"Emaya Forever Done Right"

Hmm…what will happen in Hilton Head? The girls have left messages for Aria but she's not responding.

Who will get there first?

The E Team is on the way!

Rated M for Mature Content.

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"Or maybe we make the most of this weekend and take a road trip to Hilton Head."

Leave it to Hanna for the dramatic ending.

"Well, are you in?"

Maya and I look at each other and nod.

"Yeah, we're in."

Narrator POV

But, little do the girls know, Ezra might beat them to it as he gets on the I95 headed straight to Hilton Head…

Chapter 49: Road Trip!

Emily POV

"Jesus, Emily can you drive any slower!" Hanna yells from the backseat.

"Yes, actually I can."

"Emily! Seriously! Ezra left before us. We need to make up some time!" she crosses her arms pouting as I can see her reflection in my rearview mirror. "Aria and Ezra are going to be married with their first born by the time we get there!"

"She's right Emily, you need to punch it."

Is Maya for real right now? I'm her girlfriend!

I give her a look and she mouths, "What?"

"I think I'll pull over at the next rest stop so one of you can drive. You're both making me nervous."

"That's an excellent idea. I'll drive so I can save us from a bunch of little Ezria's—Eww! Why isn't anyone stopping me!"

"As if we could," Maya peers over her shoulder at Hanna smiling.

"Fine, I'll sit in the back with Maya," I say.

Maya looks at me, like 'I'm sitting in the backseat?'

I pull in to a rest area and we all get coffees and snacks before continuing onward.

"Hanna, just remember we're driving out of state so if you're speeding you're more likely to get pulled over," I warn.

"Okay mom," she snidely remarks.

Maya laughs and I nudge her with a, "Hey."

"Sorry but you are kinda being a mom."

"Well I'm sorry if I don't want you, my girlfriend, or me to end up in a body bag."

"Oh, but, it's okay if I end up in a body bag?" Hanna gives me a look.

I say nothing.

"Emily! Really!"

"No Hanna, it's just that you haven't quite been through what we've been through."

"No, I suppose being hit by a car and left for dead wouldn't qualify me to have gone through what you've gone through."

"Damn, Hanna, I didn't mean it like that."

"Hanna, we're all really stressed out about this and Emily and I haven't really caught a break from being in some sort of danger."

"I know. I get it. It's just that Aria's the only one that hasn't had something traumatic happen to her and I don't want it to start now."

"Ya know what? You're right. It's kind of strange that nothing's happened to her, don't cha think?" Everything I've been through is making me suspicious of everyone else!

"Emily! Are you suggesting Aria is a part of this?" Hanna freaks.

"I don't know what I'm saying. I just know the three of us and Spencer (Mona tried to kill Spencer the night of the Masquerade Ball.) had it a hell of a lot worse than Aria."

"Is that why you were taking your time driving?"

"No, I just didn't want to be pulled over and waste more time."

"Okay, I'll be careful."

"How fast is careful?" I smile.

She smirks.

We're off again. My hand finds Maya's lacing our fingers. It's comforting, she's comforting.

"Don't start making out, I can't really see anything, it's so dark back there and if I try squinting we might end up wrapped around a tree or something."

"Hanna, what is your obsession with watching me and Maya kiss?"

"I—I just think you two are so in love and so sexy it makes me excited for you. And I guess I want a little more of what you have."

"Did you tell Caleb this?" I'm still a bit confused as to why she wants to watch us though.

"No. I like Caleb but sometimes I wonder what else is out there. Don't you?"

"Are you seriously asking me that question? Hanna, I feel things with Maya that I've never felt before."

"Like what?" she glances at the rearview mirror.

"Like, I don't know, it's just a feeling inside. You'll know it when you feel it too."

"Hanna, if you think there's something else out there besides Caleb then Caleb isn't your soul mate," Maya squeezes my hand and winks at me. I dip my head with an endless smile.

"I guess. I just want to know what it feels like on another level and you two are definitely on another level. I don't know anyone as in love with each other as you two are."

"You also don't know anyone who has been through what we've been through either. We've been tested over and over. We're together because the answer is always the same," she tries explaining us to Hanna.

"What's that?"

"I'm not Maya without Emily."

"And I'm not Emily without Maya."

"Yep, that's what I want. That's exactly what I want and a cooler ship name like yours."

"Hanna! You can't pick a partner based on what your ship name could be!" She never ceases to surprise me with her take on things!

"I know but it doesn't hurt!"

I smile when I look at Maya cuz we do have a really cool ship name!

Maya breaks up our non-A talk when she asks if we should try Aria again.

"Well, do we call?" She asks.

"We have to. I think every half hour we have to call her," Hanna suggests.

"Good idea," I concur.

