AllFreeNovel
Share Us
"I'm such a big fan. I've read everything you've published and adore your newsletters." She held onto Sage's hand a little too long, shaking it with vigor. Sage didn't mind in the slightest, of course. Her smug grin was back, and she glanced over at me to make sure I was witnessing these praises. I suppressed a scoff, trying to remember I wasn't only representing myself today, but Harpy as well.
“Thank you. I appreciate your support.” Sage's tone was smooth and gentle, and I was suddenly like Luna, swooning. I fixed my face quickly when Sage gestured to me and said, “This is Noah Blue, my partner in crime for the foreseeable future.”
My heart jumped at her words. The introduction was basic enough, but she paired it with a knowing glance, like we shared something secret and special. In some ways, maybe that was true.
"Oh, yeah, I’m such a big fan of both of you!" Luna exclaimed when she was reminded of my existence. "Noah, your art is so…pretty.”
I smiled at her, not bothered about the lackluster compliment. I’d mentally prepared for the class to be more into Sage. It was a bit of a surprise that the teacher was too, but I supposed that was a testament to how big she’d become, thanks to her indie work.
You deserve to be here. You got a later start is all.
My smile was hard to maintain as I repeated my mantra that felt sillier each day. I was grateful when Luna started walking.
“The kids have been talking about this all week.” Luna led us down a hallway decorated with colored pencil drawings. “To celebrate, a few teachers and I got our classes together for an art session where they drew some comic strips. We were hoping—if you two have some extra time—you could give them a look and a few pointers?”
“We’d love to,” I said before thinking about it.
“If the Q&A doesn’t run too long, sure,” Sage said in a more practical tone. “We have a few meetings we still have to make in the afternoon.”
“Oh, of course.” Luna nodded. Her eyes were large moons as she took in Sage. “I understand.”
“We can spare a ten-minute ‘oo’ and ‘ah’ moment,” I whispered to Sage.
“If you give an inch, they'll take a mile,” she whispered back. “Trust me. I'm looking out for us."
Trust her, the woman who'd drawn cute comics in my sketchbook when I fell asleep in class but then turned around and ignored me for the rest of the year? The woman who’d called a truce, only to sneak in her storylines when I wasn't paying attention? Sage was as flip-floppy as an ocean during a summer storm. Trust couldn't exist in my vocabulary when it came to her, just like us didn't exist in hers.
"Alright, class," Luna announced as we walked in. The group of students had been talking animatedly amongst themselves. As soon as they saw us at the head of the room, they quieted. I noticed a couple of them try to be subtle, taking a few photos with their phones poorly hidden behind neon-colored binders.
"This is Sage Montgomery and Noah Blue," Luna introduced. "They're from Harpy Comics and have been gracious enough with their time to come and talk with us."
Luna led the class in polite applause. I kept shifting from one foot to the other, not sure what to do with my hands; I ultimately decided to hold them behind my back. Sage was far less picky about her stance. She leaned most of her weight on the leg closest to me, not fidgeting in the slightest as she observed the classroom.
"Now, remember our discussion about manners and respect." Luna's voice took on a serious tone for a moment. I don't know why I was surprised she had it in her. Teaching middle school would have to require some thick skin, after all.
"The floor is all yours," Luna told Sage. Her eyes sparkled again; some of her students noticed and snickered.
Sage nodded. "Thanks, Ms. Trenton."
"Luna," she corrected softly as she made her way to a desk at the back.
"Right." Sage grinned and then glanced at me. "Should I start, or do you want to?"
I shook my head; the curious eyes of the students were getting to me. Middle school was the time when kids fully realized their judgmental powers. I was starting to rethink this whole situation. It'd been sweet in concept, talking to the potential next generation of artists, but my tongue was too heavy to work like a proper adult.
"Got you," Sage said without missing a beat. I would have expected a teasing remark about my silence, or an under-breath taunt aimed at my nerves. Instead, she took full control without one joke at my expense. Sage reintroduced us with ease and gave them the Cliff Notes version of our roles at Harpy.
As she spoke, the tension in my body dissolved. Sage would glance at me for a co-sign now and then, but for the most part, she was being her usual, take-charge self. I appreciated it today, because the cockiness wasn't overbearing. It was subtle and almost undetectable, considering how often she looked at me like she was searching for my approval. She had never wanted my approval, so this change was jarring. Maybe this was her version of nerves? If so, there was a charm in it. As she leaned close enough to me that I could feel her body heat. Right before she made a joke, she looked at me, as if to make sure my reaction would be the first she saw.
I was reading into things again, still caught up in crafting characters for my comic between the lines of Sage's actions. It was dangerous territory for my nerves. I couldn’t let my imagination run too amok when it came to her, since the last time I did so ended with me looking silly.
"Do you already know the ending of the story before you write it?" It was the first question one of the students asked, and I snapped back into focus, ready to impart some wisdom. Most of the students had leaned forward in their desks, eyes wide as Sage shared the story of how she started sharing her comics online. Some of them even took notes, far more serious about learning how to publish webcomics than I'd given them credit for.
"I wing it when it comes to my stuff." Sage shrugged. "My editor would kill me if I tried to do that for Harpy, though."
"So you didn't know Deliah was going to die at the end of Red Rain?" another student asked, their voice high from the shock.
"Nope." Sage shook her head proudly. "Improvised."
