[ C h a p t e r - T w e l v e ]

Chapter 12

“Can you do me a favor?” my mother asked me and I nodded. She struggled to decorate the highest part of the Christmas tree so Jeremiah grabbed the decorations and started decorating it.

“What is it?” I asked her, quirking an eyebrow.

“Make a run for me,” she told me and I furrowed my eyebrows.

“Aren’t the stores closed? It’s Christmas Eve, mom,” I told her and she shook her head.

“I don’t mean the stores, hun; I mean downtown,” she informed me. I gave her a confused look.

“What? Why?” I asked, staring at her as she continued cooking dinner.

“Just go; they’re having something for the teenagers there; your cousin's going to be there,” she told me.

“Percy?” I asked, furrowing my eyebrows. She nodded. “But he’s not a teenager.”

“I know. He’s the DJ; it’s in the minor's club,” she told me and I gave her an annoyed look.

“Why can’t I just stay home?” I asked, letting out a huff as I sat on the couch.

“I promised Percy that you’d go,” she told me and I sighed. “Now go change into something warm.”

I went upstairs and changed from my pajamas into a pair of jeans and a large sweater. I put on my boots and I grabbed my purse, galloping downstairs after I French braided my hair in the mirror. I rarely dress up and when I do, my brother makes a big deal about it. “Are you going to try and win Jonah back?”

I glared at him. “Shut up, you idiot.” He laughed before stealing a cookie and running back upstairs. I wonder if Jonah’s going. Yeah, probably with Waverly. My mother smiled at me.

“Go and have fun, call me before you come home,” she grinned.

“When’s my curfew?” I asked as I stole a cookie. She narrowed her eyes but the playful smile never left her face. She pursed her lips.

“10,” I raised my eyebrows and my jaw dropped slightly.

“It takes an hour to get downtown, mom. It’s 7,” I told her and she did the math before sighing.

“Can I trust you?” she asked, pulling her lips into her mouth. I nodded…hopefully she can.

“Yes,” I assured her verbally. She closed her eyes before looking at me.

“Midnight, but if you’re home a minute later, I’ll skin you alive,” she threatened and I nodded, a smile finding its way across my face.

~~~

I took sixty dollars with me. I hope that’s enough. It’s all I had. Well, I only had thirty dollars and my mom helped me out with the other thirty. Actually, I had seventy. I forgot about the ten dollars that I won from Jeremiah because I beat him in checkers.

I decided to call Sierra back after I noticed that she called me. “Hello?”

“Hey, you finally returned my call,” Sierra laughed as I got into my car. It was dark and I wasn’t a big fan of driving in the dark. I turned on my car and turned up the heat to let it warm up.

“Yeah, anyway, why’d ya call?” I asked her. I heard her tell someone she’d be back.

“Did you hear about that thing downtown for teenagers? Are you going?” she asked and I smiled. At least I’d know someone there.

“Yeah, I’m actually getting ready to go. Are you there?” I asked her.

“Yeah, Sabrina and I forced Jonah to come.” She laughed. “It’s actually pretty fun; there are a lot of cute guys here.” She explained. So Jonah is there.

“When are you guys leaving?” I asked her as I started driving. I know it’s bad to drive and talk on the phone but these streets are dead at this time, anyway.

“After midnight, something special is going on at midnight that the club refuses to tell us. What about you?” She asked.

“At eleven, most likely, because I need to be home by twelve,” I told her. She made a sound of understanding. “Maybe I’ll ask my mom to let me stay until 12:30,” I told her and she started telling me that I should. I told her that I’d call her back.

I dialed my mom’s number and she answered immediately. “Hello?”

“Mom, can I stay a bit later?” I asked her.

“Why?” she asked.

“Well, turns out that I have a friend there and she told me that they’re having a special event at 12 and in order to be there for the event, I’ll have to get a home a bit later,” I replied. She thought for a moment.

“You have to call me before you leave," she demanded and I confirmed before telling her that I love her and hanging up.

