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Class let out at the ring of the bell, students quickly spilling into the hallways. The busy rustle and endless chatter filled the air as everyone dispersed to where they were going. Few classes remained for the day, but there were still extracurriculars to attend, clubs to rush to, practices to make on time.
Alison went in search of somewhere quiet, somewhere peaceful. Returning back to school left her a little uneasy at first, knowing she was going to be talked about in hushed voices, constantly looking over her shoulder in paranoia. Just because she was back didn’t mean she was safe.
Taking a deep breath, Alison needed to be outside and away from all of the drama in the hallways.
Overwhelmed. Overstimulated.
On the outside, she looked composed with her books hugged neatly against her chest, expression neutral, steps measured. If anyone glanced her way, they’d see nothing more than a girl heading somewhere with purpose. But inside, her thoughts ricocheted like pinballs.
They’re staring.
They’re whispering.
You're not safe here.
Her pulse thudded in her ears, too loud, too fast. The fluorescent lights seemed harsher than usual, the lockers closer together. Laughter burst from somewhere behind her and she flinched before she could stop herself, smoothing it over with a casual tuck of hair behind her ear.
Calm. Be calm. Don’t let them see it.
The exit doors loomed ahead like a finish line. By the time she pushed through them, her fingers were trembling.
Cool afternoon air met her flushed skin, and she inhaled deeply- once, twice, again and again until the tight pressure around her ribs loosened. The courtyard was nearly empty this period. A few students lingered at the far benches, too absorbed in their phones to notice her. The wind stirred the trees in soft, steady rhythms, nothing like the chaotic hum inside the building.
Her heartbeat began to slow.
You’re fine, she told herself. You’re here. You’re breathing.
She walked the perimeter of the courtyard, counting her steps, grounding herself in small details. The rough texture of brick under her fingertips, the faint scent of cut grass, the distant slam of a car door from the parking lot. Gradually, the static in her mind quieted to a manageable buzz.
When the bell rang again in the distance, signaling the start of the next period, she felt steadier. Not perfect. Not entirely safe. But steady enough.
Alison slipped back inside through a side entrance and made her way toward the library. It was quieter now, most students already in class. The door shut behind her with a soft click, sealing her into a different world, one of muted footsteps and whispered conversations.
She wandered between the shelves without thinking, trailing her fingers along the spines. The familiar scent of paper and dust wrapped around her like a blanket.
Then she stopped.
A particular aisle caught her attention. The sunlight filtered in at an angle here, warming the wooden shelves and casting thin golden lines across the carpet.
It was always this aisle that she would sit with Emily during their freshman year. This was where they used to sit on the floor between the stacks, backs against opposite shelves, passing notes through the gaps, reading poetry and passages of books that held meaning to eachother. Where laughter had to be bitten back behind hands. Where secrets felt smaller somehow, contained by the rows of books towering above them. Where they shared their first public kiss.
Her chest tightened again, but not from panic this time.
She stepped into the aisle slowly, almost reverently, as if it might disappear if she moved too fast. The world narrowed to the quiet hum of the overhead lights and the dust motes drifting in the sunlight. For the first time all day, her breathing felt natural.
She slid down to sit on the carpet, back against the shelf, eyes tracing the titles they used to joke about. The memory of Emily heavy on her mind.
Out in the halls, the noise and rumors continued, but here, in this narrow stretch between fiction and forgotten encyclopedias, Alison finally felt something close to safe.
Maybe it was a distraction, but Alison thumbed through a book mindlessly, eyes unfocused on the page. Words from the paper floated around unread, lost in her mind. As her anxiety faded away much like the background noise had, she slowly became aware of how long had passed since she entered the library.
Six unread texts and two missed calls, Alison wasn't even aware her phone had gone off. Not that she had the mental capacity to handle her friends right now. She needed a moment to herself. A moment to reclaim her composure and convince herself that everything was going to be fine. Moving back meant that she had a new start.
The library was too quiet.
The faint hum of fluorescent lights, the soft turn of pages somewhere behind her, the distant squeak of someone in a chair shifting. Everything felt amplified. Alison sat tucked into her legs, between two tall shelves, her books open but unread in front of her. She had come here for the silence.
Instead, the silence pressed in.
Her vision blurred. She blinked hard, assuming it was just the strain of staring at the same paragraph for ten minutes straight. But when a tear slipped down and stung as it slowly rolled across her cheek, she froze.
She was crying.
She lifted a hand to her cheek like she didn’t quite believe it, like maybe if she didn’t acknowledge it, it wouldn’t be real. She didn’t cry. Not here. Not where anyone could see. Vulnerability was not something she willingly would display for others to see.
“Ali?”
Her name was barely above a whisper, but it still made her flinch. Aria stood a few feet away at the end of the aisle, concern written plainly across her face. She must have been searching for her, Alison vaguely remembered mentioning the library earlier.
“I’ve been texting you,” Aria said softly, stepping closer. “Are you okay?”
Alison straightened quickly, swiping at her cheeks. “I’m fine.”
Her voice betrayed her immediately. Aria’s expression shifted. Not disbelief, not judgment. Just understanding. She slid down to her knees onto the floor across from Alison, lowering her voice even more to respect the fragile quiet around them.
“You don’t look fine.”
The words weren’t accusatory. Just gentle.
Alison’s throat tightened. She stared down at her open book, the words swimming uselessly on the page.
“I thought I was past this,” she whispered. “I thought I was stronger.” Aria reached across the aisle, resting her hand over Alison’s.
“You are strong. Strong people cry too, you know.” Alison let out a shaky breath, trying to steady it before it became something louder, something that would echo between shelves. A few more tears slipped free anyway. She ducked her head, embarrassed, haphazardly tossing the book off of her lap.
“No one’s looking,” Aria murmured reassuringly. “And even if they were, it wouldn’t matter.”
They sat there for a moment, just the quiet hum of the library around them.
“Hey,” Aria added softly. “We’re still meeting up for emilys race. You promised you’d come. It was all Em would talk about this morning." Alison hesitated, moving only to pat away at the tears on her cheeks. The attempt she made was to salvage her makeup. The hesitation prompted Aria to continue speaking.
