"Whose idea was this again?" Hanna asked as she walked through tall grass. She was wearing heels, dark capris, and a tan and black tank top.
"Emily's mom." Spencer said trying not to stumble. Her clothing consisted of jean and tan dress.
"The shed was me," Emily explained. "Mom just said we should do something for us." She had dressed more appropriately, wearing a rolled up button up shirt, jean short shorts, and tennis shoes.
"Couldn't we do something without mosquitos?" Hanna asked as her and Carmen lagged behind the rest of the girl's.
"I totally agree." Carmen said swatting in front of her face. She so was not dressed for this. Even though she wasn't sporting high heels like oh-so-clever Hanna, she was wearing small black heels that she probably a ridiculous price for. She couldn't remember which they were, she had too many. She had on rolled up jean shorts, and milk Gucci tank top. Not the best things to go walking in the middle of the woods with.
"There not mosquitos, they're gnats." Aria, wearing a skirt and a black vest, corrected and Hanna rolled her eyes.
"Whatever, they're small and flying up my nose. How did I even get out here? I'm in heels!"
"I hate bugs!"
"Well girls they're attracted to your perfume, and hair product, and lip gloss." Spencer said teasing the blonde and Latina who glared at her.
"It takes a lot to look this good," Carmen said. "If only the flies would leave me alone!"
"They're mosquitoes Carm." Hanna corrected her, and mocking Aria.
"They're gnats!" the brunette called back to them and the two best friends rolled their eyes and caught up with the other 3 girls.
"I feel like this is the wrong way." Emily said furrowing her eyebrows.
"No it's not. I remember that tree, it's the halfway point," Spencer said and they all turned to her. "What?"
"Have any of you been out here since Alison?" Emily asked and they all shook their heads. "You remember a tree though?"
"It's not that weird," Hanna said. "We use to come out here every day in 8th grade."
"I think this is the wrong place to do this...whatever you call it; shrine." Spencer said quickly while crossing her arms.
"It's not a shrine," Emily corrected. "It's just a place to remember Alison."
"Out here it seems like we have something to hide." Spencer argued.
"Yeah but we don't," Carmen said and started walking down the right path. "Besides, who cares?"
"I just don't want those cops hanging around us again," Spencer replied as the girls followed the Latina. "Especially Wilden."
"Our best friend disappeared into thin air body they found her body. The last people anyone knew she was with was us. Of course they're going to hang around us," Carmen explained. "Wilden can kiss my ass."
"I'd rather wait to do this until we're sure she's actually gone." Hanna said making the other girls stop walking.
"What do you mean?" Emily asked furrowing her eyebrows in that adorable way that made Carmen just want to kiss her. Of course she didn't.
"Hanna they found her body," Aria stated as she looked at the blonde like she was insane. "We went to her funeral."
"Hey I'm just saying. How did this A person know things only Ali knew?" Hanna asked but no one had an answer.
"Look I would love for Ali to still be alive, really, I would, but they had her body..." Carmen said, her voice fading at the end. "I think that's enough proof she's gone." Emily looked at her friend sadly before taking her hand and squeezing it supportively. Carmen gazed up into chocolate pools and smiled before turning their attention back to the explaining blonde. Both knowing they were still holding hands.
-SNAP!-
The sound of a breaking twig made the girls stop. Carmen was sure she even stopped breathing. They all listened for another sound. Rustling could be heard further in the trees as the girls watched. Emily was glad Carmen was still holding her hand, even though she was probably squeezing it too hard, but the Latina didn't seem to mind.
"Guys, what was that?" Aria asked still looking in the trees.
"Maybe it was just a rabbit." Spencer said.
"Hello? Is anyone there?" Hanna yelled.
"It's a rabbit, Hanna, it's not gonna answer you." Spencer said, like Hanna didn't already know that.
-SNAP- -CRUNCH-
"That's the biggest damn rabbit I've ever heard." Carmen said, instinctively putting herself in front of Emily.
"Maybe we should get out of here and do this some other time." Emily said, pressing her body against Carmen's and wrapping her arms around the smaller girl.
