Short Script: Episode 15: Café Pancakes (Extra Chapter)
Ever since that incident, Samantha had been acting strange...her usual cheerfulness replace with wariness.
Daniel and Jim noticed it, when she brought in the groceries one morning.
"Hey, Sammy, are you okay?" Daniel asked. Samantha blinked and shook her head.
"Umm...yeah?"
Jim looked up from his cereal. "Are you sure? It must be because the results are coming out next week, right?"
Samantha shrugged, chuckling nervously. She scratched her head. "Yeah! That's about right! I better go..." She turned and left as quickly as she came, making Daniel and Jim turn to each other.
"Strange, don't you think?" Jim asked. Daniel nodded. "She was really excited a few days ago, too. Did something happen between her and Cecille?"
Jim sighed. "I told her not to disturb Cecille in her streak..."
Daniel's spine shivered. "Well, your tutor is a bit intimidating, Jim. I am surprised that she can incite such a reaction out of Sammy like that."
Soon the results came out, and Sammy passed her exams along with Daniel and Jimmy. Her cheerful spirit was back, and she took a snapshot of her grades...running to the campus grounds to call her grandmother. As she ran to the nearest tree, she slowed to a stop when a tall young man came up to meet her.
"You..." Sammy began, a chill running down her spine. "What are you--"
The young man with tanned skin and grey eyes stood before her, his hands in his pockets... 'I...It's been years, Samantha. I wanted to have a chat with you."
Samantha frowned. "I didn't know she was your sister, Marcel...or should I call you Mark?"
Marcel stepped forward, taking is hands out of his pockets. "Don't be scared, I want bite." He gave her a reassuring smile. "Can we talk at a café?"
Samantha took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. She gazed back at Jimmy and Daniel, before agreeing with Marcel.
"Okay...but make it short. I need to be back before lunchbreak is over."
In the café, Marcel ordered two plates of waffles and ice cream for them, along with mocha lattés. "My treat. Congrats on getting a high score."
Sammy looked at him in suspicion. "What do you want?"
Marcel pained at her reaction. "I... just wanted to clear things in the past. I'm sorry, Samantha."
Samantha clenched her fists in both fear and anger. "You know, I went to this city because I wanted to get away from you. I can't believe you would follow me all the way here."
"I-I'm apologizing okay? I was a jerk back then, no excuses. Sammy, please...can you forgive me?"
Samantha looked away in sadness. "I already did, Marcel. I didn't expect you to change, though. I almost didn't recognize you."
Marcel blushed. "Um, did you..?"
Samantha turned to him, her gaze softening as she smirked. "Your vibe changed. And you cut off your hair."
They ate and caught up over the past and th present, and Marcel escorted her back to campus and waved goodbye.
As he walked away, Sammy felt better. 'At least we're being back to civil now...'
A few days later, when Sammy narrated who Marcel was, Daniel and Jimmy were shocked.
"He was your bully?!"
Sammy sweat dropped and sighed, trying to calm them down. "WAS, okay?"
Daniel slowly clapped his hands. "I am amazed you didn't break down."
Jim looked away, covering his mouth in embarrassment. 'I thought you two were dating. My bad."
Sammy raised a brow. "Huh?! No!"
"Ooh~" Daniel said, snapping his fingers, "He did give off ex-boyfriend aura!"
"He is NOT my ex-boyfriend!"
Jimmy cleared his throat, nodding as he crossed his arms. "Good to know he's bad boy converted to be a repentant man. But I'd be wary of him still if I were you."
Daniel looked with worry. "You should've told us your bully was Marcel, Sammy. That way we could've been with you at the café."
Sammy rubbed her temples. "To be honest, I wanted to but it dawned on me that you two might beat him up if I did."
Daniel smiled dangerously with Trudy. 'Oh, don't worry, we won't bite."
Jimmy's aura turned dark. "Yeah, Daniel's right-- we just wanted to watch over you, Sammy."
As if on cue, the two boys started to laugh darkly in unison as their eyes glowed eerily, freaking her out.
"Guys, cut it out! Compared to you, he is nothing. You guys are even more scarier than him..!"
At that Daniel snapped out of his reverie. "Oh, right Jim. What would Cecille think? I think she is more intimidating than h8im, to be honest."
Jim snapped out of his own dark aura. "You're right. I can't afford to piss off my tutor."
"Isn't Cecille in college too?" Sammy asked.
Jim ate his cereal. "She graduated college at 12, Sammy. She had high grades that enabled her to become a Professor in a famous University at evenings..."
Sammy and Daniel's jaw dropped. "Amazing..."
Jim nodded. "She majored in English Literature. She was away ahead with all of us."
Dark brown hair, slightly tanned complexion and familiar grey eyes met her own. He's a head taller than her, too. With his black hoodie and jeans he looks like...a college student?
He smiled at her. "No worries, it's a pleasant surprise."
She smiled back. "Is that so?"
The delivery boy rolled his eyes in their exchanges, while the guy swiftly took Sammy's $20 and replaced it with his $25.
"Keep the change." He whispered to the boy and shoved him on his way. "Go on."
Realizing he's free to go, the pizza delivery boy grinned dat the guy and jabbed hm on the ribs. Then he walked away, humming a song to himself.
The guy at the door chuckled, shaking his head. "Kids nowadays." He muttered.
Sammy ducked her head to hide her heating cheeks. 'Who is this guy?'
"So, um...is Cecille there? I stopped by to say hello." She said.
"Yeah, she's inside. Come on in." The guy replied, opening the door to let her in.
Sammy stepped into the dark apartment once again. Looking at her surroundings, she saw Cecille at the living room, typing away furiously into her computer.
Clutching at the pizza box in her hands, Samantha let out a puff of breath she didn't she was holding in. Relieved to know she didn't just enter an empty apartment with some random guy...
"You have a visitor. She said she wants to stop by and say hello." The guy said to Cecille.
The blonde woman stopped abruptly. She glared at him. "Marcel, I told you not to bring anyone in when I'm in my mode!"
The guy raise his hands in defense. "She brought in anchovy pizza, surely you won't pass this up?"
Immediately Cecille stopped glaring at him. She turned to Sammy. "Oh, Samantha. I didn't know it was you." She stood up and stretched her arms and legs. "Did you stalk me or something?"
Sammy let out a short laugh. "No. I mean, why would I? I just felt like crashing your place since I have a gut feeling your tutoring will help me pass my midterms."
