bapa: from here to eternity

chapter 35: two idiots

Bose POV:

It was Friday, Sage's birthday. I'd already sent her a GIF of a dog this morning, something I thought would make her smile. Around 2:30, I headed down to the lobby. I didn't see Chapa anywhere at first, but when I looked outside, there she was, sitting in my car.

"I'm driving," she said, smirking.

Confused, I asked, "How did you get into my car?"

"Oh, I grabbed your car keys from your office while you were having a break with Andrew," she explained, casually.

"But my security guard, Bruno, would've stopped you. He's there all the time," I said, still trying to process how she managed it.

Chapa started the car with a shrug. "Yeah, true, but I told him I left my phone in your office. He told me to wait for you, but I managed to convince him. Now we're BFFs."

I glanced over at her, raising an eyebrow. "I thought we were BFFs," I said, a little disappointed.

"You're my romantic BFF," she teased, grinning.

I rolled my eyes with a small "hmm" in response. Twenty minutes later, we pulled up to Swellview Junior High. The second we stepped out of the car, a crowd of students gathered around me, screaming my name. Meanwhile, Chapa was already scanning the crowd for Sage.

"Bose O'Brien! What are you doing here?" one girl shouted, her voice lost among the others demanding autographs and pictures.

Suddenly, Sage appeared through the crowd. "Hey guys," she said, smiling.

"Hi, Birthday Girl!" I heard Chapa say, but the noise was so loud, I barely caught it. I took a step back from the overwhelming group of students. Their jealousy was almost tangible as they watched me leave with Sage and Chapa.

We got back into the car, and I slid into the driver's seat this time. Sage sat beside me in the passenger seat. "Happy birthday to you," I said to her, smiling.

"Thanks! This is the best gift you guys could've given me. Everyone will think I'm so cool now," she said excitedly.

Chapa glanced back at her and warned, "Just look out for fake friends. There'll be a lot of them who'll try to mess with you."

"Thanks, Chapa," Sage said, grateful for the advice.

"I didn't know there were so many students here that knew me," I admitted, glancing at Sage.

"Seriously? You're like the most famous person in Swellview, Rivalton, and probably a lot more places. When will you ever realize that?" Sage said, laughing.

I smiled but felt Chapa's gaze on me. "I didn't like all the attention you got back there," she admitted, crossing her arms.

"Well, get used to it because your boyfriend is like the new Leonardo DiCaprio," Sage teased.

"Woah, that's a big comparison," I said, a little taken aback.

"I'm not kidding," Sage said, her tone serious. "You really like your new brother-in-law, don't you?" Chapa teased Sage, making me smile.

"Definitely. Mostly because he makes you feel loved," Sage said, looking at Chapa. "He does make you feel loved, right?" she added, turning her attention to me with a teasing grin.

"I mean, yes, I try every day," I said, feeling a bit awkward under their scrutiny.

Sage smirked. "I've already heard some good things about you," she said, glancing at Chapa.

I looked at Chapa, puzzled. "Like what?" I asked.

Sage laughed mischievously. "I asked Chapa if you were a good kisser," she said casually.