Hey guys so I've been writing a crap ton of chapters for this story and my other one and it's been like ages since I last post. I'M SO SORRY. i'm not gonna proof read because it takes too long and I know you all want to know what happens...so...I hope you enjoy. I try to post as often as I ca! Read and Review! ENJOY
Chapter 8
Emily's POV
I sat in the newly renovated Brew. The coffee in my hands had gone cold long ago. Today was the day, Ali's trial starts today. I tried to visit Paige a couple of weeks ago, but she's on 'lock down' or something because of the trial. Nothing in or out. Spencer's seen her a few times. She said Paige is doing fine. I glanced up at the TV. Ali was sitting in the courtroom. She was sitting in the same spot Paige had occupied five years ago. Spencer was sitting to the right of her.
"Can I heat that up for you?" I heard voice ask. I whipped around trying to figure out who had asked.
"Sorry?"
"You've been holding that cup of coffee for the past hour, and you haven't drank it yet. I can heat it up for you if you're planning on drinking it."
"Oh…thanks that would be great. Sorry I've been a little distracted lately."
"So I've seen," she said taking the cup. She returned a few minutes later with steaming coffee and a pastry.
"I didn't order that," I said pointing at the pastry.
"It's on the house. I figured you could use it," she said placing it in front of me.
"Won't Ezra get mad?"
"Nah, besides he can't really fire the women who cooks and bakes for him, can he," she joked.
"I guess not," I said taking a bite into the pastry. "Oh that's delicious."
"I'm glad. Name's Talia," she said sticking out her hand.
"Emily," I said shaking her hand.
"Emily…it suits you."
"Thanks."
"So from what I hear, you're friends with the girl who's trial is today?"
"I can't be in the courtroom. Too many bad memories."
"Oh, falling out?"
"You could say that."
"So what, did she like ruin a relationship?" Talia asked. I felt my whole body stiffen. It was easily noticed by Talia. "Oh my god, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to bring up the past like that."
"No, no, it's okay. It was a long time ago. It's just still kind of fresh in my mind, especially today."
"I can imagine. Look, I'm sorry, I really didn't mean to."
"It's okay Talia, really. So, are you new to Rosewood?"
"Sort of. I live a couple towns over, but Ezra and I had a mutual friend who set me up with this gig. I have to say Rosewood is completely different than what I imagined."
"And what did you picture?"
"Well don't laugh at me, but I kind of picture a town in the woods full of roses."
"Well, you're not the first," I said laughing.
"What about you?"
"I grew up here, went to high school, then Danby."
"Danby, wow! Swimming?"
"Yeah, how'd you know?"
"You have the body of a swimmer," she said blushing. "So what brought you back to Rosewood?"
"Well, I graduated this summer, and got a job working in Philly. So I thought, what the heck, I'll come back, spend some time with the parents."
"Has much changed since you came back?"
"Not much, just that people look a little older."
We were interrupted by the sound of the TV. Headlines kept appearing with pictures of Ali. I tried to read them, but they were coming to fast. Then it switched to a view of the courtroom. I couldn't tell what was going on, but something was happening.
"I'm sorry, but I have to go," I said gathering my things.
"Oh, uh, okay," Talia replied.
"Thanks for the coffee and pastry. They were delicious. We should do this again."
"Yeah, we should," she said getting up.
I ran out of there as fast as I could. I drove to the courthouse, speeding like a crazy woman. There were reports surrounding the courthouse. It took me a while to get into the actually building. I don't think I would have gotten in if Spencer didn't put me on her list.
The courtroom was packed. I found an empty seat next to Aria. Hanna was sitting behind Spencer with Toby and Caleb. I decided that I didn't want to involved in this case. I know I should be a little more invested, but I couldn't. Every part of this case mad my blood boil.
I spotted Paige sitting next to Spencer. Her hands were cuffed to the table and her wore her orange prison suit. Her hair was pulled back in a messy bun. I wanted to run up and kiss her, hold her, but I couldn't.
"What's going on?" I asked in a whisper.
"The juries in session, or whatever the hell you call it."
"How long have they been in there and why are the TVs blowing up with headlines about her."
"Because she playing the victim, making everyone believe that she was the one who was traumatized."
"They don't actually believe that shit do they?"
"Hell no."
"How long has the jury been in there?" I asked again.