Cecille smiled. "Confident, huh? Is that why you brought pizza?" She actually looked human for a second.
"Yeah," Sammy opened the box, and the aroma of cheese and anchovies wafted through the dark living room. "Where do we celebrate?"
"Definitely at the kitchen. There's no way we're eating at the coffee table." The guy said. Cecille glared at him again.
"I see you've met Marcel, Samantha."
Marcel rolled his eyes. "I told you to stop calling me that." He led the way to the kitchen. "Feel free to call me Marc, Sammy."
Arriving at the kitchen, Marcel flicked on the light switch and the three of them were met with the view of the room. An island in the center stood out, with tall-legged stools surrounding it.
At the far wall was the sink, the counter and the stove, along with a dirty-white fridge adorned with fruit magnets.
It was oddly clean. Not a speck in sight, and when Sammy glanced at the bin it was empty. She expected the place to be trashed. She placed the box on the counter.
Cecille opened the box and started to grab a pizza when Marcel grabbed her wrist.
"Wash your hands first, Cecille."
"Whatever." Cecille said, though she did as she was told. Sammy washed her hands too, fearing Marcel's eyes would scrutinize her for germs.
He both handed them some paper towels and was the last one to wash his hands.
After drying her Hans, Cecille tossed the crumpled paper at the bin and dove right in the pizza.she took a big bite and chewed with (passion or fervor?)
"Mmmm..."
Marcel took a slice too, folded it in half and took a small bite. "Cecille loves anchovy pizza." He told Samantha.
Sammy tok her slice too, the three of them siting on the stools. She glanced at Marcel and Cecille now and then.
"Are you living together?"
Marcel looked at her, raising a brow.
"Uh, technically, yes. But only for a few days. Mademoiselle can't seem to get her nose out of novels to clean up around the house. That's why I'm here."
"No, you're doing it 'coz I paid you. I need your freak cleaning skills 'coz I know you love hunting down germs and killing them." Cecille retorted, before taking a huge bite out of her slice again.
'Living only for a few days.' Sammy repeated in her mind. *What kind of house help is that?! What kind of thing do they have?!*
Marcel chewed another bite of his slice and smiled. "We're polar opposites in some aspects, yet we stick closer than anyone, right Cecille?"
Cecille flicked Marcel's ear. "How dare you call me Cecille when I'm five minutes older than your butt."
"Ow!" Marcel said, rubbing his ear, leaving Sammy more confused.
"Five minutes older than your butt? What's that supposed to mean?"
Marcel ducked his head of brown locks. "Nice to meet you." He said, though his cheeks were a bit pink.
"Nice to meet you too. I'm Samantha Parker." Sammy said, extending a hand. Marcel took it and shook hands with her.
"I know. We've met before."
"We-- we have?"
"Yes. Once upon a dream."
Cecille chortled. "Enchanté."
At that Marcel and Sammy quickly let go of each other's hands.
"I should probably go now. Thanks for letting me in, Marc. Cecille." Sammy said awkwardly, getting off the stool.
"Thanks for the pizza, Samantha." Cecille said. Marcel escorted Sammy to the door.
When she had gone, Marcel returned to the kitchen to finish his pizza, only to find his twin watching him.
"What?" He asked innocently.
"Don't act clueless on me. You were hitting on her earlier. Quoting lines from Sleeping Beauty and whatnot."
Marcel refused to meet her gaze. "But it's true." She just didn't recognize me. She probably didn't remember my name."
"Oh, is it now?" Cecille said, smirking.
"Will you just shut it? Gawd, I feel so embarrassed. She actually thought we were in a romantic relationship earlier!" Marcel exclaimed, covering his face.
Cecille grinned and chuckled at him. "Taking a break was so worth it. I have so much content now."
Daniel, Jim and Samantha were chatting together and walking home after class at University.
Midweek exams were finally over, and since Sammy felt like acing it even before the results came out, she wanted to celebrate with her buddies.
"Hey, I really want to thank Cecille for helping me with those difficult subjects. How about we buy pizza and crash her place?"
Daniel raised his brows in surprise. "Isn't it too early to celebrate? I mean, not to be mean or anything, but maybe once you know the results first..."
"But Daniel! I feel so confident in tackling that exam, I know I'll do great! I can feel it in my gut."
Jim looked straight ahead. "Cecille must be busy writing right now, though. You'd have to schedule for an appointment with her since she's not determined to get her writing streak interrupted again this month."
Samantha grinned devilishly. "I'll just pay her $30 so we can get in and shove pizza down her throat."
Daniel grew pale. "I don't think I'll be there to watch it happen."
"Don't worry Dan. It won't. Since it's that time of the month."
"What month?"
"Where Cecille doesn't let anyone in her apartment and doesn't get out for days. She's in her computer typing for many hours, so someone just maintains other things for her."
Samantha stopped din ER tracks, in deep thought. "Hmm..."
Jimmy looked at her. "If I were you I wouldn't bother her."
But before he knew it, Sammy had already taken out her phone and made a call.
"Yes, I'd like to order some pizza. I'd like it with some anchovies, please. Yes, the address is--"
"Is she still going at it?" Daniel whispered to Jim. Jim frowned. "yeah, and she's having delivered straight to Cecille's door."
Sammy ended the phone call and smiled innocently. "What are you guys whispering about?"
"Sammy, why are you so intent on visiting Cecille's apartment?" Jim asked.
"I'm curious about how her place would look like when it's clean."
"You're too nosy."
"Am not!"
"In that case, I'm not coming with you. I'll be busy at my place."
"Me too," Daniel added, 'I have to go to my Grandad's. Sorry I can't come."
Sammy stomped her foot in frustration. 'You guys are trying to ditch me, aren't you? Then, never mind, I'll have more pizza slices to myself!" She walked ahead of Daniel and Jim, leaving them behind.
Daniel shivered as he watched her walk away. "I didn't know Sammy would get that scary when she's determined."
Jim shrugged his shoulders. "I'm used to it. Though not everyone can."
"Right, right," Daniel said, "also I'm kind of terrified of what will happen if Cecille gets me. She had a look that she shouldn't be messed with."
Jim slung an arm around his friend's shoulder. "Me too. I wouldn't want to be there when it happens."
****
By this time Samantha had crashed into her own apartment and changed out of her clothes to something more relaxed. She picked her red jogging pants and a white t-shirt with the chicken logo with the motto, 'Always Roasted!'.
