No. I am not a player despite what the rumors say. Well maybe I get a lot of play…but who doesn't at this age? Who am I kidding? I get more play than the average teenager….it kind of happened that way. Once I hit puberty then came out, yeah, the ladies came running. They all wanted them a little piece of Paige McCullers. My friends say that it is a blessing; I can't disagree with them but sometimes it sucks. I don't date, we hook up. One time. It is always awkward because most girls think that maybe I will call them back if I look satisfied at the end of our date. Dating is not for me, never has been. Plus, with dating comes emotions and I do not want to deal with my emotions let alone other girls' emotions. Oh yeah, I am kind of hated at school. I sleep with everyone….gay girls….bi girls…and straight girls. Yeah, I slept with starting quarterback's girlfriend. Once everyone found out, she claimed she was drunk and I was cute and she was bored. We both know she was not drunk, I was drunk but she begged for it. I was doing her a favor. I also slept with the valedictorian; she was pretty kinky for being shy and quiet. Again, I am not complaining.

My best friend always wants me to help her get some play, I mean she is pretty but I don't think she has the confidence to be mean? Wait, do I even have the confidence to mean? I do not flirt (not very good at it), and I don't talk to girls they all talk to me. I kind of go with whatever they are saying. Anyways, my best friend Ashley wants to be like me…again who can blame her? I am the captain of the varsity swimming team, I am pretty smart, I work with kids and get paid pretty well for a kid in high school; I have life pretty good. But what Ashley does not realize is that I rather live her life. She has a great family life while mine sucks, and when she starts dating…her relationships last. Yeah, they last for at least six months. I don't let her know that I want her life because she always tells me that I have it so good that I am not allowed to complain. She emphasizes that I cannot complain about my life because I have one….after her last breakup….she is done with love. She states that she never wants a girlfriend again and that she wants to be like me. She wants action without having to deal with everything else; she is done with the drama that comes with relationships. I just don't know if that is really something to strive for…

"Paige, we need to talk?"

"Yeah? What's up coach? Am I in trouble?"

"Well come into my office and we will talk….lets go. Move it."

I quickly close my locker and head for her office.

"Paige, this crap has to stop," she paused and took in the confusion written on my face, "don't play dumb, you cannot sleep with any more of the members on the team. Seriously, you are going to ruin the team dynamic, most of those girls want to quit the team after you and her….do…whatever. Stop sleeping with my players or I swear," she pauses trying to figure out her or what "I will make you run every day before and after practice."

I chuckle, "coach, I already run before and after practice….so it is an empty threat?"

She huffs, "Nope, actually, you sleep with another player I will bench you for….2 meets. No, wait, I will bench you when the scouts come to watch; that way they will not be able to watch you swim."

I stand up with a force that cannot be mistaken with anything other than anger, "that is bullshit. Those girls chase after me. I do not want them but they want me, they want it! Then they all butt hurt because I don't call them back?"

"Sit down. Now."

I take a seat and huff, "Coach, it is not my fault."

"I know, but I cannot lose any more players, Paige. Just please keep it in your pants. No players. None. Okay?"

I don't say anything, just sit and look at the floor

"Do you understand me?"

"Yeah, sure, even though you know that this is bullshit…but what the fu…"

"Go. We have practice and you need to start running…remember you run before practice," she says mocking me from earlier.

"Yeah." I stand up and head to my locker.

I swear these girls are…ugh! Stupid. Maybe I am stupid. I don't know. Ugh! I swear I have to behave because I need a scholarship out of this damn town. Whatever, Paige McCullers is closed for business ladies.

I walk over to my locker contemplating everything, I need to have sex. I need it, want it, I just can't stop, it keeps the nightmares away. Crap, I can't get benched. Dammit. Looks like I will be looking elsewhere for love….damn coach makes it difficult for me to get lucky now. Now I have to chase the women I want.

After practice

"Paige, want to come over and watch a movie tonight?" Stacy asked and when I hesitated she continued "Well, my parents are out for the night, it will be just you and me. In my room. Watching a movie. In the dark. On my bed."

I still don't say anything, just stare at Stacy with my mouth open. I think that this would totally be a great idea because I need to release some of the tension I have been holding up.

