This story takes place 3 month after the events of "In Or Out of Africa". Sadie has enter her junior year in J.B. Bennet High and her and Ben are closer than ever as a couple. Rain and Taylor are going strong, and Margret has been very deep into her fashion designs. Arden has mended her friendship with Sadie as well, bringing a new ally in the wilds of high school.
On the first day back, Sadie sees her friends and her tall, blonde, smug knight in shining armor, Ben Harrison. Her trip to Africa was the topic of the day, but one thing was on this future naturalist's mind, Ben.
Chapter 1: Colors Of A New Era
Sadie and Ben meet outside during free period. As they meet up, Sadie's looking through the photos she took in Africa.
Ben: "Hey, Red, how's your first day back?" As he approaches, Sadie walks up to him and hugs him.
Sadie : "Oh great, just been thinking about the summer, just how awesome it was" Her tone of voice filled with nervousness, Ben sensed she wasn't OK.
Ben: "Everything alright Sadie? You seem tense." As he asks in a concerned tone.
Sadie: "I just... missed everyone. It was my first time being so far away from everyone, and I especially missed you..." Her eyes looking up at Ben's, he sees that smile that he fell for last September. At that moment, Ben looks into her eyes, smiles, then sighs.
Ben: "I missed you too Red, was kind of boring without you." As he leaned in for a quick kiss, Sadie grabs him by the waist and holds him tight, tears suddenly flow down her cheeks as Ben looks down, he doesn't have the words he usually has.
Sadie: "I missed you so much..." As she tries to hold back her emotions, especially since this is the first time she's seen Ben in three months.
Ben: "It's OK, Red, things will be better this year." Reassuring Sadie that things are alright. Then they finally have their first kiss since last year, as the bell rings, with Rain and Margret coming up, Ben goes to head to his next class, as he goes off, he says his usual departing line, "Chimo!".
Sadie's thoughts: Last year was a wild ride, amd Africa was even wilder. Me and Ben finally got back together, seeing him after the long summer made so happy, I missed his smugness. Not sure what came over me, but, I'm fine, I'm finally back in my natural habitat.