Savannah’s Alpha

Neon Moon

Cynthia was back on stage saying something into the microphone as the orchestra volunteers loaded her harp back onto the platform. Savannah wasn’t listening. It was after 7pm and she needed to get ready for her next performance. She made a beeline for the exit and ran straight into Gabby.

“Omg babe, you are a total goddess” Gabby gushed.

Savannah grabbed her roomie into a crushing hug. “I can’t believe the sign. Thank you so much”

“Do you like it? I made it myself”

Savannah released her grip on Gabby and stared at her in disbelief.

“You made it?! It must have taken hours. Days, even! When the hell did you have time..” Savannah trailed off, realization setting in.

Gabby laughed out loud “Yes, I made it while you had campus security out searching for me”

Savannah gave her a playful tap on the arm “Well thank you, and sorry for calling security but we have to go like now”

“Vamos!” Gabby cheered, and the pair hurried out of the art center.

Savannah couldn’t help but look for Jameson as they made their way out of the building. She didn’t see him but had a feeling he was somewhere in the shadows watching her.

When they reached the quad, they took off their shoes and ran through the grass. Gabby called Jade and Emily to tell them to get over to the dorm. Savannah climbed the stairs two at a time and yelled for Gabby to help her out of her dress. They were going to a honky tonk bar; an elegant evening gown was not an appropriate outfit.

Savannah threw on a pair of ripped skinny jeans and a cream colored ribbed crop top. She decided she didn’t have time to restyle her hair. Gabby was busy getting into her outfit when Jade and Emily arrived. Jade had brought a pair of knee high cowboy boots for Savannah to borrow. They were a little big but they looked great with her outfit.

“Let’s go girls” Jade said in her best Shania Twain voice.

…

They arrived at Neon Moon just before 8pm. The parking lot was full and the bar was packed. Savannah searched the crowd for Greg. She spotted him plugging in an amplifier at the head of the dance floor. The girls gave her words of encouragement as they parted ways.

“Hey” Savannah greeted Greg as he opened his guitar case. The Neon Moon didn’t have a stage, but they did have two microphones and a bar stool set up. It was a far cry from the fine arts center.

Greg smiled while he pulled out his instrument. “Hey, just in time. How’d the benefit go?”

“Good, I think. I didn’t stick around”

“So you don’t know how much they bid on you?” Greg grinned.

Savannah shook her head. “They have until midnight to bid. Hopefully it wasn’t a bust”

Greg stood and looked Savannah up and down. “Yeah.. there’s no way it was a bust”

…

“Hi everyone, I’m Savannah O’Riley and this is Greg Rollins. We are psyched to be here tonight and play you some of our favorite country music”

Savannah laughed internally knowing Greg didn’t have any favorite country music. Luckily, they were playing more classic rock than country. But they were familiar favorites the crowd would hopefully love.

Gabby, Jade and Emily cheered loudly from the bar. Savannah was grateful for the support because the rest of the place was carrying on as if they weren’t there.

Greg and Savannah shared a nod and Greg began to play. Savannah swallowed hard before giving her best rendition of “Simple Man”.

By the second chorus, the bar was singing along. Jade started passing around the tip jar, and was aggressively soliciting patrons to drop some cash for the musicians.

The song ended in enthusiastic applause and even some cheers. Savannah felt an overwhelming sense of happiness. This is what she loved; connecting with people through music.

After “Fast Car” and some Stevie Nicks, they upped the tempo. Savannah let her hair down from the bun, shaking it as she belted out her best country twang for “Redneck Woman” and the famous “Any Man of Mine”. People were out on the dance floor now. Jade placed the now full tip jar near Savannah’s feet and danced with Gabby. Emily was making out with a guy in a cowboy hat in between choruses. Neon Moon was coming alive.

…

“Thank you so much for having us here tonight at Neon Moon. We really enjoyed playing for ya’ll and hope to come back and do it again soon”

The country music had given Savannah a little southern drawl and she was milking it with the crowd. Their tip jar was stuffed full. Greg was grinning from ear to ear

“Thanks ya’ll” he whispered into her ear jokingly when they cut their mics.

Savannah giggled. This night had been everything she hoped it would be. Gabby and Jade rushed up to congratulate her. Strangers approached to compliment her voice. Emilys new friend in the cowboy hat ordered them a round of fireball shots. Not wanting the night to end, someone put a little money into the old jukebox near the wall.

The girls ended up on the dance floor with drinks in hand. Savannah realized she had lost sight of Greg but figured she would catch up with him later. Some guys had infiltrated their group and one of them was dancing behind her. She didn’t mind at first until he grabbed her hips and pulled her to grind on his crotch. When she tried to move away, the man’s hands dug into her, squeezing the tops of her thighs.

Feeling violated, Savannah swung her right elbow back into the offensive man’s chest. The blow surprised him and he momentarily loosened his grip, giving her the opportunity to get away from him. Her friends didn’t seem to notice the altercation and she snaked through the packed dance floor to try and find Greg. She was no longer having fun and wanted to leave.

Greg was sitting at the end of bar, nursing a beer. Savannah saw him and tried to make her way over.

A man stepped in front of her, blocking her path. “Where are you going, princess?”

She hadn’t gotten a look at the guys face on the dance floor but assumed this was him. He was huge with dark features and reeked of alcohol. There wasn’t much room but she tried to push past him. If she could get by, Greg would be able to see her. Not that he’d be able to take this huge guy if it came down to it. The man probably weighed 100 pounds more than Greg and was easily 6 inches taller.

Savannah rushed around him, but he caught her arm and pulled. His scent made her nauseous. “Let go!” she demanded.

What came next happened so fast she couldn’t even process the sequence of events. The man was on the ground. Someone hit him with a chair? Glass was breaking. Blood.

Someone was standing in front of her, adjusting the collar of his white button down shirt, which was now spattered with blood.

Jameson.

…