Disclaimer: I don't own any rights to the show or characters of Pretty Little Liars. I'm only borrowing them for a while.
Hi again everyone.
Thanks again to all of you who are reading and those that are taking the time to review. Your kind words and interest feed the muse.
I am a bit fascinated though. I seem to have a lot of views, but not many reviews. I don't know if that means people actually like this or if people are simply curious of just how far I'll take it.
Either way, I appreciate all those that take the time to say something, good or bad.
For the guest reviewers, if you have questions I don't have any way to reply to you since I don't know how to get to you. I'm happy to answer any questions anyone has, but if you're a guest you'll need to private message me for me to be able to reply personally. That is if guests can private message without an account? I really don't know how this site works. I'm kinda winging it.
To answer the one guest question I got from the last chapter – Ali wasn't with the frat boys for very long. She had just come down the stairs and been rushed by them, just before Kira walked up to Emily, and Kira and Emily's conversation only lasted about five minutes. As for why Ali was talking to them at all and why she would feel the need to put them in their place, I think this chapter might provide a portion of that answer – with more to be provided in a future chapter.
This story is meant to be fluffy and funny and romantic, overall, but there is a bit of drama about to begin. Because, after all, what's life without a little drama?
I don't intend to put mature warnings on every chapter, like I did the last one – you can just assume from this point forward they will all need it.
Enjoy.
Chapter 3
Emily stretched and rolled onto her side, expecting to find her pillow, but instead found a pile of blonde hair splayed across her pillow.
Emily burrowed deeper into the soft strands, pressing against Alison's warm naked body. Alison was still asleep on her stomach, bare to the waist; the sheet barely covering her ass, and Emily couldn't resist pressing soft open mouthed kisses over her shoulder and down her back.
Alison wiggled and murmured incoherently into the pillow beneath her head, causing Emily to smile. Emily looked over at the clock on her desk. It was just after seven, later than she usually woke, but she and Alison did have a long night. Despite the lack of sleep Emily was sure she had not felt this invigorated or alive since she left Alison behind in Rosewood in August. She smiled to herself, one again awed that Alison was here with her, and resumed kissing her girlfriend's bare flesh.
After several minutes, Alison rolled and shifted closer to Emily as a soft sigh escaped her lips. Emily looked up at her and found Ali smiling sleepily at her.
"I want to wake like this every morning."
Emily laid her head back on the pillow beside Alison. "You can every day this week."
Alison blinked sleepily and leaned closer, pressing her lips to Emily's. She hummed softly into the kiss, which was just a gentle meeting of their lips, as Emily tucked some soft strands of her hair behind her ear.
"What time is it?" Alison asked when their lips parted.
"A little after seven."
Alison groaned. "Why are we up then?"
Emily chuckled at the pained tone of her voice. "Habit for me. I usually run at six."
Alison scoffed softly. "I forgot about that. Are you going to that every day this week?"
"No. I don't run Sundays, so not today and I won't run Tuesday before the meet."
"But what about when we're at the hotel?"
"It's right on the beach, right? That will be great for running. I can watch the sun rise over the water."
Alison rolled onto her back and bared her breasts to Emily's gaze. "And there isn't anything I can do to maybe entice you to stay in bed with me rather than go running every freaking morning?" Alison purred and Emily felt the sultry sound all the way down to her toes.
She immediately reached out and brushed her thumb over Alison's nipple, eliciting a soft whimper from the blonde.
"Em," Alison whispered, her eyes no longer heavy with sleep, but with desire, desire that shot straight into Emily's stomach.
"There might be something," Emily murmured and she yanked the sheet off Alison's waist and parted her thighs, rolling on to top of her. Alison wrapped her arms and legs around Emily, arching her back as Emily cupped her breast and latched onto her nipple.
For the next thirty minutes the room was filled with quiet moans and sighs and whimpers as soft, wet flesh was explored and deep, passionate kisses were shared.
##########
Alison brushed her fingers through Emily's hair as the brunette lay sprawled on top of her, her head resting on Ali's chest. Emily's fingers gently caressed the dark red mark that now adorned the creamy white flesh on the inside of Alison's right breast.
"I can't believe you marked me like that," Alison laughed. "You might as well have just peed on me."
Emily smiled but didn't reply.
"I told you not to leave marks on me yesterday."
Emily shrugged and the movement caused Alison to squirm softly. "No one but me is going to see it. I kept it low enough."
"You're really proud of yourself, aren't you?"
Emily's smile widened and she nodded her head before pressing a soft kiss to the bruised skin.
"If I wear a bathing suit on the beach, people are gonna see it."
"Ali, it's November, it's too cold to lie out on the beach."
Alison caressed Emily's cheek. "I just came from forty five degree weather, Em. Trust me, seventies, low eighties, is strutting around on the beach in my bikini weather."
Emily chucked. "I guess I must be acclimated already."
"I don't think I'm going to be able to even wear a couple of the shirts I brought now. That mark is too high."
Emily lifted her head off Alison's breasts and looked down at them, frowning. "If your shirts go down that low, they're a little too low, Ali."
Alison arched one eyebrow. "Are you saying I dress like a skank?"
Before Emily could answer her stomach growled loudly. Both girls laughed and Alison's question was momentarily forgotten.
"Somebody worked up an appetite."
Emily shifted and sat up. "Wanna head over to the dining hall? It should be pretty much deserted this early since its Sunday. We can just throw on some sweats and shower when we get back."
Alison nodded. "I didn't bring any sweats with me though. Can I borrow some of yours?"
Emily stood and walked over to her wardrobe. Alison watched her, taking in the sight of Emily's lean, toned, tanned body. She was breathtaking and Alison felt desire pool low in her abdomen again. She shook her head and climbed out of bed. They needed to get out of this room fast or Alison was going to drag Emily back to bed and she didn't want her mermaid to starve. She needed to keep up her strength for what Alison had planned for her later in the week.
After getting dressed, brushing their teeth, and pulling their hair up into ponytails, the girls headed over to the dining hall, hand in hand. Several of Emily's friends from the swim team were seated at one of the tables in the center of the dining area and Emily waved as she and Alison walked toward the buffet area.
"I thought you said no one would be here," Alison teased as she nudged Emily with her hip.
"I guess it's later than I realized."
"Well we did get a little distracted." Ali grinned and she slid her arm through Emily's as they walked up to the omelet station. Emily smiled at the guy standing behind it.
"Hi, Adam."
"Hey, pollywog. Looking fabulous as always."
Alison mouthed "pollywog?" and Emily just shook her head.
"Ali, this is Adam," Emily said as she introduced them. "Adam, this is Ali."
