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.
Thanks for the reviews and the PMs.
Sorry for the delay. As I've said in my tumblr account, I quit my job back in April and am currently taking up a second degree so I can run my family's business in the future. My schedule has been hectic since the school has a "quarterm" meaning we have classes the entire year and only have one to two weeks of "break" which includes the registration period. Also, the program I'm in requires its students to maintain a minimum grade for certain subjects so I have to prioritize my studies if I want to stay. I get that the wait is long and most of you are growing impatient. But writing is something I do on my free time and lately I don't have much of that. I edit a scene or two when I get the chance but I can't devote an entire day to editing a chapter because I have other things to do that are much more important.
With that said, Wolfs' (an LT reader among other things) offer to act as my beta reader couldn't have come at a better time so I accepted. However, she's also busy with matters outside of fanfiction writing so I'm not pressuring her to return the chapters I sent to her for checking because I understand having other priorities. As for me, I'm currently editing chapter 8. Hopefully we'll be able to give you readers a better LT so please bear with us. Thank you!
And thanks to Wolfs for the grammar, spelling, and punctuation checks on this one!
Also, please keep in mind that this part of the story is still in the past since it's a continuation of the previous chapter. The scene returns to the present day at the end of the chapter.
PART THREE: "Non Progredi Est Regredi"
~ To not go forward is to go backward. ~
CHAPTER FIVE (PART TWO)
Jai reluctantly tore her gaze away from the window when she heard her phone vibrating on the table for the third time. Without missing a beat, she rejected the call yet again then looked up just in time to see Emily enter the restaurant. She quickly got up and pocketed her phone as she waved at the girl when she noticed Emily looking around the room.
"Wow." Jai uttered breathlessly as soon as the girl was standing in front of her. "You look gorgeous."
"Thank you." Emily replied with a faint smile. "And sorry I'm late. My meeting ran long."
"It's okay." Jai said reassuringly. "I'm just glad you made it. Although I was tempted to offer to pick you up then go somewhere else instead." She confessed.
"I'm glad you didn't. You chose this place for a reason." Emily reminded the girl.
"I know waiting here seems like I'm telling you to go back." Jai admitted. "And maybe I am. But just so you could remember." She explained. "This may have been where our future started to feel real. But I'm not asking you to go back to that. Because we both know a lot has happened since that night. Now I'm just hoping that this is where we can move forward together. A fresh start, if you will. That is... if you're staying." Jai added hesitantly.
"Paige gave me a ride." Emily told the girl as she gestured behind her.
"Really. She did." Jai said while trying to look outside the window casually for any sign of her friend's SUV. "Okay. So are you... I mean, is she... waiting for you outside?" She asked nervously.
"No. She's not." Emily answered. "She just dropped me off."
"Oh." Jai uttered, her mouth going dry and her heart starting to hammer wildly. "So you're staying. Does that... mean what I think it means?"
Emily nodded. "Yes. I'm choosing you." She said, her voice slightly breaking. "I want us to try again."
Jai let out a relieved laugh and pulled the girl close to her. "Oh my god. Thank you." She whispered in Emily's ear. "Thank you. You won't regret it." She promised earnestly, her heart bursting with happiness.
Emily returned the girl's hug and closed her eyes. "I love you." She uttered as tears rolled down her cheeks.
"I love you, too." Jai replied, smiling at the girl as they pulled away. She gently wiped Emily's tears then placed a soft kiss on the girl's cheek. "I have something for you." Jai said before reaching for the bouquet of roses on the table and handing it to the girl.
"Uh... when did you find the time to buy these?" Emily asked with a confused look. "I just texted you like an hour ago."
"Yeah, but... I've been bringing one every night in case you decide to show up." Jai confessed sheepishly.
"Wow." Emily uttered as she lightly touched some of the petals. "This is so sweet of you, Jai. Thank you."
Jai beamed at Emily then pulled out the chair across from hers. "Here." She said, gesturing for her girlfriend to take a seat.
"Thanks." Emily replied and moved to sit down but stopped short when she realized something. "Crap."
"What? What is it?" Jai asked, brows creased. "What's wrong?"
"I left my book in Paige's car." Emily answered.
"Oh. Then I'll get it for you first thing tomorrow." Jai offered. "Don't worry about it."
Emily shook her head. "I really need it tonight. I have an assignment that's due tomorrow." She explained rather urgently as she moved to leave.
"Okay. So I'll call her. Ask her to turn back." Jai said while reaching for her phone.
"Maybe she hasn't gotten far. I'll go check." Emily called out as she headed for the entrance.
"What? Em, she's driving a car." Jai reminded her girlfriend but Emily was already out the door.
It only took Jai a couple of seconds to process what just happened and her expression changed from puzzlement to realization and then something else but it was gone just as quickly as it appeared. She shook her head then returned her attention to her phone when she felt it vibrate again.
"Hey." Jai answered in greeting. "I was just about to call you."
Paige sat numbly in the middle of her darkened apartment, the conversation she had with Emily on constant replay in her head. She had been sitting there for almost an hour now but it felt like she was still in her car and she kept fighting back tears each time she recalled how things ended between them. She was so lost in her misery that she didn't even flinch when she heard an urgent knock, the sound barely registering with her.
"Paige?" The worry in Kayla's voice was evident even from behind the door, but Paige refused to budge and just kept staring at the blank TV screen in front of her. Go away. I don't want to talk to anyone.
"Paige?" Jai's sister called out again as she knocked on the door. "Paige, open up. I know you're in there." She insisted. "I have a key, remember? Don't make me use it." Kayla warned after a moment of silence had passed.
Paige sighed and reluctantly got up when she heard the sound of several keys being fumbled with. She really wanted to be left alone and the girl was just probably bluffing, but she didn't want to risk it. She'd rather let Kayla in than let the girl think something was wrong.
"Finally. I was starting to- holy crap!" Kayla exclaimed mid-sentence when she laid eyes on the other girl.
"Let me guess. I look like hell?" Paige deadpanned, her voice hoarse. "I guess good news travels fast, huh?"
Kayla gave Paige a look that the girl knew was one of pity, so Paige averted her eyes and turned on a light in her apartment instead. "That's why you're here, right?" She asked bitterly.
"I'm here because I'm worried." Kayla replied. "But yeah, Jai called and said Emily made her choice tonight." She admitted, stepping inside the apartment before the girl could close the door on her.
"Please. Come in." Paige invited sarcastically. "You don't have to check on me, Kayla. I'm fine. I just need to be alone."
Kayla shook her head. "No. You don't. The last thing you need is to be left alone, so like it or not I'm staying." She told the girl firmly.
Paige groaned inwardly but still followed Jai's sister to the living room, knowing it was futile to argue with the girl. She sat on the couch next to Kayla and sighed as she leaned backward and closed her eyes in anguish. There was no use pretending she was fine. She didn't have it in her anyway.
Kayla studied Paige out of the corner of her eye, aware that the girl was struggling to keep herself together. She thought about just sitting there in silence but felt like she needed to say something. "I'm- I'm really sorry things didn't turn out the way you wanted." She finally told the girl.
Paige kept her eyes closed but nodded her head imperceptibly to let Kayla know she had heard her. "I... uh... followed your advice by the way." She confessed, her voice hoarse. "I decided to fight for her. Put everything on the line. I was even willing to lose my best friend if it meant being with her."
"And? What did Emily say?" Kayla asked gently.
"Nothing." Paige answered with a bitter laugh. "She didn't say anything because I didn't get a chance to tell her. She never heard me out. Emily just... she chose Jai." She said miserably as she leaned forward and rested her head on her hands. "She made me love her." Paige whispered. "She made me love her and then she left me."
"Paige…" Kayla uttered, at a loss as to how to ease the girl's pain.
"What am I going to do?" Paige asked brokenly.
