SAM'S POV

I jolted awake, gasping for air and my whole body trembling. It had been a long time since I saw that dream. I didn't know why I saw it again after so many years. Maybe it was because of what Alex said. But why? Nothing had affected me for five years and I didn't want to be affected. I didn't want to feel weak. Especially not today, especially not over what my friend or my brother said. I had kept up this facade for five years, I was not going to give up just because they looked a bit like they cared. Because they didn't, no one ever did. Everyone was just trying to gain my trust so they could hurt me. The more you cared, the weaker you got. After all, the world was full of treacherous, dishonest and deceitful bastards. If I wished to survive, I had to fit in. It was not a choice, it was nature's rule. The weak gets eliminated and the stronger survives. "Survival of the fittest" like Charles Darwin says. It's how the world works. It's how the clock ticks.

I glanced at the clock before getting out of bed. 10:03 PM. I bit my lip when I realized that I woke up too early. It's not like I had a routine but you could say that I was a night owl or nocturnal human? Whatever. I never thought about it but when I thought about it, it was nothing more than a cowardly and pathetic lifestyle. I just liked to avoid any possibility of a conversation with my family, that was all but today... I could only hope that everyone went to bed early.

I walked towards the door, rubbing my eyes, stopping dead in my tracks when I heard the sound of people laughing and talking outside. Was it a party or something? But, that was impossible because this was kind of a... quiet neighbourhood, really quiet. No one ever came out of their homes, it was actually really creepy. I was pretty sure that almost every kid and teenager in this neighborhood was either a nerd with no social life whatsoever or they were all simply dead. I mean, I never even saw them outside, not like I was the right person to say anything because I never went out either but it was weird was all.

Eventually curiosity got the better of me and I peeked out of the window, my eyebrows furrowing in confusion when I saw a few people gathered around the house next to mine and two trucks parked to the side of the road- funny, because no one lived there- oh, was someone moving in? This late? Sure, why not? Another addition to the Weird peoples community. Yay.

I tilted my head in confusion as I saw Erika and her family gathered around in front of the house, chatting animatedly with a forty something old man. Now that I thought about it, I vaguely remembered Erika telling me about her father's friend or brother or someone thinking about moving in to this neighborhood. Could it be them? There was no other explanation. If it was them, I hoped they were just excited to move in and weren't actually as loud and obnoxious as they seemed to be.

I closed the window, it didn't really matter to me who moved in and who moved out anyway, right now what I really cared about was getting some food into my system before I collapse and die due to starvation. I could almost feel the depletion of fat reserves in my body and the initiation of protein break down. This was bad, I needed to eat.

I headed down the stairs, careful not to trip in the darkness. It definitely didn't look like anyone was awake or rather anyone was alive. All lights were off and it was never off. Mum always left the lights on for my sake, because she knew about my night owl lifestyle. I wondered if they went out.

I shivered as I turned the kitchen light on. Believe me, if I was a little less tired, I would flee this second but who was I kidding? There was no way I could do that, not even when my home looked like a haunted house. Why was it so quiet anyway? Maybe they really did go out or maybe they were kidnapped by aliens. Sadly there was no way to know now.

I looked around, trying to find some note or something if they really did go out and surprisingly enough I found a piece of paper on the counter with letters clumsily scribbled on it. I smiled warmly when I recognized my mum's handwriting. She was a wonderful woman, always worrying about me yet trying her best to hide it. If I felt anything at all, it was for her. She probably didn't deserve a son like me and I knew that. Even if I was heartless sometimes, I regretted half the things I said to her. It was cruel, I...I was cruel. No one deserved that, definitely not my mum.

Hey, Sam.
We're going out for star gazing. Torrie lost her doll and we're trying to cheer her up. Honestly, she is being a stubborn little sh- oops! Nevermind! Call me if you need anything. We didn't invite you because we know you would refuse and I thought you could use some sleep ;) Alex is at a friend's for sleepover so it's only you. Take care. Love you babyboy! : ) xx

I tried my best to fight off the smile that tugged at my lips but I couldn't, not when she was being so...rather trying to act so cool. She was trying to be like one of those best friend mothers and even though that was cheesy as fuck, I couldn't help but be happy and sad at the same time. Sad because that was never going to happen, not with me anyway.

-

I had bought a biology facts book the other day. All the key terms and concepts were clearly defined and explained in this book with two colour text and diagrams for extra clarity. Ideal for school exam revision and quick reference. At least that was what the description said and I was excited, curious and eagar to read it.

But what the fuck?

I couldn't concentrate on anything other than the fucking noise outside. What time did they think it was? Who moves in at midnight anyway? Why were they so loud? They could at least try to be quiet. At this rate, my eardrums were going to explode.

