Beneath those eyes
Chapter 4
"What the fuck is going on?" I heard the sharp voice of Alison ringing through the office. "Ali, not now. Paige needs me as much as I need her. She has a family-""My dad died. Can I hug my friend for a while?" Paige cut in and I was shocked at her bluntness. Alison was, too. Seeing her face gave it all out. Alison looked at me questioningly and I nodded for her to go outside. "Ali, I can't explain. Not yet, but Paige's dad died and she needs me right now. I'll explain further down and you'll understand. For now, though, I hope you can be understanding and if you need anything, let the girls know. You might probably need one of them to pick you up or have one of them drop the car at the lot later. Paige is in no condition to drive so I doubt she drove here. I'll call you when I can, okay?" Alison nodded in understanding and I gave her a grateful smile, leaning in for a peck. "Are you going to be okay? You're crying as well." I forced a smile and nodded. Alison didn't say another word and walked out. At least that's done and over with.
"Paige, hey, where are you staying now?" She looked at me and shrugged. "I couldn't reach you and I had to see you. I had to pass you this," she pulled out a ring box from her jacket pocket and handed it to me. I could still see the blood stains on them and choked back a sob. Nick was always like a second father to me the time after he accepted Paige. Especially when my own dad was away. "I was back in California with my mum after it happened. I sat there staring at the box every time I couldn't reach you and I got so mad that I threw my phone into the pool, grabbed my laptop, got a ticket and took a cab to the airport. Here I am now." Paige looked at me and all the spark and feistiness that was once in her eyes were done. Clouded with misery and guilt. "Has the funeral passed?" Paige shook her head as the tears welled up again in her eyes. "It literally happened three days ago. My mum and I haven't gotten around to planning it. I was supposed to but I flaked out and flew here instead. I left my mum all alone back in California."
I knew what was happening. She was going to have a panic attack. "Paige, look at me. Breathe with me." Paige did as she was told, thankfully and she calmed down within minutes. "I'll go to Hackett and explain that I'll need to take a week off and let the assistant coach know. She was supposed to start tomorrow but I'll get her number from Hackett. I'm flying back to California with you. At least until the funeral is over." Paige looked at me gratefully and nodded her thanks. Nothing was said the rest of the day between us, even when everything was being settled and by the end of the day, I was sitting in the airport, hand in hand with Paige.
The girls, including Alison, was very supportive and so were the mothers. They were all planning on taking some time off to attend the funeral in California and to be there for a friend. As we boarded the flight, I could feel Paige being uneasy and all it took was one look to understand what was going on. "Do you need to tell me something?" Paige looked over sheepishly and nodded shyly. I looked at her expectantly, waiting for her to continue. "I want to hold the funeral in Rosewood. My mum and I talked about it, I think we're moving back." I nodded, understanding why it was important for her to do so. I did, too. When my dad died.
Arriving at California didn't feel real. Not this time. I wasn't starting college and I wasn't going into a world where it was a fresh start. It felt like there was a weight in that state that was pulling me down. This was where it all turned south for me and it is still where it's going south. We hailed a cab and he was thankfully nice enough to help put my luggage in the trunk. I wouldn't say I didn't expect it. Paige and I both looked like zombies. "Andrea," I whispered the familiar but also foreign name. It felt different saying it this time. "I'm so sorry," I sobbed as we held each other tight. She nodded against my shoulder and sobbed along. We all sobbed that night, looking at so many things that was so distinctively Nick.
It was a tough week, having to give news of any updates to people back at home and helping them pack. They weren't kidding when they said that they wanted to move back fast. Lucky enough for them, the owner of the house they previously owned was moving out and happily sold the house to them. "All packed and ready?" I looked over at the two. We were driving back to Rosewood because they had to many things that they wanted and had to bring along. We set places that we would stop to rest because we were all driving different vehicles, all packed with their stuff. I rented a cross country car and had to be extra careful. I was carrying Nick's most prized possessions with me, and that included the ring.
