It’s been six months. Six fucking perfect months with Paige. I love her more every day. The guys on my football team tease me all the time for being pussy whipped, but I don’t even try to deny it. Hell yes, I’m pussy whipped by Paige. The guys don’t get it because they don’t love their girls like I love mine. I can see my whole future with Paige, now more than ever.
We still haven’t had sex yet. Since that first night 4 months ago, we’ve done everything, except for sex. Paige has been saying she’s ready –for sure ready – but I didn’t want to push her. I know it’s a big deal for girls. It’s a big deal for me, too, but I care a lot less about the specifics of how it happens. But I know Paige always imagined something special and romantic. I’ve been trying to plan it out. I was thinking about waiting until prom, but that’s still two months away, and it seems a little cliché. I’ll figure it out. I’ve got plenty of time.
I pull up to Paige’s house and see her sitting on the porch steps. I get out of the car and head over to her. It’s not until I get closer that I notice that tears are sliding down her face, and her eyes are blotchy and puffy like she’s been crying for a while. I run the rest of the distance to her and sit down, wrapping her in my arms.
“Paige? What’s wrong?”
She hiccups and bursts into more tears. She buries her face in my chest and sobs harder than I’ve ever seen before. I have no idea how to handle this.
“Did something happen? Paige. I need you to talk to me, baby.”
She lifts her head, and a look of anguish crosses her face. “We’re moving to Chicago.”
My face falls and my stomach clenches. I feel like I’ve just been tackled on the field, hard. I can’t breathe, and my heart feels like someone is squeezing it. I can barely manage the words, “What? When?”
She sniffles, and tears continue to pour down her face. “Next month. My dad’s company is transferring him. It’s a promotion apparently.” She says it so softly.
My heart is breaking. Paige. My Paige is leaving.
My brain is struggling to process this information. Apart from last summer, when I was away at football camp, Paige and I have never really been separated. I can’t imagine her not being at school or coming to my games, or just being around. My whole life seems so profoundly entwined with hers. I’m not even sure I really know who I am without her.
She starts sobbing again, and I hold her close to me. I don’t know how to fix this. I don’t know how to take away her pain when I’m struggling with my own. I thought Paige and I had forever. We’re only 16. Can we really make a long-distance relationship work at 16?
She hugs me tightly and whispers, “I don’t want to leave you, Jack. I love you so much. I don’t want to go.”
I kiss her hair. “I know, baby. I don’t want you to go either.”
I’m struggling to keep my own emotions in check right now, but I need to stay strong for her. We have to make this work. I can’t live without her.