Modern Day Santa Claus

MDSC [17]

Chapter 17

"Okay, what the hell was that?" Jae exclaimed after a couple of seconds trying to process what happened. She quickly scrambled away from Skye's grip as she looked at him with a terrified expression.

Skye shrugged nonchalantly, swinging the pizza box over his shoulder. "It was the fastest way to get rid of her, sweetheart. Don't act so surprised," he said with a smug smile. He passed by Sam who just watched the whole thing unfold.

"Where are you going?" Jae asked.

"Food court? Let's eat," Skye said as he gestured the way with his chin. He walked first and Jae followed behind him. She noticed that Sam hasn't moved from his spot. Jae waved her hand to him but Sam rolled his eyes and began to go in another direction, visibly pissed off.

Jae was now torn between the two men. She didn't know who to trail as they were both going in opposite directions. Her eyes switched from Skye's back to Sam's back until she groaned and started to chase after Sam. "Sam! Hey, hey wait!" she called out.

Sam was thoughtful enough to slow down his brisk walking so Jae can catch up to him. "Where are you going?"

"This is stupid. I'm going home," Sam replied, not even glancing at her direction as they continued walking.

"What do you mean? I thought we were gonna hang out!" Jae insisted. She tugged on his sleeve gently, trying to catch his attention. "C'mon, we're gonna have intel on your enemy!"

Sam abruptly stopped as he glared at Jae. For some reason, he was irritated right now. Jae trying to downplay his situation made him all the more annoyed. "Is this a joke to you?" he said with a scowl.

Jae was surprised at Sam's hostility. "No, it isn't." She pursed her lips, "Why are you acting like this?" Jae's eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

"Oh, look outside yourself," Sam hissed. He stepped back to increase the distance between him and Jae. "You really want me to play Spy right now? You know they're looking for me, right? Like a goddamn criminal? What are they gonna do to me once they find me? Did you even think about me for a second?"

Jae was at a loss for words. She was worried about the commotion they were causing at first, but now she's more concerned about her friend. She didn't know what to say or what to do. "I-i just... I just thought it would be nice if that two of you got along—"

Sam snapped out of his thoughts as he noticed Jae's quivering hand. He's doing it again. It's Jerry all over again. He looked away, guilt filling his body. "Go play with him if you want to. I'm going home," he muttered before turning his back against her and leaving her in the middle of the mall.

Jae was debating with herself if she should go after Sam again to make sure there was no bad blood between the two of them. He's her only friend, the only one she can trust. She can't lose him. Not when he had done everything for her. She had finally decided to go after him when a hand pulled her back. She turned around to see Skye with his eyebrows lifted. "And where are you going?"

"I promised Sam we'd hang out today," Jae said through gritted teeth. She felt wholly responsible for Sam acting that way.

"If anything, your friend needs time. You'll just get in the way," Skye retorted.

Jae exhaled a shaky breath. "You're right," she said after a minute of silence. He had never seen Sam be so angry at her. She doesn't even know what made him that way. Was it really because of what she said?

"Stop looking so glum. Fine, I'll treat you to some donuts." Skye pointed towards the direction he was headed towards earlier. "I know a place."

They arrived in a sweet, little cafe inside the mall. It didn't have many customers. Must be unpopular. Jae observed the dirt-colored walls all the while the coffee bean smell drifted into her nose. It smelled amazing in here. She sat down by the window while Skye ordered.