Paige's POV

Once the bell signaling first period rings, I zoom out of the auditorium. I'm happy they ended up just going over the first act the whole time so I didn't have to go on at all. I stayed up front with Mrs. Oliver, while I have no idea where Jake went. I got to see Robbie's solo, and it was pretty amazing. The first act is complete, and now we have to move on to the second. Which is where I get brought into the whole mix.

Rushing to my locker, I grab my french book and scurry to French. No way do I want to meet Jake at our lockers. I slide into my seat, laying my head down. Gosh I'm getting naseous! Get over it, it was just lust! Once class begins, and my mind drifts further away from Jake, I feel better and better. By the time I'm in seventh period study hall all is forgotten. I'm doing my homework, and listening to music. Then my head phones get pulled out and Carmen comes into the picture.

"Ahhh Wyatt and I had the best night ever!" Carmen gushes, crossing her legs and taking a sip of her girly coffee drink. I let out a breath. I'm glad she had a nice night, bettter then mine. My stomach clenches. My night with Jake wasn't bad at all actually. It's just what happened this morning!  "After the party, we wen-"

"I don't care!" I blow up. All eyes turn to me, and Mr. Feldmen, shushes me. "Sorry." I whisper. Carmen is glaring at me, and I role my eyes. Gathering my things, I go and sign out to Mr. Parkers room. He is eating lunch right now, so he wont be there. No one will be there. I knock, on the door when I see he is sitting there. Grading papers. He gestures for me to come in, and I do. Setting my stuff down at my desk, and pull a chait across from his desk.  "Can I help?" I offer. "You should eat.." 

"I have cookies to snack on." He says, "No worries mother!"  he snickers, and I spit my tongue out at him. Holding out a stack of papers. I take them, and grab the other red pen laying on his desk. "Oreos, the vanilla kind!" He says, licking his lips.  I smile, at least he has some thing to eat.  Time flies, and the bell rings for eighth period to start. "Oh.. shit." he sighs, "The chess club is gone again." He rubs his face, closing his computer. I finish the last paper, and the couple other people in the this class slide into the room. Pulling the chair back to where I got it, I take my seat. Mr. Parker gives me a couple Oreo's and tell the other complaining class mates that I help him with stuff so I earned them. 

"No that makes no sense!" I say, we're a little off topic, and now we are talking about monkeys throwing poop. "I've never seen a monkey throw anything, let alone there own poop." 

"Oh come on you've seen a youtube video or something!" Mr. Parker says, and everyone else nods in agreement. 

"No. Never." I says, smiling. This is a great history lesson. "Now.. why don't we get back to slavery?" I offer. I get a couple pieces of crumpled paper thrown at me, and even Mr. Parker frowns. The rest of history goes like this, all of us debating topics like how they get cheese inside cheese hot dogs, and why only the queen bee has babies.  Once the bell rings, I let out a breath. My dance recital! 

"Hey come here!" Mr. Parker says before I walk past him. I come around to the other side of the desk, and I see he has youtube up. 

"Oh come on!" I laugh, and he grabs my arm.

"Nope. You're watching. You gotta watch it or I'm gonna fail you." He threatens jokingly. I kneel down, with a breath of agreement. He presses play, and the door to his room swing open in a blur. "Ahhh, Jake what can I help you with?" Mr. Parkers asks, pausing the video. I close my eyes looking at the floor. Great. I'm guessing he is here to get a new tutor. 

"I need to talk to her." His voice speaks, and he sounds tired. He wants to talk to me? What? Why?

"Are you feeling okay? You look like, you're coming down with something.." Mr. Parker asks, as I stand up. 

"Never better." Jake replies bitterly, "Now, I just need to talk to her." He sighs, I shake my head.

"I'm gonna be late." I mumble. "I watch is later."  I wave to Mr. Parker. "Not now Jake."  I say then I leave the room. I walk as slowly and normal looking as I can, to my locker, put everything away since I don't have any home work.  I close my locker, and Jake is right there. I let out a breath of surprise, and I shake it off walking away without a word. "We're not talking about this." I say, as we leave the building. I look for other kids, there aren't many. Oh god, what if he pulls something out here in the open? With people around? He wouldn't. He knows what's at stake.

