Ten

Sammy and I are very good friends. I would say she's my closest friend next to Austin, and is one of my biggest supporters and confidants. But despite that, we actually haven't known each other as long as I've known my other friends.

Austin and Tristan have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. Our parents were friends when they were younger, so it was only natural that we would all be close. But the fact that we ended up being neighbors made that so much more true.

But, of course, Austin and I were the ones attached at the hip while Tristan ended up befriending a lot of other people instead. Being only three months apart in age was part of that, but the other part was the fact that our personalities have always complemented each other well. Meanwhile, Tristan was much more outgoing than both of us combined, and a lot more athletic to boot. He never had a problem making friends, so don't feel too bad that he wasn't as close to us.

Marie Lyra, of course, came into my life in the fourth grade when she made her whirlwind debut in our little New England suburban town. She was a hugger, she hummed everywhere she went, and always felt like the absolute embodiment of sunshine. I love her to death, but she can be a lot to handle sometimes.

Sammy came into my life a little later. Our first week of freshman year, we were placed in the same art class. Both of us took the elective because of our love for art, rather than being required.

We actually didn't hit it off right away, either. Which is why it's weird that we're so close.

*

I walk into my art class; a big, unfamiliar room will unfamiliar faces. I instantly felt nervous, and basically took a seat blindly.

I sit myself next to a red-haired girl wearing dark clothes and accessories. She hardly looks up from her personal sketchbook, and makes sure her arm blocks what she's drawing so no one could peek. She doesn't talk to anyone, and she feels a little intimidating.

The teacher takes attendance and I do my best to prepare for the new environment I'm in. The girl saying "here" was the first time I'd ever heard her speak. Samantha Cadwell.

She immediately asks to be called Sam, or Sammy. Then, she puts her head right back down to what she was working on previously, and the talk switch goes right back off.

I sigh, feeling alone throughout the whole class period. Not one person was from my middle school, and all of them already seemed to have their formed friend groups, talking away. That is, except for Sammy.

Our task for the day was to draw something. Anything. The teacher wanted to see what our skills were, and asked for something that we enjoyed drawing or would help us show off our talent. I started drawing my dog, who's my biggest inspiration of all.

At one point, Sammy gets up to leave the room. I assume she had to get water or use the bathroom. One thing she forgot, though, was to close her sketchbook.

The drawing she chose to work on was the one she had started at the beginning of class with her head down. Seeming to be on brand to her image, she drew some kind of demon girl, with dark eyes and a sharp, evil smile. Her art was gorgeous.

When she comes back, I decide to speak.

"Hey, I really like your drawing."

Her face goes bright red and she glares at me, instantly closing her sketchbook. "Why were you looking?" she hisses.

I shrug, unfazed by her abrasiveness. "I just saw it out of the corner of my eye and thought it looked cool."

She softens her expression. "You don't think it's too creepy and weird?"

"No, I think it's creative," I insist. She smiles a little, but brushes it off like it didn't happen.

She pauses. "I'm Sammy," she says, making eye contact.

"Dylan. It's nice to meet you."

*

***

Our extended friend group, with the exception of Tristan, decided to all go to the mall together this weekend. Aside from Austin, Marie, Sammy, and myself, we also brought along Jade, and her boyfriend Liam, two of our other friends.

"Okay, I need to make A LOT of stops, so I hope you're ready for that," Marie says, already eager to start walking.

"We didn't expect any less from you," Jade says, laughing. Marie rolls her eyes playfully.

We all discuss which stores to hit, and Marie and Jade bring up a lot of stores that aren't the most inviting for guys. I'd rather not stop at Victoria Secret. Austin notices the look on my face and takes charge.

"How about we split up while you guys stop at those stores and meet back for food. Sound good?" he asks. We all agree.

"I'll go with you guys," Sammy says to Austin and I. My heart sinks a little, knowing she's only coming to be near Austin.

"Aight, laters," Marie giggles, running off with Jade, with Liam dragging behind them. He gives us a meek wave.

"So, Hot Topic? GameStop? Spencer's?" Sammy asks Austin, clearly talking to him more than me. I roll my eyes to myself.

"Sure," he says, starting to lead the way. He looks over at me briefly and smiles.

As we head to GameStop, Sammy walks next to Austin, leaving me behind them. The fact that I'm feeling like a third wheel is definitely angering.

"So, Austin, isn't it weird that it's already February?" she asks him, starting random conversation.

Quietly, he responds, "Uh, yeah." There's a bit of an awkward pause. I continue to walk quietly behind them, feeling a little like shit.

"I wonder how Valentine's Day is gonna go this year. I know last year they had flowers to send to people. I wonder if they'll do that, or maybe do some chocolate deliveries," she says, seemingly daydreaming.

"Hmm. Yeah, I don't know," Austin shrugs. Her face falls a bit. We walk the rest of the way to the store in silence.

Austin heads over to some of the PlayStation games while Sammy hovers near the entrance.

"Is Austin okay? He seems kind of distant." she asks me, seeming very fidgety.

"I think he's fine, he's just doing his introvert thing," I say. She purses her lips.

"I've been thinking about telling him about my crush," she says, looking around the store awkwardly. My heart spikes.

"Oh yeah?" I ask.

"Mhm. I don't know when, but soon. I'm already nervous," she says, messing with her bracelets.

I pause. "I'm sure it'll go fine."

On the inside, of course, I hoped it wouldn't. What a bad friend I am.

I walk over to Austin, feeling uncomfortable from my conversation with Sammy. He smiles when he sees me next to him.

"Hey, look. I found that game you were talking about," he says, holding up the newest Sly Cooper installment. "I know you love the first games."

I smile a bit. "Yeah! I was very excited when I found out about it. I can't believe it's already been out for a year and I only just now heard about it."

"I'll get it," Austin says, putting the game to his side.

"No, no, you don't have to," I say, shaking my head.

He shrugs. "It's not too much. Besides, I know you were really looking forward to it. And I'm the one with the PS3."

I sigh, but my heart flutters nonetheless. He wanders off, continuing to look at games. I reconvene with Sammy, who's looking at some plushies.

"Which one should I get that Austin would like? What about Magikarp?" she asks.

"Not sure," I say, standoffish. She doesn't even notice.

"Yeah, I'll get Magikarp. Ooh, I'll have to hide it so it's a surprise."

I shake my head as she gets distracted by other trinkets, and decide to sit on the bench outside of the store.

Every single time she talks, I feel my confidence drop immensely. She's so pretty and her style is immaculate. The chances of me coming out on top of this situation are so, so slim.

And it really hurt.