How Strange is it to be Anything at all

Chapter 10

(3rd Person)

Their last day in Yosemite was spent inside. The rain, which was a drizzle during their time in the hot tub had escalated to a downpour later that evening and had continued into the next morning. Samuel and Kenna spent the day playing board, occasionally joined by Peter, who spent his time reading. On the car ride back, none of them talked with each other. Not that the car held any negative or hostile energy, but rather a peaceful and at ease energy. Kenna had offered to sit in the back, saying she was tired and that way she could lay down and take a nap on the car ride home. Two hours into the trip Samuel could hear her faint snores coming from the backseat. Occasionally, Samuel would look over at Peter to watch his facial expressions, most of the time, he would see Peter yawning.

"Would you like me to drive at all," Samuel asked, "I wouldn't mind, and that way you could take a nap."

"Nah, it's okay, I like to be the one driving. Not that I don't trust you, it just makes me feel safer." Samuel nodded and looked back to the road in front of him.

"About last night," Peter started. "It's just, I never knew. You don't look like you're somebody who's gone through a lot. You're always smiling and laughing or doing something to make someone else feel better." Samuel looked at Peter again but didn't say anything. What could he even say to that? Peter continued. "I just want to be here for you, you know. I want you to know that you can rely on me Sammy, you mean a lot to me."

"Thanks, Peter, it means a lot, truly. I am thankful you're my friend," Samuel said with a smile. As he said the last part, however, he slightly saw Peter's mouth tighten. A little anxious that he might have said the wrong thing, Samuel quickly said, "You mean a lot to me too." With a mental sigh of relief, Peter's expression softened and Samuel took the opportunity to start a conversation with Peter.

"So, uhm, this Friday. Are you excited for the rugby match," Samuel asked. "I think it's against Berkeley, that's what Kenna told me."

"I'm pumped. We lost to them last year in the semi-finals so I am excited to beat them on Friday," Peter responded, his face lighting up as it always did when he talked about rugby.

"You already know you're going to win," Samuel asked, confused. "Do they have a sick player or a new coach or what?"
"Well, aren't you going to be there?"

"I mean unless I get into some freak accid-"
"Don't joke about that," Peter said cutting him off.

"I-, sorry. Yes, I will be there Friday," Samuel said, nervously playing with his hands in his lap.

"Then we should be fine, we haven't lost a single game during the off-season yet, and you've been to all of those games, so safe to say you're like a good luck charm."

"But I only know you, Nathan, and Thomas. How could I be the whole team's good luck charm? Plus, I don't even know anything about rugby," Samuel said bewilderedly. Peter was still watching the road ahead.

"Well, you're my good luck charm at least." Samuel looked at his lap and smiled before bringing up the other players on the team. Soon they were talking about Thomas and an argument he got in with the assistant coach and how Nathan and another player, Jordan were beefing. They spent the rest of the trip talking like this, easily, and all too soon they had arrived back to campus and were pulling up to Samuel's apartment complex.

"This is me," Samuel said, jabbing at a sleeping Kenna to say goodbye.

"Ow, what the hell. What time is it," Kenna said brushing her hair out of her face.

"We just got back, and it's around seven-thirty," Peter answered her.

"Yeah, it's my stop and I wanted to say goodbye before I see you tomorrow," Samuel said giving her a goofy smile.