A/N: Hello, everyone! I'm back with my second story, and I know some of you might be wondering why I'm starting a new one while I started my first one not long ago. Well, it's simple, I got inspired by a story from another fandom, and I thought, why not create a similar, yet even better, storyline set in the PLL world? I've already outlined a few chapters, so I believe I'll be able to update this story fairly quickly.
That said, I have a tight schedule right now with both work and university keeping me busy, so I'll be balancing my time between them and writing. But I'm excited about this project, and I hope you'll all enjoy the journey with me!
So let's start
The low hum of voices filled the dimly lit bar as Emily Fields wiped down the counter, the same motion she'd repeated hundreds of times over the past years. The sound of clinking glasses and distant laughter created a rhythm she'd learned to drown herself in, a perfect distraction from the swirling mess of thoughts she tried so hard to ignore.
"Hey, Fields, you mind pouring me another one?" a regular called from the end of the bar, waving his empty glass.
Emily nodded absently, grabbing a bottle of whiskey from behind her. "Coming right up, Joe."
Joe, a stocky man in his mid-forties, with graying hair, and always seen wearing a cap and flannel and with brown weary eyes, leaned over the bar with a tired smile. "Rough day?"
Emily shook her head with a small smile "Not really. Just staying busy, you know? Keeps me on my toes." The brunette replied, offering him a small grin as she filled his glass. It wasn't true, not really. Every day felt the same lately. The routine had become her comfort zone. Bartending, late nights, ignoring the ache of something missing. Something—or rather, someone—she hadn't allowed herself to think about in years.
"Well, at least it's better than mine," Joe chuckled. "Got fired by the boss today for something I didn't even do. Blamed me for a mistake someone else made...typical, right?"
Emily raised an eyebrow and gave him a sympathetic look. "That's rough. Sounds like they just needed someone to take the fall."
Joe laughed, lifting his glass in mock salute. "Cheers to that."
As Joe turned his attention back to his friends, Emily's coworker, Seth, a tall and lean guy in his late twenties, with sun-bleached blond hair and bright blue eyes, sidled up beside her, balancing a tray of empty glasses. He set them down on the counter with a soft thud. "You okay? You've been zoning out all night."
Emily shrugged. "Just tired, I guess."
Seth leaned against the bar, giving her a knowing look. "You always say that. You want to talk about what's really going on?"
Before Emily could respond, the bell over the door jingled, and she automatically turned toward the entrance. A group of young women walked in, laughing and chatting, their energy instantly filling the space. They took seats at a table in the corner, and Seth sighed dramatically.
"Great. A bachelorette party. They're gonna be a handful."
Emily snorted. "You take the drinks. I'll take the shots. Deal?"
"Deal," Seth grinned and grabbed his notepad, heading toward the table as Emily went back to cleaning up the bar.
Her phone buzzed on the counter, a notification lighting up the screen. She glanced at it, and her heart skipped a beat. There was a text from Hanna.
-Did you get something in the mail today?
Furrowing her brow, Emily picked up the phone, typing back quickly.
-What are you talking about?
There was a brief pause before Hanna replied.
-Check your mail. Trust me.
Emily glanced toward the back of the bar where her bag was, the pockets stuffed with unopened letters she hadn't bothered to go through. With a sigh, she walked over, pulling the stack of mail from her bag and bringing it back to the counter.
"Everything okay?" Seth asked as he returned to the bar.
Emily nodded, flipping through the envelopes. "Yeah, I think. Just trying to see what my friend's talking about."
There, tucked between a bill and a flyer, was a cream-colored envelope with familiar handwriting. Alison's handwriting.
Emily's breath caught in her throat. She froze, staring at it for what felt like an eternity before tearing it open, her hands trembling slightly.
Inside was a wedding invitation.
Emily blinked, the world narrowing down to just the words printed on the card. Alison DiLaurentis was getting married...to someone named Elliott Rollins.
She stared at the name. Rollins. She didn't know him, had never even heard the name. Alison had moved on, and clearly, she hadn't thought it was important to mention this guy to anyone before announcing her wedding.
"Whoa, what's that face?" Seth asked, noticing the shift in her expression. He leaned in to peek at the card in her hands. "A wedding?"
Emily nodded numbly.
"Who's getting married?"
"Alison," Emily said quietly, the name tasting bitter on her tongue.
Seth raised an eyebrow. "The Alison?"
"Yeah…" Emily muttered, eyes still fixed on the card. "She's getting...married."
Her blonde colleague blinked in surprise. "That's… wow. Didn't see that coming. You okay?"
Emily forced a shrug. "Why wouldn't I be? I mean, she's getting married. People move on."
Seth studied her for a moment, his gaze softening. "That doesn't mean it doesn't sting."
She didn't respond, instead turning her focus back to the invitation. It felt heavier than it should, like it carried the weight of every unsaid word between them. The last time she'd seen Alison was… She swallowed hard. Two years ago. That night. That night after her dad's funeral.
She shoved the memory aside, not ready to face it. Not here anyay.
Seth nudged her gently. "You're not really thinking of going, are you?"
Emily paused, fingers tracing the edges of the invitation. Was she? Part of her wanted to toss the whole thing in the trash. What was the point of going? To watch Alison marry someone else? To torture herself with the sight of Alison in a wedding dress, vowing her life to someone else? Someone who wasn't Emily?
