Wanted

Chapter 23

Btw, I do not know Oklahoma geography so a lot of it is just made up:)

We finally make it out of the city and into the desert. I always thought the desert was just sand. Nothing else, just sand. Actually, this desert has small tree-like things and bushes and flowers. Still dry and uneventful, but beautiful.

"How much longer until Lawton?" I turn to look at Sam who's chugging a water bottle.

"Well, since that city back there was Bellinger, I'd say we have about thirty miles. How's your foot by the way?"

My foot should be the last of our worries. "Better. I can walk now without limping."

"Lemme check it out."

"Sam..."

"Seriously, El. It might be infected."

I roll my eyes and sit down on a rock. I pull off my new boot--that is already dirty-- and hold out my foot. He unravels the cloth and sets it aside.

"Looks good. It's healing." He tells me. He sets down his backpack and pulls his shirt off over his head, revealing his chiseled stomach.

"You know you don't have to waste your shirt on me."

"It's a shirt, El. I brought like five others." He rips off a piece and rewraps my foot. "Done." He hops up and hands me my boot. "Sick boots by the way." We keep walking.

We haven't seen or heard of any Guards at all today. That's either really good or really not.

     "Have any friends anywhere?" Sam asks me out of the blue.

     "Um ya, Keston. He's back at home. He's probably really worried about me." I stop and think about Keston. He was always there for me and always knew how to make me laugh. Typical friend stuff. Man do I miss that kid. "You?"

     "Ya I had a buddy back in Boston. His name was Charlie. We were best friends growing up and it broke my heart to leave him."

     "Sam has a heart?" I joke.

     "As little as it is," he laughs, "I still find places to put people I care about." He looks over at me. I have a slight feeling that I'm who he's referring to. It's a warm, calm feeling.

     "Did you ever have a girlfriend back home or anything?" It's an innocent question. I just wanna get to know him a bit more.

     "Nah, I never really cared for dating. I never had time." For some reason, his answer kind of hurt me a bit. "You?"

     "Ya, when I was sixteen for six months. His name was Damon. He moved to Chicago so we thought a break would be the best option."

     Sam's P.O.V
     "You still care about him?" She better say she doesn't. I didn't kiss her just to be friend zoned.

     "Ya, I do." Great. Just great. "But he's probably moved on."

     "Probably." I respond without even realizing what I was saying.

     "Excuse me?"

     "I mean all this time away, I dunno, just makes sense." Why did I say that...

     "Gee thanks, Cupid." She rolls her eyes and walks faster.

     There's silence.

     "El..." I just screwed up. "Please, I didn't mean it like that."

     She raises her arms. "Then how did you mean it? I don't need love advice from someone who doesn't love anyone!" If only she knew.

     "How do you know I don't love anyone? I love plenty of people. My dog back home named Casey, my siblings Paris and Austin, my dad," you, my sub-conscience adds. Do I love her? Even if I did I wouldn't tell her. At least not now. "See? Plenty!" She doesn't respond right away.

     "Good so now you know how it hurts to be separated from the people you love. To be completely honest, I wish Damon was here with me right now instead of you." My heart stops. She doesn't mean that does she?

     "You don't mean that..."

     "Um ya I do, Sam. I love him. I want to be around someone I love."

     I feel my heart breaking. Why does she hurt me the way she does? It makes no sense. Why do I care so much.

     Ella's P.O.V
     Those were probably the most cruel words I've ever said to anyone. I would take them all back if I could. Sure, I'd rather be with Damon right now, but I am thankful for Sam, truly.

     I take a deep breath. "Sorry," I mumble.

     He looks over at me. "Don't apologize. It's my fault and it's none of my business."

     "No, really, I'm sorry. I can see how I hurt you."

     "You can?" He looks surprised, almost like I just uncovered his deepest secret.

     "Ya, Sam. It shows."

     He looks at the ground and scratches his neck. "Sorry."

     I'm shocked. He's sorry? I said terrible things to him and he's sorry. "You're right, though." I add.

     "Huh?"

     "He probably has moved on. I think I'll survive." I shoot Sam a quick smile.