Sorry for the big gap in between updates. It's been a struggle to get back into writing this story (both of my stories) but it's felt really good to get back into both reading and writing Paily again. I've missed them. This chapter is a lot longer than I intended it to be, but I really wanted everything that happens within it to come from Emily's POV. I hope the additional length makes up for the wait. I've mapped out the next few chapters and hope to bring this story to a close over the next few updates (hopefully sporadically over the next couple of months).

Thank you as always for your patience and for sticking with this story, as well as all the reviews, PM's and kind words on the previous chapters. Until next time :)

Part Fourteen.

4.04am.

A weak groan emanated from Emily's throat at the sight before her. Waking before her alarm had a chance to blare was rare. Waking up more than an hour beforehand was rarer. Her eyes fluttered shut as quickly as they'd opened, her mind groggy, eyelids heavy.

4.05am.

The same red numbers greeted Emily as her eyes flickered open once more, a soft, acquiescing sigh falling from her lips at the sight. For all the strong pull of sleep still tugged persuasively at her, even as her eyelids, still heavy, continued to drift shut, reluctant to stay open, Emily's body was frustratingly, unquestionably awake. She wasn't sure if it was a blessing or a curse. An extra hour or so was certainly preferred, though given her minor issues with timekeeping recently getting up earlier and getting to practice ahead of time would be a good thing, Emily supposed. And not being woken up by her alarm blaring out, one of her least favorite sounds, was an added bonus.

Waking up so early had little to do with being punctual at practice, of course. There was an unmistakable sheen of sweat coating Emily's skin, an irrefutable flush to her cheeks. Her sheets, as they were most nights, were tugged up around her in a sort of cocoon; always comforting throughout the night, always suffocating come the morning. That was nothing new. Usually, Emily would toss the sheets back as soon as she woke, eager to cool herself down and find a comfortable temperature, one that would allow her to drift back to sleep. This morning, however, she wasn't alone.

This morning there was Paige.

They hadn't moved much throughout the night, Emily noted. She swallowed as her mind began to fully stir from its slumber, now conscious enough to acknowledge the arm still wrapped tight around her waist and the palm flat against her stomach, fingertips tucked loosely beneath her torso. Paige's breath, slow and even, tickled the nape of her neck. Emily could feel the steady rise and fall of Paige's chest, her front flush against Emily's back, it clear Paige was still sleeping soundly behind her.

Emily's initial reaction was to move. That was something that jarred in her mind; the last thing she wanted to do was move away from Paige's warm, calming embrace.

Emily refused to give in to the fleeting urge. She knew it was merely something she'd conditioned herself to do over the years; to pull away whenever she felt like Paige was getting too close, or more accurately whenever her feelings for Paige flew too close to the surface. Emily didn't want to be worrying about that anymore. After everything, she knew she didn't need to.

Whatever it was that rose within Emily whenever she fully acknowledged what was happening, Emily understood now that it wasn't something she needed to keep getting stuck on. Not now she knew how good it felt once she pushed past those initial reactions; reactions she'd merely conditioned herself to feel over the years. Reactions that had little bearing on what she wanted now.

Emily shuffled backwards, a soft smile tugging onto her lips as the movement garnered the desired response; Paige curling further into her. Emily took in a deep breath, allowing her eyes to close once again, focusing her attention on the steady rise and fall of Paige's chest. She endeavored to match the pattern with her own breathing, willing the rhythm to lull her back to sleep. It worked, albeit slowly, Emily's breathing gradually evening out. Emily was aware she likely wouldn't get any more sleep now she was awake, but it didn't really matter. The contentment she felt was overwhelming, just lying there in Paige's arms.

Emily took a moment to take in that feeling, to bask in it and to remind herself, as she had done numerously over the past few days, to let those initial fleeting reactions pass. They were old habits, old habits that would be hard to shake whilst the shift in their dynamic was still so new. Whilst the shift in their relationship was so new, Emily made herself acknowledge the term. That's what this was, after all. That's where things, hopefully, were heading.

Paige stirred briefly behind her and Emily stilled, unsure if she was ready for Paige to be awake yet, for the cocoon she'd surrounded herself with, Paige included, to be broken. The arm around her waist loosened momentarily before Paige curled into her further, her palm sliding up flat against Emily's stomach, Paige's thumb lightly grazing the skin beneath the hem of her shirt where it had lifted.

Emily swallowed. An unmistakable jolt of want coursed through her at the simplest of touches, Emily almost embarrassed by just how prevalent it was now she'd been forced to acknowledge it. Her hand covered Paige's, lacing their fingers together, intending to move Paige's hand back to where it was before; the much safer, simpler position, above her shirt. Instead she found herself holding their entwined hands flat against the bare skin of her naval, Paige's skin cold against her own.

Emily sucked in her breath, suddenly considering that perhaps the sheets and Paige's proximity weren't the sole reasons for just how hot she felt this morning.

With that, Emily did move. She dropped Paige's hand, tugging back the sheets and sucking in a deep, steadying breath. Cool air met burning skin, the sensation a welcome relief. Emily rolled onto her back with a little difficultly, quickly turning her attention to Paige, concerned she may have disturbed her, the single bed offering little room to maneuver.

Paige's grip around her waist had fallen away, though she hadn't stirred, much to Emily's surprise. Paige wasn't a deep sleeper, not usually, anyway. Emily studied Paige for a moment, still sleeping soundly, her face burrowed into their shared pillow. The position looked incredibly uncomfortable, though she found it endearing all the same. The sight compelled Emily to reach out, stroking the skin of Paige's forearm delicately, still mindful not to wake her.

Again, Emily felt an impulse to move. Not to move away; Emily was under no further illusion that she wanted that in any way, but to look away. Something within her ached at the sight of Paige like that, sleeping so soundly, so contently alongside her. It was a pain in her chest she wasn't used to. Emily's breath hitched, realizing it wasn't pain she was feeling at all.

Emily rolled onto her side, facing Paige fully. She ignored the voice in the back of her mind telling her that perhaps it was time to get up, or at least to turn away, incase Paige woke up and caught her staring. It was just so difficult not to.

Emily followed her instincts, instincts urging her to reach out and brush the hair from Paige's face, stray wisps that had fallen free of her loose bun at some point throughout the night. Emily let the touch linger, reveling in the softness. She wasn't sure if she'd ever noticed how soft Paige's hair was before. She wasn't sure why she would have, but she knew now, Emily allowing herself a moment to run her fingers to run through it, long after the loose strands were tucked away. Emily's movements paused when Paige's brow crumpled as if in protest at the contact, before her lips twitched into a soft smile, Paige's expression only serving to accentuate how adorable she looked in that very moment. Emily let her hand to fall away, again reluctant to wake her just yet. She wanted the moment to just take Paige in.

