Chapter 2 Misunderstanding

Sage made it to school, though late. The classroom was nearly empty, and she lay her head on the desk, watching raindrops slide down the window. Her tranquility was interrupted by a hit on the head.

Clark, the only one who seemed to care about her, had tossed a rumpled paper her way. Sage, picking it up, turned to face him as more students filled the class.

"Really!" Sage exclaimed, raising the paper above her head. "You didn't have any other way to tell me you were in school."

Clark, his infectious laugh revealing a broken tooth, engaged in conversation with Sage about a recent movie until a horrible voice interrupted.

"Hey, suckers."

Tasha Campbell, the leader of the Red Roses and the queen of fashion, entered the scene. Loved by all, except Sage. Even Clark seemed enamored by her.

"Hi Tasha, how was your holiday?" Sage asked, attempting to keep a friendly face.

If the twins were making her life difficult, Tasha made it a living hell. Since Sage started schooling here, Tasha's hands had been on her, making her a laughing stock every single day.

"Well, Sage, I can't wait to continue the fun we both had last term," Tasha said with a mocking giggle. 'Why is she getting excited? If she thinks I'm gonna let her walk over me again, she'll be in for a serious surprise.'

"Hi Tasha, you look great today," Clark said, smiling foolishly as he tried to get Tasha's attention. As usual, she had a disgusted look on her face and ignored him. 'Poor Clark, he never stops trying.'

"Ummm, Sage, where are your glasses? I don't want you tripping," Tasha stated, feigning pity. Sage did use glasses, but she never wore them when she had a class with Tasha. In the past, Tasha would either seize them or break them, and it took a while before she could replace them.

Sage didn't like the fact that Clark had been a secret admirer of this lady monster. Still, she felt that Tasha should at least give the boy a little recognition.

Ignoring Tasha's comment, Sage decided to confront her a little.

"You know, Tasha, even if you don't care about Clark, you should at least be polite to him."

This surprised Tasha; she never knew Sage could be this outspoken. Now she intended to cut off the little wings Sage had before they grew bigger. Before she could reply, the door opened, and Mr. Hobbs walked in. The students took their seats.

The door opened again, and a young man with short brown hair walked in. Sage could see his facial features clearly, and the only word that came to her mind was 'beautiful.' As he took a seat at the back, all eyes were on him.

Sage couldn't stop looking at him until her neck began to hurt. When he raised his head and gave her a questioning look, she quickly turned away, embarrassed. In all honesty, she had never been attracted to a man like she was to this mysterious guy. Turning on her seat, she met Tasha's death glare.

'What is wrong with this lady?' Sage wondered before returning her attention to the raindrops on the window.

Stealing another glance at the mysterious guy, she found him looking at her without shifting his gaze. Just then, the bell rang. Unable to bear the awkward moment, she quickly packed her books and left with the other students.

Relieved to be away from the mysterious guy, she noticed how fast her heart was beating. Leaning against her locker, she shut her eyes. She wasn't used to this feeling, didn't understand it, and it was giving her butterflies.

"Sage, are you okay?" Clark asked, seeing how she was breathing hard.

Hearing Clark's voice, she opened her eyes and began to get ready for the next class.

"Hey, ummm... I don't think Tasha likes that we're friends. Maybe that's the reason why she always ignores me," Clark stated nervously.

"What?" Sage exclaimed. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. "I don't get you."

"Look, Sage, don't panic. I need you to understand what I'm saying," Clark said, trying to explain himself.

Clark knew Sage well enough to know that their relationship meant a lot to her. If she felt like she was going to lose it, she'd break down totally.

"Oh, I understand perfectly well what you're trying to say. 'Sage's a weirdo. I don't want the girl that I'm obsessed with seeing me with a loser like her,'" Sage said, almost mimicking Clark's character to perfection.

"What is wrong with you?" Clark asked, really hurt by her sudden display. He also knew Sage was hurt, but he couldn't help but feel she was overreacting.

"You know why you always get bullied? It's because you can't keep your eyes off her. That girl unconsciously puts you in trouble. Imagine how much trouble you'll be in if you eventually start dating her. Not like that's ever gonna happen."

"Where the hell is this coming from? Countless times I've told you I'm madly in love with Tasha, and you never said anything. So why now, huh?" Clark requested, perplexed by Sage's sudden outburst.

"I don't know, maybe I didn't always say what was on my mind," Sage replied, feeling a little guilty by the fact that her words might have hurt him.

"Well, don't say what's on your mind, cause it won't change a thing." Without waiting for a reply from her, he walked away.

It was the first day of school, and they already had a misunderstanding because of a girl! And not just any girl, Tasha Campbell.

---

Sage waited for Clark in the cafeteria, although they didn't talk to each other in class. She saw him leave immediately after the bell rang.

'Yes, we had a misunderstanding, but why isn't he here?'

Worried, Sage disposed of her food and left the cafeteria.

In an empty hallway, a group of boys, five in number, could be seen. One was against the wall, seeming to be in pain, while the other four had a smug look on their faces. It was obvious that the boy against the wall was being bullied.

"Hehe... I had you talked to Tasha today. You've got a lot of nerves, boy," one of the boys said before landing another punch on his prey's torso. He had spiky brown hair and looked like the leader of the gang of bullies. The one against the wall was none other than Clark. It was normal for him to be bullied by this group, but he didn't think they'd be onto him on the first day of school.

"Hey... Drake! And the rest of you guys," a voice was heard at the end of the hallway.

Although Clark was in pain, there was no way he wouldn't recognize the voice. At first, he was happy that someone had come to save him. After he realized who it was, all hope was lost.

Sage had gone looking for Clark, but she didn't expect to find him this quickly. She stood at the end of the hallway, watching as her friend got beaten. At first, she wanted to run in and help him, but she had second thoughts. After all, she was also weak herself. Still, something inside her didn't want to watch someone she cared about get hurt while she stood by. Thinking of what to do, she decided to confront the bullies, hoping that Clark would escape and she would too after him. Besides, she was quick on her feet, something she acquired from years of running from her own bully, Tasha Campbell.

As soon as the bully was about to give Clark another punch, she called his name. She wanted to stay at the end of the hallway so that she would have enough escape time, but her feet started to move on their own. Soon, she was in front of the bully, Drake.

"Why don't you mind your business, weirdo? You won't be the first girl I'll hit," Drake said, pounding his fists together.