Hi my lovely Emison babes! I want to first say...I don't know if I have any readers from Hawaii, but if I do my heart goes out to you. I have really close family friends who live on the island of Maui that was effected by the fires. Thankfully my friends are safe and didn't have to evacuate, but it's a devastating disaster for the Hawaiian residents who lost loved ones and their homes. I visited my friends in Maui last summer and I spent a lot of time in Lahaina where the fire was. I'm so heartbroken for the Hawaiian people and the beautiful town that was destroyed.

Moving on, I finally got back on twitter! I figured it would be easier for me to connect with you all and update (instead of me posting feedback chapters and leaving notes in the reviews). I'll attempt to be active on it! My twitter is 3mison3

Okay, are you ready for the aftermath of the breakup? I'm switching it up a little this chapter: we're going to have a split POV between Emily and Alison throughout the chapter. I'm going to use bold to differentiate the POV's changing.

Also, one more thing I'm switching up...I'm changing the poetry! I've been using poems by Courtney Peppernell because she's a queer queen, but I'm going to start adding in some new poems by my other favorite poetry author, Lang Leav. They won't be cute sapphic poems like Courtney's, but they're still *chefs kiss* Enjoy!

In response to the reviews: •Flips712 , I'm so glad you're loving it! Writing chapter fifteen was one of my top favs so far. Hope to see you next time! •tflpellc , It was definitely a "wow" worthy chapter lol. I feel bad for the both of them as well, but it's all apart of my big master plan ;) You're right about Alison dealing with more than she's letting on…as far as her home life goes. We saw her abandonment issues come up when Emily was breaking up with her. I hope she can tell Hanna too…we'll just have to seeeee;) Seeing a Samara/Alison friendship would for sure be interesting! See you next time!! •To the first guest reviewer, I bet Niagara Falls was incredible! The area I visited in British Columbia was very remote and the landscape was a lot like Alaska. I'd love to travel to New York and go more north to see Niagara Falls some day though! Lol spoilers don't make it interesting though;) I listened to the song and it was good!! Very sad and very fitting for the ending of the last chapter. The title of the song reminded me of A World To Come (an amazing, heartbreaking lesbian movie).Thank you for your sweet compliment as well:) See you next time!! •Packersgirl492, Hello hello! It's funny how sometimes the closest people in our lives knew we were gay before we told them. My sister knew I was gay before I even knew as a teenager lmfao (granted she's 10 years older than me so she was kinda like my second mom). I love that trend on TikTok where people show pictures of themselves as kids that just screams they were gay lol. I'm so glad your coming out experience went well for the most part! Ugh dementia is awful, and I'm so sorry. My great grandma had dementia and it was extremely hard watching that happen over the course of a few years. That's beautiful that he visits you! He'll always be a part of you! Lol I'm glad I'm not the only one who says weird stuff like that haha. My wife is originally from Tennessee, and she says some funny southern sayings. She's lived in Colorado for so long now though that she's lost her accent. I regularly beg her to 'talk country to me' because it's adorable lol. Speaking of where we're from, I sent you a PM (idk if you have your pms open or not), but I was hoping you could give me some ideas for fun places to see up in Chicago and Wisconsin! I'm planning a big road trip with my wife, sister and brother in law, and some friends for next year. I'm "dragging" them all along so I can go to a Packers game at Lambeau. Thankfully they all want to see Chicago and are down for a football game haha. Anyways, woohoooo only two more years to go!! Soak up the rest of your summer vaca before your next semester starts! And yeah my former coach is a piece of shit and many other things I shouldn't say lol. I appreciate your anger for me girl (please correct me if your pronouns are different), but I have laid a lot of my pain to rest. I'm mainly just angry now because (like you said) there were probably others in the past and sadly might be more victims in the future. Yes, unfortunately I had very little evidence on my phone…because a lot of the things that happened to me were in person. So essentially it was my word against his. Yeah idk how the hell he found me on TikTok but he did. I have had him blocked on every other social media that I'm on for years now, but I didn't think he would have the balls (as small as they are) to follow me. He's blocked on TikTok now too haha. Moving on to happier things, omggggg yes my lil Emison heart loved the 7x20 scene of Ali trying to get some action haha. I love that they got their happy ending. I refuse to watch the Perfectionists because of the divorce. It didn't happen in my mind….I have chosen blissful ignorance. Dude I didn't even know they divorced Emily and Alison until a year ago and I LITERALLY screamed. I was apparently very late to that news. Okay, I'm going in circles, but yeah towards the end of the show I was scared that Alison was going to be the final A. I'm glad the writers didn't go down that route. Anyways, yessss I love writing the angst. Maybe it's my Scorpio rising (if you're into astrology) that makes me that way lol. I loved writing Spencer in the last chapter. I was trying to capture her Spencer-ness the best I could. Alison definitely wasn't actively trying to hurt Emily, but it's going to take some inner soul searching and growth for her to fully acknowledge it all. I loved how you said their 'vicious cycle' because that's essentially what their relationship was turning into. As painful as it is, separation is needed! Hopefully not for long, but yanno…no spoilers ;) I love your other input about what could possibly happen, but once again I respectfully have no comment :D (also I always laugh when I type the smily faces on here instead of using emojis. Gives me flashbacks to middle school lol) See you next time!! •To the second guest reviewer, holy crapppppp I'm happy it blew your mind into its non- processing state ;D Right now Emily is definitely more emotionally mature than Alison…given that she recognized she needed to end things (out of love). Alison's trauma and instability with other relationships in her life has effected her in so many ways. She's built up walls and has her defense mechanisms (rightfully so), but if anyone can break down those walls it's Emily. Alison will first need to go deep and work through her issues. Or what you said…get her shit together lol! Thanks for your review! •To the third guest reviewer, I definitely understand too! In my first WW relationship we were both closeted at the time and it ended up turning into something very unhealthy. I absolutely understand where Alison is at right now as well. I still regularly deal with the backlash and judgment from my own family, but being out and being with the person you love trumps all of the other bullshit. Hopefully Alison can reach that point too. Hahahaha we may or may not see that ass kissing lol. We'll just have to seeeee. :)Thanks for your review!

~3mison

Chapter Seventeen: Aftermath

Alison

"They say shots of whiskey can cure heartache

But the burn isn't as agonizing as standing in my bedroom

alone

looking at all the empty spaces your belongings once filled."

-a poem from The Road Between by Courtney Peppernell

"She wanted to say something. To tell you about the things inside her heart and her mind. But she kept it all a secret, watched as life went by. She slept and dreamt of your lips, she sat and stared at the wall. She counted all the days she leapt forward and all the ones she'd fall. The world kept going, the buzz of the traffic outside, and she stayed in the closet until all the parts of her died."

-a poem from The Road Between by Courtney Peppernell

One month later,

Alison woke up to the sound of banging on her front door. As she opened her eyes, she realized that she had fallen asleep on her bedroom floor. Falling asleep was a nice way to put it. In reality, the blonde passed out drunk last night, which was becoming a regular occurrence.

Alison's days and nights blurred together over the course of a month. Her mother had more frequently been away from the house, and that gave the blonde all of the freedom she wanted to stay home and drink her pain away. She had occasionally gone to school. Alison wasn't that stupid enough to get suspending or expelled, and the last thing she needed was her dad to hear about her absences.

She slowly pulled herself off of the floor, gripping her bed frame for support. Despite her heavy drinking, Alison hated hangovers. She discovered quickly that the best way to cure a hangover is to continue drinking. So she reached over with her un-manicured nails and scooped up the half full bottle of whiskey. Thanks dad. Leaving your liqour after you left us was the best thing you have ever done.

She groaned when the rapping on the door downstairs continued. Alison knew the person at the door was Hanna. God why is she so persistent? Alison was hunched over on her bed praying that her friend would give up, but then her phone started ringing: a call from Hanna.

Alison looked at her phone with disdain. She had texted and called Emily more times than she could count. Most of the times when she attempted to reach the brunette she was trashed. After one too many drunk voicemails, Emily had blocked her.

"Alison!" She heard Hanna yell faintly from outside, "I know you're in there!" Jesus Christ. Alison took one more large swig from the bottle and tossed it back onto her bed before exiting her bedroom.

The pounding on the door was incessant, and with each loud knock her head felt like it was splitting in two. "Aliso-" Hanna stopped mid-yell when Alison cracked the door open, barely wide enough for her face to peek out. "Shut up Hanna! Do you want to wake up all of my neighbors?" She greeted grumpily through a rough, scratchy voice.

Hanna did a double take of Alison with worry written all over her face. "Pretty sure everyone is awake Ali. Considering it's twelve pm," Hanna noted. Alison squinted from the harsh light and looked outside, "Is it really?" She asked while using a hand to block the light on her face. "Yes really. I left school at lunch to come check on you," Hanna said. "Can you not talk so loud?" Alison complained.

Hanna did another once over of her disheveled friend, "Did you forget?" She asked. Alison gave her a look that clearly showed she had no idea what Hanna was talking about. Hanna raised her eyebrows, "We're going prom dress shopping this afternoon. We made the appointment, remember?" Alison rubbed her temples with her fingers, "You made the appointment," she grumbled.

"You're not going dressed like that are you?" Hanna asked with a look of disgust. "I'm not going," Alison said dully. "Ali do you know how hard it was for me to get us that appointment? You have to go! Prom is in less than a month!" Hanna screeched. Alison grimaced again, "Please for the love of god Han, lower your voice. I'm not going to the dress fitting because I'm not going to prom," Alison muttered quietly.

