Gods and Monsters

Ch. 5 Date?

"Leave me alone!" Sage turned around from where he stood at the counter in time to see Mia push Marlo down. The five year old's big eyes filled with tears until he was bawling.

"Mia, apologize right now."

"No." Sage stared her down, his face becoming as stony as hers until the girl finally cracked. "Fine, I'm sorry."

"Like you mean it."

Mia huffed and crossed her arms. "I'm sorry for pushing you, Marlo."

Marlo sniffled, snot dripping from his nose. "I accept your apology." Sage waited until they hugged before cleaning Marlo's face with a paper towel. "She's evil." Marlo whispered to him. Sage had to bite his lip to hide his smile. He nodded and kissed his red nose before handing him a plate of pancakes to put on the table. Aurora had watched the whole spectacle in amusement but hadn't dared to get involved and risk getting in trouble. Elias was in his own world, scratching at the table.

Everyone ate quickly, happy to have something besides cereal. Usually Sage would only cook on Friday's but they had to celebrate Mia loosing a tooth somehow. Marlo kept wanting to see where it was missing. It's probably the reason she had become so irritated. Eventually all was forgotten and they were laughing and shouting, trying to speak over each other.

When Sage dropped off Marlo at his classroom—the boy declared that he had to be walked all the way to his classroom— his teacher stopped him. Sage instantly thought the worst, that the woman somehow found out about their living situation.

"Hi, I was just curious if Marlo ever had an eye exam." Sage was silent for a while, not expecting that. "It's only because when he sits at the back tables, I've noticed he squints more often than not and he mentioned seeing blurry figures."

"Oh um...no." Sage started fidgeting with his fingers. "Um, I'll make sure our mom knows." He lied easily, earning a smile from the colorfully dressed teacher. Marlo waved at him from where he sat with the other little kids. Sage waved back before leaving. It would make since that Marlo would need glasses, the twins were the only ones who didn't. They'd both had eye exams through the school.

Most of his classes were spent wondering how he'd be able to take Marlo to get his eyes checked without their mom. He had all their health insurance cards and information. He knew it covered eye exams for kids and he wouldn't have to pay much. He always kept emergency savings so that was fine. His biggest worry was not being able to do it without an adult.

At lunch, Sage was glad to see Elias and Sam together. Hopefully his bad attitude will be gone too. The two best friends wouldn't know what to do without each other.

"Little brother?" Sage jumped at the deep voice beside his ear. Amber eyes sparkled with amusement as the guy slid into the seat beside him. "He looks just like you." One shoulder lifted in a shrug and then Sage was staring at his broad shoulders and then his muscular arms.

"Yeah, yeah he's my little brother." Sage blinked several times and stuffed a tater tot in his mouth so he couldn't embarrass himself anymore. His English homework sits forgotten in front of him. Sage forces the food down his throat, his mouth suddenly dry. He nearly kills himself and has to chug down the strawberry milk.

"Cool. Who do you have?" He indicates towards the homework. "I have Mrs. Sazzle, kind of mad, kind of a genius. Then again the best geniuses walk the line of insanity." Sage was completely lost because he was staring at Brandon's lips again. Sage's lips were full, Brandon's were just, they were just...kissable. Yeah, he'd definitely kiss him.

"Yeah..." Sage dragged, propping his head on his hand with a dreamy smile. It was a little late when he realized how he must look. He sat up straight and looked down at his homework, his face already warm.

"So, what's there fun to do around here?" Brandon asked, still with that bright smile. Sage thought about his question, dipping a nugget in BBQ sauce before eating it.

"I'm not really sure, I know there's the arcade." Sage obviously didn't get out much. The only reason he knew about the arcade was because Elias asked him if he could go with his friends.

"That sounds fun, wanna go?" Sage's head shot up and he met those amber eyes.

"Why?" Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. What else do you go to an arcade for?

"It'll be fun! And I don't really know anyone my age around here." He looked so hopeful. And his eyes were tempting him to say yes.

"I can't, I have to babysit." It was true, kind of.

"Everyday?" Brandon's brows furrowed.

"Um, well, when I'm not working." Sage ate another nugget instead of chewing on his lip.

"You can bring the kid with you, more the merrier." Sage couldn't help but to laugh.

"You want me to bring a five year old and two seven year olds with me?" He thought that would get him to rethink asking him. It didn't.

"Sure! They'll have fun and so will we." There really was no reason not to agree. And it was true, everyone would have fun. Sage would probably endlessly embarrass himself but he wanted to go.

"Okay." He said softly. He didn't think Brandon's smile could get any bigger.

"Great! It's a date." Sage's eyes grew big but Brandon didn't seem to realize what he'd said, he was too busy digging through his backpack. "When do you have a day off?"

"F–Friday." He stumbled, stuffing more tots in his mouth.

"Perfect. Here's my number, Call later and we can decide a time." He slid a ripped off piece of paper across the table to Sage before standing. "See you in class." With that he was walking across the cafeteria and Sage couldn't take his eyes off his backside. Oh god.

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