Wishbone

12 - the cut that always bleeds

"Chloe," I felt a gentle, ticklish brush of fingers tucking strands of hair behind my ear as I was pulled out of my dream world. "Chlo, it's nine."

I grumbled softly and stretched, but couldn't reach too far, since I was still tangled in Paige's bare body. My eyes fluttered open in recollection of the night before, and I smiled softly at the girl beside me, who was just watching me with tired eyes. As the memories came back, my heart swelled, and soon I was thoughtless and lost in them. The thought of Paige never failed to give me little butterflies; even moreso when I remembered her rough, breathless voice telling me she loved me.

I then became aware of my own nakedness, and shivered. As much as I loved being cuddly with her, it was cold. The blankets were off us, and the air conditioner was running on high. I pulled myself out of my dreamy state and sat up to grab Paige's shirt from the corner of the bed and put it on myself before I went to the bathroom, which earned a giggle from her. "What am I supposed to wear?"

"I don't know, but it's mine now," I cooed, going to brush my teeth and hair. Since I showered the night before, I would be okay to go about my day without one; I didn't want to wash her body from me anyways. I came back out to Paige dressed in a white tank top she packed, and shredded, blue jeans. As she did her makeup and combed her hair, I decided the best thing to go with her yellow shirt on me was a pair of leggings. She laughed again when she realized I wasn't going to wear my own clothes.

"You're cute," She whispered once we gathered our belongings, taking my hands and facing me. "I love that top, but as long as it's you wearing it, I guess I can spare it."

"I won't let anyone touch it," I promised, tugging her towards the door. "C'mon, we have to meet our moms and Clara before they come find us."

We both left and rode down the elevator to the breakfast lounge, where the rest of our group sat. We had missed the free hotel breakfast, but there was still tea to sip on, which I was eternally grateful for. Yesterday was exhausting, mentally and physically (wink. Sorry, sorry) and Paige and I didn't get to bed until late. Only one event of yesterday, however, replayed over and over in my head. I had sex with Paige.

"Good morning," My mom called as we sat down across from them. "How did you guys sleep last night?"

"Good," Paige answered, playing with a napkin that was on the table. I was glad she answered, because I was cringing, too awkward to. "We just watched TV until bed."

Kelly and my mom exchanged a glance, and I wanted to strangle them both. Clara looked absolutely oblivious to the tension, and kept sipping on her drink. Then, she said loudly, pointing at Paige, "Sure, that's why you have makeup on your neck."

Paige and I simultaneously turned to Clara in rapid shock, our eyes widened. Our moms mirrored our faces; Kelly practically choked on her coffee. The table was almost comedically silent; Paige blushed and rubbed at her neck in embarrassment. Clara laughed, "You guys think I don't hear your jokes?" She gestured to my mom and Kelly, and I gasped.

"Oh," Kelly said, and my mom started laughing too. "Why are you listening to our conversations?"

"Why are you talking about it?" Paige exclaimed nastily, staring at her mom and gripping the napkin. "It's none of your business what I do." I turned toward her in concern and saw her outburst was more driven by discomfort rather than spite, but everyone stopped laughing anyway. I discreetly put my hand on her thigh under the table, rubbing to try and say it's okay. She gulped and looked down at her hands.

"I'm sorry, babe," Kelly managed to say. "You're right, I shouldn't be making jokes or talking about it. You're right."

"I'm sorry too," My mom chimed in.