The One She Loves • George Springer

Park Swings

|G E O R G E|

I finish eating breakfast and think of a place to take Sam.

"I need to head back to my apartment."

I turn around suddenly very concerned why she wants to leave. "W-why?"

She motions to herself, "Clothes."

Oh.

I laugh nervously and rub the back of my neck, "Yeah. I'll go take you."

She runs upstairs and comes down after a few minutes with her jeans, her shirt, and shoes on.

"I put your shirt on a hanger and laid it on your bed."

I nod and put my arm around her waist, "Ready?"

"Mhm."

I take her outside and open the passenger door for her. I put both hands on each side of her waist and lift her up.

"I'm not that short," she mumbles.

I chuckle and close the door. I climb in on my side. I look at Sam who wears a pair of my sunglasses.

She grins, "These are nice. You can't see my eyes."

I back out of the driveway and tell her, "I'm not sure if I like that."

Sam drops her smile and sits up straight, "Why not?"

I smile, "Because I can't see your beautiful eyes and you can't show the world how your eyes light up."

Sam blushes and sinks back into her seat and takes off the sunglasses.

"You look good in sunglasses though. Really good," I say in a low voice running my tongue over my bottom lip. (KSNWBDKWBWJ Omigersh I'm dying 🤤😭)

She shifts in her seat and breaks eye contact to look out the window.

I frown a little. Did I do something wrong? Or does she just not want to look at me?

We drive back to her apartment in silence. She gets out before I can open her door and jogs up the stairs.

I follow her but trail behind a little ways. I open the front door and see her go into her room. I walk in and close the door behind me.

I look around and, as usual, it's clean and tidy. I walk down the hallway glancing into Lily's room. It's usually got a few clothes tossed around here and there and items placed in specific spots.

It's different.

I walk in and realize that a few things are gone. I open her closet and only about twenty clothing items are in there.

Where'd it all g-

She's going to move in with Carlos.

I hear Sam open her door. I turn around and ask, "Is she leaving?"

Sam shrugs sadly, "I have no clue. She hasn't been sleeping here frequently. Maybe three times in the last two weeks?"

I nod, "Has she said anything about it?"

Sam shakes her head, "No."

I take her hand and look at what she's wearing. Tight skinny jeans that make her curves show, a thin long sleeve shirt that fits her snug and a pair of black Converse.

"Damn," I say letting out a sigh.

She squeezes my hand and tucks a piece of her hair behind her ear shyly.