DISCLAIMER: Pretty Little Liars and all its characters is the intellectual property of others. Some characters used in the writing of this fic belong to PLL. Events that transpire, will transpire and have transpired in this story are entirely of my own creation.


Hi again!

So here's the next chapter. Two more chapters after this and Part 3 is done.

Thanks for the reviews and for still reading this story.


PART THREE: "Non Progredi Est Regredi"

~ To not go forward is to go backward. ~

CHAPTER EIGHT

Present Day

"I gotta say newbie. You never looked better." Reese commented, trying hard not to laugh while watching the girl from the passenger seat of her car.

"Ha. Ha. Very funny." Paige retorted as she struggled to loosen the lugs of the right front tire. "You know, we wouldn't be in this situation if you checked the tires before leaving my house."

"Hey you're the one behind the wheel. You should've checked them." Reese pointed out.

"Yeah but it's your car." Paige argued. "You need to maintain it since you pretty much act like you're married to it."

"I'm not married to Sofia." Reese said indignantly. "I just... she's my baby." She admitted while touching the interiors of her car.

Paige let out a laugh. "Married." She declared. "Now why don't you make yourself useful and give me a hand out here instead of sitting there looking like a model for a shampoo commercial?"

"Oh newbie, you know me so well. Flattery will get you anywhere with me." Reese bantered as she moved to get out of the car. "What can I do?"

"Well for starters I'm parched." Paige answered, squinting when she looked up at her friend. "In case you didn't notice it's hot out here."

"Say no more." Reese told the girl then reached inside for Paige's water bottle. "Here."

"Thanks." Paige uttered, brushing a few strands of hair off her face before taking a drink.

"Scar's almost gone." Reese commented when her gaze landed on the girl's forehead.

Paige touched the spot her friend was staring at and nodded. "Yeah. I can barely feel it." She said while rubbing the scar thoughtfully.


Two Months Ago...

Paige rubbed the side of her forehead then cradled her head in her hand as she groaned in pain. Her head was throbbing, thanks to the head rush she experienced for getting up too quick when she realized she was naked underneath the sheets and everything that happened last night came rushing back to her.

Please let it be a bad dream. Paige thought, a feeling of dread washing over her when she looked to her right and saw Kayla fast asleep, the girl's bare back turned to her. Shit. She cursed inwardly. Paige stiffened when Jai's sister stirred and she held her breath, praying that Kayla won't open her eyes just yet because she didn't know what to say or do.

When it seemed like the girl was still asleep, Paige got up then quickly put on her clothes which were lying near the foot of her bed before sneaking out of the room to head for the kitchen. She reached for a clean glass and absentmindedly poured some water in it but before she could take a sip, her gaze wandered to the untouched birthday cake Emily gave her last night and she closed her eyes in anguish.

"I thought you left." Kayla's raspy voice startled Paige and it took her a few seconds to compose herself before she finally turned around to find the girl standing outside her bedroom door, Kayla's hair and shirt slightly disheveled.

"No. I, uh... just got thirsty." Paige replied and showed the glass of water she was holding.

"Right." Kayla uttered then placed her hands inside the pockets of her denim shorts.

The two girls stood in awkward silence even if several thoughts were running through their minds. They kept glancing at each other before looking away, at a loss as to what to say next.

"About last night..." Paige finally began.

"It's okay." Kayla interrupted. "I'm not expecting anything. I know what happened doesn't change things between us." She reassured the girl. "And I promise not to tell anyone."

"I'm sorry." Paige said apologetically.

Kayla shook her head. "Don't be. I'm a big girl. I knew what I was doing. And I seem to remember I was the one who initiated it." She reminded the girl.

Paige let out the breath she was holding in. Maybe things between them won't be so awkward after all. "So... what are your plans this morning?" She asked before taking a sip of her water. "What?" Paige continued when she saw Kayla's expression change.

"Shoot I'm late! I'm supposed to meet Jai for breakfast at the quad!" Kayla explained, making a beeline for the door when she saw the time. "The UPenn quad not our quad." She hurriedly clarified. "I have to go. I'll talk to you later."

"'Bye." Paige called out before the door closed, running a hand through her hair wearily and sighing when she was finally alone.


"Please say something." Emily implored, inching closer to the girl next to her. "Anything. You've been sitting in silence and it's been hours." She continued when she glanced at the bedroom window and saw that the sun was almost up.

As if realizing the time, Jai finally got up and put some distance between her and Emily. "How long?" She asked, her voice hoarse. "Before-"

"I don't know." Emily replied. "A few months?" She admitted, her eyes welling up when she saw the disbelief and hurt in the girl's face. "Jai..."

"Don't. Don't you dare cry, Em." Jai warned. "I'm not trying to be the bad guy here. You slept with Paige."

"I know. And I'm sorry." Emily said earnestly. She tried to reach out to the girl but Jai took a step back.

"Why? You thought I was dead, right? You can do whatever the hell you want!" Jai reminded the girl, her voice barely concealing the hurt and anger she felt.

"I don't regret sleeping with her. But I am sorry that it's hurting you." Emily clarified. "I didn't want you to find out this way. I-"

"Oh, so you did plan on telling me." Jai interjected. "'Cos it's been months and I'm just finding out about this now. Is that it?" She asked, frustrated. "Is that the last of your secrets or am I going to find out in a few months that you two share an apartment?!"

"That's the last." Emily replied, scared to come clean about her latest indiscretion at the state Jai was in. The last time the girl was this upset was when Paige pulled that prank on her. "Jai, please..."

"Why?" Jai asked, tears starting to burn her eyes. She was hurt, angry, and jealous that Emily gave a part of herself she thought the girl only reserved for her. "How could you sleep with her after everything that's happened? After what she put you through? I don't... I don't understand."

"It just... felt right." Emily answered helplessly. "Jai, I know how much you're hurting-"

"No." Jai interjected, shaking her head firmly. "You don't. You don't understand how much it hurts me that you felt ready with her than you ever were with me. I can't… deal with this right now. I have to go."

"Don't leave." Emily begged before the girl could open the door. "Let's talk about this."

"I have to meet Kayla at the quad for breakfast." Jai explained without looking at Emily. "I'll talk to you later." She bade before opening the door to leave.

Emily's vision blurred as she stared at the space Jai stood just a second ago, unable to believe the girl just left things between them like that. She cradled her head in her hands and wept as she thought about everything that happened and how messed up everything seems to be right now. Things were so much simpler back when they were in high school. She loved Jai and hated Paige. That distinction was clear until she kissed the latter and now Emily was at a loss as to how to fix the mess she made.


