Stephanie sat in her room in front of her mirror applying her cherry red lip gloss. There done thought Stephanie as she laid the lip gloss down on her vanity dresser. She assessed her hair and makeup one last time before heading to her closet to pick out the perfect outfit for the night. Shane was having a party tonight to celebrate his 21st birthday even though he had turned 21 a couple of days ago. Vince and Linda had wanted to throw him a birthday party with just family on his birthday so this was the first opportunity he had since then to throw one with just his friends. Vince and Linda had went out of town for the next two days so this was his chance. Luckily Vince and Linda had let Stephanie stay with Shane because Stephanie had wanted to stay home and be at this party. The doorbell rang as Stephanie's heart sped up hoping that it was Paul who had arrived. This was the reason she had wanted to attended the party, she had a huge crush on Paul. She couldn't help it even though he was quite older than her. She was fifteen and he was twenty two but he had always been nice to her ever since him and Shane had became friends. He always acknowledge her when he came to the house to hang out with Shane and engaged in conversation with her even though Shane ignored her most of the time. Her crush on him had developed over the last year and she wanted to be around him as much as she could.
Stephanie looked at herself in the full length mirror at the dress she had picked out. It was black dress with spaghetti straps that came down to just above her knees. She had paired the dress with black open toed high heels. She took one last look at herself and headed out of her room and downstairs.
"How many people are coming?" Stephanie heard Shane ask as she made it to the bottom stair of the steps.
"I don't know I invited as many of ours friends as possible. They might have invited other people they know" Stephanie heard the familiar voice answer. It was Paul, he had been the one at the door earlier just as she had hoped. She felt giddy and nervous as she made her way towards the kitchen where Shane and Paul's voices were coming from.
She made it to the doorway of the kitchen and stopped. He was sitting on a bar stool at the kitchen counter with his back turned at her, he was wearing his black leather jacket and denim jeans with his hair tied back. Shane was standing in front of him on the other side of the counter and sitting on the counter was a large supply of alcohol.
"What are you doing?" Shane asked as he looked in her direction and seen what she was wearing.
"Just waiting on the party" replied Stephanie as Paul turned and looked in her direction. Paul looked at what she was wearing and smiled at her. She felt her breath hitch in her throat, she loved his smile.
"Don't you look all fancy little McMahon" said Paul as Stephanie smiled shyly. Little McMahon had been Paul's nickname for her ever since they had met. He hadn't seen her as more than Shane's little sister but she was hoping she could prove tonight that she was growing up. She was no longer that eleven year old girl he met four years ago.
"I don't think so. You're not invited, you are way too young" said Shane sternly.
"I'm fifteen Shane" replied Stephanie crossing her arms across her chest
"I don't care, you are still too young. There is going to be alcohol and people way older than you. You are not participating in this" Stephanie rolled her eyes at her brother. She wasn't sure if Shane was trying to be overprotective or he just didn't want her to be around.
"Let her stay Shane. I'm sure you were doing stuff like this at fifteen. Let her live a little, I'll make sure she doesn't get in trouble" said Paul as he winked at Stephanie and Stephanie felt the blood rush to her cheeks.
"Absolutely not" whispered Shane to Paul. Stephanie stood and watch them whisper back and forth to each other not quite hearing what they were saying. She heard Shane whisper the word young a couple of times but she couldn't quite make out anything else. Finally Shane looked over towards her.
"You can stay but only if you don't drink and just try to stay out of the way. DO NOT tell mom and dad, got it?" Shane asked looking at her with a serious expression on his face.
"Fine" replied Stephanie with a smile of victory on her face.
Twenty minutes later the party had started, the house was full of people everywhere and people just kept pouring in. Stephanie had been pretty much glued to Paul's side as he mingled with different people at the party. Occasionally he would put his arm around her shoulder and playfully wink at her. Shane seemed to keep an eye on her as she moved around the party, probably making sure she wasn't drinking. He still wasn't happy that she was down here in the midst of the partying.
"I'm going to outside for a minute" Paul said into her ear so she could hear over the music.
"Okay I'm going to head to the kitchen for a soda" replied Stephanie back into his ear.
She watched him head outside before she headed through the crowds of people to the kitchen. Stephanie quickly grabbed a soda and weaved her way through people standing around talking and some that were dancing. She headed outside in search of Paul. She didn't have to look very far as she spotted him sitting on a bench in the yard. Stephanie headed away from the people standing on the porch talking and some couples making out. She made her way to the bench and sat down next to Paul as he took a drink out of his red plastic cup which she was sure contained alcohol. He smiled over at her as she opened her soda and took a drink.
"Having fun?" Paul asked
"Yeah aren't you?" Stephanie asked as he took another drink.
"I'm having a good time. I just needed to away from the blaring music for a minute" replied Paul sighing and tilting his head back.