When we finally arrived back at Rosewood and got all the things sorted out in to the storage compartment that I got Hanna to get for them temporarily, until they have their house back. All the friends was at the Radley Hotel, awaiting our arrival. When we stepped in, Paige and Andrea were pulled into hugs as their tears fell. They weren't the only ones that cried that night. Ashley Marin was kind enough to get them a suite to stay in until their house was ready. They all said they're goodbyes not long after to let Paige and Andrea get their rest. "Babe, you coming along?" I felt Alison tug on my hand as she was walking towards the entrance of Radley. "I'm, um, staying with them for a while." I looked at Alison, silently pleading for her to understand where I was coming from. She did, but not fully. "Sure," she gave a forced smile and walked away.
"Emily, you don't have to stay. You've already done so much for the both of us and we can't possibly ask for more." Andrea and Paige came up behind me, breaking my train of thoughts. "Mrs McCullers, please. Mr McCullers was like a second father to me just like you're a second mother. I don't have to stay, but I want to be there for you guys and mourn together, too, if you'd allow me." Andrea gave me a small smile and nodded. "Of course, dear." We walked towards the elevator and it wasn't until we reached our floor that I realised, Paige's hands and my hands were joined together. When the lift door opened, I let go and rushed out, mumbling some excuse that I had to open the door because the keys were with me. "Ms Marin got us the best room they had here. We can all have our own bedrooms in this suite. I can get Hanna to get us take out or we can order room service later. All those travelling must've made you hun"-"Emily, take a breath." Paige held my face between her hands as she looked at me in worry. "Are you okay?" I looked deep into her eyes and felt myself getting lost in them. "Em?" Her voice pulled me out of the trance and I quickly nodded. "We can just get room service. I don't think you're in any position to have any friends over, too, Emily." I nodded in agreement to Andrea's word
s. There was no way any of my friends can see me like this. Not when Ali and I literally just announced that we were together.
A few quiet hours later, and me ignoring my phone from all the texts and calls I've been receiving, we were finally getting ready to go to bed. "Emily? Can I sleep with you tonight? My bed feels so, so empty and I just need someone right now." I looked over at Paige. She looked like a kicked puppy. I nodded and lifted the covers for her to slide in. "Thanks," I responded with a kiss to her forehead. What are you doing, Emily? I pushed all the thoughts to the back of my head, I had more important things to deal with now. I'll start sorting out tomorrow. I closed my eyes as I felt Paige's arms wrap around me. I couldn't help but leaned in closer to her touch. It felt good to finally have that familiar feeling of being protected and drifted off to sleep, knowing that I was safe.
I woke up in the middle of the night, or early in the morning. I couldn't tell. It was pitch black around the room and I blinked a few times to get my eyes familiar to the surroundings. I looked around to find what was the cause of my waking up and heard sniffles coming from the main room. "Paige?" The bed was cold and empty beside me when I woke up. Paige could've been gone right after I fell asleep and I wouldn't know it. I walked out to the main room and saw Paige and her mum snuggled together on the couch, crying silently at their recent loss. "Em," Paige's voice broke after she said my name and I broke along with it. Tears fell down my eyes and I walked towards the couch to join them and we cried until we slept on that couch, all huddled up together.
The next morning came by and I was the first to wake up. Stretching my body out and popping some bones. It was a price to pay for sleeping basically seated up. I let out a sigh and remembered the plans I had for today. "Paige," I gently shook her. One thing that Paige kept in Rosewood was her bike. Before we left, I got her bike cleaned and whatever that had to be fixed or change all completed. She'd need something to get her off her mind. She stirred when I called her and smiled at me when she landed her eyes on me. "What time is it?" I went to the lock screen of the nearest phone to check and paused at the picture. It was a picture of Paige and I at the Christmas Ball. "It was the last time we danced together properly. It was the last time I remember being happy and free. Alison was back but I got you and you were all that mattered." I turned around and saw Paige's sad eyes. I didn't have to think twice after. "It's 8.09." I whispered as I closed the gap, finally bringing our lips together again.
A/N: This is it for chapter 4 and it'd be great to get feedback regarding the length of the story, if it's too long or short. I'm at 6 reviews currently and I'll decide whether this story would be an Emison or Paily fanfic when there is a vote of 5 for whichever ship. Sorry for any mistakes, they're all mine.