So here it is...the last chapter.
I'm sorry that it took so long for me to upload, but once again, it was difficult to write because I kept on changing how I wanted it to end.
When I first started writing this story, it was just an idea. It was based off of this fantasy I had for Paily because Emily is the only PLL character that does not have this 'grand love' like the other ships and I don't understand why. I only intended to write a couple of chapters, but the support for the story was so inspiring that I kept on adding more and more to it.
Thank you to all the people who followed the story from day one. Thank you to all the people who kindly message me because of those messages, I really wanted to finish what I started and not leave the story hanging.
And lastly thank you for all of the support. I know I'm not very great with words and I don't write eloquently but I truly appreciate every comment that says how much you guys love this story. For me, knowing that I'm not a strong writer, it is very excited. So thank you.
Back to the story now...last one.
Enjoy!
"Can you tell the jury what happened when you woke up at the hospital?"
Paige shifted uncomfortably in her seat. It wasn't exactly the most comfortable chair she has ever sat in. It was hard and cold, causing Paige discomfort to her back. But But she didn't want to show it as she sat on the stand.
Suddenly, she felt as if the temperature in the room has increased. It was a tad warmer than a minute ago, making her even more uncomfortable. Paige want nothing more than to bolt out of the room.
She was finding it hard to breathe.
Paige looked down, avoiding any eye contact. "Um..."
Paige squeezed her eyes shut, trying to recall that moment when she woke up. Her palms were sweaty and she started to feel anxious. She didn't want to look up, to search the courtroom to find familiar eyes on her, judging her and condemning her for what she has done.
"Um...I woke up and find Nurse Anne in the room with me. She told me that I was in an accident the night before and it was...bad."
Paige couldn't find a better word to described the memory. Panicked, she simply repeated what Nurse Anne told her that morning.
It's bad.
"What else did she tell you?"
Paige rubbed her temple reliving some pressure, feeling embarrassed and ashamed. She was frustrated at her self for not remembering that night. She was still frustrated weeks later. And here she was, struggling to make sense of that horrible night.
"Um...that she needed to report my status to the police immediately."
Paige suddenly felt nauseous. Her head was throbbing and her ears started to ring. Her mind started buzzing, images of Emily and Zoe kept flashing in her head. Why can't she remember anything?! Why is the only thing she remember from that night were images of Emily and Zoe together? She also remembered how seeing the two of them together made her feel.
Paige was extremely jealous and upset. That was also another thing that she remembered.
She was hurt.
"Did you know the reason why? Did Nurse Anne inform you?"
Paige nodded her head slowly before answering, finally finding the courage to look up at the prosecutor.
"Because I was getting charged with one count of manslaughter while driving under the influence. And the police were waiting for me to wake up to place me under arrest."
Emily folded up her sweater and tucked it in neatly inside her suitcase. That was the last item she needed to pack for her trip. She couldn't believe that in two days she was going to be on her way to Haiti again and she was looking forward to it. The semester hasn't quite ended yet, but Emily was ready to be anywhere but here in Rosewood.
She needed to get out.
She wanted to get out of there.
When the news broke out the morning after her last encounter with Paige, Emily was shocked and her heart broke for the other girl. She was angry, but yet she was afraid. She was angry with her self, feeling guilty that maybe what happened was the result of her not chasing after Paige that night and not setting the record straight.
It was the result of her not following her gut.
It was the result of her not following her instinct.
Emily let Paige go. She let the other girl storm off, misunderstood the entire situation, and now look at what came from it.
Emily was afraid for Paige, because what happened was tragic. It was a mistake that Paige has to live with for the rest of her life and Emily couldn't image how Paige was dealing with everything. Is she okay? Does she have support? Did her father fly back immediately and reassure her that everything was going to be okay? Most importantly, was Paige mad at her? Does Paige hate her? Did Paige know that Emily was sorry for how things ended that night? Did Paige know that Emily was incredibly sorry for how things turned out? What if Paige resent Emily for everything? What if Paige blames her?
The answer to that question was one that Emily was most afraid of because she was afraid of the answer.
What if Paige blames her for everything?
"Knock. Knock."
Emily looked up, finding her father leaning against the doorframe. His facial features expressed concern as he gave Emily a small smile.
"Hey Emmy." Wayne Fields asked, as he watched his daughter closely. "How are you doing?"
It seems to be the most popular question Emily has been receiving lately.
Hey Em. Are you okay?
How are you holding up, Emily?
What are you going to do, Emmy?
Emily understood the concern, but after a couple of weeks, she wished that people stopped looking at her like a fragile piece of glass, ready to break under pressure. She knew the severity of the situation and she was trying her best to remain unaffected so her parents would stop worrying about her. After everything that has happened in the last year, Emily just wanted one less thing for her parents to worry about. They have so much on their plate that Emily didn't want to become a burden on top of everything.
Emily smiled softly back at a tired looking Wayne. "I'm good, dad. How are you?"
Emily studied her father as he idly made his way into her room.
He looks so wore out, Emily thought to her self. Since being home, her father has changed a lot. He has gotten a lot thinner and he seemed to have lost interested in staying motivated. His face has aged and his features have become grim. His confidence was diminished and he seemed to have given up, which was causing problems in the household. Her parents were starting to fight a lot more, causing her mother to spend more time at the police station, leaving her father more frustrated at home, and leaving Emily stuck in the cross fires.
Although weeks ago, her father was showing signs of improvement, it was not enough for him to pass the final medical evaluation. Ultimately, forcing her father to take medical retirement from the service. It left him devastated. Now, her father's days were spending inside the house as he continues to work on improving his health. However, Emily could see a difference in her father's spirit. It was not the same as before.
"Are you done packing?" Wayne asked, as he sat down on her window seat. "You got everything?"
"Everything?" Emily repeated, chuckling subtly. "No, but I probably won't need much. I'm only gone for a couple of months. Then I'll be back."
Wayne smiled small and nodded his head.
Emily could see the definition of the wrinkle when her father furrows his eyebrow. It was never there before, Emily noted.
"I couldn't believe you're almost done with high school. My baby girl is going to be a high school graduate when she comes back."
Emily smiled sadly. "I can't believe it either. Everything is happening too quickly and I feel like it hasn't sink in yet. "
A week ago, an opportunity presented itself to Emily. Something that could solve most of her worries, but it would take her away from her friends and family for the next couple of months, possibly even longer. Zoe has mentioned a volunteer opportunity that Emily should consider taking, since it was happening over winter break. Emily has thought about it, over and over again. It sounded tempting, Emily will admit.
