"Emaya Forever Done Right"

The points of view change so be aware of that. I hope everything makes sense as this was a huge chapter to write! I hope you enjoy this super long update!

Rated M for Mature Content.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

I give to her what she gave to me and we lie in each other's arms, lips kissing tenderly. A blanket covering our naked bodies as we bask in the moment of a love that's worth fighting for…

Chapter 55: Secrets Exposed

Maya POV

The second week of school...

I'm in a deep sleep until my brain starts hearing this annoying repetitive sound, "Dee-dee-dee-dee-dee..."

Ughhh! It's my stupid alarm clock! My arm flails above my head and to the left reaching for that damn thing, 'dee-dee-deeing' on my desk, so I can turn it off! I finally find it, pressing over and over again until it finally shuts up!

I rub my eyes trying to focus on the time, "Six-thirty!"

Spencer moans. Shit I have to be quiet.

Why am I getting up so early? Then my phone beeps. I pick it up and see I have a reminder set. Oh shit, Emily's swim practice. Fuck. But I promised, didn't I.

And yeah I'm one of those people who needs an actual alarm clock, my phone and pretty much an earthquake to get me out of bed!

I stretch a million times before I kick the covers off of me and swing my legs over the side of the bed just sitting there trying to stay conscious. I turn, looking at the pillow over my right shoulder. I want to dive back into bed but my reminder goes off again! I must've known I would try to sneak back to sleep. I pick up my cell and shut it off. I yawn an over exaggerated yawn causing Spencer to roll over onto her other side with her back to me.

I click on the flashlight icon to guide me around the room. I'm looking for my shower stuff but my brain isn't quite functioning yet and I feel like I have no idea where I am or how to get to where I need to go. I need a minute. I take a deep breath; there, in my closet on the shelf, is my shower caddy and towels. Yeah, I have a shower caddy so I can take everything at once, don't judge. I slip into my shower shoes and trudge down the hallway with my stuff in tow including my dorm room key (so I can lock Spencer in) still half asleep.

The shower feels amazing at this time of the morning! It's actually hot! It's glorious! I just stand there underneath the cascading water. Mmmm, that feels so good! I lather up and wash my hair, using lots of conditioner. Once it's squeaky clean I shut it off and dry off in the stall. Then I wrap my hair in one towel and my body in another. When I approach the sink, I wipe the fogged up mirror with my hand. I brush my teeth, floss, and rinse, and then put my stuff back into my trusty shower caddy.

I unlock our room and start getting ready as quietly as I can. I hang my body towel on a hanger in the closet to dry. Then squirt lotion into the palm of my hand moisturizing my entire body. I can't help myself when I run my fingers over certain areas; my mind goes straight to Emily feeling her feeling me. But my innocent application of lotion is turning into anything but that! With a mischievous smile I quickly snap out of it. I unwrap my hair, towel dry it, hang it up to dry, then throw on my bra, panties, jean shorts, and white capped sleeve t-shirt with 'ONE LOVE' written above a green, yellow and red striped picture of Bob Marley with his name in caps underneath. It's a tight fit, just the way I like it, smiling flirtatiously in the mirror, thinking about Emily. I slip into some flip flops and carefully comb through my hair. I pick up my hairdryer and makeup bag and walk down to the bathroom to dry my hair straight down and pretty up. I look in the mirror satisfied with my appearance even at seven-thirty in the morning!

I return to my room, grab my messenger bag, keys and a granola bar since I won't be able to have breakfast today. I'm ready. I'm ready to watch Emily, the girl who found me when no one else was looking. I know your mom made you go, but I feel like you knew just where I would be. You broke through on that fateful day; you saw what no one else could see. Because baby, even though I dated guys and girls in the past, at that moment I can honestly say, you found me, you found the real me. I guess you could say the same about me where you're concerned...

I knew you were gay the second our eyes met. Oh, and all the ups and downs that went with you trying to hide who you really are, but still I wouldn't leave. Your confusion was so intense, you even tried real hard to kick me to the curb, but again, I wouldn't leave...

