Chapter One

Emily was beyond nervous at this point. As she sat on the Rosewood park bench with eyes closed and her breathing rapid, she had forgotten about the other girl who she had invited along with her on this little trip. As she took in more of the October air around her, still with her eyes close, she fell into deep thought. How am I going to ask her, and if she says no, how will I ever live with any dignity? I can't take another rejection from her…I just can't. Just then, Emily's thoughts were interrupted.

"Emily, are you okay?" Alison asked, staring at Emily, whose eyes flew open to the sound of Alison's voice. Emily had forgotten about Alison's presence for a brief moment. "You've been sitting silent for almost 10 minutes."

Emily's heart started beating faster and she looked down at the ground, at the pile of orange and yellow leaves floating around. "Uhh, yea, I-I'm just enjoying this weather." Emily said, clearing her throat.

Alison looked at Emily with curious eyes and gave her the look that she wasn't buying it. "Emily?" Alison said in a calm, low, but firm tone. Why am I really here?" Alison knew there was something Emily needed to say and she herself was dying to hear it.

Emily looked up at Alison, whose ocean, blue eyes caught her in a melting stage and sent a family of butterflies fluttering around in her stomach. Alison always had this effect on her. Autumn's wind blew through Alison's long, golden locks and the sunlight that was shinning down made her skin shimmer; she was completely beautiful. As Emily stared into Alison's eyes, she was mesmerized by the blonde's beauty, which made the process of what Emily wanted to do even harder. Emily was thinking to herself a couple of things. Would this be rushing into things? After all this was just the beginning of senior year and Alison had just got back from running away after two years. She had missed Alison so much though; she loved her. For a matter of fact, Emily was IN love with Alison. Yes, Alison had hurt many people in the past, including Emily herself, but Emily saw the difference in Alison now; the good in her. Yes, Alison had brutally rejected Emily, making her feel worthless about the crush she had on her. But, when Alison came back, she told Emily that she had feelings for her all along and even apologized for how she treated her. Emily still didn't know if Alison was ready to be in a committed relationship with her though. That's all Emily wanted, that's all she ever wanted; to be in a relationship with Alison, the girl she's loved since freshman year. Emily snapped out of her gaze of Alison and looked back at the ground. She knew she was stalling time but it was now or never. Well here it goes, Emily thought to herself as she looked back up slowly at Alison, who was still looking intently back at Emily. This made Emily's cheeks flush.

"I-I just wanted to know if…you know, you wanted to…" Emily trailed off looking at the tree above them, still very nervous about asking Alison out.

"Know if I wanted to what?" Alison said still looking at Emily with intent eyes.

"Y-you know, if you wanted to be mine." Emily was still looking at the tree.

"Be your what?..." Alison said with sternness.

Emily looked at Alison. Sensing the tone in Alison's voice, the butterflies in her stomach were replaced with a huge lump. "If you wanted to be my girl," Emily poked out quietly. Alison stared at Emily for a couple of seconds then finally looked at the ground with raised brows, not responding for a long period of time. There was silence around besides the whistling of the wind, the wrestle of the leaves blowing pass and the children in the distance playing.

Still looking at the ground, Alison finally broke the silence between them with a question. "What about Paige? Aren't you dating that swine looking beast?" Alison asked, looking up at Emily side-ways.

"Well yeah, but I would end things with her in a heartbeat for you…that's if you want to." Emily said.

"Won't she go crazy if she finds out that you dumped her over me? She's obsessed with you. She still hates me and I know it. Even after my apology to her, she still doesn't believe I have changed."

"Trust me, she's not a problem. She can't be upset at me for following through with my feelings. She knows how my heart is." Emily loved Paige, but not in that romantic way. For a matter of fact, she never did, it was only a type of love that friends have for one another. Emily knew she would be being dishonest with Paige if she stayed with her while Alison was around. Even when Alison was gone for the 2 years, Emily was not over Ali and most definitely was not over her now. Even Paige herself had some knowledge of this deep inside. Alison looked back at the ground and played with the loose leaves beneath her white heels. She squeezed the bench under her and bit her lip as Emily continued. "Look Ali, I understand if you don't want too. It was just a thought and since you said you liked me too…you know …I know I'm rushing things and maybe you're not ready to—"

"Em!" Alison cut her off and took her eyes away from the ground to Emily's eyes, which was filled with worry and sadness. Emily looked back down at the ground, and Alison lifted Emily's chin towards her with her finger, leaned in and placed a soft and gentle kiss on Emily's lips. "It's about time you asked babe."