Paige & Darren Private one-on-one (@Typhoon1912)

"Nope," she grinned. She pushed the thought of going home from her mind. She didn't even want to consider the option.

“ how long do you wish to sit in the parking lot for?”

"Until… forever!" She giggled.

Darren laughed, “Fine, fine but if I starve to death you’re the fridge to blame,”

"Okay, but there's a Chick-fil-a right over there," Paige pointed out teasingly.

“ are you going to Pee in a cup for the rest your life?”

"Eww, gross!" Paige hit his arm. "No, that disgusting!"

“See?! Then we can’t stay here forever how are you go to the bathroom?” He was holding back laughter as best he could.

Paige frowned and crossed her arms. "Fine, have it your way. "

Darren’s smile fell, had he upset her? “OK we can stay… Forever,“

Paige rolled her eyes. "We'd… run out of air."

"Babe… The car… it has windows," He pointed out.

Babe? "We'd… miss our school work?" she put in teasingly.

"Ha! What school work?!"

"The stuff from my m-" She realized what she was about to say and cut herself off quickly. "The stuff that our teachers assign us."

"Ooookay, why would I miss that?"

"I don't know," Paige responded. He hadn't noticed her slip. Good.

It's not that he hadn't noticed it's just that he thought she had simply mispoke, "Perfect, shall we stay forever or go to another destination?"

Stay. "Go. I… I guess."

"Where would you like to go?" he smiled kindly, he'd take her anywhere.

Anywhere but- "Home." Her voice was flat. It didn't have its usual but if happiness and innocence.

Darren looked at her, "Do you need me to come in with you when I drop you off?" He sensed something wasn't right and had the urge to protect her.

(Hey there! What did you realize before?)

"I'll be fine," Paige said with what she paired with a smile that she hoped would convince him.

Darren sat unconvinced, "Okay, rephrase," He said as he began to drive, "Can I come in with you?"

"I'll be fine," Paige repeated firmly.

"Okay, you have my phone number if you need it,"

"I know," she said slowly.

"Okay," he pulled in front of her house, "I'm serious, I don't care if it's 1 in the morning and you don't want to get up to get water, you call that number and I'll be there, okay?"

"Why don't you stay? For dinner?" Paige asked quickly. "My mother won't mind." You're dang right she won't…