shark in the water

“You’re right. Sometimes I just can’t control it. It’s terrible, really, but I’m sure you know this,” Sam responded, sighing softly. Her questions were valid and he didn’t exactly know how to answer them. “I don’t know. I like being liked. It’s stupid but… I’ve always been that way. I hate it,” he tried explaining but knew how crappy that excuse was. He really didn’t know what to say when it came to that. “I’ve also been told I try to please everyone and that makes me disliked instead of liked. Funny right?”

“I mean, everyone likes to be liked, it’s human nature,” Sutton said with a shrug. “And if you’re trying to please everyone, and being disingenuous in the process, are you really pleasing them?” she asked, raising an eyebrow at him. It was weird seeing this side of Sam. He almost seemed... vulnerable, if she had to put a label on it. She in fact kind of liked this side of him, not trying to impress everyone or being the biggest person in the room. She almost liked him. Almost. “I mean, unless you are actually that egotistical, but something tells me from this conversation your weaknesses.”

4. Where in the world would you most like to visit?

“I’ve been to every continent except for South America, so is it weird if I say there just to say I’ve been to all seven continents?”

11. Which Historical figure fascinates you and why?

“Oh, let me tell you about my love for Charles Darwin. His work was revolutionary. I mean, if you actually read the Origin of Species, he alludes to genetics so much, but genetics wasn’t even a concept at the time, but he totally gets it. And he spent eight years of his life studying barnacles, which you can’t deny is awesome. He was generally a really awesome, progressive guy.”

20. What is your favourite fairy tale?

Hearing Sutton mention Logan and some stories only made him chuckle. Of course she heard stories. That explained so much. Though he was sure his brother exaggerated at some point, he knew most of what the woman had heard was definitely true about him. “I’m not very good at this whole talking thing. Especially when a beautiful woman clearly dislikes me, I seem to say anything possible to change her mind about me. And clearly, I say the wrong things too,” he went on, not really minding one bit that her demeanor hadn’t changed for him. “Not at all. But if that helps… I could compliment you all night.”

“You know you’d probably be less insufferable if you stopped trying so hard,” she stated, leaning forward and against the top of the table. “What are you trying to prove anyways? Why do you want me to like you so much?” Sutton asked, genuinely curious as to why he seemed to care about her opinion of her so much. She figured it might have something to do with Logan, or the fact that they interacted on a semi-regular basis at work. 

Logan: you're right, who am I kidding? I love our jungle

Logan: :-( they will? what happens if they don't get adopted? don't do this to me Sutton

Logan: Maybe we should do it?

Logan: i'm bad at giving advice to this because I didn't speak to my family for months, and still haven't, but whatever you decide, I'll support you :-)

Sutton: They will! And didn't you say Sam wanted to get a pet? And if they're not adopted, they will just sit in the shelter.... all alone...

Sutton: We SHOULD do it

Logan: a jungle with aliens and monsters!!! (because of my monster stuff, in case you didn't understand the reference)

Logan: Oh no Sutton they SOUND PERFECT. PEARL AND OYSTER. LEVEL 14 AND 15. AWWW.

Logan: Can we handle this responsibility though? I only just learnt how to use the dishwasher

Logan: hmmm I'm not sure if I believe you... have you spoken to them?

Sutton: and it's a WONDERFUL jungle

Sutton: RIGHT?? And they'll probably have so much trouble getting adopted at their age!

Sutton: I think we can

Sunny was trying to process her own thoughts and questions at the same time that she was trying to be supportive and helpful for her friend. It was a hard balance to strike, a thin line… and she didn’t want to say or do the wrong thing, especially when Sutton was dealing with something so sensitive and personal. “Okay, so… that’s okay. You can feel a lot of things at once, or maybe you don’t know what you’re feeling right now, but… whatever it is, it’s a valid, human response, okay?” She offered her hand for the other woman to hold on top of the table. “What do you want from me right now? Advice? Support?”

Logan: :OOOOOO

Logan: Sutton, I love you, but our home is already a zoo... what are their names though? Are they nice? :-D

Logan: sounds like something a person who IS SAD would say 🤔🤔🤔🤔

Sutton: I would actually argue it's a jungle because of all the plants

Sutton: BUT their names are PEARL and OYSTER. Pearl is 14 and white, Oyster is 15 and grey and they ARE PERFECT

Sutton: there is a bonded pair of old cats at the shelter we should get them

Sam could tell he hit a nerve and instantly regretted assuming her situation. Her response only made him feel worse and for a moment he couldn’t blame her for disliking him. It was things like this that made him disliked. “Well, you’re not missing out on much honestly. Just ask Logan, siblings aren’t that great,” he attempted to fix but his chuckle was forced. “Sorry,” he quickly added on and sighed, “I have a talent for sticking my foot in my mouth, as you can see.” It was true, he always dug his hole deeper and never knew how to shut up when he should. “No, no, yeah, you’re right. You’re a complete bad ass, didn’t need that. Tougher than me, that’s for sure. I’m not very good with pain.”

