Cross My Heart and Hope To Die.

It all started in high school. The best or worse years of a person's life. There was this girl named Savannah and another named Brandy. Savannah had just moved to a new city and had enrolled in the new semester. New girl at the school. She did not have to do the embarrassing introduction speech. Brandy was born and raised in the area. Most of the people in school knew her from way back in the day. These two girls never had a class together, but they eventually had the same circle of friends. It was one of those times when everyone was hanging out and they happen to lock eyes. That was the moment things changed forever. Savannah was curious at first because Brandy was very attractive, but did not think anything about it. On the other hand, Brandy knew at that moment she had to get Savannah. Savannah would see Brandy more and more around in the hallways and hanging out with their friends a lot more. Eventually they began talking and getting closer. It was around December when they decided to make it official. For the rest of those turbulent years, there were many break-ups and make-ups. The girls eventually decided to focus on their futures and parted ways.

Fast forward to their first year of college. Savannah had chose to go to a smaller college that was about an hour and half away from home. Unbeknownst to her, Brandy had also attended a school that was not far from home and fairly close to the school Savannah was attending as well. Savannah only knew of this when she decided to go to the other school with a few of friends. They wanted to go to the probate that was being held there. The moment Savannah noticed Brandy on that campus, she was in shock and amazement. She didn't try to get Brandy's attention, matter of fact she tried really hard to get lost in the crowd. It didn't matter though, because when Brandy had spotted her, she was already caught. They rekindled their friendship. Brandy begged for another chance to be in Savannah's life and Savannah fell for what she thought was true sincerity. It was better this time and Brandy really made an effort. Brandy had taken Savannah to dinner one night and surprised her with a promise ring. "I promise to always love you. Now and forever. Cross my heart and hope to die" Savannah laughed at the last part, but was so ecstatic. This meant that Brandy was committed and serious about them. "I love it. I will never take it off. I love you Brandy." The rest of that one year sped through in happy bliss, but harsh reality would separate these two once again. Savannah was not as successful in school as she was in relationships. She would leave school to go back home and go to a school there. They tried to make it work, but eventually Brandy could not resist temptation. Savannah once again was left with a scarred heart and took off the promise ring.

Years later, Savannah moved to a new state and city, a fresh start. She was still getting use to her new surroundings and adjustments. One day she received a message on Facebook. Even without reading it she could tell who it was from. It was from Brandy, asking how she been and trying to make small talk. At first Savannah decided she was not going to respond. It amazed her that Brandy could act so nonchalant, especially since she was the one that had been in the wrong the last time. Eventually she responded to the message. Brandy asked could they meet up in person. Savannah's first reaction was to say no, but she was curious to see what Brandy had to say in person that she could not express virtually. They met at a restaurant. After talking to Brandy and seeing her in person, once again was persuaded to try again with Brandy. Now Savannah was by no means idiotic or masochistic. It was just something about Brandy that Savannah could not shake off. The beginning of the relationship started off as usual and then started to get a little shaky. This time around though Brandy put up a good fight and she came out as the winner. To Savannah it seemed like she really did have a real chance at a future with Brandy. It was on their 6 month anniversary, they had went out to a nice restaurant, when Savannah was once again presented with another promise ring. She was still surprised, but it was more out of disbelief and apprehension. "I know we had a lot of issues in the past, but I know I can't be with anybody else but you Savannah. I love you, back then, now, and forever." Savannah accepted the ring and made a big deal about it on social media, but deep down in her heart she didn't feel the joy she know she should have. It was not long after that the relationship started to go south. There wasn't a clear agreement that the relationship was over, but Savannah did not think she needed an explicit determination. Another laceration upon a already bruised organ and another ring added to the collection.

