- Set Me Free; Joshua Bassett - 

Paige Holland

"You need to look at it from her side, P," Logan spoke as he took a bite of his burrito. I slouched back in my chair, unhappy with his advice. "I can't say who's right or wrong. I just know it's really tearing into our friend group."

"Well she blew up for no reason!" I exclaimed, glaring at someone when they looked over at us. "It was out of nowhere, L. One second I was getting her ready for the party the next she was saying all of these horrible things about me. I get it, maybe I was a little bit in the wrong for what happened with Asher but she said she was over it and she can't just keep throwing it in my face."

"Is she really throwing it in your face?" Logan asked, sending me a look.

"It happened forever ago, Logan. Just like the party when this all happened. I mean, she forgave you and you did something wrong!" I exclaimed.

"I told her I wouldn't tell you something and told. I didn't steal her boyfriend," He said.

"Asher was never her boyfriend," I said, clenching my jaw. My fist clenched as well, anger coursing through me.

"But they were a thing, right? Kinda like her and Carter?" He asked. I could see the sadness in his eyes at the mention of Rory and Carter, but was quick to ignore it.

"I mean, if you think her going after someone she has absolutely no chance with is a thing, sure." I shrugged. Which technically speaking could go both ways - with Asher and Carter - in my opinion. But I guess everyone's thinking differently about this situation.

Logan stared at me with a blank expression, one I couldn't understand. Finally, he sighed as he pinched the bridge of his nose. "Paige, I love you-" He stopped, thinking of his next words. "But you're very unaware."

"What?" I asked, "Are you kidding me right now Logan? That's crazy coming from you! You're the one madly in love with my lame cousin when she's shown no interest in you. Just saying."

"And I'm just saying-" He stopped, his jaw clenching from my choice of words. "If you really liked someone and you walked in on her making out with them, would you be very happy?" He asked.

"Aurora doesn't 'makeout' with people." I cringed at the thought, "I'd be surprised if she's ever even kissed anyone. I mean I know there's that rumor going around that she and Carter were making out at homecoming or whatever but that doesn't always mean it's true. We all know how Kaya White works, almost anything and everything she says is a lie."

"Paige, listen to yourself please." He put his unfinished burrito on his plate, "I'm all for defending you but this is at a point where I just can't. I've already been called a colorful choice of names just for continuing to hang out with you despite the shitty things you said, so your acting like this every time we hang out does nothing but prove everyone's point."

"None of you thought so shitty of me until Aurora moved here," I pouted, resting my chin in my hand. I tapped my fingers against the table in thought, my eyes moving around the slightly busy restaurant.

"We don't think so shitty of you in general, Paige." Logan sighed. He leaned back, seeming to be done with his food. "We just think the things you said were shitty. Whether it was her that blew up first or said things first, you said very harsh stuff worse than she did. We all heard it, there's no excusing it no matter how close we are. Have you ever thought about just sitting down with her and genuinely finding out why she's acting the way she is? Everyone has a reason for acting the way they do for the most part. Especially if you've never gone this long without being okay and her having never blown up like this before."

"You don't think I've tried? We have to see each other whether she likes it or not, Logan." I sternly said, my eyes on his. "She ignores me. Anytime I try to talk to her about everything she shoots me down. I can only do so much at family gatherings and she acts like nothing's wrong, then the moment I confront her privately she's quick to shut me down. At school, for instance, she shot me down and didn't let me explain. Instead started yelling at me like some mad woman even though people were staring - which is never like her by the way."

"Have you ever thought of seeing her side of things?" He asked, holding a hand out. "I'm not meaning for you to sit and try to say why you said what you said, but her side. Not yours."

"You really think she'll let me?" I asked, biting my lip. As much as I don't want to sit and listen to her excuse as to why she blew up on me the way she did, maybe Logan's right. The entire friend group gets this weird tension when I'm around, and I'm lucky if Aurora even looks in my direction. I'm tired of this divide that never happened until Aurora moved here, and at this point, I'm willing to do anything to get it over with. Even if it means pushing out some bullshit apology that I don't really mean.

"She doesn't want to hear stupid apologies. Maybe she just wants you to hear her side of things and take her feelings into consideration." He wrapped his trash up in the bag, scooting out of the booth. "Why don't you try that?" He then asked.

I sighed, thinking over my options as he went and threw his trash away. He was right, but I'm just not good at listening when it comes to things like that. I've never had Aurora blow up on me the way she did, so I don't know what to do or how to act. I don't know how to fix... whatever's going on between us.

And it doesn't help she thinks I just want close to her to control her again when that's really not what I want.

I scooted out of the booth, following Logan out of the restaurant. We walked over to where we were parked side by side, and I leaned against the driver's side of the door.

"She's hurt, Paige. Whether it happened yesterday or three years ago, she's going to need time to get over it. She can't just forget about it in a day." He shrugged, pulling his keys from his pocket. "It took her a while to forgive me, but I'm thinking it was easier for her to do that because she doesn't know me the way she does you. You're her cousin, you've known each other your whole lives. She considered you her best friend, when you're hurt by someone so close to you it takes forever to get over it."