"Okay seriously Ali, what is going on? You told me you were sick and I was okay with pretending for awhile, but I'm not going to pretend anymore. It's been a whole month! You're barely coming to school, and when you do you're hungover, and-" "-I'm not hungover," Alison interrupted.

Hanna gave her a look, "I can smell the booze on you, and I smelt it when you came to school," she challenged. Alison stared at her friend with a dead look in her eyes. "Ali I can't help you if I don't know what's wrong. Emily isn't even picking up my calls," Hanna said. Alison scoffed at the mention of Emily's name.

"Are you two pissed at me or something? I know I can be a little Caleb obsessed, but you both ghosting me is starting to get old," Hanna complained. "I'm not mad at you Hanna," Alison whispered.

"Ali what the fuck is happening then?" Hanna asked through a shrill voice. Alison grimaced from Hanna's loud tone, "Just leave it alone," she replied. Hanna rolled her eyes, "I'm not leaving it alone until you tell me what-" Hanna was cut off from the door slamming shut in her face.

Alison leaned up against the inside of the door. If she continued that conversation any longer she would have thrown up on Hanna's Steve Maddens. The alcohol made her nauseous, but the mention of Emily made her head spin. "Alison!" Hanna yelled through the door with frustration. The shorter-haired blonde must've gotten the hint because Alison eventually heard the click of heels walking away from her house.

Emily

"Numbers

Nothing felt like mine anymore, not after you. All those little things that defined me; small sentimental trinkets, car keys, pin codes, and passwords. They all felt like you. And more than anything else, my number- the one you boldly asked for that night, amidst a sea of people, under a sky of talking satellites and glowing stars.

You said no matter how many times you erased me from your phone, you would still recognize that number when it flashed on your screen. The series of sixes and nines, like the dip of my waist to the curve of my hips, your hands pressed into the small of my back. Nines and sixes that were reminiscent of two contented cats, curled together like a pair of speech marks. You said if you could never hold me or kiss me again, you could live with that. But you couldn't bear the thought of us not speaking and asked, at the very least, could I just allow you that one thing?

I wonder what went through your mind the day you dialed my number to find it had been disconnected. If your imagination had raced with thoughts of what new city I had run to and who was sharing my bed. Isn't it strange how much of our lives are interchangeable, how little is truly ours. Someone else's ring tone, someone else's song, someone else's words, someone else's broken heart. These are the things we inherit by choice or by chance.

And it wasn't my choice to love you but it was mine to leave.

I don't think the moon ever meant to be a satellite, kept in loving orbit, locked in hopeless inertia, destined to repeat the same pattern over and over to meet in eclipse with the sun--only when the numbers allowed."

-poetry and prose from Memories by Lang Leav

"Here's your latte," Emily said sweetly while handing the drink over to a customer. The brunette had taken Spencer's advice and applied for the job at The Brew the day after their big conversation. To her surprise, she got the job on the spot and quit Dairy Queen that same day.

Emily was thankful for the change. She didn't know if she could physically work at Dairy Queen any longer. Aside from the fact that she might have to work with Alison, the place reminded her of the blonde whether she was there or not. It would have been too much to bare.

Emily still felt nauseous whenever she went into her new place of work. She knew Hanna and Alison frequently met up at The Brew, but she only had seen Hanna a hand full of times. She could only assume Hanna told Alison that she was working there now.

Part of her felt sad that Alison avoided coming into her favorite coffee shop because of her, but the other part felt relieved. Emily knew it was inevitable that they would run into each other at some point. Rosewood was a small town, but that interaction had yet to happen.

Emily was frustrated with herself. She had gotten a new job, buried herself in schoolwork and swimming, and spent a lot more time with her best friend Spencer, but staying busy hadn't helped get her mind off of the blonde. Spencer told her that it takes time to heal from heartbreak, but Emily still hadn't felt any relief.

Keeping her mind off of Alison proved to be extra difficult considering the blonde called and texted her every day since the breakup. Two weeks ago when she was hanging out with Spencer, Alison called her, and her friend decided to handle it herself:

"She's calling you again?" Spencer asked incredulously while looking at Emily's lit up phone. "She calls me every day," the brunette replied sadly. Spencer took one look at her friend's crestfallen expression, "You haven't talked to her have you?" She asked. Emily sighed and shook her head, "No," she whispered.

After the call ended, a notification of a voicemail popped up. "That's it, you're blocking her," Spencer instructed firmly as she scooped up Emily's phone. "No don't," Emily said, trying to grab her phone back. "Emily you can't heal and move on if she's blowing up your phone every five seconds," Spencer replied.

Emily knew her friend was right, so she nodded her head, giving Spencer permission to block Alison. "There," Spencer said while handing back the phone, "A blonde free life is a happy life," she teased, attempting to get Emily to smile. Emily cracked a sad smile and rolled her eyes. I'm not happy at all.

Emily had found some peace during her busy day to day, but the nighttime was the hardest. Almost every night she woke up in a panic, covered in sweat and tears running down her face. Emily's nightmares would always start with her standing in the pouring rain out by the lake. Alison would appear out of nowhere in the woods, drenched in water.

They would kiss with lightning and thunder raging around them. Then, without fail, Emily would end up in Alison's room. The rain would still pour around them as if they were outside. Emily couldn't move or speak. All she could do was stand frozen in the rain listening to Alison scream and cry.

Her mother's absence also didn't help ease Emily's pain and loneliness. Her father finally came back home stateside, but he was now stationed in Texas. A few days after Emily broke up with Alison, her mother sat her down and asked the brunette if she was okay with her leaving to be with Wayne for the summer.

Emily knew how much her mother missed her dad, so of course she said yes. Mrs. Fields was hesitant to leave her daughter at first, and Emily knew why. Pam wasn't clueless to her daughter's heartbreak. Thankfully, she never pushed Emily for answers.

Emily was planning on staying in Rosewood for another month until school ended. Then she was going to join her parents in Texas for two weeks. She didn't mind having the house to herself, but the quietness was starting to get surprisingly loud.

Emily was wiping down the shelves behind the front counter at The Brew when she heard someone clearing their throat. The brunette turned around, "Oh I'm sorry I didn't see you there I-" she froze when her eyes landed on the blonde.

"Hey Em," the blonde greeted. "Hey," Emily greeted back hesitantly, "Um, what can I get for you?" She asked. Emily's hands shook while she reached for the marker to write on the cup. "I'd like a large cappuccino full of the truth," the blonde requested pointedly.

"I don't know what you're ta-" "-Cut the bullshit Emily. I need answers. Now," the blonde demanded. Emily sighed and reached for a bar towel, "What do you mean?" She asked, faking her best impression of cluelessness.

The blonde rolled her eyes, "You know what I mean," she snapped. "Hanna, I'm working. I can't talk right now," Emily replied while grabbing a dish bin and walking around the counter to wipe down tables, but Hanna followed behind the brunette.

Emily knew this conversation with Hanna was bound to happen, but she was hoping Alison would have made up some story by now and lied to keep the shorter-haired blonde off of her back. She didn't want Hanna to think ill of her, but that would be easier than dodging the blonde.

"Okay, then when can you talk? I've tried calling and texting you, but all I have gotten is radio silence," Hanna pushed. Emily started wiping down a table, "I've been busy," the brunette answered dismissively.

Hanna huffed, "Yeah and Ali is apparently busy too. All of the time," she complained while Emily moved around her to another table. Please don't talk about her. The brunette stayed silent and purposefully avoided Hanna's eyes as she cleaned off the surface. "You two aren't the president and vice president. You both can't be that busy," Hanna confronted.

"I'm sorry Han," Emily replied genuinely after finally making eye contact with the blonde. "Then what gives Em? I'm getting sick and tired of you two icing me out," Hanna complained. Alison isn't talking to Hanna?

Emily broke eye contact. She started walking over to another table after Hanna mentioned Alison again, but the blonde continued to follow her. "Earth to Emily," Hanna said while waving her hand in front of the brunette's face.

Emily pursed her lips and gave Hanna a pointed look. The blonde crossed her arms over her body, "Seriously you two are acting like I killed your cat! Are you sure you're not mad at me?"

Emily placed two used mugs into the dish bin, "I don't have a cat Hanna." Hanna gave her a death glare in response. "Why would I be mad at you?" Emily asked through a impatient breath. "I don't know! You tell me Emily! You and Alison are avoiding me like the plague!" Hanna screeched. Great, back to Alison again.

Emily kept walking throughout the coffee shop as she cleaned and grabbed the dirty dishes, "I'm not upset with you about anything," she replied while keeping her eyes trained on the tables, "I can't speak for Alison. You'll just have to talk to her yourself."

"I tried Emily! I've been texting and calling her, but she never responds. Then I went to her house on my lunch break and she slammed the door in my face," Hanna explained. Emily paused as she was stacking cups and her eyes flickered to Hanna's, "I don't know how to help you then," she replied shortly.

Emily started walking out of the coffee shop to clean the tables outside with Hanna in tow. "Have you seen Ali lately? She's barely coming to school and she's drinking every day. Did her mystery man break up with or something?" Hanna pestered. She's drinking?

Emily attempted to not ask about Ali, but she was starting to become worried. She's not in your life anymore. You ended it. You can't get involved. "Maybe...I don't know," Emily answered dismissively as she grabbed a dirty plate.

"I'm getting really worried about her Emily. She looks like a zombie half of the time, and this afternoon she told me that she isn't going to prom! Can you believe that?" Hanna asked. That statement made Emily pause again. She's not going to prom? "Hm?" Emily replied, desperately praying that Hanna would drop the subject.

