x - Paperback Novel Romance

[Note: It's probably not my best stuff, but I wrote it quickly in about twenty minutes, so I may have screwed some stuff up. If I do, just tell me and I'll fix it A.S.A.P.]1

[•♥•]2

She sighed loudly and then leaned back on her heels. Something that usually soothed her wasn't going to help now. She looked at the necklace she held tightly in her hands. She couldn't, wouldn't, do this to her best friend.3

"Pst?" a voice came, echoing around the dark bedroom. She closed her eyes for a long moment, before flickering them back open. This was it. This was the moment of truth.4

"Ryan?" she whispered into the dark. She looked around and saw the outline of a man. A man who made her stomach do funny things, her breath catch and just like in those flimsy, paperback novels she loved so much - her toes curl.5

"Paige?"6

"Ryan, we need to talk," she told him, afraid that if she moved to him, she'd forget the speech so carefully wrote in her head.7

"No, Paige, don't do this." He'd already known what she was going to say.8

"I can't do this to Sarah anymore. We can't sneak around her back like we're teenagers hiding from our parents," Paige said, straightening up. She quickly rushed on before he could interrupt her, "I know, I know. You and Sarah only had one date - but it doesn't matter. She really likes you and she's had the biggest crush on you since she got the job at the cafe."9

"Paige," he whispered. Just like that, she shut up. The way he said her name - it gave her those paperback romance novel goosebumps. Except this couldn't ever be.10

She had to stop it before he did something. Like kissing her or whispering her name again.11

"I love you, Ryan. I really do, but I'm not a back-stabbing bitch of a friend. You have to understand," she said, her voice trembling. "Please, just let me go. You know those few times ... the times we fooled around will always mean a lot to me."12

"Paige, don't," he said. This time she heard the anger in his voice.13

"Goodbye, Ryan," she simply told to the one guy she could never have without completely crushing Sarah - the one friend who'd been with her throughout everything.14

Paige turned and pulled the door behind her open. She heard him call her name, could hear the panic and plea in his voice. Paige almost turned around to kiss him goodbye, but she didn't. She pressed forward, into the light and then left the one place she'd never forget. His apartment.15

Paige stepped out into the chilly night a few minutes later and glanced up at the apartment windows that stood three floors above her. Ryan watched her, and she waved goodbye as if she was going to the corner store and would be back in five minutes.16

As she crossed the street, she felt her body go numb, and her thoughts on nothing but an empty bed waiting for her at home.17

[•♥•]18

"Hey, Paige!" a voice came. Paige wanted to groan out loud - it was Sarah. Although it'd been three weeks since Paige last saw Ryan watching her from the window, every time Paige was around Sarah, Ryan's face came to mind. As soon as his face was in her mind, so was his laugh, his smile, his touch, his empty promises and the panic in his voice.19

"Sarah! How are you?" Paige asked, hugging her best friend tightly. It would never be the same, Paige realized.20

She knew that when Sarah had first told Paige about Ryan, Paige had been excited for her best friend. She hadn't thought that he would be so inviting, so desirable, so beautiful. Or damn hot and sexy, for the matter.21

They first time they'd met, Paige had wanted to jump his bones right then and there. She seen it in his eyes that he felt the same way. That day, when they'd been hanging out at Paige's apartment, Sarah had gotten a call.22

She was needed A.S.A.P. at the cafe because two girls just quit and it was rush hour. Sarah had apologized a million times to them, and then left.23

That was the first time they'd kissed.24

After that, they'd snuck around Sarah's back for three weeks, doing things and thinking things, that Paige hadn't experienced before. One night, Sarah had admitted how much she liked Ryan, and how badly she wanted to ask him out. Paige could do nothing but encourage her to go out with him.25

Even five weeks later, Sarah still hadn't gotten the nerve yet.26

Paige sighed out loud, cutting whatever Sarah was saying off. "Yo, Paige? Have you heard a word I've said?"27

Paige blinked, and then frowned. "Sorry, no, I haven't. I've been out of it lately."28

"Out of it? You're not kidding," Sarah said, rolling her big, blue eyes. She sat down beside Paige and asked, "What's going on with you? Jeez, you haven't been normal for like, three weeks."29

'Oh, it's just because I'm a horrible best friend and finally ended the affair I had with the guy you like,' Paige thought.30

"I know, I'm sorry. A lot's been going on lately," Paige finally told her.31

Sarah shook her head, as if she didn't believe it. "No, it's more than that. A month ago, you were all happy and stuff. Now you're just pathetically miserable."32

"Look," Paige said, getting annoyed. "It's not really any of your business so leave me alone."33

"Paige," Sarah whispered.34

"No, I mean it. You don't know what hell I've been through, trying to be a good best friend. Trying to stop the one thing I've become addicted too."35

With that, Paige stormed out of the apartment, and slipped into the elevator. God, not only did she do the unthinkable to the only best friend she had, she had to go and be a bitch too.36

She punched her floor number and then slipped back into the hall way, to see Sarah waiting for her, arms crossed. Paige felt the tears she hadn't allowed herself to shed, come down. "Sarah, I'm so, so sorry."37

Sarah didn't question why she did it or anything. She held Paige and then whispered, "Whatever you did, Paige, whatever happened, I just want you to know that if you made a mistake, it's okay. I'll always be here for you."38

Paige nodded, afraid to say anything.39

[•♥•]40

"What the hell did you do to her?" Sarah asked, pounding on Ryan's door less than an hour later. It'd taken her forever, but she'd finally got Paige to sleep - something Sarah knew Paige hadn't been getting in weeks - and then she went to the source of the only person she could think of.41