Jai pressed the end call button on her phone and struggled to control her annoyance when her call went to Kayla's voicemail again. She's been trying to reach her sister ever since she left Emily's apartment to tell the girl she's running late only to find out that her sister wasn't at the quad yet. On any other day it was fine, but not today. Not after the night she had with Emily. So much for no more surprises.

"Sorry I'm late." Kayla apologized in greeting as she sat across her sister.

"Where have you been?!" Jai asked, not bothering to hide her annoyance. "Don't you check your phone?"

Kayla moved to reach for her phone in her pocket and groaned inwardly when she realized she left it at Paige's again. "Sorry." She repeated. "What, forgot to do your laundry or something?" Kayla continued when she noticed her sister was wearing the same clothes as last night.

"I spent the night at Emily's and came straight here when I realized I was running late." Jai explained. "What's your excuse?" She asked, looking at the girl's clothes pointedly.

"Oh. I, uh, spent the night at a friend's after the party." Kayla answered vaguely. "I must've left my phone there which is why I couldn't answer your calls."

Jai frowned. "Why would you spend the night at someone else's house? I thought you said you were going to take care of Ria?" She reminded her sister.

"I did. She was fast asleep when I left. I didn't want to sleep on the couch so I thought I'd crash at my friend's place instead." Kayla said offhandedly.

Jai's eyes narrowed. "This friend of yours have a name?" She asked.

"Yeah. It's none of your business." Kayla shot back. "Jai, you're my sister and I love you but I'm not a kid anymore." She continued before the girl could reprimand her. "You don't have to worry about me."

"I'll always worry about you." Jai insisted. "How long have you been sleeping with this friend of yours?"

"Jai!" Kayla exclaimed.

"What? It's just a question." Jai pointed out.

"Yeah well, I'm nineteen, Jai. Not nine." Kayla reminded the girl.

"Nineteen or nine, you're still my little sister." Jai argued. "And if she took advantage of you-"

"She didn't." Kayla interjected. "And for the record, you're just a year older than me. Now can we please stop with the twenty questions? It's too early."

"Sorry." Jai uttered warily.

"You look wound up." Kayla observed when she finally had the chance to study her sister. "Something happen with Emily last night?"

"Coffee first." Jai replied with a tired smile.

"Got it. Breakfast is on me." Kayla offered, getting up and heading inside the café.

Left to herself, Jai stared at the screen of her phone absentmindedly as she recalled everything that happened last night. From Paige's surprise party to the surprise Emily gave her. Everything was so messed up she didn't know what to do next.

"Hey." Emily's voice above her made Jai look up. "Sorry for coming here. I just... I didn't want to leave things the way they are with you. Can we talk?" She asked timidly.

Jai sighed. "Not now, Em. I need time to process things." She replied, looking away.

"Jai, please." Emily begged. "I-"

"Hey guys!" Paige's cheerful greeting made Jai stiffen and she almost laughed at how ridiculous everyone's timing is. "How's it going?"

"Could be better." Jai answered monotonously. "What are you doing here?"

"Oh. I'm on my way to a class, actually. I just swung by for Kayla. Where is she?" Paige asked, looking around. "She said she's having breakfast with you."

"She is. She's inside the café." Jai said, pointing behind her. "Why do you need to talk to her?"

"I don't. I just thought she'd want this back." Paige replied before placing the girl's phone on the table. "She came over last night looking for it-"

"You have got to be kidding me." Jai muttered, her temper flaring as she put two and two together when she saw her sister's phone. She looked up at Paige, her hands balled into fists. "How could you?!"

"What?" Paige asked, looking at Emily in confusion before looking at her friend again.

"I told you she was off limits!" Jai shouted, getting up and hitting Paige square on the face.

"Oh my god, Jai!" Emily exclaimed, completely taken aback by her girlfriend's sudden outburst. "What did you do that for?!"

"She knows." Jai answered without taking her eyes off the girl. "Don't you?" She asked and when Paige didn't say anything, she moved to hit the girl again. "You fucked my sister!" Jai yelled, her eyes blazing in anger as Paige fell on the ground.

Emily stared at Paige in confusion, about to ask what Jai was talking about but the girl's inability to meet her gaze just answered her question. "Oh my god." She breathed.

Jai grabbed Paige by the collar of her shirt and raised her fist to hit the girl again. Her hand was throbbing but she didn't care. Paige's betrayal hurt more. "I trusted you!" She exclaimed as she threw another punch.

"Oh my god, Jai!" Kayla cried out, dropping the tray of food she was carrying and running past Emily who was just standing there as if in shock. "Jai stop it! You're hurting her!"

"Stay out of this!" Jai shouted, shaking off Kayla's grip on her arm. "You were my best friend! I told you she was off limits!"

Paige lay motionless on the ground, not even bothering to fight back. She welcomed each hit and every word the girl said out of anger and betrayal. Finally she was getting punished for her actions. Paige braced herself for the next punch Jai was going to deliver but it didn't come and she opened her eyes to see Emily holding the girl's wrist.

"Jai, please stop." Emily pleaded, finally snapping out of her stupor.

Jai took several deep breaths to calm down when she heard the panic in Emily's voice. She looked up and saw that her girlfriend called out her name but Emily was staring worriedly at the girl lying on the ground. Jai looked at Paige and saw the bloody lip the girl was sporting so she stood up but didn't bother to help her friend.

"You fucked my sister with Emily on your mind." Jai said, the anger seeping in her voice. "I'm not stupid. I know this is about her. You could've had sex with anyone for all I cared. Just not Kayla. I will not let you treat my sister this way." She warned the girl. "As of this moment you and I are not friends. Stay away from me, from Kayla, and especially from Emily."

Paige stood up and slowly dusted herself off, her mind reeling from what the girl just said. All this time she thought she had to choose between sacrificing her friendship with Jai and giving up her chance with Emily. The thought that Jai could easily stop being friends with her as well never crossed her mind.

"Jazz-" Paige began but didn't know what to say next. She tried to take a step toward her best friend but found herself standing in front of Emily instead. She tried to hold the girl's gaze but she looked away when she saw the disgust she felt with herself reflected in Emily's eyes.

"You should go." Emily quietly told the girl.

Paige looked past Emily to try and catch Jai's attention but the girl refused to look at her. Kayla then gave her an apologetic smile which she returned before finally noticing the crowd that has gathered to watch the commotion. Embarrassed for her role in it, Paige decided to heed what Emily said and wordlessly picked up the chair that she knocked down when she fell before limping away.

"Move along people. Nothing to see here." Jai told everyone before sitting on the chair she was occupying earlier. She flexed her throbbing hand and stared at it, unable to believe she hit Paige. The person she swore to take care of at the cost of being away from Emily for so long. Even if it meant-

"That looks bad." Kayla's voice made Jai look up and she saw the worry in her sister's eyes as the girl stared at her reddening hand.

