(Sam's POV)
I'd been to Ruby's house once.
Just once.
But my mind wouldn't let it go.
It wasn't even the soup or the hoodie she'd been wrapped in or the way her mom smiled at me like I'd always been welcome.
It was something quieter.
The way the walls looked like they had a heartbeat.
Even now, two days later, I kept thinking about the warmth in the way Ruby's dad had handed me food. How her mom remembered my name. How Ruby, tired and a little flushed, had said "hi" in that small voice that felt like it didn't know where to land.
I couldn't get it out of my head.
The cushions that didn't match.The fridge magnets.The way her family fit together like puzzle pieces no one forced into shape.
It was so… different from home.
At my place, silence filled the spaces between furniture. The lights were always a little too white. My parents were never around — and when they were, it was for scheduled things. Like meetings with matching blazers.
My dad texted me this morning:
Board dinner tonight. Don't wait up.
And that was that.
No good morning.No "you okay?"Just a timestamp.
I was still thinking about Ruby's mom's cooking when I zoned out completely during fifth period history.
Something about European alliances, or maybe war treaties?
I didn't care.
I was back at her dining table. Watching steam curl up from soup bowls. Hearing her dad joke about bread like it was his first love.
"Sam?"
I blinked.
The entire class had turned toward me.
Mr. Greene's arms were folded.
"Would you care to repeat the question?"
Crap.
My mouth opened.
Nothing came out.
A few students snickered. I could already feel the heat crawling up my neck.
"I—uh…"
He sighed. "Try to stay with us next time, Miss Walker. Just because you're captain of something doesn't mean you get a pass in my classroom."
Oof.
I muttered an apology and sank lower in my seat.
After class, Alex caught up with me in the hallway.
"You okay?" he asked, nudging my arm. "You never space out."
"I'm fine."
He gave me a look. "Were you daydreaming about me again? Be honest."
I snorted. "Yeah, in your dreams."
"So yes."
I rolled my eyes and walked faster, but the truth buzzed in my chest like static.
I hadn't been thinking of him.
Not even close.
The next day, I found myself choosing a different seat in chemistry.
I usually sat near the windows. Alone. Quiet. Strategic distance from the chaos.
But today, Ruby was seated one row over.
I didn't think about it.
I just sat closer.
Close enough to hear her laugh when Felix whispered something dumb.
Close enough to notice the pen tucked behind her ear, the way her fingers spun it during explanations.
At lunch, I hesitated outside the cafeteria.
Usually, I sat with Alex. Or alone, when he was too busy playing social butterfly.
But when I glanced inside, my eyes landed on Ruby — already seated with Felix and Becky. Her tray was barely touched, and she was laughing at something Becky was showing her on her phone.
Then something small happened.
She looked up.
Met my eyes.
And without a word, shifted her tray slightly to the side.
Saved a seat.
Not with fanfare. Not loudly. No "hey, sit here."
Just a silent, simple move.
And I walked toward her before my brain had time to argue.
The seat felt warm.
Not literally — but like it had been waiting for me.
Felix raised an eyebrow as I sat down. "Well, well. The prodigal queen returns."
"Shut up."
Ruby smiled. "Hi."
My heart did something weird.
"Hi," I said back.
We talked about nothing, mostly.
The costume party list was out. Becky wanted to go as a vampire. Felix said he was going as "emotional damage."
I ate slowly. Let myself lean back.
No cameras.
No social pressure.
No pretending to be the cool girl with her cool boyfriend and her cool life.
Just… a chair.
A laugh.
A moment.
Ruby didn't ask me why I'd come.
Not to lunch. Not to her house.
She just… let me be there.
And I didn't know how to say that felt like the kindest thing anyone had done for me in years.
Later that evening, I lay on my bed with the lights off, staring at the ceiling fan spinning lazily overhead.
I wasn't used to this.
Not attention. I'd had that my whole life.
But softness?
No one ever handed me a seat without asking for something in return.
No one ever remembered what I liked in my food. Or asked me how I was doing and actually waited for an answer.
And now… this girl with shy eyes and ink-smudged fingers was showing up in my thoughts more than I wanted to admit.
[End of Chapter 17 – Soft Seats, Soft Hearts]
Some things feel so gentle, they hurt.And maybe that's what she was.A softness I wasn't ready for. But couldn't walk away from.