"Ali, as in the Girlfriend, Ali?" he said as he smiled at her over the counter.
"Yes," Emily replied as she gave Adam warning look, which he completely ignored.
"Hello there Girlfriend Ali. It is my utmost pleasure to finally meet you. Pollywog talks about you all the time."
"Nice to meet you too," Alison said as she shot a look at Emily.
"Adam, behave," Emily warned.
He just grinned.
"Adam is in my chem lab partner," Emily explained.
"Oh, you mean the guy who lit your table on fire once?" Alison asked and Emily nodded.
"You told her about that?" Adam asked, insult lacing his tone. "That was an accident. Don't let her tell you any different. Way to go having my back."
"In her defense," Alison offered as she chuckled. "She did tell me it was an accident. But one that caused the entire building to be evacuated?"
Adam glared at Emily playfully. "You're lucky I love you, girl, otherwise this would mean war."
"Whatever," Emily replied.
"What can I get you ladies for breakfast?" He pointed at Emily. "You want your usual?"
"Please," Emily replied.
"One spinach omelet coming up. And for you, Marilyn Monroe?"
Alison blinked in surprise at the nickname and Emily rolled her eyes.
"Stop flirting with my girlfriend, Adam."
"Awwww, come on Emily. You can't deny me the pleasure of flirting with a pretty girl, especially when she's a lesbian."
"Who says I'm a lesbian?" Ali said, deadpan, and Emily shot her a look that told her silently not to start in with Adam. But Alison ignored it.
"Aren't you?" Adam asked intrigued now.
"Adam makes great cinnamon French toast," Emily said, knowing it was Alison's favorite, and trying to distract them both.
"Alright," Ali agreed as her mouth watered at the thought of her favorite breakfast. "I'll take it."
Adam got busy preparing the omelet and French toast.
"Although I have to say you don't look anything like a lesbian. Neither of you do, but I totally get it. Seeing you two together, right here, right now, I totally get it." Alison narrowed her eyes at him, not sure if she got his meaning, but suspecting that she did. "And if I was a girl, I would be lesbian, just because of pollywog, here."
"Adam knock it off or I'll tell Sophie."
"Who's Sophie?"
"His girlfriend."
Alison's mouth dropped open. "You have a girlfriend and you're flirting with my girlfriend?"
"Oh, please. She doesn't mind, Marilyn Monroe. Especially when I flirt with lesbians. She knows I'm a natural born flirt, but my heart and soul are always hers." Adam's words were teasing but his tone was sincere and it made Emily smile.
"My name isn't Marilyn Monroe," Ali insisted, but she chuckled, despite herself. She wanted to be aggravated with him but she just couldn't bring herself to be.
"But you look just like her. It's uncanny." Emily walked off to get a yogurt from the refrigerator as Adam continued. "You're like a starlet. No wonder pollywog is crazy about you."
"She's not a pollywog, she's a mermaid," Alison replied simply, her eyes daring him to challenge her.
"I've seen her swim, you're right, she is a mermaid," Adam replied, his tone serious for once. "You know I heard once that Marilyn Monroe was a lesbian," Adam said casually as he flipped the bread sizzling in the pan.
"I actually read somewhere that she was bisexual," Ali replied and Adam stopped and glanced at her curiously, catching her meaning immediately. She knew he caught on and she hid a smile. Guys were so freaking predictable.
"Don't play games with me, Marilyn. You can't toy with a man like that," Adam pouted when Emily returned.
Ali reached out and entwined her fingers with Emily, squeezing gently.
"What are you two talking about?"
"How you're girlfriend is a horrible tease," Adam replied as he began plating Emily's omelet.
"Tell me something I don't know," Emily agreed, but she pressed a kiss to Alison's temple to soften her words, as Adam handed her a plate.
Now it was Alison's turn to roll her eyes but she didn't deny it. Adam handed her plate with the piping hot French toast.
""But I must say I like that about you. Enjoy, Blondie."
Ali glared at him. She hated being called Blondie. Emily guided Ali by her arm away from Adam before Ali threw her food in his face.
"See you, Adam."
"See ya."
As they walked into the dining room, Ali leaned over. "Does every person on this campus know you're a lesbian?"
"Apparently," Emily said dryly. "I don't broadcast it but I don't hide it either." Emily smiled easily. "I do talk about my girlfriend a lot though so maybe I do broadcast it."
"Where do you want to sit?" Ali asked, as she felt a flush of warmth at Emily's words.
"Wherever you want."
"Don't you want to sit with your teammates?" Alison tilted her head toward the table in the center of the room. Heather was motioning with her hand for Emily and Alison to join them.
"We don't have to if you don't want to. I know I promised you no one would be here."
"I'd like to meet them," Ali said softly.
"Okay," Emily said happily.
"Hey, Emily," Heather greeted as Emily and Ali approached the table. A chorus of hellos followed from the other three swimmers.
"Hi," Emily said as she took the seat. "This is Ali," Emily introduced as Alison took the seat beside her.
"The Ali?" Heather asked as she smiled.
"Hi." Alison just barely refrained from rolling her eyes again. Was there anyone Emily hadn't mentioned her to? "Yeah, that's me. The Ali," Alison said wryly, but deep inside she was thrilled beyond words. Her heart fluttered happily in her chest and she wanted to kiss her mermaid breathless for it. She settled for reaching over and squeezing Emily's thigh gently.
"It's nice to finally meet you," Heather said sincerely there was something about her. Alison like her immediately.
Breakfast passed relatively uneventfully after that. Emily's other JV teammates, Sabrina, Mary and Brandi, all knew who Ali was too, but they didn't seem as obsessed with her and Emily's relationship as her other friends were. It was a nice change.
The conversation flowed but Alison remained quiet for the most part, just observing Emily interact with her friends. She loved to watch Emily do anything, but seeing her surrounded by friends, laughing and joking, Emily positively shined. Ali always knew Emily would shine if she ever came out of her shell and it was a glorious sight to behold.
"So, Ali," Sabrina said in an attempt to engage Alison and bring her into the conversation. "Emily didn't say anything about you coming to visit this week."
"She didn't know."
"Yeah, Ali surprised me." Emily reached over and brushed her fingers softly over the shell of Alison's ear, making the blonde sigh.
"Awww, that's sweet," Mary said.
"My mermaid couldn't come to me, so I came to her." Ali grabbed Emily's hand as she was pulling it away. She linked their fingers and lowered them to her thigh.
Emily leaned close to Alison's ear. "Okay, you can lay off the mermaid now." Ali fluttered her eyes unrepentantly, having no intention of heeding Emily's request.