She also wore her white socks and slipped on her penny loafers. 'If I dressed homey enough, she'll let me in. Everyone needs some social interaction now and then."
She fixed her loose ponytail braided it instead. Grabbing her clutch, she crossed her fingers before running out the door.
'35, 36, 37...38. Oh! Just in time.' Sammy thought, as she saw the pizza delivery boy at room number 38. She crept up unnoticed and hid behind the pizza boy's back.
The boy knocked on the door. Then he knocked again several times. "Pizza! Delivery!"
The door creaked open, and Sammy got too nervous to sneak a peek.
"Pizza? We didn't order pizza." A masculine voice said.
Chills ran down Sammy's spine. 'There's a guy in Cecille's apartment?!'
"That'll be 15 bucks." The pizza boy said.
"Wait here a sec." The voice said, walking away.
With her heart beating out of her chest, Sammy remembered that the voice must be the 'someone' that cleans up cecille's apartment in this busy month. The one that Jim was talking about.
After five seconds the steps nearing the door can be heard once again. "Look, there must be a mistake. I asked her if she ordered pizza and she said she didn't. Are you sure of the address?"
"Yes. The address said on Eleanor street, Fontaine Apartment building, room 38." The pizza boy said, fidgeting.
Samantha felt like slapping her forehead. "Uh, hi! I'm the one who ordered it," She began, "Cheese pizza anchovies." In shame she couldn't meet them at eye level.
The pizza delivery boy at the door widened his eyes.
Sammy opened her clutch and gave the boy some $20. "Keep the change! Sorry for the confusion. I wanted it to be a surprise."
"Thanks, Miss. Have a nice day!" He handed Sammy the box of pizza and took the money. But the guy at the door grabbed the delivery boy's arm.
"No, I'm paying for the pizza." He pulled out a $25 from his wallet and gave it to the boy. "Just return the 20 to the nice lady will you."
"Oh, no it's alright." Sammy said to the guy, seeing him for the first time. The guy looked at her at that exact moment.
After Jim's effort to help Sammy find a tutor, the french girl Cecille set up an appointment to help with the subjects Sammy finds difficult.
And now, this fast-forward of a moment, Samantha Parker is slowly stepping on the cold floor, each step bringing her closer to the room of mystery room number 38.
Hugging her books and bagpack close to her chest, Samantha wished that the things she carried are heavier so it will keep her from making it to her destination.
"Why do I have to go to this tutor all by myself? I wish I had someone else with me at this moment. But Daniel and Jim are both busy with their mid-terms too...augh."
Her sneakers went up to the front of Cecille's door. Samantha gulped and raised a hand hesitatingly. Mustering enough courage the size of a peanut, Sammy knocked on the door.
"Password?" Cecille's voice said.
Sammy chuckled nervously. "Uh,yeah. Break-in?"
"Come right in, Samantha."
"Right." Taking hold of the cold doorknob, Sammy turned it and the door opened, revealing the dark room once again.
She closed the door behind her, her eyes following up onto the corner of the room here the trash bins are.
In the dark room is Cecille, furiously typing away at her keyboard in her zombie state once again.
Without looking up Cecille spoke up. "Have a seat wherever you like."
Sammy sat on the carpeted floor across the householder, wondering in the passing moment if this blond girl had ever gotten out to see the light. Or taken the trash out.
The small coffee table got illuminated when Cecille turned the lampshade light on. "Make yourself comfortable, Samantha. You're too tense."
Sammy squirmed in her seat. "I'm not."
Cecille started at her those grey eyes. "You need more light? Help yourself." She motioned at the windows, covered with curtains.
Sammy shakily stood from her sitting position and almost tripped from the computer cords on the floor. She then carefully edged in the darkness, reaching out to grab the obstacle that will reveal the truth in this room.
"There!" The curtains fell down, instead of sliding sideways due to Sammy's strength. The metal rod for the curtains hit her on the head.
"Ow..!" Samantha cried, "That hurt!"
Cecille groaned. "And my writing streak is over." She said, closing her eyes as the sunlight stormed in the room.
"What writing streaking thing are you--'' Sammy said, looking at her. He Reyes went about the apartment and surprisingly, the living room is devoid of any furniture except for the lampshade, coffee table and oooh~ dusty carpet. 'What a minimalist.'
Cecille massaged her temples and sighed. "Nothing. I was referring to my writer's streak. The darkness helps me to write."
"Sorry. I didn't know you were a writer. I just thought that we should study with proper lighting." Sammy said, leaving the window and hopping over the coffee table, sitting indin style.
Cecille took one of Sammy's textbooks and opened it. "Okay. So are you all set?"
Sammy turned her head to the side and eyed the trash bins once again. "Um...when will you take the trash out?"
"Sigh...maybe when you're done with this tutor session. It's $30 per hour. The hour started ever since you stepped in this apartment, so if you want to get the most out of it, let's start as soon as we can, okay?"
Sammy's jaw hung agape upon hearing it. "Why didn't you tell me sooner?!"
Cecille looked at her with a blank expression. "Common sense, Samantha. Your purpose here is clear. MY trash bins is none of you business. Did you notice that you act too smart for your own good? You don't even need a tutor."
Sammy pouted. "No. I need to pass my mid-terms. I'll bug your mess later."
The blonde-haired woman glarted at her. "Don't mess my house up. You have to ask for my permission first. And the answer is no."
"Okay, okay, I get it! I'll back off," Sammy said, raising her hands up in surrender, "I just can't stand looking at dirty rooms. It makes me itchy."
Cecille massaged her temples once again. "If you can't stand the sit. If it makes you itchy you may scratch. Do that."
Sammy slouched and pouted. "Let's start and get it over, shall we? Here I was trying to offer you help with this place. Guess your sense of hygiene is from another planet."
"Aughh! How am I going to finish all of these in time?!" Sammy exclaimed, grabbing her loose, brown hair at her study table at 12:30 PM.
It was midterm exams that's bothering her, for Sammy is not exactly good at dealing with pressure. She turned off the lamplight and dozed off to sleep.
"So, you need help? That's the first time you mentioned that." Jim said, eating breakfast at the dining room the next morning.
Samantha nodded groggily as she set the groceries on the counter. "Uh-huh. Am I losing over it or am I losing sleep because of it?"
"I think it's both." Jim mumbled before eating a spoonful of cereal.
"And why am I looking haggard over here while you are fresh and dandy?" Sammy frowned.
Jimmy looked away. "Don't say it like you're the only one who has to go through it. We're all taking our mid-terms."
