SKZ Playlist: SAM Sorry, I Love You

Fifth

Julia opened the door for the three teens when they arrived. Sam asked permission from his mother if he and Bobby could stay in his room to play computer games. She approved it so they went straight to his room. Reena settles in the living room as she waits for Christa’s arrival.

“Here, have some refreshments,” Julia offered Reena.

“Oh, you didn’t have to, Auntie. I am fine with just looking at these magazines,” Reena declined politely.

“Don’t say that. You’re like a daughter to me. Besides, school can be draining most of the time, so fill up. I made these muffins. I hope you like it.” Julia grinned.

“If you insist. Thank you,” Reena smiled.

Reena shared that she was anxious about the presentation. Their teacher pointed out their grade is based on how each of their presentations would turn out. It gave her so much pressure. Acting on stage is not her forte. Julia listened to her. She encouraged Reena to stay positive and gain confidence. Julia also pointed out that their [Christa and Reena] chemistry would have a huge impact. The teen felt elated by the kind words and encouragement from her best friend’s mother.

A knock on the door interrupted their discussion. Julia opened the door and a smile registered when she saw their faces. Christa arrived and brought some company. The twins, Peter and Felicity, showed up with the former. They greeted her with a warm embrace. Julia grabbed the shopping bag her eldest held. She led them to the living area and spoke about Reena. The three teens joined Reena in the living room, who was reading a script. Julia left and proceeded to the kitchen to prepare food for dinner.

“Sorry to keep you waiting, Sis,” Christa said to Reena. The latter’s face spoke of astonishment when she realized her best friend had company.

“It’s fine. I was scanning our script and had a great conversation with Auntie," was her response.

“By the way, this is Felicity and Peter,” Christa introduced the twins to her best friend. She explained that the twins were their other best friend’s [Louise] cousins. The three exchanged smiles and shook hands.

“Reena. It’s good to finally meet you two. Louise’s excitement was contagious when she learned you two had arrived. She could not get enough of talking about you two.”

“I bet she was proud to have gorgeous cousins like us,” Peter cracked, which made them cackle. They caught up and gave their whereabouts. The twins were fun to be with. Peter’s notable sense of humor kept the mood alive.

Meanwhile, Sam and Bobby were cheering when they won three games straight. Bobby is now convinced that all he needs is a good teammate to rank up faster. He sent a text message to his cousin Skylar notifying him that he and Reena were at Sam’s house. He mentioned that Christa invited them to a practice. Loud noises from the living room alerted him and Sam. They thought Sam’s sister might be home so they decided to peek into the living room to check their suspicions. Their faces lit up and big smiles were displayed when seeing the individuals in the living room.

“Oh, here they are,” Christa exclaimed after seeing his brother and Bobby. She introduced Bobby to Felicity and Peter. Furthermore, she mentioned that Bobby was Reena’s younger brother.

“What’s up bro? Peter.”

“Felicity, Effie for short.”

Bobby shook their hands. A pleased smile beams after finally meeting Sam’s dream girl. His best friend’s taste for women is exceptional. His description of Felicity was on point. Those freckles under her eyes were adorable. Sam’s aura lifted and his grin was conspicuous.

Sam’s mother emerged from the kitchen and brought another set of refreshments. They shared it over small talk and laughs. A knock on the door made them turn their heads in its direction. Julia stood up and opened it. She found Louise and a male classmate. She let them in. Louise paid respect to Aunt Julia. She also introduced Skylar to her. Louise further explained that he was their [Christa, Reena and her] classmate. She also highlighted Skylar's relationship with the Kital siblings. Louise proceeded to the living room, leaving Skylar behind.

“Thank you for welcoming me to your home, Aunt Julia,” Skylar stated. “Would you mind if I asked for a thermometer?”

“Huh? Will you need it for practice?” Julia inquired.

“I need it to check Louise’s temperature. It appears that she’s feeling under the weather. She had already taken a pill at lunchtime but I did not see any progress. It looks like it has worsened," he explained.

“Oh, is that so?” Her troubled face spoke. “Please join them in the living area. I’ll go find a thermometer.” She hurried and left him.

