Growing Pains

Chapter 18

I put down my pen and flex my fingers irritably. Writing is something I love to do, but writing essays on subjects that don't appeal to me is hard to get excited about. My eyes keep flicking to the moleskin notebook which is propped up amongst my favourite novels and I sigh. I've been steadily filling it with fond thoughts and memories, attempting to be as truthful and transparent as possible and it's become my new favourite thing to do. My fingers itch to write anything not uni related and I agree whole-heartedly, but I force myself to get my assigned work out of the way.

My phone buzzes for perhaps the hundredth time in the past hour but I don't bother to look at it. I know for a fact that it's our group chat with Ash and Robin, and I know that the only reason Sam is messaging it so much is because he's trying to inadvertently annoy me, as I've already banished him from my room twice today.

He's doing a good job at it too, purposely taunting me. He's tried every trick in the book; begging, complimenting, yelling, even trying to make me feel sorry for him but none of it has worked yet. He's becoming impatient and I know that he means well; he only wants to spend time with me, but I've been deplorably short of time since my birthday.

I want to spend time with him too, believe me. I thought he knew that but recently he's been more withdrawn and I'm starting to worry. My phone stays silent and I swivel round in my chair, padding towards the door in sock clad feet.

Instead of calling his name, I poke my head round his door; which is perpetually propped open by a miscellaneous item of his. Sam is flopped face down on his bed, his phone laying on the floor across from him and I wonder if he purposely threw it there or if he simply can't be bothered to retrieve it.

"Sam?" I murmur quietly, not wanting to wake him if he's asleep. However, his body leaps to attention at the sound of my voice, his neck twisting unnaturally quickly as he turns to face me.

"Yeah?" He asks, a tentative smile pulling his lips upwards.

"You wanna hang out?" I ask, amused at his puppy like enthusiasm as he bobs his head in affirmation. I glance at my watch, leaning back against the frame of his door.

"You want to get brunch?" I ask, deciding it's not quite late enough to warrant lunch.

"Yes! I'm dying to get another one of those breakfast sandwiches." He mumbles, pulling a shoe on with one hand as he reaches for his wallet.

I pout at the idea of going to Starbucks, my mind calculating that Alice would most definitely be there on shift. Hopefully Sam is in the mood to talk because I am most definitely not.

"Alright, but you're the one who has to deal with Alice." I mutter darkly and Sam flashes me a grin.

"Not a problem!" He chirps happily. I roll my eyes and make my way into my room, shoving my arms into my jacket, pulling on a beanie and patting my jeans, ensuring my phone and wallet are where they're supposed to be. I hear Sam bound down the stairs, his feet shuffling in excitement.

"Elias, hurry up!" His voice echoes and I grin, making my way down the stairs slowly.

Sam's face has fallen into an unimpressed and unamused glower and I laugh under my breath. He flings open the door and I follow him out, locking it behind me. Sam seems to have quickly regained his good mood, actively chattering as we walk.

"Come on, Elias, you're my best friend." He whines, his sly smile peeking through his façade.

"Yeah, your best friend, not your wing man. I don't like going out anyway, what makes you think I want to go to a gay club with you?" I remark, my face scrunching in distaste at the mere thought of having to watch my best mate hook up.