"Yes, definitely." A trip to the doctor's was her best bet of sorting everything out. Paige, in no way, was capable of fixing something like a sleeping disorder. Unless it was that *one* doctor. The one who 'treated' her and the rest of her siblings following their removal from their old home.
(Brief History: Paige, along with her two, older, living siblings, came from an abusive household with a vicious father and a loving-but-slightly-frail mother. In a meta sense, this is a cycle.)
[ahh i get ya!! alrighty!]
❛ your uncle's doctor is a good woman. much nicer than he is, huh? ❜ She smiles to her husband, the man flipping the page of his newspaper with a whistle of sorts. ❛ don't worry, paige. we'll get this all sorted out. sleep is very important for someone so young! ❜ Her aunt legitimately cared for her health, unlike those who came before her. ❛ eat, honey. we can look into it later. ❜
Now feeling quite better, Paige tucked into her breakfast. Slowly and slowly, she found herself less worried about that ghostly girl. But not any less curious. She'd think about that later. "Oh! Thought I'd tell you: I'm hanging out with friends today." Figured she'd tell them instead of causing her Aunt more worry. And to keep Him from accusing her of stealing his truck. Again.
(At one point, Paige had driven the beloved truck out to some secluded spot and kept it hidden. After a pretty bad verbal fight.)
[fhbeqkjqfq it sounds like every american steryotype ive ever heard about people who love their truCKS i swear]
❛ go have fun, dear! we weren't planning on doing any outing today anyway! ❜ Paige's aunt insists sweetly, offering her a nod of acceptance. Her uncle finally lifts his eyes from the seemingly interesting newspaper, lips twisting.
❛ as long as 'ya don't crash it, I guess I ain't got too many complaints. don't crash her. ❜ Her aunt once again jumps to Paige's defense, pointing out how great of a driver she'd become recently. Instead of arguing with his wife anymore, the man simply slumps in his chair.
❛ be sure to tell them hello for us! so sweet, all of those kids! ❜
(I'm sorry for constantly transitioning.)
fnwlkfcefwf its okay bb!!!!!! its gotta happen !! <3
(Next scene: A fully-ready Paige is driving down the road. She's either by herself or she picked up a friend. As she/they're going down the road, she sees the faint glimpse of Melanie.)
[oooo okay !!!!!!! i got this fjkewbkgvbwr]
❛ - i'm surprised the coot let you take the truck again after last time. ❜ The girl in the passenger's seat enthuses with a rather bemused grin, sparing a glance out the window on her side of the car. This friend, Rose, she'd been well aware of everything that went on with Paige's uncle. She'd met him once, and ended up only coming over when he wasn't around the place. ❛ so? did you sleep, like, at all? ❜
Despite knowing Paige was accompanied by a friend, that didn't stop Melanie. It was her choice who was allowed to see her, and who wasn't. Though, she'd nearly been caught after the incident last night. Clearly, she'd have to be more careful. When the ratty old truck pulls itself to a stop as the nearest red light, Melanie finds herself at the closest corner. A hand lifts, and she offers a wave to the vehicles' driver. She couldn't help the smile that twists onto her lips.
"I can't take all the credit. Without my aunt, I wouldn't even be allowed to live there." Paige joked, keeping both hands on the steering wheel as she looked ahead. Being out with a friend like this helped clear her head and make her almost forget last night. Almost. She still had it on mind when Rose asked about her sleep. With her casual smile faltering a bit, she answered, "Just enough. I was only paralyzed for...A minute...Maybe?" Even she didn't know how long that bout of sleep paralysis lasted.
Paige did not bring up the mystery girl. And why would she? By this point, she accepted her status as a hallucination. Until they reached a red light, that is. As they pulled up, Paige saw Her in the corner of her eye. Waving. She moved her head fast enough for Rose to notice.
In broad daylight, Paige now had a better look at the mystery girl's features. At least, from a distant. And what she saw...Did not look pleasant. The kicker? Aside from a messed-up mouth and freaky eyes...
The girl looked just like her.
Before Rose can respond, she watches her friend jerk her head away from the road. That wasn't very much like Paige; she was usually a careful driver. ❛ paige? what's the matter? ❜ The other girl questions, eyes attempting to follow her friend's. Rose stops speaking, still attempting to seek out whatever it was that had the other so frightened.
Melanie looks surprisingly casual, standing on the street side. She steps aside for a rushing businessman, but her own line of sight never leaves Paige. As the ghostly figure had done the night before, a finger presses to her busted lips. To Melanie, it wasn't the fact she could possibly be found out, but the fact that if Paige told anyone about her, they'd tell her to reject such hallucinations. She'd become rather powerless against the other.
