Capturing Savannah

Capturing

Savannah

By
J.L. Krajcirovic

Copyright © 2014 Jennifer L. Krajcirovic

Capturing
Savannah

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior written approval of the author.

The characters and contents of this book are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead is purely coincidental.

To my husband, for encouraging me to write and supporting me in everything I do.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents             

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

The move had left me feeling pretty tired, but it was hard to sleep. It was a new place and a new city and it was exciting and scary all at the same time. I tried not to think about how my dad teared up when we said goodbye earlier because it just made me feel empty and alone in this cramped dark room. Which I really was, alone that is, since my roommate hadn’t shown up yet and my dad was starting his drive back home. I shouldn’t complain though because I do like the quiet. I was thankful for the fifty dollars my dad gave me out of his polished brown leather wallet but my heart hurt trying not to think about the big hug and the little tug he gave the end of my freshly pink streaked hair. The tug was something he did when I was a kid. Something that always made me smile back then, but right now it hurt to miss him. I didn’t want to say goodbye. But at the same time this was my chance to move forward and to have a fresh start. It was a big decision to go to college in a different state but a small part of me wished I could have stayed back home instead. But this was going to be a step forward, so I told myself once classes started in a few days I would feel better about this place.

I could literally stay up as late I wanted
now but my body was tired. Georgia was beautiful and warm, which I experienced today first hand when we were moving all of my things out of the elevator through the outdoor hallway of the sixth floor. The dorm used to be a Ramada Inn or another hotel chain from the seventies. It was six stories tall with all the room doors on the outside. It still felt a little like the seventies except the flooring must have been updated since it’s tile. I imagine the hotel would have had carpet back then maybe even shag carpet.

The
warm mugginess during the day extended into the nighttime too. My dad and I had already set the air conditioner to max so I knew there was no more helping there. And I was already in shorts and a tank top. I decided to stop fighting the tossing and turning and splash some water on my face, before stepping outside for some fresh air. I open my dorm room door and walk a few feet to the edge of the black iron railing. It’s dark but there are streetlights highlighting some of the sidewalk. The historic downtown of Savannah has a lot of sidewalk and from my room it looks like a maze that is just asking to be explored. I do feel an ever so slight breeze of air, and it feels cool against the water still on my face. I close my eyes and try to take it all in. The door to my room slams shut making my almost bare tank top shoulders shudder a little. I look up at the gleaming stars identical to how they touch the sky back at home. Which for a second makes me feel a little less homesick. But then I remember the doors automatically lock and I didn’t grab my key. I quickly spin around on my closed toe waffle slippers and jiggle the locked door handle. Banging and resting the top of my head on the pale greenish yellow door my short black pink streaked hair fans out like a curtain around my face and the ends lightly brush the tops of my shoulders.

“Shit.” I proclaim
.

I hear
a sarcastic chuckle coming from the end of the railing a few doors down from me. It’s a low chuckle that is obviously from a guy. My room is two doors down from the elevator and laundry area that is just around the corner. And since this is the top floor it makes the end of the railing a perfect stoop overlooking one of the beautiful historic garden squares that Savannah is known for and the many stars above. It is a really nice spot especially since the other side of the floor that wraps around the building overlooks a large parking lot. I guess that is why a guy would be over here since this side of the floor is girl’s rooms. I decide to walk over and ask what is so funny since I don’t see anything funny about being locked out in a strange new place. When I get close enough and before I can say anything he stands up from the tall stool he was slouched on.

“Couldn’t help but
notice you got yourself into a bind there.”

“Well
I wanted to get some fresh air anyways.” I say feeling a little ridiculous for being locked out after only living here for a few hours but hardly thinking it was funny.

“So you like this humidity?” he asks.

I recognize
him from when I was moving in. He held the door open for me and my dad a few times. Even rode the elevator at the same time as us, carrying boxes but he seemed to be on his own. He had on a faded black t-shirt, black jean shorts and flip-flops. His hair is a dark chocolate brown and short in the back with thick messy waves in the front that blow into his eyes when there is a breeze. He stares at me with his cool blue grey eyes and I realize he is waiting for me to say something back.

“I like it w
hen there is a breeze.” I manage to say somehow with those intense eyes staring into me. The corner of his mouth rises slightly into a beautifully devilish grin that is hard to take my eyes off of. “What is it you are doing out here?” I counter.

“Taking it all in. Too excited to sleep you know.”

“Ya same here. Plus it’s like a sauna in there. Can’t wait to see more of the city.” I suddenly feel self conscious of the shorts and tank top I chose to wear as pajamas. They are pretty ratty. Comfortable, but not what I would have chosen to wear at this moment. If I would have known the adorable guy from earlier was sitting right outside I would have brushed my hair some also. It can’t look too good after the tossing, turning and sweating. But I guess it doesn’t matter that much it’s not like I am trying to get a boyfriend on day one of being at college.

“
I have an idea. I saw this place driving in that we can walk to. It’s not too far and looked like they had food and drinks. Come on it will give us the chance to see more of Savannah.”

“Are you kidding? We just met and you
want me to go somewhere with you? I don’t even know your name.”

“It’s
David.” He says. “And you are?”

“Thea. Nice to meet you
David.” Like a nerd I reach out for a handshake and he obliges. His grip is strong but gentle and I can see the muscles tighten up the length of his arm through his faded black t-shirt.

“Ok. There.
We aren’t strangers anymore. Let’s go and see more of the city. We can get to know each other more too. Come on you can stay here and get some fresh air or come with me and have some fun.”

