𝙻𝚒𝚝𝚝𝚕𝚎 𝚍𝚊𝚒𝚜𝚢 : ᴘᴀɪɢᴇ ʙᴜᴇᴄᴋᴇʀꜱ

5- Close Encounters

Emma had been floating on air ever since she had left the gym with Paige the previous day. She replayed the events over and over in her mind—the way Paige had cheered her on, the easy laughter they'd shared, and the moment Paige had called their next meeting a "date." The word had sent a thrill through Emma's body that still hadn't faded.

Date. Did Paige really mean that? Or had she just said it casually, without thinking? Either way, Emma couldn't help but hope.

That night, Emma lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, her mind far from her dorm room. She could still feel the warmth of Paige's presence, hear her genuine laugh, and every time she thought about Paige offering to cook her dinner, her heart did a little flip.

Could this really be happening? Could someone like Paige—confident, outgoing, effortlessly cool—be interested in her? Emma had spent so much of her life blending into the background, hiding behind her ballet routines and her quiet demeanor. The idea of being the focus of someone's attention, especially Paige's, was almost overwhelming.

But then again, Paige made her feel something she hadn't felt in a long time: seen. Not just as the quiet ballerina or the introverted girl who kept to herself, but as someone worth getting to know. Someone worth spending time with.

Emma hugged her pillow closer to her chest. Paige had been so kind, so patient with her during the basketball lesson. She hadn't laughed when Emma fumbled with the ball or missed shot after shot. Instead, Paige had encouraged her, her warmth making Emma feel like she actually could get the hang of it—like she was capable of more than just being "the dancer."

Then there was the way Paige looked at her—those bright blue eyes sparkling with something Emma couldn't quite place. Was it interest? Curiosity? Attraction? Whatever it was, it made Emma's heart race every time Paige smiled at her, gently teased her, or made her laugh. It felt like something special. Something more than just friendship.

Paige offering to cook her dinner made Emma's heart flutter. "It's a date," Paige had said, the words casual but loaded with meaning for Emma. The word had hung between them, and Emma had clung to the hope that Paige meant it.

Emma wasn't used to this kind of attention. She wasn't used to the fluttering excitement in her chest or the way her thoughts constantly drifted back to Paige. But Paige didn't push her or overwhelm her. She seemed genuinely interested in who Emma was, quiet moments and all.

A soft knock on the door pulled Emma out of her thoughts. She turned to see Lila standing in the doorway, a curious smile on her face.

"You've been in here for hours," Lila said, walking over and flopping down on the bed beside Emma. "What's going on? You look like you've been daydreaming."

Emma blushed, pulling her blanket up to cover her face. "I have not," she mumbled, though her voice betrayed her embarrassment.

Lila laughed, tugging the blanket down enough to see Emma's face. "Spill it," she said with a teasing grin. "I know that look. It's a 'there's a girl on my mind' look."

Emma sighed, her cheeks still flushed. "I was just... thinking about Paige," she admitted, her voice soft.

Lila's eyes widened with interest. "Paige? You mean the basketball player you've been hanging out with?" she asked, leaning closer. "What happened? Did you guys hang out again?"

Emma nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Yeah," she said quietly. "She gave me a basketball lesson yesterday. It was... really fun. She was so patient with me, even though I kept messing up."

Lila raised an eyebrow, grinning knowingly. "And?"

Emma hesitated, her heart fluttering as she remembered the moment they had shared. "And... she offered to cook dinner for me next weekend," she said softly. "She even called it a date."