POV: Savannah
* * *
It'd been almost a month since the argument between me, Colin, and Reece. I had just recently started talking to Reece again, but it was only because when we would do group work in class, the teachers would always pair us together and it'd be awkward if I didn't get over it at least a little.
It was now February and Reece still hadn't gotten married to Jen. They moved it back to the fourteenth, which was Valentine's day. He vowed not to marry her until I agreed to come to their wedding, which she was surprisingly ok with... I guess that's what true love was like, not that I'd know...
Colin and I hadn't really conversated much since he broke my heart, unless you count me asking him the basic questions such as, 'can you hand me the remote,' or 'when are you moving out.'
He claimed to still be looking for a place, which I didn't buy, but I decided to let him stay anyway. I had never lived alone before, and I didn't know how to feel about him going. It was like if he left then the reality of this whole thing would hit me hard, and I didn't think I was ready to face that, especially without my best friend.
The only person I had left in my life was Ryan. His attendance at school had been sorta sketchy ever since he admitted to me that he was using again. Apparently, he was going to meetings and actually getting his life together... or so he said. I hoped he was being honest with me because when you're 31... you should already have your life together... Once again, it had come down to Ryan to make me feel better. The pathological lying, bipolar, moody drug addict was the only friend I had...
I went downstairs to grab a drink, when I saw colin walk through the front door.
"Hey, any mail?"
"Yeah, here," he said, handing me an envelope, "I got one too... I think It's Reece and Jen's wedding invitation"
"Oh, cool"
The awkwardness still lingered between us and I couldn't think of anything to say to him. All I wanted to do was get away.
"Yup," he nodded
All of a sudden there was a knock at the door. I was so thankful that it interrupted that weird moment.
"I've got it," Colin said
I sat on the couch In the living room, turned the TV to low volume, and eavesdropped on the muffled voices coming from down the hall.
POV: Ryan
"Ryan? What are you doing here?"
"I just wanted to talk to Savannah... I don't mean to cause any—"
"It's fine. We don't date anymore"
"Aw man, sorry to hear. How'd that happen?"
"I broke up with her because I was jealous... Biggest mistake I've ever made"
I looked down at the ground below. I knew what he really meant was 'we broke up because of you', but I didn't say anything.
"Savannah is in the living room if you wanna go see her," he insisted, pointing me in the general direction.
"Thanks Colin"
"No problem... Hey— are you ok?"
He stopped me as I was walking inside.
"Yeah, why?"
"I don't know, you just seem different Ryan... In a good way."
"Thanks," I laughed, "I've been working on that..."
I walked past him and into the living room. Savannah was sitting on the couch watching Spongebob... I couldn't help but smile at how adorable that was.
"Savannah! What's up?!"
She turned to face me and jumped up from the couch.
"Ryan!" she exclaimed, pulling me in for a hug, "How are you? I barely see you anymore at school... do you still teach there?"
"Yeah," I said, letting go of her as Colin walked in the room, "I've just been taking care of some stuff."
"What kind of stuff?" Colin questioned.
"Well, I'm glad you asked! I've been trying to better myself as a human being for a while now, and after seeing how much pain I caused to my friends, family, and everyone I love, I decided to buckle down and shift the gears in my life. I haven't been going to work a lot because my wife moved up here!"
"Oh wow... are you two together again?"
"No, definitely not, but we did work some things out... We finally got our divorce—"
"That's great Ryan!"
"Yeah," I agreed, "but that's not the best part. I took her back to court for our children, sued for partial custody, took a drug test, passed it, and I won!"
"You won!?!"
"No way! I'm so happy for you!" Colin praised, coming at me for a hug.
It'd been awhile since I had a genuine brotherly moment with Colin, and I appreciated all of his support after what I'd put him through.
"Thank you guys, I'm unbelievably happy" I said, getting a little emotional.
"When do you get to see them?
"On the weekends... It kind of works out, but I wish I could see them more"
"I just think it's great you're actually manning up and trying to be a good father—"
"Yeah, keyword 'trying,'" I laughed, "when you have your child you'll understand... "
Savannah and Colin blushed and exchanged smiles with each other. No matter what, I knew they'd always have a deep bond. Even though they broke up, they could never hate each other, and it wasn't just because he took her virginity...
"Can't wait," Colin grinned, "I have to go out, see you two later—"
"Why the rush? Have a hot date or something?"
"Yes actually..."
Savannah's facial expression changed in an instant.
"Oh, well then, good luck Colin!"
"Yeah, have fun," she agreed, faking a smile as Colin waved and walked out of the house.
Savannah went over to the couch to sit, and I followed behind.
"See, I told you I would get better..."
"I'm glad," she smirked, "does that mean you'll be coming to school more?"
"Of course," I said, wrapping my arms around her, "only if you want me to..."
"If you've really changed... Yes, without a doubt please come back, but if this is just another one of your games—"
"It's not... I'll admit, It's hard to control some of the more impulsive things I did, but I am making an effort to try—"
"For your kids?"
"Yup... and for Colin... and my job... but most of all for you..."
I looked down at her, still in my arms, and realized she was crying.
"What's wrong? Did I say something?"
"No— I just... I haven't told anyone yet"
"About?"
"Colin should be the first one I tell—"
"Colin isn't here right now, and he probably won't be until way later tonight... Talk to me Savannah, please... Maybe I can help you," I suggested, wiping tears from her face.
"I've been having cramps..."
"Yeahhh, um, I know I'm not a pregnant female, but doesn't that come with getting pregnant?"
"Yea but when I get these cramps... I immediately have to run to the bathroom..."
I didn't understand... It all sounded totally normal.
"Well hey, I'm here if you need me to comfort you or—"
"There's always so much blood Ryan..."
She was looking off into the distance. Her eyes glistened in the light... The room grew silent and I felt like everything around me stopped.
"Wh— What..." I stuttered, speaking softly and meticulously, "so what does that mean?"
She shook her head and looked down at the coffee table.
"SAVANNAH—"
"GIVE ME A SECOND RYAN!"
My stomach turned as I awaited her response.
"I'm sorry I snapped..." I said, breaking the silence once more, "I just can't stand to see you like this. If you don't want to tell me, and you'd rather wait for colin—"
"I think I'm having a miscarriage Ryan..."