Hi, guys! I hope you are enjoying the story. Here's chapter 3. I know I promised a conversation between Paige and Spencer. I leave that for chapter 4, I promise I will.
Emily's POV
I don't know what to say to her when she asks me about Nate. She is suspicious, but I don't think she knows about the kiss, because if she knew she would fly into a rage. Honestly I love that about her, she's a very passionate girl and I have to admit I love the way she acts when she's jealous and protective, it's kind of sexy. I'm pretty sure she suspects about Nate, that's why she has been avoiding me since yesterday. She cancelled the date in the last minute, she didn't answer my calls and texts (that isn't like her), and she was asking a lot of questions. So I have to tell her the truth, I kissed him back. I really don't know why the hell I did that. I needed comforting and I feel safe with him, because he's the only person that knew Maya as well as I did. Well, at least I thought I knew her, but right know I'm not so sure about that. She was a mysterious person, and she kept those secrets from me. I can't be like that with Paige. I need to tell her what really happened with Nate, although I'm not really sure how to explain the kiss without feeling like a fool. I regretted kissing him back the minute I touched his lips, it didn't feel the same way I feel when I kiss Paige. It was definitely a mistake and now I need to make amends. I need to be brave, so after the practice I will buy her a coffee and explain my horrible mistake. I stand up and go towards the pool. She is inside the pool, swimming like it was a national competition, she's moving her legs and arms quickly. I can see the coach is looking surprised at the chronometer as she leaves the pool breathing heavily. She smiles at me and I smile back. She's the perfect girlfriend and I've blown it. After swimming some laps I hear the coach saying the practice is over. Finally! I was expecting it would finish so I can be with Paige.
"Keep swimming, Emily, another ten laps. I don't know what is wrong with you today, but you were pretty slow." – the coach tells me.
Fuck, I don't need this right now. Ok, I need to be quick so I can meet Paige. – I think to myself.
Suddenly my body starts moving very quickly, like I am fighting for my life. I start counting the laps. Only ten laps, Emily, concentrate. I think I just broke a record. I leave the pool and I see the coach's face expression is totally different, she is smiling at me.
"I knew you could make it, Emily. You are one of the best swimmers of the team. Well done. Tell your girlfriend she was amazing, I couldn't congratulate her, because it seemed she was in a hurry." – she adds.
"Yeah, I will, coach". – I answer, smiling at her. Although I know maybe she won't be 'my girlfriend' after the conversation we will be having.
I go to the changing room and hit the shower. In five minutes I'm out, while I'm getting dressed I look around, but I don't see her. I take my bag and I leave the room, expecting to see her. I see a dark figure in the distance, a tall person is waiting in the parking lot. Yeah, that's Paige. I guess she's waiting for someone to go home, maybe her parents. I approach her, and I see she sees me, but she doesn't smile at me or hug me. That's weird, because the last days she couldn't help but touching me when she had the chance.
"Hi, Paige, you didn't wait for me after practice." – I tell her, looking preoccupied.
"Hi. I heard the coach telling you to do more laps, and my mom is waiting for me, so…" – I respond.
"It's fine. So… Uh… I was hoping to talk to you, you know… we need to talk about the previous conversation in the locker room. – I say, nervously.
"Yeah, of course. But I told you I have plans tonight. How about tomorrow? We could have breakfast and chat. – I add, with a smile in my face.
Now that I see her smile I feel more relieved. I feel the urge to hug her, kiss her, hold her hands… But I know it wouldn't be appropriate, she's hurt and I don't want to make her feel uncomfortable.
"So, it's a date. 9 am in the café? The pancakes are delicious." – I say, grinning from ear to ear.
"Ok, see you tomorrow, Em." – I reply, waving my hand.
Paige's POV
I walk home knowing that tomorrow I'll be meeting Emily. I'm happy, because I want to spend time with her, but I have to face reality and let her know what she did was wrong. I'm not prepared to forgive the infidelity. I love her, but I can't stand the fact that she kissed a guy and didn't tell me about it. I need to make her clear that I am hurt and that sometimes, even if it's painful, there's nothing to do about it. Today I wasn't avoiding her, I was telling her the truth, my mom texted begging me to come home for dinner. I have to give her a chance to explain the fight we had in the morning. After all, she is my mom and I love her, although sometimes she drives me crazy, especially when she talks about Emily. She is adorable, I don't know why she hates her so much. Maybe she thinks she dragged me to 'the lesbian lifestyle'. What she doesn't know is that I knew I liked girls even before meeting Emily.
I open the front door and I see my mother standing in the living room. My father is in a business trip, and that's okay, because I don't want to confront my father about my relationship and my swimming. I realize I'm feeling guilty about the argument, I guess my response was exaggerate, but my mom made a mistake, so we should both apologize.
My mom comes closer and hugs me. Okay, I didn't expect that, she is obviously sorry. I hug her back, whispering 'I'm sorry' in her ear.
"Don't be sorry, Paige. You were right, I shouldn't have said that. I don't know Emily well enough to make those accusations. In fact, since you are dating her your grades and swimming have improved and you are very happy. – she tells me, with tears in her eyes.
Well, I was happy before that stalker kissed her, but now I'm devastated. She is right, though, until yesterday everything was like a dream. I'm out, my parents are not as homophobic as I thought, I'm dating the girl I love… Everything was so damn perfect! – I think to myself.
"Thank you, mom, you don't imagine how much I needed you saying this. Now, can we have dinner? I'm starving, and it smells delicious. – I say, grinning at her.
