Okay, first off. I'm really sorrry it took me so long to update! I've been really busy. Second, I am extremely tired right now! But I wanted to get this chapter up because I will not be able to write for a few days and I wanted to give you guys and update. I had orginally planed on making this one chapter, but it became to long, so now I have to split it into two. So this is the first part. I'm sorry if are errors or typos in there. Also, I think I actually made up a few words...so sorry about that. I proof-read it, but I'm seriously falling asleep right now and if I don't get this up tonight, it won't up until the end of the week. So i'm hoping you guys wont mind a few erros because I'm to tried to go over it again. Anyways, I hope to be back to writing this story in full force by the end of the week. (and btw..i'm sorry if there are typs in my notes..again with the i'm extremely tired thing.)

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Chapter 29

The next week went by very smoothly, though Paige and I did talk, we still kept distant from each other. We never went out of our way to be in the same room together if we could avoid it. Though, when Paige and I were forced to interact we did so very well. We wouldn't have any awkward moments. We would talk playfully like we used to back in high school. I felt so relaxed when I was with Paige. Though we avoided any kind of deep personal conversation that would cause either of us to bring up emotions or feelings, I was still thankful for the time I was able to spend with Paige. I tried my hardest to keep my actions, gestures, and gazes strictly friendly and nothing more. I didn't want to make Paige feel uncomfortable and jeopardize what ever time I go to spend her. Dylan's graduation was going to take place on Saturday and it was all Mrs. Michalchuk talked about.

"Oh, our baby is graduating from College. I'm so proud of him." She went on the eve before Dylan's graduation at the dinner table.

"Mom," Paige said resting her elbows on the dinner table and folding her hands, "I don't think Dylan appreciates the baby treatment any more."

"Oh, you know he just loves it when you run up and pinch his cheeks in public." I joked taking a bite of roast beef.

"Oh Lexi, your just jealous because mom doesn't pinch your cheeks in public." Paige joked back.

"Yet." Mr. Michalchuk coughed, poring some more juice in his glass.

I couldn't help but blush at Paige saying my name. I loved it when she called me Lexi. She did so only on personal occasions. I rolled my eyes trying to hide my hopefully not obvious blushing.

Mrs. Michalchuk didn't seem to appreciate the humor, which only caused all three of use to chuckle to ourselves keeping our eyes focused on our plates.

"Well, it's going to be a long day tomorrow. After graduation we are going to have to help Dylan move out of his dorm."

No one raised their heads. Not one of us were excited about helping Dylan move out. That required a lot of work and I was still suffering from the lasting side effects of cleaning out the garage. Mrs. Michalchuk pretended not to notice our complete silence.

"And I still need to book a space for the photographer." She continued.

"Photographer?" Mr. Michalchuck questioned.

"Yes." Mrs. Michalchuk replied, "For the memories." She answered him as if he were a small child.

Mr. Michalchuk rolled his eyes exactly as Paige. I would never have guessed Paige had gotten the trait from her father.

"Yes dear, I know that. But have you forgotten we have our own personal photographer right here." He started explained.

I didn't look up from my plate. I had never realized how interesting broccoli was until now.

"Oh, yes. I forgot." Mrs. Michalchuk said sounding a little to over enthused.

I glanced at Paige who let off a small sigh and a chuckle. She obviously knew what was going on. It only took me another second before I also caught on to their little skit.

"Did you want me to be the photographer at Dylan's graduation?" I asked rolling my eyes slightly to acknowledge that I too had caught on.

"Well, if you insist." Mr. Michalchuk stated making an over exaggerated gesture. I heard Paige try to hold back a small giggle.

"And of course you would be compensated." Mrs. Michalchuk replied eagerly.

"Oh, please." I joked back, "Don't be ridiculous."

"Well..." Mrs. Michalchuk started as if she was trying to think of a response. There was a moment of silence before I broke in.

"Besides, that's way you can't blame me if I screw it up." I teased.

Paige's laughter broke through first. She first attempted to hid her chuckle but at the crack of Mr. and Mrs. Michalchuk, she couldn't help it. Mr. Michalchuk shook his head still grinning.

"Alex, where did we get you from?" He joked

"The mall." I replied upbeatly

Paige rolled her eyes, "Mom, I do hope you didn't pay to much for her." Paige joked.

"Nope, I was a free gift with purchase." I said trying to sound preppy and cute. I obviously succeeded because Paige gave me one of her facial expressions that she used when she thought I was being cute. The rest of the table chuckled.

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After dinner Mrs. Michalchuk decided everyone should have a strict bedtime of 10 p.m that evening. She went on about how she wanted everyone up bright and early tomorrow. I didn't really have a problem with set bedtime since I didn't really have anything to do anyway. Before settling in for the night I took out my camera and made sure I had enough film. I wanted to be as professional as possible. After I felt satisfied I had everything ready, I settled into bed and closed my eyes. My eyes didn't open again until I heard a knock on my door. My eyes instantly opened. I was lying in my stomach looking at my clocks. It was 5:02 a.m.

I let out a small grunt as I heard someone knocking again. I closed my eyes and stretched out a little trying to get the energy to turn over onto my back. I heard the door knob turn and listened as the door slowly became ajar. I didn't open my eyes, but I could tell someone was now in my room.

"Alex." I hard Paige's voice whisper. I brought my palm up to my eye. I rubbed it until I could open my eyes to see Paige standing in my doorway, one hand still on the door knob.

