I very much apologize for falling off the radar for so long. Things have been a bit chaotic in my personal life. I found myself needing to escape a bit so I found refuge in my FanFic once again. And thank goodness for that...
How exciting that the Halloween episode premieres tomorrow night?! I can't wait for more onscreen Paily time!
This chapter didn't wrap up where I initially planned it to, but that's usually the case.. so no fear, more to come! I promise.
ALSO, I switched up the way I was writing from the girl's POVs. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE tell me what you think. It's more meshed than separated.. I had a reader ask if I could include both girl's POVs more often, so this was my best attempt. If I failed miserably I'm sorry! But do give me feedback. I felt rusty writing this chapter. (Which obviously means I need to keep writing more often!)
A special thanks to my new followers and a super big thank you to the kind reviews I still manage to receive. You all are the best!
Also a big thanks for the followers/readers who found this through my tumblr. You're constant support whenever I post about this on there is amazing. You keep me motivated. :)
Enjoy this chapter! XX
Sunday flew by faster than expected. Paige found herself seated in her first class realizing that her winter break had flashed before her eyes. It was odd to be back in a public school again since everything had happened, and she welcomed the experience with a little bit of apprehension.
Paige unzipped her backpack and pulled out her notebook, her literature book, and a pen to write with. She had arrived early enough to have first choice of where to sit. Naturally, she chose the table at the rear of the classroom that sat right by the window. She liked looking out the window. A view out the window meant she felt less like she was trapped, or imprisoned, in this brick building known as a school.
Other kids slowly started to file into the classroom just after the five minute warning bell rang. She turned her attention to her now open notebook and began to doodle.
"Don't stress so much."
"You don't even realize, I have so much on my plate right now and Mr. Powell is out to get me. I swear. He gave me a B minus on my research paper. Do you know how long I spent on that experiment and data collection? Too long for a B minus, that's how long. I didn't even have a single grammatical error. I'm still in the running for valedictorian and if he screws this up for me, he won't even know what hit him. There is no way in hell I'm letting Eugene Warner take this from me. Maybe they're in on it together. It must to be a conspiracy. Eugene has probably worked out some deal with Powell. I know it."
"Spencer, chill out, just breathe. Do you realize how ridiculous you sound right now? A B minus isn't a bad score on a paper. I mean maybe he didn't think your experiment was very original, or maybe it lacked enough data collection to back up your theory. If you are that cons—"
Emily stopped mid-sentence. Someone sitting in the back of the classroom she had just entered had caught her eye.
"Emily?" Spencer asked.
"Heeelllloooo? Earth to Emily. If you're going to side with my scumbag of a teacher then you need at least have a valid argument in an attempt prove your point. Why does your face have that same look of confusion it normally does when you are working on a multi-step math equation?"
"Huh? What? Wait, Spence, are we in the right classroom right now?"
"Yeah, of course we are. This has been our first period class since school started. Did you hit your head over break or something? And what's up with that goofy smile on your face?"
"Nothing. I just thought of something funny."
Spencer followed her gaze curiously.
"Got a thing for the new girl in the corner over there? She's cute, I guess."
"She's just from the swim team. We met a few days ago. But she's a sophomore, or at least I thought she was."
"Interesting." Spencer replied with narrowed eyes.
Emily was trying to recall the conversation that had taken place between her and this other girl. She swore that Paige had mentioned she was only a sophomore.
"What?" Emily asked.
"You're totally crushing on her. I can see it written all over your face. And if it's that clear for me to tell, then you better believe it's as if you are shouting it to the mountain tops for anyone else looking at your face and following your gaze right now."
"Oh please. She's nice. But we've only known each other a couple days."
"Well those two days seem to have been enough to grasp your full undivided attention, because I can see you are completely awe struck with her right now and bored with me."
"I am not." Emily argued.
God, she's so right.
"Whatever, I'm taking a seat up front. Do what you want, but I fo—"
"Focus better at the front of the classroom, I know Spence. Talk to you after class?"
"Sounds like a plan."
Emily walked towards the back of the classroom to where the auburn haired girl sat.
"Is this seat taken?" She asked with a smile to the girl who was too focused on the tree she was drawing to realize someone was standing directly in front of her.
Paige froze. Her heart started to race and her breath caught in her throat.
That voice.
She didn't need to look up. She knew exactly who belonged to that voice. That voice was one of a kind and she'd never tire of hearing it.
Emily.
She looked up with a huge smile plastered across her face.
"For a steep price, you can have it."
"Oh yeah? And what would that be?" Emily asked curiously.
"I haven't quite decided yet."
"Well, in the mean time, while you are still contemplating your options, can I occupy the seat?"