“I know being here alone felt like a good idea,” Aria continued, squeezing her hand gently. “But sitting with your thoughts isn’t helping. Being around people who love you might.”
Alison swallowed. The panic still sat heavy in her chest. But Aria's hand was warm. Steady. Real.
“You don’t have to pretend you’re okay,” Aria said. “Just… come be not-okay with us.”
A small, fragile laugh escaped Alison before she could stop it.
“There she is,” Aria smiled.
Alison wiped her cheeks one last time and closed the books that were on the floor, lazily shoving them onto the shelves besides her. Everything wasn’t magically fixed. The fear hadn’t disappeared, but maybe she didn’t have to carry it alone.
“Okay,” she said quietly. "Let me fix my makeup first."
After a quick stop in the restroom, Alison leaned closer to the mirror, steadying herself against the cool porcelain of the sink. She dabbed carefully beneath her eyes, repaired the smudged liner, added a touch of gloss. The girl staring back at her looked composed, maybe even untouchable. Only the faint pink in her eyes betrayed her. But beneath the fragile calm, something else had begun to bloom.
Excitement.
It started as a small flutter in her stomach, then spread, warm and electric through her chest. Em’s race. Of course it was. No matter how heavy the morning had felt, the thought of watching her changed everything. Alison couldn’t help the way her lips curved slightly at the edges.
“You good?” Aria asked gently from the doorway.
Alison straightened, smoothing her hair over one shoulder.
“Yeah,” she said, this time with more certainty. “Let’s go.”
The natatorium was loud long before they reached the doors. The sharp scent of chlorine hung in the air, mixing with the echo of whistles and the roar of overlapping conversations. Teammates laughed, parents called encouragement across lanes.
Alison felt the charged atmosphere immediately. The energy of competition. Her pulse picked up, but this time it wasn’t panic, it was anticipation. They climbed the bleachers to meet up with the rest of the group, squeezing into a row halfway up. From here she had a perfect view of the pool. Perfect view of lane four. Perfect view of Emily.
Emily stood near the starting block, cap already on, goggles resting around her neck. Even from the stands Alison could tell she was in that focused headspace with her shoulders loose, jaw set, bouncing slightly on her heels to stay warm, headphones on playing something to pump her up.
“She’s been nervous all day,” Hanna commented. “If she wins, we’ll never hear the end of it.”
"Of course she is going to win. Em is the best." Commented Spencer.
Alison forced a light laugh, hoping no one could hear the way her heartbeat had started thundering in her ears.
Down below at the waters edge, Emily adjusted her goggles and glanced toward the stands. It was casual at first. Just a quick sweep of the crowd. Then she saw her. The shift was subtle, so small no one but Alison would have noticed. Emily stilled. Just barely. Her shoulders squared a little differently. The intense focus softened at the edges. Unmistakably she blushed.
Even from a distance Alison could see the faint color creeping across Emily’s cheeks beneath the tight swim cap. Emily tried to cover it by looking away, pretending to stretch her arms, but a tiny smile betrayed her.
Alison’s breath caught.
The noise of the pool seemed to dim around her. For a moment, it felt like it was just the two of them in the natatorium, separated by chlorinated water and a secret no one else knew yet. Emily glanced back again, quicker this time. Their eyes locked. Alison didn’t wave. Didn’t dare draw attention because she knew she was resisting the urge to blush. She just offered the smallest nod. Soft, steady, there.
I’m here.
Down by the water, Emily’s lips pressed together in an attempt to contain the grin threatening to break free. She stepped onto the starting block, but her composure had shifted. The nerves weren’t sharp anymore. They were warm. Grounded.
Supported. Her gaze was pulled away to focus on something her coach was saying to the team. Her words didn't matter, however, because Emily had already found her motivation.
The official’s whistle shrieked through the air. Emily crouched, fingers curling over the edge of the block. But her focus wasn’t only on the water now. It was on the girl in the middle row of the bleachers, the one who had shown up for her.
The buzzer sounded.
Emily launched forward, slicing cleanly into the water, her arms and legs moving in such a way she turned swimming into more than an activity. It was an art. Effortless motions caused her to quickly pull ahead early into the relay, closing the gap between her and the edge of the pool. The swim back to the starting side of the pool was over before they knew it, with Emily finishing seconds before everyone else.
A loud cheer erupted from the crowd, from the coaching staff, from the team. They had won. Not only did Emily's team win first, they also finished second and third, defeating the rivalry between the other school. The competition was not over after the race, there were still more to be held.
Unfortunately for the Sharks, they didn't win every race, and Hanna commented it was because Emily wasn't in every race. Leaving the natatorium, the group decided they would be meeting up at Spencer's house to finish their homework. Politely declining a ride to her house, Alison waited at the school near the locker room for Emily since they had carpooled to school earlier in the day.
As team captain Emily had to stay back for additional coaching and planning. Her team did amazing today, and her coach wanted to quickly discuss certain areas for them to improve. By the time their discussion had ended, Emily was the last one to the showers. Gathering her belongings and shoveling them into her backpack, she was startled after closing the locker door because she hadn't heard Alison approach.
The soft gentle touch on her arm calmed her instantly, warming her skin. Relief washed over her quickly. Alison always brought her comfort. Peace.
"You did amazing out there. You always do."
"Thank you." A bashful smile formed on her face and although they were alone in the locker room, Emily ducked her head to hide her blushing cheeks.
"I'm proud of you, Em."
"I really appreciate that."
Alison notices it first, the way the room has gone quiet between them.
Not silent. Just… focused on eachother.
Alison brushes a loose strand of hair behind her ear, a nervous habit she hasn’t quite outgrown. Emily watches the movement like it means something, like she’s memorizing it. They’re close enough now that the air feels warmer, shared.
“Can I?” the blonde asks softly.
The answer isn’t verbal. It’s a small nod. A breath held.
