A/N - Hey guys! Sorry! I know it's been a LONG time, but I recently had a few PMs asking me to continue this, so here I am. My writing is rough right now, mainly because I haven't done much writing this year. But I am trying to get back on track. Just hold on for a bit okay? For those who are reading my other fic, Life As I Know It, I will try to update as soon as I can. No promises, but I will try my best. I will also try to update this more often. Maybe put it on a schedule once I get back into the groove of writing again. SO excuse me if I am SUPER rusty!
Tell me what you think of this chapter. It can't be that bad right? Review and follow if you want to get faster updates! PEACEOUT!
-rain
It was coming to the closing end of a very informative week for me and I was feeling way beyond exhausted. I was also feeling extremely thankful that it was my final study period, so I could have some time to myself. I spent the week getting used to the school and town. Paige and I usually spent our final periods on the roof, but neither of us had practice today, so she left early to spend time with her girlfriend. Aria and I also seemed to connect pretty well and who could hate Hanna. It was only Spencer that usually was silent when I was around.
I turned the corner and searched for any sign of a living being. When no one was in sight, I opened the door and once again climbed up those three flights of stairs only to run straight into Spencer, who was busy opening the door. "Oh, sorry. I didn't know you were here," I apologized as I whipped my body right back around, heading back down the steps I had just ascended from.
"Hey Emily!" I heard Spencer call, "It's okay. Come back!" I turned around to face her, "It's not like I'm gonna bite you or anything."
I scoffed, "Yeah but those daggers you've been staring haven't been too comforting." She stepped out of the way and I breezed passed her, walking towards the chair I usually sat in.
Spencer silently sat beside me in the vacant chair. I paid no attention to her as I took a deep breathe in while admiring the scenery. We sat there for a few minutes before she spoke, "So Paige took you up here?" I nodded my answer. "Wow."
"What?" I asked not moving my attention.
"Well, it's just this is a really private place. Only a few of us know about this place. Shana just found out about this place a few weeks ago." Spencer replied.
"Well we needed a place to work on our assignment, so I suppose that's why she took me up here."
"I guess," she breathed. It was silent for a few more moments before she spoke again. "Hey look I'm sorry. I know I haven't been the most inviting person, but I was just looking out for Paige. She hasn't always been this…" Spencer paused for a quick second, "She wasn't the Paige we all know and love now. She's come so far and I guess I don't want to see her ever withdrawal back into her shell. So yeah, I can be really intense, but it's just for the safety of our little group."
She gave me a small smile before she continued, "If the girls think you're okay, then I think you should give me a second chance. I won't need a third." She put her hand out for me to shake, "My name is Spencer Hastings and I'm an idiot. You are?"
I reached out and shook her hand, "I'm Emily Fields, and I just befriended an idiot." We both laughed lightly before she got up onto her feet.
"I was actually just on my way out to go meet up Aria and Hanna. We were gonna do some homework together at The Brew. Did you want to join us?" The brunette offered.
I shook my head, "No it's okay. I wouldn't want to impose."
"Come on! I could help you get caught up with the week you missed." She tried to convince me with a big smile. "You can't turn down a 4.29 GPA!"
I chucked and got onto my feet, "Only cause I could use the coffee, okay?" She nodded with a smile and guided me down to her car.
The ride to the brew was short, but it also gave us a chance to talk. She asked about my transition into the east coast and I answered also telling her a little bit more about myself. "So tell me a little more about you? I've been blabbing for almost ten minutes here!"
Spencer signaled to turn right while she answered, "What's there to say? My parents are lawyers. My older sister Melissa is attending Harvard Law School. My best friends are Paige, Hanna, and Aria. I'm dating a boy named Toby, but he's rarely around anymore, because of his job. I'm captain of the field hockey team and have been since last year. Debate team. Academic Decathlon. I used to be part of a few more clubs, but I decided to put these as my main focus. Quality over quantity."
Spencer parked beside the curb down the street from The Brew. "I guess that's really it."
We both exited the car when I asked, "So are you going to become a lawyer too?"
We walked side by side towards the coffee shop, when I heard Spencer take in a deep breath and release it. " I don't know…" She shook her head, "It's just my family expects it. I haven't really decided what I want to pursue yet. I suppose I always assumed that I was going to attend law school just like Melissa. I never really gave it a second thought." Spencer opened the front door and held it open for me, "Psychology was always quite interesting to me. Maybe something involving the human mind?"
We waved at the girls and sat down beside them. "Seems like you two are getting along well." Aria mentioned. "Spence finally apologized for being an ass?"
I nodded and smiled at Spencer, "Yeah it's okay. She's just an idiot."
"Hey! You're the idiot who befriended an idiot!" Spencer threw back, jokingly.
We sat there trying to finish as much weekend homework as possible when we hear someone rush into The Brew. We looked up to find Paige running as fast as she can into the kitchen, almost crashing into one of the workers. We all looked at each other inquisitively, wondering what the hell was going on. Spencer got up from her seat and walked towards the kitchen, just stopping short at the cash register when she saw Shana walk in.
She stomped right up to Spencer, "Where the hell is Paige?" Shana honestly looked like she was going to start fuming from the ears. "She was supposed to pick me up at the school over an hour ago! I had to walk all the way here!"