"I suppose, but only if you agree to my terms later." Paige answered back.
As if I'd ever tell her no.
Emily smiled.
"I think I can handle whatever those terms will be, so call me crazy, but I'll take my chances. And when you decide the terms, don't go easy on me either."
Paige returned an amused smile and kept her eyes on Emily.
Emily reached for the chair that sat next to Paige. Placing her messenger bag on the ground she pulled the chair back and then took her seat next to the girl.
"So, I'm a little confused. " Emily stated.
"About?"
"About the fact that you're sitting in a senior level literature class right now as a sophomore."
"Oh, yeah." Paige blushed. She started to tap the end of her pen on her notebook nervously.
"Are you embarrassed?"
"No. Ha. I'm not embarrassed. I uh.—Okay yeah. I kinda am." Paige stated while keeping her gaze down at her notebook.
"Aww, don't be embarrassed. You're obviously super smart. Why else would you be in this class?" Emily more-so stated than asked while lightly grabbing Paige in the side.
This caused Paige to jump slightly out of her seat and hit the tops of her legs on the table.
"Ah, sttaahhpp. You know I'm ticklish." Paige practically yelped out while gently removing Emily's hand from her side.
"Why do you think I did it?" Emily asked with a mischievous smile spread across her face.
Emily fought the urge to keep hold of Paige's hand.
"Not cool. You can't use my weakness against me like that." Paige answered.
"I beg to differ. It gives me a leg up on ya. I have to compete somehow."
Paige laughed and shook her head at Emily's comment.
"Well I'm in this class as a sophomore because this was one of the classes I managed to get ahead in when I was home-schooled. I didn't have much else to focus on. I guess school work was a good distraction. But I don't like unnecessary attention for it."
"So what other classes are on your schedule?" Emily asked.
"Oh umm here, take a look." Paige responded by handing over her class schedule to Emily.
In the process of Emily grabbing the paper out of Paige's hand, her fingers grazed Paige's.
Every time they touched it felt electric and Emily couldn't help but think maybe she'd make a habit of accidently touching Paige more often.
Paige watched as Emily studied the folded up piece of paper. She couldn't help but admire the look of concentration Emily had as she read through her schedule. It was adorable.
"We have chemistry." Emily stated matter-of-factly.
What'd she just say?
"Huh, what?" Paige asked.
Emily kept her focus on Paige's class schedule.
"You heard me." Emily responded now looking up and smiling widely at Paige.
Paige cocked her head to the side and held Emily's gaze with a look of puzzlement.
Did she just admit we have chemistry, like between the two of us?
"What?" Emily questioned with one of the cutest smiles Paige had ever witnessed.
"No—nothing. I uh, never mind."
"Well, I'm not lying and you can't deny it."
"Deny? That we have…chemistry?" Paige asked carefully while swallowing hard and feeling her body temperature steadily increase.
Is it hot in here?
Paige started to unzip the hoodie she was wearing.
"Yeah, take a look fourth period AP Chemistry with Mrs. Burns. I've got that class at the same time you do, therefore we have it together." Emily responded.
Paige stopped unzipping her sweatshirt about halfway at the realization that she'd just had. Her face had a look of complete surprise and total embarrassment.
Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. She was looking at your class schedule of course she didn't actually mean we have chemistry, we just have chemistry together. God, I'm so dumb.
"What? Did I say something to upset you?"
"Oh, ppffff, no. You could never. I uh—I just uh. Never mind. Fourth period chemistry you said? Awesome." Paige said as she turned her head to look out the window.
What I would do to be able to just run away right now. I'm so dumb. Why would I ever have thought she meant the other type of chemistry?
Paige was mentally slamming her head against her desk top.
"Paige?"
"Uh, yeah?" Paige responded while slowly turning her head back to Emily.
"We've got lunch at the same time and we also have athletic conditioning together too. Lucky me, I get to see you throughout my entire school day."
"Well, look at that. We do. You're bound to get sick of me by the time we have swim practice together."
"That's nonsense. I don't think I could ever get sick of you."
"We'll see about that." Paige responded while smiling sweetly at Emily.
I really hope she doesn't get sick of me.
The final bell rang and echoed throughout the halls. It was then that both girls realized all the seats around them were now full of other bodies and their literature teacher was starting to call roll.
Emily reached down to pull her textbook and notebook out of her bag. It was going to be a long class, and not because of the class itself, but because of the girl who was sitting next to her. She was unquestionably going to be a huge distraction the entire 50 minute class period. And not only would she be a distraction in this class but she would be a distraction in the next two they had together later on in the day.
