"A sent this letter to my mom."
The girls were hanging out at Spencer's, relaxing. Aria was on the couch, Emily and Hanna were sitting at the bar, Spencer was making coffee, and Carmen was in the shower.
"It's your dad's mistake, totally." Emily said trying to make Aria feel better.
"Yeah you didn't hook up with her, and then ask your kid to cover for you." Spencer added.
"Ali said I should've told my mom right after I found out."
"Ali? Alison knew?" Emily asked, surprised while Hanna and Spencer just looked at the girl.
"Yeah, she was with me."
"So Alison saw this Meredith person?" Spencer asked and Hanna snapped her head to Spencer.
"Meredith? Her names Meredith? Ew that's not even a cute girl name." Hanna said.
"I'll tell you a cute girl name. Emily." Carmen said smirking as she walked into the kitchen in sweat pants and a tank top.
"How do you still look so gorgeous in sweats?" Hanna asked.
"It's a blessing and a curse." the Latina said leaning against Emily.
"You're hot." Emily stated as she felt the heat on Carmen's skin.
"Oh Em you're too sweet to me." Carmen said smirking but it wasn't her usual smirk.
"No! I just meant, I think you have a fever." Emily explained, lightly hitting the girl on her shoulder.
"I'm fine."
"Let me feel," Spencer said, putting her hand on the shorter girls' forehead. "Yep, you have a fever."
"Whatever."
"I think we have some medicine for that somewhere." Spencer said as she started opening cabinets.
"It's fine Spence."
"Hey when are your parents getting back?" Aria asked as Emily made Carmen sit down.
"Tomorrow." the athlete replied, taking out two pills from a bottle a handing them to Emily.
"Don't you think you should clean the mirror before they get back?" Aria asked.
"That would be a good idea." Spencer said grabbing a rag and some spray.
"I'll come with." Aria said walking to the stairs.
"Me too." Emily said after forcing Carmen to swallow her pills.
When Carmen and Hanna stayed quiet, the other three girls looked at them.
"Are you coming?" Aria asked.
"It doesn't take five people to clean a mirror." Hanna replied.
"What? You think I know how to clean?" Carmen asked, sipping her coffee.
"Okay, stay down here. Alone." Aria said as they started up the stairs.
"Make sure to lock the doors." Emily teased.
"You spray and I'll wipe." Hanna said as her and Carmen jumped up.
"I'm not scared." Carmen mumbled as she walked past them.
-BING!-
The sound of a phone stopped them in their tracks. Hanna looked at hers to see it lit up with a message from an unknown number.
"Great we should have never unblocked our phones."
Ever wonder what's going on when your back is turned? -A
There was an attachment at the bottom.
"Open the attachment." Emily said and Hanna obeyed.
They watch as Hanna came on screen followed by the other four girls.
"That's us," Aria said stating the obvious. "Was that shot from inside your closet?" she asked Spencer.
They all looked up the stairs.
"A was watching us."
Going to Spencer's room, they walked over to the closet. Spencer opened it up and something fell down, breaking on the ground. The sudden movement caused the girls to scream and jump back.
"Guys," Aria said, moving to the closet. She held up a tube of lipstick. "Check it out."
She smeared some on her hand then walked to the mirror to compare.
Perfect match.
"You can't seriously think a blind girl broke into my house?" Spencer asked Aria in the hallway.
"Jenna might not have been alone." Aria argued back as Spencer rolled her eyes.
"Let's not go to the Toby place, okay?" Emily said, looking at the arguing girls.
"Why not? You guys think her guide dog left behind his lipstick?" Aria asked sarcastically.
"Yeah Em, wanna ask your lab partner what he was doing last night?" Carmen asked, smirking at Emily who glared at the Latina.
"You know, maybe he took a break from sitting on his porch pulling the heads off of squirrels." Spencer accused and Emily gave her a look of disbelief.
"Spencer!" Mr. Sheldrake yelled, walking over to the group of girls. "I hope you girls are as proud of your friend as I am. Congratulations."
He walked away after handing Spence a big envelope, which she put in her locker.
"So you won the essay competition." Carmen stated, smiling at her friend who tried to smile back, but couldn't help feel the guilt eating away at her.
