**AN: So I have a few days before I go back to school, and I'll bring you as much as I can, but bear with me in the meantime please?
Chapter 36: The "Last" Sleepover
"Em, what time were we supposed to be at Spencer's house?"
Emily checked her phone and laughed, "Spence said 6 o'clock, so we got to get there about 30 minutes ago."
Alison grabbed Em's phone from her bed and smacked Em's arm playfully, "Em, c'mon, that's not funny, you know how Spencer is!"
"Calm down Ali, just be glad they didn't come over and yell as soon as we were like 5 minutes 'late'." Emily shrugged and went looking for her shoes under her bed, "besides, it's just all of us, it's not a party or anything so there shouldn't be an official time," air quoting the word time.
Ali shook her head and then stopped to look for her shirt; it was thrown clear across the room. She walked over to it, and pulled it over her head as a thought crossed her mind, "Wait, you're right Em, why didn't they come for us? Usually Hanna would be breaking down the door and Spencer and Aria would be taking turns phone tagging us. That's weird that they didn't bug at all."
A sly look crossed Emily's face and before she could wipe it away, Alison caught her. "Em," she said like a mother would say her child's name before a scolding, "what did you say to them?"
Em broke into a huge smile, "nothing Ali," and although she tried to hide the mischievous look, her eyes gave her away.
Ali crossed her arms over her now covered chest and raised her eyebrow, "Emily."
Em threw her hands up on either side of her head, feigning defeat, "okay, fine, fine, just…don't…look at me like that anymore. Geez, if looks could kill."
"Yeah, you'd probably be dead."
Emily laughed lightheartedly and shrugged again, "but really Ali, I have no clue what you're insinuating, I'm just as shocked as you are that they didn't come barging in on us…again."
Ali would've laughed with Emily on a normal basis, but this Em, the one that teases instead of being teased was someone still entirely new to Ali, it was going to take her some getting used to, but she was sure that she wasn't going to stop teasing Emily just because Emily was teasing her too.
"Okay, Em, if that's how you want to play…," Ali found her shoes and started walking towards the door, waiting for Emily to call out after her to wait. Ali walked slowly, but when she was almost to the door and Em still hadn't stopped her she walked even slower, not daring to turn around but felt Em's eyes on her nonetheless. She reached the door frame and waited a few more seconds before stepping a foot out of the doorframe. She quickly spun on her heels and faced Emily who was smirking widely.
"Ugh, how dare you?! Don't make that face at me Emily Fields, you were going to let me walk out of your room, and you weren't even going to try and stop me!"
Em shrugged and lifted her foot, "but my shoe was untied, I could've tripped." Em laughed, hoping to bring out the same response in Alison. But the blonde didn't budge quite yet.
"Not funny Em." Ali pouted and crossed her arms, giving in to the playfulness just a little bit.
"Okay Ali, maybe I would've let you walk out of my room," and Ali was just about to interrupt but Em held up her finger, "BUT, I was not," Em reached down to finish tying her shoe, "going to let you," she stood, "leave this house." Emily finished my placing her hands on her hips and staring sincerely into the sea that were Ali's eyes.
The look in those blue orbs softened and Ali huffed, she squinted her eyes and then her mouth curled at the corners in a hint of a smile.
"Hmm, I'd call your bluff, but your eyes always give you away."
Emily smiled, "yours do too, you know."
Ali bated her lashes, "well, you know what they say, the eyes are the doorway into the soul."
Em bit her lip and sighed, "you know just what to say all the time don't you?"
"No, don't change the subject; tell me, what did you tell the girls?"
"Nothing."
"Bullshit Emily."
"Nothing really, Ali, don't worry, I told them what needed to be said."
"Wait, you knew? This was your plan, to be late because…Emily, I can't believe you! Hah, you're worse than I am!"
"Am not! Besides, I knew that since we'd be spending the night, I wouldn't get much of you to myself, I- I just, ya know…"
"You just what?"
Em now turned a shade darker, a shade of red.
"Nothing."
"Stop saying that."
"Why?"
"Because I said so dammit."
"Oh, now you're my master? I have to obey you do I?"
