Hey guys! This is my new story! I hope you enjoy it! :)
"I look and stare so deep in your eyes"
Emily's POV
"Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh"
My phone begins to ring and it's so loud it makes me throw it against the wall. I roll around in bed, trying to ignore it. Wait, is that an arm wrapped around my waist? Where am I? And why does it feel like George Foreman is throwing his punches inside my head? I know I've got the answers clear in my head, though: I've fooled around with another random girl and now I'm in her bedroom (or in a motel room, who knows?) with a killer hangover.
"Looking so crazy in love, got me looking, got me looking so crazy in love"
Whoever it is on the other side of the line, they insist that I should pick up. It's probably Talia, by the way. She hates it when I sleep around, but what else can I do? This is my way of dealing with things. Anyway, I grump and roll off the bed, accepting the call and squinting my eyes in a way to prevent them from getting hurt by the morning light.
"Emily, where are you?" - She demands in a stern, maternal tone.
"Not so loud, Talia"
"You did it again, didn't you? Emily, how many times do I have to tell you that it's dangerous?!" - One of the things that I liked the most about Talia is that she was a little like Hanna when she argued with me. Only someone with their stubborn personalities would make me listen.
"I'm okay, Talia, really" - I said, beginning to look for my clothes in the quickest way possible, considering my huge migraine - "I was just about to leave"
"Liar, I know I woke you up" - She really knows me too well sometimes - "Please, don't drive around with a hangover"
"Relax, I've got enough money for a taxi" - I hoped.
"Okay. See you at night at the club?"
"See ya. Bye, Talia" - I hang up before she could lecture me about how I didn't have to sleep around with random girls because I was sweet enough to find a woman and have a stable relationship with her. What Talia never understood is that being a womanizer (that's what they call me nowadays) is a way for me not to feel miserable about myself.
It's ridiculous, I know. When I went to college, I was still sweet Emily Fields from Rosewood. I had good grades and very seldom went to parties. Everything changed when my father died at a terrorist attack in Afghanistan. This… I couldn't handle this. Neither could my mother by the way. I left college and I went to Texas to look after my mom because she was totally destroyed by my father's death. We both were. I spent a year there in the bereavement until it started to do me more harm than good and my mom sent me back to California. But how was I supposed to live with not much money and not a great level of education?
I became a bartender at a bar near the beach, maybe because waiting tables and mixing drinks was something that I'd done most of my teenage years. My boss trusted me and gave me generous tips when I did my job right and that allowed me to save enough money to open my own bar. And that's how I ran into Talia again. I was looking for something different, something a little classier for this bar. One day, I found Talia in a night club and we laughed at the coincidences of life. I knew she was a wonderful cook and I offered her the position. She considered it for a few days before accepting. Since then, Talia has become my partner in business and a close friend.
However, working with people who might flirt around with you and mixing drinks is an explosive combination. In one of my darkest moments (and I had plenty of them), I drank a little too much and I laid my eyes upon a gorgeous blonde who reminded me of someone else and that was it. The following day was pretty much like today: I woke in a strange bed with a random girl and a sinking feeling of emptiness. This behavior has become more frequent ever since. Whenever I'm upset about my father's passing or missing a certain blonde, I drink and chase after some random girl. It's dangerous and unhealthy, I know. Talia has warned me about it a dozen times.
Let's be clear, I never did get over Alison. I might have choked her in the back of my mind with the new things in life when I moved to California or with books, but she remained dormant in the back of my mind, only waiting for the right moment to trigger again. When my dad died, there were so many emotions that I momentarily forgot about Alison. But then, on my last days in Texas, I was raging mad at her because she didn't even have the decency to call me to express her condolences like the other girls did. But then, I remembered that none of us actually kept up with Alison and it only made me madder because, if she truly cared, she would've reached out to me by now.
I know that frustration lurked behind my anger. I never actually had the chance to have Alison in the way I wished and I've never got over it. It's ridiculous, I know. It's ridiculous that all the girls that I hook up with have at least one trait, physical or not, that makes me remember Alison. It could be the blonde hair, the curls, the blue eyes, the smirk, the Queen Bee attitude… anything.