"Great timing with this being her first anchor on Tuesday," Sabrina said.
"I can't wait to watch her."
"She's totally going to win it for us," Heather said.
Alison felt a shiver travel up her spine as she sensed eyes on her. She looked to her right to see Brandi eyeing her. Brandi had participated even less in the conversation than Alison, sitting there sullenly picking at her eggs for most of the meal. Not one to be intimidated, Ali met her eyes, quirking an eyebrow inquisitively. Brandi immediately looked away. Ali continued to look at her curiously, her eyes narrowing after a while.
Alison's attention was brought back to the conversation as her name was said. "I'm sorry, what? I spaced there for a second."
Emily looked at Alison curiously but she just pretended not to see. She was going to have to ask Emily what the deal with Brandi was, because if her suspicions were right, she and Brandi were going to have to have words.
"I said you're welcome to sit behind the team on Tuesday. Those seats are reserved for family, but I'm sure the coach will be okay with it."
Alison smiled. "Thanks but I was going to sit with Em's roommate."
"Oh, then that will be fine. Kira always sits back there," Heather laughed. "She uses the excuse that she's representing Emily's mom. After the second or third time, the coach just gave up and let her stay."
That sounded like Kira and Alison was once again grateful to the girl who had become like a sister to Emily. She was glad Emily had someone who cheered her on when Alison couldn't be there. Alison just hoped that she'd be able to be there for Emily starting next semester like she planned. It was looking less and less likely, but Alison wasn't giving up hope yet. Hope is all she had.
###########
After breakfast, Emily took Alison on the scenic route back to her dorm, showing her more of the campus, including the Spieker Aquatics Center. It was a fairly warm day, for the end of November so they decided to sit, for a while, on the grass at the Sunset upper picnic area.
"You're teammates were nice," Alison said as she flopped backward on the grass.
"Yeah, most of them are. There are a few I'd rather do without, but for the most part everyone is really nice." Emily joined Alison on the grass.
"A few you wouldn't mind drowning?" Alison smirked as she took Emily's hand in hers and entwined their fingers.
"I don't know if I'd go that far."
"So what's the deal with that Brandi girl?"
"What do you mean?"
"She was glaring daggers at me all through breakfast."
"Was she?" Emily rolled to her side and propped up on her elbow, looking down at Alison. "I didn't notice."
"Is she into girls?" Alison reached for Emily's hand again and brought it to her stomach.
"I don't think so, but I've never asked her. Was she really glaring at you?"
Alison nodded thoughtfully. "I think it's because she's into you."
Emily scoffed. "Why would you say that?"
"Female intuition," Alison replied as her fingers played with Emily's.
"I totally don't get that vibe from her. She's barely said two words to me all semester."
"Exactly," Alison replied matter-of-factly.
Emily smiled and pressed a kiss to Alison's shoulder. "Well, she is out of luck because I'm taken. Completely taken."
"Just be careful Em. I get a weird feeling about-"Alison was cut off by the sound of her cell phone ringing.
She twisted and pulled it out of the waistband of Emily's sweatpants, where she'd tucked it because the pants had no pockets.
Emily leaned down and nuzzled Alison's neck as the blonde looked at her phone. Alison declined the call and tossed her phone on the grass beside her.
"Did you need to get that?"
Alison sat up and turned to face Emily. "Nope."
Emily looked at her curiously but didn't ask who it was.
"So, those guys were such jerks last night," Alison said, changing the subject.
"Then why did you stay and talk to them?"
Ali tilted her head. "It was only five minutes before you came over and staked your claim on me."
"More like ten."
"That was totally hot though." Alison smiled, her eyes glinting with delight.
"You like it when I stake my claim on you?" Emily asked as she laughed.
Alison nodded as her blue eyes darkened and she shifted closer, her knees pressing against Emily's thighs.
"So, the frat boys?" Emily prompted, trying to distract Ali because it was quickly becoming way too hot in her clothes.
"Huh?" Alison said, distracted, but then she smiled. "It was because of this psych class I took at Hollis this semester. We were studying personality types, you know, the different kind of personalities there are, and it just has me fascinated."
"With what exactly?"
"People. All these college guys are so in to themselves. It blows my mind how they're such cocky, arrogant assholes. I never noticed how much they were assholes like that when I was sneaking into parties with CeCe." Alison shrugged a shoulder. "Then again I was a cocky, arrogant bitch back then too." Alison frowned thoughtfully. "I was a really terrible person," she added after a beat. She brushed her fingers softly over Emily's eyebrow then down the side of her face. "I will never understand how you could have ever loved me back then."
"Ali," Emily said her brow furrowing as she sat up. "We've been over this. You're not that person any more. And how I was able to love you back then is because I saw the girl underneath the bully. I knew you were in there."
Ali frowned again. "I just wish it didn't take being stalked for years and buried alive for the real me to come out."
"Hey, what's this about?" Emily took Ali's hand in hers and brought it to rest between her breasts. Normally this would cause Ali to grin and tease Emily, breathlessly, about Emily wanting Alison to feel her up, but Alison just looked at Emily like she wanted to say something. Finally she just shook her head and smiled.
"Nothing. I'm just so grateful you never gave up on me."
Emily tilted her head and smiled. "I never could. And I never will."
Alison smiled brightly and leaned forward, kissing Emily softly. "I hope I never give you a reason to."
"Ali," Emily started so say but she was cut off by Alison's lips covering her own again. Alison pushed her back on the soft grass again and straddled her. She lifted the sweatshirt she'd worn to breakfast, Emily's swim team sweatshirt, over her head and tossed it aside, leaving her in one of Emily's t-shirts. Alison had forgone a bra this morning and Emily could see the outline of her nipples through the fabric.
"It's a little too cool to take that sweatshirt off, Ali," she murmured.
Alison grinned seductively down at her. "Maybe you can keep me warm then."
"I told you your hickey wouldn't show." Emily gently caressed Alison's breast where she knew the bruise resided beneath her shirt.
"This t-shirt neckline is higher than any of mine," Alison hummed, her body instantly reacting to Emily's touch. "But I think my bra, when I wear it, will hide most of it anyway. You still shouldn't have marked me when I asked you not to."
"I wish I could say I'm sorry but it would be a lie," Emily admitted honestly.
"I know it would," Alison muttered as she leaned down and captured Emily's lips in a heated kiss. "But we promised no more lies," Alison added as she tore her lips away and sat up again.
Emily bent her knees and Alison leaned back against them.
"Why do we always seem to end up like this?"
"Like what?"
"With me on your lap. Why don't you ever straddle me like this?"
