The bright yellow lights made my eyes squint as I tried to adjust to it. I found myself on a soft white bed in a large room. An LED TV was fixed across the bed on the dark sandal wall. A walnut coloured antique style cupboard stood to the left of it.  The whole place was silent. I struggled to get up and slouched against the black headboard of the bed. Where am I?

"Look who is finally awake!" A voice drew me to the left. It was Michael. He was sitting on a sofa. "I was beginning to think you went into a coma or something," he continued.

That's when realization hit me. The party; Dark room; Michael. My pulse rised and my body began sweating. I checked myself, to make sure nothing happened. There wasn't even a small scratch or pain in my body. Relief took over me. But it was short lived when I found that Sam wasn't in the room.

"Sam! Sam!" I screamed at the top of my voice.

"Hey relax, she is just outside on an important call," said Michael.

I got off the bed and stumbled but steadied myself.

"You need to rest. I'll go get her." He walked out the door.

I walked to the other side of the bed that faced the door and sat. After a few seconds, the door opened wide and Sam ran in. She hugged me tight.

"How are you feeling?" she asked, letting go of me.

"I'm fine. What.. What happened?" I hesitated.

"You fainted and were unconscious for a few minutes."

"Nothing else?"

"Nope." She shook her head.

"Who were you talking to?" I asked. She made me sit on the bed and scratched her neck, not making eye contact with me.

"Dr. Rita."

"What? Tell me you're lying!" I gasped.

"I had to make sure this wasn't something serious." She finally looked at me.

"Sam, this isn't the first time!" I rolled my eyes.

"This could have been something else," said Sam with concern.

"Even if it were, we could have checked with some doctor here."

"They would ask about your medical history and I don't think you would want that," said she.

I bit my nails. "What if she tells my parents?" I can't even imagine going back to that hell.

"Don't worry, I made sure she wouldn't tell anyone." She sat beside me and patted my shoulder. I nodded.

"So what did she say anyway?"

"She thinks it's better to continue your medication again for sometime. And if you faint again, you need to take some tests."

"Medication? What for?" Michael blinked.

"It's none of your business." I narrowed my eyes at him.

I spent the next two days inside Sam's room. She stayed with me most of the time, making sure I ate properly and took the medicines. I couldn't remember most of what happened in the party. But the one thing I couldn't forget was Michael. What was he trying to do in that room? Was it just to scare me or something more? I couldn't give away these thoughts from my mind. The only way to know was to ask him. But I'm done trying to ask him once. I can't stand his disgusting words anymore. It's better not knowing!

                     *******Today was Sam's interview. The day she had been waiting for all her life. I stood in the lobby of the famous photographer, Thomas Hardley's office.

"Hey Caty girl." Michael came in with a smile.

"What are you doing here?" I widened my eyes.

"Yeah, nice to meet you too." He smiled. I glared at him. "I'm here for the same reason as you."

I moved away a little and he came closer. I walked to the reception on the other corner of the room. He followed me there too.

"Please just leave me alone." I gritted my teeth.

"Well that's not gonna happen sweetheart. You and I are going to spend a lot of time together," said he.

"You might be Sam's best friend. But that doesn't mean I have anything to do with you." I looked away.

"Actually you do." He grinned.

"And that would be?" I asked dismissively.

"We'll find out in a few minutes."

Just then Sam came out from the interview room with her head down. She plodded towards us, fidgeting the blue file.

"Hey Mike." She gave him a sad smile.

"Didn't it go well? Don't worry, you'll get it next time." He hugged her by the shoulder.

"There is no next time," said she.

"Don't lose hope," said I.

"No, I'm not losing hope"- she sighed- "because I got the job!" She squealed and hopped in excitement. I too squealed and hugged her.

"You freaking liar!" Michael jumped and hugged her from behind, with his hands on my shoulder. I glared at him and he backed out. "Let's celebrate. Lunch is on me!" said Sam.

We walked to a nearby restaurant. Very few people were there. We took the seats by the door and ordered food to the waiter. Sam told us about how the interview went and what advantages she could receive.

"I still can't believe I got the job!" Sam giggled.

"The deal is on then," Michael leaned on the chair with his hands behind his head. Sam's smile vanished.

"What deal?" I asked.

"I'll take you to college with me since she got the job." He smiled so wide that it could be featured in a toothpaste ad.

"What?" I gasped. "How could you make such a deal with him?"

"It wasn't a deal, it was more of a plead from his side. Plus I didn't think I'll get the job!" Sam turned to Mike. "Anyway it doesn't matter. I can take care of this, Mike."

The waiter came with a tray of food. He placed a burger for me and Sam and dumped all the other random food and the large pepsi bottle next to Michael.

"Travelling to opposite poles everyday with a dream job that requires you to be in different places at irregular times? Yeah, you can take care of this." Mike munched on the french fries, one by one.

Sam looked down at the table with sad eyes.

"This is not how we planned. This is not how you promised me!" I crossed my arms.

"I know and I'm really sorry. I didn't think through all this. Just give me some time. I promise you, things will get better." She tried to smile but failed.

"I don't want better things. I just want someone I can trust to be with me."

"So you don't trust me? Wow! That hurts." Michael placed one hand over his heart and faked a hurt expression.

"I don't care," I said.

"Please Cath, it will be just for a week or two. I promise you, I'll find a way around this somehow." She looked into my eyes and pleaded. I know that look yet fall for it everytime.

"Just two weeks!" I huffed.

"Thank you so much baby!" She hugged me."Aye! problem solved!'

Michael poured each of us a glass of pepsi and rised it. "To solving problems?" said he.

Sam clinked it. They looked at me. "Come on Cath," said she. I too clinked the glass. To new problems!

------------------------------------------------So why do you think Michael was in that room?

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