Sage Date was a young man who was well-known for his charisma and charm… Guys like him were often seen out on dates constantly, but due to Sage's OTHER responsibilities, he was not given much time to date. However, once things started to calm down, and he got out of the house to visit the university, he did happen to meet someone.
One would think it hard to point out one specific individual in a large lecture hall, but with the shy and sweet looks Mae was giving him, constantly, he couldn't not notice her! She wasn't like the other girls that had followed the blonde around. She didn't want to be with him just because he was cute and had a good reputation; no… she liked him because of the side most girls didn't bother looking at- his kindness and intelligence. She was special in her own way, and that was why Sage wanted to make sure absolutely nothing went wrong that night.
He made arrangements for food, set up the sitting arrangements, and cleaned every part of the house he could before eight-o-clock. But that wasn't ALL he did! He also forbade the others from entering the living room until that time. So, trying to set up a compromise, Rowen brought the video game console upstairs to Cye and Kento's room, where most of the boys stayed during the day. Cye, unlike the others, thought cleaning up was a grand idea, and so he helped as best he could, without getting yelled at. The bearer of the armor of Torrent, after the all-day cleaning spree, settled for hanging out in the kitchen with Mia and Yuli while Sage had disappeared into the bathroom.
"Mia…" Yuli began, " why is Sage so worried about tonight?"
"Well, Yuli…. I don't think he's as much worried as… excited. Tonight is a big night for him!"
"Big night?"
"That's right, Yuli… You remember that girl we saw with Sage the other day?"
"Uh-huh! She was really nice!"
"That girl is important to Sage! I think they're a couple now!"
"OH… So Sage has a girlfriend! Just like Mia and Ryo!"
"That's right, Yuli…!"
Mia smiled and patted the boy on the head, blushing at the mention of her and Ryo. The two of them hadn't been dating long, but they felt as thought they've known each other forever! As she lifted her head and looked towards the bathroom where Sage was preparing himself, she silently prayed that he would be as happy as she was.
Eight-o-clock came by far too fast, and it caught Sage off guard. He was pacing about the living room, dressed in his finest clothes (think message). The other guys were reasonably dressed as well, and they simply stared at the other as he paced about looking up at the clock every twenty seconds. Kento sighed and was about to say something until Cye shook his head at him. Kento pouted, not liking the silence, and grunted under his breath. Looking back up to Sage, Cye saw him staring at the clock again.
"She's late… I hope she didn't get lost on the way!"
"Sage, calm down, man…" Ryo consoled, "She said she would be here at Eight, and it's only a minute passed! You can relax! She'll be here!"
"I can't just relax! I-I mean…"
"Take a deep breath, man."
Sage did as he was instructed, and took in several deep breaths.
"There… feel better now?"
"A little… But, I'm still worried!"
"About what, exactly?"
"You see… I haven't been out with someone in so long… I don't want to make a fool of myself! I want everything to be perfect, so I wont scare her away!"
"Sage, Sage, Sage…."
Ryo rose from the arm of the chair he was resting against and set his hands on his friend's shoulders, comfortingly. It wasn't until that moment that Ryo could understand how nervous Sage was. There was a shimmer of worry in the one visible eye, and his muscles were tensing up. The worst part was that Sage was shaking, horribly. His mostly neutral expression made it difficult to se from afar, but Sage was a nervous wreak. After a moment of thinking, Ryo smiled.
"Hey… I understand now… This is really important to you! You don't just like her… you love her, huh?"
Sage nodded, his cheeks glowing a slight tinge of pink.
"Well don't worry, then! This girl, Mae, chose YOU… she wouldn't be coming here tonight if she had any doubts about your relationship, and neither should you!"
"Yeah, Sage!" Rowen spoke up from the once-silent crowd. " We'll help ya out whenever ya need us!"
Cye nodded. "Yeah, we've got your back!"
"Whether it's in a fight against some dynasty dummies, or anything! We're with you!"
