Thanks again everyone for reading. I didn't get many reviews on the last chapter so I hope it was ok. I hope this doesn't seem rushed but i wanted to get tjis done before my vacation. With these scenes I wanted to help explain Paige's reasons for the near kiss in the next episode and show that it wasn't from left field.
Please read and review. I have ideas for other Paily stories and prompts so let me know if you like my writing and want me to continue writing for you guys. :)
Emily wanders through the Marin house trying to be a good hostess. She feels like she's floating. With all that she has been through in the past year with Alison and then A, happiness seems like a foreign feeling.
She peeks into the living room and spies Paige standing at the far end. Feeling the presence of someone, Paige looks up and smiles brightly.
Emily walks up beside her. "Paige, you did great today. Can you believe it? State Champs!"
"I know. I still can't believe it. I feel like I'm going to wake up tommorrow and this will have been some cruel joke."
"I know what you mean. Paige, I wanted to thank you again for today. I know things haven't always been smooth between us since..." Emily trails off.
"Can I ask you a question?"
Emily nods and Paige continues. "Why didn't you tell your friends about us?"
Trying to find the right explanation, Emily pauses.
"Nevermind, I get it."
"No Paige, that's not...I knew you were struggling with your feelings. My friends can be…protective. I just didn't want you to have to deal with that too. I remember what it was like to be scared and feel like nothing in the world made sense. The closet is a scary place. I wanted to help you. I wasn't ashamed of us.
"But you left me..." Paige's words are low.
"I know. I'm sorry Paige. I saw you struggling and it brought up so many feelings for me that were still fresh. I should have stayed and helped you..."
Paige's cell phone rings. "I'm sorry. Its my Dad. I have to take this." She says reluctantly.
"Paige, I really meant it. Thank you for today." Emily's voice is soft.
"You're welcome Emily. It was my pleasure."
With one last look, Paige slips out the patio doors to talk to her Dad.
Maya feels like she can't breathe. There are too many people in here. She doesn't fit in. She's tried small talk with a few people, but she's not a jock and doesn't know what to say. Emily is over by the kitchen table with a group of teammates talking about swimming and watching video. She doesn't get it. They just swam the meet. Why do they need to go back and rewatch it an hour later?
She hears Emily compliment Paige and feels the resentment rise up in her throat. She needs air…something, anything to settle her nerves. She replays the day's events in her mind, her thoughts swirling with images, confused over Emily's relationship with the other swimmer and her own place in Emily's life. She doesn't want to be the jealous girlfriend, but she can't settle her mind. Since her return from True North, nothing has felt right.
Grabbing her purse, she moves out the patio door. The cool air hits her face as she pulls in a deep breath. Looking around, she continues into the backyard out of view of the house before reaching into her bag. Her hand pulls out a small metal tin, finding what she knows will calm her, help her think. As the lighter reaches her face, she stops short when she sees dark eyes watching her.
Great. Of course. "Sorry….I didn't…..nevermind." Maya mumbles as she turns to head back into the house, but stops short at the voice from yard.
"I know I don't have to tell you this, but Emily is amazing. She deserves someone that appreciates her and how incredible she is." Paige pushes herself off the tree she had been leaning against and takes a few steps to close the gap between them.
Maya spins to face the taller girl, a challenge in her voice. "And you think you're that person? From what I hear, you weren't exactly an angel to her."
The taller girl crosses her arms and sighs, looking down at her feet, her words low and uneven, sadness etched into her face. "No, I'm not saying that. Maybe I'm not that person. I was a coward and I hurt her…I know that. I did things I will always regret…..." Paige pauses and shakes her head at the memories. Gathering herself, she straightens, her voice gaining confidence. "I do know that if I ever got a second chance with Emily, I would fight like hell to keep her and spend the rest of my life making it up to her. She's special. She's worth changing for." Paige's head raises, her eyes rimmed with tears. She looks deep into Maya's, searching for something, her voice cracking. "She made me want to be better."
Maya gasps at Paige's words, bile rising in her throat at the intensity. "You tried to drown her…people don't just change overnight."
"No, maybe not overnight, but sometimes you find a reason…..something to hold onto in the darkness and then you find the courage to change….to fight…"
"And Emily was your reason?"
Ignoring Maya's question, Paige continues, "I saw what you were doing out here. I won't tell Emily because it's none of my business, but…." Breathing deeply, Paige straightens, voice stronger. "….but after all she's been through, Emily deserves to be happy, and you make her happy….however…. Paige's tone hardens, eyes narrowing. "…if you hurt her….."
"I won't hurt her. I love her."
"Then be worthy of her." With that, Paige turns and walks back into the house.