Pocketful of Sunshine (Alyss)

[Sage Ersilia]

It was a beautiful day; the kind of day that Sage thrived in, and it was much needed after the crazy days that had passed since his return after Christmas. His birthday had been interesting to say the least with Cassie biting his cousin, and he was not sure he even wanted to mention the incident with Zac. However, as he had promised the boy, he did not tell a soul and kept to himself, blushing every once in a while at the awkwardness of it all when it crossed his mind. Ty had accused him of thinking dirty thoughts, but if he knew the real cause, the younger cousin certainly would have tried to pick a fight with the Asian.

Sage needed a day to bask in the sun and forget about all his worries, since New Year’s had just passed and everything. It was a new year, and that meant a fresh start for him. He just hoped that this year would be a good one. So far, this particular day had started off splendidly. Pancakes, his favorite, were served for breakfast, and the weather was perfect. The fresh snow from the previous night’s shower was untouched and sparkling in the sunlight, and he felt more rested than he had in a while.

And as if things could not get any better, his good friend Alyss was with him. They had been inseparable since they had met when he first came to Hammel. It was hard to believe how young they both were back then. But the moment he showed her his light, she had smiled and showed adoration towards it rather than those who mocked him for his uselessness. Since then, they grew close and he could not imagine Hammel without her around.

Sage leaned back in the bench they sat in, sighing softly at the warmth of the sunlight bouncing off his skin. The boy, much like a plant, needed light to survive. He thrived on it, and he almost felt as if he absorbed it and used it to his advantage.

“Hey, Aly…?”

He started before he sat up straight and glanced at her with his emerald colored eyes.

“You’re an expert with plants…do you think I would wilt like a plant if the sun ever blotted out?”

Sage imagined there would be far bigger catastrophes if the sun was put out, like a new ice age or extinction of the human race, but it was meant to be more of a playful joke.

[Alyss Everheart]

"Pfft, not so sure about you wilting," Alyss exclaimed with a snort and a playful nudge at Sage, ,"as I am me. I'd shrivel up for sure!" Her chocolate brown orbs connected with his emerald for a moment as she glanced back at him before returning them back to the sky. Looking up at the sun, brighter than usual today, she did her best to soak in all of the rays and warmth it offered as a cold chill tried to work its way up her spine. Bringing her gloved, but fingerless hands up to her face she blew hot air into them and chuckled. "But I think I'm a little more worried about this snow and cold getting to me first." she commented softly as she dropped her gaze down to where she now rested her hands in her lap, leaning back fully against the bench with Sage.


Oh Sage, he was probably one of her closest friends here at Hammel. They had met around her first day here at the Institute, and had been inseparable ever since. He was the same age and in the same grade as Alyss as well, so it was pretty easy for the two to stick together at school, and with such similar personalities it had been even easier to get along and form such a close bond. She didn't know what she'd do without the innocent, goofball. He was what made Hammel so much more enjoyable back then, when she was just meeting people and managing to break out of her shell. Alyss was ripped out of her thoughts though as a light wind blew by and managed to creep up underneath her jacket and cause a shiver to erupt from her body.


"Ugghhh." moaned Alyss, as she crossed her arms over her stomach and huddled together a little more as she scooted closer to Sage. Sure, it was bright and sunny and pretty outside, but it was still cold! Well, at least to Alyss. To a normal person, this was nothing, but she was Miss Plant Freak. Who can't even take drinking too cold of water without feeling like she's gonna get pneumonia. "Sorry..." murmured Al as she gave Sage a sheepish smile and decided to draw attention away from her freezing body and back to the conversation they were trying to have by meeting up here a the bench.


"So! How've you been man? I feel like it's been forever since we've actually sat down and talked!" laughed Alyss as she gazed up at Sage's radiant face, wondering if being in the sun really made him seem all the more... 'bright', and patiently awaited his answer.

[Sage Ersilia]

"Ahh. I forgot how the winter affects you, Aly. I'm sorry. Did you want to go inside?"

Sage frowned as the girl shivered from the cold wind, and he felt regretful for having dragged her out in the snow like this. He could certainly handle it with his light to keep him warm, but a girl who needed spring like weather to feel comfortable, this was probably not the most pleasant. The blond lit his body even brighter and pulled Alyss closer to him.

