The Ghost Of Us (HWGA sequel)

Late night

  "Are we going out on Friday?" Austin asks as we all sit outside on the bleachers at lunch again.
  "Where?" I ask leaning my elbows on the back bleachers, Sam's head was in my lap as he lied across the bleacher.
  "A party," he shrugs. "There is a basketball game I'm pretty sure," he adds. "So there will be a party."
  "Oh," I say. "I don't know," I shrug.
  "Don't know?" Austin asks.
  "I'm down to go," Caleb shrugs and Kyle nods.
  "Everyone knows you are," Austin waves them off. "Sam?"
I didn't think Sam would want to go out partying, it was only Wednesday, and he was still in a soft place. It'll be a soft place for a long time.
  "Maybe," he says his eyes were closed. I sit up looking down at his head on my lap.
  "Really?" I ask.
  "Yeah, if you're down to go," he nods. "Why not."
  "I don't know if I'll go Austin," I tell him. "Give me 2 days."
  "Okay," Austin shrugs. "You'll be lame if you don't come."
  "Whatever," I laugh pushing him. I run my fingers through Sam's hair and I see him grin slightly. "You know..." I drift off. "We don't need to go to every party."
  "If we wanna have fun, yes," Austin nods.
  "Oh, are we not fun enough for you?" Kyle scoffs.
  "You sir... are not," he shakes his head to Kyle and Kyle rolls his eyes. "It's senior year, were supposed to party and have fun."
  "Shouldn't we be relaxing until university, for when we really should be partying?" I question.
  "Good question," Sam nods.
  "You're supposed to party in high school and university. When you get married and have kids, is when you stop," Austin explains.
  "That's a weird mentality Austin," I laugh.
  "I think it's normal," he purses his lips.
  "Fine," I shrug. "Your kidneys are gonna fail before the age of 30... just so you know."
  "No, I'm young and fresh! My kidneys are amazing," he said.
  "I know you're too stubborn to compromise, so let's just say I agree," I tell him and he nods in satisfaction.
  "How are you two best friends? So different," Caleb remarks.
  "Opposites attract," Austin and I both say and smile at each other.
  "Makes sense now," Caleb nods.
I look down at Sam and he looked like he was asleep.
  "Hey," I nudge him.
  "Hmm?" He hums.
  "Are you sleeping?" I ask.
  "A little bit," he nods. "I'm comfortable," he shrugs opening his eyes, then squinting because it was bright out.
  "Okay," I laugh. "Go back to bed," I shut his eyes and he laughs.

The past 2 days, Sam has spent with me. He was almost barely at home. I think he felt better away from it. But his family needed him, so I've encouraged him to go home to his mom and Dani.
I think he was almost still in shock. I can tell he's not... doing well. But he definitely pushes it back, especially when he's around the group. When we're alone, he'll tell me. But he seems in denial of it.
I understand, I just don't like seeing him like this.
  "So how's Dani?" I ask in a low voice, I almost felt him tense at the mention of her.
  "Um...." he licks his lips. "She's doing alright," he mumbles. "Stuck in her room, doesn't talk much."
  "Yeah," I nod, even though his eyes were still closed. "You going home after school, or are you gonna come over?" I ask.
  "I think I'm gonna go home," he says. "My mom... she asked me to be there for when some family comes over."
  "Oh, okay," I say. "At least you get to see some family."
  "Yeah," his voice was quiet. "I don't really want to deal... with people. But, my mom wanted me to."
  "Maybe it'll be nice," I retort. "Comforting."
He nods not saying anything else. I take some of his hair and start to braid it. "You can always call if you need an escape," I say and he grins.
  "Yeah, thanks," he nods. "What are you doing to my hair?" He changes the subject.
  "Braiding it," I reply. "I think it might suit you."
  "My hairs long enough for that?" He says. "Should I cut it?"
  "No, it looks nice. It's not that long... it's not like I can fully French braid your hair," I laugh. "Don't let it past your ears," I add. "But keep it like this."
  "Yes ma'am," he chuckles.

~

I was sitting down playing video games with Caleb, Kyle, Austin and Mandy came over too. She was busy this year taking AP classes and trying to get into a good university, so she hasn't spent much time with us.

