You Drive Me Crazy || Sam Evans

32. Rumors

Melanie and Sam walked down the school hallway hand in hand, as they moved through the space of crowded students. Melanie's heart raced a little, still getting used to the warm, comforting feeling of Sam's hand in hers. They made their way to Sam's locker, and as he began to turn the combination lock, Melanie leaned casually against the lockers beside him, glancing up at him with a soft smile.

"So I was thinking for Friday... maybe we could go to the arcade?" she asked.

Sam's smile faltered just slightly, almost unnoticeably, but Melanie caught it. He shifted awkwardly as he grabbed a book from his locker. "I don't really know if the arcade would work... really," he trailed off.

Melanie nodded, biting her lip as a small wave of anxiety washed over her. They still hadn't had their first official date yet, and it seemed like every idea she suggested wasn't quite right.

"But Friday still works, right?" She questioned, trying to sound casual.

"Definitely." Sam nodded, enthusiastically.

Melanie paused, chewing on her bottom lip as she studied him. Something felt off, like he was holding something back. She couldn't shake the feeling that there was something he wasn't telling her.

"Sam," she said quietly, hesitating for a moment. "Are you okay? It just kinda feels like... lately, there's something you're not telling me."

Sam paused from grabbing a book inside his locker, avoiding eye contact. "Yeah, yeah, I'm fine," he said, his voice a little too quick. "Just tired from the new pizza delivery job, that's all."

Melanie gave him a small smile, though the uneasy feeling in her stomach didn't go away. She nodded, trying to be understanding, but she couldn't help but think there was more to it that he just wasn't telling her.

"You know... if you were having second thoughts, It's okay. I'd understand." she said quietly looking down.

Sam shut his locker with a soft click and leaned one hand against it, his body angled slightly toward her. He gazed down at her with soft eyes. "Are you kidding? Thinking about our date on Friday is the only thing getting me through the week." He smiled brightly.

Melanie's heart melted a little. She smiled up at him, her nerves easing "Really?" She asked.

"Really," Sam replied, leaning down to kiss her softly. Melanie sighed contently into the kiss, no matter how many times they kissed, she never got tired of the way his lips felt on hers

But the moment was cut short when they heard a throat being cleared behind them. They broke apart quickly, turning to see Rachel standing there with a polite but expectant smile.

Sam scratched the back of his neck awkwardly, while Melanie's smile was tight-lipped,

"Hi, Rachel," Melanie greeted, trying to keep her tone polite.

"Hi, Melanie," she replied with a quick smile, then turned her attention to Sam. "Sam. I wanted to talk to you two about something"

"Both of us?" Sam asked, pointing between himself and Melanie, surprised that Rachel wanted to talk to him.

"Yeah, is that such a surprise?" Rachel replied.

Sam blinked, then shrugged. "I don't know, I just—Santana told me never to speak alone with you because you'd try to steal all of my gold."

Melanie looked at him with furrowed brows.

Rachel gave him an equally confused look. "Okay, um... anyway, I got you this." She handed him a pack of chapstick.

Sam raised an eyebrow, glancing at it. Rachel continued, "I know everyone's always making fun of your lips, but I think they're cute—and worth weatherproofing. Not to mention, it's always handy for, you know, certain activities." She nodded awkwardly, gesturing between the two of them.