falitag/town: Thank you for the kind words!
Disclaimer: I do not own Pretty Little Liars or any of its characters
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After only an hour, Paige took another sip of her third drink, feeling the buzz curse through her entire body. Resting her left hand around Hallie's waist as she swayed to the heavy beat currently blasting through the entire house, Paige grasped the head of the Corona bottle in her right hand tighter every time she felt Hallie rubbing harder and harder against her. Every few minutes, Paige tilted her head forward when she saw Hallie trying to whisper something in her ear, but mentally thanked the DJ for turning up the music so loud; all they could do was dance.
The crowd of high school students continued to cram into Kayla's house, screaming and shouting for yet another win the Hornet's managed to give Midwood again. It became tradition for one of the Hornet's members to throw a huge party the Friday after a win so the team would be pumped up for their next game. Casually scanning the crowd, Paige took in the moment as a snapshot however soon feeling her heart beat faster as her gaze landed on the same brunette that has become a permanent imprint in her mind.
Letting her gaze linger, she couldn't help but take in the short emerald chiffon crinkle sweetheart dress she wore with a simple short denim jeans jacket to cover her shoulders. Lowering her glance, she suddenly felt tensed as a familiar arm snake around the girl's waist. Swallowing a bit harder, Paige returned her gaze upward only to be met with Emily's eyes. Immediately looking away, Paige took another sip of her beer as she gripped Hallie's waist tighter; pulling the red-head closer to her body. Unconsciously using Hallie as a barrier between her and the rest of the world, Paige had to force herself to ignore the effect the tanned girl was beginning to have on her. What the hell am I doing?
Using the crowded room to her advantage, Paige made sure she kept her distance from the couple to the best of her capability; it only lasted few minutes. Throwing her empty bottle in the recycle banister, Paige whispered to Hallie before leaving her safety zone and heading off to the kitchen for another round. Ducking beneath the table to grab another beer, she heard the voice she's been wanting to hear but dreading to. "Hey."
Biting her bottom lip as she slowly stood up, Paige turned around to find herself standing too close for comfort to Emily as the brunette blocked the exit. Tightening her jaw, Paige stared directly in Emily's large brown eyes as she took a step forward making Emily take a step back. Without letting go of her eye contact, Paige placed the bottle in the door plate and in one thrust opened the beer bottle. Forcing herself to contain her composure, Paige's eyes became rigid as she responded to the greeting. "Fields."
Raising an eyebrow, Emily immediately knew just from looking into the girl's dark brown eyes that the genuine girl came into contact just a few nights ago in the park was honestly just there for the night. Slowly nodding her head, Emily simply replied, "right". The Paige she knew for 3 years was back and was woman standing before her. Making her way pass Paige, she took a red cup from the counter and placed some ice in it as she felt Paige's eyes on her. As she poured a generous amount of tequila into it, she placed a bit of Ginger Ale in it as well before taking a sip. Raising her cup, Emily tipped it toward Paige without saying another word as she walked out of the room. Closing her eyes in frustration, Paige placed the beer she just opened on the countertop as she walked back out of the room vehemently finding her way next to Hallie's side.
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For the rest of the night, Paige found herself involuntarily searching for Emily; each time willing herself to look away but failing. Paige watched as the brunette pounded back drinks left and right knowing this was not like her in least. Wanting to step in and nudge Bess to keep an eye out for her, Paige realized Bess was even more tipsy then the tanned girl. Not realizing the grip she was currently displaying on Hallie's hip was getting tighter and tighter, she soon felt her girlfriend's hand on her as the emerald-eye beauty turned around to give her a concerned look. Instantly giving her an apologetic one, Paige glanced up and watched as Emily stumbled along making her way to the kitchen. Taking Hallie's hands in her own, Paige whispered in her ear that she was going to grab another beer knowing full well she had no intention of drinking for the rest of the night.
"Going for a personal best tonight?" Paige asked calmly as she watched Emily pour another drink. "Maybe you should take it easy."
