A Different Kind of Education
Summary: After returning home from college, Paige McCullers is Rosewood High's newest teacher. As well as facing the past that she left behind, she has to deal with her growing attraction to senior and star swimmer, Emily Fields.
Disclaimer: I don't own any rights to Pretty Little Liars or any of the characters in the show.
Rating: M
A/N: I probably shouldn't be starting a new story since I'm already working on about seven, but I've had this idea stuck in my head for a while and I'm close to finishing a few things off so it seemed like a good idea to start posting. Hopefully updates for this should be regular if I get much interest. Established Emaya to begin with, but don't worry this is definitely a Paily fic
Paige McCullers hated nightclubs. From the crowds of drunken idiots gyrating against one another, to the deafeningly loud music, she hated everything about them. Had it not been for her best friend she probably would never have stepped foot in one, but Pru was pretty persistent and she once again found herself in some club in Philadelphia on a Saturday night; or more accurately the early hours of Sunday morning. She was stood at the bar beside Pru, being reminded of another reason she hated clubs.
"ID?" The guy behind the bar grunted at her as she tried to order a drink; his attention was nowhere near her face as he asked. She pulled at her top, hating that Pru had talked her in to wearing something so low cut and fished in her bag for her driving license. She handed it over and the barman stared at it for a microsecond before handing it back to her and fixing her drink. She rolled her eyes as she put the license back. She was twenty three yet she still got carded practically every time she was out. Pru always tried to help her dress up for a night out, low cut top, short skirt, hair and makeup, the works, but it just wasn't her. She felt more comfortable in jeans and converse and as a result the people behind the bar often picked up on her awkwardness; and wrongly assumed she was some underage teen trying her luck at the bar.
The barman lined up half a dozen shots in front of Paige and she picked one up even as she was handing her money over. She felt nervous and anxious and it had nothing to do with being in a club. She had only been back in her home town for less than a week and come Monday morning she would be starting her first real job since leaving college. "Careful McCullers, its back to school for you on Monday!" Paige shot her best friend an amused smirk as she downed another one of the shots lined up on the bar.
"Exactly…I never thought I'd be so nervous about going back to high school!"
She was starting at Rosewood High Monday morning. It had been her own high school and she had mixed feelings about going back. The place held a lot of great memories for her, but also some painful ones. "Relax; you were a superstar in high school! They still have your picture in the trophy cabinet! Paige McCullers, national swimming champion!" Pru giggled, she was already a few sheets to the wind as she helped herself to one of the shots on the bar. Paige had excelled academically and athletically in high school, but not socially. She had been popular enough, being an athlete and friends with Pru had ensured that, but she had always been quite awkward and introverted. At the time she'd been hiding her sexuality and it had made it hard for her to get close to people; other teenage girls in particular.
A lot had changed in the four years she'd been at college though and after doing her qualifying year in an inner city secondary school in Philladelphia she'd decided to finally go back home to Rosewood, the town she'd grown up in and hadn't been back to since the day she'd left for college. Her father had moved to Texas to start his political career in her freshman year at college and other than Pru she hadn't really had any ties to the town; but when the job came up at Rosewood High it had seemed right to take it.
"Two beers please!" A young woman bounced up to the bar beside Paige and called to the bartender with a dazzling smile. She looked younger than Paige, maybe just about pushing twenty-one, but he made no attempt to ask for her ID as he popped the caps off two bottled beers. She thanked him with a smile and a light touch to the back of his hand as she gave him her money. She had long dark hair that hung loose around her shoulders with a slight curl and her eyes were big brown pools of chocolate as they landed on Paige. She extended a smile to her and Paige felt her own lips twitching. The girl was oozing wholesome girl next door charm and she was just plain gorgeous.
Paige made a quick assessment of the girl as she waited for her change. She wore a loose fitting white vest top over black skinny jeans with biker boots. She was definitely hot and Paige was suddenly reminded of just how long she had been single. She definitely got a ping from the other girl on her gaydar, but she couldn't be sure if it was just wishful thinking or maybe all the shots she'd had. She was still debating internally with herself about whether or not to approach the girl when she felt Pru push her from behind.