Sutton wanted to reach over the table and slap him. Surely he knew he wasn’t helping himself here. She crossed her arms over her chest, leaning back in the chair. “Oh, I know. Logan has told me all the stories. The good, the bad, and the ugly,” she reminded him. “Clearly,” she said, rolling her eyes. “I’m sure we can find a shovel for you if you want to keep digging yourself into this hole,” she joked dryly, raisin g an eyebrow at him. Of course he had to bring up having a sibling. Any time he could talk about family, and he chose today. “Are you just complimenting me to get on my good side?”

“Right, I’m sure he has. But you can’t rely on those too much. Sure maybe he’s right about a lot of it but it’s also just sibling banter. You know how that goes, right?” Sam responded, assuming she understood what it was to have a sibling to bicker with, though what he and Logan did was more than just bicker. “Great, you can quote me on that. Thank me later,” he tried teasing, making all the wrong moves with her. He was honestly impressed with her story, and he found himself interested in learning more about her. “No no, you were. I mean, you had me hooked, that’s pretty impressive. Not the getting stung part but the surviving part. You’re tough,” he complimented, offering a genuine smile, one that didn’t come often. “I am a dweeb you’re right. But you’re stuck with me for the next few minutes, so how about we make it worth your while yeah? Contrary to popular belief, I’m a pretty good listener.”

The comment hit her way harder than expected. She came out here to forget about her family life, and for a second she almost did. Her posture became rigid as she put her guard back up. “I don’t actually. Single child. And adopted. I have a brother somewhere in the world but my parents decided to keep him so, I was spared the sibling banter thankfully.” Thankfully she was in the anger phase of processing the news and she was able to keep it together, minus the bitchiness. At least she wasn’t crying in front of him. Her ego would never recover, and he might never let her live it down. “I know I’m tough. I didn’t need an irukandji to make me prove it. Plus, that was the most painful 24 hours of my life, could have done without that.”

Sam smiled, satisfied that they slowly but surely moved onto first name basis. At least she wasn’t insulting him, or not yet at least. To him, that seemed to be going well. “Oh come on, I didn’t peg you for a woman that believed rumors. I’m not a bad guy, I don’t know why everything thinks of me as such. It’s a little hurtful, to be honest. I have feelings too,” he said gently, shaking his head. It wasn’t the first time anyone judged him prior to knowing him and it didn’t surprise him. Though, he did make some questionable decisions that resulting in such rumors starting. Nonetheless, he was trying. “I don’t think you’re pathetic, I never said that. You’re just dedicated and that’s admirable. I just didn’t think parties were much your scene. You seem calm. And I mean that in the best way possible.”

“You know I live with your brother, right? He’s told me stories,” she pointed out, sitting back in her seat. “I never said you were a bad guy, I just think your ego needs a little shirking,” she added, taking a sip of her drink. She was going to need another one of these. “Dedicated and calm,” she repeated. God, she wasn’t just pathetic, she was boring. “I’ll be sure to add that to my tinder bio,” she said sarcastically. “You know I used to be really cool. I spent a summer in Africa while I was in vet school, and once I graduated, I went to Australia. I got stung by one of the deadliest jellyfish in the world and I survived.” Sutton couldn’t help but chuckle. She was proving her own point. “I’m not helping my case here,” she said with a sign. Her tough act was over. Not that she could ever keep it up for long. “Sorry I’ve had a bad week... and these drinks are really strong... and you’re honestly kind of a dweeb.”

Sunny wanted to be patient, but also could sense that Sutton seemed really, truly upset. And if that was the case, she wanted her friend to get it off her chest, especially before her emotions started to fully take over. When Sutton did speak, though, Sunny was caught off guard, unsure if she should congratulate her or be more concerned. “And… is this a good thing? A bad thing? Tell me what I’m supposed to feel, because… I can’t really tell by your tone, and I think it’s supposed to be a good thing? But if you are feeling weird about it, that’s totally ok, too…”

Sutton shrugged her shoulders, awkwardly adjusting her glasses, just trying to do something with her hands. “I don’t know what to feel about it, honestly,” she admitted, defeated. “I never knew anything about my birth family, but I always figured if I ever found them I’d know what to do and now... I have no idea.” She fiddled around with the coffee cup. “Especially since after finding out that he wasn’t put up for adoption... I don’t know. It’s all just really overwhelming.”

Sunny waved off her friend’s gratitude. She would’ve been there in an instant, regardless of what Sutton needed. She was one of her better friends, and she honestly felt bad that she hadn’t been there sooner. “Seriously, no worries. – Coffee would be great, but I’m not here for coffee. I’m here for you. So tell me what’s going on, and we can both worry about the stupid coffee later, okay?”

Sutton resisted the urge to get up and get the coffee for her friend immediately. She knew it was only delaying talking about what was going on. She took in a deep breath, looking into her cup, watching the liquid move around slightly. “I found my birth family,” she said, biting the inside of her lip nervously. “I took one of those DNA tests a while back but didn’t get anything crazy, but... I got a message from a guy the other day and apparently I have a brother.”