"So you liked it?" I ask down the phone, walking through the park towards my dorm building.

"Yes, I enjoyed it." Brett replies, chuckling slightly.

"I told you it was good." I retort, "Best sandwich in this town."

"I mean, I think the meatball, pepperoni & mozzarella sandwich is better but..."

"Seriously?" I exclaim, "Who do you think you are?"

"The guy you're interested in." 

"I'm starting to wonder why."

"Only starting to?" He teases and I laugh as I open the door, hurrying into my dorm and out of the rain that is beginning to fall.

"You're right. I've never understood what I see in you." I remark and hear him suck in a breath.

"Seems like Stubborn Savannah is out today."

"Shut up!"

"So stubborn." He comments as I make my way to our post room.

"Whatever." I grumble, "Just because you have bad taste in sandwiches."

"I do not!" He objects, "You'd like the meatball one too."

"I would." I agree, unlocking the door to the box and pulling it open, "But there's no way it's as good as the BBQ chicken one."

"Oh Savvie, how little you know." He comments. There are so many catalogues for Elena, it's ridiculous. Why she would ever sign up for Wayfair is beyond me, she can't even buy a set of shelves for our room let alone anything else.

My eyes fall onto the envelope at the bottom of the pile, Clifton Corp Industries plastered across the front. My stomach drops, having anxiously waited two weeks for a response, not knowing whether I would hear from them at all, and now the answer lies in front of me.

"Sav?" Brett says, pulling me out of my trance.

"I've got to go." I manage to get out, slamming the post box shut and turning to make my way upstairs.

"Are you okay?" He asks, worry clearly laced through his voice. "Sav?"

"I'm fine Brett." I assure him, "Elena just walked in." I lie, almost running up the stairs.

"Alright, I'll see you tomorrow?" He asks as I stuff the key into the lock.

"The Gala. Yes. Of course." I confirm, ramming the door open, "Bye." I exclaim before pulling the phone away from my ear and hanging up, chucking it onto my bed as the door slams behind me. Elena is out for the day with Kyle, a perfect opportunity to open the letter.

With a deep breath I rip it open, my heart in my mouth as I yank the paper out. Scanning the document quickly my eyes fall upon the words 'Congratulations' and 'Invited for an interview'.

Grinning, I sink down onto my bed, letter still in hand.

*~*~*

Sitting in the cafe with my sister catching up I can't help but think about how nice it is to have her here, how I wish she could move up to college with me. I don't think I'll ever stop being homesick.

She drove up for the day, just to meet me for lunch so that we can catch up. So far she's assured me that her and Alex are getting on well, him spending four nights a week at our apartment which makes me feel a whole lot better about being away from home. The training for her job is going well, and she's making her way up the ranks, slowly but surely and I'm proud. She deserves the world.

"I saw Haydon the other day." Elle says as I take a bite of my brownie. Swallowing it quickly I look up at her.

"You did?"

"At the hardware store." She nods, "He looks okay."

"Good." I reply, placing the brownie back down on my plate. "He deserves to be happy."

"And so do you Ann." She smiles, reaching over and gently squeezing my hand. I grimace, unsure of how to bring up the topic of Devil Winters to my sister.

"So..." I trail off, looking down at my brownie.

"What?" She asks, eyebrow piqued with curiosity. 

"I..."

"I know that look Savannah." Elle remarks, putting her coffee down on the table, "What have you done?"

"I haven't done anything." I protest, looking up at her with wide eyes.

"Why don't I believe you?" She scoffs, crossing her arms as she leans back. I grimace as I think of the best way to broach the subject. Coming up short I shake my head and lean forward, ready to rip off the band aid as I always do.

"I'm... I'm seeing Brett again." I declare. Confusion clouds her features.

"Seeing him? At college?"

"Seeing him Elle." I clarify, "As in dates and making out."

"You're..." She trails off, glancing down at the table. "Right." She nods her head.

"You told me to go for it." I point out.

"I don't think that's quite what I said." She scoffs.

"Seriously?"