"Okay can you stop working for like one second, please?" Hanna asked irritably. Emily sighed and rested the dish bin on her hip, finally facing the blonde. "Look Han, Ali and I aren't really talking anymore, okay? So you'll just have to figure it out with her on your own," Emily reluctantly explained.

Hanna furrowed her eyebrows, "Why? Did you two get in a fight?" Emily's eyes followed a group of teenagers entering the store, "I need to get back to work," Emily replied and starting walking past Hanna, but the blonde stuck her hand out.

"Emily, please," Hanna begged. Emily felt a pang of guilt wash over her. She truly did love Hanna, but it hurt too much to be around her without Alison. Emily sighed, "I really am sorry Han, but it's not my place to tell. You're just going to have to ask Ali."

"How exactly am I supposed to talk to her when she won't even let me into her house? You know how stubborn she is," Hanna said. Yeah, I do. Emily saw the worry and distress in the blonde's eyes. "Okay," she gave in, "Follow me," Emily instructed as she walked back into The Brew.

Emily ducked under the front counter where her bag was and dug out her car keys. Hanna watched curiously as Emily fumbled around with her keys for a moment. The brunette walked over to the blonde and stuck out a single key, "Here."

Hanna looked at her with confusion, "A key?" She asked dumbfounded. "It's Alison's house key. If she won't let you in, you can get in yourself," Emily explained. Hanna took the key from Emily, "Why do you have a key to Ali's house?" She asked suspiciously. Oh fuck. I didn't think this through.

Emily widened her eyes, "Oh um...she gave it to me when her family went to Georgia. You know...just to come check on the place and all," she lied. Emily hoped her explanation was enough to keep Hanna's questions at bay, and thankfully it worked. Hanna nodded, "Thanks Em," she said gratefully.

Emily nodded in reply and went to turn around, but Hanna spoke up again: "Em, I hope you know that you're my friend too. I know how Ali can be sometimes, so don't let her get to you. I'll talk some sense into her and we can go right back to how things were," she said kindly. Emily smiled, "Of course," she replied before going to take someone's order. Emily watched the blonde leave from the corner of her eye. Things will never be the same Hanna. I'm sorry.

Alison

"I remember the fear, how it gripped me when I realized it was much less looking up to women and more about falling for them. The way a woman moves, speaks, thinks. How I wanted my lips on hers, how I wanted conversations late at night and dates over candlelight. The constant feeling of people watching if I went to hold her hand, the wanting to tell the world loving women didn't define me, didn't change who I was, my dreams, my hopes, my drive for life. But then things did start to change. I no more feared what people would say or think because it wasn't going to change the love I felt. I started to believe in the world again, the rise and fall of my chest as I breathed change in. How beautiful it is to change, to be open to things different than what we have always perceived. I started to tell the world I was in love. Because love is a wonderful thing, and love always wins."

-a poem from Pillow Thoughts 4 by Courtney Peppernell

Hanna was walking up the DiLaurentis' front porch for the second time that day. She of course tried knocking first, but when she was met with no answer, she pulled out the key Emily had given her.

Hanna crept inside the home and shut the door behind her. As she ascended the stairs on her way to Alison's bedroom, the sound of crying got louder with every step she took. She took a deep breath before opening her friend's bedroom door...

Alison jumped in surprise, "Hanna! What the hell are you doing here?!" She shouted. Alison rushed to hide the items she had sprawled out on her bed, but a hand swiftly scooped up a picture.

Alison hopped off of the bed and tried to grab the picture back, but Hanna yanked her hand away. "Hanna give that back to me!" she yelled. She attempted to take it back, but Hanna stuck her hand out to swat away Alison's.

Alison stood frozen as she saw a flash of shock, confusion, and recognition go across her friend's face as Hanna stared at the picture. "That's not yours to look at. Give it back," she snapped. It's too late.

Hanna continued staring at the photo, and then slowly raised her eyes to meet Alison's. The blonde's eyes drifted to the picture Hanna had clutched in her hand. It was a picture of Emily smiling and Alison kissing her cheek. Shit.

"I-I don't understand," Hanna said hesitantly. Alison finally snatched the picture out of her friend's hand and walked back to the bed, putting the photo back with the others. "What's there to understand?" Alison asked with her back facing Hanna, trying to sound nonchalant as she shoved the rest of the pictures back into her nightstand drawer.

Alison wiped her tears off of her face, but she knew Hanna had caught her crying. "You and Emily..." Hanna's voice trailed off. Alison whipped around, "What about me and Emily?" She said harshly. Hanna's eyes ran down Alison's outfit. Oh fuck me. I'm wearing Emily's sweatshirt.

"She told me you two got into a fight..." Hanna said quizzically as if she was putting the pieces together. "You talked to her? When?" Alison questioned. "Just a little bit ago," Hanna answered despondently. Alison could see her friend's mind running in circles. She knows. The alcohol suddenly felt like it hit her ten times harder. The mention of Emily made her feel instantly sick. If I wasn't so drunk right now I'd probably be panicking.

"Why did you see her?" Alison asked. "Because you two have been acting weird and avoiding me! I went to her for some answers, and your drunk ass wasn't going to give them to me. Do you remember slamming the door in my face?" Hanna challenged. Alison sat back down on the bed and took a shot of whiskey, "Yeah well I didn't want company," she shot back, "And I still don't."

"Wait...how did you get in?" Alison asked, her voice slurring slightly. "Emily gave me a key," Hanna replied, but her voice seemed miles away like she was adding everything up. I forgot I gave her that. "She shouldn't have," Alison grumbled, "Listen I appreciate your concern, but you need to go Hanna."

"Ali, you and Emily...that picture..." Hanna inquired, ignoring Alison's request to leave. "What about it? It's just a picture Hanna," Alison replied as she tried to stand up. I need to get this sweater off. I feel like I'm suffocating. She almost fell while she attempted to pull off Emily's sweatshirt. The entire room was spinning.

Hanna rushed over and grabbed Alison's arm, helping the blonde sit back down on the bed. Alison reached for the bottle again, but Hanna picked it up, "I think you've had enough." Alison's body swayed in her sitting position, "I'm fine," she slurred.

"You're not fine Ali," Hanna said firmly. "You don't know me...you know nothing," Alison stumbled over her words, "Jon Snow," she added and started giggling at herself, hiccuping in the process. She tried to focus her eyes on Hanna, but everything was starting to get blurry.

"Okay, I'm going to go get you some water...or coffee," Hanna said softly. Alison watched Hanna set the whiskey bottle on her dresser and leave the room. She finally tugged off Emily's sweat shirt and tossed it onto her bed. She then proceeded to wobble over to the dresser and swipe up the bottle, taking a generous swig again.

Alison swayed back over to the bed and realized she had missed a stray photo in her rush to hide them. The picture was of her and Emily laying down on their picnic blanket. Alison had her head laid on the brunette's chest, and Emily was kissing the top of her head.

Alison took another sip of the whiskey just as Hanna walked back into her room. "Nuh uh," Hanna said while strutting over to swipe up the bottle again, "You're done with that miss wanna be Frank Gallagher." Alison started laughing, but her laughter quickly turned into a mix of crying and giggling, "You're funny Han," she said hysterically.

Hanna raised her eyebrows, "If I'm so funny, why are you crying?" She asked with her hands on her hips. "I don'ttt know," Alison slurred. Hanna glanced down at the picture on the bed, "I think I know," she hinted.

Alison propped herself up with her hands pressed into the bed behind her back, "Oh yeah? What do you know?" She asked through her tipsy voice. Hanna reached down and picked up the photo of Emily and Alison. She studied it for awhile before looking down at Alison, "There never was an older guy was there Ali?" She asked seriously. Nope. Congratulations Han. You figured it out.

Alison squinted her eyes to focus on Hanna, "I don't know...you tell me Hanna," she shot back stubbornly. Hanna set the picture down on the nightstand and handed Alison a glass of water. She walked over to the chair by the vanity and sat down.

Hanna eyed her, "Why are you still lying?" She asked. Alison drunkingly tilted her head and shrugged her shoulders. Hanna shook her and sighed, "Drink the water. You need to be somewhat conscious because we're going to talk," Hanna instructed. Alison swirled the water around in the cup, "Talk about what?" She inquired. Jesus why can't you just play along Hanna? I don't want to talk about her.

Hanna rolled her eyes, "I'm not in the mood for this Ali. I'm serious," she said shortly. You don't give up. I'll give you that Hanna. Alison's fake smile left her face and she looked down at the water. The blonde chugged the water and showed her friend the cup, proving that she drank it all with a dramatic eyebrow raise.

Hanna nodded. A tense silence settled over them. The gravity of the situation was finally hitting Alison. "You've been a mess Ali. You're drinking yourself into oblivion. You're barely going to school. You're not doing your hair or makeup or nails. You're not okay," Hanna said sadly with worry. Here we go.

Alison sighed and broke eye contact with her friend, her eyes landing on the picture of her and Emily. "That's what happens when someone breaks your heart," she whispered. Wait. Did I just say that out loud? "You mean that's what happens when Emily breaks your heart," Hanna stated with resolution.

Alison felt more tears well up in her eyes, looking back at her friend. "All this time...you and Emily were together," Hanna concluded. Alison looked off into the room, blinking back her tears as her lips trembled. I guess the hiding is over. There's no point anymore. Emily is gone.

Alison looked back at Hanna with a pained expression. All she could do in response was make a slight nod. Hanna let out a breath, "Wow...I'm such an idiot," she said, "How did I not put two and two together? Oh my god...Do you know how many times I brought up that fake boyfriend of yours? Ali, why didn't you two just tell me?" She asked incredulously.

