Puppets on a string

DON'T LET ME GET ME

A month later

Samuel and I have together for four months now and my life couldn't be any better. Samuel has been nothing but amazing.

I was sitting in my Physics class with Samuel beside me. My whole focus was on the professor when I suddenly felt some vibration on the table making my eyes divert towards my phone. It was not my phone that was ringing making my eyes fall on Samuel's which was lying on the table beside me . Maisie . Who the hell is Maisie ? I haven't heard this name before from his mouth. Maybe a cousin or a friend, and I shrugged. I slowly hit Samuel's arm making him look at me questioningly. Can't he feel his phone vibrate ?

" What?" He mouthed to me.

I didn't say anything and just pointed my fingers towards his finger.

As his eyes fell on his phone, I saw a little nervousness behind his eyes which he quickly covered with blank expression and declined the call. I was confused behind his nervousness but put my focus back on the class.

After the classes, we both were back to the third floor in an empty classroom spending some time together.

"How are things at home now?" I asked him.

" Still same. My dad doesn't talk to me much. My mom has been a little sweeter than usual with me after that incident. Nothing I can handle. Oh and yesterday found out that I am going to be uncle. David and his wife are expecting " He said smiling at the last part. David is his older brother who got married just 2 months ago with his long time girlfriend Gracie. Samuel wanted me to be there as his date but I couldn't go because of my 'family issue'.

" Oh my God! Congratulations Sam." I congratulated him and pecked his cheeks.

He smiled and pulled me in for a side hug.

"Thankyou baby" He replied and pulled me in for a kiss. After a few seconds, I felt his phone ringing making us pull away. I looked at his phone and saw the same name again. Maisie.

Samuel quickly picked up his phone and declined her call again.

" You can pick up the call Samuel, it's okay with me" I said giving him a reassuring smile.

" No, I will talk to her later. I want to spend some time with you" He said putting his phone back on the table pulling me closer to him again. He started leaning in for a kiss again when his cellphone beeped again with a message notification. I looked at his phone in annoyance again when I saw her name again. Who is she?

Samuel picked his phone again and typed a text to her before putting his phone on silent and pushed it inside his pockets.

" Who is it Sam?" I asked him curiously.

"Oh! Maisie is my neighbor. She is only 14. Her mother is a friend of my mom. She needed some help in her studies, so she called me." He shrugged but his eyes were showing a little nervousness. I just shrugged ignoring it.

"You can pick her call and help her Sam. I am completely fine with it" I said holding his hand.

"No. I told her that I am in class, so she won't disturb me. She can come to my house. Just forget her now. " He said and pulled me for a deep kiss. I sighed and kissed him back.

2 days later

I was in cafetaria during lunch break with my friends and Samuel when Samuel phone rang again. Samuel has been a little busy with his phone since last couple of days. Maisie again.

" She must need some help in studies" Samuel said and looked at me with an apologetic smile. I just nodded my head in a yes giving him a small smile. He pecked my cheeks and went out of the cafetaria talking to Maisie on phone.

A few more days later

Samuel is hiding something from me. I could see it in his eyes. Everytime Maisie calls him, he goes out to talk to her. He never talk to her in front of me. Whenever his phone rings, it's always Maisie. I have caught him texting her couple of times too but I always ignore it. I trust him and I know he would never do something that would hurt me.

Samuel and I know each other's passwords. I can easily have access to his phone but I never really touch it. He sometimes open my phone and use it but I don't really mind.

Today was Sophie's birthday and we all decided to go to a club today. It would be my first time going to a club today, so I was a little excited.

I was currently sitting with my friends while he went to washroom forgetting his phone on the table. His phone pinged again with a text. I looked at his phone to see that name again.

"Hey Sam. Are you free right now? I want to talk to you. I miss.." I read the limited visible text to me on lock screen. The last words froze me.

I slowly picked up his phone, afraid to read the whole text. As I was about to open the text, Samuel quickly snatched his cellphone from my hand. It took me by surprise making me flinch a little. I looked at him as he quickly pushed his phone inside his pocket. This time he couldn't hide his nervousness. What is it that he is hiding so bad? I couldn't help myself and developed some negative thoughts inside my head.

He sat beside me and asked me with a calm voice.

"What were you doing with my phone?" He asked me like he didn't care about it. But I could see the stiffness and a little fear in his eyes.

"Nothing. Maisie texted you. I was about to open it but you snatched the phone" I said back plainly.

"Oh okay" He said as his shoulders relaxed.

He held my hand but I didn't hold it back.

I was hurt because of the way he took his phone out of my hand. A weird insecurity has been developed inside my head and I just couldn't shake it off.

As we all were arguing over which club to go, we were joined by Caleb, a classmate of Samuel. I have talked to him twice or thrice. He jokes around alot. But I don't really like him much. He just gives me creep vibes.

"Hey guys" Caleb greeted all of us and came around the table standing behind Sam with a smug look on his face.

"Hey Sam. What's up? I heard you are having some double trouble?" He said smirking making me confused and Samuel gulp. What does he mean by double trouble? And why did this sentence made Sam sweat?

"What are you talking about?" Sam said hiding his nervousness in a laugh.

"Oh you know very well Sam. I am talking about your neighbour " He replied patting Sam hard on his shoulders.

Maisie. How does he know Maisie? What the f**k is happening?

I looked at Samuel and see him drowning in nervousness which didn't help my insecurity.

"You know Ash, He is a really good friend with Maisie. Maybe more than just a friend" Caleb said now talking to me. I was so hurt by his words but I know I need to trust Samuel.

"I trust him Caleb." I said rolling my eyes at him but inside I was freaking out.

Samuel just held my hand and gave me a huge smile.

"See Caleb, nothing you say will make us fight. So please leave us alone" Samuel said while looking at me proudly. I just gave him an awkward smile. But the doubt was already awoken inside my heart. I just hope whatever Caleb said was a lie.