Don't Go Into The Woods

Chapter 26

Exams kept us so busy and with the New Years Eve Ball looming, everybody wanted to ensure they passed. Even I needed to make sure I passed. I had my own ulterior motives for that. The secret room kept popping into my mind each time I turned a page of one of my school text books. I was determined to succeed and I was not the only one. Carmen helped with the planning to sneak into the secret room. Though I was not sure which one she was more excited about. The ball or the secret room. By the time Friday came and we were done writing our final exams, she had the magazines out. Scattered all over her bed, she dove herself into them and for the next full Friday afternoon till the Saturday morning, all she could do was talk about which dress she was going to be wearing to the ball which was in a week's time. She even talked me into going shopping with her to town the Saturday morning. I knew that a trip to town for a dress would be a full day event and I honestly didn't mind if only it meant that I did not have to repeatedly bump into Dimitri there wondering the sidewalk with Roman and a few other friends.

Roman had literally reappeared at school a few days ago right before the exams ended. He reappeared like nothing had happened and like he was absolutely nowhere but at school the entire time. Odd.

I did not dare snoop as to where he had been as I still have not come clean with him, but as I found myself seated at a very familiar coffee bookshop having breakfast with Carmen, I quickly started to feel like a cornered wild animal. It did not take Dimitri long to spot me seated in the corner of the coffee shop by the window. That is how Dimitri had originally seen me and I guessed that is the reason why he suddenly decided it was time to have something warm to drink. Unfortunately Roman was with him and he had noticed me roughly at the same time Dimitri had. I just barely managed to finish my breakfast when Roman arrived at the table to greet me.

"Hi there ladies." Roman greeted.

"Hi Roman." Carmen greeted before giving me a kick in the shin under the table with one of her rather expensive and hard winter boots. I knew what she was saying, or rather trying to say. With my shin throbbing thanks to Carmen, I rose to my feet from the table. Dimitri was standing in the queue nearby. I could feel his eyes were on me though. Or should I rather say Roman and I. It was time for me to come clean and set Roman straight.

"Hi Roman. How have you been?" I asked, shaking.

"Alright I guess. Sucks being ignored though." Roman replied. His honesty made me feel rather shitty, but I guess I deserved that as I hadn't been fair to him.

"Yes. Er about that. Can we talk somewhere privately please?" I asked.

"Sure. Lead the way." Roman said.

I gave him a nervous smile before leaving Carmen alone at the table to finish off her breakfast while I took care of business. I knew this day was going to come eventually. I just wanted to get it over and done with as soon as possible. My heart just refused to stop racing as I was followed by Roman out of the coffee bookshop. Dimitri and I exchanged glances with one another as we exited. Outside the shop was still too busy for my liking so I continued to walk up the sidewalk till I had found a secluded alleyway to stop and step into, in order to have this private conversation which was long overdue. I turned around to face Roman. Before I even had the chance to speak, Roman caught me off guard by grabbing hold of me. He forced me into a tight hug and then tried to plant his lips on mine. I shoved him off of me at once. He stumbled a bit backwards, slipping in the snow. He just barely managed to keep his balance and not topple over. I honestly did not care if he had fallen over and smacked his face in after what he had just done. I don't think I even gave him a hint of permission to try and force himself on me like that!

"What the hell Roman?!" I scolded angrily.

"What is your problem? You have become such a cold fish Savannah." Roman said in an insulting tone of voice. He even let out a laugh like he actually found this funny! Forcing himself on someone was a joke to him! He stood up straight and adjusted his coat before looking at me again. The look on his face had changed to one I did not recognize. It looked almost menacing and not at all like a kind hearted down to earth person I thought Roman to be. "He is never going to love you!" Roman suddenly blurted out. His words caught me off guard. He had actually jumped to the same assumptions as the rest of those who bought into all those stupid rumors and gossip talk. Maybe I was the wrong one here for expecting more from him. "You can see how he treated Candice!" Roman continued. I should have known. This was all coming from Candice. "They were only together because she asked him to help maintain her image at school. They never even kissed unless it was for show! And you want to be with someone like that!" Roman shouted angrily at me.