Once Upon A Love Story

Chapter 5

When I tried to start my car it made a whining sound and the engine stopped. No no no no, Goddamnit!!. I tried one more time to restart the engine in vain and punched the wheel in frustration. There was honking of a car from behind me, I whirled around afraid that I'd be run down by some psycho, but then Ryan idled his Rover beside my beat up Corolla. "Get in. I'll give you a ride." he said, I crossed my arms "Presumptuous much? How do you know that my car broke down and I'm not here waiting for someone?" I asked haughtily "Probably because the whole school have emptied out.. or because I just now saw you wrestling with the wheel of your car. Anyways, there isn't a single soul in school. You can wait here all day, in case you're in search of some school spirit, but that's doubtful I'm not sure that this school has any kind of spirit literally and figuratively." He deadpanned. I had no other option mom would be at work and dad.... I'm not sure it would be a good idea for him to come here all the way just to pick me up, so I agreed and climbed into his car and clicked the seatbelt securely, he asked for my address to enter it's location in the GPS. I was surprised to find the interior of his car remarkably clean, I noticed that there was a piano keychain dangling from the roof of the car. I touched it and glanced at him, it seemed quite delicate for a guy like him. "Do you like piano?" I asked. He flicked his gaze towards the keychain in my hand "Yeah, I love to play piano, it's my only reprieve." He didn't elaborate and I was yet again surprised. Never in a million years would I have guessed that Ryan Vincent played piano, but it only added to his appeal. A Quarterback who played piano, that's a first. I let go of the keychain and turned my face towards the window. Within a few minutes we reached my house and I climbed out of his car "Thank you for giving me the ride, I would've been stuck there for a long time, if not for you."I said genuinely. "No problem." He replied giving me scout's three fingered salute. He didn't go until I reached safely to my front door, then took a reverse turn and was out of view.
"Impressive pair of wheels, don't you agree?" I startled at the the voice and turned my head to see Ethan sitting on a rocking chair on their side of front porch staring at me. He gave me a mischievous smile. "Plus hot damn, the guy is like a masterpiece. If Chris Evans and Bella Hadid had a baby, surely even he wouldn't look as good as your guy friend does." He winked at me while I blushed "He's not my friend" I argued. "Sure babe, whatever helps you sleep at night." He said. A thought struck me suddenly, but I hesitated to ask as it was way too personal and kinda rude. As if Ethan sensed my inner discomfort he said "Ask away whatever is on your mind." "Well are you.. Do you prefer men?" I asked bluntly. He grinned and pretended to be coy. "Why? I thought you'd never ask." Then with a serious expression he said "Yeah I'm gay, if that's what you're asking." "Oh I'm sorry, if I was rude. Please I'm sorry it's none of my business anyway." I said, he grinned enjoying my discomfort way too much "It's alright Pay Pay I'm not mad." he said and I scowled at the nickname. "Pay Pay? Really?" He shrugged "I'm not sure I can abbreviate your name into something cool."
"Then don't, Paige is just fine." I said. "That's where you're wrong baby girl, everyone needs a shortened version of their names, it's mandatory. It makes you feel loved."
I snorted a very unladylike sound "You're ridiculous." I said
"Well, you love me anyways" he replied cheekily. God! He's as bad as Willow or maybe worse.

"What's going on?" Asked Reid leaning against their fence and looking at Ethan then at me as if we're conspiring against him or something. "Nothing, your brother is telling me about his life story. "Oh really?" Reid asked cocking an eyebrow at Ethan. He just shrugged and stood up "As enthralling as it had been Pay Pay, I have some important deeds to do and places to be." Said Ethan and went inside their house. "Well that's interesting." Said Reid. "What is?" I asked him. "Ethan is never comfortable enough to open up to someone and he just met you and now y'all seem so buddy buddy, I can't figure out what's gotten in him or is it you? Pay Pay." He said and laughed. I was about to strangle him from above the fence when he ducked away. "Whoa Pay Pay, you shouldn't threaten your friends it isn't becoming on a young lady like yourself." he said and I laughed at his ancient language. "If I hear one more time Pay Pay from your mouth, you're a dead man, Reid" I warned, but there was no fire behind my words. He grinned and moved back. "Sure thing. Pay Pay" He half laughed and half squealed when I threw a stone at him.

I entered my house silently, so as not to disturb dad, he was in the kitchen drinking coffee. He looked so exhausted and sad that it broke my heart. "Hey dad, how was your day?" I asked him in a faux cheerful tone. He attempted a wobbly smile which looked more like a grimace. "It had been okay, I guess. Just lazed around the whole day. Your old man isn't as active anymore" he said. I hugged him "Don't say such things dad, you're the best dad I could ever ask for." He squeezed my hand and stood up. "Better go freshen up before your mom comes home, I'll make the dinner today" he said and I skipped upstairs to my room happily, it had been so long since he made dinner for us I'm looking forward to it.

Mom came home at half past seven in the evening. "Wow what's brewing?" She asked from the doorway. Dad went and kissed her on the cheek."Baked spaghetti and Bacon, spinach stuffed chicken. Come on let's eat" He replied grinning. She nodded before changing into some comfortable clothes. It was the happiest I've seen them in a while
But alas, it didn't last long. Like many things in life.