Chapter Four
Rain
Sam went to the bathroom connected to the locker room. He quickly walked to the sink and turned the water on. He splashed his face a few times. The former hero winced slightly when the ice cold liquid went into his eyes. Sam cursed under his breath and sighed. It seemed as though things were going from bad to worse and this day was going to be one of his worst. He couldn't believe that he had encountered both Ava and Peter all in one stupid morning. The only thing that kept him going right now was the fact that his shift was about to end. He had only one hour left and after that he was going to sleep off every last bit of this blasted morning. Of course, fate decided to throw another surprise into his face. Just when Sam had managed to calm down someone else entered the bathroom. The former superhero gasped slightly and nearly yelped when he was enveloped into a bear hug. Sam narrowed his eyes when he heard the person behind him start chuckling.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Sam asked through gritted teeth. When the laughter increased, his glare intensified. Sam tried to get out of the other person's grip, but his struggles and attempts were futile. Pretty soon he sighed and started chuckling himself. Unbelievable! Nick was….Nick was…just unbelievable.
"You're unbelievable." Sam said through chuckles once he had made sure his friend's laughter had ceased.
"Why?" Nick asked confused beyond words.
Sam rolled his eyes at the question and just waited for his dense friend to let him go. After a few seconds of inaction from Nick, Sam rolled his eyes once more, this time in irritation. The former superhero decided to give Nicholas another chance but knowing how oblivious to the uncomfortable and awkward situations Nick was, it was going to take a while for him to realize how strange their position was. After a good five minutes of being enveloped in a bear hug Sam had enough.
"Nick!"
"What?" Nick questioned again perplexed.
Sam, of course, rolled his eyes yet again and gestured with his hands (or rather the part of them, which was free to move) how uncomfortable his position was. Nick was again bewildered at first but soon understood what his friend wanted and complied. He smirked when he noticed the scowl Sam was wearing. Looks like his plan had worked after all.
"What was that for?" Sam asked clearly still annoyed.
"What was what for?" Nick asked earning him a friendly glare from Sam, which soon transformed into an amused smirk.
"You did it all on purpose, didn't you?" Sam asked still wearing that amused grin on his face.
"I did what on purpose?" Nick questioned batting his eyelashes like a confused schoolgirl. That action made Sam start laughing. His friend truly was something. After the former superhero had managed to calm down, he smiled at his friend.
"Thanks Nick."
"Why are you thanking me?" Nick asked this time quite serious. Of course, his tone and serious look betrayed him when Sam gave him an exasperated look. The twenty-three-year-old tilted his head to the side, trying to imitate a schoolgirl again. This time, however, Sam rolled his eyes and muttered something incoherent.
"What was that?" Nick asked and put his hand near one of his ears in a mock fashion. Sam put a hand on his forehead and answered:
"I said stop acting so childishly."
"Look who's talking." Nick countered which earned him a small glare from Sam.
"As far as I remember I'm the older one." Sam said which earned him a roll of the eyes from Nick and a disappointed look.
"Really Sam? Maturity isn't determined by age. I thought you knew this. After all, you were the wise guy that came up with that statement."
Sam's mouth fell slightly open. He tried to say something. He desperately wanted to come up with something witty to reply with but he had nothing. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, this was his friend Nicholas, often referred to as Nick - the strangest and most eccentric person ever to walk this planet.
"Stop it."
"Stop what? Being smarter than you?" Nick asked and smirked afterwards.
"Yes!" Sam responded and once he saw the twitching of Nick's mouth, he realized what he had said, "N-no, I mean, hell no! Stop being such a smartass is what I requested."
Nick managed to contain his laughter and resorted to small chuckles, which soon subsided. He then put a finger on his chin and tapped it for a few seconds, making Sam's blood boil. His green eyes then fell to his companion and met his gaze. The twenty-three-year-old smirked and said:
"Why would I? After all, it seems to be doing wonders to your face. I think the few wrinkles that will soon appear from all the glaring and scowling will be able to give some dimwits the impression that you really are mature. Until you open your mouth that is."
Nick dodged a splash of water that was aimed for his face.
"Really Sam? Splashing me with water?" Nick asked while smirking as Sam threw another splash of water but missed yet again. The younger of the two's amused grin grew even more for Sam had shot him another death glare. He then attempted to shoot his friend with the icy cold liquid a few more times, but failed miserably. Nick was far too good when it came to avoiding things thrown at him that included the splashes with water, of course.
"Hold still." Sam said through gritted teeth.
