Chapter 3: iConfess
"These are really good." I commented, biting into my spaghetti taco with a satisfying crunch.
Spencer put down his taco and said, "Are they ever not good?" I rolled my eyes as Carly and I laughed. Then Spencer placed a comforting hand on Sam's shoulder. "What'd you think, Sam? Good enough to-"
Sam's scream echoed through the apartment. I realized a second later what this meant. Sam really was afraid of every male on the planet.
Except for me.
"No one's gonna hurt you, Sam." Carly soothed in tone that was too fake to be casual. She had been trying for Sam's sake to remain calm while Sam recovered. We all had. But every once in a while it couldn't be helped.
That's when the old Sam made a comeback.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Sam asked through gritted teeth. She curled her lips back in a snarl.
I sighed. "I'm sure Carly just meant-"
"You're defending her? Some ally you are, Fredface." Sam threw down her taco and disappeared in the elevator, probably heading for Carly's room, which the two now shared. I slept on the couch, much to my displeasure. I had been hoping to sleep with Sam…
"I'll go check on her." Carly announced before Spencer or I could volunteer. We had decided that someone should be with Sam at all times, just in case she suffered from a break down.
Sam having a break down.
It didn't seem possible. But the doctor we had taken Sam to after being suspended from school had said it was a very real possibility. So now Sam was watched 24/7. It should've been Carly's turn, but the uneasy feeling in my stomach refused to go away. Only one thing would settle it.
"No. I'll go, you stay here." For whatever reason, Carly stayed seated. Maybe she was glad she could take a break for a couple hours. But that wasn't it. Carly never complained when she was coaxing soup down Sam's throat, or getting up at 3 A.M. to check on Sam. Carly honestly didn't mind helping.
And I hated her for it.
"Hey…" I greeted Sam hesitantly. She was sprawled across the cot Spencer had set up for her. One hand clutched her cell phone. The screen was covered in little drops of water.
Tears.
"Just go." Sam whispered, averting her eyes. "I don't need a pity party."
I frowned. "No one said anything about that." I placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, half expecting her to scream and fight me like Spencer.
She shocked the chiz out of me by leaning closer, and resting her head on my shoulder. I was about to boldly (for me) kiss her forehead when she looked me in the eyes and said, "You should join a gym, Frederly. Your arms are like Jell-O."
It took all the strength I had in my pathetic muscles not to wring her neck. I was about to reply with an equally snarky insult when she sighed peacefully and her arms instinctively wrapped around my chest.
She was asleep. She had clung to me sub-consciously and completely unaware of what she was doing. Yes! I silently cheered. Did this mean she had forgotten about my smiley faced boxer shorts?
X
"Bye, Spence!" Carly shouted as she left for school the next morning. "Feel better, Sam!"
"You're not the boss of me!" Sam growled. She caught me staring at her once Carly was gone. "What?"
"You shouldn't be so hostile. We're only trying to help, ya know. But if you'd rather have a breakdown…" I don't know why I said that. I just wanted Sam to appreciate everything we'd sacrificed for her. But I wanted to take it all back when Sam unexpectedly burst into tears.
"Sam? Don't cry, please. I didn't mean it like that…" I tried to explain while she sobbed on the couch next to me. I pulled her into my arms. "I'm sorry."
Sam sniffled and wiped her eyes. Her black mascara was smudged, but I kept a straight face. "No, I'm sorry. I just can't stop thinking about that rapist…"
I nodded. "The leader?" I remembered him all too well.
Sam nodded. "Yes. I guess it's not a big deal…but that guy ruined my first kiss."
I gasped. "He kissed you?" Then her words sunk in. "Hey! I thought your first kiss was with me." I couldn't help but look hurt.
Sam shrugged. "I don't really count that. You know…cuz you're…Freddie."
I snorted. "Gee, thanks. You've really boosted my self-esteem." My voice dripped with sarcasm.
Sam punched me lightly on the shoulder. "Nub! I didn't mean it like that. I just mean that until I kiss someone I'm in love with, it's not real. You and I just did it to do it."
I had to agree. But that still didn't mean she had had her first kiss. "You don't love that jerk who tried to… you know. So you haven't had your first kiss."
Sam stares at me in what I think might be admiration. "Thanks, Frederly." Some things never change.
"Sam? Do you remember what happened last night while you were asleep?" I desperately want her to say that when she cuddled with me in her sleep, she somehow was aware of what she was doing. But I knew the answer before she said it.
"Uh, no? You're so weird, Fredweird." She snickered as I threw a pillow at her.
Some things never change.
