The door shut softly behind Paige, an audible click heard. As she entered the living room, Paige saw only one of her parents. Her father, Nick McCullers. Like always, he was dressed impeccably in a suit.
Nick McCullers stood near the fireplace, his back to her. It appeared as though he was staring into it. Though not facing her, Paige could see the tension in his posture. He was angry.
Now, he turned around and put his hands on his hips. Paige didn't look away from his angry gaze, though she wanted to very much. It was ingrained in her to look away from his stare. It had just always been like that.
Her father was never the physically abusive type, like Paige knew some men were. But Nick McCullers never once laid a hand on her. But he did push her incredibly hard when it came to the sports she pursued. Paige had been truthful with Emily earlier. Swimming had been pushed on her by her father, but she'd gotten to love it later.
She did often wonder what she would've pursued had she had the choice. But, she'd never had that chance. Nick McCullers had wanted her to excel at swimming no matter what.
Things hadn't always been bad with her father. Paige could remember a time when she'd adored her father. Could remember, as a little girl, him putting her on his knee and bouncing her. She'd love those moments. She used to love her birthdays with her father as well. But, it changed as she grew up. He withdrew from her and when high school came along, swimming had happened.
And standing here, facing him now, it was hard for Paige to reconcile who she knew her father was then with who he was now. She said nothing, just simple stood there and waited for him.
She looked around, but didn't see her mother anywhere. Paige saw a suitcase on the floor near the couch. "Where's mom?"
Turning and facing his daughter now, Nick McCullers answered. "Your mother had to stay in San Fransisco. She started her new job today. You would've known that if you hadn't pulled this stunt."
Paige didn't like to be guilt ridded, but that's what her father was trying to do. She responded, "Stunt. That's what you think this is? A stunt?"
Nick McCullers said. "Excuse me?"
It was now or never, Paige reasoned. She could back down, do things his way. And try to make things work with Emily somehow. Or, she could speak her mind and have her say. She thought about Emily. How she'd felt when she'd embraced Emily after deciding to stay. Feeling strength just from that memory alone, she strengthened her resolve. It was now. "Do you know what you've done to me? Three months ago, you suddenly told me we were moving. You said we're going to California. I wasn't even included in the decision. Dad, I had a life here, friends and people that I care about. Its like you didn't care." she shrugged. "Like you don't care."
"How many times do I have to explain it to you, Paige? I am your father and its my job to protect you. To protect my family in any way I see fit. Moving us all to California was the right call."
"For you." Paige replied. "It was the right call for you."
"Of course!" her father exclaimed. "I'm the head of this household, much as you hate me."
Paige's face reacted, at the last of his words. "I don't hate you dad. I just don't understand why neither of you would not include me in this decision. You never told me why."
"Paige, you don't understand. There's a psychopath on the loose. Whoever this guy is, there are people dead and those friends of yours have been getting harassed for how long now? Leaving Rosewood was the right decision. Keeping you safe was all that mattered."
"-A," Paige said, "that's the name the killer was using, was arrested. The police caught -A. It was Alison Dilaurentis."
Nick McCullers made a sound. "Please, Paige, don't be naive. There's no way that DiLaurentis girl is that killer." her father said. "I didn't raise a naive daughter." her father paused for a few moments, then he uttered. "Or a queer one either."
It was like getting sucker punched in the gut. Paige felt the color drain from her face as his words registered. Tears stung her eyes, and she didn't do anything to stop them.
And that's when Paige understood. Understood something that hadn't occurred to her until just now. At this moment. After a few seconds of the shocked silence, she spoke up. "This has nothing to do with keeping me safe." she said, her voice rough, "Bad things have been happening in Rosewood for years. Why now all of a sudden? No, this is about something else. This is about me and Emily. All this time, I thought you'd adjusted, but you haven't. You still haven't accepted that I'm gay."
"Its not exactly something a parent wants their child to say. Paige." was what her father said.
"You never made an effort, though dad." Paige said, crossing her arms.