Emily hadn't given much thought to what the morning would be like for them after the night they'd shared before. She was expecting things to be a little awkward, though thankfully, not in the painful, debilitating way it had been lately. In a more tentative, uncertain, even exciting kind of way. Emily swallowed, feeling a flutter of nerves in her stomach along with that thought. Exciting. Excitement, Emily suddenly came to accept, was something she was actually feeling. Alongside the fears and the worries and the daunting desires, Emily was irrefutably excited about what was happening between them. For what was to come.

Emily hadn't expected what had occurred the night before. She hadn't expected a lot of things lately, but was finally learning that sometimes, unexpected could be really, really good. As long as she had the courage to give into it.

Paige shifted slightly, her head nuzzling further into their shared pillow, Emily's chest swelling at the sight. Even like this, face mushed and hair tousled, Paige was still breathtaking. And all Emily could seem to do then was kick herself, kick herself for not realizing sooner just how much she wanted Paige.

Just how much she loved her.

It felt senseless to try and deny it. It was almost incomprehensible to Emily now; how she'd managed to deny it for so long. How oblivious she'd managed to be to something she'd always known. And as terrifying as it was, as intimidating as it was to even think about it, Emily knew without question that she was feeling it. And for all that realization came with its own very real form of panic, it came accompanied by a very welcome sense of relief. She wasn't hiding it from herself anymore. She wasn't denying what she felt for Paige from herself anymore.

Emily ignored the slight shake of her hand as she reached out once more, tracing the curve of Paige's cheek briefly, before again brushing back her hair. Allowing herself to give in to her desires before dawn broke throughout the room and the courage darkness afforded her abandoned her, Emily leant forward, pressing the softest of kisses to Paige's cheek. Paige murmured something intelligible at the touch and, without giving herself time to overthink it, Emily gave in to the urge to continue, pressing her lips to the corner of Paige's mouth. Her breath was shaky as she pulled back, Paige's lip twitching at the contact.

"Morning."

The words were merely a whisper, though hearing them aloud was enough to bring Emily to her senses. Her cheeks tinged red as she watched Paige begin to stir before her, suddenly embarrassed, unsure why on earth she'd opted to wake Paige up that way.

Emily held her breath as Paige buried her face further into the pillow, her brow furrowing as she yawned, torn between wanting Paige to acknowledge the affection she'd just given her and wanting Paige to be totally oblivious.

"Was that real?"

Emily let out a laugh, the tension falling from her body the instant she heard the words, hoarse and muffled, fall from Paige's lips. Inside, her heart, already racing, began to ache. It ached because for all a playful smile tugged onto Paige's lips as she asked the question, she hadn't opened her eyes yet. There was a vulnerability to Paige's tone that didn't appear to be purely the product of sleep, one that, coupled with Paige's inability to look at her, negated the sincerity of the question beneath the laughter.

Emily was starting to realize that one of the most unnerving things about what was happening between them was just how easily she could see it now; what Paige felt for her. Just how strongly she could feel what she felt for Paige.

Emily swallowed, shaking off that thought. She chose not to answer Paige's question and instead after a moments hesitation leant in, pressing her lips against Paige's softly, finishing what she'd started now that Paige was awake. Paige hummed into the kiss, eagerly reciprocating. Emily's hand instinctively gripped Paige's hip, sliding to the small of her back, urging her closer. Paige hummed into the kiss as it lingered, cupping Emily's cheek. Emily melted into the touch, unable to resist the urge to deepen the kiss further. Paige's palm pressed against the small of Emily's back, holding her firmly in place, as if indicating her approval.

Eventually Paige pulled back, avoiding Emily's gaze in favor of tugging her closer into an embrace. Emily felt her stomach dip as she nuzzled into Paige's neck, feeling a wave of butterflies at just how intimate it felt. How right it felt.

"That felt pretty real to me."

Emily hadn't been entirely sure she'd actually answered the question Paige had posed out loud until Paige made a sound, something halfway between relief and disbelief. Paige wrapped her arms around Emily tighter with that, tugging her even closer. And then she was rolling Emily slightly, clumsily. Emily shrieked out a laugh, mindful of the flip in her stomach when Paige eventually succeeded in her objective; pulling Emily on top of her. Subtle alarm bells sounded off in Emily's mind as she adjusted to their newfound position, though she put up little fight when Paige refused to let her shift and redistribute her weight.

"I don't want to crush you."

"You're not."

Paige still seemed reluctant to look at her, though Emily didn't press. Whatever Paige's reasons were, Emily knew it was nothing to worry about. Not when Paige nuzzled into Emily's neck, letting out a content sigh.

"This is nice."

"Just nice?"

Emily couldn't help but mock, given Paige's previous aversion to the word.

"Shut up, Fields."

Emily chuckled, Paige's breath tickling her throat, the sound morphing into a heady whimper as Paige's lips grazed the nape of her neck softly, Emily surprised by the contact. It was a tentative, barely there kiss, one so slight it felt almost accidental. Accidental or not, Emily still felt a low pull in her stomach, the contact inciting the faintest stirring of desire within her.

"What time is it?"

"Far too early to be awake," Emily answered, burying her nose into Paige's hair, reveling in the familiar scent. Paige let out another yawn as if in agreement, trailing her fingertips up and down Emily's spine lazily.

"Are you saying you woke me up for no reason, Fields?"

Emily's stomach dipped. Paige's words, for all they were surely innocent, were accentuated by an unmistakable husk. A husk that caused a stab of want to stir within Emily once again.

"Not…necessarily."

Emily swallowed hard. The suggestive tone in which her words were laced was involuntary, Emily torn between elaborating further now she'd started, or just letting the moment pass.

"No?"

The playful curiosity in Paige's tone was unmistakable and the husk in her voice had remained. Emily worried that perhaps she was simply reading into things, that her budding arousal was clouding her mind and urging her to give into her more base desires. Then she felt it. Paige's fingertips ghosting lightly along her sides, stalling momentarily as they reached the curve of Emily's hip, hesitant, undecided. But curious.

Emily shifted, her eyes drifting across to Deb's bed instinctively, her skin flushing as she realized it was empty, flushing further as she acknowledged why she'd checked and just how thankful she was for that fact.

"…I can think of something."

Emily screwed her eyes shut as she heard the words falling from her mouth, embarrassed.

I can think of something?

Really?

