SAGE

Chapter 28

Sage Miller

"If I knew you were gonna be a wet blanket all of a sudden, I wouldn't have invited you." Styles said as

he settled down next to me.

All the kids were having fun. Little Eva was having too much fun. I felt my heart swelling at what Styles

did for the kid. It is so out of character for him but nice, the kind of nice that over rule all the bad.

The party was at an amusement park near by.

The little girl looked so happy. She never knew her parents, she is just another kid thrown into the

system.

I can't imagine living in the system. I'm grateful Eve and I were never in the system. She wouldn't have

survived.

"Its just....I just have a lot in my mind." I told him honestly.

"Well you better snap out of it because you have to entertain those little girl. I didn't bring you here to

brood. I brought you here as back up." He lightly scolded.

I looked over to Bella who was running around catching the little girls who were on a rampage.

Styles was so good with Eva. It was like she was his daughter. I felt my heart break when I

remembered how he lost his baby.

It must've really sucked. He was so good with the kid. He would make a great father one day. Much like

my own.

"The other day you said something." I started when he was about to get up. He sat back down and

turned to me. "You said I was a liability and my identity must be unknown. Then you said my protection

is important."

He laughed which confused me more. I couldn't help but note how relaxed he was today. His always

tensed shoulder weren't as tense. He scowl was non-existent. He was smiling.

"That what got you all serious and brooding. For someone who I thought was smart you sure can be

dump as fuck. You're thinking about this the wrong way." He said amused.

"Huh?"

"That guy you saw, he's a hacker like me. I got into his system about two years ago and got ahold of all

his secrets so he wants mine. I may have out hacked him but his one of the greatest minds. Seeing you

there, he would've investigated you. Then he would've found out about Eve then he would've known

who I am. Do you see were I'm going with this or you need me to explain more?"

I nodded even though I didn't understand much of what he said.

"So keeping you out of sight was very important. My real identity is everything to me, it's crucail that it

remains a mystery. That's why I've been so successful in this business. And most important, keeping

him away from Eve is important too, so that means keeping him away from you too."

I was starting to get it.

"Wow." That's all I said.

"Now get up and let's show this girls the time of their life." Again I was stunned by this side of him.

If I didn't know better I wouldn't imagine he can kill without batting an eyelash.

"Let's do this." I said standing up dramatically.

I mentally chuckled because I could practically hear Sebastian's words. He always said I was dramatic.

I guess he was right.

"Beasties." Eva exclaimed running towards Styles.

He didn't look awkward or weird out at the show of affection from Eva. He was very affectionate with

her.

He picked her up.

I learnt a while back how affectionate Styles was. I use to watch him and Eve- not in a weird way or

creepy- he was very affectionate with her all the time. Even when they were arguing he'd want to hold

her while yelling at each other.

I always wondered how he did that. I mean when I'm shouting at someone I don't want them near me

much less touch them.

I watched as the pair talked while we walked back to Eva's friends and Bella.

I wasn't on my right minds earlier to give a good thought about Bella. I mean she is beautiful but I want

to know what's inside that beauty. She wouldn't be the first older girl I liked and I'm pretty sure she

wouldn't be the last.

"Would you win it for me?" Eva asked Styles and she gave him the puppy eyes.

"No need to take out the big guns." He chuckled. "I'll win it for you."

We reached Bella and she gave us a smile but her eyes were on Eva and Styles as they talked.

The sight was really sweet and mushy.

"Sorry I didn't introduce myself." I told Bella. "I'm Sage."

"Yeah Harry told me. I'm Bella." My eyes shot to Styles but he didn't seem to notice the look I was

giving him.

He didn't allow anyone, I mean anyone to call him by his first name. Eve was an exception.

Wow.

"Yeah...." I trailed off and suddenly Eva joined our conversation.

"Beastie told me he is Kittie's brother." She told Bella. "You remember Kittie right Bella?"

I looked at Styles as Eva talked. He didn't seem to mind. In fact he smiled to my surprised. I thought

he'd grimace at the mention of his pet name for Eve. Or maybe his jaw would tick but nothing.

His eyes met mine as I asked if Eve had met Bella and Eva but his eyes told me no.

"Remember when he said he was going to his Kittie and I thought he was talking about a kittie kittie but

he was talking about his girlfriend." Eva giggled as he told the story.

At the corner of my eye I caught Bella's reaction. She wasn't happy at all.

