"The New Girl"
Well, well, well, here we are at a point in the story you've been wanting since the first chapter. I know some of you are frustrated but not a lot of time has passed, maybe five months, if that.
There will be a few blips along the way in this chapter but it's all about the number of words it takes for me to get them through these blips and if I get to 3,000 before that moment then you'll have to wait another day. But, just know, when it does happen it will be a long, slow journey of getting to know each other better without interruption…
Rated T for Teen.
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She kisses me boldly, "I love you Maya. This is the most amazing present you could have given me!" Really, cuz I was thinking I was going to be giving you a different kind of amazing present.
"I'm happy you're happy."
"And Maya?"
"Yeah?"
"I can't wait to thank you for it—later," she bites her bottom lip and I'm me again.
The happiness in her eyes transfers to mine as she gets swept away by all of her guests. I watch her across the room laughing and smiling but all I can think about is that thank you…
Chapter 31: The Text
Spencer POV
"Damn it Hanna, we need to do something. I mean, look at them. Maya's over there and Emily's way over there. This couldn't have been a worse fuck up than it already is!"
"Spence, you need to calm down. Emily's smiling and laughing and having a great time. And Maya is being ultra-patient. She can see how much fun her girlfriend is having. Yeah, I feel bad that Maya didn't get her alone time as planned but, I don't know, I feel like it's all gonna work out."
"Work out? As in Emily gets trashed and Maya has to hold her hair back while she's puking in the toilet again?"
"Ya know what Spencer, here," she shoves a beer in my hand, "have a drink cuz you're really being a Debbie Downer and there's nothing to be down about."
Hanna walks away approaching Maya, I think, to make sure she's okay. She distracts her for a while so she stops thinking about not being with Emily.
In the meantime, my phone rings…
I walk away from the noise covering my exposed ear with the palm of my hand so I can hear…
Narrator POV
While Spencer tries finding a quieter place to talk, Hanna approaches Maya.
"Hey Maya."
"Hanna."
"Listen, I know this isn't what you were planning and I'm really sorry about that."
"Look Hanna, what's done is done. I mean look at her. She's happy and that's all that matters."
"Is it?"
"You know what I wanted for tonight. I wanted her birthday to be just me and her. And now that I'm watching her interact with Alison and all her friends I realize how selfish I was being."
"Hey watch it!" Someone bumps into Hanna spilling their beer on her.
"I'm so sorry!"
"It's okay, really. Just—I need some napkins or something."
"Hanna, let me help," Maya offers putting her phone down on the table behind them so she can grab some napkins to dab the beer on her clothes and then squat down to wipe up the floor.
A few minutes later, Emily receives a text message...
M: Meet me on the dock. I miss you.
E: It's kinda cold dontcha think?
M: Yeah but I'll keep you warm.
E: Okay. And I miss you too.
Once Hanna is dry but now smelling like a brewery, Maya picks up her phone to check the time. It feels like, to her, its taking ages for this party to end. She takes a breath and walks around looking for Emily through the mob of people…
Spencer POV
"Hey babe, it's Alex."
"Alex?"
"Yeah, where are you?"
"What do you mean where am I?"
"You were supposed to be done a while ago. I'm waiting for you at the barn."
"Oh my god! The barn! I totally forgot!"
"Well, hurry up and get back here, before the candles burn down to their candlesticks and our dinner dries out."
"Alex, I can't."
"What do you mean you can't?"
"Hanna messed everything up."
"I'm not following."
"She somehow read my text wrong or didn't get it or whatever and she invited all these people to the lake house for Emily's birthday."
"Oh, so Maya doesn't get her intimate dinner like ours?"
"No she doesn't."
"I'm sorry Spence."
"Wait! Did you just say intimate dinner?!"
"Well, yeah, isn't that what we were supposed to be doing since you were supposed to be done already?"
"Oh my god! Change of plans Alex!"
"Change of what—?"
"Listen, just please do this for me."
"Spencer, you know I'd do anything for you."
"Good, because our intimate dinner just turned into Maya and Emily's intimate dinner."
"Spence—"
"Please Alex. I need this for them. I love you baby! And I'm so going to make this up to you!"
"Oh yeah you are. And, Spence, I love you no matter how crazy this sounds."
