Crush - Paige Bueckers

6 - Changes

Violet

*Flashback* (End of Senior Year of High School)

I sit on Paige's bed, my heart racing. This room used to be my sanctuary, a place where we could laugh and talk about everything. But now, it's filled with a tension that's almost suffocating.

Ever since that night at Chris's house, and spin the bottle, everything has been different between Paige and I.

The ease of our friendship is gone, replaced by a void neither of us seems to know how to fill.

Paige sits next to me, close but not close enough, scrolling on her phone. She's pretending everything is normal, but I know her well enough to see through the mask.

She plays with the hair tie on her wrist, and keeps biting her lip — both nervous ticks she only does when she's stressed.

"Hey" I say softly, breaking the silence. "Thanks for inviting me over."

She looks up, her eyes meeting mine for a brief moment before darting away. "Of course, Vi. We haven't hung out in a while."

I nod, fidgeting with a loose string on my sweatshirt. "Yeah, it's been... different."

"Different" she repeats, her voice barely a whisper. "I'm sorry about what happened. At Chris's house."

My chest tightens at the memory. "Paige, why did you—"

"I didn't mean it" she interrupts. Her voice is trembling. "I was scared. I didn't want anyone to think—"

"That you wanted to kiss me?" I finish for her, my voice sharper than I intended.

She flinches and I instantly regret it. "Yes" she admits, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "I wanted to kiss you, Violet. But not like that. Not in front of everyone."

"Then why didn't you say something? You could've just told me."

"I was terrified" she whispers, her voice breaking. "My parents... if they ever found out, I don't even know what they'd do. I didn't want to lose you."

My heart aches at her words. Sometimes I forget that not everyone has supportive parents. I take it for granted often.

"Paige, you could never lose me. I just wish you would've trusted me enough to tell me."

She squeezes my hand, her eyes finally meeting mine. "I do trust you, Vi. More than anyone. It's just... complicated."

"I know" I say softly, leaning in closer. "But i'm here. I'm not going anywhere."

We sit there, the tension between us shifting. There's a different kind of energy now, one that's charged with unspoken feelings.

My heart beats faster as I lean in closer, our faces now inches apart.

"I wanted to kiss you that night" Paige confesses, her breath warm against my lips. "I still want to."

Her words send a shiver down my spine. "Then kiss me" I whisper.

As our lips softly touch each other, I hear a shuffle at the door, causing us to jump away from one another.