A/N: Sorry it took awhile to update. I had finals and a whole bunch of school drama. Also this chapter is really long. Over 8,000 words. Enjoy =)
There are very few things I regret doing in my life. Seeing as I'm only 18, I pretty much have the same regrets that all 18 year-olds have. I regret not doing that project back in middle school, I regret missing the bus that one time because there ended up being free cake at school that day, and I regret not stopping Jay and others from pulling that prank that caused a school shooting. Ok, maybe the last one isn't what a typical 18 year-old regrets but then again the kids who go/went to Degrassi aren't typical kids. I think though the biggest, and I mean BIGGEST, regret so far in my life is kissing Tammy Mason.
"That was a stupid move," Alex tells me. It's about two days after the kissing incident and I just got done telling Alex what I did.
"Yes Alex, I know it was a stupid," I tell her.
"Why'd you do it?"
"She wouldn't shut up and she kept talking and talking and talking."
"So every time a girl starts talking for a really long time you kiss her to shut her up?"
"No. It's just, I don't know…"
"Well, now what are you going to do?"
"Avoid her?" There's silence on the phone and I know that if this was a face-to-face conversation Alex would be giving me a look right now. "It's a big campus, I can do it."
"Sounds like you're pulling a Paige to me."
"Wow really? You went there and brought it back. Wow. This is not the same thing Alex. I'm not running because I'm scared of liking girls. I'm scared because Tammy Mason is effin crazy."
"Well I say go for it."
Wait, what the hell did she just say? "What?!? Just a few days ago you told me to go for it with Beth. I'm not understanding you Nuñez."
"Well you said that you weren't going to go after Beth till the summer so there's no reason for you to be single till then. All I'm saying is that you should go out and have some fun."
"You know that if this blows up in my face it'll be your fault."
"Yes I know this. See ya in two weeks."
TWO WEEKS LATER!
I'm about to get into my cab that'll take me to the airport to go home. I've been successfully avoiding Tammy for the past two weeks. Although I feel bad about this, I just can't deal with it.
"Jordan!" I hear someone yelling my name.
I turn my head in the direction the voice came from. Oh shit.
"Jordan Johnson!" Tammy yells. "What the fuck?"
The cabbie is giving me a look as he slams the trunk shut. He shakes his head and then gets into the cab. I turn back to Tammy and she looks angry.
"You've been avoiding me for two weeks Jordan," Tammy says with anger and her hands on her hips.
"Well see-," I start.
"So what, you just kiss girls and then not talk to them?" Tammy interrupts me. "I poured my heart out to you and then you kissed me. Then as soon as we get back to campus you grab your stuff out of my car and race back to your room. Do you think you can just play with my heart like that?"
I hold my hands up to signal her to stop talking so I can talk. "Give me time," I tell her. "Winter break is a month long. Give me a month to think, that's all I'm asking for."
Tammy sighs and takes her hands off her hips. Then her eyes soften and she crosses her arms. "Fine," she says.
"Thank you," I tell her.
"But…" Tammy grabs my shirt and pulls me forward.
We're kissing again. She places her hand behind my neck and deepens the kiss. I'm still keeping my hands to myself.
We both pull away. "You can think about that during break," Tammy says and now she's walking away.
I feel a tad bit light-headed. I'm shaking my head slightly. I guess I have a lot to think about during break now.
Canada, A few days later:
I'm sitting in my room thinking about the kiss. Part of me feels…giddy that I actually kissed someone. But another part of me feels guilty because I kissed someone other than Beth. I know that Beth and I aren't together so what I did isn't cheating but I can't help but feel guilty.
She's the girl all the bad guys want. Yeah, she's the girl all the bad guys want.
I sigh, being interrupted by my thoughts. I pick my cell phone off my dresser and answer the phone.
"Yo," I answer.
"Do you want come over?" Alex asks.
This is…weird. I rarely go over to Alex's place. She's usually always over here to my house.
"You're inviting me over to your place?" I ask cautiously. "Did Chad move out or something?"
Alex chuckles at my comment. "No. He actually just got a new plasma TV and Paige is coming over to fold shirts for the store. So I figured since you didn't have anything else to do this lovely Thursday night, you'd like to come over.
I scoff. "I could have had a hot date tonight. You never know."
"Look, do you want to come over or not?"
I sigh, feeling defeated. "I'll be there in 15 minutes."
Alex's Place:
Alex wasn't lying when she said Chad got a nice new TV. This makes me wonder how he could afford it. He's just sitting in the recliner watching stock car racing.
Alex, Paige, and I are all folding shirts right now. I feel like every time I come home I'm doing something that deals with Squatch Designs. I just got done telling Paige and Alex about what happened with Tammy.
"I told you not to avoid her," Alex says in a 'know-it-all' voice.
"Hon, I say since you're single anyway you might as well give this girl a chance." Paige says.
"I know, I know," I tell them. "It's just that I don't want to get into this relationship and it ends up being she likes me way more than I like her."
