Chapter 5

Sammy Walcott

"Finally," He breathed out, his big arms around me. He smelled like mint and a sweet scenting Cologne. The mint was kinda familiar but the Cologne was not.

"Um, let go of me," I said tapping his shoulder. On a normal circumstance, I disliked hugs — there's no point to them.

He released me, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry Sammy." Then he smiled, like my name was a pleasant memory. "I've been looking for you man. All through today, I saw everybody except you."

"So you're not in the team?" I asked taking a step back and creating a little distance from him. We were almost the same height, he had just an inch or two over me.

"No, my father's the one obsessed with balls, not me," He said running a hand through his hair (like he was shy or stuck in a confusing limbo where he couldn't decide if the situation was awkward or not), his smile still in place.

He was big. Bigger than me in the muscle department from what I could see through the long sleeve shirt hugging his body like a second skin. His studded jaw with the edges, well picked brow, long lashes, straight nose, tanned skin and almost long black hair made him look exceptionally good. I knew I was staring but he was staring back so it wasn't all awkward. His eyes were sweeping around me too, taking in all the new and changed.

"Is the reunion done now? Because we've got ball to play." Coach said bringing a stop to my blatant staring.

With our eyes locked together, I replied Coach. "Yes, coach."

I was the first to look away, turning around to get my stick and helmet. His hand latched unto mine as I made to leave, holding me in place. "Sammy—"

"I've got ball to play." I replied looking down at the green wet grass underneath my feet.

"I'll wait."

"Cool." I nodded putting on my helmet and walking to the post. He should wait, like I've done for years.

I was happy to see him. Really happy even and that scared me. Elijah Gracia, my best friend. I've practically managed to shove him down the basement of my life and now he is back. I just hope nothing unfortunate comes from this.

I was distracted all through, unlike normal, more than two balls were able to get past me and into the net. My eyes kept going up to the bleachers, to Elijah. And the most unnerving was that he was looking back at me. His eyes trained on me and I could feel him watching my every move from way up the bleachers.

What was his problem, I wondered, fist tightening around the stick. What was my problem?

By the time practice was over, I was seeing red. I'd managed to somehow become angry over Elijah looking at me and myself looking back at him and all the distracting looks being Elijah's fault. It didn't make complete sense but nothing did right then.

"Sammy wait up," Elijah called saying goodbyes to some students and jogging up to me.

"I don't want to," I told him, swinging my bag over my shoulder, he has been waiting for me since I went to change in the locker room. I even took a quick shower just to waste more time and cool off. But he was still here and I don't feel like I cooled off.

He caught up with ease, falling in step with me. He chuckled, touching my hair. "You have water dripping on your hoodie."

I swatted his hand off. "Don't touch me." I would have put on my cap but my hair was really wet so it wasn't a good idea.

"Come on, what did I do wrong?" He asked.

"I don't like people touching me." I answered back.

"No kidding, never changed that huh?" He asked and the fact that he was being so damn friendly was annoying me.

"Can you not talk to me like we're best friends?" I asked as I stopped walking looking ahead and running a hand through my wet hair.

"I can't help it." He admits putting his hands into his pockets.

I turned to him, his bright eyes looking so humble and innocent. "You can't help it? We're not best friends."

"But we were." The innocent look all gone, leaving a serious look behind.

"Yes, six years ago. That's a bloody long time that can't be ignored. We're not best friends okay and behaving like we are won't change the fact that we're practically strangers."

He ran a hand through his hair. Disheveling it the more. "We're not strangers, if we were, we wouldn't have recognized each other at first glance."

I frowned, not expecting that but I was quick to recover. "We're not friends."

"We're not enemies too, right?"

I shrugged and he smiled.

"I missed you."

"Don't you dare tell me that." I said without missing a beat. I was looking all calm but my insides were anything but calm.

He took a step closer. "But I did. My sole purpose of coming back might not have been because of you but the excitement and willingness was. I wanted to see you Sammy and yes, we are not best friends anymore. And six years was a long time but... I'm back, I'm in school now and we roughly have a year to catch up. To become friends again."

I took a step back prepared to counter him but he cut me short.

"Blowing off at me won't help a thing. You aren't getting rid of me anytime soon."

"I'm mad at you." I admitted glaring at him. Why I admitted that, I couldn't tell.

"I can see that." He said, his hand going through his hair again. Then he surprised me by reaching for my hand. "Let's grab a bite and you'll tell me exactly why you're mad."

I yanked my hand away from his. "Don't touch me." He raised his hands up, apologizing. "I'm busy. Can't."

"Then dinner?"

"No."

"Breakfast tomorrow?"

"I don't do breakfast."

"Lunch at school then and if you say no, I'm gonna leach onto you and never let go." He warned

I sighed, "You're annoying."

"I'll take that as a yes."

I rolled my eyes. "Bye bye."

"Ok not to be more annoying but I've been calling your name and you haven't called mine once. You still remember right?"

I smirked, "of course I do, Elijah."

A grin broke off on his face. "Its Eli."

I smiled walking out the school building. I know its Eli but it's always been Elijah for me. That ain't changing now.

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