Bent. Not Broken (On Hold)

Chapter 11

The mall is the center of life for high school and middle school students. I used to come here a lot when I was in middle school. Then high school came a long with its stacks of homework followed by a boyfriend. It was like a trip down memory lane being there with Sammy. Especially since we hadn't hung out outside of school in forever. She was insanely smart and took a lot of AP classes and was part of several clubs that took up her time. As for me, well I kind of got lost in my relationship with Tanner.

"I'm so glad we're doing this." I gush to Sammy who sits across from me. We say in the Starbucks at the mall. Getting our shot of caffeine before we window shop.

"Me too." Sammy says softly as she pushes her glasses up her nose. "We haven't hung out with in months." She sounded sad and I didn't blame her. I've missed our friendship.

"It's been too long. I've had more than enough guy company and need some girl time." I say with a firm nod of my head.

A smile creeps up on Sammy's lips. "Speaking of boy company, what's this I've heard about you and Remy? Sleeping together, coming to school in his car?" She arches an eyebrow and stares me down.

"First of all, we are not sleeping together." I make sure to clarify. "We're just friends and he give me a ride to school."

Sammy did not looks convinced at all. "Mhm, sure. Just friends." She even adds air quotes. "Do I need to remind you that your last boyfriend cheated on you? And you remember the Johnson sister fiasco?"

The whole school remembered the Johnson fiasco. It started when Remy and Emily, the youngest Johnson sister, started dating. They broke up two weeks later. Then Remy was seen making out with Rebecca, the oldest Johnson sister, in her car. Emily found out and the two girls had a giant cat fight in the cafeteria. No one knows for sure why they started fighting. Some say it's because Remy cheated on Emily with Rebecca. I'll have to ask him about that.

"Sammy we're not dating. He was just there when I needed him and had a car." I try explaining. "Besides I'm not ready for another relationship. Not with anyone."

"You know I have a car and could drive you to school?" She points out.

"I don't want to show up at school at six and hang out while you go to your clubs." I sigh. She was part of four clubs, how she had time for them was beyond me. Two met before school started and the other two were after school.

"Well my offer still stands if Remy decides to make a move on you." Sammy stretches her arms before jumping to her feet. "I'm energized and ready to shop."

I laugh and rise to my feet. "Ready to spend money I don't have."

Sammy links her arm with mine and we walk out of the Starbucks and into the mall. First stop our favorite store, Forever 21.

I hadn't planned on buying anything while out. Things didn't go as planned. I ended up with a new pair of jeans, an amazingly soft sweater, and new mascara. Sammy on the other hand, escaped the mall with only a pair of socks that had chemical equations on it. The socks made no sense to me, but they were defiantly her.

"I thought you said you weren't going to buy anything." Sammy bags me as we walk out to her car.

"I know, but you felt that sweater." I whine. Our arms were linked back together.

"Yeah, But you said you already had a ton of sweaters at home." She reminds me, pausing next to her baby blue car to find her keys.

"None of them are as soft as this one." I was not going to let buyers remorse set it. Well not until I see my bank account.

"Cause that's the important thing." Sammy whispers under her breath as she unlocks her car.

"I heard that." I say loudly as I walk around the car and get in the passenger seat.

I watch as Sammy rolls her eyes and gets in the car. I turn on the radio as she backs out of the parking stop. On the way out of the parking lot I catch sight of a familiar looking car. We drove past it before I could be sure it was the car I was thinking of. I bite my lip as I think of the possible reasons he'd be at the mall. He didn't seem like a mall person. Before I could get lost in my thoughts Sammy says my name.

"Huh?"

"I asked if you wanted to stop at Wendy's for dinner?" Sammy asks.

"Oh yes!" I was craving a good burger.

"Do you think Curly is working today?" She asks shyly. I could see her cheeks starting to turn pink.

Curly was the nickname to the cute guy who worked at the local Wendy's. Sammy has had a crush on his since the first time we ate there. They always flirt when we buy food. Too bad the guy hasn't asked her out yet. I try my best to set them up, but Sammy's always too shy to talk to him.

"Maybe." I say with a smile. "Maybe he's waiting for you to show up."

Sammy reaches over And lightly smacks my arm. "Don't say things like that. You'll get my hopes up."

"Sam, your hopes are already up." I tell her and flick her arm back.

She lets out a long sigh. "I know."

Wendy's wasn't that far from the mall and soon enough I was dragging Sammy inside by her arm. "Slow down. I'm going to trip." She whines as he walk up to the counter.

A guy with curly red hair turns around to look at us. As shown as his eyes land on Sammy a smile breaks out on his lips. "Well hello ladies. What can I get for you? The usual?"

Sammy, unable to form words beside me, just nods her head.

"Yes, the usual please." I tell Curly and give him a polite smile.

"Alright, are you paying together or separate?" Curly asks as he punches in his order.

"Separately." I answer. Sammy and I pay for our food and leave to find a table.

"He's so cute." Sammy sighs as she sinks in her seat.

"He kept staring at you." I lean forward on the table.

"I know." She almost squeals.

"You didn't talk to him." I add and poke her arm.

Sammy looks down at the table. "I know." I could barely hear her soft voice.

"You're grabbing our food."

Sammy lets out and exasperated sigh. "If I have to." She does. When our order is called she stands up to grab the tray. When she returns there was a goody grin in her face.

"What?" I asks, my eyes glued to her.

Sammy stays silent but shrugs her shoulders. She tries to hide the smile on her face, but it didn't want to leave.

"Tell me." I say and point one of my fries at her.

She reaches into her pocket and pulls out a slip of paper. My eyes grow wide as she shows me what was on it.

"He gave you his number?" I almost shout which warrants a glare from her.

Sammy nods her head.

I let out an excited squeal. "It's about dam time."