Oh Emily, we had a year where there was good and where there was bad and the things in between, shit. Sometimes I wonder how the fuck we survived it all. We've come pretty far when you think of where we've been. And baby, there's no going back. I'll be by your side. Everything's gonna stay fine. You found me and I found you...

I'm sure, as I walk through campus to the swimming pool, there are students observing this nerdy smile on my face but I don't care. I'm ready to watch my girl slash through that liquid abyss in the hopes of one day being the best in the world and more importantly, I'm ready to take a chance with her, and our love...

Well, here I am, seven forty-five in the freaking morning at the pool to watch my baby's swim practice. I make my way to the bleachers sitting amongst a few people scattered about. There she is with her swim partner. Oh no, here we go, I can feel the adrenaline heighten my reaction to the two of them swimming side by side. It's like Paige all over again but less creepy. I want to shout to her, get her attention so she knows I fulfilled my promise to her but before I can, Leila, a girl from my orchestra class joins me on the bleachers. She's Asian, half Filipino and something else, not quite my Emily, who is full on Filipino in so many incredible ways. My eyebrow arches as I picture her in my mind...

"What are you doing here?"

"My sister's swimming and I told her I'd stop by and now I'm glad I did. What are you doing here?"

"See that other Filipino girl in the pool, she's my girlfriend."

"You have good taste."

"Why thank you. But don't get any ideas."

"Don't worry, she's not my type."

"Ha ha. You got me."

"Not yet."

"You're good Leila, I'll give you that."

"I thought so," she winks.

"So, which one is your sister?"

"Let me see," she narrows her eyes in search of her in the pool then points, "there, the one swimming with your girlfriend," she nudges me playfully.

"Ohh," I say without thinking, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean it like that. I'm just surprised she's not..." I look down at my hands, rubbing them together hoping she wasn't offended by my faux paus.

She puts her hands over mine in an attempt to end their fumbling, "It's okay. We have the same mother but different fathers."

I look up at her shaking my head back and forth, "I, I feel so stupid."

"Don't. Believe me you're not the first person to have that reaction," she smiles a sparkling white smile.

"But, umm..."

"Oh, I'm two years older than Sara. I'm kinda a rebel if you haven't noticed. I needed to get my head on straight before investing in college."

"Again, I'm sorry for..."

"Don't be. It's all good," she smiles.

I need to redirect, "So, is she any good, your sister, I mean, swimming," I roll my eyes back into my head, "I'm sorry again!"

She laughs so I do too!

"She is. She said her swim buddy is really making her work hard. She challenges her. She needs that."

"Yeah Emily said pretty much the same thing. That's good. I'm happy for them."

"Well, I'm happy for us."

"Hmm?" I furrow my brow not quite following.

"You challenge me."

My jaw drops. I have no words.

"In orchestra silly."

"Oh that," I say like 'phew'!

"I have to admit. You're right. You play extremely well. You sure keep me on my toes."

"As you do for me," she nudges me again.

I can't help but wonder if she's flirting. I better set her straight. She needs to know that I found the one...

We watch Emily and Sara swim. My heart warms, she makes me so proud! I know I bitched about getting up early but this was so worth it! I can't stop smiling. I can't stop beaming. I can't stop loving...

When Emily climbs out of the pool I stand up surrounding my mouth with my hands so I can yell, "Emily! Emily!"

She turns squinting at the bleachers. She finds my wave and waves back.

Then I yell, "I got up for you!"

She dips her head laughing then makes a heart shape with her hands, extends her arm, and points to me. Her smile stays with her as she retreats to the locker room with Sara.

I love her...

Emily meets me at the fountain in front of the student center after she showers.

I'm sitting on its edge scanning the sea of students for her, there, there she is!

I leap up waving and she rushes through the crowd putting me in a vise grip, picking me up, spinning me around and kissing me for all to see! I love it! I give her lips a quick succession of kisses until she puts me down.

"You came!"

"I told you I would."

"I honestly didn't think you could get up that early."

"Well, I nearly didn't. I had every possible alarm set so I wouldn't crawl back into bed."

