Hey, Paily fans! I hope you enjoy the last chapter of this story.
I appreciate all your support, you are great, guys!
Artisall: Thank you for your review. This chapter is not as dramatic as chapter 7, that's for sure. xD
Enjoy it!
Emily's POV
"Look at this text, guys. She's trying to provoke me, and the worst thing is to know that she's messing with my head, because now I'm not sure if Paige is lying to me." I say holding back my anger.
"That bitch is lying, don't be so naive, Em." Spencer tells me.
"I thought you didn't like Paige, Spence. What happened to you?" I ask her, looking at her very surprised.
"You know McCullers is not my favourite person in the world, but I don't think she is lying." She adds.
"You seem absolutely certain that Paige is telling the truth? Did I miss something?" I ask her, a little bit surprised about her reaction.
"No, you didn't miss anything, Emily. I am just saying that I don't think Paige is a liar, and you are both in love with each other, it was just a misunderstanding." She says, staring at me.
I don't know what is going on with Spence, but she has drastically changed her attitude towards Paige. I didn't expect this happening, but I'm glad Spence is finally accepting Paige. Actually, I think that they will get along once Spencer gets to know her better, because they're quite alike.
"Emily, how long have you known Jane? You don't know her at all, and look at the text she sent you, she's obviously sneaky. You should trust your girlfriend." Aria tells me nicely.
"Well, right now I am not so sure she's my girlfriend." I add sadly.
"I saw you two having lunch in the cafeteria a few days ago, and I noticed her face when she looks at you. C'mon, she wants to be your girlfriend so badly, Em!" Hanna says smiling at me.
"I know she loves me, but she's hurt, I'm afraid she won't forgive me." I add, looking desperate.
"There's only one way to find out, Em. Call her, text her, whatever. You got to talk to her as soon as possible." Spencer adds frustrated.
"Okay, I will text her right now. Let's see if she answers."
Paige's POV
My cellphone's ringing all day, Jane is very insistent and she doesn't take no for an answer. I don't understand why she keeps on texting and calling me, because I told her I wasn't interested in a relationship. Well, yeah, I am, but not with her. I don't know what she intends to achieve going all stalkery on me, but it's starting to annoy me. I could block her on my cellphone, but this will probably make it worse, because I think she would come to Rosewood, she's that crazy, no doubt.
"Paige, are you busy? Can you help me in here, please?" My mother asks.
"Sure, mom. I am watching TV and there's nothing good on it, so, what do you need me to do?" I ask, smiling at her.
"Make a salad, please. It's getting late and I'd appreciate if you give me a hand, honey."
"I will make the best salad in the world, you will see. Actually it's my specialty." – I say, after I put on an apron and go get the lettuce.
"What is that?" My mothers ask laughing loudly at me.
"What do you mean? The apron?" – I ask looking surprised at her reaction.
"You seem a housewife, Paige. What did you do to my daughter, strange woman?" She says cracking up with tears in her eyes.
"Please, grow up, mom. I don't want to get dirty, and the apron works." I tell smiling at her.
Suddenly she grabs the cellphone that's on the counter and she takes a quick picture of my new look.
"You are crazy, mom. What are you planning to do with the picture?" I ask her, laughing.
"I don't know, we could frame it and show everyone who you really are. You look so good!" She adds, still laughing.
My cellphone starts ringing and it doesn't stop, like five calls and 10 messages in 30 minutes. I don't want to know anything about it, so I continue slicing carrots and chopping tomatoes.
"Paige, you can stop and look at your cellphone, it's obvious someone wants to talk to you." My mother says annoyed by the noise.
"Yeah, mom, I will mute it and continue with my fantastic salad." I joke.
I grab my cellphone and I see it's Jane, again. She is starting to piss me off, but I won't do anything about it, not yet. It vibrates again and I sigh, my mother is looking at me perplexed.
