"So what did I miss?"
It seemed like an innocent enough question when I returned from the bathroom. I could tell that I happened upon a heated conversation on my return. The tension was so thick you could cut it with a knife. Paige was as red as a beet. I don't know what she and Ben were talking about, but it was obviously something that upset her.
"Nothing much babe. We were just discussing Paige's love life. Or should I say lack there of," Ben replies. So that's why she's red, she's blushing.
"Paige I'm sure there's plenty of girls who would love to date you. You're funny, sweet and smart. You're loyal and trustworthy. Besides look at you. You're CRAZY hot," I tell her. She scrunches her brow at this last comment and slight cocks her head to the side like she's trying to look inside my brain. Before I can ask her why she's giving me this look, Ben chimes in,
"Em I didn't know you had a thing for girls."
"I don't," I stammer out, "but I can appreciate the female form when it's right in front of me." Paige's eyes widen with this comment and she has an amused look on her face. I see her glance at Ben who gives her a shoulder shrug like he isn't the least bit concerned with her.
"Since we're on the subject Paige, why aren't you dating anyone?" I ask.
"I honestly don't have the time to Em and even if I did, there isn't anyone available that has captured my attention," she says.
"Or maybe she's pining for someone else's girl and she's just waiting for the right time to make her move," Ben interjects. I whack him in the chest when he says it.
"Paige wouldn't do something like that. She is the most honest and honorable person I know."
"Besides, if I was pining for someone else's girl, it would only be because they were a jerk who didn't deserve her in the first place," she spits back.
"If you think you've got the cojones to get her then make your move!" Ben says.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa. What is going on with the two of you? Why are you fighting." I look back and forth between the two of them, but no reply is forthcoming. "Umm, hello?" I try again. Ben squints his eyes at Paige.
"We aren't fighting, are we cousin?" he asks.
"Nope, not at all cousin," is her response. Something really strange is going on between the two of them. I decide to brush it off. I'll ask them about it when they're not together.
"Good I'm glad that's settled cause the night is still young and I want to go do karaoke," I say.
"I'm really tired babe. Plus there's still a lot of things I have to get done before heading up to school next week. Practice starts for me on Monday," Ben explains.
I'm disappointed but I understand.
"Paige?"
"Sure, I'm always down for a good time,"she says.
We split the check and head to the door. Ben grabs me by the waist and pulls me into him. I smell a faint hint of something that isn't Ben's cologne. It's familiar, but I can't quite place my finger on it.
"You try not to get into too much trouble tonight. Don't go falling in love with someone else," he whispers in my ear. I pull back slightly to look at his face and see him smirking jokingly.
"Ha, ha baby. You know I only have eyes for you," I reply
"Good. Let's keep it that way," he says seriously. He gazes at me for a long while before he says, "I love you." He punctuates that declaration with a long slow kiss. I'm caught off guard by his actions. We've kissed a million times before, but Ben has never been one for big PDA.
"I love you too," I manage to get out after catching my breath. I turn to ask Paige if she's ready to go and she looks like she trying to melt into the decor.
"Are you alright?" I ask.
"Yes I'm just ready to go. Unless you guys feel the need to make out some more," she snaps.
"Sheesh! Alright, alright. Ben I'll text you later when I get in."
"Ok beautiful. Hey McCullers make sure you keep an eye on MY girl."
Paige doesn't respond. She just gives Ben a look that would have me buying a black dress if looks could kill.
"Paige, do you want to pick me up from house in about an hour? I want to change before we go out," I ask.
"Sure Em. I'll see you in a little bit."
Exactly an hour later I hear my doorbell ring. A few seconds later, I hear my mom bellowing that Paige is here. I check my hair and makeup one last time in the mirror before I grab my bag and head downstairs. I hear them chatting by the front door and I'm stopped cold in my tracks. Paige is wearing a gray button up shirt and vest, black leather pants that look like a second skin and motorcycle boots. I see wisps of her hair have escaped from the ponytail that is underneath her black knit beanie. When I told her she was crazy hot earlier, I was far from exaggerating.
"Wow! You look amazing as usual," she says.
"Eh, I do what I can." We both give each goofy grins.
"You girls have fun and don't stay out too late ok," my mom says.
"Ok mom. Oh, I'll probably be staying over at Paige's if that's ok."
"Just text me so I know you guys made it in," she says as we had out of the door. I hop in the passenger side and we head on our way to our destination. The car ride is pretty silent for the first few minutes. I know Paige can feel me staring a hole in the side of her head. She finally glances at me and ask "What?"
"Are we going to talk about what you and Ben were fighting about?" I ask.
"No," is her reply.
"Why not?"
"Because."
"Because isn't an answer Paige," I tell her
"Well it's the one I'm giving you," she volleys back.
"Well I don't accept it."
"Look, we have a difference in opinion on something and have decided to agree to disagree. Does that answer appease her majesty?" she asks.
I smirk triumphantly before sticking my tongue out at her. "Very much so thank you."
"Since we're spilling secrets, care to tell me what was troubling you earlier?" she questions.
I sigh deeply. "I'm afraid of going off to college." She glances at me with a question on her face but doesn't speak. I continue, "not so much the college part, but the Ben and I part. Things have been kind of weird between us lately and I don't know what to make of it." I see her grip the steering wheel tighter.
"Weird like how?" She asks.
"He's just been so hot and cold lately. I think he's losing interest in me. We're about to go off to a big university and he's a football player. There's going to be all kinds of girls throwing it at him every chance they get and I just don't know if I can compete," I sigh defeated.