She heard, more accurately felt Paige swallowing, Emily cursing herself inwardly. The last thing she wanted to do was make Paige feel uncomfortable, or to ruin the moment of intimacy they'd been sharing.

There was little secret Emily had meant the words as they'd sounded, as ill-judged as they may or may not have been. Moving too fast, however, was something Emily was eager to be mindful of. She was fully aware of how much she wanted to avoid anything like the week before, where they'd moved at breakneck speed towards an intimacy that ultimately, albeit briefly, tore them apart. Emily was certain she never wanted to feel that far away from Paige ever again.

"Like what?"

It was easy to hear the hesitation in Paige's voice, though there was an unmistakable hint of curiosity there too, the slightest hint of desire. Desire, Emily realized, she'd been hoping was there.

Emily felt the faintest touch of Paige's lips against her collarbone, another tentative, barely there kiss, one again so slight Emily wondered if she was merely imagining it, her mind clouded with growing lust. Emily felt a low pull in her stomach, a twinge only growing as Paige's lips met the base of her neck, the contact still feeling somewhat accidental, but making Emily's pulse quicken all the same.

They were sober now, Emily reasoned, even if the fact it was barely past 4am was potentially clouding their judgement. Emily realized that there was no longer any real, solid reason to not give into what she wanted, not that she could think of at least. She wanted to kiss Paige. She wanted to feel Paige's body pressed against her own. She wanted Paige to touch her.

She wanted Paige, period.

Emily shifted, finally meeting Paige's gaze, any apprehension she felt falling away as she took in the pure, unadulterated want she found mirrored back at her.

Emily keened as their lips connected fervently, somewhat comforted by the fact that Paige had woken up just as worked up as she herself was, that the need Paige felt was apparently as relentless as her own. She made a fruitless attempt to mask the desire that was burning within her as her hands cupped Paige's face, though Paige was privy to it, her own need apparent as she deepened the kiss eagerly, hands sliding up Emily's sides, smoothing along her back, urging her closer still. Emily took little persuading, manoeuvring until she slid flush against Paige.

The moan she elicited from Paige as their bodies slotted together seemed as if it should have jolted Emily back to her senses. In actuality it only served to pull Emily in deeper, a moan of her own falling free, humming into Paige's mouth as their tongues met, the kiss quickly growing sloppy, not that Emily could bring herself to care. It felt too good. Her thigh had fallen between Paige's as they'd shifted, the contact jolting Paige's own thigh upwards, hitting Emily's center. Emily groaned at the contact, there definitely no longer any sense in trying to hide just how turned on she was.

Paige pulled back, sucking in a deep breath. Her eyes were glassy as she met Emily's, Emily certain her own were just as blown. Emily was sobered by the look, trying desperately to calm her racing mind, to quell her burning desire.

This is the moment, Emily told herself. Now is the time to pull away.

It was difficult to follow through. It wasn't until their lips had connected that Emily had fully understood just how much she'd been craving this, them. It wasn't until their lips had connected that Emily had fully acknowledged just how frustrated she'd been left feeling after their tryst had ended abruptly the week before, having been masked beneath all the hurt and confusion.

Emily's mind began to fog over, picking up on the subtle undulation of Paige's hips, barely moving, but irrefutably rocking against her, trying to quell an ache. Emily became keenly aware of her own involuntary movements, the motion offering little relief to the growing ache between her legs, Emily unable to bring herself to stop. Paige's hands ghosted further downwards as she captured Emily's lips once again, smoothing tentatively over the curve of Emily's ass, then cupping the backs of Emily's thighs, silently encouraging her ministrations.

Emily moaned into Paige's mouth. She knew this was getting dangerous, that soon she'd be too far gone to stop. Emily didn't want things to intensify the way they had before. Emily couldn't be certain Paige was fully awake and in turn in complete control of her actions for one. But then Paige's lips found her neck again, sucking at the skin just above her collarbone, the shockwaves the sensation conjured causing Emily to grind down involuntarily, a moan.

Emily became keenly aware Paige's hands had met her skin, slipping beneath Emily's shirt, splaying eagerly across the skin of her back. Their lips crashed together forcefully, Emily arching almost involuntarily, encouraging the touch as their tongues met eagerly once again. Emily could feel Paige's breasts pressing against her own, could feel the strain of her nipples beneath the fabric and felt, with some urgency, the sudden need to touch her.

Emily's arousal eventually ate away the last remnants of her hesitance, and/or perhaps her common sense. Her hands slid beneath Paige's shirt tentatively, Emily moaning as her fingertips ghosted across Paige's abs, at the way Paige's breath caught at the contact. Paige was breathing heavily, eyes still blown as they met once more, Emily's own arousal rocketing as she took in the desire there.

A look of desire laced with questions, ones Emily couldn't entirely decipher but questions she understood. Questions she was asking herself, too, deep in her clouded mind.

Was this too much? Too soon? How far are we about to go?

Emily wasn't sure. She wasn't sure about anything other than how much she wanted to touch Paige, her hesitance for once being swallowed by her desires as she leant back in, her hands sliding up…

…and then jolting suddenly back, as if burned, as the blare of her alarm clock sounded throughout the room.

Emily rolled off Paige, struggling to catch her breath, partly thanks to the shock of the sound, partly thanks to the lingering arousal coursing through her system, not sated. Emily reached out, quickly silencing the offending object. She heard Paige release a heavy sigh beside her, the sound drawing Emily's attention back to her.

Paige was breathing just as heavily as she was and looked just as flush as Emily assumed she herself did. Paige's eyes were glued to the ceiling, her face shifting through a wave of different emotions, many Emily herself could understand, if not completely read.

They got up eagerly, yet reluctantly. Emily would have laughed at how ridiculous the contradiction sounded, but all she could manage to do was breathe. Her heart was still racing, an uncomfortable ache still prevalent between her legs.

Suddenly, Emily felt sick with worry. Paige hadn't looked at her since they'd been forced apart, she noted, her eyes fixed on anything but Emily as she gathered up her clothes from the night before. Emily couldn't help but worry that she'd pushed too far, listened to her body's physical needs instead of her head or her heart first. Again. The memory of how painful last weekend was for them rose up within her, her stomach sick with the thought of in any way repeating that.

Emily's hand caught hold of Paige's arm, stilling her movements. Their eyes met, but, frustratingly, Emily wasn't sure what to say. Or what she needed to say, to make sure they hadn't taken a step backwards.

"Is everything okay?"

Emily puffed out a laugh, releasing a tense breath. Of course Paige beat her to it. Of course Paige's first thought would be to comfort her, despite Paige's own questions, questions Emily could see clearly in her eyes. Emily nodded and without giving it too much thought pulled Paige closer. Paige's arms wrapped around her instantaneously, Emily's panic, uncertainty, whatever it was that had washed over her momentarily fading the second she felt Paige there with her, once she acknowledged just how securely Paige was holding her.