The sweet kicker is that Emily has received another opportunity, if she would takes it, to continue her work in Haiti and her tuition would be taken care of under the volunteer program. As long as she keeps her involvement with the organization, then she will continue to receive financial aide from the program.
Zoe said that she has mention Emily to the community board before and has explained Emily's situation to them. From previous experiences, the board felt like Emily deserved some relief from her situation, considering that she and her family are going through a tough time. Zoe's good words were the final stamp on the entire thing.
Emily checked with the school to see if she could study abroad and try to finish high school early. To her surprise, Emily was only shy six credits from graduating early. She discussed it with her parents and they both were very supportive of her decision, especially her father. Wayne sat down with Emily and helped her plan out everything so Emily would have a better idea of what her plans were going to be.
This was it.
Emily was really going to get ready to leave Rosewood for the next couple of months and when she returns, she would be a high school graduate and college freshmen. What made here sad was to think of all the events she would miss out on with her friends; the last school assembly, senior-ditch day, prom, and so much more. All the things they were excited for, in the beginning of the school year, Emily would be excluded from them. She hopes that she will get a chance to fly back in time for the girls' graduation.
She didn't want to miss that.
"Have you talked to Paige recently?" Wayne asked, when he saw a sad expression washed over his daughter's face. "Does she know you're leaving soon?"
Paige.
That was one subject Emily was struggling most with. She almost didn't know where to beginning. She knew that if she told Paige, the news will break the other girl's heart. Emily couldn't bear it. But most of all, Emily couldn't bear it if Paige hates her even more, for it.
Emily shook her head.
Wayne sighed, understanding the guilt his daughter must feel at the moment. "I know it's hard, honey, but I think Paige is a reasonable person. She will understand and support you."
Emily looked down at her feet, and nodded. "I hope so. I just don't want her to hate me."
Wayne threw his arm around Emily's shoulder and pulled her in. "Oh honey. She won't. I see the way she looks at you, she can't hate you Emmy."
Emily tried to contain her composure but failed. When her father pulled her in, she knew she wouldn't be able to hold everything in.
"It's okay, Emmy." Wayne said in comfort. "Everything will work itself out. You'll see."
Wiping the corner of her eyes with the back of her hand, Emily said in a shaking voice. "I hope you're right, dad."
Paige paced.
With each step, she struggled to keep her frustrated at bay. The floor beneath under her feet creaked as she moved back and forth in her room. Why can't she remembered what happened that night, Paige asked her self. She rubbed her temples as Paige felt some pressure building on the sides of her forehead.
Paige grunted, disappointed and upset with her self for not remembering the details of the accident.
It has been her on-going battle since her release from the hospital. Her memory came back in flashes and with the pressure of her trial; she just wanted to remember what she did that night when she decided to get behind the wheel under the influence.
What made her do it?
Why did she do it?
Why?!
Paige breathed out deeply and recomposed her self. She was going to give this one more go for the night.
Think, Paige! What was the last thing you remember from the party?
Emily.
Emily broke my heart so I wanted to forget.
*Flash*
Paige pushed through the crowd, shoving every single person that didn't let her pass through the first time.
"Hey!"
A partygoer exclaimed.
"Whatever." Paige mumbled, trying to make her way back to the kitchen.
Paige found what she was looking for. The bottle of whiskey that she left was still in the same spot where she last left it, along with the two shot glasses. Lining up the glasses, Paige shiftily poured the brown liquid, spilling a little bit on the counter.
Paige didn't care if she was wasting it. At the moment, she just wanted to not remember, erase the memory that made her upset every time she would think about it. Zoe had hazel eyes, Paige remembered. Those hazel eyes twinkled at Emily as Paige saw adoration in them.
Fuck it.
One shot.
Two.
Paige lined up the glasses and shiftily poured it again. She didn't even give her self time to enjoy that burn from the last two shots, Paige downed then next two back to back.
Again.
Paige lined up the glasses, coughing when the back of her throat started to burn. She continued to pour, spilling again.
Fuck, Paige thought. The last two were rough.
"Woah. Woah. You're wasting it."
Paige dismissed whoever was talking to her, not bothering to even see who it was.
"Seriously. If you want to get fucked up, there are other ways. Getting fucked up on whiskey seems like a lot of work."
Paige stopped her pouring, intrigued by the suggestion she detected, but she didn't look up. She waited for whomever to finish his proposal.
"I see you're interested?"
Paige rolled her eyes, setting the bottle of whiskey down. She didn't look up because she was still trying to work it out in her head. Paige knew other ways to get messed up, but was she desperate enough to do them herself?
"How much do you want to escape life right now?" The male asked her.
Paige sighed and looked up. "I want to forget this entire night."
The male smirked and said. "Lucky for you, I know just what you need."
Nervous was not the word Emily would use, but she was feeling beyond nervous. It was more like anxious, making her feel sick to her stomach as she walk towards the McCullers' front door.
Funny, how odd she feels now walking toward the same door that used to made her feel excited with anticipation, as she was eager to see the person who opened the door. Now she was really wanted to turn around and run the opposite direction. However, she knew that she couldn't be avoiding this forever. Sooner or later, she has to come face-to-face and talk to Paige.
To say what? Emily was not entirely sure. She knew that she owns Paige an apology. An apology for being selfish, for being a coward, and for not being that girl that Paige needed the most.
Breathed out, Emily rubbed her hands together, feeling her nerves getting the best of her. Most importantly, Emily didn't want Paige to hate her for what she has done. She didn't even know where to begin to explain her self.
Oh hey. I'm sorry that I was not there for you after the incident, but my parents advised me to stay away until the case dies down. But you know...it didn't. Now you're in serious trouble, but I'm still going to keep my distance. Oh and I'm leaving the country for a few months.
How have you been?
Please don't hate me.
Emily breathed out sharply again and knocked slowly.
She could feel the blood pumping in her ears, the warm rush as Emily felt it draining from her face.
The door opened and Emily looked, gasped shockingly at the unexpected.
"Oh. I'm sorry." Emily said, gulped nervously. "Is...um...is Paige here? I was wondering if I could talk to her."
Nick McCullers gave Emily a questionable look, as he stood behind the door. "You are...Emily."
The way Nick said it made Emily feel small and almost invisible.
"Yes sir." Emily responded.
"Well. I can see why my daughter is so smitten with you, Emily." Nick smirked.
