Chapter 4

Friday 12th April, 2024.

Today was better than yesterday, I think it was the right choice and things are getting back to normal which is good. It's currently lunch time and I'm eating some veggies with noodles. It tastes better than it sounds, believe me. I could see someone walking up to me in the corner of my eye, Kade was eating quietly next to me as well.

I looked around to see Samuel, "Hey Olivia, mind if I join you today?" he asked smugly.

This man has barely acknowledged me in the past, why did he want to sit with me? Although skeptical, I nodded and a few seconds later he made his way to the left of me, while Kade was on my right.

I continued eating while allowing my mind to wonder. Samuel Henderson, he's not the smartest in class but he isn't downright stupid either, not to mention he is one of the most popular guys in our school.

It is weird that he would want to sit with me out of nowhere. Hm, I probably should find this weirder but Sam has always been spontaneous even back in middle school and yes, we also went to school together back then. He was a lot crazier in middle school.

Nowadays, he's mellowed out quite a bit which I'm glad for because guess who used to help him with all his shenanigans back then? None other than yours truly.

We had stopped talking ever since we joined high school, mainly because of his new group of friends. I don't dislike them or anything, it's just that he's changed a lot since meeting them and I'm still trying to figure out if that's a good or bad thing.

I finished the last bit of my food and leaned back to watch him carefully. His hair has definitely gotten longer, either that or he stopped cutting it and he's gotten more muscles as well, guess he's taking care of himself more now.

"So, what's up Sam, why the sudden visit?"

I got straight to the point not wanting to wonder any longer. He chuckled and looked at me for a second before responding to me, "You always were quick to assume I want something weren't you?" I squinted at him and he let out another chuckle, "I just thought that maybe we should spend more time together, after all this is our last year in the same school together. Who knows when we'll get to see each other again."

He's not wrong, there's no telling if we'll end up at the same university or even stay in the same city. "Alright alright, how's things with your mom? Is she handling things well?" I asked somewhat quietly so only he could hear.

He looked a bit taken aback but replied to my question, "Yeah, she's doing much better with my dad out of the picture, I try my best to help out but you know her. She thinks she has to handle everything on her own because she's the parent and I'm the child."

I softened at his words and placed my hand on his, "You're doing your best and that's all that matters, I'm sure she appreciates it regardless of your roles. I am glad though; you both seem to be doing better." He places his other hand on top of mine and squeezes it while smiling at me. Right, I had almost forgotten how intoxicating his smile was.

Samuel Henderson my first one sided crush and Kade Harper my second, damn...I'm insufferable, aren't I?

I used to like Sam years ago when we had first become friends. Some things do repeat themselves I guess, I never confessed to him back then because he had a very obvious crush on another girl in our class.

He would ask me for advice seeing as I'm a girl and whatnot, yea it hurt being in that situation but I got over it eventually. I just had to keep telling myself it's not worth losing a friendship over, and with time we slowly parted ways until he was just a passing thought. If I got a second chance, I'd probably take it even if I don't feel the same.

There's no telling if those feelings can rekindle and our friendship isn't the same as it was back then.

"Did you hear what I just said...Olivia?"

He looked at me slightly confused, "Oh...sorry, what were you saying? I just got a bit lost in thought there." I answered him, trying to quiet my thoughts. He looked at me slightly worried and asked, "Well, I was asking you if you'd like to hang out tomorrow, we could go to the mall or if you prefer to chill at your house like we used to, I don't mind either one."

Oh, that sounds interesting actually, "Sure you can come over and I can whip out the good old games we used to play." He let go of my hand and leaned over to hug me while saying, "That's great I'll come for the usual time then."

I immediately heard a cough from someone behind me, once the hug was done, I glanced behind to see Kade somewhat glaring at Sam.

Why would he be glaring at him?

Oh shit, I didn't even introduce them, so stupid.

I pushed my chair back a little so they could see each other, "Right, my apologies for the late introduction. Kade, this is my longtime friend Samuel, we went to the same middle school together. Sam, this is Kade, we became friends a few weeks ago and he's also in my class." Sam initiated a handshake and well Kade looked somewhat reluctant but still shook his hand.

Without a moment to spare the bell rang to indicate lunch was over. I got up and quickly said, "Well I've got to get to class boys. Kade, I'll see you on Monday and Sam, remember to come on time tomorrow." Without waiting for a response, I darted for the doors.

Saturday 13th April, 2024.

9:46am, it was way too early for me to be getting up, I rolled around in bed for a few minutes then I thought about my "promise" with Sam and somehow found the will to get out of bed. I opened my closet and took out a blue jersey saying "I don't hate Mondays, I'm mature I hate all days of the week." along with some short dark blue jeans. I slowly made my way to the bathroom.

