A/N: Edit - someone pointed out a mistake (thank you!) so I fixed it up. Enjoy =]

Chapter 4.

"Ugh, that test was killer," Hanna said dramatically, throwing her bag down on the table.

Spencer rolled her eyes, "Didn't you just kill the SAT's? You'll be fine."

Hanna huffed, "Whatever. Easy for you, you've never failed a test in your life."

Spencer smiled; it was true.

Aria yawned as her phone beeped. At the same time Hanna and Spencer's phone's sounded. The three exchanged looks as they picked up their phones.

"Whoa," Aria was the first to speak.

"Oh my god," Hanna groaned.

Spencer looked around, "Where are they now?"

Hanna shrugged, "They're meant to be here… I don't want to think what they're doing after seeing that… I mean, were they just making out or – "

Aria pulled a face, "Too much information Hanna, I really don't need the details."

Emily was the first to pull away from the heated kiss.

"We should go meet the others."

Alison looked disappointed, "Uh-huh."

Emily noticed the look on Alison's face, "Sorry, Ali… I'm just not ready. This is such new territory…"

Alison shrugged, "Yeah, I know. It's fine," she brushed a thumb under Emily's eye, "You don't trust me," she said quietly, "I get it… but you will. I'll show you."

Emily smiled and kissed her lips, "I want to," she murmured before backing away entirely and opening the cubicle, Alison following her out.

A few moments later, they were in the cafeteria, spotting their friends who looked like they were in some kind of intense conversation.

"Hey guys," Emily sat down, Alison taking the seat opposite her.

The three girls looked at them intently.

"Hey," Spencer said.

"What's… going on?" Emily asked, sensing the weirdness, "Everything okay?"

Hanna sighed and picked up her phone, scrolling through her messages.

Alison leaned forward, "Is it A?" she asked concernedly.

Hanna handed her phone to Emily as Aria handed hers to Alison. Both pressed play at the same time.

"Oh, shit," Emily let slip before looking at Alison.

Alison shook her head, handing it back to Aria.

"I mean, what the hell Ali? Haven't you put Emily through enough?" Hanna was exasperated.

"It's not like that," Emily shot back, "It's complicated."

"Complicated?" Hanna asked incredulously, "She played with your feelings and now you're just jumping into bed with her like it's nothing."

Alison cut in, "I know what you're thinking but – "

"I'm thinking that you're doing what you always do," Hanna growled, "You're using her."

Emily fired up, "Hanna, shut up. She's not using me, okay?"

"It's just... why didn't you tell us, Emily?" Spencer spoke quietly, "If this was something…real, you wouldn't be keeping secrets. She's always making you keep secrets, you know that's exactly how you guys used to be. She makes you feel special so - "

"What the hell are you calling me if you think I'd do that just to keep someone on side?" Alison snapped.

Hanna shrugged, "If the glove fits."

Emily ground her teeth, "She's not the one who wanted to keep it a secret," she finally blurted.

Even Alison was surprised at the outburst.

Emily sighed, "Ali wanted to tell you," she confessed, "It was me who wasn't ready."

"But why?" Hanna frowned, "You've been in love with her forever, why…"

Emily bit the inside of her cheek, "Because… because I was scared to admit it was real. And there have been so many secrets, it's hard to…" she shrugged.

"She doesn't trust me," Alison said softly.

Emily closed her eyes for a moment, "It's not like that, Ali."

"It is and that's okay, I get it," Alison replied.

"I trust you," Emily claimed, "I've always trusted you. I'm just… I'm scared."

"Of what?" Alison pressed.

"I've loved you since I was thirteen, Ali… but it was always just the idea of you and now, it's…it's real and I'm scared of stuffing it up. And I'm scared you're just going to get bored of me. And I'm terrified of A taking you from me now that I've actually got you…like this," she paused as she felt Alison's hand curl around her, "I'm just…scared."

Three pairs of eyes shifted from Emily to Alison.

"Don't you think I'm scared too?" Alison said quietly, "Scared you'll remember how horrible I've been to you and realise you can do better."

Hanna snorted, earning a glare from Emily.

"Emily," Alison hesitated, "Don't you know? I love you too. I always did. I just wasn't as brave as you to acknowledge it. But I am now."

Emily felt her breath hitch in her throat and she struggled to swallow, "You…can you repeat that? I think I misheard you."

Alison smiled, "I love you."

Emily stood up and pulled Alison to her feet, putting both hands on her cheeks and kissing her fiercely. Alison wrapped her hands around the back of Emily's neck, drawing her closer and not even hearing the whispers that were going around the cafeteria.

"Was that open enough for you?" Emily asked as she broke away a little breathlessly.

"Definitely," Alison bit her lip as she smiled.

"Hang on," Hanna interrupted the moment, "So this is like a thing? A relationship?"

Alison turned to Emily, "Good question."

"Yeah, this is a relationship," Emily's stare was unwavering as she spoke, then she turned to Hanna, "And I get why you're worried and sceptical, Han, but please can you just give it a chance?"

Hanna eyed Alison warily, "Yeah…okay, but I swear to god if you hurt my bestie, I will hand you to A myself."

"Han!" Aria exclaimed, "Harsh, much?"

"I get it, Han," Alison said, "And I wouldn't expect any less."

Spencer nodded, "Fine, just don't go back to keeping secrets. I mean, not now. Not with A, we need to be…united. All of us."

"I agree," Alison nodded.

"Me too," Emily agreed.

The bell rang. Alison kissed Emily goodbye as they parted ways. Hanna walked with Emily and bumped her gently.

"So, that video looked pretty steamy…" she started, "Did you guys like do it?"

Emily turned to Hanna in shock, her cheeks burning, "Hanna!"

Hanna rolled her eyes, "What? I told you about Caleb."

Emily bit her lip and sighed, "We didn't…you know… we just…did other stuff," she mumbled.

Hanna looked surprised, "Wow. Was it good?"

Emily looked at her friend incredulously, "Yes, it was good," she rolled her eyes, "I'm not going to have any privacy in this relationship, am I?"

"Nope!" Hanna grinned as she took her seat.

Emily's phone beeped and she pulled it out under the desk as the teacher walked in.

Just in case you need me to repeat it; I love you and I'll never get tired of saying it. Sleep over at mine tonight?