Catching Up With Myself

Paige's POV

It was a chilly September day today. I had on some black skinny jeans and a silver tank top and my leather jacket with some black combat boots laced loosely up to my mid calf. After swim practice got out I drove over to pick up my best friend Mallory from her after school reading club to go back to my house to do homework. As I pull up to the house, I see a new car in the drive next to my mom's. It's a very beautiful Toyota, a deep shade of blue. I'm not one for cars, I mean I drive an old Saturn because that was what my mom insisted I buy because it was safe and I could afford it. But this car was eye catching somehow. As Mal and I walked up the drive to the house she says "looks like your mom may have a date over" with a wink.

I just laugh at her and roll my eyes. Sure my mom has been trying to get out there but I also know that there was no way she would bring a man to the house without me hearing about it first. As we walk into the house I stop in my tracks. As Mallory bumps into me and asks what the hell she looks up and she's her as well. My mom is sitting at the kitchen table with a mysterious raven haired woman. I breathe and walk forward.

"hey ma, how was school?" I ask

She looks up and answers “it was alright, Paige. Oh, this is Emily from my College Algebra class. She is here to study for our test next week with me. Emily this is my daughter Paige."

Emily looks up and smiles this beautiful breathtaking smile. I actually feel my knees getting weak as I smile back at her. 'wow, she has an amazing smile' I think to myself. Mallory must have heard it because she nudges me with her elbow and smiles.

"Hey Mrs. McCullers, I'm Mallory by the way. Paige's cousin." Mallory introduces herself to Emily.

"We are going to head upstairs to study Ma. Is there anything you need me to do? What's for dinner?" I ask my mom.

My mom looks back at me after turning to Emily to ask if she wants to stay for dinner "No, we are fine. Dinner is in a couple hours. I'll call you two down when it's ready. Oh, how was swim practice today?"

I groan because I didn't want that question to come up in front of a guest. My mom pushed me into swimming a few years ago. I took a liking to it after a while but for some reason this year I was tired of it. I guess it was because of the pressure of getting a college scholarship to a good school. I'm a senior this year and my mom has VERY HIGH expectations for me.

"It was fine mom. I'm still the captain and I think coach is going to name me anchor for the relay next week. She told me that my times are up and that it's looking good for the scouts that are going to come watch in a few weeks. Is that good?" I can't help the little hint of annoyance in my voice at the end. Something about how hard she is on me about swimming. I guess it was because she used to be a swimmer as well…..at least that is what she keeps telling me.

My mom smiles at me "That's amazing honey! Do you know any of your times? What leg of the relay does she want to put you at?"

All I can do is roll my eyes at these questions. She knows exactly what leg of the relay they would put me at and she knows what my times look like. "Butterfly mom, and I'm not sure what my times look like. But they couldn't be any better than when you were timing meon Sunday."

Emily laughs at this. My breath hitches in my throat. Mallory knocks me again with her elbow and says "Dude, let's go. Let your mom study."

Mallory can tell when I'm getting annoyed. She also knows that I don't find swimming enjoying anymore. I feel like it's a job. One I do to not let my mom down after what happen to my dad not so long ago.

"Right, well nice meeting you Emily." I say smiling from ear to ear for some reason "I hope you do stick around for dinner. Mal come on then."

We head for my bedroom and as we shut the door she turns to me.