Emily was thoughtful for a moment. "I don't know. You're smaller than I am."
"No I'm not." Ali replied quickly.
"Yeah you are."
"You're only an inch taller than me."
"I think it's actually two." Emily held up two fingers as she smirked at Alison's affronted tone.
"Whatever. Two inches then. That's nothing. I usually wear some kind of heel, so we're basically the same height."
"I don't know Ali," Emily said at a loss. "You want to switch places?"
Alison wiggled gently and grinned. "No, I like where I am right now, thank you. But I just think it's interesting."
Emily chuckled. "What's interesting? Please enlighten me. Is this also from your psych class?"
"No. It just seems like we always end up with me on top like this."
"You weren't on top this morning," Emily reminded as she wiggled her eyebrows comically, trying to keep the mood light.
"Em, I'm trying to be serious here."
"Okay. But I don't know what you're trying to say, Ali. Are you trying to insinuate I'm the guy in this relationship," Emily teased lightly again, hoping it would work this time.
"There is no guy in our relationship."
"You know what I mean."
"No, I hate that analogy. Like one of us has to be the more masculine one. That's sexism at its worst."
Emily could see Alison's frustration so she sat up. "Hey, what is this about?"
"Nothing. Never mind." Alison said as she sighed.
Emily cupped Alison's cheek with her palm. Alison's moods were just all over the place.
"No, Ali. Tell me. I'm just teasing. It doesn't matter who's on top here. Is this because of Adam's teasing earlier?"
"No, he didn't bother me. He was kind of funny actually, in an annoying sort of way." Alison bit her lip anxiously before she spoke again. "I just don't like that people assume, just because I wear more feminine clothes most of the time and you're athletic and dress more causally most of the time, that they know anything about us and our relationship."
Emily tipped Alison's chin up so she could look her directly in the eyes. "Where is this coming from? It doesn't matter what people assume about us. All that matters is you and me. What we want and what we like. To hell with stereotypes."
"I like taking control and being on top when we're in bed," Alison admitted after a minute. "I like the feel of you beneath me like this." Alison rolled her hips to emphasize her point.
Emily gripped her waist and moaned softly. "I like it too. "
Alison pushed the loose strands of Emily's ponytail behind her ear and rubbed her nose gently against Emily's. "But I also love the feel of your weight on me, like this morning. I love the way it feels when you lay on me and every inch of our bodies are touching. It makes me never want to move."
"Me too," Emily said sincerely, but decided this conversation really needed some lightening up. She needed to snap Ali out of her mood.
"So let's just agree, then. I'm the guy outside the bedroom but inside we take turns."
Alison's eyes flashed angrily but when she saw the amusement flashing in Emily's, she sighed heavily. "You can be such a jerk sometimes."
"But you can't help it, you still love me," Emily reminded as she leaned back on her hands and smiled.
"Insanely," Alison breathed the word as her fingers toyed with the hem of the sweatshirt Emily wore. Alison lifted her eyes and she smirked playfully.
"So you wanna make out?"
Emily laughed; glad Alison's mood seemed to have passed. "You've got to keep your clothes on though. We're out in public."
Alison's smirk turned into a pout. "What's the fun in that?"
##########
The rest of the afternoon was spent in Emily's room, where she was studying for a Philosophy exam. Alison kept busy reading and playing games on her IPad and annoying Kira, who was nursing one hell of a hangover. But Kira had left for the library a half hour ago so Ali was getting bored.
Emily looked over at Alison from where she sat at her desk, when Ali's phone vibrated again, for what seemed like the tenth time in the last few hours. Alison had rejected all the calls, her brow furrowing deeper with each call that came. It was eerily reminiscent of "A" and it was causing a knot to form in Emily's stomach.
"That's the tenth call you've gotten today that you've declined."
Alison looked up from her IPad. "Yeah. Is it interrupting your studying? I'll just shut it off," Alison offered, reaching for her phone at the foot of the bed where she'd thrown it.
Emily stood up and stretched before moving to the bed, her hand reaching out to stop Alison from turning her phone off.
"I need a break for a while anyway. Who keeps calling you, Ali?"
"No one," Alison said quickly, a little too quickly, tossing the phone aside like it burned her fingers.
"Alison?" Emily said her name again, her full name this time, and Ali knew what that meant. Alison silently cursed.
"It's Noel."
"Why is Noel calling you eight hundred times?"
"I don't think it was quite that many," Alison said drolly but Emily didn't respond. She just waited for Alison to continue.
"I don't-" Alison started then bit her tongue. She was not going to lie to Emily. "He keeps calling because I'm not picking up. He's worse than Hanna when it comes to jumping to the worst possible conclusion when someone doesn't answer their damn phone."
"Doesn't he know you're here with me?" Emily asked curiously.
"No."
Emily looked surprised, considering that Ali had been planning this trip for weeks.
"Why didn't you tell him?"
"Because I'm not talking to him."
"Ali, what's really going on?"
Alison roughly shoved her IPad off her lap. "We just got into a fight a few weeks ago and I haven't talked to him since."
"So, you and Noel fight all the time, don't you? Isn't that part of your friendship?" Emily asked, choosing her words carefully. Alison sometimes got touchy about her friendship with Noel when Emily would comment about it.
"Yeah, that's because he gets on my nerves half the time. But this was different."
Ali was clearly bothered by whatever was going on. "Do you want to talk about it?"
"No," Alison replied quickly. "Not right now anyway. Noel's not important. I just want to focus on being here with you." Ali's reached out and touched Emily's thigh. "I've wanted nothing more than to be here with you since you left."
Alison's phone vibrated again. "Ugh, I'm going to kill him" she growled as she picked up her phone again. 'Oh," she said surprised when she looked at the screen. "It's my dad."
Alison lifted the phone to her ear. "Hi, dad."
Emily fell back onto her mattress and put her arm over her eyes. She listened half-heartedly as Alison chatted with her father, telling him about her trip so far. She didn't have the energy to talk about Noel Kahn anymore today. Whatever was going on between Alison and Noel, Ali would tell her eventually. She always did. At least that's what Emily told herself. A fleeting reminder passed through her mind, of her intention from last night to ask Alison what she meant about telling Emily only important secrets.
But it came and went quickly as Emily felt herself drifting off to the familiar sound of Alison's voice beside her.
##########
Alison climbed into bed beside Emily, sliding beneath the covers, before turning to face the brunette, who was lying on her side smiling at the blonde as she settled in.
"You all tucked in over there Ali?" Kira asked from the other side of the room, her finger on the light switch.
"Yep," Alison said as she snuggled into Emily's already warm body. "Snug like a bug in a rug."
