"Nope…can't do it, Moose…" Sami stood frozen in front of the auditorium doors, her red vans squeaked against the hard floor as she resisted against Moose's shoving.
"Yes, yes you can!" Moose insisted, as he tried to guide her inch by inch toward the doors.
"No, no, no, I really…really….can't!" Sami insisted, resisting against Moose's body.
Eventually Moose's body relaxed, and so did Sami's, Moose sighed.
"Fine…"
Sami's relaxed completely against his body, and then quickly Moose tried again, but Sami reacted quickly and stopped him.
"Dang!" Moose laughed, Sami joined him. She playfully slapped him in his abs.
"Jerk!" She laughed.
Her audition for a Midsummer was today. Her nerves were all bunched up and banging against every inch of her body. Her throat was swollen, her face flushed, and she felt incredibly under dressed.
Sami looked down at her skinny jeans, blue Aeropostale t-shirt, and gray button up sweater cardigan that hung off her petite body…not to mention her contrasting red shoes…
Moose gently pulled her to the side, and set her down on the benches located right outside the auditorium. He sat her down, and looked her right in the eyes. He held her hands firmly in his, and smiled sweetly.
"You can do this" Moose said for the millionth and third time…this time…in a much softer, and encouraging voice. He squeezed her hands gently, and smiled again, "You know you can…"
Sami sighed, looking down at their hands. Her caramel colored ones to his light ones, she smiled. She looked back up at him, her eyes soft, "Yeah…"
Moose frowned, "Now that's not what a champion sounds like," he protested. He shook his dark curls from out of his eyes, and continued to stare at her lowered head.
Sami blew a breath of air out, running a hand through her long hair while she rose her head slightly. She didn't look at Moose, her eyes focused on the double doors twenty feet down the hallway. The exit, her exit. She thought about how far she'd get before Moose caught her and dragged her butt back…
"Nope" Moose interrupted her thoughts. He gently took her chin in his large hand and redirected her focus toward him, "I know what you're thinking, and trust me…though I am a clutz…you're just as big of a one…and if I trip trying to catch you…we'll fall together…"
Sami fought a smile. Moose laughed, "No running away," he threatened jokingly.
Sami let out a frustrated huff, and rolled her eyes. However, her annoyance amused Moose. To know that her frustration branched from him trying to get her to accept her talent made him almost jubilant.
Moose grinned, "I know right? That Moose character is such a douche!" Moose exclaimed in an attempt to mock Sami's voice. Sami held her annoyed expression that was currently still in the palm of his hand. She was still fighting the smile that she so desperately wanted to set free.
"You're nervous…good! That just means you care…you're pissed at me…good! That means you've got some sort of fire coursing through your veins…you're frustrated…that's okay, use that to fuel the energy of your performance. You're going to go in there and kick Shakespeare's ass, you wanna know why? Because I said so…that's why!" Moose lectured in a very serious voice, but with a very conspicuously humorous undertone.
The look he was giving her was so serious, but Sami couldn't help but find the humor in it. Moose and serious did not belong together, yet for some reason they were almost cohesive. The smile Sami was fighting broke through.
Sami laughed, the green and gold in her eyes were shining. How could she ever even think of another guy when she had this adorable little character in front of her? Sami grinned widely, she was extremely happy, and because of Moose she wasn't all that nervous.
"You're gonna be great," Moose gently kissed Sami on the top of her head, and breathed in the scent of her shampoo. He lowered his head so that their foreheads were now touching. "You've got this, Sami cakes"
Sami blushed, but chuckled, "Don't call me that" she said in a small voice.
It was silent for a moment, before Moose allowed their noses to rub against each other. Both of their hearts began to speed up, and their breaths had stopped almost completely. They were about two centimeter's away before-
"Hey, guys!"
Moose sat up straight quickly, Sami following slowly after. Moose heard her sigh deeply in disappointment, and his stomach lurched. His cheeks had flushed red, and he could only imagine what Sami looked like.
"Ready for you audition?" Monster asked, grinning widely, but Moose noticed the underlying hostility in his voice.
