Chapter Two
I went through my day pretty easily. A few days from now I have the swimming team tryouts. I must say this is by far one of the easiest jobs I've ever had. I lock up the gym around five, anyone who is inside can stay in but otherwise you're locked out. I'm probably one of the few staff members who stays so late. It's been few days since I've spoke to Alison outside of saying hello in passing. I'm not sure how she feels about me flirting with her. Hell, I'm not sure how I feel about it honestly. I don't know what came over me. I mean I do, she's beautiful but it's just so out of my character. It's like she ignites something inside me. I say goodbye to the few students left inside before I leave. I step outside, the door already. As I walk towards my car I notice Alison is having some trouble getting he car to start, lucky for her she's parked right beside. I unlock my door and put my bag in my backseat before turning around and knocking on her window. She reaches over to open the passenger door. "Sounds like you might need a jump. Pop your hood."
"I bet you say that to all the girls." Alison says with a smirk as she gets out of the car. I lift her hood and avoid eye contact. I know I'm blushing and maybe that was payback for the muffin thing. I continue to try to help her with her car. About a hour later and a very serious rainstorm we sit in my car as Alison talks to her brother Jason on the phone about her car. "No, I promise we tried everything and Em is pretty savvy with cars her dad taught her a lot." I look up from texting Hanna that I was running late for our sleepover and the reason why, wondering exactly why Alison called me Em. I watched her get off the phone. "He said he'd come by and look at it but he's still at work so I should just go on home." She paused a second "Thank you for waiting around, I'll just call a cab so you can get along with your evening." She opens the door, and before she stands I grab her wrist.
"Now what kind of friend would I be if I didn't take you home?" I shot her the signature Fields' smile and she closed the door. She told where she stayed which was literally across the street from my mom's and next door to Spencer's. I didn't expect her to stay in her family's home. "So Ali tell me about yourself." Her ears perked up at the sound of me calling her Ali. "I mean we are the same age, and I know of your family but only hear of you."
"Well first of all thank you for not judging me on what you heard. Let's see my mom and dad spilt when I was a kid. Jason stayed with my mom and I went with my dad. I was getting in a lot of trouble so they sent me to boarding school, I ended up in Paris and stayed there until I graduated. I came back here for college and by that time all of you had left for college. I became a teacher and got married to my childhood sweetheart. He moved here from London, he was the headmaster's son at my school." She smiled softly as if memories danced around in her head.
"I'm so sorry about your mom and husband." I practically whispered not really wanting to ruin her thoughts. We pulled in to her driveway. "I actually live across the street, it's my mom's place. But she's moving and I'm looking for a place but if you need anything. I'm just a text or call away."
"What a small world. And thank you… for everything. I'm sorry about your dad too by the way." She laid her hand on top of mine and rubbed it with her thumb.
"Thank you." We said goodbye and I went he to grab my already packed bag and check on mom before leaving for Hanna's. As soon as I get back in my car I get a text from Spence asking can I bring Ali with me. Apparently Ali was invited to the sleepover because Spence is an amazing cousin as well as friend and when Ali texted her and told her she couldn't make it because of car trouble I got volunteered. Not that I mind, but I wonder why Ali didn't ask me. I pulled into her driveway again, this time getting out of the car. I walk up to the door vaguely remembering coming here a few times for parties. I heard footsteps then a muffled 'one second' from Ali. So I waited. She finally came to the door, her hair was wet, her cheeks red.
"Hi. Sorry I was in the shower." I looked at her up and down she smelled glorious and looked the same in just a pair of jeans and a top. I struggled to get my thoughts together.
"I was informed that you need a ride to the sleepover." I bowed and pointed with my hand to my car "You chariot awaits madam… well whenever you are ready of course." She laughed and said she had to pack a few more things then she'd be ready. I sat in the living room and waited on her. I found myself looking around. I am a firm believer that you can tell a lot about a person by their home. I notice tons of pics on the wall. I stand to get a closer look. It's her entire life in photos. Baby Ali is possibly the most precious thing I've ever seen. She's so mesmerizing, I'm so lost I don't realize her come stand beside me.
"There's tons of more pictures. My mother loved to scrapbook and make photo albums. Maybe I'll show them to you one day." She walked over to the couch to pick up her bag and I just nodded on agreement and took her bag from her. We walked to the car after she locked her front door and I put her bag next to mine. The ride was fairly silent as I was lost in thoughts of the beauty beside me. How said of a life she had growing up away from her family and i only person she probably made a connection with was her husband then she lost both her husband and mom. I mean true she still has Jason but I cannot imagine how she feels. "You're thinking mighty loud Em." I'm brought back to reality by her voice.
"Yeah just thinking." I could feel her star at me waiting on me to elaborate. "You might be one of the strongest people I know. You've been through so much and you still have a beautiful way about how you treat people, you teach for a living that alone takes a special kind of person. I don't know, I'm just really happy we got the chance to meet, and get to know each other." I look over at her and she's smiling, dimples showing. I try not to swoon, but I'm sure I'm blushing. We pull up to Han's And before we can get out of the car Ali leans in and kisses my cheek. I blush even harder.
"I may be the strongest but you are the sweetest Emily Fields. And I'm happy we met too." I try to hide my excitement. I grab our bags as we make out way to the door sneaking glances at one another. Aria opens the door and I put our bags where everyone else's are as I notice a smirk on Spencer's face. I know that look and I know what she's thinking I just roll my eyes and give her the finger which doesn't ho unnoticed by everyone else as they look at us questioningly. We decide on Chinese food, and picked out four movies. The Shining, The Notebook, The Little Mermaid, and The Breakup. Everyone picked out there favorite movie just so happened Ali and I picked the same one. We all talk and just catch up while we wait on food. I'm talking to Hanna about the swim team when I overhear Ali talking to Spencer about baking.
"No they were amazing, ask Em." Instantly I know she's king about her muffins and I know Spencer will not let this one go so easy.
"So Em… you've tasted Ali's muffin? How amazing was it?" She could barely get it out for laughing so hard. I threw up pillow at her as I stood up to answer the door. Aria chimed in.
"You never liked muffins when I made them Em." I just glared at her.
"Maybe Ali's muffin is special. And Aria yours are always a little dry." Hanna couldn't help herself.
"So Em… Ali's muffin is moist?" Spencer is in complete tears from laughing now. I look over at Ali who is very amused by the whole thing.
"Grow up! I hope you choke on your egg roll… okay no I don't but still." I hand everyone their food and Ali grazes my hand while I hand over hers. I'm almost sure that she has been flirting with me but honestly it's been awhile since either of us has probably even thought about dating and maybe she's not flirting maybe she's just touchy feely and very friendly. I look up at the screen as The Little Mermaid plays. I'm sitting alone at the kitchen table. I realize the only free space is on the couch by Ali. I put my food up and take my place. I'm sitting on the end so I put one arm on the rest and the other one on the back of the couch. I look around and for the first time in a long time I feel like I'm home.