Kayla instinctively wrapped an arm around the girl's shoulders to comfort her. "It's okay. I'm right here." She promised.
"I can't breathe." Paige whimpered as she rested her head on Kayla's shoulder, exhausted. She bit her bottom lip to stop herself from weeping but a sob escaped and she ended up breaking down again. Paige wished crying her eyes out would lessen the pain she was feeling but she knew only Emily could take that away.
"Good thing West was available to cover my shift at the café on such short notice." Emily said as she and Jai walked hand-in-hand on the way to the main Penn Library the following morning. "I swear I owe him my life this semester. I just hope I can turn in my assignment later or I would've missed work for nothing."
"Don't worry. I'm sure they have a copy of Smith's book at Lippincott." Jai told her girlfriend reassuringly. "And your next class isn't until five so we still have plenty of time to do your assignment. If you want my help, that is." She added. "I mean, I may not know the first thing about center limit theorem and value added risk, but say the word and I'll get you a roast beef sandwich and a cup of coffee to keep you going."
Emily laughed. "Okay three things. First, it's central limit theorem and value at risk." She corrected before squeezing Jai's hand affectionately. "Second, I don't think you're allowed to bring food and drinks inside the library, but thanks for the offer. And third, of course I want your help. After all, two heads are better than one." Emily reminded the girl.
"Yeah, but I seem to recall the conversation we had yesterday about you writing on your own." Jai pointed out just as they reached the entrance.
"For an essay. This one involves analysis of numbers and graphs and statistics and it's making my head hurt just thinking about it." Emily lamented. "I need that smart brain inside that beautiful head of yours." She told the girl fondly. "It's one of the things I missed about us, to be honest."
"Using my smart brain?" Jai asked in amusement as she held the door open for her girlfriend.
"I meant you coming to my rescue. Making things better." Emily clarified with a laugh before stepping out of the cold and into what little warmth the library offered.
"Well, I'm glad you gave us another chance. I like making things better. Making you smile. I really love your smile." Jai gushed as she followed the beaming girl inside.
Once they entered the Lippincott library, Emily navigated the rows of tables filled with students until she reached the other end of the room. "Um... you think you can grab us a table while I go find Tony Smith's book?" She asked, turning around to face her girlfriend.
"Sure." Jai replied and began scanning the room for an empty table when she spotted a familiar face instead, so she touched Emily's arm before the girl could leave. "Hey. Maybe you don't have to borrow that book." She said, nodding her head toward the direction of a table that's at the leftmost corner of the library.
Emily followed her girlfriend's gaze and forced her expression to remain neutral when she saw Paige seated by herself, her head buried in the book she was reading. "I don't know. You really think she has it with her? Now?" She asked, obviously hesitant to approach the girl.
Jai shrugged. "Wouldn't hurt to ask. Come on." She said before taking Emily's hand and leading the way. "Hey." Jai uttered in greeting when they were standing in front of her friend.
Paige told herself to feign surprise as she looked up. Truth be told, she was supposed to be doing research on the subject of Remedying Corruption for her Business in the Global Political Environment class, but she couldn't get her mind to function so she ended up just staring blankly into space. That is until she spotted the two girls when they entered the library. Paige lowered her head and pretended she was engrossed with the open book in front of her the moment she saw Emily looking around the room, all the while hoping that they would just walk past her. But of course even that was something the universe was against.
"Hey." Paige repeated, greeting her friend but completely ignoring Emily.
"Writing a paper?" Jai asked when she noticed the small pile of books on the table next to the girl.
"Research." Paige answered before pretending to go back to reading the book in front of her.
Jai glanced at Emily uncertainly. She knew coming over wasn't a good idea considering it hasn't been a day since the girl made her choice. They were probably the last people Paige wanted to see and if it wasn't important she would've left her friend alone, but she just had to find out if the girl has Emily's book with her.
"Is there something else?" Paige asked after a beat.
"Yeah. Sorry for bothering you." Jai began with a tight smile. "It's just that I've been trying to call you since last night-"
"I'm sure you understand if I wasn't exactly in the mood to talk." Paige interjected. "Considering."
"I know. And I'm not trying to be insensitive or anything. It's just that Emily said she left her book in your car last night and she has an assignment due today." Jai explained.
"It's a good thing we're in a library, then." Paige pointed out. "I'm sure they have dozens of copies of that particular book lying around here. All you have to do is borrow one."
"That's the plan. Still is. Unless you happen to have Emily's book with you?" Jai asked, choosing to ignore the girl's curt tone.
"No. I don't." Paige answered. "And I didn't see any book in my car." She continued. "But maybe it fell on the floor or something. I'll check later." Paige offered noncommittally.
"Thank you." Emily uttered, finally finding the nerve to speak.
Paige barely glanced at the girl and returned her gaze to the book she was pretending to read. "If that's it, I really should get back to this." She said, unable to stand seeing her best friend and Emily together.
"Yeah. That's all." Jai replied. "Thanks for the time. Let's go find you a copy of that book, Em." She told her girlfriend, reaching for the girl's hand and giving Paige one last look before leaving.
Emily told herself to keep walking but she couldn't help it. A furtive glance at Jai told her that her girlfriend was preoccupied with trying to find an empty table so Emily took the opportunity to look behind her, only to be caught off guard when her eyes met Paige's. She tried to hold her ground but the girl stared at her with so much intensity that Emily ended up looking away instead.
Reese slid another book inside her bag then stole a glance at her friend again out of the corner of her eye. Paige arrived an hour late for their study group and kept her head down the rest of the session so she didn't get a chance to talk to the girl, but she could tell something was wrong. She tore her gaze away from her friend when a couple of their teammates walked past her and she gave them a smile as they bid her goodnight. One look around the room told Reese that save for one other teammate whose back was turned to them as she talked to someone on the phone, she and Paige were the only ones left, so she quickly gathered the rest of her things and made her way toward the girl.
"Don't think I didn't notice you were an hour late." Reese quipped as she stood next to her friend.
"Yeah, well, I had a hard time finding an empty parking spot so I ended up parking near Harrison again." Paige explained without looking. "Plus I had a research paper to turn in today. I lost track of time."
"What? Poor form, newbie. Since when do you cram?" Reese teased.
"Since always. I'm a crammer." Paige stated as she shoved a book inside her bag. Hard.
"Hey." Reese uttered, touching her friend's arm. "Do I dare ask how it went with Emily last night?"
Paige shrugged. "It didn't. She wanted to meet so she can tell me she's going back to Jai. End of story." She answered bitterly.
"Newbie, I'm so sorry things didn't work out. Really. I am. I know how much you want to be with Fields." Reese empathized. "If you need someone to talk to -"
Paige nodded. "I know. Thanks." She said without looking at the girl.
"Hey. I have a late class tomorrow. Want to grab a beer or something tonight? Drown our sorrows? Commiserate about getting our hearts broken?" Reese hurriedly suggested.
"I'm not legal. And even if I was, I don't drink." Paige reminded her friend.
"Right. We should really do something about that." Reese commented lightly. "How about just going to Stir? Sometimes being surrounded by girls helps to get over a girl."
"I'm not really in the mood. Plus it's a school night." Paige pointed out.
"It's a school night? What are you, in high school?" Reese quipped, trying to make her friend smile but the girl's expression remained sullen. "How about grabbing a late dinner then? That Indian restaurant is waiting for us. I'm sure all those formulas and terms made you hungry."
"Not really. Just made me feel drained so all I want to do right now is go home and sleep." Paige replied. "Besides, I'm just bad company right now."
"I don't mind." Reese assured the girl. "We can just sit across each other and not talk."
"Thanks. But I just want to be by myself right now. Maybe some other time." Paige said while gathering her things. "I'll see you around."
"Okay. Well if you change your mind, you know where to find me." Reese called out as she stared at the girl's retreating back worriedly.