"Here. This will keep you a bit warmer until you want to head back in, okay? Just give me the word"

If she got sick, he would have never forgiven himself, but seemed all right for the time being. She asked him how he had been since they last saw each other, and he smiled.

"I've been all right. It's been a strange week, but at least now things seem somewhat normal again. It's nice to see you again, Aly"

(eeek. It's so short. I'm sorry!)

[Alyss Everheart]

(It's all good! Don't worry ;^.^)

" No, no. I'm all right." Reassured Alyss as she pulled her coat tight against and did her best to stave off the next shiver trying to crawl its way up her spine. It really kind of sucked to be a plant manipulator during Vermont's winters. They were brutal, at least compared to what she was used to back home. It sucked. Though, she did her best to keep the misery she felt on the inside from registering on the outside. She knew Sage wanted to be outside, considering it was an actual sunny day, an exceptionally sunny day! That and it gave her a time to chat with him. Something she hadn't done in forever!

Then, Sage grabbed hold of Alyss and pulled her into him, while using his powers to give off a warm light. It was like her own personal sun. Ahhhhhh thought Alyss as she let out a happy sigh and leaned against her friend. She had never been happier that Sage was a light manipulator. Sure, Al knew a lot of people found it a useless power, and her friend had always been hard on himself about it not being a 'better' power. But she nothing but loved it! I mean, a light manipulator was perfect for a plant manipulator! Ever heard of photosynthesis? Or light-dependent reactions? Exactly, Sage was a life saver, especially in this situation as Alyss looked up and smiled at him. "Your awesome, you know that?"


Giggling and looking out at the courtyard, Alyss listened as Sage talked about having a weird week, but things were getting back to normal, and that he was happy to see her. She smiled at the last part, but her curiosity began to get the better of her as to this strange week her friend had. "Strange? How so?" She asked as she straightened up a little, but not straying too far from her light source. "And it's nice to see you too, Sage." You know, now that she thought about it, she hadn't seen his cousin much either. Though, she had heard some interesting little rumor floating around the school recently about him. She figured it might be a good idea to run it by Sage, let him know if he didn't, or see if it was actually true!


"Hey, by the way, I heard this strange rumor about Ty the other day. Something about some chick biting him? And then getting socked in the face? What's that about??" She figured it was just another rumor anyway, nothing that had actually happened, but it didn't hurt to ask. Right?

[Sage Ersilia]

Alyss’s mood seemed to improve immediately when Sage shared his warmth with her, and he blushed at the comment of being awesome. Of course he had heard it once before, but it still did not make him feel any less shy about it. He was not surprised at her curiosity about his strange week, and although he could not tell her everything that occurred, he could at least tell a little bit.

“Well, it’s just been awkward and stressful”

She brought up the incident with Ty, and he slowly nodded, the dread coming back a bit as he remembered.

“Cassie bit him…I’m not sure why, but Ty was a little rough with her and a guy named Lani punched him in the face. I had no clue what to do…it was a big mess”

Sage rubbed his temples but turned back to Alyss with a smile.

“Everything’s fine now. It’s a beautiful day, a new year, and a fresh start. So…I can’t imagine it could be that bad”

Although he had no way to possibly predict that the year would be a good one, he liked to believe that staying optimistic would carry over in real life. Sometimes if you went in believing that something was going to be good, then it really would be.

“I have a good feeling about this year. How about you?”

[Alyss Everheart]

"Wait! What?? BIT him? ...." Alyss exclaimed as Sage finished telling her about why his week was so 'strange and weird'. "Then some guy socked Ty!" So the rumor was true? What the heck?? Why did she only hear this from a rumor? Though...it is kind of an awkward situation when you get bit by a twelve year old and then socked by someone you don't even know. Or at least, Alyss didn't know this Lani guy, which is surprising since she's been at Hammel for almost six years now. Though, it wasn't impossible either. Alyss was sitting straight up now and on the edge of her seat on the bench as she had turned her body to face Sage. Her face was of pure shock and confusion, but she quickly realized that by the way her friend quickly finished the story and dismissed it as another weird week...he didn't want to talk about it.


"Well, glad he's okay?" commented Alyss, trying to end the topic for Sage's sake and continue on with something else. Her face turned from his, finding something else to talk about, but still obviously teeming with questions about the subject! She turned back away from him to face back out to the courtyard, but kept set up in the seat. The light from Sage had really warmed her up, and she wasn't so cold anymore. Thank god!


