March 2005...
"So, what do you think about the new girl?" Derek asked once Kyle and him reached their table.
"She's okay". Kyle said before sitting down on the bench.
"What do you mean ' okay ', what about the comment you said about her.'Pretty name for a pretty girl', it's obvious you're interested in her". Derek said as he also sat down.
"Just because I said that doesn't mean I'm interested in her or anything like that". Kyle said avoiding Derek's gaze as he brought out his lunchbox and opened it. Derek could tell Kyle was lying, he remembered seeing him stealing glances at Savannah a few times but decided to not say anything.
"Sure enough, you can't fool me by saying that". Derek said before taking a bite out of his sandwich. Kyle didn't say anything after that and just continued eating. Sure what Derek said was right about him being interested in her, but it didn't mean he suddenly developed feelings for her. Maybe he did see her as being a bit different compared to the other girls but never did he think of her in another light.
The two of them ate their food in silence until lunch break was over.
....
"Wait up, why are you walking so fast?" Derek said as he rushed to meet up with his friend, almost panting as he quickly grabbed hold of his shoulder.
Kyle didn't bother to reply but instead stopped in his tracks and looked back at Derek. Both Derek and Kyle stood face to face before Derek stood by the door frame.
"Can't you walk fast?" Kyle finally spoke as he stood with his hands in his pockets looking unfazed at the door.
"Wait, I have just one question to ask you". Derek said as he stood next to Kyle.
Kyle didn't say anything but instead looked at Derek. His face expressionless but Derek could tell he meant, ' go on '.
"Why didn't you introduce yourself to Savannah with everyone else?" Derek asked with a questioning look on his face.
"Why do you keep asking about this girl? Maybe you're the one that loves her instead of me". Kyle said as he was about to leave but Derek stopped him.
"Hold up, what do you mean by that? I just asked a simple question". Derek said as he held Kyle's arm in an attempt to stop him.
"Well you could have asked another simple question, or maybe even changed the topic. Let's go it's time for class". Kyle said before leaving the canteen.
'How am I still friends with this guy?' Derek thought to himself before he too left the canteen.
.....
The school day went by fast and soon it was the end of the school day. Something kept on bothering Kyle since the beginning of that day. It made him continuously think of the same thing. Savannah. He remembered when he would steal glances of her during class. Something was odd about her but Kyle couldn't figure out what it was.
Kyle was standing outside by the school entrance when he heard a car horn. He went to check who it was and saw the driver.
He said goodbye to Derek and Alex before making his way to the car. The driver stepped out of the car and opened the door for Kyle.
Kyle didn't say anything but just stepped into the car. Though he was raised by rich parents and had the opportunity to get whatever he wanted, Kyle was never considered spoilt, neither by his parents or classmates. He always managed to try and see the world from others point of view. And one thing he always wanted more than anything, was his parents attention. He wanted them to see him and praise him for his accomplishments and not for his faults. After many attempts, he gave up and slowly began to distance himself from everyone around him.
The house wasn't too far from the school but wasn't a walkable distance either. He sat close to the window before bringing his phone out from his pocket, hoping it would be a good distraction but for some reason, he still couldn't get his mind to stop thinking of her. It was like as if she had put him under a spell.
He put his phone back in his pocket before shifting his attention to the window. Staring outside somehow made him calm. Watching people walk on the walkway and buildings become smaller as their disappeared out of view, these little things meant a lot to him. A way for him to calm his thoughts and feelings.
The car came to sudden halt, signalling their arrival home.
The driver stepped out of the car and was about to open the door for him but Kyle stopped him. He opened the door and came out of the car before and said, " you don't have to do everything for me. I can things by myself". Kyle said before walking into the house. He hated it when the drivers or maids or anyone else treated him like as though he was some 5 year old child that needed protection.
Kyle's house didn't look like a house at all. It was twice the size of the school and had a garden by the left hand side of the front yard.
Kyle opened the doors to reveal the living room. The living room was made up of four couches and one center table and a big flat screen TV right Infront of it. There was also two staircases both at the left and right that meet on the first floor.
Kyle walked into the livingroom before rushing up the stairs. As expected, no one except the chef and maids were at home. He rushed to his room , opened the door and slammed it shut once he was inside.
He was already used to his parents travelling and leaving him at home alone without even informing him. He hated it and wanted it to end. He wanted to enjoy spending time with his parents without it being a two minutes conversation on the phone. At this point, he'd rather live a normal life without so much riches and security.
He walked to his bed and fell face first on it. Exhausted and irritated, he got up and made his way to the bathroom. He looked at his face in the mirror for sometime before splashing water on it. All he wanted to do was lay on his bed and sleep.
After getting changed he made his way back to his bed and layed down. Expecting himself to fall asleep immediately but for some reason it didn't seem so.
His thoughts kept going to the same thing, Savannah. This girl was all over his thoughts yet he was sure he didn't like her. He just saw her different.
To clear his mind, Kyle got up from bed and made his way downstairs. He walked out of the house and made his way to the garden. Other than the garden Infront of the house, there was another one behind it. This one was bigger and had walkways and a swing that was tied to tree. This place was another place that was really special to Kyle. Since childhood, this was the place where he could be free and himself.
He walked around the garden for a while until he saw the swing, without hesitation, he rushed towards it. He sat on it and stayed there for what seemed like forever.
Though this place was special to him, it still didn't feel right. Without company and someone to be around, it felt almost useless to have a big house and beautiful garden...