The One She Loves • George Springer

Worth It

|S A M A N T H A|

I slide the omelette onto a plate and sit at the kitchen table eating silently while rereading The Hunger Games for what seems the millionth time. I finish a few chapters and my omelette. I take the plate and the fork to wash them and put them back in their place. I grab my book and sit criss cross on the couch to continue reading.

After twenty minutes, I put down the book and sigh sadly. If you haven't noticed, I'm alone. Lily stayed with Carlos again. Jake went home after the rink yesterday. George still hasn't contacted me.

I stand up and go to my closet to change into some workout tights and a tank top. I grab my earbuds and my phone and head outside. I get in my car and drive to a park a little bit away.

When I get there, I get out, put my headphones in and start jogging around the large park. I pass a family having a picnic on a small hill. It's a couple a couple in their early thirties with their young kids. They're running around playing and having fun. I smile and continue jogging past them.

I small pond comes into view and I run over the bridge watching a family ducks swim around. One honks at me and I giggle a little.

I pass up another couple running with their dog together. I smile at the sight and jog into a grove of trees. I pass underneath them looking at my serene surroundings. I pass up a young family walking and talking about different things.

After half an hour, I complete an entire lap around the park and lean on my car for support. I drink my bottle of water and get back in my car. I drive back home and make a croissant turkey sandwich for lunch.

I do some cleaning around the house and after I'm done I look at the time.

I look at the clock and my mouth drops open. It's only twelve ten?! I shake my head and realize the Astros game starts in an hour. I grab my phone and don't see any notifications, messages, or missed calls. I frown slightly but continue to call Lily.

"Hey girl!"

"Hey, are you going to the game?"

"Oh... yeah. I'm already here actually."

I open my mouth to say something then close it. After a few seconds I ask, "Can you say hi to the team for me?"

"Yeah. HEY GUYS SAY HI TO SAM!!! HEY SAM!!!"

I giggle, "Thanks. Where's Carlos and Jake?"

"Oh Carlos is next to me. I can get Jake though. HEY JAKE! GET OVER HERE SAM WANTS TO TALK TO YOU!"

I wince at the volume but hear Jake come to the phone.

"Hey Sam. What's up girly?"

I sigh, "Well I was just going to say hi but Lily made it a big deal."

He laughs, "Haha, hi then. Oh yeah, I wanted to tell you that um, well... George isn't looking the best. He looks like he hasn't gotten much sleep. I asked him what was up but he just shrugged and said nothing."

I raise my brows, "Wow."

"Yeah. Hey, you weren't coming to the game today?"