08. The Defender

I dialed Sam's number again, still no answer. That would make it the fourth time just today, I had also left multiple messages but, same thing. Ever since our little encounter, it was like he just disappeared.

For the past four days, we had all been trying to reach him but with no luck.

"B, he's not a baby. He'll come back when he's ready." 

"Why did he leave?" Chloe tried to console me but it didn't really help. Different thoughts filled my mind. 

Did I do something wrong?

Did he regret what happened between us?

My mind was about to explode and I hadn't reached a conclusion.

"B, you need to calm down." Chris stood by the door. He wasn't really bothered by Sam's disappearance because the two didn't really get along well.

"Chris is right B. I'm sure he'll be back soon." My mind wasn't at rest but I didn't want to stress them anymore so I just agreed with them.

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"Sam?," He turned to face me and I almost burst into tears. He just stared at me like he didn't know who I was. His glare was cold, almost like someone shot spikes at me. "Where have you been?, I've been worried sick."

"Why?"

"What?" I walked to where he was seated and joined him. "Why wouldn't I be worried?, You were gone for more than a week."

"Why would you worry about me?"

"Why are you being so contemptible towards me?" He glanced in my direction but didn't look at me. "Where did you go?"

"That is none of your business. Stop acting like you're my mother." He got up and walked away, leaving me and my freshly broken heart alone.

I spent the next few days trying to get Sam to open up to me but all my efforts proved abortive. He was seriously refusing to get close to me and the fact that I didn't know what my offence was threatened to make me go crazy.

After a few days, Sam was gone again and this time, he left the phone behind. Chris offered to take me out and I reluctantly agreed. "You need to cheer up babe." He handed me a drink.

"I don't feel like drinking."

"Just take it, it'll help you." He held out the drink and I accepted it. I drank it in one gulp and dropped the cup. 

"What was that?" It was refreshing, like I just had a glass of cold water after a long run. It was like vodka but with an extra taste, either lime or lemon.

"My magic drink." He smiled but didn't say anymore.

After a while, I noticed that I was starting to feel dizzy, even though I had only that one shot. I got up but couldn't stand up straight. "You alright?" He asked and I could only nod in response. I took a step forward and almost fell but Chris caught me. "Woah easy there tiger." He put my arm around his shoulder and held my waist to support me.

He took me to his place and laid me on the bed. "Ugh," I felt really fucked up. I kept tossing around in bed, trying to make myself comfortable and my head was aching. Chris joined me, and through my half opened eyes, I noticed he had undressed. "What are you..."

"Shh, it's okay." His voice was the last thing I heard before I blacked out.

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"What the fuck?" I opened my eyes and the first thing I felt was someone's hands on me. I clutched my head in pain as I sat up. "Fuck." I turned and saw Chris's sleeping body next to me. "What the..." I tapped him and he stirred awake.

He sat up and wanted to hug me. "What the hell happened?" He frowned at my question and wanted to hold my hand. "I'm not joking Chris. What the hell happened last night?".

"Relax babe. I thought you wanted to."

"Wanted to what?" I demanded slowly. "Don't tell me we--"

"We did, and you liked it."

"What the fuck dude?!, I was drunk last night, why the hell would you take advantage of that?"

"I didn't--"I didn't wait to hear the rest of his explanation. I packed my clothes, got dressed and left his place.

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"My love," Chris wanted to kiss me but I brushed him off. "What's wrong?, You've been acting distant for the past few days."

"Chris, I don't want you to misunderstand but...what happened between us was a mistake." He stared at me like he was disappointed. "What?"

"I thought what we had was special. B, you and I would make a great couple."

"Chris, you're my good friend. You always have been, but I don't like you that way." He frowned but didn't make any more protest and I was glad.

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"Sam?" He sat on a bench at the park, looking as lovely as ever. When his eyes met mine, my breath seized for a moment. Seeing him again after two months brought back memories of the amazing kiss we shared, the kiss that made me so happy, the kiss that ruined our friendship.

"Are you stalking me?"

"Sam, please come back home. I promise, I'll stop bothering you."

"My home isn't with you and your friends. So don't--"He stopped and shot to his feet. "What is that?"

He pointed at me as he slowly approached me. "What?"

"That, around the your neck." He stopped right in front of me and held the necklace I was putting on.

"Oh um, I found it a while back and it didn't seem like anyone was looking for it so I decided to keep it. Why?"

"You mean to tell me that this necklace has been with you this whole time?" He was starting to look irritated, and it left me demented because I didn't understand what he was getting at.

"What's going on?, Is it yours?"

"Of course it's mine.!" He raised his voice, looking at me like I had stolen from him.

"I'm so sorry, I had no idea. Honestly, the day I found it, I looked around if anyone had misplaced a necklace but no one around seemed to be the owner and, that was why I kept it." I removed the necklace and handed it to him. He turned to leave but I pulled the sleeve of his shirt. "Will you come back?"

He looked into my eyes and for a split second, he looked warm and affectionate. He stared at my lips before slowly going back to my eyes . He opened his mouth but didn't say anything. I let go of his shirt and he turned and quickly walked away.

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"Hey you." I smiled and sat next to Sam but he didn't say anything. He didn't come back but we've been running into each other a lot lately. He wasn't really talking to me but at least I saw him, and just seeing his face made me happy.

"Are you ever gonna get tired of trying to get him to talk to you?" Chris asked as he handed me a drink.

"Nope. He's just playing hard to get, and I'm not ready to give up."

"Suit yourself. I just think you'd be better of with someone who actually knows you and understands you."

"Thanks for the advice buddy, but I don't need it." 

"Yo Chris, my man." A tall skinny man approached us and sat next to me. "How's it going bro?"

"It's going good Stan. So what brings you here?"

"Oh you know, just wanted to see how my devious little demon is doing." He let out a hearty laugh and Chris just laughed awkwardly. "So tell me, did it work?" He leaned towards Chris and he stared at me, unable to answer.

"Did what work?" The man, Stan, turned to face me and smiled, revealing a crooked set of teeth.

"You wanna know?"

"No, she doesn't. I think you should leave now Stan, we can talk some other time."

"Why?, Let him talk. Are you hiding something from me?" Chris smiled but I could have sworn I saw guilt in his eyes. "Chris?"

"It's nothing B."

"B?, As in Bianca?, She's the one you used it for?" His eyes grew wide with lust as he eyed me.

"What?, Used what?. What the hell is he talking about Chris?" Chris didn't answer so I turned to Stan. "Used what?" I repeated, slowly and he smiled before answering.

"What did you just say?" I wanted to make sure I heard him right. He repeated himself and I slowly turned to face Chris. "You...you drugged me?" Chris couldn't meet my gaze. I got up and was about to leave when Sam sprung into action. He pulled Chris from over the counter, hitting him hard against the ground. He punched him in the face and Chris was already bleeding from his lip.

"She trusted you, how could you do that to her?!!" His voice was loud and it had this authoritative tone to it. 

My eyes widened in realization of what was happening. Sam was fighting for me, he was concerned about me. I knelt down and held his hand to stop him from striking Chris again. "Please, it's enough, it's fine."

"NO! It's not fine!. How dare he do that to you?!" His face turned red with rage and for a brief moment, it almost felt like his eyes had turn red. He noticed me staring and his cleared his throat and added. "I mean, it's not right for a man to do something like that to a woman." His voice was calm but he still looked at me, concern filling his dark, mesmerizing orbs.

"I'm fine, thank you."

"Uh... whatever." He got up and walked away, leaving me alone feeling confused, and a little happy.