"Emily wanted to," Alison answered quietly. "Did you not trust me?" Hanna asked with a hurtful tone. "I didn't trust myself," Alison replied, "I was scared Hanna." Hanna nodded in understanding, "So what happened?" She questioned. I so was not wanting to have this conversation today..or like ever.

"What do you mean?" Alison breathed out. "Why did she break up with you?" Hanna asked. Alison raised an eyebrow, "Why are you assuming she broke up with me? What if I ended it?" She challenged.

Hanna gave her a look, "Mhm." Alison smirked lightly and sighed, "Why do you think? I wasn't ready to come out and tell people. I made her keep it a secret. She got tired of waiting," Alison finally answered, still slightly slurring her words.

"You're in love with her," Hanna stated randomly. Alison raised an eyebrow, "Where did that come from?" She asked. "When we were talking about your imaginary boyfriend...you told me you were in love...but you weren't in love with that guy because there never was a guy...you're in love with Emily," Hanna stated. Alison finally let the tears fall down her cheeks and nodded, "She's the best thing that's ever happened to me," she whispered, "And I fucked it all up."

Hanna stayed silent for a moment before standing up suddenly, "Get up," she demanded. Alison looked at her with confusion, "Why?" She asked. Hanna put her hands on her hips, "Because you're going to sober up," she answered. I don't even know what sober is anymore.

"Then, you're going to take a shower and fix your hair and go over to Emily's," Hanna instructed. "Why would I do that?" Alison asked incredulously. "This moping around and feeling sorry for yourself is over," Hanna replied firmly, "You're going to get your girl back."

Alison raised an eyebrow, "So you don't care...that I'm...that I'm-" "-Gay? Ali I don't give a flying fuck who you date. I just want to see you happy," Hanna replied with a smile. Alison lightly smiled back, "Oh." Hanna let out a laugh, "What? Did you expect me to spit in your face after coming out?"

Alison smiled lightly, "I don't even know if I'm...a lesbian," she said hesitantly while grimacing at the word, "I've never felt this way about any other girl before...just Emily," she shared. Hanna smiled, "I don't care. You're still the same Ali whether you are dating a boy or dating a girl."

Alison smiled sadly, "Everyone else doesn't see it like that." Hanna went and sat down beside her on the bed, "Since when do you let other people scare you? You're Alison DiLaurentis." Alison put her face in her hands, "It's not that simple Han," her words still lightly slurred.

"Like hell it isn't. Listen, I understand why you're scared, but the people who truly love you won't care who you date or what you are," Hanna comforted. Alison rolled her eyes, "In Rosewood? Yeah right," she said sarcastically. "So that's it?" Hanna asked in a disappointed voice.

Alison looked at her with confusion. "You're just going to give up, roll over, and let Emily walk away? All because of some stupid people at the high school who we won't even know in five years? Please," Hanna scoffed. Alison sighed, "It's too late Hanna. She won't want me back."

"And why are you so sure of that? Have you even tried?" Hanna questioned. "I've texted and called her, but she blocked me a few weeks ago," Alison answered. This time Hanna rolled her eyes, "I meant, have you tried to talk to her in person?"

Alison shook her head, "I can't face her Hanna. It's too much," she mumbled. "You'd rather give up than try? Don't be ridiculous Alison. She loves you, and honestly I'm feeling really dumb right now for not seeing it this whole time," Hanna responded, "But you're going to be the real dumbass if you don't try to fix things with her," she added.

"How was she...when you saw her today?" Alison asked quietly. "Sad, but she's seems okay. Better than you at least," Hanna said with a smirk. "Yeah well she was always the strong one," Alison said forlornly. "Okay stop. You're not some lost puppy Ali. You're strong too. I understand why you're scared, but you can't be stupid enough to let a girl like Emily go," Hanna challenged, "I'm honestly surprised you bagged her in the first place."

Alison whipped her eyes to Hanna, "What the hell Han!" She said in offense and slapped her friend on the arm. "Ouch!" Hanna complained while rubbing her arm with a frown. Her grimace morphed into a smirk, "There's that Alison DiLaurentis fire. Now use that and get your sorry ass up."

"I don't even know what I would say," Alison replied quietly. "How about, 'Hey Em I'm the biggest idiot on planet earth. Take me back please?'" Hanna said with a devilish smile. Alison rolled her eyes, but her smile faded. The thought of seeing Emily again made her stomach flip. "I want to be ready, but Emily was right. I need to come out for me, not for her," Alison said. "Well you just came out to me, and I'm pretty sure that wasn't for Emily," Hanna challenged.

Alison sighed and rubbed her temples. Her head was starting to pound. "Ali, I understand if you feel like you're not ready, but after seeing you this last month I think I can honestly say that losing Emily is worse than whatever opinions people have about you. You've been coming to school in sweat pants and your hair in a bun. If you really cared that much about what people thought, I don't think you'd show your face in public looking like that," Hanna said.

"Going to school looking like a mess isn't the same as announcing to people that I'm with a girl Han," Alison argued. "Do you remember when Bridgett puked in PE?" Hanna asked. Alison raised an eyebrow in confusion, "Yes, why?"

"Do you remember when Noel was caught cheating?" Hanna asked again. Alison gave her a cautious look, "Yes...why Hanna?" She asked back, getting more impatient. "Do you remember when Prudence got that boob job?" Hanna continued. "Of course I do. What's the point?" Alison replied. "Everybody talks about everyone, but eventually there's always some new drama and people move on to the next juicy thing," Hanna explained, "I know deep down you really don't care about what they think about you."

"I haven't cared about anything lately," Alison replied. "My point exactly. If life isn't worth living without Emily in it, then you need to try to fix it with her. Sitting around, getting drunk, and looking at photos of her isn't going to change anything," Hanna said, "And fuck everybody else! You know you have me by your side to bitch slap somebody if they step out of line."

Alison smiled softly, but her smile faded as her eyes travelled over to the photo on her nightstand. She knew Hanna was right. "Do you want to know what I think?" Hanna asked after Alison didn't respond. "Do I have a choice?" Alison shot back. Hanna smirked, "I think you're scared of talking to her because there's a chance she might not want you back." Alison looked at her in surprise. Hanna was right again. "But you never know if you don't try," Hanna added.

Alison broke eye contact with Hanna. "Do you want her back?" Hanna asked again after Alison stayed silent. "Of course I do," Alison answered firmly, "But if she does take me back...and I tell people...everything would change," she said quietly. Hanna smiled kindly and put her hand on Alison's, "Babe, everything already has changed."

"I-I can't. I don't know how to face her after everything," Alison replied. "It's not going to be an easy, but has this last month been easy for you? No. So get up," Hanna demanded while standing up and reaching out a hand to her. Alison looked up at her with a glare, "Really?" She asked sassily. Hanna stuck her hand out further and raised an eyebrow. Alison shook her head and sighed, but she grabbed Hanna's hand anyways and let her friend pick her up.

Emily

"Everybody said to let you go, said we were no good together. So, I walked away, after too many fights in the back of the cab. But your memory stayed, and it follows me everywhere. I close my eyes and we're on the beach, sitting cross-legged, talking about all the places we want to go. I turn over in the sheets and the pillow still smells of your perfume. Tell me how I am supposed to move on when I'm haunted by all the things you are."

-a poem from I Hope You Stay by Courtney Peppernell

Later that afternoon,

Emily was cleaning off the espresso machine, attempting to work to avoid her nagging thoughts. Ever since Hanna came to see her she couldn't get her mind off of Alison. She's not talking to Hanna. She's barely going to school. She's not going to prom. She's drinking. God this is all my fault.

Emily already felt overwhelming sadness and heartache after leaving the blonde, but now she was feeling guilty. She was a wreck after Hanna left The Brew earlier that afternoon. She was dropping cups and spilling drinks. All Emily could think about was the sound of Alison screaming and crying. That sound would wake her in her sleep, but it was now starting to haunt her in broad daylight.

Emily knew that she broke Alison's heart, hell, she broke her own, but Emily figured the blonde would've bounced back by now. She pictured Alison avoiding the pain and pretending everything was fine. She pictured the blonde shopping with Hanna and going on dates with boys.

The thought of Alison being with someone else romantically made her nauseous, but Emily never imagined her being holed up in the house and avoiding her best friend. It took every ounce of her to not unblock Alison and text her, but she knew that wasn't a good idea.

Emily looked up when the door of the coffee shop opened. "Emily, hi!" Samara greeted, "I didn't know you worked here now." Emily smiled, "Hi! Yeah I started a few weeks ago." Samara walked up to the counter and set her purse down, "How have you been? I haven't seen you in ages stranger," she teased.

"I've been alright. Staying busy with school and swim," Emily answered nonchalantly. "Good! How's Alison?" Samara asked. Great. I can't escape her at all today. Can I have one conversation without Alison being mentioned? Emily shifted her weight, "We actually broke up," she replied awkwardly. "Oh...I had no idea. I'm sorry," Samara said sincerely. Emily shrugged her shoulders, "It's okay," she lied. I'm not okay. I can't even think straight.

"Well are you free after you get off? Want to go out?" Samara offered with a smile. "Oh..Um..I'm not really looking for another relationship right now," Emily said with a look of apathy. Samara parted her mouth. "Shit...you meant like a friend thing...I'm sorry, I shouldn't have assumed," Emily stumbled over her words, feeling extremely embarrassed.