"Something like that Em."
"Well Ali, prepare to be disappointed, you no longer always run the show. I like to be in charge sometimes to you know."
Ali smirked, and before Em seen her coming, Ali ran towards her at almost full speed and tackled Emily to the grounf "Oh I sure am starting to know that now."
"Ugh, dammit Ali, what was that for? You're crushing my lungs too."
Ali shifted and laughed, burying her face in the valley between Emily's chest.
"Ali wait, that tickles. Stop please."
"No, not until you say it, I like hearing you say it."
"Neverrrr!"
"You're such a child sometimes, now say it, or so help me God, I'm gonna tickle you Em."
Em bit her lip to keep her silenced and wiggled under the full weight of Alison's body. She shook her head and that was all Ali needed.
"One. Two….two and a half."
Em shook her head, but her eyes were wide with a childish fear.
"Fine, three!"
Alison straddled Em's hips and brought her hands to the brunette's abdomen, "Say it Em and I'll stop."
Emily's laughter filled the room and bounced from the walls, filling Alison's ears with the sweetest music she could imagine.
"Aliiiii! Stop, okay, mercy, mercy, I give, I'll say it!"
Ali stopped and looked down at Emily, her chest heaving, her eyes closed, lips parted as she panted.
"I'm waiting."
Em opened her eyes and beckoned Ali to come closer with her hand.
Ali leaned down closer until she was nose to nose to Emily. Their eyes locked and Ali reveled in the feel of Emily's labored breaths blowing over her face, caressing her skin.
Ali thought she might bring her lips to meet Em's but the thought went away when Em darted out her tongue and licked the tip of Ali's nose.
"Ew, Emily, what the hell?"
"Payback, this floor isn't as soft as you might have thought."
Ali wiped her nose on the shoulder of Em's shirt.
"Emily, we have four best friends waiting in a barn to start having a good time together as our last time being high schoolers. And the only thing standing in their way of having that good night together is us not being there, now if you will, please just tell me what I want to hear and we can go. Or I can tell Spencer that we won't make it, which will never happen, but until they drag us from your room, I can tie you to that bed and tickle you until they get here. But it's all up to you. You choose."
Em stopped, realizing that Ali was dead serious. "Okay fine! Damn, you don't play fair."
"Take me or leave me." Ali looked at Em, "And you're taking me, don't even think about playing like that."
"Never."
"Good, now tell me, we're already so late."
"Fine, I told Hanna that if we were late, don't call of look for us, we'd be there, just a little later."
"That's it?"
"Yup."
"I don't believe you. Why?"
"Because."
"Because?"
"Because I might have told Hanna that the reason we might me late involved me and you and the lack of clothes. And I didn't want to be interrupted."
"So you had planned from the start to get me in your bed before going over to Spencer's?"
"Maybe, why? I sure didn't hear you complaining."
"Oh and I'm still not complaining, it's just not something I imagine you doing."
"You can't imagine me wanting to make love to my girlfriend?"
Ali smiled, "make love? Em, I'm pretty sure people who make love don't say the things we were saying just a while ago."
Emily laughed, her face turning red, "fair enough, just don't tell the others, Hanna is the only one remotely comfortable with us, you know."
"Haha, no promises Emily, now can we go please? Your belt is digging into my waist."
"Okay, crybaby, let's go."
# # # # # #
"Great, you guys are finally here. Wow, that's like a new record for you guys. What, no multiple-"
"Hanna! Great to see you too! How's Caleb, oh look Aria, I like your boots."
Em walked in and walked right past Hanna and towards Aria, warding off the looks from Hanna and Spencer.
Ali met eyes with Hanna and sat beside her on the couch, "not a new record, we just started early."
Hanna snickered beside Ali and Spencer looked between the three girls, "Am I missing something here?"
"Nothing you want to know about Spence," Hanna replied, "trust me."
Emily looked back at Spencer and nodded, "yeah, it's nothing Spencer."
"Okay, well I just called David's, the Pizza will be here in 10 minutes," Aria piped from behind the speakers.
"Sounds great, besides, I'm hungry." Emily looked at Aria and smiled, hoping she wouldn't ask any questions.
