Sam didn't notice the looks between them until he was done talking- some secret judgement that passed at the name 'Ruby'. He paused, looking from Jess to Brady as he asked, "What?"
The pair exchanged glances again before Brady said, shaking his head, "I just- I don't get why you hang out with her. She- you- I mean, how did that even happen?"
Sam laughed incredulously, still looking between his friends as if he expected someone to say 'psyche'. "Why? Um, for the same reason I hang out with you guys- because I like her, because she's cool...Are you serious?"
Jess bit her lip, looking almost guilty. "It's just, people...talk, about you guys. I mean, 'cause you're so normal and she's- not."
"People don't talk about us!" Sam said, the denial coming out more as a question than a statement. "Why would- when do people talk about us?" Brady and Jess both raised their eyebrows, looking anywhere but at Sam, who reassured himself by mumbling, "People don't talk about us."
Brady changed the subject with a quick "Whatever," but Sam pulled out his phone before rejoining the conversation.
[text: Ruby:] Do people talk about us?