It was probably all this sunlight, or good weather that was giving Sage a good mood, though Alyss. Though, it could be that he legitimately was that excited about this coming year! She didn't really know, but as long as he was happy and optimistic. Al hated it when her friends were down, especially someone like Sage, who was normally as upbeat a person as herself! Hence why she dropped the topic with Ty, considering "I'm excited for the most part! I mean, it's getting closer to the end of my time here at Hammel and then comes college!" exclaimed Alyss as she smiled. She was truly pumped about getting to work on her degree and possible attempt at becoming a future trainer her at Hammel. "That and I'm almost 18! Legal adult baby! WHoooo~" she shouted as she leaned back against the bench and giggled. She couldn't wait. Hammel better watch out when March comes around and this one becomes legal.

[Sage Ersilia]

Sage was glad that he had someone to talk to about the past events, especially since it was a few of the people he cared about that were involved in his stressors. He couldn’t exactly talk to Thyme or Cassie about how stressful it was when she bit him or about the incident with Zac. In fact, he shuddered at the mere thought of what the two of them would do to Zac if they heard about it.

The boy nodded to Alyss when she seemed unsure of whether or not he was okay, and he smiled at her reassuringly.

“Ty is fine. He didn’t get hurt too badly. It really startled me though”

The subject, thankfully, had been changed quickly, and Alyss brought up the fact that it wouldn’t be very long until they graduated. It would be weird going to college, but he believed he was ready. The girl was excited about becoming a legal adult, but Sage did not exactly feel the same way.

“Hmm…it does feel strange being an adult now…I don’t feel any different, but I guess I’m going to be treated differently soon enough…do you think I’m ready to be an adult?”

It wasn’t that he didn’t want to grow up or anything, but more of he didn’t really know what to expect. He was exactly the most independent person in the world.

[Alyss Everheart]

Alyss smiled back at Sage and spoke, "That's good to hear. And I bet you were!" she exclaimed about him being worried about his cousin. The two may not look it, but they were pretty close. Mess with one, you messed with the other, and typically, if you messed with Sage then you had Alyss on your back too. She wasn't as protective over Thyme as she was her little light manipulator friend, mostly because she knew that Ty could take care of himself for the most part. Though, it seemed he got the short end of the stick in this instance!


Alyss did her best to hide the giggle threatening to burst forth from the questions Sage asked Alyss, her mouth muffling the noise. "Sage," she started, staring at him and realizing that this guy was just too innocent when it came to stuff like this, "I'm sorry, but I can't picture you as an 'adult'" A few giggles made it out. "I mean, you look the part! It's just...you." Nudging him in the arm, she laughed outright and smiled happily at the boy, whom she was about to graduate with, and supposedly become 'adults'. Personally, she didn't think she was all that ready either! Though, it comes a time in everyone's life when you just have to buck up and take it on headfirst. Something she knew would be a journey, for the both of them.


"You're just too innocent." Alyss joked as her last little teasing before deciding it would be good to move on to a more 'age appropriate' or kidding topic than this. She didn't exactly like to talk about the future all that much, considering she still had things to clean up in her past, and sometimes the future delved too deep for Alyss's liking.


"Sooooo," the blonde started, turning her body and giving Sage a suggestive glance that said 'you-better-spill-everything' "What have you been up to?" Her eyebrow quirked up as she questioned him. I mean, she hadn't seen the kid in forever! "Considering we haven't seen each other in so long, I figured you had to have been busy with something else, yeah?" Her tone was a little less prying, more conversational now as she tried to keep Sage from getting all nervous and twitchy on her, knowing her probably would if he really had something to hide. "So, spill!"

[Sage Ersilia]

Sage wasn’t really surprised that Alyss didn’t believe he was ready to be an adult. Not even he thought he was ready, but it was just an age. Being eighteen didn’t mean he had to start acting more grown up, simply preparing for the time when he would have to take care of himself. Acting like an adult and being one were two completely different things, and his ‘innocence’, as he was told, would not get in the way of what was important.

Sage laughed at the comments made by his friend, but he was slightly intimidated by the curious look on her face. She wanted all the juicy details from him for sure, and as much as he hated to break a promise, he knew that whatever he told her would stay with her and not be uttered anywhere else.

“Well, since it’s you, I’ll tell you…but you have to promise not to tell anyone else!”