Emily laughed as she pulled Alison closer. "Am I the rug or just another bug?"
Alison kissed her chin as Kira extinguished the lights. "Don't make fun of me. My dad used to say that to me every night when I was little."
Alison felt Emily's lips curve into a smile as she continued to kiss her lips softly. As her eyes adjusted to the dark, Ali could just make out the outline of Emily's face. Emily hummed softly and returned Alison's gentle kisses.
From the other side of the room, Kira's voice rang out, teasing. "I'm putting ear buds in so I won't be able to hear what you're doing but do try to keep it down please."
"I'll try but you know how vocal my girl can be," Alison retorted and Emily pinched Alison's waist in silent admonishment. In retaliation, Alison wiggled her body against Emily, causing the brunette to groan softly.
"Maybe you should invest in a gag or something?" Kira offered helpfully as she settled in bed.
"And who says we don't already have one?" Alison teased, causing Kira to snort loudly.
"So help me god, Ali, if you have one of those for real, I cannot be held responsible for how hard I'm gonna girl crush on you."
Alison's laugh was low. "I didn't bring it with me on this trip, but I do have some other sex toys in my suitcase if you're curious how I intend to rock Em's world once the dorm empties out on Wednesday."
Emily opened one eye and looked at Alison curiously. Alison's eyes twinkled in the dark as she smiled at her girlfriend.
"I swear the two of you are just like rabbits." Kira choked out a short laugh.
Ali smirked. "I can make Emily purr like one if I use just the right pressure on just the right spot."
"Ali," Emily warned in a low tone.
"What? You do. It's a really sexy sound too." Alison sunk her teeth into Emily's bottom lip, causing the brunette to bite her back gently.
"Rabbits don't purr. I didn't think rabbits made noises at all," Kira wondered out loud
Ali released Emily's lip and lifted her head to look over Emily's shoulder. "They don't make many, but I had one as a kid and when I pet it just right, it used to make this teeth chattering noise that sounded kind of like a cat's purr. Em makes the same sound when I pet her just right too."
"Ali," Emily huffed again but Alison just laughed softly and leaned forward to press a kiss on Emily's cheek.
Kira just looked baffled. "I don't have any response for that."
Alison grinned triumphantly as she leaned back. "Well that's a first. Alison, one. Kira, zero."
"It's more like Alison, one. Kira, ten, bitch. You have a long way to go to catch up with me."
"I knew I should have kept the two of you apart," Emily muttered to herself, sleepily.
Alison slid her hand beneath Emily's tank top and gently caressed her hip. She needed to just tease Kira one last time for the night before she focused on her mermaid. She leaned up and looked over Emily's shoulder again to see Kira fiddling with her IPod. "As for the gag, Em doesn't usually like to share me, but I might be able to talk her into letting you join us sometime and we can both use it on her."
"I'd be totally down for a threesome," Kira replied without even a beat.
"Will you two shut up already."Emily pulled Alison closer. "I have an exam in the morning and I need my sleep."
Alison and Kira cackled softly but shut up. Alison heard Kira shuffling in her bed across the room, then finally the faint sound of music from her ear buds. Once she was sure Kira wasn't listening, she started kissing Emily's chin again, purring softly against her skin.
"Mmmm, love you," Emily murmured sleepily.
Alison breathed a soft laugh. "You had a two hour nap earlier today, you can't be that tired, Em."
"Someone kept me up most of the night last night," Emily whispered as she grinned.
"This is true," Alison purred as she grasped Emily's thigh and hiked it up over her hip. Ali's fingers dipped inside the hem of the boxer shorts Emily was wearing as pajamas, caressing her thigh with soft circles.
Emily opened one eye and looks at Alison. "Ali, what are you doing?" Emily whispered into the darkness.
"Shhh," Alison kissed the corner of Emily's mouth as her finger moved dangerously closer to her panties. "Just try to keep quiet. I'll do all the work."
Emily reached down and stopped Alison's hand from moving any higher. "Ali, no."
"She'll never know if you can just keep quiet. She can't hear us over her music."
Alison shook off Emily's hand and her fingers starting sliding up Emily's thigh again. Her tongue swirled softly over Emily's throat.
Emily looked over her shoulder and saw Kira's silhouette in her bed, facing the wall. "I'm not really comfortable with this, Ali," Emily admitted, but her whisper turned into a moan as Alison's fingers just barely brushed over her panties. Emily's eyes fluttered closed.
Alison abruptly removed her hand from inside Emily's boxers and the brunette opened her eyes.
"What?" she started but Alison just sat up and lifted her tank top over her head, leaving her naked from the waist up. Alison also wore a pair of boxers, Kira having made fun of them earlier for having matching pj's.
"Up," Ali whispered as she tugged on Emily's arm. Against her better judgment, Emily sat up and Alison pushed her tank top up, over her breasts, over her head and off her arms.
"That's better," Alison said as she pulled Emily to lie down beside her again. Alison sighed softly as she pressed her half naked body against Emily's.
Emily was sure this was a huge mistake and Kira was going to totally catch them, but she couldn't seem to care once Alison started kissing her breasts softly. Alison hiked Emily's thigh over her hip again and slipped her fingers past Emily's panties swiftly, finding her girlfriend warm and wet.
"Ali," Emily whimpered as she felt Alison's fingers dip inside her. Alison lifted her head from where she was lavishing attention on Emily's breasts and covered Emily's mouth with her own, swallowing the soft sounds in her mouth.
Emily rocked her hips as Alison plunged her fingers deeper, setting a slow and steady rhythm as her thumb circled Emily's clit. Emily grabbed Alison's face and kissed her deeply, plunging her tongue into Ali's mouth in the same lazy rhythm as Alison's fingers. Their tongues caressed meeting and retreating until they were both breathless.
It only took minutes until Emily was trembling, her body pulsing around Alison's fingers, as her orgasm overtook spread through her. She panted into Alison's mouth as Ali pressed against her, their naked breasts pressed flush. Emily swore she could feel Alison's heart hammering inside her chest as rapidly as her own was. Emily's whimpers died down but Alison didn't stop her ministrations. She continued to tease and touch and caress until Emily's hips were rocking against her hand again. Alison brought her to orgasm a second time, almost as quickly as the first, her knowledge of Emily's body guiding the blonde's hands and lips.
"Ali," Emily panted harshly as she struggled to catch her breath. "My god, are you trying to kill me?"
Alison giggled softly as she nuzzled her nose against Emily's before pressing a soft kiss to her lips. "Would there be any better way to go though?"
Ali removed her fingers from Emily's body and lifted them to her lips, licking the digits clean as Emily watched her through hooded eyes.
