"The New Girl"
What could possibly happen at Homecoming?
Let's find out…
Rated T for Teen.
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I feel so stupid and embarrassed by what I just did but here she is being all wonderful and supportive and amazing!
I move closer to her. I look at her with tearful eyes. I smile. We say nothing. I just lie against her crying and soon after I fall asleep in the comfort of her arms…
I love you…
Chapter 23: Welcome to Homecoming!
Emily POV
I've been keeping my distance from my mother and she's pretty much respecting that. I mean, she's finding comfort in the arms of a woman but she won't admit that she's gay or bi or anything. She seems to think that what she's doing is making an adult decision yet it seems more like she's using that as an excuse to hide who she really is.
I wonder who I got that from!
Ugghh! Already two weeks have flown by and I've been hanging out with Maya but I've been keeping some personal distance as well. I feel so dumb for practically jumping her bones. Practically? I actually did! And now I'm afraid to touch her. She knows it too!
Rosewood High
"So are you going to Homecoming you two?" Hanna asks quietly.
"I don't know. Are we?" Maya asks.
"Do you want to?" I ask.
"Sure, why not, I haven't dressed up since I've been in Rosewood. It'll be fun." She's being so sweet. I think she's trying to tell me she's okay about everything. I love you.
"Okay."
"Good cuz Caleb and I are going and Spencer and Alex are going," Hanna reports.
"Where is Spencer anyway?" I ask.
"She's on the decorating committee and I have to say Rosewood has some pretty creative students and I'm thinking a really huge budget for this thing."
"What makes you say that?"
"Have you seen what the gym's been turned into?"
"No, I don't seem to make it passed the girls' locker room," Maya winks. I try hiding an embarrassed smile but of course Hanna notices. She has this wicked grin on her face.
"It looks like a TV show set that had professional contractors put it together."
"Really?" Maya says.
"Yeah and I heard there's going to be a fortune teller, a shooting gallery, a photo booth and all kinds of stuff you would find at a carnival since it is a carnival theme."
"A photo booth sounds fun," she raises her eyebrow.
"Well I'll leave you two alone, you know, pretending to be just friends," she winks.
"Hanna!"
"Well, the sooner you," she lowers her voice, "come out," the sooner you will be you and you won't have to pretend anymore."
And with that she sort of skips away.
"Wow! That was kind of deep even for Hanna," Maya sounds pleasantly surprised.
"Yeah, it was, and I wish it could be sooner."
"So why can't it be?"
"Maya, I, I don't know. This whole thing with my mother and Mrs. Kahn is weighing really heavy on me. It's like an added burden that I feel I have to carry."
"You don't have to carry anything if you don't want to."
I look at her like you know what I mean.
"Listen, Em, I'm not really sure why you won't come out now. I mean, everyone knows I like girls and we're always together. Even that Paige isn't the dummy she acts like. She's on to you, she's on to us. Who's to say she won't out you before you do."
"That scares the shit out of me. Every time I see her I get sick to my stomach. I want this to be my choice not someone else's."
"I know baby but people are gonna figure it out sooner or later just like Hanna did."
"I can't believe Hanna figured it out before Spencer."
"That's probably because she came into the picture late so she saw us together after we met. Spencer was hanging out with both of us and thinking about Alex a lot of the time. She was distracted."
"You distract me," I say finally feeling like we can be close in private again.
"Damn Emily, if I could shove you up against that locker right now I so would."
"And do what?"
"Oh, Em, things we would get detention for." Really? What kind of things? Ohhh!
She takes a step toward me. She rises onto her toes. She whispers in my ear.
"I'll save it for the photo booth," she winks and trots off to class.
I fall against my locker biting my lower lip. And I can't stop smiling. But then my smile turns to worry…wait, what!
What will she save for the photo booth?
At the cafeteria…
"So are we just gonna meet here?" Maya asks.
"Yeah, it's not like its prom," Hanna blurts out.
