Complications with Sage

Upon the conclusion of her speech, the crowd roars with enthusiasm, rising to their feet and overwhelming the girl with thunderous applause. Proudly, Sage exits the stage with her head held high and her heart racing at what feels like the speed of light. Blake is already waiting for her and once she reaches the bottom of the short staircase, he greets her with another winsome smile. "You did great up there," he praises as they make their way to the small tent set up behind the audience.

"I don't know about that. I messed up a few times," Sage disagrees, shaking her head. At the stand,  she grabs up a cup of water and chugs the liquid down in one go. How refreshing. She needed that. After, she wipes her mouth with the back of her hand and tosses the paper cup into the recycling bin. "But I'm glad I was able to get them pumped up for Donna." She turns back to look at the stage where a woman in her mid-thirties stands, the microphone now in her grasp.

"I'm sure nobody noticed. You're a natural leader, Sage." Next, Blake pulls out his phone and checks the time. "Should we grab some lunch after this ends?"

"Sure, lunch sounds good. I'm famished," she answers.

"You didn't eat breakfast, did you?" He knows her all too well.

Sage proceeds to shrug nonchalantly, dismissing the matter as though it's no big deal. And to her, it isn't. It's not like she's a stranger to skipping meals, especially when she's always so preoccupied with other things. That's the life of a college student for you. At least, Sage's version anyways. "I didn't have time."

"Then make time, Sage," the young man chides apprehensively, sending her a pointed look. "Your body needs food in order to be able to function properly like everyone else. How are you going to go around fighting for what you believe in on an empty stomach?" By now, he's completely lost track of how many times he's had to remind her how important it is to eat, even if she might be too busy with trying to change the world. However, like a child who doesn't know better, Sage does the exact opposite of whatever she's told.

How an intelligent, reasonable yet very passionate girl her age is incapable of taking care of herself surprises even him. So of course Blake can't help but worry for her well-being. That's nothing out of the ordinary for him though. He's sort of gotten accustomed to it. It's, some might even say, become a habit for him, one which he cannot quit, especially not any time soon. Trust me, he's tried to, but there's just something about Sage that keeps reeling him back in. It's as though she has her own gravitational pull, keeping him orbiting around her.

"Okay." She nods. "I'll try to make time to eat from now on." If he got a dime for every time he's heard her say that. "Meet you there?"

"No," Blake denies without reluctance. "Wildflower is all the way on the other side of town. It'll take you a while to get there. Just come with me. We can take my car."

He does make a rather enticing case. There's no reason why she should turn him down either. Then, Sage's eyes land on her bicycle securely locked to the bench located under a large oak tree, which looks like it's been around for centuries. "What about my bike?" she points out.

"I have a rack for it, remember?" He had purchased one last year just for situations like these. It's always better to be prepared than unprepared. At least, that's what the girl believes. In fact, it's one of the many mottos Sage seems to live, eat and breathe by.

"Fine," Sage concedes with a sigh, after reevaluating the idea. "Only because I don't think I have the energy to make a thirty minute trip after this."

"Well, perhaps if you had consumed something before you came, it would have made a difference," Blake adds.

"Are you done reprimanding me now?" she questions, an eyebrow raised. Don't misunderstand her actions. Sage isn't annoyed or trying to be sassy. She's genuinely curious to find out whether or not he's got anything else to say to her. Because he always has something to say to her. She doesn't mind it, though, since she is aware his intentions are in the right place. Honestly, she couldn't even tell you how many times Blake would come off sounding more like an overly concerned parent than a friend. But, there's nothing remotely criminal about caring for your friends. So, Sage won't dwell on the matter. Usually, she never does.

However, if Morgan catches wind of this—friendship she still has going on with Blake, all hell will break loose. According to Morgan, who is definitely more experienced in the art of love and war than she is, exes are supposed to despise each other to the core or something. She would always rant to Sage about how people can never remain just friends with those they used to date. What had she called it again? Oh yes, she had deemed it a taboo. And no, she hadn't been referring to the game, as Sage discovered when she cut in and asked. But upon the review of her relationship with Blake post their break-up, it seems like Morgan had been wrong.

