AN: Hey guys, bit of a delay. School's been bugging me! Being a senior isn't all that great. I tried to write whenever I could and this is the result. (:
Btw, it's great to see the reviews all saying that it's a never touched story line. It made me smile (:
MindFullOfStories: Thank you for your review!
Del: You want them to be happy, huh. We'll see. (;
Cici: It's great to hear that. I don't know how Paige would take it if Emily ever ended up in a coma. Maybe for another story (; here's the final chapter.
Oh and reviews are appreciated!
Reuniting Love, chapter 2
The girl next to you looked at you, shocked. You just watched from the corner of your eyes,
"Y-you? You c-can see me?!"
Her stuttering made you smile,
"Yes, I do. I'm Lara."
You turned to look at her, also looking around to make sure no one saw you talking to, well, no one. You talking to a ghost would be hard to explain.
"H-how?" The girl scrunched her face in confusion and you raised your eyebrows in a 'I have my ways' manner.
" It's a gift, as my grandmother calls it, that runs in the family. Used to scare me shitless when I first found out about it. You are the first ghost thing I ever talked to, though." You smiled at her.
The girl looked down, smiling slightly. "At least I can talk to someone now."
"Yeah, well. Not in public... You're not exactly visible to the others.."
/
Paige McCullers, a car intercepted hers when she was on her way to Emily. She drove off a bridge she was on, ended up in the water and nearly drowned. Luckily a man was at the scene to save her from drowning.
Only thing that wasn't planned was that she fell into a coma. Which now lasted for 9 weeks. She stood next to her body the first week and could not understand how. So she followed Em, she saw how sad she was. Another girlfriend.. This time hospilized, but could die too...
"I miss her, her touch, her sweet words." Paige said as she took in your room. You chuckled, " She speaks of you very fondly, you know, she truly loves you." Your words hit the walls as it stayed quiet. Paige turned to you with a teary smile. "I miss her so much."
You smiled sympathetically, "We'll get her to you. You to her. That might be better..." Paige let out a choked chuckle.
"How are we going to do that?" Paige asked. You were seated on the end of your bed, raising your eyebrows with thought. "I haven't thought that far... Yet."
Paige sat on the ground next to you. You chuckled, "What?" Paige asked confused. You smiled at her and ran a hand through your blonde hair. "You're a ghost, supposed to be able to go through walls, right?" Your blue eyes find Paige's brown. You await the answer, while picturing the scene of Paige dropping through a floor or whatever.
"I have that ability, yes" Paige responded, nodding at her words.
You chuckled again and looked at her amused, "ever fell through the floors?"
Paige laughed, a lovely and hearty laugh, "I did, actually. I have to concentrate on not crashing through them. It actually hurts when you fall on your ass."
You laughed at her and the two of you spoke of your lives.
"You are gay, but haven't made a move on my girl?!"
You looked at her with a challenging smirk, "Want me to?"
Paige eyes grew wide, almost comically, "Uh, no. No thanks."
You smiled and explained, "I lost my last girlfriend to cancer. She fought really hard and.. I was there when she died. I held her in my arms. Our last words whispered promises of love and how we'd never forget eachother. A lot of our friends turned their backs on us the moment it got hard with the disease and after her dead..."
You sat down next to Paige on the floor, your head resting against your bed end. "It was hard, making peace with her dead and moving on. My friends would keep on giving me sympathetic looks.. I never had the chance to completely move on. I was the girl that was broken to no end, at least to them. I was doing fine, my friend Niel was the only one acting normal."
Paige looked at you with amazement. "What happened then?"
You smiled sadly, "I transferred schools. And got into Rosewood High. Emily was the first I ran into... She literally ran into me and knocked me to the floor."
Paige chuckled, "Sounds like fun."
"Actually no, I was still recovering from a minor concussion and had to stay home for another week."
"How did you get a minor concussion?"
"By driving a bike, slip and headbut a couple of trashcans. Trust me, it really hurts"
Paige laughed really loud, "You're pretty cool. When I'm, well, back again. We'll ride our bikes." You smiled and agreed to the proposition. "But I don't make a move on your girl because. I know we're better off as friends. I'll love some one again... When I'm ready." Paige smiled, "how long has it been then?"
