The only exception

Chapter four

Unedited btw

(Alison POV)

"What do you mean?" Aria asked plopping down on my bed.

"I-I mean there's something I have to tell you" I replied closing my eyes tightly. I can't look her in the eye and say this.

"Okay? " She said waiting for me to go on.

I grabbed her arm. "No I don't think you get it."

She looked at me. "Oh no! Ali, are you pregnant?" She asked worried.

I scoffed. "What? No."

"Then what is it?" She asked.

"I called you here instead of the others, because I feel like I can trust you the most. You know that right?"

She nodded. "What is it Ali?"

I took a deep breath. This would be the first time I'm saying this out loud. This is the first time I'm admitting it to myself.

"I-I have a crush."

She laughed. "Yeah Ali, most people our age do.'

"No, Aria. You don't get it." I said looking down.

"Ali, then please tell me." She said with a caring look in her eyes.

"I have a crush on someone."

Aria just stood there looking at me waiting for me to continue.

"I have a crush on a girl." I said breathing out, closing my eyes.

She froze with her mouth open. "I don't understand."

I bit my lip to hold back my emotions.

"I have a crush on a girl." I repeated.

She sat up off the bed. "Who?"

This is the part I definitely can't say.

"Ali, I can't help if you don't tell me." She said, trying to understand.

"This was a mistake." I quickly said.

"No. It wasn't a mistake. I know you're scared to open up to people but you shouldn't feel that way with me. Please tell me."

She had a point. Aria has done nothing to me. I'm the one who shouldn't be trusted. I'm the one who's been rude to her. She's done nothing but prove to me that I can truly trust her.

"It's Emily." I quietly said.

"W-wait. the new girl? You mean our friend? Emily?" She asked me slightly smiling.

I don't know if I was more embarrassed, or ashamed.

I nodded putting my head down.

"This is too cute." She said to herself more than to me.

"No it's not! I can't like a girl! I'm not supposed to feel this way." I responded to her comment.

"It's not that bad Alison." She said shrugging her shoulders. "To be honest, I could see it coming."

"Wh-what do you mean? We've only known each other for like a week an a half!" I pointed out.

"That was long enough for you to fall for her." She said. "Just a week."

She was right. I don't know how this happened. It all happened so fast.

"Look, lets just keep this between you and I?" I asked looking her in the eyes.

"My lips are sealed." She said pretending to zip her lips.

"Thank you Aria."

---------------------------

The next day at school things were super awkward between Emily and I. Ever since I openly admitted to Aria that I like her, it's been different.

Especially when Aria was around. When ever Emily and I would talk, she would give me this look.

Maybe it was a mistake telling her.

"Ali, can I talk to you?" Aria asked when we were in the hall in between periods.

I nodded in reply as she signaled for me to follow her into the girls bathroom.

We made sure the bathroom was empty before we said anything.

"You're making it obvious something's up. I mean spencer even asked-" Aria began.

"Me? I'm the one making it obvious?" I asked interrupting her.

"Yes!" She stated.

"You're the one who gives me knowing looks whenever Emily and I talk! You've made things between the two of us go awkward." I pointed out.

"No Ali, that would be you with your giant crush on her!" Aria stated.

"It's not a giant crush." I said. "M-maybe it's even just a phase."

"That's not true Ali. You know it's not." She said.

I didn't argue because I knew she was right.

Just then, Emily walked in the bathroom.

"Did I interrupt something?" she asked when she saw us standing in front of the sinks.

"No, you didn't." Aria smiled. "I was just leaving. She winked at me as she left.

Emily and I were alone in the bathroom. Together. Alone. In the bathroom. Alone.

"Arias been acting weird lately huh?" Emily asked as she moved to the sink and poured soap on her hands.

"Glad I'm not the only one who noticed." I laughed copying her actions.

"What was she going on about in here? Something about a phase?" she asked running her hands under the water.

I felt my body tense up.

"Oh, that was nothing." I said as I felt heat rise to my cheeks.

She turned off the tap and looked at me.

"Does this have anything to do with that crush you didn't want to tell me about?" She asked smirking.

I felt my cheeks get redder. Emily noticed it too and said, "So it is."

I stayed silent and dried my hands off with a paper towel.

"I don't understand why you can't just tell me. I can keep secrets." She said drying her hands off.

"Do you want to come over tonight and study?" I asked.

If she came over, that would be a good chance to maybe tell her if the situation came up again.

"That was a bit off topic, but sure." She replied and smiled.

There she goes again with that stupid smile.

"Great meet up after school?" I asked.

She nodded as the bell rang.
"See yah after school Ali." she told me as we walked out of the bathroom.

On my way to class I saw Spencer. She pulled me aside.

"Spencer, what are you doing? I have to get to class!" I whispered loudly.

"Since when have you cared about getting to class?" she asked me knowingly. "Do you only care because Emily is in your next period?" she smirked as she finished her sentence.

I froze. "No, why would I care?"

"I've got you all figured out Ali." She said.

"No you don't Spencer. Don't think for one second that you do." I barked at her.

She crossed her arms over her chest.

"And knock that smirk off your face before I knock it off for you." I said.

"Wow, I wish Emily was here right now to see the way you treat everyone but her." She replied with a cold tone.

I rolled my eyes and walked away. I don't need to be anymore late for class then I already was. And so what it Emily was in that class. That was just another reason to get there sooner.