Wouldn't have imagined I'd be somewhere this nice when I got up this morning...

[_rockprincess]

(continued from here)I looked around Savannah's room, just taking in how perfect it all seemed, how inviting and comfortable it looked. It was unlike anything I had now, or even had back in Sunnydale. We weren't exactly dirt poor back then, but we didn't have anything like this, or any hired help...any of that. Not that I begrudged Savannah any of

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[just_savannah]

I giggled softly at her reaction. "Sure," I nodded. "We can get more pillows and build a fort for the two of us. Then Maria will have to come up here to fatten us up." I tugged her over so she'd actually sit on the bed and not act like she couldn't touch my stuff.

"Beds are also to sit on and chat on, Casey." I grinned and unwrapped the bowl of sandwiches, "Finger food?"

[_rockprincess]

"Right." I laughed, making myself comfortable on the bed and grabbing a sandwich. "Sounds mostly plan like to me. Though I'm not sure how to explain to Mike that I'm living in a fort made out of pillows in your bedroom." I giggled, taking a bit. "He'll probably think I've lost my mind."

[just_savannah]

I chuckled softly biting into one of the tuna sandwiches on top. "He'll understand. We can make him a little fort too." I offered with a grin, kicking my shoes off onto the floor.

[_rockprincess]

"I'm sure your parents are gonna be just thrilled with an 18 year old guy living in your room." I smirked, "Not that I think Mike would like the idea to begin with...he kinda likes taking care of everything himself." I told her.

It was pretty much literally everything, too. I was sure if he could find a way around it I wouldn't even be allowed to go busking anymore.

[just_savannah]

"Actually, they'd be relieved if I had an 18 year old guy living in my room," I say before I can curb it. I flush, stumbling for an excuse, "I'm just... not really interested in guys." It was more or less true.

[_rockprincess]

The look on her face when she'd realised what she said made me think that's what I looked like when I'd referred to my parents in the past tense. "So?" I shrugged.

Like her not really liking should make a difference with the one person who's actually nice to me? I seriously doubt it. It shouldn't matter to anyone else either, but I was suddenly getting the impression like all those kids that treat her like a freak don't think that way, and even her parents aren't exactly happy about it.

"Seriously, Savannah, after everything we've talked about tonight, you think I'm gonna stop talking to you because you like girls?" I asked. "We may have just met, but we're still friends, right?" I smiled softly to her, "So...just relax. I'm not going anywhere."

[just_savannah]

My cheeks, I swear were turning a bright color of red. I hadn’t really even admitted that I liked girls, but I guess my actions seemed enough. “It’s just… I’ve tried to make friends before and the minute that they find out that I’m… different.” I paused, “… that I’m gay. It’s like I have some sort of horribly contagious disease or something and they want to get as far away from me as possible.” I whispered the last few words. It hurt; the way others reacted. All I wanted to be was me and apparently I wasn’t good enough.

“I get that you’re different and I like you a lot. I like that you actually talk to me. I like that you can listen to my endless rambling and still think that I’m an okay person.” I said softly. “Not many people do that. It gets pretty lonely.”

“My parents are like in denial or something,” I told her. “They’re always trying to set me up. It’s like… what I am now is a phase or something. That’s pretty scary because for the first time in my life I actually feel like I know myself.”

[_rockprincess]

"You're an amazing person, Savannah. Can't you see that?" I asked softly. "The way you reacted when I told you about my dad totally proves that."

"I liked you before I knew and I wanted to be your friend then. I really don't see why this should change anything, do you?" I asked, smiling warmly to her. "Besides, I like having someone to talk to, you know? I'd be a complete idiot to, what, throw you away over something that is only one of the many factors that make up who you are. I promise I'm not going to start hating you or something, if that's what you're afraid of."

I tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear gently, wishing I knew some was to make her feel better like she had me, "I'm sorry your parents are so being like that...it's not fair. They should trust you to know your own mind, to know what's going to make you happy."

[just_savannah]

I smiled softly as she tucked a loose strand of my hair behind my ear. Her touch was soft and caring - something I hadn't felt in a really long time.

I closed my eye briefly, then opened them again to look at Casey. "Thanks... it means a lot just hearing the words, you know?" I said softly. She made me smile, that was something I also hadn't done in a while - some real genuine smiles.

"And for the record, I pretty much look at you the same way. You've overcome so much and you're still this really incredible person."

[_rockprincess]

"Like just shrinking away and giving up's an option?" I asked, "No way...there's too much I want to do. I mean, maybe if I didn't have my music, but between it and Mike, there's always something pushing me forward, you know? That, and possibly this irrational desire to prove to my dad that I'm not as worthless as he seems to think."

I knew I deserved better than how he treated me, that I was capable of more than he thought I was...it was just going to take some time for the rest of the world to see it. I figured Savannah wasn't really all that different...just working towards finding her moment to shine like Mike and I were, but for different reasons.

[just_savannah]

I smiled softly towards her. Shaking my head in blissful disbelief. "Mike must be so proud of you, Casey." She had such a powerful spirit compared to most. "I know so many people who would just let life get them down like that."

"For the record, I'm really glad you don't think you're worthless. I can't believe how anyone would think that," I said.

[_rockprincess]

"Thanks Savannah." I smiled warmly, wondering if she knew how much that simple statement meant to me. Just because I didn't entirely believe my dad didn't mean his opinion didn't sting just as badly as anything else he'd done.

"Now if I could just convince him I'm totally cool with working after I graduate so he can afford to at least start taking some journalism classes..." I paused, "He's put making sure I get like, everything ahead of himself for so long, you know? I know he could be great if he got the chance...but reporters need degrees and stuff. Me? Not so much."

[just_savannah]

"Guessing he's just trying to give you what a lot of people have and what he thinks you have?" I offered softly, "But, yeah, he should get a break himself."

I quickly connected that both her and her brother were writers. It made me smile. They seemed so close. I rubbed the bottom of my feet, they were still sore from dance practice earlier. We had found a school of arts nearby, thankfully. I don't know what I would have done without my dancing.

[_rockprincess]

"Maybe you can convince him of that one day?" I laughed slightly, "I think in Mike's brain, he's gonna worry about school after I have a record contract...but he's not likely to let me pay for it anyway, knowing him."

"You okay?" I asked, noticing her actions. It was clear her feet were bothering her, but having not known any dancers before, I wasn't sure if that was normal or not.

[just_savannah]

"Maybe," I nodded with a smile. Inside, plans were already blooming.

I looked up at her question, "Yeah, just sometimes my feet get sore from all the dancing. I can overdose on it; like going to dance class and then coming come and doing more?"

[_rockprincess]

"Now it makes total sense." I smiled to her. "I'd hate to think how sore my fingers would be after I full afternoon of playing without a pick. And your poor feet don't really have anything protecting them. And those torturous shoes don't count." I added with a smirk. I'd seen movies, seen the damage those things could do if you weren't careful.