The apple doesn't fall too far from the tree, Emily noted.
Nick moved slowly through the door, making Emily move back, and he closed the door behind him.
Emily gulped again. Nick McCullers was everything Emily imagined him to be, cocky and condescending. He moved with confidence and intimation was his charm.
"Do you think it's a good idea to come and see Paige?" Nick asked, as he tucked his hands into his pockets, standing tall in his suit.
Emily was overwhelmed with his presence and stunned by his question. It was quick blunt, leaving Emily conflicted to answer the question.
"Um..." Emily uttered nervously.
"I'm going to make this simply." Nick said. "I don't think it's a good idea."
"I'm sorry?" Emily managed to utter.
"I don't know what it is about you that makes Paige this crazy but I need you to let her go, okay?"
"What?"
Nick smirked and shook his head. "Listen, you're a smart girl. Why waste time toying with someone like Paige?"
"I'm not toying with her. I care about her."
"I beg a differ." Nick said. "I know girls like you. I get it. You like the thrill. You like the excitement, but once that becomes too much for you, then you just disappear. And then show up at the door, months later. Where is your pride?"
Emily clutched her jaw, slightly fumed by Nick's accusations.
"Maybe it's true this time. Maybe my daughter genuinely likes you and maybe you do care. But I can't let you see her. Can you blame me for looking out for her? I haven't seen you around since she has gotten into trouble and now you're here." Nick walked closer to Emily. "Why?"
"I just want to talk to her, to see how she's been holding up."
"Do you think that she's in a stable state to see you? After all, you're the reason why she's in this mess in the first place."
"I didn't do anything to cause this."
"Really? So you didn't upset her that night. At the party? So you didn't break her heart over and over again. Choosing another girl over her?"
"It's all an misunderstanding. Before I could explain it to Paige, she rushed out the door."
"Regardless, you guys had some time apart so why come back now and wanting to see her again?"
"I have something I need to tell her."
Nick sighed, determined to not to let Emily see Paige. "I'll pass her the message. You can tell me."
Emily looked down, disappointed and hurt by Nick's resistance. She felt guilt. She didn't mean for any of this to play out the way that it did. This was not how Emily imagined the last time she get to see Paige. Actually in her mind, Emily never thought that there would be a possibility to never see Paige ever again.
"Um..." Emily swallowed heard. "Can you tell her that I'm really sorry for everything? I didn't mean to hurt her in this way."
"Is that it?"
"Um..." Emily looked up. "Can you also tell her that she might not see me around for a while because I'm going to Haiti to do some volunteer work and I hope she can forgive me one day for leaving? My volunteer program is starting soon and I have no choice but to go. I wish that the circumstance could have been different."
Nick frowned and nodded. "Yeah, she will get your message."
"Um...thank you." Emily said quietly, before turning to walk down the front steps.
"Emily?" Nick asked. "Good luck with everything."
"Thank you." Emily nodded, making her way to her car and droved off.
Nick smirked and walked back into the house.
*A month ago*
Wayne heard a slow knock from the kitchen when he dried the last bowl and put it away in the cabinets.
He opened the door and his facial expression suddenly became grime.
"How can I help you?"
Nick McCullers smirked and extended a hand. "Nick McCullers. Are you Emily Fields' father?"
Wayne reluctantly took Nick's hand. What was the mayor of Rosewood doing at his front door? This must not be a good sign.
"I know who you are." Wayne said. "Wayne Fields."
"Wayne, nice to meet you." Nick smiled, looking down at Wayne's cast. "What happened there?"
Wayne looked away embarrassed. "I had an incident during a training run."
"Ah, you must be careful." Nick said. "You're not as young as you once was."
"How can I help you?" Wayne asked, annoyed.
"I have a proposal I would like to make to you and your daughter. It's more for your daughter, but you can decide. The important part is that she doesn't need to know this conversion ever happened. Do I have an understanding?"
"I don't follow. What is the proposal?"
"I would like to take care of Emily's tuition for all four years at Danby."
Wayne frowned. "I still don't follow. What is your relationship with my daughter?"
"Nothing. I just need her to stay away from my daughter. That's all."
Wayne made a face, putting the pieces together in his head. "You think my daughter is a bad influence around yours. Let me tell you sir. My daughter..."
Nick shook his head immediately. "No. Your daughter is far opposite from that. What she sees in Paige, I will never get."
"Then I still don't understand."
"You see, I'm here because I need help from you. I need you to distract Emily, long enough so the two of them can forget about each other."
"I know my daughter well and the way she talks about Paige is not just an innocence crush. Paige is important to her."
"And Paige is important to me too! But I can't give her the correct help she needs if Paige is hung up on Emily. You see, every time Paige gets upset, she does something a little too radical. Maybe she drinks too much. Maybe she acts too wild. She's unpredictable when she's high on emotions and she's spiraling out of control. I don't want her to hurt anyone else."
Wayne didn't say anything and Nick took the opportunity to add more.
"In a way, it's a win for your daughter also. Emily is almost ready to graduate. Do you really want her to be distracted with this on-going trial? Put everything on hold until the trial is over? I'm sure I wouldn't want that for any one else, especially those students at Rosewood High. They have suffered enough and it's time for them to move forward."
Wayne cleared his throat. "What do you suggest?"
"I heard that Danby is currently courting Emily to join their swim team."
"Yes. That's correct."
"But I also heard that Emily is not considering it because they haven't offer any financial aide."
"Um...she said that they're currently working out a financial plan."
"Well, she's a good daughter. She probably didn't want to be disappoint you so she told you a believable lie."
"If anything, my military benefits should kick in soon and maybe that could help pay for my daughter's tuition."
Nick nodded down at Wayne's cast. "How's the leg?"
Wayne shifted in embarrassment, again.
Nick knew he hit another cord with Wayne, as he continued to observe the gentlemen in front of him.
"And how is this doing?" Nick pointed toward Wayne's chest. "Still beating regularly? What can you do, right? Your body is just not as strong as it used to be. People age and the body weaken. It's unfair but that's how life goes, I guess."
Wayne didn't say anything.
Nick ticked his head and paced the length of the porch slowly.
"You got to take care of yourself. After all you still have a family to take care, am I right? Got to think about them. Now I know you think...or you hope...that you have done everything in your power to secure all the benefits from all of those years you served in the military. Maybe? But you don't have a guarantee."
"I can give you one guarantee though." Nick nodded. "Or I can help if you agree to my proposal."
