It's been a year since they finally graduated from the child soldier ranks. After they were given their own code names, they were given more missions. Not only that, they were finally given pay.
Sam and Zola were now 16 and 18. They have matured, both physically and mentally. Canvas continued to strike terror across Africa. One village in Somalia recalls a time when a crazy man was opening fire on the Pale Hand mercenaries who were hired to help with exterminating the man's group of bandits.
They had been tormenting many Somali villages and plundering all they had. The government was forced to hire the mercenaries as they were already short on soldiers from a civil war that plagued them recently.
The strongest one in the bandit group was a psychopath who opened fire with an assault rifle while floating in the air. He does this and sings 'Singin in the Rain.'
Sam was once again tasked with his extermination. He had the others bait the man's attention while he snuck up on him. The plan worked flawlessly and after climbing a tree, he jumped onto the floating man's back and drove a knife in his brain stem.
This caused Sam to go crashing down. Zola was horrified after seeing him fall from such a great height. She nearly strangled him when he stood up on his own with only some scratches. She was horribly worried.
After each mission, they would return to their lake and pray for forgiveness and allow themselves to act like humans.
Zola always did that alone, but with Sam with her, she felt… whole.
And Sam, he finally remembered his emotions. Like a cork in a bottle, his emotions were sealed and unable to go free. Being with her has brought back some memories. Memories of happy times with his Mom and Dad, sad times, angry times… and loving times. All sorts of memories returned.
Zola always was there for him when he remembered and would hear him out. She would even give him a much needed hug again. Zola wouldn't admit it. But she truly had grown fond of Sam. Perhaps too fond.
Sam was the same. He couldn't help looking at Zola differently. At first he always considered her his best friend. And that didn't change. But… he feels the same feeling in his heart when he remembers his parents. Longing.
He didn't know it yet, but he liked her. And she liked him.
———
"This isn't how you do it Samuel. You have to use your middle more than your feet."
"I am, but you're not explaining it good enough."
"You-!"
"Ouch!"
Sam and Zola were playing around and showing each other some new moves that they made in their missions.
After repenting and mourning the lives they took on their mission, they would just hang out together underneath the starry sky.
This was their free time together. They would train, talk, argue and joke with each other.
"You didn't need to punch me in the gut!"
"Stop whining Samuel. I thought you were a man. Well, considering I am two years older than you, maybe you aren't as much a man I gave you credit for being."
Sam felt a vein throb. Sam charged at her who got back into position with a battle ready stance and smirk and Sam charged her with his arms in a boxing stance. Just as he was clearly about to perform a jab, his foot shot out and connected with her shin.
She felt her senses screaming about the feint, but she was too slow and the kick connected to her shin. Sam expected her to be pissed but he got something he wasn't expecting.
*Yelp*
"Oww! Fuck!" She tried to recover from the girly yelp by cursing.
Sam was about to burst out in laughter.
"T-that! Was so freaking cute! Pffft!"
He couldn't hold it in anymore as he recalls the cute yelp.
Zola however feels like a vein is about to explode from her face.
Sam stopped laughing and saw that her hair braid was removed and she was looking menacingly at him.
"…you will forget that. Samuel."
She had an aura of death as her long hair rose in the wind like a witch casting a murder spell.
"Alright! Alright! Chill!"
Sam raised his arms up surrendering to her.
"Hmph!"
She pouts and sits down on the ground and looks at the sky. A star filled sky.
Sam decided to sit next to her.
"Samuel… I really want to leave."
Sam looked shocked. But then, he remembered that he did too.
"Me too."
"You promised a long time ago that you would take me with you back to Japan. Is that still on the table?"
Sam also stares at the stars.
"Of course. I wouldn't have it any other way."
Sam unconsciously moves his hand close to hers as they sit on the ground and watch the stars.
Zola felt her face heat up a bit. She didn't know why, but the thought of going with him to Japan, made her feel like… she was returning to her home.
She hasn't felt this before, but she was starting to have an idea. The boy she called her partner, was becoming something more to her.
She put her hands by her side, holding her in a sitting position just like Sam was. However, she felt something warm in her hand.
She looked down and saw she put her hand on his.
He was also shocked and was sporting a blush.
Zola could no longer deny it.
'I really like this idiot.'
Sam also thought.
'I want to hold her hand like this longer.'
Zola and Sam lock eyes.
Then…
"What kind of fucking lovey dovey bullshit is this?!"
Sam is shocked by her outburst.
"Fucking hell this looks so goddamn cheesy. Fuck it. I'm doing it."
She grabs him by the collar and brings her lips to his. She gives him a kiss. A kiss that says more than her words could.
After a little bit, she lets go of his collar and ends the kiss.
They both just stare at each other. Listening to each other's racing heartbeat.
"…wow."
Zolas eyebrow twitched at that.
"Real smooth. 'Wow.' That's it?"
"Well… that was nice."
Zola just deadpans at Sam.
"Pffthahahahaha!"
She holds her belly and laughs.
"You really are hopeless Samuel. You're lucky I like you, otherwise no lady would ever date you."
"Hey that's a bit mean don't you-"
Sam paused as he processes what she said.
She smirks.
"Yeah… I'm done hiding it. And so are you. I won't let you hide it anymore. We like each other."
Sam felt a smile. A big and goofy smile grew on his face.
'…cute.' Was all Zola thought seeing that.
Suddenly, she had an idea.
"Wait right here. I'll be right back."
She softly, yet quickly sped away from the lake.
"…what?"
Was all Sam could say. After 5 minutes, she carefully jogs back to the lake.
"Guess what I bought at the Bazaar in Tunisia?"
They were allowed some free time during missions, and they could go and buy from local vendors.
Sam raised an eye brow.
She then pulled out an old Polaroid camera.
Sam's eyes widened seeing that.
"The hell? Where did you get that fossil?"
"I found it at the bazaar. It was cheap. I wanted to get one."
Sam deadpanned.
'…waste of money.'
"Wipe that look that says 'waste of money' off that face! I like it! Look!"
She aims her camera up and takes a picture of the night sky.
Finally, a picture exits the camera. She shakes it a bit, allowing the picture to clear.
Finally she shows him the sky on a Polaroid picture.
"Well?" She looks at him with stars in her eyes. "Isn't it cool?"
Sam thought it was just a camera. But he thought she looked cute, so he threw her a bone.
"Yeah… a relic of the past it may be, but I like the ancient vibes it gives off."
"I know, right?"
She grabs Sam by the hand and stands him up with her.
She then faces away from the starry sky and makes Sam do the same.
She then turns the camera on herself and Sam.
"Let us preserve this memory with a picture!"
Sam nodded. And couldn't help but laugh a bit at her excitement.
They both had big smiles on their faces as they took a picture under the night sky of Rwanda. A memory they would cherish.
"Here."
She gives Sam the picture.
"Why me?"
"Because the camera is mine and I can make more whenever I want. Plus, I want you to have this, so you always remember your promise to bring me with you to Japan!"
Sam was shocked but smiled.
He hugged her and she reciprocated.
"I swear. We will get out. Together."
She lets go and they stare at each other again. Both smiling.
"Together."
She then puts her arms around his neck and kisses him again, almost as if sealing the promise.