This chapter is a long one. There were a few things I wanted to clear up so I decided to throw them in this chapter. I didn't spend to much time with certain things and I did leave some things open. I might come back them later. I might not. I had also spent a lot of time thinking about how was I going to write this and there were a few different ideas in my head. Ultimately, as you will read, I decided on this one.

--------------

Chapter 27

The past few days I had both Ellie and Paige strong on my mind. Both girls occupied my attention every waking moment and sometimes even in my dreams. I had vivid dreams of Ellie and Paige competing over my heart. Ellie would be ripping at Paige's hair screaming how she truly loved me. Paige was always holding a pink key. "Your heart is mine. I have the key." She would say jamming it into my chest. I would find myself covered in my own blood. I would wake up in a sweat grabbing at myself. I found it disturbing they were fighting over my heart in a literal sense. I kept finding myself torn between them. I found myself feeling stupid as I knew I would probably never have either of them. Nobody understood just how hard it was to be a lesbian, always wanting the straight girl. Finals for my classes were quickly approached and all my time spent with Ellie was restricted to straight studying. When I wasn't studying I was working. It was one of the first times ever I actually didn't mind going to work. I hated my job at the theater. I the only plus at that job was working with Paige. I completely despised my job at the mall. Long hours, bad pay, evil boss. This job was a lot more laid back. I still had things I had to do but it was just less stressful in all. Stock items on selves and ring customers up.

I had just finished checking a customer out and was beginning ring up a few soda bottles and potato chips when I heard that voice.

"Well hello there, Lexi." I looked up to see non other than Jay. I wasn't upset to find him staring at me. I wasn't even bothered. I was embarrassed. That night at the Ravine I had acted like such an idiot. I was so drunk and stupid. I had made a complete fool of myself. I looked at him to embarrassed to speak.

"Come on, Lexi." He sighed. He must have figured I was mad at him.

"Jay don't talk to me." I said blunting taking the money he was handing me for the items.

"Lex. Don't be like that." He replied. I didn't speak. I started counting his change.

"I talked to Liz." He said suddenly.

"Liz who?" I replied wondering where he was going with this.

He continued speaking as if I had never asked the questioned, "She kept going on about some drunk mistaking her for some chick named Paige."

I instantly looked up. Jay looked proud he had gotten a reaction from me. I was searching for something to say but I felt so s stupid.

"Alex, don't tell me you still got the hots for her." He said laughing.

"I don't." I lied, "Now take your shit and leave." I said thrusting his food at him.

He glanced at me for a moment. "I'm sorry." He said. He actually sounded like he meant it, "I know I've said it before. I'm not looking for trouble."

"Then what are you looking for?" I shot back.

"Lex, can't we just be friends?" He seemed a little taken a back by my sudden rush of anger.

"Jay..." I began but was cut off.

"Look. Lex, we have our differences. But we also have our similarities." He said.

"Such as?" I questioned not really wanting to compare myself to him.

I could see him thinking for a moment, "First we come from the same world. Not that glitz and glamour shit. Those rich people." He argued.

I sighed but Jay just kept on.

"I like girls, you like girls. Were practically the same you and I." He smiled. I could see he was proud of his last comment. I would have bet anything he had been itching to say that for months.

I rolled my eyes. Jay always did have this boyish cuteness about him.

"Jay." I chuckled. He knew my mood had lightened.

"We can just hang. No parties, no drinking...especially you...just us as friends. No trouble." He smiled.

I knew he was just lonely as I had been.

"Just hanging." I repeated eyeing Jay suspiciously

"Just hanging. Friends. You and me. Promise." He replied.

I nodded my heading smiling, "Maybe we'll hang sometime."

Jay nodded, "Right. Sometime." He smiled as he turned around and left without another word.

-------

"Alex, pass the salad please." Mrs. Michalchuk asked me from across the table.

I finished taking a bite of my pork chop before picking up the salad and handing it to her.

"Thanks dear." She replied, "Oh, how wonderful it will be to have the whole family at the dinner table again."

"Counting down the days sweetpee." Mr. Michalchuk replied grinning. I didn't comment, I wasn't sure exactly what they were talking about so I just listened taking small bites of pork chop.

"We are really going to have to work out the sleeping arrangements now." Mrs. Michalchuk said putting some salad on her plate.