"And why would I do that?" Nick asked as he dodged yet another splash.
"So I can hit you." Sam answered simply as he tried to get a hold of Nick.
The other just smirked and moved away from Sam's hands just in time. After a few minutes of chasing around the bathroom they both stopped. Sam had apparently grown tired of all the running and Nick, of course – of all the dodging and amused laughter. They were sitting next to each other in the locker room, both panting. Nick looked at his watched and his eyes widened. Sam saw the action and questioned the reason for it.
"It's almost twelve." Nick answered with slight annoyance.
Sam smirked and pumped his fists into the air. Nicholas waited for his friend to stop rejoicing at the fact that his shift had ended. It soon came to an end and Nick was grateful for it. Sam's attention was then turned to his clothes. He went to his locker and unlocked it. From it he grabbed his t-shirt and soon changed into it. His restaurant uniform was soon completely taken off and the former superhero was again in his casual clothes. Nick waited patiently for Sam to get comfortable so he could ask the question he wanted. Once Sam was sitting next to him, Nicholas cleared his throat, attracting his friend's undivided attention.
"Why were you sulking when I found you?"
Sam's eyes widened and his heart sped up for the briefest of moments, but his pride soon kicked in and he answered:
"I wasn't sulking."
Nick rolled his eyes and replied:
"No, you resembled a lost puppy that had been kicked in the gut far too many times."
Sam looked down his bangs covering his eyes, but Nicholas sensed that his harshness and the question itself had hit a soft spot. The youngster cursed under his breath and closed his eyes. He knew he had to keep his cool or else he was going to make Sam's day even worse and he knew that was the last thing his friend needed right now.
After a good fifteen minutes of utter silence, Nick sighed and said:
"Listen, I'm sorry for pushing you. If you don't want to talk about it, it's fine."
Sam listened to his friend and a grateful smile broke onto his face. He then looked up and met his friend's gaze.
"Right now I don't think I'll say anything coherent. Thanks for understanding." Sam said.
"Anytime. But is it something you can't handle?"
"Nick." Sam warned him but when he saw the worry and concern in his friend's eyes, he sighed and added, "Let's just say I met people I thought I'd never encounter again."
Nick immediately understood what Sam meant with those words and his worry soon disappeared. He then smiled and said goodbye to his friend. The green-eyed man soon changed into his uniform and went to exit the locker room, thinking:
I hope you really are alright, Sam. Lord knows you don't need to encounter those bastards, who dared call themselves your friends, ever again.
!*!*!* ~ QueenofRhymes *!*!*!
Ava knocked on Peter's door and waited for her fiancé to come and open it. After five minutes of waiting and constant shuffling on the other side the door was opened. Peter smiled and gave her a quick peck on the lips. He then let her in and followed after her. They sat on his couch. Peter turned the TV off and gave his fiancée his undivided attention. Once he saw the concern in her eyes he immediately understood what she was going to ask.
"Can you please come with me this time, Pete?" She was begging him, pleading and even dared use her puppy dog eyes (which meant that the situation was dire). Peter sighed and he shook his head. Ava sighed as well and said in a tone which was barely audible:
"Very well then."
After that she got up and exited his apartment, leaving Peter to drown in guilt and frustration.
!*!*!* QueenofRhymes *!*!*!
Ava walked as fast as she could. She had set her body on autopilot for her thoughts were far too complicated and yearned for her attention, which they, of course, received. A sigh escaped her lips as she neared the old hospital. She couldn't believe Peter had said no yet again. She still didn't understand why. Even after all these years, even after asking for her hand and receiving it, he still didn't trust her enough; at least not when it came to this issue or when Sam was mentioned.
Ava's fists were clenched and unclenched several times at the mention of the man's name. She didn't know why but she couldn't help but feel endangered. Even though she was certain these had never had a relationship, she was well aware of the feelings Peter harbored for Sam seven years ago. The thing that bothered her the most was the fact that she didn't know to what extent her fiancé had then fallen for Sam; the other thing she desperately needed to know was if Peter still felt something for Sam which went beyond the normal concern and care a person has for a friend. The woman shook her head. She knew she needn't be doubtful. Peter was with her. Peter loved her. Peter was engaged to her; not Sam.
I really shouldn't be worried. After all, Sam didn't reciprocate his feelings back then. Why would he feel anything for my Pete now?
