chapter eight!

can we keep each other company?

AFTER MANY SLAYED DRAGONS AND STOLEN KISSES LATER, it was time for Samira to go. "Bye, Lee!" she exclaimed, walking towards the door to leave his room. He gently held her wrist, causing her to stop. "Aren't you forgetting something?" he asked, causing Samira to knit her eyebrows together.  "What am I forgetting?" she asked, turning around to face him.

"A goodbye kiss.  It's Thanksgiving after all."  Samira felt butterflies in her stomach again, rolling her eyes.  "Whatever is making you this flirty needs to stop."  Lee moved closer to her, looking at her.  "But you're not complaining."  Samira quickly kissed him on the lips, wrapping her arms around his neck and his arms around her waist. "Okay... now I'm going. Good night, Lee! Um, make sure you wipe your mouth. I don't want your cousins getting suspicious about why your lips are so glossy."

"Good point. But night, Mira." The girl slipped out of the room, reapplying her lip gloss as she walked down the stairs. "Hey, mom.  Hey, dad.  Ready to go?"  The two nodded as they stood up and headed towards the door.  "Liam, we're leaving.  Bye, Mr. and Mrs. Walter! Bye, Brady! Bye, Paige! Bye, everyone."  Before she could even walk out the door, Benny pouted.  "Will you ever come back? It was fun playing Kingdom with you."

"Of course I will, Benny." she stated, crouching down to give the boy a hug. "Yay! Bye, Princess Samira!" Benny jogged away, making her laugh. "Bye, dragon Benny."  The curly haired girl walked out the door, her mind reeling from the kisses she shared with Lee.

School was back in session as Samira grabbed her things from her locker. She couldn't stop thinking about Lee all weekend and it was driving her crazy.  Issac noticed her, walking up to the curly haired girl with a teasing smirk.  "Hey, Samira.  So... what were you and Lee doing on Thursday? You two were gone for some time."  Samira's cheeks heated up as she closed her locker.  "It's none of your business, Issac.  And aren't you supposed to be with Kia?"

"What do you mean?" he asked, crossing his arms.  "Aren't you supposed to be hanging around Kia? You should focus on her instead of worrying about me and your brother."

"I'm not a dog.  And I don't think she's here yet."  Samira gave him a teasing smile, walking away.  "Sure, you're not.  But bye, Issac."  Samira walked down the hallway, feeling an arm wrapping around her waist.  "Hi, Lee." she said with a laugh. "How did you know it was me?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.  "I just had a feeling. But what's up?"

"Would you want to learn how to skateboard after school? Also, there's a bonfire later tonight. Do you want to go with me?" Samira gasped in excitement, looking at him.  "I'd love to go with you! But please don't let me fall."

"Well, we wouldn't want that. You're too pretty." Samira's cheeks warmed up at the compliment, the girl looking at him. "You're not wrong. Do you want to walk me to class?"

"Was already planning on it. What do you have again?" Samira took out her schedule, showing it to him.  "So you have... English?"

"Yes. See? You're getting the hang of it."

THE TWO TEENS WERE IN HER backyard as she watched Lee skateboard. He moved towards her, stopping his board as he took off his helmet. Samira noticed his messy hair, a bit fluffy by the look of it. "Ready to learn?"

"A little. Just don't let go of me, okay?" Lee's face softened as he helped her onto the skateboard, holding her waist. "I wasn't planning to." Samira held onto his shoulders, the board moving a bit.  As he taught her how to skateboard, her parents watched from the window.  "I don't think he's her friend." Samira's mom said, crossing her arms.  "What makes you say that?"

"I noticed yesterday that he's a very moody boy but he changed when Samira was around him."  Her dad laughed, wrapping an arm around her shoulder. "Maybe they are together. But she'll tell us when she's ready. Just give her time, Mala." Joe kissed his wife's head, resting his own against her's. "I guess you're right, baby. I mean, we secretly dated at first and look at us now."

"We have two amazing kids. Sam's finally found a boy that makes her happy and it looks like he won't be hurting her... at least, I hope so." Kamala looked back at her daughter and Lee from the window, turning to her husband. "If he does, I won't hesitate to break that board of his." Joe raised his eyebrows, staring at his wife. "Scary... I'll help you." The older couple laughed, sharing a quick kiss.

Fire crinkled as the bonfire began.  Samira grabbed herself a soda, drinking it.  "You're Samira, right?" a voice asked.  She glanced at a blonde girl, taking her drink away from her mouth.  "Yes.  And you're Mary?"

"The one and only.  So... do you like still have a thing for Greg or something?"  Samira stared at Mary in disbelief, raising an eyebrow.  "I don't.  Me and him happened in the past."  Mary was still there, fiddling with Greg's letterman jacket.  "It's a shame that you lost him though.  He's amazing, he's thoughtful... he's wonderful."  Samira was trying to keep her cool but the blonde was making it hard for her to do.  "How?" she asked, drinking the rest of her soda.  Lee noticed her and Mary interacting, walking over to them.  He silently wrapped an arm around Samira's waist as he glared at the blonde.

"He buys me flowers, he talks about me a lot, he even bought me a necklace the other day."  Greg didn't even do that for her while they were together but it didn't really matter anymore.  "That's nice." Samira stated, nodding her head.  Lee led her away, having a feeling she was getting uncomfortable.  "Did you want to keep talking to her?" the boy asked, the two sitting on a log.  "No.  Thank you, by the way.  I think I'm over Greg.  I just don't know why she thinks I'm hung up on him.  Yes, he was my first boyfriend but... he wasn't a good one."

"You are?" Lee asked, looking at her.  "Yes.  I'm done with him." Samira answered.  As they looked at the sky, Samira couldn't help but notice the way he basked in the moonlight.  She felt her heart skip a beat, something she hadn't felt in a long time.

Oh, Cupid, why so cruel?

Maya Speaks 💫:

They aren't fake dating I fear... like hello?? also apparently Avantika and Myles are the same height?? (they're both 5'8... this just made me realize how I'd look if I meet either of them 😭)

Lee and Samira are very much Kristoff and Anna variants... and maybe some Starfire and Robin vibes too? (Please list some fictional couples that they remind you of)

Six more drafts left... and I only have the last chapter written...