A soaking wet Sam

In front of me stands Sam. Her jeans and tank top are soaked and her pitch black hair clings to her body. Although she must feel miserable in her cold clothes, her mesmerizing eyes radiate warmth. This impression disappears a moment later when Sam sneezes, what pulls me out of my daze.

“Come in.” I simply say before I grab her by her hand and walk her into the living room. She obediently lets me pull her after me. Halfway there I wonder why I grabbed her hand and I blush embarrassed. Slowly I let go of her. Her soft skin glides over my fingertips until I loose the last contact.

“Sit down.” I tell her and she lets her body fall onto the couch and exhales exhausted. “I'm gonna get you a towel.”

For am moment I just stand there trying to remember, where the towels are. Sam looks around the room, she has never been here before. I don't know why, but I am nervous about her being in my house. My mouth is dry and I'm suddenly very aware that I'm just dressed in a shirt and boxer shorts. Before my thoughts stray to far away I manage to focus again. Towels. I walk down the hall and into my parents bathroom, but see at once that all towels must be in the laundry. So I make a turn and get some towels from the laundry room. On my way back to the living room I think I hear voices. When I come around the corner I see Danny standing next to Sam. He is dressed in his favorite pajamas and wrapped in his blanket.

“I know you.” Danny says and I stop at the edge of the room. Neither Sam or Danny can see me from where they sit. Danny tries to remember her name and Sam smiles at him.

“Sam!” he shouts when he remembers and starts to laugh. Seconds later Sam joins in and she seems to forget her wet clothes.

“You want my blanket, Sam?” Danny asks her with an adorable look on his face. Smiling over her whole face she shakes her head. The picture in front of me lets me think of the dream from the other night. It is the exact same look on her face and the feeling of security reappears.

“John, I mean your brother is bringing me some towels. But thank you for your offer Danny.” she replies and pets his head. That's my queue. With the towels in my hand I walk over to them.

“Danny what are you doing up?” I ask him. When he sees me he immediately jumps on the couch and tries to hide behind Sam. This little performance lifts her spirits completely and she breaks out in laughter. I can't help myself either and I join in. After we all calmed down a little I give Sam the towels and grab Danny and lift him up.

“Sam needs to dry off, and you need to get back to bed.” I tell Danny when I throw him over my shoulder and walk to the stairs. At first he tries to get away, but after a few seconds he realizes that I'm serious he complies.

“Goodnight Sam.” he says and waves.

“Goodnight Danny.” Sam replies behind me. With my little brother thrown over my shoulder I climb the stairs and carry him back to his room. Danny is back in his bed in no time. After I tuck him in and rough up his hair I turn to leave.

“John, is Sam your girlfriend?” Danny asks me just before I close his door.

“No, we're just friends.” I tell him and close the door.

“I like her.” I hear him say just before the door is fully closed.

“I like her too.” I say to myself standing in the hallway all alone. The hallway is pitch black and I can hear the storm. The rain lashes against the window. Without turning on the lights I walk back downstairs. Sam is still sitting on the couch. She managed to get herself dry a little bit and she seems more comfortable.

“Sam, do you need anything?” I ask her. I want her to feel as comfortable as possible. She turns her head and looks at me. She is thinking for a moment and opens her mouth, but closes it again. The first time since she got here, I wonder why she came.

“John, I ........