"It just looks worse than it feels." Jai reassured her sister.

"You should still put some ice on that just to be safe. I'll go get some." Emily offered before heading to the café.

"Don't." Jai warned Kayla before the girl could say anything. "Just don't." She repeated while studying her hand again.


Later that afternoon, Paige lay still on the couch while trying to breathe slowly. After her run in with Jai's fist several times, she went straight home knowing she couldn't go to her classes looking the way she did. Her lower lip was swollen, she could barely see anything with her left eye, and her ass hurt from when she fell after Jai hit her. She didn't know the girl could swing punches like that.

"Grgh argh." Paige muttered incomprehensibly when her phone rang again. She's been ignoring the ringing sound for a while now knowing it was Reese calling. She sent a text earlier saying she couldn't come to practice today and knowing her friend, Reese wanted to check up on her.

Paige let out an audible groan when someone knocked on her door, making her jerk in surprise. She wanted to ignore the knocking as well but unlike her phone which she can mute or even turn off, whoever it was outside can't be silenced so easily. Mustering the strength to get up, Paige slowly walked toward the door and didn't bother to peek in the eyehole before opening it.

"What are you doing here?" Paige asked when she saw who it was.

Emily studied the girl's face for a moment before answering. "Brought you something." She said as she handed the frozen steak to the girl. "Though from the looks of it I should've brought two."

"You shouldn't have. But thanks." Paige replied, stepping aside to let Emily in. "I know you didn't come here just to bring me this. I can practically hear the gears in your head turning so just spit it out." She continued as she slowly made her way to the kitchen.

"Okay. How could you do something so stupid?!" Emily blurted out.

Paige turned around to face the girl. "Because I'm Paige McCullers." She replied like it was the most obvious answer.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Emily asked, confused.

"I'm a screw up." Paige pointed out. "I'm spontaneous. I don't think things through. I'm a disappointment. Need I go on?"

"I wish you'd stop seeing yourself that way." Emily said in reply. "What happened to you?"

"You. You happened to me." Paige answered, her tone bitter.

"Don't blame this on me." Emily said indignantly.

"Oh I'm not. I take full responsibility for my actions." Paige reassured the girl.

"I can't even look at you." Emily said, the disgust Paige saw in the girl's eyes earlier returning. "Why would you risk your friendship with Jai for a one-night-stand with her sister?!"

Paige clenched her fists in anger. "Why is everyone treating me like I'm the bad guy?" She asked, fed up. "What happened was consensual. It's not like I took advantage of her. I could've said no when she made the first move. She could've stopped me before things got heated. But neither of us did. So I suggest you people mind your own business."

"She came on to you?" Emily asked, surprised.

"Why does that matter?" Paige asked in reply. "Right. I don't get to ask questions." She said when Emily refused to say anything. "Well that's how I chose to deal with losing you again last night."

"So what, I leave you alone for the night and you end up fucking Kayla?" Emily retorted.

"Yes. You left me. Not just last night but ever since Jai came back. You left me behind." Paige reminded the girl.

"And this was your way of getting back at me? Of hurting me?" Emily continued before she could stop herself.

Paige shook her head. "No. I did it because I was hurting. But tell me something. Why would learning I slept with someone else hurt you?" She asked as she took a step closer to the girl. "Answer me."

"After I left you last night Jai was waiting for me in my room." Emily began, looking away. "She wanted to take our relationship to the next level. And I thought I was ready but... turns out I couldn't go through with it." She confessed.

"Why?" Paige asked, her voice hoarse.

"Because I thought about you." Emily replied. "How would you feel? If you found out I slept with Jai? Would you be as upset as I was when I learned you slept with Kayla?"

"Yeah. Probably more. I'd be devastated." Paige admitted. "Even if I don't have a right to be. Because I am head over heels in love with you. But that's me. I don't even know why you were upset that I slept with Kayla."

"Because you were supposed to be in love with me!" Emily blurted out. "You just said so. You keep saying you love me yet you fucked the first girl who threw herself at you! How am I supposed to believe you now? How can it be so easy for you to sleep with someone else after telling me you love me countless times?"

"Emily, in case you didn't notice, we're not together! I wasn't cheating on you!" Paige reminded the girl. "We're not a couple. You made that painfully clear when you chose Jai not just that night but every day since then. I didn't cheat on you. And unlike you, Kayla made me feel like I truly mattered."

"She just wanted to get in your pants." Emily argued.

"Maybe so. But she wanted me. The messed-up Paige. Not the one who had to try and be somebody else just to matter to you." Paige shot back.

"That's not fair." Emily said defensively.

"So is comparing me and Jai all the time. You said you can't look at me but the truth is you never saw me. The entire time we were together you never saw me." Paige repeated. "All you saw was Jai. I reminded you of her."

"How could you say that?! I gave myself to you! Not Jai. I was never ready with her. How could you think I would bare myself to you and think of someone else entirely?" Emily asked, offended.

"Honestly, I don't know what goes on in that head of yours anymore. I don't know how you feel about me. Then and now." Paige added, resigned. "You chose to be with Jai but you're here biting my head off for sleeping with someone else. I don't know where I stand in your life, Emily. I'm not going to justify what I did. Or find an excuse for it. I slept with Kayla. That's the reality." She said firmly. "No matter how much I try to explain my actions, you're not gonna listen. Because you've already made up your mind about me. You've been looking for an excuse to prove to yourself that I'm still the same Paige you knew in high school. The one who does things to make a bad situation worse. The one you couldn't depend on. The one you can't trust."

"And right now you're making it hard for me not to think otherwise." Emily replied. "I was right to choose Jai. Unlike you she doesn't disappoint me."

"That's great! You found another reason to stick with her. I'm glad I could help. Really." Paige said sarcastically. "Let me spell out something for you. The only reason you're so disappointed in me is because you care more than you're willing to admit. If you must villainize me to stay with your girlfriend then you need to start thinking about things. It's not fair to either of us that the only way for you to stay with Jai is to see the bad in me all the time so you can justify the choice you made."

"If that's how you think I only choose to see you... and that I'm just sticking with Jai all this time... then I guess you never knew me." Emily realized, disappointed. "What you said before. About knowing the real me more than anyone else? I guess that was just a lie. We're done here." She said before turning her back.

"Great. Walk out. When you can't figure things out between us you distance yourself. That's what you're good at. Leaving me behind." Paige told the girl dejectedly. "I have a question for you. Did we ever even begin?"

Without saying anything, Emily opened the door and slammed it shut on her way out. For a moment Paige just stared at the spot the girl was standing on a second ago as she let everything sink in. We're done. Emily's last words reverberated in her head and Paige threw the frozen steak at the door in frustration before leaning on the counter, defeated.


