Hi everyone! I'm excited more of you are reading this story! Also, important side note: I realized when I came back with chapter three (after almost a whole year's hiatus), I forgot about a few important details that I included in the first two chapters. First thing I noticed was that Alison already told Hanna about Emily in chapter two in the coffee shop. Then in chapter five, in the classroom, Alison told Hanna about Emily "for the first time" even though Alison already had done so. *Face Palm*. One other detail I missed was also in chapter two: Alison admitted to Emily she hadn't had her first kiss yet. In the last chapter, I obviously didn't include Alison's thoughts on her first kiss, just her thoughts about the kiss itself. I'm going to try to fix the second mistake, but unfortunately the first one I won't be able to change without doing some major re-writing. I apologize about those details in the story getting fucked up. I clearly didn't re-read my first two chapters as closely as I should have when I came back to write again. I'm SO sorry about that. Hopefully it wasn't too confusing. Back to our regular scheduled programming...This chapter will be in Emily's POV. Let's see how Emily is handling herself after their hookup...

In response to the review(s): •Packersgirl492 , Omg what are the odds I found another Packers fan. I love it! How are you feeling about Rodgers leaving? The Packers are on the Broncos schedule this upcoming season for the first time in years. So I'm obviously upset that he will more than likely be gone considering I'm planning on going to the game. Anyways, yes, Alison is of course struggling with vulnerability. Despite me straying away from the PLL storyline, I want to still encapsulate their personalities as best as I can. Thank god for character development though. Emily will definitely be addressing her sexuality (in terms of not being out yet). Hahaha I promise Bradley won't stay around tooooo long, but there's a reason I brought his character in. Love the idea for a possible girlfriend coming into Emily's life...that might very well be happening. We'll see ;) Also, thank you! The countdown is getting down to the wire for the wedding. So excited! And thanks for your reviews! See you next time.

~3mison

Chapter Seven: Smoke and Mirrors

Emily was sitting on her window seat staring out her bedroom window. Her brown eyes were swollen and puffy from crying most of yesterday. The brunette tossed and turned all night. Sleep was eluding her. Considering it was barely 4 am in the morning, the sun still hadn't come up. Emily looked out into the night sky. Through the branches of the tree by her window, she could faintly see the stars glimmering up above. The stars reminded her of last Saturday night. Alison drove her out to a lookout in Rosewood after her swim meet that evening. Emily remembered what Alison said to her when they were sitting on the kissing rock: "Don't ever apologize for speaking your truth. And don't ever say you're crazy for doing so." Emily felt her eyes well up with tears again. She shut her brown eyes as tight as she could, willing them to go away. Was everything she said a lie? I spoke my truth and it backfired. Hard. She was the one who told me I could speak the truth, and she was the one who made me feel awful because of it. She thought back to the rest of what Alison said to her that night: "To be honest, I feel like no one knows the real me either. I might seem superficial, but I'm more than what I let people see. That's my power Em. I keep all of the real parts of me to myself so no one can use it against me." I thought you were showing me the real you, Ali. I thought I was special. You made me feel special. Now I don't even know who the real you is. I want to believe I know the real you. I want to believe you wanted to show me the real you. I know it couldn't have all been fake...right? All of the conversations we've had and our kiss in the bathroom. That couldn't have all been superficial...right? Maybe I got too wrapped up in my feelings for her. Maybe I've been blinded by my emotions. Emily's mind flashed back to what Spencer told her in the coffee shop: "There's no way you're friends with THE Alison DiLaurentis. Because she is a horrid even witch! She's literally the 'It Girl' of Rosewood and is awful to every person aside from her little click. Please tell me you're lying Emily, and if you aren't, run as far as you can. She'll ruin you!" God am I an idiot? Did I do this to myself? Spencer told me to stay away from her. She told me Alison wasn't a nice person, but I ignored it. I don't want to believe she isn't a good person. I refuse to believe it...even now. Even after...everything. I just don't understand why she has been so kind to me...so open about her family...so understanding when I