"Emily, that is the smartest thing you have ever said," Carmen said smirking up at the taller girl. "I could kiss you." Emily just blushed and buried her face in Carmen's neck.
"Well pucker up you two and let's get the hell out of here." Hanna said, but as they turned to leave, their phones went off. Digging around in their bags, they pulled their phones out and opened the message.
Unknown "Heads up, BFFs. It's open season on liars and I'm hunting..."-A
Carmen was at her house the next morning, getting ready for school. Curling her hair, applying light make-up, and dressing to impress with dark skinny jeans, small black heels, and a red tank top with a small leather jacket rolled up to her elbows. Grabbing her bag, sunglasses, and phone, she made her way to the car. Once she got seated she pulled out her phone and dialed a number she knew by heart.
"Hey Em it's me," she said smiling. "Need a ride to school?"
"I couldn't ask you to drive over here." the swimmer said even though she thought it was sweet of the Latina.
"It's fine, seriously," Carmen reasoned checking her lip gloss in the mirror. "Be there in 10."
True to her word, Carmen pulled up outside the Field's household 10 minutes later. Getting out, she made her way up to the door and knocked. A few seconds later, Pam opened the door. "Hi , I'm here to get Emily for school."
"Now Carmen, I've told you to call me Pam hundreds of times." Emily's mom said and let Carmen in the house.
"Sorry ma'am, I forget." Carmen said always the polite type to parents, well, Emily's parents. It wouldn't do anybody any good if Pam disliked Carmen.
"Hey Carmen, sorry, I was getting my shoes." Emily said coming down the stairs dressed in a blue blouse and khaki skinny jeans.
"No problem," Carmen said getting a flutter in her stomach. "Do you have everything?"
"Yeah I'm ready," Emily said then grabbed her bag. "Bye, mom."
"Bye Mrs. Fields!" Carmen called back, walking out the door.
"Carmen Torres!" Pam yelled and smiled as she heard the laughter of the teenagers. Carmen was really a good friend to her daughter and was glad Emily had someone like her to trust.
"So mind if we take a coffee stop?" Carmen asked pulling out of the drive way. "I needs my caffeine or I'll be a bitch all day."
"Couldn't have that, could we?" Emily said smiling as Carmen winked.
"I knew you would understand, gorgeous."
So after getting her mocha fix, the two girls headed for school. Pulling into the parking lot, they already spotted Hanna with Mona, Sean, and Noel. Getting their stuff from the backseat, they just stood by Carmen's mustang.
"I really hate school." the Latina sighed.
"I thought you liked being popular and in charge," Emily said teasing. "Or did you get tired of that?"
Before Carmen could answer, Ben came running up and grabbed Emily by the waist. "Gotcha!"
"Ben, stop." Emily said and Carmen noticed the unease in her eyes.
"What? I can wait one more day." Ben said putting his arm over Emily's shoulders, but seeing her confused look he explained. "Haven't you two heard? Noel's having a big party tomorrow night."
"Of course I heard," Carmen said, giving the boy one of her 'bitch looks'. "Who do you think I am?"
The boy looked surprised at first, but then smirked. "I guess since you've heard, you already have a date."
"No, I don't need to have a date now," Carmen said stepping closer to the couple. "I'll just hook up with someone there." With that said, she winked at Emily, and then pecked her on her lips, causing the taller girl's face to heat up. "That was the kiss I promised you."
With that said, the Latina smirked and walked away to talk to Noel. Emily was trying to calm her blush down, and hoped Ben would think it was from embarrassment. Thankfully, he didn't seem too concerned with it.
"That girl. Man, it must be awesome to be with her." Ben said as he stared off at the girl who was laughing with Noel.
"I gotta go to class." Emily said, walking away quickly and leaving the horny, teenage boy by himself.
Walking down the hall, Emily saw Aria and Spencer at Spencer's locker, and Carmen and Noel talking by the Hispanic girls locker.
"Hey there." Maya said seemingly coming out of nowhere, making Emily jump.
"Oh hey Maya." Emily said smiling at her friend.
"So I hear there's this huge party going on tomorrow," the dark skinned girl brought up. "You going?"
"Yeah I'm going with some of my friends." Emily said, leaving out her boyfriend.