But another part of her, a quieter, more desperate part, whispered that maybe, just maybe, this was her chance for closure. Maybe seeing Alison like this would finally let her let go and move on.
"I don't know," she admitted. "I don't know what I'm doing."
Seth patted her shoulder. "Well, if you do go, make sure you bring me back some cake. And, you know, maybe a souvenir or two."
Emily snorted, despite herself. "Yeah, I'll keep that in mind."
Pulling out her phone again, she saw Hanna's message from earlier: -Did you get the invite?
Emily sighed and typed back: "-Yeah, just saw it...
Hanna's reply was almost immediate. -You okay? I mean, with everything… your history with Ali… I know it must be weird.
Emily stared at the screen for a second, her heart tightening at the words. She should've expected it. Hanna had always been protective of her, especially when it came to Alison. They all knew how complicated things had been back in Rosewood, the push and pull that had defined so much of Emily's life there. But Emily wasn't ready to dive into those feelings again. Not with Hanna, and certainly not now.
She took a deep breath and forced herself to type back: -I'm fine. It's been a long time. I'm over it.
Hanna's response came a moment later: -Well... are you going then?
Emily stared at the question for a beat too long, feeling the weight of it. She didn't know. Part of her wanted to say no, to avoid the emotional wreckage she knew could come with seeing Alison again. But another part, the part that still held onto the past, felt like she had to. She couldn't keep running from it.
Finally, she typed back: -I'm thinking about it. Not sure yet.
Hanna texted again a moment later -Okay, but don't push yourself. You know you don't owe her anything, right?
Emily sighed, appreciating Hanna's concern. But deep down, she knew that wasn't how it worked. Maybe she didn't owe Alison anything, but she still owed it to herself to face whatever was left between them.
-I know. I'll let you know what I decide. she replied, slipping her phone back into her pocket, though the weight of the conversation lingered heavily on her mind.
The night continued as usual, drinks, orders, small talk, but the invitation never left her mind. Every time there was a lull, her thoughts circled back to it. Alison. Getting married. It didn't feel real.
As closing time neared, Emily found herself staring out the window, watching the city lights flicker in the distance. She could feel the weight of the decision looming over her.
Maybe she should go. Maybe it was time to face Alison one last time. If not for the blonde, then for herself.
Whatever happened next, Emily wasn't sure if she was ready. But she'd survived worse.
The sunlight filtered through the thin curtains of Emily's small apartment, casting pale, uneven patches of light across the floor. It was early, too early, but Emily was wide awake, her mind restless and unsettled after the events of the previous night. She sat at her small kitchen table, staring at the unopened wedding invitation sitting in front of her, like it had followed her home from the bar.
Her fingers drummed against the edge of her coffee mug, the liquid long gone cold. The invitation sat there, the weight of it pressing down on her chest like an unspoken truth she couldn't avoid any longer.
Emily took a slow breath and rubbed her temple, trying to focus on something, anything, other than the wedding, but it was no use. She had spent the morning convincing herself that it didn't matter, that Alison's wedding was just another event in someone else's life. Alison had moved on, and so had she… right?
But no matter how hard she tried to convince herself, the knot in her stomach tightened every time her eyes wandered back to that envelope.
She remembered the text from Hanna, before she saw the letter. -Check your mail. Trust me. Hanna hadn't said much, but Emily knew there was something personal inside that envelope. And the way Alison handled situations… nothing was ever simple.
Finally, after what felt like hours of mental sparring with herself, Emily grabbed the envelope from the table. She stared at Alison's familiar handwriting one more time, tracing her name with her thumb. It felt strange, seeing her name like this, tied to something as Life-changing as a wedding.
Carefully, she tore it open. The invitation itself, as she had seen last night, was elegant, with soft ivory paper and gold lettering. Alison DiLaurentis and Elliott Rollins. A match that Emily knew nothing about, yet the thought of them together made her chest ache.
But there was something else inside the envelope, a folded note, separate from the formal invitation.
Emily's fingers hesitated on the fold for a moment before she carefully opened it. Alison's handwriting stared back at her, sharp and clean, like a secret Emily wasn't sure she was ready to hear.
Dear Emily,
I've been thinking about us a lot lately, and honestly, I don't know how to start this. The history we share is… complicated, and I'm not going to pretend it hasn't been difficult. I know you don't need me to rehash the past, but even with everything, you've always been someone I've cared about. I couldn't move forward into this next part of my life without at least reaching out.
There are people who stay important to you, no matter how much time or distance comes between you. You've always been one of those people for me Em. You saw me for who I was, even when I couldn't see it myself. You believed in me when no one else did, and you were always there—even when I wasn't sure I deserved it.
As I step into this next phase of my life, I've been thinking about you more than I expected. You've always held a special place in my life, and despite everything that's changed, that hasn't.
I'm not saying things between us were ever simple or perfect. We both know how much we've hurt each other, and maybe that's why I kept my distance all these years. I didn't want to risk reopening old wounds. But I also don't want to just let you slip away completely. Life has moved forward for both of us, but you'll always mean something to me in ways I can't fully explain.
This wedding is a new beginning for me. I know we can't go back to how things were, but I'd like to think we could still be a part of each other's lives, in some way. I miss you, Emily. I don't know if it's right for us to be close again, but I'd still like to see you there.
