March 2005...
Savannah woke up to the sound of her alarm. Her eyelids fling open to see the thin ray of light that came from the window in the room. It was still dark outside yet her mind was alert and she didn't feel sleepy at all. She turned to look at her mother who was still peacefully sleeping next to her.
Without thinking, she placed her hand on her mother's cheek, pushing the thin hair strand away from her eyes.
She sat up and stretched a bit before getting her phone. There were still a few minutes left before dawn break so it wouldn't make a difference if Savannah got up now. She turned towards the window, more light shone through it, reducing the darkness in the room. She got up and turned on the lights , her mom turned around a bit but didn't wake up.
Savannah quietly tiptoed to the wardrobe, trying not to wake her mother up. As soon as she reached it, she slowly opened the wardrobe doors with each creek announcing her intentions. Once the space between the doors were big enough, Savannah quickly grabbed her school uniform and dashed into the bathroom.
After a few minutes, Savannah walked out of the bathroom. Her hair still wet but fully clothed in her school uniform. The first thing she noticed was that her mom wasn't asleep on the duvet bed. She's probably in the kitchen making breakfast. Savannah thought to herself as she combed her hair before braiding it. She then took her sweater vest and socks before making her way to the living room. As expected, her mom was already in the living room with a tray containing bowls filled with cereal.
Amanda noticed Savannah standing there and asks her to sit down and have breakfast.
"Why are you standing there, come have breakfast".
Savannah didn't say anything and just sat down beside her mother. She took one of the bowls and started eating, waiting for her brother to walk in and start the usual morning drama. Savannah wasn't even done eating half of her food when Adam walked in. Today he acted a bit differently, maybe it was just Savannah's great observation skills but he usually walks into the living room looking like some homeless person, but today he was looking like someone going on a date. And that wasn't the only thing that was weird, today he was so pushy and just wanted to come to school early for some reason. But what did it matter, he's probably found himself a girlfriend or something.
Once all three of them were done eating their breakfast, they made their way to the car. With each passing day, the journey to school keeps getting shorter and soon enough, they arrived at school. Amanda waved goodbye and they waved back. The usual morning routine Savannah has adapted to.
She rushed up the stairs and walked past the kids in the hallway . She made her way to her locker and took her notebooks out before closing it. Usually, she either meets Christine by her locker or at class, but this time she was impatient to see her. She really wanted to tell her more about.... EVERYTHING!
She waited for a while and when Christine didn't show up, and the bell rang, she thought it would be best to walk into class.
Obviously, no one else but Kyle would be seated, staring out the window, thinking about something. Maybe it would be best to not discuss about their project, she already wasn't in the mood to talk to him. She walked to her seat and put her head on her desk. Christine wasn't in school yet and she wasn't in the mood to talk to anyone. She closed her eyes, hoping to maybe fall asleep but that didn't happen. She stole a glance at Christine's seat and was surprised to see someone standing right next to her, she looked up to see who it was and as expected, Christine stood inches away from Savannah's desk. Savannah quickly sat straight upon seeing Christine.
"When did you get here?" Savannah asked as Christine sat on her seat.
"Why would you notice me walking into class when you're busy sleeping here". Christine said as she brought her books out from her bag.
"I wasn't sleeping. I was just waiting for you to get here". Savannah said as she smoothened the rough strands on her hair.
"By the way, are you done with your speech?" Christine asked as soon she was done arranging her desk.
"Yeah, but, I don't think it's good. You can have a look if you want". Savannah said as she brought out her notebook and handed it to Christine. Christine didn't say anything and just took it from Savannah.
It took a while of flipping through pages for Savannah to tell that it was horrible. "It's not that bad actually", Christine said as she gave it back to Savannah, "I was actually meaning to ask if you'd help me with mine?" Savannah didn't want to refuse Christine, knowing that they both had to practice because the project was due the next day, but she knew she won't be of great help.
"I'm not sure if I'd be of great help, you can ask Alex?"
"Fine with me".
"But what about Alex and Kyle's part in the project". Savannah asked but before Christine could reply, Mrs Harris walked in.
"We'll talk about it during lunch". Christine whispered, loud enough for Savannah to hear before the both of them stood up.
....
As soon as the bell rang for lunch, all the students made their way to the canteen.
Savannah and Christine went to their usual bench and sat down. Savannah was about to open her lunchbox when she saw Kyle and Derrick walk into the canteen. She didn't know how to act knowing that they were walking towards the seat Infront of her, that was until Christine stopped them.
"Hey Kyle, why don't you come sit here?" Savannah looked up at Christine and then at Kyle. He didn't say anything and just looked at the two of them. He then shrugged and then put his lunchbox right next to Savannah's. Savannah froze. He was going to sit next to her. He sat down right next to Savannah. Savannah looked at Christine with a look that meant 'what's your problem', but Christine just shrugged and continued eating.
Almost immediately, Alex also joined in, and then the discussion started.
"So, where have you guys reached in your side of the project?" Christine asked breaking the silence in the table.
"We're actually done. What about you guys?" Alex was the one who spoke.
"We're almost done. I was thinking we'd like practice before tomorrow". And the conversation just went on, but only Alex and Christine were the ones talking. Savannah and Alex just sat awkwardly at the table. Savannah tried as hard as possible to avoid Kyle's gaze while still eating but for some reason wasn't able to hear a word Alex and Christine said, which only made lunch feel longer.
Ding ding ding!
The bell finally rang. Savannah quickly packed her lunchbox and without waiting for anyone, rushed out of the canteen. Maybe the experience would have felt more bearable without him there.