The Return

The History

    ---Flashback---

    Savannah couldn't wait to get her license. It was the peak of freedom. When she got a car she wouldn't have to walk home anymore in the blistering heat, or tromp around in the rain. She could pump up the A/C and blast music. She wouldn't have to rely on her friends or on her parents to take her everywhere.  For now, however, she was destined to walk the two miles home from school. Her summer job working at the register in the pizza shop would go to that car. She saw the red of the market and veered off to go inside. The A/C hit her like a blast, and she relished in it for a minute. She walked up to the ice cream counter and ordered an orange cream float. 

    As Savannah waited for her float, Brody pulled his car into the markets parking lot. He loved having his own car, he had had to earn it, sweating over the lodge docks in the summer, and helping out at the hospital whenever he could. It was worth it though, even when he had to pick up things his mother needed from the store. He walked in to the store and stopped when he saw Savannah at the counter. His mother could wait a few extra minutes. 

    "Hey there," Brody slide onto the stool next to her. He watched the trail of her tongue as it swiped the whip cream from her top lip. 

    "Hi." Savannah's heart did a low roll. She hadn't been allowed to date until she was 16, a time that was quickly approaching. It hadn't stopped Brody from flirting with her. They had been friends and that was slowly shifting to something else. 

    "I was wondering if we could go over the notes from Bio?" Brody casually brushed his thumb over her finger, where the ice cream had started to drip onto it. 

    "Um, yea sure, I'm free for an hour before practice tomorrow?" She felt warm tingles on the finger he brushed. Brody leaned his elbow on the counter, edging closer to her, their arms were barely touching. She looked up through her eye lashes at him. The sea glass green was turbulent and full of heat. 

    "Well looky here, my two favorite people!" Savannah jerked back, as Alec slide in between the two stools her and Brody were on. Alec sipped at Savannah's float and waggled his eyebrows at her. "What were you two talking about?"

    "Just Bio," Savannah's voice wasn't quite steady when she answered. 

    "Hey man, didn't you have groceries to pick up for your mom? My mom was just talking about the dinner party tonight. She can't wait." Alec nudged Brody off the stool.

    "Yea, I better get to it, Since your coming tonight why don't you help with the groceries and I'll drive us back and we can game before?"

    "Sure, sure, you get started I just have to ask Savannah a couple things about class." 

    Brody glanced at Savannah and winked before heading off to go pick up the list of things his mom sent him with. 

    "What was your question about class?" Savannah pushed the float to the side no longer wanting it. 

    "I just needed some help with the events that led up to World War II, but a more important question is what are your plans for next Saturday?" Savannah chewed on her bottom lip, next Saturday was her 16th birthday. She knew how her parents wanted her to spend it, she knew how her two best friends wanted to spend it, and more she knew how she wanted to spend it. The trouble was which was going to win out. 

    Her sole plan for her 16th birthday had been to go on a date with Brody. She had been trying to figure out a way to tell her parents she didn't want to do their birthday tradition of stay at home movie night with endless popcorn and candy, then a small get together the day after. She desperately loved being with them and the traditions they had built, but she was going to be an adult soon. Her two best friends of course wanted to throw a huge party and dance the night away or if that couldn't be managed a girls trip into Portland. 

    "I haven't quite decided what I'm doing yet. Katie, Sam, and I may go into Portland for the day." She had been using that plan as an answer for right now.

    "Mm, well that doesn't sound thrilling for a sweet sixteen, you could always throw a party at my house, you know my parents won't mind." 

    "I don't know," She turned to Alec and saw his eyes go hard, "Not that I don't appreciate it, it's just my parents, you know how strict they can be." Savannah shrugged off the excuse. "I better get going home," Savannah stood up from the stool and gave Alec a small wave before walking out. Brody had just finished checking out as she walked to the door, she touched her hand to his shoulder. 

    "Bye, let me know if you want to study tomorrow." She let her hand slid down his shoulder to his elbow as she went out the door. Brody stood in place holding the paper grocery bags, he could still feel the trail of her hand and had to start the multiplication tables in his head to reel in the feelings she stirred in him. Alec knocked into his arm. 

    "Yo space to Brody, let's go I wanna kick your ass on Xbox." Shaking his head they left for the parking lot.

    Savannah thought about what to do, maybe a party was a good idea. It would give her an excuse to hang out with Brody, maybe even dance together. It wasn't quite the date she had in mind, but it could be the start of her shift from friends with Brody. 

       Brody caught up with Savannah the day before her birthday. She leaned back against a wall, and angled her head. 

    "Hey Brody, what's up? I have practice in a few, and so do you." She pointed and wagged her finger at him.

    "I know, but since your parents are surprising you tomorrow I wanted to make sure to give you this today. But don't open it until tomorrow 'kay?" Savannah's fingers brushed and lingered on his as she took the package.

    She smiled at him, "Thank you, I was thinking maybe since we have Monday off from school we could go hike around the lake?" 

    He had been waiting for it, but the rush of excitement that blew through him was staggering. Slowly, Brody grazed his fingertips down her arm and loosely held her hand, he leaned down to her and could feel her breath catch. 

    Savannah felt like she couldn't breath, everything in her body was flashing hot and cold. Butterflies didn't flutter but swarmed through her. She watched as he leaned down to her and very lightly brushed his lips over hers. 

    "I couldn't wait until Monday," she could feel the breath of his words against her lips. Brody cupped her cheek before taking a step back. 

    "If I don't see you tomorrow, I will definitely see you Monday. I'l pack a picnic." He skipped back a couple steps heading up to the fields. Savannah touched her fingertips to her lips and smiled all the way to practice.