Hello, Anchors and shippers! Another week, another chapter and less waiting time for PLL to return this June.
I'm still not over the finale. And I will never trust Toby… sorry. I can't! No one harms Paige's soon to be best friend and fight crime buddy, without my permission.
Anyhow.
I'm looking for a beta. Please… I need someone to check my story for 123904123 grammar mistakes and spelling f*cked up things. If you are interested in the position, PM me or tweet me Rachelmanlop
First: I feel the need to explain some things that had been brought to my attention. Yes, I'm sure Paige's storyline in PLL don't include McCullers to be a nerd. But… I can relate to Paige in a really deep level. She gets me and I get her too. So what do I do about it? I turn her into a nerd, just like me. And a Harry Potter/Batman nerd just like me. What can I say? I ADORE BATMAN and HP is my life and I still can't get over with the fact that it's over. Btw, I'm a Slytherin… just in case you were wondering. That's where J.K Rowling placed me in Pottermore.
Second: I think I forgot about Lucas for a long time. He is after all, Caleb's friend and the only true nerd on the show. So it's about time to include him in the story. Also, for those of you who wonders where the heck is Ezra… it's obvious, folks! He's eating cake with Aria.
Now… enjoy.
CHAPTER 15
The first nerd night
As we waited for our parents to arrive, I saw a kid playing with his dad. I know I used to have daddy issues before but it had change a lot since I came out.
I still don't know how or why, but my dad thought that maybe I needed more attention from him after telling him I was in love with Emily. We took trips even when I had swim meets, he started searching for options to spend more time with my mom and I, he stopped his constant visits to Scranton and he stopped lecturing me about religion.
3 years later, he told us that he had cancer. He told us the doctor spotted before it was worse, but somehow that damn disease managed to get worse with time.
Emily used to accompany us to the chemotherapy sessions and I don't think I could have made it through without her.
Suddenly I realized Em was hugging me and caressing my hair.
-Don't worry, lover.- she said to my ear as I realized some tears had escaped my eyes- they are on their way here, my parents are with them and your dad is better now.
-I just had a moment. -I confessed- I was remembering how I wouldn't have been able to make it through this without your support.
-Are you kidding me?- she asked as she let go of me and hold my face with both of her hands.- That's so silly of you! You are so strong and you have always been brave.
-I'm a Gryffindor- I said proudly.
-Since when did you become such a nerd? - she asked as she captured my lips and forbid me to protest. Before the kiss became heated and left me breathless, I push her away.
-What do you mean?- I asked.
-Come on, Paige! You weren't that nerd back in high school. - She had a point.
-88888888888888-
-You are kidding me, Lucas. - I heard Caleb said to his friend.
-What?! It would be the most epic battle. - He said in his defense.
I didn't want to go with the girls shopping for a prom dress. It would be a never ending fight with Hannah on how she didn't want me to go with my black simple dress, so I decided to join Caleb and Lucas for some pizza and video games. I was starting to regret my choice.
-Two rich boys just fighting to see who has more money? That's not a battle, Lucas. Plus one of them is smart as hell and the other one… well.
-Excuse me! Wayne is smart… but you kinda have a point. - Lucas was playing some FIFA tournament against Caleb. I was checking my e-mail on Lucas PC-I mean, Tony is smart as hell.
-What's wrong with Batman? Isn't he smart too? - I asked trying to join the conversation and have actual social interaction. I always liked Batman's movies but I knew Lucas had knowledge on the Batman from the comics.
-Yes! I was about to contradict Rivers with that.-He paused the game and went to his bookshelf that was plagued with different comics organized by alphabetical order. He took out one that had Batman written on the front cover.
Sooner than later I was learning more and more about Batman and Bruce Wayne. I liked the movies but the comics seemed even more interesting. Bruce's tragic story, how Robin came to the picture, all about the villains and much more. Lucas told me I could have his spare copy of the first number and I agreed. I wanted to know more and more about every character.
-Lucas will posses your soul with his nerdyness, McCullers- I heard Caleb said.
-You are just angry cause I took your videogame partner away, Caleb. - He turned around to give me his best "bitch, please!" face.
When the girls had arrived, I was already asking Lucas for the 15th number of Batman. I barely paid attention to Em on our way to her place. When I arrived to her house, I asked for her computer. She started doing some homework as I start googling some videos that could shed some light on the Batman/Robin interaction. I fell in love with the dark night and I connected with him on a weird level that I don't think I'll ever understand.
-Paige? It's 1 am. - She said from her bed while I was on the window seat with her laptop- Come to bed. It's cold and I'm sleepy.
-Be there in a minute, Em.
2 hours later, Emily had to drag me to bed. I felt asleep and dreamt of Emily dressed as Catwoman.