"Alex and I can drive you and Maya but I have to get there early," Spencer offers.
"That's okay, I can pick up Emily and we'll meet you guys there. Em, is that okay with you?"
"Umm, Hanna do you think you and Caleb can get us? I mean, why have so many cars if we're all going to the same place?" I shove my salad in my face so I don't have to look at Maya's reaction.
"Sure. That's fine. Umm, I have to get to orchestra, so I'll see you guys later," she says picking up her tray to leave.
"Emily! What the hell! She wants to be alone with you!" Hanna shouts through her whisper.
"You think I don't know that! If we show up together like that then everyone will know." Worried face.
"I have a feeling everyone already does know!"
"What's that supposed to mean!" Freaked out face!
"It's not like you're hiding it or you might think you are but your body language says otherwise! If people are paying attention Em, they know." Shit! People know! I look around the cafeteria and I feel like everyone is looking at me pointing and laughing, saying you're so gay!
"Hanna, just let it go. You're freaking her out," Spencer tries to intercede.
"I have to go," I leave abruptly. I can't listen to Hanna anymore.
Hanna POV
"Nice going Hanna."
"Spencer, you know I didn't mean to freak her out. I just don't get why she won't be herself."
"Maybe because her mother isn't being herself and if she's not being true to who she is how can Emily be true to who Emily is."
"Oh."
"Yeah, oh."
Emily POV
I'm getting ready for tonight in the bathroom putting on my makeup and styling my hair. I want to look spectacular for her, I think more so, to make up for the ride thing. My heart pounds thinking about her reaction to me and how much I wish I could show the world that she's mine. I worry about that. She's been a model of patience but how much patience does she really have?
I slip into my royal blue dress and heels, add a few accessories and the doorbell rings. It's Caleb.
"You look incredible Emily."
"Thanks, Caleb."
"Are you ready?"
"Is Maya here?"
"She went with Spencer and Alex." My face falls.
"She did?"
"Yeah, I guess Spencer was in a bit of a panic so Alex asked if she could go early and help." Phew. I thought she might be mad at me. Maybe she is. Maybe that's why she went!
"Oh. Okay. I just need to grab my coat and bag."
"Is that you Emily? Are you leaving?" My mother asks as she peeks out from the kitchen.
"Yes. Goodbye mother."
"Be home by midnight." She says knowing that's pretty much all she can say.
"Yeah okay. Get me out of here Caleb."
"Sure thing Emily."
I'm pretty quiet the whole ride to school. It's great that she's helping Spencer but why didn't she text me or call me or something? I put on my worry face, furrowed eyebrows. Damn, my eyebrows are getting a workout these past few weeks that's for sure…
We walk in fashionably late and the place looks spectacular. Hanna was right; it does look like contracted professionals decorated it!
Hanna and I hook arms with Caleb as we approach the stairs leading down into the gym. We pause to take a look at the place, more like I pause in search of Maya. A familiar body turns around and looks up at me. I can barely contain my smile. I'm trying to be so cool about it but who am I kidding, I'm melting!
She looks at me and smiles, a sexy closed mouth smile. It makes my stomach flutter with butterflies so much so my hand finds its way over my belly trying to calm it. What was I so worried about! I can't stop looking. She's incredible in a beautiful golden dress and her hair is coiffed to perfection! Her makeup is minimal. She's the only person I know who can get away with just a brush of mascara! I've never seen her so fancy before and I like it. I don't think there's a style she wouldn't look good in! She's absolutely gorgeous!
Caleb, such the gentleman, holds our hands as we ascend the stairs, and I can feel Maya's eyes on me the whole time. She makes me so nervous but it's a good nervous. We walk over to her and Spencer with Alex.
"Hey guys, you look great!" Spencer glows.
"The gym looks amazing Spencer. You guys did such a great job," Hanna complements.
"Yeah, it looks incredible," Caleb agrees.
