Chapter 1

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I've been disadvantaged from the start

He constricted the veins heading straight to my head,

Rerouted the blood to my heart instead

I am braindead,

Thinking strictly in blues and reds.

Oh, I'm in enough trouble man,

Oh man, I'm in trouble again

Cause everyone's ears are watching me,

And I never, ever felt that this would be

Anything more than a makeshift personal I.V.

'Cause I fall three times as hard

If it's for nothing at all

You all seem twice as tall as I will ever be.-Envy On The Coast, Starving Your Friends

Sage's Pov.

I work at Starbucks manning the machines, doing all the hard work while Stacy got to do all the easy stuff; all she had to do was dress like a hooker. Her skirt was so short when she put on her apron you couldn't even tell it was there.

She had blonde hair, which surprisingly was natural. I don’t believe in the dumb blonde stereotypes because I know some people who are blonde, and they are very smart. She claimed she hated pink so she decided to always wear a bright purple every day. To males she was very pretty; attractive to most guys with a common eye. I on the other hand was her total opposite.

I always wore jeans, my huge glasses, and a regular t-shirt. I wasn’t ugly, just ordinary. Stacy was rich, only working here so that she wouldn’t be cut off. I worked here because I had to. I've worked here for four years now, ever since the beginning of college.

Even though I strived in school to get good grades for the scholarships, I almost got a full ride. Except for my last year, which was this year.  I would have to pay and we just couldn't afford it.

All my college funds went towards my brother's hospital bills, and I don’t regret it because he was only eight and in and out of the hospital a lot. Anyway, I shouldn’t focus on my poverty situation. I have to work.

The door opened and our regular customer walked in. He was obviously attractive; any woman could see that, with his dark black hair and his green eyes. I always paid attention to him; I mean I was a girl. How could I not? He came in here every day and you couldn’t get sick of a face like his.

He ordered his usual and I always added extra whip cream for him, because it’s how he likes it. But he's nothing but a hot guy, who wants nothing but into a girl's pants, and I'm not willing to give that to him. Plus I want my guy to be smart, educated, with a good future. Not some good-looking user, who depends on having a trust fund from their rich parents, I needed someone like me.

Hours later I was fired. It was about ten o'clock at night and it was getting dark.

Stay calm Sage, just stay calm, you will find a way through this. Why? Why would this happen to me? I had at least a hundred dollars in the bank. I could pay fifty towards the hospital and pray that they don’t make me pay more, then forty towards the Electric bill, and then ten towards some generic store brand foods.

My little brother would be so disappointed. His birthday was in a month and all he wanted was a birthday party; no presents, nothing just a normal party that his friends can come to, with cake and I couldn’t give that to him.

If only I could’ve gone to college for this last year, I would’ve been able to get a great job, as being a business assistant. But it's not point in crying, I'm going to be a loser scraping for the rest of my life.

I'm never going to get a boyfriend, not because of my face, because that was okay; but because my clothes and my glasses.

Now I was sitting on the curb crying my eyes out. I’m not usually the one to take pity on myself but this was all I had. My mom worked and so did I, to make ends meet.

"So hey this is awkward, but come with me," I looked up at him with a tear streaked face, my glasses off and onto my lap. He grabbed my hand and pulled me into a limo. I should be freaking out; I'm in a limo with the regular customer. I don’t know who he is, but I didn’t pay attention to those facts because I was in a freaking limo! Never in my life have I been in one so I admired the upholstery.

"Why were you crying?" Why was he asking me this question?

"I-uh, I just lost my job, and I need that job."

"Well what would you say if I gave you a job?" He said deeply, it was almost a mumble, now I was listening I knew he had to be rich.

"And what's the job, because I'm not a prostitute in anyway, if you didn’t know." He rolled his eyes at me.

"Of course I can tell you're not a prostitute." I frowned, I took that to offence was I not pretty enough to be- Why am I thinking that? So what did he want me for? Did he need a maid?

"So what's your job then?"

"You have to be my fiancé," I started to scoot away from him. I shouldn’t have ever got in the car with this creep.

"What?" I asked him wondering what this weirdo was talking about, "Sir you are crazy."

"For one, I'm just as old as you are Sage, and no need to say Sir, I'm Blaze."