When I finished dressing up, I looked back at the bed to see the features of my most recent one-night stand. She was a black beauty with short curly hair. But then, she had dimples… they looked just like Ali's that I couldn't resist. I had to go after her, I had to store that little piece of her in the back of my mind while I tried to make a puzzle of Alison with parts of her I'll never have. I sighed and left. I might have to live with the burden of losing Alison for the rest of my life.
When I arrived home, there was a letter in the mailbox, but my head was too busy to deal with bills right now. Instead, I found an aspirin and I headed for the shower in a weak attempt to cure my hangover. After my shower, I finally decided to face the bill. However, I found my name scribbled down in a cursive way on the back of the letter and wondered who sent this to me, panic already running through my veins as the memory of A/Charlotte was still very much alive to me. I opened the letter and read it with attention.
"Dearest Emily,
I know that it's been years since we last saw each other, but I couldn't help but to reach out to you (and the other girls, for that matter) in this moment of anguish. I know I haven't exactly been present in your lives after you left, but there were a lot of things that I had to rebuild and I hope you can forgive me for that.
Charlotte is on the brink of dying. She's been through intense therapy and was finally ready to go home when she fell sick to a deathly infection. The doctors did all they could, but her state is just getting worse and worse. As expected, I've been there with her through this with her and she confided in me her last wish: she wants to see all of you so she can apologize and part with a less burdened heart.
This sounds crazy, I know. However, I have to try to grant her her last wish. I know that she's locked you up in a dollhouse and that she made your (our) lives a living hell, but I beg you: please, give her this last chance to redeem herself! We've all made terrible mistakes in the past and, though Charlotte has probably blown the limits, I can guarantee you that she's a different person now. She hates herself for what she's done to you.
I hope you can help your old friend in trying to find some peace of mind for her dying sister.
With love,
Alison"
My first reaction was to tear this paper in tiny little pieces and throw them all in the wind. However, those were Alison's words and it's the first time that she's reached out for me in 5 years and I can't help but to hold onto that. However, she's not calling only me; she's calling me and all of our friends and, God, it's the first time that we'll ever go back to Rosewood and meet, just the five of us.
I don't know about the other girls, but I couldn't say no to that letter, not when Alison is begging through scribbled words. I dialed Talia's number and she picks up in the first ring, probably worried about my welfare.
"Forget about our plans, Talia. I'm going back to Rosewood" - I announced and hang up the phone, not even waiting for her to express her reaction. Anxiously, I packed my things. It's the first time in five years that I'll see Alison.
Five hours later, I arrived at Philly by plane after a five-hour flight from Los Angeles. I wasn't used to flying; so, I was already tired by the time the plane landed. However, there was no time to rest. I needed to find a taxi and go to Rosewood and then find a place to stay. I just hope I don't have to stay at Lost Woods Resort because my last experience there wasn't exactly remarkable in a good way. Let's pray Rosewood the number of hotels in Rosewood has increased.
I picked up my bags and I set out to look for a taxi. Suddenly, I felt eyes on me. I tried to ignore that feeling, as it was probably just a PTSD symptom after having to deal with A for three and having spent a month inside a dollhouse in the middle of nowhere. However, the sensation persisted and I stopped in my tracked, scanning my surroundings in search of any sign of weird behavior. That's when I heard that voice.
"Emily" - It was soft, so soft that I thought I was hallucinating. It must be the wind, it must be my memory playing with me now that I'm coming back to Rosewood because this voice… this exact tone belongs to Alison.
"Emily!" - The voice called again and, this time, I had the courage to look around. My eyes widened at the sight of Alison. I shut and opened them again in hope to dissipate the hallucination in front of me, but it didn't work. It was real… Alison DiLaurentis was standing right in front of me!
She was more beautiful than ever: her orange sundress showed every inch of curve she acquired throughout these five years; her hair was finally in its original shape as perfect curls decorated her face; her blue eyes, however, held the same gem shine she yielded when we were younger and, suddenly, I lost my ground.
