Hands by Mac Miller "And I, I bet you wish you hadn't ate, 'Cause carrying this weight'll break your glass knees"

The art gallery was everything Sage imagined and beyond. It was garden themed, so a lot of expensive flowers and plants were used as props and decorations. She was excited that the opening to the gallery finally arrived because for once she was a part of something important to her. She knew she was a step closer to her own dreams the moment her and Mrs. Paisley decided to collaborate.

Her palms were clammy and her mind was racing with a whole bunch of what ifs about showing Dave this side to her, but she internalized the panic. At least she thought she did. Dave noticed how on edge she was when she started tapping her feet on the ground. He wasn't sure if it was because of his presence or not but he wanted to help calm her.

He never knew she was a photographer until she mentioned it in passing one day and then eventually invited him to the art gallery event. For Sage, it was natural to suppress her talent because of her father. He hated the thought of her wasting time when she could be focusing on studies he deemed more important to her future. Mr. Baglio was sure she was ruining her life the more she tried to venture out into the art world. Either way, Dave was excited to hear about her passion and her future plans. He could listen to her talk about what she loves all day which made him like her even more.

The pair was taking their time and gazing at the scenery and the art of each section as they were getting closer to her own work. Surprisingly, Dave was enjoying himself sipping his wine and taking mental notes of certain pieces.

"Sage!" Ella called out excitedly. Her eyes landed on her best friend making her way towards them, trailing behind her was their friend Frankie. She was a short blond girl with blue eyes and a preppy personality. The three go way back to preschool days and would occasionally hang out.

Dave looked up and immediately recognized Ella, she's all Aubrey talked about but they had never formally met. Sage let go of his hand and ran into the hug her best friend was motioning for. "Ugh, this is all so dope!" Sage gushed pulling back from the hug.

"I'm so proud!" She declared.

"Girl, c'mere and give me a hug too. Haven't seen you in ages!" Frankie laughed as she pulled Sage into a firm hug.

"Yes! Thank you so much for coming to support me." She was truly grateful for all of the support, she wouldn't be as confident without it.

"And you're the boy stealing my best friend from me?" Ella interrogated turning to the tall tatted man beside Sage. Dave chuckled as Ella flashed him a playful grin and held out her hand.

"Yo gimme a hug since you her sis and all." He replied pulling her in for a little side hug. The group laughed as they got into conversation.

"By the way, everything is set up for later," Ella said suddenly. Frankie nodded her head in confirmation.

Sage mouthed a small thank you knowing exactly what they were alluding to. She had planned a candle lit dinner on the roof of the building as it had a beautiful view and the chef cooking for them was the best in the city. Dave was always taking Sage out on dates or buying thoughtful gifts he knew she'd truly enjoy so she wanted to be the one with the surprise this time.

Dave looked at the three of them and raised an eyebrow but he didn't question it.There was a reason she didn't tell him and usually he didn't like surprises but if it was from his baby girl then it was an exception. Everything was better from her.

"Alright, we're outta here!" Frankie declared. The gallery was actually clearing out since it was already past the closing time. After exchanging their goodbyes, Ella and Frankie left the couple by themselves again.

"Follow me, Davey." She tugged at his much larger hand and led the way into another room. "Are you ready?"

He didn't know why but his heart was beating fast and his head was swimming with thoughts. He noticed he was the nervous one now when she pulled him into another doorway in the building, passing a bunch of unique sculptures, paintings and other forms of artwork.

"Yeah, babygirl," he managed to say. He really was though, but it confused him as to why he was so intense and emotional. He figured it had to do with Sage showing a little piece of her heart to him and that was one thing that never failed to tug at his own heart strings.

She finally stopped at a display of pictures hanging linear on a clothing line. In the corner of the section was in big simplistic font: "East." He looked back over at her and took all of her in, she was clad in a formal skin tight dress that hugged her curves and her hair was out of her face in the tightest bun. He swore he got a dime every time he looked at her and right then and there he was ready to have all of her. She's so gorgeous and talented.

Dave studied the rest of the pictures realizing the triple entendre behind the title name when reading the synopsis: "East, simply because this individual inspired me since the day I met him. East, simply because that's where magic is sparked. East Harlem. Eastside Queens. Upper East Side." She was appreciating all of him; where he grew up, where they spend their time as a couple and his name all in one. He used to think she was different for shallow reasons but she was special beyond anything he can explain. He noticed the pictures of different locations all over the east side of Manhattan, a lot of them pertaining to their usual hangout spots or just the culture. The last picture at the end of the clothes line was of the Dominican restaurant he took her to the first time they officially hung out. Sage used a film camera to take these because she wanted to set a nostalgic sentiment of the time they spent together.

"You got my whole heart, baby." He motioned for her to grab his hand again and when she did he pulled her into a hug. He held her tight and bent down for a kiss. Sage tiptoed for the kiss as relief washed over her.

"The surprise isn't done yet," she said into his mouth. He chuckled and continued kissing her all over.

"Now what else my baby got going?" He asked rhetorically.

It wasn't long before she grabbed his hand taking the lead again through the elegant art gallery and finally into an elevator. Sage pressed the button to the roof of the building while Dave's curiosity grew.

