twenty
Sage|Vera

Sage distracted himself by chewing on the tip of his mechanical pencil. There were fifteen minutes left in class, but the entire lecture felt like five years. He seriously hated taking Economics, and didn't know why he was forced into taking this stupid class because "enough students weren't interested". Sage hid away his scowl when his academic advisor told him he would perform well in Econ, and there would be nothing too difficult for him to deal with during his senior year in high school. Economics wasn't hard at all, in Sage's opinion. But he thought it was a total waste of time. He had no interest in class, and often had to fake his enthusiasm when the teacher silently thanked him for all of his constant participation. The class was boring. In the nicest and most spiteful way, the class was absolutely boring.

Sage spent most of his time daydreaming, his thoughts slipping away from his class lecture and thinking of Vera. He was beginning to miss her when he had to go to school, or didn't have time to hang out with her after because of exams, college applications, or just life simply getting in the way. He would think of her gray hair that made her look like such a bad ass, and how easy it was to hold her in his arms when he would pick her up and run down streets of snow. He missed the sound of her laugh when she made the most ridiculous jokes. He never met someone who genuinely liked to laugh at their own nonsense, and adored the fact that Vera was unlike anyone he has ever met before. She was smart, she was caring. She was weird and fun. Beautiful, annoying, and frustrating. She was everything and more to him.

He wanted to run his fingers through her hair. Learn how to braid it, and make it smell just as good as she makes it smell on a daily basis. He wanted to give her advice, the same kind of comfort and sincerity she offered him when they first met. She deserved it. She also deserved happiness. And Sage really wanted to be the person  to give her that happiness. He was smiling to himself without realizing it, and already had the plan to call her and ask her if she wanted to hang out with him today. As soon as the final bell rang, he would do it.

When Sage glanced up at the clock, he noticed that the fifteen minutes turned into five. ❝Great job today, guys. Make sure you check your emails, because I will be sending over the PDFs for tonight's homework assignment. And there is also an essay due Friday at midnight, so make sure you find enough time to submit something authentic, and not rushed. Or plagiarized. Have a great rest of your day!❞ Mrs. Anderson's voice, Sage's teacher, suddenly filled his ears and forced him out of his thoughts. She was ending class five minutes early today.

Sage didn't rush, unlike everyone else. He slipped out of his chair and grabbed his bag, slipping in his laptop and notebook before pulling the arms of his coat on his shoulders. Looking for his AirPods, he pulled them out from their case and pushed them into his ears, and found a song to play from his playlist. September Song by JP Cooper began, and Sage felt himself pause for a moment as his mind slipped back to a distant memory, of him and Vera dancing to this exact song. He smiled again, his cheeks feeling somewhat hot when he reached for his bag. He waved a goodbye to Mrs. Anderson and let himself drown into the sound of the song. As he made his way to the school exit, he nodded his head or did a tiny wave to the people who beamed at him or waved eagerly. He was proud of how well he was able to hide that he hated this place.

Sage didn't hear the slight commotion outside, of his classmates standing out the door. Many were waiting for other students to get out, or their parents to pick them up, but Sage noticed that he had to shimmy himself through the small sea of classmates and stopped short when he noticed what everyone was staring at, but not really staring at. Like trying to know what's going on without being too nosey. Vera was sitting on the steps, looking down at her phone screen. She wasn't wearing a coat, as if they weren't in the middle of winter. Her hair was pulled up in a loose bun with bangs falling into her eyes, and wore... Sage couldn't even get to really see it because she was slouching as she sat, a sign sitting on her lap. Here for Sage the Babe. AKA Roof Boy. AKA Him. She was here for him.

Sage heard himself laughing, but the music was louder than the sound of his own laughter. Hearing him, Vera quickly straightened and fixed her gaze on him immediately. She stood on her feet and grinned at him, lifting her DIY sign and waving it wildly. "Idiot! I miss you!" she said it so loud Sage was able to hear part of it as he read her lips.

He walked over to her as he removed one of his earbuds, shaking his head in disbelief. ❝I miss you too, but are you crazy? Aren't you cold?❞ he asked, feeling the eyes of everyone waiting for their friends and family. Feeling everyone study Vera, and see what made her so special. He could see her outfit better now. It was a black bralette with matching shorts, and a long vest-like jacket with puffy sleeves. She appeared a little taller, and it was because she was wearing some mesh stockings with Dr. Martens. So, extremely cute. She was so fucking cute.

❝How much did you miss me?❞ she mumbled softly instead, choosing to not answer his question. Sage felt his stomach churn, and just looked at her pretty face. ❝Because you didn't call me. Or text me. Or even came to the roof like you used to.❞ she said the last point very quickly, so no one would hear but him.

❝So much.❞ he answered. ❝So much, baby.❞

Baby was a nickname they had for each other even though they weren't together. But when Vera heard it, it made her always smile. Sage took the sign from her and gave it a better look before he laughed again, taking her hand and leading her away from his school. ❝I love this, but I can't believe you did that in front of everyone.❞ he told her as they walked and walked, farther and farther away. He already had the feeling his friends would have a million questions for him.

