Burning Sage

Chapter 2: Belle Of The Ball

Maple walked out of the door alone. She was armed and dangerous with a slew of PMS bullets, ready to take down anyone who got on her nerves. It was like Maple had forgotten all the nights I had spent with her. All the moments that had built up to this one, and now she wanted those to herself. It made me want to change my Facebook status to, "I'm fine, just wanna die soon."

There was no point in going after her. All she would do is cry, tell me how it's my fault, and how I'm the reason we can't have a good time anymore. The bright lights simmered down into a bloody red glow that bounced off my tux. I sat there in the empty corner of the gym, alone. I contemplated just leaving, going home and burying my head into a pillow or staying there and salvaging the ruined night. I was never the one to take advantage of many social outings. I'd skip school half the time just to stay locked up in my room.

"Oh Sage, that was the funniest shit I've seen all year," said Luke, approaching me with his imposing frame. He smelled of cheap liquor and overpowering cologne, and had a mischievous glint in his eye. "How do you not notice that your hog is out? What drugs are you on?"

I pushed his hand away, feeling completely antagonized by everything. "I don't know, Luke. It's all my fault. I'm going home. I don't even want to be here." "C'mon, don't leave me hanging," he said, gesturing for a high five. When I shrugged him off, he stood there looking disappointed, like my girlfriend who had been stood up. "Sage, don't be sad and an asshole. You gotta choose one!" I slumped my head, watching the lights bounce off our dress shoes as I tried to process everything. "Look at it this way - you have the chance to turn the tides on her," Luke said, trying to be encouraging.

"What would Maple think? I can't risk-" I started to say, but then hesitated, not wanting to be left in the dark by myself, even if it meant passing up on a good time. Luke rolled his dark eyes, staring at me with a cold grin. "Sage, aren't you tired of her bullshit? Just take a break, I promise it'll help" he suggested. But I wasn't ready to go back into the darkness - it was too unforgiving, too cold, too hard to escape.

"Well, I'm not going to throw a pity party for you. If you want to join me, then-" "No." And then he headed off into the crowd. I sat once more in the empty corner of the gym, watching as everyone else had a great time. I wanted to say a big "fuck you" to the whole situation and just forget about Maple. The cold air and red lights seemed to stagnate the room, and the punch bowls were all empty and dry, a mocking reminder of the excesses of the night. Just as I was about to give up and go home, Luke came back over to me with a cheesy grin.

"What do you want?" I asked. He handed me a flask, gesturing I drink some as I stood back up, "Sage, here me out." "What?"

"I set you up bro!" Luke rang in a keyed up tone. I looked around, and drank the flask in secrecy. "Why did you even bother?"

"Look, she's one of Maple's friends." "Oh like that fucking helps!" The crowd's murmurs underexposed my upset voice. I couldn't go talk to one of Maple's friends. Let alone with the intentions Luke had for us. All that hot bathroom sex with him watching - Maple would slaughter my hog, manage to feed it to me, then gaul my nuts and puree them for me to wash it all down.

"She's soft Sage, she's just like you." He laughed and poked me in the chest with his long fingers. I wasn't soft. I never had been. I didn't like being called that either, "Just go talk to her. She ain't got shit to do."

"You're really tryna piss me off aren't you?" "I'm trying to do you a solid Sage. It's not everyday-"

"Fine." "That's my boy." he cheered, stroking my drunk ego, "Where's that smile at? You can't go over there looking like a bump on a log."