Happier With You.

Chapter 2

I walked slowly and quietly into the lunch hall. The room buzzed with chatter and laughter, but I felt disconnected from it all.

Sage ran up to me and gave me a side bump. "Hey, London!"

"Hey," I replied, my voice flat.

"What's wrong?" Sage asked with a concerned frown as she grabbed an apple and placed it on her tray.

"It's nothing," I said, picking up a sandwich absentmindedly.

"Come on, Lon. I know it's something. You're not yourself." Sage led me to a table at the end of the room and took a seat across from me.

We sat there, surrounded by the noise, in silence.

"I'm worried about Cody. He told me he couldn't come to school two days ago because he had an appointment. Later, when I checked up on him, nobody was home. I've tried calling and texting him. When I finally reached his mom, she just said he's been busy."

Sage took my hand. "Hey, it'll be okay. I'm sure he's fine. Maybe he's just sick and doesn't want you to catch it."

She bit into her sandwich, her eyes never leaving mine.

I picked at my food. "I guess, but why wouldn't he just say that?"

"How about this? Let's go over to his house today and see what's up," Sage suggested. "When was the last time you went over there?"

"Two days ago."

"Alright, then meet me at the front after school," Sage said with a reassuring smile.

"Thank you."

I couldn't focus for the rest of my classes, my mind racing with thoughts of Cody.

"Okay, class, remember to review the books I've assigned and complete your book reports!" the teacher shouted as the students hurried out of the room.

I scanned the hallway for Sage but couldn't find her. I put my books in my locker and waited outside.

"London! Hey, sorry for keeping you waiting. I had to talk to my teacher about something."

I followed Sage to her car. My car was in the shop, so I had to rely on others for rides.

"It's okay. Everything alright?"

"Yeah," Sage said, unlocking the car. "I've just got a lot on my plate right now."

I felt a twinge of guilt. "Well, if you want, we can just go another day."

"No, London, it's alright, I promise," Sage said with a warm smile. "Now, let's get going."

-

Sage tapped the wheel to the music playing on the car radio as we waited at a stop light. We were two minutes away from Cody's place.

"I'm nervous. What if something is seriously wrong with him? Or what if he doesn't want to see me anymore?" I stretched my fingers nervously.

"London, it's okay, I promise." She noticed the red light change to green and started driving again. "See, even the lights agree."

We both let out a laugh.

"Okay, I guess you're right," I said as Sage turned into the neighborhood.

"Of course, I'm right. I'm always right."

"No, not always," I mocked her.

"Okay, maybe not always, but I was right when I told you to take a shot with Cody, when I told you to study for our test, and oh, volleyball-obviously, I was right about that."