Chapter 2
SAGE
EIGHTEEN YEARS OLD—AUGUST
Freshman Year
“I’m glad you wore that dress today, Sage, it looks so amazing on you,” Aspen compliments after our last day of rush.
We just turned in our final rankings for which houses we’d most like to join, and tomorrow we’ll receive our bid inviting us to pledge whichever house we ranked the highest that also wants us.
Aspen has the most beautiful clothes, and I ended up borrowing a dress from her today.
There was nothing wrong with my options, but when she breezily offered that I was welcome to borrow anything in her closet, little butterflies fluttered to life in my stomach.
I’ve never had a friend who was so casually generous before, offering me use of her things simply because it might make me happy.
I’ve gotten a little thrill each time I’ve remembered that it’s her dress I’m wearing today, that I might actually have a real best friend for the first time in my life.
The girls in my small Christian high school were all very competitive and concerned with being the most popular or the very best at whatever their favorite sport or subject was.
I had friends, people that I hung out with outside of school, but I didn’t feel like I really fit in or clicked with any of them in a way that would motivate me to maintain those friendships now that we’ve all moved away.
I’ve never seen the point in putting other people down in some attempt to make myself feel better the way they always seemed eager to. I’m so relieved Aspen isn’t like that.
“I’m sure no one was even looking at me when you were standing right next to me,” I say with a laugh.
Not that I’m ugly or anything, but Aspen has that extra something special about her that draws people in.
Maybe it’s her confidence, or maybe it’s how charismatic she is, but whatever that extra sparkle may be, people are always happy to be around her.
Aspen is effortlessly gorgeous, but it’s so much more than that.
She's very funny, and I might have only known her for a few days now, but it’s apparent that she’s also smart and driven.
She’s easily the coolest person I’ve ever met, and for some reason, she seems just as excited about being my friend as I am to be hers.
All week we’ve stayed up late, lying in the dark of our dorm, while Aspen and I have taken turns asking questions and getting to know each other.
It’s quickly become my favorite part of the day.
It seems like she really cares about my answers, holding my gaze across the moonlit room, asking follow-up questions, and remembering small details later on.
We’ve talked about so many things. Our goals for our careers, how neither of us ever felt like we fit in with our families, that the idea of having our own kids one day sounds kind of terrifying.
The depth of her questions and the honesty in her own answers—telling me about her struggles with her parents, and how her friend Arthur made growing up so much better—makes it clear our late-night talks haven’t just been a quick “get to know your roommate” kind of thing.
It’s like she wants to know everything she possibly can about me.
I feel the same way about her.
I’m not the only one who seems drawn in by Aspen, either.
Just like I predicted, all the top sorority houses have invited her back each round.
To my surprise, she’s only seemed to care about ABΩ, and I’m overjoyed that she’s just as excited about my favorite house as I am.
As a legacy, ABΩ was the obvious choice for me, but Aspen liking them as well makes me even more excited about pledging.
After we get ready for the night and are all tucked in, I glance over at where Aspen mirrors my position on the opposite bed, the soft glow of the moon highlighting her dark features.
“So, who did you end up ranking as your top house?” I ask, attempting to sound casual as I finally find the courage to voice the question I’ve wanted to ask all day.
“ABΩ, duh,” she says in a teasing voice as my heart soars. We’ll need to wait until tomorrow to officially get invited to join, but if Aspen put them as her top house, and with my legacy status, I’d be shocked if we didn’t both get bids.
“We’re going to have so much fun!”
“Hell yeah, we are,” she agrees. “So are you awake enough for more questions?”
“Of course,” I agree excitedly. I settle in, completely comfortable now that the anxiety over Aspen potentially choosing another house to join has finally disappeared.
“Okay, so, I know that you’re studying microbiology, and you mentioned specifically wanting to focus on using plants to create medicine, but how did you end up choosing that? I’ve heard of people taking supplements that have plants in them, but I had no idea that was a real thing you could study.”
“Well, I like the idea of doing something that could help people one day, and I’ve always been really interested in plants and flowers,” I offer.
“My grandmother had a large garden in her backyard that was my favorite place to spend time when I was growing up. Everything was so pretty to look at. My grandmother would also tell me about what each of the plants could be used for: pain relief, reducing inflammation, helping aid digestion. Others might be beautiful but dangerous if ingested or even touched. I became obsessed with the idea that some people might only ever appreciate the plants because of their beauty, but they would be missing out on their true value.”
“That reminds me of you,” Aspen says easily.
“What do you mean?” I ask quietly, unable to take in a full breath as I await her explanation.
“Well, Sage, I know we’ve only known each other for a short time, but I’ve seen it already.
When people first meet you, they see how pretty you are.
They look at your blonde hair, giant smile, and bubbly attitude, and assume that you’re a vapid sorority girl.
But there’s so much more to you than that, just like those plants.
You’re really fucking smart, and you’re kind without expecting anything in return.
Your happiness is contagious, and every room is brighter because you’re in it. ”
“Oh,” I whisper, my throat feels tight, and my vision blurs a little as I blink away tears. “That might be the nicest thing anyone’s ever said to me.”
“I’m really glad that you’re my roommate, Sage.”
“Friend,” I hurry to correct, glad my voice sounds more confident than a few moments ago. “You’re more than my roommate, Aspen. I’ve never had a best friend before, but that’s what I would like us to be,” I admit.
“I’m really glad you’re my best friend, Sage,” she confirms with a big smile.
My heart feels too big for my chest as I agree. “Me too.”