A/n: I'm STILL pissed at Emily (I know, I know! I'm sorry but I'm a scorpio, when I get pissed is for good!). Ella Eyre – "If I Go" had a major presence while writing the chapter (you might want to check that out). Oh! I got tired of studying so as you can see I did what you asked me to and wrote another chapter (the most lengthy one so far I must say). I'll need to figure out a way of ending this tho... I'll work on it (you can help me!). I could say the chapter has spoilers for 504 but I haven't seen it so I can't confirm. honestly? they're just sitting somewhere, you won't even notice (it doesn't have crepes tho) Oh and my mother language is NOT English so if you spot any errors, sorry! but I know english since I was 10 so if you do spot one let me know! (I can even listen my british teacher saying: shame on you). Anyway, enough with the talking, enjoy, leave a review, share, annoy me as much as you want for me to post another chapter (i swear I'm not being ironic) & give me ideas for the finale? okey - Dani
I don't own PLL or the characters
Guest starring: Alison DiLaurentis & Sydney something
After a full week of "Alison back to Rosewood High" Emily was becoming to realize that not everything would be sunshine and rainbows. More and more often she found herself re-thinking her conversation with Hanna, analyzing Spencer's behavior towards Alison, her own actions when near the girl. She felt lost. It seemed like Alison was trying to take her old place back and have the girls doing whatever she wanted. Manipulating them. Spencer and Aria just didn't care anymore, they would all meet up at lunch and during break but for Spence and Aria it was like Alison wasn't even there. Hanna came to terms with herself, changed her look and was finally starting to feel comfortable with herself. And Emily was the only one giving Alison some attention. She had noticed the light touches the girl would give her. The holding hands, the jealousy she had when Emily would talk with someone who was not one Alison Dilaurentis. She noticed all that and it felt strange… for sure it didn't felt right. She knew whose touch felt right and it wasn't Alison's.
Paige had given her a speech that pulled her down to earth the other night, and it was quite a night. She was gutted and spent the whole night crying on her mother's shoulder. Eventually she fell asleep and in the next day, even though her mother didn't say a word Emily knew what her mother was thinking. It was up her to fix things this time. She spent the full weekend seating on the window seat thinking things over. 'The window seat', Paige favorite spot of the room.
Emily was being selfish. She had been for a while. She had been selfish when Paige wasn't ready to come out, denying the girl a relationship. Yes she was already out but would it be that painful to wait for Paige? She'd never knew because she didn't. She had been selfish with Paige regarding Nate. She fucked up yet the girl forgave her. She had been selfish regarding –A. Emily always dodged Paige's questions about –A and never let the girl help her, keeping her in the dark. And swimming? The surprise party… she had been pushing Paige away since day one and now she was gone. Worse? She had been playing with her feelings! If one day everything was okey, the next everything was wrong. Yet Paige was always next to her, she never left. Paige was her safe place.
She had been trying to convince herself that they could be friends but Paige was right, there was no in-between with them…
*Weekend out-School in*
"What are you doing here? Stalking Emily much?!"
Paige stopped on her track and looked around the room, making sure she was indeed in the locker room. She looked at Alison and said with no hesitation
"This IS the locker Room and last time I checked I was still in the swimming team. I'm captain actually. But in case you have forgotten how school works while you were gone, here" She pointed with her finger to the floor "the locker room you see, is where the people who practice any sport in this school" She made a gesture covering all people in the room "Change. The question is: what are YOU doing here? Puppy duty?" said Paige, her gaze shifting to Emily who seemed pretty uncomfortable being in the middle of her platonic love and the real one.
Alison's face went pale. Never had she thought "pigskin" would gain courage and speak up, not ever. She couldn't not say anything, not her… Alison! She always had a say in things so…
"Emily asked me to make her company"
Emily hearing these words looked at Alison with a "No I did not" face but said nothing.
"Right. You should leave. Coach is about to get in here any minute now." Paige said making a 'shoo' gesture.
"uff.. let's go Ems" said Alison reaching for Emily's hand, the gesture was denied when Emily slipped her hand on her jeans pocket. Emily was now facing Sydney and Alison getting the hint walked out of the room.
"Sydney try to fix those turns in practice now. I'll meet you later, same time 'key"
Sydney simply nod 'yes' with her head, not daring to speak. Emily then looked at Paige. She was still mad at Paige for what the girl had done but what Alison just said was wrong. Not trusting her voice she gave the swimmer a look that she hoped would be understand as an "I'm sorry" look and left the room.
Paige watched her leave, shaking her head sideways and saying in a low tone "It's hell all over again"
"That was…" Sydney was about to commenting
"Just don't." Paige said and looked at her shaking her head "Ignore her and you'll be fine. Trust me, forget she exists."
