"Well girls, it's your lucky day," said Mr. Johnson, their history teacher who was on detention duty today. "It's my anniversary and I've got reservations at the Chateau for my wife and I. If I don't get home in time, I'll be in marriage detention."
Emily began packing her schoolbag and stood up from her desk. She glanced back quickly at Paige but her face revealed no emotion.
Paige quickly gathered her things as well and ran down the hall after Emily. She caught up with the girl just as they approached Emily's locker.
"Emily, wait, can we talk?" Paige pleaded.
"Isn't your locker like two hallways down?" Emily said as she opened the steel door and nearly hit Paige in the head with it.
"I'm sorry I've been a bit weird this week. It's just, I.."
"A bit weird, Paige? I said hi to you yesterday at swim practice and you practically pushed me out of your way. Not to mention when I offered you a ride and you ran inside to call your parents instead. And let's not forget when you tried to drown me at swim practice, then snuck in my car to kiss me. I'd say that's a lot weird." Emily slammed her locker door shut and began to strut down the hallway to the school's entrance.
"Please. Can you just let me explain?"
Emily took a few steps, stopped, and then turned to face Paige. She nodded but kept her lips pursed to show her lack of enthusiasm.
"My parents told me I couldn't hang out with you because... well.. y'know, you're gay. Something about no boundaries and they're just worried that you'll, I don't know, corrupt me or something," Paige stumbled over her words as she spoke and searched Emily's face for a reaction.
"Are you worried too?" Emily asked.
Paige shook her head and reached her hand out to touch Emily's arm. "Of course not. Em, I like hanging out with you. Contrary to what my shitty behaviour this week might show, I'd really like to get to know you."
Emily smiled and leaned forward to hug the girl. As she got closer, Paige fought to resist the urge to grab her by the face and plant a kiss on her, right there in the hallway. "I like hanging out with you too, Paige."
As Emily stepped back, she turned her face towards Paige. As though time were suspended, the girls looked at one another waiting to see who would make the first move. Emily leaned slightly closer looking into Paige's eyes. Paige's glance travelled from Emily's eyes, across her cheeks and finally to her lips. Drawn to them, Paige closed the gap between the two as she pressed her lips against Emily's. Her right hand extended and held firmly to Emily's hip. The kiss, relatively non-risqu , still sent fireworks off in Paige's head.
Paige blushed and looked to the ground. "So, we're cool?"
Emily folded her arms across her chest and smiled knowingly as she shrugged. "I'd still say you owe me one. Are you free tonight?"
Paige's cheeks began to feel warm. Was Emily asking her on a date? What would she tell her parents?
Paige nodded. "Sure, I've heard the new Bourne movie is good. You wanna go?"
Emily smiled and linked arms with Paige as they pushed through the doors. Paige stopped and took back her arm to fish her phone out from inside her bag. "Hey, you go ahead and I'll catch up. Just need to call my folks and let them know I'll be home later."
Emily nodded and skipped off down the street, texting away on her own phone.
"Hey mom, dad. I know you're not home from work yet but I just wanted to give you a heads up that I'll be home a little later tonight. I'm going to the movies with some friends, uh, from church. I'll be home around 9. Love you," Paige said, speaking to her parents' voicemail service. She felt badly lying to them but it was for the best right now. She'd tell them the truth eventually...maybe.