Paige wasn't going anywhere.

Emily knew, deep down, that's what scared her most about moving forward, about exploring their attraction. Losing Paige. Emily knew she needed to heed Paige's words from Monday night and remember that doing that, worrying for the sake of worrying, simply meant worrying about something that hadn't happened yet. Something that might never happen. Emily needed to trust herself and trust what she was feeling the way Paige always seemed to so wholeheartedly.

"Em?"

There was a question laced within her name as it fell from Paige's lips, the softness in which it was spoken compelling Emily to tighten her hold briefly, before she pulled back, her arms lingering on Paige's waist as she met her gaze, trying to work out what it was Paige was trying to ask.

Emily recognized the questions there as she studied Paige's face. Insecurities that mirrored the ones trying to force their way to the forefront of her own mind. Questions like was that too much? Too soon? Not enough? Emily didn't want to stand there trying to work out the answers.

Had it felt good? Yes. Had she wanted it. Yes. Had Paige? It certainly seemed like she did. Did anything else matter? No.

Emily stepped forward, pressing her lips softly to Paige's, hoping to put paid to any fleeting doubts she may have had. Paige smile was both shy and buoyed as they broke apart, prompting a grin to tug onto Emily's lips. Paige's eyes fell to her clothes on the floor, clothes she'd collected then dropped as Emily pulled her into the hug.

"I want this back, by the way," Emily smirked before Paige had the chance to bend down and pick up her discarded clothing, tugging lightly at the hem of the Sharks shirt Paige had worn for bed.

"I think you'll find it rightfully belongs to me," Paige quirked an eyebrow, shooting Emily a wry smile.

"Finders keepers."

"Stealers…weepers?" Paige puffed out a laugh, shaking her head apologetically, before standing up, squaring her shoulders exaggeratedly, Emily chuckling at the display. "Well, you'll have to fight me for it."

"Careful," Emily warned, lightly ghosting her fingertips along the hemline of fabric purposefully, knowing Paige was ticklish there. The corners of her mouth tugged into a smirk as Paige's breath hitched, Paige squirming as her movements became more persistent. "I know all your weak spots."

Emily swallowed the slightest hint of nerviness as she took a step closer, using her newfound grip on Paige's shirt to tug her closer, licking her lips as their eyes met.

"Uh huh," was all Paige could manage by way of retort. She moved closer, something about the look in her eyes making Emily's stomach dip. Anything else she may have had to say died in her throat when Paige's eyes drifted to her lips, lingering. The fingers of her free hand ghosted across the skin of Emily's forearm, the subtle contact making her shiver, Emily's breath hitching as Paige leant in once more.

The contact was gone almost as quickly as it had come, Emily's back up alarm blaring out, Emily unable to stop a frustrated groan from falling from her lips.

"Alright," Paige huffed out a laugh, smiling briefly before looking to her watch. "I'll go see if it's safe to wake Sydney and meet you outside for breakfast? Say, in 15?"

Emily nodded, squeezing Paige's hips softly before letting go. She grabbed her toiletry bag as they made their way to the door, following Paige out of it, only to crash into the back of her as she came to a stop.

"Sydney was just sending me to look for you," A sheepish Jacob offered by way of greeting, offering Emily an equally sheepish wave as her caught sight of her. "Sorry I turfed you out last night. We…"

"Don't sweat it, we made do," Paige held her hand up to halt any explanation, motioning to Emily behind her.

"Right."

Paige's assurances did nothing to take away the sheepish grin on Jacob's face.

"You guys are still coming along tonight, right?"

"Tonight?"

"The gig?"

Jacob raised his eyebrows, as if waiting for something to click into place in their memories, though his expectant stare did nothing for Emily or, a glance to the right confirmed, for Paige.

"Syd forgot to invite you both didn't she?"

"No."

Both protested in unison. Emily looked to Paige expectantly, though the look she was met with confirmed Paige was just as clueless as she herself was.

"It's been a pretty hectic week," Paige spoke apologetically, looking to Emily for back up, which she offered in the way of her own apologetic shrug. "Sorry. She told us. We just spaced."

"Nice try," Jacob smiled wryly, shaking his head knowingly. Sydney wasn't known for her memory. "Well, if you do want to come, my friend has a gig tonight. Swedish American Hall. He's pretty much the support act for the support acts, but he's comped us a bunch of tickets and most of the other bands seem pretty legit."

Unexpectedly, Emily found herself picturing it. Vividly. A band playing, something soft and slow, her body swaying in time to the music as she sank back into Paige's arms, settled tight around her waist. The two of them swaying together. Emily didn't know what had spurred the reaction, though a smile tugged onto her lips at the very thought.

"We'd love to come."

Emily's response was impulsive, and a little too eager, but she found herself suddenly giddy at the prospect of a night out of town. A night out with Paige, away from college and all the responsibilities that came along with it. She rocked forward, flushing a little at just how excited she had no doubt visibly become.

But then Emily saw, or more accurately heard Paige deflating ahead of her. So caught up in the thought of them being on another, impromptu, out of town date, she'd all but forgotten Paige's intentions to take her out on real, planned, special date that night.

"Ah, actually…"

"We'll get the details from Sydney on the way to practice," Paige had already began to speak as Emily interjected, stuffing her hands into her pockets.

"Awesome," Jacob smiled. "You guys are welcome to stay over, too."

"Great," Paige smiled at him jovially.

Emily studied her, trying to gauge if she was masking disappointment, or genuinely happy about the prospect.

"Catch you guys later," Jacob bid them farewell, disappearing down the hallway.

Emily sighed as soon as he was out of earshot, placing her hand on Paige's arm, eager to apologize, or explain herself, or whatever it was that had would ease the sudden guilt that had welled up in her chest.

"I'm…"

"We're going to be late if we want to grab breakfast first."

Paige's attention was fixed to her watch, brow furrowed. There was no edge to her tone, nothing to suggest the unease Emily felt was anything more than her own paranoia, yet still it lingered, Emily groaning inwardly.

"Meet you here in 5?" Paige eventually looked up, no sign of anger or disappointment in her features. "Is that too soon?"

"That's fine," Emily nodded, knowing that if they wanted to grab a quick breakfast and make it to practice on time, something she needed to make sure she was doing consistently during her spell on the bench, they really did need to get moving.

"Okay."

Paige lingered for a moment, as if she was going to say something, or do something, before nodding with a sigh, turning on her heel.