Maybe it could bring us both some closure.
I hope you'll come.
No matter what happend between us, you'll always have a place in my heart.
-Alison
Emily's eyes scanned the words over and over, trying to make sense of the storm of emotions they stirred in her. Her hands felt cold against the paper, her breath catching slightly as she read the familiar handwriting.
You'll always have a place in my heart.
That line lingered in her mind, but it wasn't an apology. It wasn't an explanation. It felt more like a carefully crafted offer, an olive branch extended, hovering between them, weighed down by years of silence and unresolved feelings.
She set the letter down, her hands trembling just enough to make her notice. How was she supposed to feel? A part of her wanted to be angry…angry that Alison was inviting her into this new life after so much time and distance. But another part of her felt something else. Alison had missed her. Alison still cared. Even after everything, even after the confusion and the pain, there was still something between them.
But what did that mean now?
Could she really just walk back into Alison's life, pretend to be happy for her, and stand by while she promised forever to someone else? There was a part of her that still couldn't fully let go of what they once had, no matter how much she tried. Alison was moving on, starting over…
Emily swallowed hard, the lump in her throat refusing to disappear. There was no mention of the past in that letter. This was classic Alison, keeping things locked away, never fully opening up about what was really going on beneath the surface.
But could she really go to this wedding? Watch Alison promise her future to someone else while standing there, pretending like none of it mattered? No matter how much Alison talked about caring or missing her, the reality was that Alison had chosen to move on. She was starting something new with someone else, and she wanted Emily there to support her.
But had Emily really moved on? The brunette had told herself she had. She'd buried those feelings deep down, hiding them under her life in California. But now, with Alison's letter in her hand, that old ache resurfaced, the part of her that still felt the sting of Alison's absence, the part that wasn't sure if she could ever get over the heartbreak.
Emily leaned back in her chair, the silence of the room pressing in on her. She had spent years running from Rosewood, trying to bury everything in the distance. And now, Alison was asking her to come back. To smile. To pretend like everything was fine.
Could she do it?
Standing up from the table, Emily wandered into the kitchen. She grabbed a glass, poured herself some whiskey, and stared at the liquid swirling in the glass. It felt like her life had been on hold for years, stuck in this routine of numbness. And now, with one simple invitation, it was all coming to the surface again, everything she had tried so hard to forget.
She downed the drink in one go, the burn doing nothing to stop the questions from flooding her mind. Alison was starting a new life with someone else. Someone she didn't know, someone who wasn't her. Alison had made her choice, she had chosen to leave, to move forward without looking back.
Emily set the glass down, running a hand through her hair. She told herself she had moved on. She had tried to. The distance, the late nights at the bar, the girls she had been with in the past… the years of pushing it all down and surviving… it was supposed to help. But she felt like a wreck.
She felt like a mess since her dad died and since the night of the funeral, where she saw Alison again. She felt lost after she went back to California, but she tried to move one and for a while it worked. But the moment Alison's name had appeared on that envelope, everything came rushing back.
The thought of seeing the blonde again… in a wedding dress, standing next to someone else… was almost unbearable. But deep down, Emily knew she couldn't keep running from it. She couldn't keep running from Alison, from what they once had, and from the part of her that still thought about it so deeply.
She poured herself another glass of whiskey but didn't drink it this time. Instead, she reached for her phone. Her fingers hovered over the screen as she opened the conversation with Hanna. There was no buzzing, no message waiting for her. Just the open thread of their conversation from the night before. She had promised to let Hanna know what she decided.
She stared at the screen for a long moment, her mind racing. Maybe this was her chance to finally get closure, as Alison had implied. Maybe seeing Alison move on would let her finally move on, too. Or maybe it would just break her all over again.
But whatever the outcome, she had to know. She couldn't keep hiding from it forever.
Emily typed out a message to Hanna: -I've decided. I'm going.
Her thumb hovered for a second before pressing send. The decision was made.
Emily set the phone down beside the untouched glass of whiskey. She stared out the window, feeling the weight of her decision settle in. No more running. She was going back to Rosewood… back to Alison. And whatever happened next, she would face it head-on.
-The day of the Wedding-
The ceremony was about to start and Emily found herself standing in the front row, surrounded by friends but feeling more alone than ever. The sky was clear, the sun casting a soft golden glow over the outdoor venue. The atmosphere buzzed with joy, the anticipation of the vows about to be exchanged filling the air. But Emily could barely breathe under the weight of her own emotions.
Spencer and Hanna stood at the altar, picture-perfect in their pale pink bridesmaid dresses, smiles firmly in place. They looked happy, natural, as though being a part of this day was effortless. Aria was off to the side, camera in hand, capturing every moment alongside Ezra. They had all found their roles in Alison's perfect day, and yet here was Emily, standing on the edge of it all, trying to blend in.
She tugged at the hem of her light blue dress, shifting her weight as the ceremony began. It was supposed to be a day of celebration, of love, but all she could feel was the slow tightening in her chest. It wasn't supposed to be this way, at least, not for her.
"She looks beautiful, doesn't she?" Toby's voice was low beside her, snapping her from her thoughts.
Emily forced herself to look up, her eyes landing on Alison. She was standing at the front, her white dress shimmering in the sunlight, her blonde hair cascading in soft waves. Alison was glowing, a soft, easy smile playing on her lips as she looked at Elliott. Emily's heart twisted painfully, but she forced a smile.
