Hi, guys. This time it didn't take me so long to update the story. I know I should have updated it earlier, but I didn't have time, as usual. xD Anyway, I hope you're still following this story and that it's not getting boring. I don't have so much free time like I used to, so be patient, please. ;) Thank you!

Librabelieber: I knew you'd like the smart Paige part. :D The changes are coming. You just have to keep reading to know what I was talking about. :)

Guest1: Thank you! You made my day with your review. I'm glad you like the story, even if don't update it as much as you'd like to. :) A lot of you hate Lucy, but she is an essential part to keep the story interesting. And it's good news their relationship is getting stronger, although the little problems they have to face in the way to achieve happiness. The changes are coming, you'll see. I've thinking about the future of this story and I think it will be interesting to add some changes in order to give a push to the story. After so many chapters something huge must happen to keep your interest. xD

Guest2: Thanks! They'll have to pass through some obstacles, but they love each other, and that's what really matters. :)

Dany: I will only leave when I finish the story, not before. So don't worry. There a few more chapters ahead if you are still interested in this Paily fanfic. ;)

Del: I'm glad you liked their interaction. ;) Lucy is still around and she won't leave so easily. xD Lucy is back, trouble is back. :D They will finally have to come out, that's for sure. I'm still thinking about how that is going to happen. They don't only have one problem in their hands. It's not just the coming out part, but Paige being wealthy and the media problem. And don't forget about Lucy. xD I hope you like this chapter, because it was fun to write. :)

Enjoy!

MEANT TO BE

Chapter 29: Changes

Emily's POV

I'm still in my friends' party at their apartment, but it's like my head is somewhere else. Paige is just a few steps away from me, chatting with Jack and a girl, and I can't stop looking at her. I think about how easy everything would be if we were out. I could go touch her, kiss her, and I wouldn't have to be scared about someone finding it. My life would be way easier, but getting there is not easy at all. Besides, it's not just the fact that we are not out, our main problem is Paige's surname and everything that goes with it. Hannah keeps talking about the last pair of jeans she bought recently, but I can't focus on the conversation.

"When I saw them, it was like… Those must be mine, you know," she adds excitedly while Spencer nods her head and gives her that look. "I don't get you. Did you actually see them? I mean, they're gorgeous."

"They're just jeans, Hanna. It's not like you're wearing something really innovative. We all have a pair of jeans, right?" she says looking at Aria and me.

"Huh? I'm sorry, I was distracted," Hanna looks at me obviously annoyed. It looks like those jeans mean the world to her, in spite of our lack of interest. Aria was not paying attention either, and Spencer was just paying attention so she could make fun at her later. They have that kind of relationship that makes them so funny. Actually, Aria was staring at me and trying to tell me telepathically to focus on the conversation, but it didn't work. I can't keep my eyes off of her.

"It astonishes me that you were thinking about something else when Hanna was speaking about those fantastic jeans," Spencer adds ironically while she imitates Hanna gesturing excitedly.

"So, soooo funny, Spence." Hanna rolls her eyes and turns her head to look at me. She always gets me nervous when she does that, because I know that she will try to wheedle things out of me. "So, Em…" she starts saying before I interrupt her.

"I'm sorry, girls. I have to make a call. I'm going outside because I won't be able to hear with the loud music. I'll be here in a minute." Hanna looks confusedly at me and Aria notices that I'm trying to avoid another interrogation. However, she doesn't know that I am not just trying to avoid Hanna's insistence, but also following my girlfriend, who suddenly left the apartment in a rush.

I walk down the stairs as fast as I can and I see her silhouette opening the front door to go outside.

"Paige!" I yell at her. She turns around, she seems worried. I approach her and all I see is confusion in her beautiful eyes. "What is going on? Are you okay?" I hold her hand and she avoids the physical contact.

"Don't, please," she says looking me in the eye. I can see that she's worried about something, but I don't get why she's acting like that. I frown at her and she lowers her head. It's like she's regretting her attitude because she didn't let me touch her. "My sister is right there. Try to act normal. I'm sorry." I take a step back and I look around. I see a huge black Mercedes right in front of us and I recognize the girl that is inside it, gesturing at me.

