Chapter Eighteen

Fallen for Him

It was the night of the winter formal.

Savannah spent four hours straightening her bushy hair for the first time, without the help of her mother.

A few neck burns and a lot of patience was all it took to transform her thick, curly bundle of hair into long, sleek hair.

She stared at herself in the mirror, she'd never been bold enough to change something that was so prominent to her identity, even if it was temporary.

She couldn't decide if she liked it because it was different or because her, now, sleek and straight hair, was a lot easier to handle.

The truth was, she wanted help from her mother, especially on such a special night, but couldn't bring herself to ask so much of her mother especially at a time when she's grieving.

After she had finished her hair and make-up, with 15 minutes to spare before Leon shows up, she slipped into her gown that her father purchased two week earlier.

It was a beautiful, backless lilac gown.

It was a halter top with lace details and a chiffon skirt.

Her skin glowed like bronze gold, she felt genuinely beautiful.

She beamed with confidence, feeling like princess for the first time in her life.

She slipped on her high heels and made her way down stairs to wait for Leon.

The house was quiet, her father was working late and she assumed her mother was asleep somewhere.

Ben was hanging around his friends, which was good.

He had been a lot happier lately, she just wished he looked it.

He was coming home with fewer bruises on his stomach, but more on his face, arms and legs.

She trusted Ben, he had never been dishonest with her or given her a reason to not trust him.

She thought the least she can do, was do as he asked, and trust him.

She walked down stairs in a hurry and made a sharp turn not seeing where she was going.

In an instant she was face-to-face with no one other than Mike.

He stepped back, stared at her for a moment, gave her a half-smile and went on about his business.

Savannah was lost for words.

One, she was astounded that he didn't insult her or try to instigate an altercation, two, he wasn't acting like he hated every fibre of Savannah's being and three, he smiled, he actually smiled at her.

Savannah had to do a double take and didn't believe her eyes.

She thought she must've imagined it.

She heard Leon's car pull up in the driveway, she waited for him to honk his horn, but the sound never came.

Leon entered through the front door.

He was wearing casual, black slacks with a black vest and a collard, long-sleeved, white shirt underneath.

Savannah could see that in his chest pocket, where his tattoo was under, he had a daisy pinned to it.

His golden brown curls neatly dangled down his forehead.

He beamed at Savannah, looking as radiantly beautiful as ever.

It was like a dream, her and the only person she ever wanted to be with in the world.

She felt like she was floating and that time had stopped, she could feel her heart yearning for his.

Every second that went by didn't feel like enough to take in the beautiful soul standing in front of her as she got heart-eyed.

He stared at her adoringly, "You look beautiful Savannah," he beamed.

Why did he make it so hard to not fall in love with him?

"So do you.... Mate," she added smiling.

Leon reached into his back pocket and he took out an item.

He unravelled a silver corsage with a single daisy on it.

He approached Savannah, reached out for her hand that was hanging from her side and elevated it towards him.

She didn't know how long she could act like she only liked him as a friend and as a brother, when her heart wanted him as her lover.

Her breathing quickened and her heart pounded in her chest as he wrapped the corsage around Savannah wrist, ever so delicately and painfully slowly.

He let go of her wrist, encouraging her to admire the beautiful corsage.

She felt her heart sink as Leon's hand gently let go of hers.

Leon looked up at her, "I'm glad you like it," he chuckled clearly mistaking love-struck for admiration of the corsage.

He took out his phone and started taking pictures of them two together.

A few silly ones, a few serious ones, a few genuine ones and one where he kissed Savannah on the cheek.

She thought she was going to cry.

This was literal torture, it seemed like the more time she spent with him the stronger her attraction towards him grew.

She had to do something, she couldn't let herself suffer in an emotional rollercoaster for as long as she is friends with Leon.

Savanah knew herself well enough to know that, her feelings for Leon had gotten to the point of no return.

Then the reality of the situation came crashing down on her like an avalanche.

Soon she will have to face the tough decision between confessing her feelings towards Leon and saving herself from this emotional struggle but destroy their friendship;

Or keep this dark secret locked away in a forbidden part of her brain, saving her relationship with Leon, but destroying herself from the inside out.

