First Heartbreak

Chapter Twenty-Three - This Couldn't Get Any Better

Sam's POV

I came in and out of the house. Mom didn't mind since she knew Vanessa pretty well, she knew I'd be safe. She went out herself to the groceries. I bid her goodbye as I hurriedly rode a cab.

I knocked at Vanessa's door and it didn't took her awhile to open.

"You're late", she pouted.

"What time is it?"

She turned her head to her left where their wall clock was, "six oh-two."

I rolled my eyes. "It's just two minutes Ness."

"Well I'm not used to it cause you're always early or on time Sam."

I sighed. She was right. I wasn't really myself lately. I was so caught up in my own bubble of thoughts that I didn't even took notice of time that much anymore.

"What's been bothering you." She cut me off of my thoughts.

"A lot." I answered. I let out a low deep breath so she won't notice.

"Wait, before you begin to say anything else. Why don't you say we eat first?" She offered.

I really wasn't up for eating. I didn't had the appetite. Besides, I was here to talk to her, not to eat. I debated under my breath whether or not to accept Vanessa's offer.

"C'mon Sammy girl! I baked lasagna for you, your favorite?" She smiled.

I managed to smile. Can't argue with Vanessa's baking skills, especially lasagna! "Okay, fine." I raised both my hands in defeat.

She chimed and lead me to their kitchen. It's not much but it's decent enough.

I walked my way to the center island where she had prepared the lasagna to cool.

"You stay at the table, we ain't eating on this island! It's way too small! Our plates won't fit!" She protested. "Besides I wasn't finished cleaning when you came knocking on the door!"

I sighed and walked over to their four-seater dinner table. It didn't took too long for Vanessa to follow me to the table and placed the lasagna. It smelled great. She loved spoiling me. I saw how many cheese she put at the top. I had to admit, even though I didn't had the appetite, the look and smell of the lasagna just made my mouth water and my stomach grumble for that matter!

Vanessa and I ate and made small talk avoiding the main topic of the evening. She knew me too well that if I started to open up about the topic, there'd be no stopping me from sobbing. I was glad at times like these Vanessa understood me above everyone else. She didn't question nor press much especially when she feels there's uneasiness in my voice.

We finished our lasagna and Vanessa turned to the kitchen to wash the plates. I offered to wash them for her since I'm the guest but she refused, she said it was rude for guests to do household work. I didn't argue with her, I didn't knew if I still had the strength to argue.

"You go on to the living room and pick a nice movie for us to watch. Dad bought something new, haven't seen them yet."

"Sure."

I searched through the movies. The Bourne Identity, 8 Mile, Scooby-Doo, Resident Evil, Men in Black 2, A Walk To Remember, Panic Room, Lilo & Stitch, The Ring. Spy Kids 2...

Shit! There are a LOT of movies that her dad brought home!

"Uh, was your dad okay when he purchased these movies? There's a LOT to choose from Ness! Come help me!"

She chuckled. "I didn't knew what gotten into him!" she screamed back all the way from the kitchen.

Treasure Planet, The Transporter, The Time Machine, The Count of Monte Cristo, Austin Powers in Goldmember, Blade 2, Ice Age. GASP!

It was out of the question. I've always wanted to see Ice Age, I've heard from a lot of friends that the movie was great. So I popped the CD in. "Ness! Come on! I picked Ice Age! The movie's starting! Hurry up!"

"Oh s**t! Why did you start without me?" She came running with her hands dripping from soap water.

"I just hit play, it practically hasn't started yet" I rolled my eyes. "Get yourself some hand towel or something, you're dripping soap water all over me!"

"Oh yeah?!" She teased and flicked her hand on me causing the liquid to stick to my hair and shirt.

"Urgh! NESS! I already took a bath at home!" I lied.

"Haha! You? Took a bath? Why is it that you don't smell like your usual after-shower lotion?" She raised her eyebrow.

"Okay, so maybe I forgot because I was rushing to get her." I admitted. "I bumped into Rome on my way home and ended up talking to him and before I knew it, he and his driver drove me home on his pick-up truck."

She fell silent. I didn't noticed that she had her mouth wide open until she finally said.

"You...did...just....what??"

"Don't make me repeat it, please."

She let out a shriek.

I covered my ears for the worst. "God! Will you stop doing that?! You're hurting my ear drums! They're practically bleeding by now!"

"I'm sorry. I know I shouldn't have but it got me all excited that you and Rome got to talk again!" She smiled then gave me a grin. "So, did he made a move?" Then wiggled her eyebrow.

"GOD! NESS! NO!" I stood up and screamed. "Why would you think he'd do that?"

"Well, I figured he must have considering he's crushing on you." She said so innocently.

