Damaged (Rúben Dias)

Chapter 6

Dani's POV

"He's gone", says Sam when she gets back to my room.

"Ok. Don't know what he was doing here anyway".

"Dani, I haven't known you for that long. And I know you have been through stuff. Like it's printed on your forehead almost. I'm a privileged bitch who can't understand all that too well but...other things I understand. Rúben likes you. That's why he was here. That's why he seems to always be around".

"He doesn't like me. He literally told me he's bored. So I guess pissing me off is his way to be entertained", I sigh. "My body hurts too much to know or care".

Sam shakes her head and lies down next to me. It's nice to be surrounded by the scent of freshly washed sheets. And to no longer feel like my body is on fire and I'm about to pass out.

"Do you like him?"

"No".

"Now be honest".

"I haven't had time for boys in a long while. It's not changing now I have to concentrate on uni stuff".

"Dani, come on. You can study and have fun at the same time".

I ignore her comment and drink some more water. I see the box of cough drops Rúben bought and take one. He really bought half the store. Ridiculous...but thinking about it makes me want to smile.

"If someone so hot paid attention to me, I wouldn't say no".

"Then you go out with him".

"I said if. But he only has eyes for you".

Her teasing isn't annoying and that surprises me. I guess I really needed a friend I could be silly with. Just chatting about boys and stuff like that. Like anyone my age would do.

"Hiii. How are we doing here?"

Libby gets inside the room and touches my face to check my temperature.

"I'm better now. Sam helped".

"Yes", she says lowering her voice. "Could you actually do the polite thing and introduce us to each other?"

Sam laughs and they both get up to embrace each other.

"Nice meeting you".

"Same. I'm so glad to see Dani didn't make you up".

"Libby!", I groan.

"To be fair, we'll get similar comments when Dani finally meets my family".

I smile at her comment. That's the thing about Sam. Even if we come from such different worlds, she understands me. And I understand her. I'm so lucky I found her.

"Please tell me you'll stay for dinner, Sam".

"I actually can't, sorry. But we can hang out next week. My family will be out of town so I could use the company".

"Are we seventh or eighth option then?", I joke, making Libby worry I said something rude.

"You think so highly of yourself, babe. You're like my twentieth option. Libby is way higher but you come in a pack".

We both laugh and Libby shakes her head, but I can see a small smile on her face.

Libby walks Sam to the door and then comes back quickly to sit down next to me.

"She seems nice".

"Yeah, she is".

"I'm happy to see you be yourself with a friend, Dani. I don't care how soppy you think that is".