Last kiss // PAIGE BUECKERS

FIVE//I DONT WANNA LIVE FOREVER

(NARRATIVE)

"I love you vma but u take way too long to get ready" Caitlin complained as she laced up her shoes. "I have to look hot, what if I meet someone?" Victoria retorted, applying her lip gloss. Just then, Kate walked in, giving them a puzzled look (imagine this 🤨). "Your already hot, and don't you already have a man?" Kate asked, leaving Victoria speechless. "Oh my God, I totally forgot!" Victoria exclaimed, and they all burst into laughter.

These last few months have been tough for Victoria. She's lost her best friend, can't text Gigi anymore, and is still grieving over the loss of her godfather and godsister. Even though it's been over a year, she still can't help but feel the pain. She constantly reminds herself to cherish the moments with her friends and not dwell on the sadness of losing Gigi.

Victoria has barely spoken to Nick throughout this entire trip. It's not intentional, she's just been focused on living in the moment and soaking up every second with her friends. Despite really liking Nick and thinking he's a great guy, she can't shake the feeling that something isn't quite right.

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STUDIO 13
IOWA CITY, IOWA

As soon as they all settled into a booth, Victoria leaped up to grab a drink. You see, Victoria has this thing where once she whips out that fake ID, she's knocking back one drink after another. But here's the thing - she's terrified to drink without her chaperone(Nika) because every time she's drunk, Nika snatches her phone away. Why, you ask? Well, when Victoria's tipsy, she tends to make some questionable decisions - by questionable I mean she unleashes the unfiltered truth and It's become an inside joke among the crew that when Victoria starts sipping, everyone better prepare to get a reality check because everything she spouts is pure gold. Every. Single. Time.

Nika takes her phone for a reason beyond just that. It's because Victoria would immediately dial Paige's number, and it takes all of her willpower not to call her while sober, let alone while drunk. Victoria's feelings for Paige are unknown to Nika, and even to Victoria herself, but Nika is certain that Victoria would regret calling Paige. She hasn't gone out in about a month because Nick doesn't think she should go out alone or at all, so she hasn't had the opportunity to call her.

After a couple more drinks, she made an excuse to go to the bathroom. Instead, she walked outside and sat on the curb in front of the bar. After a moment, she opened iMessage, she had deleted Paige's contact but not her number. Scrolling through her messages, she found Paige's number and hesitated before pressing the call button.

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HOPKINS, MN

Paige was sitting in her car at a gas station when she got the call. As soon as Victoria's name popped up on her phone, she answered it. They sat on the phone for a minute or so in silence. Then, Victoria broke the silence. "Hi," she said calmly. "Hey," Paige said. They didn't know what to say to each other. Should they sit there in silence awkwardly or talk about what happened? After another minute of silence, Victoria spoke up, "What are you doing?" she asked. "Um, I just took my mom, Lauren, and Ryan out to dinner and then I ran to the gas station," Paige responded. "Mhm, I miss your family," she slurred. Paige laughed, "They miss you too, they wish you came with me back home." Victoria paused and smiled, but the smile soon faded. "Paige, why?" she asked. This question confused Paige. She knew what Victoria meant, but she didn't know what to say. Paige was about to talk, but then she heard a voice on the other line, who she figured to be Caitlin. "Tor? What are you doing out here?" Victoria hung up the phone instantly.