told her I liked girls. And I really don't understand why she kissed me, just to turn around and tell me she isn't gay. Emily's attempts to stop her tears failed. Her brown eyes were releasing a steady flow down her cheeks. Emily's eyes travelled across the window seat she was sitting on. She ran her fingers across the empty spot beside her. Emily thought about everything the two of them shared while sitting there last Sunday. She remembered Alison comforting her after she told the blonde about her dad's history in the Army: "I'm so sorry Emily. I can't imagine how hard that must be for you." She seemed so genuine. Emily's eyes drifted to the spot on the floor by her closet. She was catapulted to another memory of that same day: "You have nothing to be ashamed of. It doesn't change how I see you Emily. It doesn't change a single thing. Whoever you love, whether they are a girl or a boy, would be the luckiest person in the whole world, because they would be loved by you." I told her I was gay. I was vulnerable with her and I trusted her. I figured she was going to run out of my room that day. I guess I was right about that. She didn't run away then, but she ran out of my room yesterday. Did she just use me as a play thing? Was that kiss just a way for her to experiment? Emily's thoughts went back to her coffee date with Spencer: "You like HER. You have a crush on HER. Please promise me you won't let yourself be heartbroken by her Emily. She's as straight as they come. We need to find you someone who is actually gay." I really am the biggest idiot on this planet. For christ's sake Spencer literally told me she was straight. It's not like I can control who I like, but I should've known better. I should've listened and stayed far away from her. I couldn't stay away from her though. She's so intriguing. She's so magnetizing. But if she's so straight, then why did she kiss me? I'm pretty sure I'm not that much of an idiot to assume straight girls don't kiss their friends like that. Or do they? I don't know anymore. Ever since that kiss, I feel like I don't know anything anymore. She seemed into it. Maybe I misread her body language? I literally asked her if she wanted to stop. She chose to keep kissing me. Emily touched her lips with her hand, recalling their moment in the bathroom: "Emily, kiss me."She wanted more. She told me to keep going. Not that I was complaining, but still...it's not like there wasn't consent. I would never do anything with someone if there wasn't consent. Emily's eyes lingered at that spot on the floor, before traveling over to her bedroom door. She looked out into the hallway, reminiscing on the last words Alison spoke to her before pushing her out of the bathroom: "For the record, that's what a good kiss feels like." She legitimately told me it was a good kiss. She must have thought it was good too. I personally wouldn't use 'good' as a way to describe it. I would use magnificent...heavenly...incredible...sensational. Maybe that's because I'm gay. Maybe she just thought it was good because she's straight? She told me she liked it, but she also told me she didn't intend to kiss me. It's not like I was expecting it either, but I've thought about kissing her before. I've wondered what it would feel like...and damn...my imagination didn't do justice for the real thing. The way she dug her hands in my hair, and drug them across my back. I still get goosebumps thinking of how she touched me. It was perfect. It was better than I could have ever dreamt up. I wonder what would have happened if my mom didn't come home? I already felt like I had died and gone to heaven. My bliss ended though. I thought we were going to be able to talk about it. I needed to talk about it. I still need to talk about it. Emily's eyes moved back from her door to the floor in the middle of her room, thinking of everything they both said in the aftermath: "Emily I'm sorry. I just can't think right now. Like when I'm around you I just can't think. I don't know what's going on with me. The things I'm feeling...It's not me okay? I mean it is me, but I feel like there's a whole other Alison saying and doing things that I'm not even aware of. I feel like I'm free falling into something I don't know how to get out of. God Emily I'm freaking out!" She acted like she was the only one who was in that bathroom. I was there too. I was freaking out too. I wish I knew what she meant when she said she couldn't think around me. Do I make her uncomfortable? At first I thought that meant she had feelings for me too, but now I don't think that's the case. And what did she imply by having a whole other Alison inside of her? Like somehow her evil twin popped out of her body and kissed me? Yeah right. Emily's tears dried up. The look of anguish and sadness she previously had on her