Melskies: ryder and Christian ARE awesome aren’t they? I’m half in love with Christian, but I prefer Zach…somehow..lolz…but my favest is still Dec!!! He’ll be back! I promise! Sorry nothing about Dec in this chap…mwa!

passion101: let’s see if I can make it even MORE exciting!! mwa!

D.H. L’Orange: you got ur wish!!!! I’m gonna be putting up more dance scenes…so…coming soon!!! Thanks for reading from the time I put up this fic until now! mwa!

ATTITUDE01: Dec’s turn is up in the next one!!! Gotta plan what’s gonna happen 1st though…P mwa!

Limegreenqueen: ooooooooooo…sounds dangerous…sob sob I dun wanna die!!! Hehehhehe…I wouldn’t worry about Paige and Dec if I were you! Aw, I don’t wanna break any hearts…soooo…blweks mwa!

Thanks all!!! Enjoy this chappie…hope y’all like it!!!

LuVaLwIz

-LiNz--

Chapter Twelve

“…I’ve known Zach for quite some time. He’s my aunt’s neighbour. You know, that aunt of mine who’s living in Vermont?”

At Paige’s nod, she grinned in satisfaction and continued, “She told me Zach was here so we came up to see him. And watch the concert too. We’d already been toying with the idea of coming up for the concert so Zach was like an added bonus.”

“Coincidence,” Paige grinned, turning to watch Zach talking to her guys.

“He’s very good-looking, isn’t he?” Kimmie asked slyly.

“Quite,” was the only noncommittal reply she received.

“Your friend Paris seems to have developed somewhat of a liking for him, if I’m right?” Kimmie winked, watching Paris talk animatedly to Zach.

“You presume right,” Paige laughed, thinking of her giddy friend fondly. It was hard not to like Paris and her crazy ways.

“So how have you been doing? Have you heard from Dec?” Kimmie pressed on eagerly, her blue eyes shining hungrily for news about the boy Far, Far Away.

“Yeah I do get news from him. He seems to have settled in well in Australia, not that I doubted that for a second. We exchange e-mails every two days or so,” Paige shrugged, hugging her knees to her chest.

Kimmie growled, causing Neal to grin broadly. “That boy! Wait ‘til I see him again. Some kind of friend he’s turned out to be.”

Neal hugged her tightly by way of comfort and sympathy.

Paige couldn’t help feeling a little envious that they were still together, and still so much in love. Unlike Declan and herself, forced to part because they had been heading separate ways.

Dec, I miss you.

Kimmie obviously noticed her wistful look because she smiled understandingly and changed the topic. They talked and chatted about Kimmie’s new pet dog (his name was Biscuit, by the way), and Neal’s track scholarship.

“Right, the concert’s starting,” Neal warned them, turning back to face the stage.

Paige turned to watch Paris talking animatedly with Zach.

“I think she’s in love,” Paige grinned conspiratorially at Kimmie and Neal. They nodded and winked.

--

“That was fantastic!”

Paige was practically bubbling with excitement, jumping with every step as she walked in between Zach and Kimmie.

“My first rock concert!” she marvelled, grinning at both of them stupidly.

“You don’t have to sound so excited, you know,” Kimmie grinned, pulling on her arm to slow her jumping.

Zach laughed, looking down at Paige.

“How did you get here Zach?” she asked him, grinning brightly.

“My bike,” he shrugged, smiling.

“That explains the jacket.” She touched the leather jacket he’d put on once they’d started moving away from their spot.

“We’ve got to get back to campus. As it is, we’ll probably arrive there right before curfew,” Ryder spoke up, nodding to Kimmie and Neal.

“Right. Paige, we’ll see you around. We’ll look you up whenever we’re in town, since now we know that Zach and yourself are in the same campus,” Neal said, smiling warmly.

Paige noticed all the “we”s he used, and couldn’t help but feel a little sad.

He exchanged a hug with her, and then it was Kimmie’s turn.

All Kimmie had to say was, “Take care of yourself, Paige. Take care of Zach too.”

“Hey!” Zach protested, laughing when Kimmie launched herself upon him and hugged him tightly.

Neal retrieved her and they left, laughing together.

“So you ready to head back?” Christian asked all of them.

They nodded, including Zach.

They started moving towards the parking lot, but Zach stopped Paige.

“You want something?” she grinned at him.

“Wanna come back with me?”

Paige stared at him, then her eyes darted to Paris doubtfully.

Sure enough, Paris had heard, and she’d seen. She stared at them for a long moment, then flounced away with Ryder by her side. Actually, she dragged him away.

Ryder could do nothing else but shoot a bewildered look at Paige before he was forcibly pulled away.

“Paige?”

It was Christian, waiting patiently to hear her reply.

“Chris, would you mind if I…?” Paige didn’t finish her question, because Christian knew her well enough by then to figure out what she was going to say.

He shrugged, smiling pleasantly.

“I’ll wait up for you if you arrive later. If you get to the room earlier, and we aren’t there yet, you know what to do,” Christian nodded, ruffling her hair fondly. He exchanged a handshake with Zach.