"Ness! He's not that kind of guy! Goodness sake Ness!" I said calming myself. "We just talked. We sat at the back of his truck and I told him what happened."

I sat back to where I was sitting earlier. "He said he could be my older brother and tell me everything." I eyed Vanessa waiting for her reaction. She just bit their couch pillow trying to contain her excitement. "And I ended up sobbing on his shoulders, soaking it wet with my tears. It was embarrassing." Then as if remembering the moment, I blushed. I felt my cheek grew hot.

"Wow", was all that she could say emphasizing on the 'oh'.

We didn't took notice that the movie was now really playing. We didn't minded since we were engulfed by our conversation.

She went serious, slid beside me and snaked her right arm on my left.

"So..." she began. "Care to tell me what happened back there? You were so irritable your aura just screamed 'LEAVE ME ALONE', which scared most part of the class by the way."

I didn't respond. I was quite. I was trying to form the right words in my head on how to start this kind of conversation with Vanessa.

"It's okay if you don't feel like telling me everything, Sam... You know I'd understand." She smiled her reassuring smile that never judged me one bit.

"Uhm...Well..." I closed my eyes and almost choked the next few words out. "Me and Zen." Was the last thing I said.

I heard her grasp and placed her hand over her mouth to restrain herself from overreaction.

When I knew both her and I had contained ourselves. I spoke again. "You know, something else happened that Friday when I came home early."

She smirked. "I knew it! I knew it! HA HA! You can't fool me Sam! I've been your best friend for so long that I knew when something was off!" She joked an evil witch laugh.

"Okay enough about that!"

She giggled. "Okay, okay I'll stop".

"When I took her to the clinic, she was being fixed by the nurse." I paused, waiting for Vanessa's reaction but she just nodded to me saying to continue. "After the nurse had done that, she left me and Zen all alone at the other room where all the hospital beds were."

"I...I...I didn't knew what happened next but.." Did I just stuttered?

"But what?" Vanessa protested.

I blushed every single freakin' time I think about what had happened. Although I feel bad about it because it's like I'm not being fair to Melody! Urgh! Why does it have to be so complicated!?

"Well..We uh.."

"You what Samantha?"

I closed my eyes at her reaction. "We kissed." She let out a loud gasp of course.

Then all of a sudden Vanessa is jumping up and about their sofa. Geez. Does this girl don't even get excited. I rolled my eyes.

"Finally Sammy girl!" She smiled.

"Huh? I don't get you." I raised an eyebrow.

"Why did it took you so long to finally realize that you have feelings for her too!?"

I looked down. "Well, I wasn't sure of what I was feeling." Then I remembered that Zen was still committed to Melody.

"But what about Melody?" Vanessa asked as if she heard the statement I made in my head.

"Well, she suggested that we keep it a secret first." My smile faded. "You know, because she wants to find a good timing to tell Mel about us."

"So now you're extremely jealous to the depths of the Earth because you can't be with the one you really, really, really love?"

"You're over exaggerating it Ness." I rolled my eyes at her and stood up only to find myself sitting at the single sofa right next to the huge couch.

"And you're okay with that" I fell silent again. No of course I wasn't okay with that! I took a deep breath and managed a weak smile.

"Aww, boo. You're really jealous. You must really like her that much ." Vanessa sat down beside me the single sofa and embraced me. Our position seemed too crowded, just like my situation. I was irritable at the thought.

"I...I just don't want her with Mel all the time you know? I want her attention on me. Eyes on me." Sigh.

Just then my phone vibrated and read an unknown number flashed on my screen.

it read: where'd you go hun? I called your landline but I was told by a nice lady saying you were out for the night.

I knew who it was from.

"Her?" Vanessa asked. I just nodded in response. "Well, you should reply you know, it's rude to ignore text messages."

I took a deep breath and replied.

yeah, I'm at Vanessa's. I'm staying the night since her dad's out. It's a girls night out. Sent.

It didn't took her long to reply.

can I come over? I just want to talk. I promise I won't stay over. I just want to talk.

I looked at Vanessa and let her read Zen's text. She just nodded in agreement saying it was okay for as long as Zen left right away.

"What are you waiting for? Tell her she can come! It'll only be for awhile. Besides, she said she'll head home afterwards, right?" Vanessa said.

sure. Was my only response.

"Boy, that was quick." She stood up. "For all I know she could be right outside my door by now!" she laughed.

Then by some spark of fortune, we heard a knock on the door. Vanessa and I both turned our heads to each other.

"Did you ordered food or something?" She asked.

"No I didn't." I answered. "Did you?" She just shook her head.

Vanessa was busy cleaning up the kitchen so she ordered me to get the door. I slowly went to the front to open the door.

Then to my surprise, I came face to face with the person who had a contagious smile.

It was her. She came. Wait, was she waiting here the whole time?