Me and Myself

Chapter eight

I burst into laughter, tears already covering my eyes. I blinked them off and wiped them with my thumb.

"God! Sage, this is what you thought I'll love?" I arched a brow sarcastically.

"What? Don't you like it?" His eyes widened.

"I love it." I squeezed my extra huge teddy bear into a hug. It smells like him. I gave him a smile and tightened my hug. He replied the same smile, but quickly changed into a playful smirk.

"Don't give all the credit for Tom. I deserve some too." He opened his arms for a hug and I gave him a shove.

"Did you name him Tom? Eww dork." I teased and we laughed. "Imma call him Jojo." I smiled hugging my teddy. I mean my extra huge teddy.

"Jojo?" He asked.

"Yeah."

"That sounds nice." He smiled.

"Thanks."

"And about my credit?" He teased I rolled my eyes and quickly peck his cheek and sat back. He looked surprised, but he covered it with the same playful smirk. "That's game." He stated.

"No. I'm game." I winked and he giggled. He giggled! Oh God how cute.

"Okay pumpkin enough with the flirting, let's eat." He winked back and I blushed. I know blacks don't blush, but I can feel the heat on my cheeks plus I couldn't look him straight in the eyes. And he knows what he did, but he didn't push.

We ate everything that was in the bag. Don't judge us we were starving.

"Okay let me show you the best part." He unzipped the tent and I shivered from the foreign breath hitting my body. I rubbed my hands and my body, but then I felt warmth. I glanced up and found Sage fixing his leather jacket on my shoulder.

"Come on." He smiled slightly and I follow.

He adjusted the mattress out side the tent and laid back. I was standing still watching his every move unlucky me he had noticed the whole time so he tapped the space beside him gesturing me to do the same without looking at me. I obeyed. After my head reached the mattress then I understood why he kept his eyes on the sky. It was spectacular. Dark sky, full moon, stars everywhere, I was lost of words.

"This is something else." I muttered.

"I know." He whispered.

We shared the view for some moments, but then he faced me and kept staring until he made sure it bothered me.

"What?" I asked. My eyes plugged on the sky.

"You're beautiful." He muttered enough for me to hear.

"Thanks but you know you've been saying that a lot since we met, right?" I took the chance to look at him.

"I don't care. I'll keep saying it." He shrugged. I for one let out a soft chuckle and accidentally drowned in his tempting green eyes. I couldn't get myself out of it. I was stuck. I can hear birds chirping, trees swaying back and forth like they were dancing with the music produced, leaves falling following the rhythm cautious about not disturbing the placid nature, wind whistling picking up the the leaves and escorting them further away like someone deep in thought drifted in his own imagination, at the end of the forest a dear sipping from the pure lake hears a hoof, erected his ears and run back into the forest, not wanting to be the prey. My feet in the lake, water washing my feet, small but beautiful different coloured fishes dispersed, scared of the new creature in their kingdom. I-

"Hey?"

No. I said I not hey.

"Hey? Olive wake up." A warm hand cupped my cheek. I opened my eyes adjusting my focus to light that was quickly covered by a face. SAGE? What? Wait what just happened? I pushed him aside and quickly sat straight. "Hey come down. You fall a sleep and I didn't want to wake you." He smiled. I did what? I checked my surrounding and saw a blanket laying over me covering my small figure compared with Sage. I nod.

"How long?" I asked.

"A good long." He answered.

"What time is it?" I scoffed at his answer.

"Five."

"Five? What do you mean five? As in five AM!" I gasped and he nod. I quickly unwrapped myself from the blanket and stood up. "We gotta go." I quickly grabbed my purse but he holds my hand.

"Just a minute."

"Why?" I asked.

"It's almost sunrise let's watch a bit and we'll leave." I arched a brow. "I promise." He assured me.

"Fine." I sat back and started looking at the red and what soon became an orange sky.

"You snore by the way." He silently stated.

"No I don't!" I covered my nose with my hand feeling embarrassed.

"But the thing that bothered me was your drool." He stated again.

"Oh my God! I don't do that!" I shoved him and punched him on the arm.

"Okay come down Tyson, I never said I didn't enjoy it." He shrugged smirking.

"I hate you." I gave him a flat look but then we both burst into laughter. We saw the sunrise and started our journey back to campus after grabbing my extra huge Jojo. We parked in the lot. I climbed down from his bike passing him his helmet.

"Thanks." I smiled trying to hold Jojo in place. He really is a struggle.

"Nah it's cool. You sure you don't want help with that?" He pointed at Jojo.

"No I'm cool. He's strong. I like it." He chuckled at my response.

"Okay pumpkin see you later." I wave him bye. He frown but covered it with a smile and a wave.

