Submission

Chapter Three

          Samantha drove home in silence. Not even the radio was on. She was still shaken up by the encounter she'd had with the creepy old man. Granted, yes, her neighbor, whom she now knew as Christopher, stopped the bastard from doing any real harm to her, however, that didn't hide the fact that the encounter itself still frightened her. Lord only knows what could have happened if Christopher hadn't shown up when he did. It could have been a lot worse than it turned out.

          Samantha shuddered at the thoughts that ran through her mind. "Alright, alright. Calm down Samantha, you're safe now.." She muttered to herself. Though doing so honestly didn't help her as much as she thought it would.

          A sigh of relief left her once she was safely parked in her driveway. Even though the car was now parked and the vehicle had been turned off, Samantha sat there for a few silent moments. Not that she was upset still but just to sit. To think and calm herself. A knock on her driver's side window snapped her out of her relaxed state causing Samantha to nearly jump out of her seat. Then she realized it was only Christiene. "Dammit you scared me!" Exclaimed Samantha. "Sorry Sam. I was just worried when I saw you sitting alone in your car. You've been sitting here staring blankly at nothing for like ten minutes." Christiene replied apologetically as Sam got out of the car. "I just had a rough night is all. Sorry sis." Samantha said.

          Samantha and Christiene went inside. For the next hour the two spoke of the scary incident that Sam had endured not even two hours ago. Samantha also told her friend how the handsome new guy had saved her and details about the short conversation that they had after he helped her. "So his name is Christopher. He is handsomer up close and his demeanor seems friendly yet laid back?" Christiene asked in a question to confirm what Samantha had just told her. A long pause of silence ensued. Samantha just gave a nod. That's when Christiene broke into a loud, ear shattering squeal accompanied by lots of hyper jumping. "Oh my god! Sis c'mon he's perfect for you!" Samantha laughed, just a tad bit uncomfortable by her friends over excitement. "No, no. Uh..no. I'm not interested in him like that. And how did we go from having a serious conversation to you fan-girling over what guy type is best for me?" Samantha commented with a hint of sarcasm mixed with slight confusion.

          Christiene let out a long sigh, calming down and turning more serious. "Look sis, you're alone way too much." Samantha shrugged and gave Christiene an even more confused expression. "Yeah. And? What of it?" Samantha wasn't liking what her friend was getting at. Knowing Christiene she was just trying to convince, or more so, push her friend into getting a boyfriend. But Samantha did not want that. Not to mention it wasn't something she felt she needed in the first place. Sam was just fine with the life she was living now. Having a boyfriend wouldn't make her life any more better or different than it is. Would it? She shook her head slightly, quickly pushing the thought into the farthest part of her mind. "You need some other kind of companionship Samantha. Me and your dog are the only two you even hang around, let alone consider friends. Please sis. At least try to get to know him a teeny bit." Samantha sighed in a mix of frustration and defeat. "I'll think about it sis. Are you happy now?" Christine gave a silly smile followed by a quick, short nod of approval.

          Samantha didn't mean to snap at her friend and felt bad about it, even though Christiene didn't seem to be fazed or upset by it in the least. The fact that she snapped at her best friend in the first place made her feel shitty. Sam just hates it when people do that to her. It's one of her top five biggest pet peeves.

          Christiene didn't stay over for the night like she usually would whenever her and Samantha hung out, rather instead she went straight home as she had to work tomorrow. It was one of those times where her schedule was messed up at work, so, needless to say, she was working a day that she is almost always off on. After she left, Samantha decided to turn in the towel early tonight. Who could blame her after a day like this? That next day, Samantha made up her mind about whether she should get to know her new neighbor or not. Taking it upon herself to get over her "I don't need anyone" disposition.

          Samantha waited till she knew he was home. I know, I know, sounds a bit stalkerish, but it was either that or look like a loon knocking on his door and waiting for an answer only for him not to be home or pull up in the driveway as she was doing so. So yeah. Best to just wait and make sure he was home.

          When Christopher pulled into his driveway Samantha was hesitant once again. Though, not for long. Finally, fifteen minutes later and with a roll of her shoulders, Sam put on her jacket on. "Why am I even doing this?" She asked herself. "It'll only be awkward. I'm the most awkward person in the universe for Christ sake!" She said, once again to herself, earning a weird look from the elderly couple across the street. Samantha rolled her eyes continuing on till she reached the beginning the pathway that led to his front door. Don't get her wrong, she did find him cute, she simply just didn't like the fact that she was forcing herself to get to know someone.

