Chapter 1
Emily's POV
I could feel the sun shining through my window as I got hotter laying under my comforter. I could hear birds chirping outside my window. I could smell my mothers famous apple pancakes all the way from the kitchen. I rolled over reaching out for my phone on my night stand. I had 3 text messages.
Can't wait to get out of this town forever, but I am gonna miss you guys- Hannah
Have you seen my brown boots with the gold buckle on the side?- Aria
The last text was a picture of Paige and Spencer standing near a water fall on their jog this morning. Today was our last day in Rosewood before we all set off for college. The 7 of us spent the whole summer together. The seven being my girlfriend Paige and I. We are both attending Upenn this fall after a grueling senior year along with Spencer who had broken up with Toby before the summer began. Aria who was dating Ezra a teacher at our old high school. Then of course Hannah and Caleb. Me, Paige, and Spencer were headed for Upenn while Aria and Hannah attended The NY Institute for Art. Caleb was going to move in with them in the city and attend a technical college nearby. Everything was working out for us. After all the drama and heartache that came along with living in Rosewood, we were all ready for change.
As I got out of bed and stretched I could see the U-haul parked outside of my house. All of my things along with Paige's belongings were stowed and ready to go. Months before summer we toured the campus and decided to get an off campus apartment. Spencer insisted on joining us which I didn't mind because I love her. Her and Paige had become really great friends over the summer. They bonded over athletics and being the best. Always trying to one up each other. We settled on a beautiful 3 bedroom student apartment.
One for Paige and I, one for Spencer, and one for Leslie. Now neither Spencer or I had met her yet. She was an old friend from New York Paige had known before she moved to Rosewood 2 years ago. They were always talking on the phone and skyping. Paige had been so excited when we found out all the two bedrooms in the complex were taken. That we were going to have to get a 3 bedroom if we still liked the apartment. She begged us to give her friend a chance. I gave in easily. It was Spencer who was hard to crack. She asked numerous questions and digging. In the end Paige got her way.
It was now 2 weeks before school started. Our apartment would be ready for move in tomorrow. Part of me wanted to leave the moment I got accepted into Upenn. Run and never look back. Then part of me would miss the familiarity of everything around me. I had lived here my whole life. My family was here. My thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the door.
"Good morning lovely" I heard Paige say as she pushed the door open with her hips holding a food tray in her hands. She looked beautiful as always. Her long red brown hair past her broad shoulders. Her huge smile only adding to her beauty.
"Morning babycakes" I said bouncing over to her. She laid the tray on my bed. My mom had really outdone it. She made pancakes, eggs, toast, bacon, and hashbrowns with OJ. I looked away from all the food and straight into Paige's eyes. Her red hair reflecting off her eyes almost making them shine. I grabbed her belt loops pulling her flush to my body. She leaned in and kissed me on my cheek. I smiled but wanted a real kiss. I leaned in but was rejected. I frowned at her.
" Em. I don't mean to sound rude but don't you think you should brush your teeth. You just got up" she said looking away. My hand instinctively flew up to my mouth. I pushed past her and ran out the room. I hadn't even thought about that. We were going to be living together in just a days time. I would have to start thinking more "us". I smiled as I brushed my teeth. Us. Just us. Both swimming and 0going to a wonderful school with one of my best friends.
" No. It's final. Not doing it. I don't care how much money you offer me" I could hear Paige say as I walked back in the room.
" Hey look I gotta go. Yea of course. I'll see you in a little while. Ok. Bye" she said hanging up the phone.
" Who was that?" I asked sitting by my food.
" Leslie. She decided to drive here first. She is going to meet me at my house in a few hours so she can leave with us in the morning.
" Oh ok awesome" I said biting a piece of bacon. I all of sudden became very hungry. I started eating my food forgetting Paige was there. She was playing on her phone. Giggling at something.
" What is so funny?" I asked leaning forward to get a better look at her screen. It was a picture of Spencer burning a old picture of Toby. She had found it under her bed while packing. They had broken up just before high school ended. She had taken Connor to the senior prom and Toby disappeared. She never liked to talk about it. She just said they were heading in different directions. We never even seen her cry after everything they had been through. She was hard as nails Spencer Hastings. We just left it at that.
