First Heartbreak

Chapter Twenty-Two - Twice the Trouble

Sam's POV

The following Monday I came to school early. I happen to come across Rome.

"Morning Sam!" he greeted.

"Morning Rome." I greeted him back.

"You're extremely early today. Do you mind if I keep you company?" asked Rome.

"Yes please. I'm so sleepy today cause I slept late last night studying. Why do homework these days get harder and harder?" I yawned.

He laughed. "You're adorable Sam! If those homework were easy then where's the challenge in that?" clearly a confident and smart lad if you'd ask me! I thought to myself.

"Hmm. I hate to admit it, but you're right."

"So, what'd you do during the weekend? I heard you went home early last Friday. I was kind of...worried. Were you okay?"

How in the world did he find out? Hmm. Vanessa! "Yeah, I did. I got dizzy after I saw the blood coming out of some kid's knuckles that I helped rush to the clinic that day." That kid happens to be my now so-called girlfriend. "And I mostly was at home the entire weekend. Played badminton with my kid brother."

"Oh, I should've known! I would've taken you home myself!" said the assertive Rome.

"No, it's okay Rome. I made it home safe anyways, so there's no need to worry." I nudged his shoulders.

"At least you're now okay, right? I... I mean you're not feeling woozy or anything, are you?"

I laughed. "Don't be silly Rome! I'm fine, really."

"You have pearly white teeth by the way." He complimented. "To match with that striking smile of yours, Sam." he added. Boy, this guy knows how to flatter! Hmm. I wonder how Zen would react if she heard our conversation?

"Why, thank you!" I smiled and blushed at the same time.

"You're welcome!"

Rome then placed a strand of hair away from my face and at the side of my left ear. Gosh.

Just then I noticed Zen standing by the school gates, I was too sleepy to notice. How long was she staring there? How much did she saw? Damn it!

I couldn't read her reactions. She was just there looking at me and Rome. Then I noticed another figure approaching her. One word, Melody.

I too gave her a poker-faced look but I knew deep inside I was fuming because Mel just had to cling her entire right side of her body towards Zen. And that didn't looked good! I should be the one holding Zen's hand, by Zen's side!

They moved along into the classroom while Rome and I was still by the garden. He might have noticed that I was just staring at nothing because I just then noticed he was snapping his fingers in front of me.

"Sam? You okay?"

"Huh? What? Oh! Yeah, I'm fine."

"You sure? You glowered at nothing, looking like there were daggers flying out of your eyes!" He laughed

God! He had to notice!

"No, I'm fine, really." On a second thought, I'd like to have daggers coming out of my eyes so could kill Zen!

"Okay. You want to head back to your class now? It's about to start. I don't want you to be late, you know." He smiled and took my hand so I could get up. He continued to hold my hand for a couple of minutes more.

"Yeah. I...I better go" and took my hand from him. "Thanks for keeping me company though."

"Sure, any time Sam!" he winked then said goodbye. Vanessa and him would make a good couple. They're both equally annoying.

-o-

Time went by so fast in class and I tried to keep my head from looking towards where Zen and Melody were. I hate to think about what they're doing right now. Probably flirting at each other while the teacher is lecturing! Hmf!

The bell rang which diverted my direction. I forgot it was a Monday. And that meant I'd stay behind to help the others clean the classroom. Sucks to be one of the cleaners. Sigh.

"Sammy girl!" Vanessa cheered.

"What?" I asked annoyed.

"Wow.. Look who's grumpy today." She declared. "Are you on your period?"

"Stop assuming!" I growled.

"Hey, hey Sammy girl. I just came to help you." she looked at me apologetically.

I didn't respond. I just continued moping the floor. I didn't noticed that she was waiving her hand in front of me.

"WHAT?" I snapped. That's it! You're getting on my nerves!

"Woah! Woah! Woah! Chill Sammy girl! What's up with you today?" she asked curious.

I took a deep breath and closed my eyes before I answered.

"Nothing."

She crossed her arms on her chest.

"Well, actions speak way much louder than words Sammy." She still stood there in front of me. "And besides, I'm your best friend. So come on, what's happening with you?"

"Not now. Let's just finish what we're doing then head out and let's talk somewhere private."

"Okay. Sure. Where do you want to talk?"

"Is your dad home early?" I asked her.

"No, he won't be back until tomorrow. He has to finish a stupid project and had to stay overnight at the site so he'll oversee everything." she rolled her eyes.

"Good. I'll meet you at your house at six. And I'll ask permission from my mom if I could go on a slumber party at your place." I declared. "If, that is, you won't mind" I looked at her.

She looked serious and worried at the same time. "Sure Sammy girl. Anything that could make you feel better." She managed to smile.

"I'll see you later then."

"Sure."

I sighed.

Zen already went home because she's a Wednesday cleaner. Good thing.

I still couldn't get the image off of my mind. Melody holding Zen's arm so close and tight. Such an eye sore! Urgh!

I didn't noticed that the people around me also started to notice how irritable I was today. I didn't minded them. I mopped the floor and cleaned the windows as silently and as best as I could so I'd leave once I'm done.

I was about to head out the building when somebody called out my name.

"Sam!" He came running behind me.

"Hey Rome", I faked a smile.

"Hey too!" He gave me his warm smile. "You heading home?"

"Uhm yeah, I am." I held my knapsack. "I'm walking home today because I don't feel the rush in heading home." I sighed.

"May I walk you home?" I looked at him and he smiled. Hmm. Cute dimples.

I didn't have much choice. As much as I wanted to head home on my own, I somewhat needed someone to talk to while I walked the streets home. And it won't be until an hour until I'll be heading to Vanessa's place. I decided, what the heck! I told him he could walk me home.

"You okay Sam?" he asked.