"Dad, take this inside!"

I groaned as I heard someone shouting loudly. It was official, my peaceful days were over.

"What are you doing, Erika?!"

"I'm helping you, idiot!"

Anger boiled inside me the longer I sat in my room staring at the facts book and listening to them shouting and laughing outside. Jesus, what a disgustingly happy family. No, that wasn't a compliment. That just meant that they were obnoxious, repulsive, reprehensible, disgusting, gross, abominable and absolutely loathsome!

"Erika! Don't break that, okay? That's expensive stuff."

"Jeez, it's just a stupid action figure."

"So? Expensive is expensive, okay?!"

That was it, I slammed my fists on the table and got up. I was not going to sit there and listen to some filthy idiot shouting in the middle of the night. Why was no one saying anything? Surely I wasn't the only one awake in the whole neighborhood. Why wasn't anyone telling them to shut the fuck up?! Oh, well, it didn't matter now, if there was no one with enough balls to do it, I would.

I walked towards the bed, retrieving my phone from the floor (don't even ask) and jumping onto my bed. I swiped my thumb over the screen to unlock it and scrolled down to Erika's number. I was rude to people I knew but I wasn't courageous enough to go out in the middle of the night, in front of all those people, only to shout at them to shut up. When I thought about doing that, I sounded like a grumpy and drunk old guy shouting at little kids inside my own head. I did feel like a grumpy old man inside. I just was not good with people, I liked to stay safe and avoid confrontation as much as possible. Besides, the less I mingled in with the crowd, the better.

I typed out a text as fast as possible.

To Erika: Sent: 11:01 PM

SHUT THE FUCK UP! Who are these people?! It's fucking midnight! Why are you guys yelling like maniacs?

I bit my nails as I waited for a reply. She usually replied back in a second, scratch that, in a microsecond. She was glued to her phone, always carrying it everywhere she went. Why wasn't she replying now?! I grew more and more frustrated as seconds ticked by and I didn't get a reply.

Suddenly my phone vibrated and I picked it up eagarly.

From Erika: Received: 11:13 PM

Uh..r u refering to us? Erika's helping me move stuff in. Sorrie 4 being loud. Do you want to be my friend?

What?

That's not Erika.

I frowned, walking towards my window to peek outside, my eyes widening in shock when a tall, thin guy with dark midnight locks came into my view. I couldn't see much from here but I could tell that he was breathtakingly attractive, his night black hair waving all over the place with the wind. I watched as he tucked his bangs behind his ear, failing miserably when they started dancing with the wind again. Suddenly he looked up from the phone, more precisely Erika's phone and my eyes bulged out of my skull as his whole face came into my view, his mesmerizing green eyes curious and amazed as he looked around.

I jumped back immediately, not wanting him to see me, scrambling on to the bed and reading his text again. He was attractive, yes. But what an idiot. He didn't even tell me who he was, neither did he ask who I was. How was I supposed to know who he was from that text? Shouldn't I be confused about someone other than Erika texting me through her phone? Sure I knew he was her father's friend's son because she told me. But he didn't know that. From his point of view, I should be a total stranger calling his family maniacs, yet he was asking whether we could be friends. Whatever, not like I cared, the world was full of idiots like him.

To Erika: Sent: 11:15 PM

Sorry doesn't solve anything. Just be quiet. And the answer to your question is NO. I definitely don't want to be friends with an idiot.

From Erika: Received: 11:16 PM

Dat was rude u no. Bt I guess it's our fault 4 being so loud, sori.
BTW if u can hear us, u r probly near ri8? Where r u?

To Erika: Sent: 11:18 PM

That's none of your business. And by the way, you type like you're mentally retarded. Goodbye. Don't text back.

I rushed towards the window again, looking down eagarly to see an amused look on his face. I watched as he lifted his gaze from the phone and looked around, searching for something or rather someone. This time I didn't get the chance to hide before his eyes met mine. I glared down at him as I used my sophisticated skills to observe him. Now that I looked closely, I couldn't help but cringe. Did he always wear those colourful, suffocatingly tight clothes? Must be hard.

I expected him to come over right that second and yell at me for insulting him but it was fair to say that I was utterly shocked when he just waved, grinning hugely, my eyes widening slightly as he walked over to the front of my house and stood just under my window.

"Hey! Are you the person that texted me?" He asked cheerfully, making bile rise in my throat. Geez, did he win the lottery or something?

"No," I replied simply.

He laughed. "You're a horrible liar."

"You don't even know me, okay?" I snapped.

