April 2005...
Savannah
Savannah wasn't in a good mood. Since the minute she woke up, she didn't feel like going to school or doing anything.
The usual school rush didn't help matters, instead, it made her have a headache and miss her bed more.
She walked to class and it seemed like something happened that she had to miss. Kyle was giving everyone cards and they all seemed happy to receive one. She made her way to her seat, half expecting him to ignore her and not give her a card, and the other half prayed that he would notice her and specially invite her to whatever he was doing. Maybe that would be the one thing that would improve her mood.
As soon as he gave Christine a card, a small smile formed on her face and Savannah felt more curious to know what was going on.
He walked to her seat and hesitated. He looked her straight in the eye. Savannah felt uneasy having direct eye contact with him and immediately looked away, praying that her facial expression didn't give her thoughts away.
"Uhm, I'm having a birthday party and I wanted to invite you'. Kyle simply stated before giving her the card.
"Thank you". Savannah said as she took the card from him and opened it. At the bottom of the card, it wrote in bold letters, ' Saturday 24th April 2010 '. "Wait". Savannah suddenly said before Kyle stopped in his tracks and turned around. Luckily, no one in the class noticed. "What's your date of birth?" Savannah didn't know why she asked that question. His anwser wasn't useful to her. Maybe she just wanted to hear his voice.
"It's on the 24th of April". Kyle said softly before walking away. A small smile formed on her face when he turned to leave. She didn't know if it was just because of her crush but everything he did seemed cute. Now she was starting to notice every little thing he did.
"Hey", Savannah's thoughts were interrupted when shr heard someone speak. She abruptly turned to the direction the voice came from. "Why are you staring at him?" Christine said.
"What do you mean". Savannah said trying not to think of how their short conversation made her want to jump in excitement.
"You know what I mean. You like him don't you?" Christine asked. It almost seemed like she knew this information long before Savannah did.
Since Savannah didn't say anything, Christine continued. "I knew it. You actually do like him". Christine said almost shouting.
"Shhhhhh!" Savannah said, stealing a few glances at Kyle. At least he didn't notice. "Okay fine, I like him. But promise you won't tell anyone".
"Okay fine, I won't tell anyone, but tell me, how did it happen?" Christine said as she abruptly held Savannah's hand. Savannah could see the excitement in her eyes.
She let go of Christine's hand when he eyes caught a glimpse of the birthday invite. "Wait a minute. I'll just go to the bathroom for a second". Savannah said before standing up.
"With the birthday invite?" Christine said once she saw the birthday invite still in Savannah's hands.
"No, actually I just wanted to put this in my locker." Savannah said before rushing out of the classroom. She made her way to the girls bathroom and entered an empty stall.
She looked at the birthday invite. Thoughts roaming around in her head.
I can't believe he actually invited me!
But wait, he invited everyone else. But still, he actually invited me! I'm actually going to his house .
That's if mom agrees to let me go.
She walked out of the stall and washed her hands before making her way to her locker. The thought of her actually going to his birthday party felt so surreal. She didn't know whether to be happy that she got invited or upset that her mom might not let her go.
...
The school day went by fast. As soon as the bell rang, Savannah got up from her seat and rushed out of the classroom.
She had already practiced what she'll say to convince her mom to let her go.
Mom, I wanted to tell you. Remember that classmate that gave me a...No! That will never work. Or
Mom, I got invited to a birthday party. I promise to be back before it's late and not talk to any strangers if you'd.... No! That won't work either. If only...
"Savannah?" She heard a voice call out her name . She quickly turned around to see who it was.
"Why are you standing by your locker? Come on, let's go outside". Christine said. She didn't want to tell her that she might not come initially, but now that she knows about her crush on Kyle, there's a chance that she might know a good solution to this problem.
"Yeah sure but, I might not be able to come to Kyle's party. My mom won't allow me".
"What! No, that's not possible. You have to come, it's something I know you'd enjoy".
"Does that mean you know something that might convince her?"
"You could just tell her that you would do anything if she'd just let you go". Christine said, as the both of them made their way to the playground.
"You think that would work?" Savannah asked once they reached the playground. Though the place was mostly empty, Savannah's eyes still searched frantically for a certain someone.
"Of course, why else do you think I'd recommend the idea?" Christine said and almost immediately, Savannah heard the sound of a car, she turned to lookat the direction it came from.
"Anyways, I think my mom's here. I'd tell you if your idea worked".
"Okay, see you later". Christine said, just before Savannah began making her way to the car.
As soon as she sat at the backseat of the car next to Adam. Her mom started the engine of the car before Savannah spoke.
"Mom", she started just before her mom looked at the rearview mirror. "I got an invite to a birthday party." Savannah said while looking at her eyes from the rearview mirror, waiting for her reaction.
The car started moving. "So you want me to allow you to go to some random students birthday party?" Her mom asked after a few minutes of silence.
"Yes, but, I'd do anything you want. Anything. For as long as you want if you'd just let me go. Please". Savannah begged her as Adam chuckled at her request. Her mom didn't say anything for a while and Savannah had a feeling that she won't be going to that party."And why are you laughing?" Savannah asked Adam once she saw him laughing.
"You want to go to some random kid's party? Since when we're you interested in all these things?" Adam asked as he turned to look at her while still laughing uncontrollably.
"Hey! He's not some ' random kid ', he bought me a gift during my birthday". Savannah said, a little bit louder than before as she turned to look at him.
Adam stopped laughing when he realized what Savannah said. His eyes wide as saucers as he put his hand over his mouth and eyed her with a shocked expression written all over his face. "So he's been buying you gifts? Oh I see what's going on here". Adam said before he began laughing again.
Savannah's face flushed with embarrassment after hearing what he said but she wouldn't let him get away with it. "What's your problem?" Savannah suddenly shot back which made him turn to look at her.
"I didn't say anything". Adam said nonchalantly before turning his attention back to the window.
"You know you're -" Savannah was cut short by her mother.
"Keep quiet, the two of you!" Amanda shouted which made the two of them to turn their attention to her. "So you want to go to that party huh", Amanda started but was cut short by Savannah.
"Mom please, I really want to go. I promise I'd do anything ". Savannah said .
"I'm not done talking! But if you want to go to that party so badly, I'd let you on one condition. That you go with Adam".
Savannah and Adam both shared similar expressions. She didn't want to go with him but had no other choice. She saw the annoyed look on Adam's face. Serves him right!
"Thank you so much mom".
"But why do I have to go?" Adam said, while resting his elbow on the car door.
"Because you're the older sibling". Amanda said simply and Adam didn't protest.
A wide grin formed on Savannah's face at the thought of going to the party with him.