"Oh you mean the friends," Maya said, emphasizing the. "What about Ms. Queen B?"
"Carmen? She is defiantly going." Emily said grabbing her books out from the locker and closing it. Starting to walk back down the hall, she was met with a surprising sight. Jenna was holding onto the arm of Toby Cavanaugh, her stepbrother, and the guy who got blamed for the fire Alison and Carmen caused. He almost walked right into the Latina, but Noel put his arm around her shoulders and pulled her into his side, out of the way.
After the sister and stepbrother went to class, all the girls looked at each other. Carmen kissed Noel's cheek before walking over to Hanna, Aria, and Spencer, and Emily excused herself from Maya to join them.
"What is he doing back?" Aria whispered. "When did that happen?"
"Maybe she needs help sending radioactive e-mails." Hanna said smirking.
"Yeah or may be sending some of his own." Spencer added looking at them.
"Oh fuck." Carmen said out loud, rolling her eyes. The other liars were about to ask what was wrong, when they heard a voice.
"Hanna."
"There are cops on campus to?" Aria whispered, although they ignored her and focused on Wilden.
"I talked to your principal, asked him if we could have a chat," he said. "Don't worry you've been excused from class."
"Listen up, pendejo. You better make sure you're just having a chat," Carmen said glaring at him. "If you interrogate her, anything she says is dismissible."
The blonde man just smirked at her. "Let's go, Hanna."
After they walked away, Aria spoke up. "Why just her?"
"They probably think Blondie's the best target." Carmen whispered back.
"That's because she is." Spencer added.
"Whisper, whisper, whisper," said Jenna coming up behind them, wearing a smirk. "Almost feels like Alison is still here."
The liars just looked at each other before going their separate ways to class, wondering what was going on.
"You said that to him?" Carmen questioned in excitement as Hanna finished telling them what went down in the office with Wilden. "I've never been more proud of you, Han."
"Yeah well, hopefully it won't come back to bite me on the ass." Hanna said putting her books away.
"If what you did makes Carmen proud, it most likely will." Spencer said causing Carmen to glare at her.
"Do you think he will question all of us?" Aria asked.
"I'd like to see him try to question me," Carmen said. "I'm the daughter of a lawyer, he better have a damn good reason to be questioning us without our parents."
"Maybe he won't, who knows?" Hanna said shrugging and walking away. "We can talk at lunch; I gotta go to the Ladies before class."
"Is she being weird?" Spencer asked.
"She's being weird. I'll see you guys at lunch." Emily said before walking away.
"Um, I have to talk to about something. See you at lunch." Aria said walking to the English classroom.
"Looks like that just leaves us," Spencer said and Carmen turned to walk away but Spencer grabbed her arm and started dragging her down the hall. "To AP Calculus we go."
Emily came into the swim team locker room, just getting out of the pool. School was over and it was just her left. Tonight was the big party and Carmen would be waiting for her out in the parking lot. Opening her locker, and getting out her things, she heard a door open and close. She paused for a moment, trying to hear anything else.
"Hello?" the swimmer called. "Hello? Anybody here?"
She started walking around the lockers when someone grabbed her making her suck in a breath and jump.
Damn you're jumpy." Ben said smirking at his swimsuit clad girlfriend.
"How did you get in here?" Emily questioned as she got out her clothes to change.
"I walked." was his smart ass reply.
"Yeah well, if somebody catches you."
"I'll take my chances," he said looking Emily up and down then pushing her against the lockers. "Besides, we need some alone time."
"I, need to get dressed." Emily said becoming uncomfortable with the look in Ben's eyes.
"Don't bother." he said, sliding a strap off her shoulder, but she shrugged his hand off.
"I can't do this now," the tan girl explained. "Carmen's expecting me."
"Speaking of, that kiss was really hot." Ben said trapping her against the lockers.
"Ben, she was just playing around," Emily said. "You know how she is."
"Playing or not, it was still hot. Maybe you just need to relax." Ben said then started to forcefully kiss her.
"Ben, stop! Your acting weird, now get off!" Emily tried to push her boyfriend off, but he had a hold of her wrist. "Seriously Ben get off!"
