New Girl - The Creatures

Chapter 37

Great. Fan-fucking-tastic. Now James and Seamus were both wanting to be with me. And James called me his girlfriend? I suppose that's what James alluded to Seamus being upset with him about. The last thing I wanted was for them to sever their friendship any further because of me. God, I sound like a stereotypical rom-com character.

I was discharged from the hospital the next morning, given that I return for a check up speech appointment and follow up with Beck and Altman respectively. I decided to surprise everyone with me coming home so soon by grabbing an Uber back to the house. I was back in some normal clothes, which were another simple pair of leggings and my RMCAD sweatshirt. My hair was down so that my scars wouldn't be showing off, and I was excited to finally be back home with my bed and my typical self care routine.

I hopped out of the little black Fiat that dropped me off, backpack slung over my shoulder and a little gift bag with everyone's presents for me in my hand. I traipsed up the steps, and rang the doorbell. Part of me was nervous as I stood there, since now I'd have to be home and face the situation with James and Seamus. But I was so giddy at the thought of being with my friends and getting my life back to normal again.

The door was opened by Sly, who was at first confused and then ecstatic. "HOLY FUCKING SHIT! SAM IS BACK!" he screamed before wrapping me in his arms, dragging me into the house. Snatching my bags out of my hands and off my arm and setting them off to the side, he pulled me into an even tighter embrace and I squealed involuntarily as he laughed. I could hear footsteps approaching but wasn't able to look as Sly had me constricted like a python. He released his clutches on me as he stepped back, grinning from ear to ear. I was finally able to look around at the welcoming party to my pitiful homecoming.

James ran towards me, wrapping me in a tight hug, gently picking me up off the ground. "Why didn't you say you were coming home today?" He asked as he spun me around and let me stand back on the ground. "Cause that's not nearly as fun. And cause I wanted more attention," I smiled.

"A fucking hospital entourage wasn't enough, you greedy child?" He mock yelled at me. I stuck my tongue out at him as I turned to the others. Aleks, surprisingly grinning from ear to ear came and gave me a hug as well. Jordan simply did a pat on the back calling me junior for some reason, but Dan didn't disappoint with another lung-crushing embrace, my fourth hug of the day.

I walked into the kitchen after letting everyone know the updates from Beck and Altman and my future check-up appointments, absolutely starving. I didn't have any time to grab a real breakfast and I was craving a big fat grilled cheese something fierce. James followed me into the kitchen, updating me on stuff for his channel as if I wasn't already in the loop. I offered to make him one, which he accepted.

As I buttered some pieces of bread and grabbed some various cheeses and seasonings, as I was going for more of an Italian garlic grilled cheese, AKA the only way to make a grilled cheese, James had his laptop out and was playing some Minecraft to pass the time.

"Don't you ever get tired of that game?" I asked him, as he had a multitude of Minecraft lets plays both independently and with others. "Not right now, but I'm sure that in like 5 years I'll hate it and never play it again," he grinned, which I only caught a glimpse of momentarily of before turning back to the grilled cheese I had just placed onto the frying pan. James seemed happy again, really and truly happy. "Any cat fights break out while I was gone?" I teased.

There was no reply for a moment. "James?" I repeated. "Shit, sorry. I was in the zone. Uh, not really a cat fight per se," he murmured, trying to sound nonchalant.

*James POV*

"I see.." Sam said, focusing on the delicious smelling grilled cheeses at hand. I was hoping she wouldn't press me any further when anyone could walk in.

In reality, I had finally talked to Seamus. It wasn't a super fun conversation, but now that it had been hashed out I was feeling okay. I had talked to him the night I got back from the hospital with Sam.

* * * * * * *

"Hey man, can we talk for a second?" I asked. I was leaning against his door frame as he sat in his desk chair right in front of it, seemingly in the middle of editing another Super Mario World hack video. He turned and looked at me, a weird look on his face. "I don't know. Will Sam be mad if her boyfriend is talking to the guy that has feelings for her?" he said, his voice slightly shaky. I knew he hated this as much as I do.

"Okay, first off, she's not my girlfriend. Whether or not I want her to be is one thing. But we aren't dating. I only said that so the paramedics would let me into the ambulance with her," I explained, trying to keep calm. His expression softened some.

"Secondly, you're my fucking friend. You're my brother, Seamus. I don't want this to keep us from having our friendship," I said, meaning every word. He sighed, rubbing his eyes. "I know, I don't either. What are we gonna do though, James? We both care about her. We both like her. We can't both date her," he sighed.

He had a point, though I already knew what the solution would have to be. "You're completely right. And that's why it shouldn't be our decision," I said, walking into his room, snapping the door shut and sitting on the edge of his bed. He looked confused, so I continued.

"There is no way we could healthily choose which one of us gets to be with Sam. Plus it's gross, she's not a piece of meat, she's a fucking person and she may not even want to be with either of us. So we can just propose to her the idea of both of us will back off and she can decide what she wants to do. Even if she doesn't want to do anything," I said. Seamus agreed, and so we made it official with a stupid hug. It was good to at least be back on friendly terms with Seamus.

So now, as Sam asked me if anything had happened, I was really hoping that I wouldn't have to tell her that we're wanting her to decide on my own. It would seem weirdly contrived. But, as if on fucking cue, Seamus walked into the kitchen.

"Seamus my man, how be it?" I asked, relieved to not have to say anything by myself. "When did you get back?" he laughed, running up to Sam and hugging her. "Just a little bit ago! James is already making me slave away in the kitchen," she replied, laughing as well. I felt a jolt of jealousy ricochet through my body, though I tried to repress it. Obviously, I want Sam to choose me. I love her. I know I do. But she wanted to be with Seamus, to begin with. Seamus has always been more attractive than me, and that's been easy to see any time we've all gone out to a bar or pretty much anywhere out in public. Girls wanted Seamus. Not me.

But Sam was different. She kissed me back. She was my best friend, too. What if she chose Seamus and didn't hang out with me as much? But I guess I'd just have to suck it up and be happy for my friends.

I glanced up from my train of thought and Seamus was walking back towards me to sit at the table. Sam had her back turned to us, so I turned my Minecraft screen to him and typed, since Sam would easily be able to hear us.

"We should tell her now. Everyone is off doing their own recordings. We won't get a better time than this."

He nodded at me, looking paler than usual. I cleared my throat, and we both stood up and walked towards the counter behind her.

"Sam? Can we talk to you about something?" I asked, and Seamus and I shared one last look of unified terror before she turned around, her curly hair and hazel eyes as breathtaking as ever. She nodded, perplexed, and passed me my grilled cheese. I cleared my throat again, and then we began the proposition.