"Almost three hours."
"Do they have any clue on what's going on?" I asked trying to make eye contact with Spencer.
"No idea."
I made eye contact with Spencer and she held up four fingers. I didn't understand what that meant, but about four minutes the later the judge called for a recess. Aria and I made our way up to Spencer and the rest of the group. I tried to hasten my pace so that I could talk to Paige but two officers escorted her out of the courtroom before I could get there.
"Spencer, what's going on?" Aria asked frantically.
"I offered Ali a plea deal," Spencer said smiling.
"What hell were you thinking?"
"She didn't take it."
"Then why the hell are you smiling?" Aria asked frustrated.
"The jury is in there deciding, and since Ali didn't take the plea deal, if she's convicted she'll spend the rest of her life in jail."
"IF she's convicted," I said putting emphasis on the 'if'.
"She'll still spend time in prison for all the crimes she's committed," Toby commented.
"The jury's only been in there for a few hours, and I think that they're almost done deciding."
"How do you know?"
"I have my sources," she said glancing at Toby.
"Do you think that Ali is going to win?"
"I can't say, but she has made many enemies in Rosewood. Practically everyone in Rosewood hates her."
"Plus the evidence against her is strong," Caleb added.
"It would have been helpful five years ago," I commented.
"It would have," he replied, "but I wasn't the most reliable source five years ago."
I don't know how much longer we waited for, maybe an hour, or maybe four. It was approaching five o'clock when the jury finally came back in. Everyone found their seats and reporters focused their camera on the jury.
"Have you reached a verdict?" the judge asked the foreman.
"First count, Extortion, bribery, and blackmail?"
"We find the defendant guilty," he responded to the judge's question.
"Murder in the first degree, how do you find the defendant?"
"We find the defendant guilty, your honor."
"Alison DiLaurentis you have been guilty on all charges and will receive a life sentence. Paige McCullers you are exonerated of your crimes and hereby released. Case Dismissed." The pound of the gavel echoed through the courtroom. There was a brief moment of silence, before the court broke out in an uproar.
I watched as they were putting the handcuffs on Ali. I made my way over in time to give her one last piece of my mind.
"ALI!"
"Em, come for more, I see," she said turning to face me.
"I never loved you," I spat.
"Oh, then what about your fantasies?"
"I. Never. Loved. You. Nor. Will. I Ever. I hope you rot behind those bars," I hissed at her.
I felt a smile creep onto my face as I watched them drag her away. It was one of the most liberating feelings. I turned around just in time to see them taking the handcuffs of Paige. She rubbed her wrists before looking around. Her eyes found mine. For a brief second it felt like everything just as it had been before. She gave me a soft smile before turning away. I watched as Nick wrapped his arms around his daughter. It brought tears to me eyes, to see everything that was happening.
Paige's POV
I heard the gavel hit and all of these emotions flooded my mind. I was free, free! There was an uproar in the room as Ali was being dragged away. Spencer pulled me into a tight hug.
"We did it!"
"I'm free…"
"You can do whatever you want…run…swim…eat as much junk food as you want…anything…Toby get these things off of her."
Toby approached and unlocked the cuffs before pulling me into a tight hug. My life has changed completely in just seconds. I rubbed the area of the wrists where the handcuffs were. Looking around I stopped Emily. She was staring back at me. For the first time in years I felt like everything was normal. Emily was still gorgeous. She hadn't changed much. I don't even know if I recognize myself. I gave her a soft smile before turning around to look for my dad.
"Paige!" he said wrapping his arms around me, "oh Paige." He was crying and laughing at the same time.
"Hey dad," I whispered feeling the tears forming.
"How are you? Are you hungry? Tired?"
"Slow down, I'm fine dad," I said smiling, "first let's just get me out of this hideous suit."
"Yes, yes, let's do that," he laughed wiping away the tears. "I brought some of your old clothes. They should fit."
I grabbed the bag of clothes and made my way to the nearest bathroom. I quickly peeled off the prison outfit and changed. I grabbed the pair of grey skinny jeans and red baseball tee my dad had brought me. They were a little tight, considering I don't have my thin swimmer body anymore. I handed the uniform back to the guards before following my dad out of the building.
I took a deep breath and took my steps into freedom. I walked through the last set of wooden doors. I was free. I was a normal person in normal clothes living a normal life.