"Thanks by the way for getting Shane to let me stay" Stephanie said as Paul smiled.
"Ah it was nothing, besides you'll be sneaking off to party's like this soon enough. At least here we can keep an eye out for you" replied Paul taking another drink from his cup. Stephanie smiled as she felt her heart melt a little knowing he cared about her.
"So what are you drinking? Asked Stephanie curiously as Paul shifted his body turning towards her more.
"Jack and coke, more Jack than anything" he took another drink as Stephanie watched him. As soon as he took a drink Stephanie grabbed the cup from him.
"What are you doing?" Paul asked suspiciously
"Just curious" replied Stephanie putting the cup to her lips.
"Don't you dare" replied Paul sternly
"Lighten up. You're starting to sound like Shane" Stephanie said as she put her lips on the side of the cup.
"Seriously don't. Your brother told you no drinking and you are too young for it" Paul replied as he went to grab the cup from her but she slid down the bench quickly and tipped the cup up taking a drink. Her nose scrunched up at the taste and she swallowed it with a bitter face. Paul looked at her disapprovingly and slid down the bench to where she was taking the cup from her.
"I told you not to do that" Paul said as he couldn't help but grin from the expression on her face
"Ugh how do you drink that?" Stephanie asked making another face as Paul started laughing
"You know I'm going to have to tell your brother"
"Please don't" pleaded Stephanie as her blue eyes widened. Paul leaned over closer to her with a smile. She could see the amusement in his brown eyes.
"What do I get if I don't?" Paul asked with a smile. Stephanie's heart started beating fast as she realized how close their faces were. Suddenly she leaned over to kiss him, like she had no control over her movements. Her eyes closed and ready for their lips to meet me when she felt a cool light breeze hit her face. She opened her eyes to see Paul had moved down the bench leaving space between them. Paul cleared his throat as he looked at her, Stephanie felt like she could die from embarrassment.
"Steph.."
"I don't want to talk about it" Stephanie interrupted wrapping her arms around herself as the wind start to pick up chilling her arms.
"Do you have feelings for me?" Paul asked not dropping what had just happened. Stephanie looked down and bit her bottom lip feeling her cheeks warm from embarrassment and tears starting to sting her eyes threatening to fall. Paul continued to stare at her as she tried to regain composure.
"Maybe" Stephanie replied quietly as she watched Paul slide back closer to her and put his arm around her. Stephanie couldn't help but feel pleased by this, maybe he liked her too.
"Steph I'm way too old for you" Stephanie felt the pain of his rejection sting in her chest. She knew it was too good to be true, he was just letting her down easy. "I could go to jail but not only that you're my best friends sister. It can never happen."
Stephanie couldn't stay here any longer. She pushed his arm off of her and quickly got up from the bench and raced for the house.
"Steph please don't be mad" Paul called after her as a car pulled into the driveway. Paul knew that car. He watched as Vince and Linda stepped out of the car and into the driveway. Vince's face was furious, Shane was in some deep trouble.
"WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?" Shouted Vince at the two of them as they sat on the couch. Vince was pacing the floor in front of him trying to calm down. Everyone had fled from the party and Shane and Stephanie were now in trouble as he stood yelling at them.
"It wasn't my idea" Stephanie defended herself as she watched him pace the floor.
"Did you try to stop it?" Vince asked stopping and staring at her.
"No..."
"Exactly. You could of called your mother and I but you went a long with it so don't think you're off the hook young lady" Vince spat as he went to pacing the floors again.
"Vince maybe we should send them to their rooms until you have calmed down" Linda suggested looking at Vince worried that he might have a heart attack or pass out.
"I'm twenty one years old mother..." Shane started but stopped when Vince stopped and glared at him coldly.
"You know you're right Shane. You're twenty one years old you should be doing something other than partying every other day" said Vince a little to calmly. Stephanie and Shane knew this wasn't going to be good. "So I'm going to give you two options Shane."
"What are they?" Shane asked knowing he wasn't going to like it.
"First option is you go back to college and your mother and I will pay for it and even an apartment for you to live so you don't have to stay in a dorm. Second option is if you don't want to go back to school then you get a job and move out and pay your own bills. You put going back to college off for far too long now just so you can party and not have any responsibility and quiet frankly I'm tired of it. It's take to take responsibility and do something with your life. So which will it be?" Vince asked staring at him while Shane just stared back with a blank face.
"Vince I don't..." Linda started to say but Vince quickly cut her off.
"No Linda its time he acted like an adult"
"You know what dad I think I'm going to take the second option" replied Shane as everyone stared at him in shock. "I'm tired of being threatened to be cut off. I'll be out of here first thing tomorrow" Shane replied getting up and walking upstairs.
"Vince."