Spencer just shrugged, "Haven't seen her since lunch. She mentioned that she was going to see you during her free period! Maybe there was an emergency or something. You know Paige would never leave you hanging like that!"
"She better have a good explanation! This is the third time she bailed on me this week!" Shana turned her heel and stomped back towards the door, "Tell McCullers to call me when you see her!" And with that she left with everyone's attention focused on her.
It was a few moments of complete silence before Paige reappeared looking exhausted as ever. She had rushed in so quickly earlier I hadn't noticed, but now I could clearly see her. She was wearing the school's track and field uniform. She was sweating from head to toe and the sweat made the uniform cling to her body even more. I was gaping at her toned arms and legs when Aria smacked me out of my haze, "You okay there, Emily?" I just nodded slightly, embarrassed to be caught ogling at her friend.
"I was just think about ordering a snack," I lied, hoping that she didn't catch on.
"Sure. Snack." She said unimpressed.
I got up and walked towards the counter, "You guys want anything?" They just shook their heads and looked back at their assignments as I walked up to the other two girls.
"Hey Emily! You're here!" Paige beamed.
"Yeah. I decided to check out The Brew. Everyone's always talking about it." I explained finding her smile contagious. "I'm gonna buy a cookie. You guys want anything?" I offered pointing at the showcase of desserts on display.
Before I had a chance to wave down the waiter, Paige was already grabbing a cookie from behind the counter, "Chocolate chip?" She gave me another kilowatt smile as she handed it to me, "On the house. Well technically it's on Aria's house."
I turned around and yelled, "Thank you Aria!"
She gave me a confused look before replying, "Your welcome?"
"I did all the work. I don't get a thank you?" Paige asked with her puppy dog eyes as she walked back over to our side of the counter.
"Well thank you for stealing from Aria. I appreciate it very much. I'll call you when I need a car." I joked with a laugh.
She laughed along until Spencer cleared her throat, "Oh." She said as she turned her attention to Spencer, "I just got lost in the jog! You know how it gets when I'm out there! I lose track of time." Spencer nodded. "And I was going to jog back over here to borrow Toby's shower when I remembered that I was supposed to pick up Shana. She was rounding the corner and I decided that I was gonna get to the kitchen faster than the loft. Sorry. I didn't mean to get you yelled at," Paige apologized.
"It's fine. I don't mind, but she's pissed. Better find a way to make it up to her." Spencer suggested as the three of us walked back over to our table.
Paige smiled at her best friend and gave her a pat on the back, "I will! Thanks for covering, buddy!" She waved a hello to Hanna and Aria before announcing, "I'll be down in a minute – just gonna take a quick shower." She turned to Spencer, "Remind me to thank Toby! His loft is really coming in handy lately."
"As long as you're still watering his plants, I'm sure he doesn't mind." Spencer replied.
"Plants?" Paige questioned, halfway up the stairs.
"Paige!" Spencer scolded.
"Just kidding! Plants. Water. Got it!" The runner joked as she finished jogging up the rest of the stairs.
"Shana's going to kill her, isn't she?" I heard Aria ask. Spencer just nodded.
"Hey at least we have Emily here to replace her once she's dead!" Hanna added laughing at her own joke.
As the laughter died down, we all went back to completing our own assignments.
It was about half an hour later when Paige reappeared at our table, freshly showered and changed. "Ah this feels better."
"And it smells better too." Spencer joked avoiding a backhand to the stomach from Paige.
"So are you nerds done with your homework?" Paige asked everyone.
"Almost." Hanna and I replied simultaneously while Aria and Spencer nodded.
"Well Kahn's got a back to school party tonight! Let's go," she tried to convince the group.
"Don't you have some groveling to do?" The blonde joked.
"Yeah… but why ruin the night? I can apologize in the morning!" Paige tried to explain. "Come on guys! She's going to yell at me tomorrow anyways! I'm just delaying the inevitable. I'm tired and I need to blow off some steam."
"Fine." Spencer broke.
The other girls nodded and then Paige looked over at me. "Fields? You coming too?"
"I don't know." I tried to deny, but everyone was looking at me expecting me to accept.
"Noel's parties are the best! Booze! Hot girls! Hot guys! Hot tubs!" She reasoned back at me.
"Fine I guess." I gave in.
"YES! Let's go!" Hanna exclaimed slamming her textbook shut. "I'm done with George Washington!" She yelled to the entire coffee shop.
"HANNA!" Spencer and Aria reprimanded.
"Fine moms. I'll use my indoor voice." Hanna replied snickering.
"Meet at Spencer's place? Say 8?" Paige questioned to the group. They all nodded as the other swimmer turned to me. "Need a ride? Your place is on the way to my place." Paige offered.
"Well doesn't Aria live right next to me?" I questioned.
We both looked at Aria, "Sorry uh, I actually gotta make a pit stop somewhere, so if neither of you mind, you'll be doing me a favor."
"Okay then Fields, you're riding shotgun with me!" Paige grabbed my backpack and waltzed out of The Brew with me following in suit.
"This girl is the death of me." I muttered to myself as I exited.