" Hey we should probably get ready to go?" she said standing up. She took my tray and left the room. I had only left out a few items of clothing after I packed everything. I threw on some capris and a white tank top. Ran my fingers through my hair and was ready to go. I was met at the stairs by Paige. The house was silent. I realized my mom was gone. She was away with my dad.
" Did you make me that whole breakfast?" I asked mockingly.
" Yes I did" she said matter of factly. I grabbed my stomach making heaving noises.
" Oh shush. You thought it was great."
"Your right it was amazing. Thank you" I leaned up giving her a kiss. Her hands wrapping around my waist. She pulled me closer as my heads laid lightly on her shoulders.
" You know we could just go back upstairs?" I said breaking our kiss.
" Em. We have to go."
" No we don't." I said trying to convince her back to my bedroom.
" Everyone is waiting for us. We are already late" she said pulling me towards the door. I grabbed my keys off the hallway table and we made our way out.
Paige's POV
As we drove listening to the radio. My eyes mostly focusing on the road but often glancing over at my wonderful girlfriend. I really couldn't believe how far we had come. Especially me. I was going to a top 20 college with Emily, swimming, and actually had friends. All three of those were because of Emily I knew. She kept me swimming when I wanted to give up. She introduced me to her great friends. We had originally gotten off to a rotten start. They were a close knit group who didn't really accept me until we were months into our relationship. Spencer gave me the hardest time because we had our troubles before I became involved with Emily. Both of us neck and neck for Valedictorian. Over the summer we spent a lot of time together staying in shape. She brought out my competitive nature and pushed me harder than Emily. Plus she didn't baby me. At times we are actually pretty cruel to each other. My thoughts switched to the cabin in front of us. I pulled over onto a gravel parking space next to Spencer's Dodge Charger. I also recognized Hannah and Aria's Honda.
" See you made us late. Everyone else is here. You know how Spencer gets" I said closing my door. Emily came around the car taking my hand.
" Were only like a hour late. I mean were going to here all day."
" Ok you tell her that" I said pointing to the door where Spencer was standing arms folded.
" You guys are so late. Did I wear you out this morning McCullers?" she smirked.
" Nope. Not my fault. Emily woke up late"
" Thanks Paige" she said giving my hand a squeeze.
"Ok. Just get in here" she said ushering us in. Today is every ones last full day in Rosewood. We decided to get together for one last hoorah. Spencer rented a cabin and made all the plans for the day. The cabin was very nice on the inside not matching the rustic outside look.
" Finally grandmas" Hannah yelled as we entered the living room. I gave a small wave to everyone in the room.
" I can see someone has already enjoyed herself a few drinks" Emily said pointing to the cups on the table next to Hannah's chair.
" Those are totally not all mine" she said defensively. I looked over to see Aria and Ezra looking at books over the fire place. They both acknowledged us as we sat on a big recliner. Emily sitting on me once I got comfortable.
" Do you guys want something to drink?" Spencer asked.
" Please?" Emily said.
" Do not let her make your drink. She makes her drinks like she makes her coffee" Aria interjected. Mostly everyone grimaced at the thought. She stuck her middle finger up rotating it before exiting to the kitchen. Emily turned leaning on my shoulder.
" So what is planned for the evening?" Caleb asked looking around the room.
" I think Spencer said something about strip poker" Hannah joked.
" I like you guys but I'm pretty sure not all of you are 18. Plus that would just be weird for me." Ezra added. We all laughed at the thought.
" Yea. Me too. That is kind of weird for me" Caleb said.
" Fine. When we start to play you losers can go to the store or something. Guess you won't get to see" Hannah jabbed. The boys looked at each other.
" We will just have to make sure you are the ones losing your clothes" Caleb said pecking Hannah on the nose. I wrapped my arms around Emily's waist. She turned looking at me. Smiling down at me.
" Alright. Here we go" Spencer said laying down a tray of drinks. They were pink with little umbrellas in really big fishbowl glasses.
" Someone really wants to play strip poker" Hannah laughed. Spencer gave her a dead stare causing her to stop laughing. We all reached for our drinks. I took a sip of mine. It was strong but pretty good.
" Mmmhmm. This is delicious." I said taking another sip.