face turned into a look of anger and regret. Her memories kept replaying: "Ali ever since you came into my life you've consumed me. I thought I was the only one feeling this way until...until you kissed me in the bathroom." I'm SO stupid. I was honest with her. I was open with her by telling her how I felt. I assumed she felt the same way, but I was wrong. I can't believe I actually thought she felt the same way. I told her she consumed me. She's probably beyond freaked out by that. She'll never speak to me again. I know it. What if Spencer was right about her all along? What if Alison tells everyone at school?! What if she spreads a lie and says that I kissed her?! Oh god. While Emily was internally panicking, her phone beside her dinged. She scooped up her phone and her eyes widened. Alison? She texted me? Oh my god I can't open it. I bet she's texting me to tell me to never talk to her again. Emily slowly opened her eyes and opened the text message: "Hey. I know it's early, but I wanted to see if you were feeling any better? Still running a fever?" She doesn't hate me. I didn't expect her to text me. I've been dreading working with her tonight. Maybe now that she is speaking with me we can talk about it after work? Maybe she knows she can't avoid me again. I wonder if she couldn't sleep either...I wonder if she's thinking about me too...thinking about what happened between us? Emily typed a message back: "Hey Ali. Why are you up so early? I'm feeling a lot better, thanks. Must have been a 24 hour bug. How are you feeling?" Please tell me I'm not the only one feeling like absolute shit. Please tell me I'm not the only one thinking about us. I don't know how I can face you again after what happened. I feel so stupid. I feel so ashamed. I feel so used. Please just give me something Ali...anything. Her iPhone dinged again. A text back from Alison: "Just got up early so I could get ready for the day. I'm glad you're feeling better! Why are YOU up so early? Lol" Great. Just great. Ignore me. Ignore me just like you did yesterday. Emily angrily typed a message back: "I get up early to go for runs in the morning. I'll see you at work later?" If you want to play the avoidance game, I can do it too. For now at least...We can avoid it all we want over text, but in person...it's going to be the biggest elephant in the room. Unless she just wants to pretend like it never even happened. What if she completely ignores it? I can't force her to talk to me about it. I wasn't in the mood for a run before, but now I am. I'm not going to sit here and cry over someone who can just kiss me like that and ignore it. Well...okay...she did ask me how I was feeling. She was asking about my sickness, but I'm feeling fucking awful. I'm feeling more sick over her than sick from the flu. I'm over the flu, but I'm not over her. I'm not over what happened. Emily got up from her window seat and started taking her pajamas off. She tugged on her sports bra, an old tank top, small athletic shorts, and a pair of running shoes. She went over to grab her headphones when she heard her phone ding. Another text from Alison: "Gotcha. And yes I'll see you then. Have a good day Em." Have a good day?! Will you have a good day Ali? How can you have a good day after what happened between us? I guess you are going to ignore it. Fine. Two can play. Emily chose not to respond to the blonde. Instead, she picked up her headphones, and walked out of her bedroom.

As Emily was irritably stomping down the stairs, her mother hindered her from leaving their home. "Emily!" Pam called from the kitchen, "If you're about to go for a run on an empty stomach you can stop right now." Damnit. Emily rolled her eyes before turning to walk into the kitchen. Her mom was incessant that she didn't go for morning runs without eating any food first. Emily always argued, but never won. "Mom, you know I have to wait for my food to digest if I eat before I run. I'll get sick if I don't. I don't have time today. I can't run late in the morning or it gets too hot outside," Emily protested. Mrs. Fields already had eggs and bacon cooked and ready to eat. Her mom was cutting up apples when Emily entered the kitchen. "Emily, how many times do we need to have this argument? I will not have my daughter passed out on the sidewalk from running," Pam said while fixing up her daughter's plate, "You can't push yourself that hard without any nutrition." Emily sighed and sat down on the barstool, knowing damn well it wasn't worth the headache to argue with her stubborn mom. Emily reluctantly started eating the breakfast her mom prepared for her. She wanted to eat in silence, but her mom happened to be in the mood to talk. "So, you have work tonight right?" Pam asked pouring herself a cup of coffee, "Want a cup?" Of all mornings when you