Jai stared at the number displayed on the screen of her phone, trying to decide whether or not to press the call button. Not that it would matter. She could try again but she knew Paige wouldn't take her call. Still, Jai just had to try to reach out to her friend. She was saved from having to make a decision when her phone suddenly rang and she quickly answered the call when she saw who it was.
"Hey." Jai uttered in greeting as she glanced toward the far side of the diner. "Yeah. So far so good." She replied, a smile tugging at the corner of her lips. "Thanks. I know Emily and I have been together for years but somehow it feels like we're starting over again. It's a good thing. I mean, I think it is. But I'm worried about Paige."
"I've been trying." Jai said, glancing toward the far side of the diner again. "But it's hard to reach out to someone when you're the last person they want to talk to." She pointed out. "Tonight?" Jai asked before checking the time on her watch. "Um... okay but give me an hour to get there. I just finished having dinner with Em. Okay. I'll see you in an hour then. I have to go. Bye." She bade when she saw Emily emerge from the bathroom, ending the call just as her girlfriend sat down across from her.
"Everything okay?" Emily asked while tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
"Yeah." Jai answered, giving her girlfriend a small smile.
"Who were you talking to just now?" Emily inquired.
"My dad." Jai said as she pocketed her phone. "He needs me to go to Penn State Gen for some foundation stuff so I have to cut our date short." She explained apologetically.
"Well it doesn't have to end. I can go with you." Emily offered. "I have nothing else planned for tonight. No exams to study for, no papers due tomorrow."
Jai smiled. "I appreciate the offer but it's just tons of boring paperwork." She disclosed as she took out some money and placed it on the table. "You can help me out some other time." Jai promised, getting up and extending one hand to Emily. "Let's go. I'll drive you back to Harrison before going to the hospital."
"What do you want from me?!" Emily asked, fed up.
"I want you to care! Because I do! I care about you!" Paige admitted emotionally. "This isn't about the promise anymore. I forgot about that a long time ago."
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"That's good, right? The rain?" Paige asked, caressing the side of Emily's face. "It means we can continue this right here?"
Emily nodded. "Mother Nature's telling you to stop talking and just kiss me." Paige opened her mouth to protest but Emily lightly covered it with her hand. "No more talking." Emily commanded, beginning to caress the girl's soft, rosy cheeks with her hand. "I just want to keep kissing you. Can we do that?" She asked, smiling softly.
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"I don't want to be just your friend, Em." Paige whispered brokenly. "I really tried. But I can't. I don't want to."
"Good. Because I don't want to be just your friend either." Emily confessed, hugging Paige back.
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"Look at me." Paige uttered when she realized that Emily was still staring at the floor. She gently touched the girl's jaw to force Emily to look her in the eye. "I think you're beautiful too." She whispered.
Emily moved to wrap her arms around Paige's neck, bringing their bodies together as she hugged the other girl close to her. Her body raged with desire at the feel of Paige's naked body against hers and her breathing became ragged. "Don't hurt me." Emily pleaded, terrified by how much she wanted Paige at that very moment.
"I won't." Paige promised breathlessly as she held Emily tighter, their breasts brushing against each other.
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Paige brushed a strand of hair away from Emily's eyes and sat on the floor. "Em... this is about Jai." She said softly.
"Fine. It's about her but not really. Because Jai died. Okay? She died. And then you were there and you said these things to me and then we started this thing and now I'm scared. You made me scared." Emily confessed, choking back a sob.
"Because I said things." Paige repeated.
"Yes." Emily answered emotionally, trying to dry her eyes.
"And now you care." Paige continued.
"Of course I care! You made me care!" Emily exclaimed, her throat constricting.
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"I love you." Paige uttered, gazing into Emily's eyes. She then moved closer and kissed the girl on the forehead softly. "I love you." She repeated earnestly. Emily slowly closed her eyes and nestled her head on the crook of Paige's neck, welcoming sleep. "I love you so much, Emily Fields."
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"This is crazy." Emily whispered, almost to herself.
Paige studied the girl standing in front of her and gently tucked a loose strand of hair behind Emily's ear. The gesture made Emily jerk and she looked around to see if someone was watching them.
"Paige!" Emily exclaimed.
"Sorry." Paige uttered, shivering at the feel of Emily's soft hair on her fingertips.
"You can't do that anymore." Emily reminded the girl even if her skin was still tingling from Paige's touch. "I don't know what's going to happen. I can't tell you. Everything is so crazy right now."
"It's fine. I'm sorry." Paige said, raising her hands.
"I need some time. Away from you." Emily explained, struggling to say the words. "Jai's back. And technically she's still my girlfriend. I can't. This."
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Paige stared at Emily incredulously. "What, you think I don't feel guilty? That every time I hear her say your name my ears strain just to hear what she's saying about you? That I can't think about anything else because my thoughts are so consumed by you? That I am so terrified that she will see how in love I am with you that the only way I can look at you is to steal glances when she isn't looking? You think I don't hate myself for loving her girlfriend? For wanting what's hers?" She asked, distraught.
"Stop it." Emily said firmly.
"How could you pretend nothing happened between us?! Why won't you admit you feel something for me too?!" Paige asked, confused.
"You want to know what I feel? I feel anger." Emily answered quietly. "I'm angry at you."
"Me? Why?" Paige asked, confused.
"You made me a cheater!" Emily said accusingly.
Paige took a step back, surprised by the girl's outburst. "Emily, we thought Jai died. We weren't doing anything wrong." She reminded the girl.
Emily shook her head. "No. You thought Jai died! Remember? I kept telling you she isn't but you persuaded me to believe what you believe and now you made a mess out of everything! You made me give up! This is your fault!" She yelled, surprising Paige.
"How can you say that? I was trying to help you move on with your life." Paige told the girl firmly.
"I didn't want to move on. You made me let her go and I hate you for it." Emily said, tears rolling down her cheeks.
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"I never stood a chance, did I?" Paige asked with a sad smile.
Emily gestured helplessly. "Jai's back. I thought I would never see her again but now she's here. Alive. It's a miracle and it's what I wanted, remember? To have her back." She reminded the girl.
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Paige's vision blurred and she angrily wiped at the tears that rolled down her cheeks, mentally berating herself for crying as she sat alone in the middle of her darkened apartment. She thought she was exhausted and had no tears left but somehow she ended up breaking down yet again at the thought of Emily.
Stop crying. Paige firmly told herself when she looked down and her vision blurred at the sight of Emily's book on her lap. Crying won't solve anything. She thought, biting her bottom lip. It won't change anything. Emily will still be with Jai.
"If she chooses you, you get to be happy with her. If not, you get to move on with no regrets because you know you did what you could to keep her."
NO REGRETS.
Kayla's words rang in Paige's head and she wiped the last of her tears away as she sat up straight. It won't change anything. Emily will still be with Jai.
Unless I do something about it.
Emily glanced at the clock mounted on the wall behind the counter as she walked past it with a tray full of used plates, cups, and utensils, wishing she could fast-forward to when her shift ends so she could head to Pottruck Center. She has an upcoming swim meet and she needed to improve her time if she wanted to win in the 500 yard freestyle. Thirty minutes. Emily thought as she walked past Aaron who was busy explaining how the espresso machine works to a new hire.
The sound of the front door opening made Emily look up and for a second she held her breath when she saw Paige enter the café. The girl hasn't seen her yet since Paige was holding the door open for another girl on her way out who was carrying one too many books in her arms, so Emily took the chance to compose herself. She headed to the back room to deposit the dirty dishes for Kit to wash before returning to the front of the store uneasily.
"Hey." Emily uttered in greeting when she reached the counter, unable to read the girl's mood.
"Hey." Paige repeated with a smile.
Emily visibly relaxed and let out the breath she was holding in. "What can I get you?" She asked, smiling as well.