She stumbled forward, almost falling in the ridiculous heels she was wearing, and put a hand out to steady herself. She felt warm fingers slip around her forearm and another set on her shoulder as the gorgeous raven haired girl helped steady her. Even after Paige had almost crashed in to her she was still wearing that smile of hers. "Are you ok?" She laughed good-naturedly, pulling her hands back as Paige righted herself. Her words came out a little slurred together and from close up Paige could see her deep chocolate eyes were glazed over. She had definitely had a few too many.
"Yeah, sorry about that." Paige tried to pull off an easy laugh, but it just came out strained and awkward; like everything else about her when she was faced with trying to talk to an attractive girl. "Drink?" She offered up one of her shots by way of an apology for falling on the other girl. She accepted, wincing as she downed the offered shot of bright red vodka.
"I'm Paige by the way." She introduced herself, hoping to find out the girl's name. Pru was making herself scarce as she twirled her straw in her drink and tried not to grin at her best friend. Paige had been single for what seemed like forever and Pru was certain that the girl talking to Paige was most definitely her type. Hell, she was tall, dark and toned, she would be anybody's type.
"I'm-"
"Emily!" Another girl pushed past Paige to grab the young woman's arm, scowling at Paige as she did so. She was an attractive young woman, with long dark hair and skin the colour of rich coffee. Her eyes narrowed on Paige as she wrapped a possessive arm around Emily's waist, shooting her a scathing look. "Is there a reason you're botheringmy girlfriend?"
"Maya-" Emily started, but her girlfriend ignored her as she carried on glaring at Paige; waiting for an answer.
"Whoa!" Paige held her hands up, trying to diffuse the situation. She hadn't intended to step on anyone's toes. "I think there's been a misunderstanding-"
"You're damn right there has." Maya snapped, poking a finger against Paige's chest. The older girl took a step back, trying to keep her cool, but her fists were already clenching at her sides. She had never been great at controlling her temper and she wasn't about to let some jumped up little college kid push her about.
"What the fuck is your problem?"
"You are!"
Sensing that things were about to kick off, Pru tugged on Paige's hand, pulling her away from the girls and back over to the bar. "Come on Miss McCullers, you're a big grown up teacher now, you can't be getting in to bar fights!" She laughed, shoving a drink in to Paige's hand. Paige was too busy looking over her shoulder to listen to her. She watched as Emily's girlfriend dragged her off through the crowd of dancing bodies. She caught Emily's eye and the younger girl mouthed 'sorry' to her with a sheepish expression.
"You didn't have to be so mean to her. We were only talking." Emily objected once she and Maya were in a quieter part of the club. Her girlfriend had a face like thunder and her mood wasn't improving from Emily defending the stranger who had blatantly been hitting on her.
"Please Em! That skank was all over you-"
"Even if she was, I'm not interested!" Emily snapped, feeling like they were going round in circles. "I'm with you! Or don't you trust me?"
"Of course I do, baby!" Maya pulled her in close and went in for a kiss. Emily stiffened, but eventually gave in and kissed her back. She closed her eyes over, fighting back tears. She'd drank too much and her emotions were getting the better of her.
"I just want things to be how they were." She sighed in to the kiss, letting Maya's arms wrap around her protectively.
"They will be Emily. I promise…come on, let's get another drink and go dance."
Emily shook her head. She'd had more than enough. "Let's just call it a night-"
"Oh come on Em! Don't let some stupid bitch ruin our night." Maya laced their fingers together and started pulling her towards the bar. Emily gave in, just like she always did. They'd been at the club for hours and Emily didn't even need to show her fake ID when they ordered another round at the bar. They carried on partying long after Emily should have stopped drinking. She left Maya dancing by herself as she stumbled towards the bathroom, her legs almost buckling beneath her as she pushed her way through the crowd. The bathroom was empty as she closed the door behind her, leaving the noise and the chaos of the club behind her. She slumped over one of the sinks, trying to stop the room from spinning as she listened to the steady thump of the bass coming through the walls.
The door opened and she closed her eyes, focusing on trying not to throw up. "Are you ok?" A familiar voice asked and as she opened her eyes she found herself staring at the reflection of the girl she'd been talking to earlier. Frowning she turned away from the mirror and leant back against the basin, her hands gripping the cold porcelain to keep her steady.
"What do you care?" She snapped defensively, her eyes barely able to focus on the girl with the auburn hair and deep brown eyes. Paige was taken aback by her sudden change in attitude and held her hands up in mock surrender. She didn't need some stranger's drama; she'd had plenty of her own in her life.
