Because You're Different ✔

52. Precious

Sam

"You're a real douche, you know that?"

If Nathan had been here, I would've kicked the hell out of him and thrown him in the pool. But he wasn't here, and he wasn't going to be here anytime soon, so that was a major problem. Was it possible to hire European mercenaries and have them teach your brother a friendly lesson? Probably not. Sounded kind of illegal.

"I know. And it gets worse."

"What? You're marrying Charlotte and never coming back? Because I don't know, dude, but you're falling into Sauron's trap. You're like Gandalf trusting the white guy. Charlotte is no Arwen, man."

"You been watching Lord of the Rings?"

"No. Because that's what you and me do. Every Christmas. Remember? Before Charlotte came into your life and put some dark spell on you?"

"Sam, Charlotte is not Saruman. If anyone is, it's her cousin Edward. And her dad would be a good match for Sauron."

"Then what the hell are you even still doing there?"

"I've got responsibilities."

"Knucklehead."

A deep sigh. "Listen, what I wanted to say... I can't be there for your birthday either. There's a big case that week, and I need to be there."

"Doesn't matter. We're having a party. No adults allowed."

"No adults? I'm an adult?"

"Yeah, I'm not sure if you noticed, bro, but you finished school, and you're walking around in suits. If that doesn't say adult, I don't know what does."

"Oh. Yeah. Maybe."

"What's up with you? You're acting shady."

"I'm fine. How's June?"

"Mad at you."

"Yeah, I figured. She said she doesn't believe me anymore."

"Well, why would that be?"

"I know, I just... How is she, apart from that?"

"I don't know. Weird."

"Weird how?"

"Just weird."

"Do I need to be worried? Because if something's going on, I can—..."

"Yeah, of course, if something's going on with your precious June, you can suddenly come back after all, huh? Now I know. You're not Aragorn, you're Gollum."

"Sam, what's going on with June?"

"Nothing. I'm taking care of it. I'm not completely useless; I have picked up a few tricks over the years."

"I know you're not useless. You've been doing great without me. Seeing all these kids here... It reminded me you should have parents there when you're sixteen. Or at least a nanny."

"I'm almost seventeen, I'm not a little kid anymore. Although, a nanny doesn't sound that bad..."

"I thought you were supposed to be into Hayley."

"What? Who said that?! That's not true!"

"Oh. Maybe I understood it the wrong way."

"Yeah, you did."

"She is a nice girl, though."

"Yeah, she's okay, I guess. But also really annoying."

"So yeah... You could... you could ask her out."

"What the hell, Nathan? Why are we even talking about this? I don't want to go out with Hayley. She won't let me have Coca Cola because it ruins my tooth enamel."

"Okay, okay... Just don't want you to have the same regrets as me."

"Pff, you're not one to talk about regrets. Because London is gonna be a big one. — Yo, are you still there?"

"Yeah, sorry. I was just..."

"Has June talked to you at all lately?"

"No. I just need to... I don't know. But you said she's weird?"

"Yeah, but not bad weird. She's got these really cheerful moods with her and Hayley acting like a bunch of chickens, and then she can be quiet and working really hard. I think she said something about maybe getting a permanent part-time job after the internship ends."

"What's weird about that?"

"Dunno. Can't put my finger on it. I just don't get her anymore, I guess."

"Don't get her anymore?"

"Yeah, I dunno. Look, you'll see when you get home, alright? If you ever come home."

"Of course I will. It's just not gonna be very soon."

"Oh, hey, Nathan, I need to run. We're gonna pick up June's abuela from the airport. And you'd say it wouldn't be polite to keep a lady waiting, heh?"

"Yeah, I would."

"See? Not completely useless. Call me when you change your mind and decide to come see your precious after all."

"Very funny."

"Myyyyy preciousssss... They stole it from us... Sneaky little hobbitses..."

"Bye, Sam."