I can't stay away [SOLBY AU]

[9] Friends Stick together, through Thick & Thin

((This song definitely reminds me of Sam and Colby depicted in this story, and RL//Romantically and/or Unromantically))

Warning(s); Slight, very slight mentions of Anxiety & Depression.

I don't agree with these ailments to be talked about in books like it's a plot-point. We all deal with it a great deal. A great deal. But y'all wanna get away from it, so enjoy the chapter! :)

SAM

Sam sat himself in the dining room, at the end of the table where he can see his friends. They've have situated themselves for the "big-news" sam waits to share, and called them to the dining room after getting some down time. Corey is still looking through the airbnb choices near the witches forest, encase Colby decides last minute to cancel. Sam hopes it never comes to that.

He's still a little scatter brained after the phone-call earlier this morning. Sam takes a peek over his shoulder towards the nearest window. The sun is nowhere to be found, only the ombré of colors fading into a dark blue is visible.
Returning back to his phone at hand, he shuts it off, the last message sent was from him. He's a little worried about Colby.. twenty minutes ago he felt an indescribable feeling once nightfall crossed Los Angeles.

His mind was on Colby, before the nausea hit him like a ton of bricks. Elton even asked him if he drank or ate something to upset him, like the vegetables he's allergic to by accident. He's made a couple mistakes whenever he and his friends have gone out to eat.
Jake swears it's their fault, every time.

  "Alright! Let's get this started, are we sure we can trust this Colby fellow?" Jake's shaggy dark hair comes into view, dragging both his bag and Tara behind him. His smile is wide and knowing when he directs a wink in Sam's direction.
"Ugh—really Jake? I thought we agreed I wasn't coming along.."

"I mean," Jake voice comes to a slow drawl, his eyebrows knowingly rise as his gaze shifts between Sam—who is off in la-la-land—and Tara, she knows her ex will convice her. "Alright! Alright, so where is this place?"

  Corey raises his hand and snaps out of whatever trance he was in. Sam barely acknowledges Tara's question or Corey's raised voice.
  "..in the witches forest, I've only brought it up to Aaron and he's busy upstairs. It's supposedly a haunted forest, like really creepy. I met someone—this Colby guy Sam mentioned, who will be ok with letting us stay. In the forest! So we don't like.. get lost, or in case there's an emergency." Jake hums in confirmation as he stuffs his mouth with some treats he retrieved from a cabinet. Sam's a health nut due to his allergies, and Sam catches the glare sent in the direction of his kitchen.

"Is he cute? I can't wait to meet them as well, the guy obviously seduced our good friend Sam~!"
Tara takes up a seat between Corey and Jake. She frees the bag of chips from Jake's hands, "let's focus," she seals the bag by crumpling the ends together and tosses the bag in the center of the table.

  "Is there a certain spirit we're trying to talk too?" Corey picks his head up to watch Jake, he's a little thrown back with the idea. The woods aren't encapsulated, like.. by walls.
  "Not sure. I want to ask Colby about the history living in the witches forest.." Sam isn't confident Corey will be too happy with the idea. There's a sad, and dark truth to the witches forest. He knows it's located next to a well-knit community, probably calling the shots, and if he and his group get in trouble. No doubt in his mind, they might not fair too well against the police officers that reside in the county.

    "...were heading into a place, we know nothing about? Oh golly, jeez Sam, warn a man next time wont cha'?" Corey huffs and puffs but otherwise sets the phone down, and focuses on his friends while they get mixed up in the chatter.
    "So a possible landmine of dead-bodies, except we get blown up by dead people!"
    "Jake! That's gross," Tara tries not hurl in her mouth, silently apologizing under her breath for their ridiculous friend.
    "That was a little grotesque Jake.." Sam licks his lips before settling with a small smile. His face screams second-hand embarrassment. He's positive one of those dead folk are looking down on them with a vengeance. "Let's hope thats not the case." He sighs, and speaks over his friends so that they might just let him finish. Sam likes the little side quests they create or go on but he much rather chat with friends.

Aaron decided he's against traveling to a secluded spot, entering a strangers home to sleep and eat for the next three days, and Sam's alright with letting his friend stay home.

He might reconsider his options as well, now that Aaron's perspective has truly sunk in. They've done crazier things, right?
    "Pack the necessities ok? It's a car drive from here." There's a collective hum of agreements, and now that everyone who plans to go—and Sam meets Tara's eyes, "are you comfortable coming with us?.." Tara shrugs, and Sam wants a 100% answer from her. She spent a lot of time around Jake and the group for the longest time. It wasn't just thirty-minutes or less of talking a day, for two years. Tara hung out with them for hours.

Sam ask's again, more pointedly as he stands, "This is serious, you rarely come on adventures with us and, no offense—you're a woman and Colby is a man. I know he won't do anything to you and i mean no ailment for the guy.. trust me, I like the guy,—and strangely, deep down i know he wouldn't hurt you, or any woman! but were going into a dark place, a strangers home, and we'll be way out of the normal-comfort zone were all used too." Sam leans over his hands as he sways on his heels. Yes, he's close with the guys here but not at the level where he and them sit down on personal level and discuss feelings.
    How the hell will they react?
"Then we can find another place to go to.. but you like this guy to some, extent right? I mean, you saw him too, right Corey?" Corey turns to Jake, and his head turns so fast Sam wonders if he'll get whiplash. The blonde would rather focus on Jake's voice than the small one in his head, making wishful promises about Colby, and their future. God, Im such a piece-of-garbage!

    "Yea! The guy kinda spooked us, right Sam?" He points to Sam and himself, "Amanda too! He came in warning us about the entity that lives in Lucy's place.. the ghost that lives next to the tunnels. Anyways! He and Sam got to talking, it was real cute! Amanda tested him about being a medium, and we even got to talking later that night, about Colby." Jake hums as he squints at his friend, the corner of his lips are turned up. Sam curses when he notices the glint in his friends eyes and the brightening smile.
    "huh! Alright," Did he suddenly realize Sam and him had a chat earlier this morning? Is Sam missing something? Sam pinches his lips together as he lowers himself rather quickly. Jake is a lot smarter than what anyone gives him credit for. "You alright with it Tara?"
    "Oh my god, how many times am i going to repeat myself? Sam, it's fine, I need to get a bag ready."

Corey agrees and follows close behind her. Jake on the other hand, creeps next to the wall acting as a barrier between the dining room and the living room. He stops by the doorway set with pillars and an archway.
    "Sammmmy, it's ok, I know Tara, shes fine. She's probably more happy you acknowledge that she's a woman, and that yes, men are dangerous left alone with the female presence." His smile is quirky, and it calms Sam's nervous heartbeat. Sam is grateful all his friends are equally different because sometimes he needs a little different to help with the anxiety or the sadness that sometimes creeps up unexpectedly.

"thanks," Sam's voice is still small but he feels braver scooting farther out his seat to mirror Jake's confidence. "My shit's ready, want me to help you pack? It'll help keep the monkeys out," Sam laughs now as he picks his laptop up from the table, and both he and Jake walk side by side walking towards and up the flight of stairs.

***
To be Continued!

I hope you like this chapter!
If any of the conversations don't feel right or the information is ever misleading, then don't be afraid to comment!

It sometimes makes me feel anxious because I imagine the worse. It's something I need to work on.. ;;; oops

I don't wanna do anything wrong or upset the fandom. But I love this chapter! :^ don't forget to comment! I really appreciate feedback or otherwise spontaneous commentary! :]

  —Hanzdanae 🖤🐺✨