DISCLAIMER: Pretty Little Liars and all its characters are 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 of my own creation.
Hey, everyone. Thanks for the reviews.
BAD NEWS: This will be my last update FOR NOW. I'm still preparing for the boards, and at the same time, I rejoined the workforce because I recently got an offer I couldn't pass up, so I will be busy in the coming months.
GOOD NEWS: PAILY. FINALLY.
PART FOUR: "De Integro"
~ Again, a second time. ~
CHAPTER FIVE
"What's this?" Emily asked, taking the small black box Paige was handing her and studying it.
"Open it," Paige urged, trying to hide her nervousness. She let out the breath she was holding in when the girl saw the intertwined blue, yellow, and pink threads and smiled. "I know it's nothing fancy. I just had this idea of making a bracelet instead of buying you one. More personal," She explained. "And I want you to wear it... when you're ready to be with me."
"Since when?" Paige asked, her mind racing as she struggled to come to terms with the weight of the girl's actions. "Because what about Jai?"
Emily slowly pulled her arm away and turned her back to the door to face Paige. "We broke up. Eight months ago," She heard herself say against the pounding of her heart.
Paige's brows creased. "What? That's—"
"Before you left for the WTS," Emily finished. "Yeah. It was."
"Why didn't you say anything?" Paige asked. "Before and after I got back?"
"Because," Emily uttered, not knowing what to say next. She would sound presumptuous, but she didn't know how else to explain it. "Back then, you said you still loved me, and I didn't want you to stay for me instead of competing."
"Why would you think that?" Paige asked, baffled.
"I don't know. Maybe because time and time again, you've chosen me over your future?" Emily pointed out. "Like that 21K run. You didn't participate just to take me to prom in my backyard. Or that training in Spain which you conveniently forgot to tell me. Or even that MUSE event you went to for me instead of the career fair. Could you really blame me?" She argued, frustrated. "So, I decided I would wait until you got back to tell you. Only when you did, you said you slept with Reese and wanted to be with her."
"Okay, why pretend to still be with Jai all this time?" Paige asked. "Why would she even agree to something like that?"
"I've been pretending because when you find out, you're gonna ask why I ended things with her. I don't want to lie, but I'm scared to tell you the truth," Emily confessed. "I'm scared that you'll reject me and choose Reese."
"So, you decided to hurt my friend instead. Way to be mature, Em," Paige said, not bothering to hide her disappointment. "What, you think pretending to still be with Jai isn't lying?!"
"Are you seriously mad at me right now for not telling you?" Emily asked incredulously. "I was trying to be selfless, Paige."
"No. You're not. You were being selfish. Just like you are now," Paige argued. "I was over you. I've moved on. I'm with Reese now."
"Are you telling me that, or are you trying to convince yourself?" Emily shot back. "Because that late-night visit to my room wasn't exactly friendly," She reminded the girl. "I didn't need to know what you did with her in Europe, but you told me anyway. You wanted to be friends, but the past few days we've spent together doesn't feel like it," Emily pointed out. "You came to me for help because deep down, you wanted my permission to be with Reese."
"What?! Emily, we're just friends," Paige told the girl emphatically.
"Then why not ask Jai or Kayla for help? They're your friends, too. You three have been friends far longer than we have been," Emily reminded the girl.
"Oh. Okay. You got me," Paige said, her arms up in mock surrender. "I should've come to them. I'm sorry my instinct was to ask for the help of the person who wanted to become an event planner."
"Don't kid yourself, Paige. It's not an elaborate occasion," Emily argued. "Jai could've just as easily planned the entire thing with you."
Paige sighed. "After everything you've put me through… you decided to wear that thing in the hopes that what? One of these days I'll see it and just end things with Reese for you?" She asked, her tone frustrated. "What do you want me to do here, Em?"
"Nothing. Not if you're happy with her," Emily answered. "And you are, right?"
"Yeah. I am," Paige replied.
"Then, I got my answer," Emily said, turning her back to leave. She didn't want to breakdown in front of Paige. "You know, Jai said I shouldn't say anything. That's what we fought about. She wanted me to give up on you. But I couldn't do that. Because you're the one," She confessed, looking at the girl again.
Paige let out a forced laugh. "Are you serious? Why? Because that's what some fortuneteller told you at the fair three, four years ago?" She asked incredulously. "Because since it's not Jai and she told you you've already met your one true love, then it has to be me, right?" Paige mocked. "That's what she tells everyone. She's a fake. But it doesn't matter. I don't want to be with you because you think I'm the one based on a reading. I don't care about that. I don't want to be with you because you broke my heart," She reminded the girl.