I don't know why I didn't give him an answer. I mean I should have said 'yeah see ya' or 'okay', instead I waved him goodbye. After a few walks I reached my dorm. I was tired to find my keys so I just knocked. The door opened on the second knock.

"Thank God you're alive." Pat engulfed me with a hug. What?

"What do you mean I'm alive? Ofcourse I'm alive." I frown.

"We were worried sick about you." Loo yells hugging me. I left Jojo at the door since I couldn't hold him anymore.

"Okay guys what just happened?" I was so confused.

"Don't you know the code?" Ella asked.

"What code?" I frown.

"Told you she needed to be enlightened before sending her to the wilderness." She crossed her arms looking at both Loo and Pat.

"We thought every girl knew that. Who would have thought Miss Gasha building would miss that?" Loo air quoted Gasha building.

"Wait how did you know I was there?" I asked.

"I was in charge of your every move since you didn't bother to share." Pat speaks showing her phone.

"Okay one, were you spying on me? And two, I'm I missing something?"

"Yes!" All answered in unison.

Pat grabbed a chair and paved the way for me to sit down. I did as told. They all look like they're going to eat me or hang me on the wall or something like that.

"Do you know the G-Code when a girl is out on her first date?" Pat fired a question.

"Uh no?" I frown.

"Ugh!" They groaned. What? Is it a book that every girl should read? I'm completely not getting this.

"You should update your friends on what's happening when you're out on you're first date." Pat explained.

"Why should I do that?" I frown.

"Because you're new to everything and us girls got each others back. We will give you pointers on what your next move should be. Dummy." Loo spat.

"What you're saying is that a girl should never be alone on her first date instead she should tag along her friends to guide her through it?" I asked not believing their explanation.

"What we're saying is some dudes are stupid so take some quick breaks in the middle and page us about what you're up to so he doesn't cross the line." Ella rolls her eyes at the end of her sentence.

"You're creeping me out." I quirked a brow.

"There's nothing to be creeped about. This code has been transferred through generations just to get to us." Pat smiled. What?

"I think you're delusional." I nod. Yeah that's what I think.

"Our beloved ancestors please forgive this young lady, and may your blessings be upon us. Amen." Loo glanced up like some old women were looking at her and then bowed to show respect for them. I've changed my mind she's crazy not delusional.

"I'm tired. I wanna rest." I stood from the chair and went to the door logging jojo.

"What's that?" Ella asks.

"Huh this is Jojo and Jojo this are my friends." I introduced them.

"Sage gave it to you?" Pat asked and I nod smiling.

"And you named him after your future son?" Pat teased and they laughed.

"Yeah whatever. I like him." I hugged Jojo tighter.

"You liked Sage on the first date? Girl you're no use." Ella sighs in defeat.

"Who said I liked him? I said I liked Jojo." I protest.

"Yeah keep denying that. Now we'll be leaving." Loo stands grabbing her blue backpack.

"Where are you going?" I frown.

"We have an exam next week, remember?" Loo answered and it hit me, it hit me that I need to get my butt to study not rest.

"We'll meet you at the library." Pat waved goodbye and the rest did the same. After they closed the door I set an alarm and curled on my bed to get some nap. Oh I forgot something, Jojo! I got up and took him with me.

°•○●°•○●

A week passed. And today will be a good day for celebration. Celebration to honor the wrapping day of exam. CAMPING! Yes we are going camping in the near forest. Pat and Loo went to buy some groceries for tonight while I was left with Ella fixing four camping bags.

"Girl leave the two tents. We ain't gonna need them just don't forget the sleeping bags." Ella stated.

"Why? Where are we going to sleep?" I asked.

"Word of the day, sharing." She faked an accent on the last word.

"We have our own, why do we need to share?" I frown.

"Girl I'm trying to reduce unnecessary baggage and I don't wanna have back issues this young nor older." She shook her head while placing the water bottle inside the back pack.

"Fine, but make sure you don't forget the light." I returned back to my work.

"Sis you ain't got nothing to worry about. I got it all covered."

"Just saying, you know I hate being in the dark."

"Speaking of fun, why are you going camping with us?" Who said something about fun? She's crazy.

"What do you mean? Who else should I go with?" I frown and she roll her eyes.

"You're boyfriend, dummy."

"Ugh, I don't have a boyfriend."

"Oh yeah? So I was the one cuddling and counting the stars with the man I went out with?" Ugh. Let me give you a pro tip, never in women history share how your first date went with your besties. Cause all they do is roast you.

"I never said we cuddled nor counted the sparkly tiny diamonds on the sky." I sarcastically protest.

