Fall For You

16

Sam asks me to meet her in the front lot after detention. So, doing as told, I do. I wait by her car for fifteen minutes, no show from Sam.

Just as I'm to walk away, she walks through the doors.

"Luke!" Sam says as she approaches her car.

I smile and continue walking.

"Where are you going?" Sam asks, placing her things inside her vehicle.

"Home. Ya know, so my mum can yell at me for detention." I shrug and adjust my book bag.

"At least let me drive you," Sam seductively asks.

"No, I'm good." I reject and walk the direction to my house.

"Suit yourself." I picture Sam shrugging and getting in her car. Applying makeup as needed. But, she's not wearing any.

The sky is a dull colour, and the sun has faded. Droplets of wet fall on my face, bag, clothing, and hair before I realize it's raining.

I've just got a few more miles, I'll be fine.

Thunder begins to roll and the rain speeds up, pounding with every drop.

"Shit," I curse as I pick up my pace.

Moments later, a car pulls beside me and drives slow.

"Get in, Hemmings." A voice says through an open window.

"No. I'm almost home."

"Yeah, and it's almost time for the rain to get worse." Sam balances her focus on me and the wet road. Seeing she's right, I take the passenger seat.

Sam immediately turns on the heat to dry me off.

"Did you seriously think I'd let you walk in this weather? I've been behind you the whole time." Sam turns her windshield wipers on with a laugh.

"I would've been fine. Mum would've understood." I situate my wet self and fix my hair.

"Another reason to be in trouble?" Sam asks.

I don't answer.

"Why did you tell me to meet you in the front lot, and you didn't.come?" I ask. I want to know the answer. I don't like to be used.

Samantha sighs.

"I was in the bathroom, checking myself over." She flips the turning signal on and turns on my road.

"Why? You look fine the way you are." I inform her as I unbuckle.

"Because. When I'm near you, I don't feel pretty enough." Sam puts the car in park, waiting for me to exit the vehicle.

"You're pretty enough. More than enough." I say, closing my door and sitting back. I don't know why, but those words hurt to hear.

Sam was never the one to be insecure with her looks. She always thought of herself as pretty.

"Yeah, well, I don't feel it." A small tear escapes her left eye, and she quickly wipes it away.

I don't like seeing my best friend in pain.

I reach over and shut the car off.

"Tell me everything that's been bothering you."

Sam shakes her head no, and sniffles

"I'm not leaving until you tell me."

"Can we at least go inside?" Sam asks, holding her jacket tighter around her torso.

I nod.

We enter the house, straight to my room.

"Now," I say. "What's been bothering you?"

Sam takes a deep breath.

Something must be bothering her, badly.