"Aren't you gonna open it?" Emily asked.
"Why should she? She gets an award for waking up." Hanna teased, but then the bell rang, ending the conversation.
Carmen tried to twine her fingers with Emily as they started walking in the direction of History but Emily moved her hand. Carmen rolled her eyes and bit her tongue. No one would think anything about it if they held hand. Hell, Hanna and Spencer were and you didn't see them freaking about it.
"Have fun." Carmen teased the swimmer who rolled her eyes.
"Like that's possible." Emily stated to the Latina who raised an eyebrow and smirked.
"Just day dream about me." Carmen before looking down the hall to check if anyone was there then tip toeing and giving the swimmer a lingering kiss, only to have Emily turn her head so the kiss landed on her cheek. Carmen stared at Emily who wouldn't meet her gaze so she just sighed then started walking in the direction of art.
Emily watched the Latina go, head high and hips swaying. She didn't want to hurt Carmen, but she didn't wanna feel this way either. Emily knew she would have to get her thoughts straight, no pun intended.
Carmen was in art, messing with some clay. She heard a tapping noise coming close to the desk and knew it was Jenna, so she scooted over, determined to not have the blind girl in her space.
"What are you making?"
"Can't you see?"
"No."
Carmen should have felt guilt run through her, but she didn't. She just wanted to know what Jenna was up to.
"So homecoming is soon." Jenna said.
"Yeah and?"
"Who are you going with?"
"No one so far."
"Not even, Emily?"
That comment made Carmen freeze. What was Jenna getting at? How did she know? Sure, they had almost made out in the parking lot but she couldn't have seen them. Had someone else told her?
"What are talking about?"
"You know, I wonder what everyone would think about Emily Fields liking gi-"
She was cut off by the Latinas hand.
"Shut up." Carmen growled. "Don't you dare say anything about her."
"Fine I won't out her, on one condition. Take me to homecoming."
"Hell no!" Carmen yelled, gaining the attention of the room. Thank God Ms. West wasn't in the room.
"Then maybe Emily's mom should be the first to know." Jenna said smirking.
"You're black mailing me?" Carmen growled out. She was getting pissed.
Jenna turned in Carmen's direction, like she was looking at her. "Yes. You have until tomorrow to decide."
The bell suddenly rang, signaling the end of the class. Carmen had lost track of the time while talking to Jenna. One thing she was for sure of though.
She couldn't let Emily's secret get out.
"You have to work at a dentist office?" Aria asked Hanna at lunch later.
"Yeah with Sean's mom; to help pay for the damage done to his car." The blonde replied, drinking her water.
"I could just give you the money Hanna," Carmen told her and saw everybody state at her. "What?"
"Is someone feeling sad again today?" Hanna asked teasingly since the last time Carmen had been sad, she had spent 23,000 dollars on just he four friends.
"Ha-ha, so funny." Carmen replied, rolling her eyes. Truthfully, she was feeling the urge to shop. Or drown herself in Tequila. Whichever one got her out of the Jenna situation and helped make her forget about Emily.
"Thanks Carm, seriously, but I think this will be good for me." Hanna said and her friends looked at her impressed.
"How can working be good for anyone?" Carmen asked, causing the girls to sigh.
"Just because you don't have to work and can buy anything your ice cold heart desires, doesn't mean everybody else can." Spencer teased.
"Whatever, I'm leaving." Carmen said grabbing her bag and walking towards the doors while the girls just looked at each other in confusion, before Emily went after the Latina. She finally caught up to her in the parking lot, just as Carmen was opening her door.
"Carmen wait, you can't just leave." Emily said, trapping the Latina against the car so she couldn't escape.
"I feel sick and moody; maybe I'm pregnant." Carmen said thoughtfully while running a hand across her flat stomach. Emily's eyes widened and her eyebrows furrow while she looked down at the short girls stomach. Now she felt sick.
"Emily, Em, Hermosa!"
The swimmer was jolted out of her trance by Carmen yelling. She looked up to see the amusement in Carmen's eyes and the smirked playing along her lips.
"You were joking? Thank God." Emily breathed, placing her forehead against the other girls.