She starts nibbling my neck, "Mmm, back to bed," she whispers in my ear, "Let's go...," she grabs my hand trying to drag me back to the dorms.

"Ha ha, get back here," I make her sit next to me.

"I tried," she shrugs her shoulders.

"You sure did. I applaud the effort," I kiss her sweetly on the lips.

"Soo, what did you think? You weren't bored were you?"

"No, not at all, my friend Leila joined me."

"Leila? That's a pretty exotic name. Is she a pretty exotic girl?" She fishes.

"Umm, I guess so."

"I'm not sure I like that answer."

"Well how 'bout this one, exotic or not, she's not the one I'm in love with."

"Ohh, nice save," she kisses me less sweetly, more like in a way to stake her claim.

"I thought you were great. You slashed through that water like you were some ocean goddess."

"Hmm, I like that."

"I thought you might."

"Anything else you'd like to comment on?" she flirts.

"Oh yeah, I almost forgot, Leila."

"Leila? What about Leila?" She asks looking like her whole body just heated up several degrees!

"The reason she was at your swim practice was to watch her sister swim."

"Her sister? Who?"

"Sara, your swim buddy."

"Really? But..."

"I know. She's actually half Filipino and whatever nationality Sara is. They have different fathers and Leila's two years older than Sara."

"That makes sense, I think."

"She was a bit rebellious then. It took her some time to realize what she wanted."

"Rebellious? Wanted?"

"A music education to get the most out of a career in that field."

"Good, music."

"Hmm, someone looks relieved but relieved about what?" I say with a flirty smile.

"Okay, okay, yes I felt a wave of jealousy overcome me."

"You mean a heat wave? I could feel you from here. Wondering if I have a thing for all Filipino girls, are ya?"

"Maya!"

"Aww, come here," I put my arm around her and she rests her head on my shoulder.

I feel movement. I feel her breath against my neck.

But just as she's about to kiss me, I interrupt her, "We better get to class."

"Do we have to?"

"We have to."

"Save me that kiss for later?"

"Absolutely. Bye."

I leave her at the fountain, peaking over my shoulder one last time realizing she's eye sexing my back side. I smile and wave a finger at her. She shrugs her shoulders like as if she couldn't help herself. I walk away loving every second of her ogling!

Emily POV

As I walk to class I just can't get LEILA out of my head. I need to see for myself just how exotic or not she really is...

But with classes and swim I just don't have the time to seek her out. Time escapes me and already it's the weekend...

Hanna POV

"I have to hand it to you Hanna you got what you wanted from Samara. I don't know how and I'm not sure I want to, but it looks like you're getting your party after all."

"It took us long enough but I did do it didn't I."

"You did."

"So, Noel, are you sure we can pull this off?"

"Let's just say you're lucky the golf team likes to party."

"Do you have any idea how ridiculous that sounds?" I can't help but laugh.

"I know but you have to admit, the practice greens are the best place to have a party. I mean, who would even think to check there?"

"They're like the elite. No one will step on their territory."

"Exactly. So, the word is out and you got the booze right?"

"Totally, I gave her the money we collected and Samara's gonna hook us up big time."

Samara POV

At the liquor store...

"Having a party?" the cashier attempts small talk.

"You could say that," I decide to give as little info as possible.

An employee helps me put cases of beer and ice in the trunk of my car while I place bottles of hard liquor and red solo cups on the back seat. I thank him and drive back to meet up at the golf greens. There's a bunch of guys there to help unload my car and set everything up. Soon, the campus will be in full swing. This is an opportunity for me to get to know people better; all for the bigger picture. And it is a much bigger picture than friendships and flirting...

Emily POV

"You and Maya better not disappear on me. I need you guys there and someone needs to keep an eye on Spencer."

"Hanna, I think Spencer's a big girl."

"Yeah, she's a big girl who hasn't had anything to smile about since finding out about that asshole Toby."

"That's true. Don't worry; you can definitely count on me and Maya to be there. Spencer needs a distraction and this is as distracting as it gets."

