I'm giving an update for the lovely FUNKYSHAY, who's idea made this story possible. Enjoy!

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Chapter 2: Honesty

Spencer's heart hurt. Seeing Emily kiss Samara had brought her feelings to light. As the fireworks went off in the park, Spencer's phone buzzed and she jumped at the sudden vibration coming from the device in her hand. She looked at the screen and her eyes widened.

Poor Spencer, looks like you're just second best. How does it feel to finally lose? –A

Spencer felt anger course through her body and she closed the message. She had to get home and figure things out.

She made it back to her car and headed back to her house, feeling stupid for even going to spy on Emily in the first place. She contemplated whether or not she should tell Emily how she feels before it gets too complicated. Spencer had a hard time processing everything going through her mind. Having feelings for Emily was the last thing Spencer thought it would come to. When Emily first introduced Samara, Spencer was genuinely happy that Emily found such a cool girl, but each time she saw them together after that made Spencer's gut turn.

She decided to take a shower and do some reading to get her mind off things. After staying in the shower for a good forty five minutes, she stepped out of the stall and frowned when she saw Emily's clothes she had left from earlier. She sighed and tried to ignore them as she brushed her hair and got ready for bed.

But once again, her curiosity got the best of her and she bent down to pick up Emily's soft, off the shoulder T-Shirt. It was black and had thin white stripes on it. Spencer could smell Emily's perfume and she got a sudden wave of goosebumps. Realizing how pathetic it actually was, the way she was acting, she replaced the shirt on the pile of clothes and turned back to the mirror.

Spencer finished in the bathroom and dressed in her PJ's before curling up on the couch with a copy of Candice Millard's The River of Doubt, a book about Theodore Roosevelt's journey down the Amazon River. She enjoyed a good historical read, and just as she was about to get started, there was a knock on the door. She furrowed her brow and got up, only to see Emily standing at her door.

"Emily, you're back," Spencer raised her brows as Emily nodded, seeming excited about something. Spencer opened the door for Emily to enter and they moved to sit at the island in the kitchen. "How'd the date go?" Spencer asked with false curiosity.

Although, Spencer's heart lightened when she saw the look on Emily's face, "It was super romantic! We kissed when the fireworks went off and everything. She loved the outfit, too. I just came by to return the dress and stuff and get my clothes back."

"Oh, right," Spencer said, trying to act like she'd forgotten all about Emily's clothes that were still up in the bathroom. "You can go up and change. Your clothes are still in the bathroom."

"Thanks," Emily smiled before walking up the stairs to Spencer's room.

As soon as she was up the stairs, Spencer put her face in her hands and groaned. How was she ever going to tell Emily how she really felt?

"Spence! Can you come help me? I can't reach the zipper!" Emily called from the top of the stairs.

"Of course," Spencer said under her breath, almost laughing at the irony of the situation, "Yeah, I'll be right up!" Spencer reluctantly got up and trotted up the stairs and into her room where Emily stood, her long black hair pulled over one shoulder to allow Spencer access to the zipper.

"Thanks again for letting me wear this dress, Spence, it's amazing," Emily said as Spencer walked up behind Emily and reached for the tiny zipper at the top of the dress.

"Well," Spencer began pulling the zipper down slowly, "someone had to make it look hot."

Emily laughed at Spencer's dry joke and Spencer bit her bottom lip as more and more of Emily's back became exposed. Spencer eyed the material of Emily's bra, noticing it was a soft shade of pink with darker pink flowers on it. The zipper stopped just under the small of Emily's back and Spencer couldn't help but imagine how soft the skin was there.

"Thanks," Emily said again, turning to face Spencer with a smile.

"You know what, why don't you just, keep the dress, you look crazy beautiful in it. And it's not really my style any more," Spencer shrugged with a half smile.

"Really? Wow, thanks, Spence!" Emily hugged Spencer and pulled back, grinning now, looking into Spencer's eyes. "What?" Spencer asked.

"You're awesome, that's what. I don't know what I'd do without you. You always take care of me, Spence," Emily said with a shrug as she stepped back and pulled the dress off, leaving her in her underwear before Spencer.

"Of course. I just want you to be happy, you deserve it, of all people," Spencer said, glancing down as Samara came into her mind. Emily noticed Spencer's momentary change in mood and narrowed her eyes at her.

"Spencer, is something bothering you?" Emily asked, taking off the jewlery Spencer had loaned her. Spencer fought not to blurt out what was really bothering her. It took all of her willpower to not tell Emily that Samara was bothering her.

"Um, I've just been thinking a lot about Toby, that's all," Spencer lied.

"I get it. Breakups are always a bit of a buzz kill." Emily went into the bathroom to grab her jeans and shirt. She dressed as Spencer sat silently on her bed. Emily finished changing and joined Spencer, sitting next to her with her legs crossed.

"Spence, I know you too well," Emily said knowingly, catching Spencer's eyes, "What's really bothering you? I know Toby has some part in it, but…there's something else, I can tell. You're really quiet."

Spencer pursed her lips, her mind telling her to lie, but her conscience telling her to be honest with her best friend. Spencer finally looked at Emily and slowly shook her head.

