Page 36 of This is Me

There was a murmur of agreement that circulated our group as we entered The Coffee House and took a seat in our regular spot. Almost instantly, Sam wandered up to our table, and I did my best not to stare at him too much.

“How are we all tonight?” Sam asked, smiling down at the four of us.

“Four out of ten,” Andy responded first, and Leroy shrugged and nodded as if he was agreeing.

“Don’t listen to the depressing two—we’re all good, thanks.” Blaire smiled up at Sam, who continued smiling back.

“Same as usual?” Sam’s gaze drifted over to me, and I could feel my face burning up, so I quickly turned toward the others.

“The usual?” I repeated Sam’s question and received three nods in return.

“Alright, too easy,” Sam said with a chuckle, not waiting for my response before heading back over to the counter.

“I’m gonna be so poor by the time I finish school.” Andy sighed, and Leroy draped his arm around him.

“Welcome to the club, buddy.”

“You know, we can do something cheaper than getting coffee all the time,” Blaire interjected and received three shocked looks in return.

“Blaire, do you have any idea of how horrible what you just said was?” Leroy asked with raised eyebrows.

“Yeah, Blaire. What the shit?” Andy chimed in, and Blaire looked at me with a slightly pleading look.

“Back me up?” she asked in a whisper, and I chuckled.

“I think I’m gonna side with the guys on this one.”

“Pfft, gay.”

The words must have slipped from Blaire’s mouth before she had time to stop them, as her eyes went wide, and her jaw dropped. I could see an apologetic look in her eyes and that she wanted to say sorry, but I just laughed.

“A sausage-fest of opinion.” I gestured to Andy and Leroy, who both let out a chuckle.

“Well, that’s one way to put it,” Andy stated, looking to his left at Sam, who was bringing our drinks over to the table.

“Enjoy!” Sam placed the four drinks on the table with a smile, and I smiled back.

“I’m sure we will.” Our eyes met for a moment as he straightened himself back up before he gave one more smile and turned around. As I turned away from him and toward the coffee in front of me, I caught a glimpse of Blaire giving me a side-eye, though I did my best to ignore her.

“Hey, Pete, did Andy get mad at you the other day for ruining Halo?” Leroy asked after a few moments of silence, and Andy let out a sigh.

“Pfft, I didn’t get mad at him.”

“You said you were going to, and I quote, ‘rip his head off’.”

“Well, I think I still have my head,” I said, touching my face to make sure.

“I just told him not to give his homework to you. ‘Cause he ruined game night.”

“How old are you?” Blaire asked with a chuckle.

“Old enough to be angry about it.” Andy pouted.

“If it makes you feel any better, I won’t do Pete’s homework anymore,” Leroy suggested, and now it was my turn to pout.

“That’s not fair!”

Leroy gave me an apologetic look before mouthing, ‘I’m not serious.’