P POV

I couldn't fucking believe it. Last night we were all over each other. I made out with her after her shift. It kinda just ended though. She gave me a kiss goodbye and we haven't spoken since, other than the random messages since that night. Its Monday morning now, and I honestly couldn't wait to see her. I met Jackson at our usual spot, and even he seemed a little too joyful today.

"What's up, Casanova?" Jackson asked as I smiled warmly at him. "How'd it go with She who is tanned and sexy as hell?" Jackson asked as I shot him a stern look. "Fine...how'd it go with Fields?" He asked again as I chuckled.

"It went fine. We talked. It's all good." I said quickly as I looked around for her and her friends. I spotted her and waved, as she smiled warmly at me as gave me a shy wave back.

"Holy shit. You kissed her." Jackson said as I quickly turned back to him.

"What?! No no no. We just talked." I assured as he followed me inside. His grin only widened as Aria walked passed him, waving shyly at the guy next To me and into her first class. "What the hell was that?" I asked as I stared at him with his stupid grin on his face. His face straightened and he pulled away from me.

"Nothing. Don't worry about it." He said as my eyes widened. He started to walk away but I caught up to him.

"You promised to stop hassling me about Emily but here you are keeping whatever you've got with Aria hidden. Not cool bro." I said punching him in the arm hard. He shook his head and pulled me aside.

"Look...something happened yes but I don't want to talk about it here. The walls tell the secrets." He said quickly as he closed his eyes.

"Calm down man." I said quickly as he nodded.

"The last thing we need is Alison DeLaurentis finding out Aria is my girlfriend. Shit." he said quickly as eyes widened and I smiled.

"You son of a bitch no way!" I said happily, as he shook his head and relented, smiling finally. "Fine but you owe me. Lunch?" I asked as he nodded.

"Yep. Just...don't tell anyone yet man. It only just happened. She hasn't even told them yet." he said as we walked down the hallway together. This day couldn't get any weirder, or at least I hope it didn't.

XxxxxX

E POV

it was a typical morning, except that all I wanted to do was find Paige today. She had occupied most of my thoughts this weekend, and even after the long night of kissing, it still seemed she was trying to keep me at an arm's length. It was finally lunch time, and I made my way into the cafeteria and search for the two who always sat at the back corner table. But, neither Jackson nor Paige were there. I say down when Aria and Hanna showed up, and started talking about their own weekend.

"Caleb and I just hung out in Philly most of Saturday. What about you Aria?" Hanna asked nonchalantly. Aria smiled and explained about how her and Jackson's band practiced on Saturday, and slyly avoided Hanna's probing questions about the tall punk. Spencer sat in her own seat, annoyed as ever while Hanna continued to question Aria. "What's up, Spence?" Hanna asked, finally turning away from Aria, and Spencer looked at the same place I was.

"I kinda wanted Toby to sit with us today...but he just said no, said something about not a chance in hell and I haven't seen him. Do you think they're at the bleachers?" She asked as I smirked and nodded. This was my chance to see Paige today, and get to talk to her.

"They always eat at the bleachers, to avoid Alison and everyone else." I said remembered suddenly. Of course they wouldn't sit in here. Not after last Friday and the Halloween train. There would be no way they would be caught dead in here. Spencer gathered up her books, and we all quickly followed suit. We made our way to the gym bleachers, only to see no punks, no Toby, no Caleb. Only Alison. She smirked and waved at us. Spencer climbed up the bleachers first, and stood in front of her.

"Where are they?" Spencer asked seriously, crossing her arms and staring sternly at Ali.

"The freaks? I shooed them away a few minutes ago. I figured we could eat our lunch in the sun today. Boy did pigskin give up God that pigskin is such a cry baby. It's really fucking funny actually." She said checking her nails.

"What the hell, Ali?!" Spencer asked. "Why are you doing this Alison? Toby has done nothing to you. Leave them alone!" Spencer yelled as I walked up behind her. Alison shrugged as Spencer let out a frustrated groan. "You can be such a bitch, Alison." Spencer said as Alison just laughed.

"So what? You guys always take everything so damn personally. I'm just having a little fun with the freaks." She said standing up and picking her bag. Aria, clearly frustrated, moved to follow her.

"Because you always do this Ali! We are tired of you going after our boyfriends!" Aria yelled out as she gasped ad covered over her mouth.

"Wait...you and the orphan? Oh that's rich. You've bounced from Fitz, Jake, Noel, and now a freak like the orphan." Ali said laughing and she walked around us. Hanna stood there, too afraid to say anything. But this time it was just enough.