"Um… an avocado turkey sandwich and a maddie bar. To go." Paige added as she took out her wallet.
"It's on me." Emily offered, refusing to accept the money the girl was handing her. She quickly rang up the purchase then excused herself before turning her back to prepare the orders.
"Oh. Okay. Thanks." Paige uttered as she pocketed her money. She watched Emily move around for a moment then opened her bag to take out the girl's book.
"Here you go." Emily said, depositing a takeout bag on the counter. "Avocado turkey sandwich and a maddie bar."
Paige slid the book toward the girl with her hand still on the cover. "Thanks. And here. Sorry for not returning it sooner." She added apologetically.
"It's fine." Emily replied, her fingers accidentally grazing the other girl's when she reached for her book, so she quickly pulled away as if the touch burned her.
Paige gave Emily a knowing smile. "I hope I didn't cost you your assignment the other day." She said, getting the takeout bag and moving to take a seat on one of the stools that lined the counter.
"You didn't. I got to submit it on time. Thanks to Jai." Emily added. "I couldn't have done it without my girlfriend."
"Oh I don't know about that. Don't sell yourself short. You would've managed without her." Paige reassured the girl. "Still. With or without help, cramming to submit an assignment on time is a feat so we should celebrate."
"I don't think those kind of things should be celebrated." Emily said hesitantly. "It's kinda lame."
"Hey. Lame or not, it's still a reason to celebrate." Paige insisted. "I happen to have submitted a last minute paper as well. I really think we should celebrate."
Emily studied the girl's seemingly serious expression, her eyes narrowing when she saw Paige's bottom lip quiver. "Fine. What do you have in mind?" She asked, finally relenting.
"Well they're showing this silent film at the revival theatre and since you happen to owe me a raincheck horror movie... how about tonight?" Paige suggested. "I think there's an eight-forty screening time."
"You don't like horror films." Emily reminded the girl.
"Give me a heads up on the scary parts so I can close my eyes." Paige answered.
Emily shook her head, feigning disappointment. "And here I thought you got over it. I'm in but you're paying for the tickets." She added before the girl could say anything else.
"Deal. But we're going dutch on the popcorn." Paige negotiated as she got up. "I better go. I'll see you later. Maybe around seven?" She asked. "Okay then." Paige said when Emily nodded. "And I'll tell Reese to thank you for the free lunch." She continued. "Or she can pay you back the next time she sees you."
"Oh. You're on your way to meet Reese?" Emily asked, feeling silly for assuming the girl was there to see her. "To study?"
Paige shook her head. "Not really. We're just going to hang out… watch movies or something." She said offhandedly. "It's nothing. You don't have anything to worry about." Paige promised. "I'll see you at seven. Bye."
"Bye." Emily repeated, confused by the girl's behavior just now. She didn't have time to process what happened though. A couple of customers called her attention and she had no choice but to step out from behind the counter to take their orders. She still has twenty-five minutes left on her shift. Paige's weird behavior would have to wait.
Kayla alighted from the elevator the second it opened, eager to finally be home after a tiring day at Drexel. She had no idea college was going to be this stressful and while she was studying to be a chef, tonight she didn't care if she ate microwave dinner. She was too wiped out to cook and her bed was beckoning.
"Paige!" Kayla called out when she saw the girl about to enter her apartment across the hall.
"Kayla. Hey." Paige uttered in greeting, closing the door behind her as Jai's sister walked over. "You need something?"
"No. Just wanted to see how you're doing." Kayla replied.
Paige shrugged. "I'm fine." She answered.
Kayla studied the dark circles under the girl's eyes but decided not to say anything. "Good. That's good. You, uh... talked to my sister yet?" She asked casually. "I'm sure she's worried about you."
"Why? Because she thinks I'm going to break?" Paige retorted.
"No. Because despite what happened, you're still her best friend." Kayla reminded the girl.
"Well I don't have anything to say to her right now." Paige said, her voice tight. "If that's it I –"
"Do you want to shoot some pool later?" Kayla hurriedly asked before the girl could shut her out again. Sleep can wait. She was beat but she didn't mind going out again if it meant getting Paige to stop sulking. "We haven't done that in a while. I've been practicing so I think I can beat you now."
Paige smirked. "You wish." She shot back, making Kayla smile. "And I'd love to prove you wrong but I can't tonight. I already have plans with Emily. Maybe some other time?"
"Oh. Okay." Kayla uttered, her smile turning into a frown. "Wait. You're going out tonight with Em? Just the two of you?"
"Something wrong with that?" Paige asked defensively.
"If you're spending time with her as more than a friend then yes, there is." Kayla replied. "Paige, I'm sorry but Em already made her choice."
"It's not over. I know she still feels something for me." Paige insisted.
"I don't doubt that. But she's trying again with my sister and she wouldn't do that if she didn't love her." Kayla pointed out. "Please… you have to give up. I'm worried about you."
Paige touched Kayla's arm lightly. "Thanks for the concern but I can handle it. I can take care of myself." She promised.
Kayla sighed. "I know but –"
"Tell you what. Let's catch up some other time. Maybe over breakfast or dinner." Paige suggested. "But right now I really have to go. I'm meeting Emily in an hour." She explained apologetically. "See you around." Paige bade before heading inside.
"Yeah. Okay." Kayla uttered, her expression a mixture of worry and uncertainty as she watched the girl enter her apartment.
"We're headed back to his place after the game." Spencer called out to her friend as she looked around their room to see if she's forgetting anything.
"What, no after-game party?" Emily asked from inside the bathroom.
Spencer shook her head then remembered her friend couldn't see her. "No. He has two exams and two papers due on Monday. I'm being the awesome girlfriend that I am and helping him." She explained as she slung the strap of her overnight bag over her shoulder. "See you Monday morning?"
"Yeah. Don't forget to use protection!" Emily yelled before laughing.
Spencer rolled her eyes. "Very funny, Em." She called out, tapping the bathroom door once on her way out.
"I guess I'm in the right room." Jai quipped when the door opened and she saw Emily's friend standing on the other side.
"Depends. You have one of those for me?" Spencer asked, nodding her head at the bouquet the girl was carrying.
"No. But I can ask Connor to give you one." Jai offered.
Spencer grinned. "No need. I'm not really a flowers and chocolates type of girl." She admitted. "Em's in the bathroom but she'll be out in a sec." Spencer said, stepping aside to let the girl in.
"Okay. Heading home for the weekend?" Jai asked when she noticed the bag Spencer was carrying.
"Not exactly. I'm spending the weekend with Connor to help him study." Spencer explained.
"Is studying supposed to be code for something?" Jai asked mischievously.
Spencer's jaw dropped. "You know what? You and Em really deserve each other. No, it's not code for something!" She exclaimed.
Jai laughed. "If you say so." She said, raising an arm in mock surrender.
Spencer rolled her eyes. "Well Em has the room to herself so you're welcome to spend the night to keep her company." She offered, her tone suggestive.
"Thanks but I can't tonight." Jai answered just as the bathroom door opened.
"Hey." Emily uttered in greeting when she stepped out.
"Hey." Jai repeated with a smile.
"I better get going. Connor's downstairs waiting for me." Spencer said, waving a hand then closing the door behind her as she left.
"What are you doing here?" Emily asked as she walked past her girlfriend to go to her bed.
Jai followed the girl and handed Emily the flowers. "You ask that question like it's a crime to visit my girlfriend." She said jokingly.
Emily laughed. "I meant I know you and you usually come over for a reason." She explained as she placed the bouquet on her bedside table. "But thanks for the flowers. They're beautiful."
"You're welcome." Jai replied. "You look nice." She commented while studying the girl's outfit. "But do you have something a little fancier?"
"Yeah. Why?" Emily asked, brows creased.
