Salute - Markus Baker

Like the Color?

"Look at this place" My mothers overly obnoxious and heavily accented voice booms through the otherwise comfortable silence.

We would through the doors to our new house here in Wellsbury, and I gotta say, I am very impressed. I run up to the rooms almost tripping over my feet as I scurry to pick the best room.

"Spacey, I like it" I say to no one in particular. As I pull the curtains away from my window and look out onto the neighbouring house. As I tilt my focus down I see a boy and a girl. Arguing? I'm not going to lie, that looks very heated. I listen a little and when I hear the word mom, I'm assuming their siblings. The girl storms in, but the guy stays a little longer, running his hands through his hair.

And that's when he looks at me. Like directly at me. 'Don't pussy out Sage, remain calm' I tell myself when we make eye contact. I was definitely not going to be the one to look away. He wasn't backing down either. After what felt like an hour of intense staring he smirks and salutes at me.

Who the fuck randomly salutes at someone?

"Sage" I yell in response, and upon his confused look I repeat "My name is sage" before closing my window, but not without hearing his ever so common response: "Like the color"

"Sage come down now please we have visitors" My mom yells up. I walk down quickly to see my mom standing and talking to three people. A woman probably 45, and her children I presume. A girl and a boy. The boy I saw through my window earlier.

"Hi" I said sweetly like my mom had taught me "I'm Sage.'' I gave the woman a polite nod with my head and smile at the girl, before setting my eyes on the boy.

He had dark hair, it's nicely brushed back and he looks pretty muscular. Kinda hot.

Ew no. Not yet Sage you don't even know his fucking name.

Our staring continues for a good 15 seconds before he finally speaks and artificial smiles fills his lips.

"Like the color" He states, smirking. I only smile sarcastically, thinking back to our earlier encounter.

"Oh Maxine and Marcus, why don't you show Sage our house, and welcome her to the neighbourhood.

"Oh yeah good idea mom. Come Sage I wanna get to know everything about you" Maxine says excitedly.

- School -

"Hey guys this is Sage, she just moved in across the street" Maxine says to what I am guessing as her group of friends. "Sage, this is Abby, Hunter, Jordan, Matt, Norah and Sebastian. Be nice guys, I am literally already obsessed with her"

A chorus of 'heys' come from all around, as well as a mini interrogation, but that is to be expected. These people do seem like a lot of fun.

"So, Sage, we are all hanging out at my place after school on friday for some responsible drinking, wanna come?" Maxine asks.

"Oh yeah that would be amazing thank you" I state happily. "Which class do you guys have next? Because I have PE and I actually have no idea where to go" I ask.

"I have PE too" british accent pops up, and I look at the one I think I remember as being Sebastian. "We can walk there together" I smile, as to signal my agreement.

- After school -

Today was a good day. Wellsbury was going to be different after all.

I really enjoyed talking to Sebastian in PE, he is actually hilarious and really sweet. And not tot mention absolutely gorgeous. But... never mind that.

I liked it here, and I'm already super excited for Friday. Maybe I'll get to actually talk to mystery man Marcus, or even-

"Sage come tell me about your day!" My mom screams up, so I am immediately brought back from my thoughts as I rush down to tell her all about it,

- Friday after school -

If one word was to be used to describe the group at the moment, it would most most certainly be tipsy. Although in several cases, inebriated beyond belief did it more justice.

Maxine's parents were out of town for the weekend on a romantic getaway, so the smell of vodka had immediately filled their basement. The first activity of the night had been a cheeky never had I ever, which resulted in Matt, Norah Sebastian and I getting severely tipsy... also known as very drunk.

"Sage, my angel face," said Matt drunkenly "show us your jugs." This resulted in a round of laughter from the whole group.

"Cock off Matt" I answered pleadingly. "Or cock out?" I then finished, my tipsy state clearly taking over, whilst Matt choked on his drink, and the others stopped talking for a couple seconds before breaking out into hysterical laughter, gripping onto their stomachs for support as the laughter continued.

"Okay okay but how about a game of truth or dare?" Norah suggests and excited nods are given from all around. "If you refuse to answer the truth or do the dare you take a shot, got it?" And an echo of 'yes' goes around. "I'll go first, Hunter, truth or dare?"

"Truth" He replied instantly. A thought crossed Norah's mind before a small smile crept up on her face.

"Where is the weirdest place you've ever gone solo?"

Henry went crimson red in the face

"The library bathroom" Aa hand flew to my mouth as I tried to stifle a giggle while the other broke out into pearls of laughter. "Weren't thinking of the 65 year old librarian while you were doing it were you?" Sebastian says between laughs.

"I was not thinking of her!" and before anyone could respond he quickly added "and in no way will I tell you who I was thinking about, so moving on..."

A few more rounds went on with the occasional question going to me, so, so far they knew I was 15 when I lost my virginity, and a few dares here and there.

"Ok... sage... truth or dare?" Abby asks

"Dare"

"Ok I dare you to kiss the hottest person in this room"

'Easy' I think to myself as I walk over to Sebastian. I looked him in the eyes as if to see if he had any objections to me kissing him.

"Fuck it?" I ask

"Fuck it" He repeats as he brought his face closer and broke the space between them. The high running around Sage's body at the euphoric feeling and his lips moved against hers. He was a good kisser, don't get her wrong, but there was nothing there. He was... boring. Her hammered state chose to ignore this though, as she ran her hands through his hair before he brought his to her neck whilst slightly clamping his teeth down on Sage's bottom lip, before they were pulled away from each other by Matt hands and the others whistles.

I was catching my breath as a cough was then heard and we all turned around to see Marcus, who had most likely witnessed the whole scene.

"I just wanted to ask if there were any leftover chips."

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Not my best but it is what it is. Hope ya'll liked it.

Any ideas for the next chapters?