He threw his hands up in defence, chuckling. "Whoa, dude. Didn't mean to offend you."

"I didn't text you. Why the fuck would I text you? I don't even know you. I texted Erika! You're the one stalking other people's phones!"

He laughed nervously. "Okay. Okay. Calm your balls. Why are you so uptight?"

I glared at him. "I'm not uptight."

He rolled his eyes. "Whatever you say, grumpy pants."

"Don't call me that! You unpleasant imbecilic twat!" I snapped, harshly.

He gaped at me for a few seconds and then burst out laughing. "What the hell does that even mean?"

I glared at him and spoke through gritted teeth. "Fuck off."

He shook his head, smiling. "Man, you're cute."

I stared at him in utter shock, my jaw on the floor.

What..?

I mean, what did he just say?

"Did you hit your head or something?" I blurted out without thinking. Why else would he call me cute? What was I even doing? I should just ignore someone like him. 

"What? Hit my head? When?" He frowned, touching his head as if to make sure that it was still intact. Poor soul, he didn't even know he was crazy.

"Uh..no. Never mind," I replied, biting my lip. I couldn't believe this. I was having a conversation with a weird crazy guy, I never even have conversations with normal human beings, what the hell?

He huffed, pouting his bottom lip out. What the hell was this guy? Why was he acting like he and I were childhood friends or something? Did he always act like this when he met new people? Or was he seriously crazy? I couldn't tell. But one thing was sure, that this guy was way too friendly, clueless and aloof.

"I think you owe me an apology." He said, smirking.

"What?" I asked, blinking repeatedly.

"For being rude to someone you just met," He said and I frowned. "And of course, for calling me a twat."

I scoffed, "Right. You're hilarious." I chuckled bitterly without any humour and started to draw the curtains, thinking he was just making fun of me, but he spoke up again without hesitation.

"So..?" He arched an eyebrow, looking at me with expectant eyes. Idiot.

"I don't think so, sunshine." I smirked back, obviously proud of my mock nickname. I didn't even know what else to call him. God, why was his teeth sparkling like a fucking tooth paste commercial?

"Sunshine? Oh, so we're already giving each other nicknames," He said, smirking at me and I cringed. What the fuck? That was supposed to hurt him. I was aiming to make him feel bad! "I like it, buttercup."

I clenched my jaw. "Don't call me that."

"So.. the apology?" He raised his eyebrows, somehow sounding stern.

I scoffed. "If you're standing there hoping I'm going to apologize then you're gonna have to stand there forever, buddy."

He smiled sweetly. "Fine. I'm standing here forever then."

I just shook my head, closing the window and walking towards my bed. If we were going to have a match to see who was more stubborn, I was damn sure that I would win. Besides, it was so cold outside, if he didn't go inside in a few hours, he might freeze to death. Surely he would go inside, there was no way he was going to stay there and die. I didn't even know why this was a competition when clearly there was no competition at all, I would win, that was a fact.

-

Minutes slipped by as I lay with my back on the bed and a book in my hands. The book was only a distraction, I wasn't focused on anything other than the fact that maybe.. just maybe, there was a slight chance that I underestimated him and he was strong willed after all. Maybe he was still outside, in the cold. What if he actually died? Even if he didn't die and managed to somehow survive, won't I be the one that was blamed in the end?

Even after all the inner turmoil I faced, I couldn't bring myself to see if he was still there. I was almost certain that he wasn't. It had been a little over an hour since our first encounter, why would he be there anyway? Surely he won't be waiting outside in the cold for me to come and apologize, what sane human would do that?

But no matter how hard I tried to convince myself that he probably already went home, there was still a small part of me that couldn't shake off the miniscule possibility that he might still be out there, all alone in the cold. I might be heartless and I might not particularly care about him, but I can't let a person stay out in the cold all night. That would be inhumane.

"Sam?"

I snapped out of my thoughts when I heard my mum calling my name, frowning while wondering what she wanted from me this late at night. We never even talked during daytime much less at midnight. Maybe she just wanted to let me know that they were back or maybe she found out about the flower pot I broke last month. Oh shit, I was going to replace it with a brand new one before she noticed but I guess it was too late now.

"Sam!"

"Yeah?" I called back, rushing to unlock the door. "What do you want?" I answered without a trace of emotion, my facade returning.

She looked back at me curiously, studying my face for who knows what. I cleared my throat, letting her know how uncomfortable she was making me and she blushed slightly, mumbling a quick apology before replacing her expression with a more serious and distant one. The same one she always wore for my sake, to keep me from yelling at her for showing motherly love.

"Sam, honey, why is there a boy sleeping on our lawn?"