"Soo, where is Maya?" She waves her eyelashes at me in a rather indiscreet manner.

I give her a 'really' look, "She's buried in her books with Spencer. She figures if she studies with her then she can't use that as an excuse not to go."

"Good one."

"What's the plan anyway?" I ask.

"Well, it's almost dark. And people are sneaking out a few at a time or pretending to be at the library and other places on campus. As long as everyone keeps quiet about the party we should have no problems."

"You really thought this through haven't you?"

"Well, I wouldn't have gotten this far without Samara's help."

"Samara? Really?"

"Yes really. She gets it. She was our age once and she's not that much older than us now. You can thank her when you see her."

"She's going?" I ask surprised.

"Yep. Her and her Australian accent will be there chugging from a red solo cup just like everybody else."

"I kinda wanna see that."

"I know right!"

Knock knock.

"It's open," I say.

The doorknob turns, "Hey Emily."

"Hi Sara, come in."

She and her platinum blonde pixy cut walk in the room and right away Hanna is full of questions.

"Hey, I'm Hanna."

"Nice to meet you," she gives a wave.

"So how do you know Emily?" She asks with barely an icebreaker.

"Oh, we're on the swim team, we're each other's buddy."

"Really. You're each other's buddy? How cute! Does Maya know about this?"

"Of course. But there's nothing to tell. And anyway, are you trying to say you think Sara's hot?" I redirect.

Sara blushes.

"Well, if I were gay I'd definitely be looking."

"Thanks I think," Sara says not sure what to make of Hanna.

"Sara, just ignore her."

"Hey!"

"I'm kidding! So what brings you by?"

"Umm, I was wondering if I could walk over with you and whoever to the party."

"Oh sure! Are you ready or do you need to stop back at your dorm to get anything? Which dorm are you again?"

"Smyth Hall."

"Oh right. You're down the hill."

"Yeah. My roommate knows Maya."

Hanna gets all interested now, "She does? How?"

"They have music classes together."

"What's her name?" Hanna asks.

"Her name is Leila."

Leila! There's that name again! That pretty exotic name! And damn it! There goes my mind back to that place thinking she better not be a pretty exotic girl!

"That's a beautiful name. Is she a beautiful girl?"

"Hanna."

"What?"

I make an attempt to engage in this conversation of Leila, "Do you guys get along?"

"We do mostly. Well, we're sisters, soo..."

"Oh right! Maya said she showed up to watch you at swim practice."

"She did?"

"You sound surprised." But why?

"She could care less about my swimming. She must've had an ulterior motive." Yeah and I know exactly who her ulterior motive was! Maya! I knew it!

"Hmm," that's all I have in response.

"We see each other just enough because our schedules are so different and it's probably better that way."

"Why didn't you ask to be separated?" Hanna asks.

"Because our mother made the arrangements before we had a chance to discuss them and by that time it was too late to do anything about it."

"Is she coming tonight?" Hanna tries redirecting the conversation.

"Yeah. I told her we—I'd get her on my way back."

"We'll get her on our way," I insist. I insist because I'm anxious to check this girl out!

"Thanks. It will be good for her to make friends. I think me and Maya are like the only people she hangs out with."

"She hangs out with Maya?" I try not sounding too jealous or clingy.

"Well, they do have orchestra together so yeah."

"Just like you and Sara have swimming together," Hanna is quick to point out.

"True."

Hanna whispers in my ear, "Your whole face just turned an ugly shade of green. You need to seriously chill."

She's right! I just hope I can chill...

Maya POV

I close her book on her and she lets out a yelp!

"Hey!"

"Hey what. There's nothing left to study Spencer. Let's go."

"Go where?"

"The party tonight."

"Oh that."

"Yeah that. I'm not leaving you here by yourself to sulk about what you had no control over."

She stands up practically in my face, "I didn't know Maya! I should've known!"

"Spencer, none of us knew."

"I slept with that bastard! He didn't love me! He never did! But I couldn't see it!"

She's so angry she starts to cry. I try comforting her with a hand on her shoulder and she whips it away turning so she doesn't have to face me.

