to this sort of affection. She wasn't used to people being tactile. She wasn't used to feeling vulnerable. They were both trembling.
You could hear the crickets, even with the car windows closed.
Suddenly, a bright burst of light shone in Sam's eyes. It was her lounge window, the curtain pulled back and her mother staring right at them.
Sam quickly took her hand away from Deena's vicinity.
"Shit, shit - I'm so sorry Deena. I have to go."
Deena was snapped out of the tension and the trance too quickly, she looked both hurt and confused.
"Wait, wait Sam!" Deena almost cried.
"I'll call you." Sam was now out of the car and shutting the door gently, giving Sam a final look. Her nostrils flared and eyes filled up. "I'm sorry."
Sam's mum glared at Deena, and then at Sam and she made her way up the drive.
Deena held her head in her hands as she heard Sam's mum screaming at her. Her mum then opened the front door and pointed down the road wanting Deena to get off of her property.

As much as she wanted to stay, she couldn't. She had no choice. Deena drove home, feeling a bit hurt. But mostly, elated. She replayed their conversations in her head and smiled as she did.

She also replayed the moment they shared before Sam's mom caught them.

Sam did the same.