want to talk, why does it have to be today? Emily answered her mother with her mouth full, "Yeah I do. I'll go over right after swim practice, and no I'm fine. I normally grab a cup at The Brew after my runs." Pam eyed her daughter with disgrace, "Emily, you know it's not ladylike to talk with your mouth full," she said. Emily looked up apologetically. "Honey, I'm worried about this schedule you have. Getting up early for runs, schoolwork, swim practice, and now work. I know your father and I encouraged you to get this job, but are you sure it won't be too much? You barely have time for any friends." Pam was worried about her daughter's social life for awhile now. "Mom I'm fine, I promise. Plus if I don't get a good scholarship from swim, I'm going to need extra savings for college," Emily said popping an apple into her mouth, "And I have Spencer mom." Pam eyed her daughter, "Well if I sense that it's becoming too much pressure for you, you'll need to cut back hours at Dairy Queen, okay? You don't need to worry about money for college right now. Also, Spencer can't be your only friend, Emily. What about Alison? You two seem to be getting along well. Your dad and I really like her. Maybe you can invite her over to dinner soon?" Getting along well. Funny. Emily scoffed slightly and Mrs. Fields noticed, "What? Are you that embarrassed of your dad and I? It's just dinner Emily," Pam said defensively. "I'm not embarrassed by you guys, mom," Emily answered after finishing her plate of food. "Okay, well then invite her over for dinner tomorrow. Will you two be working tomorrow evening?" Emily walked over to the sink with her dirty dish, "I don't know if we're really that close for me to be inviting her over for dinner," she said quietly. "That's not true Emily. The girl stayed here with you while you were sick. I think she's a great friend for you. Just think about it, okay?" Emily turned to grab her headphones on the counter, "Yeah, sure, I will," Emily responded dismissively, "I'll be gone for about an hour." I can't be in here any longer talking about her. Emily started to walk down the hallway towards the front door, "What about digesting your food? You don't want to be throwing up," her mother called from the kitchen. "I'll be fine mom! It's already past 6 o'clock. I'll take it slow!" I'm not taking it slow. Not today. I'm going to push myself until my muscles ache and I can't think about anything else aside from breathing. "Be safe!" Pam yelled out, but Emily was already out the house.

Emily's feet were gracefully and rhythmically gliding over the pavement. Sweat was running down her face and covering her tank top. Her heart was pounding. Music was blasting in her ears. The swimmer had already been running for 30 minutes, and she hadn't stopped once. The longer she ran, the harder she pushed. As hard as she ran, she couldn't get Alison out of her head. The continual thoughts of her were starting to drive her crazy. Emily started getting angrier. Her plans to wipe the blonde from her mind on her run were failing. Emily's feet picked up their already fast pace as she began the last stretch of her route. The brunette was moving at a lightning speed. Emily approached the corner that leads to The Brew. Despite her run course coming to an end, she didn't slow her pace. Due to her speed, and her mind being elsewhere, Emily had no time to slow down when a couple walked around the corner right in front of her. She slammed into the guy and fell hard onto the ground, scraping her knees and elbows. Emily was stunned from the sudden impact. She pulled out her headphones, still holding herself up on all fours. "Holy shit I'm so sorry! I didn't see you. You were hauling ass," a guys' voice said, "Here let me help you up." Emily stood up on her own, "It's fine I got it," she replied while looking down at herself, inspecting her injuries. "It's totally my fault, I was-" her voice cut off when she finally looked up to the guy she ran into. He was standing next to Alison. Emily's breath caught in the back of her throat at the surprising sight of Alison. The blonde also stood silently in shock. Both girls went to say something, but the guy who Alison was with beat them to the punch. "Emily Fields? Damn I hope I didn't injure the star swimmer for Rosewood! I was a little distracted by my date here," the guy said looking over to Alison, smiling. Emily began speaking, "How do you..." Alison's date interrupted Emily, "I'm Bradley. Bradley Cooper. My little sister swims for the Sharks," Bradley introduced himself while extending his hand. Emily made a fake, tight lipped smile, avoiding eye contact with his date, "Oh yeah, Alexa Cooper. I know her, she's a great swimmer," she said while awkwardly shaking Bradley's hand. "Not as great as you! Are you sure you're okay? You're