Their foreheads touch first as Alison begins to stand on her toes. It’s tentative and almost shy. A quiet test. Alison's hand slides carefully to Emily'd waist, giving her time to pull away. She doesn’t. Instead, her fingers curl into the fabric of the blonde’s sleeve, anchoring her there. The first kiss is barely a kiss at all. Just a brush of lips. Soft. Curious. They part, but not far. Only long enough for the breath to get caught in Emily's throat. The second one lingers. It’s warmer now, less uncertain. Alison tilted her head slightly, deepening it just enough to make it feel intentional. Not rushed just discovering. Their breathing shifts, syncing without either of them realizing. A quiet hum escapes Alison as she is surprised and pleased.
The teasing begins in the smallest ways. A slow retreat of lips only to return again. A faint graze of teeth against a lower lip. A pause that makes the other chase the contact back.
It’s not hurried. It’s exploratory. Smiling against each other. Testing reactions.
Emily's thumb traces a slow line at her waist, and that’s when the kiss changed- still gentle, but charged now. Promising more.
A phone rang.
Sharp. Loud. Jarringly ordinary.
They froze, still close enough that their noses brush when they laugh. It’s breathless and reluctant and a little embarrassed.
“Don’t,” Alison murmurs when Emily moves to check it. Doing as requested, she let it ring, but the phone kept ringing.
Reality, insisting.
She pulls back just enough to reach for it, both of them still smiling like they’ve been let in on a secret.
“We’re not done,” Alison says softly, yearning. She tried her best not to sound desperate, but she needed more. The kiss left her feeling like she couldn't live without it. And the look she got in return made it very clear. No, they weren't anywhere near finished.
"Hello?" Emily struggled to find composure in her voice. Her breathing was uneven, lost. "Yeah, no, I didn't forget. My coach kept me back for a while. I just finished showering." Alison could only assume it was Spencer or Hanna on the other end of the phone. "Alison's probably studying while she waits for me. I'm almost done." Emily tried to remain calm, but her breathing began picking up when Alison carefully kissed her neck, finding just the right places to make her knees go weak. "Okay. Bye." Emily could not get off of the phone call any faster. The phone quickly made its way back into the pocket of her jeans, forgotten in its resting place. For all she cared, it could have fallen to the floor. No more interruptions.
Reclaiming her lips against Alison's, Emily was not about to waste another second not kissing her. Emily didn’t give Alison the chance to speak.
The second the phone was gone, her hands were back at Alison’s waist, fingers curling into the fabric of her shirt like she needed something solid to hold onto. Alison’s lips found hers again, fierce, breathless, impatient. Determined. It wasn’t soft anymore. It was months of almosts and maybes and stolen glances pressed into one kiss.
Alison’s back hit the cool metal of the locker with a quiet clang. The sound echoed through the mostly empty room, making them both freeze for half a second.
Public. Locker room. Anyone could walk in.
But the pause only seemed to make it worse. Emily leaned in again, slower this time, but deeper. Her hand slid up Alison’s side, resting just beneath her ribs, feeling the quick rise and fall of her breathing. Alison kissed her like she was drowning and Emily was air. Desperate, consuming, a little reckless. Her fingers threaded into the damp ends of Emily’s hair, tugging just enough to pull a quiet sound from her throat. They were both shaking.
“Em,” Alison breathed against her mouth, though she didn’t pull away. Emily answered by kissing her harder.
Alison’s knee slipped between Emily’s, instinctive and thoughtless, and that was when reality crashed back in. The distant echo of a locker slamming somewhere else in the locker room. Voices. Laughter.
They broke apart, foreheads pressed together, still clinging to each other like letting go would physically hurt.
“We can’t,” Alison whispered, even though her hands hadn’t moved. Emily swallowed, chest heaving. “I know.” Another kiss, shorter this time, but just as charged. A promise. A restraint.
They both stepped back reluctantly. Alison smoothed down her hair, then grabbed her bag with hands that still trembled. Since when did Alison DiLaurentis tremble?
“Study date,” Emily reminded her softly, though her eyes were still dark and wanting. Alison smiled, flushed and breathless. “Right. Spencer's house."
The car ride was quieter. The engine hummed beneath them as Emily pulled out of the parking lot. Streetlights blurred past in streaks of gold. Alison stared out the window at first, fingers tracing invisible patterns on the glass. Emily noticed. She always noticed.
“You’re quiet,” she said gently, keeping her eyes on the road.
Alison hesitated. “I had a panic attack earlier.”
The words hung in the air, fragile.
Emily's grip tightened slightly on the steering wheel. “Today?”
Alison nodded. “After class. It was stupid. I just… couldn’t breathe. Everything felt too loud. Like I was going to mess everything up. Like somethiny was going to happen to me again.”
Emily didn’t hesitate. At the next red light, she shifted the car into park for a second and reached over, lacing her fingers through Alison’s. Her thumb brushed slow circles over her skin.
“Hey,” she said softly. Alison looked at her, eyes a little glassy now that she’d admitted it. "You’re not stupid,” Emily continued. “And you’re not messing anything up. Panic attacks don’t mean you’re weak. They just mean your brain got overwhelmed.” The light turned green, but Emily squeezed her hand before shifting back into drive.
“We’re going to get through it,” she said firmly. “Whatever it is. The pressure, the noise, all of it. You don’t have to do it alone.” Alison’s shoulders dropped just slightly.
“I hate that you see me like that,” she admitted quietly. Emily glanced at her, warmth replacing the earlier fire in her eyes. “Ali, I don’t see you as broken. I see you as human. And I love you. Even when you can’t breathe. Especially then.”
Alison let out a shaky laugh that almost turned into a sob. She squeezed Emily’s hand tighter.
“Thank you,” she whispered. Emily brought their joined hands to her lips briefly at the next stop sign, pressing a gentle kiss to Alison’s knuckles.
“We’ll take it one breath at a time,” she said. “Together.”
And this time, Alison believed her.
Coming to a stop a few houses away from their destination, Emily shifted the gears into park and killed the engine to the car. As she unbuckled, she shifted in her seat to look towards Alison. The interior lights dimmed, leaving them to reflect in the soft glow from the street lights. Alison's fingers had been fidgeting with the release button of her seat belt, not particularly making any attempt to release it. Silently, Emily was waiting for Alison to be ready to join up with their friends. She would give her all the time she needed.
The quiet was nice. Only the soft noises from their small movements filled the car. The steady inhale and exhales.