"Tell that to yourself. You ain't gonna fool this bitch." She scoffed pointing at herself. Heads up, after they heard about our unexpected little sleep over with Sage history? They've been bullying me, nagging me, roasting me and finally decided to give him the title. Boyfriend! I tried to explain the situation but the girls never bought it. If you were on my spot you would've understood me, right? A little? Okay.

"We're here!" Pat chirps opening the door with her hands full of plastic bags.

"What's al' a that?" Stella frowns.

"Food" Loo steps in carrying the same amount of bags.

"All of that?" I raised my voice in disbelieve.

"Starved lady, it's just sweets and breados." I raised a brow at Loo and she sighs "fine fine we got some junks and soda too." I squealed and clapped my hands with teeth all over my face.

"That's beside the point. Who's credit covered al' a that? Should be our concerning and alarming question right now." Ella forced a smile. Oops. Loo and pat gave us similar cheesy smile while Ella and I widened our eyes.

"Uhh..." Pat stuttered lightly scratching her forehead with her thumb and index finger. But the thing is, what's her next word? She's gonna throw a grenade. A grenade on one of us. She nudged Loo to speak up and she did. The letters formed a word and the word was a name.

"Ella's" she cringed after calling Stella's name. We all faced Ella to see her expression. And speaking of expression her face was priceless. I burst into a loud laughter and pat followed. Loo was on the verge of joining us, but Ella's eyes were throwing daggers on her.

"Girl Imma make you pay!" Ella sneered.

"I love you." I smiled at Loo. She made my day.

"I know." She boasted.

"Shut up." Ella spat and we all laughed.

"Guys you won't believe what we..." while Pat started bragging about something my phone chimed stealing all my focus from the conversation.

I swiped right and opened inbox. I saw a text with the contact saying "my king" with a crown and a heart and a kiss emojis. I frown. It reads

Hey pumpkin?

          Delivered

SAGE?! Who saved his number?

                  My king?❤???

                            Delivered

??

       Delivered

                  I want words not   

                  emojis!

                            Delivered

I'm sorry. I thought it would be cool.

           Delivered

                  Cool? Really?

                           Delivered

Haha

        Delivered

                   You're stupid?

                            Delivered

                   Imma rename it   

               and save it as "Tom"?

                            Delivered

What? No!??

        Delivered

                   Yes?

                           Delivered

No?

       Delivered

                   Yes?

                           Delivered

Please☹

       Delivered

                    Nope?

                            Delivered

Fine. U comin' right?

        Delivered

                    Where?

                            Delivered

Camping??

       Delivered

                     Yeah

                            Delivered

We'll discuss it there.?

               Delivered

                    We have nothing  

                    to discuss about.

                            Delivered

Oh we do pumpkin. We might do even more.

            Delivered

                     More? No there 

                  won't be more or  

                  less. There's nothing!

                           Delivered

Ouch! Pumpkin be easy on my heart it's a sensitive type.

            Delivered

                    Puh-lease(scoffed)

                           Delivered

See you soon babe?

            Delivered

                   Babe?

                            Delivered

                   Eww

                            Delivered

                   Dork!

                            Delivered

I chuckled and let out a long breath that was obstructing my breathing system. I lay on my back and giggled.

"Girl you okay?" Stella drags me back to the conversation. Oh oh. After seconds of struggle to get up Loo helped me sit straight.

"Where were we?" I was panting from the small struggle I just had. They all looked shocked. "What's wrong?" I blinked.

"Never mind" Ella walks away to finish fixing our bags. I shrugg and the rest walk away with awkward faces. What?

After hours of preparation we left our dorm and entered the school bus that was prepared for this same purpose.

"Everyone ready?" Our supervisor called.

"Yeah!" Everyone speaks in unison with a whistle some clapping and a yelling too.

"Let's have some adventure!" A voice yelled and the rest follow. I chuckled cause I perfectly know whose voice it was. Yeah Sage's. Mr. Arrogant? No no it needs to be amended Mr. Cute Arrogant. Yup that's it.

The ride went smoothly. The girls talked and me, you know me I usually zone out, but don't get me wrong I also attended a really good conversations. The bus stopped when we reach a clear area inside a forest which is found 3 miles away from school. Three buses were enough to deliver the whole 12 graders since a few kids weren't the OG fans of an adventure. You might be wondering how the buses drove inside a forest well they didn't. Everything was done by foot just like those kid scouts, but I don't want to pass without thanking Ella, our bags weren't that heavy. After settling by doing the main and the basics like planting our tents, collecting woods for fire it was almost 7Pm. Everyone gathered circling the fire oh and lighting the fire was a struggle while the good thing in that was it made us bond. Just kidding! The good part was ofcourse we didn't fail or else we'll be sitting in the dark. Did I mention the school has music clubs? I think I did. Anyways this guy named Jacob has a guitar and he's willing to play us a song. An original. The girls and I sat together wearing blankets joining the circle. He introduces himself.