The apartment door swung open, revealing a cheerful Daniel carrying a paper bag full of groceries. "Good morning!"
A walking and dawdling Trudy Furby greeted him with gibberish.
"Aww! Trudy! Let's go in with my surprise!" The two appeared a moment later to join Sammy and Jim at the breakfast table.
"Hey, guys!" Daniel greeted.
"Hey." Sammy greeted back. She was bracing her arms on the kitchen counter to steady herself. Jimmy ate another spoonful of cereal.
"Sam! What happened to you?!" Daniel exclaimed, rushing to Sammy and setting down the grocery and the toy pet on the counter. "Do you have a fever?"
"Sammy is reviewing for mid-terms." Jim said before finishing his bowl of cereal.
Sammy giggled with Daniel's face so worried about her, especially when Daniel checked her temperature by placing Trudy's fur on her forehead.
Daniel gasped. "She does have a fever."
Upon hearing it she groaned. ''How do I look?''
"I'd say you look like a raccoon."
Jim smirked at his best bud's remark. "You make it sound as if it's cute, Dan." He looked at Daniel's paper bag. "What's in there?"
Daniel slowly guided Sammy to sit on a chair. "Well, it's something I bought for Sam deary here. I've known that it's been hard for her to pamper herself lately so I thought of buying some stuff for her."
Jim frowned again. "You sound like her grandmother, Daniel--it's not like you."
Sammy planted her face on the dining table and sighed heavily. "It's nice of you, Daniel. But I think I need a tutor now."
Daniel and Jim exchanged worried looks.
"You need some rest, Sammy. Take care of yourself." Jim said.
Sammy pouted at him. "Advice from someone who cannot even buy his own groceries! How do you do it, Jimmy, huh?"
Daniel took a glass of water for Sammy to drink. "Here you go."
Jimmy looked away, avoiding her gaze. "Do what?"
"You, know, being manager of this whole building and juggling studies while looking cool and reserved?"
Jimmy scratched his head, his cheeks turning pink. "Well, I have some help."
Sammy's mouth hung open. "Where?"
"In this building. She lives here."
Sammy rose from her seat slowly, her bangs falling over her tired, menacing eyes. She looked up to him and spoke in a low voice. "Bring me to her."
Daniel's eyes grew wide and Trudy screamed. "Aaaaaaaaaah the horror!"
Jimmy gulped nervously and nodded. "Sure."
Sammy's face lit up and she smiled. "Good! Now, let me see what Daniel bought for me." She took the paper bag, thanking him and poured its contents on the table.
"Aww! Bathroom essentials?"
"Ah, no...here's my gift for you."
Daniel picked up some small packets for Samantha. "Face masks and eye-puffers!"
Later, after breakfast; Jim, Sammy and Daniel were now walking the lower halls of the building.
Jim quietly counted the numbers in his mind before stopping in front room apartment 38.
"Say, why did you come with us, Daniel? You seem wary." Samantha asked him.
Daniel hid behind Jim.
"Um...well, I've never seen this tenant before,so... I'm curious. He never told me about this tenant."
"Oh."
Jim knocked on the door.
"Password?" A voice asked.
"Drop in." Jim said.
"Great. You can come in with your friends, James."
"Cool." Jim grabbed the knob and opened the door, looking behind the two. "Let's go."
The three of them filed inside to a dimly-lit room of green lights accompanied by stacks of CD's on the carpeted living room floor. Several computers and laptops lie on the large coffee table, all of them plugged in with the monitors glowing, illuminating the face of an adolescent furiously typing away.
Her blonde,stringy hair rod-straight and stiff, grames her pale face and deep eye bags. Her dull, tired eyes looked up in monotony. "What's the business?"
Jim shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly. "Well, my friend here needs help with her mid-terms."
"Sure," the young woman nodded. "What are your friends' names? They can speak English, right?"
"Yeah." Jim said.
Sammy looked about the corners of the room and saw a trash bin--no, several of them--full of trash and food trays and other plastic wastes of instant food.
Before she could go inspect the kitchen, Jim grabbed her by the collar before she noses about. "This is Sammy," he said, "And this is my buddy Daniel."
Daniel cowers behind Jim, creeped out by the dim lighting in the room.
"And I am Cecille." The tutor said, her grey eyes following Sammy, Daniel, Jimmy and her computer screen at the same time. "Nice to meet y'all. Where are my manners? Have a seat, on the floor wherever you like."
Because she doesn't have a single chair or a sofa set on the living room, a single coffee table full of gadgets and a TV set marks the place.
Samantha shook her head as the two boys sat on the living room carpet. "I'm not doing business with her, Jim!"
"Why not?"
"She's a hacker!"
"She's not."
"No wonder you pass your exams! You ask her to download key answers and review them--in the school's database and--"
Jim frowned. "She's my tutor, Sam. You're exaggerating."
Daniel waved his arms at Sammy trying to shush her. "She can hear you!"
Samantha turned to Cecille to find her looking at them.
"Hacking's illegal. I don't do stuff like that. Now, do you need help with your eye bags or your exams?"
"Jim! Jim! I got the groceries again, like usual-- now put them in wherever they should be because I'm in a hurry." Samantha said brightly. It was early in the morning, and Jimmy was eating cereals at the dining room.
"You look cheery today. What did you eat?'' Jim asked.
"It's not about what I ate, its about who I met," Sammy replied. "Oh! If I don't take it from him soon, he'll carry them all the way up here!"
"Who's he?"
"Manny. He says he rents an apartment flat here, Jim. You know him, right?"
"Yes. I was gonna make him transfer to another place." He said, chomping steadily.
"What?! Why? never mind, he's here." Samantha chirped, opening the front door wide. "Oohh! Mr. Manny!"
Jim rolled his eyes.
"Would you mind carrying them here inside?" She asked.
"Aah--room apartment 129, eh? The landlord's headquarters."
"Uh--yeah. You're friends, right?"
"I tried. Oh, where do I place these? In the dining room?"
Sammy nodded, leading him to the dining room. Manny and Jimmy stared at each other.
Then Jimmy sneezed.
"Leave them on the table, please." Sammy's voice sounded, breaking the tension. "Thank you for helping me, Mr. Manny,'' Sammy said as Manny was walking out the door. "I really appreciate it."
Manny grinned. "I do not mind, I'm always ready to help those in need. I'll be going now. See you later, Samuelita."
