*Sam's POV*
The cool night air brushed against my skin as I sat outside, still shaken from everything that had just happened. My eyes were red and puffy, my chest tight with unspoken words and pent-up emotions. Everything felt like an emotional whirlwind... Nate's coldness, his sudden appearance when I was in trouble, and then his immediate dismissal of me again. I didn't understand what I had done wrong. I just wanted to talk to him, to figure things out. But he didn't even give me a chance.
"Hey," a voice called softly.
I looked up and saw Josh, the guy who had offered me his handkerchief earlier. He stood a few feet away, his hands in his pockets, his expression kind. I could see him clearly now. He had a kind face, warm brown eyes, and a slightly goofy grin that made him look like he didn't take life too seriously.
"You okay now?" he asked, sitting down beside me on the porch steps.
I forced a small smile. "I've been better."
Josh nodded understandingly. "Yeah, I figured. You looked like you needed someone to talk to."
I sighed, hugging my arms around myself. "I don't even know what to say. I just... I don't understand him."
"Who, Nate?" Josh asked knowingly.
I nodded. "One moment, he's nice to me, and the next, he's treating me like I don't exist. Like I did something wrong. And I don't even know what that is."
Josh leaned back against the step, looking up at the sky. "You know, people are weird sometimes. Maybe he's dealing with his own mess and doesn't know how to handle it."
"Maybe," I muttered, my voice small.
Josh grinned suddenly. "Wanna hear a joke?"
I raised an eyebrow. "A joke?"
"Yeah. It's a terrible one, but it might make you laugh."
I sighed but gestured for him to continue.
"Okay, so why did the scarecrow win an award?"
I shook my head. "Why?"
"Because he was outstanding in his field."
Josh beamed at me, waiting for a reaction. I let out a small, breathy laugh, but it quickly faded, my heart still heavy.
He cleared his throat. "Okay, one more. Why don't skeletons fight each other?"
Despite my miserable mood, I played along. "Why?"
Josh leaned in dramatically. "Because they don't have the guts."
I blinked at him, unimpressed.
"Nothing?" he asked, feigning regret. "Okay, okay, let me try another one. How does a penguin build its house?"
I sighed. "How?"
Josh smirked. "Igloos it together."
Okay that one I found funny. But I just couldn't bring myself to genuinely laugh.
Josh noticed. "Not your type of humor?"
"It's not that," I admitted. "It's just... I feel like if I laugh, I'll start crying again."
His face softened. "Hey, it's okay to cry. You don't have to act tough all the time."
"Look, I don't know what happened between you and Nate, but if he made you cry then he is an idiot. If it makes you feel any better, I can hex him with my terrible dance moves."
I raised an eyebrow. "You dance?"
"Oh, absolutely not," he said quickly. "But that's the point. You ever seen a giraffe on roller skates? That's me. It's a public hazard."
I actually giggled this time, but the sadness still lingered. I sighed. "I don't think even your bad dance moves can fix this."
Josh studied me for a second before nodding. "Yeah, okay. So, no giraffe dancing. But you should know that whatever this is, you'll get through it. And Nate? Not worth your tears."
I didn't say anything. I wasn't sure I agreed.
After a few moments, I straightened up. "Thanks, Josh. I think I just needed a distraction."
"Anytime," he said with a wink. "I'm always here to provide unwanted comedy."
I bit my lip, swallowing the lump in my throat. "I should probably head back inside."
Josh nodded. "Yeah, but if you ever need someone to tell you more bad jokes, I'm your guy."
That made me smile, even if it was small. "Thanks, Josh."
I stood up and dusted myself off, giving him one last grateful look before heading back inside. I made my way to the restroom, splashing cold water on my face, trying to erase any signs that I had been crying. I couldn't let Millie and Cass see me like this.
A few minutes later, I rejoined them. "There you are," Millie said, nudging me. "We were about to leave without you."
"Sorry," I murmured, forcing another smile. "I just needed a moment."
Cass studied me for a second, as if she could see right through me, but thankfully, she didn't push. The car ride home was quiet. I could tell Millie and Cass were still puzzled over Nate's behavior, but they didn't bring it up. Maybe they knew I wasn't ready to talk about it.
When I got home, I went straight to my room. I quickly took a shower, changed into my pajamas and curled up in bed, but the second I closed my eyes, the weight of everything crashed down on me. Tears slipped down my cheeks, silent and unstoppable.
Why am I so affected? I hate myself for feeling like this.
A soft knock on my door startled me. "Sam?"
It was my mom's voice. I quickly wiped my face and tried to make my voice sound normal. "Yeah?"
The door opened slowly, and she peeked inside. "Sweetheart, are you okay?"
I turned away, not trusting my voice. My mom had always been able to see right through me.
She sat on the edge of my bed and placed a gentle hand on my back. "Sweetie, I heard you crying. What's wrong?"
I sniffled, still facing away. "Nothing."
"Is it law school? Are you struggling with your studies?" she asked gently.
I shook my head. "No."
"Are Millie and Cass okay?"
I nodded.
She was silent for a moment before she spoke again, softer this time. "Then it's about a boy, isn't it?"
A sob escaped me before I could stop it. My mom sighed and pulled me into her arms. "Oh, sweetheart."
I let go. I cried against her shoulder, my fingers clutching onto her shirt. I told her everything... how Nate had been so kind at first, how he had helped me, how he had gone out of his way to talk to me. How Millie and Cass were shocked because he never socialized outside his own circle, yet for some reason, he had talked to me, and how he had made me feel like maybe I had found a new friend. And then, just as suddenly, he had turned cold. Not just distant, but cold. Like I was nothing to him.
And the worst part? He was still friendly with everyone else. Just not me.
"And then," I choked out, "he just changed. He's so cold now. He won't even look at me. And I wouldn't care if he was like that with everyone, but he's not. He laughs with Millie and Cass, he jokes with his friends, but when it's me... it's like I don't exist."
"I don't understand, Mom," I whispered. "What did I do wrong?"
My mom stroked my hair, listening without interrupting. When I finally calmed down, she spoke softly. "Sweetheart, sometimes people act a certain way not because of something we did, but because of something they're going through."
I sniffled. "But why only to me? Why act like he wanted to be my friend if he was just going to throw me away?"
My mom sighed. "Maybe he's confused too. Maybe he's dealing with something he doesn't know how to express."
I shook my head. "I just wish I knew why."
She pressed a kiss to my forehead. "You'll figure it out. And if he doesn't explain himself, then he's not worth your tears."
I let out a shaky breath. "It just sucks. I don't want to care, but I do."
"You're kind, smart, and funny. And if someone can't see that, then they're the ones missing out," she continued. "I know it hurts, but sometimes, you just have to let go and focus on the people who appreciate you."
A fresh wave of tears threatened to fall, but this time, they weren't just from sadness. They were from gratitude too. "Thanks, Mom."
She hugged me tighter. "Anytime, sweetheart."
We stayed like that for a while, and eventually, my tears slowed. My body relaxed, exhaustion finally overtaking me. My mom continued to hold me, her warmth was a comfort I didn't realize I needed.
Somewhere in the middle of our embrace, I drifted off to sleep, feeling a little less broken than before.
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