SageI stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the collar of my best button-down shirt for what felt like the hundredth time. The sleek fabric hugged my shoulders perfectly, and I paired it with dark slacks that gave me just the right balance.My red hair was styled neatly for once, and I even spritzed a hint of cologne, something I rarely bothered with.You know, so I can smell really good.“You know,” Kaiden drawled from his spot leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed, “you’ve never dressed up this much for me. What’s so special about today?”I shot him a glare through the mirror. “Don’t start.”He smirked, pushing off the doorframe to saunter into the room. “I mean, I’ve known you for years, Sage, and not once have you ever put this much effort into seeing me. Who’s the lucky guy?”“River Wilder,” I said without missing a beat, turning to face him, “I told you I would be going to welcome him today.”He froze for a moment before his smirk faltered. “Seriously?”“Yes, seriously,
SageFor a moment, I just stared at him, waiting for the punchline. When it didn’t come, my brain short-circuited. “You ownNovatech?”“Yes.”My mouth opened and closed several times before I managed to speak. “You—how—what—”He chuckled, clearly enjoying my reaction. “Surprised?”“That’s an understatement!” I exclaimed, still trying to wrap my head around it. “Why didn’t you say anything sooner?”He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk. “Because I wanted to see how much this opportunity meant to you. And now I know.”I slumped back in my chair, feeling like I’d just run a marathon. “This is insane.”I fell silent.What more could I possibly say?I have always wanted to work in Novatech so much that I never imagined I would hear the words.Hearing those words was like music to my ears, a melody I never wanted to end. I stared at River, my eyes wide with disbelief. Was this actually happening? Was I really about to work alongside the River Wilder, my lifelong idol?“You mean I
SageDinner with River was a dream come through, to say the least. He chose a casual diner near campus, one of those cozy places where students had soul food. Kaiden and I always come here because the food has an amazing taste.The place itself wasn’t fancy but it had a good view which helped calm my nerves.River sat across from me with his posture relaxed, a man completely at ease in his own skin. I, on the other hand, was fidgeting with the edge of my napkin, trying not to act like a complete fool in front of my idol.The waiter brought our food, I opted for something simple like a cheese burger. He chose a chicken salad.So…what’s been your favorite project so far? Like, the one you’re most proud of?” I asked.He set down his glass of water, his lips curling into a thoughtful smile. “That’s a tough question. Each project was something I was proud of, but if I had to choose, I’d say the Nexus Tower in Singapore.”My eyes lit up. “The one that integrates those vertical gardens? That
Sage“You’ve always been drawn to Novatech’s work, haven’t you?” He asked, his voice cutting through my thoughts.I nodded enthusiastically. “Yes! Their focus on innovation and functionality while still maintaining aesthetic appeal is something I’ve admired for years. I used to collect articles about their projects and pin them to my wall.” “That kind of passion will serve you well.”I beamed, so he said. I was not going to let him or myself down now that I have gotten this job. I was going to prove to him that I had what it took to be the next him.Just as I was starting to relax, he leaned forward slightly with his expression practically unreadable. “Sage, is it okay if I ask you something personal?”I blinked, caught off guard. “Uh, sure. What is it?”“Do you have a boyfriend?”I froze, the question surprising me more than finding out he took time to teach us. There was a sudden drop in temperature and I wasn’t sure I couldn’t handle this. Of all the things I expected him to ask,
KaidenI was fucking furious.I slammed my hand against the steering wheel,“Shit!” The anger in my chest made it so tight that I struggled to breath. I drove off, ignoring Sage’s frantic calls.My phone buzzed in my pocket, and I didn’t even have to check to know it was him. His name flashing on the screen only fueled my irritation. I shoved the phone into my jacket and focused on my destination.I didn’t know where I was going but I just needed to drive. My vision was tinted red from the rage. It was a miracle I made it out of there without exploding.By the time I parked in front of the sleek, modern building, I was practically vibrating with anger. I slammed the car door and stalked inside, my boots echoing against the polished floors as I made my way to the elevator. When I reached his door, I knocked aggressively,no, pounded.The door swung open, revealing River. He stood there, his expression calm, as if he wasn’t the source of my current misery.Yes, I came to his house. “Ka
KaidenThe moment I stepped into the house, I was greeted with chaos. A vase came hurtling toward me, and I barely managed to sidestep it as it shattered against the door. My heart stopped for a split second, then raced as I stared at Sage, who was standing in the middle of the living room, his chest heaving, his face red with anger.Which was comical because his face was the same color as his hair.“Sage, what the hell?” I blurted out as I tried to process the attack.“You!” he shouted, his hand came up and grabbed his hair, “I cannot fucking believe you, Kaiden. I just can’t believe you.”“What are you talking about?” I asked, holding up my hands defensively. “You’re acting insane right now!”“Oh, I’m insane?” he scoffed, then he chuckled, “he called me insane,” he mumbled to himself before he turned back to me, “You know who called me? River. Professor River. He told me my so-called best friend paid him a visit today. My best friend harassed him and told him to stay away from me.
