"Emaya Forever Done Right"
What a Chapter!
Chapter 9: The Masquerade Ball
Paige POV
Emily and I have been hanging out for the past couple of days. It's been great. We get coffee together, we talk about unMaya things and it feels so right. Mrs. Hastings hasn't been able to take a look at the security video yet though I doubt she'll find anything since 'A' is going to take care of it. I play it cool you know the good friend role. Well, that's all gonna change tonight at the Masquerade Ball. I'm going to sweep Emily off her feet! There's no way in hell she's going to choose Maya after what I have planned tonight! But then as we are walking to get some morning coffee she inexplicably starts talking about what happened to Maya at school.
"Paige, can I ask you something?"
"Sure, what's up?"
"Well, Maya is pretty convinced that when Mrs. Hastings finally gets that security video, you are going to be the one shown opening Maya's locker."
"Me? Why would I do that?"
"She thinks that you would do anything to…to take her place in my life."
"What do you mean?"
"That Maya would go to jail and you would get me."
"Are you sure she's not doing drugs?" Paige asks jokingly.
"Paige, that's not funny. Seriously, do you really think that we could be more than just friends?"
"Yes. At one time I did. I really thought we were perfect for each other. But when I couldn't tell anyone the truth about myself I ruined us by hiding behind who I really am."
"You didn't ruin us. It just wasn't your time. Paige, I couldn't wait around for you like Maya did for me. And then I was horrible to her. I dated Toby instead of giving in to who I really am."
"If I didn't ruin us then why are we just friends?"
"Because when Maya came back from Tru North, we got together and talked a lot. And ya know what? It was like those three months away didn't matter, we picked up right where we left off. Maya is who I'm supposed to be with. Nothing can change that. As soon as she walked through those doors, I knew we were meant to be."
"So everything that happened between us was just some play we were in? Show's over and so are we?"
"Paige, Maya and I have something that you can't explain in words. It goes above and beyond love. I'm sorry but I never felt that way with you. I think you and I needed each other at the time. I'm actually glad I had that time with you because it made me realize that this isn't that feeling. The same was true with Samara. We weren't meant to be. I wish you could feel what I feel when I'm with Maya. It's like no one else in this world exists except she and I. That's the feeling you need to find with that person who was meant for you. Paige, I'm not your person."
"But you could be."
"No Paige, I can't. And if you really think that then I'm not even sure we can be friends."
"Emily, that's a bit drastic don't you think?"
"No. Not if you are going to try to come between me and Maya. The only thing that would keep us apart is death. Do you get that?"
"Yeah, yeah I do. I guess I hadn't realized it was that serious if death is the only thing that would keep you two apart."
"Pretty much. But we all know that's not going to happen."
"Yeah, you're right. I'm sorry Emily, I hadn't realized until you put it that way. I can definitely keep this on a friendship level if you'll still let me."
"Friendship, yes. I said I'd save a dance for my friend Paige at the Masquerade Ball tonight and I intend to keep my promise."
"I look forward to it."
"So, are you going to let me know who you're going as or is it still a surprise?"
"I guess I should tell you since we are on a strictly friend basis and I don't want you thinking that I don't get it."
"Okay, I can go along with that. So who are you going as?"
"I will probably be the only girl wearing pants so I'm going as…"
Just then Emily's phone buzzes. It's a text.
I miss you and I love you!
Maya
"Maya! Oh my god, I'm so sorry Paige I have to go. See ya tonight."
Emily walks away from Paige typing into her phone.
"But I didn't get to tell you who I'm going as!"
"And you could probably care less cuz your fucking soul mate got her cell phone back. Damn it Emily! Maya always gets the girl and I'm so sick of it! I need to do something more permanent."
Narrator POV
Paige gets a very sinister look on her face. Her eyes go very dark and you can tell that something evil has overcome her. Her thoughts go back to what Emily said to her, "The only thing that would keep us apart is death."
In the meantime…
Emily is so excited to hear from Maya she texts her back immediately.
I love you too and miss you so much!
What happened? How are you able to text me?
Can I call you?
Emily
Suddenly Emily's phone rings.
"Maya! Is it really you?"
"Yeah baby it's really me."
"What's going on?"
"My parents gave me my cell phone back because Mrs. Hastings said she'll have the ankle monitor off by tonight! "
"Oh my god! That's great!"
"I asked my parents if I could call you and they said yes. They're trying to be supportive because I think they feel bad that they doubted me."
"I'm glad they're getting better. But I thought Mrs. Hastings didn't want you talking to any of us especially me."
"That's true. But the more she thought about it, she said the video will be proof enough and I should be able to talk to my friends so they can support me."
"Maya, I'm thrilled for you. So when does she think this whole ankle thing will be over."
"She thinks that I will get at least one dance with my girl tonight."
"Seriously! Oh Maya, that would be the best part of tonight! I can't wait to see you!"
"It's not a done deal but it's looking good. Oh Em, I really do miss you."
