Hi, my loves! It's been a long time. I'm soo sorry. I have been very sick, in and out of the hospital since late 2014. Still trying to get better, but finally feel well enough to write again. Yay! I hope I haven't lost too many of you. Well, enough with the wiat. Here we go!

Disclaimer, I own no rights to any of the Pretty Little Liars characters, names, places or towns.

Thank you! Enjoy!

Possibilities

Chpt 5: Gifts

E/P

We just had gotten into the classroom, when Aria grabbed my arm. Her big eyes wider than normal. I turned to her with my eyebrows pulled together.

"What's wrong..?" I question my tiny friend. She looks around the room, eyes stopping on Maya, who was now sitting on top of her desk. Laughing at something Linda, the girl that sits in front of her was saying.

"I didn't get her a gift!" Aria finally said. I was kinda thrown by her comment. I didn't know what she was getting at. She saw the confusion on my face and continued. "The new girl! Maya. I didn't get her a gift...Did you?" Then it hit me. OMG, I didn't get her a gift either! How could I not have! I didn't even think about it. Oh man I feel so horrible.

Just then Spencer and Hanna walked over to us, as I shook my head rapidly, whispering my *No* very close to Aria's face. Hanna looked at our behavior and spoke.

"hey, what's going on?" We looked to her and Spencer asking the same question.

"Did you guys get Maya a gift?" Spencer and Hanna's mouth dropped. "Ummm. No I didn't. It slipped my mind." Spencer talked looking off into the distance thinking. Hanna with a slight joyful tone spoke up again.

"I did." She was now looking to her nails when we all glanced up at her. We didn't speak. Just stared at her for a moment.

"What?" She looked at us as if we had three heads. " It's just a box of candy. I don't know what her taste or, but I thought it would be a nice gesture." She ended shrugging her shoulders, walking away. Spencer, Aria and I looked at each other, then back to Hanna as she stopped at her desk to reach inside her handbag. No doubt reaching in to retrive the box of candy.

Huh, leave it to Hanna to be the one to think to buy a gift, for the new girl.

Gifts were now being handed out and everyone was in a cheerful mood. Laughing and talking amongst each other. Even Mr. Fitz got a few. Aria took this time to hand him a medium sized bag. I would bet anything it holds a book inside it. They talked for awhile. Spencer gave me a look. I giggled and nodded my head. Maya had announced earlier to the class, that she had made cookies and treats for everyone to share. She and Hanna were at her desk enjoying the cookies and candy they brought for each other. I felt kinda bad for the rest of the day. Wishing had gotten something for her as well. Although, Maya didn't seem to mind one way or the other, that she hadn't gotten as many gifts as everyone else. She was still pretty new. I'm sure she understood that none of us had done it on purpose. Beside people in the class were sharing any treats they had received as gifts with her. She wore an pleased look when they did.

About 20 minutes before class was over, I started to smell the red velvet cheesecake that sat in a doggy bag on my desk. The class was a bit quiet now. Only small chatter could be heard. I looked over to Maya, as she played on her phone. I called her name and she looked to me with a smile.

"That cheesecake is calling me..." I smiled to her.

"Did you have a bite yet?" She giggled. "Nope" I replied looking at my bag again. We had told one another at The Grill That we would save the cake for later. Much later than now. But that was a promise that was just begging to be broken.

"Let's do it!" Maya dug in her bag pulling out her take out container. I followed suit. We opened them together, then took our bite together, watching each other as we did. I closed my eyes humming my enjoyment. Maya did the same adding an "oh my gosh! This is so good! You were right!"

"See, what'd I tell ya?" I said putting more of the dessert in my mouth, then pointing my fork at her. I couldn't stop the smile that took over my face. We laughed and ate our cake, loving every bite of it. In that moment I knew. I knew I just had be...friends... or, something with Maya. I just had too! I watched her for a while. Her long black her in very soft, barely there waves just below her shoulders. I don't think I have ever seen anyone as pretty, no... beautiful as she is. I think to myself. I wish I looked like her. Everyone had been gaga over her since the day she came to Rosewood High. Guy's and girl's alike. They all awed over her beauty. I had pretend not to notice once people started to talk about how hot they thought she was. But I had, and I silently agreed with them. When the bell rings, signaling our freedom, the girls run over to me saying goodbye for now. Hanna was meeting up with her Dad, Aria was off the Art gallery with her Mom and Spencer had a late lunch date with a guy she had met named Alex. I was the only one with no plans made on our short day from school. Hugging and gathering their things waving as they did, my classmates made their way out into the halls. Christmas break was finally here.

I look to Maya's desk but she was gone. I look around the room, trying to seem as though I was not looking for her. When did she leave? I wonder. I must have been so wrapped up in saying goodbye to the girls, that I didn't even noticed she had left. I picked up my last gift, placing it under my left arm, racing to the door. I heard Mr. Fitz saying one last goodbye, but I was already out and down the hall before I thought to respond.

I saw Maya's green shirt and hurried toward it. I got to her a little out of breath but tried to conceal it.

"Hey!.." I breathed out.

She turns. "Oh hey Em." Awe, she used my nickname. Cute.

"Don't forget to send me that pic we took on the bus." I laugh nervously, realizing she might think I was chasing her down for a picture we took. Which is exactly what I was doing.

"Oh yeah... I will" she chirped happily. Waving and saying goodbye as she turned on her heels. I stood in the hall for a few minutes longer. Not really knowing what to do with myself.

N/P

The rest of the day was sent hanging around the house for Emily. She watched some T.V. and snacked a little. It was nice to be home so early. She wished it could happen more often. Sleep was pulling at her eyelids, but for some odd reason, Emily didn't want to sleep. Taking a nap in the middle of the day just seemed so wrong. Grabbing her phone she opened up her text messages. No new one's had come in. Frowning she put it down, blowing out a puff of air.

When her Mom came home they went for a bite to eat at The Grill. They had a good time. Pam was in a great mood today and Emily really loved seeing that side of her. Home again Emily spent the rest of the night texting the girls, making plans to see each other over the long holiday. Around 9:30pm Emily heard the ping of her phone.

"I'm not going shopping tomorrow Hanna.." She laughs grabbing her phone from her night stand. "Ask Aria to go with you" She finished as she open the message from an unknown number. "Hmmm..." She thought. As she clicked it open a bright smile came to her face. On the screen was the picture of Maya and herself, face to face on the bus. Under the pic was a small winking face. It didn't take long before her checks had started to hurt. Beaming she walked around the room. Gazing at the picture in her hands. She then typed a quick * Thanks =D* and sent it to Maya. Looking at the number Emily added Maya's info to her contacts. She put a smiley face next to her.

That was the last text she got of the evening, and it made her night. She flopped down on her bed in delight. Going over the day in her head.

"It was a good day" Emily spoke out loud. A really good day she thought this time. Rolling over onto her side, she pulled herself up and under the teal covers of her bed. The smile she wore hadn't left yet. She closed her eyes thinking it wouldn't for a while. If she was being honest with herself, she didn't really want it too.

Thanks guys! Love all of you for reading my story. Until next time! =) Xoxo Brit