“Don’t worry about Paris. She’ll come around,” was his parting whisper.

She squeezed his arm gratefully and watched him walk away.

“So, are we good to go?” Zach was observing her expectantly.

She nodded, grinning happily.

He led her to his motorcycle, pulling up the seat and removing a spare helmet. He’d been carrying his all along.

She stared at it like it was something from outer space.

He chuckled, taking it from her hands. He put it over her head and helped her fasten it.

“Never rode on a bike before?”

She shook her head.

He gestured for her to get up on the bike and she did so.

He got up in front of her.

“You’d better hold on tight,” he instructed, starting up the bike.

She wrapped her arms around his waist tightly, and couldn’t help noticing that he felt solid. Nicely buff, came the errant thought.

She pushed it out of her mind quickly, not wanting to be thinking about another guy.

His laugh broke her unwelcome thoughts. “Not that tight! I still have to breathe.”

She let go, feeling embarrassed.

“Aw, don’t be like that,” he said, holding her wrists gently and pulling her arms around his waist.

“Like that. See?”

She nodded against his back.

“Here we go.”

And they roared away.

--

The moment she walked into the room, Paris launched at her.

“How could you? You know I fancied him!”

Paige heaved a tired sigh. “He’s a new guy Paris. He asked, but you walked off when I was about to suggest he take you instead. What was I to do then?”

Paris didn’t look at all reassured by Paige’s words.

“Why would he ask you? You always get the guys Paige. I can’t help but feel envious about that,” Paris moaned, slightly distraught by now.

“Paris, you’re reading a little too much into this small incident. He probably asked me to accompany him because we have friends in common, so maybe he feels closer to me or something,” Paige frowned, honestly thinking Paris was overreacting.

Paris didn’t look at all reassured to hear that, but she subsided anyway, giving way for the time being.

Christian just winked encouragingly over Paris’ shoulder.

She rolled her eyes, grinning, heading for the bathroom to do her nightly routine.

When she re-emerged, she came across Paris, sleeping soundly in her own bed. Obviously the night’s fiasco hadn’t bothered her much.

“Oh you’re out,” Ryder whispered, popping his head into the room.

He beckoned for her to come out.

She followed at his heels into their small living room.

“What’s this all about?” she demanded immediately when she saw Christian seated there too.

He just shrugged sheepishly. “Not feeling sleepy yet so we thought we’d bug you about after.”

“After?” she questioned, not understanding. She made herself comfortable, sitting at his side, snuggling into the crook of his arm.

“After Zach offered you a ride,” Ryder wiggled his eyebrows.

“Guys, it was nothing!” she protested, wondering if the world was going mad or something.

“Yeah, we know that,” Christian said impatiently. “However, we also know that that was your virgin trip on a power bike!”

“Yeah, spill girl. How was it?”

“It was fine,” Paige allowed, her cheeks staining a little pink when she remember that thought about Zach’s pecs.

Unfortunately for her, both Ryder and Zach could read her like a book.

“Heavens, she’s blushing!” Ryder exclaimed in astonishment.

“Do you think that’s a sign?” Christian had his own little statement to add.

“Care to tell us what that becoming blush is for?”

In hushed tones, she told.

They whooped, exchanging delighted grins.

“That sounds hot!” Ryder mocked, fanning himself. “I’d go for him if I weren’t so straight!”

“Oh the horrors!” Christian gasped, laughing breathlessly.

Paige smacked them both playfully, then settled back down on her comfortable perch.

“I’d sure like to see how you react around him tomorrow,” Ryder put in, reminding Paige that this was a school night.

“Night guys! Don’t stay up too late! And don’t do anything I wouldn’t do,” she winked cheekily before closing the door behind her.

“That girl is impossible!” Ryder declared as both boys too retired into their bedroom.

--

The four roommates walked into the main campus building to find the entire hallway packed. Students were crowded around the bulletin board, voices raised, shouting to one another. The students and the back of the crowd were fighting their way to the front.

“What’s up? This place turned into a market overnight,” Christian muttered, bewildered.

“Hey all,” Zach strolled up.

“Hey. What’s happening?” Paris spoke up immediately, cutting Paige off. She shot her a challenging glare.

Paige arched one eyebrow.

Looks like Paris is taking this too seriously.

“Something about an international competition,” he shrugged, not seeming to know very much about it.

“Oh, right. Declan forwarded a link to the competition site,” Paige recalled. “It’s held annually, sponsored by Chauffman and Companies.”

“Anyone up for it?” Zach grinned.

No one said a word.

“Come on, I think it’ll be great fun,” he pressed.

“Great fun? How British,” Paige remarked. “I’ve already signed up. Why don’t you go for it, Paris?”

“I’ll think about it,” Paris hedged.

Paige nudged her. Hard.

“Ow, what did you do that for?” Paris whined, rubbing her arm.

“Zach obviously wants to join. If you say you’ll join, he just might become your partner. What do you have to lose? If he doesn’t become your dance partner for the comp, you don’t have to join,” Paige hissed.

