How He Broke

Don't Fuck This Up (Tate's POV)

"Hey, Skyler!" I called, seeing her walking into her house.

"Oh! Hey, Tate." She smiled, stopping outside the door.

I jogged over, needing to talk to her.

"Hey, what's been going on? Are you ever going to talk to Sage about what happened?" I asked once I had reached her.

I watched as her cheeks turned pink, turning away from my gaze. "About that..." She said, biting her lip. "I've been meaning to... I just-" She sighed.

"Been too much of a pussy?" I finished her sentence for her.

She laughed softly, giving a small nod as she looked back at me. "Pretty much."

"You can't avoid her forever, Sage." I stated, "She's your best friend, and she really didn't know..."

"I know that," She sighed. "I guess that's why I've been so afraid to face her," She explained. "I just reacted so badly and I dunno, I'm afraid that she'll just not want to see me again."

"We both know that's far from the truth, Sky. She was devastated over what happened... she really feels like she ruined things between the two of you." I explained.

Skyler's face fell and I swore I could almost hear her heart break.

"I was just... upset you know? I didn't know how to tell her, and then she just kept pushing I just... I just snapped."

"I know." I said, giving a reassuring smile. "Just talk to her. Tell her how you feel and I know things will be fine."

"Okay." She gave a soft smile. "Thanks, Tate."

"No problem."

We stood for a moment in silence, not really knowing what to say next.

"Well, you seem to be happy." Skyler smiled. "That's good! Have you finally gotten that side of you under control?"

"For the most part I think so." I answered. "I haven't heard from him in awhile, so I guess that's a good thing?"

"Definitely a good thing."

"How's Cambrie?"

"She's good! She's supposed to come down next week before prom so we can spend some time together. I was hoping to introduce you guys to her." Skyler said. "She'll be staying here through spring break afterwards."

I nodded, "That sounds great, Sky."

"Cool." She smiled.

"Hey, I gotta run, but I'm really glad we got to talk." I smiled.

"Yeah, me too Tate."

I smiled, waving goodbye before jogging across the street over to Sage's house.

I took a deep breath before knocking on the door. I had big plans today, huge even and I was more than looking forward to hanging out with Sage today.

"Hey, Tate!" Sage greeted me as she opened the door.

I was taken completely off guard when I saw her standing there.

Today, she was wearing a red denim high waisted skirt, a black cropped tank top and a a cropped blue denim jacket. Instead of her normal beat up high tops, she was wearing thigh high black boots. Her brown naturally wavy hair was curled to perfection. She wore mascara and eyeliner, and dark red lipstick that would make any man weak in the knees.

I swore the air was knocked out of my lungs as I stared at her, completely speechless.

"Uh, are you okay?" She asked, waving a hand in front of my face.

"Huh? Oh! Uh yeah, no I'm uh, I'm good." I said, clearing my throat as I forced myself to look at her.

It was like that scene in Grease when Sandy shows up wearing all leather, taking Danny completely off guard by how stunning she looked.

She didn't look like she was trying to dress like something she wasn't. She still looked like the same Sage, but amplified somehow, and I definitely wasn't complaining.

"You uh-" I stammered, "You look great."

"Thanks." She grinned, stepping aside to let me in.

I entered her house still in a daze. How can someone look that good?

"Hey there, Tate!" Sage's mom, Renee smiled as she walked out of the kitchen, car keys in hand. "She looks beautiful doesn't she?" She asked, referring to Sage.

I nodded, still at a loss for words.

"Well, you kids be safe okay? I want my car back in one piece." She winked as she handed me the keys.

Tonight I was taking Sage out on a date. A real date. I had asked her mother if it was okay ahead of time and she was more than okay with it to say the least. She even offered that I take her car.

I had my license, but I didn't have a car, and I never liked asking my mother if I could borrow hers because it usually came with some sort of lecture afterwards.

"Yes ma'am." I smiled, taking the keys from her hand.

"Have fun!" She called as we made our way to the door.

Sage grabbed her purse on the way, and I made sure to open the door for her.

"Why thank you." She giggled, stepping out.

"No problem." I smiled, following after her.

I felt completely under dressed beside her as we made our way to the car.

I was wearing a black shirt underneath a white button up and brown sweater and some blue jeans.

In comparison, I looked more like her grandfather rather than her date.

I opened the car door for her, making sure she got in safe before shutting the door and jogging over to the other side.

"Ready?" I asked once we were both buckled in.

"Mhm." She nodded with a grin.

I took a deep breath before turning the key and starting the car.

"Don't fuck this up Tate." I mentally told myself as I put the car in reverse. "This is your only chance."