SageThe next day, I dragged myself into the lecture hall, I still had to go to school. My phone had been buzzing non-stop since last night, but I ignored every call, every text. Kaiden could wait. Or maybe he couldn’t but I didn’t care. Not after the stunt he pulled.I kept asking myself if I overreacted or maybe, I acted just sane over someone I admire to my best friend but every part of me screamed that I was right. He shouldn’t have interfered with my career.I was so depressed that I didn’t want to come to school today but I managed it, and now, I was definitely regretting coming here since I couldn’t bring myself to focus.I sat in the middle row, my notebook open but I wasn’t writing anything down. Professor River’s voice drifted through the room as he explained some intricate engineering principle. It was probably fascinating, but I couldn’t focus on a single word. My thoughts kept circling back to Kaiden, from his jealous outburst, to the shame I felt when Professor River
SageBy the end of my lectures, I was practically bouncing in my seat. The morning had been slow probably because I was so mad at Kaiden. I tend not to focus on anything till we have made amends. I was feeling so much better now, not because the fight with Kaiden had magically resolved itself, no, that was still a mess but because I had something far more exciting to look forward to.Professor River was finally giving me a tour of Novatech. Nova-freaking-tech.Today was the day. I couldn’t believe I forgot. Damn that Kaiden. The message had popped up on my phone by the Novatech team, officially welcoming me to their company and how they couldn’t wait to meet me.I had almost let out a squeal in the middle of the lecture but I held my mouth. Since then, my mood has changed. It became lighter and it stayed like that till the end.I could barely keep my excitement contained as I made my way to his office. My feet carried me with a little skip, and the fight with Kaiden was pushed to th
KaidenI watched Sage’s chest rise and fall steadily, his breathing finally even and calm after a long, exhausting day. The faint hum of the heater filled the small apartment as the evening air drifted colder through the windows. He looked peaceful in sleep, peaceful in a way that didn’t match anything we’d been living through lately. It was a lie his body told, one I was grateful for, even if I knew it wouldn’t last. The last thing I needed was for him to keep worrying about the unknown.Today took a toll on him.I sat at the edge of the couch, elbows resting on my knees, hands folded, but my thoughts weren’t still. They kept drifting back to the question he asked earlier about whether we’d ever go back to how things were. And now I knew for certain: we couldn’t. Not with this storm closing in around us, not when every time I let my guard down, something tried to take Sage from me.I haven’t even figured out how to apologize to the professor, it took me a lot of thinking to realize
SageThe next morning, Kaiden and I walked to school in silence. The meal we shared was so brief and he stayed with me. The professor didn’t come home and when I called him, he said he was working late and we should enjoy ourselves.I knew it was because he didn’t want to spend time with Kaiden. After their argument, they have been tense with each other.I didn’t want to Interfere in their problems as it could escalate into something I wouldn’t be able to control.I looked at Kaiden, I know we have already talked about this but I was so curious.I wanted to ask him again about where he’d really been that day, but the tension in his jaw warned me off. Still, I couldn’t help myself. “So,” I started, kicking a loose pebble on the sidewalk, “you never really told me where you went. Like, actually went.” His steps didn’t falter, but his grip tightened around the strap of his backpack. “I told you. I needed to clear my head.” “Yeah, but that could mean anything,” I pressed. “You just
SageI stood just outside the hospital’s main entrance, staring at the parking lot like it was a war zone. The discharge papers were crumpled slightly in my grip. I could feel my fingers tremble, but I didn’t loosen them. The sun was bright, the day clear, but I felt like I was standing in the middle of a fog, one that hadn’t lifted since I was attacked.Kaiden mentioned he would come and pick me up, hence the hesitation. I felt like if he wasn’t here to do that, I wouldn’t go. “Ready?” His voice pulled me out of my head.I turned toward him. He had one hand in his pocket, the other adjusting the strap of my duffel bag slung over his shoulder. His hair was a little messy, like he hadn’t even bothered with a brush this morning, and his hoodie looked slept in. But his eyes, his eyes were alert. “I don’t know if ready’s the word I’d use,” I admitted. My voice sounded too thin to my own ears. “I feel like I’m being pushed out of safety and right back into the middle of whatever this me