I was looking at the ground while we started to walk out of the school. There was a lot on my mind that I didn't noticed he over-took me and stopped right in front of me so he could stop me from walking.

"Owh!" I kind of bumped my face on his chest.

"I'm sorry! Are you okay Sam?"

"No, I'm alright." I smiled.

He lifted my chin so he could see my face. I don't want anybody to notice my face today. I was not in a great mood.

"Sam, what's wrong?" He sounded worried. "Earlier this morning you were perfectly fine when we were talking. The next thing I knew as soon as class started, you became gloomy."

I didn't answered him. I gave him a deep sigh.

"Hey..." He touched both my shoulders while I was still facing me. I was now looking down. "You know you can tell me anything Sam."

I gave up. I started to feel like crying.

"Come. Let's talk in on my truck." I was hesitant at first but he looked sincere and genuine.

He lead me to the school's parking area to where his black single cab Chevy Silverado. Nice truck. I would've adored how lovely his truck was because I liked pick-up trucks since I was a kid. I loved the riding at the back where you could feel the wind blowing at your face freely. He knows how to take care of his truck alright.

"Is this yours?" I asked.

"Yes. But I don't drive it yet. I have a driver. But as soon as I'll get my license, I'll be the one driving it."

"Oh. Then where's your driver?" I was curious.

"I gave him a few bucks so he could get some snack and some shut eye." He smiled and looked down at the dirt. "That guy's been driving me all over the place since this morning so he's a bit tired."

He held my waist so I could sit at the tip end at the back of his truck that he opened so there'd be a huge space.

"Thanks" I was sure I blushed. I never had a guy touch my waist before.

"No problem" He smiled again.

Sigh. This guy is so care-free.

"So..." He started.

"So?" I asked.

"What's bugging you?" He asked.

I didn't respond.

"Who's bugging you?"

I stared at him with my eyes wide open.

"Did I guessed the second one right?" I nodded.

"Come on, Sam. You can think of me as your big brother." He took my hand. Gee. I've always wanted an older brother. It sucks sometimes to be the eldest. You get to go first at almost everything. The relatives always expects the best of you. They think you're perfect. I sighed and rolled my eyes at the thought.

"Well..."

He just looked at me, waiting for me to say something more.

"Well. There's this person that I've come to like." I tried to keep him from thinking that the person that I love happens to be a girl so he won't judge me. Besides, I didn't knew how he would react.

"That's great! Then what's the problem with that if you've come to like him?" he furrowed his brows.

"Let's just say that before, that person was so head-over-heels for me." I started to expound. "I didn't acknowledge nor noticed the person's gesture. We're close friends before. Until one day, that person confessed their love for me." I said each word trying to remember what happened before all of this.

He just nodded his head as if to tell me to carry on.

"I rejected that person." I paused. 'Because I didn't knew how to react. I didn't even knew what to say!" I rubbed my temple.

"Go on Sam, I'm listening."

"After I rejected that person, I thought everything would be fine. That everything would come back to what it used to be." I felt sad telling him the story. "That person avoided me. Avoided talking to me, joking around with me, hanging around me. That person stopped caring for me. And I felt the guilt creeping through my neck. It's because of my stupid rejection, I'd lost one of the most important person in my life!" I started to feel my eyes water.

Rome sat a little closer beside me.

"And you know what's the worst part is, Rome?"

"What" he asked without looking at me.

"The more that person avoided me, the more I longer to gain their attention again. It's not that I'm self-centered!" I paused. "It's just I missed that person. I wasn't used to being so far away from he--, that person." I almost slipped.

"That person has someone else now." I said pointblank.

"And the most worst part of all?"

He turned at me and said "What?"

"I've come to realize that I kind of like..." A tear rolled down my eye. "...loved that person. And now I've no one to blame but myself!"

"There, there Sam." He soothed my back, consoling me.

"And now it's too late. I'm too late. That person loves somebody else." I felt my heart ached. I touched it with my right hand and clenched my fist at where the pain was.

"I don't want to cause trouble. Or be the cause of them breaking up!" I defended myself. "I don't want to be the bad guy. I don't want to be the one who puts an end to their relationship. It's just not right." I sobbed.

"There Sam. Let it out. Just cry. I won't judge, I promise." He even crossed his heart.

"Thanks Rome." He gave me a box of tissue.

He managed to smile.

"i'm sorry I sobbed and wet your uniform Rome." I apologized.

He chuckled. "It's okay Sam. Anything to make you feel better."

"I'm glad you told me what's been bothering you." He said. "I never thought you'd share something like that to me" He smiled again.

"Well, that's because I feel that I can trust you Rome. I know this may sound weird or what have you, but I do. I feel that I can trust you."

He blushed. "Gee, thanks Sam! That meant a lot."

The sun was about to set because the color of the sky is now a battle of orange and black.

"I better head home and change." I managed to smile weakly. "Vanessa might look for me. Thanks again for keeping me company, Rome."

"You're still walking home?" He asked.

"Yes, why?"

"Come on in! We'll drop you off your house."

I shook my head. "Naah, that's too much."

He took my hand. "It won't be too much. It's the least I could do for you." He let go of my hand. "Aside from offering you tissue though." He smiled. Silly.

"Sure."

We rode in his truck in silence. His driver was friendly as soon as I entered the truck. He greeted me with his warm smile. I tried my best to smile back.

I told them my address and drove me there. I asked the driver to stop the truck at the next alley so my mom won't see me.

"Are you going to be okay from here?" He asked, still concerned.

"Yes. Yes I will be. Thanks Rome. I owe you" I smiled before I started walking to our house's direction.

There are clearly a lot of things on my mind right now. Thankfully, mom said yes when I asked if I could sleep-over at Vanessa's.

Goodie! More crying later on! Sigh.