I almost snorted, I didn't have a chance with Bella. She already have her eyes on someone else and

unfortunately if I'm correct, she'll be greatly disappointed because Styles will never see her that way.

"Didn't you want that big teddy bear?' Bella asked and I didn't miss how she wanted to change the

topic.

Lucky for her Styles didn't notice and Eva went on about the teddy bear.

At the end we found ourselves against each other as we tried to win Eva the big teddy.

It was official the game was rigged. Both of us were very competitive and the game was kicking our ass

cause we just couldn't suck this much at throwing rings.

"Go Beastie." Eva and her friends cheered.

"Hey what about me?" I pouted at them and they giggled.

"You're just jealous they love me more than you." Styles joked as he nudged me and I missed.

"No fair. I had that one. I was going to win. You're a cheater." I whined pushing him and he missed as

well.

"Hey, all is fair in love and war and games." He raised his hands in surrender.

At the end we both sucked. We were not getting enough rings on the hops to win the teddy bear.

"Okay man, I'll pay you to just give me the bear." Styles said annoyed. He was about to blow a fuse.

He's a sore loser.

"Sorry man. You have to shoot ten rings to get the bear." The guy said and I knew he was just irritating

Styles.

"I get that but as you can see we can't. I'll give you five thousand dollars. That's more than the bear and

more that you earn." He proposed. "If it was targets then cool, I can do that but this, this dump game

must be ridged or something."

"Sorry I'll get in trouble. They'll fire me." He said looking around.

"It's a lot of money man. Take it." He said through gritted teeth.

"I'm sorry I really want to but I can't"

"You're such a fool." Styles mumbled loud enough for the guy to hear.

He turned to Bella and told her something.

Bella took the girls and I saw that Eva was close to tears as Bella dragged her away.

"I promise I'll get you the bear little princess." Styles promised and Eva nodded.

As soon as they were out of sight he turned towards the guy and his demeanor changed.

"Listen here you little shit." As soon as Eva wasn't here he started cussing.

It amazed me how both of us haven't cussed the whole day. More so Styles, he cuss like his father was

a sailor.

"You made the princess cry, I don't like seeing tears in her eyes. What are you gonna do to fix that. You

fucker." His voice was cold, menacing.

"I'm sorry man. I'm sorry." He apologized again and again. I could see the fear in his eyes. Styles has

that effect on people.

Anyone in their right minds would be scared of the person next to me so I don't blame him for it.

"You know you should've taken the money ang went on with your life. You're foolish because then you

would've gained something but right now not only are we gonna get you in trouble but we'll get the bear

you'll probably lose this dump stupid thing you call a job."

Before either of us processed Styles's words, he unhooked the bear and yelled run to me.

The guy yelled for someone to stop us but we were too fast. We ran and I was laughing so hard at what

Styles did. Never in my life would I have ever thought I'd see Styles stealing something.

We jumped the gates and we were outside.

"You stole that." I said as we tried to cool down. Adrenaline was too high in my blood.

"That fucker was being so fucking difficult." He said like that explained everything. "Besides I haven't

stolen something in a long time."

"This was fun." I said as we were walking back to our cars.

At the distance I saw the girls with Bella waiting for us.

Styles drove here in a blue SUV, it has been a long time since I've seen him behind the wheels. Not

unless he was in his bike and that rarely happened.

Just as Eva saw what Styles had in his hands, she ran towards us and Styles picked her up.

"You did it. You won me the bear." She gushed but I couldn't help but snort.

"You mean stole." I said under my breath but Styles heard it and shot me a glare.

"Of princess I won you the bear." He corrected.

After than we said goodbyes and got in out respectively cars and drove away. Styles was going to drop

the girls and Bella hope.

On my way I received a call from Christina telling me she will be waiting in my driveway.

"Oh shit. You got a new car." Her eyes widen as I got out. "It's so beautiful. Oh my God."

I smirked and greeted her.

"Yeah hello too but you're driving this car." She walked around it gushing. "I see you gave it a small

touch you make sure people doesn't question your ownership."

Of course I did. I went to a shop a couple of day ago and got some work some on the body. It's big but

barely noticeable unless you wanna see it.

I got my name printed on the body of the car. It's in the same color of the car so it's not that noticeable

but it's in a shade darker so you can see it.

It beautiful really.

Christina and I talked for hours.

"We should do something before school opens." She announced.

"Yeah we'll do something. There's a last summer party I'll be attending." I told her. This party has been

planned for months.

