Something More //Chapter 1
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_A story-series about suppressed emotions and learning to let go. _
I've decided to make this episodic, because the full thing just isn't gonna fit into one package.
_//Let me know if you want to see more and bear in mind I'm open to suggestions, feedback and criticism. If you want to leave a review go right ahead, it would be greatly appreciated. Also, I'm currently looking for volunteer work, so if anyone wants a short piece written give me a shout// _
** Sammy** took a couple quick steps to the left, narrowly avoiding a careless cyclist.
For whatever reason, he'd decided that today, on the day of the village festival, he'd take a small walk through the park. It was a mistake, clearly, but he knew just as well that he'd be kicking himself for staying inside on a scorching day like this. The open air was a welcome change having been cooped up in an office all week.
Sammy was a tall guy, a husky standing just under six foot and covered from head to toe in thick, snowy fur. His work colleagues often joked that he looked like a cotton ball, which was tolerable for the first few weeks, not so much anymore. His hazel eyes squinted behind thick, black-framed glasses completing the office worker ensemble.
He checked his watch. Ten-thirty, just in time for-
THUMP
Sammy was sent tumbling to the ground, landing flat on his butt. "Hey! Watch where you're going you doofus!" said a familiar voice.
The stranger reached down, offering a hand. Sammy panicked a little, tripping over his words and making himself look foolish. "Sorry! I'm so sorry, I-"
"Sam, it's no problem." said the familiar voice. Covering the sun with his palm, Sammy could see that it was Triss, his ex. He cracked a smile. "What the heck are you doing here?!" he said, more than surprised. It had been so long since the two last met, and from what Sammy could remember, it wasn't on good terms. "Oh, you thought I was a 'stay-at-home' type of girl? See, that's why we're not together anymore." she said with a smug little snarl, lifting Sammy to his feet. Sammy sighed, knowing exactly what to expect from Triss and her snide attitude, but still kind of glad she turned up.
Triss was a fiery wolf with deep brown fur. She always wore an inviting aroma, dressed sharp, looked pretty. She'd been with Sammy up until three years ago living in a cramped but cozy little apartment in the city. The two would slowly break away from each other, growing spiteful and restless in each others company until one day, Triss moved away, leaving a final note at the doorstep. It was over.
"So you're here for the music then, because I'm almost a hundred percent sure you don't cycle." said Sammy, glancing down at her band merchandise-outfit. "Glad to see you know at least something about me." she said sarcastically.
"You'd be surprised. I did used to date you, y'know."
"For the sex."
"Says you!"
"Hmph, yeah, I can't deny it."
They shared a good laugh, which was oddly reassuring, but Sammy couldn't help feeling reminiscent. He and Triss had always been thick as thieves; two little troublemakers that never cared what anyone thought. Not to mention that they really did love each other, intensely so at times. But that was just it, their relationship had always been part-time. Sometimes they'd argue, split up and get back together all in the same week and it just wasn't going to work out like that. Sammy could cope with being friends-with-benefits, but he called it quits when Triss started dating other men.
"So shall we walk then?" said Triss, and Sammy, realizing he had nothing better to do, shrugged. "Yeah, why not."
The two set off for the far side of the clearing where a small podium had been set up, housing a selection of local musicians wailing on guitars and screaming melodramatically. It really wasn't Sammy's thing, but Triss insisted he come along. There were a few quaint stands set up around the park selling baubles and crafts, a few performers, some candy peddlers, and on the horizon they spotted a big, looming blimp with the words 'BLINKERS' stretched across its side. Triss hopped a little too excitedly. "Look, look, it's them, they're here!" she said, running ahead.
She ran to the very peak of the field, from which she turned and made some sort of gesture that looked like she was trying to warn Sammy of an incoming tidal wave. The sound behind her was thunderous, drowning out her voice. Sammy stomped up to the top and slumped down, getting an awkward glance at Triss' underskirt before quickly turning away, conflicting feelings in his mind. He watched from on high the great big blob that was the crowd, all squashed and claustrophobic in what was obviously a very unprepared venue. "Wow, guess they underestimated these guys. You're not thinking of going down there are you?" said Sammy.
"Huh, what? Oh! No, you're probably right. Besides, it's much easier to see from up here." said Triss, curling up on the grass. They both lay there for a while, picking at the daisies and chuckling at the occasional rabid fan, one of which had thrown themselves on stage and was quickly scooted away by her ankles. Sammy kept thinking back on the times they had shared, how much he'd missed Triss' company. It made him feel a little sick, especially when he thought about how he'd abused their friendship for sex. Maybe this was his second chance.
"Hey Triss." he said.
"Huh?"
"I just wondered what you were up to, you know?" he said, a little shy. Triss looked a little surprised, and there was a considerable pause before she replied. Sammy hadn't chatted with Triss this genuinely since the two had met. The sex quickly moved in to replace it, just like it replaced everything else they had shared. "I've been okay, really. I've been on and off dating, but it hasn't worked out you know, just the same old crap. Mom came over from Switzerland, brought her new man. Rich guy, doberman, likes fast cars, bit of an asshole. Dad's been, well, we haven't seen Dad. Sky's been doing well! In fact, she just got her diploma last year."
"She did? Christ, keep an eye on that girl Triss. She's set for world domination with a brain like that."
"Hah, I'll bet." sneered Triss, relaxing a little.
