Disclaimer: I do not own Pretty Little Liars or any of its characters

Lightly tracing the outside of the woman's flawless mid-thigh with her middle finger, Paige slowly began grazing the redhead's outline enjoying the feel of the woman's body involuntarily arching upward beneath her. Aware of how ragged her lover's breath was becoming, Paige couldn't help but smile, burying her face in the crook of the woman's neck as she began depositing soft kisses alongside it. Sucking on the redhead's pulse point, Paige continued downward as she lightly slid the strap of the woman's ruffle turquoise chiffon tank top off her shoulders providing herself with more access to the woman's chest. As Paige returned her right hand under the woman's denim mini skirt, she felt her hips buckle as the redhead flipped her over switching positions. A small mischievous smirk spread across the copperhead's thin lips making Paige close her eyes as her head fell back anticipating where the trail of kisses being displayed on her chest would lead. Feeling hands begin to unbuckle her belt, Paige slowly opened her eyes wanting to watch the woman perform as she's done countless of times before. As she reached to tuck a strand of hair away from the beauty's eyes, Paige stopped half way as she heard a small shuffle from the distant end of the gymnasium.

"If I knew you appreciated a good show, I would have asked you a long time ago if you wanted to watch." Paige breathlessly asked as she locked eyes with the intruder. Slowly shifting to a sitting position, Paige began buckling her belt as the redhead fixed her top.

"Aww thank you. But if I wanted to watch a good show, I'd prefer to watch 'Wildman' on Animal Planet." The brown eye brunette retorted back.

"Oh sweetheart, don't worry. It's an acquired taste." Paige responded smugly as she stood up.

"So is the art of clean hygiene." Emily snapped back. "Mr. Blackburn is looking for you Halle's. If you miss one more class he's giving you a C- which will get you kicked off the swim team." Emily stated as she focused her attention on the redhead.

Emily hated watching one of her closest friends throw away every shred of dignity she had towards a girl who spent her days acting as though she had more privilege then the average student because of her father's financial status. And it wasn't just her close friend. Her own girlfriend had seemed to bow down to Paige whenever she entered the room. Putting aside her disgust for girl, Emily also knew Paige had a particular loathe for her since they met and didn't understand why. After watching her spend years treating everyone in her path as inanimate objects, Emily's curiosity of the girl diminished gradually through the years and was replaced by pure hatred. Emily had far better things to worry about. She was Midwood's captain of their swim team, editor-and-chief of Argus and an honor student; school drama was the least of her worries.

"Shit, it's 1:15pm already?" Hallie exclaimed in a panic. Jumping up, Hallie tussled around trying to gather all her items she and Paige managed to spread out across the gymnasium. Hallie Bennett was one of Midwood's star swimmers on the Hornet's team. As anchor, she knew how to move swiftly in as well as out of the water. Knowing quite well her grades were nowhere where they should be, Hallie always appreciated Emily looking out for her. Managing to scrape through high school with a barely passing grade, Hallie only began to love high school after growing into her unique looks. As the one of the only strawberry blonde women at Midwood, she had the brightest emerald eyes that made every boy and girl alike pine for her starting sophomore year. When she began dating Paige McCullers ending of junior year, Hallie knew she wasn't the most trustworthy girl she could have but was definitely one of the hottest. With perfectly shaped almond eyes that enhanced her warm brown eyes and shoulder length chestnut-brown hair which was flawlessly cut to a medium length that highlighted her strong cheekbones, it was no surprise Paige was one of the most attractive woman to walk through the halls. To go along with her natural beauty, she also had a perfectly trimmed body since she was after all captain of Midwood's Lacrosse team. Hallie couldn't pass up the opportunity to say yes when Paige asked her out after a victory party.

"Actually…it's 1:45pm." Emily pointed out.

"Well thank you Josie Geller for you exasperating perfectionism as usual" Paige quickly spouted out as she helped Hallie gather her things.

"Hallie is one of the best swimmers I have on our team." Emily responded irritatingly. "She doesn't have a daddy who could snap his fingers at the school and magically have an A appear next to her name ergo she actually has to attend class to stay on the swim team." She continued as she walked closer to Paige with her arms crossed.

Biting her bottom lip, Paige smoothly responded, "If anything…you should be thanking me. I'm the one who warms her up for the breast stroke."

Scrunching her face in disgust, Emily replied, "It is mind-boggling why someone like Hallie would choose to be with someone like you."

"Don't be jealous. Bess has many great qualities." Paige said as he sat down on the bleachers.