"I told you to be happy." She remarks, "Are you sure he's going to make you happy?"

"No." I answer truthfully.

"No?" Her eyes nearly fall out of her head.

"It's early days." I shrug.

"So you jumped back into the pit of snakes and you don't know whether it'll make you happy?"

"I want to take it slow." I justify.

"Alright, so this new relationship..."

"I wouldn't call it a relationship!" I protest, holding up a finger.

"What?"

"We aren't exclusive." I explain and she shakes her head.

"So you are literally your high school self right now?" She retorts, "Do you not remember what happened last time?" She asks. Why the hell does everyone keep saying that? As though I've somehow got amnesia and forgotten his God awful betrayal? Hell no. I'm aware of it. But I'm attempting to move on. Is that okay?

"Elle. I like Brett. I really really like Brett." I say softly, "I've forgiven him." I smile, "Anyway, I'm the one who didn't want to be in a relationship yet. I want to take it slower."

"You do?" She asks, her expression wary.

"I think so." I nod, smiling at her reassuringly. "The point is, our 'thing' isn't on his terms this time."

"I'm just worried about you."

"You don't need to be." I assure her, "I'm a grown up now Elle."

"You'll always be my baby sister."

"Great." I chuckle, rolling my eyes. "Anyway, I'll be keeping an eye on Alex in return."

"I met his parents last week." She reveals, picking her coffee back up.

"You did?" I exclaim, surprised that she hasn't revealed this before, "How are they?"

"They're... conservative." She comments, grimacing.

"Conservative?"

"Very prim and proper." She elaborates and I wrinkle my nose at the answer, "Very proud that their son is a doctor too."

"I probably shouldn't meet them then." I laugh, picking the brownie up and taking a bite, "I don't exactly fit the prim and proper standards."

"But you're my family." Elle argues, "I want you to meet them because you are who I am." She smiles, "They need to know that."

"Well good luck to you then Elle." I snort, "That'll be a fun day."

"I swear to God if you embarrass me..."

"What?" I chuckle, cutting her off, "What you going to do? Kick me out?"

"Maybe." She retorts, "And I won't take you back next time either."

"Wow." I exclaim, grinning as she smirks.

"I'm kidding!"

*~*~*

"So are you sure you've done this before?" I grimace as Elena holds the hair curler close to my ear.

"S! Just because I don't go all out unless it's a special occasion, doesn't mean I can't do your hair." She exclaims, letting the curl bounce down passed my shoulder, "I did my own hair at prom."

"My sister did mine." I exclaim, smiling at the thought of my sister.

"No surprises there. You're useless." Elena scoffs. I've roped her into helping me get ready for the Charity Gala. Having dragged me around twenty different shops for the 'perfect dress' and shoving my ugly stepsister feet into tiny shoes, we'd then stumbled back in time for her to do my hair for me.

"Hey!" I protest. "I'm going to do my own make-up!"

"Only because Elle taught you how." She points out and I shrug.

"Well at least I know now..." I trail off as she rolls her hot wand closer and closer to my scalp, "Please don't burn me!"

"I'm going to put these curlers down and walk out of here in about five seconds unless you shut up." She snaps and I roll my eyes.

"Yes Sir!"

"Alright." She smiles sarcastically, "How was Elle yesterday? Was it nice to see her?"

"It was lovely." I smile, wringing my hands together at the thought of her leaving, "Just a shame she had to go home. I should have cancelled on Brett. Spent the next few days watching films with Elle instead." I moan.

"I think not." Elena retorts. "Aren't you excited for tonight?" She exclaims.

"I don't really know what to expect." I answer honestly, "I'm scared people are going to look down their nose at me."

"That's ridiculous." She scoffs.

"Is it?" I argue, "I'm not like these people E. They don't understand me."

"Some of these rich people may actually have a heart you know."

"Maybe."

"Come on! You said Brett's Mom was better than you ever thought."

"She is." I admit, "But let's not forget that she was pretty absent for the first eighteen years of his life."