"Of what? Distract my daughter to forget Paige?" Wayne shook his head. "How do you suppose I do that?"
Nick shrugged. "Send her away? An early holiday, perhaps? A little distance and time should do the trick, don't you think?"
Wayne made a face, furrowing his brow. Winter break was coming and Wayne could recall a previous conversation he has had with his daughter about a volunteering opportunity Zoe has mention to her.
Nick took it as conflict upon a father's face. Then and there, Nick knew he has gotten to Wayne so he pushed harder.
"Listen, it's easy. You send Emily away. A week or two and I bet our daughters will have move on at that point. Paige can get time to refocus and work on her well-being. Emily can plan on college without worrying about money or you! All four years taken care for and she doesn't need to know who it's coming from."
Nick tucked both hands into his pockets.
"Listen, father to father, there is nothing in the world that I won't do for my daughter. All I want for her is to have an opportunity to start over and start anew. Surely, you can understand. The deal still sits on the table. I'll help you if you help me. Keep the two of them apart and I'll take care of all of Emily's college expenses."
Wayne subtly nodded. "Emily can't know about this."
Nick smirked and stretched out his hand, offering it to Wayne to seal the deal.
"Of course. She will never know."
Rolling the pencil between her fingers, Paige tried to distract her self as she sat in her attorney's office, waiting patiently.
It was week three of the trial and Paige was not sure what to make of it. She wasn't sure if she was still clinging onto the hope that she would wake up and everything was just a dream.
This is a dream, she kept on telling her self. She wasn't sure if she was telling her self to be optimistic or if she was telling her self because she was in denial. Maybe, it's denial, Paige thought. If she was honest with her self, she felt delusional like she was in a bad dream she can't wake up from.
The tick from the clock, on the wall, matched the pace of her heartbeat.
Paige gulped.
She was getting antsy. Everyday, there was no progress. Even her father has promised her that there was nothing that he can't make go away, which worried Paige even more. When Nick McCullers has to give his promise to reassure his own daughter, one knows that it's really bad.
Today was the day where she was going to find out what the judge has ruled on her case. Did the jury believe her when she said that she didn't mean for any of this to happen and that she was beyond remorseful of her actions? Would the jury believe that Paige didn't mean to take an innocent girl's life?
I'm sorry.
For everything Paige has done, she has never felt guiltier for it. She took someone's life because she was selfish. Her excuse for not remembering that night was not good enough to look at Shana's family in the eye and tell them how their daughter ended up in her car. How their daughter ended up in an accident? How their daughter ended up flying through Paige's windshield when Paige drove her car into a street pole?
I didn't mean for this to happen.
I swear.
Paige couldn't do it. She knew that family. She knew of what they thought of her and Shana's relationship when they were dating. Paige knew them too well. She was ashamed of her actions, for being selfish, and there was nothing that she could do to even ease this feeling that was beginning to bury it self within her. It was beginning to eat her alive, leaving nothing behind but void filled with tremendous guilt and pain.
Paige didn't want to go to prison. In her mind, that was the ultimate consequence. She took a life. Therefore, she must get the ultimate punishment for her actions. For how long, Paige wondered and would she still be able to pick off where she left to start over? By that time, will anyone get her any chance to start over?
When the door open, Paige jumped slightly as it disturbed her thoughts. She sat straight in the chair, putting the pencil down, as she eagerly waits to hear the news.
"So?" Paige asked, nervously. The word escaped her lips more like a whisper, barely reaching the two older men, as they walked and stood in front of her.
Her attorney cleared his throat and unbuckled his coat. He tucked both hands into his pockets. He exchanged glances with Nick, but he didn't reply.
Paige's hope slowly dissolved as she watched both men closely, eyes traveling from one figure to the other one.
"What?" Paige asked.
Nick looked up at his daughter, a frown upon his forehead. "The judge wants to transfer this case to adult criminal court."
"What?" Paige mumbled.
"It didn't look good when we went into the meeting. The judge believes that it's reasonable. After all, the incident resulted in a death."
The attorney chimed in. "We can try to negotiate for a less severe sentencing. We have to come up with a plead bargain. We have to come in there with our own terms because the chance of winning is...if I'm going to be honest, the chance of winning this case is very slim. "
"You're looking at doing approximately of 6 years, in an all female correction facility, located in Arizona." The attorney answered, hitching his glasses higher on the bridge of his nose. "That's the best offer you're going to get. I advise that you think about it and consider it because it's going to be a tough fight if we're not going to take the plead bargain."
"6 years?" Paige echoed, feeling light headed all the suddenly.
Nick cleared his throat again and turned towards the attorney.
"Can I get a minute with my daughter?"
The attorney nodded and quietly slipped out of the room.
"6 years." Paige said again. This time she said it like she accepted the consequences of her actions.
This is what she deserves. Every time she made a mistake, she was always comfort with the thought that she can get away with it because her family was able to bail her out, no matter the cost. Paige knew that she was testing her limits. She was testing her luck. This time, her luck has run out and her father couldn't make her mistake disappear. It has finally caught up with her.
Everything was finally catching up to her.
6 years? When she gets out, she will be an adult in her late twenties. Time for college, friends, and career will all be the things she misses out on if she takes the plead bargain. Paige couldn't help but slowly put her head in her hands, feeling warm tears streaming down her cheeks. She bit down on the inner part of her palms to muffle her sob as she breaks down in front of her father.
Hearing his daughter cry, Nick didn't know what else he could do for his daughter. He managed to separate Emily far away from Paige so his daughter could finally start focusing on her self. He has hired the best attorney on the East coast to defend Paige in court. He has even tried to pay off the jury in private. Knowing that what he did was illegal, Nick took his chances. He knew that there was no way Paige was going to be able to get a lesser sentence from the jury. They were going to convict her of manslaughter. Therefore, if he could pay a couple jurors to not convict her, then that was what he was going to do and he did. He thought it would be enough. He was wrong.
"What do you want to do, Paige? Have you thought about it?"
"No."
"6 years will go by fast." Nick spoke up, defeated. He ran his hands through his hair, feeling frustrated. "You will finally grow up in that time."
Paige stopped crying immediately. She looked up, baffled by her father's words.
"You should consider yourself lucky. 6 years is not a long time, considering you killed a friend." Nick turned and looked at his daughter.
"It was an accident." Paige croaked.