"We are going to talk about this." I hear him, but I don't turn and look. I can't. I've pushed everything away and seeing him will just bring it back. God it's only been one day, it's only going to get worse from here. Tomorrow is Wednesday too, I'll have to tutor him! I sit in my car, mumble swear words to myself. After a minute of that, I drive to my dorm, and wait for my parents to come and get me. They want to drive me there and take me out to eat after, since it's some big celebration. I personally don't think it is, but I wont complain. Going to my room, I grab my slippers and my water. There is two performances tonight, one with the new kids, and mine. The new kids are doing princess and the pauper, and there story takes about an hour it's self, then mine will be just a quick twenty minute dance. Then my teach will tell everyone it's my last dance, and that I'm 'retiring' from ballet. 

Answering my phone an hour later,  I grab my bag and head down to my parents vehicle. I slide into the back, and I see my father in the drivers seat, mother in the passenger seat, Patrick in the window seat behind my mother, Robbie in the middle seat between the passenger in the driver in the back, and me right behind the driver. I wave greeting everyone, I get a bunch of we missed you's and oh it's such a sad happy night. I giggle quietly, and Robbie winks at me. I sigh looking out the window as we leave school grounds. I didn't realize we were giving Robbie a ride, but I'm okay with it. It will give me something other then school and my future to talk about at  dinner tonight. I tell everyone how school is going, and get all of the that stuff out of the way, then the questions about boyfriends comes up. 

I look out the window. No, I don't have a boyfriend, but it's still weird. Robbie doesn't take any of it seriously, in fact he tells my parents about who he thinks I'm crushing on. He is always at the top of list as a slight joke. Then when they all see I have no comment about the whole boy situation they move on. Robbie knudges me, giving me a questioning look. I give him back just a brief smile, hoping I just seem like I'm nervous. He makes a funny face, and I giggle knudging him back. He knows how to cheer me up, but it's not enough to get Jake off of my mind. He has said so many things that should make me want to cry. Stuff about me never leaving, and him wanting me and feeling things for me he has never felt before. He has even begged me, and I've heard the desperation in his voice. It's not important. He is just trying to get in my pants right?

"Paige hunny we're here." My mom says pulling me away from Jake and the feelings we have for each other. I nod, hoping out of the car. I go inside telling them I'll them after the show. I make my way to my practice room greeting my crying teacher. I smile as she says "Tears of joy darling, tears of joy!" She shoves me into a dressing room tossing over multiple costumes for me to try. I go through four, until finally I end up in a black swan remake, without the makeup and crown. She does do my make up next, and it's funny getting all the stage make-up put on since I don't really wear make up normally. Then She get's my hair up into one her tight perfect prima ballerina buns, and she shoves me off into the practice room to go over my dance with me one more time. The little kids started about twenty minutes ago, so once I finish my practice, I'll have to get all of my things lined up. I go through it once prefectly, and then I scurry down the hall getting my music set up and talking with the sound guy, along with checking in with the light people.  Then the crowd claps and whistles, and I know it's show time.

The curtain is closed, and I go take my place, out in stage right. Laying down in my little ball I have to start in, I hold up a thumb to my teacher, she wipes away a tear again, and que's the curtains, music, and lights. I take one last deep breath, and then begin. 

I take my bow breathing heavey, as the crowd erupts. I smile, tears coming to my eyes now. My last performance, it was perfect. I didn't screw up anywhere I made all of my jumps, and I landed everything perfectly. Roses fall at my feet, and I do cry. Happy tears! Mrs. Heyings, comes out next to me, and she smiles. I figure she must've told everyone, at least the parents of the younger kids that it was my last performance.  I hug Mrs. Heyings, waving goodbye to the crowd, as the curtains pull closed. 