"Paige–"

"Five minutes, okay?" Paige repeated, glancing down the hallway as doors gradually began opening up and down the corridor, team-mates and other early risers slowly starting to filter out into the hall.

Paige waited for Emily to nod, before turning, her door opening and closing with a soft click.

The walk back to the main campus from the aquatics center was one Emily had always enjoyed, especially on days like this. The sun was still low in the sky and the air whilst warm still held the slightest chill. It reminded her of home, of the way the summer would turn to fall so quickly it felt like it had never left, and for all that sensation barely lasted longer than that brief walk she took each morning out there on the west coast, it rarely failed to settle Emily for the day ahead.

Emily had left practice in a strange mood. She'd found herself paired with one of the upperclassmen in her drills and she'd beaten them, beaten them well. There was something smugly satisfying about the look on Coach Morgan's face as she'd registered Emily's times, that satisfaction giving Emily's confidence a much needed boost after feeling so dejected the majority of week. It still stung, stung even more perhaps knowing that her performance hadn't changed anything and her spot in the stands at the Arizona State meet still stood, but she was happy that at the very least that she wasn't letting it stall her progress within the team.

Paige was beginning to look a sure start. When she hit her stride she was unbeatable in the water and slowly but surely as each practice came and went she was beginning to find real form. Emily was happy for her, but again, the elation she felt came tinged with her own bout of sadness; a sadness that she herself wasn't going to be competing alongside her.

Emily was looking forward to a night away from campus to forget about it, even if it did mean sleeping on some random guy's floor for the night. As the morning drew on, Emily had considered why she should have perhaps turned down the offer. She needed to study, she had assignments, her training had started to improve and she wanted to keep it that way; she couldn't afford to overdo it like she had the weekend before. Still, she couldn't really bring herself to regret the decision. Unless of course, Paige regretted it.

There was nothing about Paige's interactions with Emily that morning that overtly suggested there was anything wrong; that she was in any way upset or annoyed with Emily for seemingly forgoing or forgetting their plans for the evening ahead. They'd talked when they could at practice, in between drills, after their showers. For all the walk to the aquatics center was mostly overtaken by Sydney, gushing yet coy about her night with Jacob before, they'd talked as they usually would on the way to practice. They'd settled their plans for the night ahead and Emily still couldn't quite tell if Paige was really okay with it, or if she was secretly disappointed about their date night suddenly turning into a group outing. Paige had shrugged off her attempts to bring up their proposed date and hadn't seemed to be doing so in a way that suggested she was angry or disappointed.

Emily knew she was likely overthinking again, reading too much into things. It wasn't hard to worry that to Paige it may have looked as if she was backtracking, avoiding the prospect of a date, having second thoughts. Emily wasn't, but given how hot and cold she'd been lately, purposely or not, it was certainly easy to see how Paige could easily fall into that trap.

Emily scolded herself inwardly. She was definitely overthinking things, well aware she needed to stop and just talk to Paige about what was bothering her before she let the concerns get away from her.

Emily's attention was broken by the buzz of her phone in her pocket, a smile tugging onto her lips at the familiar name on the screen.

Aria explained she was simply checking in, spurring Emily to recall the last conversation they'd shared, a few days earlier. It felt like so much had happened between then and now; Emily didn't know where to start. She'd texted with Aria intermittently over the weekend, mostly when she was feeling anxious, worrying she was on the cusp of ruining everything with Paige, but she'd shared little with Aria since Monday night and the past few days. Nothing about last night, the date that wasn't really a date, the 'spooning', this morning's make out.

Aria asked how Paige was, but didn't press any further, leaving the option there for Emily to take if she wanted to, but seeming equally as happy to let things lie. Emily found herself thankful for it, thankful because she'd had nobody to talk to but Paige about everything that had changed between them.

"So?"

"We're seeing where things go."

It felt strange to say it. Strange, partly because Emily had never really gotten used to having this kind of conversation with her friends, no matter how much she trusted them and valued their opinions. Strange, because it was Paige she was talking about. Whilst there was no doubt in Emily's mind that she wanted to do just that, see where things go, that didn't mean it wasn't still taking some adjusting to.

Emily waited, curious as to what kind of reaction Aria was going to have. Emily hadn't really taken the time to consider what their friends would think about the two of them starting a romantic relationship, too preoccupied in accepting that that's where they were heading now herself.

"You finally talked?"

"We finally talked."

Emily set about explaining what had transpired since they talked last, trying her best to keep it brief. It was a difficult task; it felt somewhat cathartic, talking through everything out loud to someone other than Paige.

"It's still pretty weird. Good, but weird. You know. It's Paige."

Aria hummed her agreement, though she let the silence linger, as if aware that Emily needed to elaborate in her own time. Emily felt another pang of guilt for again turning their conversation to Paige, silently resolving to sit down and have a proper catch up with Aria, with everyone she'd left behind, when she had more time.

A part of her did need to talk to someone other than Paige about their budding relationship. And a part of Emily really wanted to find out what their friends would think of it. Another thought entered her mind at that thought.

"Aria? What you mentioned about Paige before, about her being…you know."

Emily couldn't really bring herself to say it, even though she had been opening her eyes to the possibility of it more lately. Paige, 'in love' with her. For a long time.

"Have you…did any of you ever think that about me?"

"Having feelings for Paige?" Aria paused, contemplating the question. Emily wasn't sure how to interpret the silence. "Uh, not exactly?"

"Not exactly?" Emily repeated, eyebrow quirking at the question in Aria's tone.

"I mean, if I can be honest?"

Emily nodded her head, before realizing that Aria couldn't see the motion.

"Please."

"It's always been pretty obvious that you have a connection. Something…different," Aria elaborated. "Not that we necessarily assumed that was a, you know, a romantic thing. Sometimes I have wondered what if, but it wasn't something we really ever talked about."

"Okay."

"It's always been easy to see how deep it goes, I guess is what I'm trying to get at. At least to me."

"I…" Emily sucked in a breath, taking a seat outside the lecture hall. A glance to her watch confirmed she had plenty of time before her next class and for all she felt an apprehension, she knew she wanted to voice her feelings now she had Aria's attentive, impartial ear. "I feel so stupid, for never having noticed it. What she felt for me, it was so obvious to you…"

"Paige isn't exactly subtle, Em."

"I really didn't realize."

Emily bit her lip, knowing, deep down, that wasn't exactly true.

"Or maybe I did."

