Blamed

Chapter 6: Moving Forward

Cutting ties with Michelle was a necessary but difficult decision. Sage realized she couldn't keep toxic people in her life, no matter how close they once were. The betrayal had been too deep, the wound too raw.

Determined to move forward, Sage reached out to Ronnie and Renee. She needed closure, to clear the air and salvage whatever friendship they could. To her relief, they were understanding and supportive. The rumor had affected them too, but they believed in Sage's innocence.

Through Renee, Sage met Onyx, a kind and understanding guy who seemed to be just what she needed. They spent time together, and while Onyx was great, Sage soon realized that her heart wasn't in it. Her feelings for Ronnie, however, were undeniable and complicated.

One sunny afternoon, Sage found herself at the local park, sitting on a bench beside Onyx. He was talking about a new book he was reading, but her mind kept drifting back to Ronnie. She felt a strong sense of guilt for not being fully present, but she couldn't help it.

"Hey, are you okay?" Onyx asked, his brows furrowing in concern as he noticed her distraction.

Sage sighed, forcing a smile. "Yeah, I'm just... thinking about a lot of things."

Onyx gave her a sympathetic look. "I get it. If you ever want to talk about it, I'm here."

Sage nodded, appreciating his kindness. "Thanks, Onyx. I do value our time together. I just need to sort out my feelings."

Later that evening, Sage sat in her room, staring at the painting she had been working on. It was a swirling mix of emotions, a reflection of her inner turmoil. She decided to call Ronnie, needing to clear her head.

"Hey, Ronnie. Can we meet up tomorrow? I need to talk," she said, her voice trembling slightly.

"Of course, Sage. How about we meet at the coffee shop around 2 PM?" Ronnie replied, his tone reassuring.

The next day, Sage arrived at the coffee shop, her heart pounding. Ronnie was already there, sipping on a latte. He smiled warmly as she approached.

"Hey, Sage. How are you holding up?" Ronnie asked, his eyes filled with concern.

"I'm getting there," Sage replied, taking a deep breath. "I wanted to talk to you about everything that's happened. The rumors, Michelle, and... my feelings."

Ronnie nodded, his expression serious. "I'm all ears."

Sage took a sip of her coffee, gathering her thoughts. "The rumors were devastating, and finding out Michelle was behind them was a huge blow. But through all of this, I realized something. My feelings for you... they're more than just friendship."

Ronnie's eyes widened in surprise, and he placed his hand over hers. "Sage, I care about you deeply. But I'm with Renee, and I don't want to hurt her."

"I know," Sage said, her voice wavering. "I don't want to come between you two. I just needed to be honest with you and with myself."

Ronnie squeezed her hand gently. "Thank you for telling me. I value our friendship too much to let anything ruin it. We'll navigate this together, okay?"

Sage nodded, feeling a weight lift off her shoulders. "Okay. Thank you, Ronnie."

Over the next few weeks, Sage focused on her art and her mental health. She continued therapy, finding strength in each session. Her friendship with Ronnie and Renee grew stronger, built on a foundation of honesty and mutual respect.

One evening, Renee invited Sage over for dinner. As they sat around the table, laughter and conversation filled the air. Sage felt a sense of belonging, knowing she had true friends who supported her.

"Sage, your artwork is incredible," Renee said, admiring a photo of Sage's latest piece. "You should think about having another exhibition."

"Yeah, I think it could be a great way to showcase your journey," Ronnie added, smiling encouragingly.

Sage felt a surge of warmth and gratitude. "Thanks, guys. I might just do that."

As they chatted, Sage realized how far she had come. The betrayal, the rumors, and the pain had all been a part of her journey, but they didn't define her. She had the strength to move forward, to create a future on her own terms.

One afternoon, as Sage worked on a new painting, she received a call from Grace. "Hey, Sage. I have some news. Are you sitting down?"

Sage's heart skipped a beat. "What's going on?"

Grace's voice was filled with excitement. "Riley reached out to me. He wants to talk to you. He says he believes you now and wants to make amends."

Sage felt a mix of emotions—relief, anger, and a cautious hope. "I don't know if I'm ready for that."

"Take your time, Sage," Grace said gently. "It's your decision. Just know that we're here for you, no matter what."

As Sage hung up, she stared at her painting, the colors blending into a vibrant tapestry of emotion. She realized that her journey wasn't just about moving forward, but also about finding peace with the past. Whether she chose to forgive Riley or not, she knew she had the strength to face whatever lay ahead.

With her family and friends by her side, Sage felt a renewed sense of hope. She was ready to embrace the future, one brushstroke at a time.