Moose answered quickly, "Of course she is…she's gonna knock there socks off…" He looked at Sami, whose green and gold specks were dim now, he smiled, "You're gonna be amazing, love"
Moose rose slowly, but Sami tugged gently on the hand she was still holding. He looked down and into her deep, milk chocolate eyes, and smiled again. He loosened his grip on her hand, rubbing his thumb over it gently, before he brought it to his lips and kissed it softly.
He released her hand, "I'll call you when I'm sure you're home," and with a wink and a head nod toward Monster, he left.
Sami sighed, and tried to choke back her disappointment. Wow, a kiss on the hand? Wow. Great way to say 'good luck!' She looked down at her vans, and let her face fall. Her nerves were starting to take over again.
"He's right, you know" The words pained Monster.
Sami's head snapped up to look up at Monster, and into this dark brown eyes. She tilted her head to the side in confusion.
"You're going to knock their socks off" Monster assured her confidently.
Sami smiled, and slowly rose off the bench she was sitting on.
"Ready?" Monster asked her.
"Does it matter?" Sami rolled her eyes, but laughed to keep the mood light.
Monster grinned, and together they entered the auditorium.
--
"Freddie!" Mrs. Barnes, the director's voice echoed throughout the entire auditorium.
Monster was the last one to leave, and therefore obviously the person she was addressing. His head snapped in the direction of the demanding theatre teacher. Mrs. Barnes was the toughest, yet probably the best theatre teacher in the entire school. She was strict, yet she knew her students. She understood, though it was a long time ago, what it was like to actually have…a life. She put her students first, and that's what Monster loved about her. She was always completely professional, but she was also very zen.
"Hey, Mrs. Barnes!" Monster immediately greeted her politely, "did you need something?" he asked.
Mrs. Barnes didn't look up at him. She was busy scribbling something down on her notepad. She motioned for him to join her as she continued to scribble.
Monster slowly approached the foldable table that she was sitting at. He stood at the end of the table and watched as she continued to write. A few moments had passed before she looked up at him through her glasses, and smiled.
"Well, don't just stand there…come over here, and sit next to me…I don't bite!" Mrs. Barnes insisted.
Monster laughed, she was without a doubt his favorite teacher. Without hesitation he floated over to the seat next to her and sat down. She looked at him and smiled a bright smile.
"You did exceptionally well in your audition today Mr. de Luca. That's what I like to see…real moments…connectivity…passion…" Mrs. Barnes complimented him.
Monster grinned, he was very proud of his work. He had performed the monologue that he had for Sami the other day. He hadn't planned on it, but it reminded him of Sami. Her flawless skin, beautiful voice, gorgeous smile, amazing talent, her…perfectness…if that was even a word…
"I just wanted to give you the news now, because quite frankly…I'm way too excited to wait until tomorrow to see your facial expression when you find out that you got the part of Lysander!" Mrs. Barnes gushed.
Monster just sat in the foldable chair frozen. Is facial expression was one of shock, and then excitement, then…curiosity.
"But, what…you…me?!"
Okay, he was excited…that doesn't mean he can execute that emotion in an intelligent way.
"Uh, yeah…you!" Mrs. Barnes gushed excitedly.
"But…why…?"
Monster knew he sounded extremely dumb, but he couldn't help it.
"4 years of stunt positions…."
Oops. Did he say that thought out loud?
Apparently he had, because she reacted to his spoken thought.
"Exactly. Four years of always being the stunt man. For years I have argued with the other directors, because I see something in you…something amazing…and now that they are allowing me to direct and cast this show all on my own…I have taken it to my full advantage…"
Monster's mind raced as he let each word, phrase, and sentence run through his mind. He was still confused, but now on for a different reason. Why the heck had he been kept the stunt man for FOUR FRIGGIN YEARS if he was so 'talented'?
"…you're an amazing stunt guy Mr. de Luca…they don't call you 'Monster' for noth'n…" Mrs. Barnes joked, "They were all afraid that letting you perform meant choosing shows with a more benign flow when it came to action…"
I guess that answered that thought.
