A Change with Sam

"I couldn't take your money," Sam said quietly.

"How about something else instead?" I asked her.

She turned to me then, and I gave her my best smile. Even with the tears she was cute. I held out the plate and the cake, pulling a wrapped plastic fork and knife from my pocket. Sam stared at the dessert and then lifted her eyes to mine, not understanding.

"Why?" she asked suspiciously.

"Because I wanted to," I said. "Go on, it's not a big deal."

"I'm not hungry," she said, taking the cake. She unwrapped the plastic ware and stared at the chocolate treat with the fork poised between the fingers of her right hand. I noticed that on one hand her nails were painted green and on the other, blue. I continued to talk as she sunk the tongs of the fork in the moist chocolate mousse. She put a miniature bite in her mouth and swallowed without chewing.

"You know I'm really not sure why we haven't talked before. You seem pretty cool," I offered.

"You are always with your friends, just like everyone else. I don't know what to say," Sam said.

I nodded. "Yeah. Lately I've wanted to get away. It might be fun to hang out with someone new," I said.

"I suppose we are hanging out now," she sniffed, wiping at her face with the back of her hand. She took another bite. I was starting to get sort of a childlike vibe from her, like she wasn't quite sure what to do with herself in the situation.

"I never see you hanging out with everyone. And you always look exhausted," I said.

"I'm busy. Night job," she said between bites.

"You work after school? I am sort of jealous," I said. "I usually just drink water or soda for lunch. It sort of sucks, but I get by."

"I have to. It's just me and my mom," Sam said. "God, I don't know why I'm telling you this. You have some trick of coercion or something?"

"I'm a good listener. And I bought you chocolate cake. You can pay me with a few words, really," I said with a smile. Sam smiled back.