I decided I would go ahead and post this today because I have physical therapy in the morning and then have to go straight to work from there. I wanted to make sure it would be up before the 5B premiere and wasn't sure if I would have enough time if I waited until tomorrow.

This chapter will have a couple time jumps in it to show significant moments in Emily's journey. I realize I probably should've split this into more chapters to go more in depth, but, just like a lot of you guys, I'm anxious to get past angsty/emotional Hannily.

I was listening to Rolling Stone by Niykee Heaton when I was writing this so that's where the title for this chapter comes from. I felt like that song has a little bit of both Emily and Hanna's point of views in it, especially when it came to what happens in this chapter. So, give it a listen if you'd like (and just everything by Nikyee Heaton in general haha).

-x-x-x-

After Emily opened up to me about everything, I agreed to help her. I know it's going to be hard, but she's worth it. We agreed that she'll stop with the random hook ups and try harder in school so she can bring up her GPA enough to graduate and get into college. Emily seems adamant about changing, so I know that my efforts won't go to waste. I know she can do this, but that doesn't mean it's going to be easy...

-x-x-x-

Two Weeks Later

Emily and I are at The Brew running through our presentation for the history project. It actually turned out really well. Emily wasn't kidding when she said she was full of history facts. The project was a breeze with her knowledge. We have to present it on Friday, the last day of class before Christmas break.

"Alright, I need a break. You want anything?" I ask her as I get up to order a snack and drink.

"Yeah, could you get me a coffee... Americano?"

"Sure thing. Be back in a few."

I'm waiting at the counter for my and Emily's drinks when I glance back to the couch we were sitting at the check on Em. A tall redhead had approached her and I could see Emily fidgeting in her seat. I know what she wants to do, I just hope she's strong enough to fight the urge. After another minute or so, the redhead leaves and Emily lets out a huge breath. I smile as I walk back over to her.

"Your coffee," I smile.

"Thanks," she says as she takes a sip and sighs.

"You alright?"

"Yeah, it's just... this girl came up to me while you were gone and it was really hard to turn her down. But I'm serious about changing. I'm going to prove to you that I can do this."

"Em, I don't want you to prove or do anything for me. Do it for yourself. That's the only way you'll truly be able to beat this thing. But you've taken the first step and I'm so proud of you."

-x-x-x-

One Month Later (January)

I'm leaving my math class at the end of the day when I hear a crash from inside the janitor's closet to my left. I open the door and find Emily in there with some girl. My eyes scan the sight before me. The girl's skirt is hiked up a bit due to Emily's hand being under it. I raise my gaze higher and lock eyes with Emily, tears of hurt and disappointment fill my eyes while hers are full of guilt. I walk away and slam the door behind me.

"Hanna! Hanna, wait!" Emily yells from behind me. I just speed up my pace, hoping to get far enough away so she doesn't see my tear stained face. Unfortunately for me, Emily is faster and catches up to me in no time. She puts her hand on my arm, but I rip it away and keep walking. Emily takes a few quick steps and stops in front of me, her hands taking place on my shoulders to stop me.

"What?!" I yell.

"I'm sorry," she tells me.

I laugh at her, "Sorry? You're sorry? Sorry you fucked up or sorry you got caught?"

Tears well up in her eyes, "Hanna-"

"Forget it, I have somewhere else to be," I walk around her and towards the door.

"No, we're going to talk through this. I know I fucked up, Hanna, and I'm sorry. This hasn't been easy for me, you know that! Girls keep coming up to me and I've been turning them down, but they just won't stop and I've been trying so fucking hard-"

"And you were doing so well! Or at least I thought you were before I caught you with your hand shoved up that girl's skirt."

"Stop! Let me talk! I've been trying to do what you told me. I want to change, but I can't do it without you. I need you. Let me prove to you that I'm worth your time and effort. Just be patient with me, please?" Emily says exasperatedly.

"If I find out you slipped up one more time, I'm done. I want to help you Emily, but I can't do that if you don't want to help yourself."

"I won't, I promise. There's a lot of shit I have to work on and it's going to be hard, I'm going to get frustrated and lash out, but promise you won't leave me. Please, just don't give up on me," she begs.

"I promise," I sigh. It's hard to see her with other girls, but it's even harder to walk away from her when she looks and sounds so broken.

"Thank you," Emily whispers as she pulls me into a tight hug. I swear I see a tear fall as she pulls away, but she turns her face too quickly for me to tell for sure. "Um, you, ah, want to go to The Brew? Coffee's on me," she asks.

"Of course."

-x-x-x-

Two Months Later (March)

"Come on," Emily laughs as she pulls me deeper into the woods by my wrist.

"Where are we going?"

"You'll see. Just a few more yards."

The trees start to thin out as they open up to a clearing, a stream running through the remaining space.

"Em, this place is beautiful," I exclaim.

"Isn't it? This is where I come when I just need to be alone and think. I found it a few months ago. Whenever I got overwhelmed with everything, I came here and sat and just watched the water or now that it's gotten warmer I'd go for a swim." Emily leads me over to a large rock right on the edge of the riverbank and takes a seat. She holds her hand out to help me up and I take it gratefully. Emily inhales a deep breath and lets it out slowly. She slips her shoes off and lowers her feet into the water. "So.." she begins.

"So?" I tease.

Emily laughs and turns to look at me. "I've been girl free for almost four months aside from that one slip, I have A's in almost all my classes, and today..." she says as she slips a piece of paper out of her back pocket," I got my acceptance letter to Hollis!"

"Em! That's amazing! I'm so proud of you! I knew you could do it," I grin as I hug her.

"Yep, all thanks to you," she says as she pulls away from the hug and looks at me. There's a noticeable shift in the air as our eyes lock. I flush and look back towards the stream.

"I'm really proud of you, Emily. You really have changed. Well, not changed, but you're finally showing the world who you really are. You're smart, and kind, and a million other things that I'm not going to list because I know it will just stroke your ego," I finish with a laugh.

Emily laughs along and soon we settle back into a comfortable silence. I stare out at the water just hoping that I really have been able to open Emily's eyes and show her that she can be open and vulnerable without having to be scared that someone is going to take advantage of that and use it to hurt her.

"Hanna?"

"Hm?"

"Go on a date with me."

-x-x-x-

Ahhh! So what will Hanna's answer be? Is she ready to take her and Emily's relationship to the next level or are they better being just friends? Leave a review, they seriously make my day. I love seeing your reactions to everything xoxo