"I'm dying to get my mouth on you," Alison admitted softly and without hesitation. "But I think that might be pushing our luck tonight."
Alison's soft, honest words, caused Emily to snap and she took Alison's lips in a hard, bruising kiss. She shifted her leg off Alison, reversing their positions as she hiked Ali's thigh over her hip.
Alison whimpered in surrender as Emily returned the favor. She swallowed Alison's moans as she slid her fingers past the elastic of Alison's panties, finding her just as hot and wet as Ali had found Emily. Emily showered Alison's face and neck and breasts with reverent kisses, as her fingers spread Alison open, teasing her soft wet flesh.
Alison buried her face in the pillow to keep her soft cries from waking Kira as her body bucked against Emily. Under her girlfriend's expert hands, Alison's body slammed into orgasm once, twice, and a finally third time, before Emily's fingers relented. Emily whispered soft words of love and devotion against Ali's lips and in her ear as the blonde's body trembled and convulsed.
"My sweet love," Alison murmured softly as she drifted into an exhausted sleep, with her thigh still over Emily's hip and Emily's fingers still inside her.
###########
Emily couched down beside the bed and pressed a soft kiss to Alison's forehead. She had woken at her usual time and had gone for her run before taking a quick shower, dressing quietly in the darkened room. She didn't want to disturb Alison but she had to leave for her eight o'clock class in five minutes and she knew Ali would be upset with her if she woke to find Emily gone without having said goodbye.
Alison stirred softly at the feel of Emily's lips and her eyes opened the blue irises unfocused and bleary.
"Hey," she said hoarsely. "What time is it?"
Emily brushed Alison's hair off her face, gently caressing her cheek in the process. "Almost eight. I have to leave in a minute."
"Why didn't you wake me?" Alison pushed up on her hands so she could see Emily better. She lifted the sheet with her to cover her naked breasts in case Kira happened to wake up and turn around in her bed. "We could have gotten breakfast together before your class."
Emily smiled. "I don't usually eat before my early class. And you were dead to the world earlier. I don't think I could have woken you if I tried. Since when have you started snoring?"
"I don't snore," Alison scoffed, horrified at the insinuation. Emily laughed a little louder than she intended and quickly looked over her shoulder to make sure she didn't wake Kira.
"Whatever you say, sweetheart."
Alison smiled softly at the endearment Emily only used once in a while. "Good luck on your test."
"Thanks. Why don't you go back to sleep and I'll see you after my exam."
"What time will that be?"
"It starts at ten thirty so probably sometime around noon. Why don't we go off campus and grab lunch?"
Alison nodded. "Okay."
"I left my dining card on the desk so you can get breakfast. Kira usually goes around nine so you can go with her if you want."
Alison frowned and ran her fingers through her messy hair. "You should have eaten, Em. You shouldn't take an exam on an empty stomach."
"I'll grab something at the quad between my two classes. That's what I usually do."
"Don't you need your dining card for that?"
"No, the food at the quad is cash only." Emily looked down at her watch. "I have to go or I'm gonna be late."
Emily leaned forward to kiss Alison goodbye.
"No, Em," Ali murmured and turned head, causing Emily's lips to brush against her cheek, instead of her lips. "I have morning breath."
Emily snorted softly against her cheek then took Ali's face in her hands, turning her back and kissing her soundly on the mouth. "Like I've never kissed you with morning breath before."
Alison hummed softly and her eyes fluttered. "Yeah," she said breathlessly when Emily pulled her lips away and stood up, hiking her book bag over her shoulder. "But you usually haven't brushed your teeth yet either. You usually have morning breath with me."
Emily brushed a stray hair behind Ali's ear. "I love everything about you, even your morning breath."
"Just go to class and stop being a sap," Alison teased as she flopped onto her back, pulling the sheet up over her head. She heard Emily chuckle as she walked away. Alison rolled onto her stomach and buried her face in the pillow, inhaling deeply, letting the scent of Emily surround her as she drifted back to sleep.
###############
Emily's phone rang in her bag as she walked across campus. She fished it out without even breaking her stride and smiled when she saw Hanna's name on the screen.
"Hey Hanna," Emily said as she brought the phone to her ear.
"Hey, I didn't wake you did I?"
Emily laughed. "No. I'm on my way to class."
"Oh, cool. So how are you?"
"I'm great," Emily replied honestly as an image of Alison naked in her bed this morning flashed through her mind. "How are you?
"I'm okay. Caleb and I are fighting again but what else is new."
"Oh, no. What happened? I thought you were getting along."
"Yeah, we are. He wants me to go to California for Christmas to meet his mom and I don't want to go."
"Why not?" And you totally have to come to California. Only I probably won't be here at Christmas. I'll be in Texas with my folks. Crap."
The thought made Emily want to puke. It would be her first time in Texas since her parents only moved there after the semester started. But that wasn't the reason she wanted to throw up. This would be her and Alison's first Christmas as a couple. Granted, it was last Christmas Eve when Alison finally admitted she loved Emily, and the two of them spent their first beautiful night together, the two of them didn't have much time to celebrate beyond that, because it was only barely twenty four hours later, on Christmas night, that the final confrontation with "A" happened. It took a couple of weeks for things to calm down and Emily and Alison to have a truly private moment together to discuss the new state of their relationship. By then the holiday was a distant memory.
So this Christmas would have been the first she could share with Alison and not have to hide her feelings. But there was no way her parents were going to let her be anywhere but with them for the holiday.
"Em, hey did I lose you?" Emily heard Hanna's voice in her ear and she shook her head. She'd have to think about that again later when she had time to figure out how to convince her parents to let her go to Rosewood for at least part of the winter break.
"Yeah, sorry, say that again."
Hanna laughed in her ear. "I asked how Ali was, but considering how out of it you are, I'm assuming she's causing her usual Ali whirlwind."
Emily's lips curved. Ali and Hanna had made up last spring to everyone's relief because the tension between them had caused all sorts of rifts in their group, even after "A" was gone. Finally Spencer took it upon herself to lock Ali and Hanna in her barn to force them to deal with each other. After a lot of screaming and crying and throwing things on both their parts, Hanna finally agreed to give Ali a real chance to show she'd changed. It took months but Ali proved to her old friends that she truly had changed and was a different person now.
"Did you know she was coming here?" Emily asked rather than answer Hanna's original question.
"No," Hanna pouting grumpily through the line. "Aria only told me yesterday. Apparently I'm the weakest link and couldn't be trusted not to spill the beans to you."
Emily laughed. "Well you do have a hard time keeping a secret Han. You always did, even when A was around."
