Tiger Eye - Sam (Stardew Valley)

20

Fall 13

Sam walked the path up to Sebastians, a gift for Abby in hand. She made it clear she wanted a big blowout birthday for her 21st. Robin and Demetrius being out of town made perfect timing.

He stopped in front of the door, the music muffled threw the walls. He felt anxiety racing in his chest. He knew Wren would be in there. He had only seen her from a distance a few days prior, which took the wind out of him.

He closed his eyes, breathing deeply. Sebastian had chewed him out earlier that day, warning that he'd drown him in the lake if he got love sick over her, or pissed her off. 

He reached for the doorknob, pushing the door open.

What was the first thing he was greeted with?

Wren and Penny stood tucked in a corner, giggling. In sync, as if they shared a body, they glanced at the door, their smiles falling, before turning back to each other.

While he'd never been to a formal high school, he imagined that's what mean girls were like, which he never would have guessed either of them could be.

"Sam!" Abby smiled, approaching him with a hug.

"Happy birthday, Abs." He smiled, hugging her back. He felt a slight relief that not everyone here was displeased to see him.

"I'm happy your here." She smiled, patting his shoulder.

"I'm happy your happy and no longer threatening my life." He teased. Abby rolled her eyes.

"Don't test your luck."

Sam placed her gift on the coffee table, scanning the room for someone to talk to.

"You're brave. What a power duo, the women scorned." Hailey spoke from behind Sam, making him jump.

"Fuck, Hailey, stop doing that!" He sighed, placing a hand over his chest.

"You don't smell like cigarettes anymore, did you take my advice?" She crossed her arms, smiling up at him.

He was already annoyed. He needed a drink if he was going to make it through the night.

"I'm slowing down, okay? I smoked half a cigarette this morning, I can smoke the other half later. It's a good system."

He was afraid how much his conversation with Shane affected him. Truth was, he didn't want to be like Shane. While he'd been on edge all day, dreaming of the cigarette he could have later, he knew he wasn't going to get anywhere like that.

"Sounds... effective." She blinked rapidly.

"Sammy! Beer?" Alex called from across the room. He smiled, happily walking away from Hailey's criticism.

"Where have you been, man? I haven't seen you since your birthday." Alex asked as he handed Sam and open bottle.

"Busy. Working, boring stuff." He sighed, drinking it faster than he anticipated. 

"Heard you're a single man again. I was thinking, you wanna head to the city some weekend, head to the bar, see what we can find..." He nudged Sam's shoulders.

He was tempted to say yes, to numb himself and pour all his desire to be with Wren into a random girl. But then he saw her again across the room. She had her hair half up and down, the same denim skit she'd worn to meet him at the saloon with a long-sleeve purple shirt. The black tights where something he'd never considered hot before, but during all his late nights, unable to sleep, the thought of her in them creeped in more than once. 

He wasn't sure he would ever find someone to satisfy him like she did again.

"Rain check. I thought you were with Hailey?" Sam desperately wanted to shift the subject, but he couldn't look away from her.