Sage kept typing away on her phone, Nash rolled his eyes before taking his seat beside Rhett. Rhett had been massaging Indigo's hands. "Can you stop that for a minute, brother?"

"Why?"

Nash pulled the printed sheets from his bag and placed them before Rhett. "Well, I need your help solving these equations." Nash placed his hand on Rhett. "And I'm not in a mood to accept no for an answer."

"Where's Tariq and Aria?" Indigo asked Florie. Florie shrugged her shoulders. "I haven't seen them. They didn't leave the party early?" Indigo raised her brow. "You weren't present at the party?"

Florie gave a dumb look. "I left early with Sage." Indigo's brows frowned. "Were you?" Florie signed. "Yeah, you were pretty wasted." Indigo hummed.

Florie tapped Sage's shoulder. "Babe, everything alright? Whom are you fighting with?" Sage snapped out of her zone and put her phone away. She was texting Gideon asking why he wasn't present to give the examination. "None."

Florie gave a teasing smile. "Okay." Florie fished her papers out as Sage promised to solve the equations for her. "So you two are having personal study sessions?"

Sage looked at Indigo. "If you put it that way, yeah, but not really, because Nash loves to crash our study sessions." Nash loved, "That's because Rhett and Indigo don't even open the door for me to crash them." Rhett playfully pushed Nash's shoulder while others laughed.

"What's the joke?" Tariq asked. Sage looked at Aria and Tariq. She gave them a happy smile as they took their seats. Tariq immediately wrapped his arm around Aria and held her hand. They never expected Tariq to be a clingy boyfriend, but they are happy for their best friend Aria. He brings the best out of her.

"It's time you guys came out of the shell," Nash joked. "How long does it take for your honeymoon phase to end?" he added. "Hey. Leave them alone," Sage said.

"I don't know, Brother. If the phase comes to an end, we will try to start dating from the beginning to keep it alive," Tariq announced. He looked at Aria, "I do not want to end the most beautiful phase with this angel."

"Ewww."

"Smooth."

"Awe." Aria blushed and hid her face while Tariq kissed her forehead. Something hit Sage but she pushed the thoughts away before they took up the space in her day. She was happy for her best friend and she knew she would find someone who would cherish her even for a bit of time.

*

Sage kept looking at her phone but she didn't get any reply from Gideon. She hadn't seen him since morning and had no idea where he was. Aria handed the coffee to Sage. "What are you thinking?"

"Just things." Aria smiled and took her seat. They were alone and Aria wasn't able to spend time alone with Sage with everything that was happening. "Where did Florie go?"

"She went to the library." Sage sipped her coffee. "Tariq is having a call with his parents." Sage turned to Aria. "They are in London?"

"Nah, they had to go to New York. They are working with James." Sage looked at Aria. "James?"

"Hmm." Aria pulled her phone out. "From what I heard, Gideon will be running down his first ramp walk tomorrow. His sister Liara picked him up from school in the morning."

Sage took a minute to process everything. Gideon didn't say anything to her. Looking at the expression on Sage's face, Aria concluded that Gideon hadn't informed her. "I believe he wasn't aware of it. I heard it from Tariq. He got the proposal as well, but he rejected it."

Sage nodded her head and looked away. Maybe that was the reason he was zoned out most of the time last night when she was trying to have a conversation with him. Soon after her realization, she decided it would be best if they went to bed. "You know I have seen the chemistry between you two."

Sage coughed out the coffee in alarm. "Huh?" Aria gave her a wink. "You don't have to share everything, Sage. But we are close. I knew the look that you give when you are having a crush on someone." Aria looked at the sky. "I understood and my lips were sealed. Though, I don't understand why you two are opening up."

Sage licked her lips, not knowing how to answer her question. "Or maybe I knew why you two are keeping it under wraps."

"I know that you would've figured it out. I do not want to talk about it because there's nothing serious about it. We both knew how it would end and I don't want to have hopes when there isn't no future."

Aria leaned her head on Sage's shoulder as they watched the sunset. "Do you want to watch that weathering with you anime tonight?"

"Ugh, how much I miss our movie nights. Let's do it with lots of junk." Aria chuckled, holding Sage's hand. "I missed my best friend too."

"You better or else I would've dragged you to civil court." Sage joked.

*

Gideon shook his head as Ivelle went through the documents. "I see that you aren't maintaining your weight, darling?" Gideon scoffed. "That is because I'm a high schooler and didn't have any idea that I would be modelling."

"Cut the sarcasm, babe, if you don't want me to get angry. We gave you hindsight and you decided to ignore it. I have mentioned that you would be having your first runway at my next show."

"Yeah... But wasn't your show for next season?" Ivelle shook her head. "Nah, I cannot keep pushing the dates. This is the fashion industry, Honey. You should know that I cannot stop my production or delay new collections." Ivelle patted Gideon's cheek.

"Do not worry, you will rock the show. You are born for the limelight. This is just the beginning of the practice period for the reality set for you." Gideon grumpily hummed even though he wasn't happy with the decision.

"Now, let's talk about the important things."

"Okay?"

"You will be going through some medical tests and based on the results. Your trainer and dietitian will be decided. You have to maintain a healthy body and be in shape."

"Next, are you seeing someone?" Gideon's brows frowned. "No?"

"Hmm, I don't have any problem with you seeing someone, but I suggest you keep away from attachments. You need to focus more and more on your work."

"Mummmm."

"I do not want to overstep, but I'm giving you a heads-up. Your father could be worse and you had better be prepared when you have a talk with him." Gideon took the seat as they waited for Liara. His mind drifted to Sage. He felt bad that he couldn't concentrate on what she was saying last night. There was so much going on in his mind at the moment.

"Gideon..." He looked up to see Liara entering the room. "These are for you."

"What are they?" Gideon looked at the bundles of books. Liara took her seat and patted the books. "They are your scripts." Gideon's eyes widened in horror. "Scripts?"

"Yes, the production house will be starting the film shoot next year and you will be finishing your high school by September." Liara popped a fruit in her mouth. "Better you read the scripts and be prepared to give the auditions."

"There's still five months."

"I know and you would be needing four months to finish the scripts and practice the lines." Gideon slouched down in his seat. "You know what, I got no energy to fight with you guys. I will just accept it."

Liara gave him a sad smile before patting his shoulder. "I love you, brother."

"Love you too."