Emison Maybe this time

Chapter 1: Coach Fields

I felt my phone buzzing in my purse as I head to my office. It's going to be a long week since swim meets are all over the country. I've been working as an agent for the past 3 years, just right after college, gave me the opportunity to travel but never really settle in one place. I have relocated 7 times over the past couple of years, it was hard at first, being away from family and friends, but eventually it became the best decision I've ever made. I grabbed my phone and pressed answer.

me: Fields
H: Hello Emily? It's Hanna (excited tone)
me: Oh my god! Hanna? As in THE Hanna Marin?
I can't even remember the last time I spoke to one of my bestfriends, I remember us being so close during middle school till high school, but we lost communication after college and now she is a famous Fashion Designer who I only see in catalogues and magazine covers nowadays.
H: Why so formal Emily Fields? haha, anyways how have you been?? my god.. the last time we saw each other felt like another lifetime ago.
me: I'm doing well actually, Im an agent for UCLA, but you, youre such a big shot now, fashion shows and magazine covers, I'm so proud of you Han, we all are.
H: awwww thanks Em, hearing some sincere comments is a breath of fresh air, you get so used to being complimented in this line of work, you never really know if they even mean it, *sighs* , anyway I actually called you because I have some news for you..
me: What news?
H: Caleb and I are getting married!!! *squeals*
me: OHMYGOD!! Hanna, congratulations! *squeals with her*
H: Thanks Em, anyway, the wedding is going to be at the end of the month, Its sudden, I know but yeah, are you free?? Please be my bridesmaid? Pleaseeeeeee say yes!
me: Of course Han, I would love to. Thank you. Where is the venue?? Im so happy for you Han. I wouldnt miss it for the world.
H: Spencer offered her lakehouse in Rosewood, since we dont want paparazzis to be lurking around during the ceremony, we want it to be as private as possible. We only invited close friends and relatives. And I havent been home in ages, and I just thought maybe its also a good time for a homecoming.
I paused for awhile. Rosewood, Havent heard about it for quite some time. So many bittersweet memories in that place, I never really thought I'd go back there anytime soon. But who am I to disappoint my bestfriend.
H: Em? Are you still there? Are you okay coming home to Rosewood? If youre not I do understand, once in our lives we considered that place hell.
me: Han, its been years, I think we have all moved on from what happened there, besides we'd be there for what 3-4 days? Its your wedding, okay, wherever you decide to I'll be there for you. Always.
H: Thanks Em, you are an amazing friend, I have Aria on the other line, call you later??
me: yeah sure, say hi to Aria for me okay?
H: okay, I missed you Em .
me: missed you too Han, later.
I hung up. I stared at the screen for some time. Rosewood. Rosewood. Rosewood. I've always had the urge to come back, I just never had enough guts. It's still the same place but a lot has change. A lot.

*******************
I rolled my car's window and slowed down, trying to take it all in. 7 years after I left this place, ROSEWOOD still looks the same to me but feels entirely different. I've always known that I left a piece of me here that I dont think I'll ever get back. My heart belongs to this place. Always and Forever. I wonder. Is she here? Did Hanna invite her too? I was too shy to ask, I just dont want to get my hopes up. Maybe she's here, maybe not. Maybe I'll never see her again. I checked the time. Shoot! 11:45 am. I rolled my tinted window back up and stepped on the gas. I'm late for lunch.
*********************************
The Brew. I remember working here for a couple of months during senior year. It looks the same on the outside. I opened the door and I see unfamiliar faces, lots of students studying, reading books, chatting with friends. I wonder if Ezra Fitz still owns this place.

