I really thought it was best to leave The Island of Misfit Toys alone, but the reviews and the temptation to try and manipulate the canon story with this crackship were too great.

Thank you to EVERYONE who reached out and to everyone who loves McHastings.

This will be a multi-chapter story. If you haven't already, I strongly suggest reading The Island of Misfit Toys first, as this is meant to be a prolonged prequel to that one-shot.

Chapter One: Paige McCullers and Alison DiLaurentis

"Paige? You deserve the best of everything."

"That's what I had."

Paige walked fast, crying and sniffling to herself but trying to keep the noise down so she wouldn't attract attention. Not that it seemed a lot of people were out in Rosewood at night nowadays. She wondered when this heartache would subside, a sort of tear in her chest. Emily had clearly moved on. She had ruined everything with that note, with her stubborn defiance. Paige grimaced at the embarrassing sting of trying to flirt with Emily in front of that new swimmer. Sydney.

But at the same time, Paige assured herself none of this was really fault. Her relationship with Emily had been sabotaged since they started by Alison DiLaurentis. She had managed to drive a wedge so deep between them that they would never overcome it. After all, how many times now had Paige left Emily's house crying? Probably too many times for this to have ever been a healthy relationship.

Paige was now passing Spencer's house, which only made her angrier at this moment. Spencer reminded her of Emily and Alison, and it looked like it could rain any second. Spencer and Alison in the rain. Suddenly an ugly memory resurfaced, the kind that causes you anxiety years after the fact.

The grass on the field was bright and green, a sharp contrast to the blue-gray sky and clouds. It was clear that any second we would be drenched in heavy, fat rain drops.

"Alright ladies you aren't going to melt, this gym class is still happening." Our teacher yelled over the rumbling of distant thunder.

"There are probably child safety laws against keeping us on the field." Spencer commented to Alison, pushing her black, thick-rimmed glasses up on her nose. Spencer was looking around and our eyes met for a moment, causing Paige to blush. Alison and Paige both smiled at her comment, which would have been fine had Alison not noticed Paige smiling and looking at Spencer. The smile immediately dropped off Alison's face as she gave her a fierce stare. Alison and Paige squared off in the center of the soccer field, waiting to restart the game. They were standing close so no one could overhear the conversation once Alison started in.

"Is that funny to you dyke?" Alison asked, her words sharp. Paige glanced over, realizing someone was close enough to hear Alison's voice carry. She could tell Spencer heard Alison as well. Spencer was on Paige's side of the scrimmage this time, but she was still friends with Alison and went along with everything she said.

Alison wasn't finished, and as everyone ran to their places and thunder ominously rumbled again, she continued. "Don't look over at Spencer for any help. Unless you were just trying to check her out. I know she is your number two next to Emily, but I guarantee you none of my friends would EVER touch you Pig Skin." The anger hit Paige with a white hot wave of intensity just as the teacher blew her whistle again to signal the start of gameplay. Fuck this Paige thought as she let Alison get the ball. She waited a moment before purposely tripping Alison with her foot when she tried to run forward. Once Alison fell down, Paige kicked her hard in the back near her shoulder. Paige felt the anger inside burst like a bubble the moment her foot connected with Alison's flesh. Then the instant and painful sensation of guilt set in. She knew she should not have done that.

"What the FUCK?" Alison yelled, pulling herself up and rubbing her back.

"PENALTY!" Our teacher screamed, and the blood drained from Paige's face. This was suspension worthy behavior, something her dad could not find about. The teacher ran up to Alison. "Are you okay?" She asked. Alison shrugged her off.

"You're a psycho McCullers!" Alison hissed as she turned on her heel and began to walk back towards the gym. Spencer was frozen near Alison, looking at Paige with big, wide eyes. She didn't look upset, more surprised to see anyone step up to Alison. It was simply unprecedented to fight back to her bullying. But the moment passed and she turned to jog after Alison. It was only then the teacher looked at Paige, though she didn't look nearly as furious as a teacher should presumably look in this situation.

"McCullers! Over here now." She barked as she took her aside. Some of the other girls in the class started a collective 'oooo' noise to signify trouble was in store. The moment they were out of sight of the other girls, the teacher's expression dropped from anger and shock to casual indifference.

"Professionally, I'm going to have to send you to in-school detention. That was not the way to deal with her bullying." Her bullying. "But personally? She had it coming." She smirked down at Paige, and after a few seconds Paige smiled back, realizing it could have been a lot worse. Her parents wouldn't even be notified about an in-school detention and most importantly she could still swim. An in-school detention was essentially a glorified time out.

"Thank you. I am sorry for what I did. But thank you." Paige quietly told her. The sky opened and started pouring so they all ran to seek shelter indoors.

"Paige?" Spencer's voice knocked her out of her memories. Paige was confused; she was nearly home and had passed Spencer's place a good ten minutes ago.

"What are you doing out around here?" Paige asked. Spencer shook her head, as if trying to clear her brain.

"Had a lot to think about and couldn't sleep. Paige are you okay? It looks like you've been crying…" Spencer stepped forward and tried to touch her arm, but Paige stepped back like a startled animal.

"I'm fine." Paige automatically replied, but then thought better of it. "Well actually that isn't true. But it involves Emily. I'm not sure…" She sniffled as she trailed off. Her brow furrowed as she frowned.

"She hasn't been herself since we found Alison alive. I'm sure you guys will work it out." Spencer said stiffly.

"I don't think so. Not this time. She made that perfectly clear just now." Paige started to walk past Spencer, tearing up again, but Spencer stopped her by placing her hands lightly on the other girl's arms.

"I'm so sorry Paige." Spencer looked her straight in the eyes as she said it, her dark brown ones conveying a genuine sadness. "Listen…why don't you come over? I think we could both use the company to be honest. Tonight has not been kind to me either." It was a vague comment to make. Spencer could obviously control her emotions better than Paige felt she could control her own. Spencer seemed fine, her pale skin slightly flushed from walking but otherwise she was stone-faced and flawless. No one would have known she was upset right now had she not strangely thought to trust Paige.

"I'm nearly home and it's going to rain any second…" Paige started, trying to think of an excuse, any polite excuse. For sure she couldn't be serious about Paige coming over. They barely talked.

"Listen I know we aren't very close, but I still consider you a friend. A friend that looks devastated. And if I know anything about your parents they will be on you like hawks." That made a lot of sense. Paige's parents might even interpret this as the final straw for any involvement with Emily Fields.

"What about your family? Won't they be around?" Spencer shrugged and strained a smile.

"I can guarantee you I won't be seeing any more of my family members tonight." She let out a strangled chuckle, her eyes lit up with some kind of inside joke. Maybe she had found out about Melissa and Mona working together?

"Yeah…okay." If you don't think Emily would mind Paige almost added, but managed to withhold the comment.

"It sounds like we both need to relax. And though it's conventional, I think I have a remedy."

"What did you have in mind?" Paige inquired.