"…but that ends here Mr. de Luca…and I don't want you feel as though I am giving you the role out of guilt…no, there have been numerous roles where I you were obviously the best person for the job…and now…you will get the chance to show that…and I am so excited to have you on board. Everyone else keeps asking… 'why does he keep auditioning?' and you know what…that's what makes one of my favorite students…your determination…the fact that no matter how many times you fall…you dust yourself off and you get right back up and go another round!"
Well, damn. Monster felt pretty good about himself after hearing Mrs. Barnes compliment him like that. He felt almost prideful. He looked up on the large stage in front of him. He couldn't believe it. He was going to actually perform there as Lysander! The freaking lead of the play! He was ecstatic! If only…
"Now there's the matter of your love interest…Hermia…" Mrs. Barne's voice interrupted Monster's thoughts. His head snapped back to her, and out of his daydream.
His love interest. Wow, it was almost as if Mrs. Barnes could read his mind…
"I was thinking about casting Julia Pitman as Hermia…what do you think?" Mrs. Barnes continued.
Okay, apparently she couldn't read his mind.
Julia Pitman was a Junior. She was gorgeous, talented, smart. She was the female lead for every show that she auditioned for in her three years at MSA. She was phenomenal, but she wasn't Sami…
"Although, that Samrah Monroe…she's a talented one too…"
Okay, maybe should read minds.
"Yes! I mean, well, I think this would be a very good opportunity for Sami" Monster interjected.
"Mr. de Luca, are you letting your own personal biased opinions get in the way of true art?" Mrs. Barnes pressed. He knew she was joking, but she was right.
"No, okay, well, I won't like…Sami's my friend…but she's got talented! A lot of talent…she has potential…and…I mean…why make her wait until her senior year to showcase it? Julia is amazing…she really is…but she's starred as the female lead in every show she has auditioned for in the three years she's been at MSA. This is your opportunity to start fresh…with new people…new cast. Sami's a hard worker…I know this because she's in my crew-"
"Ah, the legendary MSA Crew…" Mrs. Barnes interrupted. Showing full understanding of what he was talking about.
"Yes, and…we don't let just anyone join our crew…you have to earn it show us that you've got the talent, the drive, and the passion and that's what she has…why not give it a shot?" Monster reasoned.
Mrs. Barnes looked at Monster, her lips pursed. Her facial expression looked skeptical, but Monster knew that glimmer in her eyes. She was on his side.
Mrs. Barnes clicked her tongue, sighed, and then looked back at her papers, "Well, you make some very valid points Mr. de Luca…and I will most definitely review them…"
Monster stared at the side of Mrs. Barnes face. He knew her all too well. Eventually she looked at him and winked, that was his in. He knew it. He flashed her an excited grin, and with a roll of her eyes, and a knowing glance…
"You may go now, Mr. de Luca…" she excused him.
Monster jumped out of his seat, hugged Mrs. Barnes, who laughed, and hurriedly exited the auditorium. An idea had sparked while he was talking to Mrs. Barnes. He'd fall many times to get this one right, because for this one he was determined!
()()()()
I walked through the hallways at MSA. I knew that the cast list for a Midsummer was up, and I was way too nervous and excited to wait until lunch. I had told my teacher that I needed to use the restroom and that if I didn't my bladder would explode, and the entire class would be soaked in my urine. And so, with a roll of her eyes, and a warning glance toward the rest of the class to get them to stop laughing…she signed a pass for me to go use the restroom.
I walked slowly through the hallway…not in too much of a hurry to get back to AP Calculus. I rounded the corner, and walked toward the theatre hallway. At the end of the hallway I could see the announcement board…I began to speed up a little. Then all of a sudden, a small being cut in front of his vision. I stopped, abruptly, startled.
I focused a bit more to see the back of Sami's head already at the announcement board. I knew it was her…no one in the school was so short…had that color hair…not to mention…that was the exact outfit I saw her wearing this morning…
I quickened my pace even more, but tried to be as quiet as possible…didn't want to draw attention from the other classes. Today was not the day to be sent to the principal's office. It just made it awkward whenever I went over to Chase's house.