"I know," Emily answered, tears stinging her eyes. "And I'm asking you to let me fix it. Not someone else. Me," She implored.
Paige watched as the girl finally broke down in front of her, catching herself before she could make the mistake of closing the distance between them to comfort Emily. Never again. "Sorry. You missed your chance," She quietly said, opening the door and looking away as the girl left in tears.
"Oh, no," Spencer uttered as soon as she opened the door of the room she shared with Emily and heard Adele crooning in the background. She shut the door behind her and peeked behind the wall blocking their beds from the doorway before walking the rest of the way.
Spencer deposited her things on her bed then turned around to face her friend. "What happened?" She asked, studying the girl who was lying in a fetal position. Emily's eyes were swollen, but the girl wasn't crying anymore. She was just staring into space. "Em?" Spencer prodded.
"It's over," Emily brokenly said after a beat. "Paige finally found out."
"Nooo… what did she say?" Spencer asked, moving to take a seat on the edge of the girl's bed. "How did it happen?"
Emily reluctantly got up and told her friend what happened earlier, even the part where she had to travel back to Harrison in tears to her embarrassment. She tried her best not to cry. But Paige's words kept resonating in her head, and she had to press her lips together to stop herself from sobbing.
"Oh, Em. Maybe she'll call. You know? Or show up like she did the last time," Spencer suggested as she rubbed her friend's back consolingly.
"I don't think so. You weren't there, Spence. She's really over me," Emily lamented, suddenly dissolving into tears. Damn it, I thought I was all cried out.
Spencer leaned forward to hug her friend tightly, wishing she could take some of the girl's pain away. "Maybe she just needs time," She said as she rubbed Emily's back. "You dropped a huge emotional bomb on her. She's probably still processing what happened."
"You think so?" Emily asked as she wiped her tears and accepted the box of tissue her friend was handing her.
"Well, either that or she's already asleep," Spencer said when she saw how late it was. "Em, you should've called me."
"I didn't want you to come running. I know you have a paper to write," Emily answered before blowing her nose. "Even if she practically asked me to leave, I'm kinda relieved she finally knows. Jai and I don't have to pretend anymore. I don't have to keep hurting her," She confessed, her gaze on the crumpled tissue in her hand. "But I don't know what happens next. What do I do tomorrow and the day after that?"
"You move forward," Spencer answered. "With baby steps. You don't have to force yourself to feel better right away. You can let yourself wallow and get used to the possibility of not being with Paige," She cautiously advised.
"But I don't want to get used to it," Emily protested. "I want to be with her. I need to win her back," She said desperately. "I'm scared, Spence. I don't want this to be how our story ends."
"That's good," Spencer reassured her friend. "Being scared means you have something to lose. But you have to remember that from here on out, it's up to Paige. Fight for her if you need to. But more importantly if she wants you to. Because if she wants to be with Reese, you can't be selfish," She reminded the girl.
"I know. That's what terrifies me," Emily confessed.
"Whatever happens, you're not alone," Spencer promised. "We'll go through it together. We can stay in and binge-watch whatever movie or series you like. We'll even drown ourselves in junk food."
"Thank you," Emily said, managing a smile. "I just might take you up on that," She quipped just as the sound of thunder reverberated in their room. "Yep. Pretty much how I feel right now," Emily commented when she heard the sudden downpour that followed.
Paige sharply rapped on Kayla's door, hoping the girl was already up. It was already seven in the morning, and she has a class at seven-thirty, but she needed someone to talk to. Between worrying about her relationship with Reese and finding out that Jai and Emily have been lying to her for months, she didn't get much sleep last night.
"Yes?" Paige did a doubletake when the door finally opened, and she found herself staring at someone who was obviously not Jai's younger sister. She quickly checked the door number to see if she was in the wrong apartment before speaking.
"Uh, is Kayla here?" Paige inquired.
"Paige?" Kayla called out from inside the room, and a few seconds later appeared with a towel wrapped on her hair. "Hey. What's up?"
"Um…" Paige uttered, glancing at the stranger uncomfortably.
"Oh. Sorry. You two haven't met yet. Paige, Daryl. Daryl, Paige," Kayla said, making the introductions like it was no big deal. "Paige is my sister's best friend," She explained to the older woman.
"I see. Well, I'm Kayla's boss. Former," Daryl added, extending a hand. "Pleasure to meet you."
"Yeah. Likewise," Paige answered, albeit hesitantly, as she shook the woman's hand.
"I'm gonna go ahead," Daryl told Kayla. "See you later," She said before planting a quick kiss on the girl's cheek.
Paige stepped aside to let the woman pass and just stared at Kayla for a few seconds.
