Chapter 2

Emily's thoughts were racing. Is this a threat? What is A going to do to her? Did A kill Toby?

"Got the broo... Emily, are you alright? You look a little shaken up."

"I- I'm- My mom just called and... wants me to help with dinner." She quickly walked out of the kitchen, stopped at the front door, then turned to see Maya's confused face. "I'll see you tomorrow."

Emily pulled out her phone closing the door behind her, texting Hannah : We need to talk.

"Why can't we get a table out front?" Asked Hannah.

"I don't want anyone to hear us." The girls sat down at their secluded table at the Grill. Emily pulled out her phone and handed it to Hannah. "I got a text from you-know-who."

"Why aren't you showing Spencer and Aria this?"

"You're the only one who knows about Maya. So it's a threat right? I'm not sure what to do."

"Well," thought Hannah. "Since this is obviously a warning you should make sure Maya doesn't get hurt." Emily looked confused. "A wants you to stop seeing her. You don't want her to get hurt, do you? And when did you get this any way?"

"About twenty minutes ago. I... I was at Maya's."

A waitress came by with two menus. "What would you ladies like to start off with?" Her voice was very annoying. Probably because she was interrupting.

"I'll have some iced tea." Said Emily.

"Water for me." Once she left Hannah continued. "Wait, why were you at Maya's?"

"I guess I was trying to patch things up, you know... after homecoming."

"Ah, I see. I guess that was kind of my fault."

Emily shook her head, "No. There was no way you could have known who I was taking."

There was a moment of silence. "When did you know?" asked Hanna.

"Know what?"

"That you liked girls."

The waitress came over with their drinks. "Would you girls like to order now?" she asked once their drinks were on the table.

"No." replied Hannah with a hint of irritation.

"Would you like me to come back late..."

"Yes!" snapped Hanna. The waitress looked from one girl to the other then walked away.

Emily watched her walk into the kitchen. "Ummm, what were we talking about?"

"When you started liking girls." repeated Hannah.

"Well, I've only liked two. Maya and some one else."

"Who?" Hannah pried while taking a sip of her water.

Say Alison. Don't say that. You have to tell the truth. "It was Al..."

"You know I'm sorry Em," Hannah interupted. "I shouldn't be so nosy."

"It's okay." Inside she was relieved. "Do you think... do you think A would ever kill some one?"

Hannah thought for a moment. "Look Em, if you really like her, and want to be with her, then some stupid text shouldn't get in the way." Hanna stood up and pushed in her chair.

"Where are you going?"

"I have some yearbook stuff to get done." She put a couple dollars on the table to pay for her drink. "I'll see you later Em."

Once she left the waitress walked up, "I'm sorry about my friend."

"It's fine. I couldn't help but catch some f your conversation."

Emily's eyes widened. "Oh we- we were just talk- ing about..."

The waitress handed her a flyer. "There's a meeting tonight. You should come." She smiled then walked back into the kitchen.

LGBT Meeting

Tuesday at 10pm at the Community Center

There were about twenty people sitting in a circle when Emily walked in. A brunette girl stood up. "Hi," she greeted, "My name is Brooke and I'm a lesbian."

"Hi Brooke." The group said in unison. A tall boy sitting next to her stood up. His name was Bryan and he was a bisexual. "Hi Bryan."

The next girl who stood up was the waitress from the Grill. Her blonde hair was in a messy bun. She was wearing Denim shorts and a light green cami. "Hello," The crowd giggled. She must have been here before. Emily thought. "My name is Lauren and I'm a lesbian."

"Hi Lauren." Emily replied with the group this time.

Lauren flashed a smile and noticed Emily at the door. "You came!" She gave a hug that was unexpected to Emily."

"Yeah, I did." Everyone was staring at them.

"Looks like it's your turn." Hinted Lauren.

"Oh, ummm. Can I pass?" The large room suddenly became small. "Please?"

"Yeah," Lauren smiled. "You don't have to do anything you're uncomfortable with." She motioned to the group. "You're safe here."

Emily was surprised how the once annoying voice had become reassuring. "Thanks."

Lauren pulled up a chair next to her's. "Here. Every one this is..."

"Emily"

"Hi Emily." The small room started opening up a bit more. The group continued on it's counter clockwise rotation. There were guys who said they were gay, girls who where lesbians and bisexuals, and then there were people who were just unsure.

Emily felt... accepted.