Once is a Gamble

Chapter 3 - Sage

Hello Readers,

Thank you for giving this story a chance. 

Enjoy more of Sage and Nav.

We're moving away from the past and starting the story in the present.

Enjoy.

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Present ............

"Sage, what are you doing tonight?" my co-editor and close friend, Sam, asks me as he walks into my office with his signature dimples and blond hair. He is always dressed with a half-sleeved sweater on top of a shirt. He says it's his 'unique style'.

"Nothing much. Just going home for dinner."

"By yourself, I'm guessing. How about you come out to the office happy hour? It's Thursday" He asks me.

"It'll be fun." He coos.

I think about it for a minute. It had been a while since I'd gone out with my coworkers. "Okay Sam, I'll be there." He looks at me with such excitement that it makes me take it back. But it's too late, he's already walking back to his office muttering something to himself.

Fuck. Why do I feel so unnerved?

I look out towards the city that has been my home for the past few years.

Chicago has always felt like a home away from home for me, but lately, something has been missing. I constantly find myself thinking back to being back in Spring Grove and living the small-town life. Neal would laugh at me if he ever found out that I was having these thoughts.

We were all about leaving our small town and moving to the city when we were younger.

I sigh and wish he was here right now. But he isn't here, is he?

He's been busy vacationing all over Asia.

Don't get me wrong, I am utterly happy for him and Bree. They needed the vacation and what better way to do it than to travel to a few countries and end the trip where Neal's mom was born.

She is from India but grew up here in the US. She is the sweetest, and kindest woman that I have ever met. I often wish that she was my real mom, because not having a mom sucked.

But she always made me feel welcome in their home. She always cooked different Indian dishes for me to try. She made the most mouthwatering Chicken Tikka Masala and Paneer curry. I used to be the first one jumping at those dishes when she sent them for me and Neal during college.

Thinking back to what that family did for me always tears me up. I don't know if I would've survived high school much less be here at 28 and working at a job that I love.

The hardest part in all of this is making myself social. I have always had a hard time making friends, that is why I clung to Neal as much as I could. He can handle my anxiousness over not going out as much or just wanting to stay in most times.

I wonder if I would've turned out to be more well-adjusted if I had an upbringing with parents who were there for me instead of what I got.

Wishful thinking.

A loud bang from somewhere on the floor startles me and brings me out of my thoughts.

Even my thoughts terrify me sometimes.

I miss my best friend now. This might be the longest we've gone without seeing each other.

And we're surprised when someone calls us co-dependent.