"I guess great minds think alike" I commented, cleverly I might add, as I approached Sami.
There was no reply. I knew she knew it was me.
"Uhm, hello?" I asked again, I stepped closer.
Nothing. She just stood there, unmoving, silent.
I peered over her shoulder and my eyes grazed over the cast list. I was really only looking for one name, and one name only.
Hermia………………………………..................Sami Monroe
Understudy: Julia Pitman
"Oh my gosh! Sami, you made it!" I exclaimed, I was so proud of her. I had my arms open and ready for a conciliatory embrace…nothing.
"Sami…." I tried again, I lightly and cautiously placed my hands on the tops of her shoulders, didn't need her freaking out on me either. "Are you okay…?"
No answer.
"Okay…just so you know…totally creeped out right now…" I pointed out. We were all alone in a hallway…one of the lights were flickering…Sami looked ten and possessed….I was just waiting for the floors to crack open and the demons to be released…
"I made it…" Sami whispered.
I rolled my eyes. Wow. Really? She was so dramatic.
"Yeah, you made it!" I exclaimed, once again, with my arms open ready for the embrace.
"I made it!" Sami squealed. She turned around and jumped right into my arms.
I automatically wrapped my arms around her and accepted the hug.
"Shhhh…." I laughed quietly, "we're still in the hallway…"
"Sorry!" Sami whispered excitedly. Her eyes were shining, bright, and excited. It was incredibly hard not to feel happy…especially when you've got such and incredibly excited face staring at you. She was so cute.
"It's okay" I laughed, "Man! I told you could do it! You totally and completely kicked Shakespeare's ass!"
"I know!" Sami gushed excitedly, "and I kicked Julia Pitman's ass!"
I stopped, and looked at her confusedly, "Julia Pitman's a nice girl…"
Sami narrowed her eyes at me. I didn't like that look.
"I mean…you totally kicked her ass!" I correct myself and hugged her again. I felt Sami's body vibrate as she laughed.
"I'm kidding…she is really nice…" Sami's voice muffled against my chest, "I just can't believe I beat the best actress in MSA out for a lead role!"
I laughed, and breathed in the smell of her shampoo. Man, I couldn't get enough of it. It was just so comforting. I couldn't help it…I breathed in again…
"Are you smelling my hair again?" Sami laughed.
My eyes popped open, and I grinned, "Maybe…."
"You creeper!" Sami laughed.
I laughed, we were louder than we probably should've been, but we couldn't help it. I pulled her in even tighter. She gave good hugs….really good hugs. I'd just hold her all day if I didn't think she'd be incredibly weirded out by it.
Suddenly, we both jumped apart.
"Hey! What are you two doing! Get to class!"
Blake stared at the two of us with a very hard expression. W weren't sure what to do. Stiffen up…act casual…it was so hard when you were best friends with the director's little brother…
Sami and I just stood there speechless, but then we relaxed.
Blake shot us a grin. It wasn't like one of those grins that like…your teacher would give you when they were joking. It was one that your best friend would give you after they told you "Wow. I can't believe you just said that" but they were kidding.
Blake walked up to us, and looked at the cast list. He grinned widely and looked proudly at Sami.
"I knew we made an excellent decision when we accepted you!" Blake laughed, "Good job kiddo…I'm very proud!"
He even gave Sami a hug which she awkwardly accepted.
He gave me some dap, and began to walk away.
"Oh" He added, "Seriously…get to class…"
"Alright, later Blake!" I called after him smiling.
"Hey, it's Director Collins to you, Robert!" Blake joked, and then continued down the hallway.
I laughed, and looked at Sam, "That guys great"
Sami laughed, and rolled her eyes, "Let's get back to class…before he shows us how "great" he really is"
"Agreed"
()()()()
"OHHHHHHHHH!!!!!"
We all cheered and laughed as Cable popped and ticked to the beat blaring through the speakers of stereo in my living room. My mom was…God know where, but the point was…she'd been gone for a week now…so I really doubted she'd be home tonight. So, I threw an MSA crew party!
