Popper

Samantha's POV:

"Sam."

"Hmm?" I looked up to see my best friend Jack leaning against the door frame. Her face has a mixed expression of frown and worry.

"Are you sure you're ready to go back to San Francisco?"

I put down the dress I was holding as I found myself laughing at her question.

"Of course! Why shouldn't I be ready?"

She shrugged, walking towards the bed and slumped herself next to me. "I think you should ask yourself that question and not me."

"Well, I don't have to ask myself that question because I know that I'm ready! It's been almost four years since I left my hometown and I really missed the things I was doing then."

"Okay, as you say so." She gives me a shrug for the second time. "Are you now going to stay there for good?"

"I don't know. Maybe yes, maybe no. But honestly, I haven't thought about it yet. I just want to see my daughter and surprise her on her birthday."

"How about seeing your husband again? Are you ready for that?"

"Ex-husband! He's no longer my husband, Jack, remember?"

"Alright, but what if you meet him again at the party? You know, it's impossible for you not to see him again. After all, he's still Cali's father."

"I know. And so --- if he's there? I can't stop him from seeing his daughter, besides, everyone expects him to attend the party. Of course, some of them are just to gossip about our lives."

"Hmm... so you mean to say you're ready to face him again after four years of hiding from him?"

"Excuse me! I'm not hiding from him, I didn't and I will not. Why would I do that? And as for your question, of course, I'm ready. I completely forgot what happened. It's all in the past. I am now Samantha Soriano version 2.0!" I said flipping my hair over my shoulder. You know, to show her how confident I am with my answer.

But she just laughed at me.

"New Samantha Soriano version 2.0? Wow. Amazing! And because of that, I will be generous in giving you loud applause."

I stared at her with a forced smile. She's clapping while laughing hilariously in front of me... inside my room and on top of my bed.

"Haha...funny!" I just rolled my eyes and continued with what I was doing before she entered my room.

"So you're saying you have already moved on, huh?" She asked after a while. I know how much she's trying to suppress her laughter.

I sighed.

"Jack, how many times do I have to answer that question? I've already moved on and whatever has happened in the past, it will remain buried like all the stupid feelings I felt for him four years ago. I'm completely healed, especially now that I have David. I love him and I'm happy with him."

David is my boyfriend. And If you're asking if my daughter approved him as my boyfriend...the answer is yes and we've been together for six months.

"Oh...alright, you're completely healed." She left me hanging on those words and busied herself checking her new polished nails.

'I now have David. I love him and I'm happy with him.' I repeat these words in silence. He's a nice guy. He loves me. He understands what I went through and the only thing I could give him back for his love and support is to stay by his side. Well, that's what I believe in.

"Mom called me last night."

Her head snapped instantly.

"What did she say?"

"She was asking me if I would take David with me to the party."

"Whoa! That's an interesting question!" Suddenly, her eyes lit up with excitement. "Tell me you said yes."

I shake my head. "You know he can't come with me, Jack."

"But why? I don't see any problem if you take him to your daughter's party. Cali likes the man too!"

"I know, but he has a job. He's a doctor, remember?"

"Aghh!" She pouted.

Jack is David's number one fan, but also my ex-husband's number one basher/slash/hater.

"You know what? I think you should really take him with you."

"And why should I do that?" I asked raising my eyebrow.

"Well, since we're sure you will meet your fucking husband---"

"Ex-husband! And please get rid of the awful word."

"Jeez! Your daughter isn't here!"

"Even though she's not here, you shouldn't be talking like that!"

"Fine!" She huffed. "Can I continue now? As I was saying, since your F husband---"

"Jackelyn!"