Samara smirked at her through a smile, reaching her hand out and placing her fingers on top of Emily's on the counter, "You didn't assume wrong," Samara replied while raising an eyebrow. Emily's eyes widened, "Oh..." the brunette's voice trailed off. "I'm not looking for anything serious either, but if you'd like to just hang out..." Samara said flirtatiously while running a finger slowly up Emily's arm, "...I'm down for that."

Oh. She's wanting to hook up. Emily felt her heart skip a beat and her breathing speed up from the blonde's touch. It happened naturally, against her own mind's better judgement. Emily felt more guilt wash over her when she realized she liked being flirted with. It was as if she was betraying Alison, but she knew that was ridiculous. You're not with her anymore.

Emily nodded lightly in realization, "I shouldn't," the brunette answered, "But can I get you anything to drink?" She asked while pulling her arm away gently. "No problem. If you change your mind you have my number, but yes I'd love an iced vanilla latte," Samara replied.

Emily smiled and turned to make her coffee. "How much do I owe you?" Samara asked. Emily glanced at her while she was pulling an espresso shot, "Nothing. It's on me today. Take it as a thank you for listening to me at that fundraiser." Samara laughed, "That was months ago." Emily smiled brightly in return as she poured the milk, "Was it? I don't recall," the brunette teased back.

She watched Samara smile in response, and Emily's cheeks heated up. Flirting is normal. I'm single now. I'm not betraying anyone. Emily scooped ice into the cup and popped a lid on, "Here," she said as she handed the drink across the counter. Their fingers brushed against each other as they exchanged the drink. "Thank you for the coffee. It was nice seeing you Emily," Samara said. "You too," Emily returned the sentiment as she watched the blonde give her one more smile before exiting the coffee shop.

Emily's smile faltered when she saw the door close. A pretty girl just offered to hang out with you...offered to hook up, and I just said no. What the hell is wrong with me? Would it really be so bad if I did? It could be a good thing. I would do anything to get my mind off of Alison right now. Maybe it would make this awful feeling go away. Maybe a distraction would fix it. Maybe touching someone else would help my heartache. I can't keep thinking about it. I need to not think.

Emily's feet moved on their own accord before she made her mind up. The brunette speedily rushed out of the coffee shop. She glanced around outside until her eyes landed on the blonde opening her car door. Emily ran until she was close enough to yell: "Samara!" The blonde turned her head and looked at Emily.

"Crap did I leave something? I always do that," Samara said while walking towards the brunette. "N-no I...Do you still want to hang out later?" Emily replied with a shy smile. Samara tilted her head and grinned, "Of course. Changed your mind already?" She asked. Emily smiled back, "I get off in 15 minutes. My mom is in Texas..." she hinted. Samara smirked, "Okay. I'll wait for you and I can follow you to your house." "Perfect," Emily replied before walking back inside The Brew. I just did that...it felt good. Maybe this is exactly what I need.

Alison

"You took every breath, and I struggle with what is left.

I call it love but my friends call it despair.

And while I'm asking what is and isn't fair,

you've been moving on, like you just don't care."

-a poem from The Road Between by Courtney Peppernell

"I don't know if this a good idea," Alison mumbled while Hanna finished the final touches of her makeup in the bathroom. "Oh hush you'll be fine," Hanna replied as she put the makeup brushes away. "What if she slams the door in my face?" Alison asked as she checked herself out in the mirror.

"Why would Emily slam the door in your face?" Hanna asked back. Alison huffed while she fixed her hair, "I don't know." "Exactly, you're just nervous," Hanna replied, "Come here." Alison turned around to face her friend and watched Hanna unbutton her shirt, exposing her cleavage, "There," Hanna said with a proud smirk.

Alison glanced down at her exposed chest, "Emily is more of an ass girl." Hanna grimaced, "Okay I love you both, but I don't need to hear that." Alison smirked, "Do you know how many times Emily and I sat and listened to you talk about Caleb's abs and his big-" "-Okay! Fair enough!" Hanna interrupted, a blush forming on her cheeks.

Alison's laugh died out as butterflies filled her stomach, "I can do this," she said, but she was really talking to herself as she stared at her reflection. "You can, and it'll go great," Hanna consoled and put her hand on Alison's back. "Do you think she's moved on?" Alison asked quietly.

Hanna eyed her as they looked at each other in the mirror, "Only one way to find out babe," she replied. Alison inhaled a deep breath, doing a once over in the mirror, "I guess it's now or never." Hanna grabbed the top of Alison's shoulders and gently pushed her out of the bathroom.

Alison's heart was pounding out of her chest as she pulled up to the Fields' house. Emily's car is here...but who's car is that? Maybe Mrs. Fields got a new car. She gripped the steering wheel as she stared up at Emily's bedroom window. She thought about the last words they said to each other and the countless voicemails she sent to the brunette. Maybe I shouldn't do this. If she wanted you back she would've picked up the phone.

Alison reached for her keys to start the car and drive away, but her phone dinged. A text from Hanna: "You got this!!!" Alison sighed. She's right. I would be an idiot if I didn't at least try. The blonde tossed her keys into her purse and flung open her car door. She took one more glance at the brunette's window before walking up the driveway.

Alison lightly knocked on the front door, anxiously waiting for it to open. After a minute of no response she knocked again. Silence. She huffed. Maybe this is a sign. Maybe Emily saw me pull up and she's ignoring me. God I shouldn't do this. I shouldn't be here. Alison was about to walk away, but Hanna's voice ran around in her head, pestering her. She knew she wouldn't hear the end of it if she gave up. I have to try.

Her hand shook as she reached for the doorknob. To her surprise, it was open. She cautiously walked inside the home. The scent of Emily's house hit her nose and she inhaled. Alison bent down and took off her shoes, "Hello?" She asked as she neatly set her heels on the welcome mat. Alison hesitated at the bottom of the stairs. God this is weird. Is this breaking and entering?

"Emily? It's me," Alison announced herself, but she was met with more silence. Well this is awkward. She ran her fingers through her hair before taking the first steps up towards the second floor. As she approached the brunette's bedroom she could hear faint music. Maybe that's why she didn't hear me.

Alison's heart was working at light speed. I don't know if it's the hangover or the fact that I'm about to face her, but I could throw up right now. She closed her eyes for a brief moment as she wrapped her delicate fingers around the bedroom doorknob. Just do it.

"Emily it's-" Alison's words caught in throat as her eyes landed on the girl she loved...with her shirt off...stranger's hands on her bare back...kissing someone...laying on top of another blonde on her bed. "Alison!" Emily said in surprise as she pulled herself off of Samara.

Alison stood frozen at door and tears filled her eyes. She couldn't move or speak. She watched the brunette fumble for her t shirt. Her eyes drifted over to the other blonde on Emily's bed whose hair was throughly messed up and lips swollen.

Seeing Samara was all it took for Alison to swiftly exit the bedroom and run down the staircase. "Alison!" She heard Emily call her name from upstairs while she attempted to put her heels back on. "Alison wait!" Emily called out. She made eye contact with the brunette stumbling down the stairs whilst tugging her shirt over her head.

Alison ripped open the door and left the house, nearly smacking Emily in the face with her quick exit. She heard the brunette's footsteps rushing after her, "Ali!" Emily yelled. She froze in her tracks in the middle of the sidewalk, tears streaming down her face. Hearing Emily call her Ali lit a fire in her soul.

She whipped around to face the brunette who was a few steps behind her. Emily had a look of guilt written all over her face. She was panting heavily from running after the blonde. They both stood silently, chests heaving, and stared at each other. Emily's mouth parted as if she was trying to find words, but nothing came out.

"Don't you need to go back to your girlfriend?" Alison snapped angrily, but her voice cracked. "She's not my girlfriend," Emily stuttered out. Alison's lips quivered in reaction from being so close to her...from hearing her voice in person...from seeing her on top of that girl. Alison bit her lip, drawing blood, "Oh wow. So you're just fuck buddies. Is that supposed to make me feel any better Emily?" She seethed. Wet hot tears dropped onto the pavement she was standing on.

"It's not like that," Emily explained desperately. Alison finally focused more on the brunette through her teary eyed vision, noticing the same appearance Samara had: a light sheen of sweat, lips swollen, messy hair. "Don't bullshit me Emily," she swore, her anger bubbling over the surface. "I'm not bullshitting you," Emily replied quietly, but her own wavering voice was betraying her. Alison shook her head as her tears blurred her vision, "Why her? How could you?" She questioned, her voice raising a pitch through her crying.

"Ali...I-I don't-" "-You know what's really fucked up Emily?! I've been crying in my room for the last three weeks over you! And you've already found another blonde to stick your fingers in!" Alison screamed hotly, her emotions switching back to anger. Emily took a step towards her but Alison stuck her hand out, making the brunette halt in her tracks. "T-That's not true," Emily attempted to defend herself, but was failing miserably. "Don't patronize me," Alison snapped back.

"I'm sorry," Emily whispered. Alison's lips quivered, "That seems like the only thing you've been able to say lately," Alison fumed. Emily opened her mouth again, but the brunette couldn't say a word. Alison tore her eyes away, and as she turned, Emily finally spoke up: "Why did come here?" The brunette asked.

Alison continued to bite down on her lip, tasting copper from her own blood. She took a shaky breath before facing Emily again. The blonde let out a sarcastic, heartbroken laugh, "To win you back...To apologize...To tell you how big I massively fucked up by letting you walk away," She responded angrily, "Clearly it's too late," she added. Emily took another step closer to her, "Ali-" "-No Emily. Don't," Alison replied with hostility and defeat in her voice.