"A garbage can has better qualities than you." Emily quickly spat back.

"Ok you guys, round 1 over." Hallie quickly shouted knowing the argument was going to get more heated if she didn't intervene. "Let's get to class Emily" she continued as she hooked Emily's arms with hers. "I'll see you after." Hallie said as she turned around to make eye contact with Paige. With one quick wink the girls left gymnasium making their way back to class.

"And I'll see you in history class." Paige replied staring at Emily as she laid back resting on her elbows.

XXXXXXX

"Ted Koppel once said 'History is a tool used by politicians to justify their intentions'." The middle-aged man said in a raucous voice as he wrote the quote on the blackboard. "For the 99.9% of you are currently staring at me with those infamous blank looks you tend to give me wondering who Ted Koppel is-" the burly man started as he turned around taking his seat in front of the class. "That isn't the point. However since your generation has the attention span of a mosquito, I rather you focus on understanding our history. Ted Koppel is a British American News reporter, no association to our lecture".

After spending four weeks in the same routine, Mr. Halpern's students all knew once he sat down, he had no intention to get back up. After lecturing for several minutes, Mr. Halpern was infamous for springing random questions to students only to make sure they were paying attention. Even with that knowledge, his students however managed to ignore everything coming out of his mouth.

"To sum up our previous topic, the Civil War in a nutshell was our country men fighting one another to end slavery but also unintentionally created a stronger united country. Just as the American Civil War was ending, the Ten Year war began between Cuba and Spain; one war being the Cuban Independence War. America became a bit concerned with their country men living in Havana, the capital of Cuba, who were at the time economically dependent on American even though they were technically a Spanish territory. Sending the USS Maine to pick up all American citizens living there, the Maine was blown up by Spain causing the Spanish-American war to erupt in 1898. With the war lasting only 10 weeks, it not only brought blacks and whites together as they fought against a common enemy, but it made the country powerful. John Hay, who was the U.S Ambassador at the time, marked this as America's entry into world affairs. In 1899, the U.S wasn't the only key player for world matters. They were against Russia, Japan, Germany, France and Great Britain. Which country did you notice I did not include? China. China was a prosperous individual country. With a highly developed agricultural system, China didn't see any need to trade with any other country. However Europe, America, France and every other great power at the time, wanted what China had. They wanted their silk, their spices, their opium and every other unique item no other county had. China, who wasn't exactly the most industrialized country didn't see a need to be imperialized, were forced by the British government to sign the Treaty of Nanking. The terms of this agreement were basically compelling China to open their ports to Britain for trading purposes. Hay began getting paranoid of all the trading that was occurring feared Britain may become overly powerful. Knowing full well China had a limitless market when it came to America's industrialized economy; Hay proposed the Open Door policy demanding that each of the powers respect equal opportunity and therefore has China's ports open to everyone who wished to pass through it. With views such as self-determination and equal opportunity the Open Door policy became a landmark moment in history reflecting the U.S as a major power prepared to assert its interests in distant parts of the world, bringing rise to capitalism. Do you think America had the right to create an Open Door Policy in the first place?"

Mr. Halpern watched in amusement as his class in unisons, preoccupied themselves by suddenly becoming interested in taking notes vigorously. Slowly shifting his eyes from left to right, he couldn't help but smile as he saw Paige texting on her phone. "Ms. McCullers. I really hope you are looking up the facts about the Open Door Policy on your phone which is the reason that is bringing that large grin to your face. So please, why don't you share with the class about your opinion on the matter."

Paige could feel the small blood vessels in her ears beat harder as her heart rate increased. Knowing quite well all eyes were on her, Paige did what she does best. "America is a capitalist country. If the open door policy is where we began our foundation for it, I think America has every right to create the Open Door Policy".

"Thank you for your…enlightened response." Mr. Halpern responded sarcastically. Looking at the rest of class, the bearded man noticed a hand rise towards his left. "Ms. Fields, thank you. Please share your opinion on the Open Door Policy with the class."

"I don't entirely agree with Paige and her response -" Emily started as she was interjected by Mr. Halpern.

"Well that is a complete shock given it was so stimulating." Mr. Halpern responded under his breath allowing a spread of giggles to erupt in the classroom.

Mr. Halpern instantly became one of Emily's favorite teachers in that moment. With a smile displayed on her face, Emily continued. "While I do understand the Open Door Policy was in fact the starting point to America's capitalism, it was created to suit America's supremacy which is contradicting the view of them being selfless. They had just finished a war which even though they won, they probably didn't have enough soldiers to go straight into another one especially up against another great power. John Hay wanted what China had, he knew Britain and France and all the other great powers wanted the same. So without starting the next Great War, why not make all the great powers equal when it comes to trading with China. And just the great powers since they are the only countries at that point that could overtake the U.S. It was a smart move on America's behalf however it was still selfish and not their decision to make on behalf of China's."

