The Life, and Afterlife, of Hallie Kennon

Chapter 2, Sammie

“May I just ask you why we’re here?” Dylan walked along side me as we stepped into Ben Franklin. The bells jingled as we went in, the nice Asian lady smiled at us. I waved.

I sailed past the sketchbooks, which I had too many of, past the small bookstore, and to the very back of the building. I spent too much money here, but that didn’t bother my mother, she was glad I wasn’t on drugs like some of the artists at my school. The smell of multiple different types of air fresheners filled my nose. Home.

“Because, I need to get some spray paint. And some wooden blocks. Didn’t I tell you that before?”

“No you didn’t.” he looked puzzled, as he usually was.

“Well, then that makes two different instances of friends keeping secrets from each other.” His eyes looked hurt, but he shrugged and shook it off. I didn’t mean to hurt him, but I did at the same time. What is my deal?

He helped me pick out some cool colors, and the poster board for the project. We piled them into the back of his car, and we drove until he said “The car tells me to stop here.”



“Dylan?” I looked at him, he and I caught eyes for a moment. It didn’t feel like the other times we’ve looked at each other, something changed for me.



“Yeah, what do you need?”

“What’s going on between you and Echo? I think something’s up.” The words tumbled out. I instantly wanted to take them back, but they were out there in the open. I cringed at my stupidity. God Sammie, why can’t you just be normal for once? Why do you have to screw everything up?

I felt his mood change; you could feel it in the air. I instantly covered my mouth, my face flushing. I screwed up badly this time. Really badly. “I- I’m sorry it just popped out of my mouth and I didn’t mean to say anything.” I rambled on some more before he put his finger to my lips.

“Nothing is happening between Echo and I okay?” I was more relieved than I expected to be at this response. “Why do you think that?"

“Because you looked genuinely sad when Echo told us that she finally found someone.” I muttered this quietly, the words seeming to come from no where. You just had to give him the honest truth?

He and I locked eyes for a moment, an electric charge going between us. I felt something change in my gut, butterflies? Maybe, but I did feel nervous all of a sudden.

“I was sad because I realized that you and I were the odd people out once again.” His smile was that lopsided one that so many girls fell for, except for me.

“I hate it when that happens.” I sighed, it was what I always was. A third wheel Whenever Mom was with her much younger boyfriend (we’re talking fifteen years younger), she was always giggling and laughing for no good reason. I always sat there staring at my plate, the thin pork-chops were tasteless, just how Brad made them. I never really wanted to talk about their engagement to any of my friends, I didn’t find it necessary. Only Dylan really understood how I felt.

The stars were coming out by then, it was something out of a novel. Two teenagers, in the back of a pick up truck, sitting, talking to each other. I knew what was going to happen next in this movie, “Do you have a flashlight near here?”

This question, obviously, was not what he expected from me. “Uh yeah, right here.” He handed me a powerful flashlight. I thanked him, and went on my way.

“Sammie?” He called after me, I turned. “Here’s a sleeping bag, and call me when you need to go to school. I’ll get some of your clothes tomorrow before school.” I smiled, Dylan, why do you always have to be such a nice guy to me? I never am like this to you.