I dropped my bags and ran to her like a magnet to its opposite pole. She ran to me too and our bodies collided halfway. I wrapped my arms around her waist and lifted her up, spinning her around as the world slowed down for the both of us. When I placed her back on the ground, she kept her arms wrapped around my neck and smiled.
"I missed you so much!" - She confessed with tears in her eyes.
"I missed you too" - My first instinct was to kiss her in the middle of the airport, as she was standing so close to me that it became harder to breathe. However, I don't know where we stood and, frankly, we still have a lot to catch up.
"Why are you here?"
"I came to pick you up" - Ali pulled away slightly, only slightly, and her hands were still on my shoulders.
"What if I didn't come today?" - Does she still know that she has me wrapped around her finger, that I'll go to her anytime she calls?
"I would come every day until I drove you home" - She spoke as she moved to help me with my stuff - "Ready to go?"
"Sure" - I looked into her eyes and her blue orbs shone back in complicity - "Is there any place I could stay in Rosewood?" - I asked, almost hoping that she'd invite me to stay at her place.
"Well, Radley has been turned into a hotel. I think you could stay there if you need" - She let me down as she guided me to her car, a brand new black Prius.
"Wow, what a car! What do you do for a living?" - I expected her to be a businesswoman, a real estate agent, a fashion designer or…
"I'm a teacher" - She answered humbly and I gasped in surprise. I didn't expect Alison would become a teacher. She didn't look like the type. Besides, she's got an expensive car for a teacher's wage. I guess the DiLaurentis have a lot of money in their back rows.
She must've noticed my weird glances and she looked away as she began to drive - "I know. I was the devil's daughter when I was a teen and nobody expected I would become a teacher, but I… I wanted to be useful to society after all the things I did, so this is my way to repay them"
"No, it's okay. Teaching is cool" - I try to conceal my surprise.
"And you? What do you do for a living?"
"I… uhm… I own a bar at California" - I suppose it's better she doesn't know about my sleeping around.
"That's cool too! But I didn't expect sweet Emily to become a bar owner" - She winked at me flirtatiously and I looked away, trying to hide the blush creeping into my cheeks.
"Things don't always go the way we plan"
"Believe me, I know" - She looked at me intently, as if she hid second meanings behind her phrase. I wonder if this has something to do with what she said the night that we met at the warehouse. Still, I doubt that she remembers that as clearly as I do.
She stopped in front of The Radley Hotel and, oh my, how this place has changed! The creepy old house has been replaced by a modern building and I can actually see life inside of it. There appears to be a bar at the hall and I'm suddenly curious. On the other hand, this place looks expensive as hell.
I picked up my things and Alison helped me. I was kinda expecting her to invite me over for dinner or something, but she didn't make a move. It's strange, though; she appeared randomly at the airport to pick me up without even knowing if I'd be there, but she can't even invite me over for dinner, let alone offer her place for me to stay in. I'm trying to find a sense in it, but I can't.
"Do you know if the other girls are here already?" - I make small talk.
"They're not. And nobody called me, so I don't even know if they are coming"
"Will you drive to the airport every day so you can pick them up too?"
She gave me a sly smile - "Maybe"
We stopped talking so I could make my check-in into the hotel. Once my things were all set, she came to me so she could say goodbye.
"Bye Em" - She took my hand in hers and played with my fingers - "I wish I could take you out to dinner, but I've got classes to prepare and, oh my God, I'm so busy correcting papers"
"It's okay, Ali" - I pulled her in for a hug, even though I was still slightly suspicious of her. This seemed like a genuine excuse, however. Maybe she had too many things to do she couldn't even have dinner with me. Maybe she was too busy that my presence could actually make her feel uncomfortable in her own home.
She let go of me, smiled and left and I stayed there in the stairway, grinning like a fool.
Three days later, Spencer, Aria and I were waiting for Hanna to arrive at The Radley so we could finally have a reunion, just the four of us, five years later. Fun fact: Alison picked up none of them but me. It was almost 6 pm when Hanna arrived at the lobby, carrying a wheeled backpack in one hand and a handbag in the other.
"Hey, guys! I missed you so much" - We hugged her and helped her with her bags before heading down to the lobby again and ordering a couple of drinks.
