First Heartbreak

Chapter Twenty-Seven - An Unlikely Proposal

Sam's POV

I just can't believe what Rome is suggesting to me. All of a sudden my tears stopped from falling. "You're funny Rome." I furrowed by brows. He just smiled. "I'm serious."

He turned to face me. "Use me so you won't think about him anymore. When the time comes that you're able to look at them..." He paused for awhile and eyed me. "no, not look. I mean, stare at them without feeling bad about yourself or jealous, or ever feel anything for that matter. Then it only means we've succeed!" He confidently placed both his hands behind his head.

"You're not really suggesting what I think you're suggesting, Rome, are you?" I gave him a very confused and questioning look. He nodded then smiled. What the heck?!

"WHAT!? I can't do that! It's..it's like...like... you're a big brother to me, Rome!" I protested.

"Oh quit the whining like a baby and just go with it." He nudge me on the ribs. "Besides, nobody has to know except for the two of us!" He winked.

I was starting to think that Rome was hitting on me with his suggestion. But I couldn't really blame him if he feels that it's painfully killing me when Zen and Melody are together. I sighed.

"I still don't know if that's a good idea, Rome."

"Just think about it! No rush. I won't do anything not unless I have your full commitment to my suggestion."

I shrugged."Hmm.. I dunno, I'll have to reflect on it some more."

"Sure, sure." It was getting dark. "Come on, get up. Let's get you home. It's getting late". He stood up and brushed off his pants and held out his hand to me.

Hesitantly I looked at it & shook my head and took his hand. "Thanks."

"Hey, so we have a class project about doing some collage and stuff and we were told to get a partner. Our teacher said it's not limited to the people in the class." He scratched the back of his head. "I was wondering if you could be my partner?" She closed one of his eyes and looked at me as if waiting to be declined and waiting to be delighted if I said yes, at the same time.

I laughed at him. "Of course I would, silly! I'd love to." It's the least I could do to him for always listening to me, and for accompanying me home today.

The remainder of the time we just talked about anything concerning about school, up until we reached my house. He never mentioned the topic again. He waved goodbye and was picked up by Charles moments later.

I went right away in my room, threw my bag on the floor and laid on my bed thinking about what Rome said earlier. He's got a point you know, I heard the voice in my head advising. You should reconsider his proposal. Sigh.

I couldn't remember what I did earlier the day because moments after I laid on my bed I felt my eyes shutting, feeling tired and drifted off to sleep.

-o-

Rome POV

Another boring day at school has ended. I tried to keep myself busy so I won't have the time to keep on checking out how Sam was doing in her classroom. A couple of my classmates approached me to ask if I could be their partner for the project. I honestly didn't want to be partnered with just anyone. Luckily, according to the teacher, the partner should not be limited to the class. This meant we could ask someone from another class for help. And I have someone in mind.

I nicely declined their proposal of being my partner saying I already have one. Hopefully she'll say yes though. The project isn't that hard. We just needed to put in a collage of some sort of the people that makes us happy and the people that matter in our lives.

I walked out of the room and immediately headed to Sam's classroom. The corridor was filled with running, sprinting, and screaming kids! I quickly dodged every one of them. Lucky for me, I was tall so I had no problem looking over and dodging everyone else coming the other way.

I caught up with Sam. She didn't even noticed we accidentally bumped into each other. She looked kinda down. So, to lighten up the mood, "Woah there!" I gave her my intolerable smile. "Why are you in such a hurry?" she looked up at me.

She smiled weakly. "Hey Rome. I...I was about to head home." Hmm.. Something's up. She isn't her cheerful self lately. And I have a good guess who might be the cause of that.

"Why the long face then?" Another attempt to lighten up the mood.

"I'm just tired. That's all." Really, Sam? You are never tired from school. You always head home with a happy disposition.

Whoever that guy is that's making her feel miserable and sad surely doesn't know how to treat his girl right.

"Want me to walk you home?" I offered. She still looks so beautiful despite the puffy eyes. Guess I have to call Charles and tell him not to wait up for me. I have a feeling there's going to be another crying session.

"But you have a driver waiting for you." I snapped out of what I was thinking. "Well, yes... But I could just tell him to go ahead and not wait for me." I have a better I idea. "Or I could tell him to wait up so we could drive you home instead. What do you say?" Either way she chooses, it's a win-win situation for me! She was thinking it over. She then said yes.