"Go Missy! Go Missy!" Cable cheered as he grabbed Missy's hands and pulled her into the center of the living room.
We had cleared all of the furniture and now there was a huge space. Missy laughed as Cable wrapped his arms around her from behind and the moved side to side to the beat. He leaned down and whispered something in her ear that made her laugh even harder.
"Alright…come on love birds…do something!" Camille shouted. It was amazing how well she fit into our group. It was as if her comment was shouted out by Fly or Andie…not some girl we just met like the other day.
Cable smacked Missy on the butt, and ran. We all laughed as Missy flicked him off, but laughed as well. She looked at the rest of us and eventually got into the groove of things. Jokingly, she dropped it like it's hot.
"OH!" Camille yelled. I laughed. She was too funny.
I heard Sami chuckle lightly beside me. I grinned at her. I heard a few more cheers and laughter, but I wasn't paying attention anymore.
"Missy's retarded" Sami simply stated as she watched our friend tut her way around the dance floor. If anything Missy was our tutting and vogue master! Everyone thinks voguing is whack, but those are the people who haven't seen Missy when she got on the dance floor.
"Oh, I know…flirting with Cable like that…it's disgusting" I teased.
Sami playfully slapped me in my abs, and I laughed. Flirting with your best friend is just grody. I mean…that's like…flirting with your sibling. It was morally wrong…and…grody…
The music changed to a more upbeat techno song, and I could feel the energy radiating off of Sami. I laughed, and her head snapped towards me.
"What?"
"You want to dance…." I sing songed.
"How the hell would you know that?" Sami retorted. Her eyes grazed over the huge space in my living room. Andie and Chase were acting all secretive, and sort of tense in the far back corner. They were whispering to each other, and neither of them looked too happy. Cable had rejoined Missy on the dance floor now accompanied by Fly and Camille. Smiles and Kido were in the kitchen with Hair…I think….I didn't know where they were…oh, and Monster was just leaning against the staircase looking as emo as ever. Creeper…
"Hey, guys!" Andie came over. I could tell she was on edge. I could hear it in her voice, see it in her eyes…she looked as if she might cry.
"Hey, D…are you okay?" Sami asked before I could. I looked up at Andie with caring eyes. I hated seeing my best friend upset. Chase was probably still getting on her about this college thing.
"Yeah, I just…" Andie paused. She looked at Camille and Fly, and then back at us, and smiled, "I just want to dance…so get off your asses and let's do it!"
I immediately jumped up and watched as Andie made her way to the middle of the room. She immediately started moving to the beat. I smiled. Dance was the one thing that made everyone (at least everyone I genuinely cared about) happy.
I looked back to see that Sami was still sitting down.
"Come on! You heard the lady! Get off your ass!" I ordered sternly.
Sami shot me a look. I winced…behind that sweet and innocent look…was a monster…a cute one…like from Monster's Inc.
"Please" I quickly added on sweetly. She laughed. She held out her hands, and I automatically grasped them in my own and pulled her up with great force.
"WHOOOOOO! SAMI!" I cheered as I flung her into the center of our group.
"Moose!" Sami scolded me. We all stared at her and waited. Everyone cheered and egged her on.
"Come on, girl!" Camille cheered, "Whoo!"
Did someone spike that chick's soda?
Sami sighed, and shot a glare in my direction. She secretly liked how much I pushed her into doing things she didn't wanna do.
Sami began rocking to the techno beat.
"Okayyyy!" Camille laughed, "I see you, girl…feel that beat!"
I laughed, she'd been rambling and shouting out comments like that all night! It was hilarious.
Sami started to tick tick tick to beat. She hit each beat, and rolled when necessary. We cheered as she waved out, and then in, and then out again.
She was popp'n hard, and it was interesting to watch such an incredibly talented girl. The girl who I got to call girlfriend…yup, I said it…in my head…
"Whoo!" Camille danced around Sami. The chick was a freaking partier. It was funny as heck.
"Alright, Moose!" Camille exclaimed, "Go dance with your woman!"
I had to laugh at that one. Out loud. She was hilarious! Okay, game time.