You looked at Paige, "8 Months... And besides, Em's heart belongs to you. No way I'm interfering that. True love is rare these days..."
Paige looked at you, a mixture of wonder and amazement crossing her features. "How old were you again?"
You chuckled, "oh yeah, I'm over a thousand years old. And I also sparkle in the sun." You joked and Paige laughed, you could understand why Paige was loved by Emily.
She was shy, but had a lot of confidence. She was strong, yet weak at some moments. She wore her heart on her sleave, but yet couldn't fully express her feelings into words.
Paige frowned, "How are we going to bring me back?"
You looked at Paige, not sure how to respond. "With a big bang, that's for sure." You said once you thought about it.
/
"You sure this is alright?" Paige asked you, the two of you stood in the library on a friday afternoon and you were searching through the books about ghosts, outer body experience and the black magic. Frowning you looked at Paige. What is alright? What?
"Us being here. I mean" you cut her off with a whisper. "They can't see you and they're just books. That'll hopefully help us out"
Paige kept standing there, not sure of what to do. She couldn't search through the books herself, so she just waited for you.
"Will you stop wiggling, you're making me nervous" you said, while carrying the pile of found books to the nearby table.
Most of the books proved to be useless and the clock had been ticking. Nearing 5:30 PM the two of you ended up with the last book.
"If this isn't the book, we're at a dead end." You said, giving a sour look, because Paige couldn't be in coma for the rest of her life. The two of you would have a problem. Paige nodded and waited, she seemed nervous. Reading through the book, the first 4 chapters were the same as the other books. Ghostly appearances, driving a ghost out, the aftermath, spirit energie. You sighed, why was this impossible?! Why wasn't there just a chapter about happenings as the one of Paige.
You turned the last page of chapter 4, not expecting much of the fifth and last chapter of the book.
/Coma Walkers/
You read the title at least 20 times. Coma Walkers? As in a ghost that is, just like Paige, in coma and wandering where ever. Paige had seen your reaction and had moved closer. "Coma Walkers?" Her voice made you jump slightly, not expecting her to speak.
You smiled, this might be your and Paige's savior. This might be the way out. "Oh my god, this might be our way out." You whisper-yelled.
People in the library looked at you weirdly. Oh right, you had temporarily forgotten that Paige was invisible for the others and you were in a library, you shouldn't have acted like that.
Paige looked at you amused as you tried to explain your sudden outburst to the humans that were there. With a red head you turned and grabbed the book. Glaring at Paige as she followed with a giant grin spread across her face.
/
Paige had been asking you whether it was a good idea to bring the book to the sleepover, you and the girls had planned the same night, ever since you two had left the library,
"What if they ask you why you have the book? Spencer is clever, she'll..."
"She'll find out that I'm just interested in ghosts and stuff. And that it's my hobby to know about the supernatural."
You gave Paige a warning look as you rang the doorbell. She stood next to you, waiting on one of the girls to open the door,
"What? Spencer is clever."
Paige repeated, not realizing that the warning look meant to shut up, because you couldn't talk to her.
"Shut it" you whispered, as Emily opened the door and smiled at you,
"Hey, who were you talking to?" Emily said, frowning at you as she overheard your, to her, one-sided conversation.
"Eehhh, my stomach won't stop making sounds." You lied, knowing full well that you couldn't explain you were talking to her ghostly girlfriend.
Emily chuckled, "foods in the kitchen, we still need to cook it."
You gave a pout, since you were pretty hungry, but then smiled.
Emily was wearing a jogging jeans and a loose, over the shoulder long sleeve. You had to admit, Emily Fields was pretty and you weren't the only one who thought so.
"Damn"
You had smiled at the comment and turned to Paige with a look that said 'Stop talking'
"What?"
"Shut it" you said through gritted teeth, "You ok? Lara?"
You had forgotten, you were the only one that had heard Paige and that meant, you were the only one that saw her too.