She couldn't complain though, Paige was giving her a reason to actually pretend she was paying attention in class. Maybe she'd actually learn something in the last half of her senior year of high school. Senioritis had already set in and if it wasn't for swim team, her motivation to do well in school would have been completely shot by now.
"You know, I actually enjoyed reading and writing, but I'm afraid this class will kill any chance of that ever being a hobby of mine in the near future and quite possibly forever." Paige said as she followed Emily out of the classroom.
"Tell me about it. School has a way of making you despise the both of them. It's a shame it isn't more fun. I like to read and write when I'm not forced to. This class has already scarred me. You're in for some fun." Emily replied.
"Oh joy."
Paige was now to the side of Emily and walking in step with her down the crowded hallway.
"Well I happen to like both, especially in an academic setting. I think it's actually strengthened my love for literature as a whole. It's fun dissecting the reading materials and then writing up your own assessments." Stated a voice, unfamiliar to Paige, from behind.
Paige turned around in the direction of the stranger's voice and made eye contact with a dark brown haired girl whose face was so serious it looked like it was set in stone. She eyed Paige up and down. Her intimidating presence alone made Paige feel like the size of an ant and she was a shoe about to stomp down on her.
"Spencer, Paige. Paige, this is Spencer." Emily breathed out as she was now turned around situating herself next to Paige and facing the mystery girl as well.
"Hey." Was all Paige could muster from her vocal chords.
Spencer held Paige's eye contact for longer than what Paige was comfortable with, but soon the other girl's facial expression softened the slightest bit and she replied with a "Hi. Spencer Hastings, nice to meet you." While holding her hand out for Paige to shake it.
Paige somewhat reluctantly reached out to meet Spencer's hand, shook it, and smiled a friendly smile.
"Erm, Paige McCullers. Nice to meet you too."
"Spencer pretty much lives for school. She's in the running for valedictorian of our graduating class. She's probably the one exception when it comes to loving school papers and reading while also memorizing textbooks from cover to cover. It's not right. She needs help if you ask me." Emily interjected.
Paige let a small laugh escape her mouth.
Spencer looked at Paige with narrow eyes and a straight face. Paige immediately switched to her serious face while also avoiding her petrifying gaze.
Oops.
"Whatever Emily. You all give me a hard time about it, but who would you come to when you need help with your assignments if I wasn't so obsessed with school?"
"Okay, okay that's true. You are the closest it gets to a real-life version of Google for me. So please, don't stop obsessing over school. I don't know how I would have made it this far without you."
"Exactly. Now excuse me, I need to interrogate Mr. Powell about this B minus business. He'll have wished he'd given me the A that I deserved by the time I'm done with him."
With that, Spencer spun around on her heels and walked with a purpose through the masses of people still crowding the hallway.
Surprisingly enough to Paige, it was as if the sea of people parted just for Spencer on her quest to harass one of her teachers, from what Paige had gathered.
"Wow." Paige managed to voice as she exhaled. She hadn't realized she was holding her breath until Spencer had left.
Emily laughed and nudged Paige's shoulder.
"Oh come on, she's not that bad."
"She's…"
"Intimidating?"
Emily had finished Paige's thought with the exact word she was about to use to describe Spencer.
"Yeah, and she makes me feel…"
"Like you're being judged and that you have to tell her all your life accomplishments and explain your goals in life and just how you are going to accomplish those just so she might, even just the slightest bit, be impressed?"
"Ha, Wow. Well I was going to say unworthy of just the mere presence of her. But you summed that whole experience up pretty well."
"Here walk with me to my locker it's just around the corner, unless your other class is too far away." Emily stated.
Paige took a look at her watch.
"I've got time, I'll walk with you."
Both girls started to walk in the initial direction they had been headed before Spencer graced them with her presence.
"She's very driven and no one stands in the way of what she wants. God help them if they do. I promise she isn't all that bad. You just have to give her a chance. I've known her a long time. She's one of my best friends. She's definitely intimidating at first, but you really have nothing to be afraid of. And besides, I'd come to your rescue before she's able to eat you alive."
Paige stopped before she allowed herself to take one more step and looked directly at Emily.
"Wow, seriously? That's really reassuring, thanks. Because if I wasn't already scared enough of her before, I am now. So, note to self, avoid Spencer at all costs."
"I'm kidding. Relax." Emily replied while lightly placing her hand at the small of Paige's back while pushing her forward to encourage her to keep walking.
Paige started to walk and Emily moved back to her side.
They took a turn just around the corner and Emily stopped at a navy blue painted locker that was numbered 2244. Paige moved to her left as the locker would open to Emily's right. She didn't want anything blocking the view she'd been blessed with all morning.
