Searching for Sweetness

Chapter One - The Day Before

Paige glared at me from across the hall.  I knew why, of course.  Today I turned eighteen, which meant I was free.  Paige's birthday wasn't until January.  The whole drive to school she complained about how unfair it was that I could essentially go wherever I wanted now, yet I still decided to come to school today.  Paige knew why I did, though; in fact she's the reason for it.  Six years ago Paige turned me into a good girl, the kind that everybody loved.  I had her to thank for the way I was treated today.

          It was quite nice when you had everyone wishing you a happy birthday, no enemies to worry about.  That was the perk of having Paige.  She held me up in my times of need, even when nobody else would.  Paige had an aura that drew people in, intoxicated them.  But it was all for show.  She hated the spotlight, she hated her status, and she hated people.  She told me just that once when we were in her backyard.  We were talking about pointless nonsense, as usual, but something had been nagging at the back of my mind.

          "Why do you do it?" I'd blurted out.  She looked at me funny then as she propped herself up on her elbows.

          "Why do I do what?"  She was awfully confused, so I felt the need to elaborate.

          "Why do you pretend?"  I had some Italian in my blood, so I had these crazy hand motions going on.  Paige ran a hand through her hair, sighing.  She laid back in the grass, turning her head in my direction.

          "You really want to know?" she asked in a bored tone.  I felt embarrassed that I'd called Paige Turner out on something.

          "Well, kind of," I mumbled, not daring to look at her.  She waved a hand dismissively.

          "It doesn't matter.  It's better to confide in someone, anyway.  You should be glad it's you, Madison Clare.  I've kept too many secrets to myself.  This one is okay to share, though."  She looked back at me.  "I hate the spotlight, I hate my status, and I hate people," she said bluntly.  It was my turn to be confused.

          "But . . . but you're so nice to people!" I spluttered.  She'd rolled her eyes.

          "And your point?"  Paige never gave me attitude.  It must've been a sore subject.  I'd had enough, though.

          "My point is that you should be grateful for everything you have!  Not everybody has a perfect life!  My life sucked until you came along with your magic wand and your high class elegance.  I've always been afraid that you're going to leave me, and my life would go back to sucking," I spat at her.  Her eyes turned to stone.

           "Maddie, you don't know anything about my life.  You barely know my parents!"  She was about to go on, but I interrupted.

          "I've met your dad," I said stubbornly.  Paige's features softened, but not enough.

          "And why is it that you've never met my mother, huh?  Can you answer that, know-it-all?"  She had me there.  I didn't know why I'd never met her mom.  She filled me in, though.  "I was seven when my parents got divorced.  My dad won custody over me, and I haven't seen my mother since.  There's a reason I moved to this quiet town, you know."  Paige got real quiet after that.  It didn't last long, however.  "You'll never lose me, Mads.  I'm with you every step of the way.  Always and forever, right?"  She gave me the saddest smile I'd ever seen.

          "Yeah," I muttered, "always and forever."  I fidgeted with the end of my braid a bit longer before things relaxed a bit.

           Paige sauntered over to me with that lazy look in her eyes.  "So," she drawled out, "how does it feel to finally be free?"  She looped her arm around my shoulders, changing my course of direction.  I snuck a glance behind me.  I didn't want to abandon Paige, but I still needed to retrieve my books for my first class.  "I'm kind of glad you decided to come today.  At least I won't be alone.  I mean, Hayden would be with me, but I can't talk to Hayden about Hayden.  He can't know I like him that much.  Speaking of boyfriends, where's Adam?"  She stopped in her tracks, giving me her signature look.  I really wasn't worried about Adam; at most he'd have to wait until second period to see me.  I was still worried about first period.  And Paige wasn't exactly helping with her ramblings.