Chapter 21

Savannah said she wanted to taste me. She said it, maybe even just joking but she said it. My body becomes one big bundle of electricity at this point. She said it. She said she wanted to taste me. My alarm goes off, this morning it's useless, I was already up anyway. It was all I could think about. She was all I could think about. At this point I don't even know if to stay back or keep crushing, it has already happened. Maybe this could go somewhere. Who am I kidding? It won't go anywhere, but my hope still stands.

I sit up fast and open my wardrobe. It's starting to get a little cold, Christmas arriving and all so I pick out a dull brown turtle-neck, black trousers, a black belt and a long jacket with a blue and brown Scottish pattern. I rush to the bathroom all happy and bubbly. Even today, I get to see Savannah. Another day with her. I put my clothes on and eat a bowl of cereal in the kitchen while my grandfather reads the newspaper and eats his toast, then I go back to the toilet and brush my teeth. I apply makeup and get my school bag.

My walk to school was like every other day, but it was also different. I was happy, I was looking forward to going to school. I walk past the doors with this huge smile on my face, for it people look at me weird but I don't care, yesterday I went on a date with Savannah and that's all that matters. I turn to enter the corridor my locker is in and see Savannah come my way. She spots me when Ava nudges her on the shoulder and motions towards me with her head. Savannah turns to look at me, we lock eyes. Ava tells her something and they both laugh. I'm getting closer. I panic, I don't know what to do. Go for a hug? A handshake? Just say hello? Since when am I that socially awkward? But by the time I think that she makes me trip on her foot and says "Morning looser" while ruffling my hair. In other circumstances it'd sound playful, but with her it sounds mean. She is mean. She's fooling me.

"Ah, the thief. You had such a big smile until two seconds ago, now it's gone. Sad your prince charming didn't kneel down and kiss her princess's hand?" Jane's voice comes from behind me. Savannah snorts and whispers "You wish." I feel stupid. How could I even think that she would change. She probably just went out with me to mess my head up. But she said she wanted to make plans with the girls and me. I feel like I'm one of those nerds who get picked on in the movies. Is this what I have become? I shake it off, role my eyes and go towards my locker. I hear Jane scream "Hey girl, where did that confidence go? Heartbroken by Savannah?" I muster the courage to say fuck off under my breath, even though I don't think she's heard me, luckily. I get my stuff and go towards my homeroom, where, of course, I'll be sitting next to Savannah.

I enter and go towards my desk. She comes in soon after with a smile on her face that makes me want to punch her. She's irritating and intimidating at the same time, but I won't let her win, what the hell happened to the girl I went out with yesterday? She sits and takes out her stuff, God knows why, I inhale, irritated. Just the fact that she exists makes me want to explode, both with anger and joy. Her foot nudges mine and my brain goes, once again, completely blank. I don't know if I've forgotten how to breathe or the tingles take my breath away, either way my lungs stop functioning. My heart skips a beat, as it did when I saw her in the corridor and when she entered class. No, Rose you're mad at her. This is exactly how she wants you to react, don't give it to her. Much to my surprise, I recover fast, and put a straight face back on. With the corner of my eye I see Savannah looking at me and pouting. Ha. The bell rings and Mr. Stance comes in, as usual, dressed as if he were a lawyer, he even has a little workbag. He greets us and calls the register. I answer when he calls my name, then I look down at my desk and see a little note. I open it and it's Savannah asking to meet her in the restrooms at nine o'clock. Ugh, fine. Might be an opportunity to confront her about her little show earlier.

It's a quarter to nine and I'm in maths class. Of course, she couldn't chose a period where time passed slower. Name one lesson that feels like it lasts forever more than maths, I dare you. The teacher's scribbling things on the whiteboard, symbols I've already seen but don't know what they're for. The only one I actually know the meaning of is pie. Wait, isn't pie used in geometry and science? Why are we using it in maths? The teacher's accent is thick, since she's Russian, so I try to concentrate on that so I don't have to think about seeing Savannah in fifteen minutes. But it doesn't work. It burns through my head as if it were acid. The teacher, who's name I keep forgetting, turns slowly towards me and stares right into my eyes. She's got short, curly, copper hair and dark, beady eyes, so dark I think it'd be hard to distinguish the crystalline from the pupil even if you we're just a few inches away pointing a super strong light at it. She dresses like those old ladies who live alone with five cats and her pinkish red glasses aren't put perfectly over her nose, but towards the tip, not on the arch as they should. She looks at me expectantly and I realize I raised my hand.

"Oh, I, uhm, I- May I go to the restrooms please?" Some people roll their eyes and she lets out an exasperated smile but lets me. I mumble a thanks and half run out of the door. I go towards m destination, anxious and slightly early. Would I seem too eager if I got there early? Too late, should have arrived a few minutes later. I get there and when I open the door and enter, I see Savannah propped against a wall, her head jerking up when she hears me.