Alison caught Emily by surprise when she leaned over and kissed her cheek. Lips pressing tenderly, lingering for a few moments. Heat rushed to her cheek, and the sensation left a rush of warmth in that exactly location. Emily could still feel the kiss long after it ended. She welcomed the feeling. Unable to hide the smile that came to her mouth, everytime they shared a moment like that it filled Emily with joy. Genuine joy. A feeling of happiness that radiated from simple, everyday interactions. Her smile was infectious, causing Alison to mirror it. Cheeks tingling with delight, the nervousness and panic from earlier in the day had left her. Instead, she felt complete, at peace, calm and loved.
The studying went as expected- it lasted for all of five minutes, with Emily, Alison, and Spencer being the responsible ones actually studying. Aria barely lift her gaze from her phone, texting Ezra. Hanna had started off reading the material, but quickly got off the topic of school and started ranting about the minor disagreement she was having with Caleb. One thing lead to another and the books were all put aside for the night in favor of conversation.
Being surrounded by her friends was comforting to Alison, it brought the peace she had needed. The sharp edges of the afternoon and the way her chest had tightened until breathing felt like swallowing glass, softened into something manageable. Laughter filled in the cracks the panic had left behind. She let herself sink into it, into the easy rhythm of inside jokes and overlapping voices. From the outside, she knew she looked normal again. Maybe even carefree. In control. That thought steadied her.
Across the room, her girlfriend leaned back against the couch, tucking her legs underneath her. Alison didn’t dare look too long, but her eyes kept drifting anyway. Quick, almost accidental glances she hoped no one would notice. A smile she couldn’t quite suppress when their gazes met for half a second. The smallest lift of her girlfriend’s eyebrow, a small smirk that felt like a secret handshake.
It was strange, holding two realities at once. In the locker room earlier, it had been easy for her. No one around, just the quiet hum of vents and the warmth of hands that felt grounding instead of overwhelming. The kiss had steadied her in a way breathing exercises never quite could. But here, in the living room crowded with friends and textbooks that no one was really reading, everything had to be subtle. Controlled.
She laughed at something someone said, but her attention flickered back again. The curve of her girlfriend’s shoulder. The way she brushed a strand of hair behind her ear. Alison memorized these tiny details as if she might need them later, as proof that the day hadn’t been entirely swallowed by panic.
No one knew. That fact pressed against her ribs. Not in a painful way, but a heavy burden. Part of her understood why they were keeping it quiet. It was easier this way. Less complicated. Yet every time she stole a glance and had to look away just as quickly, she felt the quiet unfairness of it. Wanting to reach across the space between them. Wanting to sit just a little closer than what counted as normal.
Still, there was something thrilling about it too. The secrecy turned ordinary moments electric. When their knees brushed under the coffee table, purely accidental, absolutely deliberate, Alison felt warmth bloom in her chest that had nothing to do with anxiety.
Earlier that day, she had felt like she was unraveling. Now, she felt stitched back together in invisible thread. Not perfectly. Not permanently. But enough, and every time her eyes wandered back to her girlfriend and found her already looking, Alison felt something steadier than panic settle in its place, something quiet and certain. The reassurance Emily gave her earlier in the car filled her mind and put any worry to ease. She was safe. She was loved.
The group, minus Aria, had decided to spend the night at the Hastings house. This wasnt anything out of the ordinary. Any chance Aria got she would spend it with Ezra. Even though the rest of the group did not approve, nothing seemed to happen. Aria was determined.
Instead of camping out in the barn, the spare air mattresses were blown up, sheets and blankets dispersed across Spencer's bedroom. Spencer loaned everyone something to sleep in. It wasnt unusual for the group to spend the night when they had gatherings like this. Unspoken conversations were shared between Alison and Emily, the words spoken through their eyes and expressions. Alison had quickly ducked into the mattress, exhausted and ready for the night to end. Before completely settling in, she smoothed out the other half beside her, ensuring everything was perfect for Emily when she decided to join. The others had been unwinding longer than Alison had.
The bedroom switched from laughter to distant and the low murmur of voices from across the room. Alison listened to it fade in and out, her body heavy in a way that only came after a day that asked too much of her. She stared at the ceiling for a moment, replaying everything she wished she could forget, then let out a slow breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding.
The mattress dipped gently a while later.
She didn’t have to open her eyes to know it was Emily. There was something unmistakable in the quiet way she moved. Always careful, considerate, like she was always aware of the space Alison occupied in the world. The air shifted. Warmth settled at her back, causing a shiver.
“You’re still awake,” Emily whispered, more statement than question.
“Barely,” Alison murmured, though the truth was she’d been waiting. There was the soft rustle of blankets as Emily adjusted them around both of them, tucking the edge beneath Alison’s shoulder. A familiar arm slipped around her waist, tentative at first, giving her time to pull away if she wanted to, but she didn’t. Instead, Alison leaned back into her, letting herself be held.
The day loosened its grip just a little.
Emily’s nose brushed lightly against the curve where Alison’s neck met her shoulder. Not demanding, not playful. Just there. A quiet reassurance. A reminder that she wasn’t carrying everything alone.
Alison’s fingers found Emily’s hand and laced through it beneath the covers.
“Today was a really long day,” Emily murmured softly against her skin.
“Mhm.”
A gentle press of lips followed, barely there, a goodnight placed at the hollow of Alison’s neck. It wasn’t meant to spark anything. It was grounding. Safe. Familiar.
Alison felt her chest unclench in a way it hadn’t all evening.
“Sleep,” Emily whispered. This time, when Alison closed her eyes, she did.
Morning came slowly.
Alison stirred first, consciousness returning in gentle fragments. The faint sunlight entering the room across the wall, the unfamiliar ceiling above her began illuminating. For a second, yesterday tried to follow her into the present. Then she feels the arm around her waist.
Warm. Steady. Certain. Emily.
The memory of last night settled over her, the careful way Emily had joined her on the mattress, the whispered goodnight against her skin. Alison exhales, long and quiet, as if she’s only now allowing herself to.