Spencer's eyes snapped open at the sound of the door slamming shut and she got up just as Emily came into view. "Take it easy on the door, will you? I don't think our downpayment can cover it." She told the girl lightly.

Emily quickly turned her head away, surprised that Spencer was there. She thought her friend would be out and she could have the room to herself but this just wasn't her day. Emily tried to respond but a sob escaped instead so she hurriedly went to the bathroom and locked the door behind her.

"Em?" Spencer called out from the other side. "Are you okay?"

Emily choked back another sob and tried to respond but she couldn't. As her vision blurred and the tears ran down her face, her mind flashed back to the night she gave herself to Paige.

"Are you sure?" Paige whispered hoarsely once they came up for air.

Emily nodded, aware that her heart was pounding so hard it felt like it was going to beat right out of her chest. This was a huge step for them but it felt right and she really wanted her first time to be with Paige. She took a small step back to let the girl stand before bringing her hand on the hem of Paige's top.

"May I?" Emily asked, her voice hoarse.

Paige nodded and raised her arms to let the girl undress her. Emily felt a familiar surge of lust when she saw Paige's creamy complexion. They've seen each other naked before but knowing that they will finally take that step tonight made everything feel like it was the first time. Emily smiled when she felt the muscle on Paige's stomach jerk when her knuckles grazed it as she began to unbutton Paige's jeans.

"Don't be so nervous." Emily whispered before kissing Paige languidly.

"Easy for you to say." Paige said, a feeling of wetness pooling between her legs. "I've wanted you for such a long time." She admitted shyly.

Emily didn't realize that Paige was completely naked until her hands brushed the inside of the girl's thighs and she felt Paige's wetness. The ache between her legs intensified when she felt how much the girl wanted her. "Your turn." She said as she guided Paige's hands to the hem of her top, wordlessly asking the girl to undress her.

Paige willed her hands to stop trembling as she eased Emily off her top, then her bra before unbuttoning the girl's denim cut offs. She felt Emily's skin flinch as she began to pull down the girl's already ruined undergarments. "Sorry." She muttered.

"Don't be. Your hands were just cold." Emily explained. She pulled Paige closer to her and pressed their naked bodies together as she kissed the girl hungrily. She gasped when Paige's thigh slid between her legs and she began to rock against it.

"Lie down." Paige whispered, fighting the overwhelming urge to ravish the girl right there.

Emily obliged and moved toward the bed, her head dizzy with desire when the other girl climbed in after her. Paige gazed at Emily in awe, still unable to believe that she got to be this intimate with Emily Fields. She felt her heart fill with overwhelming love as she positioned herself on top of Emily and kissed the girl soundly, trying to convey everything she felt with just a kiss.

"Are you sure?" Paige asked, giving the girl one last chance to back out. Emily willed herself to look into Paige's eyes, her heart pounding so hard that she could hear her blood pumping.

This is it. Yes or no, Emily knew the girl would respect her answer. All she had to do was say the word. Yes or no.

"Yes." Emily whispered, kissing the girl. "I want you."

Paige smiled. "Okay." She uttered as she placed her leg between Emily's and deepened the kiss.

"Your heart's beating really fast." Emily said, her moist lips curling up into a soft smile.

"I'm just really, really nervous." Paige confessed.

Emily touched the side of Paige's face and caressed it. "Me, too." She reassured the girl.

"You're so perfect." Paige whispered as she drank in Emily's naked form and touched the girl's hair tenderly before tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "And so insanely beautiful." She continued.

Emily saw the desire in Paige's eyes and felt more than beautiful. She felt wanted. "Paige." She begged, feeling herself blush under the girl's intense gaze.

Paige understood what Emily was asking and began to straddle the girl's thigh. "Tell me if it hurts, okay?" She whispered as she moved one hand over Emily's soaked center.

Emily nodded, unable to say anything as she moaned in pleasure when Paige began to stroke between her folds. She bit her bottom lip to keep herself from eliciting more noise when the girl began to alternately stroke and draw circles around her clit, the movement making her pull Paige closer to her as she relaxed her legs and opened wider.

"You're so wet." Paige uttered breathlessly. She licked and kissed Emily on the neck before moving to kiss her on the cheek, claiming Emily's lips hungrily as their tongues met and parted again and again. "I'll be gentle. I promise." She reassured the girl, slowly inserting a finger inside Emily. The girl's wetness coated her hand and made it easy for her to move in and out as she started a slow rhythm. "How does that feel?" Paige asked as she watched Emily's face intently, scared she was hurting her.

Emily moaned in response, her hips beginning to move in time with Paige's movements. "Good. Really good." She managed to say.

"Are you okay?" Paige asked as she began to increase the tempo of her thrusts, her other hand brushing a few strands of hair away from Emily's face.

"Yeah." Emily answered, her breathing becoming more ragged. "Harder." She said as her movements became erratic.

"What?" Paige uttered, her eyes widening at Emily's request. "I don't want to hurt you."

"Don't hold back. Don't you want me?" Emily asked breathlessly.

Paige moaned. "I do." She said, kissing the girl. "I want you so much, Em."

"Then fuck me harder." Emily begged.

"Okay." Paige whispered then slowly inserted another finger inside Emily which made the girl moan.

Emily tightened her grip on the girl's neck. "Paige..." She whispered as she lifted her hips to meet the girl's thrusts.

"Em?" Spencer's frantic knocking on the door brought Emily out of her reverie. "Em! Hey! What's going on? Talk to me."

"I'm fine." Emily managed to say in between sobs.

Silence.

"No you're not. I can hear you crying. Please open this door. Come on." Spencer begged. "Don't make me call our RA to open this door." She continued after a beat.

Emily stifled her sobs and finally opened the door to face her friend.

"Em." Spencer uttered before hugging the girl. "What happened?" She asked worriedly.

Emily shook her head. "Paige..." She began but couldn't find the words. Emily collapsed in Spencer's arms and wept uncontrollably, unable to bear the pain of learning that Paige slept with someone else.


"I just can't catch a break." Paige muttered under her breath when there was a knock on her door thirty minutes later.

With her luck it was Jai. Coming to continue beating the crap out of her since Emily stopped her at the quad earlier. Getting up from the couch, Paige put the raw steak Emily gave her on a plate on the coffee table before heading for the door.

"Of course when I want to be left alone the universe won't allow it." Paige complained as she opened the door.

"Sorry. I just wanted to check up on you." Kayla said in greeting, having heard the girl's words.

"Kayla." Paige uttered. She took a step outside and looked up and down the hallway for any sign of Jai. "You can't be here. Your sister is going to kill me if she finds out."