" Thank you" Spencer said before grabbing her own. The next few hours went by quickly. All just talking about memories with each other. Reminiscing about the good and bad times. All the countless times they had gotten themselves in trouble and relied on each other to help one another. They were so close. I had my numbers of stories too added over the last year or so. The boys went to go to the store for more pineapple juice and ice. Spencer hadn't expected us to drink so much.
" Better not play without us" Caleb joked walking out the door with Ezra. My legs went to sleep about an hour ago.
" Em. I'm gonna go outside and get some fresh air."
" Ok baby." she said lifting up off of me. I made my way to the glass patio door. I slid it open stepping out into the fresh air. I shook my legs for a minute waiting for the feeling to come back. I pulled my phone out my pocket. I had 7 missed calls and 3 texts. All from leslie. Fuck. Fuck. I forgot she was coming early. I started dialing her number.
" Oh god. I am so freaking sorry. I got wrapped up with Emily and the girls. Where are you?" I said before she had time to say anything.
" I've only been sitting outside your house for 2 hours." she said angrily.
" I'm sorry. I'll come get you right now. I'm on my way Les. I'm sorry" I said hanging up. I hurriedly slid the door open. I made over to where Emily was sitting.
" I have to go. I forgot Leslie was coming early. She has been sitting at my house for like ever. I'll be back soon."
" Ok. Do you want me to go with?" she asked standing up.
" No. No. Enjoy time with your friends." I said kissing her on the cheek. I was out the door before she could say protest. I peeled out the driveway and made my way through the woods back to town. Leslie had been my best friend since 9th grade. We met back in New York and had stayed in touch after I moved. She knew everything about me and I knew everything about her. I scolded myself for not going to New York to visit but she never made a big hoot about it.
I pulled onto my street and could see her moving truck parked out front. I slowly pulled into my driveway. I hadn't seen her in over two years. She had really grown up. I looked to see her hop down from the moving truck. She had long wavy blonde hair, blue eyes, and a curvacious body. She was very short but the high boots she was wearing gave a tall appearance. I remember her being pretty but my mind couldn't wrap around the fact that she had blossomed into a gorgeous woman. This is the girl I used to have pillow fights with at our sleepovers.
" Get over here Mars" she said opening her arms for a hug. No one else called me that but her. We had come up with it years ago.
" Ahhh" I said spinning her around in the middle of the street.
" Damn. I can not believe you are here. This is crazy. Us going to college" I said getting a good look at her.
" Paige you look really good. So glad you got rid of the bangs. Long hair is good on you" she said pulling some hair down.
" You look amazing Les" I said.
" Oh thank you" she said smiling.
" Come on. I can't wait for everyone to meet you" I said walking back to my car.
" Hey actually can I drive my own ride?" she said taking a few steps towards the back of the truck. I noticed a long silver trailer was attached to it.
" I didn't know you had a car" I said questionably.
" I don't" She said unlocking the moving truck. A loud roar erupted throughout the air. Slowly one wheel of a black ninja motorcycle appeared followed by the rest of the shiny bike.
" Holy crap." was all I managed to say. The bike suited her well. Her long legs tucked into long black boots with a matching black helmet.
" I'll follow you." she said before putting the helmet on.
We made our way out of town. I looked back every so often to make sure was still there. She waved at me and I realized I was worried for no reason. I looked forward embarrassed. They gang must have heard the loud bike engine because they were standing outside when we pulled up. I parked in my original spot and Leslie pulled in behind me. She pulled her helmet off just like they do in the movies. She shook her head a bit fixing her hair into place. I held her helmet while she put her bike on its kickstand. I stuck the helmet on the handlebar and stepped back.
" You think your badass?" I asked eying her bike.
" Badass enough for you Mars." she said lightly pushing me away then grabbing me and pulling me strongly into her. She hugged me tightly and I could feel the eyes on us.
" I missed you Mars" she whispered into my shoulder.
" I missed you too Venus" I said before slowly retreating from the hug. I threw my arm around her shoulders leading her towards the group.
" Hey guys. This is Leslie. Leslie Rhodes. My best friend in the whole world" I said squeezing her shoulders. Every one said different variations of hello and heys. Once satisfied with meeting her we all went back inside the cabin for our last night in Rosewood together.