"Tell me, what have you been up to?" - Hanna asked as she took a sip of her marguerita.
"Well, I studied Law at New York and I'm currently helping my mom with her political campaign. She wants to be a state senator" - Spencer told us.
"That's not surprise coming from a Hastings" - Aria smirked - "Are you thinking of going to politics too?"
"You know me. I can't stay out of trouble" - I was really happy that Spencer was into the political world. I mean, she's super smart, she's got great arguments and we need people like this in our congress - "What about you, Aria?"
"I've written a couple of novels" - She admitted quietly.
"I know. I bought them all!" - Hanna squealed - "They're really good!"
"Thanks, Han. I've also your clothes around"
"Really? That's the fun of being a fashion designer!" - I was almost absent from the conversation because I totally felt like a failure compared to my high school friends. I mean, they all had great jobs, earned a good amount of money and seemed totally happy. On the other hand, I owned a bar, my income was only regular and I am more miserable than ever - "And you, Em? What have you been up to?"
"I own a bar at California"
"Really, you should invite us sometime! I think that's totally awesome!" - Aria smiled.
"I bet she's quite the womanizer back there" - Hanna teased - "Emily's totally got the looks" - She winked at me and, damn, how Hanna keeps knowing me so well after all these years.
"She's blushing, guys!" - Spencer teased me too.
"Hey! A girl is allowed to be single!"
"I'm single too!" - Spencer replied - "But that doesn't mean I'm stealing hearts out there"
"Like Spencer Hastings ever had the time for relationships" - Hanna rolled her eyes.
Aria gave Spencer a sympathetic smile - "I'm sorry you and Toby couldn't make it"
"We tried a long-distance relationship, but my time was short and he didn't handle it very well. It was for the best, really" - I felt sorry for Toby too. I knew he loved Spencer deeply, but I guess that love isn't enough these days. I can understand him because I feel the same way about Alison - "What about you, Aria? Are you seeing someone?"
She hesitated before answering - "I might be dating someone"
"Tell me all about it!" - Hanna cheered.
"His name is Liam and he works as an editor in Boston" - Aria described - "He's quite an intellectual man, if you know what I mean"
"So, does it mean that there's no more room for Ezra?" - Hanna asked in curiosity. Last time I heard from Ezra he was getting married to Nicole, a friend of mine, in Thailand.
"No" - She hesitated before continuing - "What I had with Ezra was… a mistake. I lost so much time on my life and I tried to take it back when I was in college. Liam is my first real relationship after Ezra and I'm happy with him because I feel like we are on the same page, and that is different from how I felt when I was with Ezra. We lived in two different worlds and we tried to find a common place, but we couldn't"
"Hanna!" - Spencer changed the subject… well, not totally - "I see that ring!" - I finally took notice of Hanna's left hand. Her ring finger was flashing a huge diamond ring.
"Congratulations, Han!" - I smiled to her - "At least you got your happy ending with Caleb!"
Her face fell and we knew immediately that that ring wasn't from Caleb - "It's not from Caleb. We broke up four years ago"
"Why?"
Hanna's face was suddenly dark with emotions. I've never seen her that sober in her entire life - "I got pregnant and had an abortion when I was nineteen. Caleb didn't agree with this and our relationship became unbearable"
"Oh my God, Hanna!" - Aria's and Spencer's faces filled with horror.
"Why didn't you tell us?!" - I asked her. If Hanna had come to me, I would've helped her, whatever was her decision. I'd never judge her for that.
"I wasn't in a good state of mind. Even though I had professional help, I got depressed for a few months. That's when I met Jordan. He was very comprehensive and he didn't judge me like Caleb had. At first, I stayed with him because he was good for me but, in time, I fell in love with him"
"At least you got your happy ending" - I smiled softly to Hanna and held her hand. She smiled back at me and, after this glum story, we all stopped to take a sip of our drinks.
"Have you talked to Alison?" - Hanna inquired.
"No" - Spencer denied and Aria shook her head - "Have you, Em?" - She gave me that look that said "it's always the same with you two".