"Stop it Alison! So what? So what if Aria is dating Jackson!?" I asked as Ali chuckled.

"And what about you Emily? Hmm?" Alison asked as she turned around and stared me dead in the eye. "I know all about what you and pigskin are up to. I know how you feel about Her and you know what...it's gross. Just like arias brand new boyfriend." She added as I stepped forward.

"I told you to stop calling her pigskin. And so what Ali? Because you don't like her? Newsflash...they don't care about you. They just want to graduate so they can get away from you and all the people here who have made their lives hell. None of us are innocent but at least we see them for who they are. Just like we are you!" I yelled as I walked down the stairs.

"That's all fine and dandy Emily. But that doesn't change the fact that she is a loser. She is scum, no better than the gun stuck to the bottom of my shoes." Alison said as she walked passed me. "Which, since you like her so damn much, makes you even lower than that." She said as she waved and walked away, leaving me shaking. I turned around and saw tears in Arias eyes, and Spencer equally angry. Hanna walked over, and pulled her cell out. She knew exactly what we needed and now.

XxxxxX.

P POV

when my phone rang, I wasn't expecting to hear Hanna on the other side. When she told us what Alison I said, my blood boiled, but when I watched Toby then Jackson run as fast as they could, I knew what I needed to do. I made my way to the cafeteria and found what I was looking for. I made my way over to Alison, as she sat with her new lackeys and kicked the chair out from her.

"Leave Emily alone." I said as I stood tall, the sounds of the other students commenting and cheering as I kept my composure and stared her down.

"Well, well, well...pigskin grew a backbone." Alison said as she stood up.

"You can say what you want about me, but leave her out of it." I said turning around and walking away, when I heard it.

"You know she will never love you right? No one could ever like disgusting pigskin like you. Not Emily, not your loser friends, and definitely not your mom. No wonder she leaving your father. You dress and look like a piece of shit. No mother could ever love that." Alison said coolly. I turned around quickly and tackle her to the ground. As I pulled back to hit her, I felt someone pull me off of her, and a fiery of kicks and taunts. I covered my head, and closed my eyes as I felt the onslaught of girls jump me. It only stopped when I heard Coach Fulton yelling and I looked up and saw Toby and Jackson helping me up and away from the cafeteria.

"You ok, buddy?" Toby asked as I nodded and stood on my own. I saw the girls all retreating and Alison was gone.

"Yeah. Never better. Get me the fuck out of here. Now." I said as coach stopped us.

"McCullers, you alright?" She asked as I nodded. When we walked out of the cafe, I saw her. And all of a sudden, nothing mattered. Emily walked over with Aria, Hanna and Spencer. I walked over to her and took her hand, before checking on Jackson again. He had an upset Aria in his arms. I watched as my tall friend hold his girl. He smiled and I couldn't make out what he was saying but it didn't matter. Emily had hugged me tightly, and started to check my face.

"Are you ok?" Emily asked quietly, as I nodded. I didn't want to be here anymore. I pulled her away, and started making our way down the hallway. "Where are you taking me?" She asked as I opened the door, and led her out into the parking lot.

"Somewhere, anywhere. Just come with me, please?" I asked sincerely. She smiled, and unlocked her car. She tossed me the keys, and I eagerly took them. I needed to get away right now, and I had a reason right next to me. She took my hand once I got into the car, and we drove away from school.

XxxxxX

E POV

She drove until we were at the clearing. She opened her door, and walked towards a small, dead tree trunk and pulled out a pack of cigarettes. She lit one quickly and sighed heavily as I joined her.

"I'm sorry." She said as she smoked.

"There's nothing to be sorry for. Ali went too far this time." I said quietly as she walked back towards me. She hugged me tightly, and I melted into her arms. I was seriously upset, but this…this was making me forget all about our day from hell. We stayed like this for a few minutes, neither of us talking, just holding each other. She pulled away and threw what was left of her cigarette away.

"You didn't deserve that today. I get it, Ali is all knowing, and its time to take her down a few pegs." She said seriously as I shook my head.

"I don't want to talk about her." I said as she nodded. I stepped towards her again, and kissed her. She was taken aback, but quickly reciprocated and wrapped her arms around my waist, pulling me into her closer. It was the only thing that could help me forget, and I just wanted to keep forgetting. This felt right, it felt good, and I wasn't about to apologize for liking, kissing, or wanting to be with Paige McCullers.