Closing the cap on the Jose Cuervo bottle, Emily turned around as she stumbled against counter. "Be careful there champ, you're beginning to sound like you care." Taking another sip, she swiftly moved passed Paige using every ounce of strength she could muster up.
Emily didn't know what she was feeling. She was frustrated for even thinking Paige could potentially be a friend or even an acquaintance to her. But she needed to talk to Paige; she was the only person she could talk to at that moment. Walking into the party tonight, Emily sought out Paige, hoping they could have a chance to talk. Once she laid eyes on Paige and the way she was holding Hallie, Emily was stung with a pinge of wariness. Pushing that feeling aside, Emily figured maybe there was hope the Paige she was fortunate enough to get a glimpse of a few nights ago might still be there; but was sorely mistaken. The coldness she's received from the auburn girl for the last 3 years was there. At that moment, Emily didn't want to feel anything; she didn't want to have a care in the world.
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"Mmmm baby, let's just go back to my place. My parents aren't home tonight." Bess said as the couple stumbled out of the party house, partially still deaf from the music.
Emily felt Bess's arm snake around her waist and could feel her alcohol filled breath in her ear. Trying to get out of her grasp, she coherently responded. "No, not tonight."
Rolling her eyes, Bess refused to let go of her girlfriend. "Come on. How long are you going to make me wait?"
Feeling her girlfriends arm become a bit tighter around her, Emily struggled even more to get out of the girl's grasp. Every time she pushed, Bess managed to pull. "What? Bess, stop it. Not tonight." Emily answered back more sternly.
"Stop being a freaking tease." Bess frustratingly shouted. "You always start something but you never finish. You just leave me all riled up".
"Bess….no." Emily replied as she realized Bess was not willing to let go any time soon and began feeling her leave sloppy kisses down her neck. Feeling her body begin to tense up, Emily tried her best to shove her, but only ended up losing her own balance. A blind of panic began rising in her chest, a feeling as though she couldn't breathe. Trying to wiggle herself once again against Bess's strong grip, Emily heard a familiar voice from behind her.
"Hey, I think she said no". Paige firmly suggested as she gripped Bess's shoulders. "How about you call it a night, Bess."
"What the actual fuck? Get off of me. She wants this." Bess screamed out as she shoved Paige aside with one hand.
"I think it's clear she doesn't…tonight." Paige calmly responded as she knew Bess was pass sobriety.
"What the fuck do you care? I got this." Bess replied as tried to get back to Emily as she pinned her against the wall.
Holding back the anger that began growing in her chest as she watched Emily struggle away from a drunken woman, Paige took in a deep breath and continued responding calmly not wanting to get Bess angrier then she already was. "You're one of my girls Bess. Go sleep it off. I'm looking out for you, ok? I know she wants you, but she's not up for it tonight, ok?"
Knowing her last statement finally got through; Paige was relieved when she heard Bess's reply. "Yeah, fine."
"Kayla's got an empty room upstairs. I'll make sure Emily's okay." Paige responded as she watched Bess let go of the brunette.
"Alright." Bess was able to mutter out.
Paige kept her glare at Emily. A part of her was angry at the girl for getting drunk but a part of her was relieved that she was ok; away from Bess. Instantly noticing Emily was beginning to stumble on her own, Paige swiftly moved towards her, placing her left arm instinctively around her waist to steady the girl as her right arm held the wall for extra support. "Hey, hey hey I got you." Paige whispered as she looked directly into Emily's eyes. The smell of lavender and vanilla quickly surrounded her as she couldn't help but shift her gaze towards Emily's lips.
Feeling Paige's firm body pressed against her as she held her up, Emily's eyes drifted towards her own hands as they instinctively found its way to Paige's chest, grabbing a hold of her navy blue hoodie. Feeling a sense of security dawn on her, Emily closed her eyes and shoved Paige away with one quick thrust. "Get off of me."