"Capitalism by definition is based on the ownership of capital goods and the production that creates those goods for profitability. Paige quickly responded before Mr. Halpern could interpose. "We live in New York, the paradigm of capitalism. Traders aren't exactly soft spoken and step aside if someone is in their way. They do the complete opposite and walk all over them. There is a reason why we have a charging bull as our symbol of Wall Street. John Hay did what he had to, to make America stayed on top. Would you have preferred us to sit back and watch as Britain traded with China?"

Not only surprising Mr. Halpern, it was clear Emily was taken aback by the detailed response Paige had given as she slightly parted her lips in disbelief. Swallowing lightly before disagreeing, Emily responded. "The question was 'do you think America had a right to create the open door policy' not if it was an ideal move for them. Yes of course it was a great move. But just as we wouldn't just walk into Murrow and demand them to give us their theater for us to use, America has no right to forcefully go into China and make them sign away their rights."

"First of, we took Murrow's football field captain." Paige stated as she locked eyes with Emily. "And second, China decided not to build a military base. At that time everything was about conquering territory. America could have easily gone to war with China but they didn't. Trading is as peaceful as it gets without starting a war"

"No, Midwood was built before Murrow, captain. Therefore they had their right for that field. By time Murrow was build, Midwood already had a football team. I would have expected better from you." Emily stated as she returned her gaze to Mr. Halpern. "China didn't bother anyone. They were their own country, at war with no one and were perfectly content. 'A leader doesn't get up a notch on the ladder by shoving somebody else down the ladder'."

"Quoting Bush isn't exactly the way to convey your point." Paige responded as she raised her eye brow. "You're in a period of war. Countries are fighting other countries for superiority. People within a country are fighting each other. Small countries are fighting large ones for independence. China shouldn't have been all mellow and just think they weren't going to be touched especially since they're population was about 400million. The U.S at the time only had 77million. Xiaoping should have been a leader and learn to protect his country. That is why he was the leader. However of course, the Boxer Rebellion did occur after allowing China some sort of redemption."

"Says the republican; what if China hadn't retaliated?" Emily asked angrily.

"The American society is like a math equation using infinity, we're limitless unless proven otherwise. China needed to show they could take on the U.S, but they didn't at the time. Trade was better than takeover." Paige debated passionately.

"No one gave the U.S the right to just step in and become the mediator of all countries." Emily exasperatedly stated.

"The U.S stepped in showing the other great powers that maybe they should create the council of ten. This council help create world peace! This is why we aren't at war with one another." Paige argued.

"World War I, World War II, our war right now in Iraq! This is world peace to you?" Emily bawled back.

"They're against us based on the difference of opinions-" Paige responded before she was interrupted by Mr. Halpern.

"Ok!" Mr. Halpern belted out. Not completely understanding the heated debate that just occurred in the classroom, he knew full well it wasn't because of their passion for history. "Well thank you both. You each made great arguments especially knowing detailed information. Ms. McCullers, I guess you really aren't a freeloader, you just needed the right motivation." Mr. Halpern stated as he looked toward Paige suspiciously.

Feeling Mr. Halpern's gaze set on her, Paige looked down toward her notebook pretending to write. Once Mr. Halpern began his lecture again, Paige let out a sigh of relief knowing she was in the clear for the rest of class from being called on. Pulling out the subways napkin she hid under her notebook, Paige continued doodling; once in a while jotting down random notes around the napkin related to nothing; to the regular person.

1.Biting pens

2.Father's socks?

3.10 minutes early

4.Ghirardelli Dark Chocolate & Mint

XXXXXXX

"I don't understand how you can be best friends with a person like Paige." Emily calmly revealed as she has done times and times before. Lightly grazing her fingertips over Bess's torso as they lay against the northern end of the field goal post; the couple watched as the sun began to set over the field.

Depositing a soft kiss against her girlfriend's left temple, Bess responded. "She's not a complete jackass. I don't know why she gives you such a hard time. Maybe it's because you instigate it sometimes?"

"So now it's my fault?" Emily asked infuriated as she pushed herself off of her girlfriend.

"No, no I didn't mean it like that." Bess quickly responded regretting her answer. Grabbing Emily's wrist, she continued. "It's just…Paige is like my sister. She always looks out for me."

