Spencer was the first to wake up the next morning, as usual. She quinted her eyes at the bright, white light intruding through the window and slowly sat up. She used her fingers to brush through her curly, messy hair, and looked around at her friends. Aria was still sleeping, her phone clutched to her chest, like always. Hanna's mascara cascaded down from her eye lashes messily, as if she fought with herself in the night. Then Spencer turned and looked at Emily, the girl who was beside her. Emily didn't even look like she was sleeping; her eyes were closed, but everything else about her looked like it does when she's awake. Her hair fell down her face beautifully and a small smile lined her lips. Spencer sighed and pushed herself to her feet, glancing back at Emily one more time to make sure she was still sleeping. She wanted the girl to get in as much sleep as possible, remembering the trauma she experienced the night before.
Spencer walked quietly to the kitchen and began to make coffee. As she sat on the counter, waiting for the coffee to boil, she remembered that Emily didn't bring any clothing. They left from the school straight to Spencer's house without stopping on the way, and the only clothes Emily had on were some sweat pants and a white tank top. Spencer sneakily ran up the stairs and to her closet. She grabbed one of her over-sized hoodies and brought it downstairs to give to Emily once she left. Spencer figured that Hanna or Aria would give her a ride, since they would be going home anyway. Though, in the freezing Rosewood winters, cars can be just as cold as the outside.
As Spencer wandered into the kitchen, she noticed another figure. Emily had woken up, which wasn't surprising, seeing as she wakes up at 6am some mornings for swim practice.
"Oh, hey, I brought you down a hoodie since it's cold outside. I figured getting in a cold car in a tank top wouldn't be idyllic," Spencer said as she poured some coffee into a mug.
"Thanks, I was seriously thinking about stealing Hanna's jacket. Now I won't seem as evil. Would you like to pour me some?" Emily said with a wink.
Spencer nodded and turned to grab another mug from the upper cupboard. She poured the coffee into the white mug and set it on the counter next to Emily.
"Thanks," Emily said as Spencer put down the coffee. "I'm glad you wake up so early, I hate being the only one awake," she said as she took a sip from the mug. "Hanna and Aria sleep in until at least noon; I always end up sneaking out of the house like I had a one night stand or something," Emily giggled.
Spencer turned to her and sat up on the counter. "You'd have a hard time getting away from me if we had a one night stand. I wake up if I hear a fly bat its wings."
Emily hopped up on the counter next to her. "I know," she said. "You're worse than me."
Spencer's eyes widened slightly as her mind slipped back to the previous day. "Wait," Spencer said, "how did you sleep last night? Any nightmares or anything?"
Emily took another sip from her coffee. "Nope," she said. "I slept surprisingly well for someone who almost died. I doubt I would have if I were alone. I doubt I'd be alive if you hadn't of swept in and punched Paige in the face." Emily began to giggle before her eyebrows scrunched together in anger. "I hate that girl. I didn't do anything to her and she tries to kill me. What the hell is wrong with people in this town?" she turned to Spencer questioningly.
Spencer put her hand on Emily's shoulder and turned to her. She looked Emily in the eyes. "I'm really not sure," she said. She took her hand off of the girl's shoulder and put it back on her cup. Emily immediately missed the protection of Spencer's hand on her shoulder. Spencer began to speak again. "We didn't do anything to deserve death. I'm still trying to figure out why so many people seem to be after us. This is harder than any class I've taken." Spencer stared forwards and looked at the ground.
Emily smiled slightly at Spencer's sarcastic tone. She turned to Spencer. "Seriously though, Spencer. I wouldn't be alive if you hadn't of jumped in the water after me. So thank you, I really mean it." She wrapped her arms around Spencer's upper body and rested her head on her shoulder. Spencer still sat forward, but placed her hand on one of Emily's arms. "You're welcome," she said as she rested her head against Emily's. A strange feeling began to bubble up inside of Spencer, and her heart began to race slightly. She could feel her face getting redder and redder. She took her hand off of Emily's arm and jumped off of the counter. Emily looked slightly confused at Spencer's sudden behavior. Spencer seemed as if she was embarrassed by being in physical contact with her. Is it because she is gay and Spencer isn't? Maybe her friends feel uncomfortable when she hugs them. Emily hopped off of the counter and placed her empty coffee cup by the sink as Spencer walked into the living room to wake up the other girls.
Hanna drove Emily to school the next morning and they met up with Aria and Spencer outside of the school. As the four walked up the stairs, they automatically formed a protective line around Emily, placing her in the middle next to Spencer. Emily smiled at how protective her friends are, but she also felt like a defenseless puppy.
"You guys don't have to be my bodyguards, you know," Emily said as they walked into the school. "I can handle her. I do appreciate you and all, but I can handle it."
Spencer turned to Emily with a worried look in her eyes. It wasn't too obvious, but it was there, and Emily could see it. She didn't think Spencer cared that much, not enough to genuinely be worried about her well-being. Emily turned to the girls. "Just for today," she said, and a relieved look washed over Spencer's face.
Spencer and Emily had their first class together, so they walked in unison to the classroom. Spencer took the lead and Emily followed quickly behind her to keep up with the fast pace. She grabbed onto Spencer's backpack to make sure they didn't get separated as they steered through the busy hallway. Spencer slowed down as they approached the classroom and stopped dead in her tracks when she looked inside and saw Paige talking to their teacher.
Paige turned her head and looked at Spencer and Emily with an expression of pure hatred. Spencer grabbed onto Emily's hand from behind her and narrowed her eyes at Paige. Spencer backed up out of the doorway and led Emily into the bathroom.
"We'll just stay in here for 5 minutes, she should be gone by then," Spencer commented. Emily walked over to the mirrors above the sinks and fixed her hair. Spencer did the same.
Emily turned away from the mirror suddenly and drooped her head to face the floor. Spencer turned and saw a drop of water fall to the ground directly under Emily's face. Emily looked up to Spencer with pleading eyes. She didn't want to feel this weak. She knows that she's not this weak. But, for some reason, after everything she's been through, her strength has finally been pulled out from under her.
Spencer walked quickly over to Emily and tightly pulled her into an embrace. She placed one hand flat over Emily's middle back and the other on the back of her head. Emily laid her head on Spencer's shoulder and quietly sobbed. Spencer calmly stroked the back of Emily's head and leant her own on the other girl's shoulder. After a minute of staying in this position, Spencer stood back and grabbed onto Emily's shoulders.
"You're stronger than this, and I know you're not going to let some low-life bitch get to you. You may feel weak, but the best thing to do is to be stronger than her. I know you can do it," Spencer said, looking into Emily's eyes.
Emily sniffled and wiped her eyes with her sleeve. She looked to Spencer and nodded as she turned to grab her bag. The two left the bathroom and walked into the classroom. Paige had left and class was about to begin. They sat down next to each other and Spencer gave Emily's hand a reassuring grab.