"Ok." Paige quietly responded as she kept her hands up showing her that she meant no harm.
"What do you want?" Emily whimpered as she leaned back against the wall knowing that was the only thing keeping her standing. Dreading having to stand before Paige in such a condition, Emily wanted nothing more than to run away.
"I don't want anything." Paige simply replied as she continued staring into Emily's brown eyes.
Beginning to feel insecure, Emily glanced away; fear of having Paige see the distress in her eyes. "So what are you doing here? It seemed like Hallie's ass was keeping you occupied enough." Emily retorted.
Hiding the small smirk that crawled at the corner of Paige's lips, she thought Emily was too occupied to even notice where she was throughout the night. Slightly amused at Emily's possible tinge of jealousy, Paige slowly leaned forward to get hold her waist again. "I'm going to take you home."
"Stop." Emily whimpered. "I just want you to stop. Just leave me alone" she continued as moved Paige's hand away.
Taking a step back to give Emily room, Paige combed her hair back with is right hand as she then placed it on her hip in frustration. "How do you plan on getting home? You can't even stand! What the hell happened to you tonight? Why were you drinking like that? Especially when you know Bess was also drinking!"
Taken aback by her sudden outburst, Emily shouted back. "Why are you yelling at me? Just because Bess was drinking I can't drink? When doesn't she drink? I just need to not feel something for one night! Why can't I have that without having someone grabbing me?"
Turning around in frustration, Paige turned back to face Emily as she cleared her throat to calm herself down. She didn't know why Emily needed tonight, but she was right. She deserved to have fun without having to worry about someone taking advantage of her. "Why do you not want to feel anything tonight? Did something happen?"
"It doesn't matter anymore" Emily mumbled before glancing over to where Bess left. "Just leave me alone".
Scrunching her eyebrows in confusion, Paige knew something was wrong but also knew she was the last person Emily would open up to. "Look, let me just take you home."
"No! I don't want to go anywhere with you." Emily aggressively replied.
"Then let me get Hallie to take you home." Paige suggested.
"Whatever." Emily mumbled.
Walking away slightly, Paige pulled out her phone as she called Hallie. "Hey, I need a favor. I'm outside, with Emily. She's pretty plastered. Bess is plastered too, but she's sleeping it off upstairs. Can you take her home? You can use my SUV. No she can't, her parents are pretty strict. No, she doesn't want me to. Please. Thank you, you got it."
Turning back around, Paige noticed Emily sliding down the side of the wall as she was closing her eyes. "Hey hey hey, stay with me." Paige had rushed to Emily's side as she slowly began lifting her up as she used her hips to help Emily stand. With her left hand securely around her waist, Paige had her right hand around her neck, gently letting her thumb graze the brunette's cheek to wake up. As Emily slowly opened her eyes, Paige swallowed has she saw tears forming in them. "Why are you crying? Look at me. Hey, I would never take advantage of you, ok? I just want you to get home safe." Thinking to herself the reason why the girl was so thorn up was because of her. Watching Emily's lips part as she was about to respond, Paige soon heard her girlfriend's voice from behind them.
"Hey! Whoa, this is a first" Hallie said in surprise. Walking over to Emily's side, she grabbed her arm to take majority of her weight.
"Yeah." Paige responded as she let go. Digging into her pocket, she handed over her keys to Hallie. "Keys. You know how to get to her house from here right?"
"Uh yeah, just 20 minutes away." Hallie said as she adjusted her grip on the drunken brunette. "You're lucky I stopped drinking 2 hours ago" Hallie stated as she looked over at Emily.
"Yeah. Look, I parked right around the corner. Text me when you drop her off." Paige replied as she watched the two girls make their way down the driveway.
"Okay, let's get you home Jose." Hallie jokingly said as she tried to make Emily smile a little.