"I don't even know where to start," Paige finally managed to say.
"Well, why don't you come inside? We can talk while I get ready," Kayla told the girl as she headed to her bedroom. "Okay, first things first, don't freak out," She said when she heard the front door close.
"Kinda late for that, don't you think?" Paige asked from outside the girl's room. "How long has this been going on?"
"Few months," Kayla answered as she looked around her room for something to wear. "And no, Jai doesn't know. But I'm planning to tell her soon."
"Oh. So, it's serious," Paige commented. Jai is not going to like this. "How did it start?"
"Remember that summer job I got last year? Well, she owns that diner. Or at least her family does," Kayla clarified. "What? Seriously. It's not a big deal," She said when she finally emerged from her room and saw the disapproval written all over the girl's face.
"Not a big deal?! Kayla, she's old," Paige pointed out, gesturing behind her.
"Older," Kayla corrected. "She's twenty-six. So, what? Will you relax? It's not like I'm gonna marry her," She told the girl when Paige rolled her eyes. "Why are you here, anyway?"
"Right," Paige uttered, suddenly remembering why she came over. "Did you know that your sister and Emily broke up?"
"Yeah. What about it?" Kayla asked as she started to fix her things.
"Why didn't you say anything?" Paige pressed.
"Because it's not my place, and Jai told me not to," Kayla answered.
"Why?" Paige asked.
Kayla shrugged. "She said Emily asked her not to say anything, but I think it was also because she was hoping they would get back together," She admitted. "I mean, it's obvious she's still in love with her. When did you find out?"
"Yesterday. By accident," Paige added and recounted everything that happened after she got home from Reese's party.
"Okay. So, the truth is finally out. What's the problem?" Kayla asked, confused.
"They lied to me. For months," Paige pointed out.
Kayla nodded while studying the girl. "And that makes you mad because? If you had known sooner, you wouldn't be with Reese?" She guessed.
"What? No," Paige answered exasperatedly. "I want to be with Reese. I'm mad because they made a fool out of me for months."
"Okay. Well, if that's how you feel, then talk to my sister," Kayla advised. "And Emily. Because it sounds to me like you broke that poor girl's heart last night."
Paige sighed. "I will. I just need to talk to my girlfriend first," She said, running a hand through her hair wearily.
Reese stopped in her tracks when she spotted the familiar figure seated on one of the benches outside the UPenn quad. In the light of day, she realized how petty she was for picking a fight with Paige yesterday after all the effort the girl put to surprise her. It didn't matter if her girlfriend asked for Emily's help. The latter was studying to become an event planner, so naturally, Paige approached her. She was so relieved to get that text from her girlfriend this morning, asking if they could meet for lunch. She was supposed to join her father to talk business, but she begged off because she needed to fix things with the girl. A sudden feeling of nervousness came over her as she got closer. Paige's back was turned to her, so the girl hasn't seen her yet.
"Hey," Reese uttered when she was close enough to be heard.
Paige turned around and nervously smiled at the girl. "Hey. I'm glad you made it," She said, getting up as Reese walked over to the other side of the table. "I didn't know what you were in the mood for, so I got a little of everything," Paige explained as she gestured at the food between them.
"Thanks. I had a heavy breakfast, so just a sandwich is fine," Reese answered, reaching for the plate of turkey sandwich and bag of chips next to it.
Silence.
"I'm sorry," They uttered at the same time.
"I shouldn't have bitten your head off for going to Emily for help," Reese continued apologetically.
"And I shouldn't have lied to you about it," Paige admitted. "I should've just come up with a cover story. I'm sorry I ruined your birthday."
"I ruined my birthday," Reese said wryly. "I didn't even have fun at Doobies 'cos you weren't there. I really missed you."
"I missed you, too," Paige answered, reaching for the girl's hand. "But I'm glad we survived our first major fight."
"Me, too," Reese said, finally able to relax. "And I think I'm starting to get hungry," She added while surveying the rest of the food on the table. She reached for the salad as Paige opened the pack of chips for her. "So, how was the rest of your night? Thanks for bringing my car home, by the way."
"Of course. I figured you were gonna need it when you go to work today," Paige said before handing Reese a bottle of water. "Anyway, after I dropped off your car, I went straight home," She began, trying to gauge what the girl's reaction would be to what she was going to say next. "And, uh, don't freak out. I was really planning to go straight to bed, but Emily was waiting outside my door," Paige divulged.
"Oh. What did she want?" Reese asked, trying to keep her tone neutral. They just made up, and Emily was in the picture again.
"She just wanted to find out how the party went. She didn't stay long 'cos I was tired, and we kinda got into a fight," Paige explained before taking a sip of her water.
