Notes; Another chappy! yay. And I can't remember if I updated fast, but I'll make you happy: This is a long chapter. Hehe. Okay enjoy reading -x-

Disclaimer; Bleh. Don't own it. Except for Nathan and Natalie and all the other people I made up.

Chapter 7 – It's a wild world.

Paige looked through her desk drawers, lifting up papers and pens, lollipops and whatever else she had put in her new desk.

''Damn it. Where are they?'' She continued her search, opening and closing drawers. She had to had some left, it couldn't be possible that she was out of them already? Then again, she had been sharing some. Maybe Nathan got some for me. She sighed and pushed her hair out of her face. She had curled it earlier, but now it was almost back to being straight again, because she had been out of hairspray. I knew I should have done the grocery shopping for mom. She tucked a strand of dark hair behind her ear and made her way over to the window of her bedroom. She opened it and hung out of it, looking down at the street. ''I'll be right there. Just have to find my jacket.'' She called, though as quiet as possible. The last thing she wanted was waking her parents up and cause herself to get grounded, again.

Nathan looked up at the window from where he was standing and flashed her a smile, ''Hurry up. We're gonna be late.'' He replied, crossing his arms. Paige nodded and pulled herself back inside. She made sure she left the window open and grabbed her jacket from her bed, pulling it on quickly. They were going to a beachparty. A secret one as well and Paige hadn't asked her parents if she could go out. Sure, it was Friday night and she didn't have school tomorrow, but that wouldn't stop her parents from telling her that she had to be home by 2:00am and she found that way too early.

Paige grabbed some money from her desk and put it in her pocket, it were the last dollars she had, but she figured she'd work for some more pocket-money this weekend. Here we go. She opened the door of her bedroom quietly and poked her head around it, making sure no-one was in the hall. It was completely quiet and dark and she could hear her dad snoring quietly from the other side of the hall.

That was a good sign, it meant that at least he was in a deep sleep. She stepped out of her bedroom and closed her door, once again checking things in her head. Made a fake Paige under the covers? Check. Got my money? Check. Left my window open just in case?.. Yeah check. Good. She crossed the hall on tiptoes and carefully making her way down the stairs.

Squeek.

The last step. Damn it she had totally forgotten about the last step. It squeeked and because it was so quiet in the house, it sounded like a bomb went off. Paige closed her eyes, concentrating. Was there any sound coming from her parents' bedroom? No, nothing. She let out a small sigh of relief and continued down the stairs. She made her way through the large hallway and grabbed her keys. Not forgetting them this time. She thought to herself and she opened the front door.

Nathan was already waiting for her on the path leading towards the door. ''Finally. There you are.'' He said and watched as Paige stepped outside, closing the front door behind herself quietly. ''Yeah sorry. Couldn't find my cigarettes. I guess I'm out of them.'' She replied, walking over to him. Nathan smiled and wrapped his arm around her shoulders like a big brother. ''Doesn't matter baby. You can have some of mine when you feel like having one. Ready to go?'' He looked at her and she nodded, slightly uncomfortable. She still wasn't fully used to a guy being so close to her. It still made her feel slightly uncomfortable. And apparently Nathan was noticing that. He looked at her while they walked down the silent streets. ''Are you okay? You seem a little tense. There's not going to be drugs or anything, y'know. Just alcohol, cigarettes. Maybe some soft-drugs but nothing bad really.'' He assured her, pulling her slightly closer to him.

Paige let her teeth bite down on her bottom lip. ''I know. Just don't feel very .. I don't know. Not sure if I can tell you. – You know what it doesn't matter.'' She faltered over her own words and closed her eyes momentarily. Idiot. She cursed herself silently. ''If it matters to you, then it matters.'' Came Nathan's reply. Paige re-opened her eyes and looked up at him. He smiled slightly at her. It really seemed like he cared about her, but she wasn't sure if she could trust him.