"…Thanks, guys…"
Suddenly, and quite unexpectedly, the doorbell rang, and Sage tensed up again. From where Cye was standing, he saw the other boy jump nearly two feet into the air. His hair swung wildly as he turned his head towards the doorway, and he just stared in the direction of the door as the bell continued to ring. For a moment, they thought he was turned into a statue. After the 4th ring, Cye cleared his throat and Sage jumped again.
"You gonna answer it, lovah boy?"
"! O-oh right… I'm coming!"
Sage practically sprinted to the from door, then trust it open very quickly.
"H-hello!"
Mae was standing on the front porch with some sleepover necessities, dressed in casual clothes. However, the look on her face translated shock. For a moment, Sage thought there was something wrong, checking his hair and clothes, but everything was in order. Watching the boy fidget around like that brought a smile back to Mae's face, and she laughed. Sage looked up at her, wearing the same shocked look she had before smiling and relaxing just a little.
"Sorry.. please come in!"
"Thank you, Sage!"
Mae entered the mansion and immediately, Cye came up and took her sleeping gear, bringing it into the living room for her. He smiled and greeted her, and she thanked him. All the while, Sage was taking in her appearance: she obviously loved purple, as she was wearing a lot of it, and he had to admit, she looked great in it! Though, he started to feel a bit overdressed. So, while nobody was looking, he removed the jacket and Mae turned around, seeing him wearing the dark purple dress shirt she had bought him.
"Ah! You're wearing it! Oh, Angel!"
Everyone heard that and looked in, confused.
"Angel?"
"Uh… aha.. It's sort of… a nickname she gave me!" He admitted, blushing.
The others looked at each other and smiled, and so the party began. Ryo and Kento loaded the living room with snacks, Cye set up the furniture comfortably, and the floor, too, and Rowen picked a movie. Which, for anyone who knew Rowen, meant that it had some 'intent'. The movie he chose was…
--
"Okay, everyone! Welcome to the Koji residence for another spectacular movie night! Is everyone comfortable?"
"Yes!" everyone replied.
"Great! Now, remember to turn all cell phones off, keep quiet during the feature, and no cameras are aloud while we're watching! Be sure to deposit your trash in the proper trash receptacles, and refreshments are in the lobby! The emergency exits are-"
Suddenly, a pillow came flying at him, and due to hard it hit his shoulder, he knew it could have only been thrown by Kento. He threw a playful glare at the bearer of hardrock, who, in turn, stuck his tongue out.
"Down in front! Lets get the movie started, already!"
"Yeah! We wanna see the film, not your mug, Rowen!"
"Aw, Kento, Cye… so mean!"
Even though he said that, he and the others were all laughing, anyway. So, Rowen popped the movie in and sat on the floor. He was on one of the sleeping bags near the couch Ryo and Mia were snuggling on, Kento was also on the floor, but sitting up against the armchair that Cye was sitting on, and Sage and Mae took the loveseat together. After the previews went by, the group finally saw what movie they were watching: Armageddon. It was half-adventure, half-drama, and half-romance. A good choice, indeed.
At first, only a fraction of the group's attention was on the movie. They talked a bit and had a small food fight, but by the time the movie was half-started, all of them were fixated on what was going on. They would laugh at comical parts, let out sounds of awe, and during the sad parts… all of the guys would simply stare in silence. By the end of the movie, Mia and Ryo were asleep, as was Rowen, and Kento was well on his way. Mae was crying lightly, and holding onto Sage's arm. She was so entranced by the movie, she felt like it was really happening. She took another tissue from the nearby box, supplied by Cye, and blew her nose. Mae then looked up and saw the far away look in Sage's eyes. It was as if he was focussed on something other than the movie, something deeper. Very gently, she squeezed his arm, and that seemed to break him out of it.
"Angel? Is something wrong?"
"Mm? Oh… no."
He noticed that she was still crying, and wiped her tears away, softly.
"It's a sad movie, huh, Angel?"
"I suppose. Although… after you see what I have, this is just…"
He looked back to the screen, and didn't finish what he was saying. After that, the movie ended, and the girls went upstairs to sleep, while he boys stayed in the living room that night. That was, after Ryo and Mia said goodnight and even Sage got a little kiss from Mae.
"I hope you feel better tomorrow, Angel! Goodnight!" And she left with Mia.
