Disclaimers: I do not own Pretty Little Liars
Emily's POV
I woke up with a stinging sensation in my left arm. It was only when I moved it from under the pillow that I realized my arm had fallen asleep through the morning. After a few more seconds, I felt Paige shifting closer from behind me and curling her arm tighter around my middle. I smiled while still trying to wake up and wiggled my behind further into her. I heard Paige laughed softly and entwine our legs together as she placed light kisses behind my head.
"What are you doing?" she asked groggily. We had fallen asleep naked after showering together. I looked at the time on my nightstand and turned around in her arms.
"Nothing." I smiled before leaning in to kiss her lips. Paige moaned as I wrapped my arm around her and crushed our bodies together, enjoying the sensation of every part of our bodies touching without any barrier. "It's almost two o'clock. We have to meet the girls in two hours." I reminded her when we pulled apart from the kiss. I moved a few strands of Paige's long growing hair out of her face. She tried to blow the few strands on her eyes in vain and I giggled as she buried her face in my neck.
"Okay." she mumbled before faking a snore and pretending to fall back asleep. I laughed and ran my free hand through her hair, watching amazingly at how much her hair has grown out since last year. I liked her better with longer hair. It really brought out her eyes and cheekbones. My stomach started growling at that moment and I felt a little embarrassed as Paige chuckle and move back.
"Hungry?" she asked. I felt myself turn a bit red and nodded as she leaned in to kiss my cheek. "What do you want to eat?" Paige wanted to know. I looked at her passionately and bit my lip for the added effect as an idea formed in my head at her words. Paige's eyes fell down to my lips momentarily before bringing her gaze back up to my eyes. "I meant food." Paige whispered before closing the distance between us. She kissed me tenderly and lightly cupped my bum from behind. I moaned at her warm hands on me and moved in closer to her. She slipped her tongue past my lips and met mine, caressing it softly and sucking on it lightly before she withdrew and started kissing my lips again. We kissed for several more minutes but my stomach wasn't having any of it and started talking again. I groaned and flipped onto my back, pouting as my stomach's growls kept interrupting and embarrassing me. Paige patted my tummy and rubbed it for a few seconds before giving me a peck on the cheek and started to get up and out of the bed. I stared unabashedly as I watched her walking around the room stark naked. She looked so beautiful and graceful picking up our wet towels and throwing them in the hamper in my closet. Finally, she turned around and glanced at me, giving me a "What are you doing?" look. I continue staring intensely into her eyes, watching the myriad of expressions that played across her countenance as her eyes travelled over my uncovered body.
"We should get going. Get some food… Something to eat…" she trailed off and I snickered. She only winked at me in response and turned to go get clothes out of her duffel bag at the window seat. I sat up in bed and moved to get out of it but lost my footing a bit as I landed on the floor. Luckily, I grabbed the night table and was able to steady myself quickly. I glanced over to see Paige give me a funny look and I expressed to her silently that I was okay.
After a few distractions here and there, Paige and I were finally out of the house after half an hour and she was behind the wheels driving the both of us to the Apple Rose Grille. We were seated almost immediately when we walked in, and Paige and I sat across from each other eyeing the menu before we both placed the paper down after a few minutes. A server came and took our salad orders quickly, and we smiled at each other while sitting back relaxed. Out of the corner of my eyes, I saw a brunette heading towards us but approaching Paige from behind. My eyes turned into slits as the girl crept up on my girlfriend and covered her eyes from behind. Who the hell was this? I only saw that Paige was taken aback by the action and stilled.
"Guess who?" the girl whispered too closely to Paige's right ear. My blood boiled at the sight of this person touching Paige in an intimate way. I looked confusedly at Paige as I saw a smile painted her pink lips, and she lifted the hands from her face to turn around and jumped up and hug the girl.
"PRU!" Paige screamed as she embraced her tightly and they both jumped up and down in one spot. "Oh my god, how long have you been back here? I thought you were gone for good when your family moved to Texas during sophomore year. What are you doing here?" Paige asked excitedly before Pru motioned over to me and gave Paige a curious look.
"Oh. Pru, this is Emily. Emily, this is Pru, my bestest friend from high school!" Paige exclaimed animatedly that made me want to smile as well. I stood up after the introduction and moved in to shake Pru's hand. Pru look shocked for a moment as her mouth open and close several times before turning to gape at Paige.
"Emily? As in Emily Fields who you had a secret crush on mid-freshmen year?" Pru bellowed in disbelief. I laughed as Paige's face turned a deep shade of red while wearing a shy grin and glancing up at me with the most adoring look.
