Authors Note- Hey everyone. Sorry again for the delay. My new job has keep me very busy! But now that I am settled in I can get back on a writing schedule. Thank you to everyone who reviewed last time! Please review and let me know what you think of this chapter! The more reviews, the quicker I will post...after all everyone could use some more Team Sparia.
Outside-
Aria curled her fingertips around the wooden railing of the gazebo and leaned her body forward to see more of the sky. She desperately wanted to see a shooting star. She couldn't remember the last time that she saw one. She took a deep breathe in and out with a sigh. How was she even going to begin to explain this to Emily? She had finally calmed down from her burst of anger at Spencer covering up for them in front of Hanna. Maybe Spencer was just trying to protect them, just like she had always done for all the girls all these years.
Emily voice interrupted Aria's thoughts, "Whatever it is. You know you can tell me. We've been friends since first grade." Emily said softly with compassion in her voice.
Aria took a deep breathe and then quietly said what she had been wondering for some time now.
"Were you scared...when everyone found out you were gay?"
"Uh..." Emily said, a little taken back by the subject approaching, "I was. But all of you were so supportive of me. And looking back now I wouldn't have changed it for the world. I was so scared my friends would treat me differently, but you all loved me exactly the same. I mean...yes I am gay, but it's just a part of me. A big part, and a great part" she continued with a laugh "But not the entirety who I am. When it comes down to it, it's all love."
"Yeah. You're right." Aria responded. Again at the image of the word 'love' her mind was flooded with images of Spencer's smile. Spencer was already so serious and protective, but when she really let loose and smiled, and laughed with her whole body, it was the most beautiful thing in the world.
"Why do you ask?" Emily continued.
"It just seems like, you and Paige, really know what love is." Aria said.
"Yeah we do. It may sound corny, but the saying "you just know" really does come into play. I can't ever see myself loving someone else."
"That makes me happy to hear." Aria replied, finally feeling herself smile and her shoulders relax. She was so happy to see Emily happy after all she had gone through, she could only hope that she could have that same happy ending someday.
"Did you feel that when you were with Ezra? Or Noel?" Emily continued.
"No." Aria quickly replied. "It never felt like that... It never felt right."
"I'm sorry, Aria." Emily replied. "But you will find love though. Don't give up!" Emily enthusiastically replied, gently rubbing her friends arm in encouragement.
"Well..." Aria replied. "I finally felt something last night. It feels similar to what you describe. But I'm really scared."
"Last night? I thought you stayed in with Spencer?" Emily replied with confusion.
"Yeah." Aria replied turning to make eye contact with her friend in order to make her understand, her voice began to shake "I did."
"Oh my god." Emily replied "Did..."
"TEQUILLLLAAA SHOTTTTSSS!" A loud slur interrupted Emily as a very drunk and swaying version of their friend Sarah approached with three shot glasses in hand, each spilling out a little at every step.
"Sarah...what's going on?" Emily replied. Quickly shooting a look of apology to Aria for their conversation being interrupted.
"No one else will take these with me. Come on guys. Let's party it up!" Sarah said audibly and with great enthusiasm.
Aria and Emily made eye contact and reluctantly took the shots out of Sarah's hand before they split all over the gazebo. Aria reluctantly raised her glass and downed the tequila trying not to pull a disgusted face and attempted to amuse her drunk friend.
"Did you guys know..." Sarah slurred her way "The Noel's family has this amazing outdoor shower? You can see the stars while you shower!" She screamed enthusiastically. "LETS GO!"
"Sarah. Wait." Emily tried to reason with her drunk friend.
Before she could continue Sarah took off running. "Oh shit." Emily replied.
Aria quickly placed the shot glass down and took off her cowboy boots to run. "I know where it is. I'll get her."
Shower-
After what felt like ten minutes of running to the other side of Noel's yard Aria finally caught up to Sarah. She found Sarah's drunk stature lumped up against the outside of the wooden shower. Aria slowed her run to a walk once she saw that Sarah was okay. Aria walked up to the shower. It looked like small wooden stall, but she knew that the inside was adorned with beautiful shells Noel's mom had decorated with.
She had known where it was from the many times she had gone with Noel and his family to the beach in prior summers. She didn't know she would at first, but Aria had come to adore the outdoor shower. Being able to look up at the sky while the warm water surrounded her body in the fresh air was a state of bliss she had grown to miss after her times spent here had decreased.
"Hey girl." Aria said with a laugh and approaching her drunk friend slowly, and kneeling down towards her level "Hanging in there?"
"I wanted to go in the shower, but then I got tired." Sarah replied with a giggle.
"Where's Tom, Sweetie?" Aria replied with a gentle tone. She knew that Sarah may have had a few too many drinks, but they had always been good friends over the years, so she didn't mind taking it easy with her.
"There!" Sarah shouted, pointing behind Aria's head.
Aria turned around to ensure Sarah was pointing to Tom and not a wild animal. Out of the dark she saw a short boy with red hair approach. Aria smiled once seeing her friend Tom emerge from the darkness. Tom was another boy she had gone to grade school with, she remembered how Tom had tutored her in Algebra a few years back. Tom and Sarah had been sweethearts for as long as she could remember.
"Hey Tom." Aria said "Your princess awaits." with a chuckle.
"Thanks for taking care of her. " Tom replied with a grin, clearly sober and ready to take his girlfriend home. "Come on sweetie, lets go home and order some pizza."
"Yes I love pizza!" Sarah replied, as she placed her hands in Tom's and pulled herself to her feet. "See you later Aria!" She called out as the two of them walked hand in hand back towards the house.
Aria smiled at their love. Maybe Emily was right, Aria thought to herself, when you find it, you will just know.
Aria slowly opened the wooden door to step inside of the shower. She wanted to see if it looked the same as she remembered it. The whole thing was a wooden stall with a rain shower head at the top. As she creaked open the door and stepped inside he could smell the shampoo's that were lining the built in shelves and she ran her finger over the water spout and the shells adorning it.
"Hi"
The voice came from the doorway to the shower, and Aria whipped her head around to see Spencer standing there.
"Hi..." Aria replied.
Then, without warning Spencer charged forward towards Aria.
