♐ ♐ ♐ ♐ ♐ ♐ ♐ ♐ ♐

THIRTY FIVE.

"There is a quote by an anonymous writer that says, "'When your time comes to die, be not like those whose hearts are filled with fear of death, so that when their time comes they weep and pray for a little more time to live their lives over again in a different way. Sing your death song, and die like a hero going home.'

"The quote is explaining that simply letting the person reading know that wishing you had more time, or had lived your life differently, is not the way to go. Die a hero, and die a person who people will remember twenty years from now."

"And Matt? Do you think he died wishing he had more time?"

Sage's hand fell flat on her knee and she stared up at the counselor, her eyebrows raised up to her hairline at such a question. "I think he died wishing he had more time to kill people, and more time to prove that he was just a complete psychopath obsessing over a fake relationship with me."

"How does that make you feel?" Morrell asked, her hands folded over the desk as she watched the blonde teenager for any ticks. Sage's lip twitched into a frown and she shifted uncomfortably in her chair. After being shot, Matt had ended up dragging all of them to the Sheriff's office where it was then discovered he was turning into the Kanima because he was killing instead of letting Jackson due the dirty job for him. From there, with Stiles and Derek still paralyzed on the floor, Sage and Scott were forced to relocate as they got an abrupt meeting from the Argent's.

One of them being a certain brunette that just lost her mom. Allison had showed up, her and her dad on their mission at first to try and kill Derek only to be side-tracked when they realized the Kanima was actually in the building as well. This lead to a lot of rounds being fired, another paralyzed teenager, and Matt's ultimate doom.

Sage didn't remember much, it was like seeing red. All blurry and out of focus. "Uh..." The blonde hesitated on her words, feeling a lump form in her throat. "I know it sounds weird, it probably sounds insane, but I don't feel bad for him. I mean, he killed all of those people and he had no remorse towards it. But at the same time, I'm just thinking about how he felt."

"It's called empathy," Morrell explained, to which Sage snorted and ran her hands through her hair. "It's not a bad thing to have, Sage. You and your friends have been through a lot in the past year, you've seen things that can change your perspective. Being empathetic could keep you from..." She paused like she was trying to find the correct word.

"Breaking?" Sage asked. She didn't want to admit how extremely shaken up she was about the whole thing. A part of her didn't enjoy having so much confliction towards the topic, she wished she could just be like Stiles and say the boy deserved it but she didn't necessary feel that way. He had a reason for killing them, he had a purpose. It didn't make things right, of course not, but Sage couldn't help but believe if she were put in a situation where she were killing people, she would pray that someone could understand why she did it.

Morrell gave a sad smile. "Yes, to keep you from breaking. Matt was breaking, there was nothing that could have been done to save him. He didn't feel things the way you do, Sage. I see you in the hallways, you know? Never once have you been alone, there is always someone with you."

"That's what having friends is like," Sage deadpanned.

"Not just that." Morrell shook her head and leaned back into her chair. "It's like they gravitate towards you. Like a safety net, ready to catch them when they fall. I believe a few months ago when Lydia Martin was in the hospital, you refused to leave her side—"

"She's my best friend, what was I supposed to do?"

Morrell sighed. "You did everything right by being there for her, but I want to ask you this question, if you would let me."

"What's that?" Sage asked, picking at her frayed shorts. She didn't enjoy counselling sessions. The only time she's ever stepped foot in this office was during the beginning of the year when they were concerned about her return to Beacon Hills, and when she was ten years old and the whole family was brought in for questioning about Luke's issues at home. They wondered if he had any problems because he would always be grunting and screaming in pain when someone made contact with him whilst he was playing or practice lacrosse.

For the longest time, there was the possibility they were getting abused all because of their abilities. You can't exactly explain to someone that your kid is moaning in pain, not because he was hurt by two parents that loved their children more than life itself, but because of a curse passed down from the family line.

"When are you going to let people be there for you?"

Sage's fingers stopped their fumbling, and she moved her eyes away from her clothes to stare at the young woman, no older than Luke would have been if he was still alive. Rather than answering her question, she changed the topic. "You know, today is my mom's birthday."

"I know," Morrell admitted, nodding her head. She didn't want to pressure the teenager but Sage was the most resistant on this counselling session, apart from Stiles who had come in just before her and seemed more interested in the lacrosse stick than his words. "How are you dealing with that?"

"She wasn't with us on her last birthday," Sage began, her eyes getting hazy at the memories flushing in and out of her mind. Morrell's eyebrows furred and she leaned forward a bit when she noticed how Sage's body fell slack as if she were replaying the last birthday she had with her mom. "It was right after Dad and I got home from Luke's game. They won, and Mom was supposed to show up so we could go out to dinner but she didn't. Dad said not to worry."

♐ ♐

"You were so good, Luke!" Sage gushed as she bounced up and down in the backseat.

Her brother, Luke, grinned from beside her as he pulled on one of the hoodies thrown randomly in the back of the car. They ended up winning the big game, the championship game, and Luke couldn't have been happier. Of course, Coach Finstock was busting his ass about fumbling on the last throw, but having his little sister, girlfriend, father there to cheer him on made everything better. Especially when he noticed how one of his older sweatshirts was hanging loosely off Sage's ten year old body. She was always his biggest fan.