Skylar found everyone in the living room with two unfamiliar faces. He started passing iced coffee to everyone. He also scanned the room and noticed Louise in a corner by herself. Her arms hugged herself tightly with his jacket still on her. He sighed at the sight of her. Reena noticed him approaching Louise. Before he could get near her, his cousin grabbed him by the arm.

“Hey everyone. This is our [Bobby and her] cousin Skylar. He goes to the same academy as us,” Reena announced. “Louise, Christa and I are in the same class as him.”

Peter and Felicity introduced themselves to Skylar one at a time and shook hands with him. The former was delighted to meet him and discover his relationship with Reena. He grinned when he saw Skylar approaching his cousin Louise. Skylar’s anxiety while speaking with his cousin was visible.

Christa and Reena started their practice by exchanging lines. They each held a script. Skylar and Louise were also discussing items in their scripts. Across them was Peter squatting and scribbling in his notebook. Bobby joined him for company. Seated next to Christa and Reena were Sam and Felicity. The two of them had a world of their own. They laughed and joked, barely aware of anything beyond their own conversation.

“Bro, you just came from Australia, right?” Bobby opened the conversation with Peter.

“We arrived yesterday.”

“Are you on vacation or in a special class considering that you traveled?”

“We’re homeschooled, so traveling is not a big issue when it comes to our studies,” Peter answered.

“I see,” Bobby nodded.

“What about you bro? Are you a junior student like me?” Peter asked.

“You got it right. I’m curious. What are you scribbling right there?” Bobby could not help but ask.

“This one? It’s nothing. I’m just doodling. I often do this when I’m bored or stressed. I just need my hands to work on something to keep me occupied,” Peter explained.

“Fascinating,” Bobby remarked, then glanced over to Christa. He saw the two girls laughing at each other. “Look at them [points to his sister and Christa]. I don’t think they’re making any progress. They are just fooling around. I think we need to step in.”

“You’re right, man. They do not seem to finish three lines at this rate. Let’s go get them,” Peter agreed, then stood up.

Both lads moved towards Christa and Reena. They volunteered to be each other’s partners. Bobby in lieu of Reena’s role and Peter in Christa's role. The two girls appreciated their effort and thought of it as a brilliant idea. Each girl guided their partner’s role and lines and started practicing.

Julia called out to Sam and asked him to join her in the kitchen. She needed some help with preparing their supper. Felicity volunteered to join the mother and son in the kitchen. Sam took out the plates and cutlery. Felicity took charge of table preparation. Julia excused herself, leaving Sam and Felicity in the kitchen. With a thermometer in her hand, she walked towards frail Louise and touched her forehead.

“Here, use this.” Julia ordered Louise.

Louise obeyed and inserted the thermometer under her armpit. Julia was combing her hair and making sure her face wasn't covered with loose hair. Ninety seconds passed and she checked her body temperature.

“Thirty-eight point seven. This is not good. Come with me Lou. Can you stand up?”

Louise tried standing up yet she kept losing balance. Sky immediately assisted her with getting up.

“Listen up everyone. Louise will be resting in the guest room because she’s sick. I need you to keep your voices low. Is that clear?” Julia announced. All heads nodded as a response. Julia, Louise and Sky head to the guest room.

“Will you be accompanying Louise here, Sky?” Julia asked the lad.

“I’ll be fine. I am going to watch her over as she sleeps,” he replied.

“Give her this pill before letting her sleep. I made sure all the things that you need are on the side table. There is a cold compress over there.”

“Thank you so much Aunt Julia for accommodating my request,” Skylar’s humble response.

Julia patted the lad’s back. “Don’t mention it. What matters is that Louise gets enough rest so she gets better. Don’t forget the pill I gave you. I’ll get going. Call me if you need anything, alright?” Julia added.

Sky only nodded. He turned to Louise right after Julia closed the door. He gave her the pill and assisted her to lay in bed. He could feel her warmth and heavy breathing evaporating in the air. Sky reached for the blanket and put it over Louise. He sat on the floor beside the mattress and placed the cold compress on her forehead. Little by little, Louise’s eyes got heavier. She fell asleep in no time. Sky watched over her. He reapplied the cold compress and then examined Louise’s image. An unfamiliar feeling struck him. It urged him to touch her cheek, and so he did. He also ran his fingers on the hair. Removing some mane covering a part of her face.