Hanna went silent on the other end of the phone. "Sorry," Emily said after a minute. "I know we all agreed to never say that name again."
"No, it's okay," Hanna assured quietly. "But seriously, are you glad Ali is there."
"I'm beside myself," Emily admitted.
"In a good or bad way?"
"The best way," Emily said happily. "I don't think I'm going to let her leave."
"Aria said she's been like a crazy person the last few weeks she's been so excited to go. Well more crazy than she normally is," Hanna added as an afterthought.
"Hanna," Emily warned.
"Down, tiger," Hanna laughed. "I'm just teasing. I'm happy she's with you." Then she sighed. "I just really wish you were coming home for Thanksgiving though. I miss you, Em."
"I miss you too," Emily smiled to herself at Hanna's use of the word home. Rosewood and her oldest and best friends would always be her home. "Oh, hey guess what?"
"What?"
I might be swimming in the meet tomorrow. I'll know today after practice."
"Shit, that's great news, Em. Congrats."
"Don't congratulate me yet." Emily pulled the door to the academic building open. ""Han, let me call you later. I just got to my class."
"Okay. Say hi to Ali and tell that bitch I'm gonna kick her ass for keeping me in the dark."
"I'll say hello for you but you can tell her the rest of that yourself."
"Where is she anyway?"
"Still in bed."
"Good, I'll wake her ass up and yell at her myself."
"Okay," Emily said as she approached her classroom. "I'll talk to you later."
Emily slid her phone into her bag as she took at seat, smiling at Adam beside her. By the smug grin on his face, Emily knew she was in for a lot of teasing about Ali.
#############
Ali checked the time on her phone for the fifth time, anxious and impatient as she saw it was almost five minutes past ten. Emily said her exam started at ten thirty and that she would stop by the quad on her way.
Alison sat in one of the large overstuffed chairs by the window, one with a perfect view of the door, waiting to surprise her mermaid with another good luck and maybe some kisses before she went into her exam.
After Hanna called and woke Ali, cussing her out for not telling her of her plans, Alison couldn't fall back to sleep. By then Kira was up so she harassed her a little bit while they both got ready, but Ali had been in the quad since nine, not wanting to chance missing Emily, in case she got out of class early.
Ali chuckled as she realized how obsessed she was with her girlfriend. It would be a little sad and pathetic, if Ali bothered to care. She shoved her IPad off her laps and leaned forward to grab her water bottle from the table. Her phone rang and she answered it without looking to see who it was.
"Hello."
"Damn it, Alison, why haven't you been answering my calls."
Alison cringed at her own stupidity. "Because I told you I didn't want to talk to you," she finally replied to the person on the other end of the line.
"We need to talk about this."
"No we don't."
"Yes we, do."
"No, we don't," Alison repeated.
"It's been over a month. You can't pretend like it didn't happen."
"Yes I can. And so can you. I mean it, Noel. If there is any chance of us staying friends, you have to drop this. You called and texted me fifteen times yesterday. I've been stalked once already in my life, I don't need it again."
"Then just talk to me," Noel pleaded and it made Alison scoff. Noel wasn't the pleading type.
"No, Noel. You're interrupting my visit with my girlfriend," Alison emphasized the word girlfriend. "She's starting wonder why I'm avoiding you."
"Did you tell Emily?"
"Leave Emily out of this," she growled lowly.
"Alison-"
"No, Noel, I mean it. I will not jeopardize my relationship with Emily. Not for you. Not for anyone. You're my friend Noel, one of only a few I have. I'd like us to stay friends but if you can't back the hell off-" Alison took a breath. "Well you know what I'm capable of, better than anyone. And I will protect Emily at all costs."
"You're such a drama queen," Noel huffed into the phone. "Fine, I'll back off but you can't avoid this or me forever."
"Try me."
The quad was filled with students milling around, but Alison only had eyes for the brunette who had just walked in the door. She saw the familiar form of her girlfriend walking into the quad, her long hair falling over her face as she looked down at her phone. Alison smiled to herself, desperately wanting to bury her face in those long silky strands and just breathe in all that was the girl she loved more than life.
At that moment Emily looked up and saw Alison. Her lips curved into a bright smile and it made Alison's heart sigh.
"Look, I have to go, Noel. Don't call me while I'm here again. Maybe by the time I get back I might be willing to see you without wanting to punch your face in."
"Bye, Alison."
Emily walked up to Ali, leaning down to kiss her just as she was hanging up her phone.
"Hi," Alison murmured against her lips.
"Hi," Emily smiled as she slipped her phone back in her bag. "This is a nice surprise. I was just going to call you. What are you doing here?"
"You said you were gonna stop here between classes. I wanted to see you again," Alison said softly.
Emily's eyes softened and she sat on the arm of the chair. "I only have a few minutes."
"I just wanted to wish you luck on your exam."
"You already wished me luck."
"I know. Am I being clingy?" Alison asked as she bit her lower lip.
Emily reached out, brushing her thumb over Alison mouth, releasing her battered lip from her teeth. Alison's eyes fluttered softly. "There is something seriously wrong with me," Alison admitted softly as she puckered her lips and pressed a soft kiss to Emily's thumb.
"Why's that?" Emily asked, amused.
"Because all you have to do is touch me and my brain melts, and oozes out my ear, and all I want to do is pounce on you like a lioness." Alison opened her eyes and Emily gasped at the heat she saw there.
Emily slid her hand around and cupped the back of Alison's neck. She leaned down as she urged Alison forward. Their mouths were centimeters apart when Emily spoke. "Ali, you can't say stuff like to me right before I'm going in to an exam. Do you want me to fail?"
Alison smiled and closed the distance between them, kissing Emily softly. She then pulled back, removing Emily's hand from her neck, smiling as she lowered Emily's hand to her lap.
Alison's phone rang again and she grit her teeth when she saw it was Noel again. Didn't she just tell him not to call her again? That's it. She was literally going to murder him the next time she saw him.
Emily looked down and also noticed his name on the screen.
"Is he still calling you? "Why don't you just talk to him?"
"I did just talk to him," Alison seethed as she declined the call.
Emily frowned. "Alright, that's it, Ali. What's going on with Noel?"
"It's nothing I can't handle, Em. Forget Noel. So are you ready for your test?" Ali asked, desperate to change the subject.
Emily just narrowed her eyes and pulled her hand away from Alison's. She stood up and Alison, confused by Emily's reaction, moved to stand too. Emily knew Ali better than that, she could always tell when Ali was lying,
"Ali, we promised no more lies."
"I'm not lying, Em. It really is nothing."
