Hey guys, I know this is about 1000 years late so I'm super sorry about that. I have just been pretty busy with life lately but I am committed to finish this story off and make it as good as I can. The editing isn't too great on this one, I know. I just wanted to get it out for you guys. Have a read of the last chapter if you would like, I would probably recommend it because I didn't remember it myself!
Thanks for your patience, I would appreciate it if you are just a little patient for a bit longer. I'm freshly single and dealing with some interesting revelations about my ex so I might be a little slow with the next chapter but your encouragement always helps. Please read and review and let me know what you think.
Paige spent the evening tossing and turning, which meant that Paige nor Emily got much sleep that night. She was uncomfortable, still coughing up water and she
was having nightmares whenever she actually did fall asleep. She finally managed to get some dreamless sleep in the early hours of the morning until she felt a
hand on her shoulder.
"There you are sleepy head" Spencer said with a small smile as she stood next to the bed
"Hey" Paige said groggily
"Em sent me up here to wake you up" Spencer said "She thought you might want to be a part of discussions this morning. No doubt she told you about what she
was doing last night"
"Yeah" Paige nodded as she cleared her throat "My throat is so sore"
"I'll bet it is" Spencer said "Mom was so worried about you last night"
"I'll go visit her once we are done here" Paige said
"Why don't I send her over here?" Spencer asked "You need your rest"
"I'm fine" Paige replied "I just don't know whether I want to go for another swim this week"
"I can imagine" Spencer said light heartedly "You hungry? Mrs. Fields is making pancakes and they are the best"
"Yeah, sounds good" Paige nodded as she stepped out of bed slowly
Making her way down the stairs she found all of the girls sitting in the lounge room and the smell of pancakes hit her nose quickly.
"I didn't want to have to wake you but I thought you might hold it against me if I didn't" Emily explained as Paige reached the bottom of the stairs
"Thanks" Paige nodded while walking towards Emily and taking a seat next to her
"Morning" Emily said kissing Paige on the temple
"Hey" Paige replied quietly as she smiled slightly
"I've called Veronica" Emily said "She'll be over later to see you, we're just going to stay indoors today I think"
"I need to see Jason" Paige shook her head
"We'll call him later, he can come over too" Emily replied "The swim school is closed anyway, it's a crime scene so they've closed it and classes are cancelled"
"How long will it be closed for?" Paige asked
"As long as it has to be" Emily replied "They're going to find whoever did this"
"So what's with the meeting?" Paige asked "I mean I know it's about the photo"
"So Em did tell you" Hanna said nodding
"She told me" Paige replied with a nod "I can't say I approve but I guess you had to do something to move this along if the police weren't doing anything"
"You're taking this better than I thought you would" Spencer said raising an eyebrow
"No point being mad, it's done" Paige shrugged "How did you get back there and inside the locker?"
"I dropped some papers there for a case I'm working on and no one was around so I managed to sneak in" Emily replied lowly "We have to keep this quiet
considering my mom works there"
"Well we're not going to shout it from the rooftops" Hanna shook her head
"We're going to keep this very quiet" Emily replied "That's what we're going to do"
"When are they going to release that photo?" Paige asked "I mean when are they likely?"
