Sage

Chapter Eighteen

The bell sounded at the end of the last lesson for that Monday. As usual, students rushed out of class leaving Ashley and Sage who packed their belongings without urgency.

"That was a boring class!" Ashley exclaimed as she swung her backpack over her one shoulder.

"I love accounting, I don't know what you're on about," Sage said behind Ashley as they exited the class.

"Maybe I just hate the subject."

"Not maybe, you do." Sage laughed and Ashley joined in.

They walked towards the gate expecting to see the group waiting for them but only spotted Trisha.

"We can't be early," Sage said as both girls looked at Trisha who was focused on the phone in her hands.

As they neared, Trisha lifted her head and smiled putting the phone away.

"Hey, where are the other girls?" Sage asked.

"They left already," Trisha spoke in an undertone.

"And you stayed behind?" Ashley questioned with slight attitude.

Trisha glanced at Ashley and feigned a smile, "Yes, I waited for y'all."

"Okay." Sage chirped oblivious to the looks Ashley and Trisha exchanged.

They started on the familiar route, a heavy silence with them.

"Did you ever find your phone?" Ashley spoke up, breaking the atmosphere that edged on discomfort.

"No, maybe I lost it at the party." Sage had concluded that after failing to find it in the house from a thorough search that lasted a good week.

"Right!" Ashley commented with disbelief laced in her voice.

Trisha cleared her throat, "That's bad."

Ashley glared at Trisha and scoffed.

"It's just a phone," Sage shrugged, "Plus I see you guys at school, so I'm not missing much communication."

"What about your boyfriend?" Ashley asked.

"What about him?" Sage didn't understand the question posed by her friend.

"How will you communicate with him?" Ashley clarified her question.

"I actually haven't seen him in a while," Sage said in thought. The last time she saw Junior was the day after his party. She forgot to be mad at his absence because she was focused on the missing phone.

"I wonder why," Ashley spoke sarcastically.

"So you're really dating JR?" Trisha pried.

"What is it to you?" Ashley butted in.

Sage eyed Ashley to her right then looked at Trisha who was walking on her left, "Yes." A small smile played on her lips as she thought of Junior.

Trisha cooed, "That's nice. Lots of girls want that guy."

"I picked that up at the party," Sage muttered.

"Pay them no mind though." Trisha encouraged a timorous Sage, "He is with you."

Sage smiled at Trisha as they all approached the crossroads they part ways at every afternoon.

"I'll see you guys tomorrow. I have to write an essay on photosynthesis," Trisha groaned.

Sage gave off a little laugh, "I don't wish to be in your shoes."

"Yeah, count yourself lucky today." Trisha waved at them and turned into her street.