"Damn, I guess I really did scare you." Carmen laughed lightly as Emily's face reddened from embarrassment.
"Shut up. Maybe if I knew who you were with, I wouldn't have to worry." Emily said, smiling.
"Babygirl, I'm with you. Well and my art teacher, but that's only on the weekends." Carmen said smirking, ruining the moment.
"What am I going to do with you, Carm?"
"Punish me?"
"Hm maybe later."
"Damn Em, I didn't know there was this side of you. It's hot."
"You think whatever I do is hot."
"Because you're hot in general."
"Go home."
"Kiss me?"
"No, you're being punished."
"You suck, Emily. Alright see you later."
Carmen quickly jumped in her car, out of Emily's arms and drove away, leaving a very confused swimmer behind.
"Sodium Borate."
Emily poured bright green liquid in the glass beaker, and then began to stir with her stick resulting in a clinking sound, like the glass might break.
"Easy, that glass beaker is made of...glass." Toby said, stating the obvious.
"Maybe you should do it," Emily said, nodding and going back to her paperwork. "I've had too much coffee and not enough sleep."
"Big party on a Thursday night?" he teased.
"No I...slept at a friend's." the swimmer told him. "What did you do last night?"
"Sat at The Grille doing homework. Jenna likes to listen to her lectures loudly and it messes me up." Toby explained as Emily poured more green liquid.
"I stay there long enough and close so it's pretty quiet. So whose house did you stay at last night? Carmen's?"
Emily looked at him worriedly. "Why would you say that?"
"Aren't you two super close now?" He asked in confusion.
"Oh, uh, yeah we have grown closer since Alison..."
"Yeah her and Carmen were Bffs, weren't they? Must be hard for her." Toby said, continuing to work on the assignment.
"Yeah it's hard for all of us." Emily said cautiously. "She's different now though."
"Different's good, I like different." Toby said looking at her. "This town has too much of the same."
Emily couldn't help but feel thankful for Toby. He listened and understood what it was like to be different. Like Carmen. Like Maya. Like herself. Plus she couldn't deny the growing attraction to the boy.
"I didn't know this would take so long." Emily said as her and Toby finished their project. They had made sticky, green, glue type stuff. Everyone else had already left the classroom.
"It's cool, I like being here when no one else is." Toby replied.
"I think we have everything covered." Emily said, looking up and noticed drawings on Toby's folder.
"Oh wow these are amazing." Emily said, picking it up. "It looks just like the cover of this band, Circus Survive. This is really good."
"You know that band?" Toby asked, surprised a girl like her would listen to them.
"My cousin works at a bar on South Street. He snuck me into a show."
"Have you heard any of their new stuff yet? It's totally-"
"Amazing." Emily smiled, finishing for him.
"If you're into them, there's this other band I should turn you on to. I'll bring you a CD." the blue eyed boy said.
"Thanks. I should go, I'm gonna be late for swim practice." the swimmer said, gathering her stuff.
"Um Emily?"
"Yeah?"
"My notebook."
"Oh, I totally need more sleep." she said smiling and handing him back the book.
"Or more coffee," Toby said smiling. "Wanna meet up at The Grille later?"
Emily thought about it and couldn't see what harm it would do. "Sure."
With that she smiled one last time and walked to the pool.
Hanna was dressed in her hideous scrubs and waiting in the elevator. She officially started working today and could hopefully stop very soon.
She was using the elevator doors as a mirror to try and, unsuccessfully, make her uniform sexier, when the sorts opened and she was looking directly into Jenna Marshall's eyes, er, sunglasses.
The blonde stepped to the back corner, behind Jenna, and prayed the blind girl wouldn't notice her. Jenna brought out something from her pocket, a lipstick tube, and started applying it to her red lips. Hanna leaned in so she could see if Jenna was using Jungle Red.
"Do you like the color?"
The questions startled Hanna and she jumped back, making enough noise with her shoes. How did Jenna know she was there?
"Uh huh."
Short and simple. Maybe Jenna wouldn't recognize her voice. If she was lucky.
"Thank you."
The elevator stopped at a floor, causing Jenna to walk off, tapping her cane.
Hanna watched her walk away, worry building up inside. Things just got weird.