"Accident or not, it did happen." Nick rubbed a hand over his face. "I need you to grown up and take responsibility for your actions and I want you to take the plead bargain."
Paige shot out of her chair. "What?!"
"I've spent so much of my attention and efforts on your case that I've neglected my own campaign." Nick sighed, frustrated. "I'm tired and I need to re-dedicate my time over to..."
"Something important?" Paige whispered through her tears. "I'm sorry I've been such a bargain on you, taking you away from far more important things."
"Don't you say that like I don't care about you, you ungrateful piece of..." Nick exclaimed.
"Shit?" Paige finished the sentence for him.
Nick shook his head, signs of frustration visible as he paced the length of the room. "You don't even know how much I've done for you and now here you are. You are turning this entire thing around and making it into a pity case. There is so much that is riding on this case, you have no idea. I have spend so much money on your attorney and even he can't get you off with a lesser ruling."
Paige wiped her face with the back of her hand. "I'm sorry that I'm such a burden on you. I'm always in the way."
"I need you to take the plea bargain, Paige." Nick repeated one more time. "There's nothing else I can do and at this point in time, I feel very defeated to try and fight back. I need you to do this and maybe things will end up all right. I need you to show remorse, for what you have done. The public will be very forgiving."
"I'm remorseful! How can you think that I'm not?!"
"Because you don't remember what you have done!" Nick screamed. "It makes everything looks so bad when you don't remember shit! It makes it look bad when you have a track record that validates the irresponsible privileged troublemaker they have painted you out to be. It makes it look bad when there are results that confirmed you were 100% under the influence and abusing other illegal substances. It just looks bad! There's no way around it!"
Paige remained silent, letting Nick's wrath sink in.
It was true. She did all of these things and yet she can't figure why she did what she did. It was so out of character of her. However, she didn't have a doubt in her mind that she wasn't capable of not committing these acts.
"I need you to take the plea bargain. I need you to put on a performance and act like you were given a second chance with the plead bargain. There is no other way for you to get out of this. The prosecutor really wants to pin you and they have got us where they want. We simply can't win this battle, Paige."
"But it's 6 years!"
"Do you think you're going to get a better offer?!"
"I don't know!" Paige screamed back, sobbing. "It's 6 years in prison! I don't want to go to prison dad!"
Nick frowned as he watched his daughter break down in front of him. The word 'dad' sounded so hopeless and foreign when Paige used it. As long as he has known Paige, she has never uttered that word. Now witnessing the state that his daughter was in, Nick felt bad for the girl. He has failed her and failed as a father. Nick squeezed his eyes shut and wish there was a price to make everything go away right now. However, as much as he wishes, he knew that there was no other option to correct the mistake. There was no other way to save his daughter.
Paige was going to prison.
Grabbing her swim cap and goggles, Emily felt a funny sensation.
It was her last swim meet of her high school swimming career. This was it. After tonight, she will be on the next bus going into the city to catch her flight to Florida.
She will go through training in the Florida for about a week before making her way to Haiti and collaborating on her projects with Habitat for Humanity.
It felt so surreal.
Emily had imagined her last high school day a little differently. She imagined wearing a rich blue graduation gown, the tassel hanging on the right side, and holding her friends' hands as they all sat together to listen to Spencer's valedictorian speech. She imagined seeing her parents' standing proudly in the stands as they wildly cheered for her when Principal Carson called her name. She imagined holding her diploma tightly, throwing both of her hands in the air as she walk across the stage. She imagined Paige standing there, at the end of stage, opening her arms and engulfing Emily in a loving embrace. That was what she dreamed of every night, leaving her devastated, every morning, when she opened her eyes to face reality.
Playing with her swim gear, Emily stalled.
Is this what she wants? She could easily turn around and walk away from this swim meet. She could not get on that bus and totally skip her flight to Florida. She could decline Zoe's offer and find college help from someone else.
But for what?
So she can stay in high school one more semester and graduate with her friends?
So she can have more time with Paige?
For what, Emily asked herself.
Maybe it was the fact that at this moment, when the swim meet is happening, Paige's trial is happening too. And Emily is overwhelmed with emotions and she feels helpless. She wanted to be there for Paige, but she was worried that Paige might become more upset if she showed up. Emily knew that deep down inside that it was the right thing to do, be there for Paige. In Emily's mind, they can still support each other.
Right?
As girlfriends?
As friends?
As what? Emily thought. She felt that she has lost the right of a friend to be there for Paige even though her conscious is telling her other wise. However, Emily was too much of a coward to do the right thing as she continues to stall in front of her locker.
"Emily?"
"Coach?" Emily said, startled. "Hi!"
"Emily. Thank goodness, I've found you." Coach Fulton exclaimed. "I got great news. Danby's people are here! They came to watch you!"
"What?!"
"I know! I thought they were going to take more time to reconsidered because that's what they had informed me, but I guess not." Coach Fulton said. "This is a second chance, your second chance."
"Wow." Emily muttered. "I don't know what to say."
"Nothing." Coach Fulton said. "You're going to show them. You're going to go out there and show them why you're the best at Rosewood High."
"Can you tell the jury, again, what happened when you woke up at the hospital?"
Paige looked down at her folded hands. "Um...I don't recall much from that night."
"But you kind of remember, right?"
Paige shook her head. She barely answered. "No."
"I can tell you if you would like. So the jury knows exactly what happened that night when you got behind the wheel completely inebriated. So they can get a better understanding of the whole story and I hope it will resonate with you and make you remember that night. Even if you can only remember bits and pieces of it."
Paige nodded. She knew that this was it. The real truth of why she was afraid. She was afraid of prison and afraid that while she was locked up, everyone will forget about her as the time passes. However, she was afraid of the truth even more. She was afraid of knowing how reckless she can be, consciously or unconsciously. She was afraid that the truth would haunt her forever because she didn't remember much of that night. The fear of truth and the overwhelming weight of guilt pieced her, ripped through her as she felt hot tears streaming down her face.
"Wednesday night. December 17th, around 10 pm. Paige McCullers and her friends showed up at Alpha Zeta fraternity house on Hollis campus. What was a high school student doing at a college party on a weeknight? I'm not entirely sure, but I'm positive that Paige had intentions of having a great time as many people had testified. They said that they saw Paige drinking heavily and her behavior became more and more erotic."
Paige looked up, scanning around the room and found everyone's eyes wandering on her.