"Sweetie don't you think it's time Dylan find a place of his own. He is graduating this year." Mr. Michalchuk replied.

"I am not just going to kick him out." Mrs. Michalchuk said shaking her head. Mr. Michalchuk rolled his eyes.

"Well, then we will figure something out. We will get Dylan a bed. Or he can bunk with Alex or Paige."

My heart stopped at the last word Mr. Michalchuk had said. I tried to hide the sudden shock that must have obviously been plastered across my face. I had been so wrapped up with my own life I had completely forgotten that she too lived here. I had forgotten she wouldn't be at college year round and that she would be coming home for the summer.

"Well, we still have a week to figure it out." Mr. Michalchuk said.

"Oh, that reminds me. I talked to Paige this morning. She said she should be home some time early Saturday." Mrs. Michalchuk said taking a sip of milk.

Paige would be returning on Saturday? That was less than a week away. I suddenly felt those butterflies in my stomach. I hadn't felt them in so long. I was both nervous and excited. What was going to happen? I hoped so desperately that our summer wouldn't be awkward. I hoped that we wouldn't spend three months avoiding each other.

------

The butterflies in my stomach lingered on for the rest of the week. Though Paige would be finished with her first year of college this week I still had another week to go. Ellie and I were studying like crazy together for finals. With every passing hour I would feel more antsy knowing Paige was getting closer and closer. It was almost to much for me to deal with. I constantly felt like I had to be moving, I was lucky if I could sit still for fifteen minutes. Even Ellie noticed my sudden nervousness.

"Alex, are you okay?" She asked looking up from her math notes. It was Friday and Paige was due back the next day. My anticipation had reached it's breaking point.

"Yeah, I'm fine." I lied not looking up from book.

"Are you sure? Because you seem a little...on edge?" Ellie replied eyeing me now.

My brain was one huge pile of thoughts. I couldn't seem to separate one from the other now. My feelings were also just as mixed. My stomach was filled with fluttering butterflies and I couldn't help my leg from shaking. Through all the little thoughts that raced in my mind only one was clear. Now is as good a time as ever.

"Ellie." I started looking up from my book. I was staring her in the eyes now.

"Yea." She said not breaking eye contact.

I tried desperately to figure out how I wanted to word this, "Can you do something for me?" I asked, my voice was shaky.

Ellie nervously nodded her head, "Sure."

"Okay," I said closing my math book and sitting up straight, "Close your eyes...and you have to promise not to freak. Okay?" I laughed a little to try to lighten the already tense move.

Ellie gave a soft laugh back, "Okay." She said nodding again. I could tell she was completely confused. Despite that, she looked at me for a moment before closing her eyes just like I had asked.

I was still for a second as I looked at her. Ellie's face was blank and peaceful. I could see she trusted me. I slowly started to move forward a little bit until I was face to face with her. I examined her features a little more closely. I had never actually been this close to her. I could feel her out breath on my face. I leaned in closer, closing my eyes I felt my lips touch hers. I was surprised when she didn't instantly pull away. Much like Paige had, she allowed me to kiss her again. Ellie didn't deepen the kiss nor did I. It was light and slow and soft. I could hear her breathing and she tasted like mint. Still though, she did not break away. My stomach was still flutter with butterflies, but not the same kind I had the first time I had kissed Paige. I almost felt a disappointment. All the time I was thinking, I suddenly noticed I was still kissing Ellie. I slowly broke away opening my eyes. She backed away a little too. Her eyes slowly opened. She looked calm and relaxed. I hadn't expected that. I didn't know what to expect from Ellie. She was doing a good job at keeping her composure.

"Okay." She said looking at the floor before meeting my gaze again.

I myself was searching my head for something decent to say. I had no clue how to word my feelings, despite the fact I was now sure of them, "I had to see something." I stated looking down.

"And?" She asked her voice was still calm and steady.

"And I like you Ellie, just..." I didn't know how to complete it and even at my pause Ellie's face stayed the same, "just not like that." I finally decided on finishing with.

Ellie looked at me. She obviously didn't know what to say. She still seemed to be searching for words.

"Okay...then..." She finally started, "That's uh...that's good to know." She said. I could only imagine how awkward she was feeling now.

"You weren't bad Ellie." I joked and she laughed.

