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

"What? I mean I can, sure!" This was sudden.

"Only if you want to. I just want you to meet my family. I promise that they don't bite." Ha ha…

"I'd love to!" He smiled, slightly concerned but more than willing.

"Okay," Paige sighed, relieved. She'd thought that he would say no. The front door of her house opened and a voice came from inside the house that seemed to shake the world. "PAAAAAAAAAAAAIGE!" Paige quickly looked at her lap and blushed. It didn't even have to be in public anymore…

Darren looked up, "Why are you blushing at your name?"

"It's my mom… We should go inside bef- Yeah, we should go inside."

Before what? Darren opened the door and circled around the car, opening the door for Paige as always.

Paige smiled gratefully and got out. She could see a shadow in the doorway. "Oh gosh. Uh, not to worry you, but severely overprotective brother at 12 o'clock. "

Darren picked his head up and looked straight ahead, “Pfft, I’m sure it’ll be fine,” he grinned, “I’m told I’m a gentleman,”

"By who?" Paige asked teasingly. "The Federal Bureau of Fake Compliments?"

“Yeah, the FBFC,” he joked, “They are a kind people,”

"Yes. Very real." Paige looked so serious, like it really was real. She'd gotten quite used to controlling her facial expressions and tone of voice to get away with lying about things that were so outrageous. For a split second, she forgot that she was talking to Darren and accidentally said, perfectly fake, "Of course I went." Realizing what she said, she quickly looked at her feet and blushed.

“Well I don’t know, I think you going is unnecessary… you get all the real complaints daily right?”

Paige blinked. "Wh-What?"

Darren shook his head with a smile, “Nevermind, we should go inside.”

"Okay," Paige said. She put her hand on the door, and the instant she touched it, it swung open. Paige jumped back into Darren in surprise.

Darren caught her, "Careful," he smiled and looked up at who had opened it so suddenly.

A frowning boy who looked to be older than both Paige and Darren was standing there. He eyed Darren's hands on Paige and narrowed his eyes a little more.
"Brys, come on," Paige muttered. Louder, she said, "Uh, Darren, this is my older brother Bryson. Brys, this is Darren."
"Hey," Bryson said coldly.

Darren smiled charmingly, "Hey, good to meet you,"

"So. What were you doing with my sister?" Bryson asked sharply.
Paige looked down at her sneakers.

"Oh, she uhh, she asked for a ride home from school so I helped out… Hope you don't mind,"

Bryson squinted. "Really? It's a little late, don't you think?"
"Brys…" Paige muttered.

"Sorry, traffic,"

"Uh huh…" Bryson didn't look so sure.
"Bryson, calm down!" Paige insisted defensively.

"Is there a problem?" Darren asked innocently, he knew what it was but playing dumb was safer.

"Guys don't usually drive my sister home from school unless they're planning something," Bryson stated.
"Bryson! Stop!" Paige scoffed.

“Plans? I was just planning on being a nice guy. I’m sorry if my genuine kindness bothers you,”

"I'm sorry. There was one nice guy in the past that put things into perspective for me. So, if you would kindly tell me what your true intentions are with my little sister, I-"
"STOP! Both of you! Please!" Paige yelled suddenly. They had been too busy arguing, debating, what have you, that they hadn't noticed her being to shake. Or cry quietly.
Bryson immediately softened. "Paige…"

Darren looked down at Paige, when he noticed her shaking he slipped an arm around her, “Hey I’m sorry,” he said softly, “I… are you okay?”

"I'll distract Mom, okay? Just go up to your room and we'll talk, okay?" Bryson instructed quietly and gently.
Paige nodded, shifting closer to Darren.
Bryson observed Darren, then spoke. "Make sure she gets there fine, okay? I'll be up in a minute or two." With that, he disappeared into the house.
Paige looked at Darren. "Come on, let's go."