Paige lay in bed late that evening, tired from today's events. Despite that, Paige was too excited to sleep. She felt like the time when she first had a crush on Emily. Only this time, she wasn't too afraid to pursue it. Paige had decided that she had interpreted the signals right. Emily must have feelings for her as well. It was the only explanation for everything: Emily's change in mood, her warm words in the locker room with the kiss on the cheek afterwards and of course the way she said goodbye to Paige in the driveway. Paige knew Emily and had seen her a lot with her closest friends. Today's behavior was no behavior Emily would show in friendship. Not even in a friendship with her ex-girlfriend or maybe especially not in a friendship with her ex-girlfriend. Either way, Emily's behavior meant that she was seeing Paige for more than a friend.
Paige was both excited and afraid. Excited because she saw a chance for the two of them to be together. Just thinking about being close to Emily again made Paige feel all warm and like coming home somehow. It was funny how everything in her life so far had always led up to being with Emily. After all that they had been through, Paige believed that right now there was a chance for them to really be together … like forever.
But Paige was afraid that it might not work out. Sure, everything had led up to being with Emily but it also had been followed up by a break up every time. Paige knew that she could not break Emily's heart again. In that way, she would honor her promise to Pam. But Paige had considered her feelings very well since this afternoon and she came to the conclusion that she needed Emily in her life. She couldn't go without out her. She had tried in the last few months but being here in Rosewood with Emily made her realize that she couldn't. But was Emily feeling the same? If there would be even the slightest chance that she wasn't, Paige wouldn't pursue this. There were still so many imponderables even if Emily would go to Pepperdine. It was better than long distance between California and Pennsylvania but it still was a 6 hour drive.
Paige's mind was spinning. Luckily her phone buzzed in the right moment. Paige picked up her phone and couldn't suppress a smile. It was a text from Emily.
Emily: U awake?
Paige quickly typed I am :) How was your date with the girls? and pressed "send". Then she realized that it wasn't the best choice of words. Emily would understand.
Emily: We're an item again ;) Emily picked up on Paige's choice of words and made it less uncomfortable for Paige.
Paige: I'm happy for you!
Paige truly was. Emily needed her friends. Paige would leave on Saturday and she didn't want for Emily to hide in her bedroom again.
Emily: What are you doing?
Paige started to type but decided to take a selfie of her lying in bed instead and sent it to Emily.
Emily: Cute ;)
Emily's text made Paige smile.
Paige: What are you doing?
She hoped she would get a picture in return. She didn't get disappointed. Emily sent Paige a picture of herself sitting in bed and smiling into the camera. Paige loved that smile and closed her eyes for a few seconds. She couldn't believe how happy she was right in this moment.
The girls left some minutes ago. Is Hanna not home yet? Emily added.
Paige: Beautiful smile :)
Paige: I don't know. I'm in the guest room. Haven't heard Hanna come in. Right that second there was a knock on the door and Hanna's head appeared.
"Hey, what are you all happy about?" Hanna asked and came in.
"Nothing." Paige tried to hide.
"Come on. I just spend some hours with a smiling Emily. Tell me that you know nothing about that."
"I don't."
"Oh, Paigey. I thought you'd know me better by now." Hanna sat down on the end of the bed and looked at Paige with a faked serious look on her face.
"Oh come on. You already know the story."
"Oh, yeah. I do but I want you to tell it!"
"You're pure evil, you know that, Marin?" Paige joked. "My little surprise went perfect. Well, you saw Emily. She's feeling so much better."
"Aaaand?"
"Okay, okay. We kind of had a moment in the locker room."
"You did what?" Hanna said surprised. Didn't Emily tell?
"It's not like you think. Emily was all grateful and said all those really nice words and I was just standing there like a dumbass doing nothing. I just couldn't talk."
"Awww, you're so in love with her, aren't you?"
"I don't know, Hanna. Ah, how am I kidding? I love her. I never stopped loving her. How could I?"
"That's so sweet!" Hanna was really excited. "What else happened? You weren't this love struck yesterday?"
"Well, like I said, she said all those sweet things and I just stood there. Then she wrapped me into a close and warm hug and kissed me on the cheek."
"Nooo!" Hanna said disbelieving.
"Really? She hasn't told you any of it?"
"No, but that was probably because she didn't want to in front of all of us."
"Yah, probably. Anyway, she kissed me on the cheek and that's when she definitely got me. This moment right there, everything was right. It was like we haven't been apart at all. And then she kissed me on the cheek when she said goodbye."
"Awww, so what are you gonna do about it?"
"I don't know. I don't want to mess it up. I don't even know how she feels."
"Paige, please. Just look at her."
"I see it, Hanna. I do but I need to be sure. I don't want to leave her heartbroken."
"I get that. I wish I could help you but I guess you two need to figure it out by yourselves."
"Thanks , Hanna."
"You're welcome. I'm sure you to will find a way." Hanna smiled and gave Paige a hug.
"You need anything else?"
"No, thanks. I think I'm just gonna lay here and text with Emily for a while and then go to sleep."
Hanna smiled. "If I were into girls I would definitely wanna date you, McCullers!"
Paige laughed and waved it off.
"So have a good night then."
"You too, Hanna."
When Hanna closed the door, Paige hoped that Emily would not have went to sleep while she was talking to Hanna. A look on her phone gave her the answer.
Emily: I think she will be home soon
Emily: You asleep?
Emily: Sweet dreams. Looking forward to see you tomorrow ;)
Damn.
Paige decided to send one last text befor she would go to sleep herserself.
Paige: Sorry, Hanna came home and we talked for a while. Have a good night :) Can't wait to see you!
Paige put away her phone and turned off the light. She rolled onto her side and wandered off into a calm sleep.
