Finding Sage (Young Adult)

Seven: It's Not Over

Sage

It has been impossible to work today. Donovan keeps calling me. He's left seven messages, but I only listened to the last one where he yells at me for getting him arrested.

Yeah, sorry for getting you arrested for trying to rape me and beating the hell out of me, I think, as I toss my phone into the trash. After work I will go and get a new phone with a new number.

His brother-in-laws bailed him out as soon they were done processing him and he never had to set foot in the jail cell, so all his complaints mean very, very, little to me.

Thinking about tonight, and being alone in the apartment, I can feel my hands starting to shake. Holding them up above my keyboard, I see them tremble. Slapping them on my legs, I want to force them to be calm, but it's not my hands that are the problem. The problem is the fear that wreaks havoc on my soul.

There is no way that Donovan won't try to come to the apartment tonight. Not after calling me all day and not being able to speak to me. After a lot of thought, I realize it may not be safe for me to leave the building. He'll be waiting for me either outside of Whisper, on my route home, or at the apartment. A shiver runs through me as I think about my future. How will I ever get rid of him?

One day at a time, I think while taking a deep breath.

"Hey." I jump at the sound of Roxy's voice.

"Oh... sorry, you startled me," I say, forcing a smile.

"Come into my office..." she says, walking back to her office. As I pass Gillian's office I see her at her desk but she does not look up.

Roxy's office is decorated with one pink wall, a thick white fake fur rug and beautiful mirror that looks antique. It's very girly and warm, so much better than the other offices. Although, Gillian's office takes a close second, I prefer Roxy's pastel color choices over Gillian's earthy tones. After I close the door, I grab a magazine off her desk and sit in an antique chair, opposite her. The chair is not as comfortable as it looks. I can feel a wire or spring digging into my bruised backside.

"What's up?" I say, trying to sound casual as I flip through last month's magazine.

"Show me what he did to you." Her words shock me and, somehow, offend me. I look up at her and I see sincerity on her face, which eases me a little. However, I decide not to do as she requests. Instead, I stand.

"I have work to do, Roxy. Is that all you wanted?" My tone cools the space between us.

"No, it's not all. I want to see what you're going through, Sage. I want to be here for you. Kellan told me he saw bruises. Show them to me."

Kellan has gone too far. He has no right to bring this to my place of work. He has no right to tell Roxy or anyone about something so personal about me. Anger builds in my chest and rises to my face. "Kellan needs to stay out of it and mind his own business. I don't know why he is so damn interested, anyway. It's not okay for him to be coming here and messing with...my career. We just met. What the hell? I think he..."

Roxy cuts me off, "Sage, stop and listen to me. Kellan is concerned for you because your boyfriend beat the shit out of you. He knows I am your friend and he asked me to be there for you. Gillian can't. You know that, right?" Roxy's face looks strained, as if she is remembering something. She clears her throat and looks back up to me. "Stop yelling about Kellan. He's one of the good guys and he's my friend. He's not the one who is hurting you."

Listening to Roxy makes me realize that my anger toward Kellan is, probably, not justified but it's too dangerous for any of them to be close to me. Besides, I can take care of myself. "Roxy, I can't do this...right now." My voice cracks and I know I can no longer repress the tears that have been threatening to come loose all morning.