bleeding pretty badly," he said looking at Emily's elbows and knees. "I'm fine," she said shortly, "I'm going to-" Bradley interrupted her once again, "Are you sure? I feel awful. You look pretty banged up. Maybe if my date wasn't so hot I would've been watching where I was going," he said putting his arm around the blonde. Emily finally made eye contact with Alison. Her friend turned immediately to Bradley, "Babe shut up," she said while laughing and playfully hitting him on his chest. Babe? Bradley laughed and directed his attention back to Emily, "For real though Fields, if I just benched coach Fulton's star, I better make up for it. Can I give you a lift home?" Emily was looking off towards strangers walking by, physically unable to watch Alison with him. "It's really okay. It was my fault. I should've slowed down, but I was trying to run off of some steam," Emily responded somewhat harshly, hinting at her anger with the blonde. Even though she was answering Bradley, Emily looked directly at his date. Alison seemingly looked unfazed by the brunette's fiery gaze. "Are you sure you don't want a ride home?" Alison asked quietly, finally speaking. "I'm fine," Emily answered just as sharply as before, "Wouldn't want to intrude on your guys' date," she said holding the blonde's gaze. Alison looked down to the ground, unable to keep looking into Emily's eyes. "You wouldn't be intruding on anything Fields," Bradley butted in, "Honestly, the more the merrier," he said winking at Emily, "Two beautiful girls in my car doesn't sound too bad to me." At that comment, Alison whipped her eyes up to her date, "Leave her alone," she said while hitting him again playfully, "You're lucky you have one beautiful girl in your car," she teased. "I uh, I'm going to-" Emily spoke up, extremely uncomfortable, yet her words were cut off for the 50th time today by Alison's date, "Alright Fields, well if you're sure you don't want to join, I'll see you at the next swim meet! That is if you're okay..." Bradley said . "It's just a few little scrapes," Emily said while turning to walk away. "Emily," Alison spoke up, her voice laced with concern, "I'm sorry." Emily glanced back to Alison, knowing full well that the blonde wasn't apologizing for the accident, "Enjoy your date," she replied ignoring the apology, before turning around and running away.

Emily slammed her bedroom door shut and angrily threw her phone across her bed. As she bent down to unlace her running shoes, her already formed scabs ripped open on her knees. "Fuck!" Emily said loudly without thinking. She hit her dresser in frustration. A book fell to the ground from the impact of her hand against the wood. Emily slowly bent down to pick up the fallen item. It was the book Alison gifted to her. The book opened up after it fell. She looked down at the page, reading the poetry: "Maybe that's what life is about, you wait for that person who you could listen to for hours. That person who is going to have a real conversation with you, make you laugh, make you feel a little lost when you hang up the phone." Defeated, she sat down on her bed as the tears began rolling down her face. The scrapes hurt, but she wasn't crying because of her injuries. Why can't I escape her? Everywhere I turn she's there. Why did I have to run into him? Into her? Into them? She was on a date with him. She went on a date with an immature, gross jock. She never mentioned a Bradley to me. She's never mentioned any boy to me. She called him babe. It was already bad enough that I had to see them together, but did she have to touch him in front of me? Did she have to flirt with him in front of me? Was what happened between us push her to him? Or was she using him to forget about us? Is it all just a fabrication? Smoke and mirrors? "Emmy," her dad's voice from behind her door cut off her thoughts, "Are you okay? I heard you slam your door." Oh god. He probably heard me cuss too. Emily tried to stop her crying, but to no avail. "Emily I can hear you crying. What's wrong?" Her dad questioned his daughter. "N-nothing dad. I'm fine," Emily answered in a wavering voice. "Are you dressed? Can I come in?" He asked. Emily replied, accepting defeat, "Yes." Mr. Fields walked in and immediately noticed his daughter's cuts and scrapes. "Emmy, what happened?" Wayne asked while kneeling down in front of his daughter, taking a closer look at her injuries. "I fell while running. My shoe caught a rock on the sidewalk," she lied while explaining to her dad. "Oh man, you got yourself pretty good," Wayne responded after noticing her bloodied elbows too, "Let me go get the first aid kit and clean you up." Her tears turned into sobbing after receiving comfort from her father. Leaving to get supplies, Wayne was already halfway out of the room before he turned back in response