"Uh, it's Samantha."
"Oh! Right," he laughed, "forgive me. Samantha." He waved goodbye and left. Sammy closed the door and sighed.
"He's so nice to me!" She went in the dining room. 'Oh, Jim, why would you kick out such a nice man out of his apartment?'' she said, crossing her arms over her chest.
Jim sniffled. "Because that man brings in cats in his apartment when he shouldn't."
Sammy flailed her hands. "Because he's taking in abandoned cats? He's saving them! They have no home to go to! He told me that today. I can't believe I just met him now, when he said he's been here for two years."
Jim sipped his cup of dark coffee. "He works at night, sleeps by day; that's why you don't see him Nocturnal, like a bat or a cat."
"I don't see why you have to kick out a tenant just because they're doing a good deed."
"He has to go out because I'm allergic to animal fur, Sammy."
"But--you're acres of tiles apart! How could you possibly get any reaction from his apartment?"
"I don't have to tell you," he said, finishing his cereal. "But he has to go, or I'll get sick. That's why there are no pets allowed in the building, 'cause the manager is instructed by the employer that there are no pets allowed. Those are part of the rules around here. Do you understand?"
"Yes," Sammy pouted, "of course I understand. Now if you'll excuse me."
She walked out.
Later, in the afternoon, Sammy went by Jim's apartment. She knocked on the door. "Come in. I was going to ask you a favor, Sam." Jimmy said. He handed her an envelope.
She raised a brow in question. "What's this?"
"A letter for Mr. Manny. It's an eviction notice." Jim said. "Please send it to him, will you. His flat's full of fur."
"I didn't come here to help you with that, Jim. I came to convince you to let him stay."
"Are you his lawyer? You just met him and now you're on his side already? Fine with me." He strode toward Manny's apartment.
Sammy tried to stop him. "You can't! Don't force yourself! Can't you negotiate with him or something?"
"I tried. I gave him so many chances already. I even gave Daniel some trouble because he was the one bringing the previous notices to him. It's now or never." He continued to walk until he was in front of room apartment 52. He knocked on the door.
The door creaked open. Manny was sleepily yawning. His hair was a mess. "Yes?"
"Hello. Here's a notice for you." Jim gave him the letter. Manny took it.
"Ah. Eviction! Please come in while I read the notice. Good afternoon, Samantha."
"Hello! I'm here to convince Jim in letting you stay, so can I come in too?"
"Sure, sure! That's lovely. Thank you."
Jim wore a surgical mask as he went in. As soon as the door closed behind them, hordes of cats started popping out to rush toward them. Jim stiffened.
"Aw, they're so cute, Mr. Manny!" Sammy said, kneeling down to give them a pet. She laughed out loud in glee. "Grandmother would be so happy if she saw them."
Manny gestured them to sit on the sofa set in the living room. A cat was seen sleeping on a pillow seat.
Jim and Sammy took their places. A few cats rubbed against their legs. Jim was petrified, Sammy was happy.
"How many cats do you have, Mr. Manny?" Sammy asked.
"About twenty-two of them," he chuckled, "maybe you'd like to find one for your Grandmother? That would be grand."
"Great! Can I take one and bring to my apartment, Jim? Jim?" She looked beside her and saw that he was fainting.
"Oh no!"
*Two weeks later...*
Sammy was stirring chicken soup in a bowl. She was going to give it to Jim, who had fallen sick after Mr. Manny moved out.
Jim tried cleaning the apartment but got down with a cold instead. "Daniel told me you helped Mr. Manny with the cats."
"Oh, it was nothing," she shrugged. "I simply watched over them as he was moving out. It was the least I can do."
She puffed out a sigh. "What I can't understand is why your mother would allow you to become a manager here when you couldn't even handle fur."
"She said I'm effective because once I sneeze, that means tenants have been hiding furry animals...guess it makes sense."
'And since your mother is my boss, I have to make syou health my outmost concern, huh.'' she gave him a spoonful of soup. "Get better already!"
The next day Samantha and her Grandmother visited next door, bringing a meat pie for them. After some introductions, granny sliced the pie into pieces and served them.
"Now, eat up, boys, because this is smoking hot! Just joking."
"Thank you, uh...ma'am. I'm sorry," Daniel said, "but may I know how to pronounce your name again?"
"It's Madeliene, Danny. Or Maddy or Mad if you prefer a short version. Don't forget to address me with a granny before that," Granny replied, "because I am not 25 anymore!" And she giggled.
Samantha rolled her eyes. "We know, grandmother. We see that."
All of them were hanging out at the kitchen. Jim and Daniel were sitting on high stools. While Samantha and Grandmother were standing near the two across the kitchen table.
"Now, Danny, may I ask-- I don't mean to nose about but--" Granny began.
"Go on," Daniel said, "Please I'll be happy to answer."
Samantha poured herself some cranberry juice from Jim's refrigerator and drank. Jimmy poured a glass too.
"You're living as a roomate of Jimmy dear...so are you two in a serious relationship together?"
Samantha choked. She coughed. Her grandmother Maddy thumped the back of her granddaughter to be relieved.
Daniel frowned. He scratched his chin. "Hmm...well, how do I put it-- I guess we are. After all, I do consider Jim my best friend."
Granny Maddy gasped. "So when are you two getting married?"
Jim frowned. He put his glass of cranberry down the table. "Grandmother Madeliene, we're only roommates and friends. We're childhood friends."
Samantha puffed out a breath and laughed. She guffawed.
Realizing his own words, Daniel blushed red like a tomato. "Don't get the wrong idea here, ma'am...I mean, granny Mad. Grandmother Maddy! It's not what you think."
Granny blinked. "So, why do you live in your buddy's apartment?"
''Because...'' Daniel looked away.
"Because?"
"Jim's mother asked me to. We may be best friends on the surface but believe it or not, I'm also considered as his family. We're brothers."
Jim drank up his glass of juice, then resumed eating the slice of pie on his plate as if nothing happened.
Grandmother Madeliene smiled warmly, clasping her hands together. "That's so sweet..."
Samantha shook her head in disbelief. "Man, Daniel. You should have heard yourself! You were so funny."
"But it's not funny...I do consider my friendship with Jim seriously."
The four of them resumed eating. A furry toy bumped on a stool's leg. It was making gibberish sounds.
"Hey, Daniel. Your Furby got out of your room." Jim said.
Daniel picked it up and cradled it, smiling. Granny was intrigued. "What's that, Danny dear?"
