Austin had leaded her towards a small park, a few blocks away from the school and went and sat down on a swing. She had done the same, sitting in the one next to him. He reclined and started to swing, Paige ended up doing the same. It was nice out, the sun was shining and a soft breeze was passing its way by. A few minutes passed before she heard him speak.
"So, there's gonna be a party this weekend. To celebrate being seniors and the last year of school. Wanna go to it? It's on the same night as the senior night at school… Just to let you know."
Paige swung as she thought. Go to school for a senior get together, or go to party? She knew what her brother would say; Party. "Yeah I would like too. It better not be a drag though, otherwise I will leave it."
"It won't be a drag, I'll be there." He replied with a cocky smile and she couldn't help the playful laugh that left her.
"Oh I bet you are the life of the party. Singing, getting everyone in a dancing mood."
"I would… but I'm not allowed to perform anymore. Jimmy, the guy who signed me he said he would ruin my career if I continued to perform."
"What? Is that because of what you did at the award show?" She mused with a little tilt of her head as she came to a stop, tip of her toes digging into the ground a bit.
He gave a small cold laugh and shook his head. "No, that was a cover up. A shit one at that as she apparently did have feelings for me. And she didn't know that I was going to do that. I was actually dropped a week before due to reasons I am not allowed to discuss. But we are letting the media use that as the excuse, you know, because she is signed onto a competing label."
Lips turning down in a frown, Paige replied "Well he lost a great performer and will live to regret it. I know he will."
"That's what my friends say."
"That's because it's the truth. Whatever the reason he had for dropping you, he will still regret it." She gave him a quick smile; pulling her bag in front of her she opened it up and pulled out her pack of cigarettes. "Want one?" She asked as she pulled one out and put it in between her lips before holding out to him. He gave a small nod and took one out, lighting it up with the lighter from the pack. After he lit up his one he handed the lighter to Paige and she lit up hers before putting it away in her bag. They sat there just taking in drags of their smokes, blowing it out in puffs and making small chat. It was possibly an hour before Austin's phone went off. He rolled his eyes as he pulled out his phone and read it.
"Ally, she's obviously in our Home Ec class. She just texted me; 'Where are you? And have you seen the new girl?' " Austin said looking up from his phone "Don't worry, I just texted her back 'I didn't feel too well and went home. And new girl was heading to the bathroom last I saw her.' "
"Hopefully she will believe that. Not that she would care about me." Paige spoke and pulled at her sleeves. Climbing off the swing she put her bag back on her shoulders. "Wanna walk back? My car is there, and I can just flick a text to my brother and see if he can find some other way back home?" She mused with a small nod in the direction of which they had come.
Austin gave a small shrug and nodded. "Sure, why not."
Grinning Paige started to lead the way back to the school. Her car was parked near the exit, she always felt safer having her car near it. To her it meant that she could escape easier. As they walked they talked a bit more and she flicked her brother a text about him needing to get another way home. She made up an excuse about questioning about a dance club. Reaching her car she unlocked the doors and got in the driver's side and Austin got in the passengers. Starting up the car, she heard the radio turn on. The host's voice seemed to be promoting something.
'…The new music factory has a big star, Ally Dawson teaching there as well as her rumoured boyfriend and former Jimmy Starr artist Austin Moon…' It cut off when she switched it to play whatever CD was resting in the player.
"Is my place okay? My mother is at work, so no need to worry about a narking parent." Paige questioned as she pulled out of the school and onto the road. In the corner of her eye she saw him give a small nod. "Hey, just ignore the media. Media is full of assholes, I would know. They tried to make my dad look bad."
"Sometimes it's hard."
"I understand."
Arriving at her place she led him in, dropping her bag in her room. She still had a few boxes still full. Mainly because they were full of her dad's things and she isn't sure if she can go through it yet. Austin dropped his bag next to hers. Paige gave him a quick tour of the small house, there was her room, her brothers and her mothers, the living room, the kitchen and the bathroom. It wasn't much but it was what they could afford. "Want something to eat? We have some chips? Fruit; we have a few apples, a banana and oranges?" Paige said as she opened up the fridge and got out a bit of leftover Mac 'n Cheese. Popping it in the microwave and setting it on a timer. "Help yourself. Cups are down there if you want a drink." She pointed to the cupboard next to the microwave.