don't look back

thirty two|| give her back

Sage.
December 10, 2018.

"It's perfect," I exclaim as I look up at the brightly lit Christmas tree standing in the corner of the O'Connell's living room.

"Thanks for helping," Maggie smiles at me from across the room as Billie wraps her arms around me from behind.

"Are you kidding? I love decorating for Christmas and sadly I can't do that with my family this year," I explain, feeling a little lonely.

"Well, we are happy you're here," Maggie replies.

"Where's Paisley at anyways?" Billie asks, still standing behind me, rocking us back and forth.

"She's doing some yoga seminar...?" I answer in a questioning tone.

"A yoga seminar?" Billie asks with a chuckle.

"Yeah, I don't fucking know," I turn around in her arms to look up at her properly. I find myself caught up in her eyes for a second, I've known her for months but every time I stare into my eyes, I can't help but forget about my surroundings. I could look into her eyes for five seconds and someone could say I've been staring for five hours, I would believe them. It's like time doesn't exist when I look at her.

"You gonna kiss me orrr?" Billie dragged out. I chuckled lightly before attaching her lips to mine is a sinceir kiss, not taking it any further since her family is literally right beside us.

"Okay you two, lets play some games?" Claudia asked, making us break or kiss.

"What game?" Billie asked, slightly annoyed that I removed my lips from hers.

"Whatever you want," she shrugged.

"Uno?" I questioned.

"Let's do it!" Finneas exclaimed from behind Claudia. Everyone moved into the other room and as I was about to leave the room, Billie grabbed onto my hand and pulled me back into her with a smile.

"What?" I chuckled as she stared into my eyes.

"You're beautiful," she whispered, swiping a piece of my hair behind my ear. "And I love you," she added.

"I love you too, Bil," I smiled, giving her one last kiss before joining everyone else.

-

"This game is rigged," Finneas whined from across the table.

"Or they're cheating," Claudia proposed.

"How do you cheat in uno?" Maggie asked.

"I dont know but how have we been playing for an hour and the only winners have been Sage and Billie?" Claudia wondered.

"I dont cheat, I swear to god," I held my hands up in mock surrender.

"Whatever, I'm done," Finneas sighed, letting the cards in his hands fall onto the table.

"I could make us some popcorn and we could watch a Christmas movie?" Claudia asked.

"I'm calling it a night," Patrick yawned, setting his cards on the table as well.

"Yeah, you kids have fun," Maggie added, both of them getting up. We all said goodnight to them and moved into the living room, pulling up netflix and searching for a cheesy Christmas movie to watch.

"I thought you were gonna make popcorn, Claudia," Billie questioned.

"I will. Sage, come help me?" Claudia held her hand out to me. I grabbed it and she led me into the kitchen.

"You need help to make popcorn?" I raised a brow.

"No, I actually just wanted to talk to you. How have you been?" She asked as she began making the popcorn.

"I'm uh, I'm good. Why?"

"I just wanted to make sure you were doing better. I know you were stressed and didnt leave your apartment for a while," She explained.

"Oh, umm yeah," I looked down at the floor, fidgeting with my fingers. Claudia placed both her hands on my shoulders, making me look up at her.

"If you ever need to talk, I'm here for you. No judgment, okay?"

"Okay," I nodded, trying to pull a smile onto my lips.

"Good," she smiled softly, pulling me in for a quick hug before grabbing the popcorn and pouring it into a large bowl. I followed her back out to the living room where she placed the bowl on the coffee table. She cuddled up with Finneas while I sat next to Billie, leaning my head on her shoulder as she wrapped an arm around my back.

-

The movie was about half was through when I realized I could hardly keep my eyes open. I let out a loud yawn and looked around at my surroundings. I felt so calm and safe, I knew I could trust anyone in this room. That's when I jolted up off the couch with a scream when I heard a loud crashing sound and breaking glass.

I didnt know what had happened as I fell to the floor, a sharp feeling stabbing into my side. Everyone around my was frantic aswell. I dont think I was the only person who screamed. Billie kneeled next to me as I tried my best to breath, the pain in my side taking up all my attention.

"It's okay baby, you'll be okay," Billie soothed me, strocking my cheek.

"What the fuck just happened?" Claudia shouted. Patrick and Maggie now running into the room, being woken up from our frantic voices. I zoned out everything, just focusing on the pain as Billie applied pressure to my side.

-

Billies POV.

I applied as much pressure as I could to Sage's bleeding wound while Finneas attempted to explain what had happened just two seconds ago.

"We were just sitting here and the entire window shattered," he said frantically. I stared at my girlfriends face as it began to grow paler and she didnt speak as tears streamed down her cheeks. "Sage? Sage, talk to me please," I begged while everyone gathered around her.

"We need to get her to the hospital," my dad said, beginning to wrap his arms around her and pick her up. I watched him as I stood up with shaky legs, my hands covering my mouth as I began to break out in sobs. I felt arms being wrapped around me and embracing me. I fell into Claudia's hug, I couldn't process anything. It all happened too fast.

"I-is she d-dead?" I cried out.

"No, no she's not dead. She's not dying, Billie," Claudia tried to assure me but she didnt seem to sound confident.

"Come on girls, lets follow behind them," my mom said, I began following her, stepping over the broken glass carefully when I saw a large rock. I stopped my movements, rage now filling me. I picked it up to read 'GIVE HER BACK .'

"What is it?" Claudia asked.

"N-nothing," I stuttered, setting it back on the floor and running out to my moms car.

I stared out the windshield, watching my dads car speed down the road. I had no idea what was going on, my brain was too foggy. I needed to see her right now.