Before I can say yes, Stacy starts talking again, "Be there at 7," she leans closer and whispers into my ear, "I just bought some new lingerie…" she pulls away and smiles.

I give her a smile because I have seen her in lingerie before and the girl can rock the hell out of some lace, "O-Okay," but before I can answer her with a yes, I see coach walk in and glares at me when she sees how close Stacy is to me, "Oh, crap I can't tonight. I have to study for a test. Sorry." I close my locker and walk away, actually I sprinted away. Yeah, I will run away from confrontation. Thanks coach; you are supposed to be teaching the exact opposite.

I put my headphones in and start walking home, I would have ridden my bike, but today I want to take my time. I contemplate going to the Brew to work on homework and grab a coffee, or two, or even three. I have math homework….so I will probably have four coffees. Yeah. Crap, I can't have coffee; coach will kill me if she finds out. No coffee, fine. I still head to the Brew; I can still sit and work on homework with having to drink coffee.

"Hey Paige," I see Ashley behind the counter, crap I forgot she was working today.

"Hey Ash, how is work?"

"Why are you here? You know you can't drink coffee."

"Yeah, I know. I am not ready to go home and figured I could work on some homework."

"I'll be watching you, and I am the cashier today so don't get any ideas," she glares at me and then walks away.

That damn girl knows me too well.

After an hour of homework, I need a pick-me-up. I look around and see a girl sitting by herself. I stand up and head her way.

"Excuse, not trying to bother you but if I give you some money will you go up and buy me a coffee?"

She looks at me; she looks like she is trying to figure out what to say, "Um, why can't you buy it if you have money?"

"Uhhhh, well…" she awaits my answer.

"You can buy your own coffee," and she goes back to reading her book.

"The barista hates me?" She looks up me to see if I am telling the truth. Technically, no my best friend does not hate me, but her not allowing me to drink coffee is an act of hatred.

She buys it and asks me what I want.

"Whatever you are drinking," I reply, I know Ashley knows all of my favorites.

"Seriously? I am drinking coffee….black." she says with a look of annoyance on her face.

"Yeah, that is fine. That is how I like my coffee," I lie. I just want some damn coffee.

She nods and walks up to Ashley to place the order. Everything is going to plan until I see the girl point back at me and Ashley steps out from behind the counter and heads my way.

"Seriously Paige, I hate you and therefore won't let you buy coffee….in what world would that make any sense?"

"Technically you do hate me because you aren't allowing me to buy any coffee…"

"You are stupid," she looks over at the girl and tells her the real reason for me wanting her to buy me a coffee.

She smiles, "I understand, nice try."

Ashley walks away and I am left with the girl. She takes a seat and I ask her may I sit with her. I think maybe I should explain things.

"Sorry, I just want a coffee,"

"If you know you can't have a coffee then why would you come to a coffeehouse? Isn't that like a recovering alcoholic spending time at a bar?"

"Nice and yes, it is exactly the same thing," I start laughing and she laughs with me, "I just can't really do anything and did not want to go home. So I came to the only other place I can go to other than work or getting into trouble."

"I see. Get into trouble? What kind of trouble?"

I laugh, not trying to explain the whole situation, "It is a long story."

"Okay, you don't have to tell me," she smiles and looks down at her book.

"What are you reading? Something for school?" before she can respond I ask her another question, "Who does homework on a Friday afternoon?"

"Okay, I am not reading for school; it is recreational reading. And I have not got any homework yet," she says but she can see the confusion on my face.

"My family just moved here. We are from Texas. Texas all the way to Pennsylvania."

"Oh Texas huh? You don't sound like you have an accent….do you say y'all? Oh my god, I bet you wear a cowboy hat huh?" I start laughing.

She smiles and responds, "No my dad is in the army so we move around. I do say y'all and I do not wear a cowboy hat. I don't look cute in a cowboy hat," she pauses and then continues "before you ask; no I did not ride a horse to school."

"Wait, someone asked you that?"

"Yes, earlier this afternoon."

I shake my head and laugh, "Wow but no, I figured y'all had those things called automobiles."

She laughs and rolls her eyes, "I am Emily Fields."

"Paige McCullers," I respond and shake her hand