Alison stood for a moment, silently hoping Emily could come up with something to say...anything, but the brunette simply looked at her with sadness, confusion, and indifference. She took one final look at the brunette and scoffed before walking away, hearing nothing but silence in her wake.

Emily

"Letting Him Go

There is a particular kind of suffering to be experienced when you love something greater than yourself. A tender sacrifice.

Like the pained silence felt in the lost song of a mermaid; or the bent and broken feet of a dancing ballerina. It is in every considered step I am taking in the opposite direction of you."

-a poem from Memories by Lang Leav

The next day,

Emily was counting down the minutes until her shift ended. The sun was beginning to set on the brunette's dreadful day. She had plans to go over to Spencer's and stay the night. It was a hope of Emily's that her best friend could tell her the things she wanted to hear:

That I'm not a bad person. That I didn't break Alison's heart all over again. That it wasn't a mistake to hookup with Samara.

Emily furrowed her eyebrows as she mechanically picked up the dirty coffee mugs from tables. She felt awful...worse than awful...she felt like the shit someone scrapes off of their shoe with a grimace and groan.

After she helplessly watched Alison leave her house yesterday, Emily did a walk of shame back to her bedroom and asked Samara to leave. The other blonde understood. Samara was embarrassed too, and maybe slightly smug, which put a sour taste in Emily's mouth.

She sat frozen, lost in time on her window seat the rest of the night. She spent a considerable amount of time hovering her finger above the call button under Alison's contact in her phone. Emily never called.

The brunette spent more time yelling at herself through her thoughts. She learned a valuable lesson: Trying to hookup with someone while your heart is actively broken doesn't fix a damn thing.

Emily also pondered the very real possibility that the universe was conspiring against her. Yes, she agreed with herself, hooking up to numb pain doesn't work, but it's my luck that Alison had to walk into my bedroom when I was actively doing so.

The other part of her evening consisted of her feeling the flicker of a flame. That flame was Alison. Yes, the universe ripped her a new one, but she came to see me. She came to apologize. To win me back. My dumbass was too shocked and shameful to say anything, but she came.

The rest of her night circled back to her trying to blow out that flame. But an apology doesn't fix it. It doesn't change that we need time apart. It doesn't change that she's not out.

Emily wiped down the last table outside of The Brew, and as she went to walk back inside the shop, a blonde stood in her way. Emily nearly dropped the bin of dishes on the ground from the surprise, "Hanna! You scared the hell out of me! Why didn't you say anything?"

Hanna raised an eyebrow and gave her a disapproving look. Emily sighed, "Hanna I told you, you're going to have to talk with Alison I-" "-She told me everything," Hanna interrupted. "What do you mean everything?" Emily asked slowly, unsure of what 'everything' meant. "The truth...your relationship...your breakup...all of it," Hanna stated simply as if she wasn't dropping another bomb on Emily's life.

Emily felt the wind get knocked out of her, and all she could muster up was an: "Oh." Hanna put a hand on her hip, "She told me about Samara too," she said in a tone Emily couldn't figure out. Is she pissed? Is she here to kill me? Emily's eyes widened, "Hanna I-" "-Listen I understand a girl needing some revenge sex but-" "-It wasn't revenge sex...t-there wasn't any sex," Emily cut off the blonde, stuttering and blushing.

The brunette was preparing herself for another verbal smack down by a blonde for the second time this week, but Hanna smirked, "I'm not here to bust your balls..." Emily raised an eyebrow and Hanna cracked a smile, "...or whatever, you know what I mean," Hanna finished. Emily let out a small sigh of relief and set the dish bin down on the table beside them. "I didn't necessarily plan on Alison walking in," Emily mumbled quietly while rubbing the back of her neck.

"Yeah that was kinda my fault," Hanna replied sheepishly. Emily squinted her eyes, "How?" Hanna looked off at a passing car before meeting the brunette's brown eyes, "I was the one who convinced her to go and talk to you," she admitted. Emily gave her a look, "That's not your fault Hanna. You couldn't have known that I...you didn't know," Emily consoled, still stumbling over her words.

"Do you love her?" Hanna asked bluntly, changing the direction of the conversation. "Who?" Emily asked back. Hanna huffs, "Ali, duh!" Emily pursed her lips, "Hanna of course I love her," she replied firmly. "Do you love Samara?" Hanna challenged, but with genuine curiosity in her tone.

Emily blushed, "What...No...I was just-" "-I promise I didn't come here to grill you Emily. I totally understand needing a post breakup hookup," Emily opened her mouth to interrupt Hanna and to correct her that it was in fact not a hookup (it was), but Hanna continued, "But the real reason why I came is because of Ali. She needs you Emily. After she caught you doing that...after the incident yesterday, she's back to shutting me out all over again. I need your help," Hanna explained.

Emily sighed, not fully grasping the severity of Alison's mental health, but Hanna was desperate. The shorter-haired blonde remembered how Alison was after she came back from Emily's place:

Hanna was laying on Alison's bed, waiting for her friend to arrive. She was anxiously flipping through a Cosmo when she heard the harsh click of heels. Alison's bedroom door bursted open, "That fucking SLUT!!" Alison screeched as she threw her purse across the bedroom, the contents flying in different directions.

Hanna jumped off of the bed, "What? Who?" She asked quickly. Hanna watched as Alison kicked off her heels and stomped over the dresser, picking up the whiskey bottle and drinking the liquor for a little too long. "That stupid skank from that stupid fucking pride group!" Alison cursed and swung the bottle dramatically in her hand, the liquid sloshing around.

Hanna finally noticed the smears and smudges of Alison's makeup, the tell tale sign that her friend had been crying. If it wasn't for the ruined makeup, Hanna wouldn't have known that fact because the only emotion she could see on Alison's face was pure fury.

Alison grabbed an old red solo cup and poured the rest of the whiskey in it, "If I wasn't so shocked I would've dragged that bitch to the depths of hell," Alison muttered hatefully as she took another generous swig. "Ali what happened?" Hanna questioned.

Alison finally met Hanna's gaze. The look of malice in her friend's eyes startled Hanna. "She was fucking that whore Hanna," Alison spat in response. "Emily?" Hanna asked disbelievingly. Alison downed the rest of her drink before she threw the cup down onto the floor. "Alison seriously! What happened?" Hanna asked again.

Alison used the back of her hand to wipe off of her lipgloss, "I need another drink," she said absentmindedly. "Um Ali?? Hello?? Are you going to tell me what the hell happened?" Hanna pestered impatiently. Alison walked over to her dresser and popped open a compartment at the bottom of a drawer, revealing another bottle of whiskey.

"Ali...are you sure that's a good idea?" Hanna asked hesitantly. Alison scoffed, "Am I supposed to listen to you? You were the one who told me to go to Emily's! So no thank you. I think I've had enough of your brilliant ideas," Alison spat as she opened the bottle.

Hanna stood silently, unsure of what to say or do. "Just go Hanna," Alison said quietly with tears starting to fill her eyes again. "Ali I can stay and we can ta-" "-I said go!" Alison screamed, making Hanna jump. Hanna looked at her with sadness and worry and slowly exited the room, listening to the sound of her friend taking another shot.

"I don't really know how I can help Hanna," Emily replied through a heavy sigh. "Her drinking is bad Em, and she won't listen to me," Hanna continued. "And you think she's going to listen to me?" Emily asked incredulously. "Yes," Hanna replied confidently.

Emily gave her a dumbfounded look, "I'm pretty sure she never wants to see me again Han." "That's not true," Hanna defended, but she winced after Emily gave her a look, "Well okay...she's pissed off right now, but you and I both know that you're the only person she listens to," Hanna continued. Emily sighed, "So you want me to do an intervention?" She asked in a sarcastic tone.

"Well not so much an intervention and more of like a kindly worded conversation of how she needs to stop drinking," Hanna replied with a small smile. Emily rolled her eyes, "That's an intervention Han." Emily went to pick up the dish bin, but the blonde stuck her hand out onto the brunette's. "Wait. Em, I don't know what else to do. She's not in a good place. You know what her family is like. Her dad is MIA and her mom doesn't give a shit. Jason is too stoned to even care. She needs someone else in her corner," Hanna pleaded.

Emily let out an impatient huff, "What do you expect me to say Hanna? 'Hey Ali I know I just broke your heart, but like, you should stop being sad about it'? Yeah I can totally see Ali responding really well to that," The brunette replied sarcastically. "Emily please, I'm begging you. Even though I was completely clueless to your relationship, I saw how happy she was around you. You changed her."

Emily's eyes lingered through the windows of The Brew before facing her stubborn friend, "About that…I'm sorry for not telling you about me and Ali. It was...complicated." Hanna waved it off, "Oh girl I'm not mad. I just wish Ali would've told me. I'm sorry for asking about that fake boyfriend all the time," she replied with a sheepish look. Emily smiled, "It's fine Han, but me seeing Ali right now wouldn't be for the best...for either of us. We need some space."

Hanna rolled her eyes dramatically, "Do you really believe that? Or are you just delusional?" Emily furrowed her eyebrows in response, "Delusional about what?" Hanna gave her a pointed look, "Your dumb idea of you and Ali needing space!" Hanna answered, "You two are both like Eeyore right now!"

Emily squinted her eyes, "Eeyore?" She asked with a small smirk. "You know from that cartoon…looney tunes or something," Hanna explained. "You mean Winnie the Pooh?" Emily asked with a grin. Hanna rolled her eyes again, "Whatever! Look, I'm not forcing you to get back together with her, even though I'm totally a Emison stan, but if you care about Ali at all, can you please come with me and talk to her?" Hanna continued pushing.