"Really Em, but you just ate." Ali looked at Em, a dangerous and evil smile on her face.
Em stopped in her tracks and her face lit up like a stoplight. She looked between Hanna and Ali, both girls with a devious smile on their face, and tried to clear her throat, clearing choking on embarrassment.
Hanna coughed and Spencer looked at Emily, concern on her face. Aria was still oblivious to the whole thing as her back was turned to the stereo, trying to find the right music to play.
"Oh, really Em? What'd you have? Where'd you go? I know you said you've been wanting to try that new place down the street from the school." Aria looked at Emily, bright in the eyes with genuine curiosity.
Ali sat back deeper into the couch and smirked, "Oh Aria, I'm sure it's nothing you would like, sometimes Emily has, how you would say um, certain tastes, which I'm sure you wouldn't want to indulge in." Alison spoke coolly and with such ease that Em shifted her weight and made a move to sit, where her awkward standing would be less noticeable.
"Oh, so you ate too then?"
Ali looked at Hanna and then winked at Emily, "no, not this time, but I'm sure Em is gonna treat me soon."
Aria looked confusedly between Emily and Ali and then at Hanna who couldn't keep the smile off of her face. "Hmm, okaaay, you guys are being funny. Anyways, what game are we going to play first?"
"Games? C'mon Ar, aren't we too old for these games?" Ali looked at Aria and then at the others. She realized that this was the exact spot where they all stayed just those years ago, when Ali went missing. So many memories flitted through her mind and another realization hit that since that night, all five of them hadn't really spent much time all together. All in one spot, all happy and –A free. It was something she shouldn't want to squander, "on second thought, you pick whatever you want to play first. It's been awhile."
Aria smiled, "okay, you sure?"
"Absolutely positive. This is kind of like our first big sleepover since well, the last one we had and after this week, it'll be our last one as high-schoolers."
"Yeah," said Spencer, "and I'm not sure how we'll all feel about this once we're off into the real world and in college."
"It'll be hard to schedule time for all of us to be together again," Emily's tome was sad. Even though Ali was going to enroll in the spring, and the two of them were going to be together still, she was still going to miss the others like crazy. She was the only child, and the rest of the girls have become part of her family that was once so small. She has three sisters and a beautiful girlfriend and it hurt to know that time was the factor that had to pull them apart.
Time was…is…the only constant thing in this world. Time moved whether you wanted it to or not. Emily realized this and a weight was placed in her heart, dragging it towards her stomach.
Hanna sat up straighter and looked at everyone, now sitting down somewhere and spoke up, "but we are going to make time for each other right? We have too. I'm not losing you guys. All of us have to promise, right her and right now that no matter how crazy, hectic and busy our lives get, that we will make time for one another. We've all been through hell and back the past few years, and I'll be damned if you bitches don't help me get through the rest of my life. I need you guys." Hanna spoke strongly, but none of the girls, nor herself, could deny the wavering in it at the end.
Spencer looked at Hanna, "Han, that's hardly probable, maybe on holidays and birthdays. But think about how practical that's gonna be. We're all going separate ways, we'll all have separate agendas, different priorities…"
"Spence, why do you have to be like that? Stop using that big brain of yours for a second and think about what you're saying, we can't turn our backs on each other. We've shared too much, been through too much to grow distant, I won't allow it. You guys are my family."
"Yeah, but Em-"
"No Spencer, no buts, we will call each other when we can. And we're gonna answer. Not just on holidays of birthdays. At least once a week, we'll FaceTime, skype, group calls, whatever. We have to let each other know all the stupid little things we would talk about if we all in the same room together. I want to know how the weather was, send each other our outfits, we have to tell each other about our professors and how midterms are and what new food you just tried, the people you've met, we have to. Promise Spence."
Spencer shook her head, "easy for you to say Emily, one of us will be with you at all times. You know I wouldn't be surprised if you two end up being the most distant."
Ali would've been upset that Spencer was talking to Emily like that, but she knew Spencer well enough to know that she was trying to hide the pain. After the Melissa ordeal, and then the emotional rollercoaster with Toby, Ali could see Spencer was hurt, was recovering from the hurt of being lied to and left and Ali was sorry that most of it was her fault.