*Knock, knock, knock.* 

          Her knuckles sounded against the thick, oak door. A minute later Christopher answered. He seemed to be both confused and surprised to see her, or rather dumbfounded that he had a guest at all. "Hi. Aren't you that girl from the restaurant?" He asked in his attempt at greeting the girl that stood at his door. "Oh yeah, um, hi. I actually came to thank you again. And well, my best friend wouldn't leave me alone until I at least tried to get to know someone other than her." Samantha laughed nervously, subconsciously rubbing the back of her neck. "Sorry if I bothered you at all sir." Christopher shook his head at her apology. "No, it's alright."

          A pause of silence fell over them, quickly making the moment awkward as Samantha predicted it might. Christopher spoke up a few seconds later. The awkward silence in the air being broken. "Would you like to come in?" He offered, stepping aside for Samantha to come in. Samantha gave a small smile, stepping inside. "Sorry about the mess by the way. I wasn't expecting anyone." Sam just shook her head. "I don't mind. My house is the same way right now."

          Sam and Christopher didn't talk long. It was a rather short meet and greet between them, and a slightly uncomfortable one at that, at least Samantha thought it was. Christopher still appeared friendly. Now that she got a chance to speak with him longer than five minutes, Sam noticed the authoritative demeanor and dominance in his tone, mixed finely with the relaxed manner of his body language. He was so chill, but strong in the way he spoke. It confused Samantha; made it hard for her to read him even. For some reason, however, Christopher being unreadable, mysterious, drew her in more than before.

          "Maybe we could get to know each other more. Over coffee perhaps?" Samantha suggested, trying not to seem like she was desperate for attention. She wasn't going to lie. She did want to get to know him more. But she didn't want to look like an overly needy child seeking attention from anyone it could find that would give it to her. "Sure. I'm free this weekend if you like." Samantha nodded with a smile, Christopher returning it with his own. With that, Samantha waved goodbye, walking back to her house. Christopher watched until she made it safely to her home. Samantha didn't know it yet, but Christopher had a peaked interest in her himself.

          Christopher found her appealing. She wasn't like other girls he had met. Samantha was more outgoing, with a strong independence that cleverly hid the innocence behind the tom-girl exterior. That same tough girl nature challenged Christopher's own dominant, tough, and in charge type nature. Challenging it to the point it made his skin crawl. It agitated, and frustrated, yet excited him all at once.

          Meanwhile, as Christopher thought about her, Samantha sat in her favorite chair, thinking of him, trying to focus on the round of Call of Duty she was playing at the same time. He was so on her mind that she kept failing to notice other players right in front of her. "Oh my f*****g Gosh! What the hell dude?!" She screamed into her mic after the millionth time of dying by the gun of the same person that has killed her multiple times in a row already. No person ever in the young teens life so far, has EVER stayed on her mind long enough to frustrate her this much. Not even to distract her this much. Samantha didn't mind the thought of him, in fact it didn't bother her in the slightest. Although the fact that the thoughts were never ending drug her focus away from everything else. Like that's all she could think of.

          Samantha put down her controller. "Maybe coffee will sooth my mind so I can focus on my game." As she said this she was already making her way to the coffee pot. A full pot worth twelve cups, followed by six even scoops of coffee. Not too strong, but not weak either. Samantha's perfect brew of Maxwell House Breakfast Brew flavored coffee. Just how she's always liked it. The very bitter sweat smell of freshly brewed coffee already beginning to relax her mind.

          After making her cup, Samantha sat back down in her bouncy chair. She turned Netflix on. Scary movies on her brain now. Finally, Christopher was out of her mind, movie time and coffee taking his place. A sigh of relief left her lungs. Damon sat next to her on the floor, Samantha pet his head. She gave a slight giggle at Damon's reaction to the scary movie that played on the TV. It was always amusing to her how her puppy enjoyed watching movies and how much he actually paid attention to the movies and TV shows she turned on. Like there was actually a human inside that black furred body. It always put a smile on her face. A smile that was genuine and that she most definitely needed in this moment. One that a dog always aided in providing.   