"Yeah," she replied, her voice steady but distant. "She really does."
Toby glanced at her, his brow furrowing. "You sure you're okay?" he asked, his voice full of quiet concern.
Emily nodded quickly, her smile tight. "I'm fine, Toby. It's a wedding. Everyone's happy at weddings, right?" She kept her tone light, but she knew Toby could see through her. He always did.
He looked at her for a long moment, and Emily kept her gaze firmly on the ceremony, refusing to let her mask slip. "You don't have to pretend with me, Emily," he said gently, his voice soft.
Emily let out a small laugh, though it felt hollow. "I'm not pretending. Really. Alison and I... whatever that was, it's in the past. She's moved on. I'm happy for her." She said it with a practiced ease, the kind of ease that comes from telling a lie so many times, it almost starts to feel like the truth.
Toby didn't respond immediately, his eyes still on her. "You don't have to do this alone," he said quietly. "I know it's not easy."
Emily swallowed hard, forcing the smile to stay on her lips. "It's fine," she repeated, a little more firmly. "She's happy, and that's what matters."
Before Toby could say anything else, Emily shifted her attention to the altar. Alison was laughing softly at something Elliott said, her smile brighter than Emily had seen in years.
Just then, Spencer came to her shortly and leaned over and whispered, "The girls and I... we thought you could give a little speech at the afterparty. I think it would mean a lot to Alison if the speech came from you." Emily had nodded, trying to brush it off as no big deal, but inside, the weight of that request sat heavy in her chest.
A speech. At Alison's wedding. Emily had to bury the pang of dread that crept up the moment Spencer asked. She knew what they were trying to do, keep her involved, keep her close. But standing here now, watching Alison in her white dress, Emily wondered how on earth she would manage to get through it.
This couldn't go on any longer.
Emily wanted to leave, to go back to her quiet apartment and drown herself in something that would numb the overwhelming emotions. But she couldn't. Not today.
She glanced down at her light blue chiffon dress. It was supposed to make her look elegant, but all she felt was trapped. Trapped in a role she never asked for, in a situation she wasn't ready to face.
"I do."
The words echoed through the place, louder in Emily's mind than they probably were. Each syllable hit her like a punch to the gut, shattering whatever was left of her heart. And then Alison smiled. That same soft, beautiful smile that had always drawn Emily in. It felt like it was meant for her, and yet... today... it wasn't. Not really.
Emily forced herself to breathe. She had known this day was coming ever since she opened that invitation. Alison DiLaurentis wasn't choosing her. She never had.
Her throat tightened as she watched Alison lean in toward Elliott.
"You may now kiss the bride."
Emily's breath caught as Alison and Elliott kissed. She turned her head slightly, blinking rapidly to keep the tears at bay. This wasn't her place. This wasn't her moment. She couldn't break down here. Not in front of everyone. Not in front of Alison.
The applause from the guests rang in Emily's ears, but it felt distant, muted. The world around her was moving, celebrating, and she was standing still, stuck in a moment that was breaking her from the inside out.
The wedding was over, but the celebration had just begun. The party was in full swing now, with guests dancing, laughing, and toasting to the happy couple. Music floated through the air, the soft glow of twinkling lights making everything feel like a fairy tale.
But Emily felt disconnected, standing at the edge of the room, watching from a distance. Her mind was still stuck on those words…"I do" and the way Alison had looked at Elliott, full of love and promise. She had convinced herself that she could handle this, that she could be happy for Alison. But the cracks were beginning to show, and the weight of her emotions was becoming harder to bear.
Hanna's voice broke through her haze. "Hey, you okay?" She nudged Emily gently. "You've got to do the speech, remember?"
Right. The speech.
Emily stood, her legs heavy, her hands cold, gripping the glass of champagne tighter than she should have. She hadn't prepared anything—how could she have? She wasn't supposed to be here, in this dress, on this day, watching the woman she once loved marry someone else.
Her heart pounded as she moved toward the microphone, each step feeling heavier than the last. She could feel the weight of the room's attention pressing down on her, a hundred pairs of eyes following her every move. She kept her head down, refusing to meet anyone's gaze. A few of them knew… knew about her and Alison, about the complicated, messy history that still lingered between them. The unspoken truths were thick in the air, impossible to ignore.
Emily took a deep breath, lifting the champagne glass to her lips, hoping the bubbles might somehow wash away the knot in her throat. The liquid fizzed in her mouth, but it did nothing to steady her nerves. Her fingers trembled slightly as she set the glass down beside the microphone, the clink of glass on wood barely audible over the hum of silence in the room.
She gripped the edges of the podium, trying to steady herself. Alison and Elliott were watching her, their eyes expectant, but it was Alison's gaze that burned into her the most. Emily couldn't look at her yet. She wasn't sure she could hold it together if she did.
"I—" she began, her voice coming out softer than she expected. She cleared her throat, forcing herself to continue. "I wasn't sure what I was going to say tonight." She let out a shaky laugh, trying to keep things light, though it felt impossible.
"Alison..." she paused, her chest tightening. "She's been a huge part of my life. We've known each other for so long, and we've been through more than I can even explain. She's one of the strongest people I know."