Emily knew, in some way, perhaps not consciously, she'd noticed. Noticed the extra devotion Paige would offer her, the lingering looks, the way the air would change whenever they got a little too close. And, to her disappointment, she knew she'd perhaps taken advantage of that affection sometimes, even using the connection she shared with Paige to fill a void, to fill the gaps in the casual relationships she'd had with others in the past. Emily felt a pang of guilt at that.

"Have I messed her around? Do you think that I knew how Paige felt about me and that I've taken advantage of it?"

"Of course not. Em, don't be ridiculous," Aria assured her. "You wouldn't do that."

Emily hoped Aria was right. In truth, Emily knew that 'taking advantage of' wasn't entirely the correct description. In the moments in which Emily had drawn Paige closest to her, from lows in relationships to fears about the future, vulnerable moments, Emily knew she'd been lowering her guard and giving into what she wanted. Perhaps not knowingly, but as she mulled it over, it certainly sounded right enough.

Emily had been blind to her own feelings, sometimes willfully, sometimes completely obliviously, but they were always there. And she'd been acting on them for a lot longer than she thought.

"I can't believe it's taken me this long to…"

…to see Paige. Emily wasn't sure how that would sound, or if it would make sense, should she finish the sentence.

"You really like her, don't you?"

"Of course I do. It's Paige."

"No, you like her. You really like her."

Emily was somewhat taken aback by the tone of Aria's voice, catching the slightly teasing hint to her words, something similar to the way Hanna would tease each of them about liking anyone back in high school. It seemed off for Aria until Emily realized what she was trying to do. Aria wanted her to say it. Aria wanted her to say it, because she knew Emily needed to hear it out loud.

"I do," Emily spoke softly, biting her lip, unable to help but smile a little as she spoke. "I really do."

Emily sucked in a deep breath, releasing it shakily, before continuing, allowing herself a moments vulnerability.

"I…I more than like her."

Emily swallowed, insecure yet comforted that she'd said that out loud, too.

"And I really don't want to mess it up."

"Why would you?"

Aria's question was genuine, Emily feeling almost guilty that she was unable to really do anything but scoff at it.

"Look Em, nerves, doubts, all this overthinking," Emily sat back, not entirely surprised Aria had picked up on it. Emily glad, the more they spoke, that it was Aria she'd chose to confide in. "You know that's just part of any new relationship, right?"

"I guess you're right," Emily conceded, knowing Aria had a point.

Worrying about doing or saying the wrong thing, feeling a mixture of nerves and excitement, it was part and parcel of any new relationship. Just because it was Paige didn't mean she was exempt from that and there was little doubt the fact that she was starting a relationship with a friend, her best friend, would only make it more overwhelming. But Aria was right. Emily had felt that way before, to some degree. Emily had gotten past it before and had been rewarded for it.

"You're right."

"And, bonus! Paige already knows you."

Paige loves you. Aria didn't say it, but Emily could practically hear her thinking it.

"That doesn't always feel like a bonus."

Emily sighed. it was both a blessing and a curse that Emily found herself falling for Paige. Having fallen for Paige.

"Okay, sure, I get that. But still, it's kinda great, too right?" Aria continued. "Paige, she'll understand you know, why it might be hard for you."

"Hard for me?"

"To trust what you're feeling. To give into it."

Emily frowned, though she appreciated what Aria was saying. Her friends knew better than anyone how hard it was for her to let anyone get close, to open herself up to people. She'd gone through her own sort of recovery after her Father's accident, the possibility of losing someone she held so dear, living for some time in a perpetual state of anxiety that it was going to happen again. That it was bound to happen, if she allowed herself to rely on someone as much as she'd relied on him to keep his promise to always come home safe. It caused her to withdraw to the point where she'd shut people out, keep people at arm's length.

It was ridiculous and Emily had always known that. But it lingered all the same and it wasn't something she was able to let go of easily. Forcing the feeling away hadn't helped. Emily felt lucky she had friends who had always understood. Emily knew Aria was right. Paige would understand her hesitance. Paige would be patient. Paige wouldn't let her push her away.

"Em, whatever happens, you're going to look out for one another. It's what you do."

"Yeah."

For all it didn't necessarily feel that way, Emily knew Aria was right. Just as Paige had assured her on Monday night, just as Paige had assured her, silently, perhaps even unknowingly, ever since they'd parted with a kiss that evening. Emily settled, glad she'd that off of her chest, making a mental promise to talk about everything but Paige the next time Aria called.

"So, tonight's date night?" Aria changed the subject, as if sensing the shift in the mood. She sounded positively giddy about the prospect, though the reminder made Emily's stomach sink all over again.

"I may have already messed that part up."

Emily explained the invitation they'd received from Jacob and how, in her excitement, she'd jumped at the chance of a night in the city together.

"So you're going on a double date instead?"

"Sydney doesn't know about...well, 'us'."

Emily paused momentarily, unsure if Paige would have mentioned anything to Sydney. Unsure, more specifically, if Sydney was a good enough liar to not have let it show.

"You don't think Paige will think I've blown her off tonight, do you? Or worry that I'm having second thoughts about going on a real date?"

"Paige wouldn't think that, would she?"

"She might," Emily protested.

"Okay," Aria conceded. "Just tell her that's not the case?"

"And you think she'd believe me?" Emily was unconvinced. "It is Paige we're talking about."

"I guess," Aria acquiesced. "Show her?"

"Show her?"

"Maybe it's no longer her date to plan, but that doesn't mean it can't be yours," Aria suggested. "Make it special for her."

It was a suggestion that both piqued Emily's interest and prompted another stab of fretfulness to stir within her, Emily releasing a noise somewhere in between the two.

"Or, alternatively Em you could just, you know, relax and enjoy your night together?"

Emily sagged at that, knowing Aria had a point. She'd had numerous conversations with Paige now that at least skirted the subject of focusing on the doing, instead of worrying about every little thing. It was a thankless habit; one Emily was well aware she was falling into far too often lately and one she desperately wanted to break. Starting tonight.

They chatted a little while longer, Emily turning the conversation away from herself, and Paige, listening intently to Aria as she filled her in on what she'd been up to lately. Without giving it too much thought once they'd said their goodbyes, Emily pulled up Paige's number on her phone.

Can't wait to spend tonight with you.

Emily mulled the message over, wondering if it sounded too corny, or worse, somewhat fake. She meant it, but would it seem like she was overdoing it? Would a text like that seem off, for them?

Looking forward to tonight.

Emily frowned as she typed and retyped, never any further satisfied with her amendments. She was unsure how to really broach the subject of the concert without seeming like she was over-compensating.

Hey. Are you still in class?

Emily hit send, deflated. She was surprised when her phone buzzed before she'd had the chance to fully stand up, already well aware Paige was indeed still in class.

