The Innocent and the Bad Boy (CLOSED)

“Do you dare say or think like that,” He said firmly, “You are very special, Paige.”

"Give me one good reason," she replied. Just give me a reason, just a little bit's enough… She'd been listening to too much P!NK…

“You make me feel like my life isn’t worthless, that I can get through my parents crap and be better. You are wonderful and smart and kind to everyone and so, so strong.” Colton ran a hand through her hair.

She broke again. Tears streamed down her cheeks, but they weren't tears of sadness anymore.

Colton shushed her softly again, “Hey, why are you crying now?”

"I never knew… how much… I needed to hear that… until now," she answered through hiccups.

“Well if you ever need to hear them again, just tell me.” Colton said softly.

She nodded slowly. "Okay." A thought hit her. "Shouldn't you be in class?" she asked quietly.

Colton chuckled, “School’s over silly, you’ve been here all day.”

"It's over?" she asked, blinking quickly.

Colton nodded, “Yeah, the days over.”

"My brother will be worried about me," she murmured slowly, thinking aloud.

“Do you want to go to him then?” He asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Yes, he should be waiting for me," she admitted.

Colton nodded, picking her up as he stood before setting her down, “Need a ride home?”

She thought for a moment. "Yes. That would be nice."

“Come on then.” He grabbed his bag and made sure Paige had hers before taking her hand in his and setting off.

Paige let herself relax. Colton was with her, she was getting a ride home. Everything would be alright. As they were walking down the hallway that led to the doors for the student parking lot, someone came up behind them and grabbed Paige's bicep.
"There you are."
Paige jumped and whipped around, staring into the cold face of…
"M-Mom?" she whispered.
"Don't 'Mom' me, young lady! Where have you been all day?!" Mrs. Turner was furious. "I saw you get on the school bus this morning, but all of your teachers said that you weren't in your classes! And who the [heck] is this?!" she snapped.
Paige stammered, "I… I… It- He…"

Colton kept his face hard in a mask of calm rage but he kept a grip on his temper of Paige’s sake, “I’m Colton, Mrs. Paige told me she hasn’t been feeling well today so she skipped, not wanting to bother anybody. She’s still be doing work, though, I saw it myself.”

Mrs. Turner pressed her lips into a thin, pale line.
“Then where were you all day?” she demanded, looking directly at Paige. “No one said that they saw you anywhere!”

“Mrs, I don’t think you should talk to her that way,” Colton said firmly, “And she was on the outskirts of the oval in a small alcove. I should her it the other day.”

“Don’t tell me how to talk to my daughter. Come on Paige,” she retorted, pulling Paige off. “You can ride home with me.”
Paige let out a soft whimper as her fingers were pried from Colton’s. She stumbled several steps before she regained her balance.

Colton glared, “I think that’s for Paige to decide and not you. She’d old enough to make her own choices and doesn’t need to be babied.”

Paige shook her head. “Colton, it’s fine,” she whispered. Her voice sounded strained.

“You don’t sound fine,” Colton said gently, “You shouldn’t let you mother control you.”

“I’m not controlling her, I’m deciding what’s best for her. Now, if you’ll excuse us…” Mrs. Turner marched smartly off towards the faculty and staff parking.

Before Paige could get any further, Colton pulled a small slip of paper out his pocket, “My number, if you ever need an escape.” He whispered, kissing her cheek before heading to his bike.

Paige smiled and buried the paper in her palm so her mother couldn’t take it. She got in the passenger side of the car and looked for him one last time before the car starter and Mrs. Turner ripped out of the parking lot. “I hope you’re happy…” she began.
Oh, I am, Paige thought, able to tune out most of her mother’s angry lecture with thoughts of Colton and the number pressed into her hand.

Colton started his engine and watched Paige pull out of the car park before he smirked and drove past them. He smirked over his shoulder and sped off.

(Timeskip?)