"It's not common, right? Going to a college party and having a good time. I mean, we have all done it, once or twice in our lifetime. That was not uncommon, right? But here's the difference. This was not Paige's first time going to a college party and participating in under-age illegal activities. She has been caught several times and has been fine on multiple occasions. In fact, she has been caught, under-age drinking, 7 times as her record shows.
I don't know about you, but this could be considered as a repetitive behavior pattern. She has a drinking problem. 7 times! She has been caught 7 times and yet she feels no importance to change her ways. If she did, would we all be here today?
Somewhere in the middle of the night, drinking was not enough for Paige McCullers as one eyewitness saw Paige and a young gentlemen sneaking away and headed to the bathroom. He was not sure why? But I can tell you what the lab reports concluded that night when the paramedic took Paige to the hospital.
In her system, Paige had traces of methylenedioxymethamphetamine and benzoylmethylecgonine, commonly known as MDMA and cocaine. Now take all that and mix it with alcohol and weed, we have, ourselves, a very dangerous cocktail."
The attorney walked over to his desk and grabbed one of the folders, lying on the table and put it in the air. He walked back to the judge and placed it before him.
"Before you all, I present the documentations that I gathered from the hospital that night and a statement from an anonymous partygoer, who is the key eye-witness in this case. He clearly stated that he SAW Paige and a young gentleman going into the bathroom together. He SAW them coming out, acting erratically bizarre. And I quote, 'They looked like they were tripping out.'
Was the person she was with Noel? She has a vague image of him in her memories, but she was not certain.
"This is not a movie. This is one girl's reckless decision to cause some damage and to take everyone in her path down with her. After leaving the bathroom and going their separate ways, another partygoer saw Paige 'pounding down shots' when a tall curly hair male tried to talk to her. They exchange words. As another witness said, "it looked like things got heated between them two and the girl stormed out."
So Patrick tried to talk some sense into her and yet, she didn't listen. Paige thought to her self. If she had listened, none of this would have happened.
"Shana Fring was seventeen years old. She was an honor roll student, who was a star athlete and a superb violinist. She got herself a full athletic scholarship to Hollis. She had already declared her major and has expressed her interest in the medical field with multiple Hollis professors. At the young age of seventeen, Shana Fring had figured out what she wanted out of life. She had a bright future a head of her. Now, we will never get that chance to see what kind of future Shana would have had.
Shana has always had a spot for Paige in her heart. In fact, the two have a complex history together. They were once together and then remained good friends when the relationship ended. Shana was a good friend to Paige when she also tried to stop Paige that night after a fail attempt from another friend.
One partygoer even stated that Paige acted very aggressive towards Shana, when Shana tried to take the keys away from Paige. I believe, Paige physically pushed Shana away a couple times, creating a scene at one point. Then she stormed off, stumbling out of the door, and Shana stayed close behind her.
Some how Shana ended up in the car with Paige that night. Shana was in the passenger side as Paige drove through Rosewood, heavily under the influence. Somehow, Paige drove into a light pole, bounced off of it, and slammed into a plaza marquee.
Paige ended up in the hospital that night with a big cut on her forehead and a black eye, resulting from hitting her face on the steering wheel. Her right hand was crushed going through the dashboard. Her chest was bruised from tighten of the seat belt and she suffered from a broken rib when the paramedic found her up half way thrown out of her seat."
Paige looked down at her hands, running a finger along the scars from the night. She tried to flex her fingers, but she winced at the pain.
The doctor told her that it would take a while for her to completely heal her hand because of the impact of the crash. The doctor placed pins in multiple spots where there were severe damages. It has been a month, but Paige found it challenging to even hold a pencil. She couldn't even bend one of the fingers without wincing in pain.
Good. She thought as hot tears trickled down her cheeks.
They will forever serve as a reminder of what she has done. They will never fade and Paige will never forget them.
"Shana Fring flown through the front wind shield. She suffered from major head injuries and was declared dead when the paramedic arrived."
The attorney pointed at Paige and addressed the jury.
"Each time, they slapped her on the wrist and dismiss the seriousness of the issue. But for how many more times, I ask you. Privilege has handed her the easy way out of every bad decision she has ever made. She has never answer to any of her consequences, but for how much longer? This time, it has claimed an innocent life and there will be no justice if Paige McCullers walk out of the court today with another slap on the wrist."
Everything was a blur for Emily. She couldn't believe how everything just passed by her so quickly over the last two hours as she sat quietly in the back seat of her parents' vehicle.
This was it.
Emily was on her way to the airport and Emily was not sure how she felt about it. The race ended too soon that Emily didn't even get a chance to savor her final high school swim win with her team. Emily remembered hitting the water, really swiftly and hard. The thought of Danby drove her.
Push, Emily.
Impress the scouts.
She remembered keeping count in her head and pushing her body to reach as far as she could.
1.
2.
3.
4.
She remembered her muscles in her arms and legs burning with fire, begging her to slow down and give them time to recover. She refused.
You can do it.
When she finally touched the wall and popped her head out of the water, she was relieved as her body tingled with overwhelming joy. She got a little distorted as the cheering volume of the crowd blasted through the space. Emily frowned, looking for her parents in the stands, but her eyes were having difficulties adjusting to the surroundings.
She remembered spotting them. Wayne looked ecstatic, cheering wildly with both hands in the air. Pam looked like she was about to cry. Emily frowned. What is going on? Why were her parents' reactions so odd? Wayne motioned Emily to look up at the scoreboard.
New record, it said.
New record?!
Emily gasped, "What?!"
Coach Fulton rushed over to the pool and exclaimed. "Emily! You just broke the school's swim record time!"
It made her entire night. She was really going out with a bang and she couldn't believe it. It must be the adrenaline in her system as Emily sat numbly, listening to her father review the meet for the second time during the car ride.
"Emmy, that was your best form. Wow!" Wayne said, looking back at Emily. "You have grown into such a great and powerful swimmer. I'm so proud of you!"
Emily smiled.
There are moments like this that Emily will cherish forever. Her whole life, she has tried so hard to make her parents proud of her because she never wanted to see them disappointed. Emily knew that no matter what, her parents' will always support her. However, it just feels extra special when both her parents were looking at her with pride. Emily felt good because she felt like she did something right to earn their praises.
"I am as well, Emily." Pam turned around and gave her daughter a small smile.
Emily returned the smile, trying to put on a brave face because she knew what was coming up next. Even though there were shadows casted on Pam's face, Emily could tell that her mother was barely holding it together.
