Chapter One
It's the first day of classes. I haven't walked these halls since I was a student. My dad dying flipped my entire word upside down. Currently the whole gang is back in Rosewood. Spencer is here helping her mom with her campaign, Aria is here writing a book with Ezra, and Hanna came here to help her mom with the finishing touches on The Radley Hotel. I came back because I graduated with a degree in sports management and I couldn't bare seeing my mom be alone for now. I knew I could get a job anywhere. Just so happened that good old Rosewood High was in need of a new swimming coach and athletic trainer. I've been here about a week, staying in my mom's house although she is about to move out and I'm looking for my own place. I sit in the teacher's lounge and sip my coffee. High school was amazing. Star athlete, high on the academic scale, and the ladies loved me. I had a revolving door of girlfriends, but nothing too serious. I just found it extremely hard to fall in love with anyone after losing Maya the way I did. For me opening up is my biggest fear when letting someone in could just mean having to say goodbye to them. My dad's death has for sure made that worse. I'm brought out of my thoughts by the door, I look up, and instantly I forget how to breathe. This beautiful woman walks towards me. Blonde hair, the bluest eyes, and dimples. She smiles softly as she sits next to me. "Hi I'm Alison Rollins. Everyone calls me Ali. My cousin Spencer told me you were starting today and to just help you get a feel for this place." She extends her hand, I shake it reluctantly.
"It's nice to meet you Alison. I'm Emily, which I'm sure you know and thanks." I say drily. I stand up to finish my coffee and throw the cup away. Before I get to the door I hear Allison's sweet voice.
"See you around I guess." I turn to look at her and she looks a little hurt. I just shoot her a smile and wave before heading to the gym. I remember stories of Alison growing up. We went to school with her brother Jason who Aria dated for awhile. Alison was a bully, and ruined people's lives. And although we all have been busy I'm positive Spencer would've told me that she worked here. Maybe she just overlooked it. But I know this place like the back of my hand, I lived in this gym, and pool. We ran these halls, we were the popular kids. I head to my office, and begin to look through paperwork. I don't have students first period so I have a gap in the time I get here and actually have to do anything. In true Emily Fields fashion I will probably be the only person early to work to do nothing. The day begins pretty slowly but then out of nowhere it's ending and I am walking to my car.
Today was not as scary as I thought it would be. I'm putting up a notification for swim team try outs tomorrow and I'm really looking forward to that part of my job. I get to my car and see Alison walking to her car. She is beautiful without a doubt. She's wearing blue and it looks like there's absolutely no other color on earth that she should wear. I pull off before she notices me although I peek at her in the rearview mirror and can swear she stopped to turn around before she got in her car. My phone buzzes and I look at it quickly. A message from Hanna saying that everyone was meeting at The Radley for dinner, something about trying out the new menu before it opened. I ran home really quickly to change clothes before heading over. I get there and the girls are all sitting at a table. I sit down and order a drink. We all catch up on each other's lives, and eat some really amazing food. Half way through the meal Spencer blurts out "Oh did you meet Ali?" As she looks my way with one eyebrow up. Everyone silences themselves as if they know something I don't.
"Yeah sure did. She seems… different than all of the stories I remember." I said as I finished the last bite of my food.
"Well haven't we all changed Em?" Spencer giggled out. And she was right. Maybe I jumped the gun on judging Alison from her past. I mean I didn't even know her, just knew of her.
"So what's her story?" I ask out of curiosity.
"Hmmm. Long story short. She grew up, became an English teacher, and got married. Last year her husband and mom died in a car accident." Aria answered knowing her as well as Spencer since she dated Alison's brother for almost three years. I look at Spencer who is looking at me questioningly. We go about the rest of our meal and conversation before we part was. We say our see ya laters and make plans for a girls night at Hanna's loft in a few days. I head home where my mom and I watch movies until she falls asleep on the couch. I cover her with a blanket and head up to my room. I left my phone on the charger because I just left the only people who text or call me but my phone is blinking. I pick it up, take it off the charger, and I have a friend request on Facebook from one Alison Rollins. I click on it and it goes to her page. Her profile picture is a picture of her alone, her cover is a picture of her standing in between here mom and who I'll presume to be her husband. Her smile noticeably different in both pictures. Suddenly I feel a twinge of emotions. Although Maya and I were young when she died I feel Alison's pain to lose the person you want to love forever, and of course I can relate to losing a parent. I gladly accept the request before going to shower. I've agreed in my head that I'll be nicer to Alison tomorrow because honestly, I'm she needs it. I can only imagine how many people who know her still treat her like a monster because of who she used to be, and haven't realized that she needs friendly and caring people in her circle. I lay in bed and think about my day until I fall asleep.
My mom is always already out the door by the time I get up and get ready for work. I pick out an outfit for work, and make myself some breakfast. I realize what time it is and I wrap up my food, finish getting ready, and get going. I pull in right beside Alison who I see is as timely as me or more. I head to the teacher's lounge to grab some coffee before going to my office to eat my breakfast when I see Alison eating at a table alone. I make myself a cup and coffee before sitting right beside her. I guess eating here wouldn't hurt. She let out a shy hello and I said hi back. I look up a few times to catch her looking at me, and I'm positive I blush each time. "What exactly is on your sandwich? It looks and smells amazing."
"Oh it's just toast, avocado, tomato, bacon, and mayo." She looks down at her muffin as if it's not adequate. "I like muffins, your muffin looks good." I blush thinking how dirty that came out. She giggles.
"It's homemade. I bake. A lot. It's a cinnamon swirl muffin." She says proudly and I can't help but smile. "Would you like to taste it, my muffin?" She held a small piece up and waited on a reply. I almost choke on my coffee. I look at her face to try and figure out if she is teasing me or is she as wholesome as she seems. I notice a slight smirk.
"I'd love to." I sit up and eat the piece right from her fingers and wink at her. I'm usually not so forward but in this instant I couldn't pass up on having the upper hand. She smiles a smile that made my heart melt as she escaped from eye contact by looking down. The bell rings.
"Shit, I'm late!" She hops up and grabs all of her things before she bolts out the door. I get another coffee, and walk to the gym triumphantly. Score: Emily- 1, Alison- 0.