"No Linda he made his choice" replied Vince and then he looked over at Stephanie "and as for you, you're grounded until I say otherwise. No going out, no talking to friends on the phone, no sleepovers and you will help clean this house. From now on when your mother and I have to go out of town you will be coming with us."
Stephanie nodded her head not saying anything as she got up and went to her room. As soon as she closed her bedroom door she started crying. Paul had rejected her feelings towards him and now her brother was leaving, she wasn't sure she could take anything else for the night.
The next day Shane started moving his stuff with Paul's help. He was moving into an apartment with Paul half across from the state to get away from Vince. Vince had pissed him off and he was ready to make his own money and get out from underneath Vince's thumb. Stephanie stayed far away from Paul as he helped Shane, she didn't want to talk about last night. She couldn't help but still catch glances at him though. When the final box of Shane's was loaded he smiled at Stephanie and hugged her.
"Don't worry I'll come back and visit" whispered Shane in her ear.
"You promise?" Stephanie asked quietly
"Promise" Shane replied as he ended the hug and smiled at her and he turned and hugged Linda. He took one last look and climbed into the U-Haul and drove off.
Shane kept his promise and came back to visit often through the years but Stephanie never saw Paul again. Paul never showed up with Shane, she guessed it was because they seen each other all the time now so he had no reason to come here. In a way Stephanie was glad she didn't have to face him again but then again she was sad because she would never see him again.
*5 Years Later*
Stephanie's high heels echoed off the floor with each step she took as she made her way into the airport. She was a nervous wreck, she didn't know how this was going to go but she couldn't stay here any longer. Stephanie had been attending Boston University but lately getting up and going to classes everyday started to feel repetitive and mundane. She felt like she was missing out on other things, so after the spring semester was over Stephanie decided she would head back home to her parent's house and take a year off. Her 20th birthday would be in two months and she really wanted to be home and celebrate with family and friends and just let loose and have fun. She had been way too serious, always studying and hardly getting out. She did have some relationships but they were never really serious and her last boyfriend she had broke up with at the beginning of the year. She knew she was going back home so why prolong the relationship any longer? The only thing about going home was that her parents had no idea and she was sure they weren't going to be happy. She just hoped they would understand and not think she would do the same thing Shane did. Although Shane did turn his life around. He had went to community college and graduated and worked for some kind of law business and was pretty successful now.
Stephanie started to feel even more nervous as she boarded the plane and sat down in her seat. She really hoped her parents would let her stay with them and just give her the time she needed. Stephanie watched as people boarded the plane and when everyone had boarded she waited patiently to take off so she could face the problems ahead.
The cab pulled up to Stephanie's parents house as she got out her money to pay the cab driver. The flight here had felt so long, only because she was dreading actually making it here. Now that she was here she feel the anxiety rising in her chest.
"Thanks" said Stephanie as she paid the cab driver and opened the door and stepped out onto the curb with her suitcases.
Stephanie stood there for a moment just looking at the house praying that this would go a lot better then it had in her head. She slowly made her way up to the door and took a deep breath and walked inside.
Stephanie walked into the empty living room and put her suitcases down beside of the couch and sat down. She sank down in the couch closing her eyes, she really had missed being home.
"Linda" called a voice on the stairs behind her, it was her father's voice. Stephanie sat up and turned where she could see him but Vince wasn't looking in her direction as he came down the stairs. Finally he reached the bottom of the staircase "Linda..."
Vince had finally looked in Stephanie's direction, he had a confused expression in his face.
"Stephanie?"
"I know we haven't seen each other since the holidays dad but I haven't changed that much" joked Stephanie
"It's just I wasn't expecting to see you" Vince smiled coming over and hugging her. "Are you going to be staying home for the summer?"
"Actually.."
"Stephanie" Linda said as Stephanie turned to look at her. She had walked out of the kitchen with a smile on her face. Linda came over and hugged her just as Vince had done. "I missed you sweetie."
"I missed you too mom" smiled Stephanie as the hug ended.
"So did I hear your father correctly that you're home for the summer?" Asked Linda
"Well that's what I wanted to talk to you about..."
"It can wait until tonight" Vince said with a smile "I want us all to have a nice dinner together."
"You don't have to do that just because I'm home"
"Well...It's just not that. Shane is staying here for a couple of days and we can have dinner like we used to" Vince explained as he took out his ringing cellphone and excused himself and headed to his office.
"Wow I can't believe Shane is going to be staying here" said Stephanie to Linda in disbelief.
"Shane and your father are finally starting to see eye to eye. Shane came back here to look for an apartment because he got a better job offer closer to home. So Vince suggested he stay here, it surprised the hell out of me."
"I'm surprised too. I noticed over the holidays they were talking more than they have since...well that night" Stephanie trailed off with her sentence not wanting to bring that night up. It had took quiet awhile for Shane to even acknowledge Vince's presence in the room when he would visit and she was happy that they were finally getting along again.