I let the music flow through my body as I danced. Most people consider me lucky to be able to create the things that I create on the dance floor…and to the people I say 'I concur'. The ability to express yourself through anything is something that very few people can do, and if you have that gift you should appreciate it.
--
Later on that even the MSA crew, even Camille, had settled down. They had put on more mellow music, and they were all just sitting and talking.
Monster was getting annoyed with this whole 'MSA get together' everyone was all talking to one another and buddy buddy. It was extremely irritating. He looked over at Sami and Moose. He rolled his eyes, and stalked into the kitchen.
"Hey, can you bring me back a snack and a something to drink!" Smiles called after him. Monster waved his hand at her to let him know that he heard him.
Sami sat next to Moose, they were maybe a millimeter apart. Sami was unsure if she should rest her head against his shoulder or not. Usually he was the one who'd make the first move. She felt awkward just sitting next to him as he talked to Camille. Everyone else was engaged in their own individual conversations, except from Monster, but he was standing by himself next to the stair case and- oh wait, he wasn't there anymore.
Sami sighed, and leaned back into the couch. Missy caught her eye. Missy looked at her with caring and worried eyes. Sami just rolled her eyes, and motioned them toward Moose. Missy returned the eye roll and make a gesture that signaled for her to make the first move. Sami protested silently, but Missy gave her a stern look.
Sami sighed, again, and looked over at Moose. He was in the middle of laughing at something that Camille had just said. Sami yawned and tried to relax, she subtly rested her body against Moose's side. The sudden warmth he felt there caught his attention.
Moose turned away from Camille, and grinned at Sami. He happily wrapped his arm around her and pulled her closer. She snuggled against him and yawed again. Moose laughed.
"I love this girl! She's adorable…she like a kitten…" Moose joked, and Camille laughed.
Sami hit him in his abs, and glared up at him, but she couldn't help but smile. He was utterly ridiculous most of the time, but she loved that about him.
"How long have you guys been going out?" Camille asked. Her brown eyes glowing as she looked at the couple. She was filled with such euphoric energy.
"For about a month…more or less…I'm too tired to do the exact math right now…" Moose laughed.
"I knew it!" Camille laughed, "You guys are so awkward it's adorable!"
Moose and Sami turned red instantly. The rest of the house laughed. Moose joined them eventually, but Sami was a bit too embarrassed to find the humor.
"I mean that in a good way…" Camille assured Sami once she realized how tomato red she had turned. "You guys are cute together"
"Camille has always been blatant about everything. Sometimes she just doesn't know when to shut up" Andie joked to ease the tension. Camille grabbed a couch pillows and hit Andie with it laughing.
"Yeah, sometimes I really just can't help it, but seriously…you guys are awesome…like…the perfect couple…" Camille reassured.
Monster came in just hear that last line. His blood was just boiling. He held the tray he had in his hands tightly. He went into the kitchen to get a snack, and something to drink…
Monster walked slowly into the room. His glared fixed on the back of Moose's laughing head. He thought about what would happen if he were to dump the entire tray of food on him. The two roast beef sandwiches, the two sodas, the chips…everything on that curly head of his…
A series of screams, and multiple shocked gasps, and amused comments erupted through out the household. Monster couldn't help, but crack a smile at what he saw before him. He hadn't planned it, or maybe he did, but tripping over Cable's gym bag and spilling the entire tray of goodies all over Moose was the best thing that has happened to him in life so far.
"Why is it always me?" Fly moaned. Everyone laughed as Fly got up and looked down at her Coke and BLT covered white Tee. She was sitting on the floor right next to Moose who was near the arm of the couch.
"Man, I just wanted a soda and something to drink…" Smile complained. Fly glared at him and slapped him upside the head. Everyone laughed again.
Monster's eyes made his way back over to Moose. He wanted to see his shocked expression-
"What are you laughing at?" Moose grinned. He focused his eyes on Sami's laughing face through his Coke drenched curls.
Sami didn't answer she was too busy laughing. She was nearly in tears at the sight of Moose's dripping wet clothing, and the pieces of roast beef, tomato, and lettuce that was in his hair.
