Tada! Another chapter. Tell you what, if I can get at least seven comments then I'll upload again by Sunday. And if I get at least ten comments and five votes then I'll put a very special part in the next chapter that I'm sure you'll all love. Does that sound good to everyone? I think it's fair. 

Anyway I hope you guys like this chapter.  

And the picture on the side is of Sage's dress that she wears to the 'fall ball.' And if it's not showing up at the side I put a link to the picture down in the comments. Let me know if you can see it on the side or not. 

Enjoy! Vote or comment PRETTY PLEASE.

Chapter fourteen.

It’s been two weeks. Two whole weeks where I haven’t been allowed to see Aaron at all, although my dad was not aware that we’d been passing paper airplanes for those last fourteen days back and forth to each other.

So your dad is making you go to his business dinner?

Ya, and my first thought was that I should dress in something that he would get extremely pissed at…but now I’m thinking that I should actually listen to him and try to stop getting in so much trouble so hopefully I’ll be able to see you again.

You can see me right now. J

I glanced over to see that he was indeed grinning at me. I shook my head and silently laughed to myself.

Stop being a smart ass. You know what I mean. I want to be able to bring you over to my house with my dad KNOWING and I want to TELL my dad I’m going to your house WITHOUT getting in trouble.

Well you look absolutely stunning. I’m sure your dad will approve of it.

I glanced down to look at what I was wearing. I had on a strapless dress that ended an inch or two above my knees. The top was black and stopped at my waist before the tight dress was a dark grey and had slightly lighter grey stripes going all the way down. I had paired it with a grey women’s blazer with sleeves that stopped just past my elbows. I also had on simple black heels and a red beaded necklace with multiple layers of beads. My hair was straightened like my dad likes it and I had on simple eye make-up and a shiny lip gloss.

Thank you…I wish I could take you with me to this dinner. But unfortunately I have to get going. See you later?

Always.

I stood up and blew a kiss to him before carefully climbing back inside my room.

I was walking down the stairs when my dad yelled to me. “Sage! Are you ready to go?”

“Ya dad.” I said back to him as I reached the bottom of the stairs.

He opened the door for me as we walked out to his car.

It took nearly an hour to drive out to the city and get to his employees pent house. A man in a suit took our jackets at the door as we walked in. My dad instantly walked up to a few talking people as I awkwardly looked at all the art work on the walls.

A girl in a simple black dress walked by offering me a glass of wine; I held my hand up before shaking my head, declining her offer.

I did not need a repeat of that college party. I’ve decided that I am a light weight when it comes to alcohol, and I should probably stay away from it.

Maybe if I hadn’t come home drunk that one time I would still be allowed to actually be with Aaron. Although I’m not sure if just getting rid of one of the ‘bad’ things I had done would’ve changed anything. My dad seemed to have had his mind made up about Aaron the first time he’d seen him.

“Sage.” My head snapped up at my dad’s words which had pulled me from my thoughts. “Come meet a few people from my work.”

Nearly an hour passed of polite words and listening to boring stories about work and their home life; I listened to stories about their past and their children if they had any. They suggested I apply for an internship over the summer before I go off to college which they assumed would be Harvard, Yale, or Stanford. Little did they know I wanted to go to UCLA, University of California Los Angeles.

I had yet to tell my dad because I already knew that he would flip a bitch when he knew about it.

When dinner was finally ready and we all sat down at a huge table that sat nearly fifteen people, I was sat by my father and across from a boy that looked to be about my age or maybe a little older.

“I’m Nate.” He said smiling and offering me his hand as the adults continued to mill about and take their time sitting down.

“Sage.” I said shaking his hand.

He had sandy blonde hair and green eyes that were absolutely mesmerizing. He looked to be a good five inches taller than me and his teeth were perfect pearls against his pale skin.

“Ah, I see you’ve met John’s son Nate.” My dad said taking his seat next to me.

“Um, ya.” I said as if it weren’t obvious.

“Maybe he can show you around the city sometime.” My dad said with a gleam in his eyes.

“No that’s ok, I-“

“I’d love to.” Nate said cutting me off.

“Perfect.” My dad grinned nearly from ear to ear. “How about this weekend? I’ll be on a business trip but I’m sure everything will be perfect.”

