Here's the next chapter for you guys! I hope you enjoy it and let me know your thoughts!
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June 26th, 2017

It's been almost a week since Dylan's birthday and things felt like they were turning up for him.

He had posted a youtube video, made a good amount of money at work, and even spent time with Sam and Kevin a bit more outside of McDonalds.

Samantha continued to help him find a new girlfriend on Tinder, but all of the candidates never felt right. They all were the wrong match for him...and he was actually okay with that.

This time Dylan decided to invite Sam over to his house because he felt bad that she had to always have him come into her living space. She had came over around 2:15pm, wearing casual attire and even brought cookies to munch on.

They sat by his computer and slowly ate the bucket of chocolate chip cookies, scanning for girls.

He swiped left again once more.

And again.

And again.

It felt kinda hopeless at this point.

He wanted a break.

"Sam, wanna go take a walk around?"

She looked over at him, shoving another baked treat into her mouth, "Sure," she got up from the couch, "where do you want to go?"

Dylan sat up and stretched, "Anywhere but here."

...

Side by side, Dylan and Samantha walked to the park, breathing in some fresh air. Being cooped up in the apartment was giving the young man a headache.

He looked over at Sam.

Her hair began to sway from the wind in front of her face. She pulled the strands away, her eyes wandering at the sights.

He watched her, thinking about what had happened a while back when she stepped up against their grouchy boss;

"How...are you able to do that?"

"Ah, well...Dave and I have history together, sadly."

Dylan grew a little serious, "Hey Sam, can I ask you something?"

She turned her head to him as they walked, "Of course, what is it?"

"Dave Stevens...what 'history' do you two have in the past that makes you stand up to him like that?"

The girl understood what he meant and nodded, "Oh yeah, Dave and I are cousins.."

"Really?"

"Yeah, there was some family drama that he was involved in... He always caused our family issues and was really weird with money. Everyone we're related to distanced themselves from him except me," she smirked, "I like getting a rise out of him because he really can't lay a finger on me."

Dylan was so curious, "Why is that?"

"My family filed a restraining order on him."

"D@mn, it was THAT serious?"

Sam wasn't fazed, "I'm not too worried about it."

He was growing rather concerned for this girl. Yes it was her family, but they had to file a restraining order against him! What if she was in danger?

Dylan spoke slowly, "And...what if you are taking a big risk?"

The young woman next to him giggled, "I'll just get a whopping ton of money," she looked at him and could tell he really cared for her well being, "but hey I'll be fine. I can take care of myself. Stop being a worry wort."

She bumped him the side and he let out a reliving laugh.

"Okay, I know you can handle yourself."

"Thank you!"

"But I'm way stronger than you."

Sam cocked her head at him, "You really think so?"

Dylan teased, "Oh I know so."

"Wanna bet?"

"Let's do it."

The girl tossed her head quickly over and pointed at two poles, "First one to touch the pole, do 20 push ups, then run back is crowned victor!"

"Wait what??"

"3 2 1 GO!!"

Samantha began to sprint from where they were towards the poles.

Caught off guard, Dylan starts to run behind her, "Hey no fair!"

The two ran together across the field, trying to show how farther they could go than the other.

They both tapped the pole.

Sam got down on the ground and began to start her push ups, keeping her form perfect throughout.

Dylan got down and started his sets as well, even adding a clap after each.

The girl rolled her eyes, "Show off!"

A few moments passed, Sam got up first with a light pant and started to jog with the little energy she had left in her.

"Oh no you don't, that wasn't 20," Dylan called playfully, finally standing up and chased after her.

The two laughed at themselves as they sped back through the park while being peered at by civilians.

Samantha was inches ahead of him, almost to where they first started.

Dylan wanted to win.

So with all his strength, he ran at the girl, wrapped his arms around her waist, and pulled her into a tight spin to try to stop her.

They both laughed hysterically, their heads spinning and getting dizzier by the moment.

"You totally cheated just now!"

"Are you serious?? You didn't even finish your push ups!"

"Yes-yes I did! I was lightning fast that you couldn't see it."

Soon they stopped spinning and Sam twisted her body around towards him.

Dylan and Sam couldn't stop laughing, both panting heavily from exhaustion.

Dylan tried to catch his breath and watched his friend still giggling away.

His eyes never averted her face.

She looked at him too.

He still was holding her around the waist.

Realizing this, he let go with an awkward laugh.

All of a sudden, a drop of rain fell on Dylan's head.

Then another.

Much harder.

And again, gaining its momentum.

There was a booming of thunder.

Dylan and Sam laughed and started to run to the nearest shelter, a gazebo.

It was downright pouring now and they stood in the protected fortress. The two were shivering from the cold but never ceased their joyful banter.

Dylan and Sam stood together and looked at the deary weather in front of them.

The girl beside him grinned, "Man I didn't expect that, huh?"

The man agreed, "Yeah me either."

Sam thought of something out of the blew, "Oh Dill, do you want to go back to your house and search tinder again?"

"Oh," Dylan said with a smile, he completely forgot about it, "Let's just stand here for a little bit."

She just stared at him for a moment and gave a content expession, "Alright."

They stood there side by side and watched the rain continue to fall.