"I know." Elena acknowledges, "But at least she's trying."

"I guess." I mutter, glancing down at my hands, "I just feel bad for him. He's never had that supportive, loving parent to help him."

"Neither have you Sav." She points out, "You've both lost out. That's probably why you help each other."

"But at least I had it before they died." I reply, glancing up at her in the mirror.

"And they must be so proud of you." She grins, grabbing another section of my hair.

"E..."

"I mean it Sav." She exclaims, cutting me off. "You did it! You got into college, you're earning money for yourself, you're dating a rich boy." She winks, "You made it."

"E! That's not why I'm dating him!" I laugh.

"It's gotta help though, right?" She smirks.

"No!" I squeal.

"Damn S. I'd definitely list his money as a pro." Elena scoffs.

"You sound like Becky." I roll my eyes.

"I miss her." Elena grins and I smile.

"Me too." I reply, "She'll be visiting again soon."

"Good." She grins before letting the final tight curl fall down next to my chin, "Alright, how's it looking?" She asks. My tight head of curls cling to my head in sections. She can't be serious.

"Ummm..."

"I'm done." She places the curling wand down and rubs her hands together, smiling. She's serious? I look like Chutney from Legally Blonde, the girl who shot her own Father. I can't go like this!

"Uh..."

"Kidding!" She exclaims, clapping her hands together, "You should have seen the look on your face just then!" She laughs before grabbing hold of my hair and  running her hands through it. I shoot her a death stare. Does this girl not know how stressed I am already?

*~*~*

"Here's your bag."Elena passes me the silver clutch before standing back and grinning at me, "Okay! I think you're ready!"

"I am?" 

"Yep." She grins, opening the closet door to reveal the mirror inside, "Have a look at the final product." She gestures and I step in front, eyes widening at the sight. The red dress hugs my figure down to my knees, the sparkly straps glinting in the light. Elena has pinned part of my hair back, leaving the rest to flow freely down my back in loose waves. I like it.

"Thanks for helping me E." I exclaims, smiling appreciatively at her.

"What else am I going to do?" She shrugs, crossing her arms, "Once you're gone I'm just going to watch Twilight, New Moon and Eclipse and wait for you to come home." She smirks. Of course she is.

"How long do you think I'll be gone? From what I remember those films are all over two hours!" I exclaim, turning to face her.

"Maybe until morning?" She replies, a cheeky grin on her face, "If Brett gets his way that is."

"Elena!" I squeal, glaring at her before turning and grabbing hold of the door handle, attempting to leave before she sees the red blush on my cheeks.

"Have fun!" She calls out after me, "Use condoms!" I hear as the door slams shut behind me. Jesus Christ!

Quickly sweeping down the stairs I am pleased that I don't run into anyone dressed like this. As long as I can stay under the radar I'm happy. Can you imagine the stares I'd get dressed like this in a low-priced college dormitory building? 

I'd probably be robbed.

Pushing the door open I take a step out into the fresh air, praying that I don't stumble in the silver stiletto heels. Looking towards the road my eyes immediately fall on the God dressed in a tuxedo, hands shoved into his pockets, eyes widening as they spot me.

"Hey." I greet shyly, taking a step towards him.

"Wow..." He breathes out.

"Thank you." I grin, stopping in front of him as he shakes his head, grinning from ear to ear.

"You look unreal." He manages to mutter out, "Absolutely breathtaking."

"You don't look bad yourself." I smile, biting my lip. I notice him gulp slightly as he glances me over, before taking a step back, seemingly breaking himself out of a trance.

"Why thank you." He grins, "Shall we?"

"Okay." I nod, turning towards the road. I stop immediately, eyes widening. "Wow... a limo?"

"I can't have you going to your first Charity Gala on the bus can I?" He grins, grabbing hold of my waist and leading me over.

"Uhh..."

"Don't fight me Savannah. Just get in." He exclaims, smiling as I roll my eyes. Opening the door to the plush black car I give in, smiling up at him and ducking down into the car.

"Fine."

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