"Yea..." I groaned sounding tired but not upset.

"My mom sent me to get you up." She was still whispering.

"Okay." Was the only thing I could think to say. I couldn't help my eyes closing again. How could Paige be so wide awake at this hour?

"Oh common, sleepy-head." Paige joked entering into my room completely.

Suddenly I felt the blankets fly off me and Paige's hands wrap around mine. My heart instantly sank.

"Alright now, get up." Paige said pulling me up to a sitting position, "We have to get going. Mom is going to freak if were late."

"Right, right." I replied yawning, "Can't let that happen."

Paige rolled her eyes. Paige knew I was extremely grumpy and sarcastic when I was tired and she never had a problem shrugging it off.

"She has breakfast ready." When I didn't reply Paige harshend her voice, "Now."

It was the kind of tone that even the most unruly person couldn't help but obey. I instantly swung my legs over to one side and got up.

"That's better." I heard Paige, her arms were folded across her chest.

I rolled my eyes and Paige must have taken that as acknowledgement that she had completed her mission here and it was time for her to leave.

"Well then," She started to getting a little shifty, "I'll see you downstairs then."

I was only able to nod at her last comment before she left my room.

"See ya down stairs." I mumbled to myself as the door shut behind her.

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Mrs. Michalchuk made sure we hurried our way through breakfast. She wanted everyone fed and the kitchen cleaned up before we all got ready to go. I had finished getting dressed in what I thought was a nice pair of black slacks and a form fitting white blouse. I had been making my way to the bathroom when Paige's voice stopped me dead in my tracks.

"Uh, your not wearing that, hun." She said her arms were folding and she was examining me up and down as if I were a stray dog who no one thought was cute enough to take inside.

I also quickly looked down to examine my clothing choice, "What's wrong with it?" I asked.

Paige's eyes opened wide to suggest she was thinking: What isn't wrong with it? But she didn't say it. Instead she said:

"Ummm..." She started, "Well...nothing is wrong persay...it's just...uhh..." I could see Paige couldn't exactly find the word, or she had it but didn't want to say it.

I looked at my outfit again and then glanced back at Paige cocking my eyebrow to suggest if she had any better ideas she had better speak up. Paige looked as if she was trying to contain a smile, but at my facial expression, shook her head out of it.

"Right," She said, "Ummm...Come with me." She said raising her hands gesturing and turning around to go into her room.

I followed behind her. Paige was already in her closet by the time I entered her room.

"Paige?" I asked.

"Hmmmm." I heard her say. I could tell she was browsing through the closet. I could hear the sound of hangers moving and Paige was letting out little sighs every now and then. I glanced over into her closet to see her searching. She would pull out an article of clothing, look at it real hard, shake her head, then discard it. I couldn't help but chuckle. I knew Paige was trying to imagine what I would look like in all the articles of clothing she was picking out. Despite the fact that the biggest perk of our relationship when we were dating should have been sharing cloths. It wasn't. Paige and I hardly matched in styles and only on rare occasions would I wear something of hers or she wear something of mine. When Paige and I had been dating, sometimes she would beg me to put on something cute. Just to see how adorable I would look in it. It usually took a good half-hour of begging before I gave in...depending on the article of clothing of course.

"Paige." I said trying to get her attention.

She ignored me.

"Paige." I said again more forcefully.

Still she ignored me. I rolled my eyes and folded my arms getting ready to say her name again.

"Uh ha!" Paige exclaimed pulling out a black dress. She held it up to my body. The dress feel down to the my knees. It was a simple and not to elegant and though I would never admit this to Paige, I actually kind of liked it.

I tried to pass my facial expression to suggest I was considering it.

"Well?" Paige asked, "It's nice, not to dressy up, oh and black, so your color." Paige was trying to convince me while preparing for a tantrum of arguments from me. I took the hanger the dress was on and held it against myself. I could see Paige beginning to form a grin. She wouldn't say anything, but she knew I had already given in. I rolled my eyes mimicking the same grin.

"Fine." I said blushing a little at the thought that Paige was obviously getting a kick out of dressing me up. I turned around taking the dress with me and moped out of her room and into mine.

I had to admit the dress looked pretty nice on me and my thoughts were more than reassured when I saw Paige's face. She quickly glanced me up and down before letting out a big smile.

"Well, look at you." She said nodding in approval.

I couldn't help but smile back. It always felt good getting a compliment from Paige...always.

"See," She went on, a huge smile now plastered across her face, "I knew this would work! And a perfect fit!" Her sudden excitement started to fad off, "Though, I am a little bothered your fitting perfectly into a dress I used to wear when I was 13. But anywho!" She cut the rambling off short, "You look good." She finally said. Her voice was sincere.

I couldn't help but smile. Though I agreed with her, I still felt a little awkward.

"Thanks." I finally said.

"Alex! Paige!" I heard Mrs. Michalchuk's voice calling us from downstairs, "Let's go!"

Paige rolled her eyes and glanced over at me. I returned the gesture. Paige shrugged and headed downstairs. I followed in her wake.

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I hope you liked it. I'm sorry, but I wont be able to start writing the next chapter for a few days. But I do hope to get it up before the weekend if I can. Though I'm not going to make an promises. Also, I'm hoping to get into some good palex fun and drama withing the next 2 or 3 chapteres. So stay tuned! (Again with all the tiredness...)