Emily could see the entrance of the bus station as her father pulled in slowly and Pam turning away from her daughter quickly. Emily remembered the last time her parents dropped her off at the bus station. Wayne practically had to pulled Pam away from her as Pam sobbed, watching Emily making her way on the bus.
Emily hoped that this time, it would be a little bit easier.
Wayne pulled into the departure zone and put the car in park. He hopped out without saying anything and opened the trunk, pulling Emily's bags out. Emily quietly got out of the car, waited for her mother to do the same and then hugged a crying Pam when they faced each other.
Emily hated seeing her mother cry. It was one of those things that make her heart twist when Pam is upset.
"I'll be back soon. 2 months will fly by in a jiff." Emily whispered, hugged her mother tightly.
"I know. But you're still my baby girl, going to another country. For 2 months!" Pam pulled back and smiled. "I'm just being an annoying mother."
"No, you're not." Emily smiled back. "I'm going to miss you."
"I'm going to miss you too! Every day!" Pam sighed. "Take care of yourself."
"I will, mom."
"Promise?"
"Promise."
Emily turned to her patiently waiting father. He had a frown on his face, looking like he was going to cry any minute. Emily has never seen her father in such a state.
"I'm going to miss you too dad."
Wayne held out his arms and Emily moved in to hug her father.
"I'm very proud of you, Emmy. You have grown to become such a beautiful, strong, and independent young lady. You are going to do great things." Wayne said. "I just know it."
"Thanks dad."
"Remember to take care for yourself, okay?"
"I will."
Wayne pulled back to look at his daughter and smiled thin, a grim look on his face. "Everything will work itself out. Remember that, okay?"
"Yes, dad." Emily replied, knowing that these were her father's last wise words to her before she leaves.
Leaving tonight will mark an end of a chapter for Emily; a chapter full of youthful memories and endless amount of daydreams. A chapter that Emily could say was the best chapter she has ever had because it was full of hope and unexpected excitement that made her feel so alive.
Paige has made her feel so alive, more that she has expected from one person. Her overwhelming adoration floored Emily and looking back on what they had, Emily feels beyond blessed to have an experience like that. Over the last couple of months, Emily has had time to reflect. She was angry and sad. She was anxious and stressed because she couldn't stop thinking about the other girl.
What she feels for Paige was never something she doubted. It was always something that scared her because of the uncertain and drama that surrounded their relationship, but Emily knew her feelings ran deep. She knew from the first time Paige grabbed her hand and the both of them ran away from the police thought the woods. She knew that she would never forget Paige and no one else would never come close to Paige. No one will ever be able to fill this void Paige left within Emily.
However, all good things have an end and she must accept the outcome. The status of their relationship is diminished down to nothing more than a relationship between acquaintances. They have become strangers again, not knowing how each other are doing in life. The comforting thing that Emily is holding on to is the closure she got tonight. Emily went to go find Paige and tried apologize to the girl, but sadly she just had to pass it to Mr. McCullers. She tried and Paige has had many opportunities to find her and talk it out, but Paige never did.
There was so much time, but Paige didn't want to try.
That was the sign Emily has been waiting for. It was a sign that Paige didn't want to talk it out. It was a sign that they are not going to fix what they have. It was sign that Paige didn't care. It was a sign that Paige was done with her.
Emily didn't blame Paige. After how cold she treated Paige, Emily was not surprise that this was the outcome. She didn't even know why she hanged on the hope that maybe, just maybe Paige could possibly prove her wrong. Maybe Paige was going to prove her wrong because Paige l...
What? Emily thought. Shaking her head of the thought.
No, it was okay.
But it hurts. It hurt Emily that things have to end like this.
Emily sighed. Everything will work out.
Holding onto her father's words, Emily made a promise to herself.
On the next chapter, Emily will take that hope and let it inspire her. Her new focus will begin tomorrow morning when she arrives in Florida and meet up with the other volunteers. Her new focus will be dedicated to helping others and working hard to open new opportunities for her self. The main focus will be on her, as she will take the time to learn new things about her self and learn her true potential.
"You okay, honey?" Wayne asked, concerned. "If you don't want to do this anymore, it's okay. We will head home."
"No. No." Emily snapped out of her thoughts. "I want to do this. I just have so much on my minds, with traveling and everything. You know?"
Wayne gave his daughter an empathic smile. "Yeah, traveling is a little overwhelming huh?"
Next bus to Florida is right on schedule and we're going to start the boarding process now. All passengers to bus 325, please line up in portal 6.
Emily breathed out deeply. "That's me."
"Yeah." Pam said small and sadly. "Give me one more hug."
Emily chuckled and obliged.
"Give me one too." Wayne said, smiled.
"Okay. Okay. I got to go or else, I'll miss my bus." Emily said, lighten the situation.
"Yeah, okay." Pam smiled sadly. "Bye Em. Have a good time and please take care of yourself."
"I will." Emily said while pulling her phone out of back pocket and handed it to her father. "Can you bring this home? I'm going to a third world country and there are very limited hot spots. I don't think that I'll need it while I'm there. Plus I don't get important calls anyways. I really want the entire time to focus on myself. No distractions."
Wayne grabbed the phone and nodded in approval. "That sounds like a solid plan, Emmy. Now go on before your mother bust out in full waterworks again. I love you honey."
"I love you guys too." Emily breathed deeply and nodded. "See you in a couple of months?"
"Bye Emily." She heard as she made her way to portal 6.
This was it.
See you in a couple of months, Rosewood.
"All raise!"
Paige slowly stood up, brushed away the tears that were free falling down her cheeks now. She knew what was coming up next. They have presented everything they had and they have tried every tactic they had, but up to the last minute, Paige hung onto the hope that there was a silver lining somewhere. Paige just has to find it among the court, but she never did.
This will be day 23 as her case was wrapping up to a near end. The days were restless and long as she woke up every day, got ready to present herself in court. The days were 8 to 10 hours long as she sat, listening to multiple accounts of what had happened. She has listened to everything and everyone. She has listened to the kinds and malicious words used to describe her. She has had people screamed at her as the police officers escorted out of court. She has had paparazzi snapping pictures of her as she hung her head down low in public.
She was beginning to unravel from within, believing every word said in court. She was not a kind person and in her eyes, for what she has done, she deserved everything that was coming to her. She was tired and defeated as she looked over to her father. She felt how he looked and he didn't look good.
