Don't Go Into The Woods

Chapter 20

After a couple more nights of poor sleeping I actually started to believe that going away from this place would do me some good. Though I really wished I could take Carmen up on her offer and spend a couple of nights by her and her family instead. Unfortunately my mom refused to allow me to have any fun whatsoever. That included having some normal fun like two girls having a sleep over. Well I guess I should be glad to still be taking a break from this place. Though when the morning came to leave and as I got into the back of the vehicle which was sent to collect me, I could not help but look back and give the school once last look. I was surely going to miss this place. Just a few days away were going to feel like a lifetime. Could I survive going back to my mom's too good to be true wannabe lifestyle? I took a deep breath as I forced myself to climb into the vehicle and drive away. Even saying goodbye to Carmen was a little harder than what I expected it to be. I knew it was not forever. I just did not know why I was behaving so emotional. Jeez. I clearly needed this time away in order to return to feeling like my usual self. I turned up the music in my headphones as the vehicle drove away with me inside. Listening to Robyn, I started to think about Dimitri who had been awfully quiet and distant ever since our run in. I did not know if it was because of Candice or how I treated him that day but he was different. Candice on the other hand was even worse than ever. She was surely on a warpath and just about everything and everyone was a victim of her hatred. Strangely enough she stayed clear of Carmen and I. Just like I tried my best to stay clear of Roman by avoiding him every chance he tried to get a moment alone with me. Carmen aided me quite a few times with that while the other times I tried to come up with a decent excuse to disappear or act busy. That was another reason why I had to get away from this place for a bit. I needed time to stop and think about where I stood with Roman. What I felt for him. If I felt anything at all for him besides friendship. Who knew private school could be so complicated?! I leaned back in the seat and prepared myself for the ride, switching my music over to hardcore rock. It always did the trick when I needed soothing.

"Savannah darling!" My mom said as she threw her arms around me. I had barely managed to step out of the vehicle after pulling up to a stop in front of the mansion. No offense to Rick but it was far smaller than the school. Besides the size difference, I could not but notice the strange warm welcome I was receiving from my mom. Even Rick was outside here to say hello. After two long drives and a plane trip, I was tired and not willing to put up a fight and by fight I meant shoving my mom off of me before she stabbed me with her long fake white nails. My mom ushered me inside while the house help took the bag I brought with upstairs to my bedroom. I was instantly bombarded with Christmas decorations which covered almost every inch of the walls and ceiling in the mansion. Alright. I guess my mom had a reason to be extra excited about this Christmas as this would be her fifth year celebrating it with Rick. "How was your flight? How has the term been so far?" My mom said excitedly. I followed both her and Rick into the kitchen where she forced me into a seat at the counter. Her nails were sharp and I was only looking out for my shoulders. Rick took a seat beside me while my mom was behaving a little too much like a housewife by pouring us both non alcoholic eggnog to drink. My mom placed the mug before me and gestured me to take a sip. I was hesitant so I watched Rick take a sip before me just in case it was laced with poison. Why else would my mom be behaving so nice towards me? Was she just trying to kill me without me knowing? Anything was possible with my mom. I sipped slowly while remaining silent. My mom just could not stop talking though. "You must tell me all about your new school." My mom said rather persistently.

"Hold on there honey. I am sure Savannah is struggling to keep up with all your questions." Rick said. He was partially right there. The other reason was because I just wasn't interested in answering my mom. No matter what she was asking me.

"I'm sorry. I am just so excited to have my daughter back. I missed you so much." My mom said as she reached over I took hold of my hand. She was a bit too quick for me. I didn't even expect it. Well not totally. I pulled away from my mom at once. This type of reaction upset not only my mom, but Rick too immediately. "Don't tell me that these few months apart have taught you nothing and you are still the same Savannah." My mom said. My mom gave me this pitiful look. There she was, doing it again.trying to play the victim.