Today was Wednesday and it was important for two reasons: the first being that there was one more day until winter break and the second being that it had been exactly two weeks since Samara's "soul-bearing" confession to Natalie and Mena. She had been with Zay every day and she still hadn't come close to confessing her feelings to him. She struggled with finding the best time to tell him and she was thinking about it constantly. Samara was thinking about it so much in fact, that not only did it keep her up half the night, but it kept Zay up as well.
"Mar, what's going on with you," Zay huffed. "You've been tossing and turning all night and all morning."
Samara huffed and laid on her back. "Sorry. I just can't sleep."
"Well what's keeping you up? Finals are over and we go home tomorrow. I can't think of anything that you have to be worried about."
"I don't even know where to begin," she started.
"Sam you up!" Natalie interrupted as she knocked on the other side of the door. Samara looked over at Zay and sat up.
"If you not, getcho ass up," Mena added.
"Oh my goodness," Samara said hopping up. "You gotta go." Zay just laid there. "Why aren't you moving? Get up," she whispered.
"Pshh. I ain't scared of Nat and Mena. And didn't you say that Nat told Mena we were sleeping together or sharing a bed or something like that?"
"That's not the point. Get up," Samara urged.
"Sam let me in," Zen said. "I have something for you!"
"Coming," Samara called out. She turned and looked at Zay. "At least put on a shirt and fix the bed," she whispered. "I don't want them to think that we did something that we didn't do. You know how they can be."
Zay shook his head. "Mar. That don't even track. They know we best friends. Why would they ever assume we was on some sneaky link type shit?"
Samara, clearly flustered, could not answer that. She could only manage the words, "Just get up!"
Zay sat up, pulled the covers back, and stood from the bed. He gave a quick look at Samara who was quickly fixing up the bed and fluffing out the pillows. Zay grabbed his shirt and threw it on before gathering his belongings and heading towards the door. "Looks like you got it all under control. It's like I was never here."
"Wait. No. You don't have to leave I just didn't want them to—"
"—See us together. I know." Zay looked a little disappointed. "I'll holla at you later, Mar." He opened the door and let the girls in as he walked out.
"Hey Zay," they said as they passed him on their way in.
"Wassup," he nodded.
Samara walked to the door and put on a smile for her friends. "Hey ladies!" she grinned. "Good morning."
Mena looked back at the door and then back at Samara. "Is Zay okay?"
"Mmhm," Samara nodded with a smile, "He's great." Her tone was all but convincing.
"Then why don't I believe you," Mena said suspiciously.
"Because I think he's just a little upset with me," she mumbled.
"Sam, what did you do," Nat asked. "Or...wait? Did you tell him!?"
"No, we haven't had that talk yet."
"What talk," Zen asked eagerly. She looked between the three of them. "What am I missing?" she grinned. Mena and Nat both looked at Samara. Samara tried to avoid their smiles.
Saaam," Zen said grabbing her arm. "Is the talk about what I think it is?"
Samara looked at Zen and plopped down onto her bed. She sighed and found herself fighting back tears. Zen sat beside her and grabbed ahold of her hand. Samara took a breath. "I'm in love with him, Zen. You were right," she sniveled.
Zen smiled and leaned over to wipe away Samara's tears. "So, what's keeping you from him?" Mena and Natalie joined them on the bed. "Why haven't you told him yet?" she asked softly.
Samara shrugged. "I guess I've been looking for the right time. None of them feel right."
"Well," Zen grinned, "if you'll accept," she stood from the bed and grabbed something out of her bag, "the Adams family would love to have you with us for Christmas." Zen handed Samara a one-way plane ticket to Savannah, Georgia from DC. "You can stay as long as you want and we'll pay your way back." Samara stared wide-eyed at Zen and then at the plane ticket. "It's one of our favorite holidays so we love to go all out. We turn our home into a magical Christmas wonderland and I think that one holiday week with us will make for the perfect time for you and Zay to spend some quality time together."
"Zen, I-I don't know what to say. This is...so thoughtful of you guys. Thank you."
"It's no biggie. Our parents really love you and...they sorta feel the same way I do, so there's that," she chuckled.
"Damn. Sam and Zay bouta have an arranged marriage," Mena teased.
"Aht. Remember she loves him now," Zen laughed, "so now we don't have to force their hand cuz we was this damn close," she said showing the increment with her thumb and index finger. Everyone burst out laughing. "So, Sam, will you spend Christmas with us?" Zen cheesed.
"As soon as I let my parents know that their favorite daughter will not be staying home for Christmas," Samara grinned.
"You're their only daughter," Mena laughed. Natalie nudged her and laughed too.
Zen's face lit up and she squealed. She wrapped Samara in a hug and squeezed her tightly. "Oh my goodness! I can't believe you're coming!"
"She said, after her parents bought the plane ticket," Mena joked. The girls laughed.
"We're going to have so much fun. I have the whole weekend planned," Zen smiled.