"Are you okay, Paige? Who is that? Is it Emily?" She asks me. Evidently she's curious about the calls.
"No, it's not her. Nothing important." I add.
"Okay, I know you don't like to talk about your personal life, so I won't ask." She tells me.
"It's a girl, she's a pain in the ass, but she will get bored. Don't worry, mom. I'm fine." I assure her.
Another text, but this time it's from Emily.
Hey, Paige. Do you have plans? I'd like to meet you. XO
I want to see her, but I don't know why I feel like meeting her will be a bad choice. I don't want to fight again, and I would prefer staying at home and watch a movie or read a book. I need some time alone.
Hey, I'm sorry, but I have plans with my mother. See you at school! I reply.
Emily's POV
"Apparently she has plans with her mother. I didn't know she was so close to her mother. What if she's going on a date with Jane?" I ask my friends, frowning.
"Calm down, Em. Has it occurred to you that she's telling the truth? Hanna tells me.
"You took the first step, she'll call you. You just need to be patient, Em." Aria tells me with a slight smile in her face.
Spencer is in silence, she is just listening to the conversation, but nothing comes out of her mouth. I look at her and she nods at me, so I guess she agrees with Hanna and Aria.
"So… I'm just curious, Em. Don't answer if you don't want to. Is Jane attractive?" Hanna asks me. She's eager to hear the answer.
"Yeah, she is. I hate to say it, but she is very good-looking." I reply.
"More attractive than me?" Hanna jokes.
"Well… You are my friend, but I am sorry to say that you don't have a chance with me." I reply, laughing loudly.
"Hanna, stop with your stupid questions, please!" Aria laughs.
"I'm sorry, I got to go, guys. I have a paper due tomorrow and I haven't even started. Bye!" Spencer says, and she leaves.
This is odd, this is the second time in a few days that she leaves making up a lame excuse. I know her since forever and I am positive she's lying. Hanna and Aria aren't suspicious about it, so I'll call her later and ask her what hell is going on.
Paige's POV
"Your dad is not coming until an hour or so. Are you waiting for someone?" My mother asks me when we hear someone is knocking on the door.
"No, I'm not, mom." I answer confusedly.
"Okay, I'll go open the door. You continue with your culinary masterpiece." My mother giggles.
I laugh back at her and after that she opens the door and starts speaking.
"Good morning, Mrs. McCullers. Is Paige at home?" I hear a girl saying. Her voice sounds familiar, but I don't recognize her instantly.
"Who are you? Are you the girl who is constantly calling and texting her? Why are you stalking her? Get out of my house!" I hear my mom yelling.
I decide to go to the front door to see what the hell is wrong with my mother. I didn't expect her coming to my house, but I gotta deal with her.
"Stop, mom. She's not who you think she is. She's Spencer Hastings, she goes to my high school." I tell her.
"I'm sorry, I thought you were another person. I'll leave you two alone." She adds and leaves to the kitchen.
"Do you want to talk outside?" I ask.
"You mean next to the pool? Why? Do you have an agenda?" She asks laughing.
"Hahaha. The drowning joke again. Don't you get tired of it? Actually I want to go outside because I know my mother is spying on us at this exact moment." I say, while my mother giggles.
"Mom, we are going outside. I don't know why I'm saying this, though." I say ironically.
"Okay, honey. I'll be in the kitchen." She laughs.
"Is everything okay? Did something happen?" I ask her, not knowing why she's in my house.
"It's nothing, don't worry. Who was your mother talking about? Is Jane bothering you?" She asks me.
"Yeah, well, she's a pain in the ass, but she's harmless. It's no big deal." I reply, smiling. I really think that Jane is not dangerous, because I've confronted a lot of people in my life and she doesn't seem a person who would hurt other people.
"So, why are you here? I mean, I am not kicking you out of my house, but I'm curious." I joke.
"I want to ask you a favor. It's about a project I have in mind and I think you will like it. Meet me tomorrow at 5 pm in the same cafeteria as the other day, okay?" She tells me, speaking very quickly.