Her whole life other kids, from her age had been kind of weird around her. Bullying her or teasing her. Not taking her seriously, except for Glen of course.

But Glen was different.

Could it be that Nathan was like him? Could he be like some sort of Glen the 2nd? She drew in a deep breath, deciding that she could tell him. He wouldn't make fun of her. ''There's just something. It happened a few weeks ago and now.. I just don't really feel that comfortable around guys anymore, you know what I mean?'' she looked up at him, hoping she didn't have to elaborate. False hope, because Nathan's brow furrowed in confusion. ''How do you mean? Did someone hurt you?'' Paige shrugged slightly.

''I guess you could say that. I don't really like to talk about it, they wounds are still too fresh.'' She explained with a weak smile. Nathan nodded and Paige was glad he understood.

The rest of the way to the beach they walked in silence, until Nathan led her onto the beach towards a campfire that they could see from far. Paige smiled as she heard the music and laughter floating towards her, this looked like it could be an interesting night. They were greeted by some of Nathan's friends, most of them girls who were wearing short skirts and bikini tops. Paige looked at her own clothes and pulled a face, she knew she had forgotten something. Compared to the girls she looked like she could join a convent. Nathan saw the look on her face and laughed gently, placing a hand on her shoulder. ''Go with Natalie, Paige. I'm sure she has some extra clothes, she thinks of everything.'' Paige looked at the blonde girl who nodded smiling, her long ponytail falling off her shoulder. ''Come on, this way.'' She took Paige's hand within hers and leading the way.

Paige followed the girl to a small and quiet place where nobody could see them anymore. A lot of bags were placed in the sand and Natalie grabbed the end of an orange bag, pulling at it until she managed to take it out from the bottom of the pile. She glanced at Paige, studying her for a moment and then opened the bag. Kneeling down next to it, she searched through it to finally stand up again, holding a short green skirt and a pink bikini top.

Not really my colour. Paige thought to herself, pulling at the black top that she was wearing.

''Not to be rude, but you could do with some colour. I'm sure pink will look totally gorgeous on you.'' She handed the pieces of clothing to Paige and picked up a large towel. ''Get changed, I'll make sure nobody sees you.'' She held the towel up in front of Paige. Paige looked at the skirt and took a deep breath. It's a beach party right? Everyone's walking around like this.

----

''Oh My God. You look great, Paige. Really, very cute.'' Natalie exclaimed as she threw the towel back in the sand.

Paige let her teeth bite down on her lower lip and pulled her short skirt down slightly. It was flirty and cute and the wind played with it slightly. Paige shivered, even though it wasn't cold. She managed to give Natalie a small smile, ''You think?'' she asked a little insecure. ''Totally, come on Nathan's got to see this. He will be so proud.'' She half-ran back to the campfire, Paige followed reluctantly. The fact that the skirt and bikinitop looked great on her, did not make her like her legs. In fact she thought they were too pale especially on the beach. If she would sunbathe though, her skin would become completely red and she hated that even more. She walked upto Nathan who was holding a beer in his hand, talking to a tall blonde haired guy. Natalie tugged at the sleeve of his T-shirt and whispered something in his hair, gesturing towards Paige.

She tucked her hair behind her ear shyly and stopped in front of him giving a small wave, ''Hey.'' Nathan looked at her, all of her, and smiled widely. ''Paige. You look different. Great different. I mean you look - ..'' ''- Hot.'' The blonde haired guy filled in, grinning. Paige felt a deep pink blush creep upon her cheeks and she cast her eyes towards the ground. ''Thanks.'' She said, being happy that it wasn't daytime anymore. Otherwise they would have definately seen her blush. ''Want a drink?'' Nathan offered. Paige looked up at him gratefully, ''Please.''

