Hey Stranger

• One •

I run through the doors of the cafeteria scoping out the table we routinely sit at. I spot them there, their black hair in a messy ponytail and the black lab sprawled across the floor. Dodging tables I slip onto our table and look down at the shorty.

"Who am I talking to?" They look up and smile, pulling out their earphones and stand up to hug me.

"Samantha." She smiles and I return her warm hug. I ruffle her hair a bit much to her annoyance and she sits with a small grin.

"Well you're never gonna guess who I'm dating now!" She takes a bite of her apple and pulls a grossed out face. "I'll give you a hint." I gesture through the cafeteria, "She's sitting at that table." Sammy leans to one side looking around me. She spots the table and immediately screws up her nose.

"Pretty sure any of them would be happy to bang any guy in the school." My mouth drops open a little before I realise she's right. I nod and agree.

"Okay so you may be right there, but! I got Danielle." Right as I say her name, as if I'd summoned her she stands up at the table and gives me a small wave over. I turn back to Samantha. "Duty calls!" I salute and start walking over to the other table.

"Didn't know you named your dick 'duty'!" She calls after me. I laugh and give her a thumbs up before reaching Danielle.

"Hey Jack." She smiles softly, her lips plump and round. She catches me looking at her lips and blushes. "I was just wondering if you and your friend wanted to join us at our table?" Her voice hopeful and bouncy I feel bad for declining.

"Sorry babygirl, no can do. Samantha doesn't do the middle of the room. She prefers to stick to the edge." I see the hope twindle from her eyes and I gently lift her chin up. "Hey, it'll be okay. Wanna sit together in Science?" She quickly bounces back and nods excitedly.

"Okay then! I'll save you a seat!" She tiptoes and kisses my cheek. I smile down to her and step away giving her a small wave.

"I look forward to it." She blushes bright red and I continue my walk back to the table. Sammy tilts her head a little. A habit she's never broken out of since childhood. Makes her look like a confused puppy, she doesn't mind that though, she loves dogs.

"What's up?" She questions in a confused tone. I take my place on the bench beside her making sure not to disturb Taco who is laying peacefully on the floor.

"She asked if we wanted to join her." Immediately she glares at me, "Hey hey hey, I said no. Calm down." She takes a small breath and Taco sits up.

"Thank you.. I really can't do the middle of the room." She speaks quietly and her eyes glaze over a little as she starts to get into her head. I squeeze her hand gently to keep her grounded.

"I know, Sammy. That's why I told her I'd sit with her in science instead." She turns her head quickly to me and I know exactly what she's about to say.

"Are you serious? Jack come on. You're just gonna ditch me for one of your one week wonders?" Taco puts his paw up on her knee and she pushes it off gently. "What if someone else sits next to me?"

"Put your bag on the seat and tell Mr Daniel that you need the seat free." She puts her head in her hands making guilt fill up inside me. "Look, I'm sorry. She was just so nice about it and she invited you and she got all upset when I said no and-"

"Jack it's fine." She snaps, Taco keeps putting his paw on her leg until she finally pats him to calm herself down. "Sorry.." She whispers, still patting Tacos head. "It's just, late notice you know? I shouldn't have yelled.."

I wrap my arms around her and she rests her head against my chest. I give her a minute to calm down fully and finally she relaxes and leans away from my touch.

"So." She smiles sheepishly. "Danielle is nice then?" I smile widely in return.

"Oh hell yeah, she's actually really sweet compared to the girls she hangs out with. She's actually kind of a nerd which I find adorable." I turn back to look at her and she's doing her lipstick in a pocket mirror. She fumbles a little and drops it. "I know it doesn't seem like it." I laugh and rub the back of my neck. Samantha smiles and pokes my leg gently.

"You lovvve her!" She jests cheekily. I smile and push her hand away, a small blush covering my cheeks. "Admit it! You love Danielle." I roll my eyes waving her off.

"I dont love her okay? I like her you know? Sweet girl, really nice, doesn't seem crazy." I widen my eyes a little and bare my teeth. "Yeesh! Do you remember Bianca?"

"How could I forget?" She looks up to me incredulously. "She slashed your tires and tried to frame me for it!" I smile a little and give her a gentle nudge.

"Good thing the school knows you better and they expelled her." I smile. Sammys eyes squinted as she smiles in return. Suddenly she jumps and I realise its the school bell. I put my hand on her shoulder and help her up. "Come on jumpy, let's get to class."

She gets up and clips Taco back onto his lead. He follows us tightly, staying beside Sammy as we walk through the crowded halls. I hold her hand giving it gentle squeezes to help her stay focused and calm. We eventually get to the science room and we walk to the back corner of the class as always. Sammy sits down and puts Taco in a down stay. She looks up to me nervously and I ruffle her hair.

"You'll be fine. If you need me, I'm right here." I point to my seat two desks in front. She smiles a tiny bit and nods. I smile to Danielle and slide into my seat. She hands me the text book we're going to share and I flip it open to the right page. I glance over my shoulder to Samantha, hoping she'll be okay without me, before focusing on the work at hand.