Pink + White by Frank Ocean"Kiss the Earth that birthed you

Gave you tools just to stay alive"

Being in an academic space felt foreign to Sage seeing as how she has not attended a lick of class for weeks. The halls were empty and smelled of lemon disinfectant. It was after class hours, but that didn't subside the thoughts that maybe Jay could be there with her at this very moment. Quickly scanning her surroundings, she sauntered down the hall towards her guidance counselor's office. Ms. Diaz was a quirky and playful counselor that's been with the school for a few years. She took a special interest in Sage when she discovered her love for photography but now she's emailed her, urging her to get back on track to finish her senior year.

She sucked in a breath before tapping on the wooden door with her knuckles. It wasn't long before Ms. Diaz's face popped up in front of her. She flashed her pearly whites, "Wow! You're alive!" If only you knew, Sage thought. Her mind flashbacked to time she spent stuck in q1qa ppla room with no way out. "You okay, Sage?"

She must have zoned out because Ms. Diaz was waving her hand in her face to regain her attention. She shook her head, climbing out of her intense pondering and beamed back at her, "Oh, I'm fine. Hi."

"You're a horrible liar but come in, kiddo!" She marched over to her filing cabinet to find Sage's record folder. Sage took a seat in the cushioned seat positioned in front of her desk. After rummaging for a while, Ms. Diaz held her file into the air like a trophy, "Got it!"

"Thank you for calling me... I should've updated you more," Sage began, fiddling with her fingers.

"Yeah, you should've because you know you can come to me about anything, Miss Baglio," She said matter of factly, taking her place on the edge of her desk, "But, we're not here to bust your balls for a lack of communication, I just wanna talk to you about your future."

Sage caught her big blue eyes and immediately felt bad for not doing her part in keeping her up to par all this time. "I'm sorry...I just been through a lot these past few weeks. I'll do better."

Ms. Diaz was comforted hearing that, knowing Sage's irresolute behavior was not intentional or common. It was easy for someone in her position to care about her and the rest of the students that attended a small private school like this. "You're fine, shit happens. Are you ready to finish out your last year of high school?"

"Actually, yeah...if it's possible."

"Remember what I always tell you? Everything is possible." Ms. Diaz winked before grabbing a stack of packets and setting them in her hand. Sage scrutinized the text on the page, noticing they were acceptance letters from a few universities she applied to.

"Oh...wow. NYU?"

"Yes, even NYU... I'm guessing you weren't catching your emails?" It was like a whole other world, skimming through these letters of gratitude and greetings from prestigious schools. She even felt warm when the schools her father wanted her to go to popped up.

Despite the bits and spurts of excitement, Sage began to feel a sense of doubt invading her mental. Suddenly, the thought of going into her first semester of college while pregnant or just given birth didn't sit right with her. "I'm pregnant," she blurted before she could eat the words.

"Sage--"

"No, I know! I fucked up my future," she interrupted. She dropped the sea of packets onto her lap and rubbed her temples in frustration.

"Sage," Ms. Diaz stood up with her arms crossed and tapped her foot until she finally looked at her, "your future is not ruined. There's simply more to it."

"I don't know."

She went around the desk and sat down, "You're still young, you just have one more obligation right now. If you need to take a year off before attending your University of choice, I rather hear that but to completely quit everything is ridiculous."

"I guess, I just never anticipated this..." Her plans for life were all out of order but Ms. Diaz was making it seem like she could do it all and maybe she was right.

"Things happen, now I don't know who the father is but I'm sure he's supportive of you and your baby," she gave her a warm smile, "rejoice, child! It's a new life!"

"I don't know what I'd do without you, Ms. Diaz."

"You're a bright girl with an even brighter future no matter what, this is all you. Now is it worth me working with your teachers to help you catch up for these last two months of school?" She asked, gesturing her head to the open calendar that read MARCH in bold print. She didn't even notice how fast time was flying, it was already mid march.

"Yeah, I'd like that," Sage admitted softly. At that moment she wished she could hit up Dave and notify him of the great news, but he was at the seven day detox program so he wasn't allowed to have any electronics.

"So Monday, I need to see you in your classes. I'm gonna arrange something with all of them and email you." Ms. Diaz informed her, as they both stood up. They hugged each other tight until Sage finally pulled away, she wanted to flee before she started crying right there in the middle of her office.

"Thank you so much," she gushed.

"You got this, girl. Now shoo, so you and the little one can get some rest!" She waved Sage off playfully and smiled as she left like a mother bird watching her baby bird fly for the first time.

***

It was like something out of a sad movie, everyone was perched into a chair just sharing their experiences about addiction that stemmed from a question the lead counselor asked. Each day for an hour, participants of this very expensive detox program were mandated to attend group therapy and each time Dave manages to get away with saying almost absolutely nothing. His trust took precedence in his life, so spilling a vulnerable part of him to complete strangers did not sit well with him.

It was the fifth day of the program which meant he only had two more days left to endure. The place was like living in a really nice resort with people that had a similar background as his own. Listening to the stories he recognized underlying issues were a common pattern and the connections started to make more sense. Next to him in these daily meetings was this stud named Deja Timble who had a seemingly normal past until she got into a traumatic car accident. She seemed to latch onto Dave, always sparking conversation with him and inciting positivity for the both of them. On the other hand, Dave was his normal laidback and observant self, he just obeyed and watched everyone like he naturally did. Nothing changed him but hearing tropes of people's lives and their struggle with addiction helped him understand himself more.

