Sweet Escape
chapter 7
Sam's Pov
I groan loudly as my sister hauled me over to one of those pink stores Carly used to go when she force me to come with her to shop. This must be the tenth store we visited. I don't know how can my sister never get tired of going store to store and trying like all the clothes on rack! Doesn't her feet sore or something? It's like she wants to wipe the store empty. She has already like 20 shopping bags and we had to go back to the parking lot just to put it in the car and get back again. I kinda wish Carly's here so I don't need to sit here while she disappear to the dressing room and step out to model all the clothes she feels like buying. I swear, this girl should've never had that credit card.
I slump to one of those couches, placing few bag - her shopping bags - on the side, wiping the bead of sweat on my forehead. That girl needs to slow down, or else I'll tie her to one of the racks.
"You think the blue one looks better than the gray one?" she asked behind closed doors of the dressing that is just across to where I'm sitting.
She picked up two dresses: a blue one with a sweetheart neckline and the gray one that is a tube dress that expose to much of her back. I'm not really that kind of an expert when it comes to clothes but that doesn't mean I'm not that fashionable like her and Carly is.
"The gray one is good but it shows too much back. I like the blue one better." I suggest halfheartedly and not wanting to make it too conversational so that she'll just come out and buy it already, which I highly doubt she'll do. She'll probably study the two dresses for good ten minutes, list all the cons and prons in her mind for five minutes, wear it again for the third time, examine herself on the mirror for good six minutes until she make her decision.
Yup, that girl loves shopping.
"You think so? I like the gray one better. It looks classy." Of course she won't be satisfied with my answer.
"It's up to you, Mel."
"Okay."
I began to focus on random people going in and out of the store and flipping my phone every now and then. Freddie's with his mom because his mom forced him to spend some quality time with her much to his - and I's - complain that's why I don't have someone to bother or talk to while sitting dumbly here.
Minutes passed, my sister have decided - at last - to come out of the dressing room, two dresses hanging on both her arms.
"I'm buying them both. Just to make sure." she smile at me. Well, that was expected.
She went to the cashier, placed the dresses neatly on the counter as she fish her wallet inside her bag. The girl swiped the price tags and she handed the girl her credit card. She said a quick gratitude, grabbing her bag and motioning for me to come over so we'll go now.
I lazily pull myself, grabbing the shopping bags and following her out of the store. Finally!
I heard my stomach growl and frown, clutching my empty stomach. I almost forgot that I haven't eaten because I'm too busy mopping around because of Mel's shopping addiction. I need to eat now or else I'll get very grumpy and no one wants to see Sam Puckett getting all grumpy because it's not nice at all.
"Can we eat now? I'm hungry." pouting to give emphasis.
She roll her eyes and let out a small laugh.
"Of course. We'll take the escalator down and go to the foodcourt."
"Yes!" I pump my fist and grin widely, giving her a side hug, I add."You're the best sister ever."
I keep messing with my phone as I waited for Melanie. She decided to buy food for us while I get our table and rest for a while. I've been waiting for a text from Freddie but i got none. I wonder what Mrs. Benson made him do to keep him from texting me? His last text was this around morning when Mel and I were on our way to the mall.
I sigh heavily, seeing my sister walking her way back with a tray full of food in hand, I push my phone back to my front pocket, stood up and help her carry the tray.
"Thanks."
She slid to the bench across me and get her food from the tray and pushing the others to me. I lick my lips and felt my mouth watering. She ordered salad and iced tea for herself - she's vegetarian, a shocker right? - and mini bucket of fried chicken, two slices of thin crust meat overload, large fries, double deluxe burger and a large milkshake. Yup, she certainly know how to feed her sister very well.
In less than two minutes, I devour most of my food and she watched me with pure amusement and half-disgust. I cannot blame her though, she must've thought that after all these years I'll change my way of eating. Sorry sis, you shouldn't hope for something that big and impossible.
"So, how's the restaurant doing?" she said, starting a small conversation as she sips her cold iced tea.
"It's going great. People are patronizing it more. I'm actually thinking of expanding the entire restaurant."
"Wow. You must've a lot of customers to come to a decision like that."