"Because you're right. I came over because I was hoping I could get you to say yes to accompanying me to a last-minute boring dinner with my dad and a few board members from the hospital tonight. At Marigold Kitchen." Jai added as she reached for the girl's hands and squeezed them affectionately. "And you know how these dinners are. Fancy. But at least we'd finally get to dine at Marigold Kitchen with my dad paying for it. How awesome is that?"
Emily bit her bottom lip anxiously, aware that what she was about to say wouldn't make her girlfriend jump for joy but she didn't want to lie. "Really awesome. And I'd love to but I already made plans. With Paige. And I don't want to cancel." She continued, feeling the girl's entire body tense.
"Oh." Jai uttered before letting go of Emily's hands. "And when were you planning to tell me about it?" She asked, the girl's silence confirming what she thought. "Whose idea was it?"
"Paige's. But we're just hanging out as friends." Emily promised.
Jai scoffed. "Em, you just chose me three days ago and you didn't even bother to tell me about your plans for tonight. Forgive me if I find it hard to believe that you two are going out as friends." She argued, taking a step back.
"Jai, I'm not going to cheat on you." Emily insisted. "And you never had an issue with me spending time with other people before."
"Yeah but Paige isn't just someone. Given what happened you can't blame me for reacting this way." Jai pointed out.
Emily sighed. "I just want to make things right with her. Try to be friends." She admitted. "Maybe then we can all move forward."
Jai looked around the room like it could give her answers and her gaze stopped on the vision board that was tucked on the side of Emily's bed. "How did that get here?" She asked, looking at her girlfriend in confusion.
Emily followed the girl's gaze and knew she was in trouble. "Paige gave it to me last year." She confessed and quickly reached for Jai's hand. "Listen. I know you're not comfortable with us being friends. But Paige was there for me the most when you died and I don't want to lose that friendship."
"Yeah. Okay. Go have fun with her." Jai said but firmly pulled her hand away. "Call me when you get home." She told the girl, kissing Emily on the cheek before leaving.
"Mark my words. I am never watching another horror movie again. Ever." Paige swore as she stepped outside of the revival theatre later that night.
"What? But it was so much fun! I mean, you really should've seen your face. You were white as a ghost!" Emily managed to say in between laughs.
Paige frowned. "You did that on purpose!" She exclaimed accusingly. "You knew that scene of satan terrorizing those monks wasn't over but you said it was!"
"I swear I thought it was over." Emily insisted with a straight face. "I'm sorry."
Paige's eyes narrowed into slits as she studied the girl's expression. "No you're not." She said, making Emily burst into laughter again. "Are you done making fun of me?" She asked when the girl's laughter finally died down.
Emily nodded. "Yeah. Done laughing. Sorry. I just wanted to see your reaction during that scene." She confessed as she pulled her jacket closer to her body and began walking down the street with the girl. "Let me make it up to you. The night's still young. What do you want to do next?"
"Really. Whatever I want to do." Paige repeated, stopping in her tracks and facing the girl with a mischievous grin.
Emily cleared her throat uncomfortably. "I—I didn't mean it like that." She stammered. "You know on second thought, maybe we should just call it a night."
Paige shifted her gaze past Emily to study the establishments around them and her eyes lit up when she spotted a familiar place. "Or not." She said, pointing to a sign across the street not too far from where they were standing.
Emily looked behind her to see what Paige was referring to and she was torn between feeling relief and dread when she saw the bright neon sign of a sports bar. "Um... not exactly what I had in mind. Are you sure?" She asked, giving the girl a nervous look. "How about going for a run at four in the morning instead?"
"Oh no way. You said something I want to do. We both like running. But playing pool? That's my thing." Paige said smugly. "Come on. It'll be fun." She promised, reaching for Emily's hand and leading the way before the other girl could back out.
Once they were inside, Paige made a beeline for the counter to pay for use of an unoccupied pool table then went to where Emily was standing.
"I suck at this game." Emily lamented as she handed the girl a cue stick. "Remember that trip we took to USC?"
Paige nodded. "I do. You weren't so bad. Okay maybe you were but you didn't suck." She hurriedly assured Emily before the girl could protest. "And this one's just a friendly game. How about I give you a handicap this time?" Paige offered when Emily still looked reluctant.
"Fine. I guess we can play one game." Emily finally relented to the other girl's joy. She watched as Paige racked up the balls, playing with her cue stick as she did so. "You know… I felt like an outsider when you and Kayla were playing pool back then." Emily admitted after a beat.
"Well that's in the past. And Kayla isn't here now, so..." Paige trailed off as she gestured for the girl to take her place. "Careful. Wouldn't want you to break a fingernail." She teased.
Emily rolled her eyes and stood next to Paige for the opening break shot. She leaned forward after rubbing some chalk on the cue tip and took a shot, sinking one ball by luck, much to her delight.
Paige walked around the table and reached for a ball to drop it in a corner pocket. "One ball handicap." She told Emily. "I'm sorry for making you feel like an outsider back then." Paige said as the girl studied her next shot. "I was just trying to-"
"Make me hate you." Emily finished. "I know. I mean I get it now." She added as she walked over to where Paige was standing and leaned forward to take another shot.
Before she knew it, Emily felt a pair of hands on her waist as the girl stood behind her and ever so slightly changed her stance. She tried to focus on what Paige was doing since obviously the girl was helping her improve her game, but Emily was all too aware of Paige's closeness to ignore what her brain was telling her and she cleared her throat uncomfortably when she felt the girl's warm breath near her ear.
"I only did that because my feelings for you were resurfacing and I was trying to keep it at bay." Paige explained, her voice low. "Guess it didn't work."
Emily cursed under her breath when she lost her grip on the cue stick which made her miss the shot. "See what you made me do?" She nervously quipped, relieved that the place was dim or the girl would've noticed how red her cheeks had gotten.
Paige laughed in amusement. "Well you shouldn't have moved." She reprimanded as she moved to take her shot but missed it on purpose.
"Looks like someone's losing their touch." Emily teased.
"Don't worry. I'm just warming up." Paige answered confidently.
Emily smirked. "Whatever helps you sleep at night." She shot back as she took a step next to the girl. "Do you mind?" Emily asked, gesturing for Paige to move out of the way.
"Not at all." Paige replied, taking a step back. "In fact, here, let me help you again. But this time, don't move."
Emily took a deep breath and let the girl adjust her stance, telling herself to relax since it doesn't mean anything. Besides, she has a girlfriend and she didn't want to prove Jai right that there was still something going on between her and Paige. Pull yourself together and stop reading too much into things. Just enjoy the game. Emily told herself, relaxing her shoulders and letting the girl guide her as she took her shot.
"See? There you go! That's how you do it!" Paige exclaimed the second two balls sank.
"Yes!" Emily cried out in jubilation and turned around to face the girl with a huge smile plastered on her lips to return Paige's high five.
"That was awesome." Paige said, lowering her hand but not letting go of the girl's.
"Awesome." Emily repeated without breaking eye contact even if the excitement of the moment has died down. She cleared her throat uneasily when she realized that Paige was still holding her hand and that the girl's gaze seemed more intense. "Paige..." Emily trailed off when the girl began to slowly rub the palm of her hand and she found herself unable to look away. "I- I have to go." She stammered, pulling away and dropping her cue stick on the table before making a beeline for the exit.
Paige hurriedly dropped her cue stick on the table next to Emily's and moved to follow the girl outside. "You're not over me." She called out when she was near enough to be heard.
Emily turned around with a look of disbelief. "I'm with Jai. I chose her." She reminded the girl.
"Yeah. Out of fear. You're a coward for not taking a chance on us." Paige said accusingly.
"Wow." Emily uttered, incredulous. "If insulting me is your way of telling me that I made a mistake in choosing Jai, believe me it's not working. I made my choice. You need to accept it."