"Or maybe you just don't want to get into another relationship because you're afraid of getting hurt again," Alex says.
I raise my eyebrow. "Since when did you become oh so wise?"
Alex shrugs her shoulders. Alex's mom brings us all some soda and Chad a beer.
"Thanks Emily," Paige thanks Ms. Nuñez as she hands her a soda. "You are the hostess with the mostest."
"You come over anytime you'd like Paige," Ms. Nuñez tells Paige. "And you know you're always welcomed here Jordan."
I smile. "Thank you."
"Put me down for Oscar night so long as Chad lets us watch on his 6000inch Plasma thingy," Paige says.
"It's actually a JVC 65in plasma TV with HD capability," I tell them bluntly.
I look up from folding a t-shirt. Alex, Paige, and Ms. Nuñez are all looking at me now.
"I know a lot about televisions, so what."
A knock at the door interrupts the awkward moment.
"Pizza money's on the side table, hon," Ms. Nuñez tells Chad.
Chad gets up and opens the door.
"Good evening," a man says.
We all look up from the table and there are two police men standing at the door. This cannot be good news.
"We're looking for Chad Kent," the police officer says. "Are you him?"
"Depends," Chad says. He glances at us and then looks back at the cops. "What do you want?"
"We have a warrant for your arrest for the crime of credit card fraud," the cop informs him. He hands Chad a piece of paper which must be the warrant. Now the cop is turning Chad around and handcuffing him.
"Credit card fraud?" Ms. Nuñez asks. "What?" She takes the warrant from the cop and looks at it. "No, there must be some mistake."
"Sorry Emily," Chad says and now the cops are taking him away.
I'm not going to lie and say I'm surprised. I mean, how else would he be able to afford a 65-inch plasma TV?
"No wait!" Ms. Nuñez follows them to the hallway.
Alex walks towards her mom. "Should I come?" she asks.
"No. No you stay." Ms. Nuñez grabs her coat. "I'm sure we'll get this all uh sorted out."
Alex shakes her head slightly. Paige and I are looking at one another, neither of us knowing what to say.
"Wow. How 'Cops' was that?" Paige asks Alex.
Really? Did she just reference a television show?
"Are you okay?" Paige asks Alex.
"Paige you should go," Alex tells her.
"You sure? The TV's all ours."
"It's late and I have exams. Could you just go, please?" I can tell that Alex is having a moment. I feel like she's about to shut us out.
"As you wish, hon. Um thanks for your help."
Paige grabs all her shirts and leaves the apartment. I look at Alex and she's sitting down with her head in her hands.
"Is there anything I can do?" I ask her.
"No," she says. "I'm just going to wait her for my mom to get back." Alex stands up and we both walk to the front door.
"I'll talk to you later?" I ask.
She nods her head yes. "Yeah, I'll talk to you later." We pound fists and I'm on my way home.
Next Day-Friday:
I called Alex earlier today to find out what happened and she told me Chad racked up some major credit card bills. I asked her if there was anything I could do. Told her that my parents would be happy to lend her the money but of course she declined. This of course is understanding and not surprising at all. Alex is always one for pride and I know that she would feel like taking my parents' money is like accepting a hand out. She told me she was able to get her job back at the movie theater. It must suck having to work there without any friends there. I don't blame Alex for not taking the money my parents are offering but I wish she'd just take it,
I'm a Barbie girl, in a Barbie world…
That's Paige calling me, interrupting my thoughts.
"Hello," I say into the speaker.
"Hey Hon," Paige greets me cheerfully. "Would you like to go see a movie with me?"
"Are we actually going to go see a movie or are we just going to go visit Alex at work?" I ask her.
"Both," she tells me.
"Alright, but you're driving since you invited me."
"Ok, pick you up in ten."
Movie Theater:
"All I'm saying is that I want to see The Psycho," I tell Paige.
"And all I'm saying is that I am not in the mood to see some scary horror film that's going to give me nightmares," Paige argues back. "I want to see Diamonds & Gold."
"I don't want to watch some sappy love chick flick. If I did then I'd be at your house right now watching The Notebook"
We've been arguing about which movie to see for awhile now. I just don't feel like watching some stupid love story. I want to be able to yell at the screen. I'm in the mood to see some blood and guts. I don't care how that sounds right now.
We see Alex at the nacho cheese machine and I notice that Paige instantly smiles and her face sort of lights up.
"I used to love dispensing artificial nacho cheese product," Paige says as we're approaching the counter. Alex turns around. "That ooey, glooey texture."
"I miss eating the M&Ms," I say sadly.
"Great," Alex says. "First the cops raid my house and now you see me wrapped in polyester. Real attractive." I can tell that last comment was for Paige and clearly not for me.
"Hon if you needed a job so bad, you could have asked me. Of course I can only pay you in t-shirts."
"My mom needs the cash fast. Big faceless corporations weren't the only ones Chad stole from. He racked up my mom's credit card, so…"
"Um I wish I could do something. I mean maybe I could lend you a little bit."