The entire room laughed as they watched Sami practically tear up. She was laughing so hard it was hilarious, and Moose just sat there completely covered in food and drink staring at her. The whole thing was humorous to watch. Except to Monster.
"Really? I'm covered head to do in soda and BLT…and you are laughing at me?" Moose asked calmly. This only sent Sami in another fit of laughter. The entire room was weak at this point. Moose remained calm, and Monster obviously upset.
"You…" Sami gasp for air, she opened her eyes which were flooding with tears, "You…you have…." Tears began to spill over and were running down her cheeks, she looked at Moose's serious expression and laughed harder, "Why- why…do you look so ser-" She couldn't finish a sentence. She was holding her sides and whipping her body all over the couch.
"You have ROAST BEEF in your hair!" Sami barely choked out. She laughed even harder if that was possible.
"Damn, she is mad weak!" Hair laughed, "Sami, calm down!"
"Damn, girl" Andie laughed.
Moose just stared her down, "Really? That's funny to you?"
Sami's eyes widened, "YES!" She laughed hysterically.
Suddenly there was a loud shriek. Moose tackled Sami and rubbed his entire body all over her. Sami screamed again.
"STOP!" Sami laughed and screamed. She could feel the Coke running through her clothes. "MOOSE!"
"Hey, hey, hey!" Sami called over the laughter that erupted through the entire house. Everyone paused, even Moose, to hear what Sami had to say.
"What?" Chase asked. He hadn't spoken all night, but what was currently occurring in front of him was extremely entertaining.
"Nothing!" Sami rolled out from under Moose, landed on her feet (somewhat gracefully) and ran into the kitchen. Right past Monster's scowling face.
Moose sprinted after Sami, and left the laughing room behind him. He chased her around the island.
"You might as well give up…you know your short little legs are no match for my long ones" Moose taunted evilly. He grinned through his dripping hair. His smile sending a fit of shivers through her body. She laughed as she whipped back around and into the living room.
"FLY!" Moose called out.
Fly stepped out and blocked Sami. She enveloped her into a bone crushing hug. Sami was just as covered as Fly and Moose now. All three of them were covered completely in BLT and Coke.
Everyone was laughing. Fly let Sami go only to have Moose grab her again. He tossed Sami over his shoulder and spun her around.
"Stoooppppp!" Sami laughed, "I'm already all gross and stuff like you are…do you have to make get all queasy too? I would hate to puke all over everyone, Moose!"
"Yeah, dude, put her down" Cable agreed. His arm was draped over Missy's shoulders, and his face twisted up in disgust.
"Yeah, it's bad enough we all have to crouch down lower so she doesn't feel left out…now you want her midget puke all over us…that's not fair" Cable laughed.
"Hey, Moose, stand right next to Cable…I want to make sure I have no chance in missing his head when I vomit" Sami commented. Everyone laughed, and Moose set Sami down neatly on her feet.
"Okay, Sami…you know where the bathroom is…Fly…there's a bathroom upstairs and downstairs…I'll use the one in my room…"
"I'll use the one down here…" Sami offered, "it's my favorite bathroom"
"Only you would have a favorite bathroom, Sami" Moose commented, but laughed. He like her weirdness.
"Yeah, your cool" Cable laughed, "You have a favorite bathroom"
Sami grabbed a pillow off the couch and chucked it at Cable's head. She didn't even look to see if it had hit him, she had turned around was already headed toward the bathroom.
She liked the downstairs bathroom because of the way it was decorated. It was the only bathroom with an actual theme (well, maybe Moose's mom's bathroom had one…but she didn't plan on ever going in there to find out). The theme was Under the Sea and everything was covered in blues, and greens, and things of that nature. Everything looked so incredibly expensive and Sami was always scared to touch it. As embarrassing as it was when Moose was upstairs doing something she'd sneak into the bathroom just so she could play with the mini mermaid statues. They were made out of real silver, and were planted on either side of the sink.
Sami cleaned her shirt as best she could. What she really needed to do was throw it into the wash. Instead she focused her time picking the roast beef, tomato slices, and lettuce out of her hair. Once she was done she turned the light off and opened the door only to run right into Monster.