"Do you think its easy for us? For me?" Nick McCullers said, frustrated. "I was raised in the church, Paige. The same way I thought I was raising you in. The bible clearly says homosexuality is a sin."
"I know what it says dad, believe me, I know. You've never let me forget what you think is right or wrong. I've always done what you wanted, always tried to be the daughter you wanted. Do you think I always wanted swimming?" When he said nothing, she forged on. She was aware of the tears spilling over her cheeks, but she didn't stop. "You forced swimming on me, dad."
"I thought you liked swimming." Nick McCullers's voice, for the first time, sounded strained.
"I love swimming, dad. But, I would've loved to have been given a choice. To have the option of pursuing my own dreams."
"So dating a girl is payback?" Her father snapped at her.
Paige shook her head sadly. "You really don't understand at all. Listen to me dad. I'm gay." she said the words that, at one time, terrified her. But this time, she said them with pride.
"Paige…"
"Dad, taking me three thousand miles away isn't going to change me. I'm still going to be gay in California just as much as here." Paige paused. "And that's what you were thinking, isn't it?"
Nick didn't answered, but she saw the answer in his eyes.
Paige ran a hand through her hair. "Dad, I love Emily. I do. And if you make me go to California," she considered, "even if I somehow stayed and Emily and I broke up," she hated the thought of it, "that's not going to change me. I'm not going to suddenly go back and start dating guys."
She saw her father exhale, then he sat down on the couch. "Paige, when you 'came out' to us, it was hard to hear. Your my only daughter and I've always wanted nothing but the best for you. I pushed you at swimming because I wanted you to go fa nothing but the best for you. I pushed you at swimming because I wanted you to go fa nothing but the best for you. I pushed you at swimming because I wanted you to go fa nothing but the best for you. I pushed you at swimming because I wanted you to go farther and your mother and I ever did. The Olympics, world competition, its rare to have that kind of natural ability and I knew you could do it. Maybe I pushed you too hard." He looked away from her. "And its hard for me Paige. Yes, I wanted to get you away from Emily. Is that so wrong?"
"You know how I feel about her."
"Yes, I know Paige. Your risking your future for her. You got a full scholarship at Stanford. Do you have any idea how tough that is?"
Paige sighed. "Yes, I know dad. But I'm not risking anything. My plans about Stanford haven't changed. I'm still going to Stanford, I just, I need more time." Paige stopped herself before saying the next thing she'd wanted to tell him. "Would it be so bad, dad, if I didn't go to Stanford? There are other good schools with excellent swimming programs."
He'd looked up at her from his seat during the first part of her statement. Now, he watched her and Paige could see him seriously considering her words. At least, she hoped that's what she was seeing. "Yes, there are other schools. But, I don't want you jeopardizing your future because of a relationship. Even if you were dating a boy, I'd still be saying this to you."
"I'm not going to jeopardize anything dad. I want to spend the summer with Emily before college and I want to graduate from Rosewood. And when I go to college, I'd like the chance to choose where I go. I know me going to Stanford is part of your dream for me, but-"
Raising his hand, he halted her speech. "Paige, I'm sorry for using that word. It was insensitive of me and I apologize."
"Its fine." Paige answered.
"Its not, but I know you might need time before you can forgive me." Reaching into his jacket pocket, he produced a few envelopes held together by a rubber band. "These came in the mail for you. I wasn't going to give them to you because you seemed so happy about Stanford. But, you want to choose your college, so here." He handed them to her.
Taking them from him, Paige sat down on the couch next to him. She removed the rubber band and thumbed through the four letters she held. They were all from different universities. Columbia University, Penn State University, the University of Southern California, and the University of Pennsylvania. Four excellent institutions had answered her applications. She felt angry that he had kept these from her, but she dialed it down. "You had no right to keep these from me." was all she said.
Nick got up, paced to the entrance to the kitchen and looked towards it, his back to Paige. "Your right, I shouldn't have. You were so happy when you got the scholarship from Stanford. I just didn't think these would matter." he turned around. "I never opened them. Your mother didn't either. If your serious about going to college somewhere else, I promise you I will do my best to get on board with it."