"Hmm? Yeah I'm fine. I just, I'm hungry and I, can I come in?" You actually tried to save yourself, which seemed to help. People around here always were a bit weird one way or another.
Following Emily towards the kitchen where the other girls stood, you smiled and hugged each of them. Paige, who had followed too, stood beside you and whispered, "Lasagna, Em makes the best!" You raised your eyebrows and looked at the ingredients spread over the kitchen table. You chuckled at Aria, who was reading the back of the lasagna pack. "Is it hard to understand the cooking instructions, Aria?"
Aria looked up with surprise, "Uhm, no? Not really? I think?" Spencer joined the conversation. "Next to Hanna, Aria is the worst cook of us all."
"Not entirely true, Em was a terrible cook too. I just learnt her some of my fantastic cooking skills." Paige told you. You chuckled and left the kitchen to move your bag to the living room, where the sleepover was planned. Emily was there to arrange the beds and cushions. Dropping your bag, you immediately opened it to search for your warm, grey vest. Not watching Emily.
Paige, who stood in front of you, spoke up. "If you turn now, you can catch the pillow Emily is throwing you in three…Two…One…" You had listened and turned at the right moment to catch the pillow and smile cockily at Emily. "Not quiet enough, Fields." And Emily stood in awe, she probably had been certain you hadn't heard a thing. Truth was, if Paige hadn't seen it coming, you would've had a pillow against the head."
"How'd you?" Emily asked, astonished by the fact you had catched the pillow. You grinned and wiggled the pillow. It's layer had an over viewing lake printed on it. "My spidey-senses rinkeled. Had to check it out."
"You too? You could've been family with McCullers, her and her Batman references." Hanna exclaimed as she entered the living room and dropped on the couch. You looked up at Emily who had a look of hurt on her face. "As subtle as a hand grenade, Hanna." You said as you made your way over to Emily. Who in her turn smiled at you and wrapped her arms around you.
Spencer cheered as she heard you. "See, Hanna,"
"You are the worst," Hanna exclaimed, her face buried in a cushion. You chuckled and gave a light squeeze, so you could free yourself from Emily's grip.
Aria, who was still in the kitchen, started half yelling. "Ah, dang, that hurt." You touched the back of your neck. "I'm gonna check what she's doing." And you moved across the beds. "You go do that, Em and I are going to organize the beds and Hanna is going to search for a movie, right Hanna?" Spencer said pointedly.
You found Aria leaning against the counter with the pointy finger of her right hand in her mouth. On the island lay a plate, ingredients and a knife with a little blood scattered around... The knife itself had some blood on it too.
"You alright?" You asked as you raised your hands to take Aria's hand. Aria scrunched her face up and let you take her right hand.
You searched for bandage for Aria's finger and smiled, better take the duty of cutting ingredients over.
Although Aria was the shortest, you and your 5ft 4 weren't that tall either. At least not next to the 5ft 6 and taller Spencer, Hanna and Emily. Making small talk while wrapping and cleaning up, Aria made sure to stay away from the knife.
/
The dinner was made by you and Emily. It was delicious! During the movie you sat next to Emily and Hanna on the ground, Aria and Spencer were seated on the couch. Hanna got cold and wrapped herself up in her warm PJs, vest and some blanket, until she figured out you were a human heater. Hanna shuffled closer and snuggled with you, making you feel slightly uncomfortable.
"Why are you..." Hanna responded immediatly, "human heater, you and your ass stay here." Emily chuckled and whispered in your ear, "trust me, she won't let you budge."
Eventually Hanna had passed out and moved away from you, you could finally breathe. You shut off the movie and television, because you were the last awake. Spencer lay crosslings with Aria on the, just a bit, too small couch for two. And Emily lay with her back against the couch and head slightly tippled backwards.
Paige, who had been with you all, was now seated in front of you. Her legs crossed beneath her. You sat where you had been all night. Next to Emily against the couch.
"The group is intense eh?" Paige asked you with an eyebrow raised. You pulled a face, "They are fine, you are just as tiring. Your Emily snores by the way." You whispered and pointed at Emily, who was indeed lightly snoring.
