Hey guys. This story does have similarities to You've Got Mail, which I do not own. I also do not own Pretty Little Liars.
Paige is sitting in her hotel room staring at an email stating there is a one bedroom apartment about to become available in her building. Thank you. This will add some much needed distance between Emily and I. Paige sends a quick email back that says she will take it and asks if she can transfer her current lease over to the new apartment.
Just before she closes out her messaging comes up Hi. How is your trip? Wait. Do you have time to talk?
Paige smiles Yeah I have time. Hi. It's going alright. I haven't really had any time to do anything other then attend conferences. I am learning a lot though so it's good. How are you? Is your neighbour giving you any trouble?
Paige turns on the TV to add some background noise to the mix. Smiling as she reads I'm glad it's going okay. I'm pretty good. No the neighbour isn't bothering me. Actually I haven't really seen her at all. I would usually bump into her a couple times by now but there's been nothing. I probably scared her away when I yelled at her. I asked the mail man not to put her mail in my box a couple days ago. So far so good.
The corner of Paige's lip twitches slightly That's good. At least someone listens to you, right? Do you miss randomly bumping in to her? It sounds like she's kind of nuts.
Paige rolls her eyes when she reads, She wasn't that bad. The only thing she really did wrong was break into my mail box. Other than that I didn't loathe randomly bumping into her. She is kind of hot. She is such a sweetheart.
Paige types You are a big softie. I got to go. There is a conference really early in the morning. I hope your neighbour keeps leaving you alone.
The response comes quickly Aw. I miss talking to you. When are you coming back?
Paige shrugs I don't know. I might stay after the conferences to do a little sightseeing. Possibly a week. I'll let you know no worries. Paige logs out shutting down her computer and putting it in her bag.
After an onslaught of conferences Paige returns to the hotel room exhausted. I really need some good news. Paige logs into her email seeing a message from the landlord stating that she can't transfer leases she would need to find someone to sublet her apartment. Paige sighs I've had an ad up for like two months. Nobody wants it.
Paige checks her add for a sublet hoping that there is a response. Her heart leaps when she has a response from a woman with a five year old son. Paige messages her letting the woman know the apartment is still available and Paige will have the landlord show the place as she is out of town.
A few days later Paige gets a message saying that the apartment is sublet and will be taken over on the sixth of the month. Paige fist pumps excitedly sending a message she will be back to pack her things up. Unfortunately this means no sightseeing. Packing up her things Paige gets ready to check out in the morning.
Before Paige goes to her apartment she rents a storage locker for her belongings until the new apartment opens up. Once that's done she packs up her things, which she sadly notices is not that much. I guess that's the price of being so dedicated to work and having an ex-girlfriend that is a douche.
Loading up her car with her things and climbing into the drivers side she ducks when Emily walks up to the front entrance, I so don't want to deal with that right now. When Emily is in the building Paige starts her car pulling onto the street.
Paige checks herself into a hotel hoping that the apartment will open soon. I don't want to stay here forever. Paige logs onto her account immediately noticing her friend Hey there. How are you? Thought I should let you know I'm back in town. In transition right now. All of my things are in a storage locker.
The response comes I'm alright. I think I saw my neighbour today. I'm not sure though. Is it weird that I am seeing her everywhere I go when she isn't actually there? Are you moving?
Paige laughs If I said yes would you get mad? What do you mean you aren't sure? Should I be worried that you are just alright? Why aren't you better then alright?
Paige stretches wiggling slightly to scratch the itch she feels. Maybe if I had a shower I wouldn't be itchy. I wonder what laundry detergent they use? I could be sensitive to it. Paige gets off the bed heading to the bathroom.
When she returns to her computer a couple responses are waiting for her No I won't get mad. It has been a long day that's why I'm just alright. I think I saw her because she ducked in the car when I was walking by. I couldn't see her face. I don't even know if it was even a girl, it could have been a guy. When Paige doesn't respond right away Are you still there? Oh man I hope I didn't offend you in anyway. I am sorry if I did. Please don't stop talking to me.
Paige quickly types You didn't offend me don't worry. Why would I stop talking to you? This is the best part of my day. Crazy neighbour is hiding from you. Who would hide from you? You are awesome. I say good riddance. It sounds like your relationship with her was toxic.
The response is quick Oh thank goodness. I thought I had lost you. The relationship wasn't toxic. Heck it was barely a relationship. I threw her mail in her face she grunted a thank you we went about our day. How is that a relationship? If that was it was the longest relationship I've ever had. Three whole months of me banging down her door to give her the mail. It ended kind of badly to. Now I'm starting to feel bad. Quick say something to cheer me up.
Paige stares at the computer, Way to put the pressure on me. How do I cheer her up? Crap is this to long to not respond. Paige types You've still got me. I can become your longest relationship. All we have to do is talk for three months and a day. It would be my honour.
Paige glares at her screen How is that supposed to cheer her up? This girl is stuck with you. That is terrifying. I don't even want to be with me most days.
The response is That's good to know. Actually it would be three months and eight days. Then you'd be my longest relationship. I'm actually kind of excited. You seem pretty cool.
Paige smiles shyly Thanks. You're sweet. I'm actually kind of lame. I don't really know how to talk or anything.
Paige's smile grows as she reads Don't say that. You have been doing good with me. You have given me loads of good advice. I don't know what I would do without you.
Paige's phone vibrates scaring her "Hello. Why do people even get animals if they are going to abandon them? I'll be right there. No I'm staying in the hotel just down the street from the clinic. Thanks for the offer though."
Paige types I got to go. Emergency at work. I'll talk to you later. Hopefully. Bye. Paige closes down her computer throws on a jacket and leaves.