"But… What is it about, Hastings? I need to know the details to decide if I'm interested." I add.
"I'm sure you will love it, Paige. Just come to meet me and we'll talk about it, okay?"
"Okay, I'll be there, but this time be punctual, please." I say, smiling.
"Sure, you won't regret it." She says before heading to her car.
I don't know what Spencer is planning, but I can't wait for it.
….
I look at my watch and I get nervous, it's 4:30 and I have to get dressed and meet Spencer in 30 minutes. I need to hurry up, I don't want to be late, because Spencer will crucify me, even if she was almost 15 minutes late the other day we met. I get dressed quickly and I go downstairs to say goodbye to my mother.
"Are you coming for dinner, Paige?" My mother asks.
"Yeah, I think so, mom. But I will call you if I am not, okay?" I smile at her.
"Okay, honey. You are looking beautiful today, Paige. Have fun!" She says when she sees me open the front door and leave.
I smile at her and I say goodbye. I don't know why, but I'm feeling nervous. What will Spencer have in mind? I walk swiftly so I don't get late.
What the hell? I think to myself when I see her sitting in the café where I met Spencer the other day.
Emily is looking at me with her eyes wide open. She's as shocked as I am when I see her instead of Spencer.
"Hey, Paige. What are you doing here? Are you meeting someone? She asks me completely surprised.
"Yeah, I am waiting for Spencer." I reply instantly.
"Me too." She says with a wide smile in her face.
"So she set us up. I knew that she was up to something, but she tricked me into coming here." I affirm.
I decide to sit down next to her, instead of sitting in front of her. She smiles at me, she's obviously happy of my decision.
"Since when are you so close to her." Emily asks. She is still surprised about my recent bond with Spencer.
"Well, the other day we met here and she apologized. I didn't think she would, but she did, and she's actually a nice girl." I tell her.
"Wow! You and Spencer having a civilized talk, I didn't expect that would ever happen." She says smiling.
"You know I am a forgiving person, Em." I add.
"Then I hope you forgive me for all the stupid things I've done lately... Nate, when I talked nonsense about your kiss with Sean, when I didn't believe you about Jane… I was stupid, and I am so sorry, Paige." She assures me.
"I forgive you." I say, with a slight smile in my face and staring at the ground.
Suddenly she comes closer to me and she hugs me tightly. She smells very good, I can't help sighing and caressing her back gently.
"Thank you." She whispers in my ear.
Our cellphones start ringing and interrupt our magic moment. We both laugh when we read Spencer's text.
Enjoy your date, McCullers! LOL
Well played, Hastings! I reply
"So, what do you want to do? I know a place we could go, you'd like it."
"I just want to be with you, I don't mind where you're taking me." I answer smiling at her.
"Okay, my car is parked over there. Let's go, gorgeous!" She says, while getting the car keys.
She opens the car door and we both get inside. I text my mother letting her know that I am not going home for dinner.
Ok, Paige, but don't be late. She replies.
"Where are we going, Emily? Are you kidnapping me?" I joke.
"Damn it! You got me! I'm not going to tell you, but you know the place." She says grinning.
"I can't wait!" I say, smiling at her.
This place is far from downtown, it's getting dark and I don't know where we are.
"Emily, are we lost?" I ask her.
"No, we aren't, we'll get there in a minute. I promise I know where I am. Don't get paranoid!" She adds, making fun of me.
I'm seeing lights, so I guess this is the place. Of course I know this diner, it's the karaoke diner, it's where we met after I kissed her in the car for the first time.
"I can't believe we are going there. I know your greatest wish is to sing with me, but I thought I wouldn't come to this diner again." I tell her.
"You like remote and rustic places, Paige." She jokes.