"About?" Reese probed.
"Well, apparently she and Jai have been broken up for months and I'm the last one to know," Paige revealed, her tone annoyed. "And the only reason I found out was 'cos I caught her wearing that bracelet I gave her about two, three years ago. Back then I told her to wear it when she's ready to be with me," She explained when the girl gave her a confused look.
"Okay, Paige, I know you told me not to freak out. But this conversation is starting to make me go toward that direction," Reese admitted, losing her appetite again. "You don't casually tell your girlfriend that you gave a bracelet to another girl. What did you tell her?"
"I said I'm sorry, but I'm over her," Paige answered. "Reese, you have nothing to worry about. I'm with you now," She promised.
"I'm really glad you told her that. At least she knows where you stand," Reese said, visibly relieved.
"I just can't believe they lied to me," Paige confessed, her temper flaring. "For months, they pretended to be together. Who does that?!" She asked, stabbing a piece of mushroom on her plate that fell from her slice of pizza.
"I don't know. People who are in denial?" Reese suggested as she reached for the girl's hand before Paige could stab the poor mushroom again. "Aren't you overreacting a little bit?" She asked hesitantly.
"I don't think so," Paige replied. "We had dinner with them, remember? Jai even made that romantic gesture of giving Emily a bouquet because it was supposed to be their anniversary. How would you feel if your friends did that to you?"
"Well, I'd be offended that they didn't tell me. But I wouldn't go so far as murder a defenseless piece of mushroom over it," Reese bantered. "Besides, I don't think any of my friends is secretly harboring feelings for me. Other than you," She added teasingly. "But… that's not really the issue, is it?" She asked when the girl didn't even crack a smile.
"No. It's not," Paige answered. "I just… I feel like an idiot, Reese," She confessed. "They should've told me sooner."
"If it bothers you so much, maybe you should talk to Jai," Reese advised. "After all, you only heard Emily's side of things. Maybe once you hear Jai's side, you'll understand how you feel," She said, smiling at Paige encouragingly despite the horrible sensation at the pit of her stomach.
"What's so important that you can't tell me over the phone?" Jai asked as soon as her friend was within earshot. "I'm in the middle of work, Paige. You can't just summon me or show up when you feel like it," She chastised, not bothering to hide her annoyance. "I had to take an early break, so I only have fifteen minutes."
"When are you gonna stop lying?" Paige asked, her tone accusing as she followed the girl to a relatively secluded area outside of a building.
"What?" Jai asked in reply, throwing her friend a confused look. "What are you talking about? I haven't lied to you since you found out about Europe."
"Really. So, you and Emily pretending to still be a couple when all this time you've been broken up is what? Selective amnesia?" Paige retorted.
"She finally told you," Jai said, torn between relief and sadness.
"I accidentally found out," Paige corrected. "Why did you lie?"
"I didn't lie," Jai argued. "Okay, yes, I didn't tell you about it, but Em asked me not to say anything until you got back. Only when you did, she found out you wanted to be with Reese, so she chickened out," She explained. "You think it's fun for me to play pretend with my ex who's hung up on you?"
"Then why did you agree to it?" Paige asked, starting to calm down.
"Because I figured I owed her for what I did," Jai confessed. "So, what are you going to do?"
"About?" Paige asked, brows creased.
"Emily," Jai answered. "Now that you know she wants to be with you."
"Nothing. I'm with Reese, and you obviously still have feelings for her," Paige pointed out.
Jai scoffed. "Don't act like you're doing me a favor. The last time you did that, you treated her horribly for years," She reminded her friend. "I know about your crush on her back then. Kayla told me," Jai explained when she saw the girl's reaction.
"I did that for you!" Paige argued.
"That's bullshit. All I ever wanted was for the two of you to get along. You did it for yourself," Jai snapped back. "If you felt something for Emily, then our friendship should've been enough reason for you not to do anything. You didn't have to go around making her life miserable. You have no idea what you cost me."
"I'm sorry," Paige reluctantly said, knowing deep down the girl was right.
Jai sighed. "It doesn't matter how I feel. She made it clear things between us are over for good," She revealed, looking away. "I have to go back inside. Stay with Reese or be with Emily. Make a decision. But don't do it on my account. Or because you think it's the right one to make. Be with the one you know will truly make you happy," Jai advised. "If it's Reese, great. If it's Emily, so be it. We'll figure out the rest later."
Seven Years Ago…
Paige nervously checked the time on her watch again before stepping a bit off the line to see what was taking so long. She was starting to get impatient and getting close to snapping at someone. This is not gonna be a good day. Paige thought, taking a deep breath as she ran a hand through her hair. Why her father insisted on transferring her to Rosewood High, she will never understand. Granted, there were a lot of incidents back in Girard, but at least she had some friends. Jai and Kayla would've made her life bearable there. Here in Rosewood, she had no one.
