"Drop In The Ocean"

Chapter One - Sweet Misery

- Sweet misery you cause me
That's what you called me -

When we met, Paige and I didn't get along. That much was apparent. Paige was a preppy, perky cheerleader with blonde hair and a skinny, bouncy body. I, on the other hand, was a dark brooding druggie who no one bothered to notice, and that was fine with me. But even back then it seemed like I lived for our confrontations. At least then I was being noticed by someone, and it just so happened to be someone I secretly wanted to be noticed by. Whenever we came into contact with each other, we would take jabs back and forth, until one of us gave up. I was usually the victor, only because I always had to get the last word in. Beneath our battle was something else, something less clear. The passion we shared for each other. But still, if you had told me then that Paige would become my best friend, and my girlfriend, I would have called you crazy.

"Um, you're in my way." I rolled my eyes as Paige said this. I smirked, gazing down at the tray in her hands. Everything she was eating was disgustingly healthy.
"On a diet again, I see." I noted as she pushed past me, annoyed. I shrugged, taking a seat at her table.

"Ah, well at least my boyfriend isn't cheating on me with half the school." She shot back nonchalantly.

"I like your shirt. I'd hate to have to bloody it." I answered, stepping closer to her, trying my best to be intimidating.

"Nice attitude. Hate to deflate it by reminding you that you're a loser." Paige replied calmly, taking a step past me.
"Yeah? Who decided that?" I asked, starting to get pissed off. She had such an attitude.

"Everybody. Majority rules on these matters, sweetie." She snapped back, walking past me and christening a new table as her own. Her friends picked up their stuff and moved over, and I sighed. I didn't have the energy to fight back. It wasn't long before I saw Jay walking my way. He took a seat beside of me, grinning like a madman.

"What do you say we get out of here?" He propositioned, putting his arm around me and pulling me closer to him.

"How about you get your hands off of me? Jay," I stood, staring down at him, the worthless piece of scum. "The whole school knows, and I am sick of you and your cheating ass." I started to walk away when he grabbed me.
"My cute cheating ass." I rolled my eyes, pushing him away from me. "Come on Lexi, don't be like that." He gave me his puppy dog eyes, but I wasn't going to fall for that.
"You go to HELL." I answered, picking up my piece of pizza and pushing into his face. The pizza was extra greasy today, and Jay scowled as the hot grease dripped down his face. Satisfied, I left the cafeteria, throwing away my paper tray on the way out.

Jay and I weren't doing very well, obviously. I had known there was something going on, and I found out he'd been getting with girls at the ravine. Several random girls, including my so-called best friend and the local environmental freak. I wasn't too happy with him, needless to say. I didn't need him. He was a jerk and he didn't treat me the way I deserved. So after the incident with Jay, I was in a bad mood and the mood didn't improve when Paige and I were assigned to be partners in Simpson's class. Our assignment was to make a website together. This was supposed to demonstrate our html knowledge along with our ability to cooperate with a partner. I felt like he made us partners because he knew we didn't get along. Simpson was trying to fail us, I could just feel it.

"Ugh, Alex. You can't make the background color black. That looks boring and blah. Make it something better." Paige urged, staring at the computer screen, frustrated.

"What color do you want it to be? Pink? Because I am in no way doing that." I changed it to blue, and Paige said that was fine. But then it came to the graphics. She wanted something cute, and I wanted something that...wasn't. I sighed, gazing at Paige in disdain. "You know what? You design it. I don't give a damn." I got up out of the chair, pushing it over and walking out into the hallway. Paige followed, sitting down beside of me, hugging her knees to her chest.

"Alex, I'm sorry. I know that I get on your nerves and everything, but we have to work together or we're gonna fail this assignment. How about we have one main site, where it's just the intro or whatever, and have links to our own personal sites? That way we can both have it be like whatever we want. Still maintain our...individuality." Paige suggested eagerly, actually pulling off a smile.

"Individuality," I laughed. "Is that what you call it?" I paused for a moment, biting my lip. I gave in, deciding to stop with the remarks and just get the project done. "Alright. Sounds good."

We ended up making the website, and getting an A. Mr. Simpson commented that he liked the way we worked together, and how we kept things seperate but still cooperated in the process. He also said he was glad we didn't end up killing each other. So was I. Little did I know, I was going to be spending a lot more time with Paige, at yet another place I despised. But at least they gave me money for showing up.

----

"Paige?" I stared in disbelief, looking up from the cash register to see her in uniform, making her way behind the counter. Her face fell when she saw me.

"You work here?" She asked quickly, leaning onto the counter and giving me a look.

"Yes, I do. So you'd better be a good girl or else I might have to tell the manager on you. Since I have the seniority and all." A few minutes later, we had our first order. The big movie rush was starting. After all, it was Friday night. Date night. I could tell Paige wasn't thrilled to be there, especially with me, and she wasn't used to spending a Friday behind a counter with greasy popcorn and chocolate candy bars. She was slow at first, but it seemed she was getting the hang of it pretty quick. I couldn't find anything to complain to the manager about, which was a bit of a disappointment.

"So, when did you develop an immense love of popcorn?" I questioned when the rush had finally slowed down. Paige laughed, getting herself a cup of soda and taking a seat.
"I didn't. I needed to make some money because I kind of owe Spinner some." She shrugged, taking a sip of her Dr. Pepper and fixing her gaze on the carpeted floor.

"Why'd you owe him money?" I was interested now. Spinner was her ex boyfriend, and now she was paying him back for something -- that sounded a bit strange. What could she possibly owe him for?

"Oh, it's a long story. I used his car to get back at my rapist. I messed up his car pretty bad, and he ended up having to talk to the police. He was really upset. I promised him I'd pay for it, and with my own money. I don't regret doing it of course, but I feel bad for doing it with his car, and I thought making money this way would be more fair as opposed to just taking the money from my mom. Anyway, it's probably good for me to gain some work experience."

I was silent for a bit, turning it all over in my mind. I had heard something about what happened to Paige, her rape and everything, but didn't trust the rumors. I wasn't sure if I should ask her about it or not. I didn't want her to get upset, because we were getting along really well.

"If you don't mind my asking, what all came of that? I mean, I heard about what he did to you, but I'd like to hear the story from you. I don't want to just...believe the hype." I worded it all very carefully. I was into whatever she was going to say. It helped bring some perspective into who she was. It helped humanize her. I guess because everyone's had pain. Some more than others. Me being part of the some.

"I went to this party, and I met Dean. He was cute and really nice... or so he seemed. We went upstairs, I thought just to, you know, talk or whatever. He wanted more than that. I told him to stop, I told him no, but he didn't listen. He just kept going. I was really...down for awhile. I didn't know what to do. I started getting therapy, and decided to bring him to court. Long story short, they found him not guilty, and I wasn't happy about that. I found his car, and backed Spinner's right into it. It was a great feeling at the time. Now it just all kind of sucks. I can't believe all this happened. It's crazy, you know?" Paige stood up and I felt compelled to hug her, so I did. She resisted at first, but then hugged me back. I smiled unsurely.

"I'm sorry that happened to you. That can't have been an easy thing. You must be really strong."

I realized it then. She was strong. That's one of the reasons she and I clashed like we did. We both were strong, with strong personalities. From that day on, I respected and admired her. I wasn't sure quite what was in store, but I knew we were on the path to becoming friends.