43 Chapter 43 Convincing and Pain

After the call with Linda's mother, I speak with Paige.

"Let's call the University and let them know we accept," I say to Paige, who was still near the phone.

Taking the phone, Paige dials Princeton University's number, and soon the call is answered.

Ring ring

"Princeton University, Secretary to Director Harold Tafler Shapiro, Ashley speaking, how may I assist you?"

"Hello, I'm Paige Swanson from Texas. I received a letter from the university along with Connor Kenway. I'd like to speak with Director Harold Tafler Shapiro regarding our acceptance to the university, as mentioned in the letter."

"Aah, Paige Swanson and Connor Kenway. Yes, we sent out letters to those names, but we didn't expect to receive a call so quickly. Well, I'll transfer the call to the Director."

"Thank you very much, Ashley," Paige says politely.

"You're welcome, dear," Ashley replies. Soon after, we hear a beep that lasts a few seconds before the call is answered.

"Hello, Director of Princeton University, Harold Tafler. I believe I'm speaking with Paige Swanson and Connor Kenway, correct?" the Director asks, already knowing the answer.

"Correct," Paige responds, waiting for his reply.

"Well, we sent out the letters to both of you, but we didn't expect you to accept. It's a pleasant surprise for me as well. I would gladly accept both of you into my university, but I can only admit you at the beginning of next year since classes have already begun."

"Alright, that's fine. But Connor and I would love to visit the campus during this time and get to know the university better while we look for an apartment in Washington," Paige says to the university Director.

"Oh, alright. We'll welcome you with open arms to our campus. But why Washington? We have excellent accommodations here at the university."

"Well, we're going with someone who's heading to Maryland. His name is Sheldon Lee Cooper, you must know him, and he's not very good at taking care of himself, so we're accompanying him during this time," Paige replies.

After a moment of silence, the director speaks again.

"I understand your situation. In any case, we'll welcome you with open arms to our university. Any other questions?" the Director asks.

"Not at the moment, we'll just visit the university later this week," Paige says.

"Very well, I'll be expecting you. I'll hang up to prepare the paperwork for both of you," the Director says.

"Thank you very much, goodbye," Paige responds.

"Goodbye."

Bip Bip

"So, how did it go?" Connor asks eagerly, and Paige quickly responds, "We did it!" Paige says with one hand raised, signaling a high-five.

Paa

And then we laugh together, and Missy appears. "Why are you guys laughing, any jokes?" Missy asks, wanting to know what they were laughing about.

Puff

Puff

Then we laugh even more at Missy's idiotic face.

"Hey, I feel like you guys are laughing at me," Missy says as she lunges at us with her fists.

Night in the Garage

"Connor," Paige says to Connor, who was huddled inside the tent.

"What is it! I'm trying to sleep here," a voice responds dissatisfied.

"Do you think we'll be okay on our own, I mean taking care of Sheldon and living by ourselves?" Paige asks, concerned about the situation after calming down from the initial excitement.

"Why do you say that? Haven't we already done it? There's no point in complaining now. After all, I promised you we'd be together from now on, didn't I?" seeing Connor's response, Paige blushes slightly and responds, "I think we could discuss a bit, what we can do together in the university, outside of the University of Texas, I've never been to another university, especially in another state," Paige says, letting it all out.

Zeep

The tent opens from inside, and Connor comes out with his hair slightly tousled. He gets up and sits in front of Paige on the bed.

"You know, Paige, you know you don't need to worry, it's normal to be afraid of the unknown, just like when we did that mission in Dallas. You were afraid at first, but you followed me to the end. I have faith in you. Going to university is nothing compared to that, but if you're still afraid, just hold my hand, and we'll walk together, and I'll protect you, just like you'll protect me," Connor says as he takes Paige's soft, delicate hands.

"Mm-hmm, but still, I'm scared," she hugs her own shoulders as she says this.

"You know, Paige, I have a song that reminds me of you, would you like to hear it?" I say to her, looking into her eyes with a comforting tone in my voice.

She looks into my eyes and says, "Sure, I'd like to hear it, maybe it'll calm me down." I then get up and grab a keyboard and come back to bed and sit next to her.

With the sound of the piano, I close my eyes and sing:

Older than I am Lennon Stella: Cover Joe Buck

My heart's seen things I wish it didn't

I look into her eyes and sing.

Somewhere I lost some of my innocence

And I miss it

I miss it

Stay up all night thinking it's twisted

My life's been survival of the fittest

But I did it

I did it

I do all my own healing

Manage all of my feelings

I don't ask for help, no

'Cause I don't need it

'Cause I don't need it

Sometimes I wish I could do something stupid

Be kinda reckless while I can

Say I don't give a damn

But I'm older than I am

I could get hurt and get some scars to prove it

Just say to hell with all my plans

'Cause I don't give a damn

But I'm older than I am

Why am I always the one making decisions?

How do I handle the pressure?

I do my best to fake it

But honestly I hate it

I do all my own fighting

I'm who I'ma confide in

Maybe I need help, no

I won't deny it

I won't deny it

Sometimes I wish I could do something stupid

Be kinda reckless while I can

Say I don't give a damn

But I'm older than I am

I could get hurt and get some scars to prove it

Just say to hell with all my plans

'Cause I don't give a damn

But I'm older than I am

Older than I, older than I, older than I

I'm older and I don't give a damn

I'm older than I am

I finish the song with the soft sound of the keyboard and say to Paige beside me,

"I'll be here for you in your toughest moments, so you don't need to be afraid. As I said earlier, I'll hold your hand and we'll walk together."

And then tears uncontrollably stream down Paige's expressionless face. She touches her face as if surprised by her tears, and then jumps into my arms and says, "Thank you, thank you, thank you for everything you've done, and are doing for me. I don't know where I'd be right now without your help." With the meaning of her words, you could perceive the weight of her frustrations, and all I could do was comfort her and tell her that everything would be okay.

I kiss her forehead and think to myself, no matter how strong you appear on the outside, no matter how amazing we seem, in the end, we're just humans, and Paige is just a child. The expectations placed upon her have created unprecedented pressure, and without anyone to share it with, this pressure would continue to build.

I pull her away from my embrace and look into her teary eyes and say, "I'll share the burden you carry. You don't need to keep anything to yourself. I'm your partner, and I need you well."

I believe that every human being has had a point where they needed emotional help because pain is what makes us who we are. Living is suffering; surviving is finding some meaning in suffering.

  -End of chapter-