10:15am, "I'm on my way don't worry, I just slept in a bit." I looked at the text Sam had sent 5 minutes ago; he should take another 5 before he reaches. I sit down at the Tv and decide to bide my time rewatching the show Friends. I didn't get far in the episode when I heard a knock on the door, I paused the tv and made my way to the door. Through the glass in the front door, I could see his silhouette he looked to be wearing casual clothes as expected.

Opening the door with a slight smile on my face I invited him inside. He made his way the living room and plopped down on the couch as though he had never left to begin. "So, what do you want to do? I was just watching some Friends because why not." I said still standing next to where he sat down.

He looked around for a moment before getting back up, "How about we do something fun?" I squinted at him confused forcing him to elaborate further, "Lets just do what you've been doing. We'll continue watching Friends; besides I haven't watched the show in forever I could use the refresher."

I nodded my head and made my way to sit down when I felt a hand on my wrist, I looked back at Sam confused.

Didn't he want to watch the show? Why was he stopping me? As if reading my mind, he answered all the questions I had been asking in my head, "Lets watch it in your room. It's more comfortable there and I rather lay down right now, my back has been killing me lately." I nodded and followed him up to my room.

Letting curiosity get the better of me I asked him, "Let me guess basketball practice is kicking you in the ass?" he let out a laugh before defending himself, "No, definitely not I just haven't been taking as much breaks as I probably should be that's all." Uh huh, I rolled my eyes ensuring he saw and jumped onto my bed landing head first.

He let out a sharp laugh, "You're too cute you know that?" I sat up and took in his facial expressions. Happy mixed with calm then a little bit nervous but why?

He looked a bit awkward; Sam was still the same kid I had been friends with back then but now he made the room feel smaller than it actually was.

Now he was all grown up, "Samuel?" I hadn't even realized I had said his name.

"Mhm, yes Olivia?" he responded to me whilst looking at me like I had done something magical. I patted the spot next to me on the bed and he seemed to get the hint.

While he made himself comfortable next to me, I tried to clear my mind, I feel as though these days I keep thinking and thinking. I turned on the Tv and resumed the episode from earlier.

I felt something soft, my eyes are closed and I'm lying down on something but what is it my bed? No, my bed isn't as soft as this.

I opened my eyes and found myself lying down on Sam's lap, I fought every nerve in my body telling me to get up because Sam was still asleep and I didn't want to wake him up out of nowhere.

I just closed my eyes again and started thinking. The Tv was still playing, however, the volume had been turned down. Did he turn it down? Why was he being so considerate? He's been acting weird asking to hang out with me, watching Tv in my room and turning down the volume, it was all so strange.

What would Kade think about me being like this with Sam, he didn't seem very fond of him when I introduced them. I wonder what he's doing right now, who he's with and if I ever crosses his mind.

"I know that you'll never be mine but I'll always be yours." I told myself trying to convince myself that it was doomed no matter what. I should move on the sooner I move on the better honestly.

Something shift under me forcing me to open my eyes and when I did, I was met with those dark brown eyes I was all too familiar with. I got up and quickly cleared my throat, "Hey..." I said awkwardly going back to my original seat.

"Hey, sleepy head."

He said smiling down at me.

Damn, why in a time like this am I reminded of Kade. I looked up and saw Sam looking at me concerned I had then realized that my face had been tense. I relaxed and shot him a small smile as if to say that I'm fine.

He put out his arms and I hugged him briefly before legging go. I remembered something I had tried so hard to forget, why did I have to remember that now of all times?

Friday 1st January, 2021.

It was New Years and Sam was celebrating with his girlfriend or so I had thought. I heard a knock at the door and opened it only to be met by a teary-eyed Sam.

I brought him inside to the living room and asked him what happened, he began telling me about what had went on with Casandra his now ex-girlfriend.

A few moments later, he had finished telling me about his breakup with Casandra. I felt bad for him but good at the same time, I never really liked her. I don't know if that's jealousy speaking or if she just gives me a bad vibe. "Olivia what do I do? I still care about her and she's my whole world."

I looked at the broken boy in front of me who had tears rolling down his cheeks and his hair was a mess from constantly running his hands through them as a form of coping. I looked at him and all I could do was try my best to help him feel better.

I put out my arms and waited for him to hug me.

Once he did, I hugged him tight and didn't let go until the tears had dried up. I liked him and watching him go through this hurt like hell because I knew if he ever gave me the chance, I would never hurt him like she did. I knew that regardless of everything that happens in life I'd choose to stay with him and work things out.

Unfortunately, I'm his friend and that's all that I'll ever be to him but I rather at least be in his life as his friend than as a stranger. I hugged him not only to console him over his heartbreak but to console myself over mine as well.

We stayed like that for who knows how long, minutes, hours, all I knew was when we had finally finished neither of us were the same again.

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