Hey guys! Thank you so much for reading/commenting/favouriting. I love you guys. Hopefully slightly longer chapter and I aim to have one uploaded daily with a total of 15 chapters. Again, thank you so much for reading :)

"Toby, that's amazing! I have to tell the girls." Spencer excitedly text the group about Toby's new position as site manager and got 2 out of 3 replies fairly quickly. She pondered where Em's text was.

"Hey guys. Is Em home yet?"

Hanna replied to this one informing Spencer she had seen Em in Paige's car on her way home with dinner. Spencer was glad that Emily was out and not holding herself captive with her thoughts. Hanna was curled up on her sofa with Caleb after pigging out on Thai takeout. Aria was heading back to Ezra's after spending a couple of hours in the photography department with him with quite a few pictures to document the experience.

Over at Paige's Emily swam happily alongside her team mate, forgetting all about her homework, phone, and life. It was nearing half past 8 when they decided to call it a night with the swimming.

"You can shower before you leave if you want. I also noticed you didn't bring a jumper, it's kind of cold," laughed Paige.

"Thanks. Uh that means I can have my black hoodie back that I gave you last week," Em smirked in return. She had been almost missing it and was glad to have the chance to get it back. She padded through Paige's kitchen and up to the bathroom to wash off the chlorine. Her choice of soap was limited to coconut, coconut, and more coconut. The coldness of the gel made her skin tingle. Thinking of her chem homework and the extra swim practices the team were having to endure, 20 minutes seemed more than enough time to spend in the shower. She shut off the water and inhaled sharply at the temperature change as she exited the bath. It was only then she noticed she had forgot to lift a towel on her way in which made her giggle.

"Uh Paige?" ... "Paige!" Paige came running up the stairs.

"Is there a spider in there again Fields?" Emily rolled her eyes through the door before popping her head round.

"I am towel less and I'd appreciate it if you helped me out here."

"Sure thing. Try not to freeze to death," Paige laughed as she crossed the hall to the towel cupboard. She squeezed it through the gap in the door as she was met with Emily's gratitude. Emily emerged just 10 seconds later with the towel wrapped around her.

"That's a good look on you Fields. Just as well. If I beat your swim times again you might want to consider modelling towels." Paige erupted into fits of laughter as Emily shot her several mock annoyed looks. She was now even more determined to beat Paige's times. The two walked to Paige's room and to Emily's surprise Paige had already lain out her clothes. Dark grey Nike joggers, a white tank and the black hoodie awaited Emily. Paige flopped down on her bed and opened her laptop, flicking through Netflix to find a ridiculous horror. Emily knew she wouldn't be watching her and so got dressed right there and then. This time it felt different, she felt eyes burning. Whipping her head around quickly to see where Paige's eyes were, she felt somewhat disappointed that Paige's eyes were glued to the glare that was the screen. She pulled her hoodie on and tied her shoelaces as Paige looked up. Paige jumped off the bed to walk Emily downstairs and hug her before she left.

"I had a thought. What if I took you out driving every night and you took lessons weekly? You'd be driving in no time," smiled Paige in the doorway.

Emily rejoiced at this idea but conveyed a cool attitude. "Um yeah that would be great. Are you sure?"

"Of course! I wouldn't have asked otherwise. I'll pick you up in the morning for swimming. We can go out tomorrow night. Do you want a lift home?"

Emily declined politely. She had to talk to Hanna. "I'll see you later, though," she told Paige as she enveloped her in a tight hug. Paige reminded her to text her when she got home to make sure she was okay. Emily smiled and waved as she walked down the path.

Hanna felt her phone buzz somewhere under a food container. Caleb handily found it and read it to Hanna, "Hey Emily wants to meet you. I was heading home soon anyway, do you want dropped off at The Grille?"

"Duh," smiled Hanna before kissing Caleb. He lifted his car keys and put his other hand through Hanna's as they walked to his car. Hanna laughed at her mom as she told her to be back by 11.

Emily got to The Grille just as Hanna pulled up. She watched her best friend kiss Caleb for seemed like an eternity before Hanna noticed Emily was actually there.

"Oops." Hanna grinned at Emily before asking what was so urgent. Emily explained that she was having thoughts about dating again as it was becoming so problematic. Hanna threw her a puzzled look. "Em... are you thirsty? I mean I know loads of girls who would totally sign up to that."

"Hanna! Oh my god, no. It's just seeing you with Caleb, Spence with Toby and Aria with Ezra makes me feel like I'm missing something. Even to the point where I'm looking at everyone differently to see if they had potential."

Hanna laughed. "Okay so a non sex thirsty? Look if you want to date again that's great Em. I am so happy for you. Does that mean we've got candidates?" Hanna stopped the joking when Emily's face fell.

"Han, I just want to be able to let someone in. Someone who likes me for who I am, someone who always communicates problems to solve them, someone who won't... die." Emily got quieter.

Hanna wrapped her arms around Emily. "I didn't know you felt like that. We all miss Ali. Em you have to try and move on. Live for now. You are out and could have anyone you want. Well not me, I'm taken," Hanna joked as she winked.

"Oh shut up," laughed Emily. She was glad Hanna had a knack for lightening the mood. They said their byes after complaining about homework. Hanna wasn't planning on doing hers straight away but that was all Emily could think about.