"Spencer, that's why you need to be around people. This, what you're doing, beating yourself up about something that could've happened to anyone. It's time for you to move on. You're coming with us and that's final."

And before she can respond there's a knock at the door. I'm relieved to have some back up...

When I open the door, there's my baby looking so good. She's wearing a white spaghetti strap top with a push up bra giving me lots of her to look at and everyone else too. But I know she did that for me so I'm pretty okay with it. Her jean shorts are short and ripped revealing the tanned flesh of her upper thigh. She's baiting me and its working. But the most attractive thing about her at this moment is her smile. Though she's looking very sexy, her smile is sweet and her eyes are so full of joy and excitement. This is what I'm drawn too, yes the super-hot outward appearance is a bonus but the super vulnerable inner one is the prize...

"Hey beautiful."

She smiles with a head dip and a, "Hey back."

"Ahem, there're two more beautiful people out in the hall!" Hanna yells over Emily's shoulder.

"Sorry!" I snap out of it to let them all in.

I then nudge Emily to help me convince her to go while at the same time widening my eyes at Hanna tilting my head towards Spencer to help in the convincing.

"Hi, I'm Sara, Emily's swim buddy," she extends her hand and I take it splashing my eyelashes up and down her slight yet toned frame.

"So, you're the one making time with my girlfriend."

I've rendered her speechless.

"I'm kidding, I'm Maya."

"Yeah, you're friends with my roommate—my sister Leila."

"Oh my god! She is seriously amazing. So much talent!"

"You get along with her?" Emily asks in a way that feels more like an inquisition.

"Of course! We help each other a lot. We're both really serious when it comes to our music."

"So, she's said. We're actually going to get her on the way to the party," Sara fills me in.

"Good, I can't wait for Emily to meet her."

Emily doesn't share my enthusiasm. Instead she walks over to Spencer trying to convince her to come.

But it's Hanna who makes the biggest selling point. After giving her all these reasons to go she mentions Noel.

"Noel's going?" She tries sounding annoyed but I'm not sure she is.

"Yeah, why?" Hanna questions.

"Oh, nothing, he just has some notes I need," she lies.

"Okay, then it's settled. Come with us and you can find out about those notes when we get there," Hanna insists.

"Fine," she grabs a small backpack and as she's putting it on I say,

"Good, let's go then."

We all march down the hill to get Leila. I can feel the temperature of my girlfriend's hand heating up as we get closer and closer to the dorm of the girl I spend a lot of time with besides Emily. I don't think it's a big deal but she might...

Emily POV

Sara runs up to her room to get her roommate—sister and when they emerge side by side I'm stunned by her effortless beauty. Yep, she's Asian alright, Asian like me. I thought I'd be more prepared for that. I feel the green growing. She's very much like me but shorter, however, Leila oozes such confidence I'm not quite sure why she doesn't have a lot of friends. As far as her physical features go, her lips are fuller than mine and heart shaped. Her hazel eyes are almond shaped like mine. Her thick dark hair is cut short and partially shaved at the sides with a cropped top and strands of hair hanging across her forehead. She does look the part of a rebel...

She's wearing these huge hoop earrings and leather bracelets and lots of rings, kind of like Maya. Her tee shirt had its sleeves cut off and she's wearing ripped up jean shorts and combat boots. I guess rebel wear doesn't come in summer foot gear.

She waves hi to all of us and brightens up when she sees Maya.

"Hey, Leila," she gives her a hug.

I'm not liking that at all!

"Maya! I'm so glad you're going too! I thought the only person I'd know would be Sara."

"You'll have even more friends after tonight, this is Hanna, a good friend from Rosewood High, this is Spencer my roommate and another good friend of mine and this beauty is Emily, my girlfriend, my best friend."

I watch her expression when Maya says all those things about me. Her smile drops at the corners as she makes it obvious that she's checking me out. She looks disappointed that I'm real, which, I know seems mean, but makes me smile all the more.

We begin our ascent up the hill to the party and I make sure I'm standing next to her when I ask, "So, Maya tells me you're half Filipino and half—what?"