Unfortunately. Trying to keep my eyes open. What's up?

Emily rolled her eyes. Paige liked to complain about her classes, but whilst she sometimes struggled to focus in the longer lectures, she was thoroughly loving the college experience, laborious workloads included.

Nothing much.

Emily bit her lip as she paused, before deciding to just go for it.

I'm really looking forward to tonight.

Should be cool.

Emily groaned as she read Paige's reply. She needed to remember subtly wasn't going to cut it when it came to Paige.

Not just the concert.

Emily began typing again the second she'd hit send, allowing herself no time to chicken out.

I'm really looking forward to spending tonight with you.

Emily huffed as she shrugged off her shirt, planting her hands petulantly on her hips as she stared down at the pile of clothes carefully laid out across Jacob's bed, frowning as she did so. The rejects pile was getting bigger and bigger. She pulled on the t-shirt she'd travelled in, running her hands through her hair, a glance to the clock on Jacob's wall reminding her she really didn't have time to be fussing over what to wear.

They'd left late, struggling for time after their last classes of the day, the drive a little frantic as they tried to make up time. Jacob lived in an off-campus house, a compact building somewhat set off the beaten track, which made it something of a hotspot for college parties. By the time they'd arrived, a pre-party was already in full swing.

The last thing Emily wanted to be doing after last weekend was drinking again. Paige had waved off their offers initially, but insistently motioned for Emily to head on in and grab something whilst she unpacked the car. Emily had begun to refuse, but quickly found her resolve worn down. It had felt rude to refuse when Jacob and his housemates had offered. It was only light beer, after all, Sydney argued, adamant that that made it all okay. In truth, Emily found herself needing a little bit of Dutch courage, nervous yet excited about the prospect of the night ahead with Paige.

Unfortunately deciding to stop and socialise, as much as it had been the polite thing to do, had left Emily with little time to change before they needed to set off for the concert. The time constraints along with the effects of the two beers she'd drank a little too quickly, product of her nerves, didn't help matters. Emily tugged off her shirt again, picking out another top from the pile and pulling it on, huffing in frustration as she looked in the mid-length mirror on the back on Jacob's door.

It still wasn't right.

"Are you okay? You sound like you're trying to huff, and puff and blow the house down or something."

Emily huffed at that, having almost forgotten that Sydney was there with her, strewn out on Jacob's floor applying the finishing touches to her make up.

"Yeah," Emily softened her stance, realising she was being a little ridiculous. She needed to relax. "I just can't decide what looks the best."

"That looks great," Sydney assured her after giving her a quick once-over, puckering her lips in the mirror as she checked herself over one last time before standing up. "Seriously, you're a knockout."

Emily's response was simply another sigh, turning back to the mirror and studying herself, biting her lip contemplatively.

"Are you sure? You don't think–"

"Honestly, Em," Sydney insisted, standing up, making her way to Emily and slotting her leather jacket (the only item Emily had managed to decide on thus far) around her shoulders. "See? Knockout."

Emily managed a smile at that, shaking her head as Sydney waggled her eyebrows exaggeratedly before making her way over to the bed.

"Are you hoping to hook up tonight or something?" Sydney asked, her tone playfully suggestive. "Hoping to catch someone's eye?"

Something like that.

Emily contemplated whether or not it was a good thing Sydney didn't know who it was she was trying to impress. Sydney knowing might place undue pressure on the two of them as they tried to enjoy their evening; Sydney, as well meaning and endearing as it would be, would likely spend half the night giddily egging them on if she knew that it was a date. If it was still a date. Emily sighed. On the flip side, Emily wasn't sure Sydney would have restraint enough not to say something should she notice her and Paige looking cozier than usual, her lack of knowing perhaps offering up its own obstacles. Emily shook her head. There she went again.

Overthinking.

"Shit, I'm sorry. My bad."

Emily turned, brow furrowing in confusion at Sydney's apology.

"You just broke up with Samara. Rebounding onto someone else is probably the last thing you want to be–"

"Oh, oh, no."

Emily shook her head, waving off Sydney's apology vehemently. She'd obviously taken Emily's introversion to mean exactly the wrong thing. As awful as it perhaps sounded, she'd given Samara little thought since their last encounter.

"Samara and I…it was never a big deal. Breaking it off was the right thing to do. For…lots of reasons."

A part of Emily just wanted to tell Sydney right then and there. To tell her why she was so nervous, why every outfit she'd brought with her and subsequently discarded just wouldn't be right enough because it wasn't perfect; perfect enough for Paige, perfect enough to make up for the fact whatever 'special' date Paige had planned was now a group outing.

At the same time, it didn't feel like her place to. Not without Paige being aware of it, being in on the discussion and decision. She'd wondered intermittently throughout the week if perhaps Sydney knew, if Paige had confided in her, though Emily wasn't sure if Syd had the willpower not to have said anything by now.

"Alright," Sydney gave Emily's shoulder a brief squeeze. "You nearly ready?"

"I just need to freshen up. Five minutes?"

Sydney left Emily to it, the hustle of the party in full swing down stairs briefly filling the room before again it was merely a faint hum as the door clicked shut. Emily took the moment alone to gather herself, enjoying the silence as she applied the last finishing touches to her outfit, letting the simply task it calm her.

Emily wasn't sure why she felt so restless, though she couldn't help but recall what Aria had said earlier; it was normal. Normal to feel this nervous about a first date. If, of course, that was what tonight would come to be; a date.

"Hey."

Paige's voice tore Emily from her thoughts, Emily smoothing out her blouse for the umpteenth time before turning to greet her apprehensively.

"Are you–"

Emily felt her skin flush as Paige paused, caught somewhere between bashfulness and self-consciousness as Paige stalled mid-sentence, her eyes raking over Emily, Emily's breath catching in her throat as she awaited approval.

"Wow."

"Do I look okay?"

"Okay is an understatement, Em," Paige puffed out a breath, shaking her head with an appreciative smile.

"Do you really mean that, or are you–"

"You're beautiful."

Emily blushed, rocking forward instinctively as Paige took a step towards her. It was a simple statement, one that could have easily been trite if anyone other than Paige had said it. It was easy to see how much Paige meant it, from the soft sincerity of her tone to the slightly whimsical look on her face as she spoke.

"Thank you," Emily had to clear her throat to speak, reaching out to run her fingers approvingly along the collar of Paige's jacket. "You look great, by the way."

"I feel a little underdressed," Paige shrugged off the compliment, rubbing the back of her neck as she did so.

"You really shouldn't."

Paige dipped her head at the compliment, masking the small grin that Emily's words had charmed.