"It's not fair," I said. "It makes me look like a worse person." It's true. Aurora of all people ignoring me the way I did made me feel like such a... loser. My own cousin who never had any friends up until a few months ago won't even look at me. How bad of a person do I have to be to deserve that?

Call me selfish, but I don't believe I deserve that treatment, no matter what it is I did.

"Well maybe it's not fair for her either." He unlocked the car, opening the door. "You don't have to talk to her, I'm just saying that nothing's going to get anywhere if you don't own up to your mistakes."

Logan didn't say anything after that. He just got into his car, buckled up, and pulled out of the lot. This left me there alone, and I didn't waste a second before getting into my own car. I sat in the parking lot for a while thinking about it, watching as she read and ignored another one of my many texts.

Texting and calling are going to get nowhere, simply because she can just keep ignoring it. If she really wanted to she could block me, but I think the only reason she hasn't is because she knows if her mother finds out she blocked me she'll wreak havoc.

I tapped my finger on the steering wheel a few times as I thought about my options. I don't even know if she's home at the moment, but then again Uncle Harry and Aunt Vivi will let me just hang around until she gets home. I hate the idea of waiting that long, but my options are very limited.

It's been weeks of this. The only people in the friend group that bother talking to me are Naia, Z, Alexa, and Logan. But that's because they hate confrontation, and they hate the idea of being rude to people.

Layla still gives me dirty looks whenever I'm with the friend group, and so does Carter. They hate me more than Aurora does at this point, I think.

Cameron, Griffin, Guin, Bailey, and Elijah are kind of indifferent on the topic I think. I think they're kind whenever I'm around because we're in the same friend group, but they're not as angry as Layla and Carter because they know it won't do anything but cause more drama. They could still be pissed, but they don't act like it. There's an awkward tension and it's definitely not the same as before, but who knows?

And don't even get me started on that Katherine chick. She wasn't even in the friend group until Aurora came around, she was such a nobody that I had no idea who she was until Aurora mentioned her to me. She's just as bad as Layla - if not worse. The last thing we need is another Layla Harrison in the group, we already have one which is more than enough.

Not to mention she's got this weird fling going on with Elijah. She's hanging around him like a puppy dog - a lot like the way Aurora is around Carter right now. I don't know if he's doing it because Aurora told him that I had a thing for Carter and he's trying to make me jealous, but it doesn't bother me at all.

Besides, Elijah's not really known for being in a committed relationship. He's all about being interested for a few weeks and then leaving, just like most boys at Riverway High. But then again, with Katherine's mom's reputation, it just makes me wonder how different she truly is from the older woman.

Finally deciding I should get out of my thoughts and get this over with, I sighed as I started my car and headed in the direction of Aurora's house. It wasn't awfully far from here which I was thankful for, considering I was already thinking too much about this situation for my liking.

I'm stressing out so much to the point that I got a huge pimple in the middle of my forehead. How lovely.

Pulling up to the Holland residence, I frowned as I saw a bright and shiny car sitting in the front of the yard. I feel as if I've seen it before, but I know for a fact it's not Aurora's.

Vivienne Holland would buy Jason a car before she even thought about buying Aurora one, and if Harry were to get one it wouldn't be as nice and shiny because Vivienne wouldn't allow it. So whose car is this?

I parked in the driveway behind Uncle Harry's car, not bothering to grab my belongings as I got out. I only took my phone and car keys with me, leaving my purse and other things in the passenger seat. I know for a fact even if I get inside the house I probably won't stay there long because if Aurora gets her way I won't be here for any longer than five minutes. I might as prepare for the worst, especially since it's been like this for a few weeks now.

Ignoring an unknown feeling in the pit of my stomach, I jingled my keys in my hands as I stopped on the porch. I took a deep breath and just opened the door, stumbling over my feet as I saw someone unexpectedly standing on the other side.

"Ashley?" I asked in confusion. Ashley Wilde stood on the other side, her perfect dirty blonde hair thrown up into a perfectly styled ponytail.

She was the one girl I found myself jealous of, honestly. Despite her naturally mean nature, she was one of the most beautiful women I'd ever met.

Cindy told me stories as she's friends with the girl, and to say I've never been more jealous of one of my friends for being so close to her would be an understatement.

So why the hell is she standing in my cousin's house? She hates Aurora, that's one thing I'm aware of. She's been bullying Aurora ever since word got out that Carter stuck up for her in their art class. I can be pretty oblivious to stuff, but Aurora getting bullied is something I'm not new to. I'm usually aware of what rumors were spread by who, but the last thing I wanted to do was try and step up to Ashley Wilde. She'd make both of our lives a living hell if that were to happen, which is something I wouldn't want on my worst enemy.

"Paige Holland, what a surprise to see you given the... rumors." She spoke softly. It was something I'm not used to seeing, a softer side to her I rarely saw.

Sure, I've only been here about a year longer than Aurora has, but I'm not new when it comes to Ashley. I made the mistake of trying to become the most popular girl at Riverway High when I first moved here considering my social status at Point Prep, but that was a big mistake.

Never again.

"I could say the same goes for you," I mumbled softly, looking around. Aurora was nowhere to be seen in the background, but then again it's rare to see her in the living area unless Aunt Vivi was forcing her to do something with the family.

