Chapter 3
Sam
I chew on my finger nails and focus on the program I was clicking on. Someone drop their books and bag next to me but I ignore the intruding person. There are earbuds in my ear blasting music but I could still feel someone beside me. I squint my eyes and rotate the figure while destroying my nails. Someone yanks my buds out my ear and I look up annoyed not at all surprised from the guest. "What?"
Austin take a seat and look at the building I was working on. "Cool." He studies it for a moment before look back at me. "You've been hiding out in here?" He questions.
"Yep." I pull my earbuds back from his hands. "So, I can concentrate."
"Right." Austin responds. I begin to click away on the program I was working on and Austin begins to pull his notepad and books out. I roll my eyes and groan annoyed. "What do you want?" I ask him.
He shrugs, "You haven't spoken much." He say. "I'm concerned. She's been back for over a week now and you been acting oddly like yourself."
I roll my eyes. "Miranda doesn't dictate how I should feel."
"I know that." Austin replies. "But. She's your ex-girlfriend and also one of the hugest editors out there..."
"What's your point, Austin!" I sneer before saving my work and exiting out the program. I swing around in the roller chair I'm sitting in and face him so he can have my full attention.
"Well." Austin fiddle with his fingers. "Before Miranda decided to leave I put in application to work as her assistant. I didn't think I would get it obviously. Only five people are chosen for certain departments and still then it's a long run but...
"But?" I push.
"I got the job." Austin gives me a sad smile.
I sigh. "Are you here asking for my permission to work for my ex-girlfriend?"
"Basically." Austin answers. "Look. I know you two are going through a rocky time but this would look amazing on my resume and this is our senior year and...
"Austin. I get it." I reply. "You don't have to explain anything to me. I don't care if you're Miranda assistant."
Austin sigh. "Whew." He grins. "I thought you'd be upset."
I roll my eyes and throw my things in my bag. "I'm not."
Austin grab his things and follow behind me out of the lab. "Look." Austin jogs to catch up with me. "If you don't want me to do it I won't. Buds first. I can find something else. For sure."
I shake my head and run my fingers through my hair. "Do it. I know this is your dream. Plus, you literally deserve the job more than anyone else."
Austin smirks and nudges me softly. We make our way towards the center of campus where we all meet up for lunch. Surprisingly, this semester we all had more time on our hands when it came to lunch. Austin and I approach the table and Rose, Nathalie, and Viv is already there with food in front of them. I take a seat at the table and pull out my laptop.
Austin tells everyone about his job and everyone cheers him on and congratulate him. "We should throw a party." Rose speaks. "My place. Tonight."
"I don't know." Austin say. "My first day is tomorrow."
"More reason for us to do it tonight." Rose smirks. "Once you start working for Miranda you won't have time for us anymore. Come on dude. Don't be a whimp. Just a few drinks and you get to go home and get some sleep."
Austin chews on his bottom lip in thought. "Alright."
Rose smiles, "Great."
Nathalie shake her head. "Well. I have homework..."
"No." Rose whine and I arch my eyebrow. She clears her throat. "Nathalie. Come on. It's useless if you're not there."
"I'm in." Viv speaks. "I don't have anything else to do."
Rose look towards me for a answer. "I know you're in need for a distraction."
I shrug. She was right. A night of alcohol and being surrounded by friends sounded good. Rose turns back to Nathalie in victory and pout, "Don't be a party pooper babe."
"I guess so." Nathalie pull out of her notebook. "But, you're staying up all night with me tomorrow to finish my homework."
Rose smirks and lean over to peck Nathalie on the lips. "Deal."
"What's going on ladies and gentlemen." Tessa approaches us. She put her things down and sit between me and Austin.
"Party tonight. My place." Rose tells her.
Tessa grins and she turns towards me, "You're going?" She questions.
"Yeah." I reply.
"Cool. I'm in." Tessa smile.
"Ah. What?" Rose frown with a smirk plastered on her face. "You weren't gonna come if Sam wasn't going?"
"No." Tessa chuckles. "I was going to convince her. She's been avoiding me lately."
