curls a little.
It’s chilly out and I don’t want to lose all of her hard work.
“I feel guilty,” Sage says, breaking the silence.
I glance over to her but she’s too busy scrolling aimlessly on her phone to meet my eye. “Over what? It’s not your fault I’m stuck here and you can go out and have a life.”
She sighs and puts her phone down. “I’m a terrible friend. There’s a part of me that’s relieved that North has you on lockdown because that means you’ll stick around. I haven’t ever had a friend like you. God, even the people I thought were my friends before Riley threw me aside were nothing like you. I’m— God, I’m so sorry, Oli.”
Not even my broken Bonds make me feel like this. “Why would I be mad about that? How could I be angry that you actually like me and want to be my friend? Listen, if things were the other way around, I can guarantee I’d feel the same way.”
She smiles at me but her eyes are still way too sad. “You wouldn’t. You’re the most selfless person I’ve ever met. You take everything that your Bonds are throwing at you and just… move on with it.”
I wish that were true.
Would I be this sure about what I was doing if there wasn’t such a huge risk? Would I be as strong as I am now if I wasn’t already aware of how many people will die if I don’t manage to get away from my Bonds, if the Resistance finds me again?
I’m not sure I would be.
I shrug and pile the makeup back in Sage’s bag carefully, mindful not only that it isn’t mine, but also that it’s all high quality and expensive products, stuff I’ve never even considered before because I’m broke.
“I don’t care about that shit, Sage. I care about all of the other qualities you have that make you the best possible friend for me. I care about you showing up here with arms full of makeup without me ever asking because you know there’s no way I could dress up without your help. I care about you inviting me over for tacos and margaritas. I care that when I grab notes in classes when you’ve skipped them, you thank me like I’ve conquered a kingdom for you. I care that you don’t give a shit about all of the things people say about me, you chose to get to know me before you made judgement. I have a million other things for you but let’s just leave it at that. You’re fucking incredible and someday you’ll believe me when I say that.”
She grins and ducks her head. “You’re pretty good yourself, Fallows. So good that I’d run away with you if you decide to leave again.”
We head out to the game early because it turns out that Sage maybe wasn’t vehement enough about how much she loves football and because of how much she loves the game, she’s extra picky about where we sit. She’s at a whole new level of excitement about the whole thing, talking nonstop the entire way over to the stadium about all of the players and stats about the team. She even gushes over Gabe, completely disregarding her usual reluctance to talk about my Bonds in her excitement about us watching the game tonight.
I don't mind at all because seeing her this happy is unheard of. We've been friends for weeks and the most I've gotten out of her has been a shy smile and the occasional dry laugh, but right now she's oozing joy.
We have to stop by her house on the way over to the stadium and I wait in her car, texting updates to North like an obedient little possession. He sends a lot of one word replies, like I'm not really worth his time, so I make my own messages too long and too detailed, just for spite.
I hope he fucking hates it.
I'm giggling to myself like a child when the car door opens again and Sage slides back into the driver's seat.
"I grabbed Maria's season pass for you so we can head straight in. She's working late tonight, so Dad's sending her updates. And we won't have to put up with her," Sage says as she starts the car and pulls out from the driveway, her playlist starting and blaring indie punk bands through the cab.
Maria is her dad's other Bonded and completes her parent’s triad bond. She