“What about you? You’ve joined but you don’t have a partner yet,” Paris whispered.

“Did I just hear you correctly? You’ve been treating me like public enemy number one and now you’re thinking of me? Go for it! I’m planning on asking Christian anyway,” Paige shot back.

“You know what? I think I’ll join,” Paris said mock-thoughtfully, just loud enough for Zach to hear.

Fortunately for her, Zach hadn’t seemed to have noticed the little battle that had just taken place.

“Do you think we could be partners?” he asked Paris.

Paige winked at Paris, and nodded vigorously. She stood next to Zach, so he couldn’t see her.

“Nice work,” her two boys muttered in her ear. They watched Zach and Paris walk ahead of them, arm in arm, talking about the routines they would be doing.

“Ever thought of opening a matchmaking service?” Christian nudged her, teasing.

“No, but I’ve thought about making you my partner for the competition. What say you?” she winked.

“I say…of course,” he pretended to ponder upon her request.

“Don’t look so hurt Ryder. You won’t be around then anyway so don’t even try to make me feel bad,” Paige waggled her finger warningly at her friend.

Ryder rolled his eyes. “Right, I forgot you’d asked if I’d be heading back during the hols.”

“Serves you right.”

“Say that again,” he dared her.

“No.”

“I win.”

“What?”

--

“So have you guys decided on your routine yet?” Paige dug her elbow gently into Zach’s arm.

“No, she seems to be quite indecisive,” he laughed.

“That good or bad?”

“Depends. I find it quite amusing at times, but it gets frustrating, if you know what I mean,” Zach confided.

“Right, that’s Paris all right. I know; I’ve gone through that,” Paige sympathized, chuckling.

“You?”

“Me what?”

“Your dance routine?”

“Oh. We’ve decided already, but you’re gonna have to wait, just like everyone else, to see what we’re planning to do,” Paige winked, wiggling her shoulders to some imaginary tune running in her mind.

“What’s that?” Zach’s ears perked up.

“That’s music, Mr. Smarts. You know, a combination of melodies made up of musical notes and…” Paige began, but squealed when Zach seized her around her waist and hoisted her over his shoulder.

“Hey, Zach! You want to be talking to my face right? Not my ass. That’s what people usually do you know,” she blurted out, pounding her fists against his back.

“Say some more and you’ll not be touching ground anytime soon,” he threatened.

“Big bully,” she sniffed. “Just because you’re bigger’an me, and stronger’an me and taller’an me…”

“Just say sorry already Paige and I’ll set you down all right,” Zach let out, sounding frustrated.

She grinned smugly. “Sorry,” she said flippantly, not meaning it at all.

He set down but didn’t let go. He frowned, “You sure sounded pretty happy about that.”

She flashed him a wide smile. “Come on, you know you can’t stay mad with me for very long.”

He merely rolled his eyes in a “God help me” way and dragged her towards the music.

They came across a bunch of other students sprawled on the green lawn, bobbing their heads to the beat of the music that blared out from the little hi-fi system perched on a tree stump.

One of the guys looked up when he heard them approaching. Paige faintly remembered him being her fellow classmate in her Salsa course.

“Hey, it’s Paige!” he grinned brightly in welcome. “Dance for us, Paige.”

“Only if all of you dance too,” she acquiesced.

“Awright!” they whooped and cleared their books and bags from the clearing.

Within seconds they had a dance session in full swing.

Despite being good friends by now, Paige had never danced with Zach yet. Dancing with him now, she was impressed. He was a fine dancer, one who bothered with technique and whatnots. He didn’t just dance, he danced with finesse and mastery. Strong yet light moves.

“You’re good,” she marvelled.

“So are you,” he raised his eyebrow. “Where did you learn to dance like that?”

“Ms. Phillips. She got me into dance when I was small. I had the same dance partner for twelve years,” Paige smiled wistfully, wishing Declan was right in front of her then. She could picture his loved face so clearly; it was as if he hadn’t left and they weren’t far from each other.

“You love him.” It wasn’t a question, but a statement.

Zach could see Paige had feelings that ran deep for this Declan guy. It was written all over her face, her body language.

“Where is he now?”

“Australia,” she smiled slightly, remembering what Declan had written about his roommate and that girl, Nikki.

“Ouch, that’s far,” he winced.

“Yeah, but I’ll be seeing him now and then,” she shrugged sadly, suddenly on the verge of tears.

He pulled her closer. “You’ll be seeing him soon enough,” he teased lightly, wiping a tear that rolled down her cheek.

“What do you mean?” She perked up immediately, her eyes brimming with hope.

“The competition’s in Australia, if you hadn’t noticed, dear girl. I’d bet anything Declan will be joining too,” Zach tapped her nose, squeezing her comfortingly.

She smiled happily, counting down the days until the competition. She couldn’t wait to see Declan!

Paige and Ryder: 2

Paige and Christian: 2

Paris and Ryder: 4

Paris and Christian: 0