Chapter 13
Banting was already bustling with student activity, ranging from moving in to inviting people to back-to-school parties. Paige felt overwhelmed as Dylan drove her up to the university campus. Before she could move in she had to find out where exactly she was going to be, and therefore headed for the student center. She could've found out sooner, but she could barely muster up enough interest in packing let alone finding out where she was going to live.
Dylan practically shoved her out of the car, telling her she needed to get in line while lecturing her for waiting until the last minute to find out. However, her indifference was actually key to the success of his and Alex's plan, and he had a very difficult time not grinning while pretending to be irritated with her. He swung the car around quickly heading towards McKinley Hall. What Paige didn't know was that he had already found out where she was going to be living, and he nearly knocked people down trying to get there quickly to help Alex set up. He pulled up to the side entrance to find her sitting on the steps with a box next to her. Immediately spotting him, she eagerly jumped up and grabbed the box. She could hardly contain her excitement.
"I thought you were never going to get here" she said as he stepped out of the car.
"I'm sorry, but Paige was dragging her heels hoping that by some chance you would call before she left" he responded as he walked up to her.
Alex felt momentarily bad, but got excited again. "So that must mean she doesn't suspect anything?"
"Not even close. She looks terribly pitiful today. Didn't even mull over what she was going to wear."
"That's so not Paige."
"I told you she hasn't been her self since graduation."
"I know." She became silent for a moment looking into the contents of the box, then took in a deep breath. "She will be so surprised." Her eyes lit up at the thought.
"You have no idea" Dylan said as he nodded for them to head into the building.
Paige glanced around in the student center. She had been here once before when she got a tour of the university, but it was a completely different feeling she had then. It was so full of excitement, but now she just felt hollow inside. There was a very long line for the dorm room assignment booth, and sighing deeply she wandered up behind the last person. She noticed that these students, presumably freshman, all had the same looks on their faces. She knew she was one of them, but she could tell she didn't look the part of glowing wonderment they all exuded.
"Are you a freshman?"
Paige turned her head to face the young man behind her who was smiling kindly at her. "Yes" was all she said.
She was about to return her attention back to the front of the line when he continued, "I'm Jack."
She held herself back from rolling her eyes, fearing that she knew where this was going. Looking back at him she said, "That's nice."
But Jack wasn't giving up that easily. "And you are?"
"Paige." She made an audible sigh, but he either didn't hear her or was choosing not to.
"I'm a freshman too, but my brother went here so I know my way around pretty well." He smiled at her hoping she'd get the hint.
She did, but she didn't care. "How nice."
"Yeah so I was thinking, maybe I could show you around some time. Maybe grab some dinner afterwards." His smile grew as he talked to her, his eyes searching her face.
Paige didn't want to be cruel, this guy didn't mean any harm, but she really wasn't in any mood to be flirted with or asked out. "Look Jack, you seem like a really nice guy, but…"
He cut her off, "You're already seeing someone? I should have known someone as beautiful as you would have a boyfriend."
This made her smile despite just wanting to be left alone. "Technically we broke up, but I really love her and I'm hoping to get back together with her soon."
His eyes got big, "Oh. Ok, well can't blame a guy for trying."
Paige just smiled and turned back to face the front of the line again. It was moving extremely slow, and she didn't have much patience left. This is going to be a long, bad, and depressing day to say the very least.
Back at the dorm room Alex was unloading the contents of her box while Dylan brought in Paige's things. Their first plan was to quickly put away her things, make the bed, then make the room feel homey.
"Quit pulling on the corner so hard, I can't get mine to stay on the bed." Alex laughed as she tugged on the sheets.
"Hey now, I'm not the one who keeps wanting to get everything absolutely perfect" he teased.
"I just want her to be happy" she quietly murmured.
"Oh believe me, she will be. Just seeing you here, she'll be thrilled. And what you have planned will blow her away completely." Dylan contentedly smiled thinking about how blissfully excited his sister will be seeing the girl she loves so very much.
"Ok, where should we put her posters and pictures?" She was digging through one of Paige's boxes looking to see what all was in there. Inside she found various pictures of Marco, Dylan, and her parents. And several of Alex herself, ten to be exact, and one of just her arm showing the tattoo she had gotten. Absent mindedly she reached up for the necklace Paige had given her. Dylan noticed this silent moment, and though he didn't want to disturb her, they needed to get moving if they wanted to get everything done.
"Alex?"
She looked up at him, smiled and said "Right, so where should this one go?"
Little by little Paige inched up towards the line. Jack, thankfully, had finally stopped interrogating her about her relationship with Alex. She couldn't tell if he was hoping he could convince her that she should take a chance on dating him, or if he was just trying to weasel out details about their relationship, or more specifically, details of their sex life.
Thank god he finally stopped asking me questions; I'm having a really hard time being nice. She clutched at the papers in her hands hoping he'd finally get the hint that she wasn't interested in talking to him anymore. Stepping from foot to foot behind her she could tell he was still racking up questions to ask, and she stared at the front of the line willing it to move faster. She heard him inhale and she knew he was just about to say something when the person in front of her finished at the booth.
"Next" the woman behind the table blandly said.
"Hi" Paige said in relief as she handed the woman her papers.
She briefly looked over everything, checked her own list, and then looked up at Paige. "Ok Paige Micklchuk."
"That's Michalchuk" she corrected the woman emphasizing the Michal part of her name.
Uncaring the woman just looked at her, making Paige feel 2 feet tall. "You're in McKinley Hall, dorm room 511. You'll go down this street, take a left, and it's the tall brick building on the corner of Monk's Avenue."
"Thanks" was all she said as she took her papers back along with the dorm assignment. In the back of her mind she was trying to figure out the best escape route to get away from Jack as quickly as possible. Darting off, she heard him start to say something as the woman called for the next person in line. Dylan better be waiting for me outside. I don't think I could take anymore from the question man.
Paige practically ran out of the building thankfully finding Dylan parked across the street. She jumped in the car fearing Jack would follow her out wanting to know where she was living.
"Ready for your new life?" Dylan asked with a small smile on his face that she couldn't quite read.
"Yeah, let's just get this over with" she mumbled under her breath.
Dylan just smiled as he pulled out of the parking lot. He knew that this new beginning was something Paige was most definitely ready for.
to be continued