That conclusion made Ava smile as she entered the hospital. She went to the nurse and requested a permission to enter a certain patient's room. After said person had given a positive answer, Ava bid the nurse goodbye and went to the elevator. She waited for a few short moments until the lift reached the second floor. Once the metal doors opened the woman exited the elevator and started walking. She examined the room numbers and smiled satisfied that she had finally reached his room. She knocked and when a small 'come in' was uttered on the other side of the door, Ava opened the door and smiled. Her warm smile was mirrored by the person in the bed.
"Hi." She said.
"Hey." He replied.
Ava then moved to his bed and hugged him tightly. He returned her embrace just as affectionately. He then let go and she stepped back. Ava sat on a chair and asked:
"How are you feeling today?"
"The same as yesterday." He answered truthfully.
Ava's heart fell but her smile never faltered. She remembered that there was always hope and she was going to believe in miracles until one happened to her dearest friend as well.
"Have you made any progress?" She questioned.
"No." He replied simply.
Ava's smile disappeared and her beautiful dark eyes were clouded with sadness. She fought the urge to cry. She hated how weak and emotional she became sometimes but it had been three years since the terrible and accident and yet no one had got better. Her heart broke every time she heard her once lively and cheerful friend speak in such a monotonous and raspy voice. She despised how distant he was. His body was here with her, yes, but his soul and mind – they had already given up any hope – and were sick and tired of being chained to a bed. She also resented how distant he was with her. At first he had welcomed her with arms wide open; he had always smiled at her; he had always gazed at her with so much care and so much warmth and now….now he was just a hollow shell with nothing inside. He was just one of the many people here who wanted and waited their end to come but that was something he was never going to get. The reason for that was because his condition wasn't something extremely terrible. He could live with it but he didn't want to. He needed death because he couldn't survive being tied to a wheelchair for the rest of his life. Yes, he could live with it. He just didn't want to.
Ava put a hand on his and by some miracle she felt him squeeze it. A silent tear fell down her face, which was soon brushed away with his thumb. His empty eyes were too much to handle. His cold hands along with his hollow eyes were the last straw. That was what triggered her emotional breakdown. Because of the hopelessness of the situation; because of the pain and anguish; because of all the frustration she broke down. Yes, she Ava Ayala – the always calm and collected lawyer, who was known for being cold and immune to any kind of negative emotion – broke down into tears. And the worst part was that the man she loved couldn't comfort her the way she wanted to.
Just as that thought ran through her head she tried to stop her sobs but to no avail. All she could do was choke and cry even harder and soak the poor patient's shirt, which, of course, he didn't mind. He just waited patiently for her to calm down and embraced her tighter when her body started shaking vigorously. He sighed into her hair and said:
"I didn't know you were that worried about me."
"I-I'm not worried." She managed to reply between sobs.
He just smiled and said:
"Of course, you aren't."
!*!*!* QueenofRhymes*!*!*!
Sam woke up and found out that sleep indeed was the cure he needed. His pent up emotions had decided to leave him alone for he now felt lighter than ever. The former superhero smirked and got up abruptly. He tested his head and smiled in triumph when he realized that his hangover was, in fact, gone. The man then went to his kitchen and made himself lunch. He then looked at his wall clock and gasped. He had only thirty minutes to get ready for his second job. Sam Alexander might be a lot of things but he wasn't a person who would get fired only because some ghosts of his past decided to show up and fuck his morning completely. He dashed to his room and quickly changed from his pajamas to the club's uniform (yes, even that had a uniform. Lovely.).
At least this one doesn't have a tie.
Just as Sam looked at the reflection in his mirror and was semi-satisfied with his appearance, he saw a small piece of paper on the floor of his bedroom. Curiosity overtook him and he went to check it out. Once his green eyes saw what was written on it only one thought ran through his head.
Damn it, Web-head!
I want to thank:
TheGirlInTheBackTheOnyxDragon12
Sora
Empress and Protector
for reviewing.
I want to say thanks for pointing out my annoying habit of using one's features a lot. I'm glad you like the story. Also the reason why I updated: I managed to study today and managed to finish an hour or two earlier than I anticipated so I decided to try and write something and this came out.
A huge thank you also to:
G.G. Robins
MystiqueShines
RiddleTMR
TheOnyxDragon12
Yuna Kei
letmegiveyouahug
nicoandleoaremine
t3rrorkn1ght
for favouriting this story.
A huge thank you goes also to:
RiddleTMR
TheOnyxDragon12
letmegiveyouahug
nicoandleoaremine
t3rrorkn1ght
for following.
And also an enormous thank you to all those of you wonderful people who have read my story.
Until next time I update and/or post a story, my fellow readers.
~ QueenofRhymes ~