Thanks for the reviews on the first two chapters & the prologue: they've motivated me to boom out the third chapter so fast. And, I'm even working on the fourth already. (Note: I handwrite everything first, then I type it up.) So... enjoy!

Chapter Three: Memory Box

After driving Marco to his parents' house, I drove straight home, to the apartment Alex and I had been living in for the past eight months. The only reason I had to stay there was the fact that the lease wasn't up for another four months. But, the only problem would be making rent: with my full time job, of being my mother's secretary, I could make rent… I just wouldn't be able to eat that month.

Half sighing, I parked my car in the parking lot, and silently walked the three flights of stairs, of which I chose to secure our safety. I remember when we were looking at this place; nine months ago, life was still close to perfect…

"Wow, hun: You're really excited about looking for our own place." Though, I could understand her lack of a peppy attitude.
From her seat in the car, she glanced to me, raising her brow, with her trademark smirk.
Blinking, I looked to her, half smiling, nervously.
"What?"
"Paige, it's ten o'clock in the morning, I'm awake, and it's a Saturday."
Defensively, I pouted.
"But, I made you breakfast, I gave you a good morning kiss, I showered with you…"
"I didn't ask you to."
"But, I did, Alex. And… you know you loved it." Teasingly, I set my hand on her thigh. Her cheeks reddened, which made me giggle. "Hun, you're blushing."
"I figured from your giggling."
"You're so cute when you blush, though." I squealed softly.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw her bow her head, the flush leaving her cheeks slowly, and she smiled, slipping her hand into mine, lacing our fingers.
"Oh, just so you know, this apartment is on the third floor of the building, and we have roof access, too." As we came to a red light, I pressed down on the gas, and cast my gaze over to her; almost immediately after the words rolled off my tongue, I saw her brown eyes widen, and she lifted her head, blinking to me with wide eyes, a solemn face.
"Third floor…?"
"Plus, roof access…!"
I figured she would react this way, so I had prepared my rebuttal:
"In my defense, I was only thinking of our safety. Sure, it's a good neighborhood, but since we're near Degrassi, and the Lakehurst kids have this huge grudge against the world, I figured it'd be best if we were on higher ground…" My voice trailed when she squeezed my hand gently, turning her head to look out the window. In her faded reflection, I saw a slight smile tugging at the corners of her lips.
"And, it's not just because we get roof access, right?" She asked me, turning her eyes back to me; I could tell she was holding back laughter.
Though, she caught me. I really just wanted this place because it had roof access, and I figured we could have a few candlelit dinners up there; it wouldn't hurt for the romance factor. "You know me too well."
"That and you're a bad liar, Michalchuk."
"Let's see if you get laid tonight, Nuñez."

Unlocking the door, I closed it behind me, locking it once more and replacing the chain: it had become a habit ever since we moved here, and Alex had picked up on it as well. Taking off my coat, I needed to get out of these clothes. Wearing black was something I only did for funerals, and even then, I always hated it. I just wanted to take a shower, and wear the sweatshirt Alex had bought for me on our one-year anniversary trip to Calgary: it was the only black sweatshirt I would wear in front of people, and not care if I fell a victim of bad fashion, because I was wearing the sweatshirt my girlfriend bought me.

Sighing deeply, my arms crossed over my midsection, shielding my insecurities from the world, as I walked into our bedroom; her side of the bed was always messy, mine neatly made. It brought tears to my eyes. I could never sleep there again, because I knew I'd wake up wanting her next to me, and she just would never be there again. So, I sat at the end of the bed, and slipped off my heels, sliding my bare feet into my fuzzy pink slippers. Standing, I replaced my black dress with a pair of pink shorts and that Calgary sweatshirt from Alex.

As I curled up at one end of the couch, my knees tucked into my chest and my chin resting in between my kneecaps, tears welled in my eyes again. Nothing was ever going to be the same for me. My heart just fell from Cloud Nine, and splattered on the pavement outside of Degrassi Community School.