The boy looked around them, just to make sure the place was clear of eavesdroppers and whispered in her ear.

“Zac kissed me…well, he meant to kiss a girl named Stella, but he was drunk. And after he realized it was me and not Stella, he still tried and wanted me to sleep with him in the weight room…and well…”

Sage sighed and looked down to the ground.

“…I sorta panicked and blinded him…temporarily, but I still feel really bad about it”

His fingers ran through his blond hair in frustration, and his glow dimmed ever so slightly at the thought.

“So yeah…you could say I’ve been busy…Zac was helpless when blind and had been demanding I change his clothes for him and stuff…it was pretty ridiculous…”

[Alyss Everheart]

"Cross my heart and hope to die!" vowed Alyss, making a cross formation over the center of her chest as she leaned back into the bench and scooted closer to Sage to hear him better. Finally! She thought the kid would never tell her what had actually been on his mind lately. He'd seemed so distracted the past few days and she wasn't really sure what it was. She'd heard that the Ersilia boys had been finding themselves in some pretty interesting situations lately. Al had been meaning to take with Sage sooner, though, it was better late then never at this point. Besides, it seem to be that pressing of a matter, just her own curiosity getting the better of her. Leaning forward, she waited while Sage whispered into her ear words she never thought she'd hear. Ever.


Zachary LaRousse had kissed Sage while he was drunk. And had wanted him...to...to sleep with him?!?


"WHAT THE HELL?!" screeched Alyss jumping back away from Sage in the bench and stared wide eyed at him. Though, before he could take her outburst as a sign of disgust at him or something, she continued "That bastard did that to you?" Her face twisted into that of malice and horror as she thought about poor Sage getting taking advantage of by that...that... BASTARD! "Really?! I mean, even if he was drunk! Does he have no brains at all?" Sage probably knew by now that the blonde didn't like Zac all that much. She had never liked him. No, despise and hatred was more like it.


Though, the emotional rollercoaster of Alyss's didn't stop here. No, it continued onto a different loop when Sage continued and told her about how he then panicked and apparently blinded Zac. Something that had Al stop in her rage, freeze for a second and blink at Sage for a moment before a wily smile started to crawl across her face as dark chuckled bubbled forth from her mouth. "Really?" Alyss asked, as the laughter started to escalate into an outright gut busting laugh as she shook her head and looked over at Sage. "That's awesome Sage!" She wheezed out as she did her best to calm herself down and take in some deep breaths. All hilariousness aside, the final part about Zac's clothes had Al even more curious and a little confused.

"I mean, hilarious that you got back at him. Not that he was trying to force you to take his clothes off!


Wait? Did he take of Zac's clothes? He just ended it there. Sage was obviously dodging around the rest of the story, and sure, Alyss had been distracted momentarily by the other crazy happenings, but she it didn't get past her that there was apparently more he wasn't telling! "Hold up. Did you take his clothes off? What happened after that??" Alyss questioned, leaning and speaking in a low, prying voice. She wasn't dumb, she knew her friend was holding out. "Sounds like a crazy night though. God, that scum bag..." sighed Alyss as she shook her head. She still couldn't believe he kissed Sage! Wait...was that Sage's first kiss? Alyss couldn't remember.

[Sage Ersilia]

He knew Alyss would be surprised by the story he had just told her, but he not expected her to be quite as shocked as she was. She had leapt back clear to the other side of the bench, eyes wide in disbelief. Sage looked down a bit shyly at her reaction. He was afraid that something like that would happen, but at least there had been no harm in the situation. Zac’s blindness was only temporary, and other than that, no one got hurt.

The boy blushed a bit as he received praise for his defense, but he didn’t really think it was something worth cheering about.

“I feel really bad about it though…I didn’t meant to, and if he had been permanently blinded, I would have never forgiven myself”

Sage was paying for it everyday anyways, since Zac was being so demanding and all about it. However, Alyss did manage to make him feel somewhat better about it and did not seem to think any less of him. His face turned redder than a tomato when asked if he did succumb to the strange demands the Asian gave him, and he slowly nodded.

“Yes…I told him no at first, but he guilted me into it…but that was the worst of it”

He stretched out his arms and shook off his embarrassment, a smile gracing his features.

“I’m just glad that everything’s all right now. Anything interesting on your end, Aly? I’m sorry for talking so much about me and not asking more about you”