Paige shook her head. "No. I won't. Not when I know you still feel something for me." She said stubbornly.
"I'm not saying I don't. But I've made up my mind and I'm staying with Jai." Emily insisted.
"Then tell me to give up." Paige demanded. "Because I'm not going to until you tell me. So tell me to give up right now and I will." She swore, daring the girl to say those words out loud while hiding the fact that she's a nervous wreck.
Emily stared at Paige for a moment without saying anything until she finally cleared her throat to speak. "I'm not going to tell you what to do." She said in reply. "It's getting late. I promised Jai I would call her once I get home. Goodnight."
"I knew it." Paige muttered under her breath, starting to smile as she watched the girl leave. I can still get her back.
The sound of the doorbell ringing followed by knocking on the door stirred Paige out of her sleep the next morning. She turned to her side and covered her head with a pillow, intent on ignoring the persistent sound but somehow it just grew louder until finally Paige had enough, so she got up to see who it was.
"What?!" Paige grumbled as she opened the door, expecting to see Kayla standing outside but she got more annoyed when she saw that it was Jai.
"Hey. Kayla and I are headed out to grab some breakfast. Want to come?" Jai asked with a nervous smile.
"You seriously woke me up for that? It's early. No. I don't want to grab breakfast." Paige answered, not bothering to hide her irritation.
"What are you talking about? It's seven in the morning. You're usually awake by four." Jai reminded her friend.
"Not today, I'm not." Paige countered.
"Why? Are you okay? Is there something wrong?" Jai asked worriedly.
"I'm fine." Paige told the girl exasperatedly. "I would just rather sleep in than have breakfast outside at seven in the morning."
Jai let out a forced laugh. "Come on." She coaxed. "My treat."
"God, Jai! No means no!" Paige snapped.
Jai took a step back and raised her hands in surrender. "Okay. Sorry for being pushy." She said, surprised by her friend's outburst. "I was just trying to take a step toward repairing our friendship. I thought we could start with breakfast."
Paige scoffed. "Yeah, right. Easy for you to say. You got the girl." She answered bitterly.
Jai gave her friend an incredulous look. "Is that what you think? That it's easy for me to do this? To reach out to you after what happened? Believe me, it's not." She told the girl matter-of-factly. "When I found out last night that Em was going to spend time with you I wanted to tell her not to go. But that's not me. I don't want to have to tell my girlfriend what she can or can't do. Or who she can or can't spend time with. So I let her. Because I understand how important it is for her to be friends with you." Jai pointed out. "And you know what? So it is to me. That's why I'm here."
"If you're expecting some sort of apology from me you won't get it." Paige replied. "I'm not going to apologize for getting together with her when we thought you died. We were just moving forward. And now she chose to take a step back and resume the life she had with you." She said, her tone resentful.
"Em made her choice. I know it couldn't have been easy but she made her choice." Jai repeated. "I know you're mad. But I wish you'd respect Em's decision."
"If there's nothing else I'd like to go back to sleep." Paige told the girl sharply.
"I know I've said this before but thank you." Jai said before her friend could close the door. "For what you did for Em. I saw her old vision board last night and she told me you gave it to her." She continued. "I know it couldn't have been easy for her to start over after what happened."
"Yeah. It wasn't." Paige affirmed. "She burned the vision board the two of you made but I couldn't let her give up on her dreams, which is why I returned hers. I knew you wouldn't want her to give up."
Jai nodded. "You're right. So thank you for taking care of her when I was gone. But I'm back. And I'm not going anywhere." She promised, giving the girl a pointed look before heading back to her sister's apartment.
Paige balled her hands tightly into fists and fought the urge to hit Jai. Now more than ever she was determined to win Emily back. She was going to prove to the girl that Emily made the wrong decision. Even if it cost their friendship.
"Most days it's exhausting considering it's just my freshman year. And I don't think it's going to get better anytime soon. But... I'm enjoying every second of it." Kayla admitted to her sister before taking another sip of her coffee.
The two girls were seated across each other at a diner near Penn State Gen, their breakfast plans having turned to brunch since they left Kayla's apartment later than expected. Kayla didn't have to ask how it went with Paige. The second Jai entered her apartment she knew it was going to be just the two of them and she had to bite her tongue to stop herself from asking questions because she could tell her sister didn't want to talk about it. So now they're discussing other things, mostly about Kayla's classes at Drexel, just to avoid the topic that is Paige.
Jai lowered her fork and studied her sister. "I don't think I've ever seen you this happy or excited when it came to your studies." She commented. "I have to admit it's refreshing."
Kayla grinned. "Well I really love what I'm doing now. And you know I've always wanted to be a chef." She reminded her sister. "In fact, there's this thing. You know the Academic Bistro?" Kayla asked before taking another sip of her coffee. "It's Drexel's student-run restaurant." She continued when Jai shook her head. "Anyway, one of my professors happens to be the executive chef there and she's offering a summer job. I'm thinking of applying."
"Really? That's great!" Jai exclaimed. "When do you apply?"
"That's the thing." Kayla began, pausing for effect. "There's only one spot and since most of us are interested, Professor Diaz decided to have a cook off at the end of the semester which will also serve as our final exam. She's cool that way." She added proudly.
"Hmm... do I detect a crush?" Jai teased.
"What?! No! No, I don't have a crush!" Kayla protested. "I just think she's cool. And she's so smart and super funny. Her class is like, the only class I actually look forward to this semester."
"Really. She hot?" Jai asked, trying to hide her smile.
"That's not... the point. Okay? The point is I want to impress her because I want that summer job. It would look good in my resume." Kayla explained. "I'm really nervous about it actually."
"Well, what can I do to help?" Jai asked, deciding to set aside her sister's obvious crush for now.
"You can be there." Kayla answered hesitantly. "I know you're busy with your studies and the foundation and Emily but we're asked to bring guests to the cook off since it's a spot for a job at the restaurant. Part of our grade will come from service and the quality of the food amongst other things." She explained. "Can I count you? 'Cos I doubt dad will be there."
"Hey. You don't know that." Jai chided. "Emily and I will be there. And so will dad. We'll work on him together." She promised.
Kayla smiled. "Thanks. Maybe we could invite Paige to come as well." She suggested uncertainly.
"Maybe." Jai repeated, giving her sister a small smile.
"So… how are things between you two?" Kayla asked, finally finding an opening on the topic of Paige.
Jai sighed. "Strained." She confessed.
"What's strained?" A familiar voice above them asked, making Jai groan inwardly.
"None of your business." Jai answered without looking up.
"Good morning to you, too." Cesca shot back before pulling a chair and taking a seat in the middle of the two girls.
"Not anymore. What do you want?" Jai asked, running a hand through her hair warily. "Are you following me or something?"
Cesca laughed. "Please. Don't flatter yourself. I'm just waiting for my dad and I saw you two from across the street, so I decided to come over and say hi." She explained before reaching for a piece of french fry off Kayla's plate.
"Hey hands off! I'm eating that!" Kayla exclaimed, swatting the girl's hand lightly.
"Sorry." Cesca uttered but took another fry from the plate much to Kayla's annoyance. "So… what's strained?" She asked again.
"Like I said, none of your business." Jai told the girl dismissively. "Now will you please leave? We're trying to eat here."
Cesca leaned back and crossed her arms across her chest as she studied the two girls closely. "Who did Emily choose?" She asked, noticing Jai's posture stiffen at the question.
The two girls kept silent for a moment and shared a glance until finally Jai spoke up. "Me. She chose me." She revealed.
"I see. And judging by your sober expressions, I'm going to make a not so wild guess and say that you two were talking about Paige just now." Cesca concluded.
"For the last time, it's none of your business." Jai said firmly.
Cesca shrugged. "Suit yourself. Sorry things turned out this way but we both know it's for the best." She reminded the girl as she got up.