"I don't know" Emily shook her head "Seems to me that they are doing whatever they can to slow this case down"
"Why would they do that?" Aria asked
"They're not doing that" Spencer replied "They've got no answers, they've got no suspects and they have no idea. If we want this solved, we're going to have to do
it again"
"I'm not going through what we did when Ali died" Hanna shook her head "I have a son now that I have to protect. Whoever did this is crazy"
"Which is all the more reason to stop them sooner rather than later" Paige interjected "This person killed Ali, we now think this person tried to run over Braxton
and just tried to drown me"
"So what's the next step?" Aria asked
"No one remembers anyone wearing this coat?" Emily asked pointing to her phone
"I would remember" Hanna nodded "It's hideous"
"Hanna does actually have a point" Aria replied
"Girls, the pancakes are ready" Pam said walking into the room, pausing as she saw Paige sitting next to Emily "Paige, I didn't know you're awake"
"I had a bit of a sleep in" Paige said with a small smile "The pancakes smell delicious"
"Are you hungry?" Pam asked
"A little" Paige nodded "My throat is pretty sore so that might be curbing my hunger"
"Did you sleep okay?" Pam asked
"Mom" Emily interrupted "She doesn't need to be asked so many questions, she just woke up"
"It's okay Em" Paige replied calmly "I didn't get much sleep last night, it was a little too difficult"
"If you need anything, we're here for you" Pam said sincerely
"Thank you, I appreciate it" Paige nodded
"I'll leave the pancakes in the kitchen" Pam said "I'll leave you to it"
"Thank you" Paige repeated as Pam exited the room as quickly as she had entered it
"I don't know about you but all this talk of Ali's killer is putting me off my appetite" Aria said with a grimace
"We should go into the kitchen" Spencer said
"This has to stay in this room" Emily said looking around "All of it"
"We wouldn't tell anyone" Hanna replied
"And we can't just talk about this stuff out anywhere anymore" Emily said "Someone in this town is a killer. They have tried a few times now lately and I know
they will try again. It's not safe anymore"
"Rosewood was never safe" Spencer said standing from her seat "It's just now this person has to work to keep this a secret"
Paige had visits from both Jason and Veronica that morning. Veronica was a little shaky when she saw Paige, she was in shock that something like that would
happen to her. Jason was angrier than anything, he was angry that he couldn't catch the person who did this and he was angry that he didn't see anything of
significance to identify this person.
"So you couldn't see anything?" Emily asked
"I told the police every single detail I knew" Jason said "This person didn't want to be seen. The lights were off, they were wearing a black hoodie and they were too
far away from me"
"I'm just glad you were there" Paige replied shaking her head
"Me too" Jason said "You know you can have as much time off as you need. We can get people to cover your classes"
"Thanks" Paige nodded
"I wish I got my hands on whoever that was" Jason replied
"Me too" Emily said with a frustrated sigh "There's going to be hell to pay"
"It's okay guys" Paige replied looking to Emily "It's fine"
"I'm investing in some better security for the complex too" Jason said laughing bitterly "I mean I guess I should have known that I would need it in Rosewood"
"This kind of stuff stopped Jason" Emily said "It wasn't so bad until now"
"It wasn't so bad?" Jason asked "It was horrible. That's why I left"
"Why did you come back?" Paige asked
"As much as I hate it, it's my home" Jason replied "Much like you. The best thing you two could do would be to get your stuff and move as far away as you can
manage. Start a life together out of here"
"I'm not going to be bullied out of my home town" Paige replied shaking her head "I don't know who this person is. I think I know what they want but I can't be
sure. I'm not leaving because someone wants me to. They're going to have to try harder"
"I don't know if I would say that" Jason replied with a small smile "You're a stubborn girl"
"I always have been" Paige shrugged
"Are you sure you're okay?" Emily asked as she sat across from Paige at the brew on Monday morning
Paige had been given time off from school and from the swim school, so she could recover and have a break. She had been struggling to sleep over the past few
nights because of nightmares. Emily wasn't getting much sleep either, trying to comfort Paige and reassuring her that she was okay. Paige kept on a brave face but
Emily knew that Paige was a little shaken from what had happened. She would have thought it to be unusual if she hadn't been shaken by it.
The police had interviewed Paige once again but they weren't really getting anywhere. The girls were becoming increasingly frustrated and were on the brink of
breaking into the police station and copying all the information that they had.
