Open-Hearted

It was now Saturday, and Sam still wasn't here. I sat down on the couch with my cup of coffee and reached for my phone. Typing in the code, I opened up the messages app and texted Sam.

Where are u - Me

Sam - Be patient, I'm out for breakfast with Vincent

I wanna come - Me

Sam - Too late. We already got our food

Awwww - Me
Tell Vincent I said hi - Me

Sam - He says hi back

Finish eating so you can get here faster - Me
Love you <3 - Me

Sam - Love you more <33

I smiled to myself and set down my phone. I lifted the lid of the coffee table and pulled out a spare blanket. I covered myself with the thick, weaved white blanket.
I turned on the TV and curled up into a ball under the blanket. Rotchi climbed up on the couch and laid down next to me, using my blanket as a pillow.
Tomorrow it was going to snow, which was good because that gave Sam another reason to stay longer. Also, I wouldn't have to go outside and be bothered by polite conversations which I was tired of at this point.
Hearing my phone buzz, I checked the caller ID. It was Sam, requesting to FaceTime. I answered and muted the TV.
"Hi Olivia!" A little voice squealed. I saw Vincent's face plastered on the screen.
"Hey, Vincent!" I greeted him.
"Woah dude, you don't need to put the phone that close to your face." I heard Sam joke, then seeing his face pop up behind Vincent's. I waved.
"What are you doing right now?" Vincent yelled to the phone, thinking he had to raise his voice for me to hear.
"I'm just watching TV with Rotchi." I replied.
"Who's Rotchi?"
"My dog."
"Oooh, can I see?"
"Yeah, he's right here." I pointed the camera at Rotchi, who sniffed the phone and licked it.
"Awwwe, he's so cute!"
"I know, right? He's my little fluffy boy."
"Can I talk to Liv now, Vincent?" I heard Sam ask. Vincent handed the phone to Sam. "Hey Liv."
"Hi sunshine." I responded.
"Sunshine?"
"Yeah.. you remind me of the sun, bright and warm."
"Aww, that's cute!"
"Ew that's gross!" I heard Vincent squeal in the background.
"Why did you guys FaceTime?" I asked.
"Oh, I wanted to call and ask you something but Vincent wanted to FaceTime."
"What did you need to ask?"
"Mind if Vincent comes over for like an hour? My mom's at JojaMart and I can't leave him home alone."
"That's fine, he can meet all my animals!"
"Cool, my mom will swing by and get him when she's done."
"Sounds good."
"Alright, we'll be over in like five minutes. See ya soon!"
"Love you."
"Yeah right," he joked.
I laughed, waving to Vincent through the phone and hanging up. I turned off the TV and got up to put on a coat and shoes.

Buttoning up my coat, I heard a soft familiar knock at the door. I smiled and went to answer it. I was greeted by a pair of smiles and hugs.
"Hi guys! Good to see you!" I exclaimed.
"Ooooh, is this Rotchi?" Vincent asked, dropping down to pet Rotchi who curiously sniffed him.
"That's surely him." I responded.
"How's the cast?" Sam asked, setting his backpack in the hallway and stepping back outside.
"It could be better, but I'm getting through it." I responded. I shut the door behind me so the cold wouldn't flood inside. Letting Rotchi follow close behind us, I led the way to the chicken coop.
"Oh my Yoba, there's chickens in here!" Vincent squealed. He ran over to one and began stroking it's yellow feathers. "What are their names?"
"This is Emmi, Eli and Erin." I pointed to the chickens.
"I named Erin." Sam stated, jokingly brushing his shoulders.
"Aaand I allowed it." I added, lightly elbowing him and giggling. I began refilling the feeding tray with hay straight from my silo. I grabbed a bucket of dried corn and brought it over to Vincent.
"Wanna give the chickens some treats?" I asked, holding the bucket out to him.
"Sure!" He responded.
"Take a big handful and sprinkle it around, they really like the corn." I explained. Vincent took the biggest handful he could and spread it around the coop. The three chickens quickly gathered around the corn and started pecking at it.
I put the bucket back and refilled the water. I felt Sam tap my shoulder.
"Where should I put these?" Sam asked with a handful of eggs.
"Oh, right in this basket." I replied, giving him an old Easter basket I used for the eggs. He carefully placed the warm eggs into the basket and took it from me.
"Thanks, Sam!" I kissed his cheek and finished filling up the water. I attached the lid to the container and locked it so it wouldn't fall off.
"Finished taking care of the chickens.. what next?" I asked, turning around to face the boys.
"I wanna go inside, it's cold in here." Vincent shivered, rubbing his arms. Sam picked Vincent up and sat him on his shoulders, handing him the basket of eggs.
"Sounds like a plan." Sam said, reaching out for my hand. I took his and called for Rotchi to follow us out of the coop.
I carefully locked the coop gate and started trudging through the snow to my house.
"Nice UFO pants." Sam joked, noticing my pajamas.
"My dad sent them to me last week, they're pretty warm." I replied.
"I bet Vincent could fit in them."
"Are you calling me short again?"
"Maybe.."
I opened the front door and we all clumped inside, taking in the warmth. I hung up my coat and slipped off my shoes. Sam put Vincent back down.
"Woah, this place is small!" Vincent exclaimed, taking in the details.
"Let me show you around." I said. I opened the first door to the right, which was my bedroom.
"This is where I sleep.. not too interesting." I shut the door and opened the next one at the end of the hallway, revealing my plain old bathroom. I shut the door and led Vincent through the doorway to the living room, which from there would take you to the kitchen.

(Picture reference to house layout)

   "Wow, your house is cool!" Vincent exclaimed. Sam put the egg basket on the kitchen counter and began putting the eggs in the fridge for me.
   "Do you like it?" I asked.
   "Yeah! It's really pretty." Vincent responded. He was looking at every little decoration I added to the house. "Where did you get all of this stuff?"
   "Either my dad sent it to me, I made it, or I bought it online." I responded. I heard a loud knock at the door, which most likely belonged to Jodi.
   "That's Mom, time to go Vincent!" Sam said taking Vincent's hand to the door. He opened it and there stood Jodi on the other side.
   "Mom, Olivia has chickens! I got to give them corn and pet them!" Vincent exclaimed giving his mom a big hug.
   "That's so cool! Did you have fun?" Jodi asked.
   "Yeah! Can I please stay longer? I don't wanna leave yet." Vincent begged.
   "Sorry hun, Penny and Jas are already waiting for you at the library."
   "Awwww.."
   "Thanks for having him, Olivia. That really helped me a lot!" Jodi gave Sam and I a hug. "Have fun you two!"
   "Bye Jodi!" I waved to Jodi and Vincent and shut the door as they walked off. Right as the door clicked shut, I was yanked back and dragged to the living room.
   "Sam!" I shouted as he picked me up. "Put me down!!"
   "No. I miss cuddling with you." Sam flopped on the couch with me and pulled the white blanket over us. He hugged me close and showered me in kisses.
   "Sammy! You're gonna suffocate me!" I yelled, my voice muffled by his shirt.
   "Sorry, I just missed you." Sam pulled out of the hug and let me breathe.