Just then, Ben was pushed off her. Looking at her savior, she saw Carmen. She also saw Ben getting up and smirking.
"What are you doing, Torres?"
"About to beat your ass." the Latina all but growled out. All she could see was red.
"Come on, me and Em was just having some fun." he tried to lie to her, but Carmen could see right through it.
"Maybe for you, but not for Emily."
"Just leave, Torres." Ben said, straightening up to appear intimidating, but Carmen just smirked.
"Not even if you had a gun to my head."
With that, she punched Ben right in the eye with all the force she could, which sent him backwards before he swung at her. She ducked out of the way then roundhouse kicked him in the jaw. She could hear Emily yelling for her, but she wasn't done. She waited until Ben stood up fully, before bringing her leg back, and then kicked with all her strength, to his crotch. He dropped to the floor with a painful howl while clutching his junk.
"Now, I'll only say this once so listen up asshole. Go anywhere near Emily, and I will ends you. Comprende?" Carmen said then kicked him in the side.
"We are over Ben!" Emily yelled at him before Carmen grabbed her things then grabbed Emily's hand and ran to her car.
After getting settled in, Carmen drove Emily to her house. Emily was silent the entire way there and Carmen was worried.
"If only Ali could see me now, being all protecting and soft."
"Em, you okay?" Carmen asked when she pulled into the drive way.
"You could have gotten hurt."
The whispered words were so soft, so delicate, Carmen almost hadn't heard them. Is that what was wrong with Emily? The thought of Carmen getting hurt?
"Mi amor, look at me." Carmen said and thanked God that Emily didn't know what she just called her. "Emily, look at me."
Finally, the swimmer looked up to meet warm, hazel pools. The way Carmen was looking at her just made Emily's body tingled. The way Carmen said her name made fireworks go off in her mind. She didn't want Ben. She didn't want Maya. Emily, in that moment, in that second, only wanted Carmen.
"I didn't get hurt. That bastard deserved what he got and was lucky you were watching or he would have gotten worse," Carmen said staring into melted chocolate. "I would do it all over again if I had to. In a heartbeat."
After hearing those words, Emily's body acted on its own. Lips met lips. Hands tangled into hair. Vanilla mixed with strawberry. Fireworks exploded behind closed eyelids. Lungs ran out of air and all-to-soon, it was over. Both girls were in shock, not believing what just happened. Carmen was shocked the most at was that innocent Emily, had just made the first move.
"Oh my God! Carmen, I am so sorry! I didn't, I was just, I'm sorry!"
Before Carmen could say anything to that jumbled sentence, Emily was all but running to her house. Great.
Nice going Carmen, just look at her like an idiot. That will let her know it was okay. Well, she was certainly gentler about it than Ali."
Carmen and Ali were hanging out in the living room of Carmen's house. Her parents were out working late so Ali had decided to stay. Carmen was on the couch while Ali was in a chair. They were watching some show, but Carmen wasn't really paying attention, she was just day dreaming. She didn't even notice Ali watching her or when the blonde stood up and walked over to the couch. All the tan girl knew was that she was day dreaming one minute, then she was pushed back on the couch roughly and something soft slammed into her lips. The Latina saw blonde hair that was tickling her cheeks, of course it was Alison. Carmen tangled her hands in silky, golden strands and kissed her best friend back. Butterflies erupted in her stomach. Colors burst behind her eyes; blue, red, yellow, green. Running out of air, Alison pulled away from the Latina with a wet smack. She was now straddling Carmen and looked in awe at the site below her. Carmen was panting, her face was flushed, and her lips were swollen. Ali would never admit it, but Carmen looked so perfect in that moment.
"Ali, w-what are you doing?" Carmen stuttered after gaining her breath back.
"I always get what I want Carm," Alison said, eyes glinting. "And I want you."
The tan girl's mind was reeling. She kissed her best friend. Alison DiLaurentis, had kissed her. Of course, Carmen had always thought Alison was gorgeous. No one could deny that she was. The way her hair fell down her back, like a gold waterfall. The way her blue eyes shimmered like sapphires when she was happy. Her bronze skin that showed her love of the sun. Ali was beautiful, and a girl.