"I don't." Walking past the clearly drunk girl she headed to one of the stalls.
"Oh god!" Without warning Emily lurched forward from the sink and shot in to the stall that Paige had been heading for. She dropped to her knees just as she started heaving. Paige pulled a face as she watched her bent over the toilet bowl. Her long dark hair was hanging like a curtain around her face and Paige couldn't stop herself from kneeling down beside her and pulling her hair back from her face. She used one hand to hold Emily's hair back whilst the other rubbed her back in small circles.
"Take it easy, just get it all up."
"Maya's gonna be so mad…" Emily laughed as she slumped to the floor, her back against the wall. Her words slurred together before turning in to a little sob. "She thinks…she thinks you were trying to…she gets really jealous…" Paige nodded at the drunken girl, deciding not to comment on her girlfriend. "Which is ridiculous... 'cause she was the one who cheated, not me! She cheated and everything got so screwed up..." Paige felt her heart breaking for the other girl. She was no more than a stranger, but she looked so sad sitting there that she couldn't help but feel something for her. She knew what it was like to be a messed up kid.
"Emily!" The door opened and they heard Maya calling. Emily stiffened, her eyes going wide at the fear of being caught in the bathroom with the stranger from the bar. Maya would instantly assume the worst.
"J-just a second." Glad the door had closed behind them Emily pushed herself up to her feet, her eyes wide and pleading as she whispered. "She can't find you in here. Please just-"
"Emily?" Maya called again, knocking softly on the door. "Are you ok in there? I've called a cab."
"I'm fine. Just a second!" She waited for Paige to step to the side before opening the door, concealing the older girl behind it as she slipped out to join her girlfriend. Paige waited to hear the door open and close before she stepped out of the stall. She shook her head, ready to call it a night and to forget all about the raven haired girl.
She found Pru dancing with the guy she'd been all over for the last few hours and she managed to drag her away and out of the bar. It was almost dawn and there was a taxi rank only a few blocks away, so Paige linked her arm through Pru's and started walking them towards it. Pru talked endlessly about the guy she had been dancing with, she's managed to get his number and was talking excitedly about calling him for a drink. Paige wasn't listening all that closely; there was always some guy when it came to Pru. "So what about you? Get any girl's numbers?" Pru teased as she poked her in the ribs.
"Nope."
Pru shot her a wry look as she shook her head at her. "You have to put yourself out there Paige! Mrs Right isn't just going to fall in to your lap!" Paige nodded along, once again barely listening to her. Her thoughts were on Emily, the girl with the raven hair, big brown eyes and a broken smile. She couldn't get her out of her head, which was crazy because not only was the girl a random stranger, who had practically puked up on her boots, she was already seeing someone. She was just a random in a club; the chances of Paige ever meeting her again were slim to none. Sighing she tried to take her mind off of the other girl and turned her attention back to her best friend, who had somehow gotten one of her stilettos stuck in a storm drain. She only had one day of freedom left until she started her new job at Rosewood High, and she planned on spending it crashed out in bed.
"Paige! Paaaaige!" Pru's whining was incessant and no matter how hard Paige tried to ignore it she just couldn't. Pulling away the pillow she had been using to cover her head for the last ten minutes, she dragged herself out of bed to answer the other girl. The afternoon sun was already streaming through the window, blinding her and making her head feel like it was about to roll off her shoulders with every step she took towards the door.
"What?" She grunted down to her, her voice was raw and gravelly from too many shots and not enough sleep. Pru had slept in the spare room down the hall, the one next to her parent's old room. When she'd gone to college her father had packed up what he needed to take to Texas with him and left the rest. He hadn't attempted to rent it out and when Paige had decided to move back to town he had offered it to her straight away. She'd only been back a week and the house still didn't look completely lived in with boxes of her stuff everywhere, but she was slowly getting there. She would definitely have to do something about her room though. It hadn't been touched since she'd left for college and it still held her swimming medals and posters of bands she hadn't listened to in years. Her final exam schedule was still pinned to her noticeboard, next to a five year old calendar.
"There's no coffee!" Pru appeared at the bottom of the stairs as Paige leant over the banister. She was already showered and dressed, with her hair pulled back in to a messy pony tail. She looked far better than Paige felt and she wasn't sure why she had dragged her out of bed.
