Chapter 06

Andrew POV

Without waiting or even thinking of what next to do, I picked up Sage from the ground, lifting her up in a bridal style as I hurriedly rushed towards where I had parked my car in front of the school. My phone was still buzzing and of course, it was Pauline still calling me. 

I knew she would be so worried. I just hoped she'd be glad that I found Sage and I was taking her home directly. The only thing I could think about was her. Her knees were still bleeding and I needed to wrap it up. 

I placed her in the passenger seat and sat in the driver's seat. I felt so frustrated and exhausted. Who could have done something like that? Her words flashed back in my memories again. 

Somebody had pushed her. Clearly, someone wanted to see her downfall. Why were her fellow students so frustrating? It pissed me off, but I still held it in as she laid there unconscious. She must be so tired, even with my phone still buzzing, and I could see that it was Pauline calling me. I still was not in my right senses to pick her call because I was just so pissed at whoever did this.

And yet the crime scene was as clear as ever. Who could have possibly thought of doing something like this to Sage? I placed my hands gently on her cheek as I caressed it, feeling like anger was surging into me. The more I imagined her in pain, the more it hurt me and it made my heart ache. 

I decided to pick up Pauline's call as she sounded worried on the phone.

“Please tell me you found Sage. I don't know what I'm going to do. I don't think I can stay in one place anymore. I will come to school and join you to search for her,” Pauline said to me as I tried my best to make my voice sound as relaxing as ever, despite the fact that I was very angry. 

“Sage is perfectly fine. I found her. She's just unconscious. I guess she's tired or she's frightened. I am taking her home with me right now,” I said to Pauline as she quickly heaved a loud sigh of relief. 

“Thank God. I was so scared. I'm glad that you found her, I don't know what I'd do if something bad happens to her. I know Sage is going through a lot but this isn't like her. I don't know why she's keeping secrets from me. What could have possibly made her lose consciousness?” Pauline asked as I responded. 

“Do not worry. Whatever she's keeping from you or her distance from you has nothing to do with what happened to her. I think somebody lured her to her downfall and maybe like it was a trap from somebody. Someone who hates her,” I said. “Just come home and you'll talk more,” I ended the call. Taking her to the hospital was the best option but home was more closer and I had all the aid kits needed in this situation. 

Clearly, she was in pain. From the way she groaned, I could already tell it. She was in so much pain. I drove out of the compound and sped towards my house, not wasting any seconds. Even when I saw that the traffic was taking too slow and the road was free, I would just speed right through it. After all, I had enough medical kit at home that I would use to help her. 

I got home only to see Pauline already standing in front of the doorway, waiting patiently, her phone in her hands as she paced back and forth. I came out of the driver's seat as Pauline rushed towards me, and I helped Sage out of the passenger seat, carrying her yet in a bridal style. 

How was I even going to bring it to my daughter that I have some sort of feeling or lust towards her best friend? I felt so frustrated but decided that was not a matter to discuss now as I rushed her into the house, dropping her gently in Pauline's room as I raced quickly to find my secret medical kit. 

After my careful survey of her, I found that she was just unconscious, out of shock. I stood there with Pauline, who was sitting beside her friend, caressing her hair gently. 

“Look at how peaceful she is. No worries, only for her to wake up next and she will just be worried, thinking, not able to apprehend what is happening to her,” I said.

“I don't know how else I'm going to change that, Dad. Do you know how I can make her talk to me and tell me everything?” Pauline said to me as I was brought to reality. 

“Back. I don't know. I don't know how we are going to do it, but I know we will do it. I am sure of it. Honestly, Pauline, I don't know how you are going to do it. She is your friend and I am sure she would come to get close to you just as you guys were before. You just have to give her that time. I think she needs space or she needs to recover from her traumas. One of her traumas is one of the reasons why she's laying here unconscious. Out of shock, she fell unconscious instantly,” I said to Pauline as she nodded. 

For I could see it in the way she stared at me and then back at Sage. She was on the verge of tearing up. 

“I have tried all my best to help her, but I don't know. I don't know how else I am going to do it. I don't know where else I am going to try. She's just pushing herself away from me no matter what. I can feel the distance even though she's trying to cover it up. It's so obvious, Dad,” she said to me as I nodded. 

“Huh?”

“Can you help me? Can you help me bring back the old Sage?”