And They Were Roommates

Facetime

After our night at the hotel, we made our way back to campus. Not to spend the rest of our time there, but to grab my stuff and head back to the city. I had to go back for there for my flight anyway, so why not stay and see more of San Francisco. Samuel took me to all his favorite spots and told me stories of things he did in the city. We stayed at the same hotel for the next two nights, and I bumped into Carter again. To respect Samuel, I only said hi to him.

Monday was extremely hard. We had been with each other all weekend, and I didn't want it to end. It would be fine if I lived nearby and I could still see him, but that wasn't the case. I had to fly all the way across the country and not see him for two whole weeks. I knew it was going to be hard, but as soon as I got on the plane, tears filled my eyes. 

Throughout the week, we were constantly texting and face timing. Any alone time I had, I made sure to call Samuel. It was hard since I still had to share a room with my two brothers. The bathroom became my safe place. I can't believe I shared a room with them for most of my life. I had no privacy with them around. Even though they always tried to get in my business, I missed them. Not only them but my other siblings too. I was the oldest of six, and I didn't realize how much I missed the chaos when I was away. At first, it was weird being back home. I had gotten used to my routine at school that I forgot how hard it was to take a shower in a house with eight people.

It was the Saturday after Christmas and my family decided to go to the mall. I stayed back, wanting to have some alone time and also call Samuel. It was probably 1:00 in California since it was 4:00 here. I decided to shoot him a text before calling just in case he was busy with something.

Hunter: I'm free for the next few hours if you want to call. Miss you :(

While I waited for a response, I decided to grab a snack and turn on the television in the living room. I looked through the thousands of channels trying to find something to watch, but I couldn't stop thinking about my phone. I picked it up to see if I got any messages, but there was none. Samuel usually was good at responding even when he was busy, so I started to worry. What could he be doing that is taking him so long to respond?

An hour goes by and still nothing. Maybe I'm overthinking it. There has to be a reason why Samuel wouldn't text back right away. Right when I decided to forget about it, my phone went off.

Samuel: I'm so sorry, babe. I was at the batting cages with someone on the baseball team. Forgive me?

I can't help but smile at my phone. He doesn't have to ask me twice to forgive him.

Hunter: Call me, and I'll forgive you :P

It doesn't take more than a minute until I see my phone ringing. I answer the video call with the biggest smile on my face. I mute the T.V. so I can hear him clearly. I can tell he's in our dorm room by the familiar posters on the wall.

"Hunter, I'm so sorry I didn't text you back as quick as I usually do. I didn't bring my phone to the cages, and I felt bad when I saw you texted an hour ago." I can't help but let out a tiny giggle. He's too sweet. 

"You're fine. I was worried at first, but I knew you just had to be busy." He apologizes once more for worrying me. He indeed was too good to be true. We caught up a bit from the time we talked to each other. Although we called two days ago, he still had lots to tell me. He said he met a few of the guys that are on the baseball team, and that's why he was at the batting cages. Nothing special happened with me besides making cookies with the family.

"So, I sort of have a surprise for you. We can call it a late Christmas present." I was surprised to hear him say this. We had gotten gifts for each other and opened them the night before I left. He got me a few vinyl records of my favorite albums and one of his hoodies that I have been wearing every day. I got him these a pair of shoes he's been wanting and a new baseball bat since he was about to start practice soon.

"I bought a plane ticket to Maryland!" He sounded so excited, but my heart sunk to the bottom of my chest. I freeze, not being able to believe what he just said. His smile slowly fades away when he realizes I'm not jumping with joy. "Hunter, is there something wrong? I thought you'd be so happy to see me again."

Sure I wanted to see Samuel, but what am I supposed to tell my family. Sorry, I can't be with you guys this week because I want to be with my boyfriend. I just found out I liked guys just a couple months ago and telling my family that is something I know I'm not ready for. Just seeing how Samuel's mom reacted when she saw us was heartbreaking, and she isn't my mom.

"Samuel, I know you had good intentions, but I'm just not ready for that. I don't know if I want them to know about us, about me yet. I'm so sorry, Samuel." Just saying that to him hurt. I knew he was excited to tell me that he was coming, but this is something he should have asked about beforehand. There was a bit of silence between us, which was pretty reasonable.

"Hunter, I can't just cancel my flight. I was going to be leaving tomorrow night." How do I react to that? I can't just tell him I've changed my mind because that's not true. I hear him sigh while I'm deep in thought. What am I going to do?

"I can't have you coming over. I would love for you to come to Maryland, but my family," I get cut off by an all too familiar voice. "Your family what? Who are you talking to, Hunter?" It's my mom. I turn my volume down just in case Samuel says anything but not wanting to hang up on him.

"Just my roommate from college. He wants to come to Maryland to see me. How come you're not at the mall?" I can hear her gasp in excitement as she comes running to sit next to me. Great, I already know where this is going. "That is just wonderful! Let me see the boys face." I groan as I turn the volume back up and hand my mom the phone.

"Hello, Mrs. Evans. It's nice to finally put a face to someone I hear about all the time." They go on to talk a little about random things. I can't help but get annoyed every time my mom whispers to me about how attractive he is. I just sit there while my mom is basically drooling over my boyfriend.

"Honey, I think it would be a great idea to have your friend come here. If he's staying at a hotel, you can room with him for as long as he's here. I know you're tired of the twins." She looks back at the phone with a massive smile on her face. "Samuel, you are always welcome here. I'd love to meet you in person."

"See Hunter, your mother thinks it's a wonderful idea. Mrs. Evans, my flight is tomorrow night. I'll be arriving in Maryland Monday morning." My mom basically screams with excitement. "How wonderful! Aren't you thrilled to hear he's coming?" I shoot my mom an awkward smile, but she can't detect that I'm uncomfortable.

Samuel makes up a fake excuse to end the call, which I'm thankful for. My mom goes on and on about how nice he seems and how she is so eager to meet him. I'm not really paying attention. The only thing that is on my mind is how my boyfriend is going to meet my family that doesn't know I like guys. My mom finally leaves the living room, and I notice the text Samuel sent me right after our call.

Samuel: Stop thinking about it too much. I'll make sure not to act like a couple with you.

Hunter: That's the thing...

Hunter: I want us to be a couple, I'm just scared

Samuel: Everything will be ok <3