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Chapter 5: Beat Your Heart Out

I spent the night angry. Going to the clearing did nothing. Smoking a bunch of weed and a few cigarettes did nothing. And even though I wanted to cut, I didn't. I wasn't going to let those bitches get the satisfaction of my pain and suffering anymore. I woke the next morning with a new drive, and it showed. I was super focused in the water. I shaved off another second, and was able to avoid contact with her until chem today. I walked into the chemistry class and took my seat, before opening the book and reading as much as I could. I didn't want to see her. Not today at least. She walked in with Aria by her side, and slid in next to me. I kept my eyes on my book, she was nothing to me. I just had to keep reminding myself of that. She is nothing.

XxxxxX

E POV

She sat so quietly the whole period. Se wouldn't even look at me. How could it really be this bad? I never saw Ali anywhere near them. Same with Noel and all those guys. The bell rang and it was time for senior lunch. I made my way to the cafeteria and saw Jackson with Paige, sitting at the side table close to the door.

"Hey Em...what's up?" I heard next to me. Breaking my stare, I saw Aria next to me, an she was staring in the same direction as I was.

"Have you ever seen Ali near them? She says that they're losers...but...why do you think Jackson practically begged me to get Alison away from them yesterday." I said as Aria watched Them as well.

"You know Ali...she's nothing but secrets." Aria said as she continued to stare. I turned and watched as she kept staring at the table.

"You like him, don't you?" I asked jokingly as she blushed.

"Like is such a strong word...I'm curious, I think." Aria reasoned as I laughed softly. Our laughter was broken when we heard a crash. All eyes turned towards the sound, and we saw Jackson standing in between Paige and Lucas and Noel. We could barely make out what he was saying, but he kicked Jackson's backpack, hard. He looked down and then back up again, before rushing Noel. As the students started to gather, a few other guys joined in, leaving Jackson alone against them. The teachers were slow to move, but Paige was held back. I saw the sweeping blonde hair, and ran towards the crowd. There she was. Ali was circling Paige while Noel beat the hell out of her best friend. She watched as she forced herself closer to the crowd, where the teachers finally pulled Jackson out of the circle.

"Your loser pal just got the shit beat out of him, how does it feel Pigskin? To know that everything you care about can suddenly go away…how does it feel to be nothing?" Alison asked as Paige grabbed her bag, and just turned away from her. "I'm not done talking to you…or should I remind everyone about what we all learned not too long ago? Right, Emily?" I heard as I managed to get to them.

"Leave her alone, Ali." I said quietly.

"Oh please, Pigskin? She loves it." Alison said as Paige tried to move away again. "It gives her a reason." She continued as Paige started to shake. Paige finally got away from us and disappeared in the crowd of students

"What the hell is that all about, Ali?" I asked as I tried to find her in the crowd.

"Relax, Em…I was just having a little fun with Pigskin." Alison said as I cringed

"Stop. Just stop calling her Pigskin. Stop calling Jackson an orphan. Just…leave them alone. Just leave me alone." I said as I went for the doors and headed towards the senior hall.

XxxxxX

P POV

I ran. I fucking ran again. I ran straight to the gym and into the locker room. Stupid, stupid, stupid. I heard the doors open behind me and I turned, only to be greeted by Emily.

"God I can't deal with you too." I said as she moved in front of the doors.

"I had no idea how bad it was." She said quickly and honestly. I stopped and leaned forward.

"Why would you?" I asked as I sat back. "She's your best friend. She is constantly reminding you of it. Why would you see everything evil in her?"

"I'm sorry, Paige. Seriously. I had no idea it was this bad. I didn't know all the horrible things she was saying to you. And your friends" she continued as she sat down. I shook my head and just relaxed a little.

"Some days, it's just in passing. Others...it's just...so much to have to listen to. It's like the worst song you can think of, and it's on repeat, on its loudest setting." I said as she nodded.

"I know you're still mad about last night." Emily said as I rolled my eyes.

