LUNA'S POV

"Have I already told you just how much I love your mom?" Is the first thing I say upon entering Sam's room after dinner. Sam chuckles. "Yes, you have. And my mother never stops talking about you." She says, sitting beside me on the bed.

There's a short silence, then… "I wish you could spend the night." Sam says, and I nod thoughtfully. Not long afterwards, however, a smile snakes across my face.

"Maybe I can…" I state, excited at the prospect of spending more time with Sam. Sam reciprocates my smile. Picking up my phone, Sam gently nuzzles up beside me on the bed.

"Fingers crossed." I murmur as I send the text off. I sigh contentedly, falling back against my girlfriend. All is still and quiet until I jolt slightly, releasing one hiccup. Then another. Sam looks in my direction, confused regarding my sudden spasms. Upon coming to a realization, she laughs, and I blush lightly.

"Ate a little too fast?" She questions.

"Y-yeah, maybe." I admit awkwardly, afraid to acknowledge it. "Want me to scare them out of you?" Sam asks, raising an eyebrow and smiling rather devilishly.

Instinctively, I spring back, shielding myself from Sam. "You wouldn't dare!" I laugh briefly before another loud hiccup plagues me. Covering my mouth, I blush intuitively.

"Aw, don't be embarrassed, Love." Sam chuckles, pulling me into a comforting hug. I seep into the embrace, no longer bothered by the gentle jolts the hiccups cause.

Sam shifts slightly, wrapping an arm around my abdomen. Before I can even consider what Sam is about to do, Sam lightly brushes her fingers over the patch of bare skin peeking out from under my shirt. I squirm away from the contact, giggling lightly. I'm not one to giggle frequently, so this subtle sound surprised me.

"Stop it, Sam." I murmur, gazing into Sam's face for any sign of that mischievous smile she once wore. It's there, all right.

"I had no idea that you were ticklish, Lunes." She states, much to my embarrassment. "Let's pretend you *hic* never figured out." I chuckle nervously, subconsciously pressing myself into a tight ball to hide my stomach.

I am no match for Sam, however. Prying my fingers away from my midsection, Sam dives in, tickling me feverishly. Howling with laughter, I try in vain not to kick Sam in the face as I practically sob. Finally, I manage to get my hands on my girlfriend's wrists, keeping them at arm's length.

"Let… let me breathe." I pant, catching my breath. My ears burn, and tears prickle in the backs of my eyes. Sam, also blushing, raises an eyebrow and smiles at me. "Luna, do you notice anything different?" She questions. Still panting, I consider her words.

Do I notice anything… different? Not that I think about it…

I steal a quick glance at the surrounding area, contemplating. My phone still rests beside me, untouched. Trusting that Sam won't tickle me again, I reach up with both hands to feel my earlobes. My paperclip earrings remain intact.

I regard Sam for a moment, lacing my fingers through her hair and placing my hands on her warm cheeks. "It has to do with you, hun." Sam giggles as she corrects me, and I scrutinize her.

"Oh," I state, removing my hands from her cheeks and thinking thoughtfully. Then it comes to me, and I perk up.

"My hiccups! They're gone!" I gasp excitedly upon noticing that my body is no longer being plagued by spasms. Sam grins cheekily at my reaction.

"How did you…" I begin, intrigued in an odd and naive way. Sam giggles. "My father used to do that to me all the time when I was younger. It helped make the hiccups go away." Sam states.

Upon hearing Sam address her father, my heart sinks considerably. Everything feels hollow. Empty.

"Y-your father." I stammer, the child's play moments prior having now dissipated. "Where is he?" Sam's eyes soften, and I'm quick to pipe up. "I-I'm sorry if I brought up anything, you know, heartbreaking. I was just curious."

Biting my lip to shut myself up, I gaze into Sam's eyes. They're free of distress or tears, so that distills some relief within me.

"No, don't worry." Sam states, brushing aside my concern. "You didn't bring up anything." The girl smiles, and my heart flutters meekly. "Actually, he's on a business trip." She says.

This response is far from what I expect, and I cock my head curiously. "Really… where?" I ask.

"Boston at the moment." Sam replies. Upon asking what he's studying, Sam smiles. "Botany. He's a plant dude. Or as mom and I like to call him, a 'Dirt Dude.'" Sam laughs, as do I. The laughter dies down, and my smile is replaced with a gentle frown.

"Don't you, well, miss him?" I question, and Sam nods sadly. "Sometimes, yes." She states, taking my hand and grasping it tightly. "He's so busy… all the time, you know?" Sam questions weakly, and I nod with sheer understanding.

Both of my parents are so incredibly busy. Not only with the task of raising us, but maintaining their jobs everyday. Mom takes on her job as a dentist and writes a novel for fun on top of that. As for dad, he continues perfecting his restaurant, Lynn's Table.

"Yes, I completely understand, my love." Is what I reply, smiling gently. Sam returns the smile. "He'll call once in a while… but rarely." Sam murmurs.

Taking Sam's other hand in mine, I will her to look me in the eye. "Sam, my love, though he may not have time for you very often, I'll bet he's always thinking of you. You, your mom, and Simon." I state gently, and Sam smiles tearfully.

