Hearts Desire [Sam Kiszka]

2.

Another thing Josh had failed to mention? There's only four beds. The twins offered me their room, but they couldn't both sleep on the couch. Danny also said he'd give up his bed but I couldn't agree to that. I didn't know him well enough and that made me feel too awkward. Of course that left Samuel, but I wouldn't even want to be in his bed.

I had been splayed across the undeniably uncomfortable sofa for hours. The moon shone bright through the uncovered window, slightly illuminating the living room. I grabbed my water bottle, trying to take a sip before realizing it was empty.

Sulking, I stood up on my good foot and made little jumps towards the kitchen. I got about halfway before stumbling across something bulky on the floor, tumbling forward yet again.

Samuels door opened at the noise, and he stood towering over me.

"Really?" He joked. "How'd you managed that this time?" I looked around the floor, before seeing his snow-boots on the ground next to me. I held one up, wagging it in the air.

"Maybe you should put things back where they go." I snapped.

He stayed silent, and walked over towards me with his hand out.

"M'fine." I mumble, standing up without his help, forgetting my quest for water and deciding to just go back to the couch.

I felt his hands on my shoulders, then around my legs, as he picks me up bridal-style.

"Samuel!" I yell. "Put me down!"

He leans over the couch, setting me back down to my previous position. I immediately felt bad for yelling at him, but how could I have known? He's not typically nice or caring. Probably just felt guilty since my  second fall was his fault...

"Why aren't you asleep anyway?" He rubs his forehead, as if he can't handle me right now.

"This couch sucks." I reply, throwing the blanket back overtop of me, settling into the sofa. "Night."

***

I woke up just a few hours later. My phone rested on my chest and I checked the time.

4:03 am.

I groaned. Why is sleep so difficult right now? I pushed the blanket off me, reaching over to set my phone on the side table. Then, I noticed him.

Samuel laid asleep on the recliner. His feet hanging over the edge, and his arms crossed, as if he's angry in his sleep...

But his face didn't look angry. It looked sweet, delicate. His hair was strewn about in a perfectly messy way.

Despite how Samuel and I acted towards each other, I didn't dislike him. I always thought we'd get along, but he made it so difficult.

He was always taunting me, picking on me, and saying smart remarks. In the beginning, I just let them roll off my back, thinking that was just his personality. But I quickly realized he only treated me differently.

At first, I kept the peace. He's my best friends brother, and I didn't want to be rude. But eventually, I had to 'fight back'. Then, that just became our dynamic. Always teasing each other, or at each others throats.

After taking in his presence, I notice there's a glass of water and a bottle of Advil on the table. I questioned if Josh had done that earlier and I had failed to notice or if it was Samuel, before deciding that the Josh theory was probably more accurate.

He stirred around and I quickly laid back down, pretending to be slumbering. I hear him shuffling around, before feeling the soft quilt be stretched across my body. I then hear him walk away and shut his bedroom door.

Samuel being warmhearted? Unheard of.