A/N: Sorry for the small wait! I've had this chapter partially written soon after I posted the last, but my college semester was coming to a close so, I didn't get around to finishing it until tonight. Hopefully with this month long break, I'll have time to write more and if I'm lucky, complete this baby.
A couple of you have been asking endgame questions and honestly, I haven't even gotten that far with my ideas yet. Believe me, if I could answer you, I would.
And last, but not least, it was brought to my attention that the first two chapters were a bit confusing as far as Paige and Emily's exclusivity. For those who may be a part of this group: They are not exclusive whatsoever. Emily wants to be, hence the action she took last chapter, but it's not working out. Sorry for making that cloudy!
Enjoy Chapter 3! It's double the length because there's a whole lot of Hanna and I needed the dialogue to build up to the ending scene. Let me know what you think!
"We're never done, Emily."
I can't seem to wrap my head around those last four words. What was Paige even implying? I know I'm being over-analytical, but if she wasn't so vague with her answers, I wouldn't have to be. I was serious when I talked to her; I don't want to be in this situation anymore, even if it kills me not to. There are always two sides: the pessimist in me who knows that there can't possibly be a beneficial ending for us, yet also the hopeless romantic who still keeps that 0.1% chance of it happening alive. If I keep this up, I'll really end up alone for the rest of my life. And that is not something I want, nor need, for myself.
My thoughts continue wandering; I feel like all I do now is think. I've now started a self-pity party on how I've already been alone my whole life. Sure, I've dated before Paige, but they were meaningless; simply fillers in a time of despair. And though Paige and I have never been exclusive, I haven't been with anyone else since we've been "together." There hasn't been a need to be with anyone else. I can't say the same for her, of course. But, for some odd reason, I've always been content with the situation at bay. Until now, I guess.
I tip my glass up, drinking the last of the wine that I've been nursing for the past hour. After Paige left, I found myself searching for a bit of solace from Merlot. It's pretty bad when it's 7:45 on a Monday night and the rest of the week has yet to throw its troubles on me. I usually call Hanna and after very little convincing, she's here to non-judgmentally toast to all the shit we've been thr- ... Hanna.
Before I know it, I'm listening to her ring back tone, waiting for her to pick up. If she doesn't, I have every intention to keep calling until she does. Luckily, for her, she picks up on the fourth ring of the first call.
"Emily! What a lovely surprise on this lonely Monday night."
I breathe out a laugh, "You act like I never call you, Han."
"Well, no ... I know you do. I just like to think every call from you is a surprise. It stops the temptation of hitting the ignore button."
I dramatically gasp, "You wouldn't dare intentionally ignore a phone call from your best friend. Especially if said best friend is the same person who has to sit through your ring back tone every time."
"How do you know I haven't already ignored you before? And I happen to love my ring back tone, thank you. When I call people, I get so bored listening to ring after ring after ring. So, instead of putting you through that torture, you can listen to Ellie Goulding instead." I can sense that she's wearing a toothy grin.
"You haven't ignored me before because you know I wouldn't dare do that to you. And you also know I wouldn't dare turn down wine with you either so, I think you ... should come drink wine ... with me. While discussing cell phone features from 2005", I tell her, immediately throwing my offer out there and placing emphasis on the pauses to gain more sympathy from her.
"Don't have to ask me twice! I'm already putting on my jacket. See you soon!"
I hear a click and a dial tone within seconds. Putting my home phone down, I grab another glass off of my wine rack, relieved that I won't be as alone tonight as I thought.
Hanna lets herself in; I hear her kick off her heels, grab her glass and the wine bottle off of the kitchen counter, and walk into the living room to join me. I'm sitting with my back against the arm of the couch, legs pulled up to my chest, and both hands wrapped around my still empty glass from when I called Hanna. She stands next to me, refilling mine and then following by filling her own. She holds her glass forward and looks down at me.
"A toast to Paige for successfully ruining your night once again."
"Wait, what? I'm not allowed to drink with my best friend without it being about Paige?", I ask, puzzled but not completely surprised that Hanna caught on.
"Oh no, you can. Believe me, any time you want to drink, I'll be here ... But, considering what I suggested you do over a week ago, I just have a gut feeling she's the reason."
I raise my glass up and clink ours together. I can't dispute a true statement; Paige had spoiled the rest of the evening. And I'm thankful Hanna already knew without me having to say anything. We both silently take a sip as Hanna sits down directly in front of my feet. She closes her eyes and hums, the glass still to her lips.
"You always buy the best wine, Em. Seriously. We're not doing anything until this bottle is finished."
I smile, taking another sip myself, knowing that there's only enough left for maybe one more refill each.
... Or half of a refill for me and 1 1/2 for Hanna. She flips the bottle upside down and shakes it, making a failing attempt to steal mere drops. I try and stifle a laugh.
"I don't think you're going to get any more wine, Han."
She pouts and quickly gives up, "You're right ... We should go out."
"Uh, I have to open the grille in the morning."