"No we won't none of will 'grow distant.' Hanna, you want a promise, well here's mine, I promise to answer your calls and texts, I promise to call you when I feel like it, to look at our pictures that hang all over my walls often and remember all the great times we've had together, because they've been the best of my life. I'll also remember the pain we've all felt and call just to make sure the sun is shining on you just as hard as it is on me in California. That, is my promise."
Ali nodded and then leaned back into the couch next to Hanna, everyone else's eyes on her, in shock, in admiration, in love.
Emily smiled and Hanna bumped Ali's shoulder with her own, "thanks Ali. Means a lot."
Ali smiled, "Okay, now someone else make their promise so I can stop feeling awkward."
Spencer laughed and threw her hands up in the air, "fine! I don't know when Ali became so poetic with her words, but you sure in the hell choose the right time to show us."
"Shutup and just say what you have to say Spencer. I'll go next." Aria piped, sitting up to cross her legs underneath her.
"Fine," and in a mocking tone, "I Spencer Hastings-"
"Spencer."
"Haha, just kidding, fine guys, I promise to do exactly what Ali said, minus the sun part."
"SPENCER!"
"Alright! Geez, you guys are like some crazy cult. Okay here's my promise to you four beautiful and crazy women that I'm so glad to call my best friends. I promise that I will answer your calls and listen to you when you rant about whatever you feel like ranting about. I also promise that I will call you guys, in my breaks between classes or well into the late night hours when I'm cramming or studying in the quiet library, I will call or be called and actually close my books for you, no matter how much I'm stressing about being number one in my class." She finished with a laugh and the others joined in.
"How was that Hanna, to your satisfaction?"
Hanna mulled it over in her head, "that all depends, so say you're about to leave your dorm to go to some study group for whatever lawyer nerd class you're in, but we all call for our weekly, Skype call/date thing whatever. Are you gonna blow us off?"
Spencer made it look like she was having a hard time making up her mind when Hanna threw a pillow at her, "you bitch!" Hanna was getting up to tackle her when Spencer laughed out loud again, holding the pillow up as a shield, "No, okay, I was just kidding! Please don't attack me Hanna, not on an empty stomach."
"Don't play around like Spencer, or so help me God, I will fly over here and embarrass you in front of your dork friends."
"What makes you say I'm gonna be with dorks?"
"Because we're the only people who put up with your smartness and your Spencerness. And we're all dorks, so anyone else who can do it is also a dork. Expect they'll be your nerd dorks."
Spencer nodded, "Spencerness? Haha, touché."
Hanna pointed her chin, "I rest my case. Ooo look I won my first case against Spencer Hastings, mabe I should be a lawyer too."
"Han, you can do whatever you want, just do it at your own school."
Hanna stuck out her tongue and Spencer threw the pillow back at her.
"Okay, I'm next."
"Alright Aria, tell us your plan." Spencer turned her body and lifted her legs on Em's lap who sat beside her, watching Aria who sat solo on the love seat.
"Okay, so I'm going to go to Hollis, so basically I'll be 'home' so it's like you guys are all leaving me. I'm gonna miss you all like crazy, Our coffee dates, movie nights, you know all the good things we've done here. Therefore, my promise will be to maybe fly out to see you when I can. I'll make sure your parents are not completely child-deprived, well not yours Em, but anyways, I know there's not much to look forward to in Rosewood, but my solitary promise will be to convince you all that you have to come 'home' for holidays, like Thanksgiving and Christmas. There, it's not much, but it's something."
Emily smiled, "Aria, its great. You're reason enough to come home for the holidays."
Aria stood up and walked over to Em, threw Spencer's legs off and sat in her lap, giving her a hug, ignoring the look Spencer gave her before laughing "Thanks Em."
"Hello, yes, my legs were fine where they were, thank you."
Aria shrugged as she sat back down in her seat.
"You know Aria, you're lucky you're so little."