to his daughter's crying. "Hey," he said while sitting on the bed beside his distraught daughter, "It's alright." Wayne put his arm around around Emily, trying to soothe her. Her sobbing slowed down from the touch of her father. "Dad, I think there's something wrong," Emily said quietly with a weary voice. "It's just a few scrapes Emmy, you'll be fine," Wayne responded in a gentle tone. "No," Emily replied more firmly, "I mean, I think- I think there's something wrong with me." Wayne pulled his arm away and looked at her with concern and confusion, "What do you mean? There's nothing wrong with you Emily. What's going on?" Distressed from her encounter with Alison's date, and scared as to why it made her so jealous, Emily was ready to open up. She found a resolve once her dad sat down beside her. Emily couldn't keep it in anymore. She needed more than Spencer. She needed more than Alison. All of these feelings were weighing on her. It wasn't just because of her crush on Alison. Even before she met the blonde, holding in this secret for so long pushed her to a breaking point. So many things culminated to this moment. "Dad..." her voice was soft and filled with heavy emotion, "I'm gay." Wayne furrowed his eyebrows, and looked away, processing what his daughter just told him. The pair sat in silence. Emily eyes were glued to the floor, feeling the heaviness of finally coming out. "Emily, I...you mean that..." Wayne was searching for words. "I like girls," Emily spoke up with more confidence, trying to help her father understand. There was another moment of silence between the two. Emily cleared her the throat in the uncomfortable quite. "Okay," Wayne said through a calm, steady voice. "Okay?" Emily asked, looking up to her father. "Yes. I can tell how much you're hurting Emmy. I can tell how hard this was for you to tell me. I want you to always feel safe with me and your mom. I want you to feel safe to tell us anything," her dad said while placing his hand above her knee, avoiding the cut. After her dad spoke, Emily took a large breath. As scared as she was, and as hard as it was, she felt relief. It was like a giant boulder was lifted off of her lungs. She felt like she could finally breath. "I hope you know that there is nothing you could do that would change my love for you," Wayne said, "I don't understand this, but I love you Emmy." The brunette hugged her dad tightly from their place on her bed. "You will have to patient with your mom and I. This is new territory for the both of us, okay? All you need to know right now is that you're loved here, alright? You're loved Emily," Wayne spoke while hugging his daughter. Emily's crying intensified into sobbing again. She never once expected these words from her dad. She never expected to come out in this way, but it happened, and the weight was gone. Mr. Fields held her until she got her breathing under control. "Now, we have another matter to attend to," he said glancing down at his daughter's arms and legs, "I'm going to go get that first aid kit." Emily's father left the room, and Emily let herself smile for the first time in over a day. I came out.

Later that day, Emily sat in the bleachers watching her teammates swim. Unfortunately, coach Fulton wanted her to wait another day or two before getting back in the pool until her injuries healed more. Emily didn't enjoy being out of the pool, but she was slightly relieved when her coach told her to sit and watch. In all honesty, her body hurt. The skin around the scabs on her knees developed into some nasty bruises, and her elbows weren't much better. The thought of having to swim right then made her stomach tighten. Emily tried to watch attentively, but her thoughts lingered. After her dad helped clean and bandage her cuts earlier that morning, Emily was left in her room to focus on her studies. However, there wasn't much studying done. She heard her parents speaking/yelling from their bedroom, and she knew exactly what they were talking about. Her mother left the house to go to the store before Emily exited her room for swim practice. The brunette had a sinking feeling that her mother left at that time on purpose...to avoid her. Emily knew that coming out to her mother would not be as easy as it was with her dad. Technically, her father was the one who told her mom, not her. Normally Pam would come check in on her throughout the day, making sure she was doing her schoolwork. However, her mom didn't come to see her once over the course of the day. Emily was nervous to face her mother. While she watched the swim practice, wrapped up in her head, Emily's thoughts changed direction...they directed towards a very specific blonde. I have to face her in an hour. I don't know if I can work with her tonight. I'm still new there so I can't call out of work. The