"Hmmm." Rose hums. "I wonder why." She finishes with sarcasm. "Ouch."
Nathalie shoots her a warning stare and Rose picks up her sandwich and bite into it. I roll my eyes. Rose had to be the most dramatic person I've ever met in my life. She loved stirring the pot.
"Sorry about that." I respond. "I've been busy with homework and stuff..."
"It's fine." Tessa squeeze my wrist. "No pressure." She then turns and I take notice to what she's wearing. A simple pair of shorts and a blouse. My eyes continue to linger more and Tessa catch my eye. I turn and blush. Dammit. I would be lying to myself if I said Tessa wasn't attractive. But, everything was complicated and dragging Tessa into my problems would be just wrong.
Tessa bites into her celery and give me a wink before continuing her conversation with Austin. While Nathalie flips through her magazine Rose catches my eye and she's give me a wink. I frown and she chuckles before pulling Nathalie closer and kissing her cheek.
Rose see's everything.
Lunch continue on and before I know it I'm laughing at a story Tessa is telling. "What the hell you do that for?" I question.
"I was upset." She pouts. "He thought he could treat me like that and get away with it."
"So, you shaved his head." I snort. "That's evil."
"It was worth it." She grins and twirls her fingers through my hair.
"Nuts." Austin laughs.
"His hair grew back, eventually." Tessa shrug. "I'm not crazy. I promise." She whispers towards me. I roll my eyes and her fingers fall from my hair and rest on my thigh. I don't pay any mind to it. I was quite use to her touching at this point.
"We know his hair grew back but he had to take his senior pictures with a bald head." Rose chuckles. "You're fucking insane!" She snorts. She's laughing so hard that tears begin to leak from her eyes. She breathes and then smack her thigh in amusement. She wipe her eyes and look around the table. "No one else is on my level obviously."
Nathalie gives her an odd look. Rose lean over and kiss her on the lips. I shake my head ignoring the other girl. She was a special case. "Some people are into those crazy types." She look at me. "Not my business."
Tessa follow Rose eyesight and she arch her eyebrow. "Do you have a story to tell?"
Everyone at the table begin to busy themselves and Austin clear his throat and try to change the subject. The only person at the table who is oblivious is Viv because she is too busy in her phone. I guess she pretends to not notice all the drama around her. I open my mouth to explain. "Crazy ex. That's all."
Tessa moves closer, "Tell me more."
"Well." I fumble over my words. "She's not crazy. Just a little possessive. That's all."
"Liar." She pushes. "You can trust me. Tell me something she's done..."
"Uh. You know..." I try to make it seem normal. "Random pop ups, always calling, wondering where I am. Nothing close to your level."
Rose chuckles, "Righttt." and I'm two seconds away from snapping on her. I don't see what the fuck she finds amusing. Tessa is moving a strand of hair out my face again and she's all smiles and perfect and it's sorta too much. I was use to my own space unless it was Nathalie or Miranda. But, oddly. It was okay.
"Oh shit."
I turn and there is a white Mercedes pulling up towards the center of campus. I swallow. I knew that car anywhere. Rose chuckles again, Austin eyes widen, Nathalie chokes, Viv just flips through pictures on her phone. The driver opens the back door and a long elegantly leg reveals itself. I swallow nervously again.
There she is.
Miranda Grayson.
"Random pop ups. Check." Rose smile.
"What the fuck is your problem." I hiss almost throwing myself over the table but Austin stops me.
Rose throw her hands up in surrender. Luckily, Tessa didn't catch the comment her attention on the older woman that's approaching our table. I look up and Miranda is wearing a fitted red dress with a white blazer. Her hair was falling on her shoulders and her legs looked amazing and she was wearing red louboutins.
My weakness.
"Hello everyone." She take off her shades. I literally almost drooled right then and there. "Sam." She says my name. "Can we speak privately."
Everyone at the table eyes fall on me. Rose is muttering a low, "Go." And Nathalie eyes is screaming, "I'm so sorry." And Austin is looking at Miranda in awe and I'm frozen. I wasn't ready to talk.