She didn’t move at first. She just listened to the rhythm of Emily’s breathing behind her. There was something grounding about it. Something that made yesterday feel survivable.
Carefully, Alison turned around within the circle of her arms. Emily shifted instinctively, tightening her hold before her eyes even open. Their foreheads rest against oneanother. The proximity is different than in the daytime, less hidden, more honest.
Emily's lashes fluttered. She blinked once, twice, then focused as she began waking.
“You’re staring,” she murmured, voice rough with sleep.
Alison huffed a soft laugh.
“You’re awake.”
“Barely.”
They stay like that for a while, close enough that Alison could feel the rise and fall of each breathe. The quiet stretches.
“I didn’t think I was going to get through yesterday,” Alison spoke suddenly. The words surprise even her, but once they’re out, they don’t feel wrong. Emily doesn’t joke. Doesn’t deflect. Her hand slid a little higher along Alison’s back, steady and present, her thumb caressing comforting circles against her shirt. “You did.”
“That’s because you were there.” It wasn’t dramatic. It was true.
Something shifted in Emison’s expression, changing slightly. Not shock or uncertainty. Just recognition. Like she understood the weight of what Alison was admitting.
“I’m always going to be here,” she says softly. Alison searched her face, measuring that promise in the light of the morning. It scared her a little how much she wanted to believe it. How much she already did believe it. Her fingers rose without thinking, brushing a loose strand of hair away from Emily’s forehead. The touch lingered.
“Okay,” Alison whispered. Their noses graze, hesitant. Neither pulls back. The kiss is slow, not urgent, not questioning. It’s a gentle press of lips that deepens only slightly, enough to say this isn’t an accident. Enough to say this is chosen.
It feels different than the night before. Last night had been comfort. This was clarity.
When they part, they don’t move far. Their foreheads rest together again, breathing shared.
From down the hall, Spencer's sister called out about breakfast, loud and oblivious. Emily smiled, small and private. “We should probably get up." Allison exhaled, sad that their intimate moment was coming to an end. Emily barely budged under the blanket, unwilling to move. She wanted to stay here, holding Alison, embraced in her warmth. Alison had leaned forward, her head tilting to the side as she delivered a deliberately delicate kiss to Emily's lips. Breathe ghosting down her cheek, small locks of blonde hair draped over her face teasingly. Hesitantly, Alison separated their lips as she pulled away. It was time to get up. Any longer under the blankets and Alison knew they would be late.
Alison pulled on Emily's sweatshirt and caught her reflection in the mirror. She didn’t look dramatically different, but she felt steadier. Yesterday she had been overwhelmed, but today she was grounded. Yesterday she had needed help. Today she knew she was loved, and that made all the difference. Lifting the sweatshirt to her face, she inhaled the familiar scent of Emily's perfume and smiled to herself. Alison finished preparing herself for school and made her way out of the bedroom, ready for the others to finish changing for school.
Standing in the Hastings kitchen, for a second, she didn’t know why her chest felt different. It wasn't tight or unregular. Yesterday had started with the kind of panic that swallowed everything. The library carpet against her knees. The way her hands wouldn’t stop shaking. The way the world had narrowed down to breath. In. Out. In. Out.
The memory of yesterday didn’t sting as much this morning. It felt nearly processed. Like a bruise that had already started fading at the edges. Her friends hadn’t treated her like she was fragile glass. Her girlfriend Emily had still smiled at her from the edge of the pool before the race, goggles pushed up, all nervous energy and chlorine and hope.
No one left. The panic had come, then it left. Her friends had stayed there for her during and after the panic. Alison's body felt like her own again. Solid, not buzzing, like the weight of the world was no long pulling her down. She felt grounded and loved by those around her.
The morning at school felt different.
Yesterday had clung to her with awkward silences, second-guessing every word, walking with her head down replaying moments she wished she could edit. But today… today didn’t feel like that. Today felt like every day prior to her return to school. Like she was in control. She placed her hand over her chest and took one slow breath. Today was going to be a good day.
Not because everything would be perfect, not because nothing awkward would happen, but because she felt steady. Grounded. Like her feet were actually touching the floor instead of hovering a few inches above it. Yesterday she had felt small. Today she felt solid. Composed. Ready.
She grabbed her backpack and paused at the door to her first class.
"Today I’m confident. Today I’m grounded. Today I am loved." Was the mantra repeating in her head to calm her anxieties, bringing her peace. For the first time in a while, she believed it.
The hallway was its usual chaos. Lockers slamming, voices overlapping, the sharp scent of cafeteria food drifting down the corridor. Alison adjusted the strap on her backpack and turned the corner, nearly colliding with someone.
“Oh my god! I’m so sorry.”
A familiar laugh bubbled up in front of her. “Ali!” Hanna spoke breathlessly. They both grabbed each other’s arms instinctively, steadying themselves.
“You walk like you’re on a mission,” Hanna teased.
“I am on a mission,” Alison shot back, smiling. “To survive fourth period.”
Hanna groaned dramatically. “Don’t even remind me. I have a history test to go to."
There was no awkwardness. No second guessing. Just easy conversation between Alison and Hanna. For a second, Alison noticed how natural it felt. How she wasn’t overthinking where to put her hands or what her face was doing. She was just there.
Hanna bumped her shoulder lightly. “Hey. You good today?” The question wasn’t heavy. Just checking. Alison nodded.
“Yeah. Actually, yeah." She actually meant it. Hanna grinned. “Good. You looked kinda in your head yesterday at Em's competition.”
“I was,” Alison admitted. “But not today.”
“Good,” Hanna said again, like she was sealing it. "Hey, if there is anything you want to talk to me about, you know I'm always here for you. There is something important I wanted to ask you about, but maybe" The bell rang, sharp and sudden.
“Text me later?” Hanna asked, already backing away.
“Obviously.”
As Alison walked toward class, phone in hand, shooting Emily a text about meeting up after class. Though she needed to speak with Hanna, Emily was always going to be at foremost thought on her mind.
On the other side of the high school campus, Emily couldn’t withhold the smile that erupted on her face when she saw a text from her girlfriend. Her and Alison had been texting all throughout the day- more than usual. Instead of constantly checking in, asking how she was, if she was okay, Emily kept a steady stream of texts coming her way. Little comments, dumb jokes, random thoughts. Proof that she was on her mind.