"I do have."
"But, isn't it quite expensive? I mean, you're going to renovate the whole thing and maybe close it for awhile until it's finish."
"It is. A lot of money actually. It's just an idea though. I cannot just close the restaurant for quite awhile. I'll lose source of income and I very much need it support myself."
"Have you told about this to mom?"
"No. Why would I?"
"Sam, she's our mom and I think you've show her and everyone else that you can be independent. It's time to ask for a hand."
The idea of asking anyone for help is very unfamiliar to me. I've been supporting myself since like...ever. Although I only supported my studies when I turned 18, but still. It gives such a hard impact on my ego to ask for help now. It's not like I'm being boastful or just showing to people that I can be independent. I've been used to this kind of setup besides my mom and I are still not in good terms because of my daddy issues.
I felt free hand reach my hand that's placed on the table, covering it with hers, she spoke.
"Sam."
"I don't think I need any help. I can still manage."
"You said it yourself, Sam. You're only source of income is the restaurant. I'm not saying it's selling less or something because I know it's selling more but..think about it. You're paying for your college, a house and you're still paying for the half of the payment for the car. Your basic needs are not even there yet."
"Mom's paying for your everything."
"Mom's job is enough to keep us both stable. And..dad's helping as well now. You know because he wants to pay the times he missed." she look at me hopefully, the way she looked at me when she convinced me to give my father a second chance.
I know I needed some help but part of me - the stubborn and prideful part - still tells me that I can still do it by myself. If I want to expand the restaurant, I need a lot of money.
Sensing mt hesitations and my lack of response, she squeeze my hands.
"Just let mom take care of your college fees. It's the least she can do after all."
"Fine. I'll talk to her."
"That's great to hear."
"I see you've been convincing me a bunch of times."
"Well, they say I have this charm that can convince people, even the stubborn twin sister of mine." she said, smirking.
After shopping with my sister it's time for her to go back to New York which quite saddens me because I felt like two days weren't enough bond with her. It's been so long but she did told me that she'll visit again next time or if I'm free I can always visit her.
I dropped my sister off to the airport and exchanged a tight hug and goodbyes before her flight was called. I can say I had fun with my sister and I'll miss her. Anyways, an hour later after Mel flew back to New York, I'm sitting with Freddie at his very apartment watching Zombieland. We have our legs tangle over the coffee table as we cuddle. He absent mindedly twirl few strands of my hair which I find is quite often. I kinda think that he has some hair fetish or something because he always wants to touch my hair like for instances, there are times that he'll just brush my hair with his fingers randomly or smell it. I remember calling him on that and saying how weird he is although I find it very cute, he told me that he just likes my hair.
"I love you." I look up to him and gave him a funny look.
"Random but I love you too, baby." I lean in to give him a brief kiss - supposedly - but it turns out to be somewhat heated. I stretched a bit and yawned before snuggling closer to him. He softly kiss the crook of my neck. I fidgeted slightly and let out a giggle."That tickles."
He smiled, nuzzling his face into my neck, making me giggle even more.
Freddie's Pov
The sound of her giggles is so un-Sam like, and yet it's still one of the most beautiful sounds I'd ever heard.
"You smell good." I mumbled into her skin. She smells soo good. A mixture of her strawberry shampoo and breath mints. It's soo addicting.
"So do you." she yawned. She rolled onto her back, causing me to be half on-top of her, and look at me with those brilliant blue eyes that never ceased to make me hypnotized.
"You're so beautiful." I murmured, curling a strand of hair around my fingers. She smile and bit her lip and it took all my will power to not kiss her as violently as I could.
"You're being soo random. But, thanks for the compliments." she said, struggling to keep her eyes open. I smiled, stroking her cheek softly with my thumb.I brush my lips lightly to hers and her lips curve into a smile."Why the sudden sweetness?"
"I just missed you. You've spent your entire weekend with your sister whilst I was with my mom. I just miss spending time with you." I said, kissing her temple.
"Me too." she mumble.
"You haven't told me yet what happened between you and your sister." I grab her hands and play with her fingers.
She intertwine both of our hands and smile to herself.