"Oh, don't worry about me." She stepped out of the house. I moved to the side quickly, watching as she held her tote bag close to her side. "I was just stopping by to say hi to A."

"A?" I asked. Who the fuck calls Aurora A?

"Yeah, I was just thinking I apologize for the things I've taken part in, you know. Unfortunately, I missed her." She shrugged, looking around. "I was actually needing to get going though, I made plans."

Something isn't right.

"If she's not here why were you-"

"Toodles! Or, that's what you said in Point Prep, right?" She didn't let me finish, shooting me a wink. I watched with a dropped jaw as I walked down the porch and around the driveway, going to where her car was parked right in front of the yard.

I gripped my keys in my hand, watching as she threw her bag in the passenger seat before driving off. It was silent then, my thoughts jumbled.

Any previous things I'd thought about before now were gone. I know Ashley, and she wouldn't just come to Aurora's house to apologize. She has an even weirder obsession with Carter Jackson than Aurora had with Asher, so I know for a fact she isn't even an ounce sorry for the rumors she started.

"Paige! What a blessing to see you!" The sound of Aunt Vivi's voice was heard behind me, and I turned to see her standing where Ashley previously stood.

I looked at her with confusion, clearing my throat before speaking up. "What was she doing here? A-Ashley." I point a finger over my shoulder.

"Oh! That nice girl! She was coming over to grab something she left in Aurora's room. I guess they had a study date one of these past few days I was at work and was looking for Aurora, but unfortunately, she's out with that Katelyn girl right now." Vivienne explained, "Why don't you come in for something to eat?"

I stepped in despite not answering, slowly shutting the door behind me. Aurora's not here and Ashley was in her room, there's more to the story than Ashley's saying.

"Katherine," I mumbled, noticing she'd mispronounced the girl's name. "I actually came over to talk to Rora. Do you know when she'll be back?"

"No, just sometime before curfew since it is a school night." Vivienne shrugged, walking into the kitchen. "What would you like to eat?"

"I'm fine, Aunt Viv. Thanks." I declined, "Well, I was actually coming over to grab a dress I think I might have left here. I'm not sure though, would I be able to go look?"

"Of course! Help yourself to whatever," She spoke as she waved a hand in the air. I was thankful she had no idea about what was going on between Aurora and me, and that she was the type of aunt that didn't care whether I hung out in Aurora's room without her.

There's something off with Ashley's visit, but knowing the rumors circulating her it could be literally anything. She could have simply come to talk to Aurora, playing the nice card as if she wanted to apologize. But I fully believe she wants nothing to do with my cousin - which is no offense to her.

People like Ashley don't associate with people like Aurora. Not unless it has something to do with her needing something, or her gaining something from it. Especially when Aurora's the only girl who's gotten this much attention from Carter Jackson.

I think Carter Jackson is shaped like a God just like the next girl, but when I realized he wasn't into me the way I thought he was (although I won't say there's never going to be a chance, who knows) I stopped acting so delusional. Sure, I still had the thoughts most girls at Riverway High had, but I don't do whatever I can in my power the same way Ashley does to make someone mine.

She needs to realize Carter's been done with her since before I moved here, she's the most delusional you can get - which is a lot coming from me.

Supposedly the queen of being delusional.

When I walked into Aurora's room, I immediately began to look around. Not to snoop in any way - I know she has nothing of interest. But to see what was out of place.

Thankfully, I know Aurora better than almost anyone else. I know what her room is like - before and after the move here to Riverway. I know what she keeps where, and what would be an odd place for something. I would know if something's missing, or if there's something new here that wasn't before.

Of course, it's been a bit since I've been here. There's now decor littering around the room, and an odd but beautiful painting hanging above her art desk. I looked in the corner to see 'CJ' painted in messy black handwriting, which can only mean that this was painted by none other than Carter Jackson himself.

Since when was he into sappy shit like that?

Ignoring the confusing thoughts jumbled around my mind, I continued to lightly look for anything out of the ordinary. Everything was organized down to a T - just how Aurora would keep it. There's nothing here that looks like it could be sabotaged, or nothing looks to be missing.

So what exactly was Ashley doing in here? 

Despite still continuing to feel the odd feeling in the pit of my stomach, I came to the realization I wasn't going to figure anything out. I wasn't going to be able to talk to Aurora because who knew how long it'd take for her to get back from being with Katherine.

Deciding that now wasn't the time to confront her - both about this and whatever's going on between us - I sighed in defeat. I wasn't going to get anywhere, as whatever Ashley did was covered up really well.

I left Aurora's room, shutting the door the way it had been shut when I arrived. I was quick to run down the stairs and make a beeline straight for the door, stopping with my hand on the doorknob as Aunt Vivi called out to me.

"Did you find it, honey?"

"I must've misplaced it at my house. I'll see you later on, Aunt Vivi. Love you!" I shouted out as I threw the door open.

She responded, but I didn't care what was said as I booked it through the yard and to my car.

What am I supposed to do about this?

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Did you expect the Paige POV? What do you think Ashley did?

* This chapter is not edited *