Emily stared down at her phone, thumbs moving quickly as she typed back.
"You’re supposed to be paying attention in class," she sent.
Her phone buzzed again almost immediately.
"I can multitask," Alison replied. "Also I’m bored. Also I miss you."
Emily rolled her eyes, though the grin on her face only grew wider.
"We literally saw each other twenty minutes ago."
"And?"
Emily shook her head, still smiling as she typed another reply, completely distracted as she walked across campus towards the natatorium for another swim practice. Which was exactly why she walked straight into someone.
“Whoa!”
Emily stumbled back, barely catching herself before dropping her phone.
“Sorry, I-” she started, then froze.
Aria stood in front of her, eyebrows raised, while Hanna leaned against the lockers beside her with a knowing grin.
“Well,” Aria said slowly. “Someone is having a great day.”
Emily quickly lowered herself to grab her phone, glancing at the screen a little too long for her friends liking. “I just didn’t see you.”
“Oh, we noticed,” Hanna said, pushing herself off the lockers. Her eyes flicked to the phone still clutched in Emily’s hand. “The real question is… who’s got you smiling like that?”
“No one,” Emily said a little too quickly.
Aria snorted. “Right.” Hanna leaned closer, trying to peek at the screen. “Are you texting someone? Whats her name?”
Emily pulled the phone back to her chest. “Mind your business.”
“Oh my god,” Aria said, pointing dramatically. “She is texting someone.”
Hanna gasped in mock shock. “Emily has a secret admirer. I bet Alison and Spencer know.”
“I do not.”
“Then why are you blushing?” Aria asked.
“I’m not blushing.” Emily's cheeks grew to a darker shade at the mention of her girlfriend, even if it was indirect.
“You are absolutely blushing,” Hanna laughed. "I bet if Alison was here she could figure it out."
Emily groaned, trying to step around them. “Can I go to practice now?”
“Not until we know who it is,” Aria said jokingly, blocking her path.
“Yeah,” Hanna added. “What’s her name?”
“No one!” frustration began growing within Emily because this was the kind of attention she wasn't keen on having. Though coming from her friends, she didn't entirely mind it. Her main issue was it wasn't her place to out Alison.
Aria squinted at her. “Is it someone from school? Please tell me youre not dating another teammate.”
Emily stayed silent. Remaining quiet was easier than lying, because her friends could always see through every lie she ever told.
Hanna’s eyes widened. “Wait, wait... do we know them?”
“Okay, this interrogation is over,” Emily said, trying to push past again.
Aria and Hanna exchanged a look before both bursting into laughter.
“Oh my god,” Aria said. “She’s definitely talking to someone. Shes acting just like I did with Ezra.”
“Emily has a crush,” Hanna teased, her arm wrapping around Emily in a side hug as the trio began walking towards the locker room.
“I hate both of you.”
“Sure you do.”
After another minute of relentless teasing, Aria finally held up her hands. “Fine, fine. We’ll drop it.”
“Yeah,” Hanna said with a smirk. “For now.”
Emily sighed in relief. “Thank you.”
Right on cue, her phone rang. All three of them looked down at it.
Emily froze.
Hanna leaned forward immediately. “Who’s calling you?”
“No one.”
“Your phone is literally ringing,” Aria pointed out.
Emily flipped the phone over so the screen was against her palm. “It’s not important.”
“Emily,” Hanna said suspiciously. “Answer it.”
“I can’t.”
Aria’s eyes narrowed. “Why not?”
“Because...” Emily hesitated before stopped herself.
The phone kept ringing.
Hanna gasped suddenly, her eyes widening. “Wait.”
Aria looked at her. “What?”
Hanna slowly turned back to Emily, a huge grin spreading across her face.
“No way.”
Emily’s stomach dropped. “What?”
From where Hanna had been standing, the screen of Emily's phone was clear insight.
“Stop,” Emily warned, flashing a stern, dead serious look in Hanna's direction.
“Alison?” Aria guessed. She had some suspicions, but nothing definitive. Emily’s silence was all the confirmation they needed.
Both of them erupted. “Emily! You’re dating Alison?!”
“Shhh!” Emily hissed, frantically glancing around the hallway. Hanna grabbed Aria’s arm, practically bouncing. “I knew something was going on. Ever since she returned, you two have been inseparable.”
“Why didn’t you tell us?!” Aria said.
Emily covered her face with one hand as her phone finally stopped ringing.
“You guys are the worst.”
“Oh my god,” Hanna laughed. “That’s why you were smiling at your phone.”
“And blushing,” Aria added.
“And hiding the screen.”
Emily groaned. “I’m never telling you anything ever again.”
Aria nudged her shoulder with a grin. “So you are dating Alison.”
Emily sighed, completely defeated. “…Yes.” That only made them smile harder. Neither were judging her, instead they both were excited for their friends.
"How long?" Aria asked, a look of bewilderment on her face as she processed the timeline.
"A few weeks now... look, let Alison tell you. I don't- she's not-"
"Relax," calmed Hanna, a loving squeeze on Emily's arm, "No one is going to say a word. We are happy, though. You know you don't have to hide anything from us." A second later Emily's phone started ringing again.
"You better pick up. I definitely would not want to be on Ali's bad side." Winked Hanna as her and Aria parted from Emily when they finally arrived at the locker room.
Although Emily did not care if her friends knew because they respected her privacy, she still felt uneasy about them knowing something about Alison that she hadn't chosen to share with anyone else. Eventually they were going to find out, but she still felt guilty about revealing the information.
Emily glanced down at her phone as it vibrated against her pocket, Alison’s name glowing across the screen when she pulled it from her jeans. It had already rang twice. The sound seemed louder than usual in the quiet locker room, echoing against the tiled walls and making her chest tighten.
She stared at it for another second, chewing the inside of her cheek. Although she knew Alison wouldn’t mind if her friends knew, Alison had never been particularly worried about people knowing who she was dating, Emily still felt uneasy. It wasn’t really about Alison’s privacy. It was about the fact that the information hadn’t been hers to share. Eventually everyone would probably find out anyway, but that didn’t stop the guilt from sitting heavy in her stomach.