"She told me that I should fix things with mom."
"I agree with her."
"Of course you do. You've been disagreeing with everything I say."
"Sam."
"I know." she sigh."You just want what's best for me. I get it." I nod and kiss the back of her palm.
"Tell me more." I usher for her to continue.
"She wants me to make mom pay for my college stuffs, saying it's mom's job and I couldn't afford to do it myself. Do you know I plan on expanding the restaurant?"
I quirk and eyebrow and lean into my elbows, turned my body half to look at her.
"I guess I didn't tell you." she gave out a guilty laugh.
"What made you decide?"
"I just thought maybe it'll be a big help besides I think we're growing customers more and more."
"That takes a lot of money, baby."
She pursed her lips and nod.
"I know." she mutter softly.
"Do I have to talk to my mom and tell her to increase her investments?"
"What?! No!" she exclaim."You don't have to do that. I know I'll find way to fix it besides, now that I've talked to Mel, I guess I'm good now. I'll be able to talk to mom."
"I'm happy for you." I murmur to her hair, stroking her cheeks gently.
Sam's Pov
"Sammy!" I heard Julie calls from the outside,making a quick dash inside my office.
"What happened? Is everything okay?"I asked sheepishly.
"Okay? There's that hot guy who went here last time. He's looking for you." she gush excitedly.
I roll my eyes. Him again. What does he want? Didn't he understand what I told him before when he was here? Ugh!
"Do you want me him here?"
"No. I'll go outside. Lead him to those booths and give him food. I'll be out in a minute." I told her.
She nods quickly and disappear behind close doors. I run my fingers down my hair, pursing my lips. I sigh and stand up, patting my clothes neat.
He's sitting on those booths near the big window, sipping his - I assume - coffee. He is wearing yet, another formal attire: dress pants and white linen button shirt, his coat folded neatly on the side of the table.
I walk towards him, my eyes burning at his back. Once I'm near enough I clear my throat rather loud for him to hear. He look up to me and I see a glint in his eyes. He's beaming. He stand up and offer his hand for a hand shake.
"You're here again." I said quite rudely, making it obvious that I'm not that happy to see him.
He pull his hand back when I refuse to shake it looking disappointed. He frown a little but soon recover.
"Nice to see you too, Ms. Puckett."
"What are you doing here? Haven't I made it clear that I'm not interested? I refused to call you under any circumstances."
"I'm very aware of that."
"Then why are you here?"
"Because I want to eat here."
"Is that all?"
"And I want to see you again." He smiles that killer-smile that can make every woman in the place kneel down him.
"You're quite a joker I see." I comment.
"Do you mind sitting down? I prefer to make both of us comfortable." He motions to the spot available across him.
I slide myself to the booth, placing my joined fingers on the table. I cock my head to the side and examine him. I don't know what this guy's game is but I'm pretty sure he's playing some nasty jokes here.
"I know that our first meeting wasn't that pleasant.." he trails, looking at me with shame.
"You were forcing me to sell out my restaurant's name." I say in disgust.
"And with that I apologize dearly. It's not my position to force you with such preposition but I did that because it's what I do. Anyways, I'm really hoping to start a new here."
I raise an eyebrow and look at him in confusion.
"So what are you getting at exactly?"
"I really want to be friends, Ms. Puckett."
"Is that your new plan in making me sign your damn documents?" I accuse, leaning back on my seat with a glare.
He hold his hand in front, waving it."Oh god, No! No! I'm really sincere about this. It's not about business this time. I really want to start a friendship. If you will just let me introduce myself to you properly Ms. Puckett."
"Fine. You want to be friends? Cut it out with the formality. Call me Sam instead."
He smiles, nodding."Very well, Sam." he say, emphasizing my name."I'm sorry about our first meeting. I know you got the wrong impression about me. And I intend to change that from this day forward."
"I don't really know exactly what you mean by being friends with me. I already have quite a circle of friends and I don't think I need to recruit a new one."
"C'mon, I'm also fun. Sometimes." he say cheekily.
I laugh a little, shaking my head.
"You're very beautiful when you're laughing, Sam."
