A/N: Hello guys! Happy May Day, if you're lucky enough to have a holiday (I am!), and happy Monday everyone!
Thank you for the very kind reviews to chapter 19! I'm so glad you're still reading, and enjoying the story. So, this chapter is a rather short one, but I had so much fun writing it.
By the way, the first scene is my own little revenge for 7X11 (if you're still watching the show, you know what I mean). Enjoy! ;)
As always, thank you so much siophiefandom for the betareading and the constant support. It really means a lot.
Rosewood - mid June
Emily and Hanna were getting their nails done at their favorite beauty salon in Rosewood, chatting animatedly about their school year and their plans for the summer. To be precise, it was Hanna who was doing most of the talking, as usual. Emily didn't mind. She had missed Hanna's babbling, and it was definitely fun to hear all the latest stories about their former high school classmates and even their teachers.
Hanna didn't live in the area anymore, but, since she was studying in New York, she had the opportunity to come back to their hometown more often than Emily and Spencer did. Hanna's mother, Ashley Marin, was still living in Rosewood, and, like her daughter, she had a particular penchant for gossip.
So Emily sat listening to Hanna, a slight smile on her face, wondering how on earth her blonde friend could know -and why she would care- about so many people. Her own thoughts, of course, were more focused on one particular person, the auburn girl she had left behind in California.
Emily's attention returned to Hanna, though, at the mention of a name she hadn't heard in a long while.
"...So," Hanna was saying, "I saved the best for the last. I ran into Ali yesterday."
"Ali?" Emily asked, startled. "As in, Alison DiLaurentis?..."
"Yeah, that Ali, of course," Hanna retorted. She glanced at Emily, who looked frozen in her seat all of a sudden.
"Hey Em," Hanna asked, concerned. "Are you okay?"
Emily nodded. "Yes," she gulped. "It's just... I haven't thought about Ali in a while."
Hanna studied her friend's face. Emily definitely seemed uncomfortable, something that Hanna hadn't expected. Alison DiLaurentis, and all her shenanigans, belonged to their past. At least, that was what Hanna had thought.
"So..." Hanna said cautiously. "Do you want me to tell you, or not?"
"Tell me what?" Emily asked, her tone more defensive than she had intended. "Um, sorry, Han. It's just that... I don't care about her anymore. Not at all."
Hanna shook her head. "Of course not, Em. Neither do I. But... don't you want to know what I know?" she asked with a mischievous grin and a wiggle of her freshly done eyebrows.
Emily looked at her friend and sighed. "Okay, Hanna. You're gonna tell me anyway, right?"
"Absolutely," Hanna smirked. "But Em, the reason I wanted to tell you... is that it's big news, my friend. You won't believe it."
"Okay, shoot, Hanna," Emily said with an eye-roll.
"Well, first, Alison is married."
"What?" Emily exclaimed. "Married? To whom?"
"Oh, I didn't get the name, but he's a high school teacher who lives in Boston. He's a he, by the way," she specified, glancing at the raven-haired girl. Alison's sexual orientation had always been a sensitive topic, especially for Emily.
"Okay," Emily said, her tone even.
"And second, Alison is pregnant," Hanna said, jubilantly.
"What?" Emily exclaimed, so loudly that the other customers turned their eyes at her. "Alison is pregnant?" she asked, lowering her voice.
"Oh yeah," Hanna gloated. "Very pregnant. Huge, to be precise. She didn't say, but I'm pretty sure she's having twins. At least. She's enormous."
"Hanna," Emily chastised. "It's normal to be huge when you're pregnant."
"Yes, I guess," Hanna granted. "But, that fat? I'm not sure. And she looks terrible. She has these stains all over her face. And she looks ten years older than us. At least."
Emily shook her head at Hanna's comment, but couldn't completely hide the small smile across her lips. Emily Fields had never been one to enjoy the misfortune of others, but, somehow, it felt oddly comforting to learn that Ali was having it rough now. The arrogant blonde girl had manipulated her - and hurt her - so many times in the past. And she had hurt Paige, too, during the California girl's stay in Rosewood.
