SAGE novel Chapter 12

Sage Miller

A storm was brewing, the clouds were becoming darker and darker.

There was beauty in a storm, the beauty that only a few could ever understand.

I inhaled the air. I've always loved stormy nights, I've always loved the destruction it bought, there's this dysfunction aura about storms that I likes.

My phone vibrated in my pocket. I got up and sat upright. I took the phone out of my pocket.

Eve had texted me an address of a club to meet her tomorrow.

I've barely seen her since the other day we had brunch. She's been spending time with her new family and I'm happy she is getting to know all of them.

Inviting a minor to a nightclub. What kind of role model are you? - S

I texted her back.

You barely look like a minor and besides I know you have a fake ID - E

And indeed I do have one. Another text appeared before I could reply.

Zac will be there with a few other people. - E

I'll be there. - S

All her life she had to be responsible. She always had to watch everything she did because she never wanted to mess up or piss off Clara, we lived our lives in fear for the next outburst from Clara.

It's pure joy to me that we get to enjoy the rest of our lives without the threat of Clara. She out of our lives for good.

I looked down at my phone that was still in my hands. My thump hovered over Alora's name, wondering if I should call her and apologize

I was out of line with her. It shouldn't matter if she has a boyfriend or not because that was our agreement. We are casual and it's not like I don't sleep with other girls.

Amd we always said no jealousy, no feelings and no strings attached.

I finally decided to call her. The more it rang the more anxious I got.

What the fuck am I going to say? I should've thought this through.

It took me nine days to finally call her.

When I heard her voicemail, I quickly hunged up and called again.

This time I got more pissed off. Why isn't she fucking picking up?

To be honest. I was pissed at myself. I should've apologized a long time ago.

And just when I had given up I heard her soft voice.

"What is it Sage?" She heaved a sigh.

Words got stuck in my throat and nothing came out.

"You wanna insult me some more is it?" She asked sounding defeated and weak.

I forget how fragile and weak she really is. She might be pure seduction in legs but she's vulnerable and fragile.

That moment blue orbs flashed in my mind. The sadness in them. I saw the pain behind them. It was as if she stood before me.

"I'm sorry." I said so low I doubt she even heard it.

I remembered the horror and pain I saw in them the time I said those horrible things.

I cleared my throat to clear the lump in my throat.

"I'm sorry I called." I said. "Don't know why I did it."

I was about to hang up but she stopped me.

"Sage wait." I heard her hesitation and I waited till she can say what it is she wanted to say. "Eh... I'll come by your house so we can talk."

My brain was slow to process her words and when it did, my heart stopped for a moment.

"What?" I asked. I wasn't sure if I heard her correct.

"I'll be there in an hour." And then she hanged up.

Slowly I pulled my phone out of my ear and stopped to look at it.

Then it rang in my head. Oh fuck. She'll be here in an hour.

I stood up from the bench I've been laying on. I ran inside the house to tidy just a bit. Two guys living together had never been a good combination, the mess we make is too much.

An hour went by and I knew she'd be here any minute and my nerves were all over the place.

I saw headlights through the living room windows and the I knew it was her.

Will she forgive me? I asked myself. Yes, she came all the way right. I kept telling myself. Will she stay the night?

Then suddenly I remembered something. I knew I was forgetting something all along. Connor.

I don't live alone anymore. This is just messing with my plan. I just hope he made up with his mom and spent the night at hers.

One could only hope right?

The doorbell brought me out of my thoughts.

I walked to the door and before I opened I took a huge breath to attempt to calm my nerves.

I stepped aside and allowed her to walk inside.

I closed the door and followed her to the living room.

She stopped and turned around. Neither one of us said a word. I took the time to examine her.

I started with her outfit. She was wearing a yellow summer dress. Which wasn't surprising.

She rarely wore pants. She always wears shirts and dresses.

She also wore heels. Nothing more. I moved to her face, making sure to avoid her eyes.

I saw the glow her face held and my heart clenched. I thought she'd be miserable like I was. I thought she'd lack something but I saw that she was okay.

I should be happy that she wasn't suffering but I wasn't. A large part of me wanted to know she was miserable like I was.

Finally I met her gaze and I couldn't miss the glint of happiness in her eyes. And it finally hit me.

She was happy without me. And indeed she has a boyfriend because that glint wasn't there because of me.

My glint dulled a while ago but I was too caught up in her to notice.

We held each other's gaze but I was the first to look away. I had to hide my face before she can read it. Before she can see the hurt in my eyes.

"Uhm.... can I get you anything?" I awkwardly asked.

"Eh.. water will be fine." She replied just as awkward.

I inwardly frowned. Never have things between us been this awkward. In fact things have never been awkward between us.

I walked into the kitchen and took out a bottle of water from the fridge.

Thank you Connor for buying more.

When I walked back to the living room I found her pacing. I knew this wasn't good.

I didn't want to hear her say it. I knew she wanted to end us and I just couldn't let her.

When she saw me she stopped and so did it.

"Look Sage__"

"I wanted to__"

We both simultaneously started and stopped. I didn't want her to go first.

"I should go first." She said but I shook my head.

"No Al let me." I said then paused for a second "I was out of line that night. I shouldn't have said all the things I said. It wasn't my place." I rushed out.

"Yes you were out of line." She confirmed.

"I'm sorry okay. I was having a bad day and I took it out on you." I told her. "I'm not trying to make an excuse..."

But I was making excuses.

".... I just want you to understand. I want you to forgive me. I didn't mean any of the shit I said. I took out my anger on the wrong person."

I took a step towards her and she waited. I was still holding the glass and bottle of water.

"I'm sorry. It wasn't my intention to hurt you." I breathed out and waited to her to say something but she didn't.

"Say something." I urged her. This time I was only a foot away from her.

I place the glass and bottle on the coffee table and met her gaze once more.

Her eyes flickered with something. Uncertainty mabye. She searched my eyes for any deceit and truth.

I took ahold of her hands to urge her. To encourage her decision on my favour.

I rub my thumbs on the back of her hands.

I felt her shiver and almost smirked but I stopped myself. I probably would have if she wasn't looking straight into my eyes.

"I won't lie to you Sage. What you said to me was too hurtful. Especially because it came from you. I never thought you of all people could hurt me like that and when you said those things I felt like my heart was being ripped right out of my chest....."

Guilt filled me when she said that.

".... but it wasn't just anyone who was ripping my heart. It was you. In a million years I never thought you'd hurt me as bad as you did that day but I get it. You're human. You have flaws. You make mistakes and I forgive you."

The moment those words came out of her mouth my heart leaped out of my chest.