Monster and Sami's faces both turned bright red as they stood there awkwardly.
"Sorry" They both apologized. They laughed at their idiocy for a brief moment before Monster tried again.
"Sorry"
"Me too" Sami laughed. She ran a hand through her BLT free hair. Luckily she didn't get Coke in it so it wasn't all sticky and wet.
"No, about the BLT…and Coke incident" Monster said, "I didn't see Cable's gym bag"
"Oh, no, it's cool…" Sami reassured him, "it was really funny…what happened…"
"Yeah" Monster smiled, though he didn't find her laughing it up with her douche of a boyfriend that humorous. "So, uh…"
Sami felt very uncomfortable. Every time she was around Monster all she wanted to do was find an exit and make a bee line for it. She knew it was a horrible way to feel, but she couldn't help it…something just didn't feel right.
"I heard you made Hermia…congratulations!" Monster looked genuinely excited, and proud of Sami. This made Sami feel like a total ass. Here she was wishing she could dodge this kid, and here he was being excited for her.
"Yeah!" Sami smiled, but then her face looked guilty. "I'm sorry…I was so shocked to see my name…I completely forgot to check for your name…"
Monster laughed, his brown eyes shining, "It's okay…I've seen a million of cast lists…the shock becomes more bearable after a while…but yeah…I made Lysander"
Sami's eyes widened in disbelief and excitement, "No way!" She was sincerely thrilled that Monster had gotten a lead. He deserved to have his talents showcase.
"Yeah, thanks" Monster chuckled, "My first leading role"
"Yeah! Oh my gosh, I'm so happy for you!" Sami was so proud of Monster. He was extremely talented, and he was so nice. She was happy she would have someone she knew during rehearsals to help her.
"Yeah…" Monster smiled, but his nonchalant tone was getting on Sami's nerves it was like he was beating around the bush, but what bush?
It felt awkward again, and Sami's eyes silently started to look over toward the living room where there was a group of kids in there that didn't make her feel uncomfortable…
"So, how about we run lines tomorrow after school?" Monster's voice interrupted her thoughts.
Sami looked at him for a moment. She was supposed to help Moose with his dance show case performance.
"Well, I uhm, sort of…was supposed to hang out with Moose…" Sami replied lamely.
Monster frowned. He didn't like the sound of that. He tried again, "Well, I think Moose would understand-"
"What would Moose understand?" Moose's voice cut in.
Monster and Sami turned to see Moose dressed in a plain white v neck and black basket ball shorts. His hair was dripping wet and falling in his eyes.
Sami's cheeks flushed, for some reason having Moose and Monster barely three feet away from each other…and her, all at the same time made her very uncomfortable.
"Well, Sami and I both made a mid Summer…and I asked her if she wanted to run lines…off book is two weeks from now…so, she's really going to need to buckle down…" Monster stated boldly.
"Yeah, but I'm helping you with the dance show case tomorrow, and-" Sami started, but Moose cut her off.
"No, I'll be fine…run lines with Monster" Moose told her.
Sami looked up at him perplexed. She didn't like that. She wanted to be with him not with Monster.
"Are you sure…" Sami went on.
"Yes," Moose smiled, "This is your first production…and you're a leading role…I don't want to hinder your chances…"
Moose wanted to be a supportive as possible. He could afford one rehearsal. He really wanted Sami to do well, and he wasn't going to stand in her way. What kind of boyfriend would he be if he stood in her way?
"Great!" Monster enthused with a bright smile, "I'll meet you under the big tree after school tomorrow"
Monster walked back into the living room the happiest anyone's seen him in weeks.
"Here" Moose grinned, he held out a clean t-shirt and a pair of basket ball shorts.
Sami took them slowly still disappointed slightly, "Thanks"
"You're gonna rock it, babe" Moose joked. Sami smiled.
Though she was about to spend the afternoon with an extremely attractive friend who did not understand the meaning of personal space, she would never let anything get in the way of true happiness. Moose truly made her happy.