Author's Note: I know a lot of you are devoted Emily/Maya supporters, and out of respect for that story line I promise that I will not turn Emily into a cheater. While I am absolutely in love with the dynamic between Emily and Paige, I'll be sure to clear up the Maya in the room before I allow anything romantic to happen between the girls…
Also, I know I have a poor track record with updating at a timely pace, but this story will be different… so stick with me : )
Oh, and I don't own anything. Credit where credit is due.
"Paige, it's me again… Please call me back… We need to talk. And… I'm worried about you." She hesitated, regretting how desperate that last part must have sounded. "Just… call me, please."
Emily hung up the phone and brought her fingers to her lips—a slight tingle still resonating on their surface. Well I certainly didn't see that one coming. After their confrontation in the locker room, she knew that something was off with Paige McCullers, but she never really expected this. How long has she felt this way about me? For a moment, the brunette felt a tinge of sadness for the other girl. She knew what it was like to struggle with something so confusing. She knew what it was like to fight all of that pain and loneliness with stolen kisses. She knew. Memories flashed into Emily's mind, plaguing her with contradicting feelings. The library was desperate. The photo booth was breathtaking. And now, the car… what was the car? Shocking? Harsh? Unexpected? Explosive?
Did I really just describe my kiss with Paige McCullers as explosive?
While in that moment, her initial reaction had been complete shock, Emily couldn't shake the image of Paige's mouth, inches from her own face, breathing out shallow and intoxicating breaths. But it was the look in the redhead's eyes that spoke volumes. She really wanted me.
Was it possible that Emily wanted her too? Or do I still want someone else?
With one last glance at her dormant phone she gathered her composure, slid out of her car, and made her way up the walk to the front door. Her mother was standing at the sink nursing her dampened face when Emily came through the kitchen door behind her.
"Hi, Mom."
"Hi s..sweetie." The stutter in the older woman's voice shattered an otherwise stoic exterior. She turned and smiled gently at her daughter—an offering of peace after weeks of unresolved torment.
"Is everything ok? I was expecting you home much sooner."
The young girl paused—but only long enough for her to offer a smile back.
"Yeah, mom. I just ran into a friend in the parking lot before I left." She waited for her mother's nod of approval before continuing on, "I'm kind of exhausted. Can we talk about everything tomorrow?"
"Sure, sweetie. That's fine."
Shrugging off the blatant disappointment in her mother's voice, Emily said good night and made her long trek up the stairs to her bedroom. The swimmer had barely changed into sweatpants and a t-shirt before she buried her head in pillow and slipped into a restless fit of sleep.
Only thirty minutes had elapsed when Emily recognized an irritating noise manifesting from her night table. I can't wait to hear what 'A' has to say about this. Relief overwhelmed her as she read over the content of the text.
'fine, let's talk. –Paige'
Unsure of how to proceed, Emily responded with a neutral message. 'ok, where?'
'knock, knock? –Paige'
She smiled at the unintended dry humor of the other girl and climbed out of her bed slipping on her jacket and shoes and left the safety of her cozy room behind.
As she cautiously made her way down the stairs, the sight at the bottom froze her dead in her tracks. Her mother was reaching for the door and pulled it open before she even had a chance to analyze what was happening.
"How dare you even think about coming near my Emily!" Her mother's words were harsh, and she knew that they would leave a mark on the broken girl cowering on her porch. Ignoring the last few steps and leaping to the bottom, Emily caught the tail end of Paige's retreat down off the porch.
"No, Paige, wait."
"Emily?" Her mother's confusion was warranted.
With desperation well beyond her young heart she pleaded with the women, "Please, Mom. Just let me handle this, ok?"
While her support had been rocky at times, Pam Fields trusted her daughter's instincts. She knew that, in this moment, any hope of reconciliation with Emily would be shattered by one more hasty decision.
"We'll talk about this later," Mrs. Fields informed her as she retreated to the kitchen.
Shutting the door behind her, Emily wrapped a comforting arm around Paige's waist and walked her to the still warm car in the driveway.
"C'mon, let's go for a drive."
