Page 1 of Where We Met

Chapter One

Savannah

Aloudboomsoundsabove me, coming through the ceiling of my new apartment.

"Shit!" I whisper to myself as I look around for my keys.

There's yelling going on in the apartment upstairs, something I've already become accustomed to in the week that I've lived here.

My dog Bailey looks up at me with a concerned face. I kneel down and scratch her favorite spot right behind her ears.

"It's okay, girl," I tell her soothingly. "I've gotta go to class, but I'll be back soon." I kiss her on the head and walk out, locking up behind me.

I hate having to leave her here alone. Except for work, I haven't gone anywhere all week, but today is my first day back at school. My first two classes were earlier in the day, officially kicking off the last semester of my senior year, and now I’ve just got one last lecture today.

I decided to come home for a couple of hours in between, having no desire to spend more time on campus. As soon as I got to my apartment, I regretted that decision. It just isn't home.

It’s a world of difference from where I lived on campus with my friends last semester.

My dad got remarried a few months ago to Veronica, my stepmom, and has been struggling to keep up with extra costs. Veronica has two kids from a previous marriage. They're much younger than me, being in first and third grade. Dad's been distracted and overwhelmed by having to support three extra people, especially two kids who live under his roof now. But he's happy, so I'm happy for him.

When he asked if I could swing paying a portion of my rent on my own, I felt so bad that I told him I could cover all of it.

Turns out, that wasn't true at all. But instead of owning up to my mistake, I decided to move out. The only place I could find within my budget is less than ideal, has neighbors who scream at each other incessantly, and is definitely in a dangerous part of town.

It’s not advisable to walk alone in this neighborhood, but the closest parking spot I could find after my shift last night was two streets away, and wanting to get back to Bailey after a long day, I took it.

Keep your head down.

That’s what I keep telling myself when I walk the streets of this neighborhood. I don’t know if it’s the right move, but it makes me feel safer.

As soon as I get into my car, I lock the doors and start the engine.

On my drive to class, I pass by the campus coffee shop, longing for my favorite vanilla latte. It’s something I wish I could allow myself to indulge in, but I know I can’t afford it.

My dad would kill me if he knew I was living like this, but I want him to be happy. We lost my mother to cancer when I was three, and it's just been me and him ever since. He’s spent my whole life making sure I had everything I needed. If slumming it for a semester is how I can repay him, it's the least I can do.

Pulling up to the building, I let out a sigh of relief when I notice there’s a parking spot open in the front row. Thankfully, I won't have to walk far in this freezing Cleveland weather.

I’m majoring in Marketing with a focus in International Business. I knew I wanted,neededto have international travel built into my career. I love meeting people from different backgrounds, and exploring different cultures and seeing how we all operate differently is what makes me feel alive.

I’m a few minutes early to my Managing Cultural Differences class, and when I walk into the lecture hall, my stomach drops when I see familiar faces seated in the front.

“Savannah, hey, over here.” Aubrey waves. “Guys, look who’s in our class!”

The rest of my friends, the same girls I lived with last semester, turn their heads. They wave and smile as I start to make my way down the stairs.

I haven’t called them since I’ve been back from winter break and moved into my new place. I knew they would ask about it, and I don’t want anyone to see where I’m living. They would freak out and demand they help me out.

I’m committed to being the happy, optimistic friend. Growing up without a mother, I’ve always been the one everyone was worried about and I’m sick of it. I don’t want anyone to turn me into a charity case.

“Get over here.” Shannon grabs me and brings me into a huge hug. “I’ve been meaning to call. I wanna come over and see your new place.”

There it is. The reason I’ve been avoiding everybody. We were living in a nice house on campus, and there was just no way I was going to be able to swing that kind of monthly rent with my catering job. So, I told them I had to move out because my dad had to cut back on how much he was able to help me out. I just never told them how bad it actually was.

“Oh, it’s nothing worth seeing. I don’t even really have much furniture yet." I wave my hand, trying to act nonchalant, hoping she won’t press the matter.

I'm actually sleeping on a blow-up mattress, and I put together a piece of crap futon to use as a couch in the living area.

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