Chapter Eleven: True Sammy

My room was dark. With a singular light on above my desk, layed a paper underneath. Half done. Pen beside it. Pulling up my chair to the desk, I set myself down.

'This history homework is the worst,' I reread the question. I will admit, it is my fault I'm doing it now, but in all honesty, is history even that important-I mean it isn't best for most career choices.

A knock came to my door.

'Who's there?'

'Josh.'

'Josh who?'

'Josh is opening the door,' Josh opened the door and plopped himself on my bed.

'What's up Josh?'

He tapped his knees, 'How's your homework coming along?'

'Late.'

'Told ya you should've adopted a new attitude towards school,' he mocked me.

'Yeah yeah,' I tossed my box of crayons at him, 'Now preferably, leave?'

He looked offended, 'Alright,' he pushed himself up off the bed, 'Alright, I'll get going,' as he walked towards my door, he stopped and paused himself, 'Are you sure howe-'

I walked over and kicked him in his leg, 'Would you please!'

'OK I'M GOING,' I hurried out my room before I assaulted him next.

Going back to sit down at my desk, it raced through my mind. What happened between Sammy and I. I know her sister told me to stay away, yet it still seemed weird how Sammy has aviod me as well and made no effort towards communicating. Staring at the question blankly, I sighed.

"What lead to European colonization," it read.

Like I remembered. If anything, I would assume it was China.

Now it's the following day and I'm turning in my late work to my history teacher. Apologizing for my work effort, I gave them my papers. I'd see Sammy multiple times in the halls, in class, and outside of school walking around and such. Even when she wasn't there, I'd mistake someone else to be her. Was I dazed? I couldn't seem to prioritize what was important anymore. I lost one person and it seems to be my end. Sammy this, Sammy that. I have no friends except those in book club.

After classes, I reported to the book club. Entering the room, the vibe was warm and welcoming like always. Like a hug from a mother after spending hours of weeping.

Eventually everyone had arrived and taken their seats.

Upfront and center, Charles stood their, somewhat shaking, with papers in his hands. 'Ok guys, so the staff [mainly the english department] thought our adaptation of Macbeth was superb.'

Everyone cheered.

'So as of next, Mrs.Lich-'

'-You mean Mrs.Bitch,' Marley smirked.

'Sure. Anyways, Mrs.Lich had recommended a book for us to read next,' Charles revealed a book from behind the podium, 'Crossroads,' the title of the book had the words overlapping a human heart.

'What's it about?'

After being in this club for sometime, I noticed that Ashley wore his hair up in a ponytail.

'Nice question dude,' Josh gave Ashley a thumbs up.

'Are you stupid,' Ashley gave Josh a cold glare.

'He's stupid,' Harley added.

'Anywho,' Charles placed the book down and leaned his head on his arm, holding it up, 'It's about a boy who questions his very existence of why he should be alive. Many tragedies occur because of his existence yet he was also told to be a savior.'

'Sounds sad,' I added.

'I skimmed through it and it sounded good however.'

'Blah blah blah. C'mon, you finished the speech, let's fool around now,' Marley was giving me troubling vibes.

'Actually, one more thing,' he glanced at Marley as in way to scream she was wrong, 'We have another member that'll be joining us.'

'I thought your guys club was for losers,' I said loud enough for everyone to hear me.

'Hey,' they all shouted in unison.

'Come on in,' Charles stepped out while holding the door for who o couldn't believe u was seeing.

'Hello everyone, I'm Sammy Hughes.'

My face went blank.

'A new babe,' Marely smirked, 'Would it be inconsiderate if I touch her boobs.'

'Yes,' Charles looked at Marely blankly, 'It definitely would be.'

Harley looked at my troubled face, 'What's the matter,' he whispered.

'That's my ex girlfriend who I had to breakup with cuz her sister threatened to murder me,' I whispered back with little sense of life remaining.

'Sucks to be you.'

I bit my lower lip, as I leaned into Harley's lap, 'Imma rest here until we start.'

Harley's face was blushing, 'Yeah,' he looked at Marely's excitement as she was talking to Sammy and introducing everyone.

Pulling Sammy over to Harely and I, she pointed at Harely, 'This lucky, sad sack of shit, is Harely,' she moved her hand down to me, 'And that's Sarah.'

I cracked opened my eyes and sat up. Looking at Sammy, I held out my hand, 'Nice to meet you.'

Sammy shook it, 'Indeed.'

Sammy then walked away.

Replacing my head on Harely's lap, he blushed again. 'What!? Why're you on my lap again?!' He moved his hands sporadically.

'I don't know,' I lifted my head again, 'But I'll remove it for you own convenience.

He took a breather, 'Thank goodness.'

'Ok guys,' Charles slapped the podium, 'Shall we get to matters?'

Everyone took a seat and turned their attention to him.

'Our trip to Scotland was a success, I submitted our work to the teachers and they said it was lovely.'

Everyone cheered. Of course not Sammy.

In honesty, I forgot about that trip. I now recall being Lady Macbeth however. Marely of course was being stupid while we were there. Sometimes I feel like she is a juvenile delinquent.

'Our next assignment is gonna be writing a series of poems.'

'What for,' Ashley said.

'Although our title is book club, we obviously don't just read books, so I recall we have some poets in here.'

Ashley froze, 'Hey-'

'So I offered we'd write some poems for students to decipher our deeper meanings.'

'But Charles,' I raised my hand.

'Sup.'

'I don't know how to write a flipping poem.'

'And that's were Ashley comes in,' he pointed at him.

He had a stone cold glare, 'I knew it.'

Josh rocketed out his seat, 'AND WHAT ABOUT I?!'

'Hm?' Everyone looked at him.

'WHAT!? HARELY, ASHLEY, HOW COULD YOU GUYS FORGET I WRITE POEMS.'

Ashley snapped his finger as Harley's eyes opened, 'Oh yeah,' they said in unison.

Josh fell back in his chair, 'Oh thy fair maiden in all white. Is my life meant to be, or is it a mere joke. I, I just want to be lo-'

'Josh, shut it,' Marley said inconsideratly.

'Sigh.'

'Well, it's set,' Charles pointed to Josh and Ashley, 'Teach us to write a poem!'

With the club dismissed, everyone began saying their goodbyes. Catching me on our way out, Sammy placed her hand on my shoulder.

'Why didn't you show?'

'Why didn't you,' I said back without looking at her.

'I-'

'We can interact with eachother if you're gonna be in this club, but why didn't talk to me afterwards, you just let me go.'

'My sister.....she scares me,' she sniffled a little.

Turning around, I saw Sammy crying. Pulling her into me, I hugged her tightly, 'She scares me too.' I let my hand dragged down her hair over and over as she cried into my shoulder.