Now on top of being known as the kid whose mom left because of her philandering dad, she was going to have to attend school with the kids whose parents think they know what happened that fateful day. This is going to be the worst four years of my life. Paige lamented as she took a couple of steps when the line finally moved.
"Seriously?" Paige muttered under her breath when she saw the man from the front of the line head her way. A cup of coffee, and it took you ten minutes? Jeez.
I just want a decent sandwich for breakfast. Is that too much to ask? Paige complained to the universe. If only she knew her way around Rosewood High, she would've already left the line and just taken her chance on the food at the cafeteria. But she didn't, and she wasn't in the mood to ask around. Besides, she was almost at the front. She didn't want to give up her turn after all the time she wasted standing there.
"Really? Two transfer students? Where did you hear that?"
"I'm a member of the student council. We're supposed to know these things."
"Where are they from?"
"Some private school."
The conversation in front of her suddenly caught Paige's attention. She tore her gaze away from the front of the line to check the group of girls before her. Paige assumed they were all going to Rosewood High from what she just overheard. The blonde one was busy texting on her phone, the brunette was rummaging her bag for something, and the other two were busy talking with their backs turned to her. Paige completely ignored the brown-haired girl and focused her attention on the girl with the long black hair. There was something about the girl that intrigued Paige. Even without seeing her face, she could tell the girl was gorgeous.
Let's put that theory to the test. Paige told herself when she saw that the glass of the display chiller in front of them provided a bit of reflection of the ones standing in line. Ever so casually, Paige leaned to her right to steal a glimpse of the girl in front of her, but the line suddenly moved, and she had no choice but to take a step forward.
That was close. Paige thought, her heart starting to pound. It was the four girls' turn to order, so she knew the window of opportunity was closing. Just a glimpse. She promised and leaned in close again to check if her hunch was correct. Paige was so close to seeing what the girl looked like when she realized that the brown-haired girl was staring at her. Panicked, she picked up the first thing that she spotted on the beverages that lined the chiller.
"Awesome. I didn't know they carry this brand," Paige heard herself say as she stared at the bottle of apple juice in her hand with fascination. She dared not to look up for fear that the girl would call her out for being weird.
"Anything else?" The barista asked when it was finally Paige's turn and she placed the bottle of juice on the counter.
"Excuse me. Sorry, but you gave my friend the wrong change," Paige heard someone say next to her before she could reply. She held her breath as she watched the girl return the extra money out of the corner of her eye, and only when it was just her and the barista did she exhale.
"That would be three twenty-five," The barista said, returning his attention to Paige.
Her hunger seemingly forgotten, Paige paid for the bottle of juice she accidentally picked up and stepped out of the line with a smile. She was wrong. The girl wasn't gorgeous. She was breathtaking. Suddenly, Paige couldn't wait to get to school.
Maybe going to Rosewood High wouldn't be so bad after all.
With the last of the bruschetta taken off the tray she has been carrying around, Emily made her way to the makeshift kitchen to get a refill. She wanted nothing more than to spend the entire day wallowing in her room, but she couldn't afford to not go to work twice today. She already called in sick for her shift at Café Prima and didn't go to her classes either. But as Spencer gently reminded her, it's better to be miserable because of a broken heart and still have money to spend wallowing, than be miserable and in debt. At least serving guests took her mind off Paige for a while.
Emily deposited the empty tray on a table next to the sink and was about to reach for a platter of cheese and fruit kebabs when she saw Jai enter the room. She hasn't talked to the girl since the fight they had a few days ago. She knew she owed Jai an apology, but with everything that's happened, she forgot about the girl.
"Hey," Emily said in greeting when Jai was near enough to hear her. The girl was stationed at the bar area tonight, so they haven't bumped into each other until now. "Taking a break already?" She asked when the girl didn't say anything.
"Not really. I cut myself," Jai answered as she stepped in front of the sink to wash her bleeding right hand.
"Oh, my god. What happened? That looks bad," Emily observed worriedly.
"I was slicing some lemons, and the knife went through right… here," Jai said, showing the girl her pointer finger. "It's not that bad. I just need to bandage it."
"Let me help," Emily offered.
"It's fine. You need to get back out there," Jai reminded the girl.
"Hey, Hayes! You done patching that wound?" A man in his mid-forties asked when he popped his head inside the room. "Oh, for god's sake, get that taken care of. We need you back at the bar. Fields, help her."