"Yeah. The one and only." I shrugged and admitted to save Paige the embarrassment.
"Oh my gosh, you HAVE to tell me everything. I want all the details." Pru said before she beckoned all of us to sit down and sat down next to Paige. I looked at her in amusement as she reminded me of someone I knew. Someone with blond hair and a similar personality. Someone who goes by the name of Hanna Marin. Paige looks shy and glance at me every other minute as she's updating Pru excitedly on her life after high school sophomore year. I was so happy to hear Paige talk about us so animatedly and I watched as Pru's eyes and hers got sad when she revealed the story about her mother. They held onto each other's hands as Paige continued about her first two years at U Penn. and I ordered some food for Pru as they were so engrossed in the conversation and didn't even noticed our waiter coming by. When Paige was finally finished telling her high school best friend about us, Pru had tears in her eyes and hugged Paige tightly in her arms. I felt my heart warmed at their friendship, wanting to go over and hug the both of them too. They let go of each other and finally turned to me, smiling warmly and looking at me in awe.
"What?" I asked while pushing the food towards them. Pru look at me with surprise, probably wondering when I had order the food for her.
"I can't believe everything that's happened." Pru said before turning her gaze to Paige.
"And I can't believe you're here. You didn't answer me. What brought you back here? I thought you were supposed to be in Texas?" Paige questioned her again. Pru smiled and hit her friend lightly.
"Still impatient as ever, huh?" she smirked as Paige pretended to wince a little as she prepared for another slap in the shoulder.
"I've been plenty patient while telling you my life's story." Paige countered with a dorky grin, which Pru rolled her eyes at.
"Sean invited me to come and help at his dad's church for two weeks. They're doing this two-week summer church camp for kids and I couldn't think of a reason why I shouldn't help out if I can. Plus, I've missed this place." Pru said with a reminiscent look in her eyes.
"Well, where are you currently staying then?" Paige asked as she popped a cherry tomato into her mouth.
"At Sean's, of course. I just got here last night." Pru responded. Paige and I both nodded our heads at the same time with the new information. "I'm starved. Let's eat!" she exclaimed as Paige and I laughed and begin digging into our foods. We laughed, chatted, and joked with one another like we've been best friends all our lives. When we were finished eating, Paige took care of the bill while Pru and I fought to pay, and Pru smiled as she looked at the both of us.
"We should do this again." she said as she leaned in to kiss Paige on the cheek to thank her.
"Definitely." I answered for the both of us. Paige looked at me in wonder and turned to her with another questioning look.
"You know, I never knew you and Sean were that close. How come you never kept in contact with me?" Paige asked, her voice held traces of sadness in it. Paige looked down and I saw Pru mimicking her with the same expression.
"Do you remember that time I rooted for you and Sean at the end of freshmen year when you were still pretty closeted?" Pru asked. A flashback came to me suddenly when I had almost interrupted a moment between Pru and Paige in the girls' bathroom talking about Sean Ackard.
"Yeah," Paige answered and look up confused.
"Well, after you told me that it didn't work out with him, Sean kind-of asked me out and I said yes. It happened during mid-summer when we were helping out at his dad's church with camp back then. I was afraid you'd be upset with me for dating someone you used to date. I'm sorry." Pru winced as she confessed her side of the story. Paige nodded and patted Pru's leg.
"Don't be sorry. I'm not mad. It's just a surprise, that's all." Paige smiled now understanding why Pru's avoided contacting her all these years.
"Sean and I ended when I moved after the first month of sophomore year, but he was really nice and kept contacting me to make sure I was okay in a new place. We write each other every once in a while, and Sean told me they were still missing two or three volunteers so he asked me if I'd like to help like before." Pru explained.
"That's really nice of you." I told her and she waved a hand to shrug it off modestly. My phone started ringing loudly and it snapped all of us out of the conversation we were having. I picked it up immediately only to hear Hanna's voice next.
"Emily Fields! You and Paige better get your butts over here in five minutes. Pronto! It's past five o'clock and you have better not be doing what we think you're doing. Anyways, love you! Buh - "
"Hanna?" I cut her off before she could say goodbye.
"Oh? Emily? I thought I was at your voicemail. Oops!" Hanna laughed nervously as I rolled my eyes. Paige had a hint of amusement in her eyes hearing the loud words from across the table. "Anyway, where are you and Paige?! It's, like, 5:24PM right now." Hanna whined.
"Sorry Han, we were getting caught up with Paige's friend and forgot about the time." I spoke into my phone as I mouthed "Hanna" to Paige. She was surprised when she look at the time and saw how late it was.
