the boardwalk ; monday afternoon

[necroslacker]

Despite the problems Sam had been having with his ghosts disrupting people (or person) lately, he wasn't in too bad a mood today. That might have been because he'd gone out skateboarding for a long, long time and was just now sitting down to take a breather. He was hot and sweaty but it had felt good to channel some of his discontent and guilt into exercise. He swiped his sweaty hair out of his eyes and stretched his legs out, using his skateboard as a foot stool for the moment.

He was spending as much time away from the tents as he could and therefore, spending as much time not sleeping as possible. It might be unhealthy but there was no way he was gonna risk scaring people he didn't know with random ghost visits. It was hard enough that he was bothering Natalie with it.

So, he wasn't sleeping and he was barely around the campsite which meant he was either off skateboarding, walking, or just...doing something that kept him away and didn't put his tentmates at risk.

It was stupid, he knew, because most people here were used to weird things but Sam was stupid at the best of times.

[Open place in town, open post!]

Comments

[necroslacker]

"I don't need to try because you're an universally recognized nerd and that's all there is to it," Sam told her. "Best to accept it now, Natalie."

[whenshewasnice]

"You're just sad you don't get to sleep with me," she decided. "That's all there is to it."

[necroslacker]

"Well, I am but I'm also glad you get to sleep without me disrupting it," Sam told her, half smiling. "I do miss you."

[whenshewasnice]

"Sam, I do actually sleep fine enough around you most nights," Natalie pointed out. "And I miss you too. But you knew that."

[necroslacker]

"Yeah, yeah, I know," Sam sighed, nodding. "I'm just sorry your trip to the mainland didn't turn out better. That sucks."

[whenshewasnice]

"I got ice cream out of it," she replied, lightly, shrugging a shoulder. "Not a complete bust."

She hadn't expected much either, to be honest.

[necroslacker]

"I think I might go see my dad later this week," Sam said, rubbing his chin. "See if...maybe he'll help."

Sam doubted it.

[whenshewasnice]

Natalie blinked. "... Your dad? Really?"

[necroslacker]

Shrugging, Sam took awhile before answering. "He's like me. And after he abandoned me, he started a new family and when I met them, they didn't know. So, maybe he does something."

[whenshewasnice]

"Mm." It was another one of those things she didn't have a whole lot to say to. She didn't know his dad, so she was trying not to jump to any too radical opinions on the matter. "Well, if you think that might work."

[necroslacker]

"I don't think it will but I'm willing to try anything," Sam told her, shrugging. "And he owes me."

[whenshewasnice]

"He probably does." She wouldn't argue with that, with what she knew. "Guess grasping at straws is a thing here."

[necroslacker]

"Yeah," he said quietly. "Wish it wasn't. Sorry."

[whenshewasnice]

Natalie gave his hand a squeeze. "It's okay. You attract ghosts, and you're a little gross and sweaty right now. I still like you."

[necroslacker]

"I've been skateboarding and it's warm," Sam said, looking over at her. "You want me to hug you now?"

[whenshewasnice]

She shrugged. "I wouldn't say no to that."

[necroslacker]

"Even though I'm a little gross and sweaty?" Sam asked, raising an eyebrow.

[whenshewasnice]

"The campgrounds have showers and I have clean clothes at my tent." She had these things covered. "Think you're missing the crucial thing in what I just said."

[necroslacker]

"And what was the crucial thing, Natalie?" Sam asked, half smiling.

[whenshewasnice]

"That I like you," she said. "Despite the ghosts, and the sweat, and the grossness."

Though she suspected he already knew that.

[necroslacker]

"No, I actually got that," Sam told her with a little smile. "I just didn't know if you really wanted a hug and the possibility of me getting you gross too."

[whenshewasnice]

"I do want a hug."

And look at her actually saying the words like it wasn't hard to get that out of her mouth, for once.

[necroslacker]

Sam stood up and, using the grip he had on her hand, pulled her up with him. "Then, come here, nerd." He was already pulling her closer to his body.

[whenshewasnice]

Natalie really didn't need to be urged to do that too hard. She moved closer willingly. "Stop calling me a nerd, slacker."

[necroslacker]

Sam wrapped his arms around her and embraced her tightly. His shirt was a little damp and he was still warm and sweaty but he didn't care if she didn't.

"Make me, nerd," Sam retorted with a laugh.