The next several miles and hours are rather quiet. Maya and I take a snooze in the back while Hanna handles driving and calling Aria. Her phone is set up on my hands free calling device so Maya and I can rest without worry. I moved to the middle so I can lean into Maya while we sleep. And the only reason I can sleep is because I feel safe and protected in her arms. I need this…

When we wake up, Hanna has pulled over to a rest stop after driving through parts of West Virginia and Virginia. Maya will take her turn after we stretch for a bit and get more refreshments. But while Hanna is finishing up in the bathroom, I take advantage of my alone time with Maya. I'm leaning against the car and she's leaning against me, fitting perfectly between my legs, perfectly…

"What is it baby girl?" she says with her sugary sweet voice with her arms resting on my shoulders and my hands on her waist.

"I don't know. Hanna just—I don't know what's up with her."

"I think she's just going through stuff. Caleb isn't around and we're always together."

"You're right. It has to be that."

"So, can you cut her some slack?"

"It depends how far she goes with her sarcasm."

"All right, I'll give you that."

"Damn it Maya, this whole thing worries me. I want to believe Aria wouldn't have anything to do with this but then again…"

"Then again—what?"

"When Aria and I reconnected at school after she had been in Iceland for a year…"

"Go on…"

"I told her I almost didn't recognize her and she said, 'When your parents want you to be yourself and you don't know who you are…' and then she motioned to her hair not having her signature pink stripe anymore."

"So, you're thinking, what exactly?"

"Does she still not know who she is?"

"Do you really think she could be so lost that she would do anything for anyone to not be lost? And in this case, do anything for Ezra?"

We're caught in each other's eyes really thinking about this.

"Aria might not be the person we think she is."

"You don't think she has a split personality do you?"

"No, I think it's exactly how you put it before, Aria was lost and now she's found."

"Wow. That could explain a lot. How does this make you feel? She's one of your best friends."

"That's why going there and thinking these things makes me feel as guilty as sin."

Maya gives me a hug I've been craving since we left. And for a brief moment Aria is put aside…

"I love you My."

"I love you Em. We'll figure it out."

We sneak in a kiss or twelve before Hanna gets back and Maya takes the driver's seat while I join Hanna in the back.

"What're you doing?"

"I'm sitting with you. Is that not all right?"

"I just figured you'd want to be next to your girlfriend."

"I was next to her for hours thanks to you."

She smiles and we get in the backseat of the car.

"Emily?"

"Yeah."

"Do you think Aria is in trouble like we were?"

"I don't know. What we said before got me thinking. It's so true that nothing has really happened except the threat of someone finding out she's fucking her teacher."

"I'm just glad I wasn't the only one thinking it. I felt so guilty about it."

"Well, we don't know anything for sure so I guess we shouldn't assume."

"I feel like we need to be prepared either way. What do we do if she's a part of this and what do we do if she's a victim like we were?" Hanna asks all the right questions but we're still without answers.

"I was just telling Maya about something Aria said to me."

"What? What did she say?"

"She said she didn't know who she was, kind of like she was lost within herself. And Maya was wondering if Ezra makes her feel like herself, like who she's supposed to be. And maybe now she feels like she owes him or that he has such a strong impact on her that she'll do anything for him to stay un-lost. It's like if she is on the –A team it's giving her purpose."

"Wow. I could see that actually and it kind of scares me."

"Yeah me too."

"So what do we do?"

"Hey guys, maybe we should drive directly to the police station. I just don't want to end up chained to a pier while the tide is coming in, if you know what I'm saying," Maya jokes only because she has the right to after what she's been through.

"And what will we tell the police?" Hanna asks. "I mean, do we start the conversation like—we have reason to believe our friend is in danger because I got run over by a car and these two almost got pushed over a cliff and our friend's teacher is fucking her and she's not of age to be fucked by her teacher."

"Hanna!"

"Well! That will get their attention won't it!"

Maya's trying not to give credence to what Hanna said but she does have a point.

"I don't know maybe we should just get to Aria. Her parents will be there and I feel like we're wasting time going to the police who will probably tell us to go home. We really don't have anything to go on except that flash drive and Ezra would probably explain it all away," I hate to say it but it's true.

"Okay, then, so did anyone think to grab the flash drive cuz then all we'd have to do is show it to Aria in case she has doubts about what we're telling her," Maya asks..

"The flash drive! That's right! Guess what girls!"

"You have it?" I get excited!

Hanna reaches into her jeans' pocket and pulls out the flash drive.

"I knew we would need something to convince Aria we were telling the truth," she says all proud of herself as she should be!

"I don't want Aria to be in danger but I swear if she's a part of this…"

"I know baby, but let's find out for sure what we're dealing with," she looks in the rearview mirror and winks at me. I, in turn, bite my bottom lip attempting to control the tingling I felt from just a look!

