To Love Him

Chapter 5

Sammy Walcott

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

"Um, let go of me." I said tapping his shoulder. On normal circumstance, I'm not a hugger.

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. Since 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 over me.

"No, my father's the one obsessed with balls, not me." He say running a hand through his hair, his smile still in place.

He's big, bigger than me in the muscle department. His studded jaw with the edge, 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, coz we've got ball to play" Coach said.

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 onto mine as I made to leave. "Sammy--"

"I've got ball to play." I replied offering him a small smile.

He smiled too. "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 Garcia, 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 at me. His eyes trained on me and I can feel him watching my every move from way up the bleachers.

What's his problem? What's my problem?

By the time practice was over, I was seeing red.

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

"I don't want to." I answered swinging my bag over my shoulder; he's 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's 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."

"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. 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 make up, 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; to why I admitted that I have no idea at all.

"I can see that." He says 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. "It’s Eli."

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

---------------