"Let me guess…she told you not to date me?" Emily asked she watched closely at Bess's facial expression. Bess was the girl you brought home to your parents. With sandy brown hair and big brown eyes, Emily always felt Bess was the one. Bess had a bright future ahead of her. Wanting to attend Berkley, she was destined for greater things in life and Emily wanted to be right there next her. The past three years they've been together Emily loved the life she was living; with one exception.

"Actually, no. She's never said anything about us." Bess responded with a straight face as she pulled Emily closer.

Cuddling into her arms, Emily's curiosity was getting the best of her. "So give me an example of why she's such a good friend."

"Hmm, ok. Remember last year when Paige was caught trying to break into Ms. Parilla's car?" Bess asked.

"Uh yeah, she was trying to sell the answer key to her midterm." Emily answered.

"Don't you think she would have been expelled indefinitely if that was the case?" Bess responded triggering Emily to look at her in confusion.

"Let's see. Our newspaper room suddenly received two new printers and the theater club received new lighting equipment. Wondering if there's a connection." Emily responded sarcastically.

"She…didn't do anything." Bess confirmed.

Disbelieving what she just heard, Emily simply responded, "Right."

Taking in a deep breath, Bess was ready to tell a secret she was sworn to keep for the sake of her team and best friend. "Kayla was the one that broke into Ms. Parilla's car." Bess revealed, earning a stunned look from Emily. "With Lacrosse practice and her dad, she had to keep her grades up. It was the only thing she could think of. So she knew Ms. Parilla's schedule that night; she knew she was having a tutoring session for Psychology AP. Once her class started, Kayla was out there trying to open her locks. But it wasn't like she spent nights practicing how to break into cars. She didn't realize how much time passed when Paige tapped her on the shoulder. Paige was so angry. While she was yelling at Kayla, this security guard caught them and they just made a run for it. They ended up running into a lock gate by White Head Hall. Paige didn't even think twice. She ran up to it and took a knee as Kayla jumped over her realizing Paige just sacrificed herself. Paige never gave up Kayla till this day. Mr. Franklin knew it wasn't her, that's why he didn't kick her out of school."

Taking in the new revelation, Emily refused to believe Paige was anywhere near the girl Bess painted her out to be. "How do you know all of this?" she asked as she faced her.

"Kayla came in pretty messed up the next day and just spilled it to the Lacrosse team." Bess answered.

Nodding her head, Emily turned around just as her eyes managed to find Paige as she was leaving the field. Just as she was about look away, Emily felt her breath hitch as Paige captured her gaze. Embarrassed that Paige caught her staring, Emily glanced at her phone to distract herself however realizing it was a lot later than she attended to be out. Jumping up in a hurry, she gathered her things as she hurryingly explained. "Shit, I need to go. My grandfather is visiting. I'll see you tomorrow babe." Emily deposited a quick kiss on Bess's lips as she began making her way off the field.

"Let me at least take you home." Bess screamed out trying to draw Emily's attention.

"Well well, hello Wynona." Paige heard behind her. Studying from the corner of her eye, Paige watched Emily step forward and lean against the lockers to her right.

Continuing to rummage through her locker for his English books, Paige managed to utter a response. "Aw, aren't you original?"

"I can say the same for you." Emily replied coldly.

"Meaning?" Paige asked as she glared at Emily.

Emily stood up straight crossing her arms. "Typical rich kid, captain of the Lacrosse team, stealing an exam for a class she isn't even taking to make quick cash."

"Emily. Walk away before you hurt yourself. The stupidity you're exhuming is beneath you." Paige muttered as she continued searching for her book.

"And stealing? That is not beneath you? Hallie has been crying her eyes out because you've been treating her like shit and Bess is fucking covering for you. Why can't you just start thinking about someone else for a change?" Emily responded angrily.

"You don't know anything about me!" Paige exclaimed.

"Are you kidding me?" Emily asked, baffled by Paige's sudden outburst. "Everyone knows you. Everyone knows your just crying for attention."

Slamming her locker door, Paige gripped the strap on her duffle bag as she turned to face Emily. "Ok Emily. Let's talk about being typical." Becoming angrier and angrier at every passing moment, Paige tried to keep it at bay but couldn't hold it back anymore. "Typical honor student. With the typical honor student girlfriend. Typical captain of a typical high school team as the typical mommy popular student who thinks she's looking out for everyone else but honestly has no clue about anything. You live in this bubble; this fucking shiny bubble. Anything that doesn't live up to your standards you criticize pretending you know. You know nothing! You think you're enjoying life because everything is going as planned? Well sweetie you must be having one hell of an adventure. Let me bow out before I humiliate myself." Paige began retreating back just as she heard Emily's voice once again.