"...She didn't even ask about us," Hanna went on, "But I filled her in, of course. And you should have seen her face when I told her about you and Paige's perfect romance. She didn't voice it, but she was clearly jealous. I don't think her marriage is really a happy one."
Emily glared at her friend. "Hanna..."
"Oh come on, Em. That bitch got what she deserved. I don't know the whole story, but she probably decided to get married in haste to that boring high-school teacher once she got pregnant."
"How do you even know he's boring?" Emily asked with a roll of her eyes.
"Duh, Em, I'm just guessing," Hanna shrugged. "Who really wants to be a high-school teacher anyway?"
"And this rushed marriage thing," Emily said. "It doesn't sound like Ali at all. She was never one to be told what to do."
"Well, people change," Hanna retorted.
"True," Emily concluded, before focusing her attention on her freshly painted nails. "Okay, I think they're dry now. You were right, Hanna. This dark red polish looks really nice."
The digression wasn't just an attempt to change the topic of conversation. Emily had realized that she didn't care about Alison DiLaurentis anymore. Not at all.
Oakland - Late June
"Well, my friend, this is the good life," Shana stated before taking another sip of her cocktail. "You're really sure you don't want a Mojito, Paigey?..."
"Stop calling me that," Paige answered automatically. "And no, thank you, Shana. I'll stick to my non-alcoholic drink," she said, pointing out to her glass of orange juice.
Shana rolled her eyes dramatically. "Gee, McCullers. Let yourself loose for once. It's summertime! And we totally deserve it, after that beast of a training session."
"I know," Paige grinned. "It was intense. You sure improved your skills during your freshman year at NYU, Fring."
The two swimmers had spent the afternoon training in the Frings' pool. Shana was back in her hometown for a few weeks, and she had offered to let Paige share her training sessions with her. Shana and Paige had always had a healthy rivalry, and they always gave their all when they swam together - or against each other.
"You're not too bad yourself, McCullers," Shana admitted with a shrug. "Especially considering all the... breaks you took during the year, lazybones!"
Paige glared at the tall, black girl. Shana, as usual, flashed her a broad smile and wiggled her eyebrows at her. They hadn't talked much about what had happened during the past year, but Shana, of course, knew the highlights. She also knew that her friend and Emily Fields were back together -a fact that she had relentlessly teased Paige about all through the afternoon.
Paige didn't really mind. She had responded to Shana's teasing, but just for the fun of it. She and Shana always had had that sort of dynamic - bantering with each other, even bickering sometimes, but always with a genuine fondness.
They were close friends, even though they didn't see each other very often anymore;, even though they could go for weeks without calling or texting each other. Realization dawned on Paige that, where Spencer had become like a sister to her, Shana was more like a first cousin. A favorite cousin that you only see once or twice a year, but with whom you're totally at ease. Because you're family.
That's probably why Shana and I didn't work out as girlfriends, Paige thought. Wow, I don't even know why we tried to date each other. It seems so long ago anyway... and it was before I met Emily. God, Em. I so miss her. I can't stop thinking about her.
Paige's pensive look wasn't lost on Shana, who splashed some water from the pool on the auburn girl.
"Hey!" Paige protested before reciprocating the gesture. "Watch out, Fring! Or is that revenge because I just kicked your ass in the pool?"
"In a parallel universe, maybe," Shana scoffed. "Because in mine, I kicked your skinny ass, McCullers."
The black girl set her Mojito on the pool's deck. "Now, wanna watch a video? My parents had the movie room in the basement totally redone, and the new sound system is dope, my friend."
Paige beamed at Shana. "Sure. But only if I get to choose the movie. I don't want to watch 'Fast and Furious' again."
"Hey, I can't help it," Shana retorted. "Because, well, that's how I am in the pool, girl. Fast and furious," she winked, earning a snort and an eye roll from Paige.
Oakland, California (Paige) - Philippines (Emily) - Early July
Emily woke up from her afternoon nap, startled, when she heard her phone go off. She grabbed the offending device from the nightstand and blinked at the screen, her face breaking into a huge grin at the caller's name.
"Paige?" she said in an excited voice. "It's really you, babe?"