"And I have a meeting to present potential wardrobe ideas to my boss", she pleads, grabbing my hands, "Come on, Em, it wouldn't be the first time we've pulled all nighters."
Oh, the all nighters. A couple of years ago, Hanna and I had trained our bodies and brains to stay awake for such extended periods of time that when we finally had the opportunity to sleep, we couldn't.
"Yeah, but it's been so long since we have", I state, trying to change her mind for the second time. But, I know Hanna and I know once she has her mind set on something, there is no changing it. She continues to give me puppy eyes, "... Fiiineee. One hour."
Hopefully this will give my mind the rest it needs.
Our cab drops us off in front of a pub just outside of town. It's a fairly large place with tables in front, a square-shaped bar in the middle, and pool tables in back. The kind of establishment only locals would usually regulate. Hanna makes clear that the only reason why she's aware of it's existence is because of Caleb, but also admits that she liked it when he brought her here. I shrug my shoulders and go with it, walking in behind her. I scan the area briefly as we walk over to the bar top and sit down on the wooden chairs. There's not an overwhelming amount of people, but for a Monday, it's a pretty decent crowd. Sangria is placed in front of me and I shoot Hanna a confused look.
"I took the responsibility of ordering us drinks; time is of the essence, Em!"
"Well, thank you, but ... sangria?"
"We've already been drinking wine so, it makes more sense than getting plastered by doing shots of tequila. I do think when I need to."
I could easily make a smartass remark, but I decide against it, simply nodding my head and taking a sip in place of speaking. Hanna looks pleased and I scan the room once more, locking eyes on a brunette at the opposite end of the bar. She appears to be alone and I can't help but wonder how she possibly could be ...
"You pretty little ladies look like you could use some fun."
I break my gaze, turning my head to the direction of the voice, only to see two young guys on the side of Hanna. One is wearing a backwards baseball cap, chewing on a toothpick, and sporting a smug smirk on his face. I can tell he's the one who made the weak suggestion.
"We're fine, thanks."
"Aw, don't take it the wrong way, darling. I was only talking about a game or two of pool."
Hanna pipes up, "What my friend Emily really meant to say was that, yes, we are fine, but we'd still love to kick your asses."
"Well then Emily and ... ?"
"Hanna."
"Emily and Hanna. It's settled. Go grab yourselves a stick. Hey, boss! Grab these two another round of whatever they're drinking and throw it on my tab", he shouts over to the bartender.
Two games turned into best out of six. So much for my hour limit. We were at the end of game 6; Hanna and I were up 3-2. There were three solids left on the table, not including the 8 ball. I bent over the edge, strategically bouncing a striped ball off of the corner to bank in our solid. Everyone had doubted that I would get it in so, when I did, I straightened out my stance slowly, blowing the chalk remnants off the tip of the pool stick.
"Now that's how it's done, boys."
Hanna busted out laughing, squeezing me into a tight hug, and swaying in a circle. As we turned, I looked over the top of Hanna's head, noticing that the brunette was still in the same spot she was earlier. Only this time, we made direct eye contact. I let go of Hanna, holding her at an arm's length away.
"Han, why don't you finish these rookies off", I told her, pointing my thumb at the guys, "I'll be back in 10 minutes."
She smiled understandingly and I began to walk towards the bar. I'd be lying if I said the alcohol wasn't the reason why I've gained this sudden courage, but regardless, my legs were already moving. This mystery woman now had one hand on her drink and the other on the back of her neck, rubbing a potential sore spot while holding her head down. I took a deep breath before sitting down next to her. She snapped her head up, nearly jumping out of her chair.
"Hey ...", I awkwardly start, already wanting to slap myself on the forehead for coming across as anything but smooth.
Silence. I need to keep talking.
"I saw you when I first came in and didn't think too much of it, but now my observations tell me that you're alone."
She clears her throat and swallows hard, almost whispering, "Why does it matter?"
She's defensive and there's no need for me to get offended by it considering she's a complete stranger. I blankly stare at her, searching for something to say. It's entirely obvious that I haven't hit on anyone in what seems like a lifetime.
"It's just interesting that a girl like you isn't, I don't know, dating or taken or married ...", I trail off, stopping my rambling while I'm ahead because she very well could be any of those things.
She breathes out a raspy laugh, "A girl like me?"
I lick my lips and nervously fiddle with my hands, "You know what I mean."
And then I think that maybe she doesn't. Need I remind myself that I just met her. Yet, from my assumption, her body language and persona both change and she switches from sitting forward to sitting to the side, her knees touching the outside of my thigh.
"If this is you making a move on me, I suggest you try a little harder. Let's start with names."
I'm startled, to say the least. So, she is into women. There goes my question. I glance at her outfit from bottom to top - black heeled boots, black leggings, a long light blue button up shirt, and an equally long black cardigan - and then her face. I finally get a full view of her features. She's beautiful. Unique looking. It's almost apparent how intellectual she is. I catch myself staring too much. My mind quickly flicks to Paige before I push the thought away.
"Emily."
She extends an open hand and I gently shake it, "Nice to meet you, Emily, I'm Spencer."