Chapter 6

• /Samantha/
• The remainder of the day seemed to pass in a flash. During our other class together, Susan and I had a good time and exchanged numbers. When I asked her about the girl from the gym, she said that Jennifer had dated Henry a few times - by which I assumed he'd slept with her a few times - and that she wanted to be exclusive with him, but he refused. That news didn't surprise me in the least; Henry was notorious for his lack of commitment.
• When I came home, I informed my mother and stepfather, James, that Henry would be visiting evening and that we would be ordering pizza. As usual, they were unconcerned. Henry was practically a resident of our home. Every Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday, he would come over to our house. Since we were small children, he had always done so.
• Henry knocked on my bedroom door after showering and changing into my pink Betty Booppyjama shorts and tank top. He welcomed Samantha Bear as usual, striding in as if he owned the place and putting his belongings on the chair. "As promised, the ice cream is in the freezer. I ordered cookies and cream and strawberry sorbet because I know you can't decide between the two."
• I gave him a happy smile and handed him my phone. "You order pizza," I said, grabbing his other hand and dragging him from my room to the kitchen, where he dialed and made our order.
• I sat on the kitchen counter after popping some popcorn in the microwave, and he stood with his back to me, leaning on the counter in-between my legs. I encircled his neck with my arms and rested my chin on his shoulder, squeezing my breast against his back. We were both watching the microwave run round, and he was caressing my shins with his thumbs. I exhaled contentedly; this was exactly what I needed. This was something I'd overlooked.
• "Hey, Henry!" "I've been missing you!" My mother clapped and drew him into a hug in the kitchen.
• "You too, Anika," he said, flashing her his endearing smile. My stepfather received a handshake from him. "How was your trip, James?"
• With a friendly smile, James shook Henry's hand. "It was fantastic, son. I'm sorry to return, but I don't believe I could have stood any more of Samantha's moaning!" he joked, jokingly jabbing me in the ribs. I merely sighed and tossed our popcorn into a bowl. My mother burst out laughing like a schoolgirl.
• “Whining? "How about it?" Henry inquired, clearly perplexed, his eyes darting around me.
• James burst out laughing. "For God's sake, you. 'I miss Henry!' I'm curious as to when we'll be returning home; I'd like to see Henry! "Why won't my phone work? I want to SMS Henry," James asked, giggling and imitating a female voice. Henry chuckled as well, and he wrapped his arm around my shoulder.
• "Wait a minute, James!" I wasn't whining in any way. All I wanted to do was see my dearest friend. You know, a month is a long time!" I retaliated by hurling a handful of heated popcorn at him. He caught it and ate it while still laughing. In reality, I knew I'd been a thorn in Henry's side, but a month is a long time to go without one of his hugs.
• "Well, I hope you have a pleasant night." "We're going out for supper now," Mom remarked, kissing both of us cheeks.
• The doorbell rang just then. "Pizza is ready!" James yelled from the corridor. I dashed towards the front door, clutching my handbag in my hand. As he brought me the pizza and kissed my forehead, James remarked, "No need, I've got it."
• I gave a grateful smile. As far as stepfathers go, I knew I had a good one. He was obsessed about my mother and myself. When they married, I was only seven years old; he reared me and treated me as if I were his own child. James was the first and only father I'd ever known. My actual father was merely a sperm donor who had no interest in becoming a part of my life and had left town when he learned that my mother was expecting me. My mother and James had tried for a child, but James was unable to have children. He spoiled me rotten.
• Henry and I, as usual, carried the food and popcorn to my room. We caught up on everything we had missed over the previous month after filling ourselves on pizza. At around 9:30 p.m., we finally put the DVD on. Henry leapt into the bed next to me after changing into his pyjamas - which basically meant he pulled off his jeans and T-shirt; he normally slept in just his boxers.
• The film was terrifying, to say the least. My nose was becoming numb because I had my face pressed so hard on his chest. He already had one arm around my neck, so he raised his other arm to grasp the back of my head, his fingers tangled in my hair.
• Finally, the film came to a close. I raised my eyes to him, expecting the laughing that always followed a scary movie. He didn't laugh, though; instead, he just stared at me, scrutinizing every inch of my face. My breathing began to quicken because something didn't feel quite right; I couldn't put my finger on it, but I was suddenly struck by how attractive he was. The sensation of his skin against mine. My stomach fluttering as his fingers gripped in the back of my hair. The air seemed to be charged with something, becoming thicker and shallower in certain ways.
• What is the matter with me? I know it's been a month since I've seen him, but this is insane!
• He abruptly burst out of it, as if he had been in some sort of trance. "I'll grab the ice cream," he grumbled as he leapt from his bed, paused the movie, and exited the room.
• I sat up, rubbing my palm over my face, little perplexed by what had happened. What was the matter with me today?
• As he stepped back into the room, he smiled. "So, Samantha Bear, what'll it be?" he inquired, holding out the two boxes to me. I forced a smile, deciding to ignore the feeling of bewilderment that washed over me. He didn't seem to have felt anything because he was acting normally, so it's possible I was simply weary.
• "Hmm, I'll take the strawberry sorbet," I said as I took it and dug in.
• He sat down next to me, animatedly discussing his football practice. "So," he began, suddenly serious, "I've got something I wanted to ask you." I tensed up right away; Henry was never serious. Waiting for him to continue, I raised one eyebrow. He swallowed his saliva and cleared his throat. "I was wondering if... well, now that you've come to my school, I thought.... well, I wondered if maybe you'd wear my number?" he murmured, his words stuttering as he stared at his ice cream.
• "What are you talking about, wear your number?" "Can you tell me the number?" I inquired, frowning and seizing the opportunity to steal some of his ice cream.
• He simply laughed and leaned over, took my half-finished ice cream tub and gave it to me. "I'm not sure why I make you pick; you always end up eating mine as well," he joked, giggling once again. I just gave a guilty smile and ate the cookies and cream. "That's what I was saying." Are you aware that I play running back for the football team? Now that you've arrived to my school, you'll be expected to participate in the games. Everyone attends, and there is always a celebration afterwards." He rubbed the back of his neck, winced.
• "All right, I'd want to see you play." "I've only ever seen you play properly in the park," I said, smiling.
• He simply nodded. "Yeah, so, you know, the guys have this thing where you have to give your away shirt to your girlfriend to wear to show support," he murmured. "On the other hand, I've never had a girlfriend." So I was hoping you would put it on for me. You know, be my biggest supporter. "Will you cheer me on?" he asked, frowning and evidently uneasy.
• His triumphant smile stretched across his face, and I felt it. "Of course I will, you moron!" "I'm already your biggest fan," I said, driving my elbow into his ribs.
• He beamed as he glanced up at me. “Thanks.”
• I yawned, feeling tired from my lack of sleep the night before. We hadn't gotten home until late, and even then, I'd been having difficulties sleeping due to anxieties about starting a new school.