"Okay, I'll tell Aria and Spencer. Just come over quick. I can't stand being bludgeoned mercilessly by Team Sparia right now at Trivia Pursuit." Hanna said sounding annoyed as I hear snickering in the background. Must be Spencer and Aria's words she's imitating.
"Alright. We'll be there soon." I assured her.
"Fine. Love you!" Hanna said before I heard a click on the line. I put my phone away as Paige and Pru stood up and hug each other again.
"It was really nice catching up with you." Pru said as she held onto Paige tightly. "I really missed you, you know?" Pru confessed.
"Me too. I really miss you too." Paige said before they released each other and Paige made her way to me and helped me push in my chair. "My number is still the same. Call whenever you're free." Paige smiled.
"I will." Pru said before stepping towards me and giving me a hug. "Thank you for treating her right." Pru whispered only for me to hear. Her eyes sparkled appreciation when we moved away from each other and look in one another's eyes. Finally, Pru started to walk away first and turned her head back before she headed out the door. She gave us one last glance before exiting the Apple Rose Grille. Paige and I turned to each other and smiled before walking hand-in-hand out the restaurant. It was a good day so far.
About ten minutes later, we were standing outside of the Hastings' house and rang the doorbell. Paige's thumb kept caressing the back of my hand in a swirling movement, and it caused a warmth in the pit of my stomach. The door sprang open all of a sudden and Paige and I were pulled into the house so quick, we weren't sure what was happening. It was only when the door closed that we saw Hanna standing there with her arms across her chest.
"Took you long enough!" she said before stomping away. Paige and I looked at each other in amusement before walking further into Spencer's home. When we arrived at the living room, I saw that Spencer was in the kitchen making coffee and Aria was lying on the couch with a book. Both their heads turned our way and they greeted us much more politely than Hanna had. It seems Hanna was now sitting on the floor flipping through a fashion magazine.
"Coffee?" Spencer asked everybody. Everyone shook their heads together and laughed, and Spencer produced an annoyed smile. "Fine." she said in response while pouring herself a cup. After putting the rest of the coffee on the warming plate, Spencer came over and moved Aria's legs before sitting down, earning a frown from the smaller girl. Paige and I found ourselves on the opposite couch, sitting closely and cuddling. Well, I was cuddling into her and she had her arm around me.
"Hanna, would you stop flipping through the magazine so loudly." Spencer complained before sipping her coffee. The blonde gave her a look of annoyance before closing the magazine altogether and putting it down on the coffee table. "Thank you, Hanna." Spencer teased as the other girl crossed her arms against her chest.
"Bossy, bossy, bossy." Paige poke fun at Spencer as Hanna's face lighten up a little, seeing that Paige was taking her side. Spencer shrugged and continued drinking coffee like she hasn't had any for a week.
"Okay, guys, I need advice." Hanna said out of the blue. Everyone looked at her and wondered what she was thinking, seeing that the blonde almost never needed advice from anyone.
"What about?" Aria asked as sat up and put her book down.
"Parsons got back to me, like, this morning. I got in." Hanna said sadly while looking down. We all looked at her confused. Parsons School of Design is almost every aspiring student fashion designer's dream school.
"Wow, Hanna! That's great news!" Aria exclaimed.
"I knew you had it in you." Spencer smiled proudly at Hanna but that only made her frown even more.
"With full-tuition remission." Hanna air quoted the last word. We all gasped and cheered for her but she shushed us all. "It's in NYC! I can't go to NYC! Caleb and I are supposed to live happily ever after here and going to Hollis together." Hanna pouted.
"But Hanna, it's Parsons. It's been your dream school since you started stealing colored crayons from everybody in kindergarten." Spencer pressed on.
"I know. That's why this is so hard for me to talk to Caleb. I know he's going to make me go if he knew I got in." Hanna whined as she threw her hands up in the air illustrating her frustration. "And I want to go, but Caleb is so important to me." Hanna looked really troubled. I haven't seen her like this, ever.
"Maybe he could move with you to NYC." Paige suggested beside me.
"I can't do that to him. What would he do in NYC?" Hanna's distress continue to reveal itself more and more.
"Well, he's working on a startup tech company now, so I don't see what you're worrying about. Plus, there's definitely more opportunities in the city for him." Paige came back quickly to Hanna's question. I looked at my girlfriend surprised at her quick wit. I hadn't thought of that. I had forgotten about Caleb's aspiration to start a tech company. Hanna seemed to be mulling it over silently in her loud thoughts and we all just looked at one another as she debated with herself on what to do.
