A/N : sorry for the wait. lots of things happening all at once and i had to hold off writing, but this part was almost finished and since i have a little free time tonight, heres the next part. Enjoy!-SGB

Chapter 9: In The Orchard

P POV

I was spotting a brand new black eye, and some matching bruises along my side and back after the fight during lunch hour. Coach benched me the next morning at practice, and Emily wouldn't leave me alone to lick my wounds in private. I was grateful at times though, to have someone actually care what was happening to me. But I was still angry, and there was nothing I could do about it. I couldn't touch Alison, or I would lose my spot on the swim team and my chances at scholarships. I really need those in order to complete my goal and get the hell out of Rosewood. The principal let me go with a warning luckily, but that didn't stop the stares, comments and rumors from starting. I just wanted this week to be done. I was walking from my English class, when I saw my best friend and his new girlfriend walking down the hall together. Alison had told everyone it seemed, but they didn't seem to care. He was actually holding her hand, and she was unabashedly staring up at him with eyes filled with adoration. He towered over her, and it was actually good to see this hard ass look so happy for once. He waved to her mother, who just smiled warmly as I turned the corner and headed to my history class. I had a lot on my mind. Mainly, Emily and what we were. She had occupied most of my thoughts the last 24 hours. I didn't know what this thing was between us but I was determined to find out. I walked into my class. I sat down and opened my notebook. I pulled out my journal and started writing furiously. I just wanted to get these thoughts out as soon as possible. I still had a few classes left, but I wanted to get the hell out of dodge. As luck would have it, Thanksgiving Break was here, which meant one thing. Dad went away to his retreat and spends times with all those less fortunate, mom goes to her sister's condo in Atlantic City, and I'm given the choice of going to my grans in Scranton or having to go to Jackson's for the weekend. Since Gran is all the way back in Scranton and Jackson is right down the block, my choice was simple. Maybe I could get her to come over one night? Just so we can talk without threat of Alison, or her friends, or my own friends showing up. Every time we tried, someone would show up and we had to change the subject all together, and with everyone suddenly pairing up, all eyes were on us now. I looked up at the time, and realize the class was nearly over, and all I had on my pages were all my thoughts, now made permanent.

"Paige, you good?" I heard and looked up, seeing Jackson in the doorway.

"Yeah, man, just a lot of stuff on my mind. You?" I asked as I gathered all my stuff and walked out the door with him.

"I'm cool man. You coming over for Thanksgiving tomorrow, right? My mom and dad are actually going to be there this time." Jackson said as I nodded happily as we made our way to the bleachers. We climbed up and I heard Jackson's phone go off. "It's Aria. Want to have lunch with the mod squad? Hanna has this crazy idea about getting together tonight." He said as I scoffed and followed him towards the cafeteria doors. There I saw the girls waiting, with Caleb and Toby nearby. I waved to Emily, who walked straight over to me.

"How are you feeling?" She asked sincerely, and checked my cheek and face. I pulled away, and nodded quickly, before turning to the couple kissing next to us. She turned back towards me, and cupped my cheek, gently caressing the area near my cut. I blushed lightly, and took her hand and played with her fingers, as Emily bit her lip and stared down at them. I pulled away from her quickly, before turning back to the couple a few feet away from us.

"It's like we aren't even here." I whispered as Emily nodded and smiled warmly. "Hey, Romeo. Wanna get out of here and get our lunch?" I asked as he pulled away from the smaller woman and followed me to the lunch line.

"Did I see what I thought I saw?" Jackson asked as I shook my head and grabbed a sandwich and water.

"You didn't tell me you were dating Aria until you were scared. I don't get to tell you anything until I know what 'anything' is. You get how it is. You two kept it secret so she who shall not be named didn't catch wind of it, and she still found out. I just need time, and I need to get to know her with you or her friends around, pal." I quickly said he stopped and gave me a look of pure confusion.

"Dude, I was talking about the pizza. I wanted a slice." He said as I turned around and he started laughing heartedly and patted me heavily on the back. "I don't care, man. I mean I care, but what you and Fields do in the back of your truck is your business." Jackson said as he paid for our food, and we went back to the table. We sat down during a heated discussion over what to do tonight. Hanna, per usual, was begging to go to Philadelphia and dance the night away. Spencer argued that even though it was a good idea, she had to travel early the next morning, and so did Emily. That was when Toby spoke up.

"We're having a bon fire are Jack's. You girls should just come over with us, and relax. We usually camp and make it a whole night." Toby said as Jackson's eyes opened, and pointed at Toby.

"That's not a bad idea. I still have a bit of stash in my parents' house, and they are coming home with another couple of bags in the morning from the airport duty free station. I don't see why not." Jackson said as I looked over and Emily, before breaking our brief eye contact and turning towards my guy friends.

"Let's do it then. Ladies, Thoughts?" I asked as I leaned back, and watched as Hanna, Spencer, Emily, and Aria all agreed readily to the idea of a camp out with their significant others.

XxxxxX

Jackson met me at the clearing that night. I was honestly excited for our annual pre-Thanksgiving fire/camp out. The weather was absolutely perfect, not freezing, but cold enough to warrant our fire. I saw Aria lifting up a speaker to Toby's pickup while Hanna and Spencer were setting tents with Emily in different areas around the clearing. I grabbed mine and when over to a corner fat away from the other couples with us. After finishing up setting up my own stuff, I watched as Emily moved away from Caleb and Hanna's tent and walked slowly towards me.

