Still Dreaming - Treebros

Chapter 8: "Desperate For a New Connection"

Monday, September 23rd

  The last thing I expect to hear when I open the dorm room door is anime music, but the second I turn the knob, I pause as the sound of what's definitely Japanese music filters through the door. It stops when I actually open the door, and I'm met with the sight of Sam sprawled across his bed with his laptop on his stomach.

"Don't you have a class?" I ask, shutting the door behind me and hobbling in. I'm not used to the medical boot yet, but I've forgone the crutches. I'll bear the pain if it means I can at least have both arms free when I walk. Sam wasn't happy with my decision.

"Skipped. Got bored, then realized that I wish I hadn't skipped but I didn't feel like getting up. So I started watching Sailor Moon and then I got bored and starting watching Superstore and then I got bored and went back to Sailor Moon and then you walked in," he explains.

As he sits up and moves his computer to his duvet, it becomes apparent that he isn't wearing pants. He has boxers on, but that doesn't stop my gaze from snapping up to his eyes. Or reading his sweatshirt. It says Nirvana. Interesting. Maybe it will say something different if I stare at it for long enough and give me an excuse to not focus on the fact that he isn't wearing pants.

"Interesting," I say, dropping my bag down on my bed and hopping next to it.

"I'm still bored though," he complains.

"When's your next class?"

"2. That was your last class today, right?" He asks. I nod. "Do you want to meet up with everyone for lunch?"

I keep thinking that I'm used to Sam as a person, but when I try to say no in a way that doesn't come out as yes and fail, it's jarringly clear that I met him a month ago.

"Uh. Yeah, sure," I answer, shrugging and digging through my bag just to have something to look at that isn't him.

"Is that a 'yes' yeah or a 'no' yeah?" he asks, raising his eyebrows at me. Damn. I suck at not being obvious.

"Can we maybe just... not?" I ask. How eloquent.

"Sure! We can order in, my treat," Sam suggests, grinning. He doesn't mean to make my throat clog up with guilt. But Sam's just too nice and it catches me off guard.

"No, I don't wanna make you do it," I say, but he's already shaking his head.

"How dare you try to stop me from doing something I want to. You should ask anyone who's tried, it doesn't work," Sam says, pulling his laptop onto his lap.

"Thank you," I say.

"Just tell me what sounds good," he says, typing something on his laptop. Probably switching from Netflix to Hulu or something.

"Usual from Lucky China?" I ask. We've ordered enough from them that I've established a usual order.

"Sure. Make sure the door's unlocked," Sam says. I hop up from the bed as best as I can and go to unlock it, only to see that it's already unlocked. Idiot. That's a great way for someone to break in and kill me or something.

"Cool! Now, I'm thinking of switching over to Jeopardy," he says, squinting down at the computer.

"What?"