How He Broke

Just Wait... (Sage's POV)

"So, are you and Tate ever going to be official?" My mom asked casually as we sat on the couch, sharing a box of Chinese takeout as we watched some terrible horror movie; a typical Thursday night.

I nearly choked on my noodles at her sudden question.

"Don't act like you didn't know this question was coming." My mother laughed, pointing her chopsticks at me. "You two have been nearly inseparable for the past what? Three or Four months now? And you're going to prom together next month? Seems like a steady relationship is due anytime now."

"Mom," I rolled my eyes, "Stop talking about it like were a married couple expecting a baby, or couple that's been engaged for like three years."

"Hey!" She raised her chopsticks in defense, "All I'm saying is that if I was the one hanging out with a man that frequent and consistently to the point where you could time the exact second he would come knocking on the door, you'd be asking me the same thing."

She was right, I would be asking her that. But the truth was, I didn't know. I didn't have an answer to that question, and it wasn't because I didn't want to date Tate. I definitely did, I just kind of liked things the way they were now. It seemed like if you put a label on a relationship, it all goes to shit. It went to shit with Matty, It went to shit with my mom and dad, it went to shit with Skyler's mom and dad, and even with Tate's mom and dad, hell it even ended tragically for Matty's mom and dad; even though his mom died, from what I heard before then it didn't sound like they were going to last much longer before divorce came into conversation. It just seemed like relationships were cursed no matter what.

"You're right, but I don't know mom. We haven't really talked about it." I answered.

That was true, we hadn't. We hadn't talked about full on dating each other at all. Maybe deep down we were both scared of what would happen if we did, or maybe that was just me...

"How come? You both obviously like each other." She stated, using her chopsticks to pull a clump of noodles out of the paper box that sat on her lap.

"I don't just like him mom," I said mindlessly, "I love him."

Now it was her turn to nearly choke on her noodles.

"What?" Her mouth full, struggling to chew and then swallow.

I shut my mouth immediately, realizing what I had just said.

"N-Nothing." I answered, feeling panic wash over me.

My mom and I had talked about almost everything. She was my best friend besides Skyler and Tate, and Matty at one time. She knew everything that had happened between Matty and I, and the events leading up to that. She knew everything else after as well. Everything except exactly how I felt about Tate, which I guess she knows now...

"Did you just say that you, love him?" My mother squinted at me, seeing right through into my soul.

I didn't respond. Time froze around us as I searched the room for possible exits, an escape plan so I didn't have to face her possible wrath.

"I- Uh- Well..." I was at a loss for words. I couldn't speak, couldn't properly explain myself to her.

"You're a sixteen year old girl, and you're sitting here telling me that you love this boy?" She asked, her eyebrow raising to an unnatural height.

"Yes?" I answered softly, closing my eyes shut tight, tensing up as I prepared for some sort of physical awakening from her.

"Oh, bug that's great!" She cheered, throwing her arms around me as she pulled me into her body.

"Wait, what?" I asked confused, completely taken off guard by the sudden turn of events.

"I think it's wonderful that you're in love with him." She answered happily, squeezing me.

I guess when I had shut my eyes she managed to place the Chinese food on the coffee table, because it was the only thing I could focus on as she held me tight.

"So you aren't mad then?" I asked, hesitant encase it was some sort of trick, reverse psychology mom's liked to use to get you to change your mind and do what they wanted.

"Why would I be mad?" She laughed.

"I dunno..."

"I mean, I'm sure most moms wouldn't agree, and probably go on some long ass lecture about how you're too young to be in love at your age, but I knew it!" She cheered. "I knew you loved him! I could see it in your eyes when you talked about him, the way they'd light up. Or in your face when you looked at him. Your body language softens so much when he's around," She rambled on. "Oh I just knew you loved him!"

"Wait.. seriously?"

"Well yeah." She laughed. "I'm not dumb, Sage, and you kind of gave it away when you were dating Matty. That whole "I still love him" shit when you saw him with Skyler." She explained, "At first I thought it was the heartbreak talking, but later on when you two made up Constance and I got to talking and we both just knew you two loved each other."

I felt my cheeks heat up.

"And now, this is just even more of a reason to date." She stated happily, holding my head against her chest.

I relaxed when she started playing with my hair, feeling at ease.

"I dunno, mom." I said, still unsure about the whole thing. "I don't think he's ever going to ask me out." I stated.

"And why's that?" She asked, running her fingers through my hair as we watched a girl on the TV run away from the masked killer.

"I think he's... afraid." I answered. "Afraid of what could happen if we date. Afraid that he'll mess up somehow and ruin everything like last time... I don't know."

She sighed, "Y'know, he doesn't have to be the one to ask."

I sat up, laughing as I looked at her, "Sure, mom."

"I'm serious!" She said, "You could ask him out just as well as he can! And anyone that says girls can't ask the boys out are full of shit."

I giggled, seeing my mothers inner feminist coming out.

"Look, I've been a single mother, gotten out of an abusive relationship, own a house, and have a job. If anyone can say a woman can do exactly what a man can do, it's me." She stated confidently.

"Okay, but how do I ask him?" I asked.

"Easy!" She smiled. "You march your happy butt over to his house, knock on the door and when he answers say, "Tate Langdon, I'm in love with you. Will you be my boyfriend?""

I rolled my eyes.

"Or just ask him however you want." She shrugged.

"Great advice mom." I laughed.

"The best advice." She winked, opening her arms for me to lay against her.

I rolled my eyes, entering her arms as we cuddled, continuing to watch the movie together.

My mom truly was the strongest woman I had ever met. She fought back against my father until we were free, only $100 to her name as she set out with me in the backseat. Her father, my grandfather, bought us this house to live in while she worked, eventually making enough money to repay him and fully furnish the entire house. With the spare money, she paid someone to have us off the grid encase there was a day my father managed to get out of his life sentencing in prison. There was never an easy day for her, but I always remember her being there for me when I needed her growing up. She never missed a single moment of my life. She was young when she got pregnant with me, only fifteen years old. At twenty-three she divorced my dad and moved into this house. Now, at thirty-two years old, she's a single mother with an sixteen year old daughter. If that's not strong... I don't know what is.

"What do I do about, Skyler?" I asked, needing some advice on that aspect of my life now.

"Just wait until she comes to you." She answered. "That's all you can do, bug."