Ryan opened the door, frowning at Sarah. "Hey, Sarah. What's wrong?"42

"What did you do to Paige?" Sarah shouted, pushing him out of her way. She spun around, as he shut the door.43

"I didn't do anything to Paige," he claimed, holding his hands up.44

"No way," Sarah said, shaking her head. "I don't believe it. Ever since she met you, I've never seen her happier. I thought I told you, you break her heart, you're dead. Then what do you go and do? Break her heart! She's miserable."45

Ryan sighed. "She left me because she felt guilty about doing something like that behind your back. She wanted to be a good best friend."46

Sarah froze, cursing under her breath. It made sense now, 'You don't know what hell I've been through trying to be a good best friend. Trying to stop the one thing I've become addicted too.'47

"Shit."48

"Yeah, no kidding. It's all shitty. She's been ignoring my calls, sends anything I send her right on back - usually cut up. She ain't budging."49

Sarah looked at him. "She should know me better than that. I knew something was going on the second I asked her if I should finally ask you out. She was trying too hard to be encouraging."50

"Yeah, well. What are we going to do?" Ryan asked, rubbing a hand through his hair. It was only then that it occurred to Sarah that he looked just as miserable.51

"Ain't that the million dollar question," Sarah mumbled.52

[•♥•]53

Paige stretched out and yawned. That was the best four hours of sleep she'd gotten since ... well, since she'd left Ryan's apartment. She didn't want to think about that though. It was three weeks ago and she was damn tired. Exhausted.54

Paige noticed her cell phone was lit up, and reached out to grab it. Instinct told her not to read her new text massage, but she couldn't help it. Just as she'd known it'd be, it was from Ryan.55

It read; "MEET ME @ OUR PLACE @ 4."56

Their place. Well, that would be the corner store they'd always meet at, then sneak off to his apartment - or even hers. She rubbed her eyes, knowing she'd finally had a good cry, and then wondered if she would go or not.57

Of course she would. Maybe this time it would really be goodbye. She just had to see him again. Had to. One last time. Then, maybe, it'd be easier to walk away. Yeah, each time might be easier.58

Or harder, but she refused to think like that.59

[•♥•]60

As soon as Paige entered the corner store, she knew something was terribly wrong. Sarah sat in the middle of the store - with the isles pushed aside - on a chair, humming an unnameable song.61

"Sarah?" Paige finally asked.62

"Honey, you're early. Just like I knew you would be. Come here, sit," Sarah told her, motioning towards the chair in front of her. Paige slowly moved towards it - afraid of what Sarah was going to tell her.63

"Sarah? What's going on?" Paige glanced around her. There were a couple shoppers who didn't seem to notice them.64

"Paige, I know you like the back of my hand. You're like my other half," Sarah started, suddenly nervous. What if this didn't work? No, no, she had to believe it would work.65

"I know."66

"Well, have you ever been able to keep a secret from me?" Sarah questioned.67

"No," Paige answered honestly. Except one, she added in her thoughts.68

"Will it surprise you to say I knew about the affair with Ryan a week after it started?"69

Paige shook her head. Shit, shit, shit! she thought.70

Sarah smiled, and grabbed Paige's hand. "Those three weeks you guys were together - Paige, I saw you smile more than ever."71

Muffling a giggle, Paige murmured, "That rhymes."72

Sarah laughed. "Yeah. I'm a poet and I don't even know it."73

"Except for as soon as you say that statement," Paige pointed out, like she always did, "You are admitting you know it."74

Sarah rolled her eyes. "We're getting off track here."75

"I know, I'm sorry." Paige's amusement didn't fade in her eyes though. She should've known Sarah would've understood. She should've trusted her best friend.76

"Look, I just want you to be happy. I saw you when you were with him. The second I told you I wanted to ask him out - officially - you encouraged me too much. I went to Ryan and he told me everything," Sarah sighed softly and continued with, "The night you broke it off with him? He told me he was going to tell you that I knew."77

Paige took a moment to soak this up. She bobbed her head up and down, as if this made sense. "Why didn't you just tell me you knew?"78

"He was afraid you'd get all pissed off at him for telling me, and I was afraid you'd wreck it by trying to do the right thing and denying yourself something I've been looking forever for," Sarah whispered.79

"Either way, it got screwed up."80

Paige whipped around to see Ryan standing there. She stood up, her entire body trembling. "Ryan."81

Sarah smiled at him, then slipped casually down an isle and out the door to wait in her car.82

"You know what?" Ryan asked.83

"What?" Paige whispered, breathless. It was like a stupid, paperback novel, she thought, the way she reacted to him. It was like she needed him to breathe, to be happy, to be herself.84

"I really ought to be pissed at you," he said, nodding. "You know, for the whole walking out on me before I could tell you."85

"Tell me what?"86

"I love you, Paige," he whispered. He moved towards her, and lifted his hand to her cheek. "You're beautiful, smart, sexy, and amazing. You can make me laugh with a goofy look on your face. I love that about you. You're always so much fun to be around."87

"You ..." her voice trailed off. "I love you too."88

"Yeah, I know. You told me right before you told me goodbye," he whispered. "Marry me."89

She glanced around at the corner shop they were in. The few people who'd come in, stopped to watch them. Paige didn't know what else to do but kiss him.90

This time, she amended her thought from before, it would be impossible to leave. Absolutely impossible.91

And for the first time in her life, she realized she could have her very own paperback novel happy ending.92

Paige went to thank Sarah for everything, but stopped when she saw Sarah laughing and talking with an extremely good-looking police officer. Who knew? Maybe Sarah would find what she was looking for after all.93

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