Paige's POV
I step out of my apartment and out into the sun. I bask in its rays while deciding which route to take. Since Sadie and I broke up, I've gone the other way because I didn't want to pass by Cafe Diem and make things harder. Over the years, I've had moments when I missed her terribly and speculated on rekindling an old flame. We haven't talked since the break up and after how things ended, I couldn't just contact her out of the blue. I defintely want to be friends. I don't know if she's gotten over things now but she hasn't reached out either which makes me think that maybe she hasn't. As my thoughts wander, I feel a burn in my legs. I didn't even realize that I already started to run. Oh, Paige.
Around 45 minutes after I started, I finish my run. I should try to do this in less than 45 minutes. I have no plans of running a marathon but my competitive side is rearing its head. I'm all sweaty and still catching my breath when I smell something that reminds me of her - the girl in my dreams. I smell peaches. I look around, my heart beating faster, trying to catch a glimpse of her. I walk mindlessly, letting my nose guide me among the throngs of New Yorkers. I close my eyes to help me focus. I'm probably bumping into more people right now than I ever will in my entire life and I don't care. I turn to my right and walk straight ahead, holding my hands out in front of me. I take a few more steps and bump my leg into something hard. I flinch and open my eyes. An old lady is sitting on a bench, looking at me like I have some sort of disease. I mumble a quick, "Sorry". I try to smile as I walk away, trying to hide my disappointment. The old lady was eating a peach.
Stupid, stupid Paige. Why must you be so impulsive? I must have looked crazy, I know. I figured I don't care if strangers saw me. They are in fact, just strangers. But if I found her, wouldn't it be totally worth it? I guess if she saw me like that, she'd most likely run in the opposite direction. So I guess getting a false alarm today is good, in that sense. At least she didn't see me making a fool of myself. However, I'm pretty sure I can charm my way out of it. I sigh at my feigned confidence as I head to my parents' house for a swim.
No one's home. Both my parents are out, working. They'll be back much later, long after I've left. I put on a lot of sunblock as I survey the pool area. For someone who practically grew up in the water, my skin is particularly sensitive to the sun. I burn easily. Good thing my parents still stock some sunblock in their house. They know I still use this pool everytime I want to go for a swim. It's been a regular part of my workout ever since I can remember. I don't swim everyday though, only thrice a week. Just in case I change my mind about going for that Olympic medal. I swim 30 laps before I decide to call it quits. I grab a big floater and pull myself up with ease. I lie down and relax, trying to simulate someone getting a tan.
My thoughts wander and go back to the incident earlier this morning. With a clear head, I feel embarassed. I feel like an obsessed hormonal teenager. What made me think that she's the only one who can smell like peaches? Of course someone eating peaches would smell like peaches. It's not as if it's a unique scent. Maybe I should stop looking for her. A lot of people believe dreams have no meaning, that they merely come from our subconscious. Why can't I be one of them? Then I wouldn't be in this dilemma. I close my eyes for a moment, trying to free my mind of things, allowing the gentle movement of the water to lull me to sleep.
I'm sitting beside a pool, feet dangling in the water, watching her swim laps. Her arm pops out of the water, one after the other, in perfect rhythm. She stops when she gets to my side. She places both her palms down on the ledge and hoists herself out of the pool gracefully. She sits beside me and removes her swim cap. Even pool hair can't hide how gorgeous she is.
"Ahem. Earth to Paige?" She puts her hand on my knee and I turn a deep red as I realize that my intentional glance has turned into a full-on stare. I clear my throat.
"Sorry, I got pretty distracted by um.. uh.. your strokes!" Strokes? I got pretty distracted by her strokes? Nice one, Paige. I mentally kick myself for being such a bad liar.
"Oh, I see." She moves closer and trails her hand up my thigh then walks her fingers medially as she whispers in my ear. "Did you say.. Strokes?" I gaze around awkwardly, squirming as I feel something between my thighs.
"Breathe, Paige. Or I may just have to revive you with mouth to mouth." She jumps back into the pool, swims to the middle and calls out.
"Come on, McCullers! We can do a lot more than swim in the pool." She laughs at me and dives underwater as I jump in after her.
I wake up, gasping for air. I literally fell into the water. Oh god, that girl will be the death of me. I can still feel the heat as I grab the float and try to get back on it. Unlike a while ago, I flounder around. My arms are gripping the sides of the float while I gingerly raise one of my legs up to the other end. I fail and end up sending the float up into the air. It lands on top of my head. I jump in surprise as I hear my mother's voice.
"What are you doing, dear?" I look up to find my mom staring at me.
"Just practicing my strokes." I sputter, once again blurting out the first thing that comes to my mind. Why does this always happen when I'm caught off guard? I decided to attempt to get on the float one more time - still with much struggling.
"I bought peaches." My dad walks towards the backyard, looks at my mom and gives her a kiss on the cheek. I cough and swallow some water when I hear him say "peaches".
"Paige, is that a new pool exercise? Is it supposed to help you with your form?" He appears to be asking an honest question but I can hear a bossy tone in his voice. I have no doubt where my competitiveness came from.
"She's practicing her strokes, Nick. Do you want some peaches, Paige?" My mom walks back into the house with my dad right behind her.
I get out of the pool now, dragging the float behind me and dumping it somewhere on the lawn. What is it with today and peaches? My eyes widen as I realize what time it must be for my parents to be home. I didn't even notice the sun setting. How long was I dreaming?
I go into my room and straight to the bathroom. After rinsing off all the chlorine, I do my best with the clothes I left here before I moved out. I grab my favourite shirt. So this is where it was. I was turning my apartment upside down in search for this. It's a simple red plaid button down shirt. I feel like it's such a versatile piece of clothing. No one knows where I got this shirt. I can't remember and neither can my parents. If I did, I'd probably buy more of it. I just love it so much! I wear it unbuttoned over a black tank top, with dark denim jeans and sneakers. I walk down to the dining room where my parents have dinner ready.
"It's that shirt again. Why do you always wear that?" My mom sighs.
"It's a versatile piece of clothing, mom! Besides, I really like this shirt. It doesn't go out of sty-"
"It's just a shirt. Arguing over it, time and again, is a waste of time. I'm too hungry to talk about our daughter's wardrobe. Let's eat, shall we?" My dad butts in before I can finish my sentence. I smile at my dad appreciatively, glad to have my mom off my back. This debate has gone on for who knows how long. Despite that, I'd keep this shirt if only to keep it. I feel like it's got some sort of sentimental value, although I have no idea what. I wonder if it's normal to be this attached to a shirt.
I engage in a conversation with my parents - about their jobs, the church, my job, old and new clients, new design ideas. After a while, it's time for dessert. Yep, what else but peaches?
I do the dishes while my dad tries to convince me to take my old bike back to my apartment. He says it's safer than walking. I'd usually agree with him but I had my mind set on a leisurely walk home. By the time I finish with the dishes, I had settled on biking back to my apartment. You know how things are with parents. Mine aren't any different.
As I pedal away, I am in disbelief over everything that happened today. My day was filled with her and things that remind me of her. Dreams, swimming, peaches.. God, the peaches are becoming too much. And yet, I can't help but smile at what an eventful day it's been for me and my heart. Is it even possible to fall in love with someone whom you haven't met yet? Moreover, someone you're not even sure exists?