Maya bumps me but I don't care.

"Oh, I'm Filipino and Australian."

I swear Sara gave her a look but maybe I'm just imagining it. Although, it was right after she said she was Australian. That's interesting. Samara is Australian. Hmm, is that a coincidence?

"So why don't you two have accents?" I try making it sound like an innocent question.

And out of the blue it's like Hanna just realizes it and says out loud, "You're Asian!" Then she looks at Sara, "But you're—not Asian!"

"Leila is actually two years older than me. We have different fathers. And as far as our accents go, our mom married my dad, who is an American, and we were raised in the suburbs of New York," Sara explains. "And since we were primarily around American accents, my mom's Australian didn't quite stick, though sometimes when we're around her it comes out."

"I was telling Maya I was kind of a rebel. I still wasn't ready for college. But now that I am, our mom wanted me to be in a classroom setting again so the transition to college would be easier. That's why she sent me here, but only after she found out I qualify for entry, since you need to be under the age of twenty-one to attend."

"She did the right thing. You're way too talented not to be here," Maya concurs.

"So Leila, you're twenty?" I ask.

"I will be next Spring."

But my thoughts are disrupted as we approach a line of trees separating the campus from the golf greens. Noel sneaks up behind us roaring!

We all scream girlie screams while he keels over laughing!

"That's not funny Noel," Spencer scolds.

"Ah come on. I was just kidding and anyway you look like you needed some loosening up."

Spencer gives him a death stare.

"I think we all could use a drink after that," Hanna hooks arms with Spencer leading her reluctantly to get a beer.

"What's her problem?" He asks.

"What do you think?" I pose the question then answer for him, "Toby."

"God! I hate that bastard! He ruined all of us but Spencer, he destroyed her."

"Yeah he did, so you need to be a lot more careful around her," Maya warns.

"I will. You can trust me."

Maya and I look at each other hoping we can do just that...

So while Spencer is preoccupied by Toby, I'm preoccupied by Leila. Her honeyed skin is flawless and I want to hate her so much but she reminds me of my rebel girlfriend. Ughh! But then I wonder; can I trust this rebel?

And as the night goes on, those wisps of hair she keeps pushing from her forehead in a way that could be interpreted as flirting, flirting with my girlfriend, are beginning to annoy me. This snaps me back into my own reality because that slender body has no business even being near my girlfriend! She carries herself well and quite frankly, she's the total package. I can see why anyone in their right mind would be attracted to her but I'm most concerned if Maya is...

And then it hits me! There are three Australians at Rosewood Prep, one with an accent, two without. This is definitely a mystery that needs unraveling, careful unraveling. I need to tell someone, I need to tell Maya, or maybe she's already figured it out. Something is definitely going on here and I'm going to find out exactly what that something is with or without anyone's help!

I need to isolate Sara and Leila from us so I can share my findings with Maya. I nudge her to follow me and she does...

"But Maya, don't you find it the least bit suspicious? Samara is Australian and Sara and Leila are half Australian."

"I mean, come on, that's like saying there're only two black people in Rosewood and they're both lesbians. Wait. Did I really just say that?" I shake my head, "Em, baby, can't it just be a coincidence."

"Not after I tell you this."

"Tell me what?"

"I saw Sara and Samara talking. And when I questioned Sara about it she said Samara offered to be there for her if she needed anything and Sara needed something that Samara said she could get for her. But what is that something? Or did she make the whole thing up because she and Samara already know each other!"

"Emily, just because we all had an –A in the past doesn't mean there's a new –A that now stands for Australia."

"Wait a second!"

"What?"

"The letters that spell Sara are in the name Samara."

I tilt my head to the side, "Em, come on. Now you're really reaching."

"Am I?"

"Listen, when you're done sleuthing, meet me for a beer, okay?" She kisses my cheek and walks away.

If Maya wants to shrug it off as coincidence then I'll just figure it out myself.

That's when Samara approaches me...

"Hey Emily," she says with an accent Sara and Leila don't have.

"Hey."

"Are you having fun yet?"

"I am."