"Please...you just witnessed your best friend in the act...how can I still be mad when I was just slightly justified?" I said as she laughed lightly. I felt my stomach tighten as she smiled. "Enough of this sappy shit, Fields." I said quickly as I stood. "I better find Jackson. I'm sure he's chain smoking somewhere." I said as she stood too.

"I'll see you later, I guess." Emily said as I nodded and quickly left the locker room.

XxxxX

I found my way to the band area, where I knew Jackson was camped out. I found him banging away on the timpani, just red in the face as he looked up.

"He let Noel off with a warning…again." Jackson said as he moved away from kettles and sat near the drum kit. "Where did you go?" He asked as I shrugged and grabbed the sticks from him.

"Emily found me in the locker room. Funny how we both found our way to our favorite places in this hellhole." I said as Jackson chuckled and nodded.

"Santilli doesn't care if I come during my lunch period to practice, just like coach doesn't care if you get your laps in. Emily, huh?" He said as I rolled my eyes and sat down near him. "Look man, I get it. She's Emily fucking Fields. She's the all-star, the "prefect" girl, Selena Kyle to your Bruce Wayne. Your secrets are safe with me." Jackson said as I punched him in the arm.

"Just…drop it." I said. "Let's get out of here." I said as he smiled.

"Oh mommy and daddy are going to be so excited to hear we skipped again." He said as he stood and grabbed him pack. I nodded as I followed him out the band room doors.

XxxxxX

E POV

After school, I made my way to the Brew for my Friday night shift. An hour had passed with nothing happening, and then I saw them. Jackson and Paige walked into the Brew. They took seats near the door, and waited patiently, as Jackson became very animated, and Paige just sat back and watched her friend. I walked over and brought two black coffees, and a bunch of cream and sugar.

"Well, would you look at that, Paigey…I never remember that Fields works here." Jackson said as I rolled my eyes. "Thanks, Emily." He said as they took the coffees.

"It's no problem. Do you guys want anything else? It's pretty dead tonight." I said as they drank and shook their heads.

"So…Is it true you stood up for Paige, today?" Jackson asked as Paige closed her eyes and shook her head.

"Drop it, Jack." Paige quickly said as I frowned and turned back towards Jackson.

"I did. Alison shouldn't have started that, something tells me she has something to do with Noel starting with you too." I said as they both shook their heads and drank their coffee.

"Either way, Thanks for helping my buddy here." Jackson said sincerely a Paige rolled her eyes.

"It was nothing...Ali shouldn't have said those things. Like I told Paige earlier. I'm sorry I didn't know. But know I won't let her get away with it anymore." I said as they both let out a laugh, leaving me confused.

"Sorry...it's just...you're one person Em..." Paige said as she stared at her coffee. My heart gave out a weak beat as my stomach dropped. She called me Em...and I liked it...I liked it a lot. "Sorry." She said quickly as Jackson stood.

"You...what are you doing tonight?" Jackson asked as Paige's eyes went wide.

"Work until 8. Then nothing. I'm staying at Hanna's until my mom comes back from visiting my dad in Texas." I said as Jackson smiled.

"What do you think, Paigey? Shall we invite them to the bonfire tonight?" Jackson asked as my eyes watched as Paige's went wide again as she stared hard at her friend.

"I dunno, Jackson...the clearing is pretty far in the woods...you know how girls like they are...they whine, they complain...they can't hang." Paige said coolly as she leaned back.

"Oh really?" I said as she turned towards me and just shrugged her shoulders.

"Just saying. Can't imagine you or Hanna going deep in the woods at night." Paige said as she smirked. Jackson let out an almost girlish giggle as he watched as I crossed my arms, and stared Paige dead in the eye. She almost silently dared me, as she put her hands behind her neck and leaned back again.

"You know what, Jackson...I'm game. What time?" I said as we kept staring each other down.

"We'll pick you up after work. Let me know...not Paige. She'll weasel her way out of getting you and Hanna." Jackson said as I took his phone and programmed my number into it. Paige just kept staring at me hard, as I waved goodbye to both of them, satisfied at my new blossoming friendship with the guy with the green Mohawk, much to the stress of his friend...his cute, stubborn, friend...