Then a knock was heard. "Oh the food is here. More pizza! Why don't we have these more often." Emily got up to get the pizza. She had the boxes balanced on one arm while the other was taking a hot slice and placing it in her mouth. She turned with a mouth full of pepperoni, "who owes the pizza guy?" She sat down on the floor in the middle of all the chairs and couches and continued eating straight from the box.
Spencer huffed, "I got it…again."
# # # # # #
"God guys, that pizza was so good. David's never disappoints, I'm going to miss that in California. I'm sure they'll have great food but I'm not sure anything will top David's."
"Em, you ate enough pieces to feed a small village, I'm sure you won't miss it that much."
"I'm sorry Spencer, but you have to know, one day, me and pizza, we're gonna tie the knot."
Ali threw her pillow at Emily. Em was lying on her back with her hands over her enlarged stomach, and the pillow landed right on her face. She didn't budge, only sigh and smile, "thanks Ali, love you too."
"But I'm not covered in pepperoni, are you sure?"
Emily turned around on her stomach and faced Ali, "wait is that an option, because if it is, we'll go to Vegas as soon as we move."
"Okay, it's my turn." Hanna threw a pillow at Emily, but this time Em dodged it. "Haha what? That'd be so hot."
"Ew, no it wouldn't Emily. Besides, I think you and I are done playing with our food."
Hanna looked at Ali, "wait, Emily, plays with her food?"
"Oh yeah," Ali smirked, "she loves to play with her food all the time."
Em met Ali's eyes and begged her to not say another word. Ali only smiled and turned towards Hanna.
"Em's a freak with her food." Ali leaned in and whispered into Hanna's ear.
"What? That Emily? NO?" Hanna exclaimed, a shocked smile plastered on her face.
"Yup, and chocolate cake batter, cool whip is a classic, strawberries…"
"What, you bake now Em?" Aria interjected.
"No I don't."
Hanna caught Aria's attention, "No Aria, those are just some of Emily's favorite toppings."
Aria looked beyond lost, "what? When is chocolate cake batter a topping? What do you put all those on?"
It was silent for a few seconds while Emily tried desperately to keep the blushing down and come up with something to say. Ali could see that her girlfriend was sinking so she decided her fun wasn't over yet.
"Me."
Spencer blew her mouthful of soda our of her mouth and choked on the fizzing soda that handed made it down her throat quite yet, "excuse me?!"
Ali laughed and Hanna joined in beside her. Both girls having their head tilted back in laughter and clear amusement.
Spencer looked at Emily who had her head buried under the pillows thrown at her, groaning in embarrassment.
Aria looked at Spencer, then adverted her attention to Emily. She moved to sit beside her friend and placed a hand on her back. "Okay guys, enough teasing. Can we get back to us having fun."
"But I am." Ali laughed.
"It's only fun if we're all laughing Ali. Hanna is just weird. Besides I think, Em has had enough teasing, you two can do whatever it is you like to do when you get home tomorrow."
"Oh, and I intend to."
"Gross Ali, you need help."
"ME?! If only you knew the truth behind our innocent and 'sweet' little Emily…you be scolding her instead of me."
Spencer chuckled, "maybe, but for now, can we change the subject?"
Emily's voice was muffled into the floor but Ali was sure she heard a pleading "yes please."
"Fine. I'm done."
Spencer nodded, "good. Hanna?"
"What? I didn't do anything?"
Aria shook her head, "you're just as bad as your partner in crime there," pointing to Ali beside her.
Hanna sighed and rolled her eyes, talking loudly in the direction of Emily, "Okay Em. I'm sorry, I will stop now. That'll be my promise."
Emily laughed and lifted her head, "ugh, you're such an ass Hanna Marin."
"Love you too Emily Fields."
Ali punched Hanna on the arm.
"Ow, Ali what the hell was that for?"
"You stole my line."
"Aw," Aria cooed, "see why can't you be cuter like that Ali? That's something we can all bear with."
"I am cute Aria, aren't I Em?"
"Nope."
"What? Oh I'm gonna-"
"You're beautiful." Emily smiled and Ali returned it, making a kissy face.