Alex laughs a nervous laugh and slightly shakes her head no. "No, I'll be fine," she tells Paige.
"So um," Paige starts and leans down on the counter. "How is the lovely and talented Miss Carla these days?"
Wait, Alex didn't tell her? They totally broke up like almost two weeks ago. Well I guess after declaring her love for Paige, Alex didn't want to tell her right away because then it would seem like she broke up with Carla for Paige. Which she totally did but of course she doesn't want Paige to know that.
"I think Ms. PHD was slumming it with me," Alex says. "Besides we had zero in common. It just wasn't worth my time."
"Well if Ms. Snooty Pants thinks she's too good for you, she isn't invited to my housewarming party." Paige and Alex are just smiling at each other now. It's sort of like one of those weird smiles where if you're the third party then you just fell weird standing there.
"Wait," I say suddenly realizing something. "There's a party tonight?"
Later that Night:
I'm sitting in my living room waiting for my ride to show up. I told Alex I could just drive my car to Paige's party but she said she really wanted me to ride with her. I feel a sudden vibration in my pants.
Ok, I know, that sounded wrong. I take my cell phone out and I have a new message.
We're here
I walk out of my house and there's an orange car waiting for me in the drive-way. Wait that car looks familiar. It can't be. A person opens the driver's door and steps out of the car.
"Well looky here," Jay says. "If it isn't Jordan Johnson."
I walk to the car and step to Jay. "Jay, I must say. I'm surprised you're not in jail yet," I tell him.
Jay is actually smiling at me right now. "Oh Jordan, I'm glad to see that college hasn't taken away your humor."
I eye him suspiciously. That's weird; usually Jay would have an insult or rude remark to say back. I climb into the back seat where Alex is already sitting and some blonde girl is in the front.
Jay gets back into the car and closes the door. Both Jay and the mysterious girl turn around.
"Jordan, this is Mel, my new girlfriend," Jay informs me.
I smile at the girl and hold out my hand. "Nice to meet you," I tell her.
She smiles back and shakes me hand. "Nice to meet you too," she says kindly. I like her, she seems nice. And maybe she's the reason why Jay is being weirdly friendly to me.
We arrive at the house and you can already hear music as we pull up. I'm the first one to enter the house and I immediately spot Paige. I walk up to her and hug her with one arm.
"Hey Paige," I greet her.
"Hey Hon," she greets me back.
I take a brownie from the plate and start eating it. It's like heaven in my mouth. Finally Alex and the rest of the crew make an appearance.
"You made it," Paige says when she sees Alex. And then she notices Jay and Mel. "With guests."
"Paige, this is my new girlfriend, Mel," Jay informs Paige.
You can tell by the look on Paige's face that she doesn't 100% approve.
"You said invite people," Alex tells Paige. "Their movie ended, so I did. Now where can I change out of this loser suit?" Alex opens her coat a little to show us that she is still wearing her work uniform.
"Mel's been telling me she might be able to get you out of that sexy uniform," Jay says.
"Yeah they're looking for cute servers where I work," Mel says.
Paige looks away. "Where's that? A strip bar?" she says semi-quietly. I don't know if she wanted the rest of us to hear that or not but we all did.
Mel is giving Paige a look. The look says 'don't judge me chick'.
"Club Zanzibar, perfectly respectable cocktail bar…on one side," Jay says. Jay and Mel glance at each other. "Crazy hot peelers on the other, or so I've been told."
I'm pretty sure Jay has been there. Actually I can bet that Jay has been there. I've heard of the place but I myself have never been. That just seems more like a straight guy thing than a lesbian thing.
"Yeah they prefer to be called exotic dancers," Mel tells Jay. Now she's looking back at the rest of us. "Besides I work in the bar, fully clothed at all times." Mel sort of directed that more towards Paige. "It's good tips, about $150 a night."
Alex's face sort of lights up. I can tell she's considering applying for the job. "And they're hiring?" Alex asks amazed.
Uh-oh, Paige has a worried look on her face. I can already tell that she's disapproving of the idea already.
Mel pulls a card out of her pocket. "Come by," she tells Alex. "I'll get you an interview."
Mel is walking away and Jay is following her but not before he takes a brownie off of Paige's plate.
"Jay's girlfriend works at Zanzibar," Paige says. "Quel surprise. Guess NASA wasn't hiring."
Alex is just looking at the card Mel handed her.
"Paige, you're judging," I tell her. "We've talked about judging others before."
"Hon…" Paige starts.
I shake my head and interrupt her. "Nu-uh, we do not judge other people or their jobs. Besides exotic dancing is hard and apparently a great way to burn calories. So I've heard of course."
Paige shakes her head at me and is now leaving to mingle with other guests. Alex looks up from the card and looks at me.
"So what do you think?" she asks me while waving the card around.
"I say if you need the money fast then apply for the job."
"That's why I hang out with you. You understand."
