Paige was perched on the foot of the bed, watching Emily from behind a copy of The Great Gatsby. They often hung out after school now, but Pam was pretty strict on them both getting homework done before they could start watching movies or head out to the pool. It was pretty impossible to concentrate when Em was within touching distance though. She laid flat on her stomach, propped up at the elbows, seemingly engrossed in a math problem, biting at the end of her pencil. Paige didn't want to get caught peering at her, and tried to retain her controlled stance, legs crossed, straight back. She knew how lucky she was to be with Em, and wasn't at that point where she could just slouch around - there were still guards up, boundaries. Shifting her weight slightly, Em turned back to look at her, feeling the movement on the mattress. She still couldn't work out what Paige was thinking. She looked happy, but there was just something about the way she sat, still cautious, never truly relaxed. Paige caught Em's gaze, and could feel her cheeks blush crimson in an instant. Had she been caught tracing the curve of her thigh, or watching her chest rise and fall gently against the bed?

Em sat up on her knees, and slinked toward Paige. She grasped the book Paige still had raised in her hands, slipping a finger and thumb between the open page and the cover, she laid it on the bed next to them, and slowly returned to her position, poised face to face. She looked into her eyes, but Paige still automatically glanced down, blushing, a seemingly predisposed response to the intimacy. Em placed a finger under her chin, and eased her head back up, forcing their eyes to meet. "I told you not to look away" she whispered, "I want to know what you're feeling". Paige's heart took that now familiar galloping pace that ensued whenever Emily touched her. "I .. I just can't believe you're with me." She responded gingerly. She knew they'd had this conversation before, and she didn't want to annoy Emily keep repeating it, but it was the truth. No matter how many days went by, how many kisses and conversations, she still wasn't sure she was worthy of it, and wasn't sure it would last. It's that horrible type of self-sabotage that you can see yourself performing, but you just can't stop. You know keep worrying about it isn't attractive or endearing, but when everything in your life has taught you that your worry was justified, it becomes that natural response.

Emily's concerned but gentle expression as she'd asked the question faded to a sad pensive portrait. How could she prove to Paige that she was the lucky one? That she was the one who was grateful every day? In that moment she just wanted Paige to feel safe. "I love you, and I'm not going anywhere. I know it will take time, but I'll be here every day to prove it to you." She leant in placed a kiss gently on her ivory forehead. A tear escaped Paige's eye; "I'm sorry" was the only response that escaped her lips.