Indelible

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* Chapter 3 *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

"¿ǝɯ ǝʞıן ǝuɐsuı noʎ ǝɹ∀"

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* SAVANNAH'S POV *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

"Who's that, Derek?" Derek and I turned around. The tone of his voice concerned me. Was it wrong to be talking to Derek? Derek sighed and responded before I gathered my thoughts.

"Savannah."

"I see," the rest of the basketball players trailed behind him. I felt uncomfortable. They gave me weird vibes. Derek began to walk away, and with his hand on my shoulder, I had to follow his lead. "Where are you going? To find your dad?" The captain of the team said. The team captain laughed. I could hear the smirk on his face. Derek stopped instantly and I almost tripped. I looked up at him for answers, but all I got was a sigh and an eye roll. "Shut up, Noah." Noah? That name was so familiar. It couldn't be. Not a chance. Right? He's quite popular, from what I can see. Just like...

"Ouchies," Noah covers his chest around the area of his heart. "I'm hurt!"

I was about to say something but I remembered I wasn't just going to ruin my reputation on the first day, but again, this really bothered Derek. I could tell. "So if I threw a stick, you'd leave, right?" Derek snorted at what I said and I led him away from the group of guys. 

"Nice one. Thank you," he smiled at the ground.

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* DEREK'S POV *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

After school, I walked with Savannah towards the school gates.

"Hey, Derek, can I ask you a question?"

"Shoot."

"What's up with your father? Equipment?"

I could feel my ears burning red as I squinted at the concrete ground. "...Uh, nothing. They were just fooling around."

"But why would they make fun of him?"

"It's nothing, okay?!" I snapped clenching my fists, my eyes filling with the bitter tears from the memory. 

"Oh..I-I'm sorry," Savannah looked away, holding up her hands apologetically, a concerned expression on her face.

"No...I'm sorry. Sorry, I snapped at you," I paused, trying to think. "They were making fun of him because - um, because h-he has this big nose and th-they always make fun of it for some reason," I stammered. That was a lie. I didn't want her to have pity over me... I didn't want anyone to feel bad for me. It felt too obvious. Even the look on her face was doubtful of my excuse. 

"I'm sorry they're like that..." She kept her gaze on the floor.

"It's fine. I'm used to it."

"Well, it's the first day and everything but you can always talk to me about anything. I don't judge."

"Thank you, I'll keep that in mind."

We walked in silence for a while, before Savannah spoke again.

"Soo," she laughed. "See you tomorrow?"

"Sure thing!" I tried my best to sound normal but my voice cracked under the pressure. She paused, concerned, but waved.

"See ya, Derek."

"See ya."

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* SAVANNAH'S POV *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

I got home and headed up to my room since my dad was going to be at work late. I started doing some math problems. Not even a few questions in I heard some loud banging at the door.

"MY SAVANNAH! MY LITTLE SAVANNAH!"
I gulped. I knew who it was. It was Mary.

Mother.