"Well nice to know you just don't hang out with me to eat all the food at my house." We both laugh and decided to enjoy the party.
Next Day:
I'm bored. That's the thing about break and not being in school or having a job. I get bored. I look into the corner of my room and see my guitar. I haven't played it in a while. I grab the guitar and find a random pick on my desk. I start strumming a few chords and sing some lyrics that just come to my mind.
Give me a chance to show you
Give me a chance to be real with you
Give me a chance to prove to you
Give me a chance to love you
Wow, that actually sounds pretty good. I grab a notebook and write down the lyrics. So that can be a chorus, now all I have to do is write some verses and a bridge. But I got to figure out what exactly I want this song to be.
She's the girl all the bad guys want. Yeah, she's the girl all the bad guys want.
I pick up my phone off the bed and answer it. "Yo," I say into the speaker.
"Hey," Alex says. "I got the job."
"Congratulations. When do you start?"
"My first shift is tonight."
"Oo, your first shift is a Saturday night. It should totally be packed tonight. I think… Actually I'm not quite sure when strip clubs are packed and when they're not."
"Its ok Jordan, I get it. I'm going to go but I'll talk to you later."
"Alright, peace." I hang up and close my phone.
My stomach just rumbled so I'm going to go ahead and guess that I'm hungry. I go downstairs to grab something to eat. My mom is pulling cookies out of the oven and Brian is at the counter with papers everywhere. Looking at my mom I see a tiny tiny baby bump but nothing noticeable yet since she's only ten weeks pregnant.
"Hey hey," I say.
"Hey," Brian says without even looking up.
"Hi honey," my mom says and smiles at me. "I made you some cookies."
I take a cookie that's already on a plate because those have already cooled down. "Thanks mom. So how's my younger sibling doing?"
My mom pats her belly. "Just fine."
"When do you find out if it's a boy or girl?"
"I don't find out till about 18 weeks into the pregnancy."
"So in eight weeks we'll find out if we'll be painting one of the bedrooms blue or pink?"
"Yep. So how's Alex and her mom doing?"
"Alex got a job at Club Zanzibar. Apparently you can get really good tips there."
"She's not stripping is she?!?" my mother exclaims.
I give my mom a look. "No mom, she's not stripping. She's working as a waitress in the bar part. Calm down."
My mom pretends to wipe sweat away from her forehead. "Well good. How's the whole Paige and Alex almost relationship but not quiet thing going?"
"I don't know, it's hard to say. I mean you can tell that something is obviously there but after Alex confessing her love for Paige and Paige sort of shooting her down I think things are sort of rocky. I think eventually though Paige will overcome her fears and they'll be together."
My mom approaches me and places a hand on my shoulder. "And how are you doing in the relationship category."
I sigh and slightly shake my head. "I don't really want to talk about."
"Alright honey." My mom kisses me on the cheek. "But know I'm here to talk if you want to talk."
"Thanks mom."
I grab two more cookies and go up to my room. What am I suppose to tell her? There's some girl in Florida waiting for me and I have no idea what I'm going to do. I'd rather keep that to myself.
Next Day:
She's the girl all the bad guys want. Yeah, she's the girl all the bad guys want.
Ugh. I look at my clock. It says it's nine am. I throw my head back into my pillow. Alex's ring tone is still playing. Ugh.
"Hello," I say groggy.
"Hey," Alex says. "I need you to come over."
I let out a whine. "It's nine o'clock in the morning. Can this wait till like, I don't know, one in the afternoon?"
"No I need you to come over now. Just do it." She hangs up the phone. Not only is she annoying, but she's also rude.
I reluctantly get out of my bed and throw some sweat pants on and a coat. I'm so tired, but when a best friend calls the other best friend must answer.
Alex's Place:
I knock on the hard wooden door as I'm also leaning against it. It's a surprise that I got here in one piece. I'm still tired and I'm pretty sure I was only driving 40 km/h. For those of you that don't know, that's 25 mp/h.
Alex opens the door and let me tell you I wasn't awake before but I'm definitely awake now. I'm eyeing her body up and down; it looks like I'm checking her out. She's wearing a short red leather skirt, an open white button shirt, and a black sports bra.
"What are you wearing?" I ask her.
"Good morning to you to," she says and moves so I can walk in.
Mel is sitting down on the coach and some video showing three women and stripper poles is showing on the TV.
"Hey Mel," I greet Mel.
"Hey Jordan," she greets me back in a tired voice.
I turn back to Alex and point at her. "Back to you," I say. "Why are you wearing that? Are you about to be in a Bubba Sparxxx music video?"
"That's pretty much what I said," Mel says from the coach.
"My mom informed me last night that we're about to be evicted unless we can come up with two grand in ten days," Alex tells me.
"So you're going to do a rap video to get the money?" I ask.
Alex throws a sleeve thing at me. "No," she says. "I'm thinking about stripping."
Damn. "Oh…" is all I say. I mean I don't really know what to say. "Do what you have to do."