"Hopefully the past is behind us now" Linda replied almost like she was reading Stephanie's mind. "Why don't you go upstairs and unpack and I'll make us a light lunch."
Linda smiled and hugged Stephanie one last before heading to the kitchen. Stephanie grabbed her suitcases and headed upstairs to her room.
As soon as Stephanie had unpacked she decided to take a quick shower and change into something more comfortable. She felt a lot better after the shower and her nerves finally calmed down after seeing how happy her parents were to have her home. She just hoped they still would be happy when she told them she would be staying for the year. Stephanie pushed those thoughts to the back of her mind as she made her way back downstairs. Stephanie had made it halfway downstairs when she looked up to see Shane coming in to the living room.
"Shane!" Stephanie exclaimed excitedly as he looked up at her and his face broke into a huge grin. She practically raced down the stairs to him and threw her arms around him and hugged him tightly.
"I didn't expect to see you" said Shane as they broke from the hug. Stephanie really had missed Shane after he moved out even though he had annoyed her when he did live there. Then she hardly got to see any of her family after to going to college and it was a great feeling to know she would be seeing them everyday again, especially since Shane was moving back.
"Where should I put all of this Shane?" A familiar voice asked that Stephanie knew all to well.
"Just pick one of the guestrooms" replied Shane as he moved out in front of Stephanie leaving her looking down the entrance hallway at Paul. Stephanie felt her heart beat faster. No there is no way you still have feelings for him, its been five years thought Stephanie to herself as she watched him fumble with suitcases. He hadn't even notice her as he had his attention on the suitcases, finally when he had got as many suitcases as he could carry he looked up straight into her eyes. Paul just stood there rooted to his spot still holding on to the suitcases.
"Little McMahon?" Paul asked in disbelief and in that moment Stephanie realized how much she detested that nickname. She wasn't a little girl anymore. Paul finally broke eye contact with her and she felt relieved because she had started to feel a little uncomfortable just standing there staring at each other. Then she realized he had only broke eye contact because he was now standing there running his eyes down her body. She felt the heat in cheeks as she suddenly felt exposed, she had threw on a low cut t-shirt that revealed a little cleavage and a pair of shorts that were almost a little to short earlier after her shower. She wasn't sure why Paul was standing there staring at her like that. She knew her clothes were a little revealing but he made it clear that he still thought of her as "Little McMahon" since that was the first words out of his mouth to her. She still couldn't help but feel the butterflies in her stomach like she used to and the way he was staring at her made her feel weak in the knees.
"Yeah it's been awhile" said Stephanie breaking the silence as he stopped eyeing her and started making his way into the living room. When Paul made it to the living room he put the suitcases down and she suddenly felt his arms wrap around her into a hug. Stephanie was surprised but return the hug as her heart started frantically beating in her chest. The last time she had seen him it seemed like he didn't want to even sit beside her in case she touched him, so she was surprised he was hugging her as if nothing had happened.
"Steph you remember Paul" said Shane stating the obvious.
"Oh is that who this is" Stephanie joked as the hug ended and Paul smirked at her.
"You know you could never forget me" laughed Paul as Stephanie felt her cheeks go red. She wondered if he was referring to the crush she once had on him.
"Stepha...oh Paul and Shane are here" Linda said as she came into the living room.
"We made it safely and thanks again Linda for letting us crash here" replied Paul as he picked up the suitcases once again.
"It's really no problem. Make yourself at home"
"Okay well lets get this suitcases upstairs and you can pick a guestroom" said Shane as he went and picked up the suitcases that Paul left sitting in the hallway. Stephanie watched speechless as Paul headed upstairs with Shane closely behind him. She had no idea that Paul was going to be staying there too, she just thought it was Shane.
"I came in here Stephanie to tell you that lunch is ready" said Linda breaking her out of her thoughts. Stephanie just smiled at Linda as they started walking towards the kitchen.
Stephanie was sitting at the kitchen counter enjoying her chicken salad sandwich with Linda. She had definitely missed her mom doing small stuff like this for her. She just missed home in general.
"So you didn't mention anything about Paul staying here too" Stephanie said as she finished a bite of her sandwich.
"Is it a problem?" Linda asked confused
"No I was just surprised that's all. I haven't seen him in forever" replied Stephanie nonchalantly trying to make sure Linda didn't know the feelings she once had for him, or maybe still had.
"There you are" said Vince as he strolled into the kitchen "I talked to Shane about dinner tonight so it will be tonight at seven."
"Sounds good" replied Stephanie taking another bite of her sandwich.
"Thanks for having lunch with me Stephanie but I have some things to do before dinner tonight" Linda said as she got up and put her dish in the sink.
"No thank you. I missed this" Stephanie with a smile as Linda came over and gave her a hug.