Emily looked confused, "Emison?" She asked back. "Your ship name," Hanna replied as if it was obvious. Emily raised an eyebrow, "Ship name?" She asked, completely clueless. "You know! It's when you combine your favorite couples names together...Kim and Kayne: Kimye. Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt: Brangelina. Me and Caleb: Haleb," Hanna explained. Emily sighed, "Got it. Well I appreciate the thought process to give us a ship name, but we're not together anymore...which is the exact reason why I don't think it's smart for me to talk to Ali. I really need to get back to work Hanna."

Emily picked up her dish bin. "Please hear me out Em," Hanna pleaded, "She's scaring me, and she needs someone else in her corner aside from me." Emily paused and rested the bin on her hip, "What do you mean she's scaring you?" Hanna simply sat down in the chair and patted her hand on the empty one beside her. Emily glanced at her place of work. She sighed and sat down beside the blonde, knowing damn well she wouldn't be able to escape the conversation.

"Tell me...why is she scaring you?" She asked again. "When I say her drinking is bad...it's bad Em. The addiction gene runs strong in that family. I'm terrified she's going to choke on her own vomit." Emily's eyes widened, "Hanna! Don't say that!" She scolded. "See you do care about her!" Hanna retorted. Emily grew more frustrated. "Hanna obviously I care about her. I love her, but I can't just show up to her house and tell her to stop drinking. I'm clearly the reason she is," the brunette reasoned, her voice getting more somber.

"Then come with me," Hanna shot back. Emily tightened the hair tie holding up her bun, "I can't Han." "Emily I don't know what else to do. I'm worried," Hanna kept begging. Emily saw the frown lines on the blonde's forehead. She could plainly see that Hanna was serious, and Hanna was rarely a serious type of girl. "I know that Hanna...and I'm worried about her too, okay? But I can't help. It'll just make things worse."

Hanna furrowed her eyebrows and Emily began to think the blonde was finally resigning and letting it go. She felt guilty, but sitting there and listening to Alison's distraught best friend only made her guilt worse. And what could she truly do? She made the mess, but this wasn't a situation where she could pick up the pieces.

The brunette put her hand on top of Hanna's, "I'm sorry." Hanna wouldn't meet her eyes. She looked over at the upset blonde, "You know I love her, and I love you too, but I can't fix this." She waited a moment for a response, but when she received none Emily began to sit up from her chair.

Hanna's hand reached out and grabbed her wrist, "Please Em. I'm serious about this. At the rate she's going she's going to kill herself." Emily sat back down. "Jesus Han can you stop saying stuff like that? I know you're serious about this, but how do you really think it's going to go if I walk into her house and confront her? Especially after yesterday?" Hanna let go of the brunette's wrist, "I don't know, but it doesn't hurt to try right? Plus I'll be there with you. She needs a wake up call. She cares about your opinion Em."

Emily tightened her jaw and stared absentmindedly at the dirty dishes. She glanced up and saw the pain in Hanna's eyes, and also the small glimmer of hope. She let out a breath, "Okay. I'll think about it." Hanna smiled, "Thank you!" Emily gave her a small smile and nodded while she sat up and grabbed the dish bin. "When do you get off?" Hanna asked, looking up at her. "In like ten minutes. Why?"

"Perfect! I'll wait for you!" She said excitedly. Emily looked down at her in shock, "Hanna I said I'll think about it. I didn't agree to go today." Hanna crossed her arms, "You don't have time to think Emily. Ali needs help." Emily groaned, "Hanna…" "Emilyyyyy," she teased back. Emily shook her head, "Okay. Okay fine, but if it doesn't go well I'm blaming you." Hanna grinned, "Fair enough." Emily walked off back into the coffee shop. What have I gotten myself into?

That same thought was going through Emily's mind as she drove her and Hanna to the DiLaurentis' house. Hanna, true to her word, waited for the brunette to get off of work and hopped into Emily's car.

"I can't believe I let you talk me into this," Emily complained as she drove the quiet evening streets of Rosewood. Hanna was re-applying her lipgloss, looking into the passenger side mirror, "I didn't talk you into anything. You agreed."

Emily glanced over and rolled her eyes, "If I didn't agree, would you have let it go?" Hanna smirked, "Probably not." Emily smiled, but her smile quickly left her face when she turned onto Alison's street. Emily took a deep breath, "This might be your dumbest idea yet Han."

Hanna went to reply, but she first noticed the twenty plus cars parked around the DiLaurentis' house. Emily saw them at the same time. "What the..." Hanna said, her voice trailing off. Emily slowed her car down and parked behind the line of vehicles. "She threw a party and didn't invite me!" Hanna screeched. Emily looked hesitantly, "Maybe this isn't the best time to do this."

Hanna undid her seatbelt, "Nuh uh. We're going in there. I can't believe she didn't tell me about a party!" Emily saw a group of college boys come outside of the house and light a joint. "I'm not going in," Emily said firmly. Hanna whipped around in her seat, "Um no! you're coming with me! You promised!"

"I didn't promise anything Hanna, and I'm definitely not going to talk to Alison with drunk college kids everywhere." Hanna reached over and unbuckled Emily's seatbelt, "We can take a few shots for courage," Hanna suggested. "This already wasn't a good idea, and now it's an awful idea," the brunette argued. Emily frowned when she heard the obnoxious sound of frat boys.

Hanna swiped up the Emily's keys that were resting on the middle console. "Hey! Give them back!" Emily tried to swipe them away, but Hanna put them in her purse. The brunette glared at her, "Hanna." The blonde smirked and opened the passenger side door. Hanna leaned down, "You coming or what?" Emily gave her another death glare and sighed before she opened her car door.

The sound of rap music raged louder as the two girls walked up to the house. Emily walked behind Hanna as they passed a few partiers standing near the front door. Hanna strutted in the house with the nervous, hesitant brunette in tow. Emily widened her eyes when she saw the mess that had become of the DiLaurentis' home.

People were sitting on the kitchen island, pizza boxes were on random surfaces, red solo cups were scattered everywhere, and music was blaring. Emily reached out for Hanna's arm, "I think we should go!" She shouted over the music and people laughing.

Hanna grabbed the brunette's arm and tugged her towards the kitchen. "Hey Noel!" Hanna yelled and tapped the shoulder of a tall brunette guy. "Hey Marin! I was wondering when you'd show up! I didn't see you with Ali earlier!" Hey greeted back. Emily recognized Noel from the high school, but he always gave her the ick.

"I'm actually looking for her! Do you know where she is?" Hanna asked. Emily cowered and ducked to avoid getting hit in the head by a football that was thrown across the house. Noel caught it with ease, "Nice throw jackass!" He shouted to the dude who threw the ball. "Take that outside assholes!" Jason yelled as he walked into the kitchen.

"Jason!" Hanna shouted, "Where's Ali?" Jason poured himself a drink and walked up to the girls, "Hey Hanna," he greeted and turned to Emily, "Emily, right?" He asked with a big grin. Emily gave him a tight lipped smile and nodded. He looked back to Hanna, "I haven't seen her recently. Have you checked her room?"

"Hey Jason!" Some college guy came up and did a handshake with Jason. Hanna rolled her eyes and grabbed Emily's arm, pulling her back through the crowd. Once they reached the middle of the stairs, Emily felt sick. Hanna turned around after the brunette stopped. "I-I can't do this Hanna! I shouldn't be here!" She shouted.

Emily glanced up towards Alison's bedroom door. What am I doing? I can't see her. This is a stupid idea. The brunette pulled her arm away from Hanna and slowly shoved her way through people to get down the stairs. She knew the blonde had her keys, but Emily just wanted to get out of the house.

Emily only made it a few steps down the stairs when she heard Alison's voice, making her freeze. "Hannaaaa!" Her slurred voice yelled over the noise of the crowd. Emily turned around and saw her stumble down the few short steps to pull Hanna into a hug. That's when Alison finally made eye contact with the brunette standing below them.

She watched the confusion and then the anger go across Alison's face. She saw Alison turn to Hanna, "What is she doing here?" Hanna turned to look at Emily, silently asking the brunette to come back. Emily shook her head. Alison looked at her again before rolling her eyes and storming off to her bedroom.

Hanna turned back to Emily and raised a eyebrow, nodding her head in the direction of where Alison went. Emily walked back up to Hanna so the blonde could hear her. "She doesn't want to see me Hanna! This was a mistake! Can you give me my keys? You can either come with me or stay, but I need to go!"

"Em, we just got here! She already saw you!" Hanna shouted back. Emily went to reply but two guys pushed their way in between them to go upstairs. Hanna grabbed the brunette's arm and tugged her up the stairs. As soon as they finally got out of the way of the people on the staircase, Emily pulled her arm back. "Hanna she's mad! I should just go!"

"Emily please. I can't do this alone." Hanna glanced at the closed bedroom door. Emily saw the desperation and the worry on the blonde's face. "Okay, fine, but only for a minute okay?" Emily offered. Hanna smiled triumphantly and held the brunette's hand as they walked to Alison's room. Oh god.

Emily grimaced when the blonde didn't even knock, but causally opened Alison's door and pulled her inside. "What the fuck Hanna!Why-" Alison stopped speaking after eyes landed on Emily standing in her room. Hanna took a step towards the drunk girl, "Ali-" "-Get out," Alison said lowly, her eyes boring into Emily's. The brunette stood back awkwardly by the bedroom door, looking down at the floor.