"Thanks," Alex says.
I hear light snoring. Alex and I walk over to the coach. We're both laughing quietly. Mel is pretty much passed out on the coach right now. I want to grab a sharpie so badly right now and write on her face. Alex and I are just looking at each other right now. We both shrug our shoulders.
Next Day:
I'm chillin' at Marco, Ellie, and Paige's place right now. Paige and Alex are supposed to meet me here in a few. Paige and I are going to help Alex study for her exams. Right now I'm helping Marco get dressed.
"Wear that tie and that shirt and everyone will be all over you," I tell Marco.
"I'm not going for me remember," he tells me. "I'm going to help Ellie."
I pat his shoulder. "I know, but you should still look hot also."
The front door opens. Marco is still checking himself out in the mirror and I turn to see who it is. Of course it's Paige and she's carrying books.
"Hey Mr. Snazzy Pants," Paige greets Marco. "You stepping out on my bro?"
"Naw, I'm just wing man tonight," he says as he's fixing his tie. "Ellie's looking for love."
I follow Paige to the kitchen and she puts her books on the counter.
"I'm hoping it makes her less bitter about the whole you dating her ex thing," Marco informs us.
"Well Hon, she can get over it," Paige says. "I just had a delicious post work break up coffee. Jesse and I are fini."
"Seriously?"
"Hmm yeah. So much for a cas hookup. I was like his therapist. It was Ellie, Ellie, Ellie on repeat." Paige sighs. "Besides, I've got other things on my mind."
Marco and I are both looking at each other knowing what these "other things" are.
"Things like say Alex?" Marco asks.
"Alex Nuñez perhaps," I ask and raise any eyebrow.
"Maybe, sort of," Paige says. Paige turns around and looks at us. "Definitely." She places her hands on the table. "She's working at Zanzibar, Marco." Paige takes her coat off and let me just say, that it one ugly sweater she is wearing. "I couldn't sleep last night," Paige informs us. "I kinda had another mini panic attack."
"Ok, perspective," Marco starts. "Um, it sucks but Alex can take care of herself."
"I know, but I'm still worried about her." Paige's voice does sound caring right now. "She's my friend."
"She's your ex," Marco says. "And you just broke up with Jesse."
I cross my arms. "We can't be friends with our ex's?" I ask.
Marco turns to me. "Are you friends with your ex?"
My eyes narrow. "Touché, continue."
Marco turns back to Paige. "The scene writes itself here."
"Ok Hon, you are love starved and hence a little crazy," Paige says. "It's not like that."
Ellie appears in the doorway. Her face tells me she looks slightly confused but then again she did just come into the conversation.
"Marco I'm ready," Ellie says. She holds up her jacket. "Let's go."
Marco sighs. "Well, just so you know you've got my blessing," he tells Paige. He starts walking backwards. "I always thought you two made a perfect couple."
"Marco we are not…" Paige starts. Marco leaves and Paige sighs.
I turn my attention to Paige. "You also have my blessing."
Paige opens her mouth to speak but I hold up my hand indicating her to silence. "It's me you're talking to Paige. I was there from the beginning." I sit down in a chair. "Stop being afraid and just go for it. You were already afraid in high school and you got over it. You're a big girl now. If you want to be with her then be with her. But you have to hurry before she closes the door and locks it."
I walk into the living room, leaving Paige in the kitchen to think about what I just said. I lie down on the couch and close my eyes. I've suddenly become tired.
Sometime Later:
I can hear voices. It sounds like Paige and Alex. I slowly and slightly open my eyes and I see the two at the table studying. I must have fallen asleep. Well I'm going to pretend to still be asleep.
"Describe the function of enzymes and metabolic reactions in mitochondria," Paige says.
"How about not?" Alex says. "Break time?"
"I thought you'd never ask. So uh I have some news. You are looking at a newly single girl."
"You broke it off with Jesse?"
"We had zero in common, hon. He wasn't worth my time."
"Well it sounds like you got it all figured out, Paigey."
"Hardly, I was supposed to be at Banting fast tracking to an MBA. I was supposed to be a sorority girl sipping cosmos with Brittany and Amber, but here I am chilling with you and it feels right. Why is that?"
There's silence now. Why is there silence? I quickly look up and I see Alex pulling away from Paige. Damn, they kissed and I missed it.
"Why do you keep doing this to me?" Alex asks. Uh-oh, this doesn't look too good.
"Sorry I…I thought the door was kind of open."
"Yeah it's been open for weeks. The problem is you keep opening it and then closing it and opening it and closing it. Just make up your mind!" Alex is walking away from Paige.
"Look you're cool with being a lesbian, but I don't know what I am."
"The word is bisexual Paige and it's just a label. Who cares?"
"My parents already have one gay kid."
I can feel the tension is this room rising.
Alex laughs at Paige's last comment. "So?!"
"So I just dropped out of university!" Paige says, raising her voice. "Let them deal with one major parental crisis at a time."