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"I want to let you in on a little secret. Every 14 year old teenager calculates down to the last second on how long it takes them to get home from school." Paige casually said as she began descending down the staircase to her next class. "I can assure you, after 4 years here, I managed to master that time…especially with the amount of nagging you and dad both create." Spotting a young blonde ascend from below, Paige began to slow her descend down the staircase to take a better look at the libidinous woman before her; leisurely shifting her gaze from her eyes down her seductive body as she headed in her direction. Immediately noticing the rosy color that levitated on the woman's cheeks, Paige quickly finished her conversation to take as much advantage as she could with the situation before her. "I will be home before sundown, don't worry. I'm just going with a few of the girls after school for a bit."
Giving the woman one her prominent smirks that she was famous for around school, Paige watched in amusement as the girl gave her one right back; changing her focus from her well-endowed chest to her perfectly firm ass as she passed her on the stairwell. She loved high school for the sole purpose of having girls like the one before her, flaunt every pure adolescent asset they had her way. The blonde slowed down knowing full well the jeggings she wore only enhanced her spoils as she continued her escalation on the staircase. Easily becoming pleased with the woman's attitude towards her, it was no surprise Paige managed to misjudge her footing causing her to fall backwards. The miscalculation of her step took her by surprise given she had done that same move countless of times before.
Landing on the 3rd floor corridor, Paige felt another body break her fall. Leaning to the side, she immediately heard a groan coming from behind her clearly informing her it was a girl. Trying to get up faster, she was quickly pulled back down in the direction the girl seemed to be repositioning herself in. Moving once more, Paige heard the girl let out a groan once again realizing her book bag had somehow managed to get tangled with the girl's hair. Every time she shifted, she pulled the stranger with her and vice versa.
"Take your God damn backpack off!" Paige heard the familiar voice scowl her way. "Ow! Stop fucking moving!"
"I'm fucking trying too! How would you like me to do this? Just tear it off?" Paige yelled back.
"Yes actually. You're use to ripping everything else off!" Emily angrily replied back.
Taking it as an opportunity to change the temper of their conversation, Paige merely replied back, "Babe, if you wanted to see me naked, you could have just asked."
"Are you going to help me or not?" Emily knew she asked for that reply once she said the word 'ripping'. "I'm sure that girl's chest would be doing a better job in helping me up."
Finally removing the bag pack off her shoulders, Paige turned around risking a glance at the brunette's chocolate brown eyes. Handing Emily her bag to hold, Paige fought to keep her composure. "Just hold my bag. Your hair got tangled in my lacrosse stick. " Wanting nothing more than to quickly disentangle herself from the brunette, Paige began to perspire as she tried to prevent herself from looking into Emily's eyes. Feeling the tension arise between the two girls, Paige tried to fill the uncomfortable silence with a question she's wanted to ask for some time. "What's going on with you and Bess?"
"I don't think I need to answer that." Emily coldly replied. She never thanked Paige for what she did at the party or even a few nights ago, but she promised herself she never would. Bess had been acting more and more rough with her lately, trying to pressure her into being more physical and a part of Emily had a feeling it was because of girl standing before of her.
"She's one of my star players on my team. I tend to like to know what's happening in their lives if they seem a bit distracted during game time." Paige replied as she watched Emily glance at the floor allowing a few loose strands of hair to fall covering her eyes. Paige had to force her hands to remain busy or she'd find herself involuntarily tucking the girl's tresses behind her ear.
"Why don't you ask Bess?" Emily responded as she leisurely brushed back her hair not realizing the effect she was having on Paige.
"I prefer to go straight to the source." Paige said before she could stop herself. Mentally berating herself, Paige took a step back just as she finally got the girl free from her lacrosse stick.
"The source?" Emily snapped. "Listen, I don't know what your deal is, and fondly I don't care. You've been doing a really good job at creating this little barrier you seem to have up when I'm around. So why don't you just keep it going?"
"What are you talking about?" Paige asked as she watched Emily walk away from her and onto the 3rd floor.