Miranda shift on her feet. "Please. It's important."
I quickly grab my things and follow her towards the car. I slide into the back seat behind her and before I know it we're moving. I ignore her and look out the window watching the buildings turn into trees. The car come to a stop and the driver gets out and walk off. I look around and ask, "Where are we?"
"Just some privacy." Miranda replies. "Can you look at me."
I roll my eyes and turn her way. Her eyes are soft and tired. I can tell. She must been up late. I wonder do she still have problem sleeping at night. There is so much I want to know. She fumbling with her fingers and after a few seconds she finally opens her mouth and say, "How's school?"
"It's great." I reply.
"That's good." She smiles.
There is a long pause, "Miranda..
"I'm sorry." Miranda looks at me with so much sorrow that I want to pull her closer to me. "For leaving." She finishes. "I was not myself and I could feel myself fading every passing day. I couldn't breathe nor sleep and it was becoming too much and I saw how much it was affecting you and I ran...One of the worse qualities I gained from my parents. I wanted to speak to you sooner but you were ignoring my calls and texts."
"I know." I say. "I didn't want to talk to you." I clench my jaw and keep my voice even. "You can't just disappear from my life and then pop up whenever you want you, Miranda. This was suppose to be a relationship. You didn't trust me enough to stay, you didn't trust me enough to help, and be there for you. You left." I inhale and look away from her sad eyes. "You left me, alone. Then sent those taunting text messages. You don't get to do that. You can't do shit like that."I then shift on the seat and try to open the door. "Get me out of here." I felt suffocated.
"Sam." Miranda grab my face and force me to look at her. She tap a button within the car and the windows roll down. I gratefully inhale the breeze that's coming through the car window. "You broke me again." I whisper.
"I'm so sorry." She whispers. Her forehead connects with mine. "Forgive me." She peck me softly on the lips. "Take me back."
I lean more into her and I can feel her heart pounding against her chest. Her lips are on mine again. Her tongue is sneaking into my mouth and it feels so good to have her in my arms again. It's tender and soft and then it's passionate and heated. My hands are pulling her hair roughly and she's crawling on top of me, her dress riding up and revealing more of her thighs.
I pull her head back and connect my lips to her neck and begin to suck and nip. She moans in my ear and her hands trails underneath my shirt. I pull her lips back to mine and she squeeze my breast while sucking on my tongue. Shit. I forgot how good she was at this. I yank her blazer down her arms.
I try to find the zipper on her dress. However, my hands become distracted with her ass and I'm squeezing while licking the top of her cleavage. Miranda move her hands from my hair and unzip her dress halfway down. She then maneuvers and pulls the top half down, revealing her red lace bra. My jaw drops.
She kisses the side of my mouth and lick my bottom lip before kissing me. "Distracted?"
"You planned this."
She gives me a wicked smile. "No." She's whisper against my lips. She's fucking lying. I knew her everyday attire included sexy lingerie but this was.... My eyes run up and down her body. Words couldn't explain. I don't ask anymore questions and run my fingers up her thighs.
"Sam."
[][]
Miranda is sitting on top of me laughing. What a beauty? Her clothes is discarded all over the floor. She's only left in her matching red thong. I didn't plan this my ass. "You shouldn't be so rude with your professor, honey. Choose your battles wisely."
I roll my eyes and start kissing the top of her chest again. She shifts on top of me and my fingers play with the thin band on her thong. "Sam." She whispers. "We can't stay here forever."
"You're right." I playfully nip at her nipple. She hisses in pleasure on top of me. "Your driver is probably bored walking the trail. How did you find this spot. It's awfully quiet."
Miranda leans over and puts on her bra. I pout in protest. "He play games on his phone to keep him occupied."
I chuckle, "That doesn't mean he wants to do that all day."
Miranda bites her lip and ask, "Do you think I should put a TV in here for him to watch."
I chuckle, "No..." I kiss her lips. "It's a joke. I'm pretty sure he walks around and shop or something. I doubt her stays put to wait on you."
"Really?" Miranda wonders.
