A/N: So I gave blood today and then I passed out twice, not cool. I really hope you guys find the ending interesting. =)
Disclaimer: I do not own Degrassi or it's characters.
When you have five people and a car that seats five people what do you do? Well of course you have two in the front and three in the back. When you have three in the back they tend not to have much arm room so one would make sure the three in the back liked on another and were comfortable being close to one another. Not me though, I made the backseat uncomfortable.
The car is full of unspoken tension and slight anger. I'm still upset at Beth for not telling me about her past relationships before today. Now every time I kiss her I'm going to be thinking about how her lips were once on John Jackhole Stokes and Heather Bitch Sinclair. Ugh, I think I'm going to throw up now. I look at the review mirror and laugh quietly. Paige is sitting in the middle between Sage and Alex. I told Paige I needed her to sit in the middle because she's the shortest and wouldn't block my view. It's half true; she is about two inches shorter than Alex and Sage.
"So Sage," Paige starts. "What do you plan on majoring in?"
"I'm double majoring in economics and business administration," Sage says.
I see Paige's eyes widen a bit.
"Wow hon, that's impressive," Paige says. The way she said it makes it seems like she's trying not to seem impressed.
"Well my father owns a couple of car dealerships back home so I guess I got the business bug from him."
"What does your mother do?"
"She's an administrator at a Boys and Girls Club."
"That's nice."
"Yeah, I love volunteering there. The kids are so amazing and inspiring."
I look back at the rearview mirror. Alex is grinning from ear to ear, probably thinking her girlfriend is the most amazing person in the world. Paige is starting to look like the old Paige, Degrassi's Queen-Bee Paige. I feel like any minute now Paige is going to say something that will either insult Sage is a clever subtle way or say something to make herself look really good.
"Where do you go to school Paige?" Sage asks.
"I don't go to school," Paige answers.
Alex snickers. I never thought a snicker could sound so bitter but that one sure did.
"I work at the fashion magazine Dabenshire," Paige tells Sage proudly.
Although I can't see Paige at this very moment I know she's smirking.
"That must be exciting," Sage says.
Alex snorts and I laugh quietly to myself.
"I've always been into fashion and it's great that I'm working in the industry now.'
"So you get to pitch ideas and meet designers?"
Alex busts out laughing. I look at the rearview mirror and Paige looks slightly embarrassed but I can tell she's trying to keep her Queen-Bee persona up.
"Not exactly," Paige says.
Alex is still laughing but it's a bit quieter now.
"I'm mostly an assistant right now but I'm moving up slowly but surely. I do get to pitch some ideas every now and then," Paige says.
"Like instead of getting everyone regular lattes you suggest soy lattes?" Alex asks seriously.
"Alex…" I say in a warning tone. She's looking at me through the rearview mirror and I'm looking back at her, warning her with my eyes.
"Ha ha hon," Paige laughs sarcastically. "Actually it's more like when we had a photo shoot a few months back the editor-in-chief of the magazine didn't like the way the photos looked and I suggested black and white and he agreed with me," Paige tells us. And there's the Queen-Bee attitude.
I pull up to Paige's house. Part of me is happy this ride is over.
"Well ladies this is my stop," Paige tells us. "It was…fun hanging out." Paige turns to Sage. "Nice meeting you hon." And there's the fake smile.
"You too Paige," Sage says sincerely.
Alex opens her door and gets out of the car to let Paige our. I also get out of the car. Alex and Paige are just standing there, not really sure how to say good-bye. They finally share a very awkward hug. A hug between my birth dad and me would have been less awkward than the hug I just witnessed.
"Uh, I guess I'll see you later," Alex says.
"Bye Lexie," Paige says.
"I'll walk you to the door," I tell Paige.
Alex gets back in the car as Paige and I begin our walk to her door.
"So Alex seemed surprised to see me," Paige says.
I chuckle nervously and look down. "Surprises are nice sometimes," I tell her.
"Well I don't think she liked this one hon," Paige says. "Was there some kind of plan you had or something?"
I look up. "No," I tell her. "It's just that we all haven't hung out since high school… and I figured you and Sage meeting would be interesting."
"Well it was interesting."
Paige and I reach the front door. Paige turns and looks at me.
"It's freaky how much she looks like me and her name is so close to mine. She's even majoring in something I failed to do after one semester at Banting." Paige is looking at me with slightly sad and confused eyes. "Is Alex trying to replace me with a more successful version of me?"
