Puppets on a string

HAPPY DAYS

I have never been this much happier. Finally out in the world being healthy after a week long bed rest. Today I woke up earlier than my alarm clock. I guess my unconscious state is also excited to get out of these boring walls of my house.

"Good morning Mum" I said excitedly to my mom kissing her cheek in the kitchen

"Well it's the first time you are up this early. Can't wait to go to college" She said teasingly.

"You know it Mum" I replied

" I made cheese grilled sandwiches this morning. I know you are tired of eating those tasteless meals for ill people" My mom said

"You are best Mum. Love you so much" I said happily to her eating my sandwiches.

"Love you too sweetie but you need to eat slowly. Your food is not running away" She laughed looking at me stuffing the sandwich in my mouth like I haven't eaten in a month.

I shrugged laughing with her. She knows how much I love my food and a week without cheese feels like an year without rain.

I left for college after having my breakfast and giving my mum a hug and a kiss on her cheek.

" Hey guys, I am back" I said excitedly hugging Vicky and Jennie. I didn't tell them that I was finally fine and will come to college today.

" Why didn't you tell us that you were fine now. We missed you" Vicky said

" I guess Samuel missed you more " Jennie said teasingly

" Why would he miss me"? I shrugged but I felt little butterflies in my stomach but I didn't show it on my face

" Why don't you ask him yourself?" She said pointing at the other side of college gate. There I saw Samuel looking at me, more like staring at me while he was having a conversation with two of his friends whom I also saw with him in freshers party and on the first day of college in cafe. I guess the tall one with red haired guy is Stephen and the short slim one is Robert.

I tried to ignore his gaze but I still felt his eyes on me. After a few minutes of having conversation with Vicky and Jennie, I went to my chemistry class.

After an hour long chemistry test, I was sitting in cafetaria with Vicky and Jennie again. Vinnie didn't come to college today and missed the chemistry test. I don't know what happened to her. I will give her a call after the college.

I was pulled out of my thoughts when I heard a cheerful yet rough voice from my behind.

"Hey Ash. You are back" Samuel said giving me a side hug. What happened to him?

" Hey Sam" I replied smilingly

" How are you feeling now. Jennie told me that you were ill" he asked

" I am feeling much better now. I was tired of sitting at home looking at those walls as if they were the most interesting thing in the world" I said jokingly

" So, do you wanna go out?" He said suddenly making me almost puke my chocolate milkshake I was drinking.

" Oooohh" I heard Vicky and Jennie's voice along with two of Samuel's friends.

" Sh*t! It came out all wrong" he tried to cover up with an awkward smiling making us all laugh.

"I meant to say that we all go out together. You three girls and we boys.You have been at home all week. You can do with a good outing. What do you say?" He covered up

" Well it's not a bad idea. I can do with a good outing. What about you both"? I asked Vicky and Jennie.

"I also wanna go. I am already tired of all the studying and this stupid chemistry test" Jenny said.

"But where do you all wanna go?" I asked Vicky and Jennie.

" We can all go to amusement park. I love rides" Vicky said

"And what about the classes" I asked. As I said, I am serious about my studies. I couldn't attend a single class last week and I didn't want to miss out more.

"Didn't you read the notice board today? All classes are suspended today because of the protest held by our student union because of a case of bullying" Jennie said.

" Okay. Amusement park it is" I said smilingly and everyone cheered.

Soon we all were in a bus which will take us to amusement park. As soon as we were in the bus, Vicky and Jennie sat together while Stephen and Robert sat together making Samuel and I to sit together in the back. As I sat on the window side looking outside enjoying the view of beautiful beach I heard Samuel's voice from my left.

"Look here, our pictures from freshers party" he said shoving his phone in my hands

" Aww. These pictures are good" I said looking at those pics. I really found these pictures nice.

" Can you send these to me"? I asked him

" Okay. But how do I send them to you?"

" Give me your phone. I will add my contact number in your phone "

" Okay" he said giving me his phone while I added my number in his phone.

After a few minutes I felt my phone beep and saw pictures of freshers party in my phone. I also saved Samuel's number in my phone.

Soon we all reached the amusement park and Samuel and his friends went to buy tickets for us. We gave money for our tickets to them.

Soon, we were inside the park enjoying the rides. I love amusement park. I love the thrills that rides gave us. I have never been scared of them. Then I saw my favorite, ROLLERCOASTER.

I jumped enthusiastically running towards the entry side of roller-coaster.

"I am not getting on it" I heard Samuel.

"Why? Is Mr. Arrogant scared of an amusement park ride?" I said teasingly to him. Everyone laughed.

" I am not scared of it. It just gives weird feelings to my stomach"

" Excuses and excuses"

" Ugh! I will show that I am not scared of it" he said and went to sit on the middle seat of coaster. I laughed and tried to sit in the front seat of coaster but it was already filled by someone else. Only seat that is left is with Samuel. I sighed and sat next to him.