"I haven't gone shopping yet." She answered through a yawn. "That new coffee shop is a few blocks away?" she suggested as she trudged down the stairs, hoping Pru would take the hint and go on a coffee run for them.
"The Brew has been there for two years now." Pru scorned. Unlike Paige she hadn't moved out of town the first chance she got. She was still a little bitter that Paige had left her behind in the small town without a second thought, though she understood her reasons. "And they do amazing pastries. You can pick us some up when you go!" She grinned as she flounced back in to the kitchen, avoiding Paige's grumbling.
"What? Why do I have to go? You're all dressed and everything!"
"Because you're looking a little green, you clearly need some fresh air." Pru countered as she put away the two mugs she'd brought out of the cupboard for coffee. "Besides, the guy's here fixing the filtration system on your pool and he is super cute. So I'll stay and supervise and you can go be all hunter-gatherer."
"I hate you." Paige glared, already heading back upstairs. She had a quick shower to freshen up and scraped her wet hair back in to a ponytail before pulling on some sweatpants and an old tourist T-shirt from one of the last times she'd been to visit her mother's parents in Nebraska. She pulled on some aviators to protect her poor eyes from the glaring sun. The light in her room was bad enough without stepping outside.
She felt a lot more awake after her shower, but she ignored her car keys hanging on the hook by the door. They'd rolled in to the house around 6am and she wasn't stupid enough to think she was ok to drive after a few hours of sleep. Even if she felt sober the alcohol would still be in her system, and as the daughter of a man who was aiming to be a state senator she wasn't about to take a stupid risk just to make getting coffee easier. She called out to let Pru know she wouldn't be long and picked up her house keys instead. Summer was still winding down and the air was warm and still outside. Kids were playing in the street and Paige couldn't help but look at one of the stone pillars at the end of her drive. There was a large chunk missing from the masonry from where she had hit it with her bike the first time her dad had taken her training wheels off.
Shaking her head at the distant memories she padded down to the garage and pulled her bike out. The expensive mountain bike was a far cry from the one she had crashed in to the wall when she was five. Cycling had always been one of her passions and she probably spent more on customising her bike than she did on clothes and grocery shopping. Her usual Sunday morning routine involved at least a five mile ride, but in her fragile hungover state she would settle for making it to the coffee shop and back. She took it slow and steady, making sure to be extra vigilant as her reaction times would be slower with the alcohol still in her system.
She made it to The Brew in one piece and locked her bike up before making her way inside. It was pretty quiet for a Sunday afternoon in a small town, though there was only one guy serving so the few people at the counter were already making a pretty long line. Paige joined the back of the line and tried not to drool as she caught a whiff of fresh bread and pastries from behind the glass. Her stomach growled angrily, reminding her that it had been almost a day since she had last ate. The guy behind the counter looked pretty frantic as he ushered the couple whose order he had just taken to grab a seat and he'd bring their coffee right over. The teenage boy in front of Paige just wanted a soda so he was handed his drink straight away and then it was finally Paige's turn to be served. "I'll just be a sec!" The guy called over his shoulder to her as he potted about fixing the couple's order. When he finally turned to face Paige he lost his panicked look and an easy smile settled over his lips. "Hi there, what can I get you… Nebraska?" His eyes settled on her shirt and she felt a flush of colour going to her cheeks. Despite being gay she still got a fair bit of attention from men. It wasn't like she wore a badge to warn them of her sexual preferences or anything.
"Hi, I'll take two Americanos' to go, one with an extra shot of espresso and a little nutmeg. Oh, and two of those vanilla crowns please."
"Two?" He looked up at her through hooded lids as he bagged two of the pastries and marked the cups for her order. "Are you going to break my heart already and tell me you have a boyfriend?" He teased with the confidence of an attractive man in his late twenties who was used to getting the girls he wanted. Paige laughed his comments off as she handed over her money and took the pastry bag from him.
"Definitely no boyfriend." She smirked, not ready to put him out of his misery quite so quickly.
"Me either." He joked and Paige found herself laughing despite herself. He was really trying too hard. "I've got to put this order through and then I'll do your coffee. Just take a seat, I won't be a minute." He gave her his best charming smile.