A: Em!!
I saw Aria waving her hand excitedly. I looked to the far right corner of the shop and I saw familiar faces Toby and Spencer, Aria, Hanna and Caleb. I waved my hand back. I gave everyone a tight hug. It just hit me how I missed my friends so much. A little awkward since im the one who stopped communicating with them in the first place. It was the right thing to do that time. I just never really had the chance to look back. We took our seats.
me: Oh my God! You guys, you dont know how much Ive missed you. (I squeeezed Arias hand )
C: Thanks for coming Em, it means so much to Hanna and me.
me: I wouldnt miss this for anything Caleb. Congratulations to both of you.
H: About time you showed up Coach Fields, its been roughly 4 years since weve seen you. I wanna hug you and slap you at the same time.
( Ive missed sarcastic Hanna, I wonder how she is as a boss)
me: I could use a hug Han, hahaha.
T: So how have you been Em?
S: And most importantly, where have you been?
Spencer and Toby are practically finishing each others sentences now. Wow! The perfect match Lieutenant Cavanagh and Atty. Hastings. I feel like Im being interrogated.
me: Im doing well Toby, I work as an agent for UCLA's swim team, and I've been everywhere Spencer, I dont think I can remember the last time I slept in a real bed aside from motels all over the country. Busy, but I'm doing better. (I smiled) How about you guys?? What have you been up to??
A: Well, I am teaching at NYU, crash courses on English Literature, next semester I'm gonna be teaching full-time so Im excited.
me: Good for you Aria, how about the dynamic duo? Spence? Toby? ( It feels to me as if Im the only one who doesnt know what they've been doing these past years)
S: Well, I am working on a case right now, I've been travelling back and forth from Boston to New York and yeah Toby and I have been living together for 3 years. Seriously Emily Fields where have you been?
(Hiding. I answered in my mind. Feels to me like Im the only one who hasnt completely moved on yet. Why cant I be happy like them? Genuinely Happy. Why do I want something I can never have.)
me: Im really sorry you guys, I just felt like I needed to get away and I got so caught up that I never had the chance to look back. I felt like Im still holding on to something from the past that I dont want to burden you with. Seeing how you guys were slowly moving on.
C: Em, it wasnt easy for any of us, but we understand that you did what you had to do and it turns out that you made the right call.
H: Yeah, and we just want you back on board okay? Dont you dare ignore my calls or emails ever again or I swear to God, im gonna dunk your head in that pool.
Everybody started laughing. I did too. I've never laughed this much in such a long time.
A: Dont you leave ever again without telling us, promise?
me: I promise.
S: Dont disappear again Em, okay?
T: If you do, im gonna release a search team to look for you?
me: hahaha, I promise you guys, I'm here now, Im back on board.
C: Cheers to Emily Fields for coming back
all: cheers ( w/ our coffee cups)
H: cheers to Caleb for finally proposing.
all: cheers ( everybody laughed)
S: cheers to an unforgettable weekend.
all: cheers
me: Cheers for a second chance. Cheers to life.
all: Cheers
**********************************
Im staying with Aria for the rest of the weekend since she and I are the only single on the group.

A: Em, are you really ok being here?
me: Yeah, why?
A: It feels weird doesnt it? We all act like its ok to be here but in all honesty there's something that feels really .....weird.
me: What do you mean? ( I know what she's talking about, I just dont want to speak first about it? )
A: Like for ex. at The Brew earlier, everywhere I turn I see Ezra, from the slightest details in the shop, to the posters, the art, everything reminds me of him, I havent thought about him in a while but being there feels right, at the same time, it feels wrong.
me: I think we will never lose that feeling in here Aria, this place was once a paradise of dreams for us, that slowly turned into a nightmare. Rosewood, will always remind us of something from the past, we may compare it to the present, it just stays with you, you know!
A: Yes it will, i wonder if the others feel the same.
me: Do you think Hanna invited her?
A: invited who?? (She stared at me with those big brown eyes?
A: Oh! That who! Hanna invited her, I dont know if you are going to be thrilled with the answer but yes, she said she's coming.
me: Oh really! Nice! (I can feel my heart jumping out of my chest)
A: do you still have feelings for her Em?
me: Yes, No, I dont know, honestly, I couldnt stop thinking about her, where she is, what she's doing, I just.. Its so complicated Aria.
A: We didnt tell you that she'd be here because we thought you might not come if you knew. Sorry Em
me: Its okay Aria, I guess if I need closure, now is the perfect time for it. After this wedding I might just get a shot at true happiness if this chapter in my life is a closed book. I do want to talk to her anyway.
(I smiled. Then there was silence as we fix the bed. )

me: Aria, im gonna go for a walk,
(I opened the door)
A: okay, Im gonna leave the door unlocked. *********************************

My feet did the walking while my mind is drowning in memories as I looked around the familiar place. I can hear the crickets and frogs as background. Before realizing where my foot took me I saw a girl crying just outside their driveway. She looked a liitle like 4 or 5 years old. I took a step closer to her. Her long blonde hair covered her face as she hugs her knees.

me: Hi baby, are you okay? what are you doing outside? its late. ( I sat beside her)
She raised her head and without a warning her deep blue eyes stared at me. I feel her gaze burying deep into me. Oh my God. I've seen that same eyes before.
little girl: Im hiding from my mommy ( sobs while wiping her tears)
me: Its dangerous out here, and youre mommy might be worried about you.
little girl: She doesnt want me to watch Little Mermaid on t.v
me: maybe because its late. You have to go back in now, its really cold tonight you might get sick.
little girl: okay
( she stood up and patted her pj's to remove the dust and leaves she sat on) ( I did the same) Before I could turn around she spoke again.
Little girl: Wait.. whats your name?
(I couldnt help but smile)
me: Em, what's yours??
Before she could answer somebody calls out a name

EMMY.... EMMY ... EMMY..

Emmy: I have to go. Mommy is calling me. Bye..
She waved her hand and started running to the door. I couldnt help but smile. I turned around and started to walk when I saw a familiar house across the street. The Hastings' Barn... so that means the house where that little girl lives is The DiLaurentis'... I turned around and looked at the house. Who's daughter could she be? Jason?? did he get married? or maybe Alison??
I walked to Aria's house as fast as I can. I need to know.