Everything Changes

Disclaimer- I own nothing but the plot. The characters are property of CTV, The N and Viacom. I am just an obsessed Palex fan trying to show my Palex spirit ;) lol.

Chapter one- Breathe Paige

She was the girl that we all loved to hate. I still don't know exactly why we hated her but she was kind of our scape goat. Looking back now it's odd how things really have made a complete 180. I used to purposely make her life a living hell. It's funny though nothing I ever did seemed to have phased her. She was too tough to allow me to get to her. Surprisingly enough she never kicked my ass. I'm sure there were several times she wanted to. If I had been anyone other than myself in High School I would've definitely kicked my own ass. I having been the head cheerleader knew everyone. I am not sure that everyone liked me, in fact I am pretty sure that most of the people only acted like they did not to get on my bad side. I was a bitch, there was no denying that. But this story isn't about me, Paige Michalchuk, nor is about the wonderful Alex Nunez. It's about she and I, and the way we were.

I sat silently waiting for my friend to join me. Luckily I was accompanied by my wonderful new friend, my two gig ipod nano. How had I ever survived without this before I have no idea. This would be the first time in over a year that I have seen my friend. Ok maybe I should stop calling her my friend. Honestly we both know that we have never been just friends. There was always something between us. I don't know if it had to do with those nice little wife beaters that she'd wear or if it was just the way that her chocolate brown eyes always seemed to have desire lingering in them. No matter what she was thinking her eyes were always showing she wanted more regardless of the situation.

In the distance I can see the brown hair bouncing back and forth past her shoulders. One would have to be blind to not notice her. She is completely oblivious to me waiting for her on the bench. I was supposed to wait for her to arrive at the house along with Marco, but I got impatient. Can you blame me? The closer she gets to me the more my stomach begins to flip upside down. Like I've already said it's been a year since I've seen her. A lot has happened in a year. I've finished my first year at Banting, she's gone back to high school, and even got into Niagara College, and most importantly that she has grown up so much. This is not going to be easy. She begins to get closer and closer... ok seriously where'd she go? Oh ok I see her. She's behind the big fat bald guy. You'd think he had a full head of hair but I am an expert at toupees. I see her eyes widen so apparently I am no longer invisible or at least not to her.

"Oh my god Paige what are you doing here?" Alex asked not bothering to hide the excitement.

I on the other hand am not able to hide how nervous I am. "I uhhh well I uhhhh..."

"Ahh just forget about it. Get over here." She says pulling me into a huge hug. Much to my surprise she doesn't pull away as quickly as I'd expected. The hug lingers longer than I'd have expected.

"Well you look nice Alex... how've you been?"

"I've definitely seen my brighter days. What about you? How were things at Banting? Got a new Boyfriend or anything?" Ok that's fairly odd and predictable for her.

"Banting was just Banting. Nothing exciting. I had no time for anything or anyone because of all the work I had to do." She nods at me understandingly. If I'm not mistaken it seems as if there was a slight glimpse of excitement in the eyes, but it disappeared just as I spoke again. "Is there a lucky somebody in your life?"

"Uhh well ummm." Her pocket begins to vibrate. "Let me get this." She says pulling out her phone. "Hey... yeah I just got here... A friend of mine met me here... You know Paige the one I told you about... the one from the movie theater... ok I will...Don't worry... yeah me too." She begins to avoid making eye contact.

Ok did she seriously just call me her friend that worked at the movie theater with her? I don't even warrant an ex girl friend or the best friend. I know where I stand.

"So are we off to the house?" I say trying to hide my thoughts. She nods knowing I don't want to talk about anything." I know the guys are interested in seeing you. And of course Ellie. This girl bonding thing isn't really doing either of us any good." She chuckles lightly.

We begin to make our way out of the airport. I can tell that she doesn't really want to talk to me at the moment. I can relate to the feeling completely. This was definitely not beginning the way I'd thought. I guess I'd been delusional to think that she would just fall back into my arms and we'd start where things left off. Why hadn't I have predicted that she'd have a girlfriend? I mean this is Alex Nunez. Why wouldn't she?

"Paige are you sure you know where you're going?"

"Yeah I didn't drive so we're just going to take the taxi. I didn't feel like having to pay for parking and then having to find the car." She smiles once again. The smile that easily makes my heart melt.

We grab the first available taxi and make our way back to the house. Neither of us saying anything. Finally we arrive only 10 minutes later.