Him

Chapter 3: On The Walk

Outside is hot. The sky is clear with only the sun out. The birds are flying above the trees and the wind is blowing every now and then rustling the leaves. The trees create a canopy over the sidewalk leaving me in the shade on my peaceful walk home. My headphones blast music into my ears creating a world in which its only me and the rhythm.

My music stops for a slight second as I recive a message telling me to look behind me. I turn around and run straight into someone. "IM SO SORRY!" I begin to stutter and apologize endlessly until I look up and stare into the most beautiful eyes i've ever seen. It was Sam. I stood there breathless and unable to move. Sam placed his hands on my shoulders and looked me straight in the eyes as well. I was too shocked to comprehend that he was talking to me. "Nina... I'm so sorry for earlier. I shouldn't have made that joke. I totally fucked shit up. Im really really sorry. I also talked to hunter about what he said and he apologizes for calling you a bitch. I shouldn't have said that. Can you forgive me?"

Had he forgotten what else hunter said? Was he just sparing me the embarrassment? Maybe he didn't hear him... "Look, Nina, if you don't want to talk to me I get it...just know im really sorry." Sam pats my shoulder one last time before turning to walk away. All the possibilities start flowing through my head. All the outcomes...until I see him move away slowly. I drop every thought I have and without thinking, without thinking of the outcome, I reach and grab his hand in an attempt to keep him him from leaving. "Sam its ok. No need to apologize. We've been best friends forever...im ok." Im biting my lip and shaking nervously as every word comes out. He just stands there with his back still to me. "It would be stupid of me to just throw all of that away over a joke." Sam loosens my grip and drops my hand. I can feel my heart racing excessively. I can't tell if he'll walk away or if he'll turn around and face me.

Sam turns around pulls me into a tight embrace. Sam has always been a hugger, hes always been a very cuddly person... well before jenna he was. He wasn't the same way after his break up with her. He wouldn't even hug me. Without a second thought I wrapped my arms around him tightly whist standing on my tippy toes and resting my head on his chest. I could hear his heart and to my surprise it was beating just as fast as mine. I smiled as I felt his warmth and as the world disappeard and there was nothing else but sam and I. After a bit he moved back but with his arms still wrapped around my waist. "For a second there I thought I really fucked up... I thought I almost lost my best friend." As he smiles at me the words best friend begin to fill my head and I came to my senses.

"Nah, you cant get rid of me that easily Sam. You're stuck with me." I say while laughing. Sam just tilts his head and stares at me as he smiles. "What are you smiling at!" I say as I smack his arm. "I was smiling?" he asks. I couldn't help but be the happiest person in the world, in this moment it was just sam and I. "Yes sir, you were." In this moment I wasn't thinking twice. I wasn't examining anything...whatever came to mind happened, no second guessing. "oh...uh Nina, where did you go earlier? I never figured out what happened." I almost hesitated but then let everything out.

"I had to cry...and I didn't want to do it in front of you...or anyone I mean. I sat at the back end of the school next to the corner lockers no one uses and stayed there." his face changes expressions from a smile to a sympathetic head tilt. "Im really sorry Nina...I didn't mean to make you cr.." Stop!" I Shout... "Its not your fault. I just overreact." He gives me a stern look. "Never say that the way you feel is nothing or that you're overreacting. I care about how you feel." I look down and fidget a bit as I move a strand of hair. "Hey Sam...did you hear the other thing that...hunter said?" I make no attempt to look at him until he speaks. "Oh Nina about that I meant to tell yo..." and at that moment his phone rings. I take a quick peek and see that its Jenna. I look up at him and watch as the world we were just in, when it was just us, shatters into a million pieces like a broken mirror. "Sorry I have to," he looks at me and gives me a sad face "I have to answer her..." he walks away and waves as he answers his phone. He mouths the words good bye before running off.

I just stand there and put my headphones back in as I realize that the moment we just had was all me...he didn't feel it the way I did. He never will.