The phone started ringing again. With a quiet sigh, she finally picked it up and pressed the green button.
“Hey,” Emily said, trying to keep her voice steady as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, grabbing her clothing from the locker.
“Finally,” Alison replied, her tone half amused, half impatient. “I thought you were ignoring me.”
“I wasn’t,” Emily said quickly. “I just.. Coach was talking to me.”
There was a brief pause on the other end before Alison hummed thoughtfully. “Right. Swim captain problems.” Emily smiled faintly at that, glancing toward the pool through the open doorway where the swimmers were gathering, waiting for practice to begin.
“Hey, can you meet me after?” she asked. “After my swim practice, I mean.”
Another pause. “Everything okay?”
“Yeah,” Emily said, though the word came out softer than she meant it to. “I just… want to talk.” Alison didn’t press, which somehow made Emily feel both relieved and more nervous.
“Alright,” Alison said. “Where?”
“The bleachers by the pool." Emily replied. “After everyone clears out.”
“Okay,” Alison said easily. “I’ll be there.”
When the call ended, Emily lowered the phone slowly and exhaled. The knot in her chest hadn’t gone away, but at least now the conversation couldn’t be avoided.
Practice passed in a blur of whistles, splashing water, and shouted lap counts. Emily pushed herself harder than usual, letting the rhythm of the strokes quiet the storm of thoughts in her head. Back and forth across the pool she went until her muscles burned and her lungs begged for air. By the time practice ended, most of the team hurried off toward the locker rooms, laughing and complaining about the set.
Emily dried off quickly, pulling on a hoodie before stepping back out onto the pool deck. The natatorium had grown quieter, the overhead lights reflecting softly on the still water.
Alison was already there. She sat alone about halfway up the metal bleachers, leaning back against the railing like she owned the place, her legs stretched out gracefully in front of her. When she saw Emily approaching, she tilted her head slightly, studying her.
“Took you long enough,” Alison said.
Emily huffed out a breath and climbed the steps, sitting down beside her. The metal bench was cool beneath them, and the smell of chlorine lingered in the air.
For a moment neither of them spoke. Emily rest her elbows on her knees, staring down at her hands.
“So...” Alison said gently, nudging her shoulder. “What’s going on?”
It didnt take a genius to know something was on Emily's mind. Her expression said whatever it was would eat her apart if she kept it in any longer. The knot in her eyebrows tightened as she looked at her hands, idly picking at her nails. Still, Emily could not bring herself to start speaking. Her conscious was heavy, almost causing her to start crying. Reaching over, Alison weaved her fingers intrusively in-between Emily's. Calmingly circling her thumb across the back of her hand, Alison squeezed their hands together. "Whats on your mind, Em? Get it out before you have a breakdown." The words came out a little more harsh than intended, but it was true. Emily did not do well when stressed. Every emotion was visible on her face. And right now? Whatever she was processing internally was eating her alive.
"I just... I don't know how to say it." Emily started, but quickly stopped.
Alison's relationship with Emily differed from her other friends. Usually she would manipulate her friends into achieving anything she wanted. No secret was safe. Knowing exactly what buttons to push, Alison had access to any information. However, with Emily, there wasn't manipulation. She respected her boundaries, even though they were dating, and instead of pressing for her to speak, Alison waited patiently. She was being understanding. Kind. Available.
"Earlier today, it all kind of happened really fast. It was an accident, but... Ali... I... Aria and Hanna know- about us."
Slowly after Emily's confession, Alison's thumb stopped tracing patterns into her skin. Her hand pulled away just long enough for the warmth between them to disappear. For a split second, Emily felt it like a drop in temperature. Her stomach twisted. She kept her eyes on her hands, bracing for the worst scenario to take place. Questions, irritation, maybe even that cool distance Alison sometimes used when she was thinking too hard. Were they about to break up?
Instead, Alison shifted beside her on the bleachers. The metal creaked softly as she turned, sliding closer again. A moment later Alison’s arm came around Emily’s shoulders, firm and steady, drawing her in. Emily barely had time to process it before her head was resting against Alison’s shoulder, Alison’s chin brushing the top of her hair. Emily let out a shaky breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding.
For a few seconds Alison didn’t say anything. Her fingers rested lightly on Emily’s upper arm, rubbing slow circles through the sleeve of her hoodie. The pool room was quiet. Then Alison pressed a soft kiss to the top of Emily's head.
“Em,” she said quietly, almost amused. “You look like you’re waiting for me to start yelling.”
Emily's voice came out small. “Aren’t you?”
Alison leaned her cheek lightly against Emily’s hair.
“No.”
Another beat of silence passed before Alison spoke again.
“Aria and Hanna knowing isn’t exactly the end of the world,” she said. “Honestly? I’m kind of surprised it didn’t happen sooner.”
Emily shifted slightly against her shoulder. “It wasn’t supposed to happen like that. They just... they saw us texting then they started asking questions and I panicked,” She groaned softly. “I basically confirmed everything.”
Alison’s arm tightened a little around her.
“Okay,” she said simply.
Emily pulled back just enough to look up at her. “Okay?” Alison nodded, her expression calm in that way that always made things feel less catastrophic than Emily thought they were.
“Em, eventually everyone was going to figure it out,” Alison said. “We spend half our time together. I walk you to practice. You look at me like I gave you the moon.”
Emily flushed immediately. “I do not.”
Alison smiled slightly. “You do.”
Emily huffed, dropping her forehead back against Alison’s shoulder in embarrassment. Alison brushed her fingers lightly along Emily’s arm again.
“You didn’t do anything wrong,” she continued more gently. “You didn’t betray some secret code. It’s just… two people knowing a little earlier than planned.”
“But what if they tell everyone?” Emily murmured.
Alison shrugged lightly beneath her.
“Then everyone knows,” she said. “Which, again, was going to happen eventually.”
She tipped her head slightly so she could see Emily’s face.
“Unless you were planning to keep dating me in total secrecy forever.”
Emily let out a quiet laugh despite herself. “I mean… I hadn’t really gotten that far.”