I laugh at her and watch as she slip on her dress awkwardly because of the tight space. She doesn't find it entertaining at all. As she is slipping her heels on she ask, "Who is your new friend?"
"What friend?" I ask.
Miranda looks at me with fire in her eyes, "Don't play stupid. Long dark hair and pretty eyes. I've seen her twice in your personal bubble. The personal bubble she should learn to respect."
"Tessa."
"She's important enough to have a name." Miranda mutters and there is a hint of attitude laced in her voice.
I roll my eyes. "Don't."
Miranda pause and look at me. "You like her." She concludes.
"You don't get to ask those questions." I pull up my jeans.
"Why not?"
"Because we're not together!" I hiss. It's out my mouth before I can stop it. Miranda looks confused, hurt, and then she's pissed.
"What did you just say?" She seethes.
I know she probably heard me quite clear but I guess she's wondering if I'm brave enough to repeat it again. "Miranda." I say her name instead because I'm actually not that brave enough to say it again. "This was...
"Get out!" She hisses.
"What?" I ask in confusion unable to finish my sentence.
"I said." She shouts. "Get out."
I grab my shoes off the floor. I watch her dial something on her phone. Before I know it her driver is appearing out of nowhere. My shirt is barely on when Miranda leans over me and open the door beside me before pushing me out the car. "Miranda. Fuck." I fall onto the grass with a thud my shirt barely on. She shut the door and put on her glasses. The car is suddenly roaring silently to life.
I stand. "Miranda!"
She look at me but her dark glasses is shielding her eyes. "Call Tessa." And then the car is speeding off.
"Fuck." I scream.
[][]
I do call Tessa.
I don't know why but I have this satisfaction of telling myself Miranda didn't win because I did what she wouldn't want me to do. Now Tessa and I are out getting dinner and heading to Rose place together. We walk into Rose place and the music is loud and people are hanging out in groups.
I make my way to the kitchen and find something to drink. I take a shot and make a strong drink. I literally couldn't get Miranda smell off my fingers.
"I'm guessing it went badly."
I jump. "Shit, Nat. Warning next time."
Nathalie looks at me with concern and mutter a soft apology before saying. "I know it's not my business but my mom called me earlier today wondering if I picked you up from the park. I told her no and she hung up the phone." Nathalie pause. "She's acting strange. You both are."
"It's complicated."
Nathalie opens her mouth to respond but Austin up with a drink in his hand. "Dude. Miranda called me earlier wondering if I picked you up from the park. She sounded worried until I told her no then she hung up the phone.... Crazy right. I thought I was going to have to start my job early."
"It's complicated." I repeat with a hiss. "Who else did she call?"
"Me." Rose roll her eyes. "What did she do? Kick you out on the curb or something." Rose take a sip of her drink. I roll my eyes because she was oddly accurate."She was all like, 'As much as I'm dreading this phone call, Rose. Did you by any chance pick Sam up from the park?'
I frown at Rose horrid imitation of Miranda voice.
"When I told her no she said, 'I still question my daughter sanity everyday and why has she chosen someone like you...Such a disappointment." Rose explains. "Then she hung up the phone in my face before I could respond."
"I'm sorry, baby." Nathalie kisses Rose.
For a second Rose looks butt hurt. "I thought she liked me now." She shrugs. "I guess not."
"She's like that when she's not getting what she want." I explain. It's out my mouth before I can stop it. Rose is grinning up at me. She's clearly drunk.
"So, you two are back together." Austin ask loudly.
"No." I answer. "It's complicated."
"Why the hell not?" Rose frown. "She's super fun when you're eating her out everyday and you're better to be around also. I'm tired of all this moping around and crying like a bit..."
"Rose." Nathalie hisses. "Guys. Give us two some space."
Rose pout but Austin drags her away.
"I'm sorry." Nathalie apologizes for Rose behavior. "We're still working on how some things she could keep to herself. Plus. The two of them are extremely drunk."
"It's okay." I frown. "It's Rose."
Nathalie smile. "Do you want to talk about it?"