Paige nodded. "Thanks, dad." She stood up as well. "What happens now?"
"I still don't consider Rosewood safe, Paige. But, you do deserve a proper graduation and prom if you want, so," he said, considering, "let me call your mother this evening. No promises, but I will try to work something out. Just give me some time."
"Thank you, dad. I know I haven't been the best daughter, but-" Paige started to say, tears welling up.
He held up a hand. She knew he felt very uncomfortable with tears. "I'm proud of you, Paige. You've worked hard-harder than I thought possible. Not just with swimming, but with your academics, you've worked really hard to get here. And I know I can be difficult, but I really am trying to do what's best for you." He stopped and visibly prepared himself for the next words. "Please, give me time to deal with your-with you being a lesbian. I am trying, Paige."
Paige walked over to him, looking into his eyes. "I know you are. And I know its been hard for you and mom. I have practice with being patient dad. I grew up with you as a father, didn't I?"
That, at least, earned her a upturn of one corner of his mouth. It wasn't ideal, but it was a starting point for the two of them. There was still words left to say, but it would be enough for now.
At least he wasn't flat out saying she was going back to California. And, for the first time since she decided to stay, she felt optimistic that things with her parents would be okay.
Emily was at Spencer's house. The two best friends were upstairs in Spencer's bedroom. After leaving Paige at her house, Emily had decided to come here rather than return to her house. An empty one since her mother wasn't due home for another few hours.
"So, Paige decided to stay, huh?" Spencer was saying, sitting with her back against the headboard of her bed. Emily was sitting on the bed, facing her.
Emily nodded. "We spent the night at my house." she said, reflecting. "We had a great night." She didn't mean for it to sound like that, but she didn't know how to articulate what she was feeling. Seeing Spencer's grin at her words, she felt a blush coming.
"A great night, huh?" Spencer teased.
"Shut up." Emily replied, smiling. "I just meant-its been a long time for me and her. With everything that happened with Ali, it hasn't been easy for Paige. I put her through a lot."
Spencer sensed the time, and dropped her smile. Of all the girls, she had a hidden desire. A burning one, she knew, to see Emily and Paige find a way to work out. They were the happy ending she wished she could have with Toby. "But that's all in the past. Ali's in jail and Paige stayed. She didn't leave like you thought she would."
"I know, but I'm worried about her parents. They can still make her go." Emily confessed. She took her phone out, frowning when she saw that Paige hadn't texted yet.
"Yeah I remember that scene Paige's dad made in the cafeteria that time. Before you guys were even together." Spencer said.
Emily looked at her. "Her parents flew back in this morning. She's planning on confronting them today. That's where she is now."
"Can't be easy for her, having a father like that." Spencer noted. "Nick McCullers is kind of a homophone, right?"
Emily nodded. "Not to mention a jerk."
"That's besides the point." Spencer said, wryly. "Paige must love you if she's willing to do this. Try and have a little faith, Emily. It'll work out."
"That's not the only problem." Emily said, looking at her hands. At her cell phone. "Paige is set to go to Stanford this fall. She's got a full ride waiting for her. Stanford offered me a partial scholarship, but my parents won't be able to afford to pay the other half. And I haven't gotten any other college offers."
"Emily, we're still two months from graduation. That's still plenty of time to hear back. Does your folks even know about Stanford?"
The brunette shook her head. "No, I haven't told them about it. I've kind of had my hopes on going to the same school as Paige. Long distance relationships are hard to make work. I think if we go to different schools, the distance is going to become a problem."
Spencer scooted closer to her friend, sensing that her friend needed it. Putting a hand on her shoulder, she squeezed gently. "I'm sorry. You really need to talk to Paige about your concerns. Keeping this from her isn't the answer."
Emily looked up, giving voice to something that had been nagging at her for the last couple days. "Spencer, I think Paige has been hiding something."
"What?"
"I can't explain it, its just a feeling. Something in her voice just feels-off. I don't know, it might be nothing."