"I don't care. I'm a big girl. She doesn't get to tell me what to do. And who I can and can't be friends with. I hope you know you didn't lose me. I'm still your friend." Kayla promised. "And I think you could use one right now. That looks bad." She remarked and winced as she studied the girl's face.

"It'll heal." Paige said, stepping aside to let Jai's sister in.

"I'm so sorry." Kayla uttered as she closed the door behind her. "This is all my fault."

"No. It's not. I should've stopped you." Paige said, taking a seat on the couch. "We were both at fault here."

"I just wanted to comfort you. And as irrational as it may seem at that time, that was the only way I knew how." Kayla admitted.

"Still. I should've known better." Paige insisted.

"Paige, I know you think you took advantage of me last night and now you feel guilty." Kayla said, sitting next to the girl. "But I don't regret sleeping with you. And I'm not looking to start something. Yes, I'm still in love with you. But I also know you're in love with Emily. I don't expect that to change anytime soon. I swear last night was a one-time thing."

Paige sighed. "I'm sorry I don't feel the same way about you. Don't get me wrong. You're an amazing girl-"

"But I'm not the one. At least not for you." Kayla finished. "Yeah. I know. I'm sorry, too. Have you talked to Emily yet?" She asked, changing the subject to mask her pain.

"More like argued." Paige corrected. "She came by earlier and gave me this raw steak for my bruises." She added, nodding her head toward the piece of meat on the coffee table.

"Yum." Kayla uttered unenthusiastically. "And? How'd the argument go?"

"Horrible." Paige answered with a sigh. "She didn't have to say it but it was obvious she was disappointed in me. Then she walked out. Again. I thought about going after her but I knew she wanted to be alone. And I didn't know what to say anyway so I just let her."

"Plus you look like you just competed in a boxing match. You're in no condition to follow her." Kayla reminded the girl. "But… are you going to leave things as they are?"

"Maybe." Paige replied. "I mean why bother? What's the point?" She asked, resigned.

"The point is she wouldn't be disappointed in you if she didn't care. I don't have to tell you that. Us sleeping together wouldn't have made her lash out at you if she doesn't feel anything anymore." Kayla explained. "You should talk to her when you're feeling better. Clear the air."

Paige shook her head. "I saw it in her eyes. I really hurt her." She lamented.

"Talk to her. It's not over." Kayla reassured the girl.

"It's not that simple." Paige argued. "She said we're done. And I think she meant it this time. I didn't want to admit it but I always thought sooner or later she'd find her way back to me. But after today I think I lost her forever." She said dejectedly. "The worst part was, as awful as it sounds, I was sure we would end up together. Even if we started apart. Even if I was more invested in us than she ever was."

"What makes you say that?" Kayla asked, brows furrowed.

"You know I've had the biggest crush on her for the longest time." Paige began. "I'm talking butterflies in the stomach, skin tingling, breath caught in my throat, blushing profusely kind of thing. Like I'm a kid in love for the first time." She admitted wryly. "When my feelings for her came back while Jai was away, every morning I would stand outside the front entrance of our school pretending I was locking my bike. It took me thirty minutes to lock a freaking bike because at exactly seven thirty-six she made my day. My day began the second she walked by and I hear her voice as she talked to her friends. I dare not look her way. Because I was supposed to hate her. Because she thinks I hate her."

"The second the bell rings signaling it's time for lunch, I drop everything to race to the cafeteria because I have to sit near the lunch line so I can see her with her friends whenever she falls in line." Paige confessed. "She sat by a corner table, trying to look inconspicuous but failing to do so because she lights up the room with her smile. She laughs at a joke her friends make and for a minute I imagine myself laughing with her. Before the day ends I stand by my bike once again just so I could catch a glimpse of her as she says goodbye to her friends. Every day that is how I exist. Looking at her from afar because she is off limits. In her eyes I don't stand out. In a sea of people I don't stand out. I have the biggest crush on her for the longest time. She is my world and I'm not even a blip in hers."

"That was then. She sees you now." Kayla reminded the girl.

Paige shook her head. "She keeps saying she does but the truth is she saw Jai in me." She insisted. "I am nothing but a mere shadow of my best friend. No matter how hard I try to escape it, Emily made me realize that I'm just trying. And that I fail in comparison to my dead best friend."

"Paige..." Kayla uttered, reaching for the girl's hand.

"I love her so much, Kayla. I love her so much that I don't know what to do anymore. I can't force her to love me. But it's all I ever wanted. For her to love me back. But Jai died and came back from the dead yet all this time she never loved me." Paige said, fighting back tears. "Before this thing happened between us I was always conscious of my actions. I didn't want her to know. I didn't want to be a burden if she didn't feel the same way and she won't know how to tell me. I was contented just being around her. But then she kissed me. She kissed me one rainy evening and I thought it was the start of something. That I'm finally getting my shot. It didn't matter that she couldn't say the words. I understood that she's scared. It didn't matter if she didn't want to be seen together in public. I understood. I took what I can get. I felt like I was a beggar. Desperate for any attention she could throw my way. But the months passed and things started to get intense between us and I began to hope. I began to think of a future with her. I began to dream. For the first time I wanted a future."

"But then Jai returned." Kayla filled in.

"And my life fell apart." Paige admitted. "But Emily's happy. As long as she's happy I won't stand in their way."

"And if I tell you she isn't? That it's you she really wanted to be with? That Jai's return only made her realize it's you she wanted all along? What are you going to do?" Kayla prodded.

Paige sighed. "Emily's a big girl. If she wanted to be with me she would've done so." She argued.

"That's it? You're not even going to fight for her?" Kayla asked, surprised.

"I did, remember? I was going to the night she chose Jai." Paige reminded the girl. "And even before that. I've been fighting for her the moment she told me she didn't want anyone to know but she wanted to start seeing me. I've been fighting for her. I was up against the memory of my perfect best friend and the doubt that plagued Emily's mind about her feelings for me. Whether they were real. Why she was drawn to me. I was fighting for her all this time. I was fighting against other girls who took an interest in her. Against girls her mom set up for her. I was fighting against my jealousy. My insecurity." She confessed. "I was fighting against how she saw me in the past. I was fighting for her to love me. But it wasn't enough. Because before I could even tell her I will fight for her harder now that Jai's back, she told me to stop speaking and said goodbye. She walked away from me, Kayla. How do you expect me to keep fighting when I don't know what I'm fighting for anymore?"

"I do." Kayla answered with a soft smile. "You're fighting for a chance at happiness."


"Thanks." Emily uttered as she accepted the glass of water Spencer handed her. She took a drink, aware that her friend was studying her closely.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Spencer asked as she took a seat on the bed next to the girl.