"I'm fine" Paige replied with a nod "You don't need to worry"
"I think I do" Emily nodded
"No, you don't" Paige shook her head with a smile "I'm fine Em"
"I'm sorry" Emily sighed "I just feel responsible for this"
"Em you've got to stop feeling guilty about this" Paige said reached over to hold the other girls' hand gently "About any of this. This had nothing to do with you"
"If we weren't together, you wouldn't be involved in this "Emily said "It is my fault"
"Stop" Paige replied raising her eyebrows "I don't care. I love you and nothing is going to change that"
"I just…it's hard to watch you go through what you do at night" Emily said honestly
"I know, I'm sorry you have to do that" Paige shook her head
"Don't apologise" Emily replied quickly
"So are you going to work after this?" Paige asked
"I just want to go into work to check on a few things" Emily said "I won't be long, you can come if you want"
"I think I'll just walk home" Paige said
"Are you sure that's a good idea?" Emily asked "Walking home by yourself?"
"Em, it's 9am" Paige said with a small smile "I know you're worried but it's broad daylight"
"That hasn't stopped this person before" Emily answered
"Well yes. That's true but I am a big girl" Paige said "If this person shows up and decides to have enough guts to not bring a car or try and drown me with the
lights off, I would be able to handle myself"
"I know you could" Emily replied "I would just rather you not have to"
"Well hopefully the police will do their job and no one will have to"
"It just scares me" Emily said "I have never cared so much about someone as I do you. I keep watching bad things happen to you and I can't do anything to stop
it"
"Em" Paige said stopping her girlfriend from continuing "I'm okay, we're okay, we're going to continue to be okay"
"I hope so" Emily nodded
"I love you" Paige replied
"I love you too" Emily responded with a small smile "So, I'm not going to be at work long. I was thinking we should go over to Hanna's and see Braxton this
afternoon. Hanna said that he watched TV last night and saw a news report on you. I think he freaked out a little so we should probably go see him and show him
you're okay"
"Yeah, sounds good" Paige nodded "I miss the little man"
"So I will meet you at your house?" Emily asked
"Sounds good, I might go to school and grab a few things" Paige said
"You're supposed to be taking a break" Emily said raising her eyebrows
"Well so are you" Paige retorted "And I'm fine"
"You just need to take it easy for a few days" Emily warned
"I am" Paige nodded "It's okay Em"
"I should get going" Emily said
"Okay, well I will see you at mine in a few hours?" Paige asked
"If you need anything, call me and I will be where ever you are" Emily said as she stood from the table
"Emily" Paige deadpanned
"I know, you're fine" Emily said leaning down to kiss Paige softly "I still want you to call me"
"You're lucky you're extremely cute" Paige said as her eyes fluttered open once they broke from the kiss
"I know" Emily smiled
Paige watched as Emily walked out of the brew, a smile on her face and her hips swaying a little more than normal simply for the fact she knew Paige was
watching. Paige rolled her eyes playfully, letting a deep breath out as Emily walked out of sight.
"Cute couple" She heard a voice say behind her "Very cute"
She turned around to see Mona standing behind her, coffee in one hand and her phone in the other.
"I don't really think I need you to comment on my love life" Paige mumbled
"Well when you display it like that around everyone, people are going to comment" Mona said taking a step towards Paige "Mind if I sit down?"
"Yes" Paige replied "I do mind"
"Well, you look like you're leaving anyway so I will just take your seat" Mona said as she sat down across from Paige, placing her coffee and phone down next to her
"You bring your black SUV with you today?" Paige asked "Driven over any sidewalks today?"
"Excuse me?" Mona asked raising her eyebrows
"You gave that car to Toby after you tried to run over Braxton" Paige said leaning forward "I know what you've been doing"
"I think you might have some chlorine in your brain or something because I have no idea what you're talking about" Mona said "I didn't give Toby a car. I gave him
a bonus and he bought that car himself"
"Oh did he really?" Paige asked
"Yes, actually" Mona said nodding "Are you okay?"
