When we were young

chapter 3

Alison arrived at the Brew 2 minutes before she was supposed to meet Noel Kahn. She stood out front in the chilly fall air, rubbing her arms to keep warm. Maybe I should have worn a sweatshirt, she thought to herself.

Almost five minutes later, she groaned and pulled out her phone to text Noel. I'm here, are you still coming?

Ten minutes later and no reply from Noel, Alison stepped inside the Brew. She figured he got caught in traffic. Unlike Alison, who lived two streets away, Noel lived on the other side of town.

Almost immediately, Alison almost stumbled into a group of girls and one boy. They were talking right in the entrance, facing the door. Alison raised her eyebrows when she saw Aria, Hanna, Spencer, and Noel talking to a girl that had her back to Alison. She tried to identify the mystery girl without making her presence known, but she didn't recognize her at all. She broke her cover when she bumped her elbow on the counter and yelped.

Aria instantly snapped her head in Ali's direction, and widened her eyes. Aria not-so-subtly nudged Spencer, and now both girls looked nervous. Alison caught Aria's eye, and mouthed "Whats wrong?". Now, Hanna noticed Alison, and nervously cried "Ali!"

The mystery girl seemed to get startled by hearing Alison's name. She slowly turned around, and Alison's breath got cut short when she saw the mystery girls face.

It was Emily Fields.

Alison felt like her stomach had been sucker punched. She knew that Emily was coming back, but in that moment, she realized that she had never really prepared herself.

Emily looked different. Sure, it's been two years, but the brunette seemed to have ditched her colorful t-shirts, and she now had a new wardrobe. She wore a black and white striped top with a black leather jacket, skinny jeans, and combat boots. Her hair was longer than Alison remembered, and it seemed to be lighter than her natural dark brown. Emily seemed to be studying Alison, just as Alison had been studying her.

Alison tore her eyes away from the brunette, and looked at the floor. "Hello Emily." she muttered emotionlessly.

"Hello Alison." Emily replied quietly, almost whispering. She looked back at the girls and Noel, who all looked scared. "See you guys later, I- I have to go."

And with that, Emily tore out of the Brew, and sprinted away, tears beginning to glisten in her eyes.