❝I wanted to make you smile.❞ Vera responded, squeezing his fingers. ❝I love it when you smile.❞

❝Stop talking like that before I kiss you.❞

She laughed. ❝What's stopping you?❞

❝I want it to be a special moment. Not in the middle of the street, holding a sign and after a stupid day at school. How was school, anyway?❞

❝It was okay. Had an exam for Lit and Italian. Passed both of them, thankfully. And also... missed you. Missed you. And missed you some more.❞

Sage let go of her hand and threw his arm around her shoulder, pulling her to his side. Their bodies touched, and they both let out a soft breath. Sage noticed that her body was still so warm even with so much skin showing. He lowered his head to hers, pressing his lips against her forehead. ❝I'm sorry. I'll make it up to you. Today. Lunch, dinner, a movie. Let's go.❞

Vera agreed right away, telling herself to never forget the feel of his lips on her skin. ❝Will you be paying for everything since you abandoned me?❞

❝I'm paying for everything because I'm a gentleman, not because I abandoned you.❞

❝So you won't be owning up to your blatant disrespect? How horrific.❞ Vera continued pestering him, even showing him a roll of her eyes. They first walked over to their apartment building, so Sage can leave the sign in his room. The walk felt long for some reason, even though Sage's high school was only about twenty-five minutes away if you walked, and ten if you took the subway.

❝You should change. Please change, we're going to be out pretty late.❞ Sage told her, trying to reach for his key to unlock the front door of the building. A doorman beat him to it, and Sage wasn't sure if his name was Alexander or Steve. The doorman greeted them with a smile, recognizing both of their faces, and Sage smiled back before using a key to get into the elevator. Sage was in the middle about how classy their building was. There was a doorman, and you had to use a key to use the elevator, stairs, and of course, your apartment. There was a bunch of expensive artwork on the main floor, along with doors to the parking lot, gym, and hidden pool that only the old residents used. Those of course, had their own key lock as well. ❝Or you can just bring a long jacket? Something?❞

❝Can I have your jacket?❞ Vera asked him as they waited for the elevator to reach the lobby.

❝No.❞

❝Why not?❞

❝Because then I'll freeze. Do you want me to freeze?❞

❝No.❞

❝Exactly.❞ he finished, and they both stepped into the elevator. Vera leaned on one of the walls, holding onto the handlebar. She was pouting at Sage, but paid close attention when he looked at the elevator buttons and picked the sixth floor. ❝What floor do you live on?❞

❝Ten.❞ she answered him, and she realized that this was the first time they ever had to talk about something so simple like this. About the floors they lived on. ❝I never would have guessed you lived on the sixth floor.❞

❝I never would have guessed you lived on the tenth.❞ he replied. ❝My dad and brothers are probably home, so I don't think you can come in. Is that okay?❞ Sage was asking her this, but it didn't matter if she was okay with it or not. She couldn't come in. He never asked her to come and visit him in his apartment, or room, or anywhere close to his home.

❝Yeah, it's okay. Of course baby.❞ she added baby to make the pressure in the elevator lighter, and to kill the growing tension between them. ❝I'll wait in my room for you and put on some jeans. Just text me when you're ready?❞

They got to the sixth floor. Sage stood in the way of the doors so the elevator could stay open. ❝Would your mom be mad at you if you brought me inside?❞ he suddenly asked her, and it was a question he never asked her before. A territory they have yet to cross.

She felt like she could trust him. So she threw a coin. ❝Maybe, baby. But she's in the hospital right now so she would never know.❞

❝Hospital.❞ he repeated, something finally making sense. ❝That's why you miss some days of school.❞

Vera nodded, smiling weakly. ❝Yeah.❞

❝Is she okay?❞

❝Yeah.❞

❝Are you sure, Vera?❞

❝I'm sure baby.❞ Vera nodded again, reaching for his hand. She squeezed his fingers. ❝I live in apartment 10C. Knock and I'll let you in. Then we can go. Don't come with me with any black eyes, okay?❞ she wasn't sure why she decided to say that to him, and studied his features to see the reaction he would make. He blinked at her response, not expecting it. ❝Okay?❞

❝Okay, okay. We'll talk about all of this.❞ he told her, making a promise to her without exactly saying the words. ❝Okay? You'll talk to me?❞

❝Will you talk to me?❞ Vera challenged, and Sage took a step back but kept his hand in front of the doors.

❝Yes.❞

❝Then yes, Sage. I'll talk to you.❞

❝No lies?❞

❝No lies.❞ she promised.

❝Okay, I'll be upstairs in ten.❞ Sage said, before pulled his hand back and watched the elevator doors close before he walked to his apartmnent.

A/N: Sage and Vera is going to be really different from my other books here. I think I hold these characters dear to me, and even Chance and Farah, but this book will include some intense stuff. Before we continue the story, I want to let everyone know that there is heavy substance use, sexual violence, suicide, mental illness, sex, and more that will be dicussed and brought up in Sage and Vera. This story will start to get somewhat longer with each update, but might not surpass much more than 2000-4000 words in a single part. But I am not sure yet. But as you can see, things are about to get serious and a lot is going to be learned about Sage and Vera. I hope you enjoyed this update, and see you all next week with another! Yours truly, Gyana.