          The week ended and the weekend set in. The day was a Saturday, around noon time. To Samantha, it felt like it was still nine-o'clock. She was just getting back from the dog park when she heard a knock on her front door. "Who could that be?" She internally asked herself, Damon beating her to the door, barking as usual. Samantha motioned for Damon to hush, which the young pup did so obediently, though standing protectively at the door still. "Who is it?" The voice responding on the other end of the door sounded familiar. "Its Chris." The low voice responded. Samantha unlocked then opened the door. "Hi." Sam greeted with a half smile. "So what brings you here?" She questioned. "I thought you would like to go out for coffee. Unless you have plans today." Christopher offered. Samantha had totally forgotten that she suggested they go out for coffee. Mentally face-palming, she laughed sheepishly at her forgetfulness. "I totally forgot you said you were free this weekend. I'd love to go." Sam stepped aside for Christopher to come in. "I just have to give Damon his vitamins before we go and get dressed." Christopher nodded.

          Christopher glanced around the living room in curiosity as any person would when entering a place they've never been in before. A basic, purple couch with matching love-seat, the couch being centered with the glass coffee table and entertainment stand in front of it, and the love-seat being seated evenly just to the left, aligned with the window just behind it. He could see a large rug beneath all of it. It was a white and black striped rug that made the purple couch and love-seat pop out. A fifty inch flat screen stood turned off atop the entertainment stand, along with an Xbox One laying at the TV's base; video games lining the shelves, and a pair of controllers with matching headsets to go with. Christopher could see the style of how she decorated her home just screamed that an eighteen year old lived here. But it was clean, well organized. The decor said "Hi I'm a teenager!" but how the home was well kept suggested she was mature for her age.

          "For someone your age, you keep a nice home." Samantha turned around at his compliment, or what she assumed was an attempt of said compliment. "Thanks, I guess." Samantha wasn't offended but it was the fact that he assumed that, just because she was young, meant that she wouldn't keep a clean house. What did he think she would be living like? Like an irresponsible college preppy chick that always drank and partied without a care for what their home looked like to others the next day? Hell to the no. In fact, not to be mean or hateful, but Samantha couldn't stand to go over to someone's home when they didn't seem to care about the smell and visible neglect that showed in every crevice of the house. It was just plain gross. And it wasn't just people in her age group that did it either. Sam could never, and would never allow her home to get in such a shape.

          Christopher followed her to the kitchen when Samantha made her way to give Damon his vitamins. He pet the dog who had come over to say hello to the stranger in his home. "Sorry if that came out wrong." He apologized. "I just meant you keep a nice home. My brothers don't even keep up half the time and they're 20 and 21 years old." Samantha gave Damon his medication and she sighed. "Nah you're alright. I know for a fact half the people within my age group don't seem to care about practically neglecting their own living space." She agreed. "If you want there's tea and juice in the fridge, cups are in the cabinet right next to it. Help yourself. I'll be down in a second." Sam said, walking away to go get ready. It would be weird if Samantha went in what she was currently wearing. Sweatpants and a paint stained t-shirt looking like a bum out the ass. She needed to at least dress in a nice pair of blue jeans and a decent looking shirt. You know, get out of her lazy clothes and into her public clothes. A nice shirt and a pair of blue jeans with her black Converse should suffice.

          Samantha came down the stairs, her jacket in hand, to Christopher waiting by the front door. "Ready?" He asked. "Yup, sure am." Sam said with a single nod.

          Since the cafe wasn't that far away, Samantha and Christopher casually walked and talked their way to the cafe. It was a rather nice day. Even though it was only 27° out, the sun's warm gaze made the walk bearable. There was no cold wind to freeze them out either.

"So what brought you to this little town?" Samantha asked curiously. "Well, I'm originally from Ireland. I moved here to expand my business really, but I suppose it was also the urge to travel and settle down somewhere else in a small quiet town that drew me in to moving here." He explained. Sam looked up intrigued. "You don't sound like you're from Ireland."

          Samantha heard a chuckle. The cafe being just ahead. "What's so funny?" She asked confused. Christopher shook his head slightly. "Oh nothing. You're just the first person to question me on my accent." Sam tilted her head a bit. "But I don't hear it when you talk, that's why I commented on it." Christopher opened the door, allowing Samantha to enter the cafe first. "I just don't have a very pronounced, thick accent. That could be from how much time I spend in America though, I don't know. It comes out sometimes." He said, shrugging it off with the simplest reason he could come up with.