"I don't see a cup in your hand, here, I didn't drink out of it yet," she hands me hers.

I take it from her, sipping what's inside and thank her.

"What is this?"

"Oh it's a little concoction of my own."

"Is it a secret?"

"What would life be without secrets?" She smiles.

And as she walks away, I wonder what her secret actually is...

I drink this drink that makes me feel a little dizzy but I shake it off to a low tolerance on my part. And then I realize I don't see Maya but even worse I don't see Leila either, I look all around but nothing. How could she just leave me here? I ask around until someone finally points me in their direction. I find them. They're sitting on one of the greens watching the night sky. I'm the one who should be doing that with Maya. I start making my way to her when Leila puts her hand over Maya's. Maya doesn't pull away. What the fuck is going on! But before I can interrupt, Sara approaches me from behind. She sees what I see.

"Oh. I'm sorry. I didn't realize they were that close."

"Obviously neither did I."

I grab Sara's hand taking her away from whatever it was that was going on. We're by the equipment storage when I toss my cup and its contents at a big rock.

"Whoa, hey!" Sara attempts to calm me.

"What!" I snap!

"Look Emily. You really don't know what you saw. I mean, you know Maya better than anyone."

I realize she's right.

"But if you were my girlfriend I wouldn't even give you reason to doubt me."

I look up at her needing to hear those words. Needing someone to understand where I'm coming from. And then, without any warning she kisses me on the cheek. It's a sweet kiss, like a friend kiss. I don't feel the least bit nervous about her intentions. I know she knows we can only be friends.

I feel like I can tell her what I'm thinking, "Maya and I fight sometimes."

"Of course. Do you want me to say something to Leila?"

"I'd appreciate it if you didn't. I need to talk to Maya about it so she knows how it looked from my perception. I know I'm going to be like what the fuck with her and I just need to get it out of my system."

"Perception can be deceiving and distracting."

"I just need to know you're on our side."

"I am. I promise."

Maya POV

"Hey, there you are! Em, I've been looking all over for you," she walks away from me and everyone else.

"Have you?" She sounds pissed.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means I saw you with Leila. And you two looked pretty cozy to me," she is pissed.

"Cozy? Whatever you saw, it wasn't what you think you saw."

"Oh no, then what was it?" She stands defensively blocking me with her arms in front of her chest.

"She needed someone to talk to and I was there."

"I didn't see a whole lot of talking unless she was talking with her hands!"

"Emily! Jesus! After all we've been through you would really think that about me?" Now I'm pissed!

I go to walk away but she hooks my arm.

"Maya wait. This drink is affecting me. I had too much time to create these scenarios in my head that aren't really real. I'm sorry. It just didn't look good from my perspective."

"Okay. I can understand that. And," I sort of roll my eyes, "If it will make you feel any better, I'll help you with your –A is for Australia thing."

"It's too obvious not to be connected somehow. But Maya, I really appreciate you indulging me," she smiles indicating she's no longer pissed.

"Well let's start with the obvious. Ask Leila and Sara if they're related to Samara. See, I solved the case already," I smile adding a flirtatious wink.

"If they didn't tell us before what makes you think they'll tell us now?"

"Hmm, then we need to trust each other. I have to get closer to Leila and you have to get closer to Sara so we can figure this out."

"What do you mean by closer?"

I step into her, putting one hand on her waist and the other between her legs, she breathes shakily, "Not this close..."

"Can we finish this Australia thing another time?" She asks all breathy.

"I'll tell you what, we'll hang out with everybody and then we'll slip away so I can finish what I started," I rub my hand against her while my lips brush against her neck.

"Mmm, yeah, I really like that idea," she moans. "But I thought you didn't have time for this sort of thing."

"Oh, I'll make time."

And just as we're about to seal it with a passionate kiss, Hanna breaks it up, "There you two are! Come on, Spencer's finally loosening up and we need to keep an eye on her."

We're both thankful for the distraction otherwise I might've fucked her right then and there right out in the open!

Narrator POV

Samara, Sara and Leila huddle together out of sight of prying eyes.