"Okay, now I need a drink, you guys are making me sick." Spencer got up and walked towards the cabinet on the far side of the barn.
"Anyone else?"
Emily raised her hand and then groaned, "ooo, on second thought, I'm regretting all that pizza right now. I better watch my figure too ya know, future collegiate athlete and all." Spencer laughed, "okay, whatever you say Cap'n Fields."
"Hanna?"
"No, Caleb and I quit for good, even recreationally, we're better off without it."
"Yeah, me neither Spencer, you know I'm a light-weight, and I don't want to be the one to knock out super early again."
"That's gonna happen anyways." Ali mocked while Aria made faces at her.
"Alright then, Ali?"
Ali chewed on the corner of her lip and mulled the thought over. She looked at Emily and remembered the last time she was drunk around her girlfriend.
"Actually Spencer, I'm going to have to pass too."
"Fine, I won't drink either, drinking alone sucks. What's your excuse Ali?"
"Uh…," Ali looked at Emily for permission and Em nodded.
"Uh, I um, I get a little um…"
"Um what Ali?"
"Well when I'm drunk and around Emily, we've discovered that I can get very-"
"Spencer," Emily addressed, "Ali gets super horny and aggressive when she's drunk and around me. So unless you want to see her naked and trying to undress me, she should probably stay away from the alcoholic beverages."
Spencer's eyes widened, "oh. Okay. Yeah, no drinks it is."
Hanna raised her hand, "wait, I actually might want to see that. Can we get a group vote?"
Ali turned to laugh with Hanna, "shut up Han."
"Okay, moving on, because we are not voting for that, let's play a game now."
"Okay Aria, what is it this time?"
Aria tapped her chin with finger, "how about….truth or dare? That's a classic."
All the girls chimed in "fine, okay, sure, alright."
"Okay I'll start, um Ali, truth or dare?"
"Uh, truth."
"Okay, so freshman year in Mr. McKenney's class, were the one who put super glue on his seat before he stepped back into the room?"
"Wait, that was you Ali, I thought that was that kid Kevin?"
"Yeah, I did. That was me."
Hanna laughed, "oh my god I remember that! He rolled past our class with this super pissed looked on his face and our whole class busted up, I didn't know that was you. Why'd you do that?"
Emily scrunched her eyebrows together and met Ali's eyes with in a question in hers.
Ali looked up and smiled halfway and shrugged.
Spencer noticed the interaction and tried to think about that day so long ago in history.
"Oh, wait," Spencer said, "I remember that day. We had presentations due. Emily had just gone and that other kid, Kevin's friend, whatever his name was, said some rude snarky comment and when Emily told on him, Mr. McKenney told Emily to stop crying, he said something like get over it, not everyone is going to love you and what you do. Isn't that right Em?"
Emily was still stuck in a gaze. She remembered everything about that day. The weather outside, what her presentation was on, Isaac's comment (Kevin's douche friend), she even remembered what she was wearing, but what she never knew, what she never had the chance to remember was what Ali did.
Hanna stared at Ali and Emily, "wait, Ali you did that for Emily? Freshman year? And Emily, you're just now learning this?"
"You've got it all right Einstein," Ali looked humbly at her hands, and then at Emily, she had to look away, the love in Em's eyes was melting her so she faced Aria, "the truth? I glued that asshole of a teacher to his damn chair because I knew he was wrong, how can anyone not love Emily? He was wrong, is still wrong and he deserved that. I regret nothing; he should've kept his mouth shut."
"Aw, that's so cute, fetus Emison."
"Hanna, what the hell are you talking about?" Spencer looked at Hanna like she wasn't even speaking English.
Ali got up and sat herself down next to Emily, intertwining their fingers.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"Why would I? Would that have changed the way you looked at me?"
Emily shook her head, "no, it just would've made me love you more."
"You can love me even more than right now?"
"Infinitely."
"I don't think that's possible Em."
"It's also not possible to look so damn perfect all the time yet, I'm looking at you right now so."
Ali stopped to just stare into Emily's eyes, not at, but into them. Loving every single fleck of love reflected in them. She leaned in and brought their lips together, drinking in the sweet taste that always lingered on Emily's lips.