"You definitely need to talk to Paige, then." Spencer stressed. "Remember how you felt when we found out she tipped the police after telling you she wouldn't?"
"When she lied? Yes, I remember Spencer. Why are you bringing that up?"
"Because if you don't talk about it and, if there is something, say you find out some other way, you might feel like that again. You need to talk to her. It may be nothing, Emily."
Now Emily was watching her, a smile tugging at her lips. "You used to hate Paige so much." she commented. "Why such a turnaround?"
Spencer shrugged. "Because I've seen the Paige McCullers you tried to get me to see. After that whole episode with Nate, my eyes opened and I really began to see Paige. To see her like you do." Spencer paused. "And I've seen how you are when your together. And I've seen you when your apart. She makes you happy and you make her happy. That's all that matters."
Emily smiled at her. "Thanks."
"Alright, enough of that. C'mon, let's go to Hanna's. She was kind of worried about you."
"I'm kind of waiting to hear from Paige, Spencer."
"Well, I know that. But, it doesn't mean you can't spend time with us. Let's go. We'll take your car."
Emily followed Spencer out of the bedroom.
On the other side of Rosewood, a three story building set nestled in a peaceful neighborhood. It was an apartment complex. The stranger with the angry eyes was on the top floor.
The stranger inserted a key into the lock of a door and unlocked the apartment. Angry eyes had their head down and entered the apartment.
The interior of the apartment was dark. A single blue couch was against one wall and a small television was against the opposite wall atop a small table. Angry eyes walked beyond the living area to the bedroom, head still lowered.
Perhaps it was because their eyes were downcast that they didn't notice the person already in the bedroom. But now, those angry eyes raised, seeing the back of the person.
Had it been any other person in Rosewood in this situation, there would have been fear. Fear at seeing this person in all black, a black hoodie. But angry eyes had experience with this particular person.
Angry eyes stayed silent, simply waiting. Angry eyes knew the hooded person some knew as -A was aware of her presence, but angry eyes didn't care. She simply waited.
The hooded person was facing a wall. On the wall was a shrine of sorts. Ripped pictures of Paige McCullers, Nick McCullers, and Coleen McCullers. Some of the pictures has the eyes cut out, while others had the faces circled.
-A was studying the wall and finally, angry eyes had enough of the silence. "You know," she said, "its probably not smart to walk around in that getup when your wanting everyone to believe that Delaurentis girl is you."
The hooded figure finally turned around and stared at angry eyes. Angry eyes flinched slightly at the stare. When -A spoke, the voice was disguised. "Your fascination with the McCullers is jeopardizing my plans."
Angry eyes stared at the wall, then back at the mask covered face. "You know who they are."
-A reached up and slowly pulled the mask away, revealing a clean face and a few strands of blonde hair poking from the hood. "Yes, and I know who you are." a distinctively familiar voice said. "Don't forget where I found you."
"I've been loyal to you." Angry eyes said. "I've helped you with your surveillance and that other project of yours. All I've ever wanted was to pay them," she sneered at the wall, "back for what they did. I got tired of waiting."
-A approached slowly. "Be careful of your plan, girl. Paige isn't alone anymore. She's back with Emily Fields."
Remembering the kiss, angry eyes made a sound. "I know. It won't interfere with your plan."
-A nodded. "Let's hope it doesn't. I would hate to have to return you where I found you."
Angry eyes looked down, feeling the familiar feeling of shame and abandonment of that place. The place where -A first found her. Moments later, angry eyes looked back up to see the mask back in place.
"Don't let your obsession get in the way of my plans, girl. Things are about to be interesting." was all -A said before walking past angry eyes.
Up in her bedroom, Paige sat at her desk, the college letters on the desk in front of her. She hasn't called or texted Emily yet. She wanted to look at the letters first.
She knew Emily was probably anxious by now, but Paige had needed some time first. It was late in the afternoon, so Paige figured she wouldn't be seeing Emily again that day anyway, so she decided to wait before texting.
