Paige and Emily both laughed for a solid minute. Paige was seriously embarrassed, and Emily hadn't witnessed anything that joyous all week. As they calmed down, each girl took a deep breath, and Paige simply looked up at Emily and smiled.
"I'm glad you're here," uttered Paige. "I've been worried."
"No need to be," replied Emily, still smiling and blasé.
"So is your Mom…"
"She's fine. Well, when she's awake that is" said Emily, jokingly, in a way which made Paige uncomfortable.
"Listen, Em… I was thinking, about what you said in your texts? Please don't worry about me, this is a time you have to focus on your Mom."
"My Mom gets plenty of my attention. Infact, this is the first time I've left her all week. Not that I expected to see you here… but I guess that's a bonus."
Emily's borderline flirtyness made Paige weak at the knees. It took everything she had not to respond to it. "Having a swim then?"
"Yeah I guess. It helps me clear my head."
"Yeah, me too…"
The silence got slightly awkward. Emily wasn't willing to move, and Paige wanted to stay with her as long as possible.
"Fancy joining me?" Emily proposed.
The thought killed Paige. She wanted to believe that Emily was suggesting a hot, pool-based making out session, but she knew that was ambitious. "No, it's okay, I've just finished myself. My Dad will want me back."
"Right, your Dad…" replied Emily, unimpressed.
"I'll see you soon?"
"Yeah, I guess."
Emily's hostility bothered Paige. She felt she'd done something wrong. Unable to think clearly around her, she wanted to leave immediately.
"Okay… text me?"
"Sure. See you."
Paige's heart sunk, and she left swiftly. All it took was a few sour words from Emily to leave her feeling awful. They weren't even that bad, Emily was just in a state. But of course, Paige figured that was her fault. Maybe she should have joined her? Maybe Emily really was suggesting something? No. No Paige, don't do this to yourself. She sat in the parking lot in a trance, unable to start her car. Her mind was racing. This was it. She couldn't leave it like this. She leaped out of her car and ran back down to the changing rooms. She opened the door, panting, to witness a hunched up figure against the wall, crying her heart out.
"Oh, Em…"