Alex is just shaking her head. "Great. Everything's always on your schedule, isn't it?" Alex grabs her coat.
"I am supposed to give them grandkids one day. You do not get the pressure I am under."
"Pressure?!" Alex exclaims. Whoa. "Excuse me for finding your idea of pressure pretty…pretty damn pathetic right now." Alex's voice is sort of cracking and I can tell that she's on the verge of crying.
"Hon, don't cry," Paige says in a concerned voice.
Alex whips around. "Stop," she tells Paige. "You don't get to break my heart and then comfort me too."
Alex grabs her stuff and leaves. Paige is just staring at the door now. Paige turns and now she's looking at me.
"You said the door was open," she says hurt.
I get up. "You didn't go in through the door. You tried to get in through the window." I place a hand on Paige's shoulder. "You're Paige Michalchuk. You shouldn't give a fuck what people think about you."
"But what about my parents?"
"It's your life Paige, not theirs. Stop worrying about them and stop caring about labels. This is YOUR life. If being with Alex is going to make you happy then be with her." I grab my jacket and head towards the door. "I'll talk to you later Paige."
I close the door behind me and sigh. Dealing with these two is probably going to cause me to have a heart attack one day.
Next Late Night/Early Morning:
She's the girl all the bad guys want. Yeah, she's the girl all the bad guys want.
Oh my effin God. Why can't I ever hear this ringtone when its daylight and I'm actually awake? I look at my clock and it reads 1:15 am. I pick my phone off my desk.
"I swear to holy Bob, Alex. This better be good."
"Is Paige and I getting back together good enough?"
Wait, what? "What?" Alright, I'm up and excited now.
"After work Paige came over and asked me to be her sweetheart."
"She asked you to be her sweetheart? Who uses the word sweetheart?"
"Jordan, that's beside the point. The point is that Paige and I are back together."
"Palex is alive once again. Woo!"
"Oh and I have another thing to tell you. I'm…"
"What? Alex don't mutter."
Alex sighs. "I'm stripping," she repeated.
"Oh… You need the money that badly?"
"Yeah I do. My mom didn't get the extension on the rent so we need the cash quick."
"Well I understand. I mean I wish it didn't come to this point but you gotta do what you have to do. Did you tell Paige?"
"Jordan, we just got back together."
"I know. Let's not start this relationship out badly already. Just tell her."
"Jordan you know how Paige gets."
I sigh into the phone, defeated. "Fine, it's your relationship. Do what you want. I'm going to go back to sleep now. I will talk to you later."
Day!:
You… Don't wanna be just like you. What I'm sayin' I, this is the anthem. Throw all your hands up.
Someone's calling me. I look at my phone and I don't recognize the number but the area code is Tampa Bay. I open my phone.
"Hello?"
"Hey Jordan," the voice from the other end says.
This voice sounds familiar. Oh, you've got to be kidding me. "Tammy?"
"Yeah," she answers cheerfully.
"Tammy, how did you get my number? And why are you calling me?"
"I just wanted to see how you are."
I sigh into the phone and raise my hand up to my forehead. "Tammy, it's only been a few days. What happened to giving me time?"
"I'm sorry," she sounds sad. "I know that you told me to stop trying so hard and I know that I said I would give you time, but its hard Jordan."
"Well you're not making it any easier by bugging me Tammy. January 19th you will have your answer."
"Ok," Tammy says, sounding defeated. "Bye Jordan."
"Bye." I hang up the phone.
I'm starring up at the ceiling. How do you express what you're feeling when you don't know what you're feeling? In song. I grab my guitar and start strumming random chords.
There's a girl in Florida
Waiting for me
But I'm afraid
That she'll sting me like a bee
Maybe I should give her a chance
If we work out
Maybe we'll go to France
Go to France? Now I'm just trying to find stuff to rhyme. My phone beeps loudly indicating I got a new text message. The text message is from Alex.
We're going out tonight.
Well at least I have something to do tonight.
Later that Night:
We're all here at this club/bar place. It's Paige, Alex, Jay, Mel, Marco, Ellie, and me. Apparently Marco is still helping Ellie look for a man. Marco and Ellie are getting food while the rest of us are sitting at a table.
"So what's in the bag?" Jay asks Paige, gesturing to the bag on the floor. "A gesture of sweet, sweet romance?"
"This?" Paige picks up the bag off the floor. "A little post-exam gift for my belle. Super on sale." Paige hands the bag to Alex.
Alex reaches into the bag and is now pulling out a red dress.
"Oh fancy," I say.
"Sexy!" Mel says. "It's perfect for work."
I slightly choke on my drink. Alex quickly looks at Mel. Uh-oh.
"Hilarious Mel," Alex says. Alex turns back to Paige. "She's, she's joking," she tells Paige.
"Good," Paige says. "But as far as jokes go, hon?" Paige tilts her head. "Not so funny. The thought of you wearing a parka in that place gives me an emotional boil."
