The Neighbor

Chapter 16: A walk up the Beach

"He tried to kiss you? "Lani asked.

"Yup, "I said.

"Was it magical?" she asked.

"I said he tried to kiss me, "I said, "I didn't say he succeeded."

"You mean you didn't kiss him?" she asked in astonishment.

I had told Lani all about my meeting with Kahoni on the walk to school. I was happy to climb the steps to school Monday morning. It had been the most dramatic weekend of my life, I couldn't wait to put it behind me.

But one step into the school and I could tell it wasn't over. When I entered the main hall everyone looked up at me. They all held their phones.

"I think someone saw, "Lani said.

"You think, "I said. I grabbed her wrist and dragged her into a custodian closet.

"What are we doing in here?" she asked.

"You know I'm friends with the janitor, "I said.

"No, "she said, "I mean why are we hiding?"

"Lani, someone saw, "I said, "they told the whole school."

"Exactly, "she said, "you should be celebrating! You should go out there and rub it in Savannah's stupid face."

"Lani I can't do that, "I said.

"Why not? Kahoni likes you and not Savannah, "she said, "isn't that what you always wanted?"

"Yeah okay, "I said, "I always wanted Kahoni to like me. But the fact is, stealing someone's boyfriend is a big deal, especially a popular girl's boyfriend. This just causes all kinds of drama in my life. My life has never been dramatic and honestly I'm not sure I like it."

"Look, I get it, "she said, "when my parents died my family treated me like a bomb. You know, careful around you yet never taking their eyes off of you. That kind of drama is hard to handle. But you have liked Kahoni forever and he likes you. So why not go after him?"

The bell signalling we had two minutes to get to class rang. "Yes, I like Kahoni, "I said, "but the fact is I can't have him and that's all right. I'm used to it, I never get what I want." I turned around and ran to my first hour, ignoring all the stares.

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At lunch Lani had to go talk to some of her teachers, so I was left all alone. I sat in my usual spot in the shade and enjoyed my nice quiet lunch. Kids walked past me and glared. Everyone seemed mad at me, like they wouldn't kiss Kahoni if they got the chance. I was just about to get up and spend my lunch time in the library to avoid all the stares when Savannah sat down at my table.

"Please sit, "she said.

"Ok, "I said hesitantly. I sat across from her and waited for her to scream at me, but she didn't.

"We need to talk, "she said very calmly. 

"Look Savannah I'm really sorry, "I said, "I honestly don't know what happened."

"You listen to me Danny, "she said, "I warned you to stay away from Kahoni and you didn't listen. So now we're going to try something different." She leaned in close and gained a threatening look. "I have information, "she said quietly and ominously, "I know things about you, embarrassing things. Things that I know you wouldn't want anyone else to know, except maybe Lani and Brendan."

"How do you know about Brendan?" I asked.

"I know everything, "she said, "I know that your dad left you, I know that your mother hates you, I know that if I were to pull that glove back there would be four scars." I was shocked; she knew everything about me. 

"How do you know all that?" I asked.

"Doesn't matter, "she said, "what matters is that it would kill you if that got out, wouldn't it?"

"All right Savannah, "I said, "what's it gonna take for this to be just between you and me?"

"You stay away from Kahoni, "she said, "tell him that you hate him. Tell him to stay away from you. If I hear about anymore kisses or surfing dates, I will tell everyone all your secrets. Got it?" She stood up, smiled, and said, "Good chat." She glared at me before doing her half walk, half hop cheerleader walk over to the popular table. I sat at my table, dumbstruck, trying to decided what to do. 

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"Your sure you don't want me to walk with you?" Lani asked after school.

"Yeah, "I said, "I just want to be alone." I hadn't told her about lunch, just that I had a big decision to make. She went down the main road and I took off my flipflops and walked down the beach. I always liked to walk on the shore when I needed to think. The waves lapping at my feet cleared my mind.

My house was in view when I heard someone behind me say, "Want some company?" When I turned around I saw Kahoni doing his stupidly adorable smile. It was at that moment that I made up my mind.

"We need to talk, "I said.

"What's up?" he asked, frowning.

"I can't talk to you anymore, "I said.

"Did Savannah tell you to say that?" he asked.

"No, "I said, "Savannah told me to tell you I hate you."

"Danny you don't have to this, "he said.

"Yes I do, "I said, "for reasons that you could only imagine. We just can't see eachother anymore."

"Danny, "he said.

"Just stay away me, "I said. I wanted to just leave it at that, just turn around and run away. But the sad look on his face, the way he pouted, made me feel like I had to do something. I stepped forward and kissed him. For a second it was like we were in a world all by ourselves. All the drama didn't exist. The threats, the stares, everything was gone. I pulled away and said, "Goodbye Kahoni." I didn't run. I turned and walk calmly back to my hut. None of that had happened in my mind, I had just had a nice calm walk up the beach. 

Sorry I took so long to update. I wasn't quite sure what I wanted to do with the story at this point. I hope you are all okay with my decision.
~Hermione