Paige leaned against him. He was strong, and she needed him more than anything right now. I was stupid to think Hannah wouldn't read it – who was I kidding?
He ran a hand through her hair, whispering words of comfort and giving her all the support she needed.
(Have you seen the show How I Met Your Mother?)
(No I haven't, why?)
(Cause I'm going to use a character from the show as Paige's past alter-ego.)
Paige sighed. "Hannah's probably going to tell everyone who I really am since she read this, so I guess there's no more hiding it. I want to tell you so you don't have to worry about rumors or anything like that." She took a deep breath. "I moved here at the beginning of the school year this year. Over the summer, I lived in California. For all of my life before that…" She bit her lip. "I lived in Canada, and I was a teen pop star named Robin Sparkles." She braced herself for his response. Laughing and mocking were the most common two, and she didn't expect any more than that.
(Okay)
Colton raised an eyebrow, but he had a fond smile on his face, "I think that's really cool. What did you do while you were Robin Sparkles?" He asked gently, running a hand through her hair again.
"I wrote songs. I filmed music videos." She turned pink. "I had a hit single…" Put on your jelly bracelets…
Colton's mouth dropped in amazement, "Paige that's incredible!" He picked her up and spun her around once.
She shrieked in surprise and joy. Her eyes were shining excitedly. "Y-You mean it?"
"Of course I mean it! I wouldn't lie to you, Paige." He smiled down at her.
And your cool graffiti coat. She smiled happily. "I'm glad that you know now, before Hannah spread the news."
"Me too, I'd rather it came from you then her," He kissed her cheek, "Now, weren't we going to that mountain spot?"
"Yes," she said softly, overjoyed that he wasn't mad, or upset, or worse… "Want to hear my song?" she asked shyly as they walked back to the car.
Colton grinned, "I'd love to, but only if you're comfortable with sharing it." He said, opening the door for her.
"I am with you," she said, sliding into the car with her possessions tight in her grasp.
"Okay, well, I fitted the car with an aux chord so you can go ahead and play it when you what to."
Paige plugged her phone into the speakers and the beginning of her song began to play.
Let's go to the mall, everybody!
Come on Jessica! Come on Tori!
Let's go to the mall, you won't be sorry!
Put on your jelly bracelets –
And your cool graffiti coat!
At the mall, having fun is what it's all about.
Colton couldn't help but smile during the song as he drove them out of the school grounds. It wasn't what he would normally listen to but he still thought it was a cool song.
The familiar lyrics felt slightly nostalgic for Paige. She missed her Canadien lifestyle more than she thought she did.
I haven't done my homework yet – That's OK!
And you know how my parents get – Whatever.
I don't care, 'cause all my friends are gonna be there
Everybody come and play!
Throw every last care away!
Let's go to the mall, today!
He tapped along to the beat on the wheel, letting himself go for a while.
Paige remembered her next lyrics and blushed.
There's this boy I like
Met him at the food court.
He's got hair like Gretzky
And he does jumps on his skateboard.
I hope he asks me out,
Takes me to my favorite spot.
It'll be just him and me
But don't forget the robot!
Dad says I'm too young to date – Lame!
But baby, I don't want to wait – Let's do it!
That's OK, I'm going to rock your body anyway!
I'm going to rock your body 'til Canada Day!
Colton sent her a wink, grinning widely.
She blushed shyly as the chorus returned.
Everybody come and play!
Throw every last care away!
Let's go to the mall, today!
He focused on the road, humming quietly to the song.
I went to the mall with a couple of friends.
I had a whole week's allowance to spend!
I want hoop earrings and a Benetton shirt
We came here to shop and we came here to flirt.
I turned around and who should I see – Prime Minister Brian Mulroney!
He said, "Young lady, I don't approve."
So I had to get down and bust a crazy move!
Hit it, Fred! Come on!
Let's go to the mall!
Paige blushed harder at her silly lyrics. Well, now he knew the real her…
Colton chuckled a little but it wasn't a mean laugh, it was a happy laugh as he tried his best to sing along to the lyrics.
The song eventually finished, and the opening instrumentals for the next song played before Paige could stop it. She hit pause quickly. Not yet. "So, um… what did you think?"
"I like it! It's not something that I've considered listening to before but I still like it," He smiled, "I'm proud of you."
Paige – rather, Robin – turned pink. "You really like it?"
"I do. Again, it's not something I would normally listen too but I do, really."
