"I'm leaving you," She announced to me as nonchalant as she possibly could be, "I know that this is really unexpected, and I honestly thought that I could deal with being your girlfriend through all of… well, this," She gestured to my forearm which was enveloped in plaster, a few memos and signatures left upon it, "You were the captain of the swim team! And now you're just… you," She stood up from the bench we were seated on, gazing at me with her deep brown eyes, "We had a good run," She shrugged, "Goodbye, Paige," And, with that, she left me.

I blinked twice, unsure of what just happened. A part of me was surprised that a girl that I had been steadily dating for the past year just walked out on our relationship because I had a fractured arm, and, truly, a part of me was entirely relieved. I really did like Shana, she was nice… sometimes, beautiful, and smart, too, but she loved attention, and being with me, enabled all the attention that she could ask for. But, since I had to essentially drop out of the swim team because of an arm fracture, all that attention went away – I wasn't captain of anything anymore. I was just Paige McCullers, no status embedded.

A sigh slipped past my lips as I reached for my phone in my pocket – pulling it out and dialing my best friend, who answered after a few rings, "Hey," I greeted, with a small smile, "Are you busy right now?"

I heard a yawn, "I was this close from falling asleep actually," She said, tiredness evident, "But if you're calling instead of texting, I can only assume that something's up,"

"Well," I started, "Shana dumped me,"

"Shana… Shana…" She repeated faintly, as if she was trying to figure out who it was, "Oh, you mean your girlfriend Shana?"

I laughed quietly, "How many other Shana's do you know of, Em? But, yes, my ex-girlfriend Shana,"

"I kind of figured that this was going to happen, she was really shallow, Paige," Emily said over the phone and I rolled my eyes – she had told me this countless times.

"Yeah, I know, but, uh, anyways, I was calling to see if I could stop by," I baited, wondering if she would approve or not.

"Paige, you already know that you're welcomed here anytime," Emily replied simply, "Well, unless my mom's on a cleaning frenzy, then I would suggest that you stay away as far as possible, unless you want infinite chores," I laughed, knowing it all to be very true.

"So, I'll be there in ten minutes, Em," And I hanged up, slipping my phone back into my pocket, and walking in the direction of Emily's house. So, Emily was the closest friend I have ever acquired – there truly wasn't anyone else like Emily Fields. She was a great listener and gave honest remarks, she was dependable, and ever-so caring, and, at the lowest part of my life, she was the only one who could lift my spirits. I really couldn't ask for a better friend in the world.

As I made my way down the familiar streets, I didn't feel like I just got broken up with, instead I had a little pep to my step, and I was feeling just fine. In a matter of minutes, I was at Emily's door, knocking gently, and, almost immediately, the door opened, revealing Emily clad in a baggy t-shirt and sweatpants, hair tied into a messy bun, and dark-rimmed glasses perched on the bridge of her nose.

"Why, don't you look all fancy," I joked, earning a light punch from Emily, "I'm kidding! You look wonderful," Which was actually, very, very true, but I got another punch instead, "What?!"

"Flatter me some other time, hotshot," She stepped to the side, gesturing for me to enter her house, "Do you want something to eat?" She asked me, closing the door behind me after I stepped in. I turned to her, grinning, and she rolled her eyes, "Food, you perv,"

I grinned wider, "I was thinking about food," I jokingly poked her, "Who's the perv now?" Emily scoffed, walking into the kitchen as I followed, accidentally glancing at her backside. I averted my eyes.

Apparently I am.

"So, do you want food or not, Paige?"

I shook my head, "No, I'm alright," I cleared my throat, and leaned against the granite of the kitchen countertop, "What have you been doing today?" I asked casually, making small talk.

Emily shrugged as she opened her refrigerator, "Nothing much, I finished most of my homework," She bent, fishing through the fridge. I looked down at my hands, knowing that I'd be staring if I weren't distracted.

"Yeah? Are those AP classes kicking your ass yet?"

"Nope," Emily replied, popping the 'p' of the word, shutting the fridge. I looked up to see her removing the top to a small container of yogurt, "So, about Shana? Did she at least tell you why she dumped you?"

Hardly beating around the bush, are you, Em?

"Uh, yeah, she was honest – I'm sure you remember how I got this?" I raised my arm that was in the cast, and Emily nodded. Of course she did, she was there when it happened after all, "And you know how I can't swim because of it?" Another nod, "She didn't like that," I shrugged, "Because she's not dating the swim captain,"

"That's a stupid excuse," Emily said, grabbing a spoon and sticking it into the yogurt, "I never really did like her, she always seemed annoying,"

I shrugged again, "I don't know, I'm actually kind of relieved," I watched Emily take a spoonful of her yogurt, "So, I guess it's okay. But, I kind of wished that she had a valid reason to break up with me, you know?"

Another spoonful, "'Paige, you're terrible in bed, I need to break up with you immediately'?"

