A/N: Thanks for all your reviews.
Chapter 5: First Football Game
The week seemed to drag by for Paige. Most people stopped starring and whispering about her, but not all. The teachers lightened up some on her, not scowling all the time, but they were still strict. Paige became close friends with most of the football team, with the exception of Ray, who just seemed to hate her. Right now, Paige was practically falling asleep at the lunch table, it was impossible with all the football players talking around her, but she still rested her head on her crossed arms.
"Paige... Paige, are you asleep?" Gerry asked, poking her shoulder. Paige growled and lifted up her head.
"Well, not now." Paige said sarcastically. Gerry chuckled.
"Didn't you get enough sleep last night?" he asked. Paige shook her head, leaning on her hand that was propped up on the table.
"No." Paige stated. Gerry looked at her very serious.
"Well, why not?" he asked. Paige shrugged.
"I dunno. Couldn't fall asleep, I guess." Paige said. Gerry wrapped his arm around Paige's shoulders.
"Well, are you goin' to the football game?" Gerry asked, but seeing Paige's blank face he continued. "The first game of the season... Why do I get the feelin' you don't know what I'm talkin' about."
"Maybe cause I don't." Paige said.
"So, Yankee, don't know a thing about football. It's pathetic." a cold voice said behind Paige. She mentally groan. Only Ray could come up with that third-grade insult.
Paige didn't even turn around to reply but said, "Look, I'm tired and I don't have the energy to deal with your insults. So, I'm gonna say, drop dead and leave it at that."
"You little..." Ray never got to finish that sentence.
"Ray, just leave her alone." Rev interrupted. Ray glared at Rev, but looked around and saw that the other football players agreed with Rev. So Ray stalked away. Paige smiled thankfully at Rev, who returned her smile.
"Hey, Paige, girl. Ya comin' to the football game?" Petey said sliding into the empty seat next to her. Paige switched her gazed to Petey.
"I dunno. I'll think about it." Paige said. Petey did a fake gasp and looked at Paige with a shocked face.
"There's no thinkin' about it. Your comin'." Petey said.
"If I didn't have a choice, why did ya ask." Paige replied. Petey shrugged and flashed her a grin. She leaned against her hand again.
Later
After school Paige's mother drove them to the football stadium, Paige didn't know why her mother was coming to the game, but welcomed the company. When they finally found a parking spot, Paige and Elizabeth got out of the car and made their way to the bleachers. Paige noticed that the crowd was separated and rolled her eyes. Paige spotted Sheryl sitting in the middle, but at the end of the row with open seats next to her.
"Hey, Sheryl." Paige said taking the seat next to Sheryl, who turned and smiled.
"Hi!" Sheryl said. Paige glanced at her mother. The crowd didn't have to wait long in this tense silence because the football players emerge from their locker rooms. The crowds both cheered for their respected teams. Paige never really have been to a football game before so this was a whole new experience for her. Paige's school had been more into basketball.
During the game, Sheryl tried to explain the concept of football to Paige between her shouting at the football players. Paige just nodded like she understood, but she didn't. Paige noticed through the game that her mom would always glance towards the Titan's bench. Is she lookin' at Coach Yoast?... Nah... Paige thought, shaking that thought out of her head.
Paige noticed that she kept glancing at Rev. She tried to stop it, but it didn't work, she just kept glancing. Paige glared over at the man, who she assumed was Alan's father, when he told Sheryl to shut up. Jeez, what is up with these people? Maybe it's somethin' in the water.
Paige cheered with everyone else when the Titans won. Paige and Sheryl were holding hands jumping up and down cheering. Paige could hear her mother laughing at her and Sheryl's antics, but she didn't care. Sheryl said goodbye to Paige and left to go congratulate her dad. Paige shook her head, but said bye.
"Come on, honey. Let's go." Elizabeth said. Paige nodded smiling, it seemed the football game made Paige wake up from her sleepy state from lunch.
Once they made it to the car, Paige said, "Ma, can I stay out tonight? I'll be home before eleven."
Elizabeth thought it over for a moment before replying, "I don't see why not, honey, but what are you going to do?"
Paige open the passenger side car door and reach into the backseat, she pulled out her skating gym bag. She lifted it up to show her mom, who just smiled.
"Have a good time. You have your keys, right?" Elizabeth asked getting into the car. Paige nodded and stepped away from the car. Paige watched her mother leave the parking lot before jogging over to the sidewalk. She sat down, she wanted to congratulate Gerry and the others before going to the ice rink. Soon Paige could hear the players coming out of the stadium. Some were singing, while others were talking and laughing. Paige smiled and shook her head, she stood up waiting for the players to come closer.