Daniel grinned. "It's my Furby, and I named Trudy."
"What a cute name!"
"Yep. It's my baby."
Silence fell over them, except Trudy.
"Oh, th-that's not how it appears!" Daniel stuttered. "It's just that Jim gave it to me and--it's not what you think it is!" Daniel turned to Samantha. "Tell her, Sam!"
She nodded. "He just love that doll, Grandmother. Nothing more."
A knock on Samantha's door was heard waking her up on a Saturday morning. "What? It's too early to collect the bills, Jim. Leave me alone."
Samantha hid under the bed cover. But the knock persisted. "All right, I'm coming." In her mumbling she finally opened the door.
An old woman was at the door. She was wearing a straw hat. "My dear, hello! May I come in?"
Samantha gasped. The she rubbed her eyes in disbelief. "Grandmother! What brought you here?"
"You, of course. I'd like to see how my favorite Granddaughter is living. Ah," she sighed as she looked about Samantha's apartment, "Looks like you're living well."
She admired the view of the brightly colored walls and the upholstered furniture about. Samantha closed the door as her granny sat on the sofa.
"Would you like anything? I have some lemonade in the fridge..."
"I would like to take my summer vacation here, Sammy dear." Her granny replied. "You can take in my luggage from the hallway. You didn't go home so I figured I'd com and stay for a bit."
Samantha's jaw dropped. "Um, well...it's nice of you to come. Sorry I forgot to tell you over the phone that I'll be in my apartment for the summer break..."
Her granny waved a hand. "Oh, I understand. That, my dear. That's why I'm here to keep you company. I know that you need your rest from working part-time jobs, so I'll help you keep house in the meantime. All right?"
"Oh, thank you. I appreciate that." Sammy rushed to fridge to get her guest a lemonade and some crackers.
"By the way, Sammy dear, what is your part-time job, exactly?"
Samantha froze. "Oh, uh...you know..."
Her granny frowned. "Don't be ashamed to tell me, dear. I worked part-time, too, when I was young."
"Well, my job is buying groceries for Jim. His mother employed me to do that. And I've been doing that for quite a while now..."
her granny served herself some lemonade and took a sip. "Hmm...just to shop groceries for another man sounds ridiculous. But, how is it for you?"
"It's great! It's better than being a waitress or a saleslady...I get to focus on my studies more..." She shrugged.
''Who's Jim?'' her granny asked. She took a bite of crackers.
"My schoolmate. We go to the same University."
"Oh my! What does he do that he can't go shopping on his own?"
"Um...he's actually the manager of this whole building. His mother's business is renting apartments and she employed his son to get the monthly payments from the tenants."
Her granny choked. "Oh my goodness! I thought maybe he's disabled or something."
Samantha bit her lip to keep herself from smiling. "He's not. And we're good friends." She sat on the sofa beside her granny. She patted her back.
Relieved, her granny took Samantha's hands and held them in her own.
"Be kind to them, my Sammy dear. I'm so happy you found such a good place with such good people. I should offer them my thanks for taking care of you."
Samantha smiled. "I'd like it if you could meet them."
"Seriously, why do you keep playing that game? Aren't you doing yourself any justice when you waste energy over that?" Daniel asked Jim one day. Jim was playing a game console on the apartment's living room area.
"Seriously, why do you even bother asking me that? It's not a waste of energy, it's recreational." Jim replied. "Besides,it's similar to you keeping your Furby around."
It's summer break! The two are spending their free time lounging about the apartment. Jim was sitting on a rug.
Daniel raised a hand. "Good point. I'll steer clear. Just thought you should do more than consoles on summer break. You know, like-- washing laundry, cleaning your room, stuff like that."
Jim's mouth curled up into a smile. "I thought you were going to tell me to hit the beach, get a tan, and see some girls."
Daniel raised a brow. "Oh yeah. You should do that too. Don't your mom visit you here on breaks?"
Jim shook his head. "Nah."
Daniel then walked to the door when someone knocked. As he opened the door Samantha waltzed in, in an airy vibe of happiness. She was wearing a straw hat, short dress and sandals. An arm held up a yellow canvas bag.
"Hello there!"
'Whoa. Hi, you look great." Daniel said. "Going somewhere?"
"I already went. It was fun!" She giggled.
"Did you bring the groceries?" Jim called from the living room. Sammy tucked her stomach in and marched to him with her nose in the air.
"It's summer, Jim. Your mother the ever concerned told me to enjoy the break. So no, there's no groceries for you as long as summer is here."
"Oh." Jim remarked. "Tsk. Too bad. That means I have to get them myself, huh?" He kept playing the console.
"Yes. And your mom said that doing so will help you get a tan along the way. Isn't she efficient?"
Daniel snickered. "By the way, sam, how did it go?"
"Oh, you mean the beach? It was nice! I played volleyball with my friends and got a nice tan. You can see some nice guys, there too. Nice form!"
Jim grumbled. "Not my interest. The sun makes me weak."
"What about you, Daniel? Want to hang out with me? It's summer break, crying out loud. I can't stand the two of you holing up in this place!"
"Fine. We'll go out with you." Jim said.
"What about Trudy? I feel bad leaving her alone. Bring her with us?" Daniel asked. She raised a brow.
"Come on! Leave it there! Electronic toys are good for the winter. Let's feel the sun for today!" Sammy exclaimed.
Jim patted Daniel's shoulder. "It's ok. I left my console, you leave your pet. It'll be fine."
Lately Jimmy has been pulling all nighters to work on his homework assignments. Not wanting to be late for school at the next day meant using using alarm clocks and drinking coffee for breakfast.
Then one time he got up and found that he's five minutes late for school. One thing he hates is to be late! He groaned and rushed to get ready.
"…five minutes late for school." He groaned, flung the blanket off, and slipped on his socks trying to get dressed.
"I can't believe this," he muttered, "why didn't I hear the alarm? Why didn't Daniel wake me? Oh man."
Jimmy saw on the kitchen counter a note from his friend. It says: "Good morning, buddy! There's breakfast on the table for you. It's a shame to wake you, when you're having so much fun sleeping.
-Dan"
"I wasn't having fun sleeping," Jim grunted. "And it's a shame I'm already late for school." He went to the table to get his food.
********
When the day was over, Jim asked Daniel at their apartment, 'May I ask you a favor?"
Daniel was drinking cranberry juice from the kitchen. He plopped on a dining chair. "Sure. What is it?"