"Beautiful, beautiful Paige."  She says letting go and rubbing my shoulders. "You have boyfriend waiting for you in dressing room. " She pushes me off stage, smiling. Boyfriend? Robbie? "Very nice looking boy he is, why haven't you introduced us before?" She scolds, and then I'm shoved into my dressing room, and the door behind me closed. Looking back trying to ask her what she is talking about, I let out a humph of air. Okay then. I go to my bag, in which I have my clothes. I pull out everything and grab my bra and underwear. I reach back to unzip my costume, but someone beats me to it. I gasp moving away. 

"Jake!?" I blink, how did he get back here? Why is he back here? Boyfriend. He told Mrs. Heyings he was my boyfriend?! "What in the hell is wrong with you!" I say harshly, grabbing my clothes and going behind the blind stand so he can't see me change. Gosh, and to think I was just about naked in front of him! God, he is here. He actually came! My heart is pounding now, and I'm sure I look like I stuck my face in red paint. Why did he go through all the trouble of getting back here? I can't believe I told him about my dancing, that was my mistake. 

"I told you I was going to come." He sighs. "Do you need help unzipping that?" He asks, I role my eyes. He can't even see me, but apparently he knows I'm struggling. I do need help yes... but I don't want it from him. Besides I dont and can't be that close to him again. "I'll only unzip it I swear. I haven't lied to you before." He sighs, and I come out keeping my head down.  I move my hair for him, and he pulls the zipper down. His hand lingers for a second, but he does as he promised. Changing behind the blind, it's quiet. Once I come back out dressed in my clothes for dinner now, he looks me up and down. 

"Why are you here, Jake." I ask loosing my brave face. I stay as far from him as I can, and busy myself with brushing my hair and  braiding it. "Earlier I sa-"

"I don't give a fuck what you said earlier." He interupts. "You're driving me nuts! In both good and bad ways!" He begins, but seems to not know what to say next.

"I don't know what you want from me." I say calmly. Well, I know one thing and that isn't happening. No matter how much he begs and pleads. Even if he got down on his knees, I would still say no. 

"I don't either!" He expresses, sitting down on the couch in the room. "I just know, you have to be in my life. Not as a tutor, not as someone I see in the hall every once in a while." Our eyes lock, and now tension and lust sparks between us. Why do I feel like this? Why is it that I've never really cared for him until now? It's because I know the real him. I've seen him his good and his bad. 

"Then as what?" I say trying to sound mad, but I just sound confused and tired, which I am. I'm not gonna be a one night stand. Never ever, will I be another one of his girls.  I look towards the door, gosh my parents will be back here soon! What if they walk in and see him? Looking back to the couch, I see he isn't there but directly in front of me. Oh shit. "I'm not a one night thing. You're not couple material. It's simple math... we don't fit."  I bring in school topics. Even though he apparently has an A in every class but  history. 

"We will then some how!" He whispers, reaching up to touch my face. I flinch away. "Paige, I'm not going to hurt you." He whispers, his eyes trembling. " I would never hurt you... not on purpose." He leans in touching our foreheads. 

"You're hurting me." I whisper. "We're bad for each other. I'm hurting you and you're hurting me. Don't you see?" What can I say that will make him understand. No matter what we feel, this wont work out. 

" I see you keep running away, and yeah it's killing me and you." He says grabbing my hands. He holds them tightly, intwining our fingers. 

"Don't you get it? If we are ever anything more then you wont be able to sleep with girls. You're friends might not like you having a girlfriend. And I like the real you, not the cocky jerk you are at school. I don't know what your friends think of the real you... if they've even seen it. 

"Then I wont be him. I'll be me! You help me be me! I can't be me with you, Paige." He whispers, "Don't say goodbye again, we'll figure something else out I know we will. Even if we have to keep it a secret at first." he says, and I open my eyes. He is offering a relationship! A secret one, but still a relatioship. Jake Lincoln is offering me, a chance to go out on dates and fall in love. But Jake Lincoln falling in love... I don't know about that.

"No other girls in the picture?" I ask, I can't believe I'm even thinking about this. My feelings are running amuck!  I know I have feelings for him. Both lust, and liking. 

"I only want you." He he breathes sounding shaky. 