"So here's what we're going to do…"
Emily POV
I wait for Maya at the end of the dock with my arms hugging me for warmth. I can see my breath which makes me want to bail but when I hear boots clicking on the wooden boards behind me it makes me straighten up with a smile on my face. But before I can turn to her, arms slip around me hugging me. Oh how I need her right now…
"Mmm, I knew you would come."
But wait! That's not Maya's voice!
I shove these unwelcome arms off of me!
And when I turn around to face this person it doesn't surprise me at all when I see who it is.
"Paige! What the fuck!"
"What? I can't give you a birthday hug?"
"No, not when you lured me out here under the pretense of being Maya!"
"I had to. Would you have come out here otherwise?"
"Hell no!"
"Emily…"
"Paige, what are you doing? I thought you hated me."
"I never said that."
"You didn't have to. You act like you do."
"I like you Emily. I always did." What the fuck now! I'm so confused!
"What? You tried to expose me when I wasn't out of the closet! Do you have any idea what kind of torture you put me through?!"
"I'm sorry but I didn't know how to handle it."
"Handle it?" I'm so mad I can barely think straight!
"Handle liking a girl."
"Jesus Paige, are you gay?" Oh my god, Maya was right!
"Do I have to be to like you?"
"Well, when a girl likes another girl that's usually what it means."
"Does Maya call herself gay? I thought she didn't like labels."
"You're not Maya!" Now I'm mad again!
She takes a step closer, "But I could be."
"No! Never! And anyway Paige you're freaking me out!" Maya where are you!
"I didn't know being honest would make you so uncomfortable."
"Well, when you lure me out into the cold night on a dock by the lake under the guise of being someone else, yeah, I'm a little freaked out."
"Emily, can we just talk for a minute."
"About what?" I don't like this.
"I want to give you something for your birthday." Why is this gift she's about to give me making me so nervous?
She reaches into her pocket and hands me an actual wrapped gift. Phew! I let the breath out I've been holding in.
"Here. I've kept this a long time and I wanted you to have it." Oh shit. Am I going to end up feeling sorry for her and forgive her for all the BS she's put me through?
I reluctantly take the present and carefully unwrap it…
Maya POV
"Hanna! Hey Hanna!"
She turns around looking for the voice calling her name.
"Hey!"
"Maya, what is it?"
"Have you seen Emily?"
"No, as a matter of fact—no I haven't. Try texting her."
I look at my phone pressing the text icon. I click on Emily's name and a conversation I had with her but didn't have with her pops up on my screen. By the reaction on my face Hanna knows something's wrong.
"What is it?"
"Someone texted Emily to meet them on the dock at the lake with my phone."
"Someone?"
I'm seething, "Oh, not someone—I'm guessing it was Paige!"
Emily POV
I remove all of the paper and see that it's a frame with a picture in it. But not just any picture, it's a picture of me and Paige at a swim meet from like middle school. She's reaching for my hand. I take it as she helps to pull me out of the pool. We're looking at each other smiling.
"Paige, I—I don't know what to say."
"That, right there is when I knew. Did you?" She wonders aloud.
"I can't say that I did. To me it was like a nice gesture from a friend."
"Exactly, a friend."
"But Paige, you've been nothing like a friend to me for years. Why? What happened?"
"I wrote you a love letter but someone found it and said they would tell everyone I was gay if I gave it to you. So I had to do something and that's when I decided the only way to keep my feelings hidden was to bully you."
"You put me through hell ya know."
"I know but Alison—"
"Alison? She threatened to expose you?"
"Yes."
"Oh my god, I never would've thought she would do something like that."
"Come on Emily, she was the queen bee when she was here and you know she was."
"Yeah, but she's changed."
"So have I."
And when I look up from the picture she kisses me on the lips! I'm in shock, so much so that I don't immediately pull away…
"Wow, looks like the real party's out here." Shit!
I snap out of it pushing passed Paige, "Maya! It's not what it looks like!"
"Oh really, so what does it look like?" Fuck!
Maya POV
I look behind Emily at Paige who has the biggest smirk on her face and I swear to god I'm going to slap that smirk right across the lake! And then I'm going to punch that face so every time she looks in the mirror I will be a constant reminder of how her nose got so screwed up!
"Maya," Emily senses my distraction, "Maya!"
I'm back, shaking the thought from my head, "What the fuck was that!"
"She kissed me!"
"Well, from the visual I got from here, you didn't seem to mind!"