"Oh suck me off!" I say when I get killed off by Caleb and he laughs.
"You wish," he says. "I'm getting so good."
"I'm still winning by like 10 points," I point out and he shrugs.
"Still getting better," he states. "I will beat you one day Jo."
"Oh really? You absolutely wish you could," I say. "No one can get better than me."
"Isn't Sam better than you?" Kyle asks.
"Kyle, shut up," I said and he laughs.
"Just saying," he shrugs.
"We're the same amount of good," I retort.
"He's a little begged," Caleb adds and I push him, making him screw up on the game and I laugh. "Oh fuck you."
"Hmm," I shrug. "It's what you get."
"Cheater."
"Barley," I scoff.
"Mandy's down for Friday too!" Austin exclaims. "Now it's your turn, Jo."
"I said I'll think about it," I mumble, concentrating on the game.

The game ends and I end up... winning of course.
"Nothing new," I drop the controller.
"Whatever," Caleb sighs. "Kyle bet over here, you're someone I can beat."
"Um, you are not gonna win," Kyle stand and we trade spots.
"Yes I will," Caleb nods.
I sit down with Austin and Mandy.
"Why isn't Sam here?" Mandy asks me and I turn to her.
"Oh, he's got some family thing," I shrug and she nods.
"Is he doing okay?" She asks.
"He's trying," I nod.
"He does seem to be doing pretty good," Austin says. "Is that just an act?"
"I think he puts on more of an act in front of our group because he doesn't want to be a downer," I admit.
"Well, it's tough," Mandy says. "It's so sad."
"Yeah," I nod. "He'll get through it," I sigh.
I look over to my phone, I was contemplating writing to him... but he should spend time with his family.

~

I was laying in bed, lights out, The Simpson's playing on my laptop. But I felt myself drifting off, falling asleep.
It was about 3:00 am. Kind of early for me, but it's been a long day, I was exhausted. Then I heard a tap. My eyes open and I hear it again, kind of coming front he window that was out looking the street. I see something hit and I hear the noise.
What the fuck? I press pause on my show and get out of bed. I go over to the window and outside in front I see Sam. He was throwing pebbles at the window. He points to the door with both of his hands.
What was he doing here now? And why didn't he text me?
I yawn heading downstairs quietly so my dad doesn't wake up. I open the door and he was standing there.

"Sam," I say. "What're you doing here? And why did you go all old school and throw rocks at my window?" I let him in.
"You weren't answering my messages," he says. "I would've crawled through the window, there's just nothing for me to crawl on," he whispers.
"Why are you here?" I ask and we both head upstairs to my room.
"I'm..." he drifts. "I wanted to see you, and I can't sleep."
"Okay," I nod. "You can sleep over," I tell him getting back into my bed and he follows.
"Thanks," he says and I shrug. "What're you watching?"
"I was watching The Simpsons," I say. "But I was kind of falling asleep," I admit.
"Oh, did I wake you?" He asks pulling the sheets over himself and scooting in close to me.
"I was still awake," I shrug.
"Sorry," he says in a low voice.
"It's okay," I shake my head. "How was your family?"
He doesn't say anything for a second, just staring at me.
"They were good," he says. "They're all staying in New York for a bit, for my mom," he says. "At a hotel."
"Well, that's nice," I said.
"Yeah," he shrugs. "My mom likes it," he nods. I move the laptop down on the floor and it was dark. Only the moonlight shining through the window.
He reaches his hand out moving it around me and pulling me close to him.
"Sorry to just show up..." he drifts. "I just... missed you."
"Don't say sorry," I shrug. "You're lucky I like having you around," I joke and he lets out an airy laugh.
"Yeah," he nods.
He leans in pecking my lips lightly, but I pull him in for a longer kiss. His hand grips my shirt and he sighs into the kiss. I wrap my arms around his neck and run my fingers through his hair.
He moves his hands down to my hips, his fingers touching the skin of my hip bone as my shirt rises a bit.
I pull back and kiss his jaw, down to his neck. His fingers grip my hips tighter and he pulls me on top of him. I push my hair back kissing his lips again.

I wonder why he came by tonight, not for a coffee-like we usually did, but to just stay. He probably needed someone other than another sad family member. I'm glad I could be that person for him.