"Well thank you." She replied jokingly too. Though I could still hear a hint of tension in her voice.

"So, are we okay?" I asked cautiously.

Ellie nodded, "Alex, your like my best friend."

Ellie would never know just how much those words had meant to me. Especially in these times when I wasn't sure what was going to happen to me. I found the bus ride home that night peaceful and calm. I was sure of my feelings for Ellie now. They were real feelings of love and friendship. I was thankful for Ellie just as I was thankful for many things. It was getting late now and despite the fact it was close to midnight by the time I got home I decided to sit outside on the back porch. I had found it a good place to think since my conversation with Mr. Michalchuk. I sat on the top step watching the tree I had taken so many pictures of. There was a small breeze. It blew through the tree's branching making them dance in the moonlight. I found it soothing. The night was clear and the stars were visible. Though the sky wasn't anything like when I had been camping, it was still amazing.

"Beautiful night, isn't it?" I heard from behind me. I didn't turn my head, I didn't have to. I closed my eyes for a second. I hadn't heard that voice in so long.

"It is." I replied nodding my head. I heard the footsteps approaching me. I could feel her as she took a seat beside me. There was silence for a long time. I didn't feel the need to say anything then. Everything was to perfect to ruin it with needless conversation.

"It's weird being home again." Paige finally said. She didn't break her gaze from the night sky.

"I know the feeling." I replied, "You're home early." I said breaking my gaze from the sky and turning to look at Paige. I hadn't seen her in so long. I felt as if I where in one of my dreams and prayed it wasn't. She looked exactly the same as I had remembered her. Despite the fact she looked exhausted, she was still gorgeous beyond belief. She did look older and more mature. Something I had expected. I could see she had been through a lot during her first year at Banting.

"Yea," She began meeting my gaze, "I decided to leave right after classes got out. I just wanted to come home. I hopped the first transit here."

I nodded not sure what to say.

"And you're living here now." She said, her eyes widened a little and I could tell she was being playful.

"Yes, long story." I rolled my eyes.

"I've already heart it." She laughed. "At least most of it." She finished.

I sighed, "Nope, I guessing you know all of it."

"My mom is a talker." Paige laughed.

"Tell me about it."

Paige sighed and we went back to silence.

"So I see my room in tacked." She started.

I laughed, "Well, your father wanted to turn it into a work out room but your mother wouldn't stand for it."

Paige laughed at my comment before yawning, "Well, it's pretty late." She said.

"Yea, I'm tired myself." I agreed. I stood up and Paige soon followed. We didn't say a word as we went back inside the house. Paige's suitcases were sitting in the doorway by the coat rack. The house was dark so I had to glide my hands on the wall to feel my way around. Paige and I walked quietly up the stairs together. I was in front. It was so weird knowing she was behind me. We finally reached my room first and she stopped.

"Well." She said. Her voice was low.

"Yea." I replied back not sure how we were going to end the night.

Paige leaned in to me a little and, by recently developed habit, I did the same. We hugged and I held her tight. Her grip was strong too. I could smell her perfume and it was wonderful. I took it all in. We finally released, though are hands were still lightly placed on each other's arms.

"I'm glad you're back." I whispered. It was hard to see her face in the dark, but I was sure she smiled.

"Me too." She replied.

We exchanged quick good-nights and Paige left to her room. She was so quiet as she left me in the dark hallway that I didn't even hear her bedroom door shut behind her.

-------

Okay, so finally Paige is back. I had a tough time deciding on how to end this chapter. I decided on giving everyone a little Paige time before ending it. Obviously like I have stated Paige will now be in the story as one of the main characters. I haven't yet decidied on the pace of the story now that she's back...but like I said, I think in chapter 1, I will be breaking this story up into at least two parts maybe 3...so this story itself is getting close to ending because this story is about Alex...but don't panic! My next story, which is a continuation of this story, will be about Paige and Alex. I'm I'm going to spend some time figuring out what I'm going to put in this story and what's going to be part of the next story. (Though I do know the general plot of what's going to happen.) But don't worry, there will be some more chapters of Paige and Alex in this story still. And also, I keep recent updates of my stories in my profile so check that if you want to know where I am with a story. I'm not sure when I'll have chapter 28 up...so just check my profile for chapter updates.