Ok so I'm back. I was away on holidays for a long time (lucky me), but now I'm back with more fics. Now those of you that followed my Emissa story, I won't be going back to it anytime soon. So for now, you can have this. It won't be following the TV storyline really, so it's kinda off the cuff. Hope you like it.
Ever since Maya passed away, Emily felt she had a hole inside her, a dark endless pit that nothing could fill. She tried everything, running, swimming, eating, but nothing worked. It left her feeling empty and never quite whole.
As the months went by, she became a loner, not wanting to go out with the girls and not wanting to have any fun. She used to go to school, swim practise and then home. Her mother worried about her and her friends didn't know what to do. No one could get through to her. She was empty and alone, and no one could help her.
It was Thursday evening and most people were hanging with friends or starting to unwind after the hard week at school. Emily decided to go to the pool and swim a few lengths before she headed home.
She was the only one in the pool. She liked that, having the freedom to do as she liked. She glided through the water with ease. It was the only thing that helped her cope, but yet, it never filled her.
After a few dozen lengths, she stopped to take a breather and get a drink when she heard the door of the pool open. Assuming it was the coach or janitor coming to clean the stands, she sat drinking her water.
The sound of soft padded footsteps lightly splashing the puddles of water by the pool came closer to her until she heard a voice. A familiar voice called her name. It was slightly husky but sweet at the same time. Spencer.
"Spencer? What are you doing here?" The brunette smiled at Emily shyly. Spencer was never shy about anything, so it surprised Emily. "I came to swim".
Emily's brow rose, "You, came to swim?" The corner of her mouth turned up into a half-smile, "Yeah. I have come to enjoy it". Emily sat staring at her friend in disbelief.
"How long have you been swimming for?" Spencer grinned, "Since my parents taught me when I was three" Emily smiled, "You know what I mean".
Spencer was so happy that she got Emily to smile that she was slow to answer the question, "I've been coming here every Thursday night for about a month now".
Emily couldn't help but notice how good Spencer looked in her swimsuit. It suited her small frame in an unlikely way.
"Well I better let you get to it so" said Emily grabbing her towel. Spencer put out her hand and caught Emily's arm, "Don't leave on my account. The pool is big enough for the both of us, right?"
Emily smiled weakly at her friend and nodded. It had been so long since someone had touched her. She wouldn't even let her mother hold her. She blocked everyone out, and for what? She missed the warmth of Spencer's hand almost immediately.
Spencer dived in and swam gracefully to the other side. As soon as she returned, she goaded Emily, "What? Too good to swim with me, Little oul Spencer?"
A smile spread across Emily's face as she dropped her towel and jumped in over Spencer's head. When she resurfaced Spencer asked her, "How about a race champ?" "You're on!" grinned Emily.
The two girls swam for over an hour and for the first time since Maya, Emily felt something. Something deep in the dark pit, she felt a spark of light grow. She felt happy.
By the time Emily got home, her mother was back from work at the Police Station. She didn't ask her daughter where she was because it was obvious by the wet hair and smell of chlorine. The question she did want to ask was who she was with because there was something about her, something brighter than her usual self. Pam could see a spark of the old Emily.
"I'm going to take a shower and then do some study. I'll make something for myself later so count me out of dinner" Pam nodded, but followed her daughter as she went up the stairs. Pam stood at the bottom and called after her "Emily".
The tall brunette stopped and turned to her mom, "Yes?" "I love you". Emily stood for a moment before giving her mother a faint smile, "I know. I love you too" and then she continued on up the stairs.
Pam stood silently for a moment, smiling to herself, and then a tear came to her eye. I'm getting my Em back.
As Emily lay in bed that night, she couldn't help but notice how secluded she had become. How could she have closed herself off to her friends so much, or even to her Mom?
Spencer had been swimming for a month and she didn't even know. What sort of friend didn't know that? She doesn't even know what's going on with Hanna, or even Aria. Although she could guess it was something Ezra related.
Tears welled up at the realisation that she had shut out everyone she ever cared for. They must have been worried sick about her, and she just ignored them all. She built a wall stopping anyone that cared for her from getting in. But this was the first time someone has tried to climb the wall. Everyone else just left her be, because they thought that's what she wanted. Maybe it was, but not anymore. For the first time, someone is trying to get through to her. Spencer has started to climb the wall, and Emily is glad she's trying.
If anyone has any questions or queries you can PM me or follow me on Twitter newkid_96 and I'll answer them. Please review!