"Wake me up everyday so I'm early for school?"
"Okay. I'm not your mother or anything, so it won't work the same way. But I'll do it."
"Great."
"Didn't your alarm sound off today?"
"It did, but it wasn't working for me anymore. I got acclimatized."
"You're catching up on your sleep, Jim. Nothing wrong can prevent that."
"I know."
******
One day Samantha brought Jim's groceries to the apartment. She saw Jim eating sandwich by the dining room. "So, looks like Daniel's doing a good job keeping you in line. How does he do it? Clang up some cymbals together?"
"No. It's worse than that."
"He shouts in your ear? Tell me." She asked.
Jim ruffled his hair in exasperation.
"Ugh. He wakes me up with that creepy doll. It's been saying gibberish things in my ear. His boyish childishness made him bring his furry beast in my face to wake me!"
Samantha raised her brows. "The Furby?"
"Yes, that Furby. Do you know what it's like to be waking up with that toy?! It's been a week already and Danny's still using that tactic on me." Jimmy flailed his arms in emphasis.
“He shoves the furry beast in my face. It blinked its wide eyes and let out a triumphant giggle, like it had won the battle of wake-ups.”
Daniel entered, with a brown paper bag in his arms. "Hey, guys. Just came from the department store." He disappeared to get his robotic pet.
"Trudy! I'm home."
Jimmy went to the trash bin. "I'm getting my alarm clock back."
Daniel appeared with Trudy in his hands. He saw Jim with the alarm clock at the bin.
"You threw that in the trash? Why are you taking it back?"
"Because I miss it. Now let me have Trudy sleep in the trash."
Daniel gasped. "You can't! Trudy loved his job waking you everyday." He hugged the Furby protectively. The toy was making baby sounds. "Keep your alarm clock, I'm keeping my Trudy."
Jim nodded. "All right. Keep it in your room. You know I've gotten tired of it on the fourth day, and yet you kept up with it. Stop with the wake-up calls, I mean it."
Daniel laughed. The Furby giggled. "Aww, what a shame. I'll miss it. Trudy thinks the same thing." With that, he went to the living room and played with Trudy.
“Jim rubbed his temples. ‘All right, fine… but if Trudy starts singing again, I’m moving out.’”
Samantha laughed nervously. "Daniel *loves* that Trudy, doesn't he?"
Samantha sat on a children's swing at a playground after class. Daniel and Jim followed along. Jim took a seat too but Daniel offered to push by Sam's swing. She refused.
"No thanks."
"Why not? Isn't it fun?"
"I just..." She trailed off.
"What is it?" Jim asked.
'Nothing, I just hate to." She replied, avoiding the boy's questioning eyes.
"All right. There must be a story behind this, am I correct?" Jim said.
Sammy nodded. She slouched and crossed her arms close to her chest. "It sounds silly, if I tell you, but I couldn't get over a particular incident in preschool."
She glanced up to see if they were taking her seriously. They urged her to go on.
"Um...there was this boy, and while we were playing in the schoolyard, he asked me to try the swing. When I sat on one of the swings, he offered to push it. Then when I agreed, he began swinging it so high I got so scared.
Instead of listening to my please for him to stop, he kept on swinging me higher until I cried.
Afterwards, he laughed at me and said I was a sissy, that I couldn't have fun at the swing. He poked fun at me."
Samantha shivered. "You know, it's been many years since, but I couldn't forget the feeling of fear back then. I thought I would die! Right now, I do know I can stop the swing with my feet if I wanted to. I just--I couldn't even enjoy the swing after that time."
She sighed, and turned around to look at the two. She was surprised to find the two seething with rage.
"Let me get my hands on that boy and I'll--"
"He'll never get a chance to do that to you again. EVER."
"Uh, that was back then. It was over," she said to appease them. Then she smiled and grasped the chains of the swing tight. "Thanks."
The three started walking home, and then Jim asked Samantha the name of the kid.
"Why?"
"I'll track him down on Google."
"Oh, let him be."
"If he ever crosses your path we're walking, we'll protect you. We must." Daniel said, "especially since he is older now. He might bully you again."
She blushed. "Then I'm counting on you two. Is that fine with you, Jimmy?"
Jimmy sternly looked ahead. "Of course. Friends watch over one another, even if we're no longer in preschool. Starting today, nobody shall hurt you-- you can count on that."
Daniel woke up at 5:30 AM to start his first day of living with his best bud, Jim.
Unlike Jimmy, Daniel doesn't need alarm clocks to wake up. And he's used to rising early in the morning to prepare for school.
Daniel went to the fridge and opened it, but when he did, he was amazed at the quantity of food inside.
"Huh?" He noticed a box wrapped in colorful designs and tied with a ribbon. A small card was attached to it. Daniel read the card. It says: "Happy Birthday, James!"
"Uh, why would it be here? Is it a cake? Oh well." He took some bacon, eggs, bread and milk to cook some breakfast.
Soon, a nice smell filled the flat. Daniel forgot to turn on the ventilating fan at the stove. Somehow he didn't even remember and the smell woke up Jim.
"You're cooking breakfast? Cool." Jimmy said as he went in the kitchen. He went to the fridge and drank some water from a Tupperware bottle. Then he took out the gift box and closed the door.
"Let's eat some of my Aunt's chocolate cake together, Dan. She doesn't have a son, and she's been baking me these even in my college days now."
"Heh heh. Maybe I'll have it as dessert after a meal. Thanks."
Clad in blue-striped pajamas, Jim tore up the gift wrapper and opened the lid. "Wait. What's this? No cake? That's weird."
"What do you have there?"
"Um, this." Jim held up a strange doll with big round eyes and a beak. It's got ears of a bat and the whole body is covered in fur!"
Daniel froze. "That's a Furby."
Jimmy laughed. "What am I supposed to do with this? I don't know if it's useful."
"It's a robotic toy you can have as a perfect replacement for a real pet, you know. Kids always request a puppy for Christmas, and somehow parents think that Furbys are a better alternative."
Jimmy put the toy on the kitchen counter. "But I didn't ask for a puppy in Christmas. I don't know what I'll do with this, though."
Daniel flipped the bacon on the pan. "You can't give away a gift like that away. That's expensive. Your aunt will know if you do. Maybe she got tired of baking and got that instead."
Jimmy sat on a stool to think. "What if I give it away for donation? A small kid will be happy if he had this."
"Then is it alright if I read the manual and wake it up? Kids will love it if it's already writhing with life."
