SIX
After running out of ideas on what she should do while alone, Samantha decides that traveling too far on her own is a bigger risk than she is willing to take. She instead finds her way back to the hotel. Unable to think of anything to do, Samantha sits outside on the patio furniture. Soon, her mind finds peace once more. Her thoughts take her back to earlier the same morning, when Vaughn was with her in this very spot. Samantha inhales the salty scent of the ocean water and shuts her eyes for a moment. Then she says a quick prayer before her body takes advantage of her sitting still to rest. During her prayer, she hopes that they are now safe and for Najera's heart to be softened towards God. There were other things on her mind of course, but her dreary state did not allow her the time to meditate on those matters.
Eventually, Samantha opens her eyes once again, staring at the horizon and admiring the mixture of orange and yellow light beaming outward from the horizon. Samantha also hears the sound of the waves crashing against the beach; the winds were stronger than they were several minutes ago. Samantha lets out a vigorous yawn and stretches her sore body until collapsing into a limp posture. When she reaches for her hip to grab her phone, she remembers that she never looked for it when she returned.
When she goes back inside to look for it, she hears Najera in the bedroom alone, listening to music with the door shut. Sam didn't go to check on her because she did not want to invade her privacy. Or at least, that is what she convinces herself to think. In reality, Samantha is not certain if Najera is still upset. Fearing another confrontation, Sam opts to steer clear of the room and hopes that everything will get better before they leave tomorrow.
"I really hope she didn't take anything I said to heart," Sam thinks, reluctantly turning away from the door to continue looking for her cell phone.
She finally finds it lying next to Vaughn's jacket, the TV remote, and an empty paper cup that smelled of coffee. These items were not on the couch before she walked in, so Sam suspects that Najera must have placed these items here at some point when Samantha was asleep on the balcony. Suddenly, Samantha realizes that the music is no longer playing. She twists one of her ears to face behind her and hears the faint, metallic clicking of the door knob turning. It slowly swings open as Najera pokes her snout through the crack. Sam quietly watches as Najera inhales deeply before releasing a strong sigh, finally pushing the door open to reveal herself.
"Hey, you made it back in one piece?" Najera asks as she steps into the living room space.
"Yup..." Samantha turns back around to pick up her phone and avoid making eye contact. Uhm...how are you feeling?" she mumbles.
"Huh?" Najera's head tilts slightly.
"Your head...does it feel better now?" Sam asks her, trying to forcefully project her voice.
"Oh...oh!" Najera's eyes widen and she gives Samantha a meager grin. "Yeah, I'm straight now...thanks for asking."
"Have you done anything since you've been back?" she asks.
"Nah," Najera answers flatly, leaning against the doorframe. "Just harassed the staff into bringing me something for the headache, then I crashed for a few minutes. When I noticed yuh came back, I set yuh stuff out here so yuh can get to it, and went back in the room to vibe to some tunes."
"Oh..." Sam nods in response before continuing. "Hey, Jera..."
"Yup?" Najera responds quickly, perking up to glance at Sam and reads her body language.
"I just wanted to say that...I'm glad we took this trip together. I don't think I could have left Summerville if you hadn't suggested it," Samantha shares with her, anxiously spinning her thumbs together.
YOU ARE READING
Tails of Alpherion
FantasíaA story that focuses on the lives of several individuals who are dealing with various situations and challenges from life. As their stories unfold, their lives will intertwine and branch apart, leading them on journeys that will shape their futures...