Its even bigger than the first summer party we attended at the beginning of summer.

"Yeah I know but I mean something more." I already knew she had something in mind already.

"Something more?" I arched my brow.

"Yeah. I mean. We're going back to school so why not?"

"So what do you have in mind?" I questioned.

"I was thinking maybe... I don't know.... since the fair will be here for the last night we should do that."

She proposed.

I haven't went to a fair in a long time.

"Then after that we'll go to the race track, there's a huge race happening on the last night and there's

this driver, he's taking everyone by storm. He's young too. Probably my age." ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

I nodded as she talked.

"Then finally we'll go to that party and end our night in a high note and of course we'll invite a few

people. The more the merrier right?" She finished and I thought of a few people I'll invite.

"You have it all figured out." I praised.

"I have to. I want to have a good time." She said.

"Well it's settle then." I said. "Then tell me about this driver, you like him."

I teased her and her cheeks turned crimson red.

"Oh shut up Sage. He's cute okay. He's earned a name for himself. They call him Drift King." She

gushed.

"Like in The fast and the furious?" I asked.

"Yes like in The fast and the furious. I mean before he was just an ordinary driver but now he's taking

the tracks by storm. He wins big races and he's got this confidence about him and the boyish charm."

I didn't think Christina realized she moaned and the sound fuck, I almost forget she was suppose to be

my friend. Almost.

But the fact that she was a virgin brought me back to earth. It straightened my thoughts.

The almost boner subsided.

Christina left shortly after with the promise to hang out soon before our big day of fun.

I went inside.

Dad's birthday was in two days and seven days after that was Eve's birthday was in seven days after

that.

Preparation were being made for her birthday but I felt like she was doing it for all the wrong reasons.

This year was different. Usually during this time of year I was sad and gloomy but this year it's like I had

made peace with his death.

I excepted a very long time that he's dead. Never coming back but I had never made peace with it.

This year however I was at ease about his death. I didn't feel like crying or killing someone. This year

was going to be different.

There's no more Clara. She was the big reason why I dreaded this day. She was the most horrible

during the time period of dad's death anniversary.

She took out her pain on Eve.

Maybe that's why this year it was better. She couldn't torment Eve, my whole life. She couldn't hurt her

anymore.

I found myself picking up my cellphone.

Since I came back from Toronto I haven't heard from her or seen her.

Just as I thought She was gonna ghost Me, she picked up.

"Hello." Her smooth velvet voice greeted me with so much elegance.

I released the breath I didn't know I was holding when I realized she wasn't drunk.

"Smurf." I breathed out.

"Sage." She also breathed out.

"How are you?" I timidly asked her.

"I'm good thank you for asking." She politely answered. "How are You?"

"I want to see you." I said almost demanding but you can hear the desperation in my voice. I cussed

myself for sounding so desperate.

"I mean can I see you?" I rephrased the statement before she can put a word.

"Sage." She said trying to refuse but I stopped her.

"As friends." I told her. "We did agreed to be friends right? I just wanna hang out with my friend."

I knew I was guilt tripping her but I had to see her. It had been a while since I last saw her.

"You mean it?" She asked. "When you say as friends I mean, do you mean it?"

I gulp as I nodded but realized she couldn't see me.

"Yeah I mean it."

"I can see you the day after tomorrow. Tomorrow I will be super busy." She told me.

"That's fine by me." As long as I got to see her. "Don't play with me."

She actually chuckled.

"No I won't." She said. "Bye Sage."

"No wait.." I said abruptly then realized I have nothing to say to her. "Bye Smurf."

She sighed.

"Bye Sage." She whispered and the line went dead.

I didn't pull my phone out of my ear for a while. I could still hear her voice inside my head.

I felt strongly toward Smurf that's no doubt but it was love. I love Eve. That's love, its strong, its good

and pure.

What I have for Smurf is something entirely different. Sure I'm protective of her. But I'm not in love with

her. My love for her was purely platonic.

I am infatuated by her. It's the thrill of not having her, never having something fully. It's a thrill of wanting

something I know I can't have. It's an obsession.

My thoughts are interrupted by the door bell ringing. My subconscious carry me to open the door.

Sebastian was leaning against the door frame with a pack of beers in hand.

I smiled at him as I invited him inside.

Connor, I don't know where is but lately I fell like I never know where he always is.

But I suppose it's fine Sebastian is here. Even if Connor comes back. They did agree to be civil with

each other for my sake. I couldn't be more grateful for that.