Scientific Fantasies (Wattys2015)

Chapter Seven

"Nat, come on. Leave your book alone."

She only grunted, turning the page. She was quite comfortable sprawled over the couch in their shared living area. Hands gripped her ankles, and she was suddenly pulled off the couch, landing on the floor with a bump. She glared at Sam.

"Samuel, razozlit." She swore at him, using an expression she'd picked up from Ingvar. Unfortunately, her best friend only grinned at her. "What?" she demanded.

"Come play with us, Nat. Please?" He was begging her like he was a child, and she sighed.

"What is it?"

He grabbed her hand, pulling her to her feet. Resigned to the fact that she wouldn't be relaxing any longer, she put her book on the arm of the couch, and let him drag her out of the room. He took her to the tiny games room, which she usually avoided, wary of the darts games that were on regularly. She liked her head just the way it was.

"Sam, what is it?" She pulled back, refusing to enter before he told her what was going on. "I was reading in peace. Why can't you ever leave me to read?"

"Please, Nat?"

She eyed him for a long moment. "I need to be bribed."

He narrowed his eyes at her, but she was unmoved. Two could play at this game. He grumbled under his breath but, as she'd known he would, he gave her the coffee he'd been hiding from her. She sipped at it, considering. His eyes were pleading again.

"Come on, Nat. Play with us. You never do."

"For good reason," she muttered. "I like my head."

He grinned, and took her hand. "You can keep your head," he promised. "We'll be more careful."

"I don't think that's possible," she retorted. "You're going to need more bribes, Sam."

He scowled at her this time. "Why?"

"Because it's my birthday, and I wanted to be alone with my books," she informed him. She lifted the coffee cup. "This is a start."

He heaved a sigh. "I'll buy you whatever present you want," he offered.

"Promise?"

He nodded. "Promise."

"And cake." She knew she was pushing it when his scowl turned into a glower. But he agreed.

"And cake."

She grinned, and patted his cheek. "You're too sweet, Sam."

"You're too demanding," he grumbled. "Go on, birthday girl."

She stepped into the darkened room, but as she reached for the lights, they turned on by themselves, and Linda and Aiden appeared out of nowhere.

"Happy Birthday!"

She flinched at the shout, but forced herself to stay in the room. She knew they meant well. And there were only two of them. She turned to look at Sam, who gave her a hug.

"Happy birthday, Nat."

She blinked back tears. Her coffee forgotten, she sat down and let let them pile presents onto her lap, laughing and joking with them. It had been so long since they'd all relaxed properly. And Sam knew her nearly too well. He'd known that too many people would scare her away. So instead, it was cosy with the four of them, the door closed, and balloons floating around the room.

She only laughed when they pushed wine into her hands, refusing to drink it. They didn't press her, thankfully, and she put the glass on the table, next to her nearly empty coffee cup. She hadn't forgotten about it for long. And at last, with a plate of cake in hand, they settled around her, quieter now. She closed her eyes, leaning against Linda's shoulder comfortably. Sam was sprawled on the floor opposite her, next to the chair Aiden was similarly sprawled in.