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Being in the same room with her wasn't going to be easy. Holding in all these emotions she stirred inside me — emotions I had long locked away, swearing never to let them out — wasn't going to be easy at all.
"Um, hi," I greeted, trying to hide the shock from her unexpected visit.
"Sorry I didn't let you know I was coming." Her voice carried a small nervous laugh. "Is it a bad time? I could come another day." She scratched the back of her head, messing up the silky hair that had been perfectly combed just moments ago.
"It's okay, Sam. You don't have to apologize." I gave her a small chuckle, hoping it sounded natural. "Come, sit here." I patted the space beside me on the couch.
She hesitated, then sat down, careful to keep a small distance between us.
"I was just about to watch a movie. Any recommendations?" I asked, trying to sound casual, though my pulse had other plans.
"Me? No," she said quickly. "You choose."
"Come on," I nudged lightly. "You've got good taste. Last time you picked something really good."
She laughed softly, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "Okay, fine — but if it's boring, that's on you." Her cheeks turned a gentle shade of pink.
I handed her the remote, watching as she scrolled through the options. The glow from the TV lit her face perfectly. Her full, pink lips glistened faintly with gloss; her soft oval face looked flawless in the dim light. Even the tiny crease between her brows when she was focused made her look... unfairly perfect.
"Jolls," she said suddenly, catching me off guard. "What are you looking at? Is there something on my face?"
My heart skipped a beat. I hadn't realized I'd been staring.
"Uh—here." I reached out, pretending to pick something from her hair and dropped it instantly. "You had a white thing stuck there."
She smiled, her eyes flicking to mine for a brief second. "Thanks. I found a movie. Hope you like it."
"We'll see," I muttered, forcing my eyes to the screen. Anything to stop me from staring again.
For the next few minutes, silence filled the room — thick and awkward. Even the sound of the TV felt too loud. If a pin had dropped, we both would've jumped.
Then she spoke, breaking the tension. "Why didn't you answer your phone? I called after I heard you checked out of the hotel, but you didn't pick up."
"I... kinda broke my phone," I said, shifting in my seat and avoiding her gaze.
"Really? Because it doesn't look broken to me." Her tone was soft but curious.
I frowned, confused — until she held out a phone that looked exactly like mine.
"Wait—where did you get that? Last time you had a different one."
She blinked at me. "Are you kidding? This is your phone. It even has the same lock screen as before."
"What the f—" I stopped myself. "How's that possible?"
I grabbed it, and my heart nearly stopped when it unlocked instantly at my face. No cracks, no scratches — like it had never been dropped.
Was I dreaming? Maybe Sandy had somehow repaired it? But no — the last time I saw that phone, it was shattered, pieces scattered on the floor.
"It can't be," I said with a shaky laugh.
"What?" Sam asked, puzzled.
"My phone fell and broke beyond repair yesterday," I lied quickly.
"Are you sure you're not confusing it with Sandy's?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Mmmh?" I could only manage a hum — my brain spinning.
"She told my brother her phone broke yesterday. She even used her mom's phone to call him this evening."
I froze. Guilt washed over me like cold water.
I'd broken Sandy's phone. Not mine.
And she hadn't even said a word about it.
"How's she even surviving without it?" I muttered under my breath. "She's always glued to her phone…"
"Why do you look so shocked?" Sam tilted her head, studying me. "Didn't you know?"
"No. I thought I broke mine." I ran a hand through my hair, my voice unsteady.
She frowned. "Wait—you confused her pink phone with your black one?"
"If you only knew the state I was in at that moment…" I sighed, a dry chuckle escaping. "I can't believe it either."
I grabbed the phone and scrolled through my contacts. "I need to call her. I think I still have her mom's number."
"Jolls…" Sam said gently, her voice lowering. "I don't think you should call."
I looked at her sharply. "Why not?"
"She said she's having a family emergency and doesn't want her mom disturbed with calls."
"This wouldn't be disturbing her. I just want to make sure she's okay," I said, my tone rising before I caught myself.
Sam placed a hand lightly on my arm. "Hey. She'll call when she can. Just give her time, okay?"
I looked at her hand — warm, steady — and slowly nodded. "Fine. But if she doesn't call before morning, I'm calling her first thing. No arguments."
"Fair enough," she said softly. "She didn't say what was wrong, only that she wanted me to check on you. She sounded… really worried."
Of course she was. Even now, when she had her own problems, Sandy was still worried about me.
I didn't deserve her.
"Oh," I said quietly, realization dawning. "So that's why you're here. Sandy sent you."
"Yes," she said simply. My chest tightened — the words stung more than I expected — until she added, "But also because I enjoy your company."
That pulled a smile out of me I didn't even mean to show. She had no idea what that did to me.
Then, suddenly, my phone lit up.
An unknown number flashed across the screen.
I hesitated, my thumb hovering above the answer button. The air between us went still.
Finally, I pressed it to my ear.
"Hello?" I said, my voice barely above a whisper.