"This is crazy you know that?" I reply and I can feel his nod. "

"But worth it." He chuckles, and I'm being lifted. Our lips touching, softly and passionately. "Oh, your dance was amazing. It was sad, but amazing!" He pulls away and inch, I giggle at his comment. Then pulling him back, I let my thoughts run wild not really paying attention. Then there is a knock at the door. We break appart imediately, and I look at the door horrified. My parents! 

"It's probably my parents! you have to go! Hide something!" I push him towards the bathroom. He opens the door, leaning out and kissing my forehead, something I never pictured Jake Lincoln doing, and smiles at me. "We'll talk later! I've got to go!" I close the door on him. Just as my family busts in, with Robbie behind them.  "Hey guys..." I say. 

"You did awesome!" Robbie compliments wrapping me in a hug. Patrick wiggles his eyebrows at me, and I shake my head slightly. He has always wanted Robbie and I together. He knows I used to have crush on him and he thinks I still do.  "That was so scary crap, but it was awesome." He continues. I laugh slightly. It was ment to be a sad story, it was a story suicide. I didn't make it myself, I couldn't have. I'm not good at making the story, just performing it.

"Thanks." I say, glancing at the bathroom. Jake's in there! "Well... how about we go eat? I'm starving!" I exagerate so I can get them out of the room." I walk with back to the door. "Oh, crap.. I'll might you in the car.. I've got a couple more things to get done here!" I turning back into the room from the hall. I got to the bathroom door and see Jake leaning against the wall talking on his phone.Thank god we didn't hear it ring.  I leave the door open, but go over to my things throwing everything back into my bag. It's not my business who he is talking to, or what they are talking about.

"Alright I'll tell her tomorrow at our session." He says coming out of the bathroom as well. That's right I have to tutor him tomorrow.  "Okay... yeah I'll let her know." He smiles at me, and I smile back. It must be his mom or dad. "I got it Mom..... oh tonight? I decided to go for a drive... oh no right now I'm at a gas station." He says. "Bye, yeah you too." Then he hangs up. I giggle at his conversation, they said I love you! He still tells his mother he loves her, that make him like three thousand more times adorable.  "My mother.." he say embarrassed. 

"She seems very nice." I imply, he nods. "I'm exactually excited to meet her. Your father though.. not so much." I admit.

"Ahh don't worry about my Dad. He just wants me to get life straightened out right now. You know choose a career, college, he thinks I'm slacking." He roles his eyes. "Anyways yeah, my whole family is excited to see you. Jayla mostly. She thinks that I'm secretly seeing you... I guess she is smart."  I feel a slight blush at the mention of us being a thing. It's still unbelievable, and I'll have to see how long it lasts. 

"So you know when the diner is?" I ask, pulling my back over my shoulder.

"Oh yeah, next week on Thursday." He says, and we walk towards the door together. I've probably taken to long as it is but I'll think of some kind of excuse for my family and Robbie.  I'll pick you up at..?" He questions as we walk down the hall. 

"I'll text you my adress." I say, remember he took care of the numbers problem. He smirks, as we leave the building. I hope my parents and Robbie don't see and recognize him. "My parents are watching.." I whisper, and he nods. 

"Later?" He asks, I nod. Then we go our seperate ways, I go to my car, and he goes to his I would assume.  I get in throwing my bag in the back. Everyone is looking at me. 

"What?" I ask, going from everyone face. Did I miss a spot when I was cleaning my face free of make-up?

"Who were you talking to?" My dad turns, sounding very fatherly. Oh jeez!

"He was just another dance student. He was practicing, and he was just telling me goodbye." I say, I look at Robbie seeing if he noticed, he is looking down at his phone and doesn't seems to notice the conversation at all.  "What?"

"He looked nice and good looking from here." My mother smiles at me. I shake my head. They want me to have a boyfriend, well now I guess I have something, but that is a secret for now. 

"No." Is all I say, as we leave the parking lot and head to a restuarant of Patrick's choice. The conversation is dropped right away, and they move on to how good my performance was.