"Of course it's me, Emily," Paige answered, the excitement in her voice matching Emily's.
"But shouldn't you be sleeping? What time is it in California?"
"Oh, it's not too late. Just after 1PM," Paige said. She had checked the time before calling Emily, as usual. The time difference between the Philippines and California was a real challenge, to say the least, but nothing that would stop the two girls from keeping in touch.
"What about you, Em? You sound a little sleepy? I thought it was afternoon in the Philippines."
"Oh, it is," Emily said. "I was just taking a short nap. You know, it's really hot during the day here. Though we had some rain today and yesterday, but the warm kind of rain, you know?"
"Not really," Paige said. "But that sounds... exotic. How are you doing, Em?"
"Oh, I'm doing great. It's so beautiful here, and my grandmother and my cousins and everyone... is so incredibly nice and welcoming. I miss you, though."
"I miss you too," Paige sighed. "I miss you every second, Emily. Especially at night, when I can't sleep."
At the other end of the line, Emily frowned. "You're having trouble sleeping again? What about your insomnia meds?"
"Oh, I stopped taking them," Paige explained in a detached voice. "As well as the anti-migraine meds."
"Paige," Emily said in a stern voice.
"No, really, Emily, it's fine. I haven't had a migraine in months now, and I've decided that it's better for me to get off of all those pills anyway. I've been taking them for too long. I'd be better off without them."
"Yeah, maybe, but Paige... you should consult a doctor first," Emily chastised.
"I will, I will, Emily. If you think it's absolutely necessary," Paige said. "But I didn't call you to talk about my insomnia, Em. And by the way, since I woke you up... that means you're in bed, right now?"
Emily rolled her eyes, even though Paige couldn't see her. "Yes, Paige. I'm in bed."
"In your room? Alone?"
"Well, I usually share this room with my mom, but she's not here right now. So yes, I'm alone. Why are you asking, Paige?"
"Well, I'm just trying to picture you," Paige said, her voice even huskier than ever. "What are you wearing? Or... are you naked? It would be understandable, since f it's so warm outside..."
"Paige!" Emily giggled. "I told you, I was just taking a nap! And it's the middle of the day here! Aren't you ashamed of yourself?"
"Not at all," Paige deadpanned. "I'm just asking my very hot girlfriend what she's wearing - or not- during a very warm July day in the Philippines, when she's in bed and alone in her room. That's totally normal."
"Sure," Emily scoffed. "So, for your information, I'm not naked."
Paige let out an overly dramatic sigh. "Too bad. So... what are you wearing, then?"
"Oh, just that little lace night gown that you like so much," Emily said in a sing-song voice. "The one that's very short, and a little see-through."
At the other end of the line, Paige gulped. "Rea... really?"
"No, silly!" Emily giggled. "I'm wearing a t-shirt and a pair of beach shorts," she explained.
"Oh," Paige said, a little disappointed. "That's good too."
"What about you?" Emily asked.
"What?"
"What are you wearing?...Hey, since you asked me, it's fair for me to ask," Emily said, the smile obvious in her voice.
"I guess so," Paige conceded. "So, Em, just so you know, I'm just wearing a long baseball t-shirt. You know, the one with the Berkeley mascot, Oski, on it?..."
"Hey, that's mine!" Emily exclaimed. "Paige, are you wearing my favorite Berkeley jersey?"
"Yep," Paige answered. "Let's just say that I stole it from you when I helped you pack last month."
Emily shook her head fondly. "You're such a weasel... you could have just asked, Paige. Seriously, you're..."
"...Amazingly bold? Incredibly adorable? Or totally creepy?" Paige cut her off.
"All of the above. Did you wash the shirt, at least?"
"Certainly not," Paige protested. "It still smells like you. I love that."
"Paige..." Emily chastised, though she felt delighted. "You're impossible."
Paige grinned, but before she could answer Emily, she heard a loud thud coming from the other side of the wall.
"Paige McCullers," Spencer's voice said through the thin wall that separated their rooms, "Do you realize that I can actually hear your weird phone-sex with your girlfriend?... It's really embarrassing," she added, "And you're not even doing it right, girl. Tell Emily I say hello, by the way."