The heat inside the coffee shop was sweltering and Paige's head was still spinning from the heavy drinking session the night before, so she obligingly took a seat in the corner to wait for her coffee. She sat with her head resting on her arms, trying not to give in to the temptation to open the bag of pastries sitting in front of her. It would serve Pru right for sending her out. "About time!" She heard the guy behind the counter calling out as the door opened, the little jingling bell announcing someone's arrival. She barely looked up as she heard him berating some late employee. "Your shift starts at twelve, Em! Kevin hasn't turned in so I need you to stay back tonight and I've got to leave like now!"
"Zack, I'm so sorry I-" The girl started apologising but Zack brushed her off. "Ems, you're my best worker. You can be half an hour late on a Sunday. Just make it up for me and put in a good word with the girl whose order is on the counter." He shot her a wink and headed for the door. "Bye Nebraska!" He called back, grinning as Paige lifted her head just enough to wave at him.
"Uh, Nebraska?" Her head shot up as a familiar voice washed over her and she looked up to find the girl from the club standing by her table and holding two cups of coffee out to her. Her boss had scrawled Nebraska down the side of one cup, along with his phone number. "I think these are for you, along with Zack's number apparently." Emily mused, showing no signs of recognising Paige from the club. Despite being late for work she looked good. A lot better than Paige anyway. Her hair was pulled back, but she was clean faced and wearing a pastel blue tank top over a pair of faded jeans. Her smile wavered as Paige took the cups from with a wisecrack.
"Do I get charged extra for that?" Dressed in her sweats, with her hair up and no makeup on, she looked a far cry from how she had done the night before, but realisation seemed to dawn on the other girl.
"Weren't you…last night, were you…oh god, it is you." Paige felt a lump forming in her throat as she held up her in hand a little wave. Emily's big doe eyes were wide and filled with panic as she took a step back from the table.
"Hey."
"Hi." Emily cleared her throat sheepishly. "Uh, I'm really sorry about last night, I don't usually drink so much and it was kind of a crazy night." Paige was glad to see her unease had more to do with her own embarrassment, rather than Paige's presence.
"Forget about it, everyone's entitled to one crazy night…but just so I know, your girlfriend isn't about to jump out on me is she?" She felt bad for making fun of her as Emily's eyes dropped to the ground.
"Uh, no. Maya's sleeping off the hangover that I'm currently suffering through." She lifted her gaze again, trying out a small smile on the other girl.
"I hear that. My head feels like it's about to explode and I'm pretty sure my stomach thinks it's been cut off from my mouth. I suppose the hangover's easier for you college kids." She joked, already kicking herself for sounding like she was middle-aged. Twenty three wasn't exactly over the hill.
"Oh, I'm not in-"
"Excuse me miss, are you serving?" Emily was cut off from whatever she had been about to say when a customer called her over. Excusing herself with a nod and a smile she headed back over to the counter, leaving Paige sitting alone at her table. Without thinking she opened the danish bag and started picking at one of the vanilla crowns as she sipped at her coffee. The caffeine felt great as it hit her, but the pastry didn't last long and it just left her stomach feeling even emptier. She was eyeing the other one in the bag when Emily returned to her table. She sat a plate down in front of her and Paige's mouth was watering at the sight of a bagel covered in cream cheese and a frosted cupcake sitting beside it. She was pretty sure it was coconut and that made it all the more difficult to turn it away.
"Sorry, I didn't order this." As tasty as it looked she wasn't about to steal someone else's lunch.
"I know. Call it an apology for my crazy girlfriend and a thank you for holding my hair while I puked last night." She blushed again, regretting how both she and Maya had acted around Paige the night before.
"That's an impressive bagel." Paige smirked, enjoying the way the corners of Emily's lips curled up as she tried to supress a smile.
"Well enjoy, oh and about Zack, he really is a nice guy. You should hold on to that number."
Paige almost choked on her coffee as she realised Emily thought she was straight and was trying to set her up with her boss. "I'm not-" She started, but another customer called for service and Emily had to rush off again, not giving her the chance to set the record straight; figuratively speaking anyway. Figures, she runs in to a gorgeous girl for a second time by complete chance and ends up giving her the impression that she's straight. "Nice one McCullers." She sighed to herself as she picked at the bagel Emily had brought her over. She finished it off along with her coffee and Pru's pastry, but she didn't get the chance to talk to Emily again as the coffee shop had started to get busy with the afternoon crowd. Putting her shades back down over her eyes she picked up Pru's coffee and headed to the door. She caught Emily's eye as she was leaving and tossed her a wave. The younger girl was standing by a table with three other girls and smiled as she waved back.