Hours later, Paige, Nathan and a few other people were the only ones left on the beach. Paige was sitting in the sand, leaning against Nathan's shoulder and watching the sun rise slowly from the large blue sea. She let out a deep sigh and smiled slightly when she felt Nathan's arm wrap around her shoulders. ''Had a great time.'' She mumbled, close to falling asleep. Nathan let out a small laugh and once again handed her his glass of water. ''Drink some more of that, it will help to get you sober faster.'' Paige smiled slightly and sipped at the water. ''Will you take me home when the sun is up? Before my parents awake. I don't want to get grounded again.''

''Hmm. Sure baby.''

She placed the glass in the sand and looked up at Nathan, who brushed a strand of her hair out of her face. ''You look beautiful like that you know?'' He told her.

''How? Tired and drunk you mean?'' She felt Nathan's shoulders shake when he laughed and she smiled slightly to herself. He thought she was funny. ''No silly. I mean in the sunlight like this.'' He put his finger under her chin, leading her hazel coloured eyes towards his blue ones. ''Hmm.'' Paige licked her lips. ''Thank you.'' The whole night he had been giving her compliments. About how beautiful she looked and how good she could dance. Well that made sense, she had been one of the best dancers from her group, before she had to stop dancing. Her parents refused to pay for her when she kept getting home late and drunk.

She sighed slightly, she really wanted to dance again.

She missed it. Her thoughts were interrupted by Nathan, who lowered his head. Paige looked at him and then realised what he was going to do. Before she could protest, however, he already pushed his lips against hers gently. Paige closed her eyes, returning it slowly. Hesitant and uncertain at first, but it quickly grew more passionate. She felt Nathan's hand moving to the small of her back and she smiled slightly against his lips. Whether it was the alcohol or she really wanted this, she felt comfortable. More comfortable than she had felt around a guy in weeks and she hadn't even kissed those other guys. She felt his warm tongue carefully against her bottom lip, asking for entry, which she gave him. She opened her mouth slightly against his and let him push her back in the sand gently, his hand running across her pale stomach.

A shiver ran down Paige's spine, but not because he was a good kissed. In fact it was because she was starting to feel threatened. Nathan's body was above hers which brought back bad memories.

''No. Keep your hands off me.''

She cried, putting her aching hands on the much stronger arms. She tried to push them away. She tried to kick, but only to welcome another kick against her leg, her shin-bone. She cringed and tried to ignore the stinging pain, making all the way throughout her body. A pair of hands tore at her top and the cold late night air punished her body, sending a surge of goosebumps across her arms. ''Stop struggling. It's useless.'' A deep voice said near her ear. And like that she gave up. Her arms fell down next to her side and she stopped kicking and struggling. It was useless, they would just hurt her more. A small whimper escaped her lips and she squeezed her eyes shut tightly.

Paige opened her eyes and placed her hands on Nathan's chest, pushing against it. She moved her head and broke the kiss. ''Get off me.'' She told him. Nathan looked at her, surprised and confused. ''Why? What's wrong?'' he put his hand next to her in the sand and gave her a questioning look. Paige pushed him off of herself and got to her feet, brushing the sand off her short skirt. ''Paige..'' Nathan sat up and Paige interrupted him. ''Don't. Just stay away. I have to go.'' She picked her clothes up and ran off, being oblivious to the fact that she dropped her left shoe.

Nathan got to his feet and picked her shoe up, starting to run after her.

''Paige! Wait.'' He ignored the pain in his toe when he hit it against a stone and kept following, but Paige was already out of sight. After 5 more minutes of running through town he gave up and slowed down, his breathing out of sync and his side hurting from the cramp. Why had she suddenly ran away? First she was kissing him back and the next thing he knew she had completely freaked out and ran off. What was wrong with her? He put his hand in his side and took a deep breath. I'll go by tomorrow to make sure she's okay. He thought to himself and turned to corner, starting to walk towards his own house.

TBC...

Notes; Done, again. hehe. Long chap innit? Yeah be proud. Anyway, next chapter will be up soon. Don't forget to review. xx me