"Emily, I just…" Spencer's breath caught, and she realized how hard it was going to be, telling Emily the truth.

"You can tell me, Spencer." Emily seemed completely open to whatever Spencer had to say. But Spencer knew that if she told Emily, their whole relationship would change.

"I just can't stand the idea of you with Samara, okay?" Spencer said quickly and looking away, nervous to see Emily's reaction. Emily furrowed her brows and tried to look at Spencer's face.

"What? Why? Did she do something to upset you?" Emily asked, confused.

Spencer looked at her hands and shook her head, still silent.

"Then what is it? Why don't you like her?" Emily asked, growing agitated. Spencer looked at Emily, tears welling in her eyes. Then Spencer acted on impulse. She took Emily's face in her hands and kissed her. It wasn't passionate or deep. It was a chaste, all-telling kiss. Emily's eyes burned as Spencer pulled back and closed her eyes as a couple tears fell from them.

"That's why." Spencer's voice cracked with the two words and Emily sat still, her brow still furrowed and her mouth open, trying to find words to say.

Finally, with a sigh, Emily spoke in a low voice, "Spencer, that's…that's unfair of you to say that. I come over from one of the best dates I've had in a long time, and you tell me you have feelings for me…I couldn't wait around for you any more, Spencer. Now, I'm with Samara…" Emily trailed off, clenching her jaw, not sure how to feel.

"So you have feelings for me too?" Spencer asked with all seriousness.

Emily looked at Spencer with a pained expression, "I just, can't do that to Samara. I have to give whatever is starting with her a chance. She's a great person." Emily tried to sound logical. She hated hurting peoples feelings, but she knew there was no way everyone was going to end up happy in this. Spencer swallowed a lump in her throat and nodded.

"Well then, I guess that's fine. She makes you happy, so I'll just leave you alone. Um…I hope you enjoy having that dress." Spencer got up hastily and walked towards the bedroom door, avoiding all eye contact with Emily as the tan girl gathered all her things, including the dress, and met Spencer at the door.

"Spencer…I just—"

"I think it'd be best if you just went. I understand, okay. Just drop it." Spencer fought tears as Emily stood for a moment, waiting to see if Spencer really meant it.

Finally, Spencer looked at Emily, rubbing her lips together to fight a sob. Then, with a sigh and a nod, Emily left without another word.

Spencer let out a sob she had been holding in and slid to the floor against her closed door. She had broken.

…

"Mom, can I drive up to Brown for the weekend? I want to look around campus, and they're having a visitation day for incoming freshmen." Spencer was sitting on the couch as her mom made breakfast in the kitchen. Veronica contemplated the idea and nodded.

"I suppose that would be okay. But don't you want me or your father to go along? We'd love to see the campus as well," Veronica offered.

"Well, they have a day for parents to come with their students, too, but that's not for another two weeks. If it's okay, I'd really just like to go on my own. Besides, I need to get a feel for being on my own, anyway," Spencer tried to convince her mother to let her go alone. After the previous night with Emily, Spencer needed to get out of Rosewood for a little while.

"Okay, need any money for food or a hotel?" Veronica asked.

"No, I have enough in my savings account. I'll be okay."

"So you're leaving tomorrow, I presume?"

"Yeah, and then Saturday I'll see the campus, and Sunday I'll go to the mixer they're having for incoming stundets," Spencer explained with a bland tone.

"Well, it sounds like you've got it all worked out. Where are you staying?"

"I was just going to get a room at the local Hilton. Three nights. Then home on Monday," Spencer nodded to herself as she spoke.

"Okay. Just be careful driving up there," Veronica said in a protective way, much like Spencer's protective habits.

"I know mom."

…

Spencer left as soon as she could on Friday. She drove the five hours from Rosewood to Providence, Rhode Island, home of Brown University. She was so happy to get away from it all. She had never gone off on her own just for her own good, and she had to admit, it felt pretty good. The first stop she made was at her hotel to check in, then she made her way over to the Brown campus and found the enrollment center. She needed to ask about where to meet the next day and also meet her student guide.

She approached the desk, where a middle aged woman with bright red hair smiled up at her.

"Hi, um, my name is Spencer Hastings, I'm enrolled for the fall semester here and I was wondering if I could get in touch with my student guide for tomorrow's campus tour?" Spencer asked in a business-like tone.

"Of course, she's actually here now, I think, making sure everything is ready. I think she's in one of our meeting rooms. Let me just go see." The woman got up and went down the hall and opened the second door, she emerged accompanied with a tall, slender girl with light brown curly hair. Her big brown eyes smiled warmly at Spencer and her full lips stretched into a smile.

"This is Spencer, she just had some questions about tomorrow for you." The woman left them to speak as she returned to her desk. Spencer felt the girl look up and down her figure before meeting her eyes.

"Hi, I'm Emma, Emma Shepherd, nice to meet you!" She extended her hand and Spencer smiled brightly, taking the brunette's slender hand.

"Spencer Hastings." Spencer found herself blushing under Emma's stare. Her brown eyes had a warmness that Spencer found comforting.

For the first time in twenty four hours, Spencer wasn't thinking about Emily.

…

Okay, kids, there you have it! Hope you're liking it! I'll update super soon if I get enough reviews!