I instantly took my phone out and dialed Charles' number. I told him not to wait up for me and that I'd just call him later to pick me up. I explained that I'll be accompanying Sam home. Charles know about Sam. I have told him countless times how I felt about her. Charles would always tell me to go ahead and confess to Sam about how I felt. Although he's been the family driver, for who knows how long, he's like an uncle to me. He gives me advice most of the time. He's a cool guy overall.

Although I don't want to get in trouble for coming home late, I told him not to tell dad where I've been. He knows my dad won't approve of me hanging out late in the streets, especially without him with me. He's also like a bodyguard.

After hanging up the phone and putting it back on my pocket, "So, shall we?" I asked her.

We were talking about random stuff before finally heading out the gate. She was smiling now. However once we got out of the gate, she must have seen something she didn't liked that her mood instantly changed to being gloomy again. I just had to ask.

"So.." I attempted to make conversation without having it to be too awkward.

"So, what?" She asked cautiously.

Well, this is what I wanted. I wanted to walk her home and get to talk to her. Come on! Man up! I took a deep breath, I hope she didn't noticed. "So, what's been getting you down lately?"

She then asked me if I still remember the story she once told me about a guy she liked. Yeah. How could I forget? That careless guy. My guess was right all along.

I gulped hard. "What about him?"

"Well... I've opened up to that person and told them that I have feelings for them too even if it was too late, even if they already had somebody else." She looked at me, waiting for my response. I waved my hand to let her know to keep going. "I was okay with it at first. But then I remembered that when I was kid, I didn't liked to share my stuff. What I have is all mine. I don't want nobody else sharing it with me." She's definitely a jealous type.

"Woah, you really got some complicated things going on with your life now, Sam. Did he told you to stay even if he already was with someone else?" That selfish moron!

"Yes. That person told me that they liked me most. That I would always have their heart. That they would break up with...whoever they were with to be with me." I could see her eyes were already watery.

"Hey... Hey.. There now." I took out my handkerchief. I was able to catch her to avoid herself from stumbling over the pavement. "It's okay, Sam. I understand. Heart break sure does hurt as sh-t but you can always do something about it, you know?" I should know. You're breaking my heart right now, as we speak, just by crying over someone who doesn't even deserve your tears. Sigh.

"I can't do anything about it anymore! That person is in-love with someone else. And although they've told me that their heart only belonged to me, then why do I feel like sh-t just because I'm not with them right this very moment?" Tears were streaming down her eyes like waterfall. She had to take a seat on the sidewalk. There weren't too many people walking, so that was okay.

I took a seat beside her. "Hey, you'll get over him. You just need to get distracted at school work and other stuff." I looked at the skyscrapers to keep myself from crying as well. I bit my lip.

"Yeah right! Like that could work! I've already tried drowning myself with homework, school work, and some more home work but nothing worked!" she rolled her eyes.

You're right. I didn't respond. I stood up to think and sat again, a little closer to her. Crap! This was hard! I can't think of a million other ways to help Sam get over the good-for-nothing-two-timing-bad-influence-of-a-guy, unless...

These were the times that I got a light bulb moment!"I got it!" I jumped at the thought.

"What is it?" She asked peculiarly.

I took a seat again beside her. My heart was hammering hard on my chest, as if it's about to rip off my rib-cage! This is it, Sam. This is MY chance. I could show you! If you could just let me. I took her hand and wiped her tears with my thumb and said, "Use me!" I smiled positively.

She was shocked, I could tell. She told me I was funny and asked if I was serious. I told her I was.

I told her she could use me so she won't be sad anymore when she thinks about them. I can make you happy, Sam. If you just gave me a chance.

Her saying she couldn't do it just because she thinks of me as her big brother. Yeah, right Sam. I thought of her more than a sister, more than a friend really.

I told her she could think about it. I helped her get up so we could head to her house, so she could get some rest and think things over.

I changed the subject to random school stuff. I even asked her if she could be my partner for our class' project. She said yes. And I couldn't be more overjoyed!

We finally reached their house and I bid her adieu. I walked to the next corner waiting for Charles to come pick me up. He came just in time.

"Over the moon are we, Master Rome?" he asked from the driver seat.

"Shut up, Charles. I'm just excited." I punched him in the shoulders playfully. I told him what happened and said he was blissful that I was happy.

We drove off to the main highway as Sam's house came out of view from the rear view mirror. This day couldn't be more exciting.