Emison: Home

Chapter 40: New Year, New Me, New You, New Us

You're welcome in advance ;)

Emily's POV

It was New Years Eve and we were all at Spencer's cabin where she'd decided to throw a party inviting anyone we knew who was in Rosewood. I was surprised to see that it had essentially become a school reunion and that most of our old classmates were in town, some visiting family, others still just living here.

Ali had seemingly been avoiding me all night but I was refusing to let her ruin my fun and decided to focus my energy on my friends and old classmates as I tried to catch up with people.

"Countdown starts in 3 minutes people!" Noel yelled through the house as he dragged me into the living room where all our friends stood.

I saw Ali and walked towards her. I can't end this year and start the New Year with her ignoring me for whatever reason. She tenses up as I approached her.

"Ali... What's happening? Why have you been avoiding me all night?"

"2 minutes!" Cece shouted as she walked in between us to join her husband

"I'm sorry... I've just been thinking of things and I've been so nervous..." she nervously ran her hand through her hair as she gazed at the floor

"Ali, it's me... You can tell me anything" I placed my hand on her arm comfortingly

"You've always protected me, Em"

"So why have you been pushing me away?" it was my turn now to look away, I was terrified of what she would answer. She lifted up my chin and our eyes met. God, she was gorgeous... I could never get over how her eyes sparkled

"I don't know" she sighed "but I'm ready to stop" she smiled looking at me "I want to do this" Holy shit, my eyes go wide... Is she saying what I think she's saying? "Together" I don't say anything. I just stare at her. Words escaping me in this moment "I want to be with you"

Suddenly, doubt and fear took over. What if this was just a moment of jealousy because of Quinn being around? What if she was just saying this because she had been lonely over the Christmas season? "Alison, I need to be clear about something" I started before she interrupted

"Over the years, I have gotten so upset about you... I always made excuses why. I would always say it was because the lifestyle you'd chosen was despicable to me or that I was mad you'd broken promise after promise. But I know the real reason, the reason linked to those excuses..." I stared at her concerned, this was going all over the place and although I felt like I knew where this was going, it was confusing me too. She glanced to the side before swallowing "Quinn, of all people, tried to get me to say it, but I didn't want to say it to her"

"20 seconds!" someone shouted and a bunch of cheers rung out but I wasn't paying attention to that right now all I could think is what did Quinn say...

Agh, I swear if she made it worse, she's in so much shit. The feelings of worry and dread were really building up in me now "What did Quinn-"

"I love you" she cut me off and a small smile drew on her lips. I'm taken aback... I didn't expect her to say that. I knew she felt it but I didn't think she'd tell me the three words I'd been craving to hear ever since August... A soft chuckle escapes her lips as she watches me stand there like an idiot, unable to say a word. "You told me not to do this until I was ready"

"10!" the countdown begins but everything sounds underwater to me as I focus on the woman in front of me

"Do what?" I asked naively

"9!"

She takes the bottle out of my hand

"8!"