He ruffled her hair, laughing when she began to whine about the way it looked. "Thanks, kiddo. Now, what are you going to get to eat tonight at the restaurant? I'm thinking either steak or pasta." Luke glanced up from his sister to frown over at his dad who was driving. "Have you got a hold of Mom yet?"

"No," their dad denied.

When they finally stopped at a red light, the man turned around to smile back at his two children. He poked at Sage's stomach, and although she was growing up, she couldn't help but let out a giggle because she was a Daddy's girl.

"But don't worry, you two. Even if we can't celebrate your mom's birthday tonight, we can always cheer on the captain of the lacrosse team," Hal assured, nodding towards the two.

"Dad," Luke protested. "You know I hate all of that attention."

Sage looked over at the sixteen year old. "Why? You're so good!"

"I don't know. I just feel like if I make one mistake, everyone is going to blame me, and I can't let the team down like that. Besides, Carrie doesn't like being the center of attention either, and being my girlfriend just makes that worse for her," Luke explained.

His girlfriend of a year and a half, Carrie Hudson, was not a social butterfly and everyone knew that. Whether it was because of the secret she had or the fact that she wasn't the most outgoing person in the world, who knew.

"You're still playing senior year, right, Luke?"

Hal Connelly was the most supportive person when it came to the sport, although his wife wasn't the most enthusiastic about seeing her only son get thrown around like a sack of potatoes; but he knew his son loved the sport, just like he loved it when he attended Beacon Hills High and played alongside who was now the coach of the team, Bobby Finstock.

"Yeah, yeah, most definitely," Luke agreed, before turning towards Sage and pulling her into his chest, relaxing as his little sister rested on his chest until they got to the restaurant with no word from their Mom.

♐ ♐

"You had a close relationship with your brother."

Sage smiled lightly at the counselor's words, trying to ignore the stinging in her eyes. Although she didn't know where her mom had been at the time, she definitely knew now. She just wasn't going to tell anyone that in fear that it would change their perspective on her and her family. They were normal; they sat down and ate dinner together, they had occasional stupid family game nights, and they would fight about what movie to watch all of the time. She missed her dad, and she missed her brother, but after finding out what her mom had kept from her, she wasn't so sure about anything anymore.

"He was still a teenager, and I was just his annoying little sister most of the time," Sage started. "But we understood each other. He was alway there to protect me when something went wrong, or if my parents were fighting about something. He was the barrier that kept me from looking my mind."

"My brother is like that too," Morrell commented, thinking back to how Alan would always try and keep her out of trouble when they were younger, and even now. She also knew that Sage rarely ever talked about her family since the fire, and now that she was, something must have triggered her. She was fairly sure, too, that it had to do with Allison Argent's mother's apparent suicide.

Sage nodded and finally cleared her throat. "Um, I need to get to class."

"Of course," Morrell complied. "You're free to leave, Sage. I do ask that you come a visit me sometime though, I think it will benefit us both that we will be seeing a lot more of each other in the future."

♐ ♐ ♐ ♐ ♐ ♐ ♐ ♐ ♐

Sage got out of class a few hours later.

Everyone did their damn well best job to avoid each other, especially after what happened in the Sheriff's station. Sage could barely give Scott a glance after the two got shot, Sage's wound reciprocated from Scott's failed attempt to protect his mom. That didn't exactly work well because in the end, his mother ended up finding out the secret they were all trying to desperately hard to keep from the parents of Beacon Hills. Allison hadn't even showed up today and it went unnoticed only because of the revelation that her mom died. Sage wasn't sure if she could do anything in the situation to help her friend.

Stiles and her haven't talked to each other since the events happened, and she was seriously missing him. He was her rock, and she knew he was still upset about having to witness his father being knocked out. Sheriff, yes, Sheriff, he had gotten his badge and gun back, had spoken to the two of them about what he found on Matt's computer. Everything from her photoshopped on dates with him to her kissing him. That was another thing her boyfriend was annoyed about, and quite frankly, Sage found that whole situation beyond horrific.

Jackson actually did come to school today, but it was all hesitancy being around him. After seeing those bodies at the station that he ripped apart, she couldn't exactly look at him the same way, no matter if he were being controlled or not. It wasn't fair, she loved Jackson, he was one of her best friends, but she wasn't sure if she could ever really see him the same way: as the arrogant boy she's known all these years, the one who she somehow be-friended along the way. She knew he wouldn't be able to see himself that way either.

As for Lydia Martin, she was the only one in this place who seemed to be sane. Even after the fiasco at her birthday party, she was still the only one between the group of them who had no idea what was happening in their town. Sage wanted it to stay that way, for if Lydia was to ever get hurt, or anyone of her friends for that matter, she would loose it. So she prayed and hoped to hell that the strawberry blonde would stay as pure as she can get while having dated Jackson.

"Sage."

The blonde turned around, stopping her steps to leave the doors of the school. Of the people she was just talking about, she happened to wish it were anyone besides the person standing before her. Jackson was standing there, one hand falling limp by his side while the other held up his bag full of books. He stared, and caught sight of how she grimaced when she heard his voice, and did the only thing he could in the situation after realizing his last hope was scared of him.