"I thought you liked Noel?" Carmen questioned.
"It's called a cover up, sweetie," Alison said smirking. "No one would fear me if they found out I like my best friend."
"That makes sense..." Carmen said, but then wondered something. "So what does this mean?"
"This means that your mine and only mine," Alison whispered in the Latina's ear. "It means that if anyone touches you, I'll ends them. Comprende?" She mocked the girl underneath her who rolled her hazel eyes.
"Yeah, comprende. Now," Carmen said smirking, while grabbing Ali's face and bringing their lips mere inches apart. "Kiss me."
That night started a rather possessive relationship between the best friends. One, no one could find out about, not even the other girls in their circle. Alison always said, maybe later.
They never got the chance.
So now here Carmen was, at her house, trying to find something to wear to the party tonight. She had applied light make-up and let her hair go wild curly. It kind of looked like sex hair, which was fine by her. She finally decided on what to wear. (Links are on my profile) After making sure she looked perfect, Carmen headed to her car. She arrived to find the party booming. She left her purse and made sure to lock her car, with all the drunks around. The Latina started walking to the house, but then saw Hanna, Spencer, Aria, and Emily over by the trees and changed her direction.
"Hey, what are we doing all the way over here?" Carmen asked and they all just stared at her. "What?"
"Have you even seen Ben's face?" Hanna asked, smirking. "It looks like he got hit by a truck."
"That good, huh?" Carmen said smirking, but then noticed how Emily wouldn't meet her gaze.
"Well we can talk tomorrow," Hanna said, glancing towards Sean. "Still meeting at the shed?"
"Uh, yeah, sure," Aria said watching the blonde walk away. "Well I have to go to the gallery. I promised my mom so I'll see you guys later."
"I need a drink, badly." Carmen said walking to the house as Emily watched her. Maya then walked up to her with two blue cups in her hand.
"You look like you need this." the shorter girl said as she gave Emily one of the cups.
"Thanks, Maya," Emily said smiling at her friend. "Let's go inside."
Walking in the house, Emily saw Carmen drinking away with Noel. The Latina looked like she was having fun with him. Of course, Emily thought, if the swimmer wouldn't be ignoring her, she would be having fun with Emily instead of Noel.
Carmen was having fun. There was alcohol, music, and hot guys/girls. Currently, her attention was on Noel who talking about Ben's face and how he would never want to mess with her. She noticed Emily watching her from where the swimmer stood with Maya.
"I have to fix this. When did I become a caring person?"
"Hey Noel, I have to go talk to someone," Carmen said and he nodded, but not before taking her drink and giving her another. "Thanks I'm gonna need it."
Making her way to where her tall friend and Maya stood, she quickly gulped down her liquid and threw the cup away. Emily saw her coming, but Carmen wouldn't let her get away. "Hey Maya, I'm stealing Emily so she'll be right back." With the swimmer protesting, Carmen dragged her into the photo booth.
"That wasn't nice, Carm."
"Damn Emily, it was just a kiss. There was a moment and we got caught in it."
"But it wasn't just the moment. I've had these feeling since Ali was here."
"Yeah...I know," Emily gave the Latina a confused look. "Well Alison knew. That's why she always teased you."
"Nothing got passed Ali," Emily said smiling slightly. "Do you miss her?"
Now it was Carmen's turn to give Emily a confused look. "Of course I miss her. She was our best friend."
"Okay but I mean," Emily started and took a deep breath. "Do you still love her?"
Instead of a shocked look, like Emily was expecting, Carmen smirked instead. "You know? We tried so hard to hide it."
"You could've told me. I wouldn't have said anything."
"It was Ali's idea. She thought we would lose our popularity and power."
"Is popularity really that important to you?"
"It use to but now that Ali's..." Carmen swallowed. "...gone, I realize we could disappear any minute so we need to be ourselves."
"Who is your real self?"
"Carmen Torres, Queen Bee of Rosewood High, ex-girlfriend of Alison DiLaurentis, crushing on best friend Emily Fields."
Emily looked at her shocked. "R-really?"
