Chapter 1. Shocking Question

Sage’s POV

“Come on, babes. It’s only a few more people. It’ll be fun!” Kehlani explains as we sit inside her RV.

I shake my head, “eight more people is a lot more,” I laugh. Going on a three month long camping trip with just Kehlani is different than going with eight other people that I don’t even know.

“They are nice, I swear,” she grabs my hand over the table, “and if you want to come back early, we will ditch their asses.”

The thought is tempting. I love camping, growing up it was like one big camping trip. My parents are considered hippies but most of their traditions, I haven’t adopted. The only one that really stuck around was loving nature and being outside.

“But, what if they don’t like me?” I think out loud, knowing my thoughts are safe with her.

A small sigh leaves her mouth, “they’ll adore you, babes. I know I do.”

The corners of my lips curl, “fine,” I give in easier than I expected to.

It’s not that I hate people. They are just hard to trust sometimes.

I grew up in the middle of nowhere with just my parents and three siblings. The only human interaction I got was from them. When I moved away, I learned just how poor the humans act in the real world. Violence is everywhere, hatred and ugly stares.

Working the front counter in fast food made me realize that some people just don’t care about being liked.

“You promise they are all nice?” I make sure as Kehlani rearranges the little throw pillows on her little couch that came attached to the RV.

“Well, Joe is a piece of work,” she lets out a small laugh, “but he’s nice in his own way.”

Her kinky curls bounce as she skips back to me, “I’m so excited, I just want to leave tonight!”

I can’t help but giggle. She’s so excitable, most of the time, I’m able to match that energy. But I just got off an eight hour shift and in dire need to put my feet up after standing all day.

I hangout with Kehlani for another hour before heading home in my beat up Acura. I live about ten minutes from her tiny plot of land she keeps her RV on.

Not going to lie, the RV life sounds like a dream. You’re able to go anywhere whenever you want and take your home with you. She has a pretty nice sized one too. It has a king sized bed in the main bedroom and a bunk bed built into the walls with a separate room with a couch that has two recliners with it, even the couch in the living room is a pull out.

Meanwhile, my tiny studio apartment barely has enough room for my twin size bed. I hated the cramped little place but it’s the only thing I can afford and I still struggle, living paycheck to paycheck.

Walking through the door, I kick off my shoes, finally letting my feet breathe again and lock the deadbolt behind me.

I cook up some Ramen Noodles with some bok choy and a runny egg and eat it on my bed with the tiny TV playing Full House as I sit in the dark.

“I miss my family.” I sigh. It not everyday that I miss them. It’s really only when I’m here.

I just feel so lonely and…well cramped.

After eating, I pull out my suitcase.

It’s a few days until we leave, but getting a head start is never a bad idea.

I’m happy I met Kehlani. We met while walking on a trail, I usually go for a walk on my days off just to connect with nature, to feel the fresh air on my skin. Kehlani was jogging and stopped to say she liked my shirt and we’ve been friends since. I even let her borrow the shirt…which she still has.

When I pack a whole suitcase and a duffle bag, I throw them next to my bed. It’s the only place I really have extra room.

I shrug on my navy blue sweat pants and a tank top before climbing over my bags and into bed.

I’m small-ish, but I hate this twin mattress. I want to be able to bend my body in every-which-way and still have enough room to where I’m not falling off.

Before I know it, I’m waking up to the annoying buzz of my alarm clock.

I tie back my long brown hair with one of the hair ties on my wrist. After brushing my teeth and washing my face, I put my uniform on and head out the door.

On the way to work, my car shakes and rumbles.

Come on, I tap the wheel, you can make it.

I turn onto the highway and press on the gas pedal, causing the whole car to wobble. Not only do I hate my car, I’m afraid of it. I much prefer walking like I did when I was living with my parents.

My fingers find the volume dial on my radio and turn it up to drown out the funny noises my car is making.

As I sing along to Weezer, I finally make it to work. Before leaving the my parents, the only music I knew is the flute they’d play. I hate the sound of flutes now. But my taste in other music is broad, I think I like almost anything!

“Welcome to Cookout, may I take your order?” I ask the couple who just walked up to the counter with a smile.

The woman looks at me with a sour look on her face, as if I just spit in her Sprite.

I give her an annoying smile, hoping to piss her off more.

Jokes on you, I want to get fired.

The man gives me his order while the woman just orders a corndog.

“Alright, they are working on it now.” I inform them and watch them step to the side.

The day drags on and on…and on.

Finally it’s time for me to go home and eat for the first time today not counting the few nuggets I swiped out of the warming baskets.

As soon as I start my car, my phone begins to ring. I look at the caller idea and see that it’s Kehlani.

“Hey, babes.” I answer and drive down the road.

“Hey! I just missed you, how was work?” Her voice is light and airy, as if she’s elated that I answered even though I always answer.

“Tiring,” I sigh, “I had a few rude bitches today but nothing to cause a fuss over.”

She giggles on the other line as my car dips down and hits the road. I yelp in fear then see my wheel rolling in front of me.

“Sage? Sage! Are you alright? What the hell just happened?” Kehlani freaks.

My breath is labored as it feels stuck in my chest. I quickly try to take control of the steering wheel and take my foot off the gas, letting the three tired car get onto the side of the road.

As soon as I’m able to put the car in park, I let go of the wheel. My hands shake and feel clammy.

“Sage!” Kehlani yells, snapping me back into reality.

“Yeah- yeah, I’m oka-y.” I gulp air. I can feel my heart beating through my whole body. “My wheel just flew off my car. Wh-what the fuck!” I hit my steering wheel in anger, knowing I don’t have the money to fix this.