"Okay Blaze, are you trying to rape me, because I know martial arts!" I told him even though I was scared out of my mind. I started to scoot away from the beautiful—but crazy—guy in front of me.

"You don’t know who I am?" His eyebrows scrunched in confusion, “I’m Blaze Colton of the Colton Industries? My father is Jason Colton and my mother is Aurie Colton the fashion designer?" His green eyes were swirling with confusion.

"Wow your dad is Jason Colton! I saw the commercials, he seems very nice." I knew he was loaded, and his parents were gorgeous that probably why he came out looking the way he was looking. I saw his face twitch in disgust at the mention of his dad's name, but it disappeared as fast as it came, so I might have been imagined it.

He pulled out a magazine of GQ with his face on it and the headlines read 'Blaze Colton future owner of Colton Industry Empire is an eligible bachelor.'

So he wasn’t lying, he was serious about being Blaze Colton so I knew he wasn’t crazy, but why did he pick me?

"So let me get this straight, you want poor, nerdy, me to be your fiancé?"

"Yes, temporarily." He replied not even looking me in the eyes, but staring out the tinted window.

"How long?" I can’t even believe I was thinking this over. But I needed money and that was something I was sure he could give a lot of. Look, I’m already sounding like a gold digger. But he was getting something out of this too. I wouldn’t ask for much.

"Just to fool everyone, then I'll make up something."

“I’m going to need some days to think about this. I need to do some research on you to make sure you’re not crazy, and discuss things with my mom.” I replied not looking up at him, instead the limo came to a stop and I pulled at the door getting out of it.

Before I could get a chance to walk away he poked his head out the window. “Three days to make your decision. Either you’re in or you’re out. I’ll meet you at Starbucks when the time comes.” Then the limousine sped off leaving me choking on exhaust.

I noticed that he dropped me off at the bus stop. Good thing my mom couldn’t pick me up today because she was working a double shift at some diner. I got on the bus and it drove me to my rinky-dinky apartment building. In honesty the building itself wasn’t that bad, it was the people. They were rude, selfish, and always in a rush to get absolutely nowhere.

I walked in, smelling the foul stench of our landlord Byron, who in my opinion shouldn’t have pets if he’s not going to clean up after him. I headed to the second floor, first door where I knew my little brother would be.

Mrs. Simms, the lady who babysat my brother after school poked her head through rolled her eyes, and pushed my brother through the door. She slammed it without a word; I frowned and decided to drop it.

“What’s her problem?” I asked my little brother holding his hand while we walked a few paces down to our apartment.

“Tyler dropped her plant and I had another asthma attack.” I knew he felt guilty for his condition but he had no reason to, it wasn’t his fault.  I bent down to his eyelevel and hugged him.

“It’ll be okay, she’ll get over it. Did you remember your pump? We can’t afford to go to the hospital again.” Truth be told we couldn’t afford it the first seven times either. He’s been in and out of the hospital for his asthma all his life, but it didn’t get this bad till we moved to the hell hole. He was just born with it but when my dad was alive we lived in a better place, and he didn’t go to the hospital as often.

I unlocked the door and stepped inside, we removed our shoes by the door and I hung up his backpack. We had a small old TV; the ones with the big backs on it and basic cable. My brother bound over towards the couch and turned it on immediately being lulled by Arthur.

I sat on the floor by the kitchen and picked up a newspaper we had lying around hoping to find the job listings. All they had open were maid jobs, retailing, and customer service; and none of those were for me. I sat and thought over Blaze Colton’s proposal. We really did need the money and if I didn’t get some income soon the bank would take everything we own; and that’s not much as it is.

When my mom arrived home that night, I didn’t even bother telling her. It was 4:00 a.m. in the morning I knew she was tired and she’d probably have to work another shift at 12:00 p.m. She gave me a soft smile before walking to her room and shutting the door. I picked up Cory off the couch and took him to our room.

It was small, two twin beds with the bottoms touching each other and a small dresser for our clothes. I placed him in his bed and tucked him in. I laid down in mine, but I didn’t get much sleep because I was up worrying. Not only about the money situation, but I was already a light sleeper, my brother tended to have troubles breathing in the middle of the night. So I’d wake up and open the window, pat his back, or get his asthma pump.

