Chapter 2 - Getting to know you
Emily's pov
On my way to school, I picked Aria up and stopped at the brew, to get our daily coffee. I then pulled up into the school parking lot and flicked the trunk, getting my swim bag out and placed it over my shoulder before heading inside. To say I was nervous about tonight was an understatement. I got little to no sleep last night just thinking about being alone with Alison after school. Hoping to get past the day without seeing her I managed to concentrate as hard as I could. The bell for the end of the day went and I exited the classroom saying goodbye to Aria. "Good luck tonight, text me if you need me". I smiled at her giving her a quick hug. Oh don't worry I will. I walked into the locker room happy to be about to do something I enjoy to calm the nerves. The hour however went way to quick as I was in and out of the pool and getting dressed before I knew it. Taking a seat on the bench I decided to wait for Alison inside as that's where she said she would meet me. It got to 4:15 and I was about to leave thinking she had totally ditched me when I herd a noise, someone entering through the back door. I looked up to see Alison standing in the doorway smiling. I smiled back before grabbing my bag and heading over to her, and Alison was the first to speak.
Alison's pov
I was sitting in detention, the teacher had given me an extra 10 minutes for talking to Hanna who was also in there. Great now I'll be late and Emily will think im ditching her. As soon as I was allowed to go I pretty much ran to the locker rooms. Opening the door I was relieved to find she was still in there. I smiled at her and she gave me the same look she had yesterday. Sorry I'm late, Miss Montgomery gave me a extra 10 minutes I don't think she like me to much. Emily laughed and I couldn't help but blush when we made eye contact. "It's fine, how come you got an extra 10 minute"? Well I was talking to my friend about our plans for tomorrow but she caught us passing notes so she added 10 minutes extra to our time. Emily shook her head clearly amused at the situation. I followed her out of the gate and we headed in the direction of her car. opening the door I hopped in, both of us silent while she started to drive. So how long have you been on the swim team for? Emily glanced at me, "since junior year I made captain two weeks ago". so you must be good then? Emily blushed, "I guess I mean I'm not the best on the team, I've just been on the team for the longest". We pulled up outside of what I believed was Emily's house and I got out of the car following her inside.
Emily's pov
Why is Alison being so nice to me? I Thought as I entered my house and walking into the kitchen. Just try to remain calm. Do you want anything to eat or drink? Ali followed me into the kitchen sitting on a stool at the bench. "I'll just have some water". I smiled grabbing two glasses of water and an apple for myself. So we can either study down here, or up in my room?. I questioned Her. "Where do you normally study"? Umm in my room. I left the kitchen and Alison followed me up stairs entering my room. I threw my bag on the ground and sat on my bed while I watched Alison tour my room. "It's cute" she says as she sits down next to me. I was kind of nervous about bringing her into my room but so far it was going ok. I lay down on my bed pulling out my text book and Alison did the same except she sat up against my pillow. It was silent for about five minute both of us concentrating on the homework before I decided to speak. You know you can lie next to me I don't bite, I laughed knowing I had repeated what she said to me yesterday. Alison smirked at me before lying down next to me on the bed. We continued doing our homework for about half an hour in silence expect this time it was a comfortable silence.
Ali's pov
I lay down next to Emily and felt butterflies in my stomach. God she has no idea what she does to me. I continued writing until I felt her hand brush against mine by accident and the skin to skin contact felt so good. We both turned to look at each other laughing slightly to break the awkwardness. Placing my pen down, I turned on my side to face her. So since you said you know me how about you tell me about yourself. Emily turned to face me resting her head on a pillow, she laughed. "I only know what people say about you I want to hear it from you". I smiled realising she was actually interested in me enough to ask me about my life instead of listening to all the rumours.
Well, lets see being one of the most popular girls at school is not actually as fun as you may think it is. If I had it my way I would rather be a normal person like you. I constantly have to stress about what I say or what I do around people and I hate it. My parents are really strict, they expect me to get A's in all my subjects but im totally not. I really want to go to Paris, I have an older brother who is 21 and my best friend is Hanna. She's the reason I'm even in the popular group, pretty much all the rumours about me at school are not true and I wish people wouldn't judge me before getting to know me. I sighed now it's your turn.
Emily pov
God if I didn't already like her before, I was sure I liked her even more now. I felt like we were having this deep and meaningful conversation and yet it was only the second time we had talked. It made me feel special to think that she was actually opening up to someone like me.
My dads in the Army, I see him about twice a year. My mum is over visiting him now in Texas for 2 weeks. I'm an only child, my best friend is Aria I've know her since I was five. My favourite colour is red and my grades are average. English is my strength, but my favourite class is French. Unlike most people I never listen to rumours. I winked at Alison before picking up my pen and continuing to write. she smiled before speaking "I'm glad you don't, can I asked you something"? I nodded for her to continue. "Do you have a Boyfriend"? I looked at her confused. " I mean someone as pretty as you must have one".
