[xxgage]

so i apologize for my spotty activity lately but..

things have been so hard for me lately. my mother is having major surgery, my daughter is sick and i have been so miserable with my current job. i got a three dollar pay cut and then was told the ladies i watch would be moving to a new company and i would be put somewhere else within my company. , so it has been so stressful to the point where i have been literally miserable with life in general.

BUT today ii received the most amazing news, although my mom is still having surgery and my daughter is still sick, I got offered a job with a company elsewhere making more money and working in a management position. i just have to gloat because in the last month i have been filled with so much sadness but today I really felt so much better and like my life is turning around~

[xxgage]

 “okay.” maya wasn’t sure what to say now that she was beside him. inside she didn’t know who he was & finding her sister gave her 5 or so minutes to deduce what her next move was, but honestly she didn’t have one. she was tired of being bitter, but these emotions were so raw & new for her. how do you handle something you’ve never experienced? “for what it’s worth… tonight was nice.”

gage looked back over at her and nodded. tonight really was a nice night. he knew she had been upset with him lately and he had wanted to make it up to her. “it was, i really enjoyed myself. maybe we can do it again?”

[xxgage]

 Felicity turned to him, a massive smile on her face. “Yeah sure! And it is getting kinda crowded, let’s go!”

“Sorry, i hate ending the night so soon.” he admitted. “let me pay our check.”

[xxgage]

 “Alright, alright pretty boy. You gotta pay me back with a piggy back, then.” She teased, “Night doesn’t gotta end, though. Let’s get ice cream, I’m dying for some.”

“i think my nerves are a bit too far stretched to be touched long enough to piggy back you.” he admitted. “but i can do ice cream and i can even pay for it. i just need to stop by my place and get my medication.”

[xxgage]

 “You have been working really hard! I’m so proud of you, honestly I’m so freaking proud of you! What do you want to do now?”

“i have been trying.” he admitted.” he shrugged. “let’s just head back.”

[xxgage]

 maya didn’t suffer from anxiety so she couldn’t understand what gage was experiencing, that didn’t mean she wanted to leave him out there for too long. yes, she was still harboring some ill feelings, but she wasn’t a monster. she looked around the club a bit, even calling her sister’s cell, but couldn’t find her. defeated, she walks outside to gage a soft expression following, “i couldn’t find her.” a beat, “are you okay?” she places a tender hand to his shoulder.

it was bad enough being inside, now he was standing outside. sure it gave him a little more breathing room but it didn’t make it any easier. he wanted to go home, he wanted to leave. why he hadn’t was beyond him because now his anxiety was booming. he tensed up a bit when her hand touched his shoulder. “yeah.. i just want to go.” he admitted.

[xxgage]

 “It’s okay, honestly Gage, I’m proud you were here that long, that’s progress I mean it’s not like it’s a switch or something that you can just turn on and off it’ll take time.”

“i’ve been trying my hardest to step outside my bubble.” the male admitted. “thanks for understanding and letting me tag along.”

[xxgage]

xotcte: “Just more people to have fun with!” She tried to reason, but eventually stopped when she saw he wasn’t gonna budge. “Okay, fine. Party pooper.”

“yeah it doesn’t work that way.” the male admitted as he laughed nervously. “i’m sorry, it isn’t like i enjoy having to end the night like this.” he admitted. “come on.” he said softly grabbing her hand to pull her out.

[xxgage]

this shouldn’t be a hard decision. maya should go & look for her sister & meet up with gage later ( if at all ), but she stands there for a few minutes processing her thoughts. biting her lip she finally says, “just… go outside & relax, okay? i have to at least look for her. i’ll… meet you outside in a few. don’t worry, i’ll show up.”

gage wasn’t thrilled to be going outside and sitting alone, he didn’t do well alone in strange places. god it was a terrible idea to come here, he was slowly regretting it as his chest began to tighten up. “ok.” he said softly with a sigh of defeat as he walked out of the crowded building and waiting outside trying to calm himself by counting his breath.”

[xxgage]

 “I understand, I’m somewhat the same - I hate disturbing or making someone change his plans because of me. It doesn’t seem fair,” she nodded, flashing him a smile. “You don’t usually go to parties or get walked back home by someone you just met?” she joked a little, letting out a chuckle. “I’m joking - I know what you mean, I don’t get out much to these things either,” 

“well regardless I really appreciate you understanding and not getting upset.” he pointed out. “it helps me step out of my comfort zone knowing you won’t be upset when my anxiety kicks in.” “ i don’t do much of nothing.” he admitted and laughed.

[xxgage]

 maya wasn’t aware that the stranger was gage until he spoke in that hesitant apologetic way he did. on one hand she wanted to forget the night & go home, on the other she enjoyed his company – as tragic as it was. “you didn’t owe me anything.” she runs a hand through her hair, “she’s drunk & needs guidance.” maya bites on her lower lip, “but she took off & i don’t know where she went.” she sighs, now seeing that the whereabouts of her sister had more merit than whatever this was with gage. still, she looks to him shyly, “help me find her.”

“well now i hope she is okay, i don’t want her going home with some stranger who will take advantage of her drunken state.” he admitted as he looked around. gage felt his stomach turn and his chest tighten. “maya..” he muttered. “if i stay much longer i am going to have a anxiety attack. come on, lett me take you home.. or you can come up to my room if you'd rather?”

[xxgage]

 “It’s okay, Gage, it’s okay I understand it was getting crowded in there wasn’t it?”

“it was starting to, but that is why i suggested us leaving.”

[xxgage]

 “Don’t mention it - I was planning on cutting it short myself to go study.” she admitted with smile, pulling her arms in the sleeves of her jacket as they exited the house party. 

“awesome, i always feel bad when people have to change their live plans around me.” he admitted. “but thanks for coming out. i don’t usually do these kind of things.”

[xxgage]

 “You really should learn not to care, especially when you are good at dancing”

“it isn’t about dancing.” the male admitted. “it is about my anxiety. it doesn’t work that way.”

[xxgage]

i need a shower and to charge my laptop. when i get back if you wanna plot with  gage, vegas,  malachi or jasmine hit me up.

[xxgage]

  “Oh, c’mon, pretty boy, I know you got a few more dances left in you! Aren’t ya having fun?”

“The room is getting a bit full and it is making me anxious.”

[xxgage]

 Summer twirled a last time before sighing laughing with Gage, “Yeah we can go”

“thanks so much. sorry to end so soon, i just am getting a bit- uncomfortable and my chest hurts.”