Hours pass as Maya has gotten us safely through North Carolina and it's my turn to drive the last leg into Hilton Head. Hanna seems to be okay with this because the last thing we need is to get pulled over for speeding or some other driving infraction…

And there it is the sign welcoming us to Hilton Head, South Carolina! Finally!

"Hey guys."

Nothing.

I look in the mirror and see Hanna all snuggled up with Maya again. I don't like how that's making me feel and I don't like that I keep finding her like that!

"Guys!" I yell and then a swerve just a bit to wake them up.

"Hey, watch it, Miss We're Driving out of State," Hanna says snarkily.

"I just wanted you guys to wake up because we're in Hilton Head."

"I'm up, we're up. Let's do this," Hanna lets out a sigh.

"Okay, it's coming up on the left. Are we ready?" I ask.

"Yeah, we're ready," Hanna leans back waiting to make a move.

The Montgomery's are staying at the Marriott Beach Club so as not to impose on the grandparents but it's also something the grandparents are helping to pay for, at least that's what Aria said. We pull into the parking area and ask the concierge to ring them. But, unfortunately they're not answering, it is kind of late. They offer us a room but we pass, it's a little out of our price range. Instead Hanna asks to use the restroom. He kindly points it out and as we walk towards it, the concierge begins helping a guest. Hanna takes this opportunity to go to the bank of elevators instead. We push the button and the doors open. We're in! But now what?

"Why are we going down?" I ask.

"Because that's where the cleaning and maintenance area usually is."

"And why do we want to go there?" I'm clueless right now.

"Well, I masqueraded as a candy stripe nurse so I can masquerade as a cleaning lady too!"

"Hanna, it's not that simple."

"But it is cuz once you're in you're in. All I need is to act like I belong there. They won't care. I'll grab a uniform and the master key card and check the computer registry to see what villa they're in."

"That sounds risky," I get the chills.

"You two being the lookout for Ezra is what's risky."

"Shit Hanna! Thanks for freaking me out!"

"Em, I'm right here. We'll go for a walk on the beach, in front of the resort. When Hanna's ready, she'll text us the room number. Does that sound less risky for you?"

"Yeah. I like that plan."

"Well don't forget about me lovebirds. If you don't hear from me in twenty minutes then you better come looking for me."

"Are you sure about this Hanna?"

"Operation E Team is a go," Hanna puts her hand out like we're cheering before the big game. "Well?"

Maya and I look at each other shaking our heads.

"Operation E Team," Maya puts her hand over Hanna's.

"Operation E Team," I put mine on top of Maya's. Oh brother…

As we start to go our separate ways Hanna says, "Remember; give me twenty minutes, thirty tops."

"Okay Hanna. Be careful," I say worriedly.

"Aren't I always?" she smirks.

Maya and I find the stairs and walk out onto the beach.

"I'm not sure I like this," I say.

"Me neither," Maya agrees.

"We should've all stayed together," I'm feeling like this was a mistake.

"Head back?" she asks.

"Yeah."

But we're too late. I grab Maya forcing her behind a Palm tree for cover.

"Baby, I don't think it's a good time for this."

I give her a 'really' look, "Maya, its' fucking Ezra."

She takes a peek, "And he's with Aria."

"Fucking A—what's he doing?"

"He got to her first, that's what he's doing."

"I don't like this Maya."

Buzz..

"It's Hanna," I look at my phone.

"What did she say?"

"She's got it! So what should we do?"

"I'm guessing you do nothing."

Shit!

Fuck!

Ezra!

And there she is, "Aria! Are you okay?" I feel so relieved!

I rush over to her and hug her. But it's not as warm and fuzzy as I thought it would be. I walk backwards into Maya's waiting arms.

"I'm not sure. It depends on why you're here."

"We're saving you from him!" I point at her –A.

"I don't need saving," she hooks arms with him.

"Yeah you do Aria," Maya says like 'what the fuck is wrong with you'.

"Ezra isn't my –A. You're just upset with him because he's my teacher."

"We wouldn't have driven all this way because you're fucking your teacher," Maya changes to an aggression laced tone. And I'm like 'Mmmhmm, don't fuck with my girlfriend!'

Ezra stands there with a smug look on his face.

"Then why are you here?" She lets go of Ezra closing the gap between us with arms crossed in a defensive stance.

"We followed him. We thought you were in danger after we saw what was on his computer. We have proof Aria, proof that Ezra is on the –A team," I blurt out.

"Proof? Where? What are you talking about?"

"Hanna has it," Maya tells her.

"Hanna. You let Hanna hold onto this so called proof," Aria laughs.

"She found your villa Aria and she posed as a cleaning lady to get it," I reveal. And damn it! I should've kept my mouth shut!

"Hey Ezra, you're right. They think you're my—" Aria turns around but he's gone, "where'd he go?"

"Shit!"

"Shit!"

"Shit!"

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To Be Continued…

The last piece of the –A puzzle about to be solved…

Reviews would be nice ;)