Apologize

Texting

"..and then when I got home there was a man and she was laughing about how 'he didn't need to know' and.. And... I just can't believe that she would do that. I mean, I knew she wasn't a good person, but cheating on him? I just can't..." I choked back a sob. Paige was here, holding my back while I sobbed into her shoulders. I told her everything... Almost every thing, I mean. I never told her anything about me and Ash . I just blabbered on and on. "I'm so sorry, I'm such a terrible friend... I use you for emotional support and never give anything back, I'm just as terrible as Shery."

"Hey, don't compare yourself to a monster. You're not terrible, you did the exact same thing for me when my cat died, when my cousin tried to run away, and when I thought we were moving to Kentucky. All those terrible things, and you were sitting here, helping me through it. You're not terrible, don't be so hard on yourself," Paige reassured me. I sniffed and sat up, giggling when Gopher jumped into my lap.

"Oh my God, we're both such messes," I joked, trying to lighten the mood. Suddenly, a huge lightbulb went off in my head when I remembered something. "Paige! Paige , I forgot to tell you! Ash saw the texts and gave me his number to give to you!" Paige looked at me in disbelief, so I took her phone and texted to number that I decided to memorize. It's not creepy, I do that to every number I receive. Which isn't a lot.

Hi ;) It's Paige. Thanks for giving me your number <3

"Kayla! You didn't need to put in the wink! Or the heart," she panicked and took the phone, typing up an excuse quickly. I laughed and wiped my eyes again, even though I wasn't crying anymore.

Oh my God, sorry! That was Kayla, I swear.😅

"Right, that was totally Kayla who would say that," laughed a voice behind us. I screamed and fell off the metal bench, which caused more laughter from both Paige and the voice. I turned around and saw Ash in a grey hoodie and a pair of jeans. Then I looked down at myself. I was wearing an army green, oversized as hell tshirt, black leggings, and an ugly pair of sandals. I looked like trash.

"What are you doing here?" I asked, hoping my eyes weren't too red or puffy. Paige was blushing to the point that she could be a legitimate tomato. And she told me to be careful around him?

"On a walk. Why were you crying?" Wow. He noticed? I coughed and looked at Paige for help, but she looked right back at me. We both didn't know what to do.

"None of your business. I wasn't even crying," I lied, picking up Gopher and cuddling him to my chest. Gopher has been our emotional support doggo for three years now, and he absolutely loves the attention and hugs.

"Of course you weren't," Ash said sarcastically as he took my spot on the bench. I didn't think Paige could get any redder, but I was wrong. "I saw you having a sob show on Paige's shoulder. I think you owe me a secret, since you told her that I watch My Little Pony." He saw. My mind raced as I thought up a lie. I wasn't about to let him know about my family life.

"I was.. Uh, my... Dog died..." I lied hesitantly. He obviously didn't buy it, because he rose an eyebrow.

"She was jealous that you gave me your phone number," Paige lied easily. Wow, I didn't know she could lie. But when I saw Ash smirk at me, I realised her lie just screwed me over. Big time.

"Haha! Isn't she funny!?" I laughed nervously, grabbing Paige's arm and picking up Gopher. "Well then, bye!" I started dragging Paige away. Now he thought I was into him Which I'm most certainly not, he's a brat who can't keep his pants on. Once we were far enough away from him, I showed her how pissed that lie made me.

"Paige, what the heck? I'm not jealous! I would rather let him know my step mum was cheating than have him think I liked him!" I squealed, but lowered my voice quickly, "Sorry, but seriously? I don't like him at all, and he'd be way better with you, I bet."

"Calm down, I just said the first thing that sounded believable. You'll only have to deal with him tomorrow, since we're out on Friday because of the faculty meeting." She was so calm. How was she so calm?

"Whatever. But don't get mad at me for what I'm about to do." I grabbed her phone and ran as I typed. Paige ran after me, Gopher waddling as fast as he can behind her.

So... I was wondering if you'd like to go out on a date with me? Xoxo 😘

I was so immature, I know, but I can't help it when there's a chance for me to play match maker.

What about Kayla?You're not afraid of her jealousy?

She's not THAT scary. To her best friends, I mean.

That girl is terrifying! How do you guys get along as such opposites?

HEY! I'm not terrifying!!

She's** I meant to type she's

Mhm, sure. Yeah, is Friday at 6:00 fine?

At Chili's?

Yeah, totally! See you then!

"Kayla!You evil little bitch!" Paige yelled, then covered her mouth. She's never cursed. Not like that, I mean. I giggled and handed her her phone. She read the short conversation, her eyes widening with each text. "You got me on a date with Ash? THANK YOU! But I still hate your guts," she laughed, punching me playfully in the arm.

"Yup. You'll have to text me the details afterwards." I wiped my forehead with the back of my hand and sighed contently. This is why I go to the park. It's soothing, even after a stressful day.

•••

"So we were just eating our food when, all of the sudden and everything, he asked me if I was going to eat my macaroni. I swear, I thought he was just kidding for a minute, but he sounded so serious! And when I said yes he got.." Paige blabbered on and on. It was Friday evening, she had just finished her date with Ash and dad picked her up. I still haven't told dad. Shery went on a week long vacation for a couple days, taking Scarlette with her to lessen the expenses for us. I was in a silly giraffe onsie and Paige was in her favorite cloud pajamas.

"Sounds like you had a grand time!" I laughed. Both of us were obviously trying to lighten the mood, since we were both the only ones who knew about the affair. I got a bagel out from my secret mini fridge and knelt down on one knee. "Will you, Paige Christine O'Brien, marry me, Ashton Whats-His-Face Anderson?" I asked in a goofy "rich person" accent that was really just a terrible French accent before taking a bite of the bagel.

"Shut up, we're not getting married!" Paige laughed. Her laugh seemed to brighten up the whole room. My room was dark, lit with the Christmas lights I keep up year-round, and that helped me stay on edge. I hate the dark, but I really want to get over my fear.

​"For your information, Sunshine, my middle name is not 'Whats-His-Face', it's Wesley," rang a voice from my window. I screamed and dove under my bed, being the complete drama queen that I am.

"Girl, chill. I invited Ash over but didn't want your dad to get mad. Should have told you, sorry," Paige reassured me. She knew I was easily spooked.