Paige didn't speak. She didn't answer Rose's question. Just stared out the window at...At her. Should she tell Rose to look? Try to convince her? No way. She wouldn't believe her. Paige didn't believe it entirely herself. She convinced herself, yet again, that this was a product of her imagination.
Paige shook her head and looked at Rose. "Almost hit a squirrel. But I stopped before I could. Must've hit the breaks too hard." she lied right to Rose's face. Anyone with half a brain would realize the flaws in her 'brilliant' cover story.
Rose seems to be somewhat satisfied by this answer, expelling a sigh. Though she didn't fully believe the story, it would always be better if she believed her best friend. ❛ oh, geez! ❜ She laughs, pulling away from the window. ❛ good thing! remember that time when your aunt hit that raccoon and all three of us were yelling? good times. ❜
Once all the cars in the lane start driving at the green light, Melanie begins to walk. She, despite her apparent ghostly powers, cannot go the speed of the car. Though, her haunting features can obviously be seen in the rearview mirror of the truck. Though Paige is free of her for now, just as she had moments before, she would once again return. As some sort of unknowing reminder.
Yeah; That had been funny, in a dark way. Going over the memory, Paige brightened up. Back to pushing away her hallucinations, it was. Until her doctor's appointment, at least. She started driving again as soon the light went green. Today's destination? The local park.
...Yeah, it sounded childish. But believe it or not, she loved that place. Even now, as an adolescent.
(It's there Melanie attempts to injure Paige.)
Rose, of course, never minded where her friend wished to go. They were old enough now; old enough to go wherever they pleased. And if that involved heading to the park - hey, so be it. When they finally pull up to the local park, the girl offers her companion an equally bright grin. ❛ ready to go, then? I heard the snack shack is open today! ❜
Having seemingly caught back up with the pair, Melanie lingers; this time, no longer obviously in the open. She's sat herself besides a homeless man on one of the parks benches, knowing Paige would wander by soon enough. Melanie could blend in well enough with a crowd if she kept her head down, and that's exactly what she did, awaiting of her prey.
"Lead the way!" Paige lept from the driver's side as soon as she opened her door. She never could turn down a snack. Even with her possibly deteriorating mental health. The two girls started on their merry way into the tree-filled public park. The beauty of nature could do wonders, really. Paige was back to her happy, sane state.
On their journey, the girls were about to pass a bench.
Melanie's head rises as the pair walk by, chattering happily amongst themselves. Her own feet finally drag themselves from the bench, willing the ghostly figure to pace behind them. Now, she finally makes the contact. A hand lifts, gripping against Paige's shoulder with a claw - like hold. Before she could possibly spin around to see the intruder, Melanie's second hand strangles itself around the blonde's throat. Her hold was immeasurably strong, seemingly impossible for the other girl to free herself from.
❛ paige?! ❜
Ohgodohgodohgod...!
Paige let out a frightened, choked squeal. She started to thrash about and attempted to break free by way of running. Running with all her might. No use. Whoever it was had her by the neck. She tried to yell for help. Yell for Rose to help her.
Rose is frightened beyond belief, wishing to help her friend. ❛ paige, whats - ! ❜She doesn't continue her statement, knowing she wouldn't - couldn't - be offered an answer. Rose simply grips her arms, yanking her forward with all her might, hoping to snap Paige out of whatever trance she seemed to be in.
Melanie didn't wish to let go, but when every pair of eyes turned to them, her grip tightens for a moment. Clawed fingers digging deeper into the girl's pale flesh before finally relenting. Though she has released her, the ghostly figure doesn't leave. Not just yet. She presses her hands against her hips, sneering behind Paige. ❛ you little brat. ❜
Paige fell forward into her best's friends arms. Gasping for precious, precious air. Itsy specks of blood welled up from the scratches. "Y-You saw her! Right?!" she begged. How could Rose have not?! The near-identical person with a mangled face and her hands wrapped around Paige's throat...Who wouldn't see that?!
❛ what the hell! ❜Rose gasps, hugging Paige close. ❛ dude, you're bleeding! ❜ The other girl insists, now holding her friend at arms length to scan her for any sort of injury. ❛ what're you talking about? what the hell happened? ❜ Rose takes the lead, dragging the rather shell - shocked Paige off through the park, knowing their to be a water fountain nearby. ❛ get a drink, calm down! ❜