It is now 3 years later. Savannah had few encounters with some other girls and guys, but she wasn't feeling the whole dating scene. She was still a little tender from the last incident and decided to just focus on making her life better. She had moved into a new place and was working nonstop. Staying busy was helping with not having to think about certain things. She had planned to visit home and was happy when the time came to go home. It was around Thanksgiving, she was sitting on her parent's couch watching TV, when she received a message. This time around her Spidey sense did not kick in so she was completely caught unaware when she saw who the message was from. In fact she had to do a double take to make sure she was not seeing things. Savannah did not respond to the message and actually deleted it. That did nothing but incur more messages and pleading to be heard from the sender. Savannah only responded to stop the relentless pursuit. She did say that this did not change anything and that there was no way all was forgiven. Brandy stated she understood and knew that there was nothing to change the past. Savannah even told her that there was no way she would consider being in a relationship with Brandy. Brandy stated that was understandable, but wanted to at least get back the friendship that she had lost. Savannah pondered this for a while and then consented. She told Brandy that this was the last time and if it did not work out she was gone forever. Brandy had promised to do right by Savannah and make her not regret giving her this chance.

A new slate. They started off at a slow pace. This time around they both tried to get to know the other. every day they spent with each other was great. Savannah began to feel attracted to Brandy again. She started to smile and laugh more. The silly texts and messages made her whole day. There was open communication about any and everything. The seeping wound started to knit back together and scab over. The relationship was at a good place. It was at this point Brandy gained confidence. She asked if Savannah would be her girlfriend. Savannah told Brandy that she would have to think about it. She did not want to be rushed and liked the pace they were going. Eventually she said yes. the relationship was still going great, to the point that Savannah mentally and physically committed to Brandy. It may have been 3 to 4 weeks of being a couple that Brandy asked Savannah, "What would you say if I asked you to marry me?" Savannah did not hesitate at all, " I would say yes." She did not know that this was not hypothetical and that Brandy and already started making preparations. Brandy had told Savannah they would have a date on Saturday. She took Savannah to the mall and then to a restaurant. As they were looking through the menu, something caught Savannah's eye. It was a note. On the note was a marriage proposal, "Will you marry me?" When Savannah looked up Brandy had the ring on the table and slid it towards Savannah. At this point the scar was almost done healing on her heart so Savannah did not hesitate to say yes. When Brandy slid the ring onto her finger, Savannah lifted her had to her face and had the biggest smile on her face.

The months after the proposal was still rose colored. It was around August when dark clouds started appearing, threatening to rain on the couple's parade. At this time Brandy stated she was going home because she was getting homesick. The once happy home was starting to suffocate Savannah with all the uncertainty in the air, but she still held out hope that this promise of marriage would help weather this brewing storm. The day of Brandy's departure, Savannah asked for a kiss before Brandy got out of the car. Brandy kissed her and exited the car to catch her flight. Later on that night, Brandy texted Savannah to let her know that she had made it. It was maybe the third day that Brandy was gone when she texted Savannah again. She had said that she did a lot of thinking and decided that she was ending the engagement. She did not want to go into details as to why, but that she hoped they could stay friends and that she could still pick her up when she came back home. Savannah responded back that she would pick her up and that they could stay friends. It was that same night when Savannah finally had enough and became to come up with a plan. The healed scar reopened and started festering with an infection.

The day came to pick Brandy up from the airport. Savannah was there on time and greeted her as usual. She did not ask for any kind of infection. There were on the road heading back to the house, when Savannah turned off on a different exit. Brandy had asked where was she going, "Oh there is this new restaurant that I wanted to try." After going down a long dirt road, she pulled up to a quaint restaurant that could also be a B & B. They exited the car and entered the restaurant. It was mainly empty, except for 1 or 2 people that seemed like they worked there. Savannah and Brandy seated themselves. A waitress came by and gave them their menus. Savannah was looking down at the menu when she heard, "What do you mean when you say will you die for me?" Savannah looked up and asked, "Do you still love me even though we are still friends?" Brandy looked confused, but said "Yes I still care for you." Savannah smiled sadly, " I guess it is very easy for you to break promises and not think anything of it" and then nodded her head. Before Brandy could react a rope was dropped around neck. Brandy was so distracted with trying to remove the rope around her neck that she did not see the knife in Savannah's hand until it was embedded in her chest, in her heart to be exact. As Brandy's brain began to register that she had been stabbed, a blood stain began to bloom on her t-shirt. It didn't take long for her to stop struggling. Before she succumbed to darkness she heard Savannah say, "Cross my heart and hope to die right?"