The elevator doors opened and he realized exactly what surprised she planned for him. It was a candlelit dinner with servers standing to the side waiting expectedly. In the corner was a world renowned chef and his team preparing the dinner. FKA Twigs' Magdalene album sounded in the background and Dave was left speechless as they stepped out of the elevator.

"Yo... you did this for me." He finally spoke up. Sage nodded and they made their way to the table.

Something shifted in the forefront of his mind as he took a seat in front of a smiling Sage. His girl. Someone he inescapably slipped his heart and mind to. He was in love.

After trying the delicious entrees and expensive wine that Sage successfully managed to retrieve from her dad, the pair was ready for desert. "Golden opulence sundae," the server said, placing it on the table.

"You're mad bougie," he laughed as he dipped his fork in.

"I can't help it! I was raised by Europeans and they are loaded," she responded, shaking her head. Sage stuffed her mouth with a big spoon of sundae. "Dave..."

He looked up and raised an eyebrow waiting for her to proceed with what she was going to say.

"You never talk about your parents. Are you not close with them?" She questioned. She was genuinely curious, she always felt they constantly talked about her parents and how they shaped her but never about his.

He sighed knowing this would eventually come but rightfully so. She knew him but not really, she got close but just enough to where he was comfortable. Sage was tired of finding things out the hard way with him. She deserved to know certain things.

Dave felt heartless when he casually said his next statement: "My pops killed my mother and now he's in prison." He chewed slowly, his face unexpressive and cold. Sage was almost one hundred percent sure she triggered something in him with the seemingly innocent question.

"I didn't--" She started but he saved her when he continued.

"You ain't know. I know." He said simply. His face was still deadpan and when he spoke it was toneless.

Sage thought he would let the conversation die and they would move on to the next topic but she was wrong.

A few seconds passed before he spoke again, "When I was really little I would watch my dad beat my mom, but he never touched me though. Until one day." A dry laugh left his lips before he took a sip of wine. His eyes were low when he looked at an anxious Sage.

"We don't have to talk about this anymore. I'm sorry I even brought it up, David," she finally said.

He waved it off and shook his head, "Nah, I never talk about this shit so Ion know I guess I be trippin.'" Sage reached out and grabbed his much larger hand. She held it tightly and looked him in his dark eyes.

"I just need you to open up to me I worry about you all the time just like you worry about me." She asserted and rubbed his hand with her thumb. She could see that it was difficult for him and she didn't know when it was ever a good time to pry into his personal life but she knew the more she understood the better their relationship became.

Truthfully, Dave wanted to just cry but he hasn't cried in years. She was unlocking parts of his mind that he thought he lost the key for.

"When I was like five he was so mad at me yo. I forgot what I did to get him to that point but I know with that nigga it didn't take much." He stopped, reminiscing on that fateful day. "He tried to put his hands on me for the first time and my moms knew what was coming, so she defended me."

Sage nodded for him to continue but her heart was so shattered for him. She never understood the feeling of having to escape violence but Dave was painting a vivid picture.

"Eventually, he was tight at her for defending me so he started strangling..." he trailed off and just stared off past her. Sage was sure he was frozen but she didn't coax him or anything, she just let him tell his story at his own pace.

"And that's why I was in and outta foster care until I made my own money." He paused before saying, "I think that's why I'mma monster."

"No you're not!" Sage exclaimed. She got up from her side of the table and sat on his lap, holding his face. "You're much more than that. You're nothing like that and you show me that everyday." Her voice was laced with passion as she forced him to look her in her eyes. His eyes as beautiful as the skyline surrounding them.

He looked into her eyes and admitted softly but firmly, "I love you." And she felt those three words all over her body.

"I love you too," she smiled. If this was love she wanted to feel love for eternity.

***

Sage wanted him so bad. No, she needed him. She rolled her hips on his hard member as he sloppily kissed her neck. The duo was placed on the edge of his bed. Dave pushed his hips into her center and groaned into her neck. She got rid of the long and tight gown she had on for the art gallery.

"Baby..." He said but Sage took his bottom lip and sucked on it, inciting another groan. He lost his train of thoughts before flipping her over and placing his forearms on either side of her head. She looked up at him and giggled. She wasn't drunk or even tipsy, just a slight buzz from the wine earlier.

His finger found his way to her wet spot in the middle of her panties. "Whatchu want?" He breathed planting another kiss down her neck, only getting a whimper in response. She knew what she wanted and he knew what she wanted but he was being cautious, plus he liked teasing her. "You gotta tell me," he commanded. He took his fingers and put her panties aside before rubbing gently between her folds.

Somehow she was able to find her voice. "I-I want you." This was it. All those years she almost reached that point was happening to her right now when she felt him slowly enter her. This is actually happening. She didn't have much to think about but it pinched a little until he got into rhythm that made the sensation feel good. All her concerns were gone when he bent down to kiss her and whisper "I love yous." She felt amazing in every way.

Dave never anticipated taking someone's virginity. He never had to since all the girls he dated were around his age but he knew there was a first time for everything, especially with Sage. He had comfort in the fact that she was his one and only and he planned to keep it like that.

This my forever girl, Dave thinks as he pulls out.

Endnote: The song I chose is so sweet, I hope y'all are taking the time to listen to them at some point!!