Thank you for the follows & reviews. This is a pretty long chapter. I hope you enjoy it, any suggestions are welcome. Again these characters belong to PLL. ITALICS are inner monologue or past tense.

AFTER...

We said our goodbye after Noel ruined a very steamy encounter between Maya and I, but in a way I'm kinda glad we stopped. I couldn't lie and say I wasn't enjoying the moment but Noel was right. Maya wasn't just some girl you try and sleep with (although many tried, to they all failed) especially in an open football field. I mean we had done it once at school before; (after a late night practice I gave myself, Maya met me in the locker room, and one thing led to both of us in the shower). It wasn't the classiest of places, but at least we were alone and indoors. I just wished we would've stopped before Aria and Noel found us.

I had nothing to do for the next few hours while Maya was at dance class. So I decided going home and cleaning up the house for our weekend was a good idea. Aria joined me, and for a second I was worried about it being awkward between us, or that she would bring it up, but then I remembered I was talking about Aria and not Hanna or even Spencer for that matter. Aria was the person I could go to if I needed to vent without expecting unwanted feedback, or if I just needed her company knowing I didn't need to keep up a convo. The one person I didn't want to find out about this was Ali, she looks for any opportunity to hold something against Maya, not that this had anything to do with Ali but she'd still find a way to turn it into something it's not.

Sometimes I wish Ali could be more like Maya's best friend, as odd as that sounds for me to say about Jenna, it's still true. Jenna is a different person when it comes to her friends. As Aria and I have learned by being around our partners' clique. She never tries to tell Maya what to do (not that Maya would listen) but she doesn't judge. The mutual respect that Jenna, Maya, Noel, and Mona have for each other is something I've always admired. Even if it's only been for Maya's sake, her friends have always been kind to me (with the exception of Noel.)

I was lost in my thoughts when I feel a pillow hit me.

"So fresh sheets or?" Aria asked holding linen in her hands.

"Umm sorry, yeah" I answered slightly embarrassed.

"So what were you thinking about" she says with a slight smirk.

I shake my head, "just how easy Maya and Jenna's friendship is."

"You know, no relationship is ever perfect, but I understand what you mean I see ie too"

We share a faint smile after she said that, knowing that both of us wished we could have a little of what our girlfriend and boyfriend have with their friend with Alison. Not that we didn't love Ali, we do and we knew she loved us too, I mean we've been inseparable since preschool, we trust each other with our lives, but even since then Ali was trying to control us.

Aria changes the subject by asking if I intended to throw a party since my parents were gone. We both burst out laughing, knowing how that would never happen.

"So what time does Maya get out of dance?"

I pull out my phone to text her, realizing I didn't know the answer to that myself. "I don't know I'm about to find out."

"About 6:30" I say out loud.

"So Maya asked if I could pick up her stuff from her house, would you like to take the long trip with me?" I ask Aria.

"I don't know, walking next door really sounds like a mission to me" she teases as she's already making her way towards the door.

"Are you gonna ask her parents for her stuff" Aria asks innocently.

"No I have a key, besides her parents aren't home from work yet." I say without giving it a second thought.

Aria stopped her descent down the stairs to look at me with an arched eyebrow.

"What?!"

"Nothing, do her parents know you have a key

I giggle to myself. "Yeah, they were the ones who gave it to me."

"Wow really? she seems genuinely surprised.

"Yeah last year, they said all family members should have a key to their house." I duck my head a little as I feel the burn on my cheeks from my blush creeping up.

When I look up Aria is smiling from ear to ear, with tears in her eyes.

"Em that is so sweet! So you and Maya are really serious huh? I mean I know you are, but it seems like you guys have the rest of your lives planned out together."

"We do" I answer automatically.

"I'm so happy for you two, just please don't tell Noel you have a key to Maya's house, I'll never hear the end of it and I doubt Maya will either."

We both laugh because we know how true that is

As soon as I open my door I see a pair of blue eyes staring back at me.

"So are you done being over sensitive about your girlfriend" Alison snaps.

"Hello to you too Ali" I respond sarcastically.

"Whatever, so what are you two doing"

Aria and I exchange a quick look of panic.

"So, what are we doing today? It's Friday and I need to do something. Em where's your mom?"

"She's visiting my dad."

Ali is already texting someone before I even finish my sentence.

"Then boys, booze, and bikinis it is! We so have to have a pool party Em!" she says with a gleam in her eye.

"No!" Aria and I shout simultaneously.

"No what?" Hanna asks from behind Ali.

"Emily is being a chicken shit and doesn't want to have a pool party now that her parents are gone."

"Pool party? Yes Em we should" exclaims Hanna.

"Are you two serious? This is the home of Pam Fields" Spencer interjects.

I shoot Spencer a grateful look, and she gives me a knowing nod.

"Are you gonna invite us in, or do we have to stay out on the porch all damn day" Ali is annoyed.

I move to the side, allowing my three friends to come in. I glance over at Aria and she looks even more anxious than I do, which in turn makes me freak out more.

"What you gonna do Em?" Aria whispers to me.

"I don't know, but whatever it is I gotta do it soon."

SORRY EVERYONE THIS CHAPTER IS LONGER THAN I THOUGHT, SO I HAD TO SPLIT THIS CHAPTER UP. HOPE YOU LIKE THIS INSTALLMENT. LET ME KNOW IF I SHOULD CONTINUE.