The Refugees

Chapter 20: Savannah

Edited

I open the door, feeling a brisk breeze blow my hair and dress, a feeling of freedom overwhelming me. I'm ready to go out, about to go down the steps leading to the dirt-filled street until I feel a hand on mine and I turn in surprise.

Ash.

"Where are you going?" He asks me, his eyes seeming to shield his emotions as per usual.

"Out."

"I can see that." He replies, crackling a smile and I find myself being taken a little off guard.

He laughed again.

I take my hand away from under his and see his face shift slightly with surprise and I hurry down the stairs.

"I won't be out long!" I call before turning towards him to give him a little wave.

"Wait, I can't let you go off like that alone."

"Why not? I'm not a child." I reply.

"It's dangerous."

"And you can protect me?" I ask him, rolling my eyes. "Look, I don't need protection. Either way who's going to come attack me?" I ask rhetorically, flashing him a confident smile.

"I want to come anyways."

I cock my head to the side slightly surprised but I still smile.

"Do what you please." I respond before pivoting on my heels and heading further away from town.

I hear him close the door before he jogs over to me and I turn to look up at him, a small smile drawn on my face.

"So where are we going?" He asks, his voice holding some lightness to it.

"An adventure?"

"That's not really an answer."

"Is it?" I reply, taunting him by avoiding his question.

We reach the bottom of a hill and I look up to see only forest lies after it. The hill is made of earth and rock and is inclined in a rather steep gradient. I first get hold onto a strong rock before quickly climbing up the hill as fast as possible to not lose my grip and fall backwards.

"You really are one to surprise people." Ash comments once we're at the top.

"What do you mean?" I turn to him, a cheeky smile on my face.

"Here you are, wearing your white nightgown and a pair of boots and you just climbed up this hill like it was nothing, dirtying your nightgown in the process. Most girls I know would never even touch earth."

"Well I guess, I'm not like most girls then."

I pause for a second, looking down at the beautiful view before me. The sun sets and seems to be shooting colors; red, orange and pink rays are shot out as their last goodbye.

"I really want to experience things like these. Things that most of you take for granted because you've seen it all too often. Things you don't truly appreciate because it's old and usual. Everything. The earth, the sun, the moon, the stars. They're all just beautiful and seem to do everything in their power for our very survival and not many people truly appreciate them."

I see Ash's face illuminate in the rather orange tone of the setting sun and I smile at him as I feel a cool breeze wist through the air. His eyes just slowly widen then he looks down a look I've never seen on his face as he looks down, as if he'd having an internal mind battle, and my smile slowly fades in confusion.

"What are you thinking about?" I finally ask him once I sit beside him.

"I don't know..." He replies, still very deep in his silent thoughts.

I remain quiet. The quiet is soothing unlike what most people tend to believe. I like it, it makes it easier for me to think and as the sky darkens the only thing left is room for everything which is enchanting in a world falling asleep.

"Savannah, have you ever been in love?"

I turn to look at him quite perplexed. Love?

"That's such a big word. No, not really. You?"

"Never. How bout a crush?"

I think long and hard as I try to look back into the past for any signs of a crush. I was never one to chase after boys. Sasha on the other hand had started becoming boy-crazy at a rather young age, always notifying me of the good-looking kids' whereabouts.

It was very simple. Either puberty hit you and it hit you hard or it didn't at all, and because the number of boys in the grades close to ours didn't change you had to be very specific because you could choose your next husband in that bunch. However I was never interested. Schoolwork always seemed more pressing at the time.

He turns to look at me, his eyes bearing into mine.

"Hmm..." Trying silently to make up someone so Ash can't tease me about it. "Yes?"

"So that's a no."

Dammit.

A smirk broadens on his face and I frown in annoyance.

"What's wrong with that?"

"Nothing, I just feel bad for the boys in your grade!" He replies letting out a broad laugh. Why is he always so emotional at night then strict and cold all day? I'm confused.

"What do you mean?"

"You're dense."

"I am not!"

"How far have you gone with guys?"

"Nowhere." I reply, slightly embarrassed.

He leans closer to me and I feel my cheeks flush immediately by the proximity. I can't handle the beating of my heart which starts to go wild with anxiety. My cheeks are so hot they could burn anything to a crisp at this point.

"Getting nervous?" He whispers again, his face now curious rather than expressionless.

"Of course not." I reply defiantly, refusing to lose to his mind games.

I feel my heart beat faster and my cheeks grow warmer and I turn my head away in fear.

What am I scared of?

~~~

Hey guys! I really love this song and I thought it would fit well with this chapter but anyways hope the chapter was good! I don't even think I should be this excited over a chapter tbh but whatevs! 😂😂

Song: Direct - Trust In Me ft Holly Drummond (MrFijiWiji Remix)