"Erm, hello, guys, there still three other people here." Spencer tried to gain either one of the girls' attention.
"Yeah, and you're whispers aren't exactly quiet." Hanna snickered.
Aria shooed her hands at them both, "stop, it's adorable okay. Seriously, they are going to have the best vows. I'm going to cry, I just know it."
Ali finally pulled away and rested her head on Em's shoulder, "can you guys stop trying to plan our wedding all the time?"
"Well, the sooner you say I do, you won't hear anything from us anymore. isn't that right Hanna?"
"Uh, maybe for you, but then I'll be pestering them about what to name their kids. Hanna sounds good for your first girl."
"Yeah, Han, when pigs fly."
"So maybe?"
The girls laughed and Ali's hold on Em's hand tightened, she leaned forward and kissed the spot behind Emily's ear. She whispered, and really whispered this time, "I love you Em."
Em nuzzled the side of her neck into Ali's mouth, "I love you too Ali."
"Alright," Aria said, "who's next?"
# # # # # # #
"So wait, what's our plans, I feel like we've all changed our minds about five times since the last time we talked about it."
"No Han, I think we're still doing what we're planning on doing. I think Ali is the only one who's had a change of plans because she's finally made a decision." Aria explained and snuggled deeper into her blankets.
All the girls were laying down now, in a circle, with their heads all in the center, the rest of their bodies pointed outwards like sunrays. It was somewhere around 2:30 in the morning and Spencer convinced everyone that they should all at least lay down , if not to sleep, than at least to continue talking. All five of them lay on their backs, eyes staring upwards at the ceiling.
"Okay, well before we go to sleep, can we all go in a circle and say where we see ourselves in like 5 years…and then 10 years. Then we can go to sleep okay?"
"Alright Han," Emily sighed, "sounds good." Em yawned and Ali followed suit next to her.
"Ok in five years, I've graduated from school and I've been working for Vera Wang or some other designer in California for a while and I'm due for a promotion. In ten years, I've got my own clothing line, I'm married, to Caleb of course, we have cute little babies, dressed in designer pampers and all, and I live in California now…maybe. Not sure, but that's basically what I see. Next?"
"Me," offered Aria. "Alright woo, so in five years, I'm working on my Masters in English and Education at Hollis and I'm loving every second. In ten years, I've got a small house somewhere quiet and open. I'm teaching at a college, and taking pictures in my spare time. Maybe I'm married, maybe I have pint sized kids too, either way, I'm happy. Next?"
"Sounds great Aria, and I'll go. After all, I'm a Hastings, I've probably had this plan since the womb right?"
"Spencer, you're a Hastings to the rest of the world, but to us, you're our Spencer, you don't have to be perfect and not one of us is competing against one another." Em reached out to hold on to Spencer's forearm and rubbed her thumb across it, "stop trying to be a Hastings for us, we love the Spencer that is just Spencer."
"Thanks Em." Spencer took a deep breath. "Okay, woo, this is harder than you all make seem. Let's see, 'just Spencer.' Well, as a Hastings, it's expected to do as I say I was a while back: go to UPenn, since they finally accepted me and I'm supposed to spend at least eight years in school, plus law school, and I'm supposed to want that, to do all that mindlessly and pass the BAR exam. And I thought I wanted to do all that, but lately, I'm not so sure. I, you know, 'just Spencer' wants to do something different maybe. Maybe I want to travel for a year, with Toby, see some of world that I'll be missing as soon as life decides it wants to start and sucking all the fun away. Maybe I want to take art classes, maybe I don't want to do anything after graduation. Maybe just Spencer, wants to just take a break for once!" At this point, Spence was almost in tears and the others all sat up to check on her.
They consoled her and held her and finally Spencer let loose and she cried, she cussed at her family for the way they were sometimes and she cried, holding onto, clinging to her friends. When each one of them pulled away they laid back down and waiting until Spencer's sniffles faded.
"So, what are you gonna do Spence? You know that no matter what, we're going to support you and whatever you choose."