"How's work been?" Triss was stunted momentarily, recalling a rather inappropriate and repressed memory of her previous boss promising she'd keep her job in return for sloppy, unspoken sex.
"Fine, fine."
Sammy picked at the grass.
"Listen, Triss." he said, adopting a more serious tone. "I miss you, y'know?" They caught each others gaze. Triss quickly glanced away, grief in her expression, as if she'd lost something important to her. She sighed.
"Sam, look. It's not that I don't like you, because I really do, but-" she paused for a moment, looking a little flustered. "we can't keep running in circles like before, okay? We're both gonna get hurt."
"I still love you Triss."
"I know."
And they both went quiet, just sitting in the moment. It hurt to hear Triss so convicting, but she was right. The crowd roared once more as the first few chords of the next song started blaring and Triss and Sammy just perched there atop the hill unsure of what to say anymore, or if it even mattered.
"Are you gonna' get that?"
The phone had been ringing off the hook for a good five minutes now, and Sammy had yet to slide out of bed. "You know that's your work, right? They're gonna' give you the boot if you don't get your sorry hide moving."
"Yeah okay, got it, thanks." called Sammy, worming his way out from beneath the covers and sliding to his feet. His roommate Tom was an early-bird (literally) and today was no exception.
See, Tom was never a looker, but he'd always been loyal to his friends and that included getting them out of bed. You could always spot him in a crowd; spiky, teal hair, striking blue eyes to match and of course, a big, goofy beak. He was stood at the bottom of the stairs shaking his head. "You're a mess." He laughed, getting a good look at Sammy's ridiculous bed hair.
"Watch it, beaky."
"Don't call me that."
"Why not?"
"That's what my girl calls me. In bed." Tom muttered under his breath.
"Oh." Sammy wanted to laugh, but he knew better.
At least Tom could get a girlfriend.
They ate breakfast, late, as usual. A couple reporters were interviewing some goth-looking naga on TV. He was talking about Blinkers, their radical music and something about being a free spirit, which got Sammy wondering how much easier everything would be if he could chase bands around the world trying to avoid being sober and collecting piercings like stamps.
The morning was slow and uneventful. Sammy dragged himself to the office, caught an earful from his boss, received his daily 'cotton ball' treatment and finally set to work. The coffee machine was busted, again. Drake the big fat cheetah was zipping down the hall on his office chair and the zebra girls were chattering away about some hot guy on TV last night. It wasn't until noon that day that anything remotely interesting actually happened. Sammy was typing up some crappy website header when his mobile rang, catching him from almost falling asleep. It was Tom, which was odd. He'd never call Sammy at work, especially not on a Monday; it was a death-wish.
Reluctantly, Sammy pulled the phone to his ear, ducking his head to make sure nobody was listening. "Hey, Tom? This better be important, Rich just cut the deadline to next Tuesday and I got a mountain of work staring me down." he said.
"Yeah, look Sammy, you need to listen."
"What is it now?" he said, sensing the tension in Tom's voice. Odd.
"Triss called."
Sammy caught a lump in his throat and felt very suddenly nauseous. Triss? She hadn't spoken to him, not after what happened at the park. Was he glad? It was hard to tell. "What did she say?" he said, almost immediately realising he didn't want to know what she'd said.
"It's about Sky. She's been in an accident. Triss is coming over."
It hit like a truck and Sammy almost forgot to reply. He wasn't even sure what to say.
"Oh...okay, give me ten minutes Tom, I'll be right over." Sammy ended the call, a little dazed, but he was moving nonetheless. He ditched his work, earning a few concerned looks from his colleagues and almost toppling Drake before rushing straight down the stairs and shooting through the front door of the building. Shit, he should've asked what happened, or if she was okay, or anything, why hadn't he asked her? Stupid, stupid...
The drive back was horrendous. The car struggled, the traffic was thick and Sammy was spilling with anxiety, jumping a few lights in the process. Would Triss be there? No, stop thinking that. How the hell could he be thinking stuff like that? This wasn't about him and Triss. Why was he being so selfish?
Christ, what the hell was happening this week.
He hit the gas, zipping through the city backstreets. There was a small accident at the side of the road and he had to turn away so he could think about something else. She had to be okay, she had to. Triss would have called, right?
Sammy practically sprung from the car upon arrival, leaving the driver-side door wide open and bursting through the apartment complex entrance. He opted to sprint up the stairs which quickly became the second worst decision he'd made that day so he counted the floors as he went in some desperate attempt to keep his breathing in check. Panting and wheezing, he finally emerged at the thirteenth floor.
He rattled his knuckles on the door and eagerly awaited a response.
But a full minute passed and no-one answered. He peeked through the keyhole. Empty.
Crap, they'd gone without him.
"Damn it!" Sammy kicked the door, cursing himself for forgetting his keys, and being late, and being out of shape and pretty much every decision he'd made that week. He spent a few minutes just catching his breath, staring into the door and imagining Triss walking out, open arms, saying everything was just rosy. Maybe it really was okay. Maybe he was overreacting.
He set off back down the stairs. Just what was he expected to do? He almost wanted to curse Tom for taking off but it couldn't have been his fault, could it? He'd call Tom and meet up. Yeah, no big deal.
Or at least, it wasn't, until Sammy found himself on the street again, staring at the space that his car once occupied.
"You have got to be kidding me."
Thanks for reading!