"Mind! I was in shock! Maya, you know me better than that. You know I would never do that to you especially with Paige!"
My eyes find Emily's and as soon as I look into them I know she telling the truth, actually I knew all along, "Em, baby, I'm sorry, I guess tonight just isn't going at all how I thought it would. And to top the night off, I walk right into her lips on your mouth."
She takes my hand with her empty one.
"What's that?" I ask looking at what she's holding.
"Paige gave it to me for my birthday."
I feel my body tensing up, I take a breath, "Can I see?"
She hands me the picture frame.
"What is this?"
"It's me and Paige in the sixth grade. We were on the swim team together then too. She's helping me out of the water."
"She liked you then didn't she?"
"Yeah."
"Paige, what did you think this picture would get you?"
"The chance to show Emily how a real girlfriend would treat her."
I step in front of Emily, "What?"
"You waltz into town and you think you can have whoever you want?"
"Is this you coming out of the closet? Cuz I'm so lost right now."
"Emily deserves better."
"And you think that's you, the girl who tortured her for years because she only wanted to be your friend?"
"You aren't good enough for her!"
Emily whips around, "Paige, you need to leave, now."
"No. I was invited."
"Well, I'm uninviting you."
"That's too bad."
I take a step towards her but Emily holds me back.
"Look Paige, what you did tonight took a lot of guts. But you knew when you gave me this picture that I wasn't going to suddenly fall in love with you."
"I know that Emily. But we could be good together, swimming side by side, me and you."
"No Paige. The only person I'm swimming side by side with is Maya. I'm in love with Maya."
"But you could be in love with me."
"I could never be in love with you Paige because you are a constant reminder of the heartache I was put through for liking girls. You need to stop this obsession with me and find someone who appreciates who you really are."
"You better not tell anyone! Or I'll—"
"Or you'll what Paige," Maya challenges. "Look, we're not going to out you. It's not our place to do that just like it wasn't your place to try and out Emily with those pictures."
"I know! And I'm sorry for that."
"Good."
"Paige, like Maya said, we aren't going to tell anyone. But you do get that this wasn't the right way to go about coming clean with who you are don't you?"
"Just please don't tell."
Maya and I look at each other with compassion or is it pity for Paige. She's a mess and, yep, we kind of feel sorry for her.
"Paige, we need to get back to the house. You don't have to leave as long as you know that I'm with Maya. I'm with Maya for as long as she'll have me."
Maya puts a protective arm around me.
"Go to the party Paige. Just go," Maya steps aside to let her pass.
She puts her hands in her pockets with her head down and hikes up to the house.
"It's fucking cold out here Emily," she wraps her arms around me rubbing my back with extra pressure through my winter coat.
"Well, now are you warm?"
Her head dips and my mouth catches hers kissing her with wanting lips…
When we get back to the house, the candles are lit on the cake and Spencer and Hanna are hurrying us through the song which sounds like its being sung a lot faster than it was meant to be sung. Emily blows out the candles making a wish with a blushing smile on her face as her eyes connect with mine.
Hmm…that must've been some wish!
"Maya," Spencer hooks one arm while Hanna hooks the other dragging me away from the cake cutting.
"Spencer, Hanna, what are you doing?"
"You need to get Emily out of here?"
"What are you talking about?"
"Alex and I were supposed to have this romantic evening at the barn cuz I wasn't supposed to be here this long, when he called looking for me, and I got an idea!"
"Idea?"
"Maya, Spencer is giving you her romantic evening with Alex!"
"Thanks but why would I want a romantic evening with Spencer's boyfriend?"
"Maya! I'm giving you mine and Alex's romantic evening. You're getting your private birthday night!"
It's finally registering in my brain what they're trying to tell me!
"But what about your parents?"
"They're in the city with Alison's parents at your parent's concert so no adults to get in your way!"
"Spencer, are you sure?"
"Yes!"
"Oh my god Maya, would you go get her and leave already! We'll take care of all your friends," Hanna nudges me towards Emily.
But before I get too far from them I say, "Make sure Paige is kept busy so we can get away."
They look at each other shrugging and give me the okay sign…
Narrator POV
"Hey what's going on?" Alison asks the girls.
"Alex and Spencer just gave Maya and Emily their romantic evening back at the Hastings' barn!"
"I'm confused, gave it back?"