"I'm just wondering why you're lying to me" Paige said "Toby has been telling people that you gave it to him as a reward"
"Well I don't know why he would say that" Mona said shaking her head "It doesn't matter anyway because everyone always takes the side of the male in these
situations"
"What are you talking about?" Paige shook her head
"I didn't do anything Toby didn't want me to. I didn't force myself on him; he was the one who approached me about it. He made the first move, as far as I was
concerned he was hot but I wasn't going to touch him" Mona said
"So why did you then?" Paige asked
"Because I could" Mona shrugged "It's a man's world out there. Of course I am the one who gets called the names and I'm the one who is the home wrecker even
though he was the one who started everything. You should understand what it's like to be living in a man's world. That's all sport is. We're pretty similar, you and I"
"No, we're not" Paige shook her head
"So you were attacked at the pool huh?" Mona asked "I have friends in the police department. My company is redeveloping their offices soon"
"That's none of your business" Paige said "But I bet you already knew what happened. You probably knew what happened that night"
"I'm going to go" Mona said "You're clearly intimidated by me"
"You stay, I'm leaving" Paige said as she stood up from her seat "I know what you're doing Mona, it's not going to work"
"Nice to formally meet you too" Mona snapped
Paige shook her head, exiting the brew with haste before walking back to her house and jumping on her bike before making her way to Rosewood high. She walked
through the halls, attracting a little attention as people saw her walk in. She stopped at Spencer's office, knocking on the door lightly as her friend looked up with a
small smile.
"I'm going to have to report you to Emily" Spencer said
"I actually believe she asked you to" Paige replied
"Why is your bike in my office?" Spencer asked looking down beside Paige
"I wanted to ride here, clear my head and get some fresh air" Paige shrugged
"Paige" Spencer scolded
"It's dangerous, I could have died. I know" Paige rolled her eyes
"Well I wouldn't say that but you need to be resting" Spencer said
"I'm fine" Paige replied
"What are you doing here?" Spencer asked
"I came to get a few things from my office, thought I would say hi" Paige shrugged "How are you holding up?"
"I'm okay" Spencer nodded
"You just saying that?" Paige asked
"Well are you just saying that you're fine?" Spencer challenged "Emily told mom and I how you're having some pretty epic nightmares"
"I'm fine" Paige grumbled nodding
"No one would blame you if you weren't though Paige" Spencer said "You were almost drowned"
"I'm very aware of that" Paige nodded
"So you're not just pretending that you're okay?" Spencer asked
"Are you?" Paige shot back
"It's a different situation" Spencer said shaking her head with a puzzled look on her face "You almost died"
"I didn't almost die" Paige replied
"You couldn't pull yourself out of the water" Spencer said
"I'm not letting whoever this creep is, dictate how I live" Paige said "If I want to ride my bike somewhere, they can come and find me. If I want to leave my house,
they can have another shot"
"Don't say that Paige because they will do it" Spencer said "We don't know what this person is capable of"
"Everyone keeps telling me that" Paige replied "This person just tried to drown me. I'm not going to let them do anything else to me"
"Have you ever stopped to wonder how worried everyone else is about you?" Spencer asked "Did you ever think what this incident was going to do to Emily?"
"Of course I know" Paige replied with a sigh "I just don't know what to do. This person is winning"
"They're only winning if we let them win" Spencer said "And we're not going to do that"
"I saw Mona today" Paige said
"You saw Mona?" Spencer asked
"At the brew. I was there with Em and then she came up and talked to me after Em left" Paige admitted
"Why are you telling me this?" Spencer asked
"Do you think she would be capable of doing these things?" Paige asked
"Who, Mona?" Spencer asked
"Yeah" Paige nodded
"Anyone is capable of driving a car towards a child" Spencer replied "She's not stronger than you though, I don't think she would be able to hold you down. Why do
you think it's her?"
"I don't know" Paige lied shaking her head "It was just a thought"
"Do you want me to give you a lift home?" Spencer asked
"No thanks, I'm fine" Paige replied "I can ride home"
"Are you sure that's a good idea?" Spencer asked
"Very" Paige nodded
Let me know what you think. Have a good rest of your weekend.