Chapter 2: Miss Emily Fields

The bell rang loudly when Emily Fields put on her last shoe as she was heading to class. She checked herself in the mirror to see if she looked okay. Her Go Sharks! T-shirt was hanging loosely over her denim mini skirt, and her hair up as she gets ready for the last day of the week. Today was the three month anniversary of her and her boyfriend, Ben Coogen, as a couple. They both went to swimming camp over the summer and they didn't just learn how to do breast strokes. In fact, Ben was her first kiss and she should be happy, right? Everyone thought that they look cute together and that they should go out.

Ben was the first guy that she has a serious relationship, even if they've only dated for three months. But Emily also has this empty feeling. The only reason why they're together was because she light way was forced into the relationship. It wasn't like she didn't like him, she did but she feels that Ben's feelings about her are little bit stronger.

But Ben wasn't the only the guy that she had feelings for either, and last week something tragic happened. Toby Cavanaugh, Emily's neighbor, mother had passed away and Emily doesn't know why. She heard rumors that his mother had a mental illness, which explains Toby's rebellious behavior. He was like the black sheep of Rosewood and nobody would cross his path, except for Emily who occasionally talks to. She treated him different, and she may not talk to him a lot but she was a shoulder to cry on, literally.

It was like she remembered like it was yesterday. It was pouring outside and Emily just came home from practice. Toby was sitting outside on his porch sulking his own feelings and shutting the world out of his existence. Emily felt sorry for him and she started to approach him. He looked up through his shaggy brown hair and his hazel eyes looked red from crying.

"Hey Toby, what's wrong?" Emily asked as she put her hands in her soaked hoodie. At first he didn't say anything; he just kept looking at the puddle that was in front him. She almost turned away when she saw a tear drop from his eyes and she immediately sat right next to him. "Toby, what happened?"

He finally looked up into Emily's eyes and more tears flooded onto his hot, warm cheeks. His lips quivered and Emily can feel his emotions were all about to burst out of his chest. "My mother, s-she," Toby stopped and this time sobbing. Emily had a strong feeling that she knows what exactly happened.

"I'm so sorry," She hugs Toby as tight as she could and let him lay on her chest. He continued to sob for what seemed like thirty minutes and he finally looked up. Emily was about to ask how did she die when Toby pecked Emily on the cheek. His eyes said thank you but his lips say "I shouldn't be seen with you." And without a protest, he abruptly ran inside of his house, leaving Emily in the rain. She looked back at the house and was really tempted to go inside, but she hesitated and went straight home. She tried texting him, calling him but no answer and was getting worried that he might hurt himself. When she looked out her window she could see the raining had stopped and the sun was just peeking through the dark clouds. The little birds started chirping and it kind of brightened up her mood when suddenly she sees Toby lurking into her backyard. He looked at her with "I know what you did last summer," stare and it kind of freaked her out. Just in perfect timing her mother, Pam Fields, came in. Out of all the events that happened that day, she couldn't remember one thing of what her mother said.

Emily shook her head, reeling back from reality as she pulled her hair tighter and noticed that Paige McCullers was looking at the far end of the locker room. She started to walk over there when she accidentally bumped into Spencer Hastings, who suddenly seemed really excited. "Sorry," Emily mumbled but apparently Spencer didn't hear her. Emily shrugged and turned to see Paige, only to find out that she left the locker room. She looked around the room to see if she could find her, but there was no Paige in sight. Shaking her head, Emily finally grabbed her stuff and headed out the door. Luckily, Ben was waiting outside for her as his hands were behind his back. Emily became suspicious and had a smile on her face. "What are you hiding?" She leaned over and kissed him softly on the lips as she tried to grab of whatever was behind him, but he was too fast for her.

"That, my dear is a secret. Now close your eyes," Ben said as he bit his lips so passionately it gives Emily the jitters. She led out her hands like an innocent puppy dog. He giggled and finally put something on her hands. Emily opened her eyes and a whirl of emotions flooded into her veins.

"Omigosh, its two tickets to the Beyoncé B'Day concert! Thank you, thank you and thank you!" Emily shrieked and jumped up and down. Emily is a huge fan of Beyoncé and secretly knows all her lyrics and her dance moves to every video that she ever danced too. Emily wonders if her obsession of Beyoncé is a real sickness, but she really doesn't care. "I so need to step up my game," she smiled and kissed Ben one more time before she put the two tickets in her duffle bag. Geez, all Emily bought him was this game that everyone was raving about, what was it, oh yeah Call of Duty and two reservations to Rive Gauche.

"Well just be ready tomorrow, the look on your face is good enough for me," Ben said and kissed romantically on her forward. Emily is genuinely happy, but she is happier to see Beyoncé tomorrow, her favorite singer, than being with Ben.

"Omigosh, guys get a room!" A girly voice said who was behind them. Emily froze in her tracks, that girl voice was Alison DiLaurentis, the most popular and gorgeous girl in Rosewood Jr. High. Ali had her blonde hair in waves, as if she just left beach. She had her arms crossed over her chest and had an endearing, but mischievous smile on her face. "Emily can I talk to you in private?" Emily was shocked that she even knew her name, but it was if Ali read her mind "don't be surprised if I know your name Ems, I know every ones." She looked at Ben teasingly and his face turned red with embarrassment.

"I'll see you in practice," Ben avoided Alison's gaze and gently kissed Emily on the lips and walked to class. Emily turned to Ali who somehow became two inches closer to Emily.

"So, Ems, you were amazing yesterday," Ali must be talking about the swim meet to their arch rival yesterday. That was a pretty historic moment. Emily broke the record in Rosewood Jr. High history.

"Thanks, it was nothing," she said bashfully when they both know that it really meant a lot to Emily.

"Please, don't be so modest. I can see you getting a scholarship to Danby or some other swimming school. You're really good." There was a short pause and Emily didn't know what to say next, luckily Alison wasn't paying much attention as she was getting something in her newly bought Chanel tote bag. "Here, you are cordially invited to my annual party." Ali handed the card that had hand scripted Emily on the back. She carefully opened, as if it was some sort of bomb, and read every word in the invitation slowly. She was trying sink this all in; did the popular, beautiful Ali really invite her to her party? The same party where the Philadelphia Sentinel wrote an article about? This is all to surreal.

"Uhm, I don't know what to say," Emily stammered and held on to her locker for balance.

"Well try a thank you and see you tonight!" Ali started to turn around, but she realized that she forgot to say something, "Bring extra clothes; you're one of the lucky ones." She winked back at Emily and started her way off to class, leaving Emily stunned and speechless. But before she walked in, she looked at her one last time and said "Oh and I would be careful of who you put your trust around, especially with Toby," and went into class.