I wanted to kick my dad under the table but I knew that would only get me in more trouble, so I just smiled. “Sounds fun.”  I said trying to hide any trace of sarcasm.

We were served lobster and sweet rolls with potatoes and little cakes and sweets along with the option of water or wine.

I took water while I noticed that Nate took wine and no one looked twice at him.

I scrunched my eyebrows wondering why that was ok, normally I’d be bitched at for even asking to have wine but my dad didn’t even flinch when Nate took a drink. Nate caught me staring and probably took in the weird facial expression I had and he winked at me.

I gave a feeble smile back before continuing to pick at my food but not eat it.

After dinner all the adults went into John’s study most likely to drink something more powerful then wine.

Looks like I’ll be driving home.

“So where in the city would you like to go?” Nate asked leaning against the wall as I sat down on the couch.

I smiled before looking down at my feet; I was embarrassed at how my dad had practically forced that upon Nate. “Look you don’t actually have to go anywhere with me, my dad’s just being…my dad.”

“I don’t mind.” He said sitting next to me. “In fact I want to take you somewhere…anywhere in fact. Just name a place.”

“Um.” I said before pushing some of my hair behind my ear. “I don’t really know anywhere to go in the city…”

“Oh right!” He said lightly smacking his forehead with his hand. “Hence your dad asking me to show you around…what about a ball?” He said smiling at me as if we shared a secret.

“A ball? Like the princess type?” I laughed.

“Or the rich type.” He said shrugging.

“I didn’t even know there still were balls.”

“They’re basically fancy parties.”

Oh joy, that just went from exciting to boring with those four simple words. “Oh ya.” I said getting quieter.

“The upcoming one is the fall ball.” He said trying to keep our conversation going.

“Fall’s almost over.” I laughed.

“Exactly, so why not celebrate it with a ball?”

I laughed again and shook my head before glancing back at him. “You’re not going to let me say no are you?”

“No, not really.” He said still smiling at me.

“Well then I guess I have to say yes.” I said shrugging. The only reason I was saying yes was because I figured my dad would like me hanging out with people other than Aaron.

“Good.” He said smiling. “I’ll see you at seven this Friday.”

“Alright, sounds good.” I said nodding my head. He slowly put his arm on the back of the couch while also putting it around my shoulders. I scooted away while trying to remove his arm trying not to make it seem like an insult. “Sorry.” I mumbled while shoving more hair behind my ear. “I kind of have a boyfriend.”

“You ‘kind of’ have a boyfriend?” He asked while raising an eyebrow which let me know he didn’t believe me.

“It’s complicated.” He leaned closer to show he was interested in the story. “And it’s hard to explain.”

“I’m sure you can say something that could put my mind at ease.”

“Put your mind at ease?” I said giving him a strange look.

“I just got shot down by a gorgeous girl and it looks like she’s just trying to make excuses for me not to hit on her. You’re making me think that I’m losing my charm.”

I laughed. “My dad doesn’t want me seeing him, but I still want to so it’s kind of a secret.”

“Oh.” He nodded. “The classic daddy-doesn’t-like-the-boyfriend-so-the-daughter-pretends-to-date-another-boy plan. That’s always a good one.”

“Is it?” I laughed. “In most movies the daughter always gets caught.”

“I’m sure you’ll do fine.”

“I’m not asking you to date me.” I said looking him in the eyes with the upmost seriousness.

“I don’t mind.”

***********

It was Friday and I was standing in my dad’s doorway watching him pack as he talked to me.

“I want you to stay with your grandmother while I’m gone until I’m back on Sunday afternoon.” He said folding a shirt and placing it in his suitcase.

“Dad I’m old enough to stay home alone for two nights. You left me alone for nearly two weeks.”

“I regret that, god knows what you and that boy were up to while I was gone.” He said ‘that boy’ with such distaste that I wanted to scream at him.

“Dad.” I groaned. “Nothing happened. I swear.”

“I can’t believe you now. You’ve lost my trust.”

I put my hands up finally giving up. “Alright dad, whatever. I’ll go pack and spend a few days with grandma.”

“I already let Nate know, so he’ll be dropping you off at her house.”

“Her house is almost a whole hour away from the city; I don’t want to make him drive me there.”

