Catching Up With Myself

Aftermath and the Gym

Paige's POV

I can't believe it! I knew it was a set up! Is all I can think right this second. We are like two deer caught in the headlights of oncoming traffic. Suddenly I feel Emily's hand lace with mine and it causes me to look at her. There is no fear in her eyes, any hurt or surprise. She just seems happy to me. I get this small cute smile from her and all of this fear and hurt running though my vein just dissipates. I forget there are four women in an SUV staring at us. I forget we are even out in the open were people can see and might know us. I reach forward with my free hand and grab her neck to pull her in for another kiss.

This time she knows its coming and reacts to me. Her tongue brushes my lip and I can't help but to grant her permission to do what I wanted her to. We deepen the kiss, her back pressed against her car. Lost to everything that had just happened a minute before.

Then I hear the opening and closing of car doors. Then two squeals made by two girls jumping because they are happy. I break the kiss reluctantly, because I know what is about to happen. I back away from Emily just enough, in time to be met with a huge bear hug from Mallory. She even lifts me into the air.

"I knew you could do it! I'm so proud of you sweet cheeks!" Mallory half yells in my ear.

All I can muster is a pissed off look. This wasn't supposed to happen. It wasn't even a date. I don't know how I got carried away. How did I even come to kiss Emily? What was I thinking? She's my mother's friend. She is someone I shouldn't even be thinking about this way. SHE'S A WOMAN! What does this mean? Am I a lesbian? I find myself being put down and everyone just staring at me. Except Emily who can't manage to look up from the ground. I can't tell is she's embarrassed or mad at what just happened.

"I'm sorry for the ploy but I knew it would take you forever after last night and I couldn't handle that. So, I made it happen in my time." Mallory was saying to me. I have no idea how to respond to her.

"So, wait. How did you even set this up? How did you even know?" I finally manage to ask.

Mallory and Hanna exchange a small smirk and a knowing glance. "I may have had help….." Mallory let out with a smile.

"Ok, this is just far too odd. How do you two know each other?" Emily says as she steps forward into our little group of people.

This time it's Hanna who speaks up. "Who knows what now?" She says trying to play it off so they don't have to answer the question.

But Mallory just starts laughing and gives in. "Hanna and I are in Psych together. I tutor her. I had seen her around with Emily on campus before and when I met her last night and saw the look on your face, Paige, I called and arranged the meet tonight. Only with coffee this morning it was much easier than I thought it would be. Thank you for that by the way, Paige. You really have a bad poker face."

"So, Hanna and Mallory set this up?" Spencer chimes in. "I'm impressed!"

"Seriously, I never thought Hanna could pull something like this off without at least telling Spencer and me. You're not exactly the queen of subtlety" Aria says.

Emily and I exchange a look that is pure confusion.

"Mallory, you are guna get an ass kicking if you don't get in the car. Here, take the keys, I'll be there in a minute. And as for you three, I don't know you. But go get in the truck so Emily and I can talk. Go, goodbye." I say very matter of factly.

As they do what I tell them to I hear a humph come from Hanna and Emily say she will call them all later. I just stand there, not sure if I'm mad or relieved that I don't have to explain this night to Mallory later.