"I missed this too" replied Linda and then her and Vince headed out of the kitchen leaving Stephanie to finish her lunch.
Stephanie picked up her wine glass to take another drink when she noticed she had finished it off. Stephanie picked up the bottle to pour more but found that it was empty. Linda and her had finished off what was left in the bottle apparently, although there couldn't of been been very much in it to begin with since that had only had a glass each. Stephanie got up and went to the cabinet where her mom usually put the wine. Stephanie wasn't of legal age to drink yet but Linda would let her drink a glass or two with her on occasion so she was sure Linda wouldn't mind if she got another glass.
As Stephanie went to grab the bottle of wine in the cabinet she felt someone push up against her and grab the bottle before she did.
"Is someone trying to get a little drunk?" Her body tensed up at the sound of his voice and at how close his body was to her's.
"No I'm not trying to get drunk. I'm just having another glass" Stephanie replied a little defensively. She felt like he was trying to scold her for drinking just like that night...no she wouldn't go back and relieve that embarrassing memory. Paul just stood there with a smirk on his face until he handed her the bottle. Stephanie slid out of the way and went back to sit in her seat.
"How have you been?" Paul asked as she sat down and poured another glass of wine.
"I've been good" replied Stephanie with a smile. She wondered if he was trying to make conversation just to be nice, he was probably just trying to clear things up between them from what happened five years ago. They never had got to talk about it so he was probably just trying to make sure they could still be friends and put that night behind them. Well she gladly would, she never wanted to talk about that night.
"So..." trailed Paul
"So..." replied Stephanie back not really sure what to say. She couldn't remember a time when conversation was ever this hard with him.
"Are you seeing anyone?" Paul asked nonchalantly, she guessed he was trying to make small talk.
"No, I actually broke up with someone at the beginning of the year" replied Stephanie taking a drink of her wine.
"Really?" Paul asked surprised. She was a little taken back, he sounded surprised that someone would date her. Well there was some guys who didn't think of her as just a annoying little girl she thought to herself.
"What about you?" Stephanie asked curiously, hopefully she didn't sound like some lovesick puppy who never got over him.
"No not at that the moment" he answered as Stephanie politely nodded and smiled.
"When did it become so hard to just have a conversation between us" Stephanie blurted out. It must have been the alcohol making her feel a little more brave than usual. Paul chuckled as he came over and sat down beside of her, she turned more towards him to look at him.
"I think it's because we haven't talked in five years. We just aren't as close as we used to be" Paul explained as he smiled at her "but we'll change that" he added and winked at her. Stephanie chuckled and shook her head.
"There is the Paul I know" laughed Stephanie
"What are you two doing?" Shane asked coming into the kitchen and opening the refrigerator and pulled out a bottle of water.
"Your sister was over here telling me how hot I am" Paul joked as Stephanie's eyes went wide.
"I was not!" Stephanie exclaimed feeling herself blush. She wondered if it was obvious that she still had some kind of feelings for him, she hoped not.
"Don't lie, I know I am."
"How about we get off of that topic before your ego is inflated even more" replied Shane with a laugh.
"Well I'm going to go figure out what to wear tonight" said Stephanie getting up and putting her dish in the sink and grabbing her wine to take with her.
"See you later" Paul said with a wink.
"Ewwww" Stephanie heard Shane as she made into the living room and started laughing at his reaction. Apparently he had took what Paul as perverted but Stephanie knew Paul didn't mean it that way. She knew he only seen her as Shane's little sister and that's all he would ever see her as.
Stephanie looked at her appearance in the mirror and seemed satisfied. She had decided to wear a red halter dress that showed off a little cleavage but not a lot and the dress ended about four inches above her knees.
"Stephanie are you ready?" Linda yelled from downstairs.
"I'll be done in just a minute" Stephanie yelled back as she applied her lipstick which was the same shade of red as her dress. She ran her fingers through the loose curls in her hair as she looked at herself pleased that she actually looked hot. She knew she was only going to a family dinner which wasn't a big deal but she had missed getting dressed up. Stephanie went to her closet and pulled out some black pumps and pulled them on and then went to her dresser and grabbed a pair of hoop earrings.
"Stephanie" called Vince with annoyance in his voice.
"Coming" called Stephanie opening her bedroom door and stepped outside and leaned against the side of the door frame as she put her earrings in. Stephanie noticed Paul coming out of the guestroom next to Shane's room looking really nice and sexy if she must say. He had a nice black button down shirt on and black slacks with his hair tied back. She watched as he headed towards her.
"Are you ready?"
"Why does everyone keep asking me that. I don't see them bugging you" Stephanie joked as she jabbed him playfully on the chest.
"Hey I just came back up here to get my wallet" Paul replied with a smile as Stephanie finally got the last earring in her ear. She turned to start going downstairs where everyone was waiting impatiently when she suddenly was whirled back around by Paul. He pulled her close to him and put his hand on her hip and leaned in close to her ear.
