Bet Me

Chapter 25

Savannahs POV

It's been a week since visiting the hospital. I couldn't get the image of James mother out of my head. She looked like a sweet woman, one I would have surely gotten along with if I had known her. The closest I've ever come to death was seeing my great aunt on my mothers side pass when I was nine. Since I never knew her, the event didn't phase me that much. It was a different experience to see someone you care deeply about lose a person they care deeply about. I'm not sure if there's any feeling quite like the one I felt that day.

"You can't sit here and be depressed about this, Savannah." Allie says, folding her clothes from her clean hamper and placing them into the drawer next to her bed.

"I'm not." I speak, "Sure it was hard but I can't help to wonder where James and I stand after all of this." I pause and scrunch my nose up at the thought "Is that selfish?"

"No of course not but him being quite is probably normal. I mean, old people suck but I'm sure it sucks even worst to lose them if you love them."

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. "It was his mother, you know."

"Yeah I know. But what else can you do about it? If he wants to be left alone, let him. He'll come around."

I think about all of the things James might do now that something tragic has dawned upon him in his life. I know I wasn't his priority but I strongly felt like I would want him around me at all times if I were in his shoes.

"We're going to a party tonight. Maybe you'll find your prince charming number two!" Allie teases as she tosses me some black high wasted shorts and a purple crop top.

I laughed, but I couldn't stop thinking about what she said as we made our way into that very club I met James in. I knew I wouldn't have felt anything for someone else but the thought of possibly seeing James here made my heart hurt. I decided I would force myself to look away and enjoy myself if that would happen.

The atmosphere was the same, but it felt different. Somehow I wished I was back at the night I met James. I would have much rather gone home with a guy like him then stay at this party with a bunch of people  I didn't know.

"You know Savannah." Allie introduces me. I do the polite wave half-smile thing. I find myself not paying attention to them. I look around, in hopes yet dread that I might find him.

One of the girls from Allies friends speak up. "Come hang out with my friends and I over here. I have a feeling you, Savannah and them will get along just fine!" The nearly drunk girl shouts over the loud music. She swayed her body back and forth as it looked like she was about to nearly dropped her drink all over the floor.

Allie and I follow the girl over to a lounge area. The leather seats looked nice, much like the ones from James apartment. I couldn't stop thinking about him and it was driving me insane.

"Hey guys these are my friends, Allie and some other girl." 

"Oh I know who she is!" A girl shouts, "Come over here!" 

I giggle, drunk college girls were fun to be around. It felt like a change of pace to be able to get a laugh.

"Savannah, right?" The girl shouts over the loud music. As I get closer to her, I remember meeting her before but can't quite pin point it.

"Yeah." I nod, taken back a little. "Where do I know you from?"

"I know exactly who you are." The dirty blonde says once again. She doesn't seem to be letting this go.  

"You do?" I feel uncomfortable. A lump in my throat starts to form and it becomes hard to swallow. I become shaky and feel my palms get sweaty with each second that passes by.

"Yeah. You were James Taylor's girlfriend." 

"Yeah," I state, awkwardly looking around, trying to find something else to say.

"Well, I'm assuming you two broke up right?"

"I'm not sure," I say calmly, wishing she would stop asking me questions.

"That bastard!" The tipsy woman screams. "All he wanted was the money now he leaves this poor girl not knowing what she did to deserve the silent treatment." She taps on her friend. "Hey Sarah, remember that bet thing with James? Well, this is the girl and James just up and left her just like that. No explanation or nothing."

"Well." I try to speak but I get interrupted by the girls friend.

"Oh, you poor thing!" She exclaims. "It's fine, though, the sex wasn't that great was it?" She cackles.

I wonder how she would know that but as I look around, I notice the group of girls are surrounding me. They huddle as if they're ready to get the latest gossip on this guy. It's probably what they did in their free time. James has probably been with every single one of these girls staring back at me by now and it made me feel sick.

"I'm Katie by the way." The girl finally introduces herself. "And I'm here for you."

"You know, he did a good job keeping up that act. He really seemed to like you. When y'all were dating, I asked him for a quickie and he turned down my offer."

"That's not like him." A girl chimes up, tapping on her friend. I feel anxiety creep up my spine as her other friend nods in agreement.

"I heard something about a bet?" I recall.

"Oh yes! I guess it's time for me to tell her since that scum bag won't." Katie starts. "Look honey." Her hand lays flatly on my shoulder. I looked at her glassy eyes. I felt like I was at a reunion talking to a drunk family member I didn't want to be around. "His dad stopped paying for his college tuition because all he does is hook up with girls and party. When I offered to pay for his tuition, I thought him dating a random girl would somehow change him. Clearly not." She shrugs as she takes another sip from her red solo cup. Her friends laugh and continue telling stories about James.

"I have to go." I run out of the door quickly.