"No." I reply. "It's a party. We should be having fun. Don't worry yourself." I pull Nathalie into a hug. Because I knew the problem between Miranda and I was weighing down on her also. Nathalie opens her mouth and it's seem like she wants to say something but she choose not too. I'm grateful.
We make our way towards everyone else and the drinking and games begin. The night is full of laughs, music, and alcohol. Tessa think it's a good idea to challenge Viv to Just Dance.
"She's really good." Nathalie shouts in warning while sitting on the couch drinking her martini.
Tessa stretches and Viv shakes her head in amusement. The game begin and they begin to mimic the dancers on the huge TV. It's hilarious and Tessa isn't all that bad. She's keeping up but Viv is the best and she obviously win.
"And the Just Dance crown is still mine." Viv shouts in victory.
Austin gets up and try next and Tessa come and take a seat next to me. "You're being a bore." She pokes my nose.
I chuckle. "I'm sorry."
"Dance with me." She grins before putting me up on my feet. She throw her arms around me and say. "We should hang out next week."
"Sure." I reply. "I have something to show you anyway."
"No." Tessa shake her head. Rose walk past us and towards the front door. "You know. Like a date." She says shyly.
"Oh."
"Yeah. Oh." Tessa tries to move away. But, I pull her back.
"I don't want you to get mixed up in my problems." I explain. "You're great but..."
"Give me a chance." Tessa mutters. "One chance. How will you know if being without is what you want if you don't try. I just don't want you to settle and I really like you..."
I chew on my lip thinking about over Tessa words. One date wouldn't do any harm.
"Uh. Miranda is here." Rose shouts.
I jump in fear and pull away from Tessa. I have to remind myself that we're not in a relationship. Miranda eyes meet mine and she arches her eyebrow before looking at Tessa. "Third time the charm." Miranda mutters towards me. "Don't mind me." She speaks. She head Austin way and toss him a cell-phone. He tries to catch it but he was drunk and clumsy. It falls to the floor. She then speaks to Nathalie before heading back out the door.
I follow behind her. "Miranda wait."
She ignores me and I chase after her. "What?" She sneers snatching her arm from my grasp.
"What are you doing here?" I question confused.
"I was here to apologize for my behavior earlier." Miranda answer. "But. I must have bumped my head to think you deserve any apology from me."
"What you saw is not what you think." I try to explain.
Miranda clenches her jaw and her eyes are wet with angry tears. "How could you kiss me the way you did in the car earlier just to be with her afterwards! I know that worthless example of a woman picked you up from the park, Sam."
"Miranda." I frown. Her insults were always the best. "It's not like that."
"I'm not stupid, Sam." Miranda hisses. She then breathes and run her fingers through her hair. "Stop speaking to me like a child and be honest with me."
"I think we should take this slow." I tell her.
Miranda fold her arms with a frown. "Fine." She whip her head around and storm towards her car. I chase after her. I push her back into the car gently. "I do love you." I tell her. She roll her eyes and try to move but I lift her chin. "It will do us more good than harm. Promise. Put the pieces back together."
She nod her head. "Fine." She spat. However, she pouts afterwards.
"I've missed you so much." I tell her.
"Me too." She replies.
"Promise you won't fire Austin tomorrow morning."
Miranda snorts and move a few pieces of her hair behind her ear. "I doubt he last a week. Especially with that atrocious hair on the top of his head."
"Be nice and don't insult him. He's sensitive." I whisper and squeeze her hips. "I gotta go." I kiss her forehead.
Miranda roll her eyes, "I don't insult people baby. I accurately describe them. Plus, I'm sure Austin knows what he has signed up for." Miranda wipe her ruin eyeliner from underneath her eyes. I don't think she caught the baby slip out her mouth but I did. She kisses the side of my mouth and get into her car and crank it up. I don't think Miranda knew what taking it slow meant. She speeds off and I make my way back into the house and mentally remind myself to tell Austin to change his hair for tomorrow.
Viv runs into and her eyes widen. "Oh shit. I almost forgot. Miranda called me earlier wondering if I picked you up from the park. Weird right."
"It's complicated."