"Hey, I'm home. Thanks for tonight." She knew Paige would hound her if she didn't text.

A few seconds later she received "Anytime :-)" which made her smile. Her chem homework was lying exactly as she left it, unfortunately. She made herself try and get through the remaining questions without resorting to assistance from Spencer.

Chemistry homework should be a nationwide sleep aid she laughed to herself as she found herself waking up with her face on top of her textbook. She checked the time and groaned when she saw the messages from Paige telling Emily she was outside. Why was Paige such a morning person? Emily dragged herself to the bathroom to brush her teeth and face as she did every morning. She hurriedly scrambled down the stairs and out her front door after fighting with the lock. Paige was once again laughing hysterically to Emily's dismay. She couldn't figure out what was so funny.

"You amaze me. How is your jumper actually on inside out? How have you not noticed?" Paige was crying at this point; late, bedhead Emily coupled with the inability to dress properly had Paige in stitches.

"Shut up," Emily laughed sleepily as she pulled the jumper off.

"Wow Fields! Do you ever wear a t-shirt in the morning? Quick in case someone sees."

"I'm always too warm in the morning. Sorry I didn't think," Emily blushed.

"Yeah right. I'm too hot to handle, I'm flattered!" Paige joked.

Emily shot her a look but couldn't hold back a laugh, she was too used to Hanna firing comments like this to her. It was all just a bit of fun. Her jumper was finally the on the way it was supposed to be as Paige composed herself enough to drive to school.

An hour in the pool was spent vigorously swimming until they both got restless. Paige stopped at the halfway point in her line and Emily stopped to see what was wrong.

"Oh nothing. It's just ... TIDAL WAVE!" Paige exclaimed as she pushed water all over Emily.

"Paige! What are you - 5?" Emily laughed as she splashed back. This continued for quite some time until Coach Fulton made an appearance.

"Ladies! I hope your times are as good as your ability to have water fights. Not today please."

The two girls looked up sheepishly, apologising before swiftly vacating the pool. They had too much fun to be annoyed and laughed it off on the way to the locker room. Upon entering Emily slipped. Paige tried her best to catch her by the waist but her wet swimsuit prevented a good grip and left Paige's hands sliding down her as they fell in a heap.

"Nice one, Fields. Now I'm cold, wet and sore," moaned Paige lightly.

Emily laughed as she picked herself up and extended an arm out to Paige. It was the least she could do. As they both showered, Emily watched Paige in front of her to inspect her for any immediate damage. Her eyes lingered a second too long.

Emily had never looked forward to lunch so much in her life after a morning of chemistry, maths and English. She was so glad to see her friends faces and to eat. Aria was discussing moving in with Ezra before being hushed by Spencer as Emily sat down. Emily said it was okay with a smile.

"It's totally true. Em is back in the dating game!" squealed Hanna.

"Say that louder Hanna. I don't think the Martians quite heard you." Emily worried about who was within earshot. The girls laughed and talked about this matter further in detail. Emily felt as though her friends cared more than she did but she was lucky to have such interested friends. Just a few more hours until she was free to swim her troubles away.

"Hey Fields, ready to get your game on? Or are you too busy in the dating game?" Emily blushed as Paige joked, "Don't worry I'm not a Martian. I don't think they heard."

Emily laughed finally. What a dork. "I'm going to beat your times Paige, I'm in the zone."

"Oooh, fighting talk. I like it Fields, bring it," Paige said mockingly.

Swim practice was going really well for for the full team. Everyone's times were what they were needed to be and most importantly, Emily was able to forget her heart's pains. She was feeling apprehensive about driving later with Paige but also excited. She'd neglected driving forever so it was time she learned, especially with it being a year until college. Paige was a great driver and she would be truly safe. Pam was also booking her first lesson for Saturday but Emily was hoping she would have picked up the basics by then.

Coach Fulton blew her whistle after an hour and a half of swimming, giving the girls a deserved clap. Numerous pats on the backs were exchanged with a "GO SHARKS" to accompany them. The team spirit was well and truly alive.

After everyone had showered and dressed, Paige reminded Emily she would pick her up later for driving. Emily smiled and thanked Paige once again before saying "See you later."

"Yes mom I know. I will be careful. Yes. Okay. I am safe. Yes Paige is good at driving. Okay mom seriously, I am fine. Go back to working and I'll see you at dinner. Yes the table is set. I'm going now. Bye. Love you. Mom honestly. Bye."

Paige giggled at Emily's efforts to pacify her overprotective mother. "Are you sure you're ready Fields?"

"Let's do this," smiled Emily.

"Now this is called a clutch"...

At around 9 PM, Paige dropped Emily off at her house and waited on Pam opening the door. Just before driving away Pam waved Paige to come in but Paige said she had to be home before her dad. Pam nodded and the face splitting smile on Emily had a second ago vanished. They said goodbye, well Paige and Pam did, Emily habitually muttered, "see you later."

After washing up and tidying the table, Emily and her mom said goodnight. That night, she lay wide awake thinking of the next 3 weeks leading up to the meet. It was going to be swimming, driving, swimming, driving, swimming... She didn't mind. Paige was going to be there a lot of the time which was good. Paige made her feel safe. Paige made her forget who she was. Paige made her feel whole again.