“He already agreed and he was fine with it.” My dad said curtly.

I sighed again before shaking my head and walking into my own room.

I scooped up my white and black spotted hard case suitcase and started going through my clothes. I threw in toiletries and make-up before tossing in some bras and underwear. Pajamas were soon to follow before I threw in a few casual outfits.

I zipped up the suitcase after adding my laptop and phone charger to see that it had only been half an hour.

I scribbled a quick note on a piece of paper before climbing out my window and sending the note paper airplane style onto Aaron’s roof where I was sure he’d find it later.

Hey so as it turns out my dad doesn’t trust me to be alone for the weekend like I thought he did. He’s shipping me off to my grandma’s. If you want to try and see me, call this number. (415 555 0692) It’s my grandma’s home phone.

I crawled back in my window and opened the box Nate had given me with the dress he wanted me to wear to the fall ball.

I sighed before getting ready so I could leave and hopefully not have a horrible time.

********

“Wow.” Nate breathed as I descended from the stairs. “You look absolutely stunning.”

“Thanks.” I said grinning and pushing my hair back behind my ear which I had straightened earlier.

I gave myself a once over in the mirror to make sure I looked alright. The dress was a faded grey-blue covered in see through lace with a mature pattern. It had a dropping neckline with completely see through long sleeves. The material covering my breasts that went until about mid-thigh was the same grey blue as the lace and was the only thing not see through. The rest of the lace skirt went to my ankles and the lace over the non-see through part had shiny beads over the pattern. Non-see through material was wrapped around my waist before hanging limply on my left side going all the way down to my ankles. I’d paired the dress with simple dark grey pumps and gold dangly earrings.

“You look great Sage.” My dad said beaming.

I nodded not saying anything before turning back to Nate. “Are you ready to go?”

“Ya.” He said nodding and offering me his arm. I took it grateful to be getting out of my house and away from my father.

Nate led me to a limo that was parked in front of my house. As Nate opened the door for me I risked a glance over at Aaron’s house and I swear I saw curtains in one of the windows move. I shook away the thought and carefully maneuvered my way into the limo.

After the limo was on its way I decided to say something to break the silence. “Thanks for taking me to this…it’ll really get my dad off my back for a while.”

“I don’t mind.” He said looking into my eyes and smiling. “So what did you do to piss off daddy so much anyway?”

“Let’s see…came home drunk, skipped school, dressed ‘inappropriately’, dated a delinquent, invited said delinquent over while being grounded, spent the night at the delinquents house, and got suspended for physically fighting.” I said ticking everything off my fingers.

He let out a low whistle before chuckling. “And here I thought you got a bad grade or something.”

“I wish.” I said laughing.

“You sound like quiet the rebel.”

“Again, I wish.” I said sighing and looking out the window as the stars zoomed by.

“You wish you were going to this with him don’t you?”

“Huh?” I said snapping my head back to him.

“You’re wishing that you could be with him instead of me right now, right?”

“It’s not that I don’t like you Nate, it’s that…”

“You don’t have to say it, I understand.”

“Do you?” I said gazing back at him.

“I do.” He said nodding. “You’re only here because your dad wanted you to go with me. You’re also here because you’re hoping by going out with me your dad will get less mad so you can be with him again.”

“I’m sorry.” I mumbled feeling huge amounts of guilt roll over me.

“It’s ok.” He laughed. “Really, I don’t mind. I would do the same if I were in your shoes. At least tell me the lucky guy’s name.”

“His name is Aaron.” I said not being able to stop the smile that was appearing on my lips.

“I hope someday you can be with him completely and not have to hide him.”

After arriving at the huge hotel in the city we were escorted into the ballroom where everyone was mingling and dancing.

Nate said he was going to grab us some drinks before he walked towards the bar. I was debating whether or not the bar was giving away alcoholic drinks to minors when a deep voice interrupted my thoughts.

“Hey gorgeous, you here alone?”

I turned to see a dirty blonde haired guy with brown eyes grinning at me. “Actually I have a date.” I said turning back towards where Nate had disappeared.

“I don’t mind.” The guy breathed in my ear while grabbing my hand with his.

“Well I do.” I snapped yanking my hand away from him.