The next morning I made sure to wake up before my mom so that I could catch her and talk to her about Blaze Colton. She was in the kitchen making my brother some oatmeal for breakfast. I could look at her and see the tiredness in her eyes. She wore out, but we had no choice. I know she wanted better for my brother and I, but I could tell it was taking a toll on her too. That alone made me know what my decision was going to be.

“Morning, honey” She greeted with a smile. “Did you want something?”

“I wanted to talk to you. I—I was approached by a guy today—” I couldn’t even finish my sentence before her eyes brightened and her smile widened.

“That’s great honey! I’m glad to see you’re finally getting out there.”

“Mom he didn’t want more for that.” And I could see she was about to question that, “Or prostitution” I quickly added. “He wanted to pay me, to pretend to be his wife in front of his family. I would have to live with him for a while though.”

“Sage, you don’t know him. He could be a killer.” She told me with concern.

“Does Colton ring any bells to you?” I tried hoping that she knew more than I did about him.

“Colton? Like in Colton industries? Jason Colton is married, so that could only mean one thing his son.” She was definitely putting the puzzle together fast than I could.

“Yeah, Blaze Colton appeared at my job and asked me to do this for him. And I’m willing to do this for us, for my little brother.” I was being brave, and it wasn’t like he asked for anything special, just good acting.

“Sage, I would never ask you to do anything like this. We can get by, I’m sure we will we do any other time.”

“Mom I lost my job.” I rushed and this stopped her from saying anything else.

“That doesn’t matter. Don’t do anything you don’t want to do. I’ve been saying that since you were a kid, and I’m going to say that now. No matter how rough the times are.” She pulled me in for a hug, kissed me on my forehead, pulled on her coat and headed out the door. My  mom just made my answer easier too.

I lazed around the house a couple of days until the day I was suppose to meet Blaze Colton at Starbucks. I headed in and saw Jeremy, a kid I worked with smile at me and Stacy roll her eyes. I twiddled my fingers fidgeting whilst waiting for him to show up.

When he did I rose out of my seat and met him outside. He looked me up and down, assessing my outfit. Under the scrutiny of his eye I felt poor. I felt like the crusty penny at the bottom of your purse compared to a shiny new quarter. He opened the door to his shiny sports car that he decided to drive today and I stepped inside. I even felt poor compared to the car, but I’m sure most people did.

I got straight to business not wanting to waste any time, because he might change his mind. "What do I get out of the deal?" I asked, I just needed enough for the bills and my brother; it wasn’t for myself.

"You get unlimited amounts of money... Oh, and you have to stay with me, to make it real." I nodded my head.

"I agree to the terms. I need to do this for my family," I had to do this. I love my family.

He analyzed me again before giving a firm nod and driving off from the Starbucks, "Now let's get going we need to get to Wal-Mart."

"Why?" I asked confused on why we would go to Wal-Mart out of every place, and what we were going there for.

"To get you some contacts because my family knows I wouldn’t bring home anyone with glasses like those." I bit back my urge to glare at him and just ignored him, staying silent for the ride, unsure of what I was getting myself in to.

When we got out he pulled me by my arm out of the car, but his hand left it quickly. He made his way into the store swiftly; I had to almost run to keep up. Luckily he was so tall so he could walk far fast. I was only like five-foot-two so it was going to take me a little longer.

When I caught up I asked him "Dude can you like walk?"

"I am walking," he told me glancing down at me carelessly.

"Okay Mr. Smartass. Can you walk slower then?" I asked with a little bit of anger in my voice. I know I didn’t know him well enough to cuss at him, but he irritated me in that moment.

"I’d rather be a smartass then a dumb ass." The anger was clear on my face as I glared at him. He didn’t grin or anything just looked at me blankly amusement in his eyes. Well this is going to be interesting.

I'm usually a happy, but quiet person, and this dude was amazingly attractive, but with no expression whatsoever, this guy was going to be hard to live with.

He made me buy some contacts and all the feminine products that I needed. Let's just say he strayed away from that section. We walked to the car and he started it. It was late when we got out of the store, because he needed groceries, and it took us a while to stop bickering over what to get.

As we sat in the car for a second he looked over at me "Look this is all the information you need to know. I need you to pretend to be my fiancé because my grandmother keeps pressuring me, and in order to get my father's company."