So, smartly, Hanna followed Jenna.
Making sure to keep a safe distance behind until the blind girl as she went into a room. Hanna waited until Jenna came out and started to leave. When she got back on the elevator, Hanna started going through rooms. She opened a door but didn't see anything other than boxes.
"Can I help you?"
The voice surprised Hanna a she turned around to see a security officer standing by the door.
"I was just looking for somewhere I dump medical waste. Thanks for your help."
Nice excuse Hanna, that didn't sound like she was up to something at all. After making sure the officer was gone, she went into the office.
Now Hanna was at home, sitting in the kitchen, on the computer when her mom walked through the door.
"Sorry I'm late, boss got chatty when he dropped the check. Plus they only had one lamb chop. The rest are yours. What are we looking at?" Ashley Marin asked her daughter.
"The worst part of my day. You know, I thought it bottomed out when a kid aimed at me for rinse and spit but now there's an Amber." Hanna shared.
"What's an Amber?" Ashley asked, confused.
"Amber is a cheerleader at Ronald's high who loves skinny lattes," Hanna said as her mom walked over. "Here, see for yourself."
"She's cute." Ashley said simply.
"She's trying to date Sean."
"We know this for a fact?" Ashley asked.
"Well, she has suddenly become his personal driver and, God knows what else." Hanna said, rolling her eyes.
"Hm, driving's not dating," Ashley said, sitting next to Hanna. "Now eat."
"Mom! Why are you feeding me when my boyfriend left me for someone who weighs eleven pounds?"
"He hasn't left you, his cars in the shop."
"So why can't he hitch a ride with someone who's not majoring in cartwheels?"
"I am sorry that you don't have a car of your own to drive. You'll have to talk to your father about that."
"No thanks. Besides, he's probably already picked one out for Kate." Hanna said, referring to her soon-to-be stepsister.
"Kate? I thought her name was Isabelle?" Ashley asked, confused.
"That's the mother."
"The girlfriend."
"The fiancé."
Ashley was shocked. She didn't know that Hanna's father was getting married. "He's marrying her?"
"Yeah, I found that out before I went to Spencer's last night," Hanna explained. "I didn't see you this morning so, I thought that would be kind of weird to text you."
"Yeah, weird," Ashley said, toying with her earring. "Thanks. I'd rather hear it from you than him. I'm not surprised, I mean, we've both moved on." Ashley said, giving her daughter one last smile before getting up and walking upstairs.
Hanna went to check her email when an IM popped up.
NOW I KNOW TWO SECRETS. HANNA GOT DISSED, AND EMILY AND CARMEN KISSED! -A
Hanna's eyebrows scrunched up in confusion as she typed back, asking who the messenger was. All she got in reply was a file attachment. She clicked on the blue lettering and a small box with a picture of Emily and Carmen popped up. In the first pic, they were making goofy faces, in the second, they were smiling, in the third, they were gazing at each other, and in the last one, their lips were locked. Hanna's eyes widened as she made the picture bigger and couldn't help the shock that spread through her body as she stared at the image. What was going on?
Later, Hanna and Spencer were at The Grille. Hanna told Spencer about how the color lipstick Jenna was wearing, matched the lipstick on the mirror.
"I'm telling you that was the color lipstick Jenna used." The blonde said, trying to convince her friend.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes! That's Alison's color," Hanna insisted. "Same shade, same tube. What I'm wondering is why was Jenna was in an empty room for an hour."
"I think we should call the police," Spencer whispered. "There are fingerprints on this tube."
"Well yeah, ours," Hanna said obviously. "Look before you wanna ask any more questions, just let me go to the office and see what I can find." Looking over at the windows, Hanna saw Toby sitting there, reading a book. She thought about A sending her that email and couldn't help but ask Spencer. "Have you gotten anymore emails?"
"No, have you?" The athlete asked.
"Oh, no, I'm just wondering." Hanna didn't want to give Emily and Carmen away.
"Wondering about what?" Carmen said, sliding in a seat by Hanna.
"Uh hey Carmen, when did you get here?" Hanna asked, still surprise by the image of the Latina and Emily.