“Oh don’t be a spoil sport.” He said giving me a pouty face. “Dance with me.”

“No.” I said trying to back away from him but he grabbed both my arms by my wrists.

“Please? Just one dance?”

“Excuse me.” Nate said bumping the guy and making him stumble backwards and away from me. “Hope you don’t mind,” He said shoving the two drinks into the guy’s hands. “But I’m taking my date back.”

Nate spun me once before leading me to the dance floor as I laughed not risking looking back at the guy who must be stunned or baffled.

“Thank you.” I said as we stopped in the middle of the dance floor. “Are the guys in the city always that creepy?” I asked sending him a joking grin.

“Ya pretty much.” He nodded as a slow song began to play. “Dance with me?” He asked offering me his hand.

“I’d love to.” I smiled before wrapping my arms around his neck and leaning my head on his chest as he wrapped his arms around my waist.

I almost expected us to continue talking but when we didn’t I finally relaxed and closed my eyes just listening to the music and the sound of his steady heartbeat.

************

Once it was Saturday night I was completely bored and wondering how in the hell I was going to survive until tomorrow afternoon.

Nate had taken me to my grandmothers after we got bored of dancing and eating. I’d offered to let him come inside so we could watch a movie but he had politely declined. So instead we had swapped numbers and parted ways.

Since then my grandmother and I had baked cookies and watched sappy old time movies.

It’s not exactly my scene.

As we were watching the Wizards of Oz which happened to be one of her favorite musicals the phone rang in the kitchen and I nearly flew off the couch happy for anything as a distraction.

“Got it!” I said before sprinting into the kitchen. Her white phone hung on the wall and was attached by a cord. She wasn’t the most modern person around. “Hello?” I said picking up the phone which had no caller ID.

“Sage?” A deep voice that I had nearly memorized in the past few months said over the line.

“Aaron.” I said smiling. “You called.”

“Thanks for the airplane.” He said and I could almost hear the grin in his voice.

“Anytime, how’s your weekend?” I asked biting my lip and leaning against the wall.

“Boring and lonely.” He replied. “My mom and sister are gone for the weekend so I’m all alone.”

“You’re alone all the time.” I pointed out.

“True but it never gets less lonely.”

“Well what if I could save you from your loneliness?”

“I would be in your debt.”

I laughed. “Want to come to my grandma’s house for the night?”

“Would that be ok?”

“Ya, she’s really sweet and I’d love for you to meet her…If you want I mean?” I muttered the last part nervously.

“I would love to.”

We said goodbye before I hung up and walked back into the living room where everyone was being attacked by flying monkeys.

“Hey grandma?” I asked standing by the chair she was sitting on.

“Yes dear?”

“Would you mind if my friend Aaron came over?”

“Your ‘friend’ huh?” She asked grinning at me.

“He may be my boyfriend.” I said pushing my hair behind my ear. “But don’t tell dad…please.”

“Your dad doesn’t like this boy?” I shook my head hoping she wouldn’t tell me that he couldn’t come over. “Should I be worried?”

“No.” I said sitting down on the couch beside her. “He’s really nice and sweet. Dad’s just mad because I’m finally acting like myself and the way that I want to and he doesn’t like who that makes me.”

“Your dad always was a stick in the mud.” Her tone and choice of words made me laugh. “He liked your mom to be very poised and proper. But you’re not like either of them. You’re fun spirited and demand to be free.”

“Am I like you?” I asked. My grandma was from my mother’s side and I didn’t get to see her as much as I would like to.

“Yes but you seem to be getting into more trouble than I ever did.” I hung my head not wanting to meet her eyes. “Which only means that you’re having more fun than I ever did.” She said placing her hand on top of mine. “The most important thing is that you’re happy. Are you happy, Sage?”

I nodded feeling myself smile. “Yes, unbelievably happy.”

“Then he can stay as long as you’re here.”

I leaned in to hug her and by the time the movie was over and the credits were rolling someone was knocking on the door.

I ran to it and threw it open before jumping into Aaron’s arms.

“Hey.” He said running a hand down my back as he laughed.

“I’m so glad you could come.”

“Are you sure your grandma won’t mind?” He asked as I pulled him inside the door.

“She wants to