Toxic

VI

"Here we are." I say as I park in front of my driveway.

"I thought you said we were going to your house." Sage mutters.

"This is my house." I tell her, a hint of amusement in my voice.

"Stop with your lies, come on now. Pull out of the driveway before we get in big trouble." she says in awe.

"Oh? You don't like this one? We can go to my other one." I say, smiling at her reaction.

"I knew you were rich , but what the hell Ansel?" she mutters, unbuckling her seatbelt.

I smirk, quickly getting out of the car to open her side.

"Should I take my shoes off or something? Wouldn't wanna mess up your marble white driveway." she says.

"Don't worry, the maid cleans up."

"Of course he has a maid." she mutters.

>>

Sage Adams

I go through multiple flights of stairs just to find the bathroom.

What the hell? Why is this place so big? I know your loaded but is this unnecessary amount of space really, well - necessary?

I decide to just check all the doors in the hallway, to find the bathroom.

The first door I open is some sort of garden room, filled with every plant you could imagine.

Why would you even need a garden room?

Whatever, next room.

The next door I open is what looks like Ansels room, unless he has siblings. His room is surprisingly clean for a teenage boy. But then again, he has a maid.

I linger in front of the door deciding whether or not I should walk in. Curiosity wins, and I walk into his room.

His walls are filled with plans, calendars, and what looks like a moon phase chart? Not a single half naked model in sight.

I walk over to his dresser, lined with photos, of him and who I'm guessing is his mom.

The first one my eyes lands on, is of Ansel with the biggest smile on his face, with cotton candy in his hands and his mother next to him laughing.

"That was before." I hear a voice behind me say, causing me to jump.

"Jesus Christ, what the hell Ansel?" I yell, my hand over my racing heart.

He chuckles, "I should be asking the same. What are you doing in my room?"

"I was looking for the bathroom." I say, sitting on his bed to catch my breath.

Yeah, he scared me that bad.

"Found it yet?" he asks with a smirk.

"Obviously not, idiot" I say, rolling my eyes.

He smiles, and turns back to the picture I was looking at.

"That was before." he says again, his voice in almost a whisper.

"Before what?"

He chuckles, but it's not a playful one. It's more dark and dry.

"Which one? Before my mom died or before my dad decided to go missing."

"Ansel, I'm sor-"

"Let me show you to the bathroom." he mumbles.

Any sort of happiness have been drained out of the room, as I follow Ansel to the bathroom.

>>

After making sure Sage has found the bathroom, I go back to my room and sit on my bed.

I hold the picture in my hands, just a memory before everything came crashing down in my life.

Before my dad decided to just leave one day, before my mom was diagnosed with cancer.

He didn't even come back when she died. Didn't even go to the funeral. For all I know the prick could be dead.

I sigh, and blink back the tears that want to come down. I put the picture back in its place, and start taking off my school clothes.

I put on grey sweats, and a white shirt. I grab my backpack from the corner of my room, and get started on my homework.

I get so wrapped up in the frustrating world of algebra, I don't see Sage standing at the doorway with a smile on her face.

"It's getting pretty late." she says, fiddling with the hem of her shirt.

I glance at the digital clock, it was 30 minutes past 8.

"Do you wanna go home?" I ask, hoping her answer will be no.

"Not really, but if I'm gonna stay I need to take a shower."

I walk over to my closet and find a pair of small black basketball shorts and a black shirt.

"Here you go." I say, tossing her the clothes.

She stands in the doorway a little longer, as if she's waiting for something.

"You do know where the bathroom is right?" I ask, smirking.

"Yeah." she mumbles, but I catch the small smile on her face.

Before I can say anything else, she's already left.

>>