(Runaways) The long-awaited Chapter 2.

Sage took a step back as she approached the building she was prepared to call home. Jammed between a tattoo parlor and club, it seemed to be anything but a home, especially for a 16-year-old and her boyfriend.

“It’s a flat, not a haunted house. Come on.” Dana said, raising her eyebrows to Sage, as she slowly walked to the building. As the door creaked open, Sage prayed to herself it wouldn’t be bad. She figured might-as-well live in the streets if this place was as malevolent inside as it was on the outside. As soon as the door opened, all of Sage’s fears and worries drifted away, because standing right in front of her, was an angel himself.

“Sooo…Matt, Sage. Sage, Matt…” she paused. “He’s my boyfriend.” Sage hoped Dana didn’t happen to catch Sage’s eyes attached to her boyfriend. Sage smiled, cautiously and waved shyly.

“Come on, babe. Taking in more refugees?” he asks, his eyes on Dana. She rolls her eyes in return. Sage curiously thought of what he could’ve meant. More? Had Dana done this before? As if hearing her thoughts, 3 girls walked out of the next room.

“Whose she?” The first one asked. She had a lot of scars, Sage noticed, scanning the girl up and down, and a nose piercing.

“Ahh!” the other exclaimed. “What’s that private-school-snob doing here?” Sage knew “private-school-snob” was just her way of saying she hated Sage, but she didn’t want to mention she actually did go to private school. Dana rolled her eyes.

“Come awn, guys! She was wondering the streets so I’m lettin’ here in, what’s so wrong with that?” she asks, blinking her caked-eyelashes uncontrollably. Sage felt misplaced, like she was watching the whole thing from a distance.

“I don’t have to stay here if you don’t want me to…” Sage mumbled.

“Nooo. Come on. It’s cold outside. Besides, if you don’t want to stay too long, you can leave tomorrow morning.” Dana insisted. Sage shrugged. At least someone here wanted her. She tucked a blond strand behind her ear and lingered in the doorway, as the others continued talking.

“There’s enough people here, already, Dana. I don’t wanna have another mouth to feed!” was one of them. This mark, coming from Matt. He sounded like a father to Sage, not a boyfriend. He was still good-looking though. He was in between tan and pale, with just the perfect amount of both and he seemed pretty toned, though Sage couldn’t tell for sure. His short brown bangs, hung in his light blue eyes, in that they-don’t-bother-me way. Sage felt a little bad, thinking these thing’s about Dana’s boyfriend. Dana let’s her stay with them, and in return Sage checks out her boyfriend. It didn’t seem right.

“He’s taken.” A voice said. Sage resumed back in reality, looking to the girl with the scars. Oh God, Sage frantically thought, did everyone notice I was checking him out? She turns to the girl and giggled nervously.

“What do you mean?” she asks, innocently.

“I mean, keep your eyes off him, he’s Dana’s.” she says. Quite a command from someone she had just met. Sage figured she might-as-well get used to it.

She ran away. She would have to face the consequences.