          The two chatted and enjoyed their coffee. Laughing a few times at the funny things one of them would say. Samantha was more comfortable with Christopher by this point, actually enjoying the company he provided. Christopher seemed to feel the same way. He wasn't expecting to meet someone new or have any company so quick after moving here. But you never know what the magic of a small town could conjure your way, that's exactly what it appears to have happened to the both of them.

          Once again, they made the walk back home, Christopher and Samantha parting ways at his home. Just like last time, Christopher watched to make sure Sam made it safely inside her house. He sighed, a smile crossing his face. Typically he would be able to hide his emotions and get bored of new people easily, but there was just something about this girl that was able to change that. Perhaps he would entertain himself a little longer and see where this goes. It could turn out to be a fun experience.

          Back at Samantha's house, she leaned against the kitchen counter. She actually enjoyed herself. Like actually enjoyed herself. Samantha sighed with a smile. "How does Christiene do that?" The question was thrown into the air out of amusement. Her friend convinced her to do something, and, like it always has in the past, it worked. It's like the time they went to Six Flags. Christiene knew Sam was afraid of heights, yet she managed to get her on a roller coaster. The Superman ride. Samantha freaked out getting on it. Boy, once she got off though she was ready to get on the next ride. Just like that, Christiene has managed to do it again. And, once again, it worked. Something Samantha was grateful for.

          The day went on normally after Samantha and Christopher hung out. It was nice out, so for most of Samantha's Saturday was spent relaxing and playing with Damon outside till the days end. A great way to spend a lovely day.

          It was now dinner time and Sam was making herself and Damon something to eat. It was a simple dinner night for them. Well for her mostly. Damon got his food pre-made every two weeks and stored, so all Sam had to do was heat it up and put it in his bowl. For her, on the other hand, she had to make dinner for herself every night. That's when casual nights like this called for a casual dinner. Cheddar Grilled Cheese and tomato soup would be great winter's night dinner to eat and watch a movie with.

          Meanwhile, Christopher was drinking hot tea while he did paper work. Unlike Samantha, Christopher rarely stopped working. It kept his mind busy. Kept him busy. And that was what he needed right now.  

          Christopher needed to play his cards right if he wanted to get that girl to become puddy in his hands. He wanted her. He wanted her all to himself. He wanted to make her his. He wanted to make her melt to the point of her kneeling before him without question. All that would take time and patients, all of which Christopher didn't have. Then again, he's never been patient in waiting for anything that he wanted. Yet he had to bite the bullet and bide his time. Hopefully this will work in his favor as he wished it to.

          Christopher ran a hand through his hair in both a show of frustration, impatience, and tiredness. A good night's rest was in order for sure. He had a lot on his mind and a lot to prepare for when his hopeful new toy finally became his. And his she would be in due time.

          Samantha on the other hand was still wide awake and full of energy. She had pushed Christopher out of her mind and was back to herself. "Yeah, so, thanks to your advice I made a friend." Samantha spoke over the microphone to her friend Christiene who she was playing MineCraft with online. "See sis! I told you it was worth a shot." Samantha laughed. "Yeah, yeah, yeah, you were right." A short bit of silence took over the mic then Sam heard her friend come back with a funny, smart sounding remark. "You have no idea how long I've been waiting to hear those words leave your mouth Sam." - "Pssh, b***h please. I wasn't saying it for your pleasure." Sam retorted a snarky remarked back. Both her and Christiene bursting into laughter. A scream interrupted the laughing when Christiene fell off a cliff in game and died, only making Sam laugh even harder. "Me dying isn't funny. I'm gonna come over and beat you with a damn wet noodle." 

          What a nice way to end a great day. A nice, simple dinner, followed by a movie, then spending time with your best friend playing games till twelve in the morning. However, like all days, this one had to come to an end somewhere. Samantha dozing off was her cue to put the controller down and say goodnight to Christiene. "Alright Damon, bedtime." She yawned out. Damon beat Sam to the bedroom, climbing into his own oversized dog bed fit for, well, an oversized dog, Samantha being close behind him. After putting her pajamas on, she climbed into bed and quickly fell asleep for the night. Totally unaware of the future events to come her way. Some of which she might not be ready for, let alone that she will be expecting. Only time will tell.