Jay, Mel, and I are all giving each other looks now. We're all mentally agreeing that Alex lying to Paige is not good.
"Well then I guess I'll just have to perform an emotional lancing. Tomorrow night I'll quit. I'll find a new job."
A new song starts and Paige's face lights up. Mel and I look at each other both knowing that once again Alex is lying to Paige.
"Are you serious?" Paige asks Alex. "Best present ever!" Marco appears and rests his head on Paige's shoulder. "I suddenly feel like dancing," she announces to us. Paige is now walking to the dance floor with Marco.
Jay, Mel, and I all turn our attention to Alex. I cross my arms and raise an eyebrow. Mel rolls her eyes and Jay sort of smiles.
"New job?" Mel asks.
"As far as Paige knows, you bet," Alex says.
"A big, fat lie," Jay says. "Now there is a solid foundation for a relationship."
"Yeah. A complicated one and if she finds out I'm an exotic dancer, there won't be one at all."
"Well good luck with that, Lextasy. You see when a hot girl shakes her naked ta-tas for a living, word gets around."
"Really Jay, ta-tas?" I ask him. I turn my attention back to Alex. "Jay has a point."
Jay gasps in surprise.
"Yes Jay, I'm actually agreeing with you for once. Alex, lies in a relationship is never good, especially when it comes to you and Paige. I say tell her the truth before she finds it out from anyone else."
"She's not going to find out from anyone else because we're all going to keep our mouths shut," Alex says. She's looking at all of us now with threatening eyes. "Right?" she asks in a threatening tone.
We're just all nodding our heads now although none of us agree with the decision she's making.
Next Night:
I'm looking through my closet trying to find an outfit to wear to Degrassi's Winterfest Dance, which is in two days. I know what you're thinking. Why is a college student going to a high school dance?
Well Alex and Paige are going and I was invited so I'm going also. Not like I had anything else planned for a Friday night.
You… Don't wanna be just like you. What I'm sayin' I, this is the anthem. Throw all your hands up.
My phone is just blowing up lately. I look at the caller ID. I don't recognize the number that's on the screen. All I know is that it's someone from Toronto calling me. I flip open my phone.
"Hello?"
"Hey Jordan, its Mel," Mel sounds anxious, maybe even nervous.
"Mel, what's wrong?" I'm a tad worried because I'm expecting to hear something bad about Alex.
"You need to get down here to Zanzibar now."
"Why what's going on."
"Paige is down here."
"Oh shit. I'll be down there as fast as I can." I close my phone and jump out of my bed. I'm searching for clothes, good clothes. I'd rather not go into a strip club looking like a bum. Oh fuck it. I grab sweats and I'm out of the door.
Zanzibar:
I'm searching the bar and I finally find Mel.
"Mel, am I too late?" I ask her, out of breath.
Mel pulls me to the side. "Alex just got off stage and Paige is waiting backstage for her."
Shit. "How do I get back stage?" Mel points in a direction and I'm now on my way.
I'm almost there and... Whoa, angry Paige heading my way.
"Paige…" I start.
She's giving me angry eyes. "Did you know?" she asks.
"Paige…"
Paige shakes her head at me and now she's angrily walking away. I enter the back room and Alex has her head in her hands. I can hear her quietly crying.
"Alex, are you ok?" I ask quietly and I place a hand on her shoulder.
Alex looks up at me and her mascara is running a little. "I don't know Jordan," she says sadly. "I guess the relationship is over before it even began."
"Just talk to her. Explain what's going on."
Alex slightly nods her head and then lays her head down in her arms. I can tell that she's still crying a little bit. I put my arm around her shoulder and try comforting her. I knew Paige would find out, she always does.
Friday:
It's Friday morning and I'm at The Dot right now reading a book and drinking some tea. The dance is tonight and I have to admit I'm a little excited. I find the perfect outfit yesterday at the mall while I was shopping with my mom. Silk black pants with this nice shiny silk red shirt and a black and red stripe tie to pull it all together. I'm going to look so cool and so hot.
The bell jingles and I look to see who just came in. It's Alex and she doesn't look too happy. She sits at the table that's right beside me and doesn't even notice me. The door bell jingles again and this time Paige is walking through the door. She sits down at the same table as Alex. They're sitting across from each other. Oo, this should be interesting.
They both try to same something at the same time.
"Sorry, you first," Paige says.
"I'm sorry you had to find out the truth like that," Alex says. "The look on your face at the bar…"
"You need help," Paige says. "So I'll forgive you, erase that image from my memory and we'll celebrate your new job at the dance." Paige places a folder on the table. "There's an internship at my
mom's company."
"Paige I have a job, okay?"
"Exploiting yourself is not a job, so swallow your stupid pride and accept help when it's offered."
I have to admit I agree with Paige that Alex needs to swallow her pride and accept help. But then again I know Alex, and pride is a lot to her.
"My mom and I are this close to being evicted," Alex says. "I do this because I have to. Get it?"
