Hey guys, as you've noticed, I've been gone for quite a bit, but I hope that the two chapters I've recently uploaded are making up for it. I really appreciate that you guys are sticking with me and with the story. I don't think I've done a disclaimer in a while so: PLL isn't mine because if it were, I'd mess it up somehow haha. Thank you to all the reviewers and let's read some Paily! :D Also, the song I was listening to while writing this chapter was "Summer Nights" by Rascal Flatts. Amazing song :P

Chapter 12

Paige's POV

A couple of weeks after admitting their feelings for each other, Emily had become awkward in Paige's presence. She had no idea what had caused Emily to be so distant, but Paige was determined to find out. She sat patiently on Emily's bed, waiting for her roommate to walk in. She knew that Emily's class ended a few minutes ago, so she should be heading to her dorm. Paige sighed, playing with the bedsheets in boredom. She didn't really know what to make of her feelings right now. Her feelings for her teammate had increased when Emily confirmed that she felt the same way, but why would she act so distant after? Did she regret telling Paige? The door opened and she jerked up at once.

Emily entered the room and Paige immediately shot up, looking her friend up and down. Damn, Paige thought, she looks so fucking good right now. Emily always left for class before Paige woke up, so she almost never got to see her. Emily jumped back a little, startled by Paige's sudden action. "P-Paige, hey," Emily gave her a tight-lipped smile.

Paige pushed down the irritation towards her fellow swimmer, not wanting to cause Emily to pull even farther into her shell. "Hey Em," she said gently. "We haven't talked in a while..." she drifted off and fixed her eyes on the floor, embarrassed that her voice was starting to shake. Dammit Paige, you promised you were going to keep you cool! Lifting her gaze back up, Paige saw mixed emotions flicker in her friend's eyes. Pain, guilt, and regret.

"Paige, I-I don't know what to say."

"Well, you could tell me why you're avoiding me," Paige demanded as she let her annoyance get the best of her. "If I knew that confessing my affection about you would make you so withdrawn, I wouldn't have done it. Can you at least tell me why?"

Emily let out a gusty exhale. "Okay, you deserve to know." Paige took a small step forward, relieved that she would finally know what she had done. "It was Hanna," Emily told her and Paige furrowed her brow, puzzled.

"Hanna? Are you guys...together?" Paige felt like her heart fallen out of her chest.

Emily looked caught off guard by the question and her lips quirked up in a smirk. "Hanna and I? No, not at all. It's just," Emily paused, trying to explain, "I called her after coming back from that day at the beach and she said that you...might be lying. About how you feel about me. And you're just trying to break my heart for stealing the captain's spot from you."

Paige felt like she was frozen. Hanna thought that she was trying to manipulate Emily because of a grudge in high school? Paige admired Hanna's loyalty, but she had to do something to show Emily that it was far from the truth. The swimmer was avoiding Paige's gaze like she'd get the plague from looking into her eyes. Paige stepped closer and closer to Emily until their faces were inches apart. "That's not true at all," Paige whispered, slowly reaching for Emily's hand. The brunette tried to pull away, but Paige wouldn't let her.

"I was naive and ultra-competitive in high school. I hope you know that I regret all of it. I'd take back everything I did and said in a heartbeat, but we both know that impossible," Paige continued, seeing Emily biting her lip nervously. "I know that it will take your friends a while to trust me, but I'm more than willing to do anything to prove my feelings for you." Paige brought her other hand up to cup the other girl's chin. Lifting Emily's face up slowly, Paige bent her head a bit to capture her lips. Not wanting to push her teammate, Paige reluctantly pulled back, wanting to see Emily's reaction.

Her friend's eyes were still closed and her lips were still pursed. Slowly, Emily opened her eyes and gave Paige the most beautiful smile that she had ever seen in her life. "I believe you." Emily said softly in Paige's ear and Paige was over the moon in happiness. Emily leaned in again and Paige blissfully connected their lips again, feeling fireworks going off in her chest. Emily's hand made its way to Paige's cheek and Paige moved her arms to wrap around Emily's waist, pulling her closer. Emily's lips were warm, softer than she ever could have imagined. As Emily let out a soft moan, Paige saw her opportunity and decided to test the waters. She gently caressed Emily's lips with her tongue and Emily opened her mouth invitingly. Paige smiled as she explored Emily's mouth, the kiss deepening. Emily's hands hand dropped from Paige's face to her shoulders. Suddenly, Emily leapt backward as if burned by an invisible fire.

"Emily, are you alright?" Paige inquired worriedly. Emily nodded and took Paige's hand, stroking the back of it with her thumb tenderly.

"Yeah, I'm fine, I just was shocked by the passion."

Paige didn't know whether that was positive or negative. "And is that a good thing or a bad thing?"

Emily laughed. "It's a good thing for sure. I haven't felt like that in a while," she acknowledged.

Paige tipped her head to the side. "Does this mean that you're okay alright with us going on a date?" Paige asked, not even attempting to conceal the hope in her voice.

Emily raised both eyebrows slightly and said, "I'd be delighted to go on a date with you, Paige McCullers."