tainted.

Goodnight.

Connor's POV

"Sage I- I didn't know, I'm sorry. You can't stop them fighting forever, but you stopped them today and that's all I need. Honestly Sage, thank you, thank you so much," I say, I had no idea about Sage's personal life, I didn't really know what to say. I rest my head on hers and she doesn't mind at all. We sit there in silence and Sage is still sniffling.

Sage helped me, she stood up to my dad. How can I help her? I mean she said she was dealing with the same stuff I was? Her step dad was abusing her. How does she deal with it and still come to school everyday with a smile on her face. I felt horrible. How could someone be so mean, so horrible to someone as good and brave as Sage. She's so amazing and kind, I love her. We've only known each other for 2 months and she's been the nicest person I have ever met in my entire life, and I want her to know that.

"Sage," I say my voice almost cracking, should I tell her?

""Yes Connor?," she looks up at me and smiles, even when she's sad, she's always positive. I look back down at the grass at embarrassment, I think she caught me staring at her smile. I slowly look back up at her when I get the confidence to and say it.

"I love you."

Her mouth drops a little, she stares at me not responding, then she quickly presses her lips against mine and she pulls away looking away realizing what she did.

"I- I- um, I didn't mean to-," Sage begins but I quickly lean in and kiss her again, I grab her waist and she wraps her arm around my back and my head, I could feel her heartbeat pounding fast and loudly. I could feel her gasp against my lip and she moves back and pushes away from me.

"Connor I- I need to tell you something," she blurts out.

"Sage I'm sorry, but you just kissed me first and I thought you were ready and-," Sage interrupts me and I just sit there awkwardly looking at her.

"Connor, it's fine, that's not what I was going to say."

"Then what were you going to say?"

"I-," I could hear her hesitate. "I'm demisexual. Well demi-bisexual. I don't know if you know what that means but if I want to like or love somebody I have to have a strong connection with them. I'm not saying I don't like you Connor, I do like you but just not in that way, I think... I don't know, I'm not sure, but the point is. I don't want to break your heart if it turns out I don't like you the way you like me." Sage explains, I try and process what she said, I take a moment to think.

"Connor...," she says softly moving back closer to me.

"You're an amazing person and so nice and delightful. Do you- do you want to get to know each other a bit more?," she asks a bit quietly.

"Are you asking me out?," a bit confused as to what is going on right now. She giggles at my confusion.

"Yes?," she says smiling.

We finally get up from the wet grass and walk around with our hands intertwined.

"I don't want to go back in the house," I say remembering what had just happened a few moments ago.

"Well... My step-dad is probably not home and I don't think he would care or notice if you came over to my place. Do you want to stay at mines for tonight?," she offers so politely. I grin and thank her for the offer.

"Oh my god, thank you, thank you, thank you so much. Are you sure it's ok if I come over at your place?," I ask just to make sure she was comfortable with it and isn't just asking me to be polite.

"Yes Connor, I'm sure." I wrap my arms around her tightly and thank her again.

"Thank you."

***