Open-Hearted

   A little bit more than a week after Sam asked me out, he planned a small date at the Saloon. I was feeling a bit better, so Sam departed from my house and returned home four days earlier. Neither of us wanted to leave each other, so we pretty much texted the entire time we were apart.
   Hearing a knock at the door, I put down my hairbrush and answered it. I saw Sam waiting for me, his hair a bit nicer than usual. Giving him a big hug, he picked me up and spun me around.
   "How's my little coffee bean doing?" Sam asked, putting me down.
   "I could be better, but I guess I'm alright." I replied stepping inside. I walked to the bathroom with him and picked up my brush.
   Sam took it from me and carefully brushed my hair. Untangling the knots, he made sure not to tug too hard. He set the brush back down on the counter and picked up my blow dryer.
   "How does this thing work?" Sam asked trying to push buttons and fiddle with the level lever.
   "I got it, it takes practice to get this perfect." I responded, taking the dryer away from him. He sat on the counter and watched as I evenly dried my short black hair.

   When I finished, Sam took my hand and led me out of the bathroom. I grabbed my shoulder bag, slipped it on and walked out the door with Sam.
   Walking past the bus stop, Sam swung our hands back and forth. The fresh snow crunched beneath our feet. My bracelet jingled as we walked towards his house.
   Sam let me inside and I was greeted by Vincent. "Hiya miss!"
   "Hey, Vincent! How's the worm hunt going?" I asked.
   "Great! I found like seven under the rug by our doorstep!" Vincent exclaimed, giving me a big hug.
   "Hey Olivia! How's the arm?" Jodi greeted me, a warm smile peeking out from the kitchen doorway.
   "It's fine. I'm struggling to adapt to the cast, but at least it's healing." I replied sharing a smile back.
   "I left my phone in my room, I'll be back Liv." Sam said patting my shoulder. He headed for his room and disappeared inside.
   "What are you guys doing today?" Vincent asked me.
   "Sam is taking me to the Saloon." I replied.
   "Are you going on a date?"
   "Yes, actually." Sam answered for me, popping back out of his room. He took my hand and started heading for the door.
   "Yuck, you guys are holding hands!" Vincent yelped, shielding his eyes. Jodi peeled her head back around the corner and smiled.
   "You two are adorable, go have fun!" Jodi said. She disappeared behind the doorway once again.
   "We will." Sam replied, quickly pecking my cheek.
   "Ew, cooties!" Vincent yelped. I giggled as Sam led me out the door. He closed it silently and we made our way towards the Saloon.

   Holding the door for me, Sam led me inside. "Welcome, you two! How's going?" Gus greeted us.
   "Good, and you?" Sam replied.
   "I'm mighty fine myself. Glad to see you're doing better, Olivia!"
   "Thanks, Gus." I replied.
   "What can I get for you guys today?" Gus asked.
   "Just a pepperoni pizza please." Sam replied. He led me to a table with two chairs and helped me up. He pushed the chair in and hopped up into his.
I watched as people began filling up the Saloon, starting with Shane. It was a Friday, so we expected all of the crowd.
"Here's your pizza.. enjoy!" Gus exclaimed placing the pizza on our table along with two paper plates. I took a slice, super hungry.
"Slow down Liv, you're gonna choke!" Sam joked noticing the big bites I was taking.
"Sorry.. I'm just hungry." I said.

After we finished the whole pizza, Sam threw the plates away and returned the tray. He sat back down in his chair.
"What's with the dim look?" Sam asked.
"Huh? Oh, I was daydreaming.. sorry." I responded snapping back to reality.
"Were you daydreaming about me?" Sam joked. "No need to fantasize, I'm right here."
"Stop!" I laughed, turning red. I folded my arms and leaned against the table. Sam did the same, intentionally copying me to annoy me.
Giving Sam a playfully dirty look, I kissed his nose and hopped down from my chair. "Where are you going?" He asked.
"To the bathroom. I need to wash my hands, they're greasy." I responded, holding up my hands.
"Don't get your cast wet!"
"I won't."

I returned to the table to find Sam waiting for me, making faces at me when he saw me. Giggling, I hopped back into my seat.
"Did you know.." Sam began, resting his head on his hand. "That I love you?"
"Pfft, I would've never guessed." I joked.
"And did you know.." he continued. "That I love you more than you love me?"
"Are you sure about that?"
"More positive than addition itself."
"Check your math, bud."
Sam pretended to count with his fingers. "Yup, I'm right."
I playfully rolled my eyes, laying my head on my folded arms. Fixing my eyes upon his, I noticed his smile. It was brighter than usual, like the smile he gave me after asking me out.
"Boop!" Sam said, tapping my nose. We both giggled, then I felt a hand tap my shoulder. Looking for the owner of the tap, I saw Abigail and Sebastian at the edge of our table.
"So.. you two lovebirds decided to get here without us?" Sebastian joked.
"You were the one suggesting a date.." Sam said.
"Well when you two are done making goo goo eyes at each other, we'll be over by the pool table waiting for you." Sebastian said walking towards our usual hang out area.
Sam helped me off of the tall and took my hand, leading me to the pool table. Watching Sebastian set up the balls, I noticed Gus tried filling in the hole on the table that I made on my birthday.

   Sam and I played against Sebastian, obviously losing. Instead of me attempting to hit the ball in my own, I just spotted Sam and helped him aim.
   With a score of two, Sam and I lost. I thought we did pretty good though.
   "You know, playing with another person equally as bad as you won't improve your chances of winning, Sam.." Sebastian joked.
   "I don't care, losing together is better than losing alone." Sam replied, pulling me close by my shoulder.
   "You're so cheesy." I said, giggling.
   "It's probably the pizza I had earlier." Sam said.
   "Shut up, Sam." Sebastian joked, setting his stick down. Sam stuck his tongue out at Sebastian then kissed my forehead, making me blush.
   After cleaning up the pool table, we said our goodbyes to Abigail and Sebastian. Sam walked me back to my place. It was freezing outside trudging through the snow.

   "I'll be over tomorrow, okay?" Sam squeezed my hand as we walked up to my doorstep.
   "Alright.." I mumbled.
   "What, is something bothering you?" Sam asked, placing his hand on my cheek.
   "I don't like saying goodbye."
   "I'll be here tomorrow.. and you can always call or text me."
   "Can you spend the night tomorrow?"
   "Of course."
   "I love you."
   "No you don't."
   Sam pecked my lips and gave me a hug. "See you tomorrow!"
   I smiled as I stepped inside, watching his outline fade as he walked further and further away from my home.