LOVING DAHLIA ( ᴘᴀɪɢᴇ ʙᴜᴇᴄᴋᴇʀs) (ON HOLD)

Chapter 4: Twin Talk

Paige tugged on her running shorts, adjusting them as she prepared for her morning jog. The fresh air and the rhythm of running usually cleared her mind, and after the whirlwind of emotions from the previous night, she needed it now more than ever.

Just as she reached for her hoodie, the door to her dorm room swung open with a loud bang.

"Paige!" Nika burst into the room, her energy frantic, as usual.

Paige froze, mid-change, and shot her roommate an incredulous look. "Really, Nika?" she said, her voice dripping with annoyance. "Ever heard of knocking? I'm literally changing right now. Can't a girl get some privacy?"

Nika didn't even flinch, brushing off Paige's irritation like it was nothing. She marched across the room and plopped down on Paige's bed, staring up at the ceiling for a moment before turning her gaze to Paige.

"Okay, so don't freak out, but..." Nika paused dramatically, emphasizing her next words with a hand gesture, "I just saw Steve, your boyfriend, with Melody. You know, the volleyball captain?"

Paige rolled her eyes, pulling her hoodie over her head. "Ex-boyfriend," she muttered, her voice tinged with frustration.

"When did that happen?" Nika asked, her tone softening with concern. She sat up straighter, giving Paige her full attention.

Paige sighed, grabbing her sneakers from under the bed before sitting down next to Nika. "Last night," she admitted. "I found them together. Steve and Melody. Didn't even bother confronting him, though. I just told him we were over and walked out."

Nika blinked in surprise, her expression softening. "Paige, I'm so sorry," she said quietly, resting a hand on her best friends shoulder. "You didn't say anything last night. I didn't know."

Paige shrugged, tying her laces with a little more force than necessary. "There wasn't much to say. I didn't want to dwell on it." She paused, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "Besides, something...unexpected happened afterward."

Nika's brows furrowed. "Unexpected? What do you mean?"

Paige hesitated for a moment, then let out a soft chuckle. "I met someone. After I left Steve's place, I went to grab some beer and chips at the store, and there was this little girl-Sadie-who beat me to the last bag of Lays. We bickered over it," she said, laughing at the memory.

"And then I met her mom." Paige's smile grew as she said the words, the memory of Dahlia's steel-grey eyes flashing in her mind. "Her name's Dahlia. I chased her down in the parking lot just to ask her name, and, well... let's just say she left an impression."

Nika's expression shifted from concern to a slow, growing smile. "You met a mystery woman after breaking up with Steve? That's...amazing. I mean, Paige, you deserve way better than him."

Paige chuckled softly. "I know, but it wasn't like that. Dahlia was just... I don't know. There's something about her. I couldn't stop thinking about her all night."

Nika's grin widened as she playfully nudged Paige with her elbow. "Sounds like someone's got a little crush."

Paige rolled her eyes, but there was no denying the warmth spreading across her face. "Maybe. But it's probably nothing. I mean, I don't even know if I'll ever see her again."

Nika stood up, stretching her arms over her head. "Oh, trust me, if fate brought you two together once, it'll happen again. And when it does, you better ask for her number this time."

Paige laughed, shaking her head. "Yeah, yeah, we'll see."

Nika grabbed her bag from the corner of the room, slinging it over her shoulder. "Alright, twin, I've got practice. Try not to run too many miles while you're daydreaming about your mystery woman."

Paige threw a pillow at Nika as she headed for the door. "Go away, Nika!"

Nika dodged the pillow with ease, laughing as she left the room. "See you at practice, Paige!"

As the door clicked shut behind her, Paige sat in silence for a moment, her thoughts drifting back to Dahlia. Maybe Nika was right-maybe their paths would cross again.

And when it did, she'd be ready.

XoXo V ❤️❤️❤️