Preview
(anyone up for a new paily fic? i plan to start posting a multi-chapter story, tentatively titled, “i’ve been here all along,” on friday, march first. preview below the break.)
On this trip, as usual, Paige started to lean forward as she sensed the car decelerating. Nick had pulled to a stop in a line of traffic at the busy, four-way intersection in front of the Rosewood Community Center. Paige scooted up in her seat and looked out of the window, her eyes quickly focusing on three people waiting on a bench. Pam Fields was sitting with her daughter and her daughter’s friend, Hanna Marin, waiting for Hanna’s mother to pick them up. Paige’s eyes were glued on Emily as she and Hanna played pat-a-cake, or one of its many variations. The two of them looked so happy. It must be great, Paige thought, to have a friend. Both girls were smiling broadly as they clapped hands together in ever more intricate patterns and rhythms until, finally, Emily slapped her hand to her head, squealing in embarrassed delight, after she messed up. Paige, without thinking about it, squealed herself, earning some attention from the front seat.
“Well, something’s caught your eye,” Marlene said in her gruff voice, turning towards the backseat, “hasn’t it, Paige?”
Paige nodded eagerly, almost standing up in her car seat as she looked longingly at the goings-on in on the bench in front of the community center.
“Swim classes start July 18th,” Marlene said, reading the banner on the lawn in front of the community center. “You like swimming?”