"You look really good in that dress" he whispered seductively in her ear and just like that he let her go and headed down the stairs leaving her just standing there. Was he messing with her? Or was he flirting with her? Stephanie shot down the last option in her head and headed downstairs. She knew Paul was a big harmless flirt. He used to wink at her a lot five years ago and he hadn't meant anything then so why did she suddenly think it did now?
Halfway through the dinner everybody was chatting and having a good time. They had been seated at a booth where the seat wrapped around the table so Vince was on one end with Linda seated beside of him, then Shane, then Paul and then Stephanie was at the end opposite of Vince.
"Are you two going to start looking at apartments tomorrow?" Vince asked looking at Shane and Paul.
"Yeah hopefully we can find a decent one" Shane replied taking a bite of his food.
"Good it will be great to have you back closer to home" Vince replied as Stephanie smiled at the fact that Vince had missed Shane.
"It's great to be back here. I didn't realize how much I missed it here" said Paul taking a drink of water.
"Me either and I'm glad we are going to be able to do more stuff like this" Shane said as Stephanie took a drink of her water and sat it back down. She knew it was time to tell her family. She just hoped they were as accepting as they had been towards Shane returning home.
"So I have announcement" Stephanie announced as everyone looked over at her.
"Oh my God you're pregnant" said Shane and she swore she saw the color drain from his face.
"God no Shane" replied Stephanie wishing she could kick him as Shane sighed from relief. "I'm not just here for the summer. I've decided to take a year off from school."
There was nothing but silence until Vince dropped his fork on his plate trying to register what she had said.
"Stephanie do you think that is such a good idea?" Linda asked worriedly.
"I just need a year. When I'm at school I just feel like I'm not really there anymore and I just want to take a breather and have a life rather than worry about schoolwork all the time. I miss my family and friends and I've just felt so overwhelmed. I promise I'm not taking off just to go out and party, I just need time, please" Stephanie pleaded to her parents. Stephanie watched Vince and Linda as they looked at each other and Vince sighed.
"Okay I understand. You can stay at home until you're ready to go back" Vince said as he nodded his head.
"Really?" Stephanie, Shane and Linda said at the same time with surprise.
"I'm not going to force you to do something that your heart just isn't into right now. I made that mistake with Shane and I won't make it again" explained Vince as Stephanie got up from the table and went over to Vince and hugged him tightly as Vince chuckled.
"Thank you daddy!" Stephanie exclaimed as Vince hugged her back.
"Now remember you promised no partying."
"I won't daddy" replied Stephanie as she went back to her side of the booth and sat back down.
"I guess that means we all are going to be spending more time together" said Shane as Stephanie suddenly felt Paul's hand gently squeeze the inside of her thigh.
"I guess so" Paul replied looking over at Stephanie. She thought he would remove his hand but instead she felt his thumb start slowly rubbing the inside of her thigh.
"To family" Shane said raising his glass to toast as everyone else raised there glass. Paul's hand never left her thigh, her body felt like it was on fire. She kept wondering how much more she could take when suddenly she felt his hand starting to slide a little farther up a little bit at a time until...
"I've got to go the bathroom" announced Stephanie jumping up from the booth as they all looked at her with a strange expression except Paul who was quietly chuckling with a sly grin on his face. He had been doing that on purpose! What an ass thought Stephanie to herself.
"Well I hardly think anyone needed to know Stephanie" said Vince returning to eating his food. Stephanie threw Paul an evil eye before heading towards the bathroom.
When she made it inside the bathroom she went over to the mirror to check her makeup and wash her hands. She hadn't really had to go to the bathroom but she had to make some excuse to get out of there. Paul was obviously messing with her so somehow he knew she had some kind of feelings for him still, it was embarrassing. Stephanie decided she had waited long enough and decided to return to the booth, but when she exited the bathroom Shane was standing there apparently waiting for her.
"What is going on between you two?" Asked Shane as Stephanie came to where he was standing.
"Huh?" Stephanie asked confused.
"Don't play dumb Steph I'm not stupid. I seen the way he looked at you when you two seen each other again for the first time and then later he was flirting with you in the kitchen. Don't even make me bring up what happened at the table because honestly I might get sick" explained Shane as Stephanie looked at the floor embarrassed. She really had thought nobody else had noticed.
"He's just messing me with me for some reason. It's nothing" Stephanie shrugged feeling even more embarrassed.
"Why because you had a crush on him when you were fifteen?" Stephanie's eyes shot up to meet his and she opened her mouth to speak but Shane cut her off "How did I know? I'm sure that is what you were going to ask. It was completely obvious Stephanie and when he found out he asked me if I knew."