"Can't compete? Are you crazy!" Paige says incredulously. "Do you know who you are? You're Emily Fields. Hot shot swimmer that Penn was so eager to recruit that they offered you a full ride. You're fun and loving. You have the biggest heart of anyone I know. And have you looked in a mirror lately? If my face looked like yours I wouldn't be able to accomplish anything. I'd be too busy staring at the mirror in awe of how gorgeous I am."
I laugh out loud from that last remark. She continues, "Anyone would be lucky to have you and if Ben doesn't recognize that, he's a bigger jackass than I thought." We ride in silence for a little while before Paige asks,"Tell me something good."
A genuine smile appears across my lips as I glance over at her. This has been something we have done for each other over the years. Whenever one of us is down, the other asks them to "tell them something good". It serves as a reminder that even though everything might not be going our way, we still have so much to be grateful for.
"I'm so glad we're going off to college together. I don't know what I'd do if I didn't have you by my side." She smiles and reaches across to take my hand.
"You know I have your back M&M."
"Wow I didn't expect it to be this crowded on a Thursday night," I say as we make our way to the bar of our favorite karaoke spot.
"Looks like everyone else had the same good idea that we did," she says
"Did you bring your fake with you?"
"No, why did you?" she asks.
"Yes indeedy. Looks like you're our designated driver for the evening." She makes the cutest scowl. "Sorry, not sorry," I reply.
"So what'll you ladies be have?" the bartender asks.
"I'll have a Vodka Seven," I respond.
"And for you?" he asks Paige.
"I'll just have the Seven please."
While we wait for our drinks, Paige makes a gesture towards the stage.
"Let's go sign up for a song," she says.
"Oh no, no, no. Not yet. Not all of us are fortunate enough to be a cross between Alicia Keys and Adele." I raise my glass and add, "Let me get a few more of these in me first. But you go right ahead."
I see her shaking her head and chuckling as she makes her way to sign up to sing. As I watch her walk away, I can't help but notice that she has a swagger about her that's almost spellbinding. I realize I'm not the only one who notices. Paige has managed to turn quite a few heads.
" Why hasn't she dated anyone in a while," I wonder.
I don't get to dwell on it long, because I hear the emcee announce, "ladies and gentleman please put your hands together for our next performer Paige." I clap and whistle loudly for her.
"Thanks everyone. This one is an oldie but goodie. I hope you all enjoy it. If you know the words don't be afraid to sing along," she says.
As I hear the open guitar riff for "Hotel California", all I can do is roll my eyes and groan. Of course she didn't pick a song from this decade. I don't even think she knows anything made after 1980. Feel as I might about her song selection, there's no denying that she is talented. She's belting the lyrics out and the crowd is eating up. I get caught up in the euphoria as well and sway and sing along. When she finishes she gets a standing ovation. I laugh as she makes her way back to me.
"You're so in your element when you're up on that stage aren't you?" I ask her.
"What can I say, I love to perform," she replies.
"Well come on superstar, my glass is empty and I need a refill."
I grab her hand as not to lose her as we make our way back to the bar. While we're waiting for our drinks, I notice a guy staring at us.
"You guys are very attractive couple,"he says.
"Oh we're not a couple," I tell him.
"What a shame. Regardless, you two are really hot together. If you're interested we could get out of here and have some real fun," he says.
"Hey perv, the lady isn't interested so keep it stepping!" Paige interjects.
The guy sees the "fuck off now" face Paige is making and takes his leave.
"Can you believe some people," Paige says.
"He thought we were a couple," I say.
"No he didn't Em, he was just trying to see if we'd hook up with him. That was his way of seeing if you were down."
"What, really?" I ask.
"Oh my naive, innocent Em. I have so much to teach you."
With the exception of the creep at the bar, the rest of our night is a blast. After few more drinks, I have enough courage to get on stage and do a duet with Paige. I'm still crooning out the jams as she drives us home.
"Em are you drunk?" She asks.
"No," I giggle.
She glances at me. I giggle some more.
"Ok maybe. Have I told you how hot you are tonight?" I ask.
"Yes, a few times actually, but thanks all the same."
"I mean it Paige. You look SO good. If I liked girls I'd so do you McCullers," I moan out. I glance at her and I could swear she's blushing. This alcohol has me seeing things. Damn, maybe I'm more inebriated than I thought.
"I know you said you don't have time to date, but when we get to school promise me you'll at least consider the idea." She doesn't respond. "Please Skittles? I love you so much and can't stand to see you alone."
"Ok I'll think about it," she concedes.
"Yeah!" I exclaim.
She parks in her driveway and shuts off the engine.
"I'm so glad we went out tonight. I had so much fun." She turns to me and has this soft look in her eye. I feel my heart beating on my chest like it's trying to break free.
What the heck is going on with me.
She smiles and says,"Yeah me too."
We make our way in the house and in to her room. We each go through the motions and get ready for bed.
"What side do you want tonight?" She asks.
"I want all the sides," I say.
"Ok princess how bout you take right side and I'll take the left?"
"Only if we get to do big spoon little spoon," I say.
"We only do that when you're sick."
"But I am sick. The whole room is spinning and if you don't hold me I'll spin away," I pout.
"Oh fine," she huffs out.
She turns out the lights and I get in first. She gets in behind me and pulls me close. I sigh and close my eyes.
"Love I meant what I said when I told you I'm glad we're going to school together. You're such an important part of my life. I really and truly do love you. You're the greatest friend a girl could have."
As I'm drifting off, I hear her whisper, "I love you too, Em."