"I walked in like, five minutes ago. You two were just so busy talking." The genius said, sipping her latte.
"Oh, we were just talking about the lipstick. Did you know Jenna wears the same kind?" Hanna asked.
"No? Why would I?"
"Well she does. Hanna stalked her at work." Spencer said.
"Hey! I did not stalk her. I observed." the blonde said smirking.
Just then, the bell on the door sounded and they saw Emily walk in.
Emily didn't see her friends, she just saw Toby smiling at her.
"Emily!"
"Turning, she saw Hanna, Carmen, and Spencer sitting at a table.
"Hey, what are you doing here?" Spencer asked.
Emily wanted to tell them she was here to meet Toby, but the thought of what her friends would say got to her. She walked right past Toby, trying to ignore the hurt look on his face, as she sat down by Spencer.
"Uh, I was just-"
"Hanna had a run in with Jenna Marshalls," Spencer told the swimmer. "Sit down."
Emily took her seat, by Spencer, and across from Hanna. She looked at Carmen, but the hazel eyed girl wouldn't meet her gaze.
"You know that dentist office I've been working at? Well I was going in for my shift after school and I was in the elevator, she had the same lipstick, Ali wore." Hanna explained and Emily's attention was focused on the blonde. Hanna and Spencer talk while Carmen just sat there, being unnaturally quiet for her.
After they two were done explaining everything, Spencer stood up to leave.
"Where're you going?" Hanna asked.
"I have an early tennis day with my dad and I have no idea what I'm gonna wear. There, um, maybe this boy-"
"Boy? What boy? Details!" Hanna demanded, smiling.
"Well there's none yet, but I'll keep you guys posted." Spencer said, leaving with a smile.
"Yeah I better leave too, errands to run, bed to sleep in," Carmen said standing up. "See ya."
"Bye, Carm." Hanna said.
"Bye, Carmen." Emily said, but her eyes still couldn't find hazel.
Just then, a waitress came up to the table and handed her something.
"Someone left this for you." the older woman said, before walking away.
It was a CD, with an amazing drawing of a girl who looked like Emily on the front.
"Pretty. Who made that?" Hanna asked.
"Somebody from school." Emily explained, smiling.
"Well whoever made that must really like you." Hanna said, thinking it was Carmen.
"No, we were just talking about this band we both like." Emily explained to her blonde friend.
"Is it somebody you like back?" Hanna questioned but didn't want Emily to feel uncomfortable. "Sorry, you don't have to tell me anything, but Em, if there's someone in your life who cares about you then I'm happy for you, no matter who they are."
Emily smiled gratefully at her friend, thinking about Toby and Carmen.
Carmen got into her car and sped off.
"She's crushing on somebody? She's just gonna see somebody else and not tell me? Whatever. We weren't actually together anyway." Carmen thought. She didn't know where she was driving, didn't care. The Latina just suddenly found herself at the cemetery. Her body had taken control and took her to Alison's grave.
Carmen just stood there, staring at the headstone of the girl she loved. Had loved, until someone took the blonde away from her.
"Oh Ali, I miss you. More and more every day," The hazel eyed girl said softly, kneeling in front of the grave. "I wish this was all a nightmare that I would wake up from, but I know it's not. You're gone, and I'm still here."
Carmen remembered the first and only time Alison had said the three words Carmen wanted to hear the most. It felt like such a long time ago...
Carmen had been lying on her bed, watching TV when she heard the front door slam. The Latina was on alert now; no one should have been there. Her parents were away and no one had a key. Carmen was sure she had locked the door. Footsteps could be heard coming up the stairs, then down the hall, stopping right outside the door. The handle turned slowly and Carmen just lied on her bed, frozen.
The door flew opened, and with it, golden hair. Alison was standing there smirking at the wide eyed girl.
"Boo." Ali said simply and walked over to the bed that Carmen was now sitting up on.
"Ali! How the hell did you get in?" Carmen questioned.
"Your spare key."
"You found it?"
"Really not that hard to find."
"So you thought it was okay to just break into my-"
Carmen was cut off by a soft pair of red lips, pressed against her own. Her hands automatically went into Alison's golden locks, as the blonde's went to Carmen's hips. Alison bit on Carmen's lip, demanding entrance. Carmen moaned as Alison tongue slipped into her mouth. They fought for dominance which, of course, Alison won.