Spencer and Hanna fill Alison in on what happened which puts a huge smile on her face. She knows how much this means to Emily and how much she loves Maya. They also tell her to keep an eye on Paige. So while Hanna goes to hang out with Caleb and Spencer waits for Alex, Alison searches for Paige…
In the meantime, Maya whispers into Emily's ear coaxing her out to her car.
"Where are you taking me?"
"Emily, you know I love you right?"
"Yes, of course but what about all my friends?"
"They'll still be your friends in the morning. But it won't be your birthday and I really want to give you your present on your birthday."
Emily blushes, "So, is it time for me to thank you?"
Maya gives Emily a quick kiss, "Only if you want to."
"I want to," Emily replies inciting a delicious smile from Maya…
At the barn…
Alex opens the door for them when they arrive.
"Happy birthday Emily! I hope you enjoy your candlelight dinner for two and whatever else Maya has planned for your birthday," he smiles with a cocked brow. He hugs them and kisses them on the cheek, "Enjoy you two."
"Thanks Alex, this means a lot giving up your evening for us," Maya smiles gratefully.
"It's beautiful, thank you Alex," Emily gushes.
"Good night," he closes the door behind him heading out to the lake house to join Spencer.
They take off their coats and boots leaving them by the door…
Emily POV
"So, how 'bout that thank you," Maya winks.
"Can we eat a little something first?" I ask hoping a distraction will calm my nerves.
"Em, it's fine. We'll eat. We'll drink. We'll see how the evening plays out. Okay?"
How can she be so perfect! Even with the Paige thing—I liked how protective she got over me! She really does love me and I love her and after we share our last bite, I'm going to brush my teeth (Of course I brought a toothbrush! I wasn't sure how this night was going to go but now I'm so glad I'm prepared!).
We enjoy a wonderful baked chicken dish with vegetables and some sparkling water. We clink glasses and look longingly into each other's eyes as we slowly sip our beverage. The flame from the candle flickers while the fire in the fireplace crackles. I can feel myself relaxing even though I'm hella nervous about being with Maya…
I excuse myself taking this opportunity to brush my teeth and freshen up. And when I come back I see Maya has also brought her toothbrush as she rinses it in the kitchen sink. I walk over to the table clearing the dishes so we can wash them. I feel like I need to do this as I'm not quite ready to go to the next level with her. I know she knows I'm stalling but she just smiles as she rests her back against the counter drying each dish and glass that I wash…
And as I let the water drain from the sink and spray the bubbles down the drain, she puts on some music, some very soft, sexy music. I recognize her voice. Maya has played her for me before and I must admit the tone of her voice, its silkiness, makes one very agreeable and that's just how I'm beginning to feel…
"Do you remember this singer?"
"I remember the voice, what was her name again?"
"Alina Baraz."
"Oh yeah, I really like her."
Maya's arms snake around me as I'm drying my hands with a clean dish towel.
"I really like you," she says with that same Alina Baraz silkiness.
She moves my hair exposing my neck to her lips which kiss light kisses. I breathe in and out with a sigh.
"Are you okay baby?"
I turn around in her arms leaning against the sink and she leans closer into me.
"I'm okay."
"Happy birthday Emily," she says with a slight smile before she kisses me again.
Her hand reaches for the back of my neck guiding me against her lips. I can feel my heart beating a million times over. I can feel my body changing from need to want. I can feel my mind changing from I'm not ready to I know I'm ready…
She steps back leaving me in a bit of a dreamlike state as she guides me to the blankets on the floor in front of the fireplace.
"It's just like when we kissed at the sleep over before school started."
"Mmmhmmm," she hums against me.
She kneels down bringing me with her. She starts taking off my clothes one button at a time. She concentrates on each one as my chest rises and falls anxiously from her touch. And when my shirt is completely undone she wants me to lie down. I'm on my back with my shirt open and she lies down next to me on her side. I let out a "huh" as her fingertips caress my belly and her hand sneaks up to my breast.
She squeezes me and my eyes roll up into the back of my head. Her lips kiss mine while her hand slips under my bra and her fingertips lightly massage my nipples. I can feel the sensations traveling downward needing her to explore me and love me there too!
And so it begins…
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To Be Continued….
I'll make a deal with you. I'll keep writing and when you get me to 800 reviews I'll upload the next chapter with no interruptions…
It's all up to you ;)