Sienna watched from the kitchen as Paige made a dash toward the door. She quickly ran back to the garage to put the broom back in place and get rid of the trash. When she finally made it back to the porch she found Paige crying. She knew she must have somehow found out about the engagement.
"Paige..." Sienna said, her voice low and soft. She was unprepared as to what to say but she knew this conversation was probably going to end badly.
"Hey," Paige replied, wiping tears off her face. "Aren't you supposed to be inside with your fiance?" she asked, while picking her hair up in a ponytail. She had a sweater over her legs that she began putting on.
"Paige..." Sienna repeated, she was unable to get the words out.
"Is that all you have to say, Sienna? Paige? You spent a weekend in bed with me. You made me think we were going to be something. Then, you come home and get engaged and all you have to say is Paige...? I should have known better than this!" Paige replied, sounding audibly frustrated.
Sienna looked around and pulled Paige up from the swing. She gave her a hug, she could feel the warmth of Paige's body. That familiar feeling of being safe came over her. She looked at Paige whose face gave away her heartbreak and wiped the tears off her face and kissed her. Paige returned the kiss and for a moment Sienna forgot where she was. Then, she felt Paige's hands against her chest, pulling herself away from the embrace.
"No, Sienna." She said, her tone was firm. "You can't do this! You can't just kiss me, you can't just swoop in and pretend everything is alright when you just said yes to getting married to Andrew." Paige said, feeling herself become more angry than heartbroken.
"Paige, I didn't know he was going to propose, it's not like I'm looking forward to marrying the guy." Sienna replied, her tone sounded helpless.
"So freaking don't! Why is this such a problem, Sienna? Say no! For once in your life stand up for yourself, veer off the damn course!" Paige responded, her eyes filled with tears. "Listen to yourself, you literally just said you're not looking forward to marrying the guy you got engaged to twenty minutes ago. What's wrong with you?" Paige asked, feeling a knot begin to form in her throat.
Sienna had no response to Paige's words because she was right. She only wished she had the courage to do what Paige was asking her to do but how could she possibly crush her parents dreams? They always wanted the best for her and unfortunately that meant her marrying a guy. What would everybody say if she came out as a lesbian? She was so close to her family she'd probably have to settle for a life of solitude. Could she really drop everything she knew for a chance at love?
It took Sienna some convincing to get Paige to at least stay the night. She even offered to pay for her plane ticket back to Florida if it meant she didn't take off in the middle of the night with hurt feelings. When Sienna woke up she found that Paige had already packed her things and was no longer in the bedroom.
Sienna got out of bed when she heard what she thought was an argument. Alarmed, she made her way toward her bedroom window.
"You're a chump, Phoenix."
"Yeah, alright. Let's see about that! I'm gonna beat you so bad you're going to wish you never set foot in Arkansas." Natasha said.
"Quit stalling and do something about it." Paige responded, while dribbling a basketball. The sound of the ball hitting the pavement echoed into the quiet morning.
Natasha tried to swipe the ball from Paige whose impressive athletic abilities were clearly more than just average. Paige crossover dribbled the ball between her legs and made her way toward the basket while Natasha continued to guard her. Paige pulled a reverse layup, and scored on Natasha who was fooled by the play. Natasha had ridden the bench through high school basketball but somehow still maintained the delusion that she was a phenomenal player. Paige was doing a good job at proving to her that maybe it was time to hang those basketball shoes and tuck away those dreams of being in the WNBA.
It was moments like this that threw Paige completely off. When had Andrew ever made an effort with her family? When had Andrew ever done something that didn't benefit him? Sure, he was a good guy and yada yada yada but was he good for her? Sienna's thoughts were interrupted by the ding of her phone.
Speak of the devil she thought to herself.
Babe, I know we made plans for tonight but I have to cancel. I think i'm catching a cold or something. I'd hate to come near you and the family and get you all sick. I'll let you know how I feel tomorrow.
Sienna felt relieved that she wouldn't have to interact with Andrew. Should she really feel relief that plans were cancelled with the man she was now engaged to? She quickly shot Andrew a text offering him some soup and anything he might need to get through the day. Sienna heard a knock on the door just as she finished getting dressed. When she opened the door Paige was standing in front of her.
"We need to talk," Paige said, entering the room determined. She ran her fingers through her hair and nervously paced.
"Paige, I know what you're going to say and it's not like I haven't given it much thought. I actually just wanted to say that I haven't ruled out coming out to my family. I just need you to be patient, I need you to let me do this on my own terms." Sienna replied, trying to connect with Paige who was listening intently. "I need a little time to let it set in my own mind. Just because you want me to come out, you want to be with me, doesn't mean it's the right time. I know it may sound like I'm putting it off but if you only-"
"Andrew is cheating on you." Paige said, interrupting Sienna's speech.
"What..." Sienna felt out of breath almost as if Paige had just punched her in the gut. She walked over to the bed and sat down.
"I heard him talking to a girl on the phone last night while I waited to be picked up. He was telling her he had to work and he couldn't wait to spend the night with her. The girl must have really been pressuring for him to go over." Paige responded, feeling the words come out of her mouth, she no longer had control over what she said.
"That's impossible, Paige. He was probably talking to...yeah no. I couldn't even imagine Andrew talking to another girl." Sienna replied now in complete denial.
"There's more. Yesterday, he came into the bedroom when I was alone waiting for you. He made it a point to let me know you'd never believe me over him and then he offered to make me straight. The slimeball hit on me on the same night you guys got engaged." Paige responded, finally feeling some relief from the burden she had been carrying. The secret that had been kept for less than twenty-four hours had been eating up at her and she was dying to unload it.
"Paige, I know you're used to getting your way but this isn't the right approach. Lying to me about Andrew to push me into something isn't going to work. So, just get whatever's left of your things and I'll figure out a way to get you on the next flight out of here." Sienna replied, she looked at Paige with different eyes this time, she looked at her with disdain.
"No, Sienna, it's the truth! I'm a lot of things, I'm irresponsible and when it comes to women my decisions are highly questionable but i'm not a liar. I would never make something up like this!" Paige responded, feeling defensive.
"Paige, leave!" Sienna replied, feeling anger rise from her chest up to her throat.