"Are you serious?!" Sky asked wide-eyed, cutting off Sam. 

Sam only shrugged and continued stacking the shelf behind the counter. "What does it matter?" She said, picking up an empty bottle and placing it down.

"She was driving a fucking Tesla! Are you sure she isn't a spy posing as an artist?" Sky paused and thought for a while, but he didn't get any reaction. "Sammy!!"

"What?"

"Aren't you curious?" He sighed and continued stacking the shelf along with Sam.

"Her parents are rich... I guess. It's really not my business." Sam said with another shrug.

It was already a few days after her first modeling gig, and Sky kept asking her for every detail- whatever that meant. She still got texts from Chris, but it no longer felt annoying. 

"Besides, what does she need to spy on me for?" Sam added.

"Well, that's true." Sky finally said as he picked up the empty box after stacking the last bottle. "Oh, I almost forgot to tell you. I'm going to be coming here a lot less now," he said with a smile, almost about to burst.

"Why?" Sam squinted a bit as she got up. "Wait, you got accepted?" Sam asked more like a statement than a question.

Sky shook his head and facepalmed, "Not the reaction I wanted but YES!!!" Sky said, all giggly, walking behind Sam. "I actually got in., Can you believe it?"

A few months back, Sam wouldn't have bothered or taken importance in the news, but she found herself caring, "You're more brilliant than you give yourself credit for, and it's real nice congratulations."

"It is, right?" Sky's voice vibrated around the almost empty storage room, but he didn't care. He was genuinely happy.

Sky had been studying graphic design at the University but had to pause for a while due to his mom's ill health, and now she was better, he could continue.

"Although, It won't be as exciting compared to my old school," he said, with his expression looking grim, but immediately switched to his bright smile almost too fast for Sam. "Since I still have to stay here and take care of Mom. But, I'll I could start afresh. It'll be slow, but sure." Sky winked.

Sam noticed the slightly painful look in Sky's smile. She never really observed before and thought he was incapable of feeling sad, but right now, she knew he would miss everything at his old school. Sky was strong, and she knew well that he always got what he wanted when he put his mind to it.

"Don't worry, you'll adjust soon enough," Sam said in an attempt to lift his spirit. "You're nice and cool, so that won't be a problem." 

"Aww, I love you, Sammy," Sky said, clinging onto Sam's arm as they left the store room. They were already out, and the music assaulted their ears as soon as they entered the bar. "Thanks a lot, Sammy," Sky finally said as he smiled gingerly, his voice almost inaudible, but Sam heard and just nodded in reply.

The next morning, Sam was at her usual routine again. Although she still avoided unnecessary interaction with people, she wasn't as grumpy. She smiled at the texts on her phone.

'Have a great day!' Chris sent a lot of emojis, as usual.

'Hey, Sam,'

'I already moved to my new place. My roommate kinda scares me,' Sky sent.

She replied to both messages as she rode the bus to the cafe. It didn't feel like a dark day, but it was difficult to take a new approach to work in the coffee house since she wasn't as conversant with her co-workers.

"You look different today," Jane, who usually ran the same shift with Sam spoke, trying to initiate a conversation which she always did with little success.

"What do you mean?" Sam tried her best not to roll her eyes. She had always found Jane's talk unnecessary, but she listened anyway.

"You've smiled three times to customers who smiled at you," Jane said like it was the most obvious thing, and it was. 

Sam was stunned for a while. She had spent time with Chris and Sky, and it now felt natural to smile more often. Jane was much too observing.

"I guess you're right," Sam replied, as bland as ever.

"How is it with that girl? Umm, what's her name- Yeah, Christine," Jane excitedly asked but still remembered to drop the cups carefully on the rack.

"What about her?" Sam didn't really like the opinion Jane had about her and Chris.

"Well, you looked really happy, and I thought maybe she could be the reason."

Sam deadpanned. Why couldn't people keep to their business? There was no denying that she was happier and livelier, at least in her weird way. There was also no denying the fact that it was actually because of Chris's actions. What she couldn't understand was why it became a big deal.

She sighed and turned away, the look from Jane's knowing eyes irked her, but there wasn't much she could do about it. "Well, she is," She replied.

"Haha, you really are something." 

Jane left immediately to continue her work, leaving Sam to her thoughts. She sighed as she picked some takeaway cups to fill in the orders.

Jane was likened to a mother hen and would jump into situations that had nothing to do with her. She did help with her other colleagues at the cafe and would advise on a thing or two, but it still didn't make it less annoying to Sam. 

However, she was happy regardless. It had been a long time since she became this comfortable to actually be happy.