So I've decided to expand this little story beyond it just being a one-shot. I'm not sure how often I'll be able to update, but it's my University's reading week, so hopefully you'll get some pretty frequent updates. I'm not totally sure where this is going, but I'll figure it out eventually ;D.


Shut up, shut up, shut up

Emily silently willed the alarm to stop blaring, but apparently the clock just wasn't getting the message. With what felt like all her strength, Emily lifted her arm and blindly smacked at her bed side table until she successfully hit the snooze button. She slowly sat up and pushed her dark locks from her eyes, tiredly looking around the room. Despite being able to sleep in for once, seeing as the swim team was getting the morning off after their meet a couple towns over, Emily still felt exhausted. She swung her legs over the side of the bed and reached for her phone.

"Nothing..." she breathed.

No messages, no missed calls...nothing. She was half expecting to see some ominous message from A about what had happened between her and Paige, which was most definitely the last thing she needed at this point.

The smell of pancakes wafted up to her room, causing a small smile to grace her lips. Ever since things had gotten tense in the Fields' household, Mrs. Fields had always made a point of leaving the house before Emily was up, leaving food out on the table to be warmed up if need be. But it seemed that due to their semi-make-up/mutual understanding or whatever yesterday was, Mrs. Fields was making a gesture that said things would be okay.

Emily threw on some jeans and a tank top from her room before making a stop at the basket of clean clothes at the top of the stairs for her red, off the shoulder shirt. After running a brush through her hair and brushing her teeth, she took the stairs two at a time and walked into the kitchen with a small smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.

"It smells great mom"

"Oh so you are up, here, sit and start on these pancakes, I'll grab the juice"

"Are you staying for breakfast..or...?"

"Well I do have to get to the bank before the lines get to long, but I guess I could finish off my coffee first"

The smile that had been tugging on her lips had now emerged as the pair shared their breakfast in a comfortable silence.

"Thanks again mom"

"Emily, it's like I said yesterday, no one hurts my child. Now, I've got to run, but if Nick or anyone gives you trouble, you'll tell me this time?"

"Yes mom"

Mrs. Fields smiled and kissed her daughter's head before grabbing her purse and heading out the door.


Emily pulled her Corolla into the school parking lot, managing to get a decent spot. She threw her messenger bag over her shoulder and headed into the school. She kept glancing around the halls as she walked, although she wasn't sure if she was looking for her friends, or Paige.

"There you are Em!" called Hannah from the end of hall.

Smiling in acknowledgment, Emily made her way towards Hannah, Aria and Spencer.

"Hey so we heard that Paige's dad tried to pull the same crap on you after your meet yesterday" said Spencer, concern evident in her voice.

Emily looked down and awkwardly adjusted her bag with a shrug.

"Yeah, it's no big deal, my uh, my mom took care of it"

"That's great Em...right?" said Spencer.

"Yeah, I mean it's great that my mom's coming around, but I just wish it didn't take some parent bullying her kid to knock some sense into her" she said with another shrug.

Aria looped her arm through Emily's and gave a tug as they started off for their math class, leaving Spencer and Hannah to go to their classes.

"Hey, if anyone tries to give you trouble we're here for you, always" she said with a smile.

"Speaking of which, thank Mr. Fitz for me? He stopped Paige's dad before he could completely humiliate me"

"Will do, and how many times do I have to tell you, it's Ezra"

"To you? Sure, I'll stick with Mr. Fitz though" said Emily with a laugh.


Their math teacher was a complete control freak, which meant absolutely no talking. Without Aria to distract her, Emily's mind began to go into overdrive. Overdrive meaning on a non-stop loop of last night's kiss, and trying to dissect its meaning. Although with the dissection, came the confirmation that she had enjoyed the kiss, and wouldn't be opposed to it happening again. She hadn't seen Paige yet, and she wasn't sure if that was a good thing or not. The one thing Emily was sure of was that when they did see each other, awkward wouldn't even begin to describe it.

"Em! Helloooo"

Suddenly a hand was waving in front of her face.

"Huh?"

"Jeeze, there you are, you were completely zoned out, class is over, come on it's time for English" said Aria, taking hold of her arm again and tugging.

Emily rolled her eyes and shook her head with a smile. Her friend's infatuation with their English teacher was adorable. Plus, Hannah and Spencer were in the class too, which meant maybe they'd be able to keep her from zoning out again. Maybe.