blue ✧ gxg ✧

✧chapter one✧

"do you want to keep it?"

exactly one year later.

i blinked snapping myself out of whatever strange trance i had gone into at work. i tapped my pen against my register. it was august, the heat was blazing, and my summer was coming to an end. as soon as i got off work i would have to rush home to get to team bonding for my senior year on the team. this time i was excited. i had my friends, eve, jamie, marlise, and rose. they made me feel like i didn't need anyone else on that team, but ever since i became friends with rose and jamie i learned how to come out of my anxieties and actually make new friends. i stopped trying with the people in my grade, and became good friends with every underclassman their was, making sure they all felt appreciated and accepted on this big team full of new people.

i was happy with myself. i finally felt like i wasn't being blocked from anything. i hung out with my usual out of the pool friends in the summer geneva, marlise, sarah, cassie, blake, and jessica all summer. we spent the days at the gym, getting frozen yogurt and gossiping about the cute guys that worked at the gym.

i made a lot of new friends junior year swimming, but eve, jamie, rose, and marlise were my closest ones. they truly make the sport a great time. i was more than excited for this weekend. i had never gone to a bonding trip because of my social anxiety, but now i had no fear at all.

2:00pm i read the animated wall clock and i tried to hide my smile. "hey, can i clock out?" i asked burt, my manager. he owned the small coffee shop in my neighborhood, and he gave me the job a few months ago.

he swooped his id into my register and removed my drawer, "enjoy your trip sage," he smiled. i smiled in response and ran to the back, i took my apron off and gathered my bag. i lived close enough to walk, so i put my headphones in and got on my bike, listening to no vacation -yam yam. the sun was beaming and i couldn't stop smiling. i was so ready.

i rode my bike past my favorite lake, taking a small detour. it was my favorite place to go, and i only lived a few blocks away from it. the sun reflected in the water beautifully. people were walking their dogs and kids were swimming near the dock. it was a beautiful sight to see. and i felt like i was mirroring the weather emotionally-so bright and sunny.

i lived in a pretty suburb, just an hour away from chicago. it was beautiful here, and a very safe neighborhood not many people knew about. my house wasn't huge, but it wasn't small either. just a simple white ranch with lots of flowers in front. my sister alex and i like to plant new ones every spring when she's home from college. every time i see them, i think of her goofy, but amazing self.

i hopped off of my bike and laid it on the grass. i hadn't had anything packed and the bus was leaving in thirty five minutes. "hey mom," i smiled, giving her a quick wave.

"hey, sage love," she said happily. as i was in my room i ripped off my work clothes and got into a light long sleeved maroon shirt and a pair of black athletic shorts. i was packing everything into my bag quickly, doing a mental checklist in my head. face mask, tooth brush, money, keys, underwear, swim suit, goggles, deodorant, perfume, shampoo, conditioner, cap, pj's, tennis shoes, hair product, scrunches, glasses case, contacts, flip flops, and water bottle. once i had gotten everything i decided to take my contacts out and put on my glasses instead since my eyes were getting a little irritated.

i was on my way and very excited to see my friends. i had seen them a few times during the summer, but it was mostly rose and marlise. they'd come hangout every once and awhile, but not as much as i wanted.

"mom, i'm on my way out, i love you," i said giving her a big hug.

"that was awfully fast."

i sighed happily, "i'm quick. i'm gonna take my car and leave it at the school is that good?" i asked her. she nodded and kissed my forehead.