Savannah Sheppard's life was going along perfectly fine, Until her longterm boyfriend Bruce Banner dropped to one knee. She knew she couldn't say yes without first telling him the truth about the secret she's kept for the last six years. When he dem...
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Savannah must've changed her clothes five times before she left the cottage tonight, eventually settling on thigh high boots, black stockings to compliment her long sleeved burgundy dress and leaving her red curls down.
After trudging through dinner at Sam and Kate's home, her mind much too busy racing with all the many horrible ways tonight could go, to be able focus on the otherwise delicious meal Kate had prepared. She ate only a quarter portion of the baked macaroni and cheese before leaving Theo for his sleepover. Thankfully, as soon as he finished devouring his Dino nuggets and macaroni, he was more than thrilled to go play with Kate's golden retriever in their backyard yard.
Giving his mom an easy exit to head across town to the Barnes Family Farm. If she can make it there before losing the little bit of nerve she has left, that is.
Now as she navigates her rented Toyota Highlander down the all too familiar windy road, a fresh wave of nostalgia hits. And suddenly, she feels sixteen again.
~
Eight years prior, Story Haven
Savannah groans as her best friend rips the fuzzy blanket free from her face, exposing her bloodshot eyes and puffy cheeks. Her cooper curls frizzy, standing straight up from where her head lays against the pink pillow.
"Come on, Sav!" Kate demands, tossing an black sweatshirt from the back of dainty vanity chair onto the bed. "A girls night at Bec's house is just what you need!"
"I told you," Savannah huffs, rolling onto her side to avoid Kate's stare. "I don't wanna see anyone."
Kate bounces onto the twin sized bed, a surge of bile rising up Savannah's throat at the jolting motion. She can't remember the last time she's eaten, and she doesn't plan to to go downstairs for food anytime soon either. The only thing she wants, is for the earth to split down the middle and the ground to rise up to swallow her whole.
"As your best friend, It's my job to make sure you don't let that jerk ruin your whole life." Kate says, gripping Savannah's exposed bicep slightly and giving it a tug. "We're gonna get pizza, watch a couple movies. It'll be fun!"
Savannah thinks to her fight with Pietro, and fresh tears start to fall. 'We'd never work, Sav! I'm too fucked up for you.' He screamed as she shoved against his chest.
She knew confronting him with what he had said to Kate in what he assumed was the privacy of the offered ride home from school she gave him the other day, was going to go over badly.
Still, part of her truly believed she'd be able to change his mind. He said she was too innocent, and too naive. That he would break her heart and drag her down in some ominous way.
