Locum Tenens

PART THREE: "Non Progredi Est Regredi"

~ To not go forward is to go backward. ~ 

DISCLAIMER: Pretty Little Liars and all its characters is the intellectual property of others. Some characters used in the writing of this fic belong to PLL. Events that transpire, will transpire and have transpired in this story are entirely of my own creation.

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CHAPTER TWO

"...and then you stood up, got up on the coffee table," Paige recounted while keeping her eyes closed. "Ordered everyone to fall in line and pucker up-"

"No way." Reese interjected, horrified.

"Yes way. And then gave them a kiss in exchange for a dollar." Paige concluded without looking at the girl lounging by the pool next to her.

"You're lying." Reese said, her eyes narrowing into slits. "I didn't do that. Why would I do that?"

"Because. You're brokenhearted and drunk as a skunk." Paige answered matter-of-factly. "But don't worry. You didn't embarrass yourself. I mean, peopledid line up. Some of them even came back for seconds."

"Okay first, I'm not brokenhearted. Not anymore. And second, how'd that happen?" Reese asked, brows creased. "Oh god did I take off my top again?!"

Paige laughed and opened an eye. "Again?" She repeated, her curiosity piqued. She made a mental note to ask the girl to tell that story to her some other time. "No. You didn't. But I have a feeling that if you did you would've gotten way more than just twelve bucks." Paige assured her friend before closing her eyes again. "You had them fooled when you just stood there looking all pretty and vulnerable so naturally they lined up for a kiss."

"Great. Pity kiss. The best kind. Totally good for my ego." Reese said sarcastically. "Did you line up?" She asked, raising an eyebrow.

Paige's eyes snapped open. "You wish!" She shot back. "Although I did stand guard. Made sure they didn't cop a feel and that the kisses are limited to the cheeks only. So you're welcome."

Reese rolled her eyes. "Whatever. You're just jealous because I got some action at your lame party." She commented.

"Hey, take that back! The party was fun!" Paige replied indignantly.

Reese scoffed. "Please. It was so lame I had to get drunk just to make up for its lameness." She retorted. "Come on. Admit it was lame."

"It wasn't." Paige insisted.

"Whatever." Reese said, shaking her head then stifling a groan when the sudden movement made her dizzy. "I need an Advil."

"You're in luck. I think we have some. I'll go check later." Paige offered.

"Could you go check now? Please?" Reese asked, giving the girl a pleading look.

"Later." Paige repeated. "I'm still soaking up the sun." She added before shifting to a more comfortable position in the lounge chair. "That's what you get for getting drunk last night."

"Because that party was lame." Reese shot back, closing her eyes in an effort to stop the spinning sensation. "You're just saying it was fun because your best friend threw it for you."

"Maybe." Paige uttered, shrugging.

Reese opened her eyes and slowly turned to her side to face Paige. "I gotta say. After everything that's happened, your blind loyalty to Jai is remarkable." She said, making the girl open her eyes as well.

"It's called friendship." Paige replied, her gaze fastened on the white clouds above them. "Although it hasn't been easy and we're still working on it but... we're trying."