The next morning, I was woken up my by phone. While entangled with Sam, I managed to grab it off the floor where it fell. I unlocked it and found a text message from Connor.
Hey Riley, you up for some lunch today?
I typed back a reply saying that I would meet him around noon. Now the struggle was getting out of Sam's embrace. I looked back at his face and relished in his innocence. After weirdly staring at his face for a minute, I slowly climbed out of bed.
I checked that I hadn't woken him up, then went into my closet to grab a pair of blue skinny jeans and a cream mid sleeved shirt. I placed the clothes on my chair and pulled my shirt off, fumbling with the one I was about to put on.
"This is certainly a view I could wake up too every morning."
My head whipped around to see Sam with his hands behind his head, eyes wandering down my torso. I put my shirt on and narrowed my eyes at him.
I snapped my fingers at him and his eyes instantly flew up to mine. "Knock it off Sam." I rolled my eyes.
"I'm going to lunch with Connor. I'm leaving in a few minutes. Are you staying here?" I questioned Sam.
"You're leaving me here? By myself?" He sat up and gave me those puppy eyes. I bent down to his eye level.
"Yes Sammy, I'm going to leave you for two hours. Can you survive?" I tested.
"I'm not sure Riley, who am I going to cuddle with?" Sam pouted. I let out a huff. "Sam we've been cuddling for the past two days!"
"I really like your cuddles!"
"Sam, I'll be back around two, okay? I'll bring you something back."
Sam hesitantly nodded and I smiled at him. He gave me his cute boyish grin and I pushed him back onto the bed.
"Cya, Sammy."
- - -
I walked into the little diner Connor told me to meet him at, looking for him. I found him sitting in a booth, facing me. He waved quickly and I smiled as I walked over to him.
"Hey Connor. It's been a while." I greeted him.
"I know, it's like you and Sam fell off the edge of the earth. How are you two?" Connor asked.
"Uh..what do you mean?" I was beyond confused.
"Oh c'mon! Don't give me that. I know you guys have a thing going on." He wiggled his eyebrows at me. I scoffed. "There's nothing going on between Sam and I."
Connor gave me a skeptical look. "You don't like him? At all? I find that hard to believe. He's practically been living with you."
This had me thinking. Did I like Sam? Images flashed in my head of all the times we lie in bed together, cuddling. His smile, his laugh, his eyes, everything.
I gasped with realization, and Connor smirked.
"I... like Sam?" I was panicking.
"I knew it!" Connor exclaimed. "I could see that little glimmer in your eye. Do you even realize how he's affected you? I've never seen you so happy, Riley."
I smiled at his words. Sam does make me happy. "So what am I supposed to do?" Should I tell Sam?
"Tell him!" Connor was ecstatic, but I was hesitant. "One problem. Sam doesn't like me."
"Are you insane? How could he not like you? Just take the chance Riley." He elaborated.
I nodded. "But after we eat, deal?" Connor chucked. "Of course."
- - -
I had been standing outside my door, holding a plastic bag that contains the food I brought back for Sam. I inhaled a big breath, and unlocked the front door.
I set the keys down along with Sam's food on the counter. I made my way up the stairs, butterflies fighting against my tummy. I slowly opened my door, only to find it empty. My heart sunk.
As I walked closer to my bed, I found a note, and my old nerf gun I had stashed under my bed. The note read:
Dear Riley,
I am hiding somewhere in the house, with a nerf gun. Whoever wins, gets to choose what movie we watch tonight.
The war has began.
-Sam."
I grabbed the nerf gun as a small smile came to my face. I quickly looked under the bed, in my closet and my bathroom. Sam wasn't there. I creeped into the hall and peeked down the stairs. I tried to be as quiet as possible while going down the stairs.
I crept into the kitchen, looking in all the cabinets that looked big enough for Sam to fit into. Kitchen is clear. I looked behind the couch and the tv in the living room. Still no sign of Sam.
I instantly thought of where he could be. I quietly tip toed to the closet in the hallway. I placed my hand on the doorknob, and let out a small breath. I swung the door open and began shooting into the closet. When I ran out of bullets, I noticed it was empty.
A tap on my shoulder made me scream and turn around. There stood Sam, a huge smirk on his face and a nerf gun in his hand.
I took a step back. "Sam, let's be reasonable here." His smirk never faltered. I quickly turned around and ran up the stairs, turning into the bedroom. I thought fast, hiding behind the door. I held my breath as I heard his footsteps going up the stairs, and nearing my room. I closed my eyes as he entered, walking passed me. His footsteps stopped.
I opened my eyes and before I could see what was happened, Sam closed the door and had his arms by my head on the wall, trapping me. I could feel his body gently pressing against mine and my breathing became uneven. I looked up at him as he looked down at me.
It seemed like the space between us was getting smaller and smaller, and breathing was becoming harder and harder.
Finally, Sam cracked. The nerf gun crashed to the floor and Sam's arms went around my waist. I instantly put mine around his neck as our lips pressed together. The butterflies from earlier unleashed and my whole body went numb. My hands went and tangled themselves in his hair. Sam pulled away and whispered, "You're so addicting Riley. I can't stay away from you. My feelings for you are increasing and I don't want to stop it anymore."