"It's not fair, you know," Emily licked her lips as she spoke, unable to help but ghost her fingers along the collar of Paige's jacket once more.

It had always amazed Emily how easily Paige managed to cross the line from casual to something more so effortlessly; whilst she'd often play down the time or effort it took her to dress, the subtle pride Paige had in her appearance was always apparent. Confident and unassuming; regardless of how simple her outfit was, Paige had the self-assurance to pull it off and a modesty that made her all the more attractive.

"What's not fair?"

"Nothing," Emily swallowed, torn between telling Paige how good she looked again or just…kissing her. The urge took Emily by surprise, though her body was already a few steps ahead of her. She had gripped the lapels of Paige's jacket lightly without really realising, and her eyes had become fixated on Paige's lips. Paige swallowed, her own hand coming up to Emily's forearm, rubbing the skin their softly.

Emily's breath hitched as their eyes met, entirely heady at the prospect of what was to come. Paige's gaze fell to Emily's lips and her breath hitched, rocking forward instinctively as she waited for the kiss to come.

"We should get going," Paige cleared her throat, taking a step back and motioning for Emily to go ahead of her, Emily sagging in disappointment when the kiss didn't come.

"Paige?"

Paige turned back to her, raising her eyebrows by way of an answer.

"About tonight…"

"It should be cool."

Emily huffed out a laugh, shaking her head.

"I'm sorry about tonight, is what I mean to say," Emily began, unsure why she felt the need to say it. She didn't want to make things awkward before the night had even started, but seeing Paige looking the way she did, feeling the first-date jitters in her stomach, something inside her needed Paige to know, to understand what she wanted tonight to be. "Our date?"

"Oh," Paige looked down, nodding before looking up at Emily once more, offering her a small smile and a shrug. "I told you, don't sweat it."

"I do though," Emily maintained. "I know you were…" Emily shook her head, reaching out to touch Paige's arm gently. "I was really looking forward to it, whatever you had planned. I really was. Then Jacob mentioned the gig…"

"I get it, it should be cool."

Emily shook her head, sighing. Paige wasn't getting it.

"He mentioned it and I just…I really wanted to go with you. I got this picture in my mind, of us, there, together and…" Emily let the explanation trail off, her gaze falling away as she spoke, conscious she mightn't be making any sense, cautious that she was about to ramble nonsensically. "…I just really wanted to go with you, is all."

"Oh," Paige offered Emily a lopsided smile as she nodded her acknowledgement. "Okay?"

"And if you're okay with it, I'd still like tonight to be a date?"

Emily found the courage to meet Paige's gaze fully, relieved to find Paige smiling, the slightest blush tinging her cheeks.

"Yeah, I'd like that."

Emily smiled, stepping forward and taking Paige's hand, pushing past any lingering hesitancy, lighter now she'd gotten that off her chest.

"If I can be honest?" Paige spoke, eyes fixed to their entwined hands, rubbing her thumb along Emily's skin absently. "I was actually kind of relieved."

"Relieved?"

"I didn't know if I could plan something on such short notice. Something..." Paige sighed, before looking down once more. "…Something special enough. For you."

The words drew a soft smile to Emily's lips. She tried to meet Paige's gaze, shaking her head.

"Paige you know I don't need special, right?" Emily nudged Paige's foot with her own, urging her to look up at her. "I'm happy with whatever we do."

"You are?"

"I am."

Emily swallowed down any remnants of hesitancy as she spoke, cupping Paige's cheek as she continued to avoid her gaze. She offered Paige a soft smile when their eyes met, stepping forward to press a soft kiss to Paige's lips. She let it linger, letting the simplicity of the touch wash over her, to calm her.

"I just want to be with you."

Emily spoke the words softly as they broke apart, buoyed by the way Paige's hands kept a firm grip on her waist, holding her steady.

"Anything else we do, well that's just a bonus."

Paige shook her head, unable to stop the smile forming on her lips.

"What?"

This doesn't feel real.

Paige didn't give her an answer, though the slight shake of her head suggested to Emily that she was thinking as much. She hoped Paige could see that she was just as awed herself by what was happening between them.

Emily decided not to tell her, not with words anyway. She tugged Paige closer once more, mirroring Paige's smile as she leant in, connecting their lips softly once more, hoping it could covey even an ounce of just how real this was to her.

"Are you guys– oh."

Sydney's expression was one Emily would have found amusing, had it not so closely mirrored her own. Paige had stepped away from her instantly the second they'd been interrupted, eyes currently darting around the various posters on Jacob's bedroom wall as if her life depended on it.

"OK."

Sydney nodded after a moment, looking between them. She held her hand up and opened her mouth as if to speak, before simply shaking her head.

"We're leaving in 5. Sorry I…sorry."

Paige finally looked at Emily once the door had clicked shut once more, a mixture of horror and amusement laced within her features. Emily puffed out a laugh, shaking her head, unsure how she felt about what had just happened. Unsure how she felt so (unexpectedly) calm about it.

"You know, actually–"

Sydney's voice returned, interrupting Emily's thoughts, the door swinging open abruptly once more.

"–I knew it."

Sydney's words were aimed at Paige pointedly, confusing Emily some, her curiosity piqued by the interaction.

"This all makes a lot more sense now."

Sydney continued, gesturing to Emily's outfit.

"And…I'm totally here for it."

Emily heard Paige chuckling disbelievingly beside her as Sydney let out a giddy squeak, the sound easing some of the tension Emily hadn't realized she was holding.

Emily reached out, taking Paige's hand in her own. It was a simple enough gesture, almost reflexive, but one that buoyed her in a way she wasn't quite expecting. It felt validating, for all it was a little embarrassing, for Sydney to have seen them like that. For Sydney to be seeing them like this.

The look Sydney was giving them as they stood there like that, hand in hand, like an actual couple, was somewhere between surprise and endearment and oddly, it settled Emily's nerves. Emily knew had this scenario happened a week or so earlier it would have only further accentuated her panic, perhaps even pushed her further away from Paige. But now Sydney knowing only made it feel all the more real to her. All the more official. Even if they weren't quite official, not just yet.

Emily felt like she should be panicking. Sydney shouldn't know yet. It was too soon, wasn't it? They didn't even know what they were yet.

Except, it wasn't too soon. At least, Emily couldn't bring herself to believe it was. And they did. Whether they'd gotten to that point or not, talked about it or not, there was no doubt in Emily's mind what they were. What they were going to be.

And finally, somewhat surprisingly, but unequivocally, Emily realized she wasn't scared by the prospect of it.

Not in the slightest.