Then again, when is her cousin ever right?

Blake chuckles. "For the time being, yes."

"I'm not a child," she declares. Oh he'd beg to differ. "As I told Morgan earlier, I can cater to my own needs. You don't have to worry about me." Before he could respond, Lyle calls out to Sage from a distance, successfully seizing her attention. Without another word, she wanders off, leaving a melancholic Blake in her wake.

"I know I don't have to," he heaves under his breath while his chest tightens. And as he gazes at her from where he stands, a wistful and earnest expression adamant on his face, Blake completes his statement, his tone as soft and gentle as the autumn breeze, "But I want to."

The volunteers, Sage and Blake included, all finish cleaning the area up in a little under an hour, making sure there is no trash floating around before they make their departure. The car ride towards Sage's favorite joint is filled with plenty of words exchanged by the two of them. They've never been fond of sitting in silence. The topics discussed range from how their summers went to any future plans for the upcoming holidays. As of right now, Blake is scheduled to return home for both Thanksgiving and Christmas while Sage's family is supposed to catch a flight over here for Christmas.

Originally, Blake is from Rhode Island. Yes, it's that really tiny state on the east coast next to Massachusetts and Connecticut. Doesn't ring a bell? It should considering it's also one of the original thirteen colonies. Often, it gets confused with the city of Long Island in New York. And if this is the first time you're hearing this state, then you should probably brush up on your geography skills.

To assume Blake's a small town guy would be a rather pretentious thing to do. He was actually born and raised in the capital city of Providence, which is extremely urbanized, populated and the home to renowned schools like Rhode Island School of Design and Brown University.

Vermont is far enough for him to learn how to be independent, but still close enough that, if he really wants to, he can go home and visit his family. It's a long drive, for sure, but Blake likes being on the road. It gives him time to think clearly and the scenery is utterly breathtaking. Just like the girl in front of him.

"I'll have a small iced green tea with two lemons and a falafel wrap," Sage tells the cashier, who then punches in her order. Sage doesn't recognize her and guesses that she must be a new-hire. Wildflower is her favorite place to go. It's her job to pay attention to such minor details. Over the last year, believe it or not, Sage has become extremely friendly with the staff here. Hell, she's even on a first-name basis with the owners!

"That will be nine dollars and sixty-seven cents," the girl announces after calculating the total.

Patting her pockets down, the corners of Sage's lips twitch downwards and once she confirms that they are, indeed, empty, she shrugs her backpack off and rummages through it only to exhale a breath of defeat. "I'm sorry. It looks like I forgot my wallet."

The cashier opens her mouth but is unable to get a word out.

"It's okay, I got it," Blake assures, stepping forward. "I'll have the same thing as her, but with a Lean Green Chia Machine Smoothie instead." Pulling out his wallet, he hands the amount due and accepts the change with a smile.

"I'll bring your food once it's ready," the employee states.

"Thank you," Blake answers.

"I'll pay you back," Sage says as they take a seat at the booth by the windows. It's the table they always sit at. Well, given that it's unoccupied of course.

"You don't have to." He slides into the booth across from her, tucking his wallet back into his jacket. "It's not like I do this all the time."

"Yeah I know, but still." Next, her phone buzzes. She glances down and sees that it's a message from Morgan and the girl sounds all but pleasant. The text is dominated by CAPS which, if Sage is not mistaken, translates into yelling. There's a minimum of what appears to be a dozen exclamation marks following her statement too. Well then. Someone's clearly upset. Uncertain of how she should respond, Sage knits her eyebrows together

Blake must have noticed her dilemma because, then, he asks, "Is something the matter?"

She doesn't even look at him as she shakes her head. "It's nothing. I have to call my mom. You don't mind, do you?"

"Not at all," he replies.

As the line rings, Sage counts how many seconds has gone by in her head before her call is finally answered. "Hey, mom," she greets.