"Tell that to Paige." Jai muttered under her breath
"Well, I'm off. My dad's probably looking for me. Enjoy the rest of your meal." Cesca said, waving a hand before leaving.
"She's so sneaky." Kayla commented with a frown. "Like a cat. Only difference is I like cats."
"I hear you." Jai said in agreement as she watched the girl leave, only returning her attention to her sister when she was sure that Cesca was gone. "So. Where were we?"
"The cook off." Kayla answered without missing a beat. "How do we get dad to come?"
Paige lightly tapped her highlighter against the edge of the table in time to the beat of the music she was listening to as she read her book on a Wednesday afternoon. Normally she wouldn't listen to music while studying but she needed the distraction. She didn't want to run into Emily and Jai again so she avoided the library but the lunch crowd at the quad was distracting her, so she decided to drown out the chatter by plugging in her earphones instead. That's why she was slightly surprised when someone sat next to her and slid a blue flier in front of her, blocking the book she was reading.
"No." Paige uttered as she took off her earphones and looked at the girl next to her.
Reese frowned. "What? Come on. You could use the distraction." She pointed out.
"I don't want to go to another sorority party. I'm fine." Paige insisted. "Wait. How did you even find me?" She asked, puzzled.
Reese shrugged. "I didn't. It was pure luck. I just came from a class at Vance Hall and I was headed back to Harrison when I spotted you." She explained. "See? We're meant to go to this party together."
"I don't think so. Sorority parties aren't really my thing." Paige reminded her friend.
"So go to the party for me." Reese urged. "I could use a wing woman. I haven't seen anyone since Billie. At least not seriously. Please?"
"Oh come on. Don't give me that look." Paige said with a groan.
"What do you mean? What look?" Reese asked innocently.
"You know what look. That pleading look with those green eyes of yours." Paige answered, pointing her highlighter at the girl accusingly. "It's not fair!"
Reese grinned. "Come on. Say yes. I really want to go to this party tonight." She pleaded.
Paige sighed. "Fine. But promise me we're going home before midnight." She told the girl. "I have an exam tomorrow morning and I haven't studied yet."
"Done!" Reese answered eagerly. "And as my way of saying thank you, I'm going to help you cram before the party tonight. What are we reading anyway?" She asked as she checked the cover. "Risk Management. Lucky for you I aced that subject." Reese stated smugly before getting up.
"That's great. Why are you leaving?" Paige asked, confused.
"I'm not leaving. We are." Reese clarified. "I think I have a copy of my old exam back at Harrison. I'll help you go over the questions."
Paige grinned. "You're awesome!" She exclaimed gratefully as she got up and quickly gathered her things.
"I know! I don't understand why anyone hasn't seen that." Reese complained, exasperated.
"Probably because you're so humble about it." Paige shot back.
"You think?" Reese asked, scratching her head thoughtfully. "I guess I can tone it down a bit."
Paige smirked. "Don't bother. You wouldn't be you if you did that. It's their loss for not noticing anyway." She added offhandedly as she walked past the girl.
"I know it's not our usual scene but it wouldn't hurt to try." Emily explained as she walked up the crowded entrance to the Chi Omega sorority house on Wednesday night.
"Where did you hear about this party anyway?" Jai asked, cringing at the loud music playing above the chatter of college students around them.
"A couple of my teammates invited me at swim practice this morning!" Emily answered. "I promise it's going to be fun!" She added when she saw her girlfriend's uncertain look and tugged Jai's hand so the girl would stand next to her instead of behind her.
Jai's gaze finally landed on Emily's eager expression when she was done surveying the room and she caved. "Okay. I'll try to have fun." She said, making the girl grin.
"But not too much. This is your first college party." Emily reminded her girlfriend. "I wouldn't want you to go home drunk and stinky."
Jai laughed. "I wouldn't want that either. Okay. I'll try not to have too much fun." She promised before looking around the room again. "I guess I'll go get us some drinks. What are you having?"
"I don't know. Surprise me." Emily answered with a mischievous look then leaned forward to plant a kiss on the girl's cheek. "Thanks."
"One surprise drink coming up!" Jai said, squeezing Emily's hand affectionately before navigating the crowd to look for the drinks table.
Left standing in the middle of a crowded room by herself, Emily began to sway in time to the upbeat music, the energy of the crowd so infectious that she began to enjoy herself. She stopped mid sway when she felt someone tap her on the shoulder lightly and she turned around, expecting to see Jai standing with their drinks.
"That was fast. Oh." Emily uttered, the smile on her lips disappearing when she saw Paige standing in front of her. "Sorry. I thought you were Jai."
Paige's smile faltered but she shrugged offhandedly. "No harm done. I saw you from across the room and I thought I'd come over and say hi. Fancy running into you here." She said as she leaned a little bit closer to Emily so she can be heard over the music.
"I could say the same to you." Emily replied, returning the girl's smile. "What brings you here?"
"I'm Reese's wing woman tonight." Paige answered as she vaguely gestured behind her.
"Well you're doing a really bad job of it. Where is she?" Emily asked, looking around the room.
Paige shrugged. "Around. I've done my job. She can take care of the rest." She said as she handed the girl one of the two red plastic cups in her hand. "It's just soda." Paige promised.
Emily shook her head. "Thanks but Jai's getting me a drink." She replied, looking around for her girlfriend.
"More for me, then." Paige said before taking a sip from the cup she was just offering. She discreetly watched the girl from behind the rim, holding Emily's gaze when the girl caught her staring.
Emily refused to let Paige's intense gaze get to her this time but she felt her cheeks starting to grow warm, so she looked away on the pretense of trying to find her girlfriend in the crowd again. She was about to excuse herself to go find Jai when a familiar song came on, distracting her.
"I love this song!" Paige exclaimed the same time Emily did which made them smile at each other. "You know what that means." She continued, lowering the cups she was holding on top of a nearby table then facing Emily again.
"I don't know. Do we have to?" Emily asked uncertainly.
"We owe it to Sam Smith." Paige replied, her tone somber. "Come on. Don't make me dance by myself." She coaxed as she began to sway in time to the beat of Restart.
Emily let out an amused laugh as she watched the girl's silly dance moves and eventually decided to join in. She was having so much fun that she barely noticed when someone bumped her from behind, making her take a step closer to Paige. So close that she could see the thin line of sweat that formed above the girl's lips.
"Sorry." Emily uttered, her voice low.
"I don't mind." Paige assured the girl. She instinctively placed one hand on Emily's waist and pulled the girl closer to her as they continued to dance but then felt Emily stiffen. "What? What is it?" Paige asked, looking behind her to see what made the girl stop.
Jai. Emily held her breath, certain that her heart was pounding hard not because of her closeness to Paige but because she just saw Jai staring at them from across the room when the crowd slightly parted. She couldn't be sure though, because when the crowd parted again the girl was nowhere to be found. Not wanting to take any chances, Emily pulled away from Paige and quickly headed to the main entrance without saying anything. She looked up and down the street for any sign of her girlfriend but she didn't see Jai anywhere.
"Emily! Hey. What's wrong?" Paige asked, reaching out to touch the girl on the arm.
"What are you doing?" Emily warily asked in reply as she firmly pulled away and took a step back to put some distance between them.
"Trying to enjoy the party." Paige answered like it was the most obvious thing.
"No. You're not." Emily said, shaking her head firmly. "It's like you're trying to prove a point or something."
"I don't need to. You were having fun dancing with me just now." Paige reminded the girl. "Last week we—"
"I made my choice." Emily interjected. "And by refusing to accept it, you're jeopardizing your friendship with Jai."
Paige shrugged. "Maybe I don't care." She countered, taking a step toward Emily but the girl moved away.
"I don't believe that." Emily argued. "You have to let me go."