"I think she's trying to say something, Paige." Jess rolls her window down and starts yelling.

"Come on, Paige!" Her sister seems nervous too. I don't know what is happening, but I don't like this one little bit.

"I have to go, Em. I'm sorry." I think I haven't seen her so devastated since I know her. I don't know what is going on, but she can't leave without giving me an explanation of what the hell is happening right now. That would be really mean of her.

"What is going on?" I'm confused and worried at the same time.

"I don't know. But I really have to leave, Em. I will call you later, okay?"

"If your sister is here it must be something really important. Do you think that…?"

"I don't know, Em. I just want to know what is going on, I don't want to anticipate anything. I will let you know as soon as possible. Now… please… go have fun at the party."

"Paige! Hurry!" Jess keeps yelling at her.

"How am I supposed to have fun if…?" She sighs and closes her eyes.

"Go with your friends, please." She turns around and heads towards the car, leaving me speechless. I see the car accelerating sharply, she didn't even take a second to look at me. I feel like going to the dorm, I don't want to go upstairs. However, I don't want my friends to think that something is wrong with me, so I decide to go upstairs and tell them that I'm not feeling well. I take a deep breath, seeking serenity.

"What is a gorgeous girl like you doing alone in the dark?" I don't even need to turn around, I recognize the voice. "Are you okay?" she asks when she sees my face. She approaches me, the gap between us is not as wide as I'd like to.

"It's nothing, I'm fine," I add nervously as I take a seat on the bench next to the front door of the apartment building. I need some air and time before I try to explain to my friends that I'm leaving. I have to plan everything so they don't suspect anything. I won't lie, I appreciate her company, although it doesn't feel good to be with her when Paige was in so bad shape.

"You don't seem fine. May I?" She points at the bench. I nod at her and she sits right next to me. She takes a sip of beer and then looks at me again. "If you need to talk, you know… I'm right here," she adds nicely. "Or if you don't feel like talking, I have some beer," she says with a smile plastered on her face.

"No, thank you."

"Are you talking about the beer?" she asks ironically. I nod at her and I smile shyly. I check my phone, although I know it's too early for her to call me. "Are you waiting for a call?"

"No," I lie.

"Okay. I get that you don't want me to know that you're having problems with her. It's okay. No problem."

"What makes you think that you know it has to do with Paige?"

"I know you better than you know yourself, Em. I was your best friend for a long time, remember?" I look at her, but I don't say anything. "I understand that you don't want to talk about her with me. I get it. Then, can I do anything for you? You seem in desperate need of a hug." She stares at me and grins at the same time.

"No, thanks. I'm fine," I add nervously, distancing a few inches from her.

"Why are you so afraid? You don't have to do anything you don't want to. I won't rape you, you know," she says jokingly, although she knows that she makes me feel really nervous.

"I'm not afraid of you. Why would I be afraid of you? It would make no sense," I insist.

"Maybe you're afraid of your feelings towards me now that you have a girlfriend." I frown at her, this is not what I need right now. I don't need more problems.

"I love her. Don't you get it?" I raise my voice, obviously bothered at her comment.

"And I love you, Emily. It's that simple."

"I can't have this conversation right now. I just…" My phone starts ringing, I take it out of my purse nervously and I calm down when I realize that it's Spencer calling me.

"Spence," I add, as Lucy keeps drinking beer but doesn't leave my side.

"Where the hell are you? Did you leave already?" She yells because of the loud music and maybe because she's also bothered.

"I'm outside the building. I had to make a call. I told you."

"You've been there for an hour, Em. I was worried. Are you okay?"

"Yes, I'm fine. Don't worry about me. I am with Lucy." I turn to my left to look at her and I see she's smirking at me.

"Are you planning on coming up?"

"Actually, I am not feeling very well, so if you don't mind, I think I'm going to leave."

"Do you want me to go with you?" I don't know if she thinks that something is wrong with me, but I'd prefer to go alone because I don't want more questions.

"It's not necessary. Say goodbye to Hannah and Aria. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Wait for me. I'm going with you," she insists.

"It's really not necess…" I start saying before she hangs up. I can't do anything about it now. Shit! I know she's doing it because she's a good friend, but I don't need a good friend right now. I just need to be alone or with my girlfriend.