Emily's voice wavered, but she swallowed hard and pressed on. "She's always had this... light in her. This determination. Even when things were hard, even when she didn't believe in herself, she fought. And seeing her here today, happy and in love... it's all I could ever want for her."
Her heart ached with every word. Alison. Happy. In love. Emily lifted her gaze, just for a second, and her eyes met Alison's. The smile on Alison's face was soft, but there was something in her eyes, something Emily couldn't quite place.
The brunettes voice softened as she spoke a few more words about their friendship, about the years they had spent together, skimming over the complicated parts. She touched briefly on their shared history, but never delved too deep—she couldn't.
She looked at the girls for a moment and then looking back at the married couple, focusing instead on Alison's now husband.
"Elliott," she said, her voice steadier now. "You're lucky. You've found such an incredible person. Alison's not just beautiful, she's also brave and strong, but behind those walls, there's a quiet, gentle side to her… a part of her that's so rare and so precious. If you're lucky enough to see that side, you'll realize just how amazing she really is."
Her fingers tightened around the microphone. "You've found something special, something rare. And I hope you never take that for granted." Her voice caught slightly as she added, "Because loving Alison... it's one of the greatest things you'll ever experience."
"So here's to Alison and Elliott," Emily said, raising her glass. "May you both have all the happiness and love you deserve."
Emily's words echoed in the air, her voice weighted with emotions neither of them had spoken about in years. Elliott smiled at her, oblivious to the deeper meanings behind her words, simply grateful for the kind sentiment.
But Alison couldn't hide her reaction.
The moment Emily finished speaking, Alison felt a knot form in her chest. She had expected a simple, heartfelt speech, but the end had caught her off guard… more raw, more personal than she was prepared for. Her eyes brimmed with tears, and before she could stop herself, a single tear slipped down her cheek. She wiped it away quickly, blinking as she tried to regain her composure.
The emotions swirling inside her were overwhelming, memories of the past, of what Emily meant to her, and a sudden sharp pain she couldn't quite define. She hadn't realized how much hearing Emily say those words would affect her, and now, with everyone watching, she was struggling to hold it together.
But with everyone's eyes on her, she forced a smile, though it was shakier now, the weight of the moment pressing on her chest. She turned her gaze back to Elliott, desperately trying to ground herself in the present, even as Emily's words lingered, tugging at something deep inside her.
And in that moment, Alison made a decision.
She knew what needed to happen. As much as she cared about Emily, as much as their history had shaped her, the past was the past. Keeping Emily close would only bring more pain, for both of them.
The words hung in the air for a moment before the crowd erupted into applause, but it barely registered in Emily's mind. She stepped away from the microphone, feeling the weight of the speech settle deep in her chest. Her hands trembled as she walked back to her seat, her emotions barely held in check.
As she reached the table, the brunette grabbed her glass and finished her drink in one long, bitter swallow. The burn of the alcohol was a welcome distraction, numbing her just enough to keep the storm inside at bay. But even that wasn't enough. It wouldn't be enough.
Hanna caught her eye from across the table, her expression filled with sympathy, but Emily couldn't bring herself to acknowledge it.
Once seated, she felt Hanna's hand gently rest on her arm. "You okay?" Hanna whispered, her voice low with concern.
Emily gave a small nod, but she couldn't speak. The lump in her throat was too big, the pain too raw. She looked down, her fists clenched in her lap. Only Spencer, sitting next to her, noticed the red marks where Emily's nails had dug into her skin.
The wedding party was still in full swing. Guests were laughing, dancing, celebrating. But Emily felt like a shadow, watching from the sidelines. She sat at a table near the back of the room, her drink in front of her, almost empty. Every time she glanced toward the dance floor, her gaze inevitably landed on Alison.
Alison, glowing in her wedding dress, her arm wrapped around Elliott they shortly kissed. He looked at her with such adoration, and Alison looked… happy. Was it real? Could she truly be happy with someone else?
Emily had replayed the brief interaction with Elliott in her mind more times than she could count, even though she wished she could forget it altogether. It had taken place shortly before the ceremony, when she had been trying to find a moment of calm away from the crowd. She hadn't expected to run into him alone, standing near the back of the venue, adjusting his tie with a small smile that never quite reached his eyes.
xxx
"Emily, right?" Elliott's voice had been polite, too polite. The kind that masked something deeper, something condescending. He extended his hand, and she shook it reluctantly.
"Yes," she had replied, feeling uncomfortable as she searched his face for any sign of sincerity.
"It's good to finally meet you. Alison's mentioned you... a few times." His tone had been casual, but the words felt pointed.
There was something in the way he said "a few times" that made Emily feel small, like her role in Alison's life was a distant memory, insignificant now. He didn't need to say it outright, his entire demeanor made it clear that he thought she was irrelevant.
Emily nodded, forcing a polite smile. "Yeah, we've known each other a long time."
Elliott glanced down at his watch, his brow furrowing as though he was impatient to move on from the conversation. "Well, it's great that you could be here for her, even with everything in the past."
The words hung in the air, stinging more than Emily expected. Even with everything in the past. As if that part of her life with Alison had been wrapped up and put away neatly in a box, irrelevant now that Alison had moved on. Elliott shifted his weight, adjusting his cufflinks as if he'd already dismissed Emily in his mind.
"Alison and I... we're really looking forward to starting a family soon," Elliott said abruptly, his voice smooth but laced with something smug. His words hit Emily like a punch to the gut. "She'll be a great mother, don't you think?"