“Babes, I need you to take a deep breath with me.” She says calmly.

I nod but quickly hum in response when I realize she can’t see me.

I hear here inhale and I copy her. Breathing in deeply then breathing out slowly. We do it a few times until some of the fear is finally washed away. My hands aren’t shaking as bad and my heart beat is still wild, but it’s only in my chest.

“Kehlani, I don’t know what to do.” I express with my head down.

“Where are you? I’m going to have one of the friends that’s coming on the trip come help you.”

I sniffle, looking around for a street sign.

“I was just about to get on interstate-forty. I don’t see any street signs and I don’t think I’m able to get out of the car, my legs feel like jelly.”

“Okay, babes. You’re going to be okay. Let me call Lynn, I’ll call you right back and talk to you until she gets there.”

And Kehlani does just as she said. When she calls me back, she explains that Lynn will pick me up, bring me to my house to get everything I need, then she will bring me to Kehlani’s after. So much for eating. I guess it’ll just have to wait.

Kehlani and I talk on the phone for exactly twenty two minutes before I see a blonde woman in a red jeep stop behind me.

“Does Lynn drive a jeep or am I about to get napped?” I try to lighten my mood.

Kehlani laughs, “that’s Lynn. Text me when you’re on your way to my place, I’ll order us some Chinese.”

I hangup and open my car door. My legs feel weak when I step out but luckily, I’m able to hold myself up as I walk towards Lynn.

“Hey, I’m-”

“Sage,”she smiles, “I know, get in.”

My place isn’t far from my job, I’m basically in the middle of Kehlani and the Cookout I work at so this shouldn’t take more than an hour.

Lynn is breathtaking though. Her straight blonde hair flies wildly in the wind, her eyes sparkle like sapphires.

“So, are you excited for the trip?” She asks over the rushing wind.

“Yeah,” I tell her as she begins to roll up her windows, “I’m happy my boss allowed me to take three months off.”

She laughs, “probably because your boss sells weed and he knows that if he fires someone, his ass is on the line too.”

My eyes widen. Does he really sell drugs? How does she know?

“Oh don’t give me that face,” she rolls her eyes, “weed never killed anybody. It’s better than drinking if you ask me.”

I shrug, “I wasn’t making a face,” I probably lie and look out the window, “I agree.”

As long as nobody is getting hurt or hurting others, then I don’t care what they do.

“Have you ever smoked?” The question pops out of her mouth.

My head shakes from side to side.

It must seem weird for a woman who grew up with hippie parents to not be a stoner. But my parents didn’t smoke anything or drink.

“We have got to pop that cherry.” She states, making me cough out of surprise.

She laughs at me while I choke on my own spit, thrown off by her words.

“You’re funny.” She tells me as she pulls up to my place.

There is no judgement on her face as she parks. Nothing like I was expecting. I never invited Kehlani over because I’m embarrassed of this place, hell, I barely fit inside so it’s not like I can really have company.

“I’ll be quick, want a water bottle or anything?” I offer.

She shrugs, “sure, I’ll take a water.” Her smile is displayed with straight white teeth.

Once I’m back inside my place, I lean against the door and take a deep breath.

I can’t believe I fucked up my car.

I gather my bags in my hand as well as two water bottles for Lynn and me.

Struggling to close the door behind me, I make it back to the car without dropping anything.

“Thanks.” She takes the water bottle I offer and unscrews the top.

Her plump, bubble gum pink lips wrap around the water bottle as she takes a sip.

My teeth find my lip, letting the pain of the bite pull my eyes away from her. She’s so beautiful. I don’t want her to think I’m weird. Hell, we literally just met!

I quickly pull out my phone to text Kehlani before sliding it back into my pocket.

The ride to Kehlani’s RV was filled with Nicki Minaj. She sang every lyric with ease while I struggled to keep up. This Nicki girl can speak faster than I can think sometimes.

When we get to Kehlani’s she hops out of the car with me, grabbing one of my bags.

“Oh, it’s okay I-”

“Shut up, I’m helping.” She insists.

I nod, feeling bad that she feels obligated to help me when she’s already done so much.

“Lynn! Sage! I got Chinese for all of us!” Kehlani yells from her door.

I smile, seeing my best friend with a smile on her face makes me so happy. She has one of the cutest smiles in the world.

Lynn and I walk into her RV. I plant myself on her couch and Lynn sits beside me.

“Look!” Kehlani slides her easel over, slightly scuffing the floor.

“Oh my God,” I praise, “that’s so beautiful!”

She is an artist, the new and improved Bob Ross, may he rest in peace.

“Damn, those hands are magic.” Lynn wiggles her eyebrows, making Kehlani playfully narrow her eyes at her.

“I plan to finish it right before the trip-”

The door sounds out three knocks and we all freeze up. Silence encompasses the whole RV while we look between each other. A minute passes and Kehlani looks out the small window and begins laughing, which causes Lynn and I to laugh too.

She brings the food inside and lays a display on her table.

Crab rangoons, fried donuts, shrimp chow mein, sesame chicken, pepper steak with onions, steamed mixed vegetables, and a ton of pork fried rice. She got us a whole buffet!

My mouth watered looking at all the food, knowing this will be the first actual meal of the day.

“Sage,” Lynn starts, “have you ever been in a relationship with multiple people?”

Kehlani clatters the plates in the sink and gives Lynn her best intimidating scowl but still looks cuter than an angry chihuahua.

Wait, what did Lynn ask?