Emily took a deep breath and shook her head when a fresh wave of tears threatened to spill. "Not right now." She managed to say.

"Okay. But know that I'm just on the other side of your bed." Spencer said, hugging the girl. "Just rest. I'll get that." She offered when there was a knock on the door.

Emily gave her friend a weak but grateful smile then moved to lie down on her bed as Spencer got up to see who was at the door.

"Paige." Spencer uttered, surprised to see the girl standing outside. "Whoa. What the hell happened to you?"

"Long story." Paige answered as she touched her face consciously. "Is Emily here?"

Spencer contemplated turning the girl away considering the state her friend was in but she had a feeling the two girls needed to talk so she stepped aside. "Yeah. But she's resting." She said, walking over to her bed to get her bag. "I'm gonna go to Connor's." She told her friend whose back was turned to them. "Don't make her cry again." Spencer warned Paige in a low voice before leaving the room.

Paige waited until she heard the lock click before taking a small step forward. "Emily?" She uttered, waiting for the girl to acknowledge her but Emily just kept her back turned to her. "Emily?" She repeated, walking closer.

When Emily still didn't say anything, Paige debated on whether or not to stay and decided to do the former. She took off her sneakers and pulled back the covers before lying down beside the girl, pulling the bed cover once again to cover their bodies. Paige waited for Emily to react, but the girl remained motionless, her quiet sobs the only sound audible in the room. Paige gently placed an arm around Emily's waist under the covers then pulled the girl closer to her, every inch of their bodies fitting perfectly. She took a deep breath, breathing in Emily's scent and let her lips touch the back of the girl's head.

Affected, Emily finally moved and turned around to face her. Paige gently wiped the tears from Emily's cheeks, the gesture bringing a fresh wave of tears in Emily's eyes and she buried her head on the crook of Paige's neck. "You said you wouldn't hurt me. You lied." She whispered brokenly.

Paige closed her eyes in anguish. "Do you want me to leave?" She asked, her voice hoarse.

Emily shook her head as she wrapped an arm around Paige's waist, unable to stop her tears from falling. "Just hold me." She pleaded, unable to explain how someone who caused her so much pain can be the one person who can comfort her as well.

Paige nodded wordlessly and pulled Emily closer to her as she gently stroked the girl's back. "Please stop crying." She whispered.

Being held this close by Paige was unbearable. Emily didn't realize it until now but she really missed being this close to the girl. She missed being this close and doing more. Just for tonight. I just want to be with her. Emily thought, moving closer and letting her lips graze the girl's smooth neck as she moved her hand from Paige's waist to the side of the girl's breast. Emily felt a familiar surge of desire and she let her lips touch Paige's neck again. She forgot how soft the girl's skin is. She missed Paige's scent and she couldn't fight it any longer. She wanted the girl and despite knowing it was wrong, she forced herself to forget about consequences as she began to pepper Paige's neck with kisses, slowly shifting their positions until she was lying on top of the girl. When Paige didn't react, Emily took it as an invitation so she tenderly brushed a strand of hair away from the girl's eyes before kissing Paige full on the lips, her pulse racing when she felt the girl return her kiss.

For what seemed like hours, Paige let herself get lost in Emily's kisses, the desire she felt for the girl mirrored in every kiss Emily gave her. She missed holding her this close that it hurt. Knowing that if she let this continue, they would be doing more than kiss but come tomorrow, Emily will still be with Jai. When she felt the girl's hand caressing the skin underneath her top then slowly made its way toward her breast and began fondling it, it took every ounce of self-control Paige had to immediately bring her hand on top of Emily's, stopping her.

"I can't. I can't. We can't." Paige said hoarsely, regretting the words she said but knowing it was the right thing to do. "I'm sorry."

Emily got up to a sitting position, tears of embarrassment threatening to spill but she forced herself not to cry. "Then why did you come here?" She asked without meeting the girl's eyes.

"You were upset when you left earlier. I just came by to check on you. I wanted to comfort you." Paige explained, touching the girl on the arm.

"Well this is how I want to be comforted." Emily said while trying to hide her humiliation.

Paige shook her head. "It's not right. You're with Jai." She reminded the girl.

Emily scoffed. "Oh so now you care about what's right?! You should've thought of that before you fucked Kayla!" She ranted.

"I'm sorry." Paige uttered, not knowing what else to say.

"Get out." Emily demanded as she moved away from the girl and brought the comforter to her chest as if trying to put some distance between them.

Paige sighed. "Emily..."

"Get out!" Emily repeated, louder this time.

Paige exhaled then reluctantly stood up to put on her shoes. She glanced at Emily, hoping she could try talking to the girl one last time but Emily's back was turned to her again so she just made her way to the door without saying anything, the girl's sobs the last thing she heard before she closed the door behind her.

Emily lay still for a few seconds and only turned around when she was sure that she was indeed alone. Her brows creased when she felt something hard pressing on her side so she tried to reach for it and found herself staring at Paige's phone. A wave of anger and humiliation washed over her and she tightened her grip on it as she got up and marched to the door determinedly.


"They ran out of Hummus so I got the Tzatziki dip instead." Kayla told her sister as she entered Jai's apartment and closed the door behind her.

"Garlic breath it is. Good thing I don't plan on kissing anyone tonight." Jai commented wryly.

"I guess you're still not talking to Emily." Kayla said while placing the takeout boxes on a table one by one.

"Don't start." Jai warned the girl.

"I'm not." Kayla argued, hands raised. "I'm just making an observation. And in case you're wondering, Paige's pretty beat up thanks to you."

"I thought I told you to stay away from her?" Jai asked, her temper suddenly flaring at the mention of her former friend's name.

"You did. But I never said I agree to it." Kayla reminded her sister. "Jai, you have to get over what happened."

"You had a one-night stand! You slept with the girl you're in love with when you know she doesn't feel the same way about you! How do you expect me to get over that?! How could you let her use you?!" Jai ranted.

"Okay first, I was the one who initiated it." Kayla confessed. "And second, it's not like it was my first time."

Jai's eyes widened. "Oh my god, stop talking." She said, unable to believe what her sister was telling her.

"I know you don't want to hear this but I'm not Miss Goody Two Shoes, Jai." Kayla told the girl. "I'm nothing like you. Maybe you're fine with waiting until you fell in love with the right girl but I'm not. I respect your decision to wait with Emily. And I'm glad you get to sleep with someone who loves you back. I'm happy for you. But I'm not as lucky." She explained, her tone resigned. "I waited for Paige to notice me. And it sucked. I kept waiting and waiting but nothing's happening. So I thought, screw waiting. She's not falling for me anytime soon."

"Fine. But why now?" Jai asked, frustrated.