Carmen just smirked. "Let's take pictures." She set up the booth and sat down next to Emily. "Say cheese!"
They took a picture of them smiling, of Carmen tickling Emily, then getting lost in the other girl's eyes, and then Carmen Grabbed Emily's face between her hands and crushed their lips together. Carmen's lips worked perfectly against Emily's. The swimmer was surprised when she feels Carmen's tongue swipe across her bottom lip, asking for entrance, which she happily grants. Heads swimming and hearts racing, they pull apart, girls panting, lips swollen, faces flushed.
"Come on; let's go before they miss us." Carmen said, taking Emily's hand in hers before walking out.
"Where're the pictures?" Emily said with panic evident in her voice.
"Maybe it's out of paper." Carmen said shrugging.
"Yeah maybe."
Later, after Carmen promises Emily a thousand times she's okay to drive, Carmen drove Emily home and looked at the swimmer confused when she doesn't get out right away. "Em, something wrong?"
"No, it's perfect actually," Emily said smiling, but then frowning. "I'm just waiting for A to mess it up."
"Hey, no matter what A throws at us, we can get through it." Carmen said squeezing Emily's hand.
"I hope your right Carm," Emily sighed, but then smiled. "I'll see you tomorrow, thanks for the ride home."
"No problem, Em," Carmen said as the taller girl leaned over to give the Latina a goodnight kiss. "Goodnight, Hermosa."
Watching Emily until she was inside her house, Carmen pulled out off the street and made her way home. Nothing could ruin her night. At that moment, her phone went off. Slowing down at a stop sign, Carmen checked her phone.
Unknown "How sweet, a goodnight kiss. Too bad those pictures went missing, I would hate for those to get out." -A
Well, shit.
The next day, Carmen finds herself in the woods where the huge rabbit was, listening to Spencer explain that Alison had something on Toby and that's why he took the blame.
"Ali had something on everybody," Carmen interrupts. "It's not actually surprising."
"Wait, why are you just now telling us this?" Aria questions.
"I don't know, I promised Alison," Spencer explained while crossing her arms. "I thought that if we didn't talk about that night, it would just go away."
"It will never go away," The Latina said. "Not until A stops messing with us." The five of them started walking to the shed, following Spencer.
"There're five of us, and one freak sending messages," Emily spoke up. "I feel like if we talk to each other like this, it makes everything easier."
"Emily's right," Aria agreed, stepping over a root. "There are too many secrets. We should do this thing where we can see it every day."
"Like the school?" Hanna asked the hat-wearing brunette.
"No, in town. We should ask if we can put a bench somewhere," Aria said as they all stopped to wait for her to finish. "You know what, whoever did this to her, should see it every day." Hanna just sighed catching Spencer's attention.
"What you hate the idea?"
"No I just," The blonde paused. "I just had a rough night."
At that time they all heard something snapping sticks and leaves. Almost like someone walking in the woods.
"Oh hell, the rabbit's back Spencer." Carmen joked, although the genius didn't look amused as she started running towards the sound. They ran a little ways and stopped, listening, but they couldn't hear anything, until Hanna gasped.
"Look."
They all walked up to get a closer look at what Hanna was pointing at. On the ground, lay one of the bracelets Ali had made them.
"Is it yours?" Spencer questioned the blonde.
"No it's," Hanna's eyebrows furrowed as she turned to Carmen. "It's yours."
Carmen walked up and knelt down to look at it. Sure enough, the name Carmen was written with white fabric.
"Guys, Ali was wearing this when she went missing."
Picking up the piece of fabric, Carmen looked at the other girls; worry clear in her hazel eyes. If Alison had been wearing the bracelet when she went missing, that meant her killer must have taken it before she was buried in her backyard.
That meant her killer had dropped it.
Yeah another chapter! :D Sorry this one has taken so long, I had to think about how to proceed with things, then go back and do changes.
Carmen and Emily finally kissed for real ;) I had to think about how to precede with them in this chapter the most, like whether or not to make Carmen, Emily's rescuer, or to still have Maya and Emily kiss. Stuff like that.
Anyway, I hope you liked it, review and what not and I'll try to update as fast as I can.