*****
"Hey, Jim. Why is Daniel hurrying to get home early? Doesn't he find time to chill with fellow schoolmates?" Samantha asked later in the day.
Jim shrugged his shoulders. "He wanted to 'wake up' the Furby toy I got from my aunt."
Samantha stepped back. "Your aunt gets you a creepy doll? Didn't know you liked those, I hate dolls."
"She used to bake me a chocolate cake."
"Let's hang out at your apartment then."
"Sure. I live there."
Samantha and Jim found Daniel in such giddiness and laughter as he tinkered with the toy. He was ecstatic! "Oh man! I've dreamed of having this as a child. I've almost forgotten." He hugged the Furby. "I said then that if I got one, I'd name it Trudy." He was sitting on the living room carpet. The toy was walking and making gibberish sounds.
"Aww! So cute!" Sammy whispered to Jim. "I didn't know Daniel liked these kiddie stuffy!" She giggled.
Jim frowned. "Did you hear yourself? You said 'kiddie stuffy'!" He shook his head. "Hey, Dan. I think I'll give that toy to a kid down the street."
Daniel's eyes were twinkling. Then Jim noticed they were sad.
"Oh, hi. Seriously?" Daniel cradled the Furby fondly, almost hugging it to his chest. "All right."
Samantha jabbed Jim on the ribs and plopped down next to Daniel. "Don't worry, you can just get another doll, right Daniel?"
"But...it's different."
"How different?"
"If I buy a new one it wouldn't be the same...Jim, can I keep this as a pet?"
Jim scratched his head. "Sure."
"Yay! Thank you. I'm so happy!" Daniel grinned. He cuddled Trudy close to his chest. Samantha was taking pictures of him and giggling.
"I'm so happy for you!"
"I thought you hated dolls, Sam." Jim reminded her.
"Yeah, but he loves it. So adorable!" She replied.
Jimmy was eating cereal on Saturday when Samantha knocked on the door.
"Yeah? Oh, good morning, Sam. Got the groceries already? Come right in."
"Good morning, Jim!" She said, opening the door and striding to the kitchen counter. "Your mother the landlady gave me the order of the day, as always: 'Keep my son alive with the right nutrition'."
"Oh. Right. Thank you," Jimmy smiled. "I'm too occupied to care for menial things. By the way, I have a new roommate. His name is Daniel. Have you met him?"
"No. This is good news. Where is he?" She asked. "Is he hot?"
Jimmy raised an eyebrow. "Uh, yeah I think he is. He's supposed to knock on the door any minute now."
A knock sounded. Jim opened the door to reveal a boyish cute face, wearing jogging pants and a hoodie. "Hi. Just ran a few errands for my grandma."
Samantha giddily clasped her hands in front of her chest. Jim smiled and put an arm around the boy.
"Hey, Sammy. This is my roommate, Daniel Hoover. Daniel, this is Samantha Parker, a classmate at University."
Daniel reached out a hand to shake her hand. "It's nice to meet you. I'm Jimmy's BF."
Hearing this, her jaw fell to the floor. "Excuse me? You mean, BF as in Boy-Friend, right?" The color drained from her face.
"No...as in Best Friend." Daniel laughed. "Hahaha! You should've seen your face."
Jimmy rolled his eyes. "He moved in here because it's close to University, and so that he can work part-time at his Grandad's department store."
"That's a relief!" Samantha exclaimed. "I could like, hear the angels in heaven sing hallelujah..." She laughed nervously.
Daniel's dark eyes swiftly glanced at Jimmy. "She must be the one your mom always talked about! Sammy this, Sammy that. I get the creeps thinking it was an older guy taking care of you in here."
"What are you talking about?" Jim frowned.
"Samantha--she's your GF, right?"
A pause fell on them.
"Whaat? No way! I mean, I'm not!" She exclaimed. "Who told you that?!"
Jimmy shook his head.
Danile grinned. "Come on, BF, let's eat some breakfast!"
Samantha dragged her classmate Jim into a girl's clothing line. "I'm gonna need your opinion on this."
Jimmy lazily followed after her. "Why? It doesn't have to be too hard to pick a dress."
She had him sit on a chair and she tried a dress in the fitting room. Then she waltzed out and struck a pose. "So? What do you think?"
Jimmy sleepily nodded in an attempt to humor her. "It looks great." She frowned on this remark.
"You're not even looking. Be honest."
He sighed. He slapped his face and looked straight at her. "Okay. I think it's too sexy."
Samantha blushed and stiffly stood. "That's not what I want to hear."
"Then what do you want to hear?"
"That it's beautiful!"
"But it's not."
She growled in frustration. "Aurghh! I'm trying another one. Just wait and see."
She went out the fitting room again.
"Ta-dah! So, what about this one?"
Jimmy shifted in his chair. He looks unsettled. "It's um...okay." He paused, "Do you like that dress?"
"Yeah, That's why I tried it on."
"Then take it off. It's even sexier than the one you wore before."
Samantha grew angry. "What is wrong with you?!"
"I'm just being honest!" He stuttered nervously. "You told me to. You wanted a guy's opinion, right?"
She scoffed. "Of course! But with that face of yours, how am I supposed to look my best on my first date?!"
He sighed. "You wanna look your best? This boy already liked you! You don't want to try too hard. Jeans, shirts and sneakers went well with you. That was how you always looked; so shouldn't you go with that instead?"
Jimmy was sleepy as he poured water on a basin. It was in their apartment, with his roomate Daniel, in the late afternoon.
Samantha the-girl-next-door barged in the flat, then watched Jimmy as he tore open a pack of store-bought instant noodles. He poured all the contents, plastic-packed seasonings and all.
Her hair stood on their ends and watched in horror as her classmate nonchalantly closed the basin with a lid. She placed her grocery bags on the kitchen counter and swatted him on the head. "What do you think you're doing?!"
He flinched. "Lunch."
She opened the lid and took out the seasonings in plastic one by one. She opened them and mixed them with the water. She read the noodle wrapper.
"This is for cooking! Why are you preparing it as if it's a cup version?"
He frowned. "I can do whatever I want with my noodles. Plus, it saves time. Now," he said, "leave it for three minutes." He took the lid from her and closed it again. Then he put his hands together and solemnly closed his eyes.
Sam rolled her eyes. "What's with that?"
"Shh, don't you see? I'm praying."
"Geez, the water's not even hot." Samantha sighed.
