Remember Death

Chapter 13. Tears Don't Fall

I stepped outside to a crisp, April morning. The air was fresh, the wind was a bit chilly, and the sky was sunny. It was perfect.

"Are we taking your bike today?" I asked Sam.

Sam stopped in his tracks, turned to me, and shot a smile. "Why? Do you want to ride my bike?"

Honestly, I love riding his Ninja. It is a very freeing experience. However, I do not want to give Sam a big head, so I shrug it off like it is not a big deal. "Meh, we can if you want. I will need to grab a jacket, though."

He knows me too well because he started laughing. "You don't have to beg Adelaide, go grab your jacket."

I quickly ran back inside the house. While I was digging through my closet, my phone pinged. I truly thought Sam was teasing me or trying to rush me, but it was not him. It was a message from Ethan. I contemplated deleting the message and not listening to what he had to say. He has not bothered to reach out to me at all since our date. I went against my intuition and opened it.

Ethan's text read: There is something you should know about Sam.

I rolled my eyes at the audacity. Before I could ignore it, another message came through.

He tried to shoot me. He beat me up and threatened my life if I ever spoke to you again. I was hoping to catch you at school today, but you aren't here, and neither is he. He is a bad man, Adi. You don't need to be around him.

I looked out my window and saw Sam waiting for me. "Fuck." I sighed to myself.

If what Ethan said is true, I need to figure it out for myself. A part of me already knows that Sam is or could be dangerous, but that is a chance I am willing to take today. I grabbed my jacket and hurried out the door.

"Miss me?" I asked, hopping on Sam's bike.

His expression was priceless; it caught him off guard. "Umm... maaaaybe?" Sam answered, honestly.

"Good." I smiled, "Let's go!"

We rode for miles, about a good thirty minutes before we stopped. I stood up and took my helmet off, letting my wavy hair fall down my back. Sam brought us to a carnival. I was giddy beyond belief; I have not been to one of these since I was in Ireland. Sam stayed sitting on his bike, watching me as I pranced around like a child.

"Oh my god, please tell me we get to spend the day here? Please!" I exclaimed to him.

"Careful now. I don't want your shoulder to get worse." Sam said, sounding concerned. "Look, I know this can be fun, but please, for your own healing sake, calm down a bit."

I laughed at his remark. "Oh, Sammy, my shoulder is fine. Now let's go." Although my shoulder is doing better, Sam and I both know that it is not "fine," but I wanted to appear strong today.

With my good arm, I grabbed Sam's hand and drugged him to the festivities. It was the Mid-Spring Festival; therefore, many contests, prizes, and good eats had the town's people hustling and bustling around the fairground. A delicious aroma of fried carnival foods filled the air.

"Ahh..." I said, inhaling the scent. "It smells like funnel cakes, strawberry cream cheese curds, and sweet apple pie." The closer we got, the more intoxicating the smells became. "I swear, I am gaining ten pounds by sniffing the air." I giggled.

Sam laughed at my comment and shook his head at me. "What do you say, we put on some actual weight then?" He replied, lifting one eyebrow at me, "Where shall we start, princess?"

My eyes squinted at his comment. Sam never admitted if he calls me princess, because of my mother or not. I decided to let it go, for now, other questions about Sam are consuming my mind. There are so many questions I want to bombard his thick skull with, but I will patiently wait. I am optimistic that all the answers I am seeking will make their way to me when they are ready.