Chapter 4: You inspire me

Let's just take our time

And relax your mind

And take it easy

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I stood outside the school. Everything in this school screamed luxury. From the the gate to sign I was standing below to saying 'Welcome to Ransom Everglade Academy'.

Alora and Evernly rode with me in Evernly's car and with me driving of course. They are somewhat cool I guess.

What do I know. Girls are complicated.

"I'm so nervous right now." Eve said clutching my jacket.

"You'll be fine." I reassured her. "You've practiced this so many times."

"Yeah. You'll be excellent like always." Alora said. I detected the sad tone in her voice but chose to let it go for now.

"It's just that_" She started. She then looked down as if something was troubling her. "Nothing."

She whispered softly and sad. I know what's her problem. No matter how hard she tried she's still hung up on his stupid ex. I just wish he doesn't show up tonight because God help me.

I've dealt with so many fucking meltdown courtesy of that asshole.

I pulled my sister in and hugged her. I placed a soft kiss on her temple.

"I love you sis and do nt worry to much. You'll rock the stage, I heard your speech. It's awesome." I encouraged her. "Now get over to Wren she calling for you."

She turned around and looked at them. She then looked at me. I smiled warmly at her and gestured for her to go.

"I'll be back okay." I nodded and she walked away.

All this time Smurf was quiet. I looked at her and realised that she's miles away in thought.

"Earth to Smurf." I snapped my finger in her face and she jolted right back to reality.

"Wwhat? You were saying?" She asked confused. I gave her a look and shook my head.

"What's wrong Al?" I asked softly. She opened her mouth but I spoke before her. "And don't tell me nothing."

She opened her mouth then closed it again. She seemed to be at lost for words. She tried to hide her long and sad face but she failed.

"You know you can tell me anything. I'm always here for you." I urged her. I gave her little push.

"It's silly and petty." She tried to brush it off but I can see that whatever it was. It was eating her inside.

"It's not silly or petty." I brushed her cheek with the back of my hand.

"It's just that__" She started. "Look at her." I followed her line of sight and saw that her eyes were in my sister. I frowned confused.

"What about her?" I asked hesitantly.

"She's so perfect. Everything any parent would want in a daughter. She excelle in everything she does. She's so beautiful. Look at her." She said. "She's so happy. Everybody loves her."

"What's that got to do with you though?" I asked again.

"I'm such a failure." She started and my brows pecked up in surprised. "I'm barely graduating high school. The opposite of her."

Her voice cracking and making my heart break in the process.

"Al__" I started but she cut me off.

"Don't say anything. I know what I am. You know she's the first real friend I ever made by myself."

"I didn't know that." I whispered.

"She is. I've spent my whole like in Linkin's shadow and he's the one with the friends. I've always been afraid to live his side because he's the one with friends until I met her. She was always my friend and then I met you. But that doesn't change what I am. I'll always be a failure. I'm not perfect like her."

I wanted to tell her how much Eve struggled each morning just to smile. I wanted to tell her that she pushed so she can be the way she is. I wanted to tell her that she is Eve's first real friend. I wanted to tell her Eve's story but it's wasn't mine to tell.

I looked at Eve then at the beautiful woman next to me who didn't fell enough in her own skin.

"Look Alora, you are perfect, in my eyes. I see you. The real you. You don't need to be like Eve. You are not a failure." I explained but she frowned and looked away.

"You're just saying that because that's what I want to hear." She mumbled.

"You're right maybe I am but maybe am not. I've known you long enough to give you a review of yourself." I said firmly and she turned and looked at me.

"You're so beautiful and smart when you want to. I don't think you're barely graduating because you are a failure. No. I think it's because you didn't try hard. I wish I could give you my eyes and see what I see in you."

Her eyes watered but she blinked the tears away.

"You're my Smurf. Strong willed and strong minded. Don't forget that." I lightly pushed her but she blocked.

"Thank you. I feel a lot better now." She wrapped her arms around me.

I smiled in triumph.

"I'm still trying to except whatever is going on between the two of you." Evernly startled us. She said as she waved a finger up and down at us. "So for my sanity please stop."

We laughed and broke off the intimate moment we were having.

"Let's head inside the ceremony is about to start." Eve urged and I groan. I wanna see her graduate but the sitting through the whole ceremony will be torture. I can't even sit still for ten minutes.

"I told Wren to save you a seat." She told me and pulled Alora as she entered the building.

I have nothing against Wren. Not anymore at least. We have a healthy relationship and I sort of like her. After all how could I not because she's a replica of Eve. Her attitude and personality and her looks.

The ceremony started and I tapped on my phone. I zoned the whole thing out. I saw Alex and Ben doing the same thing. I smiled to myself, those two are trouble makers.

They started by listing this year's accomplishments, from football to swimming to chess games.

I stood up and went to the bathroom to stretch my legs. I've been sitting for thirty minutes straight. I could feel cramps coming on.

In my way back I spot someone who made the hair at the back of my neck stand. Horrified I look closely but the crowd swallow him.

I told him he shouldn't come. I remember specifically telling him not to show up and he agreed he wouldn't.

Eve doesn't have to see him. It's her big night. I don't want him to ruin it for her.

Maybe it wasn't him. I comfort myself and I went back to my seat.

I couldn't focus on anything. I kept on glancing on the direction I saw him.

"Sage are you alright?" Wren asked concerned.

"Yeah, Yeah, Yeah. I'm fine." I brushed her off looking around.