Emily rotated the dial on her locker aligning the proper combination allowing for it to open on her first try. Usually it took her a couple tries at best to get it right. She always made a mistake.
Funny. Of all the times, especially with Paige distracting me, this time it didn't take me twenty tries to get my locker open.
Emily eased her locker open exposing its contents to Paige.
Paige studied the way that Emily had neatly lined her textbooks side-by-side by size.
Cute.
On one of the hooks in the back of her locker an extra pair of swim goggles hung.
An extra pair is always good to have as a backup.
Four pictures were taped to the inside of her locker door. One was a picture of Emily and two adults, a man and a woman. Paige guessed they were Emily's parents. Emily looked just like the both of them. Her Dad was wearing a military dress uniform. Paige was sure it was Army. Multiple ribbons and medals decorated his chest. It was obvious he had served quite a bit of time in the military.
The second picture was one with Emily and three other girls. Paige immediately recognized Spencer standing off to the left side of Emily. She didn't recognize the other two; one was a cute, petite, dark brown haired girl, and the other a blonde, who had very prominent, very adorable dimples on her cheeks, as well as gorgeous blue eyes. They were both standing on the other side of Emily. All of their arms were wrapped around the backs of each other almost as if they were using each other as supports. The picture had captured them all in a genuine moment of laughter and Paige couldn't help but crack a small smile herself after studying the picture.
The third picture was of Emily when she was much younger, probably around 8 or 9 years old. She was standing on a diving block in the ready position, probably about to start her race. She had a look of determination. It reminded Paige of when she, herself, first started to swim. She'd always had a competitive drive and focus from the time she began to race, partially because she was always trying to compete with Mark.
And last but not least, the fourth picture. It was of tall handsome dark haired boy who looked to be about the same age as Emily. Emily was hugging him from behind; her arms were wrapped around him and connected tightly at the front. She was peering up at him from his left side. In doing so, he had no choice but to stand there with his arms trapped at his sides while looking down at her and smiling. It reminded Paige of a staged photograph a cute couple might take.
Paige felt her heart sink with the realization.
I guess he must be her boyfriend. Figures Paige, of course she's straight. You big idiot.
Emily was still rummaging through the contents of her locker
Why can't I find my homework assignment?
She managed to drop a binder in the process of digging for what she was searching for.
Shit. Great going Emily.
The crash of the binder on the linoleum floor snapped Paige out of her deep thoughts.
Paige knelt down quickly to help pick it up. Emily had followed just shortly after. Some papers had escaped the binder on impact. As Paige reached for one, Emily's hand met hers on accident in the process of grabbing for the same paper. Paige froze. Keeping her gaze on Emily's hand for a few seconds and then looking up only to be caught off guard because Emily's gaze was focused directly with her own eyes.
Those beautiful eyes. Why do they make me feel so exposed? This beautiful girl. Why did I have to fall for you? I don't even have a chance.
Paige quickly released the paper causing herself to break contact with Emily.
Emily's face went from one full of sweetness to one of disappointment.
Crap. Did I make her uncomfortable?
"I uh, I should go. I think I might be late to my next class." Paige said while avoiding Emily's eyes.
"Oh, right. Yeah, sorry. I was looking for my assignment for my next class. Sorry it took me so long." Emily replied.
"No it's fine. I umm, I'll catch you later?" Paige asked while trying her best to force a sincere smile on her face.
"Yeah. Of course."
"Good luck finding your assignment." Paige said as she stood up, re-adjusted her backpack on her shoulder, and turned to walk away from Emily.
Paige felt bad abandoning Emily as she still knelt at the foot of her locker with a mess of papers still surrounding her. But it was for the best Paige convinced herself. She just hoped that Emily couldn't tell anything was wrong.
Emily watched as Paige disappeared around the corner.
Did I do something?
Releasing a breath of air from her lungs and running her hand through her hair to push it out of her face she let her eyes fall to the paper that she was still holding in her hand. The paper that Paige grabbed for first. The paper they held together for a few short seconds.
It her was her history assignment.
"Oh for fucks sake." Escaped Emily's lips in a whispered snarl.
The tardy bell rang. Emily was going to be late to her next class. But that was the last thing on her mind. She was still trying to figure out if she had done or said something that caused Paige to run off so suddenly.
That figures.
Emily stood up after she had gathered all her papers off the floor and crammed them back into her binder. Placing her binder back into her locker, hoisting her bag onto her shoulder, and keeping hold of her history assignment, she slammed her locker shut and headed in the direction of her next class. If she thought her first period class felt like forever, the next two classes would feel like eternity until she could see Paige again.