DECEMBER 25TH, 2019 8:13 PM

“Sagie?” Kenji called as he walked out into the cold December air. He spotted her holding on to the railing, looking out into the night. The balcony was dark but he could hear her quiet sobs as he made his way over to her. “Are you okay?”

Sage didn’t move her head to look at Kenji as she began talking. “No, not really” She took a deep breath. If it was anyone else, she is sure she would have wiped her eyes and made up some excuse about how lovely Willows speech was, but she knew Kenji wouldn’t fall for it.

“Wil was right, Christmas is a really hard time to be away from family.” She paused, swallowing back some tears. “It’s just, it’s like Wil has this whole new family and I just feel like I’m intruding.”

“You’re not intruding.” Kenji said quickly, watching Sage. He could only make out her silhouette from the little light on the balcony

She scoffed. “You may say that but it still feels like it. It just feels like the only family I have here doesn’t need me anymore. Maybe no one here needs me. I feel like I could leave tomorrow and nothing would change.”

Kenji and Sage stood in silence for a while before Kenji spoke up. “I need you.”

Sages breath hitched in as Kenji’s hand moved over hers on the railing. “Kenji, please you don’t have to-“ Sage started before he interrupted her, clasping her hand in his.
“I need you, Sage.” His voice was louder this time. “This year, it’s going to be crazy and sometimes” He stopped for a second. “Sometimes I feel like you’re the only other person who truly gets me.”

“Kenji,” Sages voice was quiet. “You're debuting next year, your life is going to become so crazy that you won’t have time for me anyway.”

“I will always have time for you. Always.”

The balcony was silent again, Kenji watched as sages silhouette turned to face him, as she turned her hand, holding his as she pulled it off the railing. He felt himself leaning into her, closer and closer. But before anything could happen, the two were interrupted by a loud voice.

“Sage! Kenji! Where are you? Time for gifts!” Willow yelled into the balcony from the door. “Why are you guys in the dark?” She asked before turning on the lights and turning around.

Kenji and Sage moved away from each other so fast that Kenji couldn’t be sure that the two didn’t teleport. Sage began to rub her eyes and head for the door, leaving Kenji on the balcony alone with his thoughts for a couple of minutes before he followed her in.