thought of talking to her makes my head hurt. Today has already been a lot. The Sharks' practice ended, and Emily stayed in the locker room to chat with her friend. "I'm sorry about your elbows and knees," Spencer said while changing, "You run almost everyday and you have never fell before." Spencer always has to figure things out. "I was just in my head, and not really paying attention to the sidewalk," Emily lied while leaning up against the lockers. "You okay? You seem off," Spencer inquired while throwing on a hoodie. "Yeah I'm okay, a lot has happened today," Emily responded. Spencer looked at her friend with worry, "Well do you want to come over to my house and talk about it?" "I can't, I'm working tonight and I actually need to get going or I'm going to be late. I'll call you tonight and we can talk then," Emily said pulling Spencer into a hug. "Okay sounds good, love you!" "Love you to Spence," Emily said goodbye, left the locker room, and started walking out in the parking lot. She almost reached her car when she heard someone yell for her. She turned around and saw Paige running up to meet her. Oh god. "Hey! I wanted to talk with you after practice, but I didn't want to interrupt you and Spencer," Paige said when she reached Emily. "Hey Paige. Honestly I don't have time to talk," Emily said running her hand through her hair. "It won't take long I promise," Paige replied. I don't have time for this. I'm already SO over this day. Emily sighed, "I'm headed to work and today has already been a long day." Paige pleaded with the swimmer, "Can you please just give me one minute. I promise I won't hold you up." Emily nodded in agreement while adjusting her bag on her shoulder. Here we go. "Listen, I uh, I wanted to say sorry for kissing you last Saturday," Paige said shyly looking down at the ground. "Yeah you practically ambushed me," Emily replied back. Paige looked dejectedly at her, "I know. I know I did. I'm sorry." Emily sighed again, mentally done with the conversation, "Paige why did you kiss me? You've treated me like dirt on your shoe ever since I've swam with the Sharks." "I know," Paige said again. "You know? Is that all you're going to say? Because if you are, I don't have time for this," Emily said with frustration laced in her voice. Emily reached for her car door handle, but Paige finally spoke up, "Emily wait please. I'm well aware of how I've treated you, and I'm sorry. I've had the biggest crush on you since Freshman year-" Emily cut her off, "Since Freshman year? You have a funny way of showing it. Why haven't you said anything?" Paige put her hand out to touch Emily's arm, but Emily instantly shrugged Paige's hand away. "Paige I'm sorry but I'm going to be late for work if I don't go," Emily said while trying to get away. "I shouldn't have assumed you were gay, I'm sorry," Paige said to keep the conversation going. Emily kept her steely look towards Paige, "You didn't assume wrong." "Oh," her teammate replied quietly. Emily cleared her throat, "Okay well-" Paige interrupted her, "Emily I like you," Paige admitted. Emily's eyes filled with anger, "What do you want me to say? You think I'm just suddenly in love with you? Like you said, you're aware of how you've treated me. I'm tired of people kissing me and treating me like shit," Emily said in a fiery tone. Paige's eyebrows shot up in question from Emily mentioning other people. The brunette realized what she said as soon as she spoke, but she didn't care. She was frustrated...and tired...and overwhelmed. Paige ignored the last comment and kept speaking, "I don't expect anything from you. I just thought you should know," she said sadly. Emily felt guilty for snapping at her teammate, "Paige, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be rude. It's just been a day for me okay?" Paige nodded and Emily opened her door to leave, "Emily, I know what you must think of me right now, but I would kick myself if I didn't ask...if I didn't ask you on a date." Emily glanced over to Paige, "I don't know Paige," she responded with exhaustion, "I really do need to go. I'll see you at practice tomorrow," she replied hastily and hopped into her car. Emily drove off from the school towards her workplace thinking: Why is everything such a mess?


Ohhhhhh man things are getting intense. How are we feeling after this chapter? A lot happened for Emily. Don't worry though, we'll be picking up with Alison in the next chapter. I don't know about you, but I was cheering on Em for coming out to her dad. How do you think it's going to go with her mom? Do you think Alison and Bradley are going to become an item? Oh, and of course there's Paige. Do you think Emily will go on a date with her? Lots to think about going into chapter eight. Leave some reviews my friends. I love to hear input!

~3mison