Chapter 14

Emily's POV

They had been dating for a month now, but it had felt like three days to Emily. She had learned a lot about Paige that she never knew, like Paige's favorite color was purple and her dad and she had more of a formal coach/player relationship rather than a father/daughter. Paige had said that he loved her, but he treated her more formally than most kids were. Emily hoped that Paige had learned a few things about her as well. Right now, their relationship was not the problem. Hanna was. She kept calling Emily to let her know that she was making a huge mistake. Emily didn't understand why it was so hard for Hanna to forgive Paige. The Harvard swimmer was currently seated on the floor, her back against her bed, toying with the bracelet that Paige had gotten her a few days ago.

She jumped out of her skin when her phone rang, her heartbeat increasing rapidly. She looked at the caller ID and rolled her eyes when she saw Hanna's name. She was seriously considering to decline the call since she knew that Hanna would only talk about Paige, but what kind of friend would that make her? She answered the call to hear Hanna immediately start gabbing. "Hey Em, we need to talk."

"Really?" Emily asked flatly. "And I wonder what the topic is," she stated sarcastically.

"Emily Fields, I don't have time for your shit right now," Hanna snapped. "Do you know that little coffee shop called The Grind? It's near your school. Meet me there."

Emily's stomach dropped. "You're here?" She questioned in disbelief.

"Not only me. ALL of us. Aria and Spencer are here too," Hanna informed her. What the actual hell, Hanna? Emily thought furiously as she quickly stuffed her feet into her sandals and flung open the door and Paige, who had been on the other side with her hand on the handle, was flung onto Emily.

Paige smiled, looking pleased to be in Emily's arms. "Hey Em, how-" she began before her girlfriend interrupted her.

"Sorry Paige, can't talk now. Hanna, Aria, and Spencer are here and waiting for me," Emily muttered.

Paige's eyes widened as she guessed why they were here. "I'm the reason they're here. They don't trust me." Paige's expression turned downcast from being rejected by Emily's friends, but Emily could tell that Paige didn't blame them for hating her.

"I don't know, but I will once I get out of here," Emily placed a goodbye kiss on Paige's cheek before heading out to confront her friends.

Hanna's POV

Hanna sat at a table with her friends, expecting Emily to come into the coffee shop anytime now. She drummed her fingers on the table in boredom but stopped immediately as she saw Emily enter. "Oh look! There she is!" Aria exclaimed loudly.

Spencer gave her a condescending look as she stated, "You don't need to inform everyone here, Aria." Aria slumped down, muttering an apology. Emily spotted them and quickly headed their way. "Hey guys," she said, giving them a tight smile as she sat down stiffly. Hanna watched her every move, frowning at Emily's awkwardness. "So, why are you all here?" The swimmer looked like she already knew the answer.

Hanna and Spencer exchanged glances before Spencer gestured for her to speak. The blonde cleared her throat, unsure of where to begin. "So...you're dating Paige?" Hanna winced at the obvious statement.

"Yes, I am. And that's the reason you guys visited me, isn't it? You want to warn me about how Paige is trying to get revenge and break my heart," Emily said, her face showing no expression.

Aria looked nervously at Hanna before speaking. "Is it a bad thing that we're here?"

Emily exhaled and Hanna knew that she wasn't mad that they were there. "No, it's not a bad thing. I'm glad and flattered that you guys care enough to come here," Emily admitted and the girls exchanged shocked glances.

"Of course we care," Spencer said, putting her hand on Emily's arm. "It's just that we know what McCullers put you through during high school. Are you sure that she is just hiding her true colors?"

Emily hesitated, looking disconcerted. "Well, we were getting along as roommates a-and then we became friends...and then I told her I liked her and s-she said it back," Emily stammered slightly. "Then we went on a date and she was nothing but nice..." her voice trailed off.

Hanna could sense the confusion and sudden doubt about Paige in her best friend's mind. Suddenly Hanna felt bad that it had been partly her fault for Emily's distress. She decided that she wanted to diffuse the situation as quickly as she could. "Maybe you're right. Maybe Paige really has changed. Maybe you've finally brought out the good in her. The romantic side of her." Hanna laughed slightly, trying to use humor to loosen the Harvard swimmer up. It didn't work. Emily was staring at her with such a troubled look that Hanna regretted getting everyone together.

Spencer and Aria had been watching this display in silence before Spencer decided to step in. "Okay, well, I think it's time for us to head to our hotel room. It was good seeing you, Em, but maybe we should meet at a different time," Spencer smiled widely before muttering under her breath, "and under different circumstances."

"Yeah," Aria stood up and put a hand on Emily's shoulder, "we'll see you soon Em." Both girls left Emily with Hanna, who was staring at her friend in dismay. Silently, she bent down to wrap Emily in her arms, but her heart fell when she didn't feel the brunette hug her back. The blonde let go and murmured a soft "see you later" and left, but not before she heard Emily whisper to herself, "Maybe I was wrong about her."

Phew, sorry I haven't updated in a while, but hope this drama filled chapter made up for it. Uh oh, Emily and Paige just got together!