"Yes, dear, I know you've been swimming a lot, so I prepared macaroni. One of your favourite dishes." – she adds.
"Thank you, mom, I need my carbs." – I joke.
I go set the table while my mother is opening the fridge to get a bottle of water. She closes the fridge and sits down next to me.
"Start eating, Paige, or you will have a nervous breakdown. – she says laughing at me.
"By the way, Emily came this morning, she said she was picking you up. But you were gone. I guess you forgot, with all the fight and everything... " – she says.
"Yeah, I didn't get the text. My cellphone is doing strange things lately. But I won't buy another one, maybe I will try to fix it. I know a boy who is a handyman with new technologies. Maybe I will call him… if my phone is not on strike. – I say, laughing.
"Okay, it's working perfectly fine." – I add, when I see my cellphone vibrating.
It's Emily.
I miss you already. I hope everything is fine with your mother. This morning she seemed preoccupied about something. XOXO
"You can take the call if you want." – says my mother.
"It's okay, mom, it is a text, nothing important." – I add.
When I finish eating a ton of macaronis, I go wash the dishes and go to my bedroom.
"Tomorrow I'm going to be up early, so don't worry if I am not home when you wake up. I'm not going to have breakfast home. Good night, mom." – I tell her while I'm climbing the stairs.
"Good night, honey." – she says. I notice she is relieved after the conversation we had.
I set the alarm clock and I fall asleep quickly, the swimming practice was exhausting and I need to rest.
I open my eyes with the rays of the sunlight hitting my face. It's early, the alarm hasn't rung yet, but I don't want to stay in bed. Maybe jogging is a good option, it's sunny and I am under a lot of stress. I wear my shorts and tank top, get my iPod and go out. Rosewood is in silence, there isn't a soul in the streets. I turn on my iPod and I choose an Iron Maiden song, I need powerful music, and this band always works for me. I start running, at first slowly and after some minutes faster. It feels good, time flies by quickly. I realize it's almost 8 am. Shit! I need to get home and shower. I don't want to be late. I make my way home and take a quick shower. I grab some jeans and a blue t-shirt and I walk to the café. I get there five minutes earlier, I open the door and I don't see Emily. I go grab a coffee when I suddenly hear someone yelling my name.
"Hey, Paige, what are you doing here?" – he asks.
Come on, what are YOU doing here, Nate? Don't you have a house? – I say to myself.
"Hi. I am meeting Emily." – I answer politely.
You know, the girl you kissed the other night, moron! – I think to myself.
"Okay. I'm sure you will have a great time with her." – He says in response, grinning at me.
Is he kidding me? I hate him! How could he say that? Relax, Paige, he is not worthwhile.
I sit down in a table, trying to forget what has just happened, when I see Emily entering the café. Nate is casually leaving the café and they both say hi, no more words. It's clearly an awkward moment. I don't know if they've spoken since the incident, but seeing their attitude I would say they didn't. I notice Emily's feeling guilty when she looks at him and then at me. She waves her hand and comes closer.
"Hi. How are you? Are you feeling better?" – she asks, with a smile in her face.
"Yeah, I am a little better. Thank you." – I reply, showing her a huge smile.
Why am I smiling like that? She cheated on me. Come on, Paige, you are not so weak!
"Do you want another coffee?" – she asks.
"No, thanks, I'm fine." – I add.
I don't know how I'm going to deal with it. She's ordering a coffee, but she's going to be sitting next to me in a minute. At that very moment she sits down in the chair that's next to me. She is very close, just inches from my body, and I'm getting nervous.
"So… Uh… I… I know there's something going on in your head. You've been distant to me since the other day and I know you want to know the truth. I am really nervous, so I will be honest and direct. – she says almost stuttering.
"Em…" – I interrupt.
"Paige, let me be clear about the other night. I told you I was with Nate and that he was not okay, he misses Maya and he needed somebody to lean on. He kissed me, Paige. But it didn't mean anything, trust me." – she says.
"I know." – I add, frowning.
"Do you? Why didn't you say anything?" – she asks.
"What did you want me to say? Huh? But you forgot telling me something, I saw you kissing him back, so explain me that." – I tell her, feeling bitter.
"Paige, I was feeling vulnerable. You know I love you a lot. I'm so sorry. Forgive me, please." – she says, with tears falling from her eyes.
"I feel betrayed. I've waited for so long to have a chance to be with you. Some days ago you came to my house and told me you wanted to be with me, you kissed me. Did I do something wrong?" – I ask her.
"No, you didn't. You are the perfect girlfriend, I mean it. Give me another chance, please." – she begs.
"I need some time to think. I want to be alone for a while, Emily. I hope you respect my decision." – I tell her.
"Are you breaking up with me?" – she asks, in desperation.
"Emily, I need some time to think about everything. I will see you in class. Bye."
I leave the café almost crying. I know I was too hard on her, but I need to let off steam or I'll explode. It's time to go home now.
When I get home I say hi to my mother and I tell her my back is aching and that I need to rest. I turn off my cellphone, I don't want to deal with Emily. I spend all day and the next day (Sunday) sleeping. When I wake up my mother is looking at me very worried.
"Are you okay, honey? I thought you were hibernating, you know, like bears." – she says.
"I'm feeling better, mom, but my back still hurts. I guess I shouldn't swim for a couple days" – I reply.
This way I won't have to face Emily in the pool. Although I might run into her in the halls. Well, we will see what happens, now I just want to have dinner and go to sleep, again.