"Okay guys, that's the end of today's session. See you tomorrow." The counselor said as he stood up. The group began to either file out or stay behind to talk amongst each other but David tried to isolate himself by leaving immediately.

He made his way to his room and changed into some shorts and slides so he was able to chill in the indoor jacuzzi the facility had. Once he made it there, he allowed his muscles to relax and his pondering start. Before he could really let his thoughts run rampant, Deja walked over to the Jacuzzi, only dipping the lower half of her legs in. "Hey kid," she said cheerily. It amazes him how much of a cheerleader she was despite their situation and he often wondered if she had someone like that for her in her own life.

"Hey." He gave her a slight salute while she got comfortable on the edge of the jacuzzi. The temperature was just right for David, warm enough to comfort the parts of his body in the water.

"You don't talk much do you? All we know is your name. What's up with that?" She asked abruptly. Her head was cocked to the side and she was staring at him curiously, waiting for an answer.

"Yo ma, you just put all yo bidness out there to all those white people, Ion do that shit." He snorted.

"Sometimes talking helps you bozo." They burst out laughing, holding their stomachs.

"Nah forreal, my girl got me here. Clearly she bougie...but I don't mind." He shrugged.

"She sounds like a good one, I need me one, dawg. She got any gay friends?"

"Hell nah, nigga. They don't want you."

"Man, fuck you!" Deja retorted. Their relationship was definitely like brother and sister already. She was that refreshing platonic friendship he never knew he needed or was going to find here of all places. He didn't mind getting close to her, but off the basis of all that he's been going through he doesn't know if she should.

"You brought it on yourself, sis. I'm just playin' but i'm sayin.'"

"Man anyways, I gotta go handle some shit. Keep your head up and I'mma holla at yo quiet ass later!" She warned him. She stepped out of the jacuzzi, walking off and waving, finally leaving David alone with his thoughts.

***

Sage laid on her back, taking in the shapes of the clouds and allowing the sun to beat down on her. Beside her was Ella on their plush blanket staring up at the sky too, her wavy blond tresses fanning out behind her. The weather was warm for a late March day in New York but they weren't complaining. Central Park was busiest in the early afternoon and the sun was at its brightest. This little trip to the park was anxiety inducing for Sage at first, until the slight breeze and the light from the sun beamed on her. It was like the Universe sending signs, assuring her that everything in that moment will be just fine.

"I have something to confess," Ella said, interrupting the comfortable silence they were sharing. She didn't mind, she missed hearing her best friend's voice and all her crazy ideas.

"Shoot." Sage rolled her head to the side, waiting for Ella to disclose.

She didn't answer right away, she just let the birds flying around them do the talking for a minute. Finally she spoke, "After high school, I'm gonna travel for a year, find myself you know?" The words came out differently than how she wanted them to. She wanted to be more careful to show that despite what she plans on doing she's serious about her future but it seemed careless anyways.

"Why is that? I totally get it though."

"I don't get myself. It's all a matter of finding myself...might take Aubrey on a few trips but you know I'm the type of person that needs space," she admitted. Sage nodded in agreeance. It wasn't that Ella was distant but she valued her alone time lots. She grew up with her mom barely being her mom and certainly without a real father, so all she knew was her own space.

"No, for sure. I think it'll be good for you." She couldn't tell if Ella knew she was being genuine but she hoped she did.

"Now, let's talk about your baby shower!"

"Baby shower?" Sage said incredulously. She didn't even get to that point in her thoughts yet but here Ella was bringing it up.

"Girl yes! I could set up the whole thing!"

Sage shook her head, flipping onto her side. "I really don't want one. I'm happy about my baby but with all that went down..."

"You can't live your life in fear, Sage. Before all of this we kinda stopped being so tense and lived life...just because you went through something that doesn't mean your life should stop," Ella tried reasoning but she wasn't sure the message was relaying to her.

"You're right and I'm trying. It's not that easy to just get over."

"I'm not downplaying anything just trying to get you to understand this isn't how you heal. You know I normally respect all your decisions but I think a baby shower is what you need, maybe not now but in the future."

She curled her lips into a smile, appreciating the patience and love laced in her words. "I miss my best friend," Ella said softly, returning the smile. It was confirmation that they were going to get through this journey together.

***

If he wanted the job done he would have to do it himself. No help, no third party, and just absolutely no hit of any kind. Plus the simple fact that he wanted the sense of his vengeance in his very own hands. The last time anything was put into someone else's hands to carry out his dirty work, everything fell apart. All good things fall apart though.

The room he was in had one slimmer of sunlight peak through the crevices of the thick and dark curtain. He rolled his eyes at it because his real sunshine slipped through his fingers. Now all he does is retreat into his "cave" constructing yet another plan but this time directed at the actual problem. The pest if you will.

School? He had money fuck that. His only interests were the influx of power he yearned for. You can't go to school for something like that.

No one knew where he was staying, that was more of a testament to the different estates he and his family owned. His parents were worried but they knew it was almost next to impossible to keep him grounded and mostly on Earth.

Power wasn't something he could have in the way that he originally planned, the girl of his dreams, the empire, and the army. After executing his target he had the best idea in store that no one could even predict. Something sinister was brewing.

Endnote: Not going to even tell you who this last bit is, y'all should know. What do you think he has in store though?