"O-kaaaaay." She waited but never stopped looking at Paige.
"What is it?"
"Paige can you teach me how to do your flawless turns? Or look-a-likes since I don't have your legs?" The girl asked with pleading eyes.
"Wut? You checking me out or something?" Paige said smiling and messing with the newbie.
"No! god I… sorry! I'm gonna hit the pool. See you in a bit" she said embarrassed walking away while Paige was changing and laughing at the girl.
After practice Sydney invited Paige for a coffee at the Brew to discuss her progress on swimming. Guess who showed up a tad late?
"Hey! How was... oh"
"HELLO Emily! seat" Sydney said a bit too enthusiastic.
"Hi. Emily. I didn't… knew" Paige began, her voice diminishing and directing a question at Sydney "A set-up?" Paige asked in a low tone, giving the newbie a look that, let's say, if Paige were Cyclops there would no longer exist a Sydney, for sure.
"Nonsense!" the girl answered, faking oblivion "Since you and Paige are coaching me, I thought it would be good for the three of us to discuss my improvement, yes! C'mon Emily, have a seat!" Sydney said with a big smile.
'great, a set-up' both Paige and Emily thought while Emily was sitting at the available seat 'of course, next to Paige'
"Sooooooo, Paige? My turns? How are they?!" the newbie was excited for the answer.
"Sloppy"
"Oh"
"Paige!"
"I'm being honest!"
"Well, you weren't perfect either!" Emily said looking at Paige with wide eyes.
"Well I practiced! If she gives it some welly she'll be…" Paige hesitated for a moment "less. bad?"
"Oh God!" Sydney said her mouth hanging open.
"I can't believe you just said that!" Emily hit Paige on the arm, forgetting that she and the girl were no longer together.
"hm? what? I said nothing. I don't know what you're talking about. " Paige tried to defend herself, faking a confused face.
"Seriously?! Don't be mean to Sydney, Paige! You're gonna get her dismotivated!" Emily said, reproachfully.
"She's young! She has time to fix it" Paige said winking at Sydney, the girl realizing Paige was just messing with her. Paige's face then became serious "Stop looking at me with that face."
"What face?" Emily asked.
"That! face. Like I just killed a squirrel or something." Emily cracked a smile 'There she is, goofy Paige'
"I don't know what you're talking about." Emily said, copying Paige's previous words and with a small smile on her face. Sydney just stood quiet, enjoying the good mood of the couple.
"Speaking about squirrels, I just remembered that time you made me catch one for you to pet" Paige said shaking her head. "Poor little guy, it was quiet a chase!"
"That was so funny!" Emily said grinning.
"I knocked my head against a tree, Emily!" Paige was looking at Emily in disbelief.
"That's why it was funny!" Emily was now laughing, tears on her eyes
"I shouldn't have brought it up, now you're gonna mock me forever" Paige said, looking the opposite side of Emily's, pretending to be annoyed.
"Oh don't" Emily said, laying her hands on each side of Paige's face and turning the swimmer's face towards her again "It was sweet, I loved it, even though I didn't got the chance to pet him, I petted you" Emily was looking Paige in the eyes, her own full of love. Emily, realizing their sudden closeness, released Paige's cheeks and looked to her side searching for Sydney. The newbie had left without the girls noticing. They were alone. 'Now is the time'.
Emily held Paige's forearm, summered the courage and asked the girl
"Paige, why did you tell the cops about Ali when I asked you not to?"
"Again with this conversation Emily?" Paige said releasing a deep breath.
"Just… Please, just answer" Emily said, closing her eyes and griping on the girls arm. 'I need to know if it was out of concern or revenge.'
"Why did you keep me off the loop regarding –A?" Paige asked, her head tilting to one side and her free hand lifting Emily's chin, encouraging the girl to open her eyes.
"I wanted to keep you safe" Emily said, a tremble in her voice. 'I couldn't risk to lose you.'
"There you go. I wanted to keep you safe too, Emily" Paige said, her voice low but certain. 'so many times I failed at it.'
"I know I broke your trust, but so did you, so many times." Emily's eyes asking her to explain. "With Nate, things with –A, not giving me news for days…?" 'Not knowing if you were ok.' Paige released a breath, Emily understanding how bad the girl must have felt. "And not once I left your side" Paige stated, serenity in her voice but her face full of sadness. Her hand going from Emily's chin to her cheek to catch a tear. Connecting her forehead with Emily's.
"Hm hm" someone announced herself.
"I just wished you had given me a chance too" Paige said, giving Emily a kiss on the cheek and getting up, leaving.
"Emily, what were you..."
"Oh fuck off Alison!" Emily snapped, getting up and leaving Alison alone.