Say Cheese 2.0 -[ Part 12 ]


"This is nice isn't it?"

The heady aromas of Italian cooking assailed their nostrils. The rich scent of fresh garlic, pungent Oregano and sweet tasting basil filled the air.

Brooke smiled from across the table. The wax-laden bottles that adorned each tables and the single stemmed rose contributes to an intimate ambiance.

"Yes, it is…" she agreed. "I've been here a few times, with dad and Josh…"

Sam nodded. "I see…"

Both fell into silence, each not knowing what to say to the other.

"So, how's school?"

Brooke raised her eyebrows. "Fine, I guess…"

"Good…"

"You?"

"Never been better…"

Again, an awkward silence descends.

"The silence makes me feel like I'm on a date…" Brooke chuckled suddenly.

Sam's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Well, if it was a date, it wouldn't be so bad would it??" She said. "I mean, it's not as though we actually hate each other, is it?"

"No…"

"Would you like it to be a date…?"

This time it was Brooke who was surprised. "What?" she stammered.

Sam grinned. "Just kidding…"

Their orders arrived, cutting short their already sparse conversation. Sam had chosen the house special, French-dip Sandwiches, a crusty loaf of French bread that had been sliced lengthwise and piled high with wafer-thin rare roast beef and served with little bowl of beef juice.

"That looks delicious…" Brooke commented.

Sam dipped one of the sandwiches in the juice and held it out to Brooke. "Wanna try it…?"

Brooke was taken aback but then, she obliged the request.

An electric shot surged through Sam as Brooke's lips brushed against the tip of her fingers.

"Hmm…" Brooke nodded. "It's wonderful…" She looked down at her own plate that was filled with tiny baked stuffed tomatoes served with a crisp green salad. She couldn't describe the feeling that was engulfing her at that time; she found it hard to breath.

"Why are we here, Sam?" she asked. "Don't get me wrong… It's not that I mind having Pomodori Alla Siciliano for lunch and you paying for it. But tell me, what is this all about?"

"Brooke, if I were to ask you some questions…" Sam fidgeted in her seat. "Would you be honest with me?"

"Well, it depends…"

A dark eyebrow arched.

"Am I going to read it in tomorrow's newspaper?" Brooke asked.

Sam chuckled. "No… No… This has nothing to do with the paper…" she said. "It's kinda personal…"

"Personal?" Brooke frowned. "Well, now you've got me intrigued…"

"So, would you?" Sam asked. "Be honest I mean…"

"Yeah, I guess so… Ask away…"

Brooke watched curiously as Sam sat up straight in her seat as if preparing herself.

"Do you have any problem with me being gay?"

"I told you that I'm not homophobic…" Brooke said. "True, it was totally unexpected…"

"I know, stupid of me to just drop it on your lap like that…I wasn't thinking…"

"How long have you known?" Brooke asked and watched in pain as Sam smiled dreamily.

"I don't know actually…" Sam said. She chuckled softly. "It took me by surprise… I feel in love with a girl… I never expected to fall for her…"

"Is she the girl Lily was talking about last night?"

"Yeah…" Sam answered. "It was crazy… The first time I saw her, I hated her. I used to watch her, follow her around just to find faults, but then I started to notice how her eyes lit up whenever she laughs, how the corner of her eyes wrinkled when she smiles, how she likes to tuck her hair behind her ears…"

Brooke shifted uncomfortably in her seat.

"I found myself developing feelings for her… I went to sleep with her on my mind… Dreamt about her… The first thing I thought of when I got up were her… Everyday, every hour…"

If she's going to tell me wet dreams she had about her blonde girlfriend, she's gonna eat plate…!

"Good thing is we're living under the same roof…"

"I see…" Brooke said absently. But then, she realized what Sam had said. Her head snapped up. "What?"

"It's you Brooke…" Sam smiled nervously. "I'm in love with you…"

Brooke stared at her speechless.

"I know, you don't dig girls… You're straight…" Sam began flustering when Brooke just stared at her. Oh, god! I was wrong… She doesn't like me… She doesn't feel the same way…

"Look, I know it sounds crazy but I'm not expecting anything from you… I just want you to know…" Sam babbled on. "I know that you couldn't possibly feel the same way…"

Brooke was staring at Sam's mouth but she was too preoccupied with her rant that she didn't notice it.

"You know what I want to do right now?" Brooke asked.

"What?"

"Kiss you…" Brooke said with a grin.

This time it was Sam who stared at her as if she had sprouted horns and a tail.

"But, considering the fact that we're in a public place…"

"Brooke, what are you saying?" Sam asked.

"You're not the only who has a crush on your roomie…"

"You're not trying to play me right?" Sam asked.

"Me? No… Are you?"

"Absolutely not…"


To be continued