The Neighbor

Chapter 3: Savannah Kalani

"Oh hey Kahoni, "I said casually. I was exploding on the inside. Why is he calling me?

"I bet your wondering why I'm calling, "he said. 

"Just a little bit, "I joked. He laughed a little and I did the same. 

"Anyways, "he continued, "I just wanted to apologize for Jace earlier. What he said to you wasn't cool." 

I was a bit disappointed by his reason for calling, but I didn't let on. "Oh that?" I said casually, "That was fine. He does it all the time."

"Yeah I know, "he said, "and it's not okay. I feel like I should make it up to you." 

Yes, I thought, just go out with me. But, once again, I didn't say what I wanted. "No that's fine, "I said.

"It's really no problem, "he said.

"No thanks, "I said.

"But--"

I hung up the phone and hit my forehead. "Stupid, stupid, stupid, "I muttered, "you finally have a chance to hang out with Kahoni and what do you do? You turn it down and now your talking to yourself." I got out my fashion notebook and continued my work on a bikini design. Before I knew it it was 10:00. I put my noteboook away, put on my worn white short shorts and purple tanktop that served as pajamas, and set my alarm for 4 in the morning. I laid back and tried to get my talk with Kahoni out of my mind, at least for a few hours, so I could sleep.

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My dreams of surfing on clear blue waves was interrupted by the annoying beeping of my alarm clock. I woke up and pressed the button on the clock, but it didn't turn off. I pressed the button a few more times and it didn't work. Finally I just unplugged it and got shakily to my feet. I stumbled around sleepily as I got dressed in black shorts and a black tanktop. I put on skull earrings and black lipstick, then made my way downstairs. I got the ingredients for waffles and bacon and my family woke up right when they had finished cooking. 

"Good, "my mother said, "breakfasts ready on time today." I stood back and waited for them to get all the food they wanted. I knew in the end they would throw away half of their food just to make my work not worth the time. They all went and sat in front in the flat screen TV in the living room. I went to grab a granola bar to eat, but I stopped. There were two pieces of bacon left in the pan. They looked greasy and delicious. I looked back to check that my family wasn't looking. If they caught me stealing food they would kill me. When I was certain they were caught up in the TV show they were watching I turned around and reach slowly for the bacon. My fingertips brushed against the warm, greasy meat. 

"I'm sorry, is that yours?" my mother asked behind me. How she had snuck up behind me so quickly and quietly I didn't know. What I did know was I would be in big trouble. My mother looked at me expectantly and I remembered her question. 

"No, it's not mine, "I said quietly. 

"Then why did you reach for it?" she asked.

"Because I was hungry, "I said.

"I give you money to buy those granola bars you always eat, "she said, "but do you appreciate it?"

"Ye--"

"The answer is no." I looked down at the ground and began to worry about what my punishment would be. My mother pointed into her small office and I walked to it. She closed the door behind her; she had something behind her back. "Close your eyes, "she said. Tears welled in my eyes as I closed them. It didn't take long to discover what was behind her back. A sharp pain sprouted on my lower arm where my mother swiped a knife. I screamed and opened my eyes. My mother was all ready gone. She left me to cope with the pain and find some way to heal myself. 

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I didn't eat at lunch. The memory of my own blood was still fresh in my mind, ruining my appetite. I sat at my table in the corner and poked at the bandage on my arm. 

"Hey Danny, "a boy said. I turned to see Kahoni and his friends. 

"Hey, "I said quietly. They all stared at me in digust, all except Kahoni. He stared at me with his dark brown eyes in a kind way that I had never noticed before. 

A girl next to him cleared her throat. She was tall and tan and wore way too much make up. She wore a pink strapless shirt and a pink mini skirt. Her shiny blonde hair was pulled back in a pony tail. I despised her immediately. 

"Hello, "I said.

"Hi, "she said in a disgusted tone.

"Uh I'm Danny, "I said. 

"I'm Savannah Kalani, "she said matter-of-factly. 

"Savannah's Kahoni's girlfriend, "Jace said. 

"Jace do you have to tell the whole school?" Kahoni complained.

"Yes, "Jace said. 

"So you two are dating, "I said, "that's nice."

Kahoni looked like he wanted to say something, but Savannah interrupted, "Why don't you guys give Danny and I a moment alone." They understood that she wasn't asking; they went and sat down at a different table. "So listen Danny, "she continued, "Kahoni's mine and he always will be. So if you even try to take him away from I will make sure to make you life miserable. Understand? Good." She got up and walked away with a bounce in her step.

"Kahoni's mine, "I quietly mocked. 

"Heard that, "she shouted over her shoulder.

"Wanted you to, "I shouted. I heard a single laugh and turned to see Savannah scolding Kahoni. So one day he showed no attraction to me. The next day he laughs at my joke. I would never understand boys.