What's With All These Love Stories?

I Receive Surprises Of All Sorts

I was still gaping at the book when the elevator dinged. 

An old lady from the 3rd floor entered the elevator, smiled at me, and pressed the button for the lobby.

"Oh, that used to be one of my favorite books when I was a teenager myself." She pointed at the present in my hands.

"Really? I don't like romances myself, but someone gave it to me as a birthday present earlier today." I smiled at her and looked at the wall on the other side.

Why was the elevator so slow...

"Oh, your friend must like the book too. I thought these books were getting old and you kids were more into Harry Potter or Percy Jackson.

"Ew, I hate Percy Jackson. Although, I do like Harry Potter... I guess. But the person that gave me this book... Well, he might like it. I don't know. I didn't ask him, I guess."

"Oh, it was a boy? How sweet. You two must be in a very good relationship, for him to give you this book." 

I didn't respond. I couldn't.

"Oh."

The elevator dinged again and I felt an overwhelming gust of relief.

"Ms. Christie!" I smiled as I walked into the lobby, greeted by a hug.

Ms. Christie, the 35-year old secretary at Happy Smiles Orphanage, looked up at me. 

"You've grown so much, dear. You're taller than me!"

"Well, almost everyone here is taller than you, Ms. Christie."

Ms. Christie looked behind me and grinned.

"Sammy!" She let go of my arms and walked around me. "It's great to see you, after all these years!"

I turned around. It was the lady on the elevator.

"Hey, Christie! I missed you, too!" Samantha threw her arms around Ms. Christie and hugged her tightly.

Ms. Christie turned and looked at me.

"Hailey, this is my little sister, Samantha. Samantha, this is my favorite orphan here!"

Samantha looked at me with bright brown eyes. I returned her gaze and shook her hand.

"We've already met, Christie." Samantha turned to Ms. Christie.

"Well, I should get going, then." I sighed, picking up my bags and blowing my bangs out of my face. 

"Thanks again for letting me use your apartment, Ms. Christie."

"No worries, dear. Anything for you! Besides, I'll be staying with Samantha here."

Samantha smiled. "You should come visit some time."

"So, Sammy, what are you doing here, anyways? You don't have any children!"

"Well, yes, but I came here to help Jade and Warner Daniels' son bring his belongings here."

"Oh, you mean the nice couple who live across the street from you? What happened to them?"

"Well, they were on their way back from their anniversary dinner when they crashed into a truck heading the wrong way. Poor boy. He has no more family left."

My ears perked up. Crash? No more family? That sounded familiar.

"Miss?" I tapped on her shoulder.

"Well, young people usually call me Ms. Shore, but you can call me Sam or Sammy, if you'd like."

"Well, Sam... Is the boy's name, by any chance,"