~~~

I don’t understand why they are having this thing on the 24th of December. Then again, they can’t have it on the 23rd because that’s Winter Wonderland. They can’t have it on the 22nd because that’s the day before Winter Wonderland and nobody would stay out that late; parents wouldn’t let their kids stay out that late on a school night, anyway.

I continued driving, listening to music and singing along. Once I got to the more city-like area, I realized that it was a bit livelier. I smiled slightly at the sign of other life. After a while, driving in a secluded part of town was creepy, especially when you’re alone in the car.

Once I reached the minor's club, I parked my car across the street. The parking lot was already filled and I walked towards the entrance. Thankfully, the line wasn’t all that long and I began digging around in my purse, locating my wallet.

The bouncer started letting people in and once I got to the front, he smiled at me. He didn’t look much older than me; maybe he was around Jer’s age. “Hello.”

“Hi,” I smiled at him, awkwardly shifting from foot to foot. “How much is the entrance fee?”

“It’s free, babe, it’s Christmas Eve,” he smiled and I nodded as he opened the small gate. “Can I get your number on the way out?”

I smiled at him before shrugging. I laughed and entered the club. That was a bit weird. I rarely get flirted with…ever. The last time a guy flirted with me, and actually meant it, I poured soda on his potato salad…accidentally, of course. But that was in the 6th grade. Jonah doesn't count.

I felt someone’s hand on my arm and I looked to see Sierra smiling at me. She had her hair up in a ponytail but it was straightened. She had the small bump in the front of it, giving it volume. She was wearing jeans and a button down shirt. She looked pretty. “Hey.”

“How are you?” she asked, eyes lighting up as she glanced over the crowd.

I shrugged. “I was just flirted with by the bouncer,” I smiled while wriggling my eyebrows.

“He’s cute! Did he ask for your number?” she asked me and I nodded. “Did you give it to him?”

“No, he asked me to give it to him when I left,” I shrugged and she smirked.

“I got a boy’s phone number, too!” she smiled as she held up her phone happily.

My mouth opened slightly and a squeal escaped. “How old is he? What’s his name?”

“He’s 15 and his name’s Blake. He goes to our school but he’s a sophomore. Is that bad?” she asked, eyes innocently looking at me. I shook my head.

“Not in my book, I mean, he’s a year older. So what?” I giggled girlishly and she joined in.

Sabrina’s loud voice entered the picture. “Sierra! Some boy named Blake is looking for you. He asked me if I was you and I told him I’d find you. He’s waiting for you by the drinks,” Sabrina turned her attention to me. “Savannah, I didn’t know you were going to be here. You look so pretty.”

I smiled at Sabrina. She was wearing a pair of pink skinny jeans and a black crop top. She was also wearing a shirt under it, though (Jonah has been around, I see). She left her hair down, though. “Thank you, you do too.”

“Have you seen Jonah?” she asked and I shook my head, biting my lip. “Are you guys in an argument again?”

I shrugged. “Honestly, I don’t know.”

“What happened?” she asked.

“He found out about the sabotaging of Waverly’s dress. He came to my job and snatched the cloth out of my pocket,” I told her. Her mouth was gaping open.

“Is he angry at you?” she asked and I shrugged.

“He called me once but I didn’t answer,” I sheepishly admitted. “Anyway, I have to go to the bathroom.”

She pointed in the direction and I began making my way over there. I had to push through a crowd of people but I was okay with it. I even received a wink from a guy so it wasn’t all bad, I guess.

When I left the bathroom, I walked over to the DJ stand and saw my cousin Percy. He smiled at me. “Hey, Vanna.”

“Hey Perce,” I grinned.

“How are you? Seen any cute guys?” he imitated a girl’s voice and I rolled my eyes.

“Yeah, the bouncer,” I shrugged and he furrowed his eyebrows.

“Let me remind you that you’re a minor,” he told me and I laughed.

“I just think he’s cute, Percy,” I defended and he smiled.

“Well, go have fun, but not too much fun. I’ll be here if you need me," he told me and I nodded, walking through the crowd.