"Ali we're worried about you," Hanna implied, not backing down. "What is this?" Alison looked furiously back and forth between Emily and Hanna. The brunette couldn't look her in the eye. "Em?" Hanna motioned again with her head. Emily sighed and took a few steps forward into Alison's room.

Alison held her gaze with a icy look. Emily didn't know what to say. She was heavily regretting her decision to go with Hanna. "Ali...Hanna told me about...we just wanted to talk to you..." Emily stuttered over her words, feeling heat in her cheeks. Hanna stepped in, "Oh jesus. Ali, listen, you're drinking is getting out of control. We're scared and we want to help you."

Alison still stared at Emily with a hostile look. "That's rich. Pretending like you actually give a fuck about me," Alison spat out, clearly directing her words at Emily. Ever since she saw the brunette in her room, Alison hadn't looked once at Hanna. "I do care about you. I love you. I-" Alison scoffed in the middle of Emily's sentence.

Emily directed her eyes back to the floor. She couldn't bare to see the anger in Alison's eyes. She's never seen the blonde look at her in such a way. Even after she caught her with Samara, Emily could see the love in the blonde's eyes. Now, Alison looked different...she looked at Emily differently. She knew the alcohol probably effected it, but deep down Emily knew that ever since Alison caught her with Samara, things changed.

Alison whipped her eyes to Hanna, "You're supposed to be my best friend. How could you bring her here?" Emily winced from the way Alison said her name. She said it with destain. Emily saw the hurt on Hanna's face. The brunette took another step forward, "Hanna was just-" "-You're not in my life anymore Emily! You don't get to walk into my house...into my room and tell me that you're worried about me!" Alison screamed at the brunette.

Emily's eyes started filling with tears. "Ali I'm so sorry about Sama-" "-Don't!" Alison yelled, "You chose to leave Emily! You chose to move on! So why are you here?!" Hanna was now the one looking awkwardly at the ground. Emily could barely speak, "Ali-"

"-Do you not get what I'm saying?! I don't want to talk to you...I don't want to see you...ever!" Emily staggered backwards. The words sliced into her like a knife. Hanna tried to stand up for Emily, "Alison, Emily is only trying to help," she said quietly. Alison let out a sarcastic laugh, "Emily has done plenty." Emily blinked back her tears.

Emily and Hanna both stayed silent and watched the blonde take a shot of whiskey. Alison scoffed, "What? You both are looking at me like I'm a charity case!" Alison took another swig from the bottle and the two girls looked on helplessly. Alison was trashed.

She swung the bottle around as she spoke, "You're acting like you're all high and mighty! Who cares if I'm drinking? Emily found someone else to fuck! Are you worried about her Hanna? No!" Emily glanced over to Hanna. The brunette didn't know what to say or do. Hanna turned her attention to Alison, "Ali, Emily didn't have sex with her."

Alison laughed sarcastically again, "Are you really going to stand up for her? Fuck you!" Hanna raised her eyebrows, "Fuck me? I'm trying to help you!" The other blonde yelled back. "News flash! I didn't fucking ask for it!" Alison screamed. "Ali we love you," Emily said quietly.

Alison looked at the brunette with venom, tears starting to fill her own eyes. Hanna watched as Emily and Alison stared at each other with two very different looks in their eyes. "Get out of my room..." Alison said spitefully, "Get out of my house...Get out of my fucking life Emily!" Emily instinctively flinched. She wanted to be strong for Hanna to have this conversation with Alison, but it was too much. Seeing her sloppy drunk and angry hurt her...seeing her like that only reminded Emily that it was her fault. I broke her heart. I did this.

Emily's lips quivered as tears ran down her face. Alison was crying too, but she looked at the brunette with no remorse. Her eyes were glossed over. The alcohol was inebriating her, but every nasty look and hurtful word was like a punch to Emily.

She turned to Hanna, "I think I should go," she whispered. Alison scoffed again, "Classic Emily! Coming and going whenever she pleases!" Hanna looked back to the blonde furiously, "You just told her to leave Ali! Stop being a bitch!" She scolded her, trying to stand up for Emily. Alison scoffed, "Isn't that what I am Hanna? Isn't that the person who everyone loves? A heartless bitch?"

Emily choked back a sob. She hated seeing Alison like that. Her words didn't even make any sense. This is all my fault. Emily wiped her tears and looked at Alison again, "Okay. If that's what you want. Consider me gone." Emily ripped her eyes away and stuck out her hand to Hanna, asking for her keys. Hanna looked torn and full of guilt when she gave them back to the brunette.

Emily refused to look at Alison as she went to leave, but when she reached for the doorknob, Alison continued: "You ruined everything!" She screamed, her voice cracking. Emily turned back around to face her, "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry Ali." Alison tightened her jaw before throwing the last dagger: "I hate you!" She screamed.

Emily's breath caught in her throat. The air in the room turned thick. "W-what?" The brunette whispered. "Ali..." Hanna's voice lingered with disappointment. For the first time, Alison's eyes softened after she realized what she said. Emily shook her head in disbelief. "Em..." Alison slurred quietly, "I-I didn't..."

Emily's hand fumbled for the doorknob as she ran out of the room. The music was a ringing in her ears. She rushed down the stairs, carelessly pushing people out of the way as tears saturated her face. She heard Hanna call for her, but everything was blurred and she couldn't breath. She wanted out.

Emily yanked open the front door. She almost reached her car when she felt a hand grab her bicep. She turned around, tears streaming down her face. "Emily..." Hanna said softly. "I-I can't..." Emily looked around desperately for her car, but Hanna grabbed her by both of her shoulders. She felt like she couldn't breath. "Emily calm down."

Emily shook her head and tried to unlock her car, but her hands were shaking so bad that she dropped the keys to the ground. Emily leaned down to grab her lanyard, but a sob came out of her mouth. She sat back on her heels and starting crying. Hanna bent down beside her and pulled her into a hug, "Emily she didn't mean it. She's trashed right now. She's not thinking clearly."

Emily cried onto Hanna's shoulder, "She meant every word," she choked out. "No. No she didn't. She's just hurt," Hanna tried to comfort her, but the brunette's body shook in her arms. "I have to go...I have to get out of here," she mumbled.

Emily's hands were still shaking, and Hanna reached out and cupped them in her own hands. "Emily she doesn't hate you. You know that...right?" Hanna asked while trying to calm down the brunette. Emily attempted to wipe some tears, but more kept falling down her face.

"W-why did you bring me here Hanna? I told you it was a bad idea," Emily cried. "I know. I should've listened Em. I'm so sorry. I just wanted to help. I-I didn't think..." Hanna replied. Another group of college kids screeched into the driveway.

Emily pulled away from Hanna and tried to unlock her car. "Emily let me drive you home. You're not okay," Hanna offered. "I'm fine," the brunette replied through a scratchy voice. "You're not fine," Hanna kept pushing. Something inside of her snapped as she faced the blonde, "Just leave me alone Hanna! I didn't want to see her, but you insisted! Now she hates me!" Hanna relented and took her hand off of the brunette's car door, letting Emily go.

Emily backed out of the driveway and sped off, but she only made it one block away before she had to pull over. All she could hear in her head was Alison telling her that she hated her. All she could see was the hateful way Alison looked at her.

After ten minutes of crying to herself, she got under control. Emily picked up her phone and hit dial. It rang a few times before her mother picked up: "Emmy! Hi! I didn't expect you to call. I thought you were staying the night at Spencers?" "Y-Yeah I am, but I wanted to talk to you about something." "Sure honey. What's up?" "I know that I was supposed to stay here for another month before I came to see you guys in Texas, but I want to leave now."

"Oh? You said that you wanted to finish school and work some more before visiting us? Is everything okay?" Emily sniffled and bit her lip, trying to not cry. "Everything's fine. I just miss you guys." "Well that's okay honey. I'm sure we can talk to the airline and extend your trip." "About that...I've changed my mind about only staying in Texas for two weeks." "What do you mean?" "I want to stay for the whole summer..."

Emily let silent tears roll down her cheeks as she spoke on the phone with her mom. I need to get out of here.


Okay guys, as usual, how are we feeling?

That was a shit storm, I know.

Did you think I'd make it that easy for them to fix their relationship? ;)

Okay let's recap: Alison's mom is clearly not home as often. Emily's mom left early to see her dad in Texas. Two very different coping mechanisms are happening with them. Alison is drowning her feelings in alcohol and Emily is burying her feelings in work...oh yeah and that not-so-great attempt of a hookup. Their coping mechanisms definitely aren't working out well. There is a positive though...Alison came out to her bestie (who she isn't particularly happy with rn). Hanna clearly had lots of questions after Emily and Alison went awol, and she definitely got her answers! Go off miss detective Marin! Who knows if Ali would've told her if Hanna didn't practically break into Alison's house lol, but damnit Hanna needed some answers! Emily is officially going to Texas for the summer and getting the hell out of Rosewood. Can you blame her though? Even I felt bad writing that. Alison spiraled even further down the black hole after seeing Emily with Samara. I can't blame her either, but ouch, she sure lashed out. Hanna, our little nosy queen, tried to help fix things but ultimately it somehow got even worse haha.

So...thoughts...opinions...Do you think Alison is going to get her shit together and sober up after telling Emily that? Do you think Emily will forgive her? They both have major healing to do. A lot can happen in a summer.

How did we feel about the split POVs? I probably won't be doing that every chapter and I definitely won't always put a crap ton of poetry in every chapter, but this one was so juicy I couldn't resist!

I'll see you guys next time! Much love,

~3mison