Liability

Chapter 20

"Mother" I said calmly trying not to anger her. She came back from Ohio and she's been on the edge ever since.

"Yes?" She said and raised her eyebrow. I swallowed and tried to calm my heart rate. After my talk with Mable in Starbucks we decided to go to the library today and study there. I don't have German courses on Mondays so I had to ask mother if she would let me head to the library.

"I was wondering if um...if it's okay for me to...head to the library today? I want to study with Mable." I said and stared at the ground, waiting for an outburst.

"You can go. But don't wear something that makes you look fatter than you already are." She said. I tried to hide my excitement and nodded my head.

"Yes mother." I said and went to my room to get ready. I wore a baggy hoodie and my black jeans. I wanted to wear some make up to bring out my brown eyes and pouty lips that are too big and noticeable for my liking but I decided to not wear any so I won't provoke mother. I texted Mable immediately.

SAGE: SHE GAVE ME PERMISSION.

MABLE: YESSSSSSS!!!

I smiled at my phone and ordered a cab. Mother was asleep in her room so I walked on my tiptoes and tried to shut the door as quietly as I could. I looked at our fancy neighbourhood and rolled my eyes. The lawns were all perfectly clean and the grass was cut perfectly short. I hated our neighbourhood because it screamed WEALTH but I never actually felt fitted in. Mother did but I didn't. All our neighbours were snobby and they talked about eachother as if it was their duty. I saw my cab and climbed into it. The ride was short or maybe I thought so because my excitement was clouding my sense of time. I gave the guy his ride fare and climbed out. The library was in a park and as I got closer to it, I realized that the exterior was glass. The interior was also a "Beauty and the Beast" kind of moment because of all the books and the amazing study desks.

"How can I help you ma'am?" The librarian asked me with a smile.

"Oh hello. I was wondering if I could purchase a library card?" I asked and tucked a strand of my hair behind my ear.

"Oh that would be amazing! Okay so you just need to fill out this form and you will be all set. The card costs 5 dollars." She said.

"No problem." I said and smiled.

"Are you a student? Because we have discounts for students." She said.

"Yes." I said and started filling out the form she gave me.

"SAGE!" Mable runned towards me.

"Hi baby." I said and gave her a huge hug.

"I can't believe that your mother gave you permission to come!" She exclaimed.

"Well yeah..." I said and tried to keep my smile. After I filled out the form, I gave it to the librarian and she gave me a card.

"Well..let's go!" Mable said and we went into the library. She took me to our study spot and I settled down by putting out my physics book on the table.

"By the way, I think I saw some of the people from the music festival here." Mable said as we sat down.

"Oh...where?" I said and tried not to ask her if she saw Ace anywhere.

"They're sitting on the conference table on the other side." She said and shrugged her shoulders.

"Okaaay." I said. I put my hair in a bun and started studying physics. Mable bought us two cups of coffee from the vending machine and we continued studying. I couldn't focus on the material because I really wanted to know whether Ace is here or not since he hangs out with the same group of people. I tried studying for an hour but it was no use. I went through the same page 5 times.

"Hey Mabe. Wanna have a smoke break?" I asked.

"Um...you can go because I really need to finish this history essay." She said apologetically. I nodded and tried not to pressure her because her history teacher is very intimidiating. I got up from my chair and went outside. I recognized some of the people I met at the music festival. I recognized one of the girls with her beautiful curly hair and petite form. I burrowed cigarettes from her in the festival and she was extremely kind towards me and Mable. She generally radiates good vibes because of the way she holds herself and talks. I stood close to the door because my anxiety was killing me and I lit up a cigarette. After two drags I gathered up the courage to talk to the curly haired girl.

"Hey! I think we met eachother in the music festival. I'm Sage." I said after I approached her and a guy she was talking to.

"Oh hi! I think I remember you. My name's Dawn." She said and took out her hand for me to shake.

"Nice to officially meet you." I laughed and shook her hand. The guy she was talking to cleared his throat.

"Oh! Sorry um...this is my brother, Antonio." She said.

"How're you doing?" Antonio said.

"Hi." I said and nodded. "Well I hope we didn't take too many cigarettes from you that day. I don't remember how many we took because I was so drunk." I giggled.

"No it was absolutely fine." Dawn said and laughed.

"We actually called you Camel girl for a while." I said.

"You were right on spot because that's actually my favorite cigarette." She said.

"I don't remember seeing you in the festival." Antonio said as he lit up a cigarette for himself.

"I didn't expect you to." I said.

"It's a shame." Antonio said and stared at my face. I felt a blush rising from my neck but ignored it and tried to stay cool.

"I actually think the opposite." I said cooly.

"Opposites attract eachother." Antonio said and smirked.

"They do physically but I'm sure that I can feel a desert in my pants right now." I said and smiled. I looked at Dawn and saw how uncomfortable she was so I tried to get away from the situation.

"Anyways, Dawn it was nice to meet you and I will give you a follow on instagram." I said and started walking away without looking at Antonio. Bastard. What is it with guys these days. I rolled my eyes and walked towards my study spot.