"Hi, sweetheart!" Mrs. Chan pants from the other end. "Sorry I took a while to answer. I was helping Rosemary with her science project. Are you back already? How was Jack? Do you like him? Is he even handsomer in person?" The woman would be lying if she says she's not excited to hear how the date had unfolded. Because, like any mother out there, she wants nothing but the best for her beloved daughter. From what she can remember, as a child Jack had been rather kind and gentlemanly. Therefore, she expects nothing less from him.

"About that,"—Sage clears her throat, her hand tightening around the phone while her eyes are fixated on the table in front of her—"I had a magnificent time with him but..."

Blake isn't one to eavesdrop, but in this particular situation, he can't help but listen in on the conversation, his curiosity immediately aroused by the word him. Who could Sage be talking about? Could she be talking about him? But that doesn't make any kind of sense. He'll have to ask her once she hangs up.

"Oh no, not the dreadful but!" Mrs. Chan gasps. "What's wrong? Did something happen? Did he treat you ill-manneredly? So help me god if that boy did such a thing, I will board the next plane available and—"

"No, mom. It wasn't like that." The last thing Sage wants is for her mother to waste money and travel across the country in order to come scold a guy who's done nothing wrong. If anyone is at fault here, it'd most definitely be Sage. Besides, it'll only get more complicated and the girl hates when there are complications. "He was nice and all but I just didn't feel an instant connection with him. I'm sorry."

One...

Two...

Three...

"Don't apologize, Sage," her mother prods tenderly over the line. "I'm just happy you gave Jack a chance. I understand feelings cannot be forced. Sharon, however, will be devastated once she finds out we aren't going to become in-laws. We were positive you two would have hit it off. I guess we were wrong. Thank you for calling to let me know. Try to relax for the rest of the weekend, okay?"

"I'll try, no promises though." The call ends a few moments later and Sage stuffs the device back into her backpack.

Blake counts up to ten before his lips pry apart, allowing words to escape. "What was that about?"

"I was supposed to go on a blind date today," answers the girl curtly and, if possible, in the most indifferent manner ever, her gaze now settled on him.

"Oh really?" he coughs as he attempts to maintain his composure. Shifting a little in his seat, he manages to control the trembling in his voice without plight. "Why didn't you?" he queries carefully.

"I had the rally, remember?" Sage reminds. "Besides, it wasn't even my idea. My parents set me up without warning. It would have been a hassle to cancel on the guy and then reschedule, so I just sent Morgan instead."

"Wait, so you didn't want to go on a blind date?" His entire countenance noticeably brightens, relief flooding his system.

"Of course not. I don't have time for that kind of nonsense. I'm far too busy with school, work and the org to do anything else."

There's still hope for him after all. "I see," says Blake. "What if your parents find out your cousin went instead? Won't you get into trouble?"

Sage meditates on the matter for a while and leans back into the booth, her arms now crossed against her chest. "I'm sure that won't happen," she declares. "But if it does, I'll deal with it then." She might be making light of the ordeal now, as if there won't be serious consequences if she's caught, but Blake knows very well that Sage hates getting into trouble with her folks. She hardly ever gets on their bad side.

However, the rare occasions where she does typically leaves her silent and aloof for over a week. She could deny it all she wants, but on the inside he's certain that Sage is praying her lies won't catch up to her and drag her down into the hellish inferno called disappointment. If there's one thing she hates more than getting into trouble with her parents, it's disappointing the people she cherishes and holds dear to her heart.

Wanting to put an end to the discussion at hand, Sage swiftly alters the subject and redirects the focus onto Blake. "How's your shoulder?"

"It's much better," he responds. "Thanks for asking."

"You don't attend physical therapy anymore?" she questions

He shakes his head. "No, not really."

"That's good." Sage nods. "Your mother's still not upset about what happened, is she?"

"She's still a little... sensitive about the subject, but she's moved on," he laughs awkwardly, rubbing the nape of his neck in slight embarrassment. "For the most part, anyway."