Paige sighs when she sees a crate with a yellow lab still in the middle of having puppies, "Her owners left her."
One of the volunteers nods "Yep. Someone heard her barking and whining this morning. It took us all day to load her up in the crate. Henson and Richards had to leave because there was another call. They should be here any minute."
Paige directs them into different areas of the clinic the office phone rings none stop with various emergencies ranging from abandoned to abused and neglected animals. Paige kept her cool under the pressure keeping her face clear of emotion.
Finally having a chance to look at the mother and her pups Paige sits down "Hey little lady. You did so good. I don't know when your owners left you but I'm here now. I will help you. If you let me."
The dog nudges one of her pups toward Paige looking at it then Paige. Paige nods "Okay. I'll start with this one. I do want to check you over too. I have to make sure you're well enough to care for them."
Paige carefully takes the pup rubbing the dog and cleaning it off and whispering "I know it's been hard but if it isn't your time to go you need to come back. Your mom would like a chance to watch you grow. I would like a chance to watch you grow. Please come back."
The pup in her hands starts to whimper and wiggle slightly. Paige smiles as she watches the mother dogs eyes light up. Paige puts the pup in front of the mom who sniffs and licks the dog.
Paige asks "Can I check you over now?"
The dog walks over to her allowing Paige to check over her and take some blood. When that is done Paige gets some food and water for her. The dog slowly eats and drinks the food then joins her pups.
Paige checks out of the hotel the next day buying a cot to set up in her office. It wasn't comfortable but it was where she needed to be right now. At least until the crazy died down.
Paige logs onto her account immediately greeted with Hello. It feels like I haven't talked to you in forever. The neighbour moved. I got her mail again went to chew her out and a kid answered. Last I checked, yes I checked don't call me crazy, Paige didn't have a kid. The woman the boy called mom had no idea who she was. How could she move? It's so loud now. At least with Paige I had no idea she was home most of the time, unless I banged down her door. Was I really that bad of a neighbour? I miss the peace and quiet.
Paige stares at the computer, Holy sh-. No way. This is Emily. What do I do? This has been good. Do not give up on this. Type something. Paige looks at her keyboard her fingers hovering above the keyboard. What do I type? There are other people named Paige in the world. This might not be Emily.
Paige closes her eyes taking a deep breath You weren't a bad neighbour. The apartment just got to expensive. I'm sorry it's loud. Maybe it will calm down. Paige looks at what she typed her icon blinking over the enter button. Paige erases that Maybe it will get better. You're not crazy for checking. You needed to know whether it would get noisy. There could be a good reason for the move. Maybe she got tired of you not wanting her in your box. Try talking to her.
Paige's breath hitches when she reads Can we meet? It would be nice to put a face to the name.
Paige panics Meet? Like face to face? I don't know I mean what if I'm not who you expected? This whole time you've probably been picturing me. Well probably not me considering you loathe me. Just bite the bullet Paige. Maybe it won't be as bad as you think. Sure if that's what you want. Where? How will I know it's you?
Paige's heart starts to race as beads of sweat start to form on her forehead Friday at seven Fields Bistro I will have Imagine Me and You and a yellow rose.
Paige bites her lip Okay. See you Friday.
Emily sits at the table adjusting and readjusting the DVD and rose, Is the rose to much. The rose is to much. Oh man what if she doesn't show up. Did I push to hard? Do we really need to meet? Emily hears the bell above the door sinking lowly, What is Paige doing here? Don't sit here, do not sit with me.
Paige walks up to the table "Hey there neighbour."
Emily looks up "We aren't neighbours anymore. You moved. Now I have to listen to yelling and a banging on the floor whenever I sneeze. I don't even sneeze that loudly. Why did you move? Was I really that bad? I didn't even charge you when you broke into my mail box."
Paige sighs "I moved into that apartment with my girlfriend. Four months ago we broke up. It got to expensive for me to stay there. You were great. Thank you for not pressing charges. Honestly you bringing my mail was the best part of my day. Especially after a hard day. I know I went about it all wrong. I'm sorry."
Emily looks down at her things "Thank you for saying those things. I can't talk right now Paige. I am waiting for someone. Please go to another table."
Paige reaches for the movie and rose "Are these for your date?"
Emily claps her hands on the items pulling them away "Yes. Well no. The rose is, the movie is just so she will know it's me. Please Paige."
Paige leans back "What if the person you are waiting for is already here?"
Emily's eyes widen as she looks around "Paige don't do this to me. This meeting is really important. I need you to move. Please."
Paige stands up "Okay. Have a good night Emily. I am sorry I am not who you wanted."
Paige walks out of the building sighing heavily, Well that went horribly. What is she going to say tomorrow?
Emily gets home throwing her keys in the bowl beside her door, How could she stand me up? What did Paige mean by 'What if the person is already here?' If she ruined this for me I swear.
Emily logs on to her computer looking at part of the last conversation Holy molly. I never told her about the box comment. Oh man I screwed this up. Wait it might not be Paige. There are tons of disturbing minds out there. When the on line signal shows up Emily types Where were you? I waited for you. How could you do that to me?
Emily reads I was there. Was that your ex-neighbour you were sitting with? What would you do if you found out I was her? Would you be mad?
Emily blinks at the screen If it was you why did you leave? You never listened to me before why start now?
Emily purses her lips I needed you to believe that I could listen. I have shown you a different side of me over these conversations. You didn't want it to be me. It sounds like you don't want it to be me. I am sorry I made you hate me. It's okay if this stops. I'm sorry I wasted your time.
Before Emily can type a response the person has logged out. Great I don't know where Paige is now. How am I going to fix this?