"You heard the boss," Emily said before reaching for the first aid kit that was sitting on a corner table.
"How are you?" Jai asked after a moment of silence passed. "I got a visit from Paige. She found out?"
Emily nodded without looking at the girl. "I didn't plan for it. That wasn't how I wanted her to know," She said as she began cleaning the wound. "She saw the bracelet, so I had no choice but to tell her the truth. Is she mad?"
"Yeah. But I also think she's confused," Jai reluctantly said. "Sorry, I told you to give up on her. I think I spoke too soon."
"I'm the one who should apologize for saying you gave up on us. It wasn't just your fault," Emily admitted. "But you were right about Paige. I should just give up because she's moved on. She said so herself," She revealed as she gently wrapped a bandage around the girl's finger. "I missed my chance. I should've told her sooner how I felt, but I kept waiting for the right time. Waiting for a sign. It never came."
Jai sighed. "Em… I think it's time you found out the truth about how we met," She told the girl with a wry smile.
88888
Seven Years Ago…
"So? How was your first day? Made any new friends?" Jai asked as she sat down next to her friend on one of the couches at the student lounge. School was done for the day, and since she and Paige didn't have the same classes, she barely saw the girl the entire day.
Paige frowned. "I'm starting to hate this school," She said as she observed the other students milling about.
"What? Why? I like it here. Nobody knows us yet, and everyone is so nice," Jai pointed out before waving at some of her classmates as they walked past them.
"Nobody knows you because you're the new kid. I've been living here my whole life," Paige reminded her friend. "And of course, you already made friends with everyone else," She added, rolling her eyes.
"Not everyone," Jai objected. "Come on. Don't tell me there's not one person here who made you feel good about changing schools."
"Well…" Paige uttered, her mind immediately drifting to the girl she saw at the café this morning. "There might be someone, but I'm not sure she goes here. I ran into her at the café this morning, but I haven't seen her around."
"What's her name?" Jai asked. "Maybe I can ask around."
"Didn't really get a chance to ask. Besides, don't you think it's too soon?" Paige wondered. "And it's not like I can be serious with anyone else after Dominique. I made a promise to my dad," She reminded her friend.
"I'm not talking about getting into another relationship. You can still have fun. Just don't get too attached this time," Jai cautioned.
"I know. Ready to go?" Paige asked as she grabbed her things to get up.
"Not quite," Jai answered. "You go on ahead. You wouldn't want to keep my dad waiting."
"I got time," Paige said when she checked her watch. She was about to grill her friend as to why Jai wanted to stay when four girls stopped just a few steps away from them. It's her.
"There she is," Jai uttered, making Paige look at her in surprise. "I, uh, saw her earlier when I was looking for the principal's office," She explained without taking her eyes off the girl. "I've been looking for her ever since."
Paige swallowed hard. It can't be. Her best friend can't be into the same girl she is. Right? "Who? The blonde one?" She asked, hoping Jai would say yes.
Jai shook her head. "No. The one with the long black hair," She answered with a smile. "I have to meet her. Help me?" Jai asked, finally looking at her friend.
"What? How?" Paige answered. She couldn't even introduce herself to the girl this morning. If she did, maybe they wouldn't be in this situation now.
"I don't know. What would you say to her?" Jai nervously asked.
"Jazz, are you seriously scared to come up to a girl when you don't have a problem introducing yourself to everyone else?" Paige pointed out.
"This is different. I've never liked anyone before. Not like this," Jai confessed. "Please?"
Paige studied her friend and realized the girl was right. Despite having a lot of secret and not-so-secret admirers back in Girard, Jai never paid attention to any of their schoolmates. The girl was too busy trying to save the world to actually have a life outside of school—until now.
"You really like her, huh?" Paige asked, her gaze on the girl who was now standing in front of a row of lockers.
"Yes. So, what do I say?" Jai pressed.
"Okay, well, first, you need to make an impression," Paige said as she tore her eyes away from the girl. "You could come up to her and just introduce yourself, or… you can make her laugh."
"How?" Jai asked, brows creased.
"I don't know. Try coming up with something urgent," Paige suggested. "Oh, I got one. Come up to her looking all worried and say, oh my god! Where have you been?!" She said in a shrill voice.
"What? I don't sound like that," Jai told the girl with a frown.
"Hear me out. So, you say that with urgency. And she's gonna go what? You must be mistaken," Paige narrated. "Don't let that discourage you. You go, where have you been?... 'cos I've been looking for you my entire life. Bam! You got her attention."
"Yeah. 'Cos she's gonna look at me like I'm crazy," Jai shot back.
"At least you'll get her to talk to you and break the ice at the same time," Paige argued.