I walked over to the food tables and I ordered a slice of pizza. I sat down at the only empty table and began eating. About two minutes into my meal, I heard the chair across from me scrape across the floor noisily. “May I sit here?”

I looked up at the guy and nodded. Yes you may, you beautiful gift from the heavens, you. Thinking the conversation was over; I awkwardly went back to eating my food. “What’s your name?”

I looked up at him, my eyebrows rising. “Savannah, what’s yours?”

He smiled. “I’m Caleb.” I noticed that he had braces. They made him even more adorable. I fixed my glasses, nodding.

He’s tall and has blonde hair. He looks like a skater. “How old are you?” he asked me.

“I’m 16. How old are you?” I asked him, smiling slightly.

“I’m 16, too. I’m turning 17 in January,” he grinned.

“February,” I laughed.

“I’m older than you," he teased and I pouted playfully.

“What school do you go to?” I asked.

“Your school, NV; I’m in your English class. You always have your head in a book though, probably texting, but I'm not one to judge," he smiled and I closed my eyes for a moment.

“You’re Caleb Quinn! You sit in the back and constantly tap your pencil,” I exclaimed and he nodded.

“I play the drums for the band too,” he told me and I smiled.

“You’ll have to play for me, some day,” I told him. I hope I sound flirty and not desperate. “That’s if you want to.”

He nodded. “Of course.” I nodded along with him. “I’ll play the drums for you if you dance with me. Sound fair?”

