''Whoa, what is wrong with you two? Do you know how flustered Paige was? Leave, both of you. I can't believe you two can act so childish, aye'' Carlien said and glared at them.
''What?'' Jordan asked.
''I said go. Both of you should go. Let's call it a night, here'' Carlien said to them and went inside.
''This is all your fault'' Joel said sharply to Jordan.
''Why is it my fault? I didn't ask Paige to cut your confession short'' Jordan said and chuckled before going to his car. He had an amused expression as he drove pass Joel.
Carlien entered the hall and saw the grocery bags on the table and went to Paige's room. She opened the door and heard the flow of running water and went to the bathroom.
Carlien leaned against the glass door and watched as Paige splashed water on her face.
''Are you… okay?'' Carlien asked and Paige looked at her through the mirror.
''How can I be fine? What is wrong with the both of them? Jordan saying that in front of Joel, that he wants to date me'' Paige said and walked out of the bathroom. She sat on the bed and wiped her face with a small towel.
''But, why did you interrupt Joel? I was curious as to what he will say. Weren't you a little curious?'' Carlien asked Paige and went to sit on the study chair.
''Why did I cut him short?'' Paige asked herself rhetorically.
''You have always wanted to know his true feelings for you. I thought you would have been curious to know what his true feelings were. I don't support the way Jordan pushed him to the wall but, I thought that you would have listened to his reasons and maybe his thoughts''
''I was curious, but, I don't know why I did that. I was suddenly afraid of hearing what he wanted to say. I wasn't ready for that yet. I just didn't know why I interrupted him''
''Perhaps, your heart didn't really care about what his reason was anymore. Paige, you don't like Joel anymore'' Carlien said and Paige looked at her.
''I realised then, that my first crush was finally over and there was someone else in my heart. Only that, I didn't know my own feelings at that time. Because, this was my first love experience, because this was my first life. We grow up, fall in love, we fall out of love, we feel happiness, we feel sadness, we feel pain, fear, joy, love were all feelings that I had to experience once at a time. Because this was my first life''
Paige and Carlien looked at each other and smiled. Even without words, they understood each other. Even without words, they could still comfort each other just by staying silently by each other's side.
...…
Paige kissed her father goodbye and took her bag from the couch, the house for her morning lectures. She opened the gate and saw Joel standing beside his car.
''Hi, Paige'' Joel said and Paige smiled.
''Hi, good morning'' Paige said awkwardly.
''Why are you acting awkward around me? If it's about last night, don't think too much into it'' Joel said to her and Paige nodded with a smile.
''Yes''
''Get in'' Joel said and opened the car door for her 'I told you yesterday, that I will send you to school''
''I thought that you were just kidding'' Paige said.
''I'm not. In fact, I am going to be very nice to you, so, Paige, be prepared'' Joel said and looked at her.
''Joel, about yesterday…''
''You don't have to give me an answer right now. It is my fault for not coming out clearly. You can take your time. I will wait for your answer'' Joel cut her short and she nodded her head and got inside the car.
...…
''Jordan, don't you like me even one bit?'' Mirabel asked as they chatted at the car park. Lucas leaned against his car and chuckled. Mirabel and Jordan grew up together because Mirabel's mother was friends with Jordan's mother. Mirabel had had a crush on Jordan for a long time.
''You already know the answer. Why bother asking?'' Lucas said and Mirabel glared at him.
''I want to hear it from his own mouth'' Mirabel said.
''Yes, I see you as my little sister'' Jordan answered her and sighed. Mirabel could be childish at times.
''But, I've always loved you, since I was 16''
''And he has told you since you were 16 that he doesn't like you. why don't you have any self-respect when it comes to Jordan?'' Lucas asked.
''That is none of your business''
Joel pulled over at a distance and Paige got down.
''Are they going out?'' Lucas asked as he looked at Paige and Joel.
''Wow! She keeps doing all sort of things to attract men. So annoying. She had a boyfriend, why is she clinging unto Jordan?'' Mirabel said angrily.
Joel noticed Paige and Jordan looking at each other. He stretched his hand to hold Paige and she immediately lifted her hand, holding her bag as she smiled at Jordan.
''I will go from here'' Paige said to him and turned, walking away. Jordan smirked as he watched Joel's actions. Joel glared at him before getting into his car.
...…
After their lecture, Paige and Carlien stayed back in the lecture hall with a group of students, discussing their group assignment.
Paige's phone buzzed and she looked apologetically at the members and said to them ''I will answer this quickly and be back''
''Go on'' the leader of the group told her and she smiled before going out to answer the call from Jordan.
''Hello''
''Have you forgotten about our deal?'' Jordan asked as he walked towards her before the back.
''No, I haven't. I've just been a little busy that's why'' Paige answered and turned. She saw him at a distance and smiled as he continued to speak on the phone while walking towards her.
''Then, let's have lunch together. I haven't eaten since morning''
''Why haven't you eaten?'' Paige asked slowly and softly suddenly feeling self-conscious. Her heart was beating fast as she looked at him approaching her.
''I was in a foul mood this morning after seeing you arrive in the car of your first love'' Jordan teased her.
''I still haven't settled scores with you for what you did yesterday''
''Is that why you came in his car, to spite me?''
''No, I just didn't want things to get awkward between us. He is still family. Someone I grew up with. I can't just avoid him because of what happened''
''Let's go and have lunch'' Jordan said and hung up, standing in front of her. Paige blushed and looked down.
''I will meet you at the car park. I have to inform Carly first'' Paige said shyly with a crimson face.
''Take your time. I will be waiting for you'' Jordan told her and she nodded her head and went inside.
''Carly'' Paige called Carly softly and she turned.
''I see you are making progress already'' Carly teased her and handed over her bag to her.
''Is not like that. we are just friends'' Paige said and took the bag.
''Yeah, it starts that way. Be back at 16:00PM for joint class with Mr. Akotoh''
''Sure, see you later'' Paige kissed Carly's cheek before going out.
Paige got to the car park and saw Jordan standing by hi car. He waved at her and she smiled and was about to go to him when another car pulled over right in front of her. Paige stepped back and Jordan almost ran to her. Anthony got down from the car and walked to Paige, giving her a tight hug as he spoke.
''Paige, did you missed me?''
''Anthony? When did you come back?'' Paige asked and stepped back, maintaining a suitable difference between them. Anthony noticed her subtle attitude and frowned but it didn't last as he smiled and looked at Jordan who was still by his car.
''I came back this morning'' Anthony said to Paige.
''How is your brother? Is he recovering well? I'm sorry I couldn't go with you to visit him. Next time I will go with you, okay?'' Paige said and smiled.
''Yes, next time, I will make sure I send you to visit him and just how he is. I hope you will be prepared when the time comes?'' Anthony said with an underlying meaning Paige didn't pick up.
''Paige, let's go'' Jordan said to Paige as he stood by his car, looking at her affectionately.
''Anthony, I have to go. let's talk later'' Paige said and walked away towards Jordan. Anthony chuckled sarcastically with a darkened expression. He turned and looked at Paige as she got into the car of Jordan.
''Should I just take you there sooner, Paige Payin? This isn't getting interesting anymore'' Anthony murmured to himself as he watched the car pass him by. He and Jordan locked eyes and looked at each other.