"Because I wanted to comfort her and at the time it seemed like that was the only way. It's stupid. I know. But you have to get over it." Kayla repeated.

Jai shook her head. "Today wasn't just about that. She's the reason why I spent the night with Emily. And by spent the night I mean sat in her room not speaking for hours after she told me she wasn't ready to sleep with me but had no trouble doing it with Paige. It's not every day you find out that your girlfriend and your sister slept with your best friend so forgive me if I'm having such a hard time getting over it." She said bitterly.

"Oh." Kayla uttered, surprised. "I'm sorry you had to find out that way." She told her sister sincerely and wished she could do more when she saw the pain in the girl's eyes.

"You and me both. I guess I was the only one who was waiting all this time." Jai said with a sad smile. "You're wrong. I'm not lucky, I'm stupid and naive."

"Jai... I can't tell you what to do when it comes to your relationship with her. I love you. And I love Emily. That won't change whatever you decide to do. But... Paige didn't take advantage of me nor her. We both wanted what happened." Kayla cautiously explained. "I know you're mad. But don't you think you're letting that anger cloud your judgment? You can't keep living in the past. Maybe it's time to accept that Emily has changed." She advised. "Paige isn't the bad guy here. I'm sorry but I can't turn my back on her. And neither should you."


Spencer alighted from the elevator on the twelfth floor the next morning, armed with two cups of coffee and a bag of croissants. She ended up spending last night at Connor's and now she felt guilty for abandoning Emily. Not that she has any idea about what was going on between her friend and Paige but she had a feeling it was serious. That's why she decided to stay out of the way. She hasn't seen them interact that much lately so she didn't know what to make of it. She just knew her friend was really upset about Jai's best friend and she was hoping Emily will finally open up to her about it.

"Paige?" Spencer uttered, slowing down when she saw the girl sitting cross-legged on the floor just outside their room.

Paige looked up and saw Emily's friend staring at her worriedly. "Hey." She said in greeting and gave Spencer a tired smile as she stretched her legs in front of her.

"What are you still doing here?" Spencer asked, looking at the door then at the girl again.

"Well your friend kicked me out last night." Paige explained as she rubbed her eyes. "But I didn't want to leave until someone was with her so I waited for you."

"Sorry it took me so long to get back. I thought you two wanted some privacy so I decided to spend the night at Connor's." Spencer replied.

Paige shrugged. "It's fine. It was entertaining to watch people come and go." She said before bringing her knees to her chest.

"The RA didn't say anything?" Spencer asked, looking down the hall.

"She did. She passed by with her bike and I noticed that the rear wheel was wobbly so I offered to fix it for her if she'd let me stay until you came back." Paige revealed. "So really, I wasn't bored. I don't even know what time it is."

"It's almost seven." Spencer answered when she checked her watch. "Why didn't you call or message me?"

"I would've if I could've." Paige told the girl wryly. She then reached for something next to her and showed Spencer her phone. "I left this inside and moments later a poor girl almost got knocked out by this when Emily threw it out. She missed the girl by an inch but my phone hit the wall then the floor. "I think it's broken. It won't turn on." She continued as she showed the girl the cracked screen.

"Wow. You must've done something really bad to piss her off." Spencer said, wincing. "Sorry. But... it can be fixed, right?"

Paige sighed. "At this point I think it's better if I just buy a new one. Sometimes it's better to let it stay broken and throw it away than force to make it work again." She replied while staring at her phone dejectedly.

"Yeah but sometimes it's worth trying, too." Spencer countered. "I mean, you never know. Maybe once you repair it, it would be a better version of what it was before it was broken."

"I don't know about that. I'm not really good at fixing broken things." Paige admitted.

"You fixed our RA's bike." Spencer reminded the girl. "You can fix some things. Maybe not phones, but you're not completely hopeless. You just need to find out what you can fix and then work on it."

"I guess." Paige replied absentmindedly before a moment of silence fell between them.

"You love her, don't you?" Spencer asked in a soft tone. "You wouldn't sit here for hours if this was just one of your childish fights."

Paige nodded. "More than I thought possible." She confessed. "But she's with Jai. And everyone loves Jai for her so... that's that." Paige finished, resigned. "You better go inside so she knows she's not alone." She said before getting up.

"Okay." Spencer replied. "Oh, hey. I got coffee and croissants. Take one of each for the road." She offered.

"Um... I don't drink coffee and I'm not that hungry." Paige said, shaking her head. "But thanks. Want me to get the door for you?"

"No, it's fine. I'll manage." Spencer answered then placed the bag of croissants on top of the coffee tray before fishing for her keys. "Hey Paige?" She called out before the girl could walk far. "Thanks for looking after her." Spencer said, giving Paige a smile then heading inside.


"Hey." Emily uttered in greeting when she stepped outside of the bathroom and saw her friend placing a bag of croissants on her table.

"Hey." Spencer repeated. "Coffee?" She asked and handed a steaming cup to the girl.

"Yeah. Thanks." Emily answered. She sat on the edge of her bed and stared at the cup absentmindedly, the hot coffee warming her hands.

"Paige just left." Spencer said after a moment of silence. "In case you were wondering why, she spent the night sitting on the cold, hard floor outside because she didn't want to leave you by yourself and she couldn't contact me. Not after you broke her phone when you threw it out. Em, what the hell is going on with you and Paige?"

"You still don't know?" Emily asked wryly.

"I have an idea. But yeah, I don't." Spencer replied.

"I'm in big trouble." Emily confessed with a sigh.

"Tell me about it. And so is Paige. That girl is obviously in love with you." Spencer said as she took a seat next to Emily. "When did it start? How did it start? Does Jai know? Oh my god, she's the mystery girl!" She exclaimed.

"Okay, how much coffee have you had?" Emily asked wryly.

"Three. Don't change the subject." Spencer warned.

"Fine. Yes, Paige is the mystery girl... was the mystery girl." Emily corrected. "Jai knows. She found out, remember? And I can't say when it started exactly. It just sort of happened."

"Well, try." Spencer insisted. "This is a big deal."

Emily sighed. "Remember that one night last year when I came back and you asked why I was dripping from head to toe?" She asked, not knowing how else to start.

"Yeah what happened that night?" Spencer asked in reply. "You were so upset when you came back. I think you were even crying but you wouldn't talk to me."

"I was with Paige earlier that night." Emily confessed. "She picked me up from my last class because she remembered I didn't have an umbrella with me and it was raining hard. Don't ask how. That story is for another day." She hurriedly added before her friend could say anything. "Anyway, while we were walking home I forgot to thank her for picking me up so I moved to kiss her on the cheek. But then she turned her head so my lips landed on hers instead and then we were kissing. And then one thing led to another and now here we are."