XxxxxX

P POV

"What the fuck, Jackson?!" I asked as we exited the brew.

"What? The clearing is a place for friends. Emily stood up for you. I call that a friend." Jackson said as he unlocked his car.

"She is still friends with Alison...what if she shows up?" I asked as Jackson laughed loudly.

"If she does, then we will kick her Out. It's on my family's land. She can't do shit about it. Lighten up Paige. Besides, I like the fields chick. She's alright." Jackson said as I shook my head.

"Stop. I don't need you to help me hook up with her." Paige said as Jackson looked at me funny.

"Help You? Please...you don't need me. I'm hoping they convince Spencer and Aria to show. That will be a laugh." Jackson said as he lit a cigarette, and drive away.

XxxxxX

Later that night, we drove over to the Marin residence, and much like Jackson predicted, found that Hanna called Spencer and Aria, and now all four were waiting by Emily's car. Jackson rolled down the window, and hung out as he waved at the four.

"Hello, ladies. I see we invited two more for the tour. How marvelous...don't you agree, Paigey?" He asked as I climbed out the window, and smirked at the four girls.

"I guess. Everyone wants to take a walk on the wild side. No worries, we invited Toby and Caleb too. Lucas is too chickenshit to join us. They'll protect you from the dirty punkers" I said as Jackson lit a cigarette, before tossing me the pack. I grabbed one, and lit it, before climbing in the car. we led them to the back path to Jackson's family's farm, where after an hour of listening to three girls whining, one losing her shoe, another needing to go to the bathroom, and a fight between Spencer and Jackson, we finally met up with Toby and Caleb. They had set up the stereo, and started the fire while they had waited for us. We gathered around as Jackson walked over to the stereo, and played his iPod, much to the chagrin of the girls.

"Who would have thought it?" Toby said as I grabbed the hidden flask in my leather jacket.

"That Jackson managed to get four of the most popular girls here? Not me." I said as he rolled his eyes. Hanna quickly found her way to Caleb, and took out her own flask. I raised mine as she opened hers. Before I knew, we were all drinking. We were sharing the radio...though whenever Hanna tried, its crap and someone else changes it. I'm pretty tipsy, and I'm having a good time with these girls. Aria has a deep knowledge of music, and surprised us with a whole lot of post punk music. Hell, even Spencer loosened up when Jackson returned from his parents with more alcohol. But not Emily. Even though she was clearly having fun, Emily was watching me every chance she had. I broke her stare long enough to watch a drunken Jackson slide in next to Aria. She smiled at him and showed him her phone, while he just stupidly nodded and smoked his cigarette. She took it from him and took a quick inhale, before returning it to him. I stood and headed towards the iPod, and scrolled through the selection...I made my choice with some descendants, and moved over to Emily.

"Good night?" I asked as I offered her the bottle of vodka. She waved it off and I took a deep drink as I sat next to her.

"A very interesting one for sure." she said I smiled and drank more.

"Is that so? How do we hold up? Are we still scary now that you know Toby is a big softie? Or that Jackson is still his nerdy self?" I asked as she laughed and took the bottle from me.

"Had I know Caleb and Hanna was already a thing, I would've just left her home...Spencer on the other hand..." She said we watched the girl in question walk away with Toby after spending the night talking away from everyone else. Neither had drank with us, and now they are just, gone.

"I'm having fun. It's nice to see you Guys relaxed." She said taking a small drink. I want a bunch of the music you guys played. It will be great to listen to when I'm running." Emily said honestly as I smirked.

"There's tons more. We've barely scratched the surface." I said confidently as I leaned back against the tree. "I'll make you a playlist and send it to you." I said as she smiled genuinely. I sat closer to her as I pulled out my iPod. I grabbed my head phones and plugged them, and hand her one, as I played some Distillers for her. She smiled and moved closer, as my heart started to beat a whole lot faster.