Chapter 12

Evening was setting in at the Michalchuk house, the sun creating hues of orange and yellow as it dripped the last bit of its light into the sky before disappearing for the night. Today had been a gorgeous August day, and Paige couldn't have cared less. It had been just another day. Another day of packing. Another day of getting ready for Banting. Another day without Alex.

The blonde had been walking around like a zombie after having to take the dorm room, the realization finally hitting her that her image of a perfect arrangement of an apartment with her girlfriend wasn't going to happen. Is this really my life? She thought as she grabbed a box for her favorite books to pack. This can't really be my life. It must be a dream. I just hope I wake up soon. She took in a deep breath, and grabbed another book off the shelf. She gazed at it blankly while the image of Alex's tattoo flooded into her mind. Paige was in such a deep haze that she didn't hear Dylan at her door.

"Paige. Are you ok?" He asked gently not wanting to disturb her, he could tell she was deep in thought and he knew who about.

She looked over to him almost as if everything were in slow motion. She looked tired, worn out, and not at all there. "Sure" was all she said before turning back to the book as if all the answers were written on the cover; she just had to stare at it long enough to find them.

"Do you want any help?" Her brother was starting to worry as he watched her in this almost robotic fashion.

Not looking away from the book she simply said, "No I've got it under control." But he could tell she most definitely did not.

"Ok, well, let me know if I can help at any time." He looked at her with a mixture of concern and pity. Damnit I hope Alex calls soon, I can't stand seeing Paige like this, he cursed in his mind.

Paige still didn't look at him, but rather nodded in silent reply. He left her standing there with her eyes still fixed on the book. She still loves you, sis, don't worry. She'll come back. I saw it in her eyes.

With the new Harry Potter film in the theaters, Alex was extremely busy behind the treats counter. It seemed like every person going to a movie stopped to get something. She and her work station looked a terrible mess with butter splashed across her uniform, popcorn crunching under her feet, and soda creating sticky puddles on the counter. With every customer grabbing for their treats she screamed in her mind, Get me the hell out of here!

Finally after a huge rush there was a lull in the action and she was able to step outside to get a bit of fresh air. Standing by the theater wall out in the alley, she sucked in a deep breath letting the scent of popcorn-free air fill her lungs. It was just starting to get dark out; the sun was starting to slip past the horizon creating a soft warm glow.

"Alex!"

She turned her head sharply towards the direction of the voice, but to her confusion no one was there. She could have sworn someone yelled her name. Looking the other direction she didn't see anyone there either. I must be losing it, she thought as she returned her gaze at the sky.

"Alex!"

"Who's there?" she yelled back, but again no one was there. Great, now I'm hearing voices. This time she could have sworn someone was really there, and though she tried to deny it, it sounded an awful lot like a certain green eyed blonde. I'm hearing voices, and they just happen to sound like Paige. Perfect, just perfect. For a brief moment, Alex felt as though she was looking right at her. As if she was standing right in front of her, and they were staring into one another's eyes.

"I miss you." She whispered into the wind. "And I love you." Her heart swelled in her chest. For the first time since that awful night after graduation, she felt at peace. Her whole body felt calm, and she felt like Alex again. Taking in another deep breath, she grabbed her baseball-style theater cap and headed back to work. For the rest of the night she formulated a plan.

For the rest of the shift she had a big grin on her face, causing her co-workers to look at her strangely, but she didn't care. Excitement coursed through her veins making it extremely difficult to get any sleep that night. She could hardly wait to call Dylan in the morning. He was going to be very happy.

to be continued