She stops the car in the parking of the diner. I am taking off my seatbelt when she suddenly leans and she gives me a passionate kiss while she touches my hair softly. I don't want the kiss to end, it feels so good that I'd like to stop time in this exact moment. She stops and stares at me.
"You've no idea how much I missed you. I've been willing to kiss you all afternoon." She says while she touches my hand.
"Do you think it´s okay to kiss someone in the car when the other person is not expecting it?" I joke remembering our first kiss.
"Sure, I loved your unexpected kiss that day and I've enjoyed kissing you right now, so I think it's fine." She laughs while she smooths my hair back from my face.
We get out of the car and make our way to the diner holding hands. It is crowded, but I see an empty spot on the left, so we go there and sit down, this time in front of each other.
"Maybe I was wrong about this place, check it out, it's packed." I tell Emily.
"Yeah, it must be the karaoke." She jokes.
"I need to go to the restroom. Will you wait for me?" I laugh.
I stand up and walk towards the door that seems to be the restroom.
"Sure, but don't be long, or I'll miss you. What to do you want to drink?" Emily tells me almost shouting so I can hear her.
"A coke will be fine." I say, winking at her.
When I get out of the restroom I see Emily is looking at me and holding my cellphone. I hurry up so I can get the call, but I see it's just a text from my mother. I laugh when I see the picture she's sent me.
Look at you! I can't stop laughing. Hahaha.
"I don't want to intrude in your privacy, but what is so funny? She asks me.
"It is my mom, sometimes she's so dork." I add, smiling.
"Well, can I see it? Now I am curious." She says.
"No, it's embarrassing." I answer, laughing.
"Now I need to see it. Pretty please?" She tells me faking a sad face.
"Okay, but promise me you are not going to laugh." I tell her.
"Yeah, I promise, I want to see it." She says eagerly.
When she sees the picture she starts laughing loudly.
"Why do you two think that it's funny to see me wearing an apron?" I ask, laughing.
"You are so cute, I love it. But whatever you wear you look so god..." She smirks.
"I am one hell of a cook, you know. Someday I will cook for you and when you try my delicious food you won't even think about dumping me." I joke.
"I didn't know you liked cooking. That's a total surprise. So, I've got the perfect girlfriend: an athlete, a really good cook, very clever and…" She says, when I interrupt her.
"Don't forget I am smoking hot, like irresistible." I giggle.
"Yeah, I was trying to say that, but you didn't let me finish, silly!" She adds, with a huge smile in her face.
"If I remember right you interrupted me several times in this same place." I tell her, smiling while I slightly touch her fingers.
"Yeah, you are right, I remember that night. It was our first date and it was really good." She adds.
Finally the bartender shows up with the hamburgers we ordered. They look delicious, but even if it's disgusting, I am so hungry I will eat all of it.
"Thank you." We both say.
We are both starving, so we start eating right away.
"I think it's the best burger I've ever had." She tells me.
"Right? It's delicious. That's why I chose this diner last time." I joke.
"Yeah, sure." She laughs.
We finish eating our burgers, we are full, so we decide not to eat dessert.
Emily's cellphone starts ringing when I am getting the check.
"Hi. Yeah, I'm okay, I'm with her, Spence." She says smiling at me.
I gesture to her to hand me the cellphone.
"Yeah, it worked. She wants to tell you something." She says smiling.
"Wow, you surprised me! I didn't know you were so clever, Hastings. Anyway, thank you. I will take care of her, mom." I joke, smiling at Emily.
"She's adorable. She wanted to know if her master plan was working." Emily tells me happily.
"Yeah, she's nice." I add.
We pay the bill and go to the parking lot. Before getting in the car I look in her eyes, then I look at her lips and I lean in slowly to kiss her. When I stop she holds me tightly by the hips and kisses me softly.
"Don't kiss me like this is the last time." I tell her, caressing her hands.
"No, it's not the last time, you're stuck with me forever, Paige." She tells me winking at me and getting in the driver seat.
This is the best day of my life, by far.
The end.