"I miss you too. I really didn't want to go tonight because I thought I would be going without you but now I can't wait! I can see it now, the clock is about to strike twelve and there you are walking down the steps taking my hand, leading me to the dance floor."
"I guess that would make me Prince Charming to your Cinderella. Oh my god that sounds super corny!"
"It is super corny but its super romantic too! I love you Maya!"
"I love you too Emily and I will do whatever it takes to get to that Ball before the clock strikes twelve!"
"See you then. I love you."
"I love you too!"
"I can't believe Maya is going to be free to dance with me at the Ball! Tonight is going to be magical!" exclaims Emily exuberantly.
Getting Ready at Emily's…
The girls meet at Emily's to get ready. They are all looking gorgeous in their gowns. Aria is hopeful that Ezra will find a way to be there; Spencer is hopeful that Toby can get off work to be there; Hannah is going stag since Caleb is going to California; and Emily is going stag until Maya gets there. But they all know it's show time where 'A' is concerned. It ends tonight at midnight!
"I hope Maya gets to the Ball before we have to leave to take care of 'A'," says Emily.
"Well maybe it's a good thing if she doesn't," suggests Spencer.
"Why?"
"Because then you'll have to explain why you have to leave when she is just getting there," explains Spencer.
"I don't care. She's going with us if that happens."
"I agree, it's time Maya knew what's going on," insists Hannah.
"I should have told her a long time ago."
"Okay, is everyone ready?" asks Aria.
"Yep. Let's do this." remarks Hannah.
The girls make their way to the Masquerade Ball with one mission in mind, to put an end to this 'A' nonsense. They all look around the grounds and at the attendees. They are looking for anything that looks out of place.
While there, Ezra surprises Aria and Caleb surprises Hannah. Spencer and Mona look on. It's awkward between them until Mona breaks the ice. They start talking when Spencer realizes a major clue but doesn't want to take the girls away from their dates. She doesn't want to take Emily away either in case Maya shows up. So Mona offers to take her to where she needs to go. Spencer, feeling a soft spot for Mona agrees.
Emily finds herself in a courtyard, sitting on a bench waiting for her phone to buzz. She places her phone on the bench next to her just staring at it not realizing that someone is approaching her. This person puts their hand on Emily's shoulder startling her. She looks up with a huge smile on her face that quickly fades away.
"Hey Emily. How about that dance you promised me?"
"Sorry Paige, I thought you might be Maya. Do you mind if we just sit for a while?"
"No, not at all. Why did you think I might be Maya?"
"Because she called me earlier and said she's probably getting the ankle monitor off tonight. It's just frustrating. There's nothing I can do but wait."
"Look Emily, I know I'm not Maya but I do care about you and I'll be here for you whenever you need me as a friend."
"Thanks Paige, I really appreciate you saying that and I love that outfit, Romeo."
"Sorry, I didn't have time to find another one. Am I making you uncomfortable?"
"No, it's fine. Don't give it a second thought. We're good."
Just then Aria and Hannah come looking for Emily.
"Paige, we need to borrow Em," hurries Hannah.
Emily gets up to go with them leaving Paige and her cell phone on the bench. Paige spies her cell and takes it, not letting Emily know that she found it.
"What's going on?" asks Emily.
"Spencer texted me that she took off with Mona to go back to the motel," informs Aria.
"We need to go after her. It's almost midnight so we need to meet up with her," reminds Hannah.
"It's time to end this once and for all," demands Emily.
The girls take off after Spencer and Mona leaving behind Ezra, Caleb and Paige. While Paige is holding Emily's phone, it buzzes. It's a text from Maya. It says,
Ankle Monitor off. Coming right now.
Stay away from Paige. She was the one!
Maya
Paige can't believe that 'A' sold her out! She decides to take matters into her own hands so she texts Maya from Emily's phone.
Me and the girls leaving now.
Hannah not feeling well.
Meet me by the big tree in my backyard.
Emily
Maya gets the message and responds,
Okay, see you there.
Sorry I missed the chance to be your Prince Charming!
Maya
Oh brother! Paige rolls her eyes. She responds once again to Maya's text.
Well don't keep your Cinderella waiting!
Emily
"I can't believe I just sent that. This would so ruin Maya's street cred! But that's not going to matter because Maya's not meeting Emily, she's meeting me!" Paige deviously surmises.
While Paige is leaving the Masquerade Ball, Emily's cell gets another text but this time it's not from Maya.
Spencer knows too much.
I think she'd look great in a body bag.
Don't you?
-A
"Oh my god! 'A' is texting Emily too! How long has this been going on?" Paige asks herself.
She checks Emily's phone and sees that it's been since September.
"I don't believe it! Now I can share with Emily my texts from 'A' to show her that I'm being messed with too! This is the break I've been waiting for! Finally we have a connection that will push Emily right into my arms now that Maya will be completely out of the picture!" rejoices Paige.
