Hiding

Chapter 19

Rubbing the sleep from my eyes, I slowly walk into the kitchen. When my vision clears up I see only Sam sitting on a stool eating cereal out of a bowl. I open the fridge and drink some water out of the open bottle as Sam speaks up. "Had fun fucking that rich asshole last night?"

I immediately choke on my water. Between coughs I managed to ask, "What?"

Sam rolls his eyes, "I heard you come home with him and then I saw him carry you to your room last night."

"I-We." I stumble for words. I shake my head as I take a breath in, "We didn't."

I lower my gaze to my hands. "Oh." Sam's voice was quiet. "I'm sorry."

"No," I shake my head and grab the bottle of water again. "I would have assumed the same."

We sat in silence for a few seconds before I spoke again. "Where's Cara and Jake?"

His mood immediately perked up. "Don't say anything about this to Cara but Jake took her out on a date and he's planning on proposing to her."

"Oh my god!" I found myself smiling. "That's amazing! How long ago did they leave?"

He clicked the button on his phone and looked back at me. "About 3 hours ago. They should be back anytime now."

I nod. "Why are you here?" Sam looks at me as if he was offended. "No. I didn't mean it to sound rude like it did. I mean why did you stay here if Cara and Jake went out?"

Sam laughs and waves me off. "No it's fine. You always did worry about sounding rude. Just like when we went out one time and you said you wanted something to drink before the waiter asked and you apologized to him for being so forward." He paused while he smiled and laughed at the memory. I found myself remembering that moment and I smiled. "Anyways. I was asleep when they left, and it's raining and I really don't want to walk home in the rain."

"I don't blame you. You're welcome to stay here. You know where food is and how to work the tv and my laptop. Make yourself at home."

I turn around to walk out of the kitchen and into the living room and I hear Sam mumble something. I turn back around, "Come again?"

He quickly shakes his head. "Oh. Nothing."

I put my hand on my hip and glare at him. He just looks back at me. "Are you gonna tell me or are we just gonna stand here and stare at each other?"

Sam sighs as he stands and brings his bowl to the sink. He leans his back against the counter and crosses his arms over his chest. "If you must know, I said when I'm with you, I'm home."

I'm lost for words as I stare back at him. "Sam.." I trail off.

He looks down at his hands. "I know. You don't feel the same."

I continue looking back at him. He clears his throat and walks towards me. "So how about we go watch a movie or something?"

I nod walking into the living room and sitting on the couch. I start to get up again to get a blanket but Sam passes by the love seat and tosses it to me. "Oh. Thanks."

"No problem. I remember. Every time you sit down to do or watch something, you have to have a blanket."

I look at him as he sits down. "You remember that?" I ask in disbelief.

"Yea. I remember all of your quirks. The blanket thing. How you like to let your cereal get a little soggy before you eat it. Your love hate relationship you have with pants. The way you sing Nsync in the shower. How you don't care for coffee and rather tea. The way your accent is thick when you say certain things like y'all. The way when you get nervous you talk really fast and stutter alot." As he talks he keeps moving closer and closer to me. "How when you really want something you'll hint around instead of just asking. Or, when you want to kiss someone you glance from their eyes to their lips really fast."