A/N Thank you, thank you, thank you to all who have been reading this. It's a joy to read all the feedback and see how many people are actually enjoying my work.

Alex

-At Alex's house-

"My mom and her boyfriend are home so just wait by the door." I said as Paige and I tiptoed into my apartment.

"But I'm thirsty. Can't I just get a drink of water?" Paige whined a little and started forward but I put my hand up stopping her.

"No. I'm grabbing shoes and then we're out of here immediately." I grabbed onto her elbow squeezing gently before heading over to the closet to see what shoes I could find.

"Lexi? Hey. Who's your friend?" My mother's confused, slightly slurred voice called from the couch.

"Never mind mom. Just grabbing shoes." Please God, I promise to be a nicer person if you will let us get out of here in the next 20 seconds.

Never one to miss an opportunity to make a new friend Paige walked over to the couch with her hand outstretched. "Hi Ms. Nunez. I'm Paige."

"Paige? The Paige? I feel like I'm in the presence of royalty. You know that Lexi never stops talking about you." My mother did not just say that. She seriously did not just say that. Please just write it off as drunken banter Paige.

"Really? Little ol' me?" She was flattered obviously and under normal circumstances, ok these were normal circumstances for me but if I were anybody else and my mom wanted to talk to Paige I would have been thrilled. Now I just wanted to get Paige out of there before she realized just how not worth her time I really am.

"Mom! Where's Chad?" I asked fidgeting and trying to get my mom's attention off Paige. Not that I couldn't understand why that might be difficult.

"Oh he passed out hours ago. Come sit. Can I get you something darling?" My mother smiled and I groaned inwardly as I watched drunken Emily Nunez try to play hostess to my – friend. My friend.

"Yeah diet anything. Please." Ummm…. Does diet water count cuz the only thing else we've got is lite beer.

"Paige we have to go." I tried to grab hold of her, but damn if she's not slippery.

"Would you hold your horses Lexi and just let the girl sit awhile. Oh be a good hostess and get her a drink okay?" Mom smiled at me and then turned attention back to the blonde coming over to her.

"Looks like the party's just getting started Ms. Nunez." No Paige, the party's been going on for a life time.

"Please call my Emily." If Chad weren't here then maybe this would be ok, but I really wanted Paige to get out of there before any fighting started.

"Emily. Okay." Even from behind I could tell Paige was smiling. "So what was Lexi like as a girl?"

… How would my mother answer that?

"You know what? I can't remember." She laughed and I knew she was only joking but I was embarrassed just the same. I turned and walked away to get that drink.

"I'm kidding. Lex I'm kidding! I'm just kidding." Yeah Mom, you're always 'Just kidding.'

Twenty Minutes Later

Paige and my mom had talked for awhile and when I realized Chad probably wouldn't be up until morning I began to relax. I sat and watched them as they talked and laughed and I was pleasantly surprised to see Paige could get along so well with someone like my mother. Every once in awhile I would interject my own opinion but I was content to just watch – them. Watch them. Both of them. After a bit Paige asked to use the restroom and I showed her where it was. When she left my mom looked at me with a grin.

"She's nice baby. She's a good friend for you I can see it."

I nodded and a grin started playing at the edge of my mouth.

"Yeah, she's good Mom. A lot better than some people I know." That hung in the air for a moment and not wanting to spoil the calm atmosphere I added, "You know, like Amy."

My mom smiled again and stood up with a stretch.

"Well, you tell her goodnight for me 'k? I'm going to go to bed."

"Goodnight Mom."

"Goodnight baby." She lifted my chin in her hand and it appeared as though she was trying to read something in my eyes. A sad smile flitted across her face and she shook her head slightly. "I love you Lexi." She whispered and then left me there on the couch.

After she left I sat and reflected on the nights events. From Paige and I getting ready at her house, those jeans by the way hugged her curves perfectly, her ass was – to sitting with her during the movie and catching her looking at me every now and then. I remembered leaning into her and whispering about DVD special features and my heart swelled at the sight of her please smile, it seemed to get even bigger when she took my hand in hers and squeezed as she let me know she appreciated my efforts.

Then there was us trying to get past the bouncer. Her reluctance to play a lesbian, I had to laugh when I though about her face after I'd suggested it. She was so cute and so easy to read. Holding her and skimming my lips across her cheek had put me on such a high and I shivered as I thought about her skin pressed against mine, how her curves fit next to my body and the look she gave me as she spoke her line.

Once we were in the club I was excited but even more I was happy to see Paige was finally starting to relax. Jay walking up to us, bastard had no right calling her a skank. She was so much better than him it was sickening. Ok, I had to stop thinking about that it was spoiling my memories.