Oh no, I can't believe Paige would think that. This is one of those rare moments where Paige shows her vulnerable side. I pull Paige into a hug.
"Of course she's not replacing you," I tell her. "No one in the world could replace the great Paige Michalchuk." I pull Paige slightly away from me and look her in the eyes. "You're one of a kind Paige," I tell her sincerely.
"Thanks hon," Paige says.
"No problem. How about you join us for miniature golf tonight?" I ask her. "You did say yesterday that you wanted to do that."
"No offense hon but I do not want to be the fifth wheel," she says.
"Ellie is coming too, so you won't be the fifth wheel. It'll be great, just like the old days." I clasp my hands together. "Please Paige," I beg. "It'll be fun," I sing.
A small smile appears on Paige's face. There we go.
"Ok fine," she says.
"Alright!" I pump my fist into the air. "We're going to the usual place so I'll call Ellie and tell her to pick you up."
Paige is laughing and nodding her head. "Ok Jordan, I'll see you tonight."
"Later." I walk back to the car and get in.
"Took you awhile," Beth says.
"Yeah, Paige and I just needed to talk," I tell her.
I drive to Beth's house. The car ride is silent except for Alex and Sage whispering things to each other. I pull up in front of Beth's house.
Beth turns around. "I'll see you two later tonight," she tells Alex and Sage.
Beth leans in to give me a kiss. I turn my head so her lips kiss my cheek instead.
"I'll see you tonight," I tell her.
Her face sort of falls and she just nods her head. Beth gets out of the car and walks to her front door. She turns around and waves at me. I wave back and begin driving home.
"What was that aboot?" Alex asks.
"Nothing," I mutter.
I drive us home. I pull into the drive-way. Alex helps Sage grab her stuff from the trunk while I open the front door.
"We're here," I announce in a normal tone of voice, in case Matisse is sleeping.
Mom and Brian walk into the foyer. Brian is holding Matisse who is currently focusing all his baby attention on the bottle that is in his mouth. Alex and Sage come in behind me.
"I'll be upstairs napping," I tell them quickly.
As I'm going up the stairs I can hear my parents introducing themselves to Sage and vice versa. They sound really excited to be meeting her. Yay, everyone is excited and happy, except for me.
I flop down on my bed and bury my face into my pillow. I know I shouldn't be upset about who Beth dated before me because it's all in the past but I can't help it. I just need sleep.
Hours Later:
I think I hear someone calling my name. I'm currently in that weird stage where I'm half asleep and half awake, so the voice could be in my dream.
"Jordan," the voice calls out my name again.
I slowly open my eyes. I think I see Beth but I'm not entirely sure. I begin rubbing the sleep out of my eyes. I sit up and yawn.
"Hi," I greet her in a sleepy voice.
"Hi," she says quietly.
"What are you doing here?" I ask with curiosity in my voice.
"I came to talk to you."
I sigh. "About what?"
"Aboot you obviously being upset aboot what I said earlier which, by the way, I don't even know why you're upset about it."
I laugh bitterly. "Why? Why? Maybe because today I just found out that my girlfriend dated guys before me and Heather Sinclair. Who the hell dates Heather Sinclair?" I mean seriously. Anyone who has ever met Heather knows she's the evilest person on the whole planet. It's been rumored that she's the Devil's spawn and I whole heartedly believe that. And God knows who else Beth dated before me.
"You're really upset about who I dated before you, before I even knew you?" Beth is shaking her head. "You're being ridiculous."
I get up from my bed and close my door. I turn back around and look at Beth.
"I'm not being ridiculous," I tell her sternly. "I think it's unfair that I'm just now finding out about who you dated before me."
"It's not like we ever had a conversation about our past relationships!" Beth exclaims. "Besides, why does it even matter?"
"Because it does!" I yell and throw my hands up into the air.
"The past is the past Jordan." Beth places her hand on my shoulder. "I'm with you now and that's all that matters.
I shrug her hand off. Adrenaline is pumping through my veins. It feels like my emotions have just boarded a rollercoaster.
"Your past affects your present and future," I tell her.
"Fine, you want to talk about past relationships?" Beth asks angrily. "How many people have you dated other than me?"
"Five and none of them were guys." I cross my arms.
Beth laughs bitterly. "So that's what this is really aboot? So what I dated a couple of guys, that shouldn't matter."
"Did you have sex with any of them?"
Beth crosses her arms and looks at me angrily. "No," she says sternly. "Unlike you the only person I've ever slept with is standing right in front of me."
