Savannah's P.O.V.

For the remainder of the day, I stayed away from Ellie and Blaze, and at the end of the day, I was able to leave the school discreetly before any of them noticed me. This morning, I gave her the car keys, so I just ran—or rather, I walked—home. I felt shivers down my spine as my dad stood in front of me, a bottle in his hand and bloodshot eyes. He looked right at me and grinned evilly.

"Welcome back my lovely daughter. I was just waiting for you, you managed to sneak away this morning but you won't be able to sneak away now." He took a step forward making me jolt backward

"W-Wait, Dad I have to go to work. Please, don't."

"She died because of you if you weren't born then, at least I would have her here in my arms."

"Dad"

"Don't call me dad, I'm not your dad. You unlucky bitch. What are you still doing here? Go make me some money, the bills have been piling up on the table."

"I just have to go change."

"Then go, before I change my mind." Sprinting upstairs, I quickly change and rush back downstairs "Remember to bring a box of beer, my stock is about to run out."

"Okay." Upon leaving the house, I exhaled a sigh of relief. Mom passed away a year ago due of his family, not because of me. However, because I was born a week before their marriage, he placed all the guilt on me. Mom battled with everyone for me even though I'm not biological. The only person remaining in my life is my dad. My phone jolted me out of my reverie—Ellie was calling. "Hello?"

"Annah! Where were you all day today? I didn't even see you at the end of the day."

"Sorry Ellie, I was just really busy today and I left early because I had a shift right after school. I'm going to a restaurant right now."

"Alright call me after your shift."

"Will do." I hated lying to her, but I couldn't tell her about Blaze.

"You have gotten better at lying Savy." I groan internally recognizing the voice immediately

"I'm not lying."

"So you still work at that shitty restaurant."

"That shitty restaurant pays the bills, Blaze."

"You're still running from me."

"Not running, I'm getting late for work."

"How's your mom?"

"Fine"

"Really?"

"Yep."

"Dad?" What was he trying to get at?

"Fine."

"So still a picture-perfect family? So you won't mind me dropping by?" Far from it

"I would mind, in fact, everyone would mind so if you don't want to be greeted with a punch in the face I suggest you stay away from my family and me," I said completely lying to him.

" If you don't want to tell me the truth don't at least don't lie to me. I'm just trying to catch up Savannah." I scoff turning around to face him.

"I will do whatever I please, you have no say in it and not lie to you really? You're saying that, a person who does nothing but lie. Your whole life is based on a lie." I take a deep breath trying to control my anger. "Look, I'm getting late for work, I don't have time to sit around and catch you up with what's been going on in my life. So leave me alone, what happens in my family has nothing to do with you and shouldn't be any of your concern." With that, I turn away and walk towards the entrance of the restaurant.

"We need to talk Savannah." I roll my eyes flipping him off before walking into the restaurant.

"You're late Savannah," Dave said, my boss

"Come on, I'm only late by a minute."

"Shut up and get to work." Nodding I quickly drop everything behind the counter and head to the first table.

"Welcome to our restaurant tonight, how may I take your order?" The fake smile that I had on my face dropped seeing Blaze and his friend Chance sitting there "What are you doing here?"

"I told you I needed to talk to you."

I clench my jaw "Blaze I work here, this is not the time and place. Leave."

He smirks leaning back a bit "Actually I am a bit hungry aren't you Chance?"

"Starving."

I look back at Dave seeing him looking at us suspiciously I put my fake smile back on "How may I take your order."

"I'd like a steak with mashed potatoes and some fries on the side please."

"Drink?"

"Beer."

"Alright, and you?" I said glaring at him

" I'd like the same thing but with one more thing added..." He paused for a long time

"What sir? I have other tables to get to."

"50% less hatred from you." My eyes snapped up to meet his "I mean I would like a salad instead of fries."

"Drink?"

"Coke and please don't spit in it." Spit? Please I would rather put poison in it.

Rolling my eyes at him and turned to walk away but his hand latched onto my wrist yanking me into his lap "I meant what I said, 50% less hatred would benefit me a lot. It would stop the thousands of questions Elena asks me about you. Did you know she thinks that we would make a cute couple? Not a surprise there right."

"Let go of me sir, this is highly inappropriate. " I say back ignoring everything he said. I didn't care what would benefit him and what didn't. I need him gone, to leave as he did a year ago. I managed fine without him, I will keep on doing fine by myself.

"I'm going to give you a ride home, we need to talk whether you want to or not. If you try to sneak away I will personally toss you into the trunk of my truck. I'm not lying."

I let out a chuckle "When have you ever lied?" I said sarcastically

"Oh, wait you lied about everything that had to do with me or my feelings or my life. So if you think you have any right over me in any shape or form get that out of your head."

I roughly push his arms off my waist and stand up "I will personally phone the police and file a harassment case against you in less than an hour after eating if you don't depart from here. Blaze, the only thing that was true that you said was that you had never loved me. If you truly loved me, you wouldn't have abandoned me in that manner and wouldn't have lied to me about who you were or what you looked like. Now please reconsider if you believe that I want to hear another fabrication or story that you made up to make yourself seem better to me. The girl you left behind has moved on; she vanished the day you left." I turned to leave but was stopped in my tracks again.

"You know Savannah, I might have lied but I know you would never back out of a promise. I was always there with you even if you didn't want me to be. Not physically but in your heart, in your memories."

. . . Flashback . . .

"C-Cage," I said between the giggles that were leaving my mouth rapidly "Please stop, I'm sorry. I won't call you cute again."

"I don't know, I don't think you've learned your lesson yet." He said continuing his torture against me

"I-I have, I will only call you hot, sexy all the other stuff please." He pinned my arms down beside my head putting some of his weight down on me

"No, I want a promise." I look at him confused still trying to catch my breath

"Promise? A promise for what?"

"You'll never forget about me. Even if I'm not here physically with you, I should be in your heart, in your memories. Please. Promise me that you'll never forget me." His eyes had filled with tears by the end like he was scared, worried about something.

I manage to pull my hands out of his grip and flip us over "I will never forget you. I promise. No one, no one has made me feel as special as you. This feeling, of us, together will never be forgotten, I promise you."

He smiled at me, gently pulling my head down by my chain to meet his lips in a sweet kiss. "I love you Savy. Never forget that."

"I love you too."

. . . Present . . .

He was right, I kept his promise even after what he put me through. He was always there around me. Sometimes when I was alone I would hear his voice, his laughter, or I would dream about him, us, and relive what we lost.

"Savannah, what's going on with you today? Have you gotten all the order yet or not." Dave yelled from the kitchen.

"Sorry Dave, just have two more tables to attend, I'll be there in ten minutes."

I shook my head, I need to focus otherwise I'm going to lose the only thing that has my household running. Blaze Zander means nothing to me. I can't let him take over my life again.