"O-kay. But... why do you thank her with a kiss?" Spencer asked, confused.

"Well it's sort of what we do. Back in high school when I thanked her one time she asked me to thank her with a kiss so I did. And since then whenever I thank her I give her a kiss on the cheek." Emily explained.

"And that didn't strike you as odd." Spencer said slowly.

Emily shook her head. "Not really. She's my friend." She replied. "Why?"

"Em, if I ask you to kiss me for giving you that coffee, will you?" Spencer asked, gesturing to the cup the girl was holding.

"What? Of course not!" Emily answered emphatically.

"Why not?" Spencer asked, arms crossed.

"It's weird. We're friends." Emily reminded the girl.

"So? You said you and Paige were friends when she asked you to kiss her." Spencer pointed out. "We've been friends far longer."

"It's different." Emily argued.

"Why?" Spencer pressed.

Emily shrugged helplessly. "Because." She uttered.

"Because what? Because you've had feelings for her for quite some time, too. It just took you this long to realize it." Spencer laid out for the girl.

"No. That's not true." Emily answered, shaking her head.

"Really? So why were you crying last night? You never told me." Spencer reminded her friend. "You just said Paige's name then broke down. Did something happen?"

"Jai and I found out she slept with Kayla the other night." Emily confessed. "Jai didn't take the information too well. I mean, you saw her face."

Spencer's eyes widened. "Jai did that? Harsh. Okay I guess that explains the swollen eye and cracked lower lip. Doesn't explain why you came back upset and crying." She pointed out. "Unless you and Paige..."

"Yeah." Emily affirmed. "That's why I don't understand how she could easily sleep with someone else when I couldn't even give myself to Jai."

"Whoa." Spencer uttered, raising a hand for the girl to stop. "When did you and Jai?..."

"The other night." Emily confessed. "Only I couldn't go through with it and she realized something happened with Paige."

"And it never occurred to you that Jai beat up Paige not just because she found out that her best friend slept with her sister, but also because you had sex with Paige? Seriously?" Spencer asked disbelievingly. "Of course that doesn't excuse what Jai did. But Em, come on. That's not the only thing Jai realized. She now knows it was serious. Whatever it is you had or have with Paige, the fact that you gave yourself to her when you couldn't do the same with Jai speaks volumes. Why are you still trying to ignore how you really feel? Your body is practically screaming who it wants."

"I'm not." Emily insisted.

"Your mind is telling you it's wrong so you keep fighting it. But your body is saying something else. Listen to it for once. Who does it react to? Who makes your skin tingle? Your pulse race? You're an adult. Don't be ashamed to give in. It's natural." Spencer reassured her friend.

"Doesn't mean it's right." Emily argued.

"Em, you said you can't go through with giving yourself to Jai." Spencer reminded her friend. "I think it's pretty obvious who it is you really want to be with."

"I didn't say I don't want to. I just said I'm not ready." Emily clarified. "I can get ready."

"You've been with Jai for years. There's a reason why you still haven't slept with her." Spencer pointed out.

"Since when were you on Paige's side?" Emily asked, confused.

"I'm not. I'm on your side. Whatever you decide to do, you know I'll support you." Spencer promised. "And I'm all for whoever makes you happy. I just want to make sure that person is still Jai."

Emily sighed. "Me, too." She answered before giving her friend a sad smile.


Paige closed the door behind her as she got behind the wheel of her SUV and stared at her reflection in the rearview mirror. The last twenty-four hours had been exhausting and she wanted nothing more than to crawl into bed and sleep. That is, so long as her insomnia doesn't kick in and permits her to actually rest. Her eyes were starting to get heavy so she knew all she needed to do was get home and her body and brain will do the rest.

Good thing it was a Wednesday. Paige thought as she started the engine and drove toward the direction of her apartment. All her classes were in the afternoon so she has the whole morning to sleep in. She was in no condition to train though so she'll just have to find another excuse to tell Reese later as to why she won't be able to make it to track practice again.

Paige stifled a yawn just as she came to a stop in front of a red light. Great. Just when I thought I could depend on my insomnia to keep me awake for just a few more minutes. She thought as she rubbed her eyes sleepily. Paige turned up the volume of her stereo before rolling down the windows in an effort to keep herself awake but when that didn't work, she decided to rest her forehead on the steering wheel instead.

"Just a few seconds." Paige muttered as she closed her eyes.

Beep! Beeeeeeeeep!

Paige quickly raised her head when she heard someone blowing their horn behind her and she cursed under her breath.

"Okay, okay. Jeez, unclench." Paige said under her breath, releasing the handbrake and stepping on the accelerator to cross the intersection.

Beep! Beeeeeeeeep!

Confused, Paige glanced to her left and her eyes widened in alarm when she saw a white minivan speeding toward her with its horn blaring. Everything happened so fast that she barely had time to react. The sound of metal crashing against metal overwhelmed her senses and she felt the impact of the collision when the van T-boned her vehicle, dragged it a few meters away, then caused it to overturn.

"Ow." Paige managed to say as she touched the side of her forehead gingerly. Great. I'm bleeding. She thought when she felt something warm and sticky.

Paige didn't know if it was because of the injuries she sustained, but her eyes felt really heavy and she didn't have it in her to stay awake.

"Miss! Can you hear me?" Paige heard someone ask from outside and saw a pair of gray eyes looking at her worriedly. "Don't move! Help is on the way!" The man promised as he waved his hand in front of the girl to catch her attention. "Miss! Can you talk? Don't fall asleep!"

Paige struggled to say something but she was slowly drifting in and out of consciousness so she just moaned. Emily is going to be so pissed at me. She thought as she succumbed to the blackness and welcomed sleep.


Present Day

"Newbie!" Reese called out again and waved a hand in front of the girl's face before snapping her fingers instead.

"What? What?" Paige asked, looking up at her friend.

"You zoned out." Reese answered pointedly. "Are you done with that?"

"Yeah. Thanks." Paige said as she handed her water bottle back to the girl.

"You're welcome. Now move over so we can get this done and be on the road again." Reese ordered, squatting next to her friend. "I'm driving us the rest of the way to the airport."

"What? No way! I thought I get to drive?" Paige asked then made a face.

"And you did. For a few hours. That's enough." Reese said while studying the flat tire in front of them.

Paige's eyes narrowed. "Is this about the flat tire? Because I had no idea that piece of wood had a nail on it." She insisted.

"No. This is about the fact that I promised your dad I'd look after you." Reese admitted, looking at the girl. "Don't take it the wrong way." She added hurriedly. "You know he had qualms about letting you go after what happened. You're safer behind the wheel."

Paige saw the worry in her friend's eyes and sighed. "Fine. Let's just change this tire and be on our way." She said, conceding.