revised aug 22, 08

pls don't forget to check the video of this fic from my profile. It's called the video diary part 1. part 2 will soon follow as soon as TruCallin gets time.

ok was suffering from a writer's block, well that, and change of location disturbed me... so i apologize for the delay. i rally wanna finish this soon... but things just arent' working out like i wanted them to so pls bear with me.

A/N: this chap... i'm a little unsure of it. still figuring out the scene and how much i wanna smooth things out for Palex.
thanks a lot aeryn112 for being the beta reader. i appreciate it.
enjoy the chap. and don't forget to review and give ur opinions.

pov: mixed but mostly Alex.

Disclaimer: i don't own degrassi.

Chapter 25

Alex had come back to her dorm about an hour ago and had spent an ample amount of time pacing back and forth in her room. A lot of things were going through her mind at the time, the highlight of which was her upcoming dinner with Paige and Thomas. The last thing that she needed right now was to come down with a headache, which was sure to happen if she kept thinking any longer about this. She had already considered and rejected the idea of consulting Sam for two reasons: firstly, it meant an inquisitive session from Sam, something that was bound to boggle her mind and leave her even more confused. Secondly, there was a fair possibility that the phone call was going to eat her out of the precious minutes that she was now left with.

When Alex received the news that Paige had asked Thomas out on a date, she'd felt a storm of rage twirl inside of her.
'Is she out of her mind to ask Thomas out like this? Has Paige learned nothing at all from the Mr. O incident? They're both so wrong for each other; Thomas is too naïve for her and Paige is way too complicated for him. One of them would end up hurting the other and I'd be left to pick up the pieces.'

As soon as she learned that Paige had asked Thomas to bring her along as well, the anger that she'd felt before swiftly turned into confusion. Although Alex had hastily controlled her brimming emotions, she knew that Thomas had noticed her reactions. To not make things any more suspicious than they already were, Alex agreed to go to the dinner with Thomas; a decision she now regretted more than before.
'I should've just refused when I had the chance.' She thought to herself.

Alex had searched Paige's face throughout the day for even the slightest of a clue as to what was to be expected. She had looked for sign for just anything to help her figure out what Paige was up to.
If she knew Paige at all, she knew that Paige didn't consider this a date between her and Thomas…

'but then… what was it?'
'Maybe Paige is trying for us to become friends again and that's why she's been so nice to me lately. Yeah, that 'has' to be it.' Alex concluded in the end.

Paige had finally started to be civil with her and Alex didn't think that Paige was going to take any chances by mentioning anything from their past in front of Thomas. Feeling a little relieved by the notion, she finally picked out her clothes and went to change. Thomas was going to show up outside her dorm in exactly an hour and Alex had plenty of time to get ready.

Alex was just giving herself the final look in the mirror when she heard the phone ring. The three quarter sleeve v-necked gray shirt hugged her perfectly. It was a gift from Eliza on her last birthday that she had kept for a special occasion. The shirt went nicely with her black jeans, giving her a bit of a casual look, that's how she preferred it for tonight. It was raining earlier so she wore her black boots instead of the open shoes.

Alex checked the time before picking up the phone. It was quarter to seven. She and Thomas were supposed to meet Paige at seven but Thomas being a big fan of punctuality, had shown up at her dorm ten minutes earlier than the agreed time.

"Alex, are you ready? I'm waiting outside…"
Thomas said as soon as she picked up the phone.

"You're early Thomas… I'll be there in a couple of minutes… Okay?"
She said hanging up the phone as she picked up her keys and headed out.

Alex hurriedly walked to Thomas' car in order to avoid getting wet in the light drizzle that must've started within the last hour. She hopped in the car, closed the door behind her and nodded to Thomas giving him an indication to drive. When the car didn't move at her cue, she glanced at Thomas who was appraisingly looking at her.

"What?"

"Nothing. You look nice Alex." He said smiling.

"Thanks Thomas. Could you please drive? I thought you were in a hurry."

Thomas' smile widened as he started the car again. He was more than intrigued to see this vulnerable side of his sturdy friend who had never looked this self-conscious before.

Alex was apprehensive about the dinner tonight but the 'getting ready' process had somewhat distracted her. Now that she was on her way to 'it', the nervousness had come back again. So far, Alex had kept herself out of the details and hadn't asked Thomas about their dinner plans, but now sitting in the car, she couldn't contain her curiosity anymore so she inquired...

"Thomas, which restaurant are we going to?"