I just laughed before nodding. “Fair enough.”

~~~

After dancing with Caleb for a few songs, he apologized for having to leave. We even exchanged numbers! I internally screamed but managed to look cool on the outside even though I’m 99.9% sure I was smiling like an idiot.

I searched for Sierra and I found her giggling with the boy named Blake. She introduced me to him. “Blake, this is Savannah; Savannah, this is Blake.”

“Hello, Savannah,” Blake smiled at me.

“Hey, Blake,” I waved at him before turning to Sierra. “I got this boy’s number.”

She giggled with me. “Really? What’s his name?” she asked.

“Caleb!” I smiled and she nodded, giving me a high five. I coolly nodded before turning back to Blake who had an amused look on his face. “I’ll leave you two to whatever it is you were doing before I showed up…keep it PG,” I winked and Sierra blushed before kicking me in the leg.

I stumbled away from them, groaning from the pain in my leg. The DJ announced that in just 25 minutes, we’re going to be doing the secret event. It was already 11:30? What would happen if I really had to go home by 12? I would be late! I walked over to Percy who just put down the microphone.

“Have a song request, little cousin?” Percy asked as he scrolled through the list of songs. I shook my head but smiled hopefully. He sighed, blowing out a breath of air. “What is it?”

“What is happening at midnight?” I asked him, loitering around the DJ stand.

He watched as I innocently leaned against the table. “I can’t tell you that,” he responded. I furrowed my eyebrows.

“Why not?” I frowned.

“You’ll leave," he casually said. I was slightly shocked. Was it something bad? Was a drug trade going down here? Would I be caught in gunfire? “It’s not anything dangerous so stop imagining.”

I glared at him for a moment. “I wasn’t imagining that. I was actually imagining Channing Tatum.”

“Good to know…are you having a good time? I mean here, not imagining about Channing Tatum. That would be a weird question,” my cousin asked as he played a different song.

I nodded my head as I chuckled. “I even got someone’s phone number.”

He narrowed his eyes. “Is he a minor?” I nodded.

“He’s four,” I told my cousin. His eyes widened slightly while I laughed loudly. “I’m joking. He’s 16. He’s also cute,” I nodded my head.

I turned around to see Jonah making his way through the people, or at least the top of his head. I quickly dived behind the DJ stand.

“You’re not supposed to be back here,” Percy hissed. I glared up at him and covered my mouth with my finger.

“I know him, we’re in an argument because of something me and his sisters did.” I whispered.

“Can I request a song?” Jonah asked Percy. This song was only about 15% through.

“You’re going to have to wait until this song’s over. What song would you like to request?” Percy casually asked.

I wonder what Jonah was wearing; peeking out would be a bad idea. “Panic! At the Disco? Hurricane?” his voice was hopeful. I smiled. I know that song.

“That song will be on in 7 minutes,” Percy told him. “Wait, aren’t those girls your sisters?”

It was such a vague question but Jonah was already groaning. “Whatever they did, I didn’t know about it. I’ll pay to fix it.”

“No, no, no. Is your name Jonah?” Percy asked curiously. I internally panicked. What is he doing?

“Yes that’s me,” Jonah replied. “And if my little sisters did anything… I’m sorry.”

“They didn’t; they’re little angels.” Cue Jonah’s hysterical laughter. “Anyway, I saw them talking to some girl and they mentioned your name.”

“What’d she look like?” Jonah asked, sobering up from his laughing fit.

“She was short and had brown hair. I think she had brown eyes, too. They called her Savannah, I think. Anyway, they mentioned your name.” Percy blabbed. I punched him in the calf and he howled in pain. “Hiya!”

He imitated a karate chop as his face contorted in pain. “I’m a karate master," he explained. I snorted in laughter as he kicked my side.

“Did you happen to hear what they said?” Jonah asked curiously. Did my cousin’s random outburst not faze him?

Percy made a concentrating face. “Something about you being here; Savannah said something about you two being in an argument or something… so are you?”

Jonah sighed. “I don’t know. Anyway, thanks for that piece of information. I’m going to go find my sisters, now.” When Jonah’s footsteps fell in with the crowd, I crawled away from Percy before standing up.

“Where are you going?” he asked as I began jogging away.

I looked at him over my shoulder. “To find his sisters, duh!”

***

I searched the crowd for the two girl’s familiar faces. I finally saw Sabrina and she was dancing with a guy. I grabbed her hand and apologized to the guy but continued yanking her in the direction where Sierra was last time. “What was that about?”

I glanced back at Sabrina with an apologetic look. “I’m sorry; I just need you to be with your sister for just one moment.”

She gave me a confused look before I turned back around and eased our way through the crowd. When we finally reached, Sierra, she was having a chocolate milk drinking contest with Blake. “She’s such a nerd,” I glared at Sabrina before tapping Sierra’s shoulder.

Sierra held up one finger, telling me to wait, as she gulped down her drink. A moment later, Jonah walked over. Sabrina looked at me with narrowed eyes and I gave her a pleading look. She sighed before smirking. She started to make kissing faces and I glared at her.

“Sierra, Sabrina, were you guys talking to… oh, hey Savannah,” Jonah awkwardly waved.

“Hey,” I waved my hand at him. Why did I do that? I’m so stupid.

He stared at the group for a minute before looking at me. “Can we talk?”

“Speak,” I nodded and he looked at his sisters and Blake.

