Tiger Eye - Sam (Stardew Valley)

4

Spring 9th

Sam practiced his kickflip in front of the bulletin board for the third day in a row. While he told everyone else the ground was flatter there, he knew deep down he was waiting for Wren. He'd heard other towns people gushing about how quick she was to respond to their help wanted ads, she had to turn up eventually.

He hadn't seen her since he walked her home. Every night since, when he closed his eyes to sleep, he'd see her as they sat on the mountain. The image of her face was permanently burned into his mind. The freckles that kissed her cheeks, her long lashes that framed her doe eyes, the shades of vibrant green and hazel brown that was only visible when up close.

The curve of her hips, her long, slender legs...

Without realizing, Sam shifted his weight wrong, sending his board flying away, his legs in the air. He hit the ground shoulder first, managing to keep his head from hitting the hard cement. He lay there a moment, the pain splintering through his arm and shoulder, before rolling to his back.

"I'm never gonna land this trick."

Suddenly, his view of the sky was covered as a head of wild curls hovered over him.

"Very slick. 9/10 fall." Her lips curved into a smirk.

Sam shot forward, scrambling to his feet. He wasn't sure if the blush on his cheeks was from the fall, or the image of Wren in her bra and underwear, about to jump in the pond.

"No biggie. Didn't even hurt. Already forgot it happened and uh, you should too." He chuckled softly as she handed him his board back.

"What's in the bag, delivery woman." Sam leaned forward, catching a glimpse of parsnips.

"I got an order of parsnips for a..." She trailed off, reaching into the back pocket of her shorts, "Jodi, 1 Willow Lane."

Sam smirked.

"I hear there's a very hot and talented young man who lives there."

Wren smirked back "A very hot and talented young man who lives there, with his mother." She retorted.

"Well that parts irrelevant. Not everyone gets a large farmhouse handed to them."

"Yeah, but I guess not everyone's grandpas are dead to inherit some land from"

Sam's smile dropped, frozen for a second. What a stupid, stupid thing for him to say.

"I'm kidding, Sam, relax." She laughed, and he hesitantly laughed along, "Are you gonna lead the way, orrr..."

"Oh, right, yeah, it's just up the road."

Sam lead her to his front door, pushing it open.

"Sam?" His mom called from the kitchen.

"Yeah, I have Wren here, she's got a delivery."

The sink stopped from the kitchen and his mom emerged from around the corner, a smile on her face.

"Oh! Miss Peaches!!" Jodi exclaimed, removing the rubber gloves from her hands, rushing to her side, wrapping her in a signature mom hug. Wren seemed taken aback, before she happily eased into it.

"Miss Peaches?" Sam questioned, a slight mocking tone in his voice.

"Oh, that's just what we called her. She's probably too young to remember, but her first summer here, her grandfather had to take off every few days to meet someone for business, some island or whatever. Us parents would would take turns babysitting her, she'd always bring a peach as a snack."