"She most definitely harbors a strong distaste towards me." Sage comprehends the maternal instinct every mother has, especially when it comes to the well-being of their child, but she feels like Mrs Chamberlein might be just a little too overprotective of Blake. She doesn't know if she should praise such a characteristic or detest it. Perhaps when she has an offspring of her own, she will be able to empathize better, or not. Who knows?

"That's not true," Blake denies adamantly.

"I'm sure it isn't," Sage drawls, sarcasm intertwined in every single word.

"Sage, it wasn't your fault," he exhales. "Besides, I'm perfectly fine now, aren't I?"

"I know it wasn't," she agrees. "But she doesn't  seem to know that. She'd throw a temper tantrum if she found out you were spending time with me again. If I remember correctly, didn't she forbid you from seeing me?"

"Technically speaking, it was the other way around," corrects Blake. "She forbade you from seeing me. She never mentioned anything about me taking the initiative."

"I believe it was implied under all of her shouting along with the indignant tone she had been using."

"Can we not talk about her?" he mutters, a bitter taste lingering on the tip of his tongue. He doesn't want his mother driving another rift in between them... again. "How was your organic chemistry exam?" Thankfully, Sage obliges and brushes the topic involving Mrs. Chamberlein aside.

"It was difficult," she states, "but I refused to allow those three all-nighters to go to waste. Don't know if I can say the same about the other people in my class."

Their food then gets delivered to their table and they consume everything within twenty minutes while simultaneously talking about how their respective classes are going. They arrive in front of Sage's house and before Blake drives off, she taps on the window, ordering him to wait there. She disappears into the house and returns minutes after, her wallet in her grasp.

She motions for him to roll the window down and he does. "Here, you can keep the change." She places fifteen dollars into his palm and retracts her arm. "Consider it as my cab fare."

"Sage," Blake exhales, holding the bills back out to her. "Didn't I tell you it wasn't an issue? Take it back."

"Nothing in the world is free." Another one of her life mottos.

"The air is," he counters.

"The people who struggle with breathing and need to go around with tubes shoved into their nostrils and an oxygen tank trailing behind them would disagree," Sage quips wittingly.

"You're absolutely impossible. I've told you that before, haven't I?" he chortles as he opens the glove compartment and stashes the cash inside. There would be no point in trying to argue with her. It would only end in vain since Sage seems to have a knack with words.

The girl smiles and nods. "On numerous occasions, actually."

"I'll see you on campus?" he questions.

"If I'm not cooped up in the study rooms then maybe," she says.

A yawn slips out as Sage clambers up the stairs and trudges to her room. Her body still feels weak despite the food she consumed no longer than an hour ago and she collapses onto her bed. Next, Morgan bursts into the room, a deep frown etched into her face. "That guy was such an arrogant ass!" she fumes, pacing up and down, her hands sitting on her hips. "You owe me a huge favor for bailing you out."

With her eyes drooping dangerously low, Sage says in a tired voice, "I would consider me keeping my mouth shut and turning a blind eye to the Panko incident more than enough to compensate for the terrible time you had." She doesn't have the energy or strength to resist anymore.

Morgan ignores her, though. She is too enraptured by rage and continues ranting on. "Just because he's attractive, he thinks he's got every woman wrapped around his finger? Where did your mom even find a douche like him?" There is nothing but silence. "Sage?" Morgan calls out as she halts and turns to look at the younger girl. Her anger dissipates almost immediately and she lets out a puff of air upon discovering her cousin had drifted off to sleep. She must have had a long day and it's barely five o'clock, which is saying a lot. "You're so lucky I love you," she grumbles, covering Sage with the blanket before exiting the room.

A second later and, "I love you too," mumbles Sage as she snuggles into her pillow.

- - -

Author's Thoughts: Happy Good Friday, or Saturday, depending where you are! More into Sage's character and Blake's as well. I hope you're enjoying. Please do leave comments and votes if you'd like! What do you think of the story so far?