Chapter 2

Aria hadn't blabbed to Spencer or Hanna; she hadn't even considered it. It was Emily's business and if she wanted them to know, she'd tell him. Truth be told, Aria felt a little guilty for pushing her friend into admitting her feelings. She'd had no way of knowing it would be her. She really didn't mind that Emily had a crush on her.

Emily was one of her best friends. She was sweet. It wasn't like she'd ever try anything or make her uncomfortable in any way. She wasn't like that.

"You guys wanna come over tonight?" Hanna asked as the four friends ate lunch together.

"Sure," Spencer agreed.

Aria nodded, "Sounds good."

Emily nodded, "Ok," she stood up, "I better go. Swim practice. I'll see you tonight."

"Is she alright?" Hanna asked as Emily left.

"I don't know, she's been quiet," Spencer shrugged, "Aria?"

Aria met their expectant gazes, "I don't know..."

"Well, you spend the most time with her," Hanna pushed, "How is she when it's just the two of you?"

"She's fine, I think. I mean, things are still tense with her parents… she is dealing with a lot, guys. It's going to take time," Aria offered.

"Yeah… I guess," Hanna nodded, "I wish they'd just get over it already."

Spencer raised an eyebrow, "It's not that simple, Han."

"Of course it is," Hanna argued, "She's gay, not a serial killer."

"I know that," Spencer stressed, "But I bet my parents wouldn't exactly be thrilled if it was me. It doesn't mean it's right, it's crap, but some people are just like that."

"I don't think my mum would care," Hanna shrugged, "Disconditional love or whatever."

"It's unconditional, Han," Spencer smiled.

Aria laughed quietly, "I don't think my mum would mind too much either," she mused, "I don't know about my dad though. I'm sure Em's will come around with time though… right?"

Her friends smiled uncertainly.

"Sure… I just hope it doesn't take much longer," Hanna said, "It's not fair."

"No, it's not," Aria agreed.

Emily read a magazine on her bed when there was a knock on her door.

"I thought you were going out tonight?" her mum asked.

Emily shrugged, "I'm not feeling well."

"Oh. Well, okay," her mum closed the door.

Emily sighed; that was probably the nicest conversation she'd had with her mum in days.

"She didn't call you?" Hanna asked, "She texted me saying she was sick or something."

Aria frowned, "Oh. She was fine at school," she thought aloud.

Hanna shrugged, "I don't know. I thought she would have texted you. You guys are kinda attached at the hip these days."

"Yeah… You know, I might head over and check on her. Just in case," Aria pulled up her things, "If everything's all good and she is just sick, I'll come back."

"Do you want us to come with?" Spencer asked, making a move to get up.

Aria shook her head, "Nah, it's okay. I think it's easier for her to talk one or one. You know," she paused, "She really thought we'd all turn on her."

Hanna frowned, "But she knows we love her, right? I mean, I know you guys talk, but when it's all of us, she's so quiet."

Aria nodded slowly, "I know, that's why I want to check on her. I mean, I thought she knew… but I don't know. I feel like she's avoiding us."

Spencer quirked an eyebrow, "She doesn't seem to avoid you."

Aria smiled a little, "Yeah, I guess. Anyway, I'll text you, okay?"

Emily didn't hear the knock on the door with her earphones in as she read a book on her bed. It wasn't until an earphone was pulled out of her ear that she yelped and turned around to see her friend.

"Someone's jumpy," Aria laughed, "And you don't look very sick."

Emily shrugged as she closed her book, "Sorry, didn't hear you," she mumbled.

Aria flopped down onto the bed beside her friend, "Why didn't you come to Hanna's, Em?"

"I'm just tired," Emily said.

It was true, Emily did look tired. Still, Aria didn't buy it.

"Right," Aria nodded, "So… you're not avoiding us?"

Emily frowned, "I'm not avoiding anyone, Ar."

"Okay," Aria smiled, "It's just the others have noticed you've been quiet lately. They're worried. So am I."

Emily sighed, "I'm okay, really. I'm just not sleeping so well, that's all. You guys are great, it really isn't anything personal, I'm just – "

"Tired," Aria finished with a smile, "Alright, I believe you, Em. How are things going with your parents?"

"Better," Emily replied, "Now they just pretend I never said anything."

Aria rolled her eyes, "They just need time, they'll come around."

"Yeah, maybe," Emily shrugged, "Hey, you should go back to the sleepover. Don't worry about me, really."

Aria shrugged, "It's cool, I'm sure they can survive without me."

Emily thought about protesting but smiled instead, "Thanks."

"You wanna watch a movie or something?" Aria asked.

"Yeah, but I don't have any of those black and white one's," Emily joked.

Aria nudged her friend, "Oh well, colour will have to do, I guess," she teased, "Trust me, your collection is infinitely better than Hanna's."

Emily laughed as she rifled through her dvd's and threw one in the dvd player, "I really am tired, you know. I might fall asleep."

Aria smiled, "No worries, I'll poke you if start snoring."

"I don't snore!" Emily pushed her friend.

"That's what you think," Aria snickered.

Emily rolled her eyes as she put her head down on the pillow.

Aria settled comfortably next to her and it was barely twenty minutes before her friend was asleep beside her. Aria smiled and pulled the covers over them both. She turned the volume down a little so not to wake her friend.

When the credit's finally rolled, she looked at the clock and figured there was no use going home this late. She switched the television off before climbing back into the bed.