Jackson walked away from Sage before he said anything else, not even a goodbye or hello uttered out of his moth. Immediately, Sage felt her chest press with guilt and she moved forward to follow after her friend only to be stopped by a pair of hands grabbing her arms and turning her around.

When she was face to face with the culprit, she couldn't help but raise her eyes in question at her boyfriend. He stood with a shit-eating grin on his face and squeezed her arms in assurance. She opened her mouth to speak but he cut her off by throwing a hand over her mouth. "Shut up and let me take you on a date."

Sage, with his hand still on her lips, mumbled out, "Vhwat?"

"I'm taking you on a date," Stiles repeated before moving his hand away. "Our first date wasn't even considered a date, and Lydia went all crazy so I think I, at least, owe you a better one. Especially since it's my duty as the boyfriend and I know you've been through a lot lately."

Sage felt a smile begin to grow on her face as she watched Stiles finish babbling on about his ideas for a date. Placing her hands over his, she moved them back and over her shoulders until she was wrapped into his chest. "So, where do you plan on taking me?"

"Well, you'll have to bear with me on this," Stiles started, trying to assure her. His idea was partially crazy but this was the best thing he could come up with, especially knowing that it was her mother's birthday today. He tightened his hold on her body, pressing a kiss to her forehead. He was still shaken up about the whole thing at the station, but there wasn't much for them to do besides accept it and move on. Matt was dead, his dad got his job back, Sage and Scott have completely healed from the bullet wound. He chose not to list the con's in his life right now, that list was much longer than the pro's.

"You better not get us killed," Sage huffed out before giving him a small kiss on the lips. He gave her a small smile and moved back towards her face, his hands falling at the base of her neck to hold her in place so he could press his lips to her's. He missed her, this. Their life has just been a whirlwind of murders and memories, and he just wanted summer to be here already so he could spend time with his girlfriend and best friend without fear of another person's blood ending up on their hands.

When they finally pulled away from each other, Sage looked up at him. "Thank you, Stiles."

"For what?"

She shrugged. "I don't know, always being here."

"I'm never leaving you," Stiles mumbled into her hair. "But, we are leaving this school."

Sage let out a large exhale in relief, moving out of his embrace so that they could get to his jeep. "Oh, thank god. I'm so done with everyone today. You're locked in a Sheriff's station with a homicidal maniac and the whole schools knows."

"Hey, it's not as bad as formal."

"No, it's worse."

♐ ♐ ♐ ♐ ♐ ♐ ♐ ♐ ♐

Stiles' idea of a date was the forest. To be exact, it was the same forest that they happened to kidnap and hold Jackson hostage in. When Sage blabbered that remark to her boyfriend, he silenced her with a small sideways glare. Needless to say, although it was a forest that didn't exactly scream 'date material', she was with Stiles and that's all that mattered to her at the moment. In some way, she understood why he brought her here. It was the same reason Scott and Allison would meet up, apart from the whole Romeo and Juliet thing - they were alone. No one could hear them, or go prying into their lives or anything like that.

So Sage was relieved to see trees.

"I love the gesture and everything, but was the hike really necessary?" Sage huffed out when they finally stopped at the end of the trail, right where the cliff drop was.

Stiles turned to her with a gaped mouth. "Seriously?"

"I'm kidding, I'm kidding," Sage said, even though she was being one hundred percent serious. He didn't bring his jeep all the way out, opting for leaving it in one of the parking lots that are stationed at the start of the trails. She didn't see why they needed to exercise, she was already running around town trying to catch a lizard from murdering her friends. "It's pretty, seriously, Stiles. Thank you."

"Scott said to make it a picnic but I know you would have hit me if I brought out a blanket and basket," Stiles explained, grinning at her. Sage shrugged in compliance, mostly because it was true. He knew her better than she knew herself and for that very reason she was happy he didn't make it too mushy gushy. She was perfectly fine that it was just them, here and now. After everything, he's her anchor.

"Word of advice, don't ever take Scott's," Sage said, plopping down on the end of the rock cliff edge, barely paying notice to the obvious dirt that would be getting all over her shorts. Stiles fell down next to her and looked at her, his eyes moving from her lips to her eyes, and then to the way her nose looks and everything about her. She eventually noticed, turning to look at him. "What?"

"Nothing," Stiles dismissed. "I just don't know how I got you to be my girlfriend."

"I think it was partially due to issues in the brain, you know, mental breakdown and everything like that. I did hit the ice pretty hard that night—"

Stiles groaned. "I hate you so much."

"I love you."

Stiles started to choke like a fish then, his eyes bulging out of his face and his throat mixing with saliva, nearly having him fall off the side of the cliff. Sage's eyes widened at his reaction, grabbing a hold of him so that he didn't end up toppling down. When he was finally stable, he looked to her with wide eyes. "What?"

"Are you serious?" Sage exclaimed, annoyed as she felt her heart beating in her chest. "You nearly gave me a heart attack! I thought you were going to throw yourself off the cliff!"