At End's Gate

GET OUT

She sat down next to James who was at the far corner. Conner sat next to Lexi at the other corner. James noticed his sister. He waited for some time and then stood." Do you want snacks?" he asked the others. They nodded." Paige could you give me a hand."

She stood up and followed him to the food supply bag." What's bugging you P?" he asked whispering.

"Nothing."

He looked at her with a stern face." It's Conner isn't it?"

She paused with a surprised gaze." No. Why would you think something is wrong with Conner?" she asked scratching her arm nervously. She looked at him. He just stood looking at her with his ocean blue eyes giving an annoyed look." Okay okay say what you want to say."

"I know you like him."

She wanted to complain but he cut her off." Paige it's okay to like him. You clearly have chemistry. It's not a crime to feel something for him. I know you think you're betraying Erin but you shouldn't make Conner suffer because you fear falling for him. Give him a break. He can't help it if he's nice to you. You're beautiful. I'm not saying love him but I'm saying don't give him a hard time if he does something you consider as hitting on you. Just tell him nicely that it makes you feel uncomfortable. Knowing you you can manage that but the problem is you don't know how long you can push him away." He took her hand." Don't worry. Sometimes we over think things when we have the answer all along in here," he said pointing at her heart." You gonna be okay?"

"Yeah. Thanks. I think you know me more than I know myself. I'll keep hoping to find Erin," she said taking out the chips from the bag.

James nodded as he walked towards the others with juices and Paige followed with the chips. They sat down monitoring the screen. Paige sat thinking about what James had said. She loved the fact that her brother could easily pinpoint what bothered her but now she was lost in thought. She was coming to terms with herself that she really liked the two gentlemen but she was going to try to keep her friendship with Conner under control. James was really honest with her. She felt sad because of showing Conner a bit of resentment. After a few hours it was time for her shift. The girls and her brothers were eating at the table. Conner as usual stayed with her to keep her company. There was a silent atmosphere for a while. Paige was trying to start a conversation but Conner eventually started speaking first." I'm sorry if tucking your hair behind your ear made you feel uncomfortable. I didn't mean to make you feel that way."

"It's okay. It's no big deal. I'm the one who overreacted. I don't know why I reacted that way."

"I know why."

"Why?" Paige asked with a soft tone in her voice.

"You're trying to avoid falling for me."

Paige looked confused but sad.

"It's okay. I'll back of. I know you love Erin and I wouldn't want to break what you have with him so I'll try not to do things that will affect your thinking," he said looking sad." I won't lie to you. That's gonna difficult because you're the reason I don't fall off the edge. I discovered each time I want to give up I think of you and I find myself thinking maybe there's still a reason for living. I hate it. I keep thinking about you. I sleep well knowing that you're safe. I know you don't love me but I won't be sorry for the feelings I'm beginning to feel for you. I hate that I feel that way and I hate that it makes you feel uncomfortable."

"Conner," she said in a low tone as if making a plea for him to stop talking.

"It's fine," he said standing up to walk to the table.

"Conner," she sighed.

"I'll be fine my dove. You gave me hope and that's enough. You don't have to feel sorry for me. I'm gonna be okay," he said giving a weak smile.

He left her for a while to clear his mind. Paige stayed behind feeling a dull ache. She didn't know why she felt a sharp pain in her chest. She felt sad, angry and confused. What hurt her the most was that she felt her heart race by the mere thought of Conner pouring his heart out. She was rebuking those thoughts in her mind.

That's gonna be difficult because you're the reason I don't fall off the edge.

Those words seemed to keep knocking on the door of her mind. She didn't know how to feel. She stood praying for those thoughts to get out of her mind. She placed her hand on her chest as if it was going to dismiss her feelings for him. Paige focused her gaze on the screen to clear her head.

After writing this chapter I actually laughed a bit. There's a bit of contradiction between the chapter title and what happens in the chapter. Most people before reading would assume that maybe it's a chapter where the characters were in danger. The Get out aspect of this chapter is the fact that Paige is trying to dismiss the possible feelings she has for Conner like in her mind she's shouting get out to all romantic thoughts. Hope you liked it.