"Yeah, sit down and talk to him about it. Communication is key in your relationship." Aria added. Spencer and I nodded in agreement and Hanna let out an exasperated sigh.
"Okay… Fine. I will." Hanna gave in.
"Everything will be okay, Hanna Banana." I tried to reassure her. She smiled a bit but still look quite uneasy.
"Yeah." Spencer and Aria said at the same time, smiling at each other as they did. Paige laughed softly beside me and I nudged her to zip it. She quieted immediately and mouthed "sorry" to me.
"I need a hug or four right now." Hanna sighed. We all knew what to do and came over to her at once, giving her the group hug she needed. Hanna held onto Paige as we all wrapped our arms around the both of them, staying in the embrace for a minute or two. "Okay, now I need air!" Hanna yelped as we crushed her and laughed making sure to pull one another to the ground.
After a few more hours lounging around Spencer's house, Paige and I decided to call it a night and drove back to my home. When we arrived, we saw that mom's car was visible in the driveway in the dark due to the porch light. Paige walked me to the door held my hands in hers, pulling me over to the porch swing.
"I'll miss you." Paige whispered softly as she leaned in to kiss me.
"I'll miss you too." I kissed her back amorously, lifting my hand up to caress her face. We weren't going to be sleeping at each other's houses tonight and that meant we weren't going to be falling asleep together. The day had gone too fast and summer was quickly coming to an end in less than a month. We had to go back to Philadelphia a few weeks earlier than Spencer and Sammie because of swim practice and since we were both co-captains, that meant we were responsible for socializing the incoming freshmen and current team members. Our senior year is going to be busy with school, internships, and swimming, but I know Paige and I will be alright. We're stronger and are able to endure much more with each other's support. Plus, we'll continue living together and see each other at every day's end. I sighed into the kiss as I imagined a reality for us at the end of college. We were going to make it. We really were.
Paige and I pulled apart when we heard the clearing of a throat, and we both sprung up from the porch swing staring wide-eyed at my mom. She smiled and shook her head at us.
"Emily, why didn't you invite Paige in? I haven't seen her all week." mom said while gleaming at Paige, not caring about catching us making out anymore by this point. Paige brought a hand to the back of her neck and rubbed it embarrassingly as she stuttered to say hello. I giggled at the sight, of course.
"H-hi Mrs. Fields." Paige managed as mom took my girlfriend into her arms. Mom smiled at Paige's courteous way of addressing her even after trying to tell her to call mom, Pam, so many times.
"Hello to you too, dear." she gave Paige a kiss on her rosy cheeks before releasing her. "Come on, come in. I just made dinner." my mom tried to invite Paige into our house.
"That's okay. I was just on my way home. My parents wants me to sit down for dinner tonight too." Paige revealed.
"Alright, but you should still take back a portion of the food I made for your family for me." mom insisted before heading back into the house. Paige and I trailed behind her as we walked hand-in-hand, sitting at the kitchen's counter as my mom prepared and boxed a little bit of every dish she made. She put them all in a paper bag before handing them to Paige who thanked her profusely for her kindness. Paige and I lingered at the door before we kissed goodbye, and I sighed dreamily as I leaned my back against the closed door. Mom walked in just in time to see me in the pose and chuckled at the sight of me.
"I hate to ruin the moment...but Maya stopped by earlier with this." mom handed me an envelope with my name written across it in handwriting. "I had no idea she was back in town." my mom crossed her arms against her chest as she looked on at me suspiciously.
"Mom! It's not even like that with her anymore." I said as I realized what my mother was accusing me of.
"Good. Paige is a nice girl. Whatever's going on between you and Maya...you should put an end to it straightaway." my mom said looking concerned and I sighed in response.
"I know. She just keeps bothering me. Us. I don't know what to do and how to keep her away." I disclosed.
"She's inconveniencing Paige too?" my mother looked up immediately perturbed.
"Yeah, I think so… Paige is playing it down though. I think she's worried about Maya." I proposed a thought I've had for a while since Maya came back into the picture.
"Why that little…" mom trailed off as she clenched her teeth and pursed her lips. "I'm going to go talk to her tomorrow and put an end to this." she said determinedly.
"Mom, wait, don't. Let me deal with it." I implored. She looked to be in deep thought for almost a minute before nodding and relaxing a bit more.
"Alright, but you'll come to me if things get out hands, right?" Mom asked out of concern.
"I will." I said as I moved in to hug her, looking at the envelope in my hand before closing my eyes in mom's embrace.