"What am I talking about?" Emily stopped abruptly as she turned around to face her. "Paige, you're honestly going to play the dumb card with me? You don't think I haven't noticed the way you act around me in comparison to everyone else? I understand, you hate me-"
"I don't hate you." Paige stated as she interrupted the girls tantrum.
"Oh I beg to differ. You pick and choose the moments you decide to talk to me when you're perfectly good and fucking ready. What the hell do you call that?" Emily continued as she turned back around to walk towards her locker.
"I just want to know what the hell happened between you and Bess! She slacked off so much during practice recently and something's telling me it's because of you." Paige yelled as she bit her lip knowing she just screwed up again.
"Of course it's my fault. Why wouldn't it be my fault?" Emily responded putting her hands up in frustration.
Listening to the defeat in Emily's voice, Paige studied the brunette noticing the hurt in her eyes. She knew right there, it wasn't Emily at all. Bess was the one who must have had done something to her. It was the first time she saw Bess physically attack Emily a few nights ago, but thought it was because she was going through something. "Did she hurt you?"
"What the hell do you care?" Emily whimpered out. "Since I've been here we've had three civil conversations. Three! And that's including this one because your shit was stuck in my hair; two others which I can't for the life of me understand why you would. And now you're standing in front of me accusing me of hurting Bess until I sparked another possibility…and now you care?" Emily bawled frustratingly at Paige. Slamming her locker she turned to face her. "What? What! What do you want from me? For three god damn year's you've been a complete asshole to me and I'm just supposed to open up?"
"I care, okay?!" Paige snapped as she realized the words that came out of her mouth. She watched as Emily's eyes widened at her confession and knew she to fix it. Turning away in frustration, Paige combed back her hair with her right hand before placing it on her hip. "I just…want to figure out what's going on with Bess."
Turning away to walk towards class, Emily quietly responded. "Bess is my girlfriend Paige. What do you think she wants? She wants what every other girl wants. You should know" Emily continued as she turned around to face Paige. "You go around fucking 99% of the female student population. But I'm not ready. I like where we are right now. I liked knowing it wasn't just about me popping out my breasts for her whenever we were behind closed doors. But now it seems like that's the only thing on her mind. And I know what you are going to say. Why don't I just give it up to her since I love her right?" Emily concluded as she turned back around to continue to class.
"I wasn't going to say that." Paige admitted as she kept her eyes on the floor. Thrilled to know Bess and Emily still haven't slept together, Paige was angry Bess was pushing the girl.
Stopping in her tracks, Emily turned around and walked up to Paige making the auburn girl step back in surprise. "So what? What do you want to say? You're thinking she should just break up with me."
"No, I'm not thinking that. If you're not ready, you're not ready. Bess should understand that." Paige replied understandingly noticing Emily furrow her brows in confusion. "What?"
"What the hell kind of game are you playing?" Emily asked. The Paige from that night at the park had seem to make a reappearance, confusing her to which girl she's really talking too.
"What? That was what I was thinking. You asked." Paige admitted again. "I know how Bess feels about you. I know she loves you. And I know that sometimes you don't even need to touch a girl for you to feel like…you're alive." she continued.
"And what do you know about feeling like that?" Emily asked confused.
Releasing a heavy sigh, Paige avoided the question. "I've watched you guys for three years, the way you and Bess interact. The way you talk to each other…and smile… and touch. The emotions you guys have cascades through the rest of us. Bess wouldn't just throw it all away because of sex. That's me. There has to be another issue." she calmly responded as she tried to understand the situation Emily and Bess were currently having.
Breaking her gaze away from Paige, Emily nodded her head. "I honestly do not get you. Why now? Why did you choose to have a civil conversation with me this year?"
"My concern isn't you. It's my team. We have a game coming up and one of my best players is acting as though she's never played before. I came to see if the problem was because of you, but obviously I was wrong." Paige replied as she walked away, hiding every emotion she was beginning to have yet again for the one girl she knew she could never have but wanted.