On the other side of the courtroom was Shana's family. Since day one, they have come and sat in the same seats. Paige noticed that every time Paige went to the stand, none of them looked up at her. They would sit and sobbed quietly during the case. They never expressed their pain or their angry towards Paige and she was grateful.
Down inside, Paige felt like shit. She can't go on like this anymore. With this feeling, it wouldn't be right if she got a slap on the wrist. She wanted the maximum penalty for her actions. She wanted to maximum consequences for pain and sorrow she has caused for other people. So she pleaded for the plead bargain.
Like what her father said, 6 years will go by quickly and she will be out of there sooner than she expects.
"Has the jury reached a verdict?"
"We have, your honor."
"We find the defendant guilty on one charge of manslaughter, one charge of driving heavily under the influence, and multiple counts of reckless endangerment."
"Does the defendant have anything to say on her behalf before the court pronounces the sentence?"
Paige uttered, shaking her head. "Just that I'm sorry."
"I believe that everyone deserve a second chance and here is your. You are still young and I hope you take this time to really reflect on the impact of your actions. You can never replace Shana or return her to this world so she can reunite with her loved ones. You took a life and there is nothing you can do to ever replace that. Not even money can do that for you Miss McCullers. I understand that sometimes we make mistakes. But this is one that, I feel, needs to have the ultimate consequences in order to give one the chance to repent over his or her mistake. This will be a new chapter for you, Miss McCullers, one that I hope will change your view and how you conduct yourself when you come out as an adult after 10 years. I hope that you will find your place in this world as a better version of yourself than now. Therefore, I'm going to reject your plead bargain for 6 years."
Wait...what?
"The court hereby sentences the defendant to 10 years of prison with the possibility of early release based on exhibition of adequate decent behavior report by the professionals of the prison..."
Paige slumped in her chair and sobbed.
10 years...
"...the ruling will go into effect immediately. Case adjourned."
Everything after that, Paige couldn't register in her head as she cried uncontrollably in her seat. She didn't feel her father placing his hand on her shoulder, awkwardly trying to console her. Hot tears burned her cheeks as she continued to weep in the noisy courtroom.
"You'll be okay." He said, voice low.
It's 10 years that she will never get to do anything with her life. She will never get to walk down the stage to accept her diploma. She will never get the chance to go to college. She will never get to explore her artistic side or know what kind of artist she would become. She will never get those chances. Her life now will be confided in one place and in one singular cell, closed in by concrete and darkness.
It's 10 years. It's a long time to push pause on all of her dreams and promises. It will be a long time before she could ride her motorcycle again. It will be a long time before she could spend another weekend in her loft. It will be a long time before she could see the sunrise, slowly inching above the horizon of the Californian waters.
She squeezed her eyes shut, remembering the last time she was there. At her very favorite spot, there is an intruder now. A person who she will never be able to erase from her memories. She remembered laughing and eating her favorite donut in this spot. The moment couldn't be more perfect. The sunrise was barely up and Paige could still remember how soft the sand was between her toes. She remembered the warm arm that snaked around hers and she remembered the glimmer twinkled in those large brown orbs.
It will be 10 years of not being able to do things or say things. 10 years is a long enough time to be forgotten and left behind; 10 years of not existing.
Paige sniffled and wiped her eyes.
"Can I borrow your phone?" She asked, looking up at her father.
"Paige, what for?"
"I need to speak to someone. I just need so say something before it's too late."
Nick debated because he knew whom Paige wanted to call.
"I don't think it's a good idea, Paige."
"Please, dad." Paige pleaded.
Nick glanced at his watch. He hoped that at this time, it would be too late. But he couldn't express that and let Paige know what he has done so he played along. He nodded, stalled, withdrew his phone, and quietly handed it to Paige.
"Thank you." Her voice cracked as she started feeling those tears free falling down her face again.
Paige's fingers shook as she raked her brain, trying to put together what she wanted to tell Emily. She wanted to say something short and something that was straight to the point. But what? What should she say?
She was nervous.
After pressing each number in, Paige rbbed her hand over her face. What should she say? She could hear her own heart thumping loudly against her chest as she put the phone to her ear. Her heartbeat was louder than the ring as Paige prayed silently that Emily would pick up soon and put her out of her misery.
What do say, Paige thought.
Say that you're sorry.
Say that you hated every minute you two spend apart.
Say that you missed her.
Ask her not to hate you.
Ask her to not forget you.
Tell her you care about her very much and that there will never be anyone else for you but her.
Tell her you love...
"Hello?" A deep male voice answered.
It startled Paige and she looked at the phone, checking the number on the screen. Maybe she didn't put in the correct number and she got the wrong person. However, examining the number, it was correct.
"Um hi. I'm looking for Emily." Paige said small. "This is Emily Fields' phone?"
"Oh. Yes. I'm her father. Can I take a message?"
"Hi Mr. Fields. It's me, Paige. I was hoping to speak to Emily. Is she around?"
Wayne didn't say anything, leaving Paige hanging in an awkward minute. Paige gulped.
"She left her phone with me. I can give her the message if you want to leave one." Wayne finally spoke.
There was something different in his tone. It has changed. It wasn't as friendly as when they first spoke.
"Do you know when she's going to return? Maybe I can call back in a few." Paige asked, nervously. Something didn't feel right.
"She's gone for a while, Paige. She won't be back until a couple months from now."
"What?" Paige mumbled.
"She's trying to move on, Paige and I think...you should do the same. She was sad for a long time after...everything. Now she seems to be doing better so please don't call her anymore. I don't want to see my daughter hurt or upset."
Paige swallowed hard. She continues to hurt people even when she has no intention of it. Paige squeezed her eyes shut. It was meant to be. This was a sign. Emily was gone so leave her be. Emily got a clean break from her so the best thing Paige could do is to let her go. Let Emily live her life and forget this bad part that came with Paige.
"I understand." Paige whispered, putting a hand over her mouth as she cried silently. "Goodbye, Mr. Fields."
"Thank you, Paige." Wayne sighed. "Good luck with everything."
Paige nodded and muttered a thank you before the other line went end. She dropped her hands in her lap.
Nick nodded. From what he observed, it seemed that what he hoped for came true. It was too late. Paige was able to finally get the closure Nick hoped for his daughter. In due time, Paige will forget this little fling in high school and hopefully she will emerge a stronger individual. That was Nick's ultimate goal for his daughter.
Nick grabbed the phone out of Paige's hands and lightly touched her shoulder. "It's time, Paige. You have to go."
Should I continue? Hmmm...I'm thinking about it ;)