"At least I have a plan and not depending on my parents." Emily stated.

"Because obviously I am dependent on them." Paige responded as she turned around to look at Emily one last time. Turning her back to face Emily, Paige managed to whisper, "walk away Emily".

"No no, not today. I'll see you!" Emily screamed back bursting into a run. Like it matters if Paige was selfless for a day, Emily thought to herself. Why should it matter?

XXXXXXX

Entering her foyer, Paige quietly closed the large wooden oak doors behind her before placing her black North Face Borealis backpack under the white marble console table under the spiral staircase. Raising her left hand to check the time, Paige was relieved to know it was only 5:13pm knowing her parents weren't going to be home till 6pm. Just as she took in a breath of relief, she immediately mourned the sensation as she saw her father's briefcase in the living room. Sorting thru the pile of mail she just brought with her, Paige slowly made her way to the kitchen knowing full well her father was there as well. Glancing up, Paige gave her father a quick nod to acknowledge his presence before making her way to the fridge.

"How was the weight room?" the middle aged man asked as he took the mail from his daughter.

"Good, focused on crunches mainly." Paige responded taking a slice of pizza out of its box. "Did cross body crunches and tuck crunches. Did some squats and tricep dips. Worked on my calves so did some dumbbell calves and single-leg dumbbell calves" she continued in between bites.

"You need to add more abdominal exercises into your routine if you want to work on increasing your stamina" the grey bearded man stated as he focused on reading one of his letters.

"I know, but I didn't have time to today" Paige responded taking another bite.

"That should be one of your proprieties" her father responded sternly focusing on her.

"I'll make sure it is tomorrow." Paige promised. Getting up to grab a glass from the dark wooden cabinets, Paige was hesitant about her next question as she filled the glass with water. "Did you call Kyle today?"

"Yes" was all the sturdy man responded.

Paige knew there was more his father wanted to say. Sitting on one of the stools by the kitchen island, Paige simply said one word, "Dad".

"What?" her father asked raising his voice. "I called him. I wished him a happy birthday. He'll be back on the weekend."

"Yeah I know he's coming back on the weekend." Paige responded quietly.

"So you know he wants to bring Shana?" the elderly man asked as he placed the mail on the island.

"Yes" Paige responded without making eye contact.

"Right." Her father said as he started walking to exit the kitchen. The tension was building all around them and Paige knew his outburst was just a few moments away. "I just wanted to have a peaceful dinner with my family and now I have to deal with everyone prying on us again".

There it was. "Dad- "

Fuming, the man continued. "No! Why can't I just have a typical dinner? We have to go through this for all over our birthday's and holidays! I'm sick and tired of people staring at us and talking about us. We were held to such a high status at one point and because of your brother and his choices he ruined all of us".

Cautiously, Paige replied. "He didn't ruin us"

"You don't understand! Do you see the way people stare at us when we go to weddings? They all look at her!" her father asked.

"He can't help who he loves" Paige stated staring at her father.

"It's just his first girlfriend. He doesn't know anything about love." Mr. McCullers responded a bit more calm.

"He's been dating Shana for 4 years dad. They've been through so much, especially from our family. If it hasn't torn them apart now, what makes you think it will?" Paige asked.

"I've seen people in 8 year relationships that broke apart. There is still hope" her father quietly responded.

"This is your son you're talking about." Paige stated disgustedly.

Scrunching his eyebrows, her father looked back at her. "This is my family I'm talking about!" About to walk away, her father took in a deep breath to calm down. After a few seconds of silence he spoke up. "How's Hallie?"

Inwardly flinching, Paige made sure her facial expression didn't show the same resentment at the mere mention of her name. "She's fine. I'm meeting her mom next week Friday for dinner."

"Good. It's about time. She is someone I'm proud to call a daughter-in-law" her father responded approving the decision.

"Dad, you don't even know her." Paige acknowledged.

"I know her father. He's a well-respected man in our community" the grey bearded man sternly responded.

Paige knew this was not the right moment to bring up her own feelings on the matter. Changing the subject, she placed her glass in the sink. "I'm going to get cleaned up before mom gets home".

"Okay, I'll see you in a few" he calmly responded. Watching his daughter make her way out of the kitchen, he stopped her one last time. "And Paige, don't disappoint me."

"I know dad" Paige responded looking into the man's dark grey eyes.