"Well, we got a little help," she nudges Alex.
"Anything for my homecoming queen," he kisses her on the lips sweetly. I wish I could do that with Maya and I think she's thinking the same thing as she looks from them to me.
"So, where's the punchbowl?" Hanna asks.
"Thirsty so soon?" Caleb eyes her.
She pulls out her flask, "Someone needs to spike the punch and turn this party up a notch."
"We just got here," I laugh.
"Yeah and we're late so let's have some fun."
"Ya know what, Alex and I are gonna go to the fortune teller."
"We are?"
"The less I know the better," Spencer drags him away.
"You guys want some punch," Hanna winks.
"Maybe later," Maya says.
"Umm, actually, I think I'll have some," I go off with them leaving Maya on the dance floor by herself. I know! It's just, it's just I'm afraid now that Hanna pointed out my body language gives me away!
After Hanna spikes the punch and hands me a glass she says, "Girl, you need to chill. Maya likes you and you're playing games. And I'm not so sure Maya's playing anymore."
"I know. I'm sorry. I just get freaked out. I don't know how to be with her in public."
"Then drink up, relax, and go find her."
"Okay," I swig it down and it's a lot stronger than I thought it would be. But I grab another cup just in case.
There she is by herself.
"Hey Maya."
"I see you've had a few drinks."
"Don't make a big deal out of this."
"I'm not, you are. And I don't know why since you have nothing to drink about."
"I told you I need more time to do this."
"Yeah, and I'm giving you time to come to grips with who you are not to hide it."
"I'm not hiding anything."
"That cup in your hand says otherwise."
"Maya."
"Emily, you have feelings for me and I have feelings for you."
"I know…"
"Then put the cup down and dance with me."
I look everywhere but at her. And when I finally do look at her she scans me up and down with her lips pursed like she's really disappointed in me and walks away.
"Maya wait!" I grab her arm. "I'm sorry. I'm being stupid."
"No Em, you're being afraid and right now I feel like you're afraid of me."
I let her arm go, "I'm not. I swear it. I just needed to relax."
"Are you? Relaxed?"
"Take me to the photo booth."
"What?" A smile begins to form at the corner of her mouth. I think I surprised her. I think I surprised me!
I slip my hand into hers, "Take me to the photo booth."
She holds my hand firmly and she smiles a beautiful smile, and I can feel myself blocking everyone out but her.
I can do this…
She guides me there, and as a couple gets out, an announcement is made about the final chance to buy a raffle ticket to win a car, drawing the crowd away from the photo booth.
"Do you wanna take a chance?" Maya asks.
"Yes," I answer, "but not with the car."
I see how happy that made her which makes me even happier than I ever thought I could feel.
We step into the booth. We close the curtain blocking everyone's view. We fix our hair and do some fun poses as the camera clicks away. But then things turn serious. We look into each other's eyes. Her hand reaches across my cheek. She brings my lips closer to hers. We're lost in the reflection of the green flecks in our brown eyes. My breathing is shallow. She gently presses her lips against mine. And I'm floating, reminded of that first kiss in the rain. I'm reminded of how she makes me feel every time she touches me, every time she kisses me. I don't want the kiss to end. It's sweet and gentle and everything and more to me…
We pull away slowly, my eyes open before hers and I feel like she's memorizing this moment with her heart. She opens her eyes. She looks at me like she's never looked at me before.
"I love you Emily."
She renders me speechless...
I love you? The words I've said to her in my head a thousand times! She's saying them to me! Don't just sit there Emily! Say them back! This is the moment you've been waiting for!
I take a breath, smiling excitedly; I think my eyes say it before I do!
"Maya…"
The curtain whips open surprising us both. My eyes can't believe what they see.
"Alison!"
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To Be Continued…
Don't be mad…
What is Alison doing in Rosewood so soon? She's not expected until Winter Break.
Dun Dun Duuuun!