A/N: This is where the story really starts. I feel a lot of connection with Paige and I wanted to more firmly follow her coming out and her growing comfort with herself. This is not the first story I've written, but this is the first for PLL. I am playing around with the timeline of Seasons 2 and 3. Please enjoy and I welcome any feedback.

A warm hand taps my shoulder and I turn, hoping that maybe, just maybe Maya had turned up. I'm surprised, but not entirely disappointed to see that it was Paige standing before me. She pulls her mask off and smiles warmly at me.

She looks good. Suits apparently fit her quite nicely. I can't deny that I'm attracted to her. Especially right now. Learning that she's out and proud really rattled me. We had had such potential as a couple; the only thing that had held us back was her reluctance to be out. But now, with everything so up in the air with Maya, and Paige looking so good, my head was spinning.

However, none of that matters, until we actually discuss it, Maya and I are together. So when Paige asks if we can talk, I know what I need to tell her, but I need a moment to gather my thoughts.

"How about you go sit at that open table over there and I'll be right with you?"

Paige nods eagerly and walks away.

I take a deep breath and attempt to sort my thoughts when I hear my phone chime. I open it, thinking it's one of the girls. I wish I was right.

'Isn't she sweet? Destroy her, make it hurt, or I'll really hurt her. Better make it convincing bitch. I wanna see tears!- A'

Well, shit.

I've been sitting and waiting for about five minutes, rehearsing what I plan to say over and over in my head. I want to be honest with Emily and tell her how I feel, not matter the outcome. If I'm going to live an honest, open life for myself, I need to start by laying all my cards on the table. I really don't think I have anything to fear; we have such a strong connection. Besides, Emily is such a sweet girl that the worst case scenario is probably a polite 'No, thank you.'

I'm shaken from my thoughts as Emily finally sits down across from me. I immediately start talking.

"I want to apologize for the other day. You were upset and I-"

"Paige, just stop! I don't want to hear you fumbling over a pointless apology! You need to cut out this obsession with me! I. Don't. Want. You. I did once but, I never will again!" Emily says, her voice rising slightly, just loud enough to get the attention of those around us.

"I-"

"I'm not finished! You're a coward! You're so awkward, always shuffling around and rambling. The only thing you're good for is swimming. Why do you even think you could ever be good enough for me? You're not! I regret that we ever had anything between us!" Emily pauses in her tirade, taking a breath.

I interrupt before she can start again. Tears well in my eyes, unbidden. "I never thought you could be cruel."

I stand with as much dignity as possible as the tears finally spill over. I look at her one last time. Her face is as cold and hard as ice.

With my heart shattering, I walk out of the dance as casually as possible my mask laying forgotten on the table. As soon as I clear the doors, I start running. I ignore the car, I can get it tomorrow, and run the whole way home. I trip once and destroy the knees of my brand new suit. I was so excited to have it, so excited to go to the masquerade, so excited to tell Emily how I feel. I didn't really expect that she would leap into my arms, but I never expected to be ridiculed. Everything is ruined.

I throw open the door to my house and storm up the stairs, ignoring my parents' surprised exclamations. I enter my bedroom and tear off the suit until I'm left in socks, boy shorts and an undershirt. I enter my bathroom, sit on the edge of the tub and finally let the sobs wrack my body.

A knock comes from the door and my mom calls out for me. I'm sobbing too hard to answer. She knocks again and enters.

"Oh, sweetheart, what on earth happened?" She asks.

"I- I can't! I can't!" I sob.

Mom hugs me and murmurs consoling words in my ear. "You can talk to me. If not right now, then when you're ready."

She starts gently cleaning my knees from where I cut and scraped them. My sobs slow until I'm softly hiccupping. When she finishes dressing my wounds, Mom helps me wash my face. Then, she guides me to my bed and tucks me in.

"I love you. Whatever this is, it'll get better. I promise." She kisses my forehead and leaves, shutting off the light.

I soon fall into a fitful sleep, hoping that's she's right and that this will get better, but I'm really doubting it right now.