Ali loved being in control, loved the fire rushing through her veins, and loved the way her body and the body beneath her matched perfectly. Alison loved everything about the Latina. Her soft, smooth skin; shining, hazel eyes; long, thick, luscious hair; and her pillow soft, pink lips. The blonde knew the Latina loved her. It was just a feeling she had. Of course, Carmen never said it out loud for fear of rejection. Three words could break everything.
Alison started kissing down Carmen's neck, stopping halfway. She started biting, sucking, and licking the same spot. Hearing the Latina moan drove her to make her mark. To claim Carmen as hers. No one would know it was her, but they would know someone did it, and that was enough for Alison.
She leaned back to admire her work. The spot wasn't really big, but it was purple and red. The only thing that would cover that would be a scarf. Alison smirked as Carmen ran up and looked in her mirror.
"You bitch, this is so noticeable!" Carmen yelled, turning to Alison and glaring.
"It's not that bad. Cover it up." Alison said, rolling her eyes.
"I don't wear scarfs; don't you think our friends will notice?"
"So? It just proves you can get some."
"That doesn't mean I wanna parade it to the whole world!"
"Then wear a scarf."
"You're a bitch." Carmen said, walking in her closet.
"So I've heard."
"I hate you."
"I love you."
Carmen froze, not sure if she heard right. She walked out of her closet to look at Alison, seeing a small smile on her lips. "Ali?"
"Come here."
Carmen walked over to the taller girl cautiously. When she reached the bed, Alison wrapped her arms around her waist and pulled her onto the bed. The blonde then buried her face in long, glossy hair.
"Alison, are you okay?" Carmen asked. Ali wasn't a cuddler; absolutely not. She was a heartless, manipulative, bitch that ruled Rosewood High. With Carmen though, she didn't have to be that. She could be the content, sweet, girl who likes cuddling.
"I'm fine." Ali mumbled into the Latinas neck.
"You seem...different?"
"Listen Carm, because this is the only time you will hear this. If you tell anyone, ANYONE, I will deny it then bury you in my back yard. Got it?" the blonde asked, staring at Carmen with piercing blue eyes.
"Got it."
"Good. I'm not good at sharing my feelings. Everyone knows that, but I'm gonna try here. I love you. I'm in love with you. Everything about you is just perfect. I could see myself with you when we get older. Far away from here, big house by the ocean, blonde, tanned, sexy Mexican babies with blue or hazel eyes, maybe even a dog for them. I don't really think about the future a lot, but that sounds pretty good to me." Alison said as she watched a smile light up Carmen's face as tears shimmered in her eyes.
"Ali...I...You..." Carmen tried but she couldn't even get the words out.
"I know. I've always known. I just wanted you to know about my feelings."
Carmen gently kissed Alison on the lips and smiled.
"Thank you."
Alison just smirked, stood up, and started walking for the door.
"Hey, where are you going?" Carmen demanded, placing her hands on her hips.
Alison through her hand back to reveal Carmen's car keys.
"What-How-Ali!"
Carmen ran downstairs after the laughing blonde. How Carmen's heart leapt to her throat when Alison laughed.
A tear rolled down Carmen's cheek without her permission.
"Damn Alison, why did you have to die?"
Carmen let go. Her eyes blurred, her throat tightened and tears streamed down her cheeks, leaving tracks.
-BING, BING!-
Carmen's phone went off, signaling a text. Taking it out, the number was unknown.
"Great, just what I need right now." the Latina murmured and opened the message.
DON'T CRY CARMEN. I'M ALWAYS WATCHING YOU. XOXO... -A
Carmen looked around the graveyard, trying to see anything, anyone, but no luck. Sighing, she stood up, brushed the dirt off her clothes, and then placed her index and middle fingers to her lips then onto the headstone.
"I love you, Alison."
Spencer was in her kitchen with five books, preparing to study. She grabbed a pear and was sitting down when her dad came down the stairs.
"Is that how you wanna celebrate? A pear? Or a three course dinner?" he asked holding up a piece of paper.
