The day went relatively slow for Emily. She tried to focus in classes, but her high was starting to wear off as her lunch period approached and she'd have to deal with Sydney and Paige. A deep sigh interrupted the class who turned back to her and her cheeks turned a bright read and she looked down to her book to avoid the stares. The other girls weren't in the same situation but felt the same way about their classes. Spencer was busy texting Toby while in class, Alison was focused on her love life or lack there of with Emily, Hanna was preoccupied with Caleb's return and her momentary identity crisis, and Aria was going through a breakdown having nightmares about killing Shanna.
They all met up at Spencer's locker that day to walk to lunch together with the exception of Emily who'd be helping Sydney. A light conversation filled their walk.
"How are things with Toby?" Alison asked.
"They're going really good, he's been staying at my house while renovations are being made to the house," Spencer smiled. Then she felt a vibration in her pocket thinking it was Toby. Her good mood was shattered when she saw that it was from a blocked number.
"What's wrong Spence?" Aria asked as they all sat down and saw the expression on Spencer's face.
"Is it a text from A?" Hanna asks nervously.
"Yeah," Spencer replies nervous to open it.
"Well open it," Alison pushes. Spencer opens the text to a cryptic message.
"Do you see any similarities between you and Emily? Withdrawn, Secrets, Forgetfulness, Irritability…are these ringing a bell? –Kisses, A" Spencer reads out loud and the table is left shocked, confused and in disbelief.
"You can't be serious?" Aria asks.
"I'm confused," Hanna states. "What is A trying to say Spencer?"
"Those are all the symptoms of drug abuse, Han, I had them," Spencer says with a sigh trying to recall if Emily showed any of these.
"Well that can't be right," Hanna spoke up after seconds of silence. Meanwhile Alison was still in shock that she'd yet to say anything and her silence spoke volumes to Aria.
"Alison, are you okay? Do you know something we don't?" Aria questioned.
"Well this morning she had a pill bottle in her hand walking back into the room, but she said she had a prescription from the doctor for her shoulder," she tries to reason in her head outwardly.
"Her shoulder?" Spencer repeats.
"Yeah I saw her clutching it last night too," Alison says.
"She injured her shoulder a months ago, she should be off pain meds," Spencer states and sucks in her breath and they all share a knowing look. Sweet Em is hiding a huge secret.
"We have to talk to her," Hanna states.
"Oh what and say A gave us a tip that you're a druggie?" Spencer bites back knowing the same "intervention" they'd given her.
"She's right Spence, we all need to talk to her today," Alison spoke and it was like she had the final say. They all looked around dejectedly until Emily came strolling in with a smile.
"Hey guys," Emily says happily. Everyone takes in her appearance. She's jumpy, more than usual, has dark circles under eyes, and looks slightly sweaty. "Okay guys don't talk, but I have great news".
"What is it Em," Alison says giving the girls a stare to play along with her.
"The coach from Stanford will be here next week," she replies with glee.
"But Em, what about your shoulder, I thought you couldn't swim like you did before," Hanna asked with worry and Emily looked as if she ran a puppy over with her car.
"My shoulder is fine Han. It's perfect in fact. I was just swimming and I'm almost back up to my old times," she says happily.
"Aren't you gonna eat Em?" Spencer asks knowing that when most are coming down from a high, they lack an appetite.
"Wow, you guys look so freaking happy for me," Emily snaps and they all recognize her irritability.
"No we are happy for you! In fact, how about we celebrate at your house tonight, just the five of us," Alison tries to diffuse the situation as well as give the perfect excuse for them to meet up and the girls nod happily towards Emily.
"Yeah that sounds like fun! Alright guys I have to go talk to my coach so I can finish filling out my Stanford application," she says happily and walks away from the table.
"Did you guys just see that?" Hanna says seriously.
"Yeah Han, she's using heavily," Spencer remarks with a deep sigh.
"How do you know it's heavy?" Alison asks.
"I just have a feeling this started before Alison even came back," she replies and the conversation dies as everyone starts to think about Emily's behavior the past few weeks and it all adding up.
"This may be the only good thing A's done for us," Aria says grimly.
Later that afternoon, the girls got in their car and drove home to prepare for the wrath of Emily. Alison drove with Spencer to get some more clothing since she had a feeling Emily couldn't be trusted alone after being confronted with something this heavy. Emily who had no idea what was to come later on was walking around her house in major pain. She practically ran up to her room to get pills, skipping the water. She went downstairs to prepare snacks then relax. The pills took a huge effect on her and next thing she knew she was being awoken by the girls surrounding her.
"Hey guys, sorry for oversleeping," she said getting up to stretch but feeling a sharp pain return to her shoulder. She tried to hide the wince.
"No worries, how are you feeling," Hanna replied in a voice that was unlike her which caused Emily to concern.
"Han, are you okay?" she asked worriedly. "Did something happen?"
"No," they all replied in unison making Emily feel uneasy.
"Oh okay, I have to go to the bathroom guys, I'll be back," she said trying to move, but was blocked by Spencer. "What are you doing Spence?"
"We know Emily," she says in a voice that makes Emily take a step back.
"You know what?" Emily replies in a shaky voice and the girls start to surround her and sit down.
"Sit down Em," Spencer reassures her.
"No not until you tell me what's going on, this was suppose to be a celebration," she said suddenly feeling claustrophobic.
"This is an intervention," Hanna says.
"Is this payback Spence," she asks with unshed tears in her eyes.
"No Em, we're all worried about you," Spencer immediately says.
"I'm fine, no need to worry about me," she says trying to get up but is pushed down by Aria who appears to have a lot of strength for 5'2". "Guys I just have to go to the bathroom really quick". The pain is shooting through her shoulder.
"Why so you could pop some more pills?" Spencer asks and that makes Emily freeze. "How many are you to a day?"
"I really have no idea what you're talking about and I suggest you don't go around throwing accusations," Emily says in a sharp tone.
"You don't know? So if you were to take a drug test, you would come out positive?" Spencer asks.
"Yes I would," Emily says confidently making everyone bite their lips.
"Well then fine, take it," Spencer says pulling out a urine cup.
"Are you fucking serious," Emily yells. "I am not taking that".
"Why not? Afraid you're going to test negative?" Spencer mocks.
"No, damnit just let me go to the bathroom," she says and pushes her way through them and rushes upstairs to her stash. What she didn't expect were for her friends to follow her. She closes her door and goes toward her stash and pulls out three pills, swallowing them dry as the girls decide to enter the room. Once they're down, "It's not what it looks like guys".
"Emily, you have a serious problem," Alison says speaking up for the first time.
"I bet this was your idea. You couldn't stand to see me happy," Emily replies in a tone she'd never used with Alison and the words hurt.
"We all want you to be happy Em, especially me. You're hurting yourself," she says softly.
"It's my body, I'll do what I damn well please," Emily says her anger growing.
"A sent us a text about your problem," Spencer said.
"Well this is all A's fault anyway! If that bitch would've never tried to run us over things would be fine," she says with tears and sits down on her bed.
"What do you mean?" Hanna asks.
"Where do you think I got the pills from? After I tore my rotator cuff, I was prescribed these. I can't swim, I can't think, I can't eat, I can't sleep, I'm in so much pain Spence, it won't go away," Emily starts to sob and Spencer takes her in her arms.
"Why didn't you tell us sweetie?" Aria asked.
"I was ashamed," Emily cried into Spencer's neck.