Work in Progress

Chapter 35: Open

*ELI'S POV*

"She's in the living room on the couch," I explain to Sam again. It was around 9:30pm and we had just gone to bed. Tera was exhausted from talking her face off this afternoon. I shouldn't have suggested meeting at a coffee shop. When she came back with our drinks, she was more lively than ever. At one point I actually had to wrestle her to stop her from saying an embarrassing story. It didn't help either that Sam was egging her on. I smile as I remember Sam becoming more comfortable with Tera. I thought for sure at the start she would go Mean Girls on her. But I guess I should've given her more credit.

"You're not going to watch a movie or gossip about today?" Sam interrogates me.

"I've actually forgotten how tiring sleepovers with Tera are. Luckily for me, she gets more tired easily now so no, we won't be doing that. I'd just like to catch up on the sleep I missed all weekend."

"Oh... I get it. Sure, you should sleep," Sam says, sounding disappointed.

"No-- I didn't mean that. I love talking to you," I quickly tell her.

"It would be better if I was there too... Or if you were here..." Sam trails off quietly.

"I agree," I also say quietly. "Thank you for today, Sam. For giving Tera a chance. It really means a lot to me."

"I know. Plus, it's not like there's anything between you two. I trust you."

"Absolutely nothing," I laugh.

***

Tera was bored out of her mind at home. Despite having online classes to occupy her, she forced me to ask the others to hang out again every after class. Even when they had cheer practice, Tera would visit our school and we'd just be at the bleachers watching them. I would try to do some homework while Tera chatted on about the girls' routine, their cheers, her own schoolwork, and how she has so much more control of her time in college but also not. I didn't mind though. I knew why she was doing this, why she was here in the first place. Next week was my mom's and sister's death anniversary. This would be the first year I'd actually be in a... normal state of mind. During their first anniversary, I had my PT sessions and physical pain to distract me. The year after that, my mind was in a haze of alcohol and drugs. Then last year, I still had some anger issues to deal with. It's only now that I've actually felt... normal. Just normal. Or as normal as you could feel after losing your family. But this time I know and feel that time has finally moved to a point where I can process things more clearly. And I have more people by my side than I could ever have dreamed of.

***

It was a Saturday and we were all now hanging out in my apartment. I just watched all four of them talk, reveling at the fact that I was surrounded by innocent fun chatter. Tera and Kate hit it off pretty quickly since they had similar personalities. Jane was being herself and throwing in sarcastic comments every now and then. Sam was also easily joining in on the conversation, which made my heart warm.

"Are you really just going to sit there and stare at your girlfriend with a creepy smile?" Tera says, throwing me an amused look.

"She's not-" I began but quickly got interrupted.

"Yeah yeah whatever," Tera waves a hand at me. Sam looks at me with a warm smile making me smile as well.

"So are you all going with Eli this Wednesday?" Tera asks the others, making them confused. I shake my head and sigh.