The first letter was from Columbia University. She read it. Frowning, she saw that Columbia had offered her a partial academic scholarship, similar to what Stanford offered Emily.
Putting it aside, Paige looked at another. This one was from Penn State. Opening it, Paige's brows raised. Penn State was similar to Stanford in that they wanted to offer Paige a full ride.
A full athletic scholarship for swimming. It felt so surreal to see a letter like that. It filled Paige with that same exuberant feeling when she'd learned about Stanford.
She quickly opened the other two letters. The letter from USC was a partial scholarship as was the letter from UPENN. She wished Penn State would give Emily a full ride because then at least their short term future could start to look better.
Paige decided to put that particular worry aside. She reached for her phone and sent a text to Emily. Hey. she sent it, figuring that was always a good starter to a conversation.
A minute later, Emily replied. Hey yourself. How did the talk go? Are you okay?
Paige licked her lips as she tapped her phone, answering. Better than I thought. My dad came, but my mom stayed in California. I think me and dad worked something out. Paige hesitated, then looked outside, making a decision. I know its getting late, but can you pick me up? We can go to the Brew?
I'm on my way. Was Emily's immediate reply.
Feeling better, Paige pocketed her phone and grabbed her jacket. Heading downstairs, she found her father in the kitchen, sipping some coffee.
"Dad, Emily's coming over. Is it okay if I go out for a bit?" Paige asked as carefully as she could.
She could tell he wanted to say no, plus some other things probably. But instead, he surprised her. "Sure, just don't stay out too late. You still have a curfew."
She nodded, slipping her jacket on.
"Paige, I called your mother. We talked about it."
She crossed her arms, realizing with increasing anxiety that he could still make her go to California, which would make things more difficult. "Okay-"
"We've come to a compromise of sorts. We've already bought our new home in San Francisco and your mother started her new job already, so we can't simply undo all that."
"I-I know." Paige whispered, her face falling.
Nick McCullers reached over and touched her hand. It had been laying on the counter. "That's why I called Karen as well."
She looked at him. Her aunt Karen? The same aunt Karen that owned the lake house? "Aunt Karen?"
Nick nodded. "I explained the situation and she-well, she's on your side. She's agreed to move in here so that you will have a guardian related to you. Tomorrow, you and I will go meet with the principal and work out the rest."
Paige's face showed the shock she felt. "I-I don't know what to say, dad."
Nick McCullers replied. "Start with thank you. This was the simplist solution, Paige. Truth is, your mother and I have been wanting to leave Rosewood for a while. Originally, we were going to wait until you graduated to do it,but then all these things happened and we wanted to get you somewhere safe. But, if you really want to stay, this is the way to do it."
"Thanks dad, for finding a way." Paige heard a chime from her phone. Emily was outside. "Emily's here."
"Go ahead, we'll talk when you get back." A her father said.
Nodding, Paige headed out of the kitchen. She peeked at him out of the corner of her eye before completely leaving.
Nick stayed where he was until he heard the front door shut. He took another sip of the coffee, then he took his own phone from his pocket. Pressing it on, his iPhone was still in the last active app he'd had open before he'd heard Paige coming downstairs.
It was his photo gallery. On the screen was an old photo that he'd had digitized long ago. The photo was indeed old and grainy. It showed the entire family. Nick and his wife Colleen, a younger Paige and Nick's sister Karen.
Nick McCullers exhaled, sighing as he looked at the old photo. Memories of what happened that day came to him. Memories of promises made and promises kept.
Shaking his head, he closed his phone, deciding to leave the past in the past.
Less than an hour later, Emily and Paige were sitting in a booth at the Brew. They were eating the meals they'd ordered along with two large milkshakes.
Emily had a cheeseburger and fries along with a vanilla milkshake. Paige, on the other hand, was enjoying a bacon cheeseburger and fries with a chocolate milkshake.
Seeing the hefty burger, Emily couldn't believe Paige as she was eating it. Who knew how many calories that thing had in it, but Emily knew Paige's workout routine real well. Paige worked out hard to keep her body the way it was.