"Ouch." I smirked, "I'm pretty sure that wouldn't be a real valid reason, though,"

"I can't tell if you're being arrogant or sarcastic," She made full on eye contact with me, "Or both,"

"Wouldn't you like to know?" I asked, with a hint of suggestion, and Emily blushed, "Yeah, though, that would be a more valid excuse than me having a broken arm, and it's not even my dominant arm!"

"Oh my god, Paige," Emily laughed, "You're ridiculous,"

"But you love me,"

"More or less, more or less," She had the last bit of her yogurt before disposing of the empty container and putting the spoon in the sink, "Anyways, Shana's a real idiot, you're a keeper,"

"That's just what I needed to hear," I smiled, like I said, literally the only one who could lift my spirits.

Emily walked up to me, a small smile on her face, "You're not going all soft on me, are you?" She laughed, as she opened her arms, and embraced me in a hug. Without much thought, and mostly instinct, I tucked my head into the crook of her neck, and, as usual, she smelled of lavender. It was intoxicating scent, and I resisted the urge to inhale.

"You're the only one who'd make me soft," I said quietly, quickly pulling away, "So, are you going to entertain your guest or what?"

"Emily, no. Please don't," I pleaded, "I can't watch this movie again, Emily, you have literally made me watch Rudy a million times,"

Looking directly at me, Emily frowned, "Rudy is inspiring,"

"Maybe the first two or three times, but after numerous times, it really suuuucks," I stressed, all too much enjoying this moment.

She gasped, feigning insult, "Take that back, Paige,"

I rolled my eyes, "Seriously, Em? No," I sat up in her bed, "You can't torture me like that… I'm… uh, heartbroken,"

"Heartbroken, my ass," She murmured underneath her breath, "So, what do you want to watch?" I opened my mouth to give a recommendation, Emily quickly cut in, "And no to any horror movies,"

I sat back; of course she would know what kind of movie I'd pick. Not because I particularly enjoyed horror movies, but I did most certainly enjoy having Emily cling to me during the scary portions.

"Fine," I relented, "If you so badly want to watch Rudy, start it up,"

She stared at me, and I admired her gaze, she really was beautiful, "Who are you and what have you done with Paige McCullers? Because I know that the Paige I know, would never willingly let me start Rudy without a fight,"

"Maybe this is all part of my plan,"

She narrowed her eyes, not entirely trusting, and I smiled, "What plan?" She asked

"Well, I don't know, just play Rudy again, Emily," I mused, watching her hesitate

"Paige,"

"Yes, Emily?"

"You don't have a plan at all, do you?"

We made eye contact, and my stomach fluttered, "Wouldn't you like to know," She bit her lip. Paige, you just got dumped. And Emily's your friend. Best friend, actually, and ruining three years of friendship because you like her isn't worth it. I advert my eyes, "Anyways, go ahead, and start up Rudy, again."

"I don't know what trick you have up your sleeve, but I'm not falling for it,"

"Oh that's too bad, I really wanted to watch it," My tone was sarcastic, and Emily nudged me, "What?"

A brief moment of silence passed, "I'm really glad that I've met you," Emily said softly, "You're honestly the closest person to me… like closer than my other friends,"

"I feel the same way," We were having a moment, but it was cut short by a buzz of my phone. I quickly took it out of my pocket, and answered it, "Hello?" I shot Emily an apologetic look.

"Paige, where are you? It's getting late,"

It was my dad, "Oh, I didn't realize that… I've just been at Emily's"

"Oh, well, please have her drive you back, I don't want you walking around in the dark,"

"Alright, dad,"

"I'll see you when you get home," He ended the call, and I looked to Emily who was watching me

"My dad wants you to drive me home… uh, when I'm ready to go home, that is,"

"Maybe your dad should've given you a curfew because I know that you'd never go home if it was completely left up to you,"

You have no idea how true that is.

"Well, free food of course. Ah, but I should be heading home anyways, I do have some homework to do… and the whole I-have-a-broken-arm excuse isn't working as much anymore,"

"I'm sure that's just completely devastating,"

"You have no idea,"

"I guess I should get you home then," A huge part of me screamed to stay longer, "But I'll see you tomorrow in school anyways," But that's not soon enough. "Quit pouting, Paige,"

"I'm not pouting," I jutted out my bottom lip, pouting

Reaching over, not caring for personal space, she grasped my cheeks between her hands, forcing me to face her. She has really pretty eyes, "Paige," I hummed in response, "You'll see me in school tomorrow,"

"Okay," I nodded, "Alright, so let's get you home then," I nodded once more, blinking slowly as Emily let go of my face.

"Yeah," I shook my head, swaying thoughts around in my mind, "Yeah," I repeated, quieter.

You are in a hole, McCullers, a deep one.

I don't know if I should continue this or not. I'm kind of on the fence about it. Feedback is appreciated.