What? I'm… I'm the only one? I drop my arms.
"I'm the only one?" I ask quietly.
"Yeah you are," Beth answers softly.
I sit down on my bed. Now I sort of feel like an asshole. Here I am yelling at her about dating other people before me when I'm the only person she's had sex with and I've had sex with two other girls.
"I may have dated a few people before you and yeah some of them were guys but you're the only one I've ever fallen in love with," Beth says sincerely. She walks over to me and rests her forehead against mine. "Now tell me the real reason why you're upset."
I sigh. "Tenth grade I found out my girlfriend at the time was cheating on me with a guy. Then she broke up with me for that same guy, saying she needed to feel "normal" and I was just an experiment. My confidence and self esteem was definitely shot for awhile after that"
I place my hands on Beth's hips and pull her body closer to mine.
"The thought of someone else kissing you, especially a guy, makes my blood boil and when you told me that you've dated guys before the fear of you leaving me for a guy appeared and I became angry and scared."
Beth quickly captures my lips with hers. This kiss is so loving and full of passion. I fall backwards on the bed, bringing Beth along with me. She pulls away and is looking me in the eyes.
"It doesn't matter who I dated in the past because I'm with you now and I love you, only you. I'm not going anywhere."
Beth kisses me softly. She pulls away and I exhale a breath of relief.
"I love you," I whisper.
"I love you too," she whispers back.'
Mini-Golfing!
Growing up Brian would take me golfing with him all the time. He called it bonding, I called it boring. I'd only go so I could drive the golf cart, something that definitely wasn't allowed since I was under 16 but Brian let me do it anyway. Finally I told Brian I thought golf was the most boring activity in the world. He agreed with me, saying the only reason he played was to impress and entertain clients. The following weekend we decided to go mini-golfing instead. I ended up being really good at it.
Right now Alex, Sage, Beth and I are at Putting Edge, the coolest mini-golfing places on the planet. There's one in Orlando and on the anniversary of the day Brian and I met we would go there to play a couple of rounds. There's something about glow-in-the-dark miniature golfing that makes it more exciting. Alex is impatiently tapping her foot and keeps looking at her watch while holding hands with Sage.
"Ugh, Ellie is always late," Alex says.
"Calm down Alex," I tell her. "Ellie had to pick up Paige."
Alex looks at me and her eyes are a mix of anger and surprise. "Paige is coming?"
"Duh, we always go mini-golfing with Paige."
"Yeah, well that was before-" Alex stops herself and looks at Sage. "Whatever, it doesn't matter."
"Hey guys!"
We all turn our heads and see Ellie and Paige walking toward us. Whoa. You'd think Paige was here for a date instead of just a fun game with her friends. Paige is wearing a short jean skirt and a tight pink top. And I know Paige wears makeup but the makeup she has on now looks like she's trying to impress someone. I think we've all noticed Paige now.
"Hey Paige," Alex greets her first.
"Hey hon," Paige looks down at Alex and Sages linked hands and then back up and gives Alex her million dollar smile.
"For a girl who has a boyfriend it sure does look like she's trying to impress someone," Beth whispers in my ear.
"Yeah I know," I whisper back.
"Nice seeing you again Paige," Sage says.
"Same to you hon," Paige says and there's the fake smile.
"Hi, I'm Ellie," Ellie introduces herself to Sage.
Sage's face lights up. "Oh my God!" she exclaims. "You're Ellie? I've heard so much about you."
Sage quickly let's go of Alex's hand and hugs Ellie. Apparently she hasn't heard enough to know that Ellie isn't the biggest fan of hugs. Sage let's go of Ellie and has a big smile on her face.
"Alex told me you're quite the journalist and music buff," Sage says.
Ellie laughs nervously. "I guess," she says.
Alright enough of this, it's time to get to the game. I clap my hands loudly to get everyone's attention.
"Alright, enough chit-chat," I announce. "It's time to play. We split up into two teams with Alex and me as team captains."
"Um, hon do you think that's a good idea?" Paige asks. "I mean after what happened last time."
"What happened last time?" Beth asks me with a raised eyebrow.
"Alex decided to cheat, that's what happened," I tell her. "As long as Alex doesn't cheat everything will be civil."
"I didn't cheat!" Alex protests. "You're just a sore loser."
My competitive side emerges. "We'll see who the sore loser is this time Nuñez," I tell her threateningly.