My eyes then scanned the whole room and at the far end of the auditorium I see him hiding in plain sight.

I scowlled at him but he's focusing on something else. I follow his eyes and they are focused on Eve. I growled low.

Even though I wanna kick his sorry ass for showing up but my heart sank when I saw the look in his face. Longing. Defeat.

He looks so sad.

It must be hard to have something you want so close yet so far. I feel pity for him. He can't live with his own failures.

Against my own will I decide to let him be. If he's not causing trouble I'll leave him alone.

My conscience wouldn't let me kick his ass. Not with that look on his eyes.

I zoned back in just in time as they started calling names. Alora took her diploma and sat down.

I waited patiently until it was Eve's turn. They called her on stage and everyone cheered for her. Wren even stood up and called her name.

She saw Wren and blushed looking away. She then made eye contact with me.

'Go do it. I believe in you.' I mouthed to her. She gave me a small nod as if saying, message recieved.

I smiled and she started her speech.

"As most if you know, I'm Evernly Miller and apparently I'm your valedictorian." Everyone chuckled and so did I.

I stole a glance at Styles and saw him chuckling too.

"I'm so honoured to be standing in front of you all. I thought long and hard on what to say today. Many things I could say have already been said: drugs mess up your life, get a good career, do nt have babies before you get married."

It gets better every time I hear it.

"But they've already been said and grades don't equal life experience. I'm not going to waste time and uncliche the cliche. No advice will be given in this speech. Alas, many people can give advice, people who are older, more educated, more experience than I. Maybe when I'm 60, hopefully famous. I'll be worthy of giving advice. This speech will be short.

I could reminisce about the last four years. Instead I think it's more important we focus on where we will be in the next four years. Whether it's presenting the next big discovery in science, cooking laws im senate or making music. I think the word success should be associated with what we do. Alfred Lord Tennyson ended his poem 'Ulysses' with the line 'To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield'. Indeed you've done that. We are graduating today. Do good and live on Ransom Everglade students."

Everyone cheered even louder when she finished. They all stood up and clapped. I felt so proud of her. She did it.

I tried to catch a glimpse of Styles' reaction but everyone was blocking my view.

When they all settled down I looked again but found the seat he occupied empty. I sighed in relief.

At least he's gone. That didn't give me the relief I thought it would. I felt so much heaviness in my heart for the lost soul.

He looked so lost. Not like he use to. There was dull in his eyes. They were empty. But when he chucked, I saw a glimpse of the man he use to be.

The ceremony ended and the graduates took off their caps and threw them up. I made sure to take pictures. Wren's orders.

We took so many pics of Zac and Eve then Eve and I. After that we took them as a family, me included. Then we took pics of Smurf and Eve then I got in on the action. We also took a couple with her friends

"I'm so proud of you." I pulled her in for a hug when she was done talking to her friends and Wren.

"Thank you Sage." She became flustered.

"You inspire me to actually graduate high school." She frown at my not so funny joke. I laughed nervously and said. "It's a joke."

She swatted and pushed me.

"Don't think about joking about that." She scolded and I laughed harder. "You are graduating high school and going to college."

Even though I said I was joking to her but I meant it. I wasn't thinking about finishing school anymore. Lately school is becoming a place to pass time and conduct business.

"I'm going to my locker one last time to get a few things." Eve said and walked away.

Smurf approached me and I smirked.

"Are you coming to the party?" She asked seductively. It's been a while since we partied together.

"I'm definitely coming." I winked at her.

We continue to make passes at each other while we heard for the parking lot.

I didn't realise that Eve has been fine for a while until Smurf pointed it out.

"Now that you mention it. She's been gone for a while." I said.

"Let's go find her." Smurf suggested but before we could put the plan into action she walked out of the building.

Without realising the pair of eyes on her. She leaned against the wall with her books in her hands.

I observed carefully. She took a few breathers then exhale. She pushed herself off the wall and smiled.

She walked towards us and we turned around so she won't realise we saw her.

"Sorry that took so long." She said casually. I looked at her, really looked at her but she averted her gaze. "Now let's get out of here."

I put my hand in her shoulder and stopped her. I looked in her eyes and asked her.

"Are you alright?"

"Yes I'm fine." She answered and tried to get away but I stopped her.

"Are you sure?" I hesitantly asked.

"Yes." She answered curtly. I dropped it and we got inside the house.

I dropped Alora first and we drove to a popular restaurant to meet Wren for a celebratory dinner for the two graduates.

"I saw Harry." She suddenly said and o don't even fake being surprised. Deep down I knew he'd go to her but I hoped he didn't.

"He was at the ceremony." She continued.

"I know." I said looking straight ahead at the road.

"At first I saw him in the crowd when I was giving my speech but then decided against it. I thought that maybe I wanted him there so bad that I imagined him there and confused him with someone else. After all it wouldn't be the first time. I confused people to Harry in these past few months that I didn't put it past me but then I saw him at the hallway when I was at my locker. We talked__"

"Wait What? You talked?" My head snapped to her and I stuttered.

"Yeah we talked." She replied.

"Are you okay?" I asked again concerned.

"No I'm not but I will be." She said. O glance at her and saw her leaning against the car window looking outside.

I decided to let her be. At least she answered me honestly.

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Chapter 4.

What do you think about Sage continuing to feel sorry for Harry even after all these months?

Tell me your thoughts and theories. I'd love to here what you think.

Song: Danileigh ft Chris Brown - easy (remix)

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