This Could Be Us

Chapter Fourteen - I Knew You Were Trouble

The holidays came and went in a blur of events. I didn't see much of Carter because his family had gone back to Minnesota for the break. I stayed in Iowa with my family, of course. Anna kept me company and helped keep me sane as thoughts of Paige trying to win back Carter tortured me each day that he was away. 

Of course the only solution to my problem was watching episode after episode of Grey's Anatomy. Anna and I don't agree on a lot of shows, but Grey's was one on a very short list that we did agree on. So that's what we did, almost every day. Anytime I tried to mention Carter or Paige, Anna would tell me to shut the hell up. Most people would flip out if someone told them to shut up, but I was thankful because she stopped me from overthinking.

Before I knew it, Carter was home and the three of us were hanging out and enjoying our last day of break before the second semester began. Carter was telling us about his eventful family Christmas, where his uncle choked out his other uncle for saying that the Vikings suck. Apparently Minnesota Vikings fans don't like hearing just how terrible their team really is.

After listening to Carter's stories, the three of us decided to go out for some food and a few games of laser tag. As I opened up the door to leave, I didn't expect to find someone standing on my front porch, but here she was. I was almost expecting a nervous, scared expression to be plastered on her face, however that was not the case. She was smirking at me with her hands on her hips. I could have punched her in her sly little face, but I took the high road.

"Carter, you're friend is here." I called back to him, before turning back to her. My face remained emotionless as I stared at her, her face remaining unchanged.

"Who-" Carter began to say, but stopped as he approached the doorway and saw who was standing in front of him. "What are you doing here, Paige?"

It was as if she changed into an entirely different person when Carter appeared in the doorway. The sly-faced girl who was previously on my doorstep was now a giddy little school girl. Irritation started to build up inside me, the same kind of irritation that filled me when I first met her on the UW-M campus.

"Your mom said I could find you here. I was hoping we could hang out today." She smiled brightly.

What is she playing at? "Actually we have plans." I informed her.

"Great what are our plans?" Paige replied, batting her eyelashes at Carter.

I was absolutely baffled that she thought she was just automatically invited to join in on our plans after she just showed up at my house. I hope Carter is smarter than to actually fall for this innocent girl act.

"Well, actually Aria, Anna, and I are going to dinner and to play laser tag." Carter answered. 

"Great! I love laser tag! When are we leaving?" Paige replied, excitement washing over her.

I looked at Carter who was standing with his mouth open, but remained speechless. Was he really going to just let her come along? Someone had to say something to her, and I guess it was going to have to be me.

"Listen, Paige-"

"What's going on? Who's at the door?" Anna said, pushing through the two of us to see who we were talking to. "Who are you?"

"Paige Keller! Carter's ex-girlfriend. Nice to meet you!" Paige replied, smiling sweetly at Anna.

"Wait a second. Did you just say ex-girlfriend?" Anna inquired, then looked at Carter and I. "What the hell is going on?"

"Paige, here, thinks she is going to be joining in on our activities tonight." I informed Anna, crossing my arms and leaning against the door frame.