Paige was woken up by the buzz of her phone. With her eyes still closed she searched for her phone. When she finally opened her eyes she was blinded by the light in the guestroom. What time is it? A look at the display of her phone told her that it was 9 am. Paige really had needed a good and long sleep. Doing all this thinking must have exhausted her. Paige rubbed her eyes and read the text.
Emily: Hey sleepyhead. Sorry I went to sleep early yesterday. I know how Hanna can be. What did you talk about?
Paige considered telling a lie because she wasn't sure about telling Emily that she had been the topic of Hanna's and Paige's conversation yesterday evening. Then Paige decided that she would go with the truth because she knew that Emily would know how to take it. She would know that Paige wasn't flirting shamelessly.
Paige: We talked about you ;) and our little swim date…
Emily: So what did you have to say on that?
Emily was teasing Paige and Paige liked it.
Paige: I said that I had a really nice time with you and that I'm happy that you're feeling better.
Emily: I do feel better. Thanks to you.
Paige: Oh please, you're making me blush!
Emily: I can totally see you smile right now, McCullers :-P
Paige: Okay, you got me! Sorry, need a shower and coffee. Talk to you later?
Emily: I need to run some errands anyway. I call you in about an hour
A part of Emily wanted to be there in the shower with Paige. The thought of it made her feel like there were a thousand butterflies in her stomach. To be true, she even felt something between her thighs. Quickly Emily tossed away her thoughts about her naked ex-girlfriend in the shower. She wasn't allowed to think about her that way anymore and more important she thought she wouldn't be able to stop.
Paige took a long and hot shower and then went to the kitchen to make her a coffee. On the counter she found a note from Hanna: Hope you had a good night. Wish you luck with Emily today! Paige had to smile. She liked the encouragement. Paige knew what she wanted and hoped that she would have the chance to get to know what Emily felt later today. Paige made herself coffee and toast. She wondered what Emily was up to for their "date" later that day. Her thought was interrupted by the ringtone of her phone.
"Hey Em. You're early!" Paige joked.
"I'm sorry but I couldn't wait. I would like to take you on a picnic later. You're in?"
Emily had put a lot of thought in it. She would take Paige to the place where she and Emily had their first picnic back when they had had to meet secretly. Emily had been really happy that afternoon. Well, except for the ending when she told Paige that she couldn't date her like that. But Emily only wanted to think about the happy part of their date and she hoped that Paige would be reminded how it felt in their early days.
"Totally! I love a good picnic. When do you want me there?"
"How about right now?" Emily really couldn't wait to see Paige.
"Um, give me 10 minutes to get ready and some minutes to get to your house."
"I can pick you up. We need to drive anyway."
"You don't have to. I'm walking, no problem."
"Don't be silly. I'll be there in 15, okay?"
"Alright, see you in 15!"
Emily parked the car on a gravel parking lot at the edge of a little forest outside of Rosewood. When Paige realized where they were going her heart jumped. Emily was taking them to the place where they had their first picnic. It had been a day after the two of them had shared a nice evening at some remote karaoke bar, a day after they had shared an intimate kiss in the parking lot. Paige smiled by the thought of that kiss. She had been happy that night. Happy because she had thought that a girl like Emily wouldn't even think about kissing her.
"What are you smiling about?"
Paige was caught off guard so she just stuttered "Um, nothing… I'm just… in a good mood, I guess."
But Emily knew. She knew that Paige remembered this place and Emily was relieved that it was a happy memory for Paige. Emily decided to play along and took the picnic basket from the trunk. She linked arms with Paige and the two of them marched through rows of trees until they reached the spot of their first picnic. It was a small glade surrounded by deciduous trees which let through some sunlight. The ground was covered with grass and some leaves.
Paige and Emily spread out the blanket under one of the trees and Emily pulled out some finger food which she had prepared at home. She also had packed a thermos filled with coffee and two mugs.
"You thought of everything." Paige stated and sat down on the blanket.
"I tried to make an effort." Emily said with a smile. "How about coffee?"
"I'll take a cup." Emily handed Paige a cup of coffee. Their fingers touched and neither of them pulled away for a moment. It felt too good to touch the others' hand. Not before Paige dipped her head, Emily pulled away her hand. She poured herself a cup as well and lay down on the blanket, on her side facing Paige.
"So the place of our first picnic… how did you come up with that idea?"
"I don't know. It just came to me after you dropped me off at my place yesterday. Being in the pool with you just reminded me of the old times back when we both were on the team. Then I thought of our early days. Like when you tried to drown me…"
"I didn't mean to…" Paige interrupted because after all those years she still felt the need to apologize.
"I know." Emily smiled and touched Paige's cheek softly. "So after I thought about that, I had to think about our first night out when you made me sing "So what" in that rusty karaoke bar and our following date right in this spot." Emily let her eyes wander around the place.
"It's still beautiful here, isn't it?" Emily said.
"It's even more beautiful, I think. Looks like nature recaptured this place. Last time it looked like people came here from time to time. Now, it just seems so untouched."
"Yah, you're right."
There was a moment of awkward silence which they overplayed with testing the food Emily had prepared. From that on, the picnic changed to an easier atmosphere. Paige and Emily talked about different things or just lay there side by side silently, just enjoying each other's company. Time was moving fast but they didn't care. From time to time, they moved the blanket back into the sunlight.
In a moment of silence, Paige and Emily both thought about making a move but they were too insecure. Although they both suspected that the other would approve, there was still a part of them which thought that there was a slight chance of the opposite being the case. They both wouldn't want to risk anything. A moment later, Emily couldn't take it anymore. Without looking at Paige Emily reached for Paige's hand which lay on the blanket.