Sam leans in and kisses my lips gently, yet passionately. I seep into the kiss, placing my hands on her waist. When we disconnect, Sam rests her forehead against mine, breathing deeply. I close my eyes, sporting a delighted smile.

"Are you alright?" I ask Sam when she looks up. She smiles brightly. "Totally. Thank you, lovely." My heart flutters more upon seeing Sam's bright smile again. I love that smile of hers; the kind that can light up a room. It's undoubtedly my form of serotonin during these troubling times.

"You know," Sam begins, grabbing my attention. "I bet my dad would really like you." I smile. "I bet I'd like him too." I murmur thoughtfully.

Sam ceases our conversation as she snuggles up against me. I kiss her forehead before pulling out my phone. One new text message from my mom.

Mom: That sounds fine. I'm sending Lori to drop off your things.

Grinning broadly, I nudge Sam slightly. "How do you feel about me sleeping over tonight?" I question rhetorically. Sam's eyes widen, as does her smile. "Yay!" She squeals with excitement.

No more than five minutes later, the doorbell signals Lori's arrival. We arrive downstairs to see my older sister, arms heaped with bags and pillows. "Here, Luna." She says, handing me my possessions. I thank her, taking everything with great difficulty. "Here, let me help you." Sam says, taking my cumbersome bag under her arm.

"How are you doing, Luna?" Lori asks me, and I couple a nod with a grin. "Much better. Thanks, Lori." I state.

Content, Lori nods curtly. She turns towards Mrs. Sharp. "Thank you for having her, Mrs. Sharp." My sister says. As always, Sam's mother flashes her signature smile that makes her eyes crinkle. "Of course, darling. Luna is such a sweetheart. It's truly a pleasure to have her." My heart warms at Mrs. Sharp's sincerity, and I manage to hide my flushed cheeks.

With a final "farewell", Lori leaves, and Sam and I depart upstairs, lugging my things. I blindly and aimlessly throw down my sleeping bag upon entering Sam's room, and my girlfriend laughs at my exaggeration.

"Come here, you silly duck." Sam giggles, gesturing to an empty spot beside her on the bed. I raise an amused eyebrow. "Isn't the term 'you silly goose'?" Sam frowns mid-thought, then regards me with a sarcastic smile.

"Ok, now you're just killing the mood." Sam snorts, and I laugh with her. Untidily, I grab my purple skull nightshirt in a sloppy bundle. "I'll be right back. I'm getting changed." I state awkwardly, finger gunning as I exit the room.

I pass under the bedroom doorway before I turn, peeking through the door frame once again. "Don't let the bed get cold while I'm gone." I chuckle, watching Sam's lovely figure lounge on the bed. Sam gazes up at me, smiling cheekily.

"Oh, don't worry, I won't." Sam smirks, grabbing her teddy bear and placing it beside her on the bed. "He'll be keeping me company." Sam pats the plush's head.

I pout at the scene displayed before me. "Ok, now I'm jealous." I whine, and Sam laughs. I can't help but smile upon hearing it.

Oh gosh, that laugh… How did I ever get so lucky?

"Then get dressed, you goof." Sam giggles. "Don't worry, I'll be waiting." She waves a dismissive hand in my direction, smirking. I smile cheekily as I depart to the bathroom.

I take a moment to look at myself in the mirror, having a difficult time recalling just how long it's been since I've truly gazed at myself. I slip into my nightshirt before trying hopelessly to smooth down my hair. When that doesn't seem to work, I run my hands through it, giving it an untidy "I just woke up" kind of look.

I wash off my eye shadow, glumly staring at myself in the mirror. I trace my fingers over the array of freckles that dot my nose and cheeks. I hope I look good, is the last thing I recall thinking before entering Sam's bedroom again.

"Move!" I snap when I reach Sam's bed, roughly flinging the teddy bear out of the way. "Hey, that wasn't very nice." Sam feins a whine, yet she grins as I lay beside her.

"Well, he was trying to steal my girl." I murmur, cupping Sam's cheeks and kissing her forehead. Sam doesn't push the subject any further, just cuddles against me some more. I twirl the teal strands of Sam's hair around my finger as we begin the discussion of family, school, and life in general. It feels amazing being in the company of Sam, and I relish in every moment of our conversations and cuddles.

There are many moments later in the evening when a yawn escapes my lips, and I'm on the verge of falling into a deep slumber. During these moments, the most I can muster is a "mmhmm" as Sam tells me her stories.

However, there comes a moment when Sam's gentle voice blends with the quiet noises surrounding us. My head rocks gently on my shoulders, my neck suddenly unable to support the weight. I allow my head to fall against Sam's shoulder, my world fading to black.

SAM'S POV

I cease my quiet talking upon feeling the gentle weight of Luna's head on my shoulder. I smile warmly at Luna's eyelids, which flutter in peaceful slumber. I release a contented "hmm", leaning over to kiss my girlfriend's warm nose. Her warm, gentle breath tickles my cheek as she exhales, and her chest rises and falls with each breath.

I love her.

"Sleep well, baby." I whisper, drawing the blanket over her. I kiss her forehead before lying under the covers myself. I turn over to gaze at her, wrapping my arms around her small figure. Luna stirs at my contact, and I gently coo to her, encouraging her to relax once again. Remaining in the embrace, I allow myself to drift asleep.