"Bring it Johnson," Alex says in a confident tone. "Flip a coin to see who picks first."
Beth flips a coin and I call out tails. The coin lands on tails and I pump my fist and shout in triumph.
"Beth," I pick first.
"Sage," Alex picks.
"Ellie." Alex looks at me and gives me a dark look.
"Jordan…" Beth says in a warning tone. She probably thinks I picked Ellie so Alex would have to deal with Paige.
"It's not my fault Paige is the worst mini-golfer in the world," I tell Beth in a low voice.
"I can hear you hon," Paige says. She walks over to Alex and Sage. "I can assure you that we're going to kick your ass tonight."
I laugh, funniest thing I've ever heard.
"Yeah, ok Michalchuk."
Hour Later:
Hmm let's see, we're currently on hole six out of nine. My team is under par by four and Alex's team is about fifteen over. Currently Paige is up on her sixth swing on a hole with a par of four.
"Nice to see your game has improved Paige," I tell her and laugh.
"Shut up Jordan!" Paige yells.
Paige is concentrating really hard on the ball. Paige swings and sends the ball zooming down the course. Not only was the ball too much to the left but it also hit the course wall, sending the ball back to Paige.
"Alex, please help her so we won't be here forever," Ellie tells Alex.
Alex rolls her eyes and walks up to Paige. "Paige you just need to relax and aim," Alex tells her.
"Lexie, I am relaxed and aiming," Paige says. "Can't you just help me please?"
Alex hesitates for a moment and sighs. "Yeah, sure," she says.
Alex stands behind Paige and places her arms and hands on top of Paige's. They're standing really close and it looks a little suspicious. I look over at Sage and her face is sort of unreadable, especially since I can't really see it. I turn back to look at Alex and Paige. Alex is guiding Paige's arms and they hit the ball. The ball travels down the course and finally goes into the hole. Paige squeals in happiness and hugs Alex.
"Lexie we did it!" Paige exclaims. She is way too happy.
"Yep, you finally got it in," Alex says and half smiles at her.
We move on to the next hole. When it's Paige's turn Alex, Ellie, and I take cover.
Sage raises an eyebrow. "What are y'all doing?"
"Last time we played this hole Paige somehow hit the ball so hard that it bounced off the wall, the tiki man, the treasure chest, and then hit me in the head," I tell her.
Paige places her hand on her hip. "Well maybe if someone hadn't been distracting me with certain hand gestures it wouldn't have happened," Paige says defensively and looks over at Alex.
I look at Alex. "And that's why I say you were cheating."
"I was giving her the peace sign!" Alex exclaims defensively.
"Yeah, a vulgar peace sign that also included your tongue."
"Not my fault Paige got distracted easily," Alex says nonchalantly.
"Didn't help that you had whispered dirty things in my ear the hole before it," Paige says.
I gasp. "Oh you so cheated!"
Alex smiles nervously. "Let's not focus on the past now," Alex says. "You can do this Paige. I believe in you."
Paige smiles and turns her focus on the ball and the hole at the end. Paige swings and hits the ball. The ball rolls down the course, goes through the tiki man, and… Oh my God! You have got to be kidding me! Paige just got a hole in one. What the hell?
"Yes!" Paige shouts, jumping up and down.
"Way to go Paige!" Alex cheers.
Alex runs up to Paige. She holds out her hand for a high-five. Somehow that high-five has turned into a hug. Sage clears her throat and Alex and Paige pulls away. Paige is still smiling though.
"That was a really good shot Paige," Sage tells Paige sweetly.
"Thanks hon," Paige says. "I guess I just needed some help." Paige looks over at Alex and smirks flirtatiously.
I roll my eyes. That's just ridiculous.
After the Game Is Done:
My team won, of course. Even with Paige's magical hole in one and her making par on the rest of the holes Alex's team ended up being over par by ten while my team was under par by two. Because Alex's team lost they had to pay for dinner. We all grabbed our food and drinks and grabbed a table to sit at.
I raised my drink. "To the losers," I point to Alex, Sage, and Paige. "Thanks for dinner."
Alex narrows her eyes at me. "Put the drink down or I'll throw my chili dog at you Jordan," Alex warns.
"I'd rather you not throw any kind of substance at me Alex," I tell her. "Remember the last time you started a fight involving food and drinks?"
Alex points an accusing finger at me. "That was not my fault!" she says. "Paige is the one that decided to throw whipped cream at me."