"No." Paige answered stubbornly. "I let go of you once. I'm not doing it again."
"Please." Emily begged. "I don't want to come between you and Jai more than I already have." She confessed, giving the girl a pained look before walking away.
"What do you think you're doing?" Reese asked suspiciously as she leaned against a tree with her arms crossed.
Having lost interest in the girl she was talking to earlier, Reese decided to step outside for a few minutes to get some fresh air. She was about to head back to the party to look for Paige when she saw Jai bolt out of the house, round a corner, and disappear just as Emily stepped outside, followed by Paige. She didn't hear the entire conversation between the two girls but she had a vague idea about what just happened and she knew she had to talk some sense into her friend.
"Stay out of it." Paige snapped as she turned around. She tried to walk past Reese but the girl firmly grabbed her arm. "Let me go!"
"No! Not until you listen to me." Reese said, her tone serious. "I know you're having a hard time dealing with how things turned out but you need to let her go."
Paige shook her head. "You don't understand. Emily. She just made a mistake. It should've been me." She insisted.
"That may be the case for you, but for her it's not. She wants to be with Jai and if you don't accept that, I'm telling you you're going to hurt a lot of people. And that includes you." Reese told the girl before finally loosening her grip. "Emily may have made a mistake going back to Jai but it's her mistake to make."
Paige sighed. "What am I supposed to do now?" She asked, defeated.
"It's not the end of the world, newbie." Reese said consolingly. "I know it's not easy but you need to let her go and move forward with your life."
"But what if she realizes she made a mistake? What if she comes back to me? What then?" Paige asked, seemingly lost.
"Then that's the time it'll be up to you." Reese answered patiently. "Come on. Let's go home. You still have that Risk Management exam tomorrow morning." She pointed out, reaching for Paige's hand and leading the reluctant girl away from the party.
Emily continuously paced the length of her room as she dialed Jai's number again, silently begging the girl to answer this time. Jai wasn't in her room when she got to Hill College House coming from the party and Emily didn't know where else to look since her calls kept going to voicemail, so she just decided to go back to her room and try to call her girlfriend from there instead but so far no luck.
"Hey, Jai. It's me. Again." Emily added as she tried to keep the frustration out of her voice. "Please take my call. Or at least tell me you're okay. I'm really worried." She confessed, biting her bottom lip anxiously. "I'm so sorry for what happened at the party. But you have to let me explain. It didn't mean anything. Please."
Emily finally sat on the edge of her bed and toyed with the hem of her bedding, slightly uncomfortable at the idea of leaving a message on an answering machine. She'd rather tell these things to Jai in person but the girl wouldn't take her call so she had no choice.
"It was a mistake. Okay? There. I said it." Emily continued reluctantly. "I shouldn't have reached out to Paige so soon. You were right. I guess I just didn't want to admit to myself that... she still has feelings for me." She admitted, the words making her mouth go dry that she had to clear her throat. "I promise to keep my distance if that's what you want. I just really want to give our relationship another try. So please? Call me back? I love you."
Emily ended the call and took several deep breaths as she waited for the phone in her hand to ring. When it didn't, she groaned in frustration and lied down on her bed, her eyes glued to the ceiling as she fought the urge to make another call. She blinked once, twice, then rapidly when her vision began to blur and she told herself not to cry. You can still fix this. Emily thought, drying her eyes just as someone knocked on the door.
"Jai." Emily whispered and she quickly got up. It couldn't be Spencer. Her friend was spending the night at Connor's again plus the girl never left her keys. It can't be Paige. Not after the way she left the girl outside the sorority house earlier. It has to be her girlfriend. "Jai?" She called out, taking a peek in the eyehole before opening the door.
Present Day...
Emily opened the front door of her house and found Jai standing outside with a smile that matched hers. "Hey." She uttered in greeting, her expression turning to one of confusion when she looked past the girl. "Um… what are you doing with Cesca's car?" She asked with a puzzled look.
"Well I can't use my car anymore so I asked if I could borrow hers just for today." Jai explained as she twirled the keys around her finger.
"But Cesca's back in UPenn. You didn't have to drive all the way here to pick me up. We could've just met at Drexel." Emily pointed out.
Jai shrugged. "I don't mind. I had to get some things from the house anyway." She said, jutting her thumb behind her.
Just then, the sound of a horn blaring from the street made the two girls turn around and Emily waved when she saw Aria and Hanna in the latter's car.
"Spence!" Emily called out behind her. "They're here!"
Jai took a deep breath and gave the girl a nervous smile as she waited for Spencer to appear. Emily forgot to mention that one of her friends was still there. If she knew she would've waited for a few more minutes until the coast was clear before she showed up. But then again, Emily had no idea she was embarrassed to show herself.
"About time! I swear I'm gonna kill Hanna after she buys that dress for the wedding of Caleb's cousin next week." Spencer ranted as she descended the stairs.
"Please don't do that." Emily cajoled. "Try to have fun instead." She suggested as her friend walked toward them. "And make sure she's just buying one dress and not the entire summer line." She added jokingly.
"I will." Spencer promised.
"I guess Hanna's in for another lecture about the use of watches and alarm clocks." Jai quipped as her way of greeting the girl.
"Call me later." Spencer told Emily like she didn't hear anything. "I wanna know how it went." She added before walking past them without so much as a glance at Jai.
"Sorry about that." Emily said apologetically.
Jai shook her head. "Don't be. They have every right to be mad at me." She told the girl with a weak smile. "So. Ready to hit the road?"
"Yeah." Emily answered, stepping outside to close the door but someone stopped her.
"Jasmine." Pam greeted warmly just as Emily moved to stand next to the girl. "Aren't you coming in?"
Jai shook her head. "I'd love to but Em and I have to get going. Maybe some other time?" She suggested politely.
"Of course." Pam said, nodding. "Tell Logan and Kayla I said hi. And that I hope she wins."
"I will." Jai promised.
"Where's your car?" Pam asked when she looked past the two girls and saw an unfamiliar car parked in front of the house.
"Oh. I had to borrow my friend's car since mine is still at the shop." Jai lied. "But don't worry." She hurriedly continued before Pam could ask more questions. "I checked the engine and the tires before leaving. Gas tank is full, phone fully charged, and I promise to drive within the speed limit. I'll keep Emily safe."
"Good. That's what I always want to hear." Pam admitted, obviously relieved. "You know how much I worry."
Emily rolled her eyes. "Bye, mom." She bade before leaning forward to plant a kiss on her mother's cheek. "Tell dad I already left." She added, reaching for Jai's hand and leading the way toward Cesca's car before Pam could say anything else.
"Well that was unexpected." Jai commented once they were settled inside the car.
"That's because I didn't say anything." Emily said as she buckled her seatbelt.
Jai gave the girl a surprised look. "Thanks." She uttered gratefully.
Emily shook her head. "No need to thank me. It's your life, Jai. It's not my place to tell anyone about it. Even if it's my mom." She added, glancing outside the window and waving at Pam. "It's up to you whether or not you'll tell everyone else."
Jai sighed. "To be honest, I'm starting to regret telling your friends." She confessed. "But I owe it to them. Most especially you."
"And I'm glad you told me." Emily replied.
"Yeah. Me, too." Jai said in agreement. "Thank you for sticking around. It means a lot."
Emily squeezed the girl's hand reassuringly. "Of course. I'm not going anywhere." She promised.
Jai returned Emily's smile before starting the engine. "Really?" She asked, laughing as she shifted the gear to drive when Emily turned up the volume of the radio.
"What? It's the ultimate road trip song!" Emily replied. "Come on. You know you want to." She coaxed. "'Cause you know I'd walk a thousand miles if I could just..."
"...see you. Tonight!" Jai joined in and the two girls laughed as they continued to sing along to Vanessa Carlton's song on their way to Drexel University.