Wow he was so formal, when my dad was alive I called him 'dad' not 'father' maybe his dad prefers that, because he seems so nice from what I've heard.

"Okay, so do I have to marry you?” I didn’t know if the pretending was just saying we were going to get married or actually going all the way through with it.

"Maybe," he said with no expression.

"Oh," I said sounding kind of sad, I didn’t want my first marriage to be with a stranger that didn’t even like me; let alone didn’t love me.

"What? Would that be a bad thing to marry a guy like me? I’m the one marrying down, remember that!" He spat at me.

Tears welled in my eyes but I wasn’t going to let this guy make me cry, I was going to do the job for him. "Well the only reason why I said it like that was because, in my family marriage is a sacred thing, and my first husband won’t be my only." I couldn’t believe I was going to cry, I just met the guy and he was mean to me. He was lucky I needed this money for my brother, and school.

"I'm sorry," he sighed, and I could have sworn I saw a bit of guilt flicker through his eyes, but just like all the other emotions I saw from him, they were gone as fast as they came.

"Where do you live?" He asked me suddenly, catching me off guard because I didn’t want him to know how far down he was actually marrying.

"I live in the Bloomington Apartments." I didn’t make eye contact with him.

"You live that far away from here? How do you get here every day?"

"Bus" I told him wondering if the deal was off. The car went into an awkward silence until we pulled up to my old crappy apartment building.

"Okay I'll go run up—” I started but he didn’t let me finish.

"I'm coming with you," he told me, quickly cutting me off. I didn’t know why he needed or wanted to come up but I didn’t stop him. It was like I would be able to anyway.

I quickly got out of the care and walked toward my apartment building, Blaze was not far from me. The building was rusted and dirty looking and bird-droppings were everywhere. You could hear the police sirens screaming in the background and a baby crying and Mrs. Needmire cursing out her husband for coming home drunk again.

We walked to apartment 226B and I unlocked the door, we walked into the small two bedroom apartment, which wasn’t much, but it was home, for now. When you walk in you see the kitchen which is part of the living room. The kitchen was a simple stove, oven, sink, microwave and refrigerator, with a couple cabinets; the living room had a simple single couch and an old TV in it.

There was two doors one that led to my Mom's room and the other that led me and my brother's room. I put my index finger to my lips signaling that he needed to be quiet. I opened the door and my little brother popped his head up from his bed, "Sage?"

"Yeah it’s me Cory, just go back to sleep," he nodded his head sleepily, but looked at Blaze who was leaned against the wall.

He seemed to not notice him and closed his eyes and went back to sleep. I turned around and went through my drawer feeling Blaze's eyes on me. I packed all my clothes into my suitcase that I had when we were middle class, before my Dad passed.

I looked at my brother who was still sleeping he would be sleep for a while, I went over and kissed his forehead and we quietly left the room.

"Sage?" I heard my Mom call from the kitchen in her uniform spotting Blaze and I coming from my room.

"Yes Mom?" I asked wondering what she was still doing up. She should be sleep because her next shift started in a couple hours and she needed her rest.

"Who is he? And I hope you weren’t doing anything in that room, when your brother is in there. And I hope you used prot—” I didn’t even want her to come close to saying that sentence.

"Mom! Nothing like that was going on," I told her embarrassed. You could just see her surprised face as she looked Blaze over in his Armani shirt with his hair neat hair. All in all he looked very rich.

"If that's not what you’re doing then what is he doing here? And why do you have a suitcase?" Then it took her a second but then she blurted out "That's Blaze Colton! He's filthy rich and he's in my home."

Was I the only person who didn’t know who he was? Or how he looked?

"You're mom even knows me," he laughed even without expression.

"Mom, I'm leaving with him now, and I know the circumstances but I'm marrying him because rather we believe it or not we need him to help us. Me with school and Cory's hospital bills."

"You don’t need to do this honey." She repeated her same line from earlier but I was going to do this.

"I know Mom, but I love you enough to get you two out of here, and Cory's existing and future existing hospital bills out of the way."

"I love you," I hugged her and replied “I love you too” Out of the corner of my eye I could see Blaze standing there awkwardly.

And I feel terribly small

When my head works too hard

When you think with your chest,

There's not a thing that you don't see.

I'm hardly capable of half the damage

That I would like to do