"Shall we?" he asked holding out his elbow.

Savannah let go of her feelings and took a deep breath in.

She wrapped her arms around Leon's as he led her to the car.

Savannah kept her cool the entire journey to venue where the formal was being held, also known as, the school gymnasium.

They made their way, Savannah could hear the music playing as soon as they walked into the school gates.

As the walked in to the gymnasium, they were struck with lights, streamers and loud music as excitement and elation lingered in the air.

The gymnasium was barely recognisable.

To the right, part of the gym was transformed into a dance floor, the other side, tables stood with festive centrepieces.

Savannah looked around and recognised Heather dancing with Ethan and Natalie dancing with Caleb.

She scanned the room for Mitchell but had no luck in finding him. Too much was going on.

Leon led Savannah to the dance floor where they danced and sang their hearts out to throwback songs they listened to in their childhood.

Savannah went to go grab a cup of soda, when she met Mitchell, he smiled,

"nice of you to make an appearance, Brown," he said in a voice so kind it was almost condescending.

Why was Mitchell was calling her by her last name? she didn't have a clue.

He stood there staring at her like she was the moon, adoringly and unbelievingly.

Savannah didn't know what had gotten into him until she realised her hair.

It must've come as a shock for him.

"Hey, Mitch, I've been looking for you... what's good?" she asked sipping her drink, he sighed and put his hands in his pockets.

"Really?" he asked hopefully, "...you look lovely," he said without looking at her in the eyes, Savannah got the idea that something was bothering him.

"Hey, mate, are you alright?" she asked setting down her drink,

"y-yeah.. yeah I'm fine.... Its just that I've... for as long as I can remember, I just feel so-"

Mitchell's stuttering was interrupted by Emily Sanders who was wearing a beautiful pink satin dress.

She linked her arm with Mitchells, "hey are you coming to dance?" she asked softly, she caught a sight and Savannah and beamed at her.

"I almost didn't recognise you! Savannah you look incredible!" she squealed,

"as do you," grinned Savannah, patting her on the shoulder, which probably wasn't socially acceptable.

By now it was obvious who Mitchell had asked to the formal, Emily.

Savannah was thrilled, out of all the cruel girls in her year, she was glad Mitchell asked Emily.

Mitchell seemed to have lost his train of thought, "I'll see you later Savannah," he sad sadly as Emily practically dragged him to the dance-floor.

Savannah was joined by Leon who ushered her to the table area for light appetisers.

As they walked, hand in hand, she was met by a disgustingly furious look thrown at her by Natalie's face.

Apparently she was in the same boat as Savannah, both of them wanted Leon, as someone who was 'more than a friend.'"

When it was nearly the end of the night.

Heather was about the announce the 'King' and 'Queen' of the entire event.

Savannah sat alone, Leon was a co-host of tonight's event and had to run off and fulfil his duties once every few half-hours throughout the night.

"The Holy Cross High, Prom Queen for this year is.... Natalie Georgevski!" she squealed.

'Surprise, surprise' Savannah laughed to herself.

Leon all of a sudden almost popped out of nowhere and grabbed Savannah roughly by the wrist.

He picked up her purse and led her out of the gym without a word.

Savannah wondered what the heck was going on, but being friends with Leon for nearly 14 years, she learned to just go with it sometimes.

They were outside as the cold, night air hit Savannah in the face.

"What now?" she asked trailing after him, before he answered, she heard Heather's voice from inside announce that the prom 'King' of the event was "Leon Thomson!"

Leon didn't say a word until they got inside his car and he was driving,

"sorry Sav, I just had to get out of there," he breathed.

Leon drove and parked in front of his house,

"the night is still young... come on," he said.

He led Savannah through the front door and out into the backyard.

The night air was still, with the occasional spring breeze.

He climbed onto a ladder and on top of the roof.

She'd been friends with Leon long enough to learn that he was menacingly unpredictable, but this was taking it to another level.

Savannah took off her heeled shoes, and climbed the ladder.

He was sitting on the roof of his two-storey house with his knees in front of him as he stared into the night.

Savannah sat beside him.

"They rigged it," he said plainly,

"rigged what?" asked Savannah,

"the votes for King and Queen, Heather made so it was Natalie and I who were... 'crowned'" he said, disheartened.