Meanwhile…
The girls are driving to the motel to check on Spencer when another car tries to run them off the road. It's Mona's car! Hannah gets back on the road and goes after the car. In the meantime, Spencer turns the steering wheel the opposite direction, causing the driver to focus on maintaining control which makes the car slow down. Spencer takes this opportunity to jump out of the car! The driver slams on the brakes and runs after Spencer. Hannah has caught up to the car, passes it and plows towards the hooded figure. The figure looks right at them…its Mona! Hannah attempts to hit the gas to run her over for running her over but the other girls stop her. Mona runs away; she slips and falls several feet below to a ledge on the side of the ridge.
The police, fire department and ambulance come to the scene. The girls watch as Mona is pulled up on a stretcher. She is alive. The police ask the girls to come to the station to make a statement and they agree. With all this going on, Emily doesn't realize that she doesn't have her cell phone and that Maya is free of her ankle monitor.
At Emily's house…
Maya goes to meet Emily at her house but when she arrives, there is no Emily but there is someone else.
"Hello Maya."
"Paige? What the fuck are you doing here? I'm supposed to be meeting Emily."
"No. I just made you think that."
"What are you talking about?"
"Emily left her phone on a bench at the Ball and I thought I would be a good friend and return it to her. But then you texted and I decided to pretend to be Emily."
"What the fuck for?"
"To end this once and for all."
"End what you crazy bitch!"
"This thing you think you have with Emily."
"Jesus, you're more fucked up than I gave you credit for."
"Stop saying shit like that. It's not true. I love Emily and now she's going to love me."
"There's no way she's going to love you when she finds out that you set me up."
"Yes she will because I'm going to tell her that someone forced me to do it. I had no choice."
"Who? What are you talking about?"
"You mean, Emily never told you about 'A'?"
"Who or what the fuck is 'A'?
"Someone who has been harassing Emily since you moved to Rosewood. This someone is harassing me too!"
"Listen, I'm done listening to your crazy talk! I need to find Emily now! Get out of my way."
"You're not going anywhere," Paige threatens as she holds up some kind of pipe in her gloved hand.
"What are you doing?"
"Emily said the only thing that would keep you two apart is death."
"Paige, you're too much of a pussy to do anything with that pipe."
Maya starts to walk away, her back is now to Paige and then everything goes black…
At the Police Station…
As the girls are leaving the police station, they find out that Toby got a hold of Dr. Sullivan who told the police about Mona blackmailing her to keep quiet about her identity. Spencer and Toby have a nice little reunion. He takes her in his arms and sways with her back and forth. He is giving Spencer the dance he couldn't give her at the Ball. Emily is happy for them but it kind of makes her sad because she was the only one who didn't get her Cinderella moment.
"I'm sorry Maya wasn't able to get to the Ball," consoles Spencer.
"Well with all this going on I didn't realize I don't have my cell phone so she could've been there. Can someone please text Maya and see where she is right now? I really hope she didn't show up," says Emily sadly.
"Sure. I'll text her for you. But knowing Maya if that ankle monitor was off she'd find you wherever you are."
Hannah texts Maya but she doesn't text back right away.
"You're probably right. It's just that you all got to be with your boyfriends and I really wanted to be with my girl."
"Well let's do the sleepover thing at your house and talk about what you and Maya are going to be doing when you see each other," suggests Hannah with a wink.
"Ummm. You don't have to tell us anything. Hannah's just being nosy," says Aria while giving Hannah a look.
They all pile into Hannah's car to drive over to Emily's. There's still no text from Maya. When they get to Emily's street they can't get to her house because of some sort of commotion. Hannah parks her car so they can walk the rest of the way to Emily's. As they get closer, they see police cars and ambulances and fire trucks. Emily gets a worried look on her face. This has happened before! There was a body! It was Alison's! Emily quickens her pace to her house. The girls follow suit. Emily weaves through the police barricade with the girls right behind her. When she gets to her front lawn, she is stopped by the police.
"What's happening?" cries Emily.
"I'm so sorry for your loss Miss," sympathizes the police officer.
Another person she loves is…
"Noooo! Nooooo!" Emily screams with tears streaming down her face.
She can see a stretcher with a body bag on it being wheeled from her backyard. She tries to run to the ambulance but Spencer and Hannah hold her back.
"Noooo! We just found each other again! Maya! Maya! " she cries uncontrollably.
She falls to her knees screaming. The girls do their best to comfort her but there's no calming her down. She is hysterical. The tears continue to stream down her face, she can barely see, she's choking on her cries, lights are flashing, everything becomes a giant blur…
Mrs. Fields pushes through the crowd to her daughter. She tries to tell Emily what the police told her but with all the confusion she is only able to manage…
"Emily I'm so sorry."
"They think it's… They think it's…."
THE END…for now.
Some of you are upset that I said I won't be back until March because it's a month away. To clarify, I'm leaving in a week and a half so I don't want to promise a next chapter before I go just in case it's not ready. If I can get it to you before I go then I will otherwise, I'm sorry but all my stories will be on hold until I get back.
At least you'll have something to look forward to!