"So…" Lucy adds after I hang up.

"Em! Come on!" Spencer yells at me although I'm right next to the door she just opened. I didn't expect her to be so fast. "Oh, hey, Lucy. Are you ready?" she asks looking at me and ignoring Lucy.

"The dorm is only five minutes walking from here."

"I know, but it's dark. Let's go," she adds as she holds my arm.

"Bye," we both say.

"Have a nice night," Lucy says winking at me when Spencer is not looking at her. She's going to drive me crazy. We keep walking not saying a word, until Spencer breaks the silence.

"Are you going to tell me what the hell is going on with your life? I'm serious, Em.

"I'm okay, Spence. It's just that I have a headache and I'm tired, that's all." She looks daggers at me and I can't help but stare at the floor. Her look causes me discomfort because she knows I'm lying. I can handle Hanna in this type of situations, but Spencer is a whole different case.

"I'm not talking about today, but the last few weeks. You're acting weird and I am starting to worry about you. Is someone bothering you? Because if that's the case, I will kick his ass," she says furiously with her fist clenched.

"No, it's not…" My face expression changes suddenly when I see what is going on. I look ahead of me and I see a lot of camera men and journalists on campus.

"What the fuck is that?" Spencer looks at me confusedly and then looks back at the circus in front of us. "Do you think that they know about… you know?"

"Shit! I was afraid that this was going to happen and… It all makes sense." I put both my hands on my forehead and sigh.

"Where is she? She should spend the night somewhere else. Tell her that she can crash on our couch, Hanna will be okay with that."

"I don't think that will be necessary," I say nervously as I take my phone and dial her number.

Paige's POV

"Just tell me what the problem is. I need answers, Jess." My heart is racing, because I think I know the reason why this is happening and I don't want to face that.

"I'm sorry," she adds with a sad expression on her face as she shows me her cellphone.

"THE SECRET IS OUT. MEET PAIGE MCCULLERS!"

"Is this picture already online? This is me walking on campus. How did they…?" Nervousness invades me. I don't want to assume that my life is going to change because of this stupid article.

"Everyone is talking about you, Paige. It's been on that gossip web page that you hate so much for about one hour. I called you because you can't go back to campus. They know who you are."

"Why not?" I frown at her, even though she's not the one to blame.

"Because paparazzi will be there, waiting for you. I'm an expert, my life has been like that for a few years now. You have to disappear for a while or they will make your life a hell. Besides, you're not like me, you'd get overwhelmed with that kind of attention. It can be exhausting. Trust me. I know it's hard, but it's the right thing to do." I am speechless. It's like I was punched on my stomach and I couldn't breathe.

"Where are we going?"

"To a hotel. We will spend the night there and dad will come to talk to you tomorrow. We can't go home. They will be there as well."

"It's not fair," I add, almost about to break into tears.

"I'm sorry, Paigey." Jess holds my hand and I instantly feel comfort. "Everything is going to be okay. You have to calm down." I know she's trying to make me feel better, but it's worthless. All I can think about is my shitty future and HER. I was happier than ever, and now this. Stupid surname.

The hotel is not far away from campus. Jess parks the car in an underground parking and we take the elevator directly to the floor where our room is supposed to be. Jess opens the door with an electronic card, there's no one on the corridor. I get inside and I sit on a huge bed and I take a deep breath. Sadly, it doesn't make me feel better.

"Dad will be here first thing in the morning. Try to rest, okay?" Jess says after hugging me tightly. I'm not a hug person, but this feels right.

"I don't think I will be able to sleep." Jess puts her arm around my shoulders.

"I understand, but you need to rest. I will go shower and then we can watch a movie. Is that okay?"

"I prefer your plan, I am not tired enough to sleep yet. I won't be able to stop thinking about…" I pause for a few seconds. "I just can't." She nods at me. Then she goes grab some underwear and opens the bathroom door.

"I will be out in a minute. Call your girlfriend, she will be worried," she adds, smirking at me at the same time.

"Excuse me?" I guess the shocking news must have damaged my hearing. She didn't really say that. That's impossible.

To be continued…

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