KaidenI slept at my place after the detective dropped me off. He was looking at me like he had a lot to say about what happened but I didn’t.Yes, I overreacted but I couldn’t go back there. I felt suffocated and the only thing I needed was freedom. I needed to find my answers and not let it extend to my relationship.I decided to go see Detective Bryan. The man in charge of narcotics. The one who might know what the hell was really going on. I hadn’t told Sage or the professor anything. Not yet. I couldn’t, not until I had something real. Something more than just paranoia and late-night shadows tailing me.I sat hunched over my laptop in a dingy little café two blocks from my apartment, the place reeking of burnt espresso and desperation. I typed in “Detective Bryan, Narcotics Division, city PD” and hit search. A few articles came up. He was decorated, involved in several high-profile raids. One article had a photo, square jaw, stern face, early forties. Not someone you’d expect to
SageI woke to silence. Not the peaceful kind, the kind that sets your skin crawling with dread, like the air itself is holding its breath. The clock on the wall read a little past 3am and I could see the shadows stretched along the floor, motionless. I looked around and noticed with a slight disappointment that Kaiden wasn’t here. I blinked twice and turned my head toward the small couch across the room. No professor either.My heart sank.They were gone. Both of them.I have never felt so alone. I thought they would both stay with me so I won’t be scared. But I was a big boy and could handle myself.I sat up slowly, the sheets slipping off my chest as I scanned the dim room. Maybe they went for a walk. Maybe Kaiden needed air and the professor tagged along. Maybe I was being paranoid.Or maybe something was very, very wrong.I was about to slide out of bed when the doorknob turned.I froze.The door creaked open, and the harsh fluorescent light from the hallway spilled into the r
KaidenI left the hospital with a gnawing unease in my gut. I hadn’t told Sage or the Professor the full truth, that I needed to test Raines myself, to see if he was really on our side or if he was playing us. If I had voiced my suspicions, the professor would have warned me against it, and Sage… well, Sage would have insisted on coming with me, injuries be damned. But this was something I had to do alone. I couldn’t pretend for the life of me. If the detective wasn’t on our side then I needed to know now, to save myself the trouble of finding out later.I know that the professor was just trying to be cautious but the detective was kind of my friend so I needed to give him the benefit of the doubt.I stared at my phone for a long moment before making the call, my thumb hovering over his contact. This was a gamble, if he was dirty, I might be tipping my hand. But if he was clean... I needed to know. Taking a steadying breath, I hit dial. He answered on the third ring. "Kaiden?"
KaidenThe note terrified me, I wouldn’t lie. I kept the smile on my face for the nurse’s benefits. I didn’t want them to be asking if I was okay and interrupting my peace.Those words, scrawled in jagged letters sent a chill down my spine that lingered long after I first read them. I had spent the night restless, checking the locks on the doors twice, then three times, before finally settling into a chair beside Sage’s hospital bed. He was still unconscious, his face bruised, his breathing steady but shallow. Whoever had done this to him had a message, and now it seemed that message was meant for me. I had no idea how to protect him or even protect myself. It felt like everything we did was a waste of time and we were heading nowhere.I didn’t bother sleeping again because I was so anxious. I was tempted to call the professor and explain to him but I knew he would drive down here the second I call him.By morning, Sage was stable, still asleep but no longer in danger. I made sure
Kaiden I stood next to the professor, watching the detective’s face shift between concern and indifference as he closed his notebook with a heavy sigh. “We’ll look into it,” the detective said. “But if you’re asking me for guarantees—” “I’m not,” I cut in, trying to keep my voice steady. “Just… do your job.” He gave me a nod that felt more like a dismissal. And then he walked off, disappearing into the murmuring noise of the precinct. When I called detective Raines, he said he had been assigned to a case and directed us to his partner in the precinct. We had to go there but it didn’t seem like it was working out for us. The professor hadn’t spoken since the detective left us. His arms were crossed tightly, jaw locked, his usual calm gone. He looked like a man barely holding himself together, and that scared me more than anything. He usually had answers. He always had a plan. But now? His phone rang. He glanced down, muttered something under his breath, and answered. “Hello?”
SageI should have listened to the way the wind shifted. They say when your instincts are telling you something then it’s the truth.It was barely past six when I stepped out of the lecture hall, my bag slung over my shoulder, the sky overhead bleeding into a deep shade of lavender. The university courtyard had mostly cleared, and the usual evening buzz was thinning out as students filtered off to their lives. I’d stayed back for office hours, lingering too long over an unfinished paper, too caught up in making it perfect to even consider that other things could be waiting for me.Maybe that’s why I didn’t notice them at first. Maybe my mind was too full of shadows.My phone buzzed in my pocket, but I didn’t reach for it. The wind carried a chill I couldn’t place, the kind that crawled along the back of your neck and whispered you’re not alone.I turned down the path toward the side parking lot, my sneakers crunching over the scattered leaves. It wasn’t until I passed the library’s da