"Hey uh I'm Jacob and the I'm gonna play for you is called suffocation. Thank you." He begins hitting the strings creating a beautiful sound and he follows humming with the beat.

"When I sense you comin,

 And you lay a finger on me,

 I feel suffocated,

 Suffocated.

I told my friends cause I needed help,

Around you I can't control myself,

Prescribed me to go out with you,

Oh girl they don't get it,

That my heart loves you more,

More than the bad days ahead of us,

More than the struggles we're gonna have,

Oh baby I have already fallen for you,

Cause I feel suffocated,

Suffocated.

...." such a song simple but beautiful. I turned my head to the left and nudged Pat by th shoulder.

"Isn't this beautiful?" I asked whispering. She nodded her head and agreed.

"I wanna give them a title." She smiled.

"A title?" I asked.

"Yeah."

"Like what?" I frowned.

"Octaves." She smiled. Octaves? What kinda name is that? I quirked a brow and opened my mouth to speak but Loo beat me to it.

"Shhhh enjoy the moment! You guys can argue later." She spoke with silent but angry tone. We obeyed ofcourse.

"Hmmm hmmm hmmm

Hmmm hmmm hmm...." he continued humming with the song while his groups were sitting beside him snapping their fingers. I was lost with the song asking myself when I'll be able to join the team not the Octaves (air quote the word) what I meant was the love and relationship thing until someone tapped me from behind. I shook them off cause who ever that was? He need to wait. As always unlucky me it kept going. I groaned in frustration and snapped my head to the direction. I was ready to bark at them also again unlucky me I was lost of words. The same night that took me to paradise were infront of me. Well such a place would only be found in paradise, right? Green eyes. Eyes beautiful like nature. Eyes that can make you dream all day and ni-

"Hey pumpkin? Are you okay?" Shoot I zoned out again.

"Hi uh umm Sage. How are you?" My voice sounded excited, didn't expect that.

"Good. Umm hey I wanna show you something, come on." He waved after letting out a soft chuckle. I nod and he extended his hand offering help. I oblige, I placed my hand on his and he slightly pulled me out of my seat still the most effort was mine. I can hear the girls giggling and whispering behind me, but the eyes and the man infront of me holding my hands took my breath away. I could care less.

"You ready?" He whispered lips slightly turning upwards.

"Where are we going?" I giggled. Giggled? What's happening to me? I used to hate the dude. Don't get me wrong I still hate him, but something seems wrong.

"It's not far from here." He started walking our hands still holding each others. I quickened my pace to balance our speed.

After we arrived where he was planning to take us we laid back and started gazing at the stars. I love this moment we share and also love the peace surrounding us. We listened to the tress swaying making the branches shake and leaves to bump at one another. Sage cleared his throat and sat straight. I did the same.

"Uhh I brought you here to ummm tell you something." He stuttered. I frown in confusion. What thing is making him stutter? He is usually overconfident about the way he do things or say things.

"What is it?" I ask curiosity taking the best of me.

"Uhmm uhh.." he started scratching the back of his neck.

"Sage is there something wrong? I mean should I be worried?"

"No no no. Uh everything is fine. I just felt the need to tell you something." He looks like a lost puppy.

"So tell me." My water was drying out.

"Olive I love you." He blurt it out like that. If he didn't say my real name I would've thought it was a joke.

"Sage I don't get it. What do you mean by you love me? We don't even know each other that much!" My tone was dead serious.

"I know I know, and I'm not expecting you to have the same feelings. It's just I can't hold it anymore. I love you. I feel this amazing peace and chaos when our eyes meet and I love the way we hold hands and stuff. I love to see you sleep and dream next to me. The way you challenge me hell it drives me insane. I don't want you to be just my girlfriend, I want more. I want you to be my Luna my queen. I wanna hold hands with you and walk on the streets. I don't wanna fight with you, I wanna fight for you. I'm not gonna force you. I just couldn't hide my feelings for you anymore. I'll respect your decision-" if my feelings were the same this would have been the most beautiful moment of my life, but right now I really don't know what my feelings are towards him. I'm confused so I cut him off.

"Look Sage I don't know what to say right now like I barely know you and here you are in a completely different chapter of the story." I complained.

"I'm sorry if I made feel uncomfortable-"

"No you didn't and that's beside the point. I don't wanna give you hope and hurt your feelings-"

"Its not about my feelings, Olive it's about your feelings. I don't care if I get hurt or whatever. I want you to be happy that's-"

"No Sage I am not that selfish to not care about your feelings. Ofcourse I care-" and thick long fleshy thing clung between us.

SNAKE!