-888888888888-
-Don't say it was Lucas' fault- Emily said as she pulled me back from the memory of that first nerd night.
-It was Lucas' fault- I said in my defense.
-Yes, Lucas introduced you to Batman.- she said as she pointed to my favorite shirt.- but who told you to be a Trekie or to make me watch the entire Star Wars movies or to buy the 6 books of Harry Potter.
-Seven, plus the other 3 additional books. - I corrected her knowing I wasn't truly helping myself.
-I apologize, hot nerd of mine. - She says as she hugs me a place her head on my shoulder.- I never thought I'd be so turned on by a nerd like you, Paige.
-I never thought I could be such a nerd and turn you on, Em.
We stayed like that for a couple of minutes before we heard a voice through the microphone.
-The flight 512 from Austin, Texas; has arrived.
-You see-she told me as she kissed me- They are here. They must be fine…
-I know, I know. - I said as I watch a bunch of people go through the arrivals hallway.
Suddenly someone presses my shoulder lightly and for a second I thought I would be seeing my parents or my in laws but found out I see Lucas.
-Captain, McCullers- he says as he hugs me tightly.
-Kelp Gottesman- I say as I hugged him back. When I let go of him I turned around as salute Jess as she salutes me back before hugging her as well- what are you guys doing here? I thought you would be coming after my parents.
-We had the crazy idea of spending some time somewhere else but home. Also… we are planning on getting married here if your wedding is as cool as Lucas says it will.
-Please! - I hear my friend saying-with McCullers here I expect a wedding level Bill and Fleur or something even better.
-You know we will. Right, Em?-when I turned around to look for Emily I see her walking towards our parents. – I'll give you a call later, guys. We came to pick our parents and I think Em has found them.
-We'll see you soon, Paige! - They say as they go running away like two people escaping from the hands of justice. Lucas definitely deserves someone as cool as Jess after the whole mess A made.
I start walking towards our parents and I see my dad. He looks better, stronger and happy. My mom on the other hand, looks tired. Maybe she didn't sleep on the flight.
-Dad! - I yelled as a little kid as I run towards him and hug him tightly forgetting completely about his state.
-Pai! - He says as he hugs me tightly too. I lift him for a brief moment before letting go of him.
-How about you remember the one who carried you for 9 months, Pai? - I hear my mother say as I hugged her as well. When we grow up we start seeing that we need mom and dad more than when we were teenagers.
-I missed you! So much- I hugged them both as I feel a tear escaping my eyes. I soon feel Em's hand cleaning it for me.
-And how about you remember the ones that made your beautiful fiancée, McCullers? - I heard Wayne joking. He had his arms around Pam and the love of my life.
-How could I forget that, Wayne? - I said as I hugged him. We had a great relationship. This was another of the things I loved about my life. I gain 2 more parents when Emily and I became something serious. They were part of my family now and I know they loved me as much as my parents loved Em.
-Don't give all your love to my husband, Paige. - Pam said and I approached her to hug her as well. I saw Em hugging my mom and then my dad.
-So, how was your flight? You looked tired, Claire. - I hear Emily asked my mother what I was planning on questioning her.
-I don't know why but I was a little bit nervous through the whole flight, Em.
-I know why. - I heard my dad saying- this very attractive (and shall I say very young) flight attendant was trying to steal my wife from me.
-That's not It.-Though, as my mother said this, she blushed.
-You know, Claire? - Emily pointed towards me as eyes flew in my direction- Paige here, blushes just like you.
I heard everyone's laughs as I blushed the same shade of crimson as my mother.
-But she has your character, Nick- Pam said to my father as I took my parent's suitcase and started leading the way to our car.
-What can I say, Pam? The apple doesn't fall far from the tree.
They had a light conversation on how Emily in heritage Wayne's compassion and strength but her mother's look. Then they kept playing on how my "stunning" body was nowhere to be found in my mother's family so it must have been from the McCullers side.
-So we booked a room in a nice little hotel close to the downtown. Some place called The Ouburus Charm. - I hear Pam saying to Em.
-No kidding! - I heard my dad saying. - We booked a room there too!
-Lovely place right, Nick? - Wayne answered.
-I absolutely loved their website. - My mother said.
-You didn't tell them, lover? - I turned around to see a confused Emily.
-I must have forgotten. - She said as she ducked her head.
-Family doesn't stay at hotels, folks. –I looked at them through the rear view mirror to meet some exchange of very puzzled looks.
-If my brain is not failing, honey… you live in a one room loft.-my mother said as some of the others agreed with a nod.
-Not anymore- I said, as I hold Emily's hand and intertwined our fingers.
-We are heading to the Batcave. - She said. We laughed as all of them looked at us like we were crazy.
We were. We were absolutely nuts but we had each other… and that was all I needed. All I needed was her and our craziness.