"I don't know," Jai said, looking at the girl then at her friend uncertainly.
Paige shrugged. "That's how I would do it," She insisted. "Well, go on, I have to go in a few minutes."
Jai sighed and reluctantly grabbed her things before getting up. "Here goes nothing," She said, then slowly made her way to where the girl was now standing by herself.
Paige watched as Jai tapped the girl on the shoulder, making her turn around. She knew she just gave Jai what was possibly the worst pickup line, but somehow, it worked because Paige saw the girl laugh. My work here is done. She thought glumly, gathering her things as she got up. Paige took one last look at her friend and gave Jai a thumbs up when the girl glanced her way and threw her a silent thank you. Whatever. She's not the only girl in school. Paige told herself as she headed for the exit.
88888
"I should've figured it out back then," Jai dryly said. "I never found out the name of the girl she met at the café that day. Whenever I bring it up, she brushes it aside like it was no big deal. So, you see, there's no right time. Only moments we let slip past us that we end up regretting."
"It's too late now. She said she wants to be with Reese," Emily lamented.
"Go to her. Tell her how you feel," Jai urged. "Even if she decides to stay with Reese, at least you won't have any regrets."
"What about you?" Emily asked, hesitating.
"I'll be fine," Jai reassured the girl. "I'll cover for you here."
"That's not what I meant," Emily countered.
"I know," Jai answered with a small smile. "Thank you for worrying about me."
Emily leaned forward and planted a kiss on the girl's cheek. "'Bye," She uttered before walking away.
Jai sadly watched as the girl slipped out the back door. Just like that, Emily was gone. 'Bye. Jai repeated as she gently touched her cheek, the memory of the girl's lips on her skin bringing her to tears.
"What that's it? That's how their story ends?" Paige asked as the credits rolled on the screen. "How can this be one of your favorite movies?!"
"It's romantic," Reese answered.
Paige turned to her side to look at the girl seated next to her on the couch. "Archer and the Countess didn't end up together. How is that romantic?" She asked.
"It was implied," Reese argued.
"Archer should've just ended things with May. It's not fair to her that he stayed out of obligation," Paige commented as she stifled a yawn then leaned her head on Reese's shoulder.
"I know. But I think a part of him cared about her, too. You know? They wouldn't have lasted for years and have three children if he didn't," Reese pointed out.
"I guess," Paige uttered, eyes closed.
"Didn't get much sleep last night?" Reese teasingly asked when she checked the clock on her side table.
"Mmm-hmm," Paige mumbled.
Reese slowly inclined her head and gazed at the girl with a thoughtful expression. It was moments like this that she will cherish. When it was just the two of them, and she managed to forget the world outside of her apartment for a while. She loved sitting in silence with the girl next to her, their hands intertwined as they sat watching old movies until one of them fell asleep. Most nights, it was her. And she would wake up the next morning covered in her favorite blanket with a pillow underneath her head. Back then, she always thought she could get used to falling asleep with Paige by her side. She didn't think this day would come.
"Paige?" Reese whispered as she gently nudged the girl. "Why are you hiding with me?" She asked when the girl finally opened her eyes.
"What?" Paige uttered, rubbing her eyes sleepily. "Hiding where?"
"With me. Why aren't you with Emily?" Reese asked.
Paige sighed. "Because I want to be with you," She reminded the girl.
"No. You don't. You've been distant since you told me about the breakup. You're here, but your heart is somewhere else," Reese pointed out.
"I just have a lot on my mind," Paige explained. "And I didn't get much sleep last night. But I want to be here."
"I don't doubt that. But I'm starting to wonder if that's because of me or because of her," Reese admitted.
"What are you talking about? Of course, I'm here because of you," Paige argued.
"Paige, stop trying to convince yourself that you're over her. Stop hiding your heart," Reese admonished.
Paige sat up straight, any trace of sleepiness gone. "Reese…" She uttered, somehow knowing what her girlfriend was about to do. "Don't. Please," Paige begged.
"I don't want to. I want to hold on to you because that's what you deserve. But what about me?" Reese asked, upset. "Don't you think I deserve someone who's with me not because she's trying to forget someone, but because she actually wants me?"
"I do want you. You make happy," Paige told the girl earnestly. She tried to take Reese's hand in hers, but the girl pulled away.
"You make me happy, too. But she's always gonna be between us, and I don't want that," Reese confessed. "I don't want to always have to wonder if you're with her when you disappear in the middle of the night. Or when you say you're out with your friends, are you really just with her? We deserve better."
"I'm sorry I broke your trust. Just… tell me what to do. Okay? Tell me, and I'll do it," Paige promised.
