● ● ● ● ●

TWO; BLAME IT ON FATE

     HYACINTH IS SURPRISED when Harry shows up on her doorstep, looking at her as if she had done something so terribly wrong.

     It had been a few days since the bonfire, and Hyacinth still didn't understand what happened with Sam and Leah. Rumors were flying that they were breaking up, and Leah refused to say a word about it.

     Hyacinth remembered watching Sam run from the bonfire like he couldn't breathe all of a sudden. She noticed how different he looked — his physique was incredible and his height caused him to tower over everyone else. Like Hyacinth herself, Sam was not the twelve year old boy she seemed to remember. He was immensely different, and Hyacinth still couldn't say if it was the good or bad kind.

     "Hi, Harry," she greeted, eyebrows furrowed together to symbolize her confusion. "How are you?"

     "Good," he responded curtly. "May I come inside?"

     "Sure, but it's still messy around this place."

     Hyacinth and her mother had managed to get most of the unpacking done, but now there were just stray boxes around the living room and miscellaneous items around the house that needed to be put in their proper place. Harry didn't say a word about the untidiness of the home, taking a seat on the living room couch.

     There was definitely something off about him. He looked surprised — shocked, even — as he stared at the blank television before him. Hyacinth didn't know what he was here for, but she concluded it had to be far from good.

     "You alright, Harry? Why did you want to see me today?"

     "Tell me the story about you and Sam. I'd like to hear it, please."

     She is amused by the request. She doesn't deny him, taking a seat next to him on the couch. She rubs her hands together, wondering where she should start with the story.

     "I met Sam in our preschool class. Some idiot kid was teasing me about my pigtails, which my mother worked very hard on to get right in the morning, and Sam stepped up to defend me. He told the kid that I had to be the prettiest sight he had ever seen, and that the kid was the ugliest. He was my hero back then," Hyacinth paused to laugh, remembering how bashful she was when she returned home after that day. "We just started to hang out after that. I was constantly annoying him and following him around wherever he went, but he didn't seem to mind."

     "You were each other's first partners," Harry noted. She glanced at him, but he kept his eyes focused on the television.

     "Yeah. Sam asked me out when we were eleven. As you can imagine, having a boyfriend when you're eleven will make you the most popular girl in class. Everyone started asking me these questions about Sam and I, but nothing was different for us. We were still best friends, but this time, we held hands whenever we were together. Nothing taboo about it."

     "Then you broke up," he prodded again. Hyacinth began to wonder why he needed to know all of this information. She and Sam were ancient history. However, maybe Harry was just digging up on Sam's past to ensure he was the right guy for Leah.

     "Yeah, right before I left. It was hard at first — I didn't think I could live a life without Sam. Atlanta was a new environment and most of my classmates were pretty ignorant. I missed Sam more than ever for the first few months, but then I got over it. I started to forget him after our late night calls ended because of what happened with Joshua. I didn't really remember his existence until I moved back here," she finished, hating how her words sounded aloud. "I recognized him at the bonfire, but at the same time, I didn't. He looks the same, but I know he really isn't."

     Harry chuckled dryly. He sounded very bitter in Hyacinth's ears. "You're definitely right — he isn't the same."

     She laid her hand on his shoulder. "Harry, are you sure you're okay? Did Sam do something to hurt Leah?"

     Harry finally looked at her. There was a mix of betrayal and happiness in his eyes, which only spurred on Hyacinth's confusion. "I guess all I can do is blame it on fate."

     The doorbell rang.

     Harry stood up, a tentative smile painted on his lips. He was clearly anxious for whatever was about to happen, and she didn't know what to do.

     "I'll see you later, Hyacinth. I trust in your decision."

     With those vague words, he departed from her home. As he opened the door to leave, he brushed past Sam, who looked like he had just come from running a marathon. Harry murmured something lowly to Sam that Hyacinth couldn't hear. She made her way over to the two, and Harry disappeared once he saw her figure approaching.

     Sam stared at her. The person he was now bound to for life — the girl who ruined everything without even knowing it.

     "Hi," she said, one eyebrow raised. "What's up?"

     He couldn't breathe. He should probably say something to her, but his voice felt like it was stuck at the back of his throat. Did she know she had this type of effect on him?

     "Sam," she repeated his name, waving her hand in front of his face. He was looking at her for longer than considered to be normal, and Hyacinth was growing uncomfortable with the amount of attention. "Hello? What the hell is wrong with you?"

     "Hyacinth."

     For some reason, she felt goosebumps when Sam said her name. It rolled off his tongue so easily, and she felt a fluttering feeling at the bottom of her stomach.

     "That's my name. You here to talk to me? Last I heard, Leah was looking to confront you about what happened at the bonfire. What did happen, by the way?" She inquired, eyebrow raised.

     Sam never felt so nervous in his entire life. That was even including the time when he was eleven and Valentine's Day rolled around. Hyacinth had given him his first love letter, and he was so anxious to come home that night and scrawl one for her as well.

     "May I come inside?" He asked.

     The house that she was now living in is not the same one Hyacinth grew up in. It dampens Sam's mood a little bit, for all of the memories of their childhood together took place in that house. He could remember playing hide and seek with her on rainy days, or secretly sneaking into her room when he slept over. He fell in love with her in that house, and it was an incredible shame that there was a new family living in it now.