"Samara, I still don't understand why you don't want us telling anyone that we're related," Sara says with a confused look on her face. "The Australian comes out every once in a while ya know," she says with a definitive accent!

"Me too! I feel like a clone of myself but I wish Tatiana Maslany was playing me instead of me playing me," Leila agrees with her own Australian accent.

"A deal's a deal Sara; you changed your math scores to get that scholarship. I noticed the discrepancy and fixed it so no one will ever know; your secret's safe with me, and now Leila and she won't tell, will you?"

"No way. I'm pretending I didn't even hear that."

"Good, because I could lose my work visa if anyone were to find out."

"You're right. I'm sorry," Sara realizes the gravity of the situation.

"Look, your transcripts just got the school interested; it was your music and swim abilities that earned you those scholarships. As far as your accents go, you two have been living in the states for a while so stick to your American especially since nepotism can rear its ugly head at any time. But since you both have a different last name than I do, it should be easy to keep this secret."

"Leila told Emily, Maya, Hanna and Spencer she's half Australian so now they know we both are."

"Well, let's hope they keep that to themselves."

"But what if they don't?" Sara asks.

"Then tell them we're related but if anyone finds out I could lose my work visa. They like me so I'm sure that will keep them quiet. And then they'll understand why you didn't say anything and why you guard your accent."

"Wow, I thought you'd be pissed," Sara confesses.

"I can't say that I'm happy about it but I guess I'm just now realizing it's not that important anymore."

"Why? Is there something else Samara?" Sara asks. "I feel like there's another secret. A secret Leila and I aren't yet privy to."

"I'm not ready to share just yet. I need to think this one through. I just feel like if I tell you what I know then you'll act differently while you're here."

"How so?" Leila asks.

"Just keep making friends."

"Well, that's the easy part. It's the not knowing part that's hard," Sara states.

"You're both here for swim and music and I know you love your programs."

"She's right Leila. I'm swimming better than I ever have."

"Are you sure it has nothing to do with Emily?" Leila makes her blush.

"I could say the same about Maya."

"Hey, keep your panties on, both of you. That's not what this is about."

"I know. It's just that it's nice having a new friend like Maya, especially since I'm older than most of the other students."

"Leila, this is far more serious than a crush."

"It's not a crush..."

"And it's much more than Emily and Maya."

"Oh really? How much more?" Sara challenges.

"Just go on and have fun and I'll tell you when I'm ready."

Leila and Sara go back to the party leaving Samara alone.

"I don't like this," Sara crosses her arms.

"Neither do I," Leila wraps hers around herself.

Samara POV

Your mom only had that one photo of your dad sleeping but I could still see that he was the same man I met at the Fields. Oh Wayne, did you have an affair with Leila's mom and then realize it was a mistake and went back to your wife? You don't even know that you have another daughter, do you?

I need time to think about how to tell her, and it looks like I have it, since Hanna let me know Mr. Fields will be out of town for a few weeks. But, sometime in the near future, I have to come up with a way to let Leila know that I found her father and that he just happens to live right here in Rosewood...

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

To Be Continued...

Mrs. Fields whispered in Samara's ear a couple chapters ago asking her to keep an eye on Emily. She agreed. That's their secret.

Sara's secret is that she fudged her transcripts. Samara found out but will keep her secret and, now so will Leila. If the school finds out Samara did this she could lose her work visa.

Samara will continue to turn a blind eye on Hanna's partying in exchange for campus info.

Samara is Sara and Leila's cousin, their moms are sisters. Sara and Leila still have some of their accent even though they've been in the US since they were young. Their accents sneak out around Samara and their mom.

Samara didn't know that Mr. Fields was Leila's father until after she went to the Fields house with Emily.

Samara doesn't quite know how to tell Leila that she found her dad because she doesn't know how she will react to receiving the news.

My muse for Leila is Anne Curtis, a Filipino-Australian actress but with Skin Diamond's hair style from the Showtime series, "Submission".

And thank you Kelly Clarkson for your inspiring song lyrics!

Thanks for reading and thanks for reviewing!