Emily just looked at her and Ali huffed out a frustrated breath. "I didn't want to bring this up until after your exam and meet tomorrow. Please just let it go until we're alone later in the week. I promise I'll tell you," Alison pleaded softly.
Like Noel, Ali wasn't a pleader. The only pleading she normally and willingly did was for Emily to touch her. But Alison wasn't above pleading right now. She wanted to tell Emily all the important things once they were both alone at the hotel for the week; only when Emily couldn't turn her away.
"Did something happen between the two of you?" Emily asked, her tongue choking over the words she never thought she would ever have to ask Alison.
Ali's eyes whipped up to Emily's, panic flashing in them briefly before vanishing just as quickly. Emily wanted to throw up when she saw it.
"There is nothing between me and Noel," Alison replied, choosing her words carefully.
"I don't believe you," Emily said as she clenched her fists at her side. "You're keeping something from me Alison. I always know when you're keeping something from me."
"Em, I'm not-" Alison started but Emily cut her off.
"Don't. I can't bear a lie from you, Ali. Just don't."
"There is nothing between me and Noel," Alison said, her voice more shrill and louder than she intended. She saw a few people around them looking now and she sighed, trying to calm herself down. "I'm not lying to you," Alison spoke slowly and clearly, emphasizing each word so Emily would believe the truth in them. "I'm just asking you to let it go until we're alone. Can you please do that for me?"
Alison stepped closer, dying to reach out to Emily, dying to assure the brunette with her touch, but she knew Emily wouldn't accept it right now.
"Please," Alison pleaded again, and Emily felt her heart clench at the broken tone of Alison's voice.
Emily looked at Alison, searching for the truth in her eyes. In the past when Alison would lie to Emily, she would deliberately look away; it was one of the things that gave her away. Even though Ali had perfected a poker face with everyone else, with Emily it was always different.
Alison didn't look away this time, her gaze held Emily's, open and earnest and vulnerable and fearful. The knot in Emily's chest loosened a little, but she still wasn't going to let Alison off the hook. The days of her doing that were long over.
"Fine," Emily said finally and relief, swift and acute, passed through Alison's eyes. "But only until we're alone. When everyone is gone, we're going to talk about this. We're going to talk about everything that seems to be going on with you. I'm happy you're here Ali and I know you missed me as much as I missed you, but I also know this trip isn't all about missing me."
Alison didn't deny her words; she just stepped forward and grasped Emily's fingers. Emily moved to pull her hand away, but she felt Alison's hand shaking so she squeezed gently instead.
"I promise, Em. Everything. I'll tell you everything."
Emily sighed. "I have to get to my exam."
Ali tugged on Emily's hand and held it against her chest. "Em, don't think about this right now. This is why I-" Ali stopped midsentence. "You have your test you need to focus on, okay. Nothing else matters right now. Today is too important a day for you to get distracted."
"I'm fine, Ali," Emily said, and part of her did feel that way, after seeing Alison's reaction a minute ago and her promise to tell Emily everything soon. But part of her still dreaded what Alison could possibly have to tell her. With Ali it could be almost anything.
"Let me just go take my exam and then we'll get away from campus and forget about all this for now, okay," Emily said, trying to calm her clearly still panicked girlfriend down.
"Okay," Ail said cautiously. "But don't you have swim practice later?"
"Yeah, but not until four. As long as we're back by then it's fine."
"Okay," Ali said again, her tone still cautious.
Emily pulled her hand away and lifted her bag over her shoulder again. Alison frowned but resisted reaching out again.
"I'll see you in about an hour or so."
"Do you want me to wait here?"
"I have to drop off my bag before we go, so let's just meet back at the dorm."
"Okay."
Emily turned to walk away but stopped when she heard Alison's soft voice.
"Are we okay?" Ali asked as she tilted her head, her blue eyes questioning, and her voice full of anxiety.
Emily closed her eyes for a moment. Then she opened them and turned back to look at Alison. "Yeah."
Emily reached up and caressed Ali's forehead softly, trying to smooth the worry she still saw there. Alison's eyes fluttered closed and she almost sagged in relief that Emily was still willing to touch her.
"You're telling me not to stress over this, but you need to not stress over it either, Ali. You need to calm down."
"I love you," Ali said softly, sincerely, as her eyes opened and Emily could see unshed tears in them.
Emily leaned toward her and pressed a kiss to her forehead. "I love you too. I'll see you in a little while."
"Aren't you going to get anything to eat?" Ali asked, desperate to not let Emily go just yet.
"I lost my appetite," Emily admitted honestly.
"Em, you need something in your stomach for your exam."
"I don't want anything, Ali. I have to go."
"Okay," Ali relented knowing now was not the time to push her girlfriend. "Good luck."
"Thanks."
Emily smiled what she hoped was a reassuring smile before walking off.
Ali watched Emily walk away, not daring to move until the brunette was out of her sight. Alison dropped down on the chair again and bent over, thrusting her hands roughly in her hair as she rocked gently.
She silently cursed Noel again for being such a jerk. She had so few friends and for him to pull this crap again, just really pissed her off.
She made it very clear to him that nothing would ever happen between them again. He was comfort in a time of need and that meant more to her, at that time in her life, than she could have ever expressed in words. Not that they'd used many words. Their relationship, if you could call it that, was purely physical, but he had her back when almost no one else had and she would never forget that. But what they shared was a long time ago, before she admitted and embraced her feelings for Emily, and she was never going back to before that.
She could tell Emily was more upset than she let on but Ali didn't want to press the issue before her exam. She had so many things to tell Emily this week, Noel only being one of them, and she just wished she'd never answered his call. If she hadn't Noel would have just left another message and wouldn't have called again while Emily was sitting there.
Ali could feel her chest tighten and her head started to pound. She really hoped Emily wouldn't let this distract her from her test because she knew Emily's partial scholarship was contingent on her maintaining a certain grade point average.
"Damn, you, Noel," Ali said to herself as she sat up and grabbed the bottle of water on the small table in front of her. She took a sip and waited for the knot in her chest to loosen. But it didn't. She just felt it getting tighter and tighter until she almost couldn't breathe. She grabbed her purse and pulled out her pill bottle, her hands shaking as she fumbled with the cap.
She finally managed to get the cap off and poured one of the capsules into her palm. She placed it on her tongue and took another swig of water.
Ali closed her eyes and leaned back, letting her head fall back onto the cushion behind her, waiting until she could breathe freely again.
Also – just another little author's note. This is probably the last update for a few days. I have a work deadline looming and even though this story is mostly written, I'm not going to have much time to do any editing and finessing. If I get some time I will try my best but another update is not likely before the weekend.