Sage

Chapter Two

Upon Sage's return home, her mother marched up the stairs to the bedroom she shared with her father, and her father did not exit the car but left for business.

Sage was greeted by May, who had been the maid since she can remember. This woman was the one who changed her diapers, witnessed her first step and hugged her when she was sad. May adored the little girl, from the day she laid eyes on her.

May Carter was in her early 60s, with four children who were married and settled in their lives. Children who appreciated the sacrifices their single parent made to give them an education, a roof over their heads and food on the table.

May's husband died a year after their last child was born, due to a car accident. She then sought employment after being a housewife for so long and found it at the Woods residence. Leaving her firstborn to look after the other siblings when May was at work.

May took Sage as her last born, she loved her like her own and made sure to always show her. The little girl seemed lost in a perfect world and she was heartbroken when she went upstairs to wake Sage up who did not budge. She risked her job by calling for an ambulance before informing her bosses about their daughter.

May was relieved and happy to see Sage walk in through the door looking healthier than before.

After much catching up, May finally let Sage go to her room to freshen up, then she started with dinner that consisted of Sage's favorite foods.

May and Sage had dinner together in the kitchen, Mrs Woods did not leave the bedroom and Mr Woods did not return until before midnight.

Sage enjoyed her little welcome by May. Laughs were shared and beautiful stories of May's childhood uplifted Sage's spirit.

Before the night ended, they looped their pinkies as Sage promised to not repeat what she did before.

...

Sage returned to school at the start of the following week. She had a lot of school work to catch up on but she didn't mind at all because it kept her occupied and away from uncomfortable questions.

She skipped her extramural activities and fortunately that was her father's idea.

As she exited her last class for the day, she quickly headed towards the drop-off area of the school. With her school bag weighing heavy on her back and some files in her hand. She walked as quickly as her legs allowed her to, not even taking a detour to her locker that was the opposite direction to the entrance of the school, furthermore, she needed all her books to catch up on lost time. Her father would skin her alive if she failed the year.

As she stepped out of the building, grinning at her success to get so far without a friend stopping her, she was stopped by a group of three girls. One had her brown hair in neat cornrows, her glasses sat on the bridge of her button nose and her light complexion gleamed under the sun. Her small lips gave off a small smile as she pushed her glasses up. The tallest of them had one big black puff on her head, her big dark brown eyes scanning the girl they just stopped before them and her dark facial skin seemed to be breaking out. She was holding a cellphone in her right hand and a lollipop in her left. The last one was chubby, short and her brown eyes swam in tears that she was trying hard to hold back. Her hair was in box braids, tied to the back neatly, revealing her chocolate round face.

Sage's grin dropped as she rolled her eyes. "Almost made it, almost," she said more to herself.

"You can't return then avoid us the whole week," the tallest demanded folding her arms over her chest.

Sage looked at her as she stepped away from the entrance to the school and leaned against the wall to the side after putting her files on the floor, "I have a lot of work to catch up on Zoe. I can't afford to lounge around chatting," Sage removed her school bag and placed it next to the files.