I couldn't help but blush, Alison just complemented me. I tried to brush it off by rolling my eyes. Me a boyfriend, are you kidding? Who in their right mind would like me? And No I don't, I guess im not really into that kind of thing. I felt Alison staring at me, and the room went silent. "So you're into girls"? Oh god, she knows what do I say? Just lie to her. No wait, I can't do that what if she find out? I sighed, if I tell her then there is a good chance the whole school would know by tomorrow. come on Emily cut the girl some slack, She seems like a decent person maybe she won't say anything. Uh yeah... I guess I am. I mean I've only know for about a year or two, I dated two guys in junior year but it wasn't really for me.
What about you? does the queen bee have a boyfriend? You must have like five guys after you. Alison smirked at me and playfully nudged my shoulder. "For your information no I don't, I've dated heaps of guys but none of them were anything serious"."They all just want the same thing from me, they're not actually interested in me as person". "once they get what they want they're gone". I sat up on the bed bringing my book with me trying to read the expression on her face. She looked sad. You know, It's there loss for not treating you right". Alison smiled and I couldn't help but notice a slight blush on her cheek, and She dipped her head. "thanks Emily" no problem. Alison sat up with a weird look on her face. "You know, it just so happens that I might know someone that's interested in you". I looked at her in disbelief, yeah right. I say as I get off the bed and walk over to my desk. She stopped me half way and I turned around to face her. "I'm serious Emily you seem like a decent person, you should give yourself some more credit". "I can't tell you who they are yet though, I want to get to know you better first so I can know if you would be interested in them". I then felt myself blushing for the second time since we got home.
changing the subject I decided to ask, how come you chose to spend your Friday night with me doing our English assignment? Don't you have like heaps of better things you could be doing? "Well I was actually invited to some party tonight, but believe it or not I'd much rather spend my night with you doing homework". "Besides if we don't at least get an A on this, my parents will totally freak out and I'll have to blame you".
Alison's pov
Emily and I continued our home work till about 7pm. We managed to finish about half of it before I decided I needed a break. Ok so I totally need a break before my head explodes, I sighed sitting up and stretching. I caught Emily looking at me, but when we made eye contact she looked away pretending she wasn't just checking me out. I blushed before getting off her bed. "Where are you going?"? I turned to look at her. well I don't know about you but im hungry, how about we go to the grill and get some food? Emily looked at me. "are you serious? You're ok with being seen with me in public? What if we see people from school"? I laughed grabbing her arm and dragging her 'm ok with it if you're ok with it? People don't choose my friends for me Emily I can do that myself. As far as I'm concerned you and me are now friends, So how about we go get food and then bring it back here?
Emily smiled "ok sure". We drove to the brew and walked inside to the counter to order our food. Emily went to pay but I stopped her. Hey it's my shout I said, you're keeping me company on a Friday night the least I can do is buy you dinner.
Emily's pov
My heart was pounding. It's one thing to be alone with Alison in my house, but now im standing in the brew with her in public. She offered to pay for dinner and I let her just hoping to get back home as soon as possible. We re entered my house and sat in the lounge room eating our dinner. I turned on the TV to low so it wasn't awkward and we both decided that we would rather watch a movie than continue our assignment. Standing up I went to grab a blanket, do you want one? Ali looked at me. "um no one's enough, we can share". I felt my pulse quicken as I realised what she had just said. Sitting back down I spread the blanket over us so it was covering our legs. For most of the movie it was quiet, until I felt Alison jump at a scary part. I couldn't help but laugh at her, god she's so cute I thought to myself. I felt Alison move closer to me and my breath caught in my throat. She buried her face into my shoulder which reminded me of Aria every time something scary happens on the screen. When the movie finished, Alison went up stairs to collect her stuff. "Thanks for tonight" she said as she stood in the doorway. I smiled, making sure we exchanged numbers so we could arrange a time to finish the rest of are homework. I closed the door and turned around sliding my back down against it till I hit the floor. What just happened? I thought to myself. Alison knows I'm gay, and she didn't freak out. We spent the night hanging out together alone and I managed not to embarrass myself.
Pulling out my phone, I texted Aria to tell her how it all went and she way happy that it went ok. I walked into the bathroom changing my clothes, before climbing into my bed. I placed my phone on my night stand and faced the other way. Was Alison serious when she said she knows someone that likes me? God If she only new that I wished it was her. I sighed knowing that I could never tell her, I would just have to settle as being friends, which according to Alison that is what we are. I smiled closing my eyes and tried to fall asleep but heard my phone vibrate. Sliding the message across I saw it was from Alison and that the name in my phone came up as Ali.
Ali: tonight was fun we should hang out again sometime? Xo –Ali
I quickly typed a reply
Emily: I'd like that :) see you at school Monday xo- Em