Boundless

Chapter 6

Daniel: Why don’t you make an original song?

Paige was just getting ready for her shift at the café the next day when she received that text.

She, honest to God, wasn’t expecting him to text her again without an incentive. To say that she was shocked would be the understatement of the year. Even though Daniel was a huge ass who lacked basic human decency, she couldn’t stop her cheeks from flushing red.

He was thinking of her.

Sophie: Oh hi! I do have a few ideas, but I don’t know. I don’t think this is the right time.

Daniel: There is no such thing as the right time. You just have to get it out there.

Sophie: Are you speaking from experience?

Daniel: You can say that

That’s when Paige realized, she knew next to nothing about this dude, besides his tendency to act like a d**k. Curious, she typed out another message.

Sophie: You never told me. What do you do?

Daniel: none of your business.

Right. What was she even expecting?

Shaking her head, she drove off to work.

 ***

When Paige finally got home after her shift, Sarah was waiting for her in the hall. Pouring her a glass of water, Sarah asked, “Busy day?”

“You bet,” Paige replied, sitting down on the couch. “Has dad left the room at all today?”

Sarah shook her, “I had to force the meds down his throat.”

Their father was diagnosed with clinical depression two years ago. Months of not leaving his bed and going to work had finally made sense. While his anxiety still wouldn’t let him go to work, the medicines were helping him to go about his day and engage in everyday conversations with his family. Except on days like these, when he could barely make it out of his bed. 

Giving her sister a sad smile, Paige said, “It’ll get better. It always does.”

“Why does it have to go worse before it gets better?”

“I know, sweetie, I know. No one said life’s gonna be easy.”

“Sometimes I can’t believe you’re only two years older than I am.”

“Two and a half,” Paige pointed out.

Sarah rolled her eyes. “Mom just left for the hospital before you came, by the way.”

Their mom did night shifts as a nurse at a hospital. The pay was decent, but not enough... not even close.

Nodding, Paige picked up the remote and switched on the TV, “Pick one— The Office or B99?”

“I feel like Office today,” Sarah said, hopping onto the couch next to Paige.

“Office it is.”

***

It was almost midnight when she received a text.

Daniel: I work as a lowkey DJ. It’s fun, pays the bills.

Sophie: There, sharing that bit of info didn’t hurt, did it?

Daniel: What about you?

Sophie: I work in a restaurant and I’m a part time baby sitter/ music instructor. Although music instructor would be a stretch, I just teach keyboard to a couple of kids.

Daniel: That’s cool. How old are you?

Sophie: I am 19, you?

Daniel: 21.

Sophie: Is Daniel your real name?

Daniel: Of course, why would you ask?

Sophie: No reason, just wanted to be sure.

Daniel: is Sophie your real name?

Paige wanted to tell him Sophie is her middle name and her real name was Paige. But she just couldn’t. Not because she didn’t trust him— which she obviously didn’t—but living behind this anonymity gave her a sense of freedom to be whatever she wanted to be. She could be a girl without baggage and any real life responsibilities. She liked that.

Sophie: Yes, it’s Sophie.

Daniel: It’s a beautiful name, Princess.

Something squeezed in Paige’s chest. She ignored it.

Sophie: Not as great as princess, apparently…since you can’t stop using it.

Daniel: yep.

Sophie: It’s nice to meet you, Daniel.

Daniel: It’s really nice to meet you too, Sophie.