News reporters swarmed around the courthouse but they were busy taking to Ali's lawyers so we easily slipped away. It felt a little weird being back where it all started. I looked around the town. It looked like nothing had changed, but in reality everything has changed.
"So we can do anything you want."
"How about lunch?"
"The grille?" My dad asked smiling.
"A sandwich sounds really good right now," I happily. He laughed and wiped the tears from his face.
"It's great to have you home Paige," he said smiling.
"It's great to be home, but it feels so weird."
"You'll get use to it," he said softly. "It comes with time."
"So how have you been? How's work?"
"It's been great actually, we're doing really well. As for myself, I'm just glad that your home. Speaking of being home, I got you a little something." He pulled out an envelope and handed it to me. I open it and inside was a contracting naming me as the owner of an apartment in the Philadelphia.
"What!? No way," I exclaimed reading the contract over again. "Dad this is…"
"Well Rick heard that you were getting out and asked me if you would consider working for him. You were one of the best that he has ever seen. So I figured I would get you a nice place to live. I know this is all coming so fast, but you can take all the time you need. The apartment isn't going any where, you can stay with me as long as you want. "
"Wow, Rick, that's incredible. I-I don't know what to say. Thank you."
"It the least I could do for you. I know how much you wanted to be an EMT."
"Thank you," I said still shocked by this 'small' gift.
"When you ready, you can Rick a call," he said pulling out a calling card.
"I'll get right on that. Speaking of calling, is my phone still here or working?"
"Ah, well I figured you'd need a new one, so I figured after this we could go and get one?"
"Dad, you don't have to do that. The old one I'm sure works just fine," I said trying to protest.
"Paige, just talk to offer. It's not everyday a dad gets to see his daughter set free," he joked.
"Okay, fine dad," I said pretending to sulk.
We pulled into the garage, and I saw that my car was parked in the other spot. I would need my dad to reintroduce me to driving my car. It was a sensitive little baby. I grabbed my things and headed to my room. I was the same way that I had left it five years ago. I walked around the room looking at all the pictures. Most of them were of Emily and I. I wanted so badly to pick up the phone and call her, but I hadn't spoken to her in a long time. I rummaged through my draws and found something more confortable to wear. I found my swimsuit, goggles, and cap, before heading back down the stairs.
"Dad?"
"Yes sweetie," he said coming around the corner.
"Do you think you could take me to the pool?"
"Of course," he said grabbing my keys and tossing them at me.
We didn't live that far from the pool, so he said he would walk home. He just wanted to make sure that I actually remembered how to drive. It was a rocky ride there, but I managed to figure everything out by the time we got there.
I walked through the doors that I walked through every morning. I quickly changed, before heading to the pool. I stuck my feet in the water, and sat at the edge of the pool, swirling my legs in the water. I took a breath before leaning forward and falling into the water. The cool liquid warmed my heart. I put my goggles on and started swimming down the lane. My body instantly remembered every stroke. I was finally home.
I don't know how long I had been in the pool, but the sun had gone down. I did one more sprint before hoisting myself out of the pool. I heard a familiar sound coming from the bleachers. It was clapping.
"Paige McCullers," I heard someone laughing. I turned around trying to figure out who it was.
"Coach. I'm sorry, I didn't meant to come here unannounced."
"Your performance hasn't changed a bit," she said smiling. "It's been a long time. I heard about everything, and I'm so sorry."
"Don't worry about it. I'm out, that's the most important thing."
"First time back in the pool?"
"First time in five years," I said looking back at the pool.
"I'm glad to see that you still have it," she said patting me on the back. "It's good to see you again, and Paige you're always welcome in my pool."
"Thanks coach, it's good to see you too."
She smiled before leaving. I took a quick shower and changed into jeans that actually fit me and a flannel. It felt so weird to have this much freedom, to leave when I want, to do what I want, to wear tight fitting clothing, but I think I could get used to it again.
I got into my car and drove around town trying to familiarize myself with the streets again. I soon found myself outside of The Brew, or at least I think it was The Brew. It looked like it had been newly renovated. I entered the café, it was almost empty except for a few customers at the back.
"Paige! Oh my god!" I heard Aria scream and wrap her arms around me.
"Hey Aria," I said laughing.
