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I told myself it was just shopping, but deep down, I knew that wasn't why I couldn't stop smiling. It was the thought of spending the whole day with them - especially her.
"Fine, but I'll have to inform my mom I'll be late," Sandy finally said after giving us both a thoughtful look.
"Could you ask her if you can sleep over tonight?" I pleaded, giving her my best puppy eyes. "Pleaseee... we'll even have lunch at your place tomorrow."
"Let me see if she'll agree. You better pray to God," she said, rolling her eyes with a grin.
"Hey, Mom," Sandy said, phone pressed to her ear as she disappeared into the other room.
As she stepped into the next room, I found myself holding my breath like a kid waiting for permission to go on a field trip.
"So..." Samantha started after an awkward pause, "how long have you two known each other?"
"Mmmh, since high school," I said thoughtfully.
"So you guys went to the same school?" Surprise flashed across her face.
"Yeah. How come you didn't know? Sandy made sure everyone who was her friend knew almost everything about me," I said, laughing a little.
"We're not really friends," she said quickly. "Well... we are, but only because she's friends with my brother. So, we're kinda friends from afar, if that makes sense." She scratched the back of her head, looking sideways, embarrassed.
"Yeah, I get it," I said, smiling. "You're friends, but not close friends. Did I get it right?"
"Exactly! I can't believe I didn't think of that. I'm always terrible at explaining myself."
I laughed, which only made her blush harder, her cheeks turning pink. I immediately regretted it but also enjoyed the view- she looked so adorably flustered.
"Dinner tomorrow at home," Sandy said cheerfully as she came back into the room. Apparently, we hadn't moved an inch. "She said she won't be home at lunchtime, so we'll go for dinner instead. That way, you two can meet."
"Fine by me," I said.
"Then it's settled! We're having a sleepover. Yaaay!" Sandy started jumping all over the place, pure excitement written across her face. Then suddenly, her whole weight was on me.
"Enough, get off me! We'll have the whole night for this," I said, laughing while trying to push her off with no luck. "Come on, Sandy, you're suffocating me!" I added, my voice half-laughing, half-serious.
Samantha smiled, shaking her head. "You two are something else."
"You're no fun," Sandy pouted, finally letting go of me and stamping her feet dramatically. I couldn't help but laugh, and when I glanced at Samantha, she was laughing too.
"Where are we going shopping? You know I don't know any places here," I said, poking Sandy's neck playfully to cheer her up.
"For furniture, we should definitely go to Wills and Wills Furniture," Samantha said, her eyes lighting up with excitement.
"They have the best and most elegant pieces," Sandy added, just as thrilled.
I silently thanked God I had two people who actually loved shopping - because I was the complete opposite.
"Then what are we waiting for? Time's not on our side," I said, leading them out of the apartment and into the elevator, then to the car. I got into the driver's seat, Sandy took the passenger seat, and Samantha sat in the back.
The drive to Wills and Wills was filled with nothing but chatter. Sandy and Samantha couldn't stop talking about all the things they wanted me to buy. I smiled the whole time, just listening to them.
"Look! This couch is perfect - it'll go so well with your white-themed apartment," Samantha said, pointing at a black couch. "It's so comfortable!" she added, sitting on it to test it.
"I'll take it," I told the salesperson showing us around.
"And this is definitely going to be your bed," Sandy said cheerfully, pointing at a massive king-size bed.
I burst out laughing. "Why the hell would I buy a king-size bed? I'll be sleeping on it alone most of the time!"
"Jolls, if you don't buy it, I'm not sleeping over at your place," she said, her tone suddenly serious. "Besides, your room is so big. If you buy a small bed, it'll leave too much empty space. It'll look weird."
"Okay, fine," I said, giving in.
"And this one's for the guest room," she said, pointing at a smaller bed.
"Sure," I said - just as my phone started vibrating in my pocket.
"Excuse me," I said, stepping aside to pick it up. My heart skipped when I saw the caller ID. Mom. She had finally decided to call - after ignoring my message all this time.
"Hey," I said flatly.
"How are you settling in?" came her voice from the other end.
"Just fine."
"Okay. Have you gotten an apartment?"
"Yep."
"Have you settled in?"
"Yes," I lied, not wanting to explain anything.
"Okay, that's good. Why didn't you ask me to send you money for the furniture?" she asked, her tone soft but distant.
"Because I'm all sorted, Mom. I didn't need your money," I said, trying to sound calm even as my chest tightened.
"Okay, nonetheless, I'll send you some upkeep and clothes shopping money. And don't bother saying no," she added firmly.
I sighed, already exhausted with the conversation. "Anything else?" I asked, ready to hang up.
"Just one more thing."
"What?"
"When are your classes starting?"
"Monday."
"Oh, okay. Make sure you attend classes, don't-"
"I can take care of myself just fine, Mom," I cut her off, hanging up before she could finish.
The silence that followed was louder than her voice.
You don't just start being a mom now after abandoning your duty all this time, I thought bitterly, forcing myself to calm down as I walked back to the others, trying not to show any irritation.
"Are you okay?" Sandy asked as soon as I reached them.
"Yeah, I'm fine," I said, forcing a small smile.
"I think we've got everything we need here. How about you pay so we can head to the supermarket for the rest?" Sandy suggested.
We went to the counter, paid for everything, and left my address for delivery.
At the supermarket, we got utensils, bedding, groceries, and snacks.
"You can always get anything we missed another day," Samantha said as we headed to the counter.
We got back to the apartment just in time for the delivery. The delivery guys carried everything up and arranged it in the right rooms. Luckily, I'd asked for two people who could assemble the furniture too. By the time they finished and I checked everything, it was already 9:30 p.m.
As soon as they left, we ordered pizza and ate together - laughing at all of Samantha's jokes. I couldn't stop smiling, admiring her as she spoke.
When our hands brushed as we both reached for a slice, I felt the tiny hairs on my arm stand.
"What do you think about Bad Boys? It's an older movie but so funny - I think you guys will love it," Samantha said, scrolling through the TV.
"I trust you. Put it on," Sandy said, tossing me a fleece blanket while she shared the other one with Samantha.
I found myself wishing I was the one sharing with Samantha instead.
"Same here," I said, pretending I hadn't already seen the movie.
"Hey, I've got to go now. I had fun. Goodnight, guys," Samantha said once the movie ended.
We both said our goodbyes and watched her leave. Then Sandy and I headed to my room to make the bed.
We talked for a while - or rather, she did. Sandy couldn't stop chatting until sleep finally drifted her away.
I lay there staring at the ceiling, replaying Samantha's laugh in my mind until my eyelids grew heavy. And I gave in.
The next morning, we woke up to a mess— not just in the apartment, but in my head. Boxes, blankets, and feelings I couldn't untangle. And through it all, her laugh still lingered.