neighbor

chap. 1

one

The music ends. "6:34." i read on my lock screen. Class was over 4 minutes ago. I take a few sips of my water, then going back to the dance floor. I walk up to my coach, Coach Lia, asking her when class would be over. "Is your mommy parked outside, Sage?" She asked me with an eyebrow raised. "Uhhh, Coach lia, I drive myself" I say. She knows this. "Then why are you asking me when class is over?" She asks. I began to respond but she quickly shuts me down with an "Okay then."

Coach Lia has known me since I was 4. I've been on her competitive team for about 10 years, and she's like a second mom. She was just in a bad mood today.

It's now 7:02. As I am walking out of the studio, I see a man sitting by my car wearing all black with a hat covering his face. I make eye contact with him and he stands up, and walks near me. i look behind me, making sure he's walking toward me, and he is. I attempt to walk back in the studio, but Coach lia locked it since all the girls left and she would be there by herself. I hear music coming from the studio, then realizing that Lia is adding more choreography to the dance. I try to walk off but I hear him yell my name. "Sage." hmm. that voice sounds familiar. i turn around, seeing him. It's my dad.

My dad cheated on my mom about a year ago. I haven't talked to him in about 7 months. Not after what he did to mom. They were the best couple you could know. My dad, Derek, was the Chief of Police. My mom was a pediatrician. They made the perfect duo. Everyone knew us in town. Everyone viewed us as 'The Perfect Family," until he cheated.

"Sweetheart, please just listen to me" He said sounding desperate. I feel a bit bad for him but then snapped back into reality realizing what he did will never take enough apology's.

"I'm so sorry for what I did to your mother and our family. I can't say it enough Sage. But, you mean so much to me bear, and i don't want something that i did to your mother to affect our relationship." He says. " 'your mother?'" I say quoting him. "Our entire family has been ruined. Literally, torn apart. Do you realize that Cleo will never know what it's like to grow up with a dad? he's fucking 4, dad. you don't understand half of the pain you've caused for the family." i say,raising my hands with a raspy voice. "Yes, i know." He begins to say. "No, you don't! Did you ever even love mom?" I say, now crying. "Of course I loved you mother Sage!" He says. "Really? You can't even say her name dad. 'your mother', 'your mom', that is all ive heard from you. Don't say that you ever loved my mom until you can say her name." I say walking off to my car.

I get in my Jeep, looking at the pretty pink and orange sunset, listening to music, & driving off to the beach. The song "Super Rich Kids by Frank Ocean" comes on. I start to sing, forgetting about the argument I just had with my dad.

I just arrived at the beach. there are a few other teenagers there, but their off doing their own thing. I get my tote bag, taking out the sheet of paper with my plans on it.

Ive danced my entire life. I used to wanna follow the footsteps of mom and go into the medical field, but college just isn't for everyone, and it sure as hell ain't for me. I really wanna be a dance coach and own my own studio. The beach is really just a place that I can let my thoughts go where they wanna go and fantasize about becoming a dance teacher.

As im writing, i hear someone yell in the distance. I look up. It's Sarah. Sarah, Uriyah, Luke, Jackson, Blaire, and Asher. I run over to them screaming their names. I haven't seen them in a few weeks, it's nice to see the group again. They all have their surf boards, so I go back to my car, grabbing mine out of the trunk. I just came from dance class, so i obviously don't have a swim suit, but i just take off my leggings, and since i had on a sports bra, i surf in a bra and panties.