I stop in my fits of laughter and I can feel my face heating. Damn! How did he do that? No one besides Freddie and maybe Carly and Brad compliments me, and they're my bestfriends.
"Why did you stop? Did I say something wrong?" he frown, knitting his eyebrows.
"No. I.." I stutter. Shit! Why am I stuttering?
"It's okay. I know you're not that comfortable with me yet and I understand." he offers a thoughtful smile."But I do hope you'll be...soon."
I feel like there's no need to stay any longer and I have quite a few reaction papers to finish in my office for school. I stand up and he did as well.
"You're leaving?" his voice small and quiet.
"Uh...I have to finish some paper works in the office. If you need anything...you can just...ask."
"Alright." he nod."I have to go anyway. Maybe I can see you again next time?"
"Sure. I'm always here."
"Great. Nice to finally patch things up, Sam." he offer his hand again to shake.
I reach for it and my skin starts to tingle under his grip. His hand's big and soft. I felt myself blush again. He's beaming again, his smile reaching his eyes.
"I'll see you next time, Sam."
"Yeah." is all I can utter.
I groan loudly, tossing my pen to the desk in frustration. Ugh! I can't think straight. My palm is still tingling and I don't know why! What's with that Travis guy anyway? He's no special at all. Alright, Sam. Think straight. Clear your head. Stop thinking that green eyed, copper haired guy!
"Hey." Julie peers from the door."Can I come in?" she asked cautiously.
"Of course."
She open the door wide to enter and close it again after.
"What?" I ask as she look at me.
"So...how's Mr. Hotpants?"
"Hotpants?" I ask in amusement.
"What? He's hot, can't blame me."
"Okaaay." I say, nodding.
"Heard you guys talking."
"Oh did you?"
"I think he likes you."
"Wow. What an observation Ms. Everett." I say my voice dripping with obvious sarcasm. I shift to my seat and move from one computer to other, trying my hardest to finish my reaction paper due tomorrow.
"He came here not for business. I heard he wants to be friends and I do believe you agreed to him."
"I'm trying to be friendly to a person who's going to be a regular customer...I think."
"Hmm...you sure has a lot of hot guys lining up for you despite the fact that you're already taken by a hot, hot guy as well. Oh, Samantha, how can I have such charm that you own?"
"I do not have guys lining up for me, thank you very much. And I couldn't agree more to how you describe my boyfriend."
"Seriously Sam. There's that Brad guy who's your bestfriend who's a constant gallant. Then another is that Mr. Hotpants. I cannot actually name the others...most of them are customers that I do not know."
"You are really out of your mind, Julie. Brad is my bestfriend. He has a girlfriend in which is part of our circle and about your "Mr. Hotpants", I bet he only offers me that just to convince me easily about those stupid franchising stuffs."
"Suit yourself, Sam. But the girl knows what she sees. And she sees more than you." she points to herself, wiggling her eyebrows.
"Don't you have some work to do?"
"Alright, I'll go back to the kitchen now, Ms. Grumpy."
"I just need to finish my paperworks for school. These are important."
"Sucks. Well, I'll go back to the hell kitchen. I'll leave you with your piles of paperworks. I don't want to be the cause of your rather unfinished projects or whatsoever." she winks, standing over the door.
I shake my head and smile at her wits. I slump back to my chair once she's out of my office. I stare blankly at the screen. I'm nowhere halfdown to my reaction paper and it's needed to be a two page reaction paper, single spacing and with 12 as the font size. I really gotta haul ass!
I jump in surprise as my rings loudly. I grab it from the desk and tap it open not even bothering to look on the caller ID.
"Yes?" I hiss on the other line.
"Just making sure I got the right number."
"Mr. Anderson?" I regard him in confusion. How did he get my number? I don't remember exchanging phone numbers to him lately.
"Hey, I thought we are starting now as friends? What's with the formality?" I can hear him frown. Wow, I guess this guy loves frowning.
"How did you-"
"Your assistant. I believe her name's Julie."
"Julie!" I exclaim in exasperation, shaking my head. That girl!
"I'm sorry. Am I not allowed to get your number? Don't be mad at her, I asked her about it."