"Hon, you decided to make me seem like a fatty by telling Hazel I liked sweets and ate three pieces of chocolate cheese cake on our two month anniversary," Paige says and playfully pushes Alex.
"It was true though!"
Paige starts laughing. "That was a fun event though," she says in between laughs.
"It wasn't fun for those of us that had to watch the horrific scene happen and then clean up afterwards," Beth says.
"We helped!" Alex exclaims. "Right after we got out of mall detention." Alex starts laughing.
"You mean after I had to come and get you," I corrected her.
"Security wouldn't have gotten us if Hazel hadn't dived over the counter for the whipped cream canister," Paige says while still laughing.
"Maybe we would have been in less trouble if you hadn't been throwing those biscotti pops!" Alex laughs.
Paige shrugs her shoulders. "I needed ammo to protect myself," she says.
Paige and Alex continue laughing remembering the good memory while Sage is just looking at the two of them, unable to participate in the flashback.
Oh, nature calls. "I'll be right back," I tell Beth.
"Ok."
I get up from the table and head to the bathroom. It's nice to see Paige and Alex getting along again but I can't help but feeling like Sage is feeling left out at some moments. I mean that is to be expected since she didn't go to high school with any of us so she doesn't know our history or the great times we had back then.
As I'm using the toilet I hear the restroom I hear the door open and someone is whistling a happy tune. I zip up my shorts quietly, not wanting to disturb the person's happy moment. I hear the restroom door open as I'm about to flush the toilet.
"Paige," a voice says. That's Sage's voice.
I stop myself from flushing the toilet, not wanting either of them to know I'm in here.
"Hi hon," Paige greets Sage.
"I think we need to talk."
I'm trying to see through the cracks of the stall door but it's pretty difficult. From what I can see Sage is approaching Paige.
"Aboot what hon," Paige asks confused.
"Don't try to act innocent Paige. You and I both know exactly what you're trying to do out there with MY girlfriend."
"I have no idea what you're talking aboot. I do know that it's not very nice to accuse someone of doing something."
Paige crosses her arms across her chest and it looks like the confident Queen-Bee side of her is starting to make an appearance but it doesn't seem like Sage is backing down.
"I know you flunked out of college after only one semester, but you're not stupid. Or maybe you are since for some strange reason you think it's ok to flirt with someone else's girlfriend, especially seeing as you currently have a boyfriend.
"Hon, I think you're being a bit delusional. Maybe all the glow-in-the-dark has made your mind see things that aren't really happening."
"The constant touching, the asking for "help" hitting the ball, the flirting with your eyes, and remember the good ole times. Please Paige; it's so obvious it's pathetic." Sage says, her voice dripping with venom.
Paige steps up to Sage. "Listen here clone, Alex and I are just friends. Besides, she's only dating you because you remind her of me. A less hot version of me, you're just the rebound girl."
Sage scoffs. "I remind her of you?" Sage asks in disbelief. "Please, if anything I remind her of how much of a failure and scared little bitch you are. I heard how you broke up with Alex, how you kicked her out. You should be ashamed of yourself but in a way I'm glad you did it because then Alex came to Florida and met me. If you're really going to compare us then I'd say Alex has definitely upgraded and I'm pretty sure her friends would agree, including Jordan."
How the hell did I get dragged into this? I have a feeling this is about to get real ugly, although I think it already got ugly about five minutes ago. Just by looking through the stall door crack I can tell Paige is furious.
"You little-"
Sage holds up her hand in Paige's face, interrupting whatever Paige was about to say. Sage puts her hand down closes the remaining space that was between her and Paige.
"Shut up and listen Paige," she says sternly. "I will say this once and one time only. Stop flirting with Alex. You broke up with her and she's with me now. You had your chance and then gave it up. If I see you flirting with her again or if I even hear about you trying to flirt with her I will personally kick your ass."
"Who the hell do you think you are?" Paige asks angrily.
"I believe I'm Alex's girlfriend and you're her ex, so start acting like it." Sage turns on her heel and starts walking away.
"Was that a threat?" Paige asks.
Sage laughs sort of evilly. "Oh no HON, that was a promise."
I hear the door open then close, indicating that Sage is now gone. I look through the stall door crack at Paige. She's looking at herself in the mirror.
"What the hell just happened?" Paige asks herself.
That's exactly what I was thinking. What the hell just happened?
A/N: Wow Sage ain't no joke when it comes to someone messing with Alex. *whistles* Your reviews are like my drug. I can't get enough of them!