The Butterfly Effect (Emison)

Chapter Eight

Emily never calls her that night.

Alison tries her best not to appear desperate and clingy when she feels as though she's grasping for straws. She waits until midnight, working on her debate paper in the meantime as she glances at her phone every few minutes. In the end she gives in and gives Emily a call instead.

The call goes straight to voicemail.

Alison isn't freaking out. She's been through enough relationships - albeit short ones that don't quite earn the label of one night stands - to know there could be a hundred reasons why Emily's phone is off. She could still be upset and purposely ignoring Alison, which - okay - that honestly does nothing to settle Alison's nerves. But if there's anything that Alison's learned in the three and a half months she's known Emily, it's patience, and the ability to give someone space when they need it.

So, Alison doesn't freak out.

She isn't scheduled for her debate class the following day, but she does stand by Emily's office like she usually does when they meet up, except it's half past four and Emily's office hours are from three to five. Alison has been standing there for over an hour, and not once does Emily stop by to even check if her office is on fire.

By five thirty Alison's already late for work. And the freaking out part? Yeah, Alison's not so sure about that anymore.

She has half a mind to call out and march straight to Emily's house. Aside from the fact that her car is still in the shop, she also doesn't have the money to get it out and drive by to her heart's content.

So she meets up with Aria just before rush hour ends, ignoring the disapproving glare the brunette tosses her as she makes her way to the backroom to see what stocks need to be put up. There isn't a whole lot to do to keep her mind off yesterday's events. It's after she's halfway finished through her workload that she decides to approach Aria in the hopes of gathering some information.

"Hey," Alison greets tentatively. "Sorry I was late."

Aria tosses her another stern look that only softens after spotting the weary expression on Alison face.

"It's okay, Ali," Aria assures her, and offers her a sympathetic smile. "I just want you to call if you're running late and if you can't make it. Is everything alright?"

Rolling her shoulders in a shrug, Alisom sighs and musters the courage to look Aria in the eye. "Not really. I was actually hoping you could answer some questions I have."

"I can try," Aria tells her. "Are they book-related?"

"Not exactly," Alison trails off and adds, "You were a student here back in '010, right? Five years ago?"

At Aria's nod, Alison throws away any notion of giving Emily space and proceeds with her next question.

"What can you tell me about Pamela Fields?"

Alison doesn't learn much more than she already knew, having done some of her own research back when she had been trying to pry in Emily's life for her own advantage. Pam Fields had been an important member of the board before she'd moved on to politics, having saved her daughter a position as an instructor just two years after she left.

She's now the Mayor of some city down in Florida, the majority of the population being Conservative. According to Aria she wasn't well liked among the staff and students, as she was cruel and thrived for more power than her position warranted.

"It was rumored that she was after Mr. Fitz' status," Aria explains afterward. "After her husband died, it all became a game of power. She was rather good at manipulation. I can't imagine how awful it is to use it against your only daughter."