     She opened the door wider for him and he stepped inside. The first thing Sam noticed was that the house smelled exactly like Hyacinth wanted it to. She took after her mother in that aspect, he thinks to himself as he sees the rows of candles lined up on one of the decorative tables. He could clearly recall her mother filling the house with different scents during his childhood.

     "So, what did you want to talk about?" She asks as she closes the door.

     For some odd reason, a part of Sam hopes that Hyacinth will magically jump into his arms and declare that their love is forever. He wishes that this part is true when he stares at the girl in front of him, looking a bit irritated by his presence.

     "Us."

     She snickers. "Like us being friends again?"

     He cleared his throat. Well, he had to start somewhere. "Yeah, I guess."

     She sighs, running her fingers through her hair. He notes how easily she does the action, and proves his theory correct on how her hair still feels like silk. "I don't think that's a good idea, Sam."

     The rejection snaps him out of admiring her features. He's now frowning, confusion in his mind as to why she would casually turn him down. He wasn't asking to date her just yet — only being friends.

     "Why not?" He questions, taking a step forward. She returns by taking a step back, feeling trapped between Sam and her front door.

     "You should probably get your life sorted out first, Sam, before you start making new friends." She was clearly talking about his relationship with Leah, and for once, he had to agree. He loved Leah with all of his heart, but it wasn't the same type of love he felt with Hyacinth. Albeit, Leah still earned some type of explanation from him.

     "Renewing friendships," Sam corrected. "We're not new friends, H. We've known each other since forever."

     She chuckles dryly. He wonders if her real laugh is more musical like before. "We haven't spoken in years, Sam. We're practically strangers at this point."

     He wants to scream that it isn't true. However, he knows he's only lying to himself. He'll have to relearn everything about Hyacinth Embers. She was evidently not the giggling girl he remembers from long ago, and he's curious as to why that is. If the same Hyacinth he knew moved back to La Push, the first thing she would've done was find him. Now, she was looking at him like all she wanted was for him to leave her house and let her unpack boxes in peace.

     "Then we should talk things over and get to know one another again. You want to have coffee tomorrow with me?" He tries to approach the question smoothly, but the sudden twist in her face tells him he didn't do it so well.

     The abrupt question makes Hyacinth laugh. Sam immediately blushes. She takes a step forward this time and lays a hand on his shoulder. He doesn't say how warm her touch is, and how much he yearns to kiss her.

     "Like I said, Sam, you need to straighten out your priorities. The girl you're supposed to marry has been searching everywhere for you, and you've just flat out ignored her. Really not cool, Samuel."

     Samuel — she had only called him that when he really needed a life check. Damn, she still understood him and knew him after all these years. It was upsetting that he couldn't say the same for her.

     "Sam," she exhaled loudly. "I have to unpack a whole lot of boxes and watch Pride & Prejudice again. If that's all you have to say to me, here's the door."

     She opened up her front door again, clearly wanting Sam to leave. He didn't realize he was such a burden in her life when she was everything in his.

     He obliged to her wishes and stepped outside, but turned to face her once more. She didn't know how badly he wanted to kiss her right now. He was surely going to have a dream about her tonight, as creepy and pathetic as it sounds.

     "I'll talk to Leah. Hopefully, when that's all sorted out, we can catch up sometime?" He suggests, hope stirring in his chest.

     She ponders over the offer for a second. "I'll think about it, Sam. See you whenever."

     And just like that, her beautiful face disappears behind the door as it slams shut in his face. It takes him a while to finally exit from her steps and away from her neighborhood. During his short walk to the Clearwater's house, he began thinking about what he was supposed to say to Leah.

     Harry surely wasn't happy with him, but he understood the power of an imprint. Although it would cause his daughter much pain and grief, Sam couldn't mess around when it came to fate. He was meant to be with Hyacinth — connected to her in one way or another.

     He feels a strong headache when he knocks on the door. Sue opens it, her emotions conflicted when she sees who's at the door. Nonetheless, she still puts on her signature smile. "Hello, Sam. Here to talk to Leah?"

     "Yeah." He does his best to muster a grin. "Is that alright?"

     "Of course!" Sue laughs, but Sam can tell the happiness doesn't meet her eyes. She ushers the boy into the home and closes the door. "Leah, Sam's here for you!"

     He hears her footsteps. At one point in his life, Sam felt like his heart could beat right out of his chest when he saw her come into view. Now, he was ashamed that he felt nothing when he saw the girl racing towards him.

     Leah definitely wasn't joyful to see him either. Her lips were pulled into a tight frown, and her hands pushed into his chest.

     "I hope you have an explanation for me. It better be a good one this time because I don't think I'll forgive you so easily."

     Sam's eyes wander over Leah's head to capture Harry's gaze. The man was sternly looking at him, telling him what to say without actually opening his mouth. Sam knew what he had to do, and although it would be hard, it wasn't fair for Leah to continue having a one-sided relationship.

     He looks down at the girl that everyone wants him to marry. The girl he used to think of when he passes by jewelry stores, imagining how pretty her finger would look with an engagement ring on it. The girl who wants to build a solid future with him. However, she is not the girl he dreams of at night. She is not the girl he is destined to be linked to forever.

     "We need to talk, Lee-Lee."

i just watched the 2005 version of pride & prejudice and it's so good?? how did i not know of this movie??