Emily couldn't help the smile that grazed her lips, thinking about Paige's body. She remembered the first time she'd ever seen Paige working out.
Emily had been on her way home from school and had passed by the gym. She'd seen Paige there, running on a treadmill. Her skin was slick with sweat and her hair had been sticking to her face.
They hadn't known each other that long then. She still considered Paige a teammate at the time, but she'd caught herself staring. Watching Paige's skin as she ran. Watching her face, flush with exertion. She didn't want to call it leering, but it was close.
She remembered wanting to go inside and kiss Paige. But, thebtiming wasn't right. She hasn't known the first thing about Paige. And vice versa. She hasn't known about Paige's history with Alison and the things her first crush had put Paige through. Things Emily herself felt shame for.
But they were here, so things since then had worked out. Looking around them, she saw that the restaurant was a little busy. She took a sip of her milkshake.
"I can't believe your dad's going to let you stay. After being so headstrong about it for three months, he suddenly just relented." Emily still couldn't believe it.
Paige had never considered it that way, but she just shrugged. "I don't want to over think it, Emily. He compromised and I'm grateful. My Aunt Karen is a lot more-understanding is an easy way to say it. She has her family values, like my dad does, but she's been way more accepting of me."
Emily gave her an understanding look. "I can't believe he actually said that word to you." Emily's insides still bristled with anger as Paige had recalled that portion of the talk. That fierce protective streak she felt for Paige stirred in her.
Paige reached over and held Emily's hand. "He didn't mean it. It hurt, hearing him say it, but I know he regretted it."
"He meant it Paige." Emily believed that. "You don't use that word without a reason."
"He was angry. Either way, I'm gonna give him some time to deal with this." She indicated the two of them.
"My mom had problems when I came out, but she wasn't hateful like that." Emily sighed. "I'm worried he's never going to be accepting of you, Paige."
"I don't care, Em. If he can't accept it, that's his problem." Paige plasterered a smile on her face. She looked at their plates. They had finished their meals some time ago. "I'm gonna go to the restroom, then we'll go, okay?"
Emily wanted to talk about this some more, but she knew Paige didn't, so she relented. It didn't mean she wasn't going to talk to Mr. McCullers herself. She nodded.
Getting up, Paige headed towards the restroom. As she was almost there, a young woman about her height bumped into her accidentally. "Oops, sorry." Paige apologized, helping the girl up then she made it to the restroom.
A couple of minutes later, she came out of the bathroom stall and washed her hands. As her hands came back to her sides, she felt a sharp point poke her left hand. She looked down.
There was a folded slip of paper peeking out of her jacket. She frowned. She was for sure she had nothing in that pocket earlier. She reached down and pulled it out of her pocket.
It was folded in half, but it felt like a photograph. She unfolded it. Paige felt her throat constrict. It was a photograph of her and Emily from a few weeks ago. It showed them having dinner at the Brew.
But that wasn't the worst part. The worst part of the photo was the words written across the photo. In red marker, three words were written across the two of them.
Last chance, Paige.
It was then, when she felt a twinge of fear at this violation of her and Emily's privacy, that Paige remembered that just before coming in here, someone had bumped into her.
Turning, Paige ran out the door and scanned her eyes in both directions, looking for that person. But Paige couldn't even remember what that person looked like. She hasn't even been paying that much attention to it. A frustrated look came across her face, the photo clenched in her hand.
"Paige!"
The swimmer turned her head, seeing Emily heading her way. Paige swallowed and stuffed the photo back into her pocket. She forced a smile onto her face.
"Hey." Paige said.
"What's wrong?" Emily asked, seeing her face.
"Nothing, I'm fine. It just stinks in there." Paige wagged a hand across her nose. "You ready?"
Emily looked like she wanted to say more, but she didn't. "Yeah, let's go. We don't need to upset your dad further by you being out too late."
Paige nodded, smiling when Emily took her hand. As the two headed out of the Brew, Paige couldn't shake an awful feeling.
She felt like they were being watched.