"Okay well that is completely embarrassing but now you get why he's messing with me. I was the kid who had a crush on him"
"I don't think that is what this is Stephanie. You were a kid then and he chalked it up to being cute so I don't know why he would tease you about something so long ago."
"I don't know but he just thinks of me as your little sister Shane. I mean the first thing he called me was little McMahon when he seen me again"
"Yeah well I've noticed he hasn't called you that since he basically ogled your body" said Shane shaking his head as if he were trying to get the image out of his head. "I've watched him with countless women Steph and the way he has been treating you today it just seems like he sees you as not so little anymore. Plus I don't even think he realizes you still have feelings for him."
"I don't have feelings for him anymore Shane."
"Who are you trying to convince here Stephanie? Just put an end to it" Shane replied as he headed back to the booth leaving Stephanie dumbfounded.
Later that night when they got home Vince and Linda headed to bed leaving Stephanie, Shane and Paul to themselves.
"I think I'm going to change out of this dress" Stephanie said heading to the stairs.
"Need any help?" Paul asked with a smirk.
"I think I can manage" Stephanie laughed as she headed upstairs. One thing for sure Paul was teasing her differently but she wasn't sure if it was because Shane was right or if it was just the simple fact she was older now. He had definitely been confusing tonight because one minute he had been teasing her by putting his hand on her thigh and then the next he acted like it never happened. Stephanie knew she had to try and forget about it because to him it probably meant nothing which to be honest kind of stung. She had realized tonight that her feelings for him were still as strong for him as they were five years ago and well it kind of sucked because she knew she would probably get hurt again. Stephanie sighed at that thought while she rummaged through her dresser trying to find something comfortable. She finally settled for some shorts and and a white tank top and quickly got out of the dress she had been wearing and practically threw the tank and shorts on when she heard a knock on the door.
"Come in" Stephanie called throwing her dress into her hamper.
"Looks like your already done" Paul said leaning the door frame.
"Yeah, sad you missed it?" Stephanie teased with a smile.
"Oh you know it baby" he replied as she giggled. "I came to see if you wanted to watch a movie with me and Shane."
"How scary is the movie?" Stephanie automatically knew they would be watching some kind of horror movie.
"Not too scary."
"Okay I guess" she replied. She really had nothing better to do and she wasn't quiet ready for bed and honestly she really wanted to be around him. She felt like her fifteen year old self again wanting to follow him around like a lost puppy, she was pathetic. Stephanie followed Paul downstairs and she seen Shane coming from the kitchen with popcorn.
"How can you can seriously still be hungry?" Stephanie asked sitting down on couch as Paul sat down beside of her.
"I lost my appetite earlier and I didn't get to finish my meal" Shane replied referring to what had happened between her and Paul earlier that night. Stephanie grabbed a blanket that was sitting in the recliner next to her, she always loved cuddling up with a blanket when watching movies. Shane sat the bowl of popcorn in the middle of the coffee table in front of them.
"If anyone else wants some popcorn help yourself" Shane said and then went over and turn the lights off and sat down on the other side of Paul. Stephanie positioned herself on the couch sitting Indian style and reached over and grabbed some popcorn.
"You just asked Shane how he could still be hungry and now your eating again too" Paul said as she shrugged.
"I have to have popcorn with my movie no matter what" she replied eating her popcorn in the process.
"Shhh" hissed Shane at them, Stephanie made a face at him but he wasn't paying attention. Paul silently laughed and shook his head as he stretched out his arm on the couch behind her. Stephanie was watching everything play out on the screen when the first scary scene started. She watched as the scene built up to the part that meant to make you jump, preparing herself for it when suddenly she felt something poke her.
"Ahh.." Stephanie jumped and she could feel Paul's body shake beside her. He was trying not laugh out loud.
"Such a girl" Shane said shaking his head but keeping his eyes on the movie. Stephanie glared over at Paul knowing he had poked her to scare her. She slouched back on the couch and crossed her arms.
"I couldn't help it, it was too easy" Paul whispered into her ear as she turned her head and stuck her tongue out at him.
"I don't like you very much right now" Stephanie whispered back to him.
"Aww..you can't stay mad at me" he whispered back as he reached out and rubbed her thigh but this time he didn't leave his hand on her thigh like earlier that night. Stephanie shook her head at him and then turned her attention back to the movie and leaned over and grabbed more popcorn.
Halfway through the movie Stephanie went to grab some more popcorn and felt nothing but the bottom of the bowl.
"Shane..."
"What Stephanie?"
"All the popcorn is gone"
"Well go make more"
"But I'm comfortable" Stephanie pouted at him.
"Ugh fine give me the bowl but you have to do it next time" Shane replied as Stephanie handed him the bowl and he sat there for another minute watching the movie. Once the part he was watching was over he hurried to the kitchen so he could hurry up and not miss much of the movie.