As soon as ride started I felt someone hold my hand. I looked up to see Samuel with his eyes shut screaming his guts out while I was laughing my eyes out.

As the ride stopped, I saw Samuel almost passed out on his seat. I laughed looking at his state but felt bad too. I shouldn't have manipulated him into this.

When we got out of our seats, Samuel was still holding my hands. He didn't leave my hands even after 5 minutes of getting out of coaster while all 4 our friends were looking at us teasingly. I know Samuel is a funny guy with loads of energy in him but he was a little overenthusiastic today.

Soon, we all felt hungry and went to McDonald's. Boys went to take the order while we girls were sitting on a table near the end. When all boys came after taking our orders, Robert sat next to me when I was in the corner side and Vicky was sitting opposite me. Samuel gave us look. When we all were talking and laughing, I found Robert flirting with me. I flirted back.

Again I felt eyes on me, as I looked up Samuel quickly turned away looking somewhere else but I saw that Sam. I also detected a hint of jealousy in his eyes. I smiled a little inside.

" You know Samuel missed you alot when you were sick. He used to ask about your whereabouts everyday" Vicky said suddenly as I looked up.

" Has Ashley left the college, I didn't see her today? Is she out of town? Is she Well?" Stephen said teasingly laughing at us.

Did I just see Samuel blush. The big, bad, arrogant yet funny boy of our college is blushing. Damn I should have taken a picture. But I was blushing too.

" It's nothing like that. I just missed her" Samuel said teasing me making me blush again. Everyone laughed. He knows I blush alot when he flirts with me. I composed myself and focused on my burger. God I missed it.

When we went out I again felt Samuel holding my hand. What is it with him today.

"Hey Ashley. Do you want to join me on 'Gravity'." Robert asked me from behind.

" Ash will you join me on 360 degrees?" Samuel said suddenly and almost dragged me towards the ride as if he didn't hear Robert at all.

I felt like Samuel was keeping me away from Robert and I guess everyone noticed it too. Even Robert was giving us teasing looks. Whenever Robert says something to me, Samuel takes me away with him telling me to join him on a ride or asking me something about my studies. Why is he behaving like this? I thought but I guess I knew the answer. I still felt a little about all of the Vincent situation and I didn't want to keep my hopes up again. I don't usually have crush on people, if I like someone, they usually are after my friends. Paul was my second crush since childhood while Vincent was third. Paul almost cheated on me while Vincent tried to use me to get to my friend. I liked Samuel and his enthusiastic funny nature but I was still afraid that he would want to be with one of my friends. So, I tried to keep my feelings inside while I was still feeling bad for all of that Vincent situation.

Soon, we all took the bus and said goodbye to each other while going on our own ways.

As I reached home, I remembered to call Vinnie and ask about her absence today. I took out my phone from my pocket and dialed her number. After a few rings, she picked up her call.

"Hey Ashley"

"Hey Vinnie. Where were you today? I missed you in college"

"Straight to the point huh! And what were you doing in college. Weren't you supposed to be at home taking rest "She asked

"Well I was feeling better and my temperature was back to normal. So, I wanted to surprise you but I got shocked instead " I mumbeled the last part.

She laughed

"My sister had an accident and I had to stay at home to take care of her" She said

"OH! What happened ? How is she now"? I asked worriedly.

Vinnie lives with her twin sister in an apartment near the college. Their family lives in Texas while they both are here for their college. Vinnie's sister is in different college. They both are twins but they look completely different. Nobody can say that they are sisters but they both are beautiful in their own way.

"She fell down from stairs and injured her head and knees. Thankgod her bones are at their own place. Nothing to worry about though. Just little scratches here and there with three stitches on her forehead. Nothing serious. She will be fine in few days" She said answering my questions.

'Three stitches are not serious for her' I thought but again I have seen worst.

"If you say so. And what about your chemistry test?" I asked

"I talked to professor. He said that he will take my test during lunch break in college when I am back. What about you? How was your day?" She asked changing the topic.

"Well I...." I narrated our little outing incidents to her leaving out the little interactions with Samuel today. I didn't want anymore teasing. Others already tease Vincent and I. While Jennie and Vicky teases me with both of their names.

"You enjoyed alot without me huh?" She asked with a hint of laugh in her voice. I know she was just joking trying to be angry

"You know it's not true. I missed you" I said back.

"I missed you too. Don't worry. I will be back in a couple of days then we both will have our little outing" She said and I agreed.

Soon we both said goodbye and hang up the call.

Later in the night, I was scrolling through social media while listening to some songs then my phone pinged.

"I had a great day today. Will see you tomorrow in college. Good night Ashley I received a text on my phone from Samuel

I smiled reading it.

"I enjoyed alot today too. You were the one who suggested for the outing. Thank you for that Samuel. I had a great day. Good night to you too" I replied

Today was a good day. Then I went to sleep with a smile on my face.