I noticed a huge painting on her wall of a guy in an orange helmet, which I assume was of Dio. “Nice painting.”
“I painted it. I was going through so much that it was the only thing that kept me sane. Do you have a passion for something?”
The only passions I had were making it through school and gaming. “Gaming,” I mumbled.
She nodded slowly. “You play video games? Like a girl gamer. That’s cool.”
I shrugged. “It’s pretty fun. So, what’s up? You said you wanted to ask me something.”
She clapped her hands together excitedly, “Yes, I do. I’m waiting for someone else to show up. Then I can ask. Tell me more about you,” she asked.
Samara seemed so chill. Her vibe was contagious, and usually, I wasn’t so open to telling people about my mediocre life, but she seemed so interested. “I’m a struggling college student, well, not now because my brother Pierre helped me—”
“Wait, you mean, Sasha’s ex, Pierre?”
I laughed. “Yes.”
“Ok, the whole Zoo Cove connection, I’m still learning. So, you and Beans knew each other before the Zoo?”
“Yes, is that who he rides with? That side of him, I don’t know much about.”
I didn’t want her telling me things about Braylen that I didn’t know, because if that was the case, it was clear I didn’t know him at all. She laughed, “Yes, when he’s around, he’s quiet mostly. Those are the ones you watch out for, though. I used to be the quiet one, and I was into all kinds of shit.”
Now I was intrigued. “Like what?”
“Kink. I only did it for money, though. I told you I was homeless. Anyways, those days are over.” She shrugged.
“Is that how you met Dio? Like through kink?”
She shook her head. “No,” she paused. “I met him trying to pick someone's pocket. The moment I saw him, I fell in love. He didn’t know it yet.”
My feelings for Braylen were exactly as I believed. The more I spent time with him, the stronger my emotions grew, and I started to wonder if I was delusional. I was pushing the limits of my own feelings, as each encounter with him challenged them further.
“Does he know?” I heard Samara say.
I looked at her, confused. “Huh?”
She pointed at me. “I see it in your face. You're in love, does he know? Have you tried talking to him about it?”
I shook my head. “No.”
She nodded. “I think you should tell him. Stare into his eyes, and right then, you will know if it’s worth fighting for. That was one of my mistakes.”
I had so many more questions, but I couldn’t ask because there was a knock at the door. She hopped up from the couch and went to answer it. When I saw Alyse and Morgan, I smiled. Alyse stepped inside. “Samara, this is my friend Morgan, and she will be with me for a while, I hope you don’t mind.”
“Not at all. Paige, this—”
“I know, Alyse and Morgan,” I said, waving.
They both looked and smiled. “Hey!” they said in unison.
It felt good to be around people other than my gamer friends. Samara clapped her hands together, “Well, since I have you guys. I’m doing a date night, but since I’m trying to get the Zoo boys to act right, I need to create a super chill environment. So, we have invited Peanut,” she paused, then looked at me. “Beans will be here. Also, Streets and someone else, I can’t remember his name, but it’ll be at my house this weekend, cool?”
Alyse nodded. “I’m down.”
Morgan shrugged. “I would rather be getting fucked, but since I can’t, I will be here.” She laughed.
They all burst out in laughter, but I didn't. Couple’s things were not my style, but Samara seemed so excited about it, so I agreed. I hope being in a space with Braylen like that wouldn’t backfire on me.