"Hey stranger." She said as I pulled out a couple of bags. "So, I thought I was rooming with Hanna, but then she said Caleb was going to be able to get away in a little bit. Mind if we bunk together?" Emily asked as I smiled, and took her pack.

"Sure thing. Help me set up?" I asked as we gather up the rest of our things and set them inside the tent. Within minutes, Jackson had pulled out all the food, and various swiped liquor bottles from his house in the distance. It wasn't an hour later, and Jackson had his guitar out, and his hand drums, and we were all singing around the fire, drinking, and unabashedly flirting with each other. Jackson had rolled a blunt, and we were all passing it between us. Even Spencer took a few hits, and was completely relaxed. Emily was next to me, while I played along with Jackson on his hand drums. It was just a chill night, with a lot of really awesome people.

"True or dare?" Hanna asked when we finished playing.

"To who?" Spencer asked as she leaned back against Toby.

"You then, smart ass." Hanna said as she took her drink and smirked at Spencer. She took a sip of her IPA and smirked.

"Dare." Spencer said as Hanna smirked, and clapped her hands together.

"Streak through the camp." Hanna said as everyone laugh as Spencer blushed deeply. "Gotta do it now Spencer." Hanna said evilly. Toby shook his head and nodded as Spencer scoffed and stood. Hanna cheered as she forced Toby to stand and undressed. She sat him down, and with a playful glint, ran through the forest, completely naked. We all stood and cheered as she ran back, and took a bow, before flipping Hanna off. She quickly redressed and sat back down, before turning towards Emily.

"So Emily...Truth or Dare?"

XxxxxX

E POV

"So Emily...truth or dare?" Spencer asked me, as I smirked and sat back against the log.

"You would love it if I said dare?" I said quickly, taking a sip of the beer in my hand.

"Don't be a pussy is all I'm saying." Spencer said with a smirk and drank her own beer. I put aside my empty and grabbed another one from the cooler next to us. Sitting back down, I caught Paige's stare as I sat back against the log turned back towards Spencer.

"Fine then. Give me your worst." I said boldly as I opened my beer and took a deep drink.

"Kiss who you find the most attractive out of all the girls. I mean kiss them...not of that peck on the cheek bull shit." Spencer said quickly. That bitch. She knew exactly how I felt about Paige. She just wanted to see if I'd actually do it. Well screw her. I don't care anymore. Ali ruined my last relationship, and ripped my heart out when we were younger. Why did I let her hold me back for so damn long? Screw it. I turned quickly over to Paige, and in one quick move, I kissed her deeply. I felt her shake in surprise, then a faint moan as she pulled me in tighter and kissed me back just as deeply. I could hear the cat calls behind us, our friends cheering us in, but at this point, I had tuned them out, and my only focus was on Paige's lips and her hands pulling me tight against her body. I pulled away first, only for her to kiss me again. "Well...that answers our question. You guys can stop now. Or not...it's totally up to you. It's kind of getting awkward watching you two make out like you've done it a hundred times before." Spencer said as everyone around her laughed heavily. She pulled away from me and smiled warmly, and pulled away slowly. She still held my hand though, and all I could feel were tingles coursing through my whole body. I smiled wide as Paige moved closer. Jackson stood up and held his cup up.

"Let me be the first to say this...though we all knew it, you two suck at hiding it, but neither the less...finally" He said as everyone laughed and cheered.

XxxxxX

P POV

I opened the flap of the tent, and she crawled in before me. I had moved it further away from everyone else when they were still drinking and playing truth or dare. I pulled the tent shut and zip it halfway around, before sitting down next to her. Her eyes never left mine, as she took my hand, and pulled me closer. I could feel her own pulse quicken as she kissed me deeply. I felt her arms sneak around my torso, and her chest tight against my own. I felt light headed, hot, and Emily was consuming me. She leaned back a little, as I slowly ran my hand down her side, around her back and pulled her tightly against my body again. She let out a breathy moan as she laid back completely, pulling me on top of her. I hovered her, and pulled away, before letting my eyes explore. I watch as her chest rose slowly, and she caught her breath. My mouth went dry, as she moved her arms above her head and smirked at me. I quickly dipped my head back towards her, and kissed her hungrily. I felt her hands unzip my leather jacket and pull it off of my shoulders, and her fingers run up the back of my shirt. I shivered, bit my lip, and looked down at her. She smiled warmly and pulled me closer to her. I stopped her and kept looking down at her.

"Is everything ok?" She asked breathlessly as I nodded.

"I'm good, I just want to make sure you're ok." I whispered as she sat up slightly and smiled.

"Yeah." Emily quietly said as I sat back and pulled off my jacket. "Everything is ok. I want this. I want you." Emily whispered as I smiled goofily, and let out a sigh, before lying next to her.

"I want this too…just not in a tent with our best friends surrounding us in their own tents doing whatever to each that straight couples do." I said honestly, as she turned towards me and wrapped her arms around me. "Besides…I think I should take you on a real date before I get in your pants." I said as she laughed and slapped my arm. I pulled her in closer and she snuggled into my chest. We laid like that for a while, just absentmindedly talking as the night passed us by.