"Count me out." Spencer said.
"Pass? Honey, you're the guest of honor. You won a national award and helped me with business," he said, insisting. "It almost didn't happen."
"Why not? Didn't I hit the net enough?" Spence asked sarcastically, referring to the tennis match with her dad's clients. He had told her to lose, act bad, on purpose.
"No, you were perfect, but things almost fell apart when you guys were in the locker room."
"What happened?"
"He expected lunch at the club. Of course, I didn't make a reservation so there were no tables." Mr. Hastings explained.
"We say at your favorite table?" Spencer said, confused.
"Only after I made a scene. Told the manager that boy on the courts forgot to call it in." he laughed.
"Who, Alex? Will he be in trouble?" The brainiac asked, concerned for her crush.
"Who cares? Kid can pick up balls anywhere, right? We got a major client, Spence," Mr. Hastings said, noting the look on his daughters face. "Why are you looking at me like that? Just did what I had to do."
"To win."
"Don't give me that attitude. Spencer, you're just as competitive as I am," he told her. "Don't pretend you're not."
"You know what, you're right. I am. I'm just not sure if it's something I wanna celebrate anymore," the athlete said. "Oh and by the way, you don't have to read my essay."
"Why not?"
"Because I stole it, but I'm gonna win a big, fat award so I'm guessing you're okay with that, cause winning's all that matters, right?"
With a last look at her shocked father, Spencer picked up her books and went upstairs to her room, leaving her dad to think.
Emily was walking by The Grille, when she saw Toby riding again. Not thinking twice, she made her way in the cafe and over to sit by him.
"Hey," she started, but got no response. "I was hoping you'd be here."
"Why?" came his deep voice.
"I really liked tracks three, seven, and nine. Nine was the best," Emily said looking at him. How come no one would meet her eyes? "And I'm sorry about last night, really sorry."
He dug around in her bag, pulling out a CD case, and laying it in front of him.
"What's that?" Toby asked, finally looking up at her.
"Something I made for you," she explained, as he held the CD. "There are a couple girly songs so you have to keep an open mind."
He proceeded to look at the tracks as she ordered coffee then turned her attention back to him. Emily started talking about the songs and bands, as Toby talked and asked her questions. The swimmer was having a great time, and she didn't care who saw her.
Meanwhile, Spence was waiting on Alex at the Country Club. He came out moments later and they smiled at each other.
"You ready?" Alex asked.
"Yeah let's go." Spencer said as they walked off for their afternoon together.
Aria was at home, bringing two bowls of soup to her room, where her brother Mike was.
"What's this?" he asked as she crawled in bed beside him.
"Dinner."
"Is mom still in her room?" Mike asked and Aria just nodded. "And dad?" Aria just shrugged. "Do you think they're gonna work this out?"
"I really don't know." Aria answered honestly as the two of them tried watching TV. As long as Mike needed her, Aria would be there.
Hanna was home and bored. She had talked to Sean about Amber. Turns out, Amber is in a virginity club with Sean. Hanna had asked him if she could go next time, to be with him. Now he was trying to call Carmen, seeing if she wanted to come over, but the girl wouldn't pick up. Finally, after the call going straight to voice-mail, Hanna gave up. The blonde changed, got under her blankets and dozed off.
Carmen was at home, having fallen asleep on the couch watching TV. Her phone was on silent, so she didn't hear Hanna calling her. Her crying had drained her energy so she was in deep slumber. She didn't even know that someone was in her house, walking closer to the couch. The intruder draped a blanket over the Latina, shut her phone off, and turned down the TV before walking out the front door and slipping into the darkness of night.
Thanks to all who reviewed last time, made me write faster. Sorry if this doesn't have a lot of Emily/Carmen moments but we are building up to Emily's confrontation with her sexuality.
Also if Alison seemed a little OOC then good. We never really saw Alison be anything but heartless, except the sweet moments with Emily. Alison and Emily never had anything going on in this story, it was Alison and Carmen and their relationship ran deeper than Alison/Emily so that's why I made her act different.
Next chapter is HOMECOMING! We should find out what Jenna is up to with Carmen, and how our feisty Latina will react to Toby/Emily.