"Who's that?" One of the girls quizzed as she watched Paige unlock her bike and ride off with one hand still impressively gripping her coffee.
"Oh, I don't really know." Emily admitted as she followed Hanna's gaze. "She was at the club Maya and I went to last night. I think her name's Paige or something?"
"Really?" Hanna quirked her brow at her, suddenly taking on the appearance of a shark that had picked up the scent of blood in the water. "She's cute."
"She's straight, and I'm taken." Emily chided as she took a seat beside her friends. It had quietened down enough for her to take a five minute break.
"Her name is Paige McCullers." Spencer pitched in without taking her eyes from the book she was reading.
"How do you know that?" Aria, the shortest of the group quizzed, feeling a little left out of the conversation.
"She used to go to Rosewood high, she was captain of the swim team that took nationals five years ago… Her picture is in the trophy cabinet." Spencer clarified as she was met by blank looks by Hanna and Aria. "I swear you all walk around school with your eyes closed."
"Wait, she's that Paige?" Emily ignored Hanna and Aria's protests that it wasn't their fault they weren't in to sports like Emily and Spencer were. "Wow, I'm still trying to beat her times in the water! Wasn't she tipped for the 2012 Olympics or something?" Emily had a newfound respect for the stranger, on top of the fact that she was ridiculously patient and caring with random drunks, she was also the greatest swimmer in Rosewood's history.
"She was, I think she got an injury or something and it screwed up her career." Spencer shrugged; she didn't really know that much about her. "She used to be friends with Melissa back in school. She was around our place a lot."
"Nice Em! Older woman. I like it!" Hanna winked at her and Emily rolled her eyes at her as she got back to her feet and pulled her apron on. She was getting sick and tired of her friends interfering in her life.
"You guys we've been over this. I know none of you like Maya but she's my-"
"Em, we don't not like her." Aria objected, trying to play the peacekeeper as Hanna snorted and Spencer returned her attention back to her book. "It's just, she cheated on you with that-"
"I'm well aware of that Aria, but thank you for reminding me every five seconds. I've got to get back to work. I'll see you guys at school tomorrow." She left them stewing in their own guilt as she returned to the front counter.
After a few minutes, and much debating between the other three girls, Spencer finally got to her feet and walked over to talk to Emily. She pulled the other girl in for a hug without warning, almost making Emily spill a jug of milk all over the floor. "Spence!" She snapped, her anger at her friends and her hangover conspiring to make her act like a bear with a sore head. "I'm working here!"
"I know. I just wanted to say we're sorry. We know how much you care about Maya and if you've forgiven her then we should be able to as well. So can we not fight? We're going to be seniors tomorrow Em, we've only got one more year left before we're all going our separate ways. Let's make it the best ever, yeah?"
"Yeah." Emily sighed, giving in to the embrace and hugging Spencer back like her life depended on it. "Well it won't be hard to beat the last couple of years; just as long as nobody dies." She huffed, the past still choking her.
"We all miss her too." Spencer nodded solemnly as she pulled back. It had been two years to the day since their friend Allison had gone missing and almost a year since her body had been found. Emily was still having a hard time dealing with that. She had loved Ali more than the others had ever known. Until Emily had met Maya she'd never had the confidence to admit she was gay. Not even to herself, never mind her friends. Maya had given her the confidence she'd needed to accept who she was and Emily had fallen hard for her; hard enough to be able to forgive her for cheating. Her friends weren't quite so forgiving though. Spencer would have been happy to run Maya out of town, but she inexplicably made Emily happy, so they begrudgingly accepted her in to their lives; though that didn't mean they had to like her.
Aria and Hanna had cautiously made their way over as they'd listened in on their two friends and Emily found herself sandwiched between the three of them. Hanna beamed at the four of them together again. "Spencer's right. Senior year is going to rock! One more year and we're free!"
"One more year and I can stop calling my boyfriend Mr Fitz." Aria quipped, earning a smile from Emily. Aria and their English teacher had been in a secret relationship since their junior year. Though it was probably the worst kept secret in Rosewood, and that was certainly saying something. Rosewood was full of secrets and mysteries, and the reappearance of Paige McCullers already had Emily more than a little intrigued.