CLOSER (SAM FENDER)

NINETEEN

Sam

Things were strange between Ana and I. It should have been an easy night, with a fancy dinner spent laughing and joking until we went back to the house and attacked each other. It should have been that way, but it was different, very different.

Ana was quiet, reserved and almost shy. Ana was never shy. Ever. She looked even more beautiful than normal, with her hair falling down her back in loose waves, and a short dress that flowed with every step she took, but she was holding back. I should have been enamored with her fully, but all I could think about was what I was going to think about when she was gone, and my interaction with Jake earlier.

Dinner had been rather dreary with neither of us saying too much. She scraped her fork across her plate slowly before setting it down and reaching for her wine glass.

"Sam...we need to talk about a few things."

I narrowed my eyes at her, wondering if she could feel the same tension as me.

"What about?"

Ana sighed and scooted closer to the table before taking a long drink of her wine. "I don't think we should keep doing this once I leave tomorrow."

"Come again?"

"This." She pointed to the space between us. "I think it's been amazing, every step of the way, at least until we came here. But I think it's time to call it."

I sat my utensils down and rested my hands on the table. A handful of months ago, I was having nearly the same conversation with Violet. It was always an ending, but this one I couldn't understand.

"Ana...what are you talking about?"

She bit her lip and looked down.

"If you're worried about the distance...don't. I'm not going to fall for anyone else or anything like that!"

"Sam..."

"I'm serious, Ana. We don't have to end it just because we aren't going to be together physically."

"Sam...I think it's too late. I think you've already fallen for someone else."

I narrowed my eyes at her.

"I think you're in love with Violet."

"What?" I nearly choked as I spoke.

She sighed and leaned forward. "It makes sense now that I've been here. The night we met, you were...so torn up about your old friend. You said how much you missed her back home and how great she was, and I just figured you were homesick. And then we get to the airport and the minute she sees you, both of you have this reaction...then it all hit me like a truck. I didn't believe it first but then I spent time with Violet and got to know her and I know heartbreak when I see it, and that girl is a walking broken heart."

"What did she tell you?" My voice was flat and I was instantly angry.

"She didn't tell me anything, Sam. In fact, she tends to clam up and change the subject quickly when I bring you up. It's like talking about you hurts her too much."

I winced.

"But then there's you, and I see the way you are when she's around. You've got a wall up that's ten feet high and I can't understand why. But hearing you talk about her this morning, and seeing the look on her face...it's obvious. You love her."

"Of course I love her, she's one of my best mates."

Ana shook her head. "Not like that, Sam. Not like that."