Emily had swallowed hard, trying to keep her composure. "Yeah, I'm sure she will..."
Elliott chuckled softly, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips, but there was no warmth behind it. "It's funny. I never thought she'd settle down like this, but I guess that's what happens when you find the right person." He met Emily's eyes with a gaze that held just a hint of challenge, as if he was daring her to disagree.
Emily's chest tightened, her fingers twitching at her sides. There was an arrogance in his words, in his entire demeanor, as if he couldn't fathom that Alison had once been in love with someone like her. He didn't need to say it aloud, his every gesture, every polite smile, screamed it. To him, she was an afterthought. A footnote in Alison's past.
She had struggled to find the words, her mouth dry, but before she could say anything, Elliott had glanced over his shoulder at the gathering guests. "I should get back. Alison's probably waiting."
And just like that, he was gone, walking away with a sense of purpose that left Emily standing there, feeling out of place, as if she didn't belong in Alison's world anymore. It was as though, in his eyes, Alison had moved on to something better—something more—and Emily was simply a reminder of a time that didn't matter anymore.
xxx
As she watched Alison and Elliott kiss now, the memory of that conversation clawed at her. She didn't know what Alison saw in him, couldn't understand what she loved about him. To Emily, he was all surface, a polished exterior with an arrogance that seeped through the cracks. He was everything she wasn't, and that, more than anything, hurt the most.
Spencer slipped into the seat beside her, breaking Emily out of her thoughts. "You don't have to stay, you know," she said gently.
Emily shook her head. "She asked me to be here. I can't just leave."
Spencer gave her a sympathetic smile. "It's okay to think about yourself, too."
"I'm trying," Emily whispered, her voice barely audible. "But I don't even know why she wanted me to be a part of this."
Spencer's eyes softened. "Because you're important to her, Emily. No matter what's happened between you two, she still cares about you."
Emily sighed, her eyes drifting back to Alison across the room. "Yeah. But not in the way that matters." She finished her drink and reached for another, feeling the warmth of the alcohol slowly start to dull the edge of her pain. But even that wasn't enough.
Spencer was silent for a moment, letting Emily's words hang in the air between them. The truth of it was heavy, almost suffocating, but Spencer knew there was nothing she could say that would change how Emily felt.
"You can't know that," Spencer said softly, her voice laced with the gentle wisdom she often carried. "People don't always show everything they're feeling, especially when it comes to Alison."
Emily's gaze remained fixed on the bride. Alison was laughing now, her head tilted back as Elliott whispered something into her ear. Her smile was radiant, her whole face lit up like Emily had always imagined she'd look on her wedding day. But watching it unfold from a distance felt like a knife twisting in her chest.
"She's moved on," Emily murmured, more to herself than to Spencer. "She's found someone, someone who makes her happy in ways I couldn't."
Spencer placed a hand on Emily's arm, squeezing gently. "That doesn't mean she's forgotten what you two shared. You'll always be a part of her life, even if it's different now."
Emily swallowed, her throat tight with the weight of everything she wasn't saying. "I don't know if I can do this, Spence," she whispered, her voice breaking slightly. "I don't know if I can watch her be this happy with someone else."
Spencer's eyes softened, her hand still resting on Emily's arm. "You don't have to pretend that it doesn't hurt. But don't let that pain define you. You're more than this, Emily. You deserve your own happiness, too."
Emily nodded, but the truth of it felt far away, buried under the weight of what she was still holding onto. Her heart had been tied to Alison for so long that she didn't know how to let go, didn't know if she even could.
Spencer gave her a final reassuring squeeze before standing up. "Take your time. But don't forget, you're not alone in this."
Emily watched her walk back toward the dance floor, joining the other girls in the celebration, the room once again filled with joy and music. But Emily remained still, staring at the new drink in front of her, the dull throb of the alcohol clouding her senses.
She wasn't sure how much time passed before a familiar voice pulled her from her thoughts.
"Aren't you going to ask her to dance with you?" Toby's voice was gentle but curious. Emily shrugged and looked at him briefly, then back at her glass and murmured, "I don't know where she is..."
"Hey." A voice, all too familiar, suddenly echoed in Emily's ears, interrupting her thoughts.
Emily looked up and saw Alison standing in front of her, the soft glow of the lights casting around her. She looked more beautiful than Emily could have imagined. For a moment, it felt like it was just the two of them in the room, the years and the distance between them shrinking to nothing.
"Can we talk?" Alison's voice was hesitant, a softness to it that Emily hadn't heard in a long time.
Emily nodded slowly, not trusting her voice to say anything. She felt the alcohol already and followed Alison outside to a quiet corner of the garden, away from the noise and the laughter. The cool night air felt refreshing against her skin, but the tension between them was almost palpable.
Alison turned to Emily, her blue eyes searching her face. "Do you want to dance?"
Emily felt her heart skip a beat, unsure of where this was going. She hesitated for a moment but then nodded. "S…sure."
They moved closer, Alison hesitantly placing her hands on Emily's shoulders, and Emily's hands gently found their place on Alison's waist. For a moment, they just stood there, holding each other, swaying slightly in the moonlight. Emily felt her heart stutter as Alison leaned in, resting her head gently on her shoulder. The warmth of Alison's body, the softness of her touch, it was all too familiar, too overwhelming. It stirred something deep inside Emily that she had been trying to bury for years. Her breath hitched, and for a moment, she didn't know what to do. Should she pull away? Should she hold on tighter?