"I haven't too" - I hid the fact that Alison had randomly decided she'd go to the airport every day until I arrived at Philly so she could pick me up - "What do you think Charlotte will tell us?"
"As long as she doesn't try to kill me, I'm fine" - Aria shrugged.
"I don't know what this bitch can possibly want with us now" - Hanna seethed.
"Hanna!" - Spencer reprehended - "She's Ali's sister!"
"I know! But Ali wasn't there in the dollhouse. She doesn't know the things we've been through thanks to her crazy sister!"
"We sent her to jail" - I mumbled under my breath - "Ali wasn't there because she was in jail for a crime she didn't commit!"
"Let it go, Emily" - Hanna feigned indifference - "It's not like Ali was a saint either"
"Guys, can't we agree that we've all done terrible things?!" - Aria interrupted - "It's not like Charlotte can harm us now! She's on her deathbed!"
"She's not getting my forgiveness" - Hanna didn't concede - "Now, excuse me, I've got jet lag" - And she left her drink at the table and went upstairs.
On Saturday, we met Alison at Rosewood Hospital and she took us to Charlotte's room. Charlotte asked to speak to us privately, one at a time. The first one to go in was Hanna, who "wanted to get it over with as soon as possible". She spoke to Charlotte for about ten minutes and left, mumbling soundlessly to me - "Bitch's crazy"
The next one to go in was Spencer and she returned five minutes later with an unreadable expression. Aria went next and returned two minutes later with a soft expression. She gave me a friendly squeeze as I got ready to face our ex-nemesis.
"Hello, Americano" - Charlotte said in a weak voice when I came into her room - "I see you've been doing well"
"Cut the crap, Charlotte" - I went straight to the point - "Why am I here?"
She coughed and I felt bad for being so rude to her. But then, I remembered all the things she put me through in the dollhouse and I couldn't help but feel angry at her, even after all this time - "I just wanted to talk to you"
"We've got nothing to talk about"
"What about your feelings for Alison?" - She caught me off guard with that question and I slightly blushed.
"They're in the past"
"No, they aren't" - Charlotte forced her voice out - "I know that you still love her and she feels the same for you, believe me"
"How do you know that?"
"Alison has a nag for hiding things" - She spoke with a smile - "But she can't hide her feelings for you..." - Charlotte paused to cough - "At least no totally. She's always doing special things for you, she's always breaking her rules because of you"
"She hasn't talked to me in five years, Charlotte" - I argued.
"I know" - Charlotte smiled weakly - "I feel guilty for that. Alison stayed behind for me" - She coughed again - "She wanted to be there for me and to make up for all the wrong things she did. She believed she wanted a normal life, but that's not her, Emily" - Another cough - "Alison needs you in order to be herself" - And Charlotte couldn't stop coughing anymore.
I rushed and pressed the emergency button right away - "Charlotte!"
The nurses arrived one second later and aided the coughing blonde - "Promise me you're gonna take care of her, Emily"
"Charlotte..."
"Promise me!" - I could only nod as the nurses pushed me out of Charlotte's room.
It was past midnight when I heard my phone ring. It was probably Talia wondering where I was, so I just let it ring. However, the person insisted on calling me and I had no other option but to get my phone and see who it was if I wanted to sleep tonight. Much to my surprise, it was Alison.
I picked up the call - "Ali?"
"Em" - Her voice was weary - "Charlotte's dead"
Next chapter...
The diamond ring Elliot gave Alison weighted on her. None of the girls have seen her with it because she was careful enough to take it off whenever she'd meet them. They don't know it yet. That's why Alison will leave it behind, hidden inside the drawer of her bedside table.
Reviews from Just Give Me a Reason:
I could ship that: Hope you enjoyed this first chapter.
Guest 1: Hope you liked that ;)
perez9077: Hope you liked this one!
: Thanks!
Guest 2: How about now? :P
Guest 3: You'll be seeing more of little Max. My Christmas one-shot this year will be in the 'Just Give Me a Reason' universe. Anyway, hope you liked my new story!
Reviews from Videotape:
Brittandsan4evs: A continuation is on the way ;) I'm glad you liked it!