"I'm just being very secure when it comes to my personal informations. I had a history with fans calling me."
"Oh..well. I'm also your fan but I don't want to be such a stress to you. I just made sure I got your number right."
"Okay."
"Okay. Uhm..I gotta go now. I know you're very busy."
"Yeah."
"Bye, Sam."
"Bye, Travis." I tap my phone close and took a deep breath before I holler.
"JULIEEE!"
Oh man! I think I'm going to pass out now! I've been working on these papers and I'm still not finish. My brain is close to exploding and maybe we can put shredded brain on the menu. Why is going to college so hard? I mean, I only want to be a chef. What does reaction papers about Shakespeare's sonnets and today's news have to do with me cooking? Is it going to be a secret recipe?
The restaurant is close into closing already and I believe people are starting to disperse. I heard my phone ring for the second time today. I tap it open.
It's Brad.
"Sup, Bradley?" I said coolly, pressing the speaker on my phone before placing it back on the desk as I scramble the scattered papers on the table.
"I'm outside. Can I come in?"
"Of course. The door's open."
Minutes later, the door open revealing Brad, a paperbag in hand.
"I brought you coffee and some doughs. I heard that you're quite busy today. I thought maybe I can keep you company for awhile." He smile, plopping on the U-shaped couch, placing the paperback on the table.
I stand and move towards him. I immediately come for food.
"Dude. You're such a lifesaver." I grin and punch his shoulder lightly.
"Happy to serve." he said in a manly voice. I giggle and plop down next to him holding a classic glazed strawberry filled dough."So, whatya working at Blondie?"
"You know the usual. Assignments." I roll my eyes annoyingly as I point to my desk."I've been working on those since morning. I haven't been out here."
"Obviously. Freddie's being such a grumpy man because you two can't hang for awhile considering you are busy and he's being forced to redecorate his mom's kitchen. Man! I haven't seen soo many disinfectant sprays in my life. And can you believe that there is a germ protection paint?" he say in such amusement and disbelief.
I laugh at his words. Oh, Mrs. B, you're such a crazy batshit.
"Are you really surprise?"
"Well, I'm still trying to cope up with such craziness." he smirk.
"Change topic. So, how's you and Amber?"
"Good."
Ever since Brad accepted that movie date with Amber, they've been constantly going out. Amber is great and she's perfect for him. I'm really happy for them. I just hope he'll ask her already to be his girlfriend, officially.
"Just good? You guys are constantly making out in the halls, practically sucking each other's face. You two are worse than Fredster and I and you all say we can't keep our hands off of each other. I bet its more than good." I pointed.
"Trust me, it's just good. I mean, yeah, Amber sweet and charming.." he trails.
"When are you going to ask her to be your girlfriend? The girl's reeling for that."
"I dunno...I'm a bit unsure right now."
"What? What do you mean?"
"I don't know if I'm ready to be serious. You know how I was in my past relationships. I don't want repeats."
"Dude! Don't be such a pansy. Those were in the past now and c'mon, Amber's different from those whores who cheated on you." I roll my eyes at him, taking a huge bite of my doughnut.
"You can't blame the guy, I had such bad history with relationships. I'm just refraining myself from hurting."
"You won't get hurt. Again, Amber's different. Besides, you guys are perfect. Just give it a shot." I encourage, nudging him with my elbow.
"Alright woman! Stop with the forcing." he say with a laugh."You gotta call Freddie, he's starting to get crazy. I assume he inhaled too many disinfectant sprays that it damaged his brain." He snort.
I gave him a glare telling him to shut up. Oh, my poor baby. Marissa is really giving him a hard time. I really need to see him now.
"Nah. I'll just clean my stuffs and we can head back to Bushwell. I'm really tired with these stuff here, I might explode sooner than him."
"I doubt it. I bet you guys will explode at the same time." he chuckles. I chuck him my pencil in which he luckily ducked out my shot hitting the soft arm of the couch."Hey! No need to be violent."
"Then stop being such an arse."
"Just hurry up, blondie. I ain't gonna wait for so long." I protrude my tongue out, giggling lightly.