SAVANNAH
I’m lost in the music, the buzz of laughter, and the lights that swirl around us. Kelvin and I are dancing, moving to the rhythm, the world melting away. I’m not sure how long we’ve been swaying together, but it feels like hours.
It’s funny. I didn’t think I would like this. I didn’t think I could. But there I was, caught up in the moment, swaying to the music with Kelvin, and all the confusion about Blake seemed to disappear for the night.
"Hey," Kelvin says, his voice cutting through the music. "You seem a little out of it. What’s going on?"
I blink, pulling myself back into the present. I look up at him, trying to shake off the swirling thoughts in my mind. "Nothing," I say, offering him a smile that I hope hides my confusion. "Just... thinking."
He raises an eyebrow. "About what?"
I open my mouth to answer, but I don’t know how to explain it. How do I put into words how Blake has been messing with my head? How do I explain that one minute, I’m on top of the world, feeling like maybe, just maybe, he likes me back, and the next, I feel like I’m invisible to him?
"School stuff," I finally say, shrugging. "And just... life, I guess."
He nods, but I can tell he’s not buying it. He’s too sharp for that. "You sure? You seem distracted."
I nod again, but this time it feels like I’m convincing myself more than him. The music shifts, the tempo slowing down, and I feel the pressure in my chest ease just a little. We fall into a comfortable rhythm, moving in sync. I can hear the soft hum of conversation around us, but Kelvin’s eyes are fixed on mine.
"You go to Westlake, right?" he asks after a beat, his voice low.
"Yeah," I reply, trying to keep it casual. "How did you know?"
He gives me a playful grin. "You told me earlier. Remember?"
I laugh, rolling my eyes. "Oh, right. I guess I forgot."
"No problem," he says smoothly, his tone light. "What’s it like there?"
I hesitate, trying to find the right words. The truth is, Westlake isn’t the worst place, but it’s got its share of drama. "It’s... fine. You know, typical high school stuff. People are people. Some are cool, some are—" I hesitate, my mind flicking to Alyssa and her crew. "Some are less than cool."
Kelvin nods like he understands, though I’m sure he doesn’t know the half of it. "Sounds like every high school. Do you like it there?"
"Yeah. I mean, it’s fine," I say, my voice trailing off. "What about you? Where do you go?"
"Oxford," he says, grinning like he knows he’s about to drop a bomb.
My eyebrows shoot up, surprise flashing through me. "Wait. You’re in Oxford?"
"Yeah," he chuckles. "I’m studying medicine."
"Medicine?!" I gasp, genuinely impressed. "Wow. That’s... that’s incredible. I’ve always dreamed of going there."
"You should come," he says, almost casually, but there’s something in his eyes that makes it feel like more than just an offhand suggestion.
"I... I wish," I say with a laugh, my voice laced with disbelief. "I don’t know if that’s even possible."
"It is, you know," he replies, a grin tugging at his lips. "You’re smart. You could do it."
I shake my head, trying to wrap my mind around the idea of someone like me going to a place like Oxford. "I don’t know. I don’t even know what I’m doing half the time."
He gives me a reassuring look. "You’ll figure it out. The important thing is that you want it."
I smile, feeling the warmth of his encouragement wrap around me. I’ve always dreamed of going to Oxford, but I’ve never really believed it could happen. Not for someone like me.
"What are you going to study?" he asks, clearly interested.
“I don’t know yet," I say, brushing it off. "I guess I’ll figure it out too."
He laughs softly, his eyes twinkling. "Well, it’s good to have goals. So, when’s your final exams?"
I think for a second. "Probably in the next one or two months, I think. It’s all getting so close."
"Then you’ll be on your way," he says with a knowing look. "I’m sure you’ll make it."
I nod, but I’m already feeling a little out of place. Here I am, dancing with this amazing guy, talking about my future like I’ve got it all figured out, when deep down, I have no idea what’s next.
The music changes again, the beat shifting into something slower, more intimate. I glance around, noticing that some of the other guests are starting to gather by the cake, their attention on Brenda as she prepares to cut it. Kelvin leans in closer, his arm tightening around my waist as we slow down.
Then, the unmistakable voice of the MC, Blake breaks through the air. "Brenda, please come forward to cut the cake!"
Everyone claps, and the crowd shifts toward the cake, their attention fully on Brenda as she steps up to cut it. I glance over at Kelvin, wondering if the moment is over, but he’s still looking at me with that same focused gaze.
"You know," he says casually, "my brother has a thing for Brenda."
I stop dead in my tracks, blinking. "Really?" I ask, my curiosity piqued.
He nods, the smile on his face turning a little more knowing. "Yeah. If he didn’t like her so much, I wouldn’t be here with you right now, would I?"
I raise an eyebrow, surprised by the honesty in his voice. "That’s... interesting. I never would have guessed.
I just lied. There was no way in the world that I would make it known that Brenda told me she had a huge crush on his brother.
"Well," I say, a playful smile forming on my lips, "I’ve seen the way he looks at her. I think she likes him too."
Kelvin grins. "Really? What have you noticed?"
I gesture with my eyes toward Brenda and Aaron, both of whom are talking near the cake. "It’s the way he looks at her. His eyes shine when he stares at her. It’s... nice."
Kelvin leans closer, his breath warm against my ear. "Really?" he asks, his voice low. "What about me? How do my eyes look?"
The way he says it sends a spark of heat through me, and I almost lose my breath. I take a step back, trying to steady myself, but I can feel the heat in my cheeks. Kelvin’s presence is overwhelming, and it’s hard to ignore.
But I can’t forget about Blake. He’s here too. And I know, deep down, he won’t like what’s happening.
I step back, trying to create some space between us, but Kelvin reaches for me, pulling me gently back into his arms. His fingers curl around my waist, holding me close. I feel his body heat, his breath against my skin. It’s too much.
I try to pull away again, but Kelvin isn’t letting go. He leans in closer, his lips dangerously close to mine. I close my eyes, preparing for the kiss that I know is coming.
And then, just as I brace myself, everything changes. I feel a sharp tug, and before I can even react, I’m yanked backward.
My eyes snap open, and I’m in Blake’s arms.
"What the hell are you doing?" Blake growls, his voice low and furious. His grip on my arms is firm, almost too firm, and his eyes burn with anger.
I stand there, shocked, blinking at him, completely thrown off balance.