SAGE POV

How do you expect me to stay away from you when you looked the way you did?

It's Monday morning and I've been staring at thIS message for the past two days. What is he trying to do to me? I'm dreading seeing him, but there is a part of me that can't wait.

I finished getting ready and go downstairs, where Shay is waiting for me at the door. 'Some of us like to get to school on time.'

'What are you talking about? We have 30 minutes to get to school.' I swear this girl confuses me.

'Whatever, just hurry up, I wanna see Luna, it's her birthday,' Shay says.

'Right, come on then,' I grab a blueberry muffin on my way out to the car.

***

Walking to gym class with the girls, we get stopped not once, but twice by a girl from the dance team and mystery boy Luca, both wanting to take Theia to the dance.

'They're both so hot, I'm gonna have to take shifts, spending two hours each with them both because I can't decide who to go with,' Theia ponders.

'Do you think they would mind?' Kayla asks

'Who cares, I won't tell them,' Theia winks.

We all laugh as we carrying on the gym class.

'Is there any way of getting out go this class? I can't be bothered with Miss Brown today?' Kayla complains.

'You can never be bothered with her,' Kerrys rolls her eyes.

'I'll meet you guys in there, I'm just going to the bathroom,' I tell the girls, as we break away.

Walking towards the bathroom, an arm grabs me and pulls me round a corner, making me slam against the wall. I'm about to go off at this person when I look up and see those familiar sectoral heterchromia eyes.

'Kree! You scared me. What are you doing?' I exclaim.

'I just wanted to tell you how beautiful you looked on Saturday night,' He says moving closer until there's no space between us. I swear this boy gives me whiplash.

'Well, you could have told me then-'

'Did you get my text?' He cuts me off.

'Yeah,' I look away slightly.

'And?' Kree furthers.

'And what? What do you want me to say?' I fire back. He doesn't say anything and we're just stand there looking at each other.

'Was there anything else? I need to get back to class,' I try and show indifference but my heart is pounding out of my chest.

He steps back from me and shrugs. 'Yeah actually. I think it's going to be difficult for me to stay away from you.'

Wait. 'What?' I anxiously ask.

'We go to the same school and we live next door to each other. We're bound to bump into each other, therefore I think we should try to be friends,' He replies.

'Oh,' I try not to sound too disappointed. 'Yeah, that makes sense, you know, if you can keep your hands off me.'

He looks away, chuckling at my response. 'It's going to be hard.'

'Ugh, you're disgusting,' I try to conceal my smile.

So, friends?' He smirks out.

'Friends.' I smile.

'I'll see you around then.' Kree turns to walk off and my eyes trail him, when a voice breaks me out of my trance.

'Hey Sage.'

'Oh, hi Finn. What's up?' Finn is the captain of the swim team.

'Well I just wanted talk-talk to you about the dance. I'm available, so wanna go?' He brazenly asks.

'Ummm-' at that point I make eye contact with Kree and he gives me a dirty look, before storming off. What is wrong with that guy? He just decided that we should be friends.

'I'm not sure,' I reply turning my head back to Finn. 'I'm gonna have to get back to you on that one.'

'Don't take long, I'm well in demand,' he winks then walks off with a bounce in his step. Ew, that's a no.

***

I'm sat in my room contemplating whether to text Kree or not and confront him about the look he gave me, when Shay bursts in.

'What do you think?' Shay twirls.

'Where are you going?' I ask.

'Sis, it's Luna's birthday remember? I told you this morning, we're going to a restaurant.' Shay replies.

'Oh, yeah. Well you look great.' I say.

'What's up with you?' Shay enquires.

'Nothing. Have a great time.' I reply back with a small smile.

'Okay.' She says unconvinced. 'You know you can talk to me anytime. You may be my big sis but I still want to- you know? I don't have a clue. Just talk to me when you're ready. And I'm taking this. BYE!'

She grabs the leather jacket that was on my chair and runs out before I can even reply to her pathetic attempt of a heart-to-heart.

Fuck it. I grab the phone and start to write out a message.

What was that look about?

The three bubbles pop up and then disappear, and I throw my phone down on the bed frustratedly. Why is he messing with me?

My phone pings and I rush to get it and end up tripping over a rogue boot. Looking down, it's not even mine, it's Shay. The little- when did she take my shoes, I didn't even realise. Composing myself, I read the message sent.

What look?

You know what look.

What did fish boy want?

Fish boy? Do you mean Finn?

Yeah, Finn Bateman - stupid ass name.

I chuckle.

So what did he want?

Why should I answer your questions when you never answer mine?

Tell me!

Ugh, you're so demanding. He just wanted to ask me to the dance, that's all.

And you said....

I have no reason to say no.

Do I?

It's a while before he responds.

I'm sorry.

For what?

For blowing hot and cold. I come with a lot of baggage and the last thing I want is for you to get caught up in it.

I'm about to reply when he sends another text.

I can't claim you as mine, as much as I want too. If you want to go out with fish bait you can.

My face heats up. Wait, he wants me to be his? He's just apologised for being hot and cold and he comes out with that.

I didn't ask for your permission.