"Hah, yeah, can you maybe rub some of that off on my parents? I've been thinking about this for a long time, and I think I'll go to UPenn for a year or two and if it's just not for me, I'll do something else. I want to be happy, but I don't know that I don't want to be a lawyer just yet. What if's can eat a person alive, and I don't think I can live with that."
"Good, that sounds like just Spencer would think of, I'm proud of you."
"Thanks Em, so I guess I can't really say mine, you go next Em."
"No problem, and uuhh, okay, let's see. In five years? Well I want to be a doctor, a pediatrician, so that's gonna require lots of school. In five years, I've graduated from Pacific and am going to Med School. In ten years, I'm a licensed doctor, I'm hopefully trying to start my own practice, if possible. I have a gorgeous wife," Em squeezed Ali's hand for reassurance, "and I live in a beach house in California, kids maybe, and I'm still very close to 4 other amazing people, and that's you guys. In ten years, we're babysitting each other's kids, our kids are going on playdates, we're buying them gifts, and being called auntie, we're going to their soccer games and dance recitals. In 10 years, we're all still leaning a bit on one another."
Everyone else agreed and laughed at the images of multiple mini versions of themselves running around being friends like their moms were.
"Alright Ali, you're the only thing standing in the way of us and Mr. Sandman."
"Okay well, at any given point in my life, I don't think I've been asked this question, let alone did I allow myself to think that far ahead, however, given all that's happened, and where I am now, my future, I really hope, is pretty clear. In five years, I've graduated Pacific as an English major. Emily is still my girlfriend and we've learned how to surf. In ten years, I've written a book, about all of us, and A and our friendship, the good and bad. I'll change the names and submit as fiction, but I want people to know us, fall in love with us as characters of a book, if not as real life people, I want our story to be heard. In ten years, Emily and I did get married, we've got that house near the beach, our kids are gorgeous and they look like Em, and I'm happy. I'm an author, a wife, a mother and I'm happy."
Ali was sure Spencer and Aria and Hanna were talking to her, but the rest of the world fell away in a puddle at the very back of her mind. Ali was sucked in to the two brown orbs that were Emily's eyes. Their warmth capturing her mind, body, soul as they shared a look so deep. The poetic Ali would have said the depth of that look was so deep it made oceans jealous. And maybe it did, but nothing else mattered but Emily.
Em and Ali turned to face one another. The rest of the world zoomed in and out of focus, but in focus long enough to realize the girls were drifting off, dozing off, and let the world slip away too.
Emily and Alison kept their eyes locked and shared the silence. They had the kind of love that didn't demand to be heard, only felt, so that's what they did.
Ali turned around and backed into Emily. Emily cradled Alison as her little spoon and draped her arm over Ali's waist. Ali placed her arm over Emily's and laced her fingers over Em's on her stomach. She lifted their joined hands and kissed Emily's palm. Em couldn't see Ali's face, but she didn't need to, not for this.
Em leaned down and kissed the top of Ali's head.
The girls were sleeping, she had a great night with her friends, Ali gave her another reason to love her and Em was happy. It didn't feel like the end of anything anymore. Instead, it felt like just the beginning. Of what exactly, she wasn't sure. Life wasn't going to just start, it had always been propelling her forwards, only now, she had her own feet on the pedals.
It may have been their 'last' sleepover, but it wasn't the end of anything. With that she was certain.
Some friendships just couldn't be broken, and the five of theirs was no exception to that…it never would be.
***AN: I hope you guys liked this chapter? I feel like we needed more from the others, and no worries, they will still be in future chapters. I'm not letting them go that easy.
With that being said, here's a breakdown of the next few chapters:
Ch 37: Graduation, Ch 38: The Last Week of the Last Summer, Ch 39: The Move to CA, Ch 40: Settling In, Ch 41: We're Tigers Now (and from here, I'll do a few in college chapters, and depending on what you all think, I might do a time jump to the girl's college graduation, and the life of Emison after college?)
Please let me know what you thought of this chapter and what you think about anything else: the plan for this story, my other stories, why the sky is blue lol jk. But seriously, I crave your responses, so leave a revieeeeeeew! Be back soon, Lina xoxo
Next Chapter: Graduation