Paige chuckled and looked adoringly at Emily, "We'll have sleepovers like this when you are back more often. I'm giving you two the spare room, though." You remarked as you looked between Emily and Paige.
Paige looked at you with a grin. "We're not that bad! I'm just missing her."
"Yeah, I know. Em misses you too" you said, smiling sadly. Paige and you had become friends over the small week and you seemed to know her pretty well.
Slightly crawling forward, you reached for your bag an grabbed the book from the library. All the while, moving through Paige body. She was in the exact way.
"This tickles. Please hurry up."
You settled back and opened the book on the chapter that had triggered your interest.
/Coma Walkers/
/
Making small talk with Paige and re-sitting quite a few times, you managed to read through the chapter. Emily had moved and placed her head on your shoulder/chest and you hadn't mind that much, she slept and you could move. Win win.
"So, it's reads you are a ghost that can walk through all and nothing, just like normal ghosts. You can't move things, which sucks because I wanted to freak people out before we put you back."
Paige raised an eyebrow, "Put me back? And no, we weren't going to do that."
"Seriously, you would've with Emily, no doubt. And you know what I meant!"
The two of you bickered a while longer and the sudden move Emily made, made the both of you freeze. Luckily it was nothing, Emily only moved to lay her head on your chest and arm sprawled across your stomach, snuggling closer she sighed in contentment.
You frowned and looked at Paige, "She trusts you, feels safe with you." Paige told you as a smile spread over her face.
"That's a good thing, because she doesn't easily trusts people. Thanks to all what happened and happens." You nodded, an understanding look crossed your features as Paige spoke of A, Alison and their torments. Paige had immediately told you about it, she thought it be better.
The book spoke of one way of returning only. Somebody had to be able to see the ghost, the ghost had to be calm. And their loved one had to be involved.
"We'll need Emily. Otherwise you won't get back." You said, looking rather confused. "How will we do that?" Paige raised her hand pointing to Emily. "She can't know"
The return, as you called it, needed the three of you. Emily was supposed to hold Paige's hand and Paige had to touch Emily. So they'd stand connected. And with the words of love the plan would succeed.
"This is going to be a tough challenge, good I like them." Paige said grinning, she let herself fall back onto the mattresses and you smiled, closed the book and tried to dump it on your bag.
"This is harder than it looks" you said as it landed on your bag.
You settled back and closed your eyes, Emily still lay on you and moving her might wake her… She seemed content with the position the two of you were in. "Sleep. We'll figure it out tomorrow. I don't have to worry much about exhaustion anyway, I'll watch over." Paige words were getting softer and softer as you fell into a deep slumber, hugging Emily against you.
/
The next morning sunlight hit you right in the face and you tried to shield your eyes by placing your arm across your face. It didn't really help because you were awake, no way you'd fall back asleep now. The silence in the room was peaceful and soft ticking of the clock helped that too. Soon enough Emily started to stir, she seemed to have seen the light too. As she buried her face into the crook of your neck, hiding from the sunlight. Grunting she shifted and sat up next to you.
"Free at last."
Emily looked at you with a smile, stretching as she spoke "Sorry, you're just really comfortable."
Nodding, you got up and stretched. Unfortunate for you. Your feet slipped between to mattresses and you fell on top of Hanna, who grunted and yelled, "Get off of me" Oops. You climbed back up and decided to find the floor instead of standing on the mattresses.
The shouting of Hanna had woken Spencer and Aria and soon the five of you sat with toast and cereal, telling each other's planning for the day. "I'm gonna go shopping with Caleb" Hanna said. Aria was going to hang with Ezra and Spencer was going to spend her day with Emily, working on a Math homework assignment. All eyes were on you as you were just eating quietly.
"Lara?"
"Hmmm?" You looked up from your bowl of coco puffs to find all eyes staring at you. "I said, what are you going to do?" Emily asked, as you frowned at her because you hadn't heard her the first time. "Ehh, it's nearly 11 and I was going to hang with Niel, Jayden and Danielle. Practice some music or write. I don't know. Depends on what they want to do."