Paige is shaking her head. "No," she answers. "I will never ever get why you would take your clothes off for money. For any reason ever!"
Alex leans back and crosses her arms. "I don't know female empowerment?"
I slap my hand to my forehead. This is going down south real fast.
"That's bovine fecal matter and you know it, Alex," Paige says, sounding like she's becoming angry.
What the hell is bovine fecal matter? I'm going to have to look that up when I get home.
"I'll have enough in a week or two," Alex says.
"Until something else comes up. Every night that you do this, it kills me. When does it stop?" At least Paige is being honest about her feelings.
"Maybe when I make enough for tuition or when I get my mommy's magic credit card, like yours."
Oh wow, that was kind of harsh.
"This is my reality Paige and if you can't be there for me, we have no future," Alex says.
"Sorry Alex," Paige says while shaking her head. "I can't." Paige gets up and is leaving.
"Have fun at the stupid dance," Alex says after her.
The door jingles and Paige is gone. I get up from my seat and sit in Paige's seat. Alex and I are just looking at each other. We're both expecting me to say something.
"If you care about her and want a relationship with her then fix this," I tell Alex bluntly.
"How?"
I'm shaking my head at Alex and I chuckle. "You and I both know I can't tell you how. Only you know how." I get up and leave The Dot.
That Night, at the dance:
When I attended Degrassi I only went to one dance and that was prom my junior year. I didn't attended senior prom because Beth ended up being sick and you know Alex doesn't do dances, so instead we decided to blow up some fire crackers that day. Paige actually blew some up to. That was a really fun night.
I'm here at the Winterfest Dance and the decorations are amazing. It really does look like a winter wonderland in here. I'm looking around and I see some of the usual kids. Wow, Sean Cameron came back. I wonder when that happened. He's dancing with Emma, and Toby and Liberty are dancing together. I also see Ashley and Jimmy dancing. I wonder where Manny is. I see Paige at the punch table. I might as well go face her now.
"Hey Paige," I greet her as I reach the table.
Paige sees me and her eyes instantly narrow. "How could you let her do that?" she says with venom in her voice.
I hang my head. I look back up at Paige. "I care about Alex too Paige, just like you. I don't like what she's doing anymore than you do but if Alex feels this is what she needs to do then I'm not going to stand in her way or judge her."
"She's taking off her clothes for money Jordan!" Paige exclaims.
"I know!" I shout back. "You don't think I tried to help? You don't think my parents tried to help? Alex is like another daughter to my parents and you better believed they offered to pay the rent and debt. But you know how Alex is about pride. She declined the offer and decided she would fix the problem herself. There's nothing you, my parents, or I can do when Alex makes up her mind about something."
Paige turns her head, looking away from me. I place my hand on her arm and she looks back at me.
"Paige, if you care about Alex and your relationship with her you will try and work this out."
"How?"
I shake my head. "I can't answer that for you Paige."
A new song starts and I've decided that I'm going to enjoy myself and dance. I leave Paige at the punch table and walk to the dance floor. I start dancing with random people I use to talk to last year. I look at the stage and Darcy Edwards and Toby Isaacs are being crowned Ice King and Queen. Who would have that Toby Isaacs would be Ice King.
I look back at Paige and she's standing near the door. Spinner walks up to her and they start talking. I really hope she doesn't end up sleeping with Spinner again.
A few minutes later and a slow song has started. Since I have no one to dance with I'm going to go get more punch. Whoa, Alex just walked in wearing the red dress Paige gave her and let me tell you, she looks hot. I walk over there with a punch in my hand. I stop short seeing that Alex is going to talk to Paige. I'm standing far away enough where they won't notice me but close enough to where I can hear them.
"Do you know this is my first Degrassi dance?" Alex asks.
Paige turns around, surprised to see her. They're just looking at each other now.
"Do you like my dress?" Alex asks Paige.
Paige looks Alex up and down. "Shouldn't it be on the floor at work?" Paige asks.
Alright, clearly she's still a little upset.
"I've screwed up a lot, but if I let you go it'll be the biggest screw-up of my life. So I quit stripping, for real." Alex is looking down now. I can't really see their faces so I don't understand why Alex's
head is down.
Paige is smiling though. "Hon this is happy news!"
Alex brings her head up. "Chad's back," she says. "I can't go home. I have nothing. Just help me, please." Aw, Alex sounds so sad.
"Sweetie you have me," Paige tells her.
I step forward. "And me too," I say. They both turn and look at me surprised.
Cadence Grace's song Somewhere Together suddenly plays. Paige, Alex, and I all look at each other and smile.
"How about a little faux-snow dance therapy?" Paige asks.
"The only dancing I'll be doing from now on," Alex says.
Paige pulls Alex onto the dance floor and I follow. They hug and we all start dancing.
Even if we never wake up
We'll be somewhere together
Put your head on my shoulder
Even if it all crashes down
We'll be somewhere together
A/N:Whatcha think? Did u like? Leave reviews please.