“In private," he corrected. I shrugged, standing up. He grabbed my shoulders and started to steer me out of the club and onto the back patio. His hands were warm on my shoulders and I couldn’t help but smell him from how close he was to me. I’m sure my face is as bright as a tomato.

When he finally turned me around, he glanced at his phone. It was 11:42 PM. “Do you think we’re in an argument?”

I shrugged, nodding for a moment. “You haven’t been talking to me as much but I assumed it was because of the whole dress thing.” I couldn’t help but smirk at what I’d done.

“The twins confessed about it, too. They told me that they dragged you into it,” he said.

“But I didn’t stop them,” I shrugged while leaning against the wooden fence around the patio.

I saw him shrug while I avoided his gaze. “I wouldn’t have either.”

I looked up at him, slightly confused. “What?”

“I know that they had good intentions but in the long run, it just made things a bit worse,” he sighed as he ran his hand through his hair.

Did he mean the date? “What do you mean?”

“Well, when you asked why I sent her to voicemail, it made me feel a bit bad. I decided to answer the phone and she was just crying so I decided to try and make it up to her by bringing her flowers but she took it the wrong way. Or should I say her mother did? She started jumping up and down and assumed I was taking her out on a date,” he awkwardly told me. So I caused the whole date thing?

“So I was the cause of all of this?” I asked him, waving my hand around. “All because I made a stupid comment about voicemail, you decided to call her and then all of that happened? Every single thing I do causes a huge problem!” I snapped with a tinge of annoyance in my voice. Everything I did resulted in him progressing whatever he had with Waverly!

He had a small smirk on his face. “Do my ears deceive me or is Savannah Harp jealous?”

I rolled my eyes at him, hearing the familiar song play through the open door. “Oh, would you look at the time? Your song is playing.”

“My song?” he asked and I nodded.

“The song you requested," I told him. He furrowed his eyebrows and I realized my mistake.

“Were you…stalking me?” he asked, a small smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.

“Of course not; the DJ is my cousin,” I told him. I realized that I was making the situation worse by admitting to the fact that my cousin lied to him for me. Jonah’s eyebrows rose as he watched me dig myself into a deeper hole with an amused look on his face. “Forget about that; why don’t you go inside and dance?”

“Do you want to dance with me?” he asked me. I felt my face warm up and I curled my lips into my mouth.

“As cliché as this may sound, but I can’t dance," I told him and he laughed, rolling his eyes.

“Well, you’re in luck. I’m the best dancer this club has ever seen," he told me and it was my turn to do the eye rolling.

"I thought you said you didn't like dancing," I told him.

"And you said you can't dance but that didn't stop you from dancing with that blonde guy earlier," he responded.

Suddenly, he grabbed my hand and pulled me to the middle of the balcony. He put my hands on his shoulder and he placed his hands on my waist. I furrowed my eyebrows. “Jonah?”

“Hm?” he asked, glancing down at me. When our eyes connected, I automatically looked away.

“This is slow dancing; that song is fast paced,” I explained.

“This is the only dance I know that’s suitable for public places,” he told me. I automatically assumed that by ‘suitable,’ he meant that he was secretly a stripper.

“Jonah…are you a stripper?” I asked him. It was quiet for a moment as we swayed back and forth in this totally unromantic cold air. But for some reason, the air was warm, maybe it’s because of how close Jonah and I were.

“Yes," he said with all seriousness in his voice. I muffled my laugh into his chest. I felt my face warm up. I facepalmed at my stupidity. Instead, I just rested my head against his chest, rather than pulliing away and letting him see how that little movement affected me so much. I don’t even know why it affected me that much. Maybe it’s because it’s cold outside and the blood rushes to my face. Yeah, that’s believable.

When we finally stopped dancing, we heard the announcements from inside of the club. It was 11:55 P.M. and we were all called into the room. Slipping inside from the patio, we listened to Percy tell us what was going on.

“When the lights go off, you’re going to find your partner and you’re going to kiss them. We know it’s not New Year’s Eve but it’s about to be Christmas! So when the lights go out, you’re going to kiss them but you’re going to have to stop before the lights come back on. It’s the mystery that makes this fun.”

Now I understood why Percy said that I was going to want to leave, because I want to leave now more than ever. I’d rather be in a torture chamber than here. It’d be way too awkward, sitting here while everybody else kisses. I’d be glued to my spot in fear of getting in the way of a couple’s kiss.

I tried to slowly back away but Sabrina grabbed my arm. “You can’t leave now; this is the best part," she smirked.

“Yeah, you have to stay,” Sierra smiled at me and I shook my head.

“Yeah, of course I do,” I muttered as the twins pushed me back into my spot. The countdown started at 60 and people were rushing to find their boyfriends and girlfriends while I just stood there awkwardly. The lights were dimming slowly.

The twins made sure that their crushes were close enough to them so that they can kiss but far enough so it’d look natural. I just stood awkwardly beside Sierra and Jonah, who was casually talking to Sabrina.

The lights started to dim at 20 seconds and I sighed.

It stinks being single.