"Is that Paige?" I heard someone ask. I recognized the voice as Hanna came around the corner. Her eyes lit up as she came running towards me.
"PAIGE!" she screamed clinging to me.
"Hanna," I laughed trying to pull her off of me.
"Wow Paige…" Hanna began. "You look different. In a good way different."
"Thanks Han."
"You've got some killer legs, they're better than they were before."
"Are you checking me out?" I teased. She blushed and started to laugh.
"Nnnnnooooo," she said exaggerated.
"Come on, let's sit down. I'll have Talia make us some coffee and pastries," Aria said heading into the back room. I stretched my neck and saw Aria talking to Talia, I assume.
"Wow," Hanna said looking at me. "I still can't get over the fact that you're actually here here. I mean you've always been here, but like I can touch you and talk to you…so like it's different…in a good way…"
"Hanna I feel like your hitting on me…"I teased. Her cheeks turned bright red.
"Paige…I'm just trying to sat that I'm happy that your back, stop taking everything that comes of my mouth and turning it into something sexual."
"You said it, not me," I laughed.
"Whatever! So how was prison? Did you have a prison wife or bitch? Did you get any tattoos? Oh what about any hot kinky prison sex?" Hanna started firing the questions at me. All I could do was laugh.
"Hanna, stop pestering Paige or she might do things to you that she learned in prison," Aria said shutting Hanna up for a little bit.
"Here, Americano, just how you like," Aria said placing the cup in front of me.
"Oh," I said taking a whiff of it. It smelt like heaven. "It smells so good."
"It tastes even better," Hanna said taking a sip of hers. "So back to earlier Paige, how was prison?"
"It's not as bad as you'd think it would be. I fell in with the right people. It made the time more tolerable." I took a sip of the coffee and I thought that I might die. The taste was so strong, yet so delicious. I licked my lips before taking another sip.
"Did any of these people become your sexscapades?"
"Hanna!" Aria and I both shouted at her.
"Okay, fine then don't tell me," she said crossing her arms and staring at me. I watched as her eyes scanned over me, as if she was study my body.
"So Aria, what happened to The Brew?"
"Oh, well Ezra's running it now. We just finished renovating it last month."
"Wow, that's great. And the place looks amazing, not to mention these pastries are delicious."
"Yeah, Talia. She's amazing. I'm so glad we found her." Aria said motioning to the women cleaning off the countertops.
"So what about you Hanna?" I asked turning towards her. She was still deep in thought. I glanced at Aria and she just shrugged her shoulders.
"Just wait for it," Aria said looking at Hanna.
"Ah ha!" She screamed grabbing my wrist. I Aria looked at her like she was crazy, so did most of the other people in the café.
"Hanna what is your problem?" Aria asked trying her pull Hanna off of me. I felt Hanna's hand pull at the sleeve of my flannel.
"You have a tattoo," she said rolling up my sleeve. She turned my wrist over and examined the dark ink. "Wow."
"Hanna, everyone has tattoos, hell even you have a tattoo," Aria said snapping her fingers in front of Hanna.
"Sssshhh,"Hanna said looking at mine more intently. "What does it mean?" I glanced down at the Sanskrit on my wrist. I remember it was the first tattoo that Vinny gave me.
"Hope," I said quietly pulling my hand out of Hanna's grasp.
"It's beautiful Paige," Aria said pushing Hanna's hand away.
"When did you get it?" Hanna said leaning back in her chair.
"Second year."
"Do you have any others?"
"Hanna, would you stop with all the questions. Can't we just have a nice conversation over coffees?" Aria said annoyed.
"Fine, but I'm going to find out all I can about the 'New Paige'."
"'New Paige'?" I questioned.
"Yeah, cause like we've all changed in that past few years, and well, we all have to get to know our new selves."
"Well I guess you've got a long ways to go," I joked.
"So…what have you done with your freedom so far?" Aria asked.
"I went to lunch at the Grille, got a new phone, and went to the pool."
"How did it feel to be in the water again?"
"It felt like everything that happened to me was just a dream."
"Well now it is, because you don't ever have to go throw something like that again," Hanna said giving me a warm smile, "But I seriously want to know about all of your experiences…and I mean all of them.
"Hanna!" Aria snapped.
"Okay, okay, I'm done for now."
"I missed this…" I motioned. "I feel normal for once."
"Well we can all feel normal together sometime."