Reese shook her head. "You already know. You've known since you found out that she's free. You're just conflicted," She told the girl with a sad smile. "And you know what sucks? It's not because you love me. But because you still love her."
"Reese," Paige uttered helplessly, not knowing what to say.
"It's okay. We had a good run. It was a great six months," Reese added, forcing a laugh. "I'll be fine."
Paige sat motionless in front of the girl, afraid to say anything. Only when she saw a tear escape Reese's eyes did she lean forward to hug the girl. "I'm so sorry," She whispered brokenly. The last thing she wanted was to hurt the only person who's been there for her since she thought she lost Jai.
"No regrets," Reese reassured Paige as her vision blurred. "You were a great girlfriend."
"I wish things were different," Paige said, her voice muffled. "I hate hurting you."
"I know. But I get it—more than anyone. I was there, remember? You've waited long enough," Reese reminded the girl. "I just thought I would be the one who would make you forget about her, you know? Help you move on."
Paige nodded as she tightened her grip on Reese. "I wanted it to be you, too," She whispered. "And for what it's worth… you came close."
Emily shivered as she stepped out of the elevator car, aware that she was leaving a trail of rainwater wherever she went. It was just drizzling when she left Springfield, but by the time she got to Paige's apartment building, it became a torrential downpour, so she had no choice but to make a run for it. She just hoped the girl would be more receptive to her this time. Otherwise, she would be getting sick for nothing.
The trip from Springfield gave Emily time to rehearse what she was going to say when she came face-to-face with Paige. But as she stood outside the girl's apartment, her mind drew a blank. All she could think about was that yesterday, Paige broke her heart as they stood on the other side of the door. Emily fiddled with the wet bracelet on her wrist as she steeled herself for what she was about to do. She balled her hand into a fist and raised it to knock, but before she could, the door swung open, and she found herself staring straight into Paige's eyes.
"Em," Paige uttered, surprised. It took her a split second to realize that Emily was soaked, and her surprise quickly turned into worry. "What, did you decide to take a stroll in this weather?" She reprimanded before pulling the girl inside.
"Thanks," Emily said as she accepted the warm towel Paige got from the dryer. She consciously dried herself, aware that the girl's eyes were on her. "Were you headed out?"
"Not anymore," Paige replied. She thought she would have time to think about what she was going to say on her way to Harrison to see Emily, but the girl showed up outside her door, catching her off-guard. "Where were you coming from?"
"Springfield," Emily answered. "Jai and I were supposed to be working at this gala event, but I found out something, so I came here. What I have to say can't wait until tomorrow."
"I know," Paige said, surprising the girl. "I was actually heading out to see you," She admitted.
After the emotional conversation she and Reese had, Paige thought about waiting until tomorrow morning to find Emily. She wanted to give herself a chance to process everything that's happened, but she couldn't sleep. Paige realized she didn't want to spend another day not being with the girl. She waited long enough.
Paige exhaled. "The truth is—"
"You're so stupid!" Emily exclaimed before she lost her nerve.
"Excuse me?" Paige asked, confused. "What did I do?"
"You gave Jai that line that changed everything. You gave her that line when you should've used it to come up to me instead!" Emily chided. "If you did, none of this would've happened. We'd be together. But instead, you're with Reese. It's not fair," She lamented, fighting back the tears. "It's your fault I was seven years too late."
Paige took a step forward, her heart soaring. By telling Emily the truth about that day, Paige understood it was Jai's way of letting the girl go. Finally, I can love her freely. "I see. What do you think we should do about it?" She asked as she closed the distance between them.
"I don't know. You're the one with the girlfriend," Emily reminded the girl, wiping away her tears out of sheer frustration.
"Okay, then. I think… we should start making up for it now," Paige suggested. "But first, say it," She whispered as she lifted her hand to caress the girl's cheek.
"What?" Emily uttered, her voice hoarse. She was all too aware of the girl's proximity, and it was making her feel lightheaded.
"I want to hear you say it," Paige asked.
Emily stared into the girl's eyes and understood what Paige wanted. "I love you," She whispered, her voice shaking. It was the first time she said those words out loud to the girl, and it felt like her heart was going to explode. "I love you," Emily repeated. "I'm in love with you, Paige McCullers," She said earnestly. "I love you. I love you. I love—"
Paige leaned forward and hungrily captured Emily's lips with hers, her heart racing when she felt the girl return her kisses with equal enthusiasm. She moved to wrap her arms around Emily's waist, pulling the girl close to her.
"About damn time," Paige whispered breathlessly and smiled as she rested her forehead against the girl's. "About damn time," She repeated, closing her eyes and kissing Emily again.