"Hey, Paige!" Petey shouted, he motioned her to come closer. Paige didn't see the point when they were walking towards her, but to make Petey happy she walked to them.
"Great game, guys." Paige said. Petey wrapped an arm around her shoulders.
"Well, what did you expect?" Petey asked laughing. Paige just rolled her eyes.
"Are you coming out celebrating with us, Paige?" Sunshine asked. Paige shook off Petey's arm and turned around, smiling apologetically.
"Sorry, but no. I've got other plans." Paige said. Petey gave an over dramatic gasp and held a hand to his heart.
"What could be more important than comin' out celebrating with us?" Gerry asked, walking beside Paige. Paige shouldered her gym bag unconsciously, Petey made a grab for the bag, but Paige moved out of the way.
"What do ya think your doin'?" Paige asked. Petey made another grab for the bag, but Paige moved again.
"You've been busy every day after school. Runnin' off carryin' that gym bag... What's in there?" Petey asked. Paige rolled her eyes.
"Petey, have you ever hear the term 'curiosity killed the cat'?" Rev asked, walking beside Petey. Paige flashed him a grateful smile.
"I will find out where you go runnin' off to." Petey stated. Paige rolled her eyes.
"Look, I only stayed to say congratulations and I did. So I'll see ya later." Paige said, then jogging off. They players watched her run off.
"Her loss. Let's celebrate!" Petey shouted, holding the game ball up high. The players all cheered. Rev kept watching Paige until she disappeared from sight.
Paige ran all the way to the diner only stopping for breath. She walked in, most people got used to see her, she went up to the bar. The waitress, Jackie, placed a coke on the bar. Paige always ordered a coke before going to the ice rink.
"Hey, Paige. How was the football game?" Jackie asked. The diner was almost empty only a few people were in there. Paige took a drink of the coke.
"Titans won." Paige said. Jackie smiled and nodded.
"You goin' over to the rink?" Jackie asked. Paige nodded placing the money for the coke on the counter. Jackie shook her head as she watched Paige drown the coke.
"Jeez, honey. Slow down. Don't want you to choke." Jackie said. Paige set the empty coke bottle on the counter.
"Sorry, but I was really thirsty." Paige said getting up from the bar stool, picking up her gym bag.
"Have a good night, honey." Jackie said throwing the coke bottle away. Paige waved a goodbye as she walked out of the diner. Paige jogged the rest of the way to the ice rink. She pulled out the keys and opened the arena's door before stuffing them back in the side pocket of the gym bag. Paige walked into the arena, closing the door behind her. She sat on the bench, tying up her black ice skates. Paige skated around the rink, she was so glad she wore her ratty ripped jeans. She started doing fancy turns and jumps. Soon she blocked out everything else, she didn't even noticed that Rev walked into the arena.
Paige took and couple of bows, saying, "Thank you. Thank you." When she turned around she was shocked to see Rev standing there trying to hold in his laughter. Paige suddenly slipped and fell on the butt.
"Ouch." Paige said. Rev looked at her in concern. Paige stood up and skated over to the benches.
"Um.. Hi. What are you doin' here?" Paige said embarrassed. Rev sat down next to Paige.
"I saw you walkin' from the diner, so I asked one of the waitresses where you were goin'." Rev answered. Paige smiled, still a little embarrassed from being caught making a fool of herself.
"Oh. So, now that you know where I go, are ya gonna tell Petey?" Paige asked.
"No. What you do on your own time, is no one's business. Plus it's funny watching Petey squirm." Rev answered. Paige laughed and nodded.
"It is funny." Paige replied. They fell into a somewhat awkward silence and they both kept glancing at each other from the corner of their eyes.
"Hey, I thought you went out celebrating with the guys..." Paige said trailing off, seeing the look on Rev's face. "What happened?"
Rev went into the story of what happened at Hal's, Paige sat there patiently listening to the story. At the end no one spoke. Paige was angry at Hal, she didn't fully understand how someone could be so mean to other human being. Maybe it was because she grew up in New York, but up there most people looked down on you if you were poor. I guess people just need someone to hate. Paige thought to herself.
"I really don't know what to say." Paige confessed. Rev turned to look at her with a sad smile.
"It's okay. So, what was New York like?" Rev asked trying to get into a happier conversation. Paige smiled at the change of conversation and told him about Manhattan and ice skating.