Her hands, resting lightly on Alison's waist, trembled as memories flashed through her mind, memories of stolen glances, secret touches, and whispered promises that were never fully kept. The scent of Alison's perfume, so close now, was intoxicating, pulling Emily into the past when everything between them felt unspoken but real.
Her throat tightened, and she fought back the sudden wave of emotion threatening to crash over her. As much as she wanted to stay in this moment, to hold on to the way Alison felt in her arms, she couldn't forget where they were. Or what this meant.
Alison was someone else's bride now.
"I didn't expect you to come, Emily," Alison's voice was soft, barely above a whisper, but it broke through Emily's swirling thoughts. "I... wasn't sure if you would, but…I'm glad you did."
Emily's pulse quickened at the intimacy in Alison's tone, and she fought to keep her expression neutral, not wanting to reveal just how deeply she was unraveling inside. She looked down at Alison, her voice quiet, trying to keep it together. "You asked me to be here," she replied simply, the weight of the truth hanging heavily between them.
Alison nodded, leaning back just slightly, enough to look up at Emily, her blue eyes flickering with something Emily couldn't quite read. Regret? Sadness? For a fleeting second, Emily allowed herself to believe that Alison felt the same pull, the same unresolved tension that she did. But just as quickly, she shut it down.
"I did," Alison admitted, her voice even softer now. "But I knew... it couldn't have been easy for you. Being here... today... with everything between us."
Emily let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding, her hands loosening their grip on Alison's waist, though she didn't pull away completely. The vulnerability was creeping in faster than she could control, and she didn't have the strength to fight it anymore. "Why did you ask me then?"
Alison blinked, clearly caught off guard by the question. For a moment, she seemed to struggle with her answer, as though the right words were just out of reach. "Because you're important to me, Em," she finally said, her voice full of quiet emotion. "You always have been. And... I wanted closure for both of us."
Emily's heart clenched painfully at the sound of her old nickname. It was a name Alison used when things were soft between them, intimate, like no time had passed. But hearing it now didn't bring comfort. It only made everything hurt more.
"Then why does it feel like I don't matter anymore?" Emily's voice cracked, the pain she'd tried so hard to bury rising to the surface. Her grip on Alison weakened further, her hands slipping slightly from her waist. "You left, Ali... you moved on without me."
Alison's face softened, and for the first time that night, the happiness that had been plastered on her face fell away, revealing something raw, something fragile. Regret flickered in her eyes, and for a second, Emily could see the vulnerability there. "It's not that simple, Em... you know it's not."
"It feels simple," Emily whispered, her emotions pushing past the wall she'd built to keep them at bay. "You're with him now. You've built this whole life, and I'm just..." She trailed off, not sure how to finish. Not sure if she even wanted to.
"I didn't forget about us," Alison said, her voice quieter now, almost pleading. "But things changed. We changed. And... I didn't know how to fix it."
The words felt like a punch to the gut. Emily's vision blurred with unshed tears, and she blinked furiously, not wanting to cry. Not here. Not now… "Maybe we were never supposed to fix it," she whispered, her voice hollow, defeated.
The silence between them was thick with everything they weren't saying, the weight of their shared history pressing down on both of them. Emily could feel the walls closing in, the painful realization that no matter what they'd once been to each other, that time had passed.
Finally, Alison spoke, her voice trembling. "I think... it's better for us to stay away from each other. I don't want to hurt you anymore."
Emily closed her eyes, a bitter laugh escaping her lips as she finally let go of Alison completely. Her arms dropped to her sides, the weight of those words crashing over her like a tidal wave. "What do you mean by that?" Emily's voice was sharper now, the pain too much to keep hidden any longer. "You already hurt me, Ali. You left me the night after my dad's funeral... You already did the damage."
Alison's face crumpled, and she reached out, as if to touch Emily, to offer some kind of comfort. But her hand froze mid-air, and she dropped it back down to her side, tears forming in her eyes. "I'm sorry, Em... but I'm married now. I can't... I can't do this to you again." Her voice broke, and she tried so hard to hold back her tears. "I'm so sorry, Em... for everything. I didn't mean for it to happen like this. I don't want to hurt you anymore... You mean too much to me."
Emily shook her head, her bitterness rising up, fueled by the jealousy that clawed at her heart. She laughed again, but this time, it was hollow, empty, the sound of someone who had been broken one too many times.
The brunettes laughter faded into the cool night air, but the ache in her chest remained, sharper than ever. She stared at Alison, her heart a storm of anger, confusion, and longing. Everything inside her wanted to scream, to lash out, to make Alison understand the depth of the pain she had caused. But at the same time, Emily knew that nothing she said could change what was already done.
"You don't get it, do you?" Emily finally spoke, her voice low but seething with years of pent-up frustration. "You're married now, Ali. You moved on. You've got everything you ever wanted, and I'm just... I'm just the person you left behind."
Alison flinched at Emily's words, but she didn't turn away. She stood there, tears still brimming in her eyes, and for the first time, she didn't have a quick response. She couldn't argue with what Emily had said because, deep down, she knew it was true.