Ok, happy thought… dancing. Wow, she knew how to move. If she didn't feel the electricity like I did then I had no idea what I was going to do. I had wanted so badly to pull her against me completely and I was surprised when her hand fluttered to my waist, I couldn't help but answer her by mimicking the gesture.

Watching her twirl around and laughing as she asked if I'd ever felt drunk without drinking. Dickhead Jay ruining things again when she left for water. I meant it when I said tonight was about her. My life had become about her. Waiting to see her at school, being able to brush past her in the hallways; sitting next to her in MI and having her thigh rest against mine and feeling her breath on my ear as she leaned into whisper something to me.

My thoughts were interrupted by Paige coming back from the bathroom.

"Your mom go to bed?" She asked as she padded over to me. She was wearing a pair of my flip flops and I smiled softly.

"Yeah. She said to say goodnight." I watched as she came over to the couch and began to settle herself in. Her elbow grazed mine as she pulled her legs up onto the couch underneath her. I noticed she kept her feet off the furniture and grinned again at the thoughtfulness.

"She's nice. Like mother, like daughter." I had heard that line before under much harsher circumstances but there was such warmth when Paige said it that for a moment I almost hoped it was true.

"Tonight was good. You're my lucky charm." I meant it too. I felt it inside me whenever I was around her I felt like nothing could stop me.

"Tonight was good." She conceded. She sat and watched me and I felt myself drifting into a peaceful lull.

"Paige. About before when we were dancing?" I ventured unsure of how I was going to continue.

"What about it? We were just having fun." Paige swallowed nervously. "No big deal right?"

I wanted to reassure her that it was no big deal, but I couldn't because tonight had definitely turned into a big deal for me.

My thoughts were interrupted as I heard my mom and Chad fighting from the next room

"I'm walking you home now." I grabbed her wrist and pulled her up from the couch desperately trying to get her out before things got really ugly. "Go!" I put my hand on Paige's back and propelled her towards the door.

Chad came storming out of the bedroom with my mother following closely at his heels.

"Don't ever call me stupid." Right Chad because we all know what a lie that is.

"Where are you going?" My mom asked more out of habit than actual concern.

"That's it. I'm out of here." Again habit, without conviction. My mom pulled on Chad's arm to get him to stop.

"Chad no! Where are you going?"

Chad turned raising his hand to my mom. I grabbed onto him like I always did completely careless of the consequences.

"Will you stop it!"

Chad drunkenly tried to get me to let go and in doing so shoved me too hard and I wound up falling over the end table. My arm slammed into the floor and I grabbed it in pain. I look up at my mom, her hands covered her face in horror and even Chad looked slightly guilty. But I diverted my attention to the girl standing at the door.

Paige looked back at me and then over at my mom. Her breathing was slightly laboured and she seemed to be somewhat in shock. I was so ashamed and I wanted to just lie there and never move again. But Paige looked back at me again and I saw the sweetest look of compassion sweep over her features.

My mom came over and knelt by me trying to help me to my feet. I brushed her hands off me gently; I was a little upset with her at the moment. I got to my feet shakily and stumbled over to the door. Paige quietly took my hand and looked over at my mother.

"It was nice to meet you Emily… uh Chad, but Alex and I need to get going. Umm… Alex is gonna stay over with me tonight."

I looked up sharply and turned questioning eyes to her but she was still watching my mother. I looked over there too and saw my mom nod.

"Yeah, I think that's a good idea. It was nice meeting you too darlin'." She offered with a strained smile.

Paige nodded and threaded my fingers more securely in her own and walked out the door pulling me gently along with her.

As we got outside I felt my insides burning with shame. I couldn't look at her, I couldn't bring myself to talk to her. Suddenly Paige grabbed my other hand and stopped in front of me. I stared hard at the ground.

"Alex, let me see your arm ok?" I glanced up with a scowl at what I thought was an order but softened at the look in her eyes. It had been a request and it was one that I just couldn't deny.

I lifted my arm and bent it at the elbow so she could look at it. She pulled me under the streetlamp and put her face so close to it her hair tickled my skin. Slowly her fingers traced the rugburn. I winced and she immediately withdrew her hand but didn't let go of my arm. I stood still wondering if she was going to say anything. I didn't know if I could handle it if she did. She seemed to sense this and simply released my arm and took my hand again as she began to walk.

"We'll need to get that cleaned when we get back to my house." Was all she said as we walked. I felt her thumb tracing patterns along the side of my hand and ever so slowly I began to relax. Letting my breathing slow and just taking in the simple pleasure of being with her

TBC

A/N I know, no kissing scene just yet, but I figured nearly five full pages was pretty decent. Plus I want the scene to be both of their thoughts and that would be harder to incorporate in this chap. I hope you enjoyed, please leave me feedback.