Stephanie continued watching the movie when she felt Paul move closer to her.
"Coming to apologize?" Stephanie asked looking at him.
"For what?"
"For scaring me earlier" Stephanie replied while he starting laughing again. "You think its funny?"
Paul kept laughing when she reached over and tried tickling him but he just sat there unfazed.
"I'm not ticklish Steph but I do remember a certain someone being very ticklish" he responded with a grin.
"Don't you dare..." but she her sentence was interrupted as she felt him start tickling her and she started laughing. She tried to get away from him sliding herself around to where her head was now on the armchair and put her legs in front of him to block the attack. He stopped tickling her and rested his hand on one of her knees while she tried catching her breath. She laid there calming down while his fingers rubbed her knee.
"Are you good now?" He asked as she nodded and gazed down at his hand on her knee.
"Okay what did I miss?" Shane asked coming back into the living room with the popcorn. Stephanie felt Paul's hand immediately leave her knee.
"Not much" Paul replied as Stephanie stretched her legs out over Paul and cuddled back up underneath her blanket.
"Can you hand me some popcorn?" Stephanie asked Paul. Shane handed the bowl to Paul and he passed it over to her. She laid the bowl on her stomach and grabbed some popcorn out and returned her attention to the movie. She wondered if she had missed anything important. She was finding it hard to pay attention the movie now especially when she felt him lift the blanket up a little and put his hand back on her knee. She looked over at him but his attention was turned to the tv so she just turned her attention back to the movie. He started to slowly rub her knee again with his fingers back and forth then slowly over more to the side of her knee. She had no idea what game he was playing but if he thought she was going to jump up and leave again, he was wrong. She would play his little game and this time he would see who was chicken. Stephanie continued staring at the movie even though she wasn't paying attention. She was just going to pretend she wasn't paying attention him. She seen him out of the corner of her eye glance over at her but she kept pretending to watch the movie as she felt him slide his hand a little more up the inside of her leg. His fingers lightly rubbing her leg back and forth in one spot and then slowly move to the inside of her thigh. She felt her heart start to accelerate and her breathing became shallow, he had started sliding his hand from her thigh to where he had first started and back up. In the process of this he would go a little higher up each time. She finally looked away from the tv and their eyes connected, she noticed the smug smile on his face while his hand inched a little more further up meeting her shorts. She smirked at him thinking he wouldn't go any further but her smirk faded when she felt him slide his fingers a little ways underneath her shorts. She felt his thumb start rubbing her leg in a small circle. He wasn't very far off from her panties at this point and to be honest she was turned on. His fingers inched a little farther up her leg almost reaching her panties. She bit her lip trying not to let a moan escape. She felt disappointment when this time instead of going farther up she felt his hand slide down to the end of her shorts and then back up slowly back and forth. He was teasing and torturing her at the same time. At some point of this she hadn't realized she had closed her eyes reveling in what was going on. She opened her eyes and looked at him, she noticed he didn't have a smile or smirk on his face. The expression on his face looked like complete desire, she felt a flutter in her chest at the thought that he might actually want her. Her thoughts were distracted when she felt him reach the edge of her panties and her breath hitched in her throat as his hand started moving more to the center of her panties.
"Seriously!" Shane exclaimed as Paul's hand froze and she licked and her lips and tried to calm her breathing. She hadn't even realized that she had started breathing faster. "That ending was bullshit!" Stephanie looked over at Shane as he threw his hands up in the air still staring at the tv. She felt Paul slowly remove his hand from underneath her shorts. They had completely forgotten Shane sitting beside of them because they had been in their own little world.
"What did you think?" Asked Shane looking over at Paul.
"I agree it was bullshit" replied Paul clearly uncomfortable.
"Stephanie you barely even ate any of the popcorn" said Shane as Stephanie looked down realizing she was still holding the popcorn.
"I guess I got wrapped up in the movie" Stephanie lied sitting up on the couch and sitting the bowl on the coffee table. Shane looked annoyed that he basically made the popcorn for nothing.
"I guess I'm going to start getting ready for bed" said Shane standing up from the couch and started stretching.
"Me too. We have to start looking at apartments tomorrow" Paul said getting up from the couch.
"Well if you guys are going to bed then I might as well go to" Stephanie replied getting up from the couch and started heading up the stairs thinking about what just had happened.
"Stephanie are you going to throw the popcorn away?" Shane asked but Stephanie wasn't paying attention as she made it upstairs and went to her room. Stephanie sat down on the end of her bed still trying to regain her composure
"Hey" said Paul coming into her room.
"Hey" replied Stephanie with a smile.
"I uh...just wanted to say goodnight"
"Oh..goodnight" Stephanie replied as he bent down and kissed her on the cheek and left leaving Stephanie even more confused.
Stephanie fell back on the bed and groaned. She was so frustrated and now in more ways than one.