The girls knew you played guitar, but not that you played in a band and sang there too, though. Aria had heard you sing a couple of times, but never full out. You were always writing and letting others sing your songs during music performances for school.
/
You left pretty early, all packed and Paige followed you. Paige saw you perform and sing. She even complimented you. You told her that Stereo Attack, your band, had won a battle of the bands just before the two of you had met and that you had to practice for the band's night you'd be playing in. That was three weeks from now, it would've been one, but one of the other band's had a funeral that day so it was moved another two weeks.
You also told her that she should come if she got out of her hospital bed soon, with Emily. You'd invite Aria, Spencer and Hanna. But you also told Paige not to tell Emily why, as a surprise for the two of you/from you/Paige.
/
Her face was pale, that was the first thing that came up to you as you walked into hospital room. You were her cousin, moving in with the family for a couple of weeks. At least, that was what you had told the nurse. She believed you and showed you your way.
Paige stood quietly beside herself, watching sadly at her living, but lifeless form. You found it disturbing, to be next to the body and the ghost.
The two of you said nothing and you rather run out and only return to save her. You could understand why Emily was here all the time, she hoped for any kind of movement, but you just wanted to leave. This wasn't your kind of place at all. Not when you had just met this person as a ghost. It was strange, wrong and you felt sick. You rather looked at Paige as a ghost than her body, that was chained to all kinds of machines.
"We'll have to get you out of here, fast."
Paige looked at you with a smile, the determination strong in her eyes. Yes, you would get her out of here.
/
Only two days later you were back in that same stupid, white room. This time with Emily, she'd wanted to visit and you asked if she'd want company. She did, so here you were. Looking at Paige's pale face and hearing the sound of her steady heartbeat.
Emily had sat next to Paige's body in a chair on the left and held her hand. You frowned and moved from the door to sit behind Emily in the window. Watching Emily playing with Paige's hands and Paige herself sat next to you.
"I need to hold her hand, tell her I love her and hope for her to say something that tells that she wants me back in her life?"
You nodded, looking at the floor before you with a blank expression. You saw Paige get up and heard her speak.
"God Em, I miss you. I wish I could hug you, comfort you, kiss you. I need you. I can't live without you…" you heard Paige take a deep breath. "I love you, Em."
You looked up and saw Paige kneeling beside Emily, holding her hand. She had this look full of pain yet love written on her face and you smiled a sad smile. Please let this work.
"I love you too, Paige. I miss you."
This surprised you and Paige looked at you with great shock, but after minutes of silence Paige was still there. Her facial expression dropped and tears formed in her eyes.
30 minutes later the three of you stood in front of your house. Emily hugged you goodbye and retreated to her car and you and Paige walked to the front door.
"So? Now what?" Paige asked before she started sobbing and crashed on your couch in the living room. You sat beside her and looked ahead. No words, no movements, you had no Idea.
Slowly but surely, Paige calmed down and started talking with you again. Your parents had come home so you retreated to your bedroom.
/
There the two of you made a plan to search for another solution. The night had come and you were getting ready for bed. Paige jumped on your bed and said, "Change wherever you like, I'm sleeping."
You frowned and moved to the bathroom with your pyjama's, "Like you sleep." You said skeptically.
Moments later you emerged from the bathroom to find your room empty? Where was Paige? What had happened? Was she at Emily's? What?
You had looked everywhere, in the house, in the yard, the porch. And that had taken you 20 minutes. You went back in and your father and mother had moved from the living room, both nursing a glass of red wine. "Baby Doll, are you okay?" Your father asked, his old eyes showed wisdom and worry. Your mother stood next to him, looking just as worried. "Yeah yeah, I'm fine" you lied and forced the fakest smile you could muster. " I just can't find my phone."
Sure enough your dad nodded and reached for his pocket. "Here, you left it on the couch." You smiled again, thanking who ever had made this situation come in handy. You retreated to your room and saw you had a message from Emily. What was up with her?
22:04, 28th of October.
Paige has woken up.