"We're not going to a restaurant Alex; we're going to Paige's apartment."
Thomas replied impassively.

"Why are we going to her place?"
Alex asked a bit surprised by Thomas' answer.

"She's cooking for us..."

"Paige is cooking?"
Alex's surprise was obvious on her face.

"Yeah, I was as shocked as you are now. As soon as I told her that you had agreed to come along, she told me to come by her place for the dinner."

"What do you mean you told her that 'I'd agreed…' you told 'me' that you already promised her that I would come…?"

"Yeah… well, Paige didn't think you'd come so we made a bet..."
Thomas further disclosed…

"… and you bet that I would come?"
Alex raised her forehead as she realized what had happened. Obviously, Paige had tricked Thomas into bringing her to the dinner. She didn't know why yet, but her fears were confirmed.
'Paige is definitely up to something…'

"It's unusual, isn't it Alex? That she invited us over to her place?"
As correct as she knew Thomas was, Alex didn't want to agree to it. Paige was doing a lousy job of keeping things constrained and Alex felt a need to intervene.

"… But you know… it might be interesting…"
She found herself defending Paige. This was the only way that she could overthrow Thomas' suspicions.

"Oh? What happened to the cynical Alex? Don't tell me 'you' are eager to go to her apartment?"
A surprised Thomas rolled his eyes. He had sensed the contradiction between Alex's words and her earlier actions.

"No, I'm just saying, her cooking can't be that bad, right?"

"Well, even if it is Alex, I don't really care. Paige doesn't have to be a good cook to impress me."
Thomas said with a grin that made Alex quiver with more uneasiness.

"Hi Thomas, come on in."
Paige greeted Thomas at the door.

Her apartment was on the top floor of the two-storey building. They had climbed up the stairs after Thomas parked his car on the silent street in front of the building. It was a typical two-bedroom apartment for students. The living room was a small room with a couch and a bookshelf being the only pieces of furniture. There was also a small old TV mounted on the wall in the corner. There was a dinning table at the entrance of the apartment, an area that probably demanded people to refer to it as the dining room. The kitchen was missing the door and the walls could use a fresh coat of paint.

"Hi Paige."
Thomas gave Paige a half hug and Alex followed Thomas into the apartment, instinctively closing the door behind herself.

"Hello Alex. I'm glad you could come."
Paige said cheerfully as soon as she saw Alex and walked toward her giving her a half hug as well.

"Hi." Alex said letting Paige hug her as she involuntarily breathed in the familiar smell of Paige.

"Hey Alex, you always look pretty… but I love the shirt you're wearing right now…"
Paige complemented Alex, touching her arm in a friendly manner.

"Huh? Thanks. Yeah. Paige."
Alex mustered up an incoherent sentence in response. Their closeness was making Alex uncomfortable so she took a step back before walking into the living room of the small apartment.

"Well why don't you guys take a seat."
Paige said to both of them pointing to the only couch in the living room.

"Thomas… I think there's some beer and soda in the fridge for you… and yeah, could you also please bring the root beer for Alex while I set the table?"
Paige addressed Thomas as she walked to the dining table and started setting the plates.

'Paige remembers that I like root beer?'
Alex impulsively looked at Thomas to notice any reactions.

"Sure Paige."
To Alex's relief, Thomas hadn't paid much attention to the 'root beer' remark and had walked over to the kitchen, leaving Paige and Alex alone in the room.

"Can I help Paige?"
Alex felt the need to help out as well. She was never the type of person who could just sit while others did things for her.

"Oh, no Hon, I just want you to relax tonight. It looks like you've lost weight since the first time I saw you a month ago. I know that the campus cafeteria is closed for the summer and I just wanted to make your favorite. I hope you still are the human trash compactor that you used to be, and before you ask Hon, food is almost ready…"
Paige said giving her a knowing smirk while she savored Alex's speechlessness.

'What has she gotten herself into?' Alex thought as she looked at Thomas standing at the kitchen entrance with the drinks he'd been sent to get. She could only hope that Thomas hadn't heard what Paige just said to her. She wasn't ready to tell Thomas anything yet. Sure, he was a sincere friend but things had already become complicated because of Paige and this dinner 'date'. There was no way that Alex could explain things without hurting him in some way.

"Thank you Thomas."

Paige said as she disappeared in to the kitchen.
She called on them when she came back out with home made burgers and curly fries.

"Come on guys let's eat first, and Alex I didn't put any onions in them 'cuz I know you don't like it..."

definitely TBC and sorry about the abrupt end of the chap.

reviews r love.