"I didn't mean for it to happen this way," Alison whispered, her voice barely audible. "I never wanted to hurt you, Em... but I didn't know how to be what you needed."
"You didn't need to do anything..." Emily's voice broke, and she felt her throat tighten as tears finally spilled over her own eyes. "You just left. You didn't talk to me. You didn't give us a chance. You made that choice for both of us, and you never looked back."
Alison's face crumpled, her guilt and regret etched into every line of her expression. "I know I messed up," she admitted, her voice shaking. "I was scared. I was scared of what we were, of what I was feeling... and I left. I ran because it was easier than facing the truth. And by the time I realized what I'd done, it was too late."
"Yeah, it was too late," Emily said bitterly, wiping away her tears with the back of her hand.
"Because now you're standing here, married to someone else, asking me for closure like it's going to make everything okay. But it's not, Ali. Nothing about this is okay."
Alison's lip trembled as she tried so hard to hold back her tears. She looked as though she wanted to say something, but no words came. The weight of her decisions, of the choices she made, hung between them like an invisible wall that neither of them knew how to tear down.
For a moment, the two of them stood in silence, the air heavy with everything they weren't saying. Emily's mind was spinning, the alcohol doing nothing to dull the ache in her heart. She wanted to be angry. She wanted to hate Alison for moving on, for leaving her behind, for choosing someone else. But deep down, buried beneath all the hurt, she knew that she couldn't hate her. Not really.
"I don't know how to move on…" Emily finally admitted, her voice small, vulnerable. "I've tried. God, I've tried. But no matter how hard I push you out of my mind, you're always there. You're in every memory, every thought... and I don't know how to let go of that."
Alison's breath hitched, as she fought to keep her tears at bay. "I'm sorry, Em…," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "I'm sorry for everything. I didn't know how to be the person you deserved, and I know that saying sorry doesn't fix anything, but I need you to know that I never stopped caring about you. I never stopped thinking about you."
Emily shook her head, her tears mixing with the cold night air. "Caring about me doesn't matter now, Alison. It's too late for that now. You made your choice, and I have to live with that..."
Alison's face crumpled again, and for a short moment, it looked like she was going to reach out, like she wanted to hold Emily, to comfort her. But instead, she stepped back, her hands falling to her sides in defeat.
"I don't know what else to say…" Alison said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Emily wiped at her eyes again, this time with more force, her breath shaky. "Maybe there's nothing left to say…."
They both stood there, the weight of their unspoken history pressing down on them like a force neither could escape. The garden, once a peaceful refuge from the noise of the party inside, now felt like a prison of memories and lost chances.
"You'll always matter to me, Em," Alison said quietly, breaking the silence one last time. "Even if we can't go back, I need you to know that."
Emily turned away, unable to look at Alison any longer. The weight of her words, the finality of them, pressed down on her chest like a heavy stone, suffocating her with every step she took.
Her heart shattered into pieces all over again, each fragment more jagged than the last. Alison's voice had been soft, almost pleading, but it wasn't enough. It could never be enough. Not after everything.
"Goodbye, Alison," Emily whispered, her voice barely holding together as her emotions threatened to break free again. She paused, her shoulders trembling. "Name one of your kids after me, okay?"
Her voice cracked on the last word, and the moment it left her lips, she felt the tears spill over again. She couldn't stay there any longer, couldn't bear to see the pain in Alison's eyes or the way her own heart felt like it was being ripped apart.
With her head bowed, Emily took one last breath and started walking away. Her steps were heavy, each one pulling her further from the woman she had once loved more than anything. Tears blurred her vision, the salty warmth of them spilling down her cheeks, leaving a trail of heartache behind.
Behind her, Alison stood frozen, her breath catching in her throat as Emily's words sank in. She lifted a trembling hand to her mouth, trying to muffle the sobs that threatened to escape. The tears she had tried so hard to control broke free, streaming silently down her face. Her chest ached with regret, a sharp, stabbing pain that made it hard to breathe.
She watched Emily walk away, her figure growing smaller with every step, and all Alison could do was cry. The garden, once filled with the scent of flowers and the glow of soft lights, now felt cold, suffocating, like a small place of everything she had lost. She wanted to call out, to say something, anything that might change this moment, but no words came.
Her heart felt too heavy to bear. She clutched her hand to her chest, trying to hold herself together, but it was useless. The tears fell harder, her body shaking with the sobs she couldn't suppress any longer. She hadn't realized how much this would hurt, hadn't let herself believe that seeing Emily walk away might break her all over again.
And as she stood there, alone in the dark, watching the woman she cared so much about disappear into the darkness, Alison knew that this was the end. No more chances, no more moments to fix what was broken. Emily was gone, and with her went the last piece of Alison's heart that still belonged to the past.
The sobs wracked through her as she whispered to the night, "I'm so sorry, Em…"
But it was too late. Too late for apologies, too late for anything but the silence that followed.
A/N: So you've reached the end of the first chapter. I feel sorry for Emily, she doesn't deserve the heartbreak. What do you think will happen next? Let me know in the comments! I'll try to update as soon as I can (both stories of course). If you haven't checked out my other story, please do, I promise you won't regret it. The rating of this one may change as the story progresses, but we'll see how things go. Every review keeps a writer going, so keep that in mind, because I'm writing for you guys! I already know how the story unfolds ;) Until next time