“Ok.”
I finally say. And I am excited to see some of the town. I also wonder how those strong arms of his would feel wrapped around me but I try to shake those thoughts out of my head. As we get into the elevator I remember what I am wearing. “Crap I am in my pajamas.” He looks me up and down and locks his cool blue grey eyes with my green eyes.

“Who
cares? It’s hot.” He says. He notices my blushing and adds. “Hot outside I mean…and what you are wearing is fine.”

The elevator stops and we stand lingering for
a moment. Suddenly he grabs my hand and hurries us out the double glass front doors of the dorms. Leading us across the street and to the right. I see the blinking lights of a tattoo sign above the lights for what looks like a diner, with half a dozen people inside. The lights read
Paper Moon
. He is still pulling me along and I swear I can feel his pulse, which is beating just as rapidly as mine with the exhilaration of being on a new adventure. The closer we get I can hear low music playing from a jukebox. He opens the door for me and we both wander inside taking in the artwork on the walls and the mesmerizing paper lights hanging from the ceiling. I notice a few guys from the bar turn their heads as we walk in and give me a stare. Probably looking at my ratty and scantily clad pajamas.

David
seems to notice too and ushers us towards the other side of the place to an empty booth. I mumble something like “I told you so”. And he says, “That’s not why they are staring.” And I wonder what he means by that exactly. Guess it’s the pink hair then. I put the streaks in my hair on a whim. It’s probably part of the whole idea that this is my fresh start. I did get a few stares on the drive down here whenever my dad and I stopped at a gas station or somewhere to eat. I didn’t do it for the extra attention though, more like the opposite. More like hoping something like this would make me fit in more at an art school. My eyes flutter from looking at the menu, to looking at the painting on the walls, to looking at David. Not believing I now live here, right down the street from here and that I seem to have already made a friend, a pretty adorable friend too. But I try not to focus on that particular detail.

We both decide to order key lime pie and coffee. He tells me how it’s his favorite and he orders it everywhere he goes looking for the perfect flavor. I ask him if
he’s been to Key West and tried theirs but he just says “Someday” and once again he raises the corner of his mouth into that devilishly adorable grin. I can’t help but think that grin is going to get me into trouble because it makes my heart skip a beat. He goes on to describe the perfect key lime pie, which should be a pale yellow and not green and have a slight crisp lime tang but not too much. I never thought hearing about key lime pie could be so interesting.

“So what rating do you give it?” I ask.

He takes his time to answer. “8 out of 10.”

“Wow. That good huh?” I ask a little surprised
since his description makes me want to try more key lime pie till I find one closer to what I imagine his mouth is craving.

“Well it might have something to do with the company.” He says. I must
be blushing again because he adds, “And this place is pretty spectacular. I think I am going to like this city.”

I can’t help but agree with him on that. “Ya I think I will too.”

Just then we both notice the song playing on the jukebox and at the same time start to sing out loud and rather loudly too.

Georgia, Georgia. The whole day through.

Just an old sweet song, keeps Georgia on my mind.

I start to feel a fraction of a smile coming on my face. It feels a little bit good.
It’s something I haven’t done in awhile and I don’t know if I am ready to smile yet though. It almost feels wrong to. We go on talking. I learn he is from Florida and that he came here to study Illustration. And I share that I am from Tennessee and here for Photography. I find it pretty easy to talk to him and also pretty easy to get lost in those beautiful cool blue grey eyes that make me feel more self conscious then I ever have. The waitress comes back by to check on us.

“You two kids need anything else?” she says.

“We are good.” David answers.

“Ok then I will bring the check.” The waitress
says.

“Two checks
, please.” I say making sure she knows we are going dutch on the bill as she walks away.

“How exactly are you going to pay for that?” he says with his mouth curling back into that sideways grin.

“What you don’t think I have any money. Girls can’t pay for themselves?” I say.

Propping
his elbows up on the table and leaning in closer David says “And where in that outfit of yours are you keeping that money? Didn’t notice any pockets earlier.” He says looking me up and down and glancing under the table.

“What
? Were you checking out my pajamas?” I say. But then I remember I actually don’t have any money because it’s locked in my new room.

“You’re locked out remember
?” he says teasing me.

“
Ya. I’ll owe you one then.” I say reluctantly.

“
It was my idea to come here. I was going to pay anyways. But I’ll take you up on owing me one.” he says.

I
think how there are probably worse spots to be in right now then owing him one so I drop it. We take our time walking back to the dorms. Even though it’s dark the streetlights create enough light for us to soak up the architecture of the historic buildings, shadows of gargoyles and the outlines of oak trees draped with Spanish moss. We pass by a graveyard that is blocked from entering with a gigantic rod iron gate. We then pass by the square that’s the scenery below the railing outside of my room and the stoop that David and I had met on only a few hours ago. I am wishing I had my camera with me. So much detail. So much history. So many stories to capture in a photograph.

I
n the square I notice a man sleeping on the single bench with a brown paper bag clutched under his arm. And a petite brown dog laying underneath the bench. The dog is a chow. I can tell despite the knotted and mangled chunks of hair that force a patched look throughout. I know it’s a chow because I had one growing up. Seeing this makes me think about the past. A bang forces me to look up and I notice a girl with long blonde hair dragging two suitcases into a room. Not just any room, but my room. I grab the front of David’s shirt, lightly skimming what feels like a firm muscular abdomen, and jog us inside. We have to stop at the front desk to get our IDs checked but I suddenly remember I don’t have my student ID or any kind of ID with me since it’s locked in my room. I need to get up there so my roommate can let me in.

“I got locked out and I saw from outside that my roommate is there now.
Just need to run upstairs but I’ll bring my ID back down...”

“Max she lives on the sixth floor. I’ll take her up and make sure she gets into her room and comes back down
with her ID card for you.” David jumps in cutting me off.