"I tried so hard to give everyone a good night... worked tirelessly for months and this is what they do to me..." he said, without looking at Savannah.

She didn't know what to say, she patted his back to comfort him but felt like it wasn't enough.

"Leon... why are you friends with those people?" the words had left Savannah's mouth before she realised.

It was more of a thought which she accidently voiced out loud.

It was a question that bothered her for as long as she could remember, but never thought to bring it up, she didn't want to be 'that' friend.

Leon scoffed,

"Sometimes I ask myself the same question... I don't know... they annoy the living crap out of me sometimes... but being with them only reminds me of what I have with you," he said finally turning to Savannah.

Leon never looked so beautiful, the moonlight kissed his tan skin and illuminated the gold in his brown curls.

His eyes looked more alive than ever, she wanted nothing more than to live in his beautiful chestnut brown eyes that she was so mercilessly lost in.

There was an energy, like lightning crackling between them, she could practically taste it.

There was no way she was going to be able to live like this.

She had to tell him and she had to do it fast.

"My worst fear is an unfulfilled life... it's why I think, I do what I do... all the reckless partying and hanging around with people who are probably no good for me."

"Do you know why I like the night Sav?" he asked and she shook her head.

"Because it's quiet," he chuckled, "nobody expects anything from me... I can watch stupid videos on the internet and waste time and not feel bad about it....

"During the day, there's so much noise that I can't seem to block out, at night is when I think clearly because I can actually pick out the voices that are my own," he breathed, looking a lot more relaxed.

Savannah had never seen this side of Leon, she appreciated the he felt comfortable enough to tell Savannah something this deep and personal.

"The voice that often pops into my head, encourages me, and talks me out of doing stupid things... is yours," he said, smiling at Savannah with a glint of sincerity in his eyes.

Savannah thought she might explode.

Everything Leon was saying was doing nothing to help her situation but make it worse.

She wanted to cry, she never wanted anybody more than she wanted Leon in her life.

Leon leant in.

Savannah heart raced.

Either he was going to kiss her, or she was going to kiss him.

This was bad, very bad, but everything her body convinced her it was good.

She was one millisecond away from destroying her greatest friendship.

The voices in Savannah's mind protested in objection but her body wanted it to go where she thought it was going

Leon leant in so close, Savannah could feel his warm breath on her cold face.

He placed the palm of his warm hands on Savannah's face,

what was he doing?!

That simple contact with her skin made her melt.

She was incapable of thinking, like her soul had left her body and was watching her being reckless.

It felt like it was meant to be, like Leon's palms were made to touch her, like his hands were made to hold hers,

like his arms were the safest place in the world, like being with him is the only place Savannah is meant to be.

Leon tucked away a hair strand behind her ear and kissed her one the forehead.

He smiled and looked away leaving Savannah in shambles.

She let out a breath she didn't know she was holding.

Leon was playing mind games with her and he didn't even know it.

She was ashamed of herself for thinking that Leon being drawn to her romantically was a possibility.

"You've gotta stop doing that," she said her voice shaky and her eyes full of tears,

"doing what?" asked Leon fearfully, startled by Savannah's sudden sadness.

"When you touch me like that... and talk to me like that... you can't expect me not to feel something for you," she said tears spilling down her face as Leon looked more and more horrified.

She stood up and got down the ladder as quickly as she could as Leon called after her in distraught.

She couldn't see where she was going as tears flooded her eyes.

She wasn't thinking straight; all she knew was she had to get as far away from this mess as possible.

She grabbed Leon's bike and started riding it to the front of the house as he called out after her, begging for her to return.

There was nothing she could do to stop herself from falling for him, by this point she had already fallen and she was at rock bottom.

She felt her heart shatter into a million pieces as she wailed down the street, riding a bike has never been so difficult.

She didn't care that her dress was getting caught in the chains, she didn't care that her makeup was a mess, she didn't care that the raindrops starting to fall would frizz her hair and she didn't care that she'd left her shoes in Leon's backyard.

She didn't care because she was completely, utterly and insanely, head-over-heels in love with her best friend and he was never going to feel the same way.