More than a week had gone by since Emily had spent the night at Paige's. Each time she saw the girl in the hallway at school, she couldn't help but smile. She would wave sheepishly but keep walking, not wanting to make their newfound puppy love too obvious.
"Could you roll up your tongue maybe, Em? You're drooling all over the hallway," Hanna said, nudging her friend as the stood in the cafeteria line.
"Shut up, Hanna," Emily retorted.
"Seriously, though, why don't you just go sit with her? I'll go with her. I need to give her my seal of approval anyway, if she's going to be dating my best friend.
Emily paused and looked Hanna in the eye. "Really? You want to meet her?"
Hanna nodded, smiling, as she took a bite out of the apple that she hadn't yet paid for.
The two paid the lunch lady for their meals and Hanna sauntered over to the table where Paige was sitting, Emily trailing cautiously behind.
"I don't think we've met. I'm Emily's better half," Hanna began. "I mean, like her best friend. Because you're her better half. Like, we're not dating because you're her girlfriend. I'm just-" Hanna said before Paige interrupted her with a firm handshake.
"I get it. Nice to meet you. I'm Paige. But I'm guessing you already knew that." Paige smiled; Emily melted in her presence.
"So what's for lunch, Paige?" Hanna asked, surveying the girl's full tray of food. "Looks like you're hungry. Any chance I can trade my boring salad for that brownie or yours?"
Paige laughed and Emily looked embarrassed. Paige gestured beside her, inviting Emily to sit down. Nervously, she did and scooted her chair a little closer.
"It's a protein brownie; I normally eat them before a big swim meet. But sure, I could likely use a bit less bulk to push me to the finish line today. I had a big breakfast."
Hanna smiled and thanked her for the exchange.
"How did dinner go with your parents last night?" Emily asked, nonchalantly setting her free hand on Paige's lap, using her other to pick up food on her fork.
Paige's cheeks instantly flushed pink. "It went… well. Yeah, it was good. We ordered in pizza, and then…" Emily hung on her every word. "And then my Uncle John showed up."
"Uncle John?" Hanna asked, looking confused. Looking across the table, both Paige and Emily could tell by the furrow in Hanna's brow that she was having trouble following the conversation; this was a good thing.
"Yeah, self-loathing, homophobic but closeted gay Uncle John. But, we have family dinners together at least four times a week so I'll have another chance. Babe, don't worry. It'll happen." Paige leaned over and gently kissed Emily's cheek. The girl smiled and blushed, her worries instantly dissipated.
Hanna stopped eating for a moment and leaned over the table, closer to Emily. "Isn't homophobic where you're scared of gay people?" she whispered. Emily chuckled and nodded. "Something like that. We'll talk about it later.
Hanna nodded and continued eating.
"I should get going; gotta do some stretching and laps before my meet this afternoon. I'll call you later?" Paige said
Emily nods, leaning forward to kiss Paige. The girl turns her head slightly and Emily's lips land on her cheek.
"Nice meeting you, Hanna," Paige said, waving as she walked out of the cafeteria and down the hallway.
Hanna had a mouthful of food when Emily asked her what her first impression was of the girl.
"Hmm? She seems nice. I like her."
Emily smiled, though she knew there was no one that her friends could dislike such a likeable person.
"You sure she's gay though? She didn't hit on me once. That's sort of a red flag."
Emily picked up a plastic fork from Hanna's lunch tray and tossed it at her, hitting her on the chin. Hanna laughed and threw a crumpled up napkin back at her.
"Seriously, though, she seems great. And you can tell she's really into you."
Emily nodded, but felt torn inside. Paige had obviously dodged her attempt at a kiss before leaving the lunch table today which could have more out of fear than rejection but she couldn't be sure. More than anything, she couldn't wait until Paige told her parents about them so that they could be open about their relationship elsewhere than just behind closed doors. However, what happened behind closed doors between the two made Emily equally as anxious – and excited.
All afternoon in class, Emily doodled in her notebook, thinking about the recent happenings in her life. Less than a year ago, she was a lot like Paige's Uncle John – scared, and judgemental because of her fears. Now she couldn't imagine living her life in any other way, or with any other person. She drew a spirally heart around the initials 'PM' when Mr. Fitz walked by and caught her redhan- er, red penned.
"Very artistic, Miss Fields. Can I ask what this has to do with today's lesson or are you even paying attention?
Emily surprised Mr. Fitz but knowing exactly what he had been talking about. In fact, it had inspired her wanderlust thoughts about her future with Paige.
"I carry your heart with me. I carry it in my heart. I am never without it. Anywhere I go you go, my dear; and whatever is done by only me is your doing, my darling)," Emily said, reciting verses from a famous e.e. cummings poem.
"Impressive, Miss Fields. If you don't mind, though, I'd rather you kept your doodling for art class."
Mr. Fitz continued to teach; Emily continued to daydream about Paige's touch on her skin.