Unexpected

Chapter 10

Sam's POV

"I like you," she says breathlessly. I stare at the wall in front of me and feel my face heat up.

My best friend likes me?

I feel something stir inside of me, and it's definitely not a good thing.

"Amber..."

"I know, it's crazy. I just....had to tell you, I guess," she replies, her voice slightly shaking.

I look out my window and can see the starry night sky of 4 am. I'm not even sure how to respond to this.

Never had I imagined that she would like me in that way. And the worst part is, I don't return the feelings at all.

"I don't even know what to say to this," I say, trying to let her down easy.

She goes silent for a second and for a moment I think she's hung up, but then she says, "So, does that mean you don't feel the same way?"

I feel terrible, almost like someone punched me in the gut. I never want to lose Amber, but I can't lie to her and tell her I feel the same way. So I have to do the hard thing and tell her the truth.

"I'm so sorry.... I don't," I reply.

"That's.....okay. I'll see you later, I guess," she says, immediately hanging up.

What just happened? I set my phone down on my bed and stand up, looking at the window that's right across from Amber's house.

I can't even bring myself to look out of it, and I eventually just lay down on my bed, trying to sleep. After almost an hour of trying, I tromp downstairs, the light from the sunrise streaming through the windows.

I make a cup of coffee and sit down at the kitchen island, holding the mug tightly in both my hands, letting the warmth from the drink seep through.

I can't do anything but stare at the trees outside of the window, seeing the wind blow the leaves to and fro. I lay my head down on my arms and close my eyes, listening to everything around me.

After what was probably an hour of me laying there in confusion, I hear someone walk down the stairs.

"Mate?" Harry asks with concern.

I grunt to the name and continue lying there, pretty much with no care.

"You all right?"

"No, not really," I respond, my voice muffled.

"What's wrong?" he asks, sitting down on the stool next to me.

I sit up, looking Harry in the eye and sigh.

"So, this morning, at around 4 AM, I got a call from Amber. Wasn't too weird, right? So I picked up and she said that she needed to tell me something. So then, she said that, she, er-She liked me. Not as-as a best friend."

Harry looks at me for a second, and then he takes a deep breath. "Oh my. And do you..... feel the same?" he asks.

I shake my head and lay down on my arms again, feeling very anxious about my situation.

I hear Harry muffle a laugh and I sit up, glaring at him. He covers his mouth and turns away, trying not to burst out laughing.

"What's wrong with you? Can't you see that this is really bothering me?" I ask, completely dumbfounded that my stupid twin brother is making fun of me.

"I'm sorry Sam, it's just that- well I know you. I've seen the way you look at her sometimes when no one's watching. And hearing you say that you definitely don't like Amber, in such a serious tone... well I don't really believe that," Harry says, a smile still lingering on his face.

I look at him for a second, a weird look on my face.

"Are you joking? Me, having a crush on my best friend? You must be mental," I say, getting off my stool and walking into the living room.

I spot the movie lying on the couch, and groan, remembering that Amber would be coming over later tonight.

"What's wrong now?" Harry asks, walking into the room.

"Amber's coming over tonight," I complain, putting my hands over my face and dragging them down dramatically.

"Whatever. It's fine. I'm fine. I'll live. Let's go get some fish and chips."