“Shocking,” Alison teased softly. Her expression softened again, and she nudged Emily’s head back onto her shoulder.
“Hey,” she said. “Look at me.”
Emily glanced up obediently. Alison leaned forward just enough to press another gentle kiss to her forehead.
“You didn’t mess anything up,” she said. “Okay? I promise.”
Emily studied her for a moment, searching for any hint of irritation. There wasn’t any, just that steady confidence Alison had when she’d already decided something wasn’t worth worrying about. The knot in Emily's chest finally started to loosen.
“…Okay." she said quietly.
Alison gave her shoulder a small squeeze.
“Good,” she murmured. "Now, do you want to head home? I'm sure you're sick of smelling chlorine."
Standing up, Emily offered a hand to assist Alison. A smile formed on Alison's face. Warm, gentle, effortless. It appeared without her even noticing. The subtle lift in the corner of her lips, naturally spreading across the rest of her face. Cheeks rising, eyes brightening. The smile carried happiness. Even if the weight in her chest hadn't been noticeable before, she felt lighter. There wasn't going to be a need to sneak around anymore. No more hiding things from their friends anymore.
"Hey, Em?" Alison had stopped them, halfway down the stairs of the bleachers. "Kiss me."
Emily paused at the step below her, Alison’s words settling in the space between them. For a second she just looked at her. The late afternoon light caught in Alison’s hair, the soft curve of that smile still lingering like she didn’t even realize it was there. It made something warm spread through Emily’s chest. Alison had asked so simply, like it was the most natural thing in the world.
Kiss me.
Her eyes flicked briefly around the mostly empty bleachers, a few students were across the building. Emily was being careful, of checking who might see. Even though she was out, it was a hard habit to break because she had always been shy to public displays of affection.
She looked back at Alison.
The hesitation faded under the warmth of the request. Alison wasn’t hiding anymore. Neither was she.
Emily's mouth curved into a soft smile.
“You’re very demanding,” she murmured lightly, stepping up the stair so they were face to face. Alison’s grin widened, a little playful, a little impatient.
“Are you complaining?” Emily shook her head, the smile still there. She reached up to gently tuck a strand of blonde hair behind Alison’s ear. Her fingers lingered just a second against Alison’s cheek before she leaned in. The kiss was soft.
Not rushed, not dramatic, just warm and lingering, like both of them were savoring the simple fact that they could kiss eachother freely. Alison’s hand curled lightly at the sleeve of Emily’s hoodie, steadying herself on the step as Emily tilted her head just slightly.
It felt easy, natural, like something that had always been meant to happen out in the open. Different compared to every other time they had kissed. It felt new. It felt right. When they pulled back, Alison’s smile had somehow gotten brighter. Right on cue, her phone started ringing in her purse.
Alison groaned softly, fishing the phone from her purse. She muttered quietly. “Of course.” Emily laughed under her breath as Alison glanced at the screen.
“Spencer,” she said before answering it. “Hey.”
A familiar voice crackled through the speaker. “Hey! Are you free? A few of us were thinking about grabbing food downtown.” Alison glanced up at Emily as she was leaning casually against the hand railing now, watching her with an amused, curious smile. Her chest rising and falling quickly as she calmed her breathing down. Alison felt that same lightness from earlier settle in again.
“Actually,” she said, her voice warm, “I’m not.”
“Oh?” Spencer teased. “Look at you, all busy.” Alison didn’t even hesitate. “I’ve got plans with my girlfriend tonight.”
There was a split second of silence before Spencer let out a delighted laugh. “Wow. Okay, Alison. I see how it is.”
Emily’s smile softened even more at the word girlfriend, and Alison caught it out of the corner of her eye.
“Tell Emily I said hi,” Spencer added.
Alison held the phone slightly away from her ear and looked at Emily. “Spencer says hi.” Emily leaned a little closer to the phone, her voice gentle but playful.
“Hi, Spencer.”
On the other end, Spencer snorted. “Wow, she’s real too. This is serious.”
Alison laughed, nudging Emily lightly with her shoulder as she brought the phone back to her ear.
“Talk later?” Alison said.
“Yeah, yeah. Go enjoy your plans." Spencer replied. Alison hung up, sliding the phone back into her purse. For a moment, neither of them moved. Emily raised an eyebrow, a teasing glint in her eyes. “Plans, eh?” Alison stepped down one stair so they were level again, her smile warm and unapologetic, even tempting.
“Definitely.” After a second she quietly added, "Starting with another kiss.”
"I will gladly kiss you whenever you ask me, Ali." Emily spoke quickly as she sprang forward, easily closing the distance gracefully.
The rest of their week was interesting, to say the least. Even though their friends group knew they were dating, they had yet to make an appearance together around the others. Mainly due to conflicting scheduling, but even when it came time for lunches either Emily or Alison was not present. Though Emily knew she was going to feel a whirl of emotion, mainly excitement and relief, she was still scared to some degree. Scared but not ashamed.
The weekend, however, was unavoidable. Hanna insisted they all hang out, claiming it was tradition. Like she really needed an excuse. Whenever the opportunity came up for the group to band together, there was nearly never any reason not to make it happen.
The rest of their week was interesting, to say the least. Even though their friends group knew they were dating, they had yet to make an appearance together around the others. Mainly due to conflicting scheduling, but even when it came time for lunches either Emily or Alison was not present. Though Emily knew she was going to feel a whirl of emotion, mainly excitement and relief, she was still scared to some degree. Scared but not ashamed.
The weekend, however, was unavoidable. Hanna insisted they all hang out, claiming it was tradition. Like she really needed an excuse. Whenever the opportunity came up for the group to band together, there was nearly never any reason not to make it happen.
Emily had been counting down to the weekend without meaning to. Every time she thought about it, a small burst of nervous energy fluttered in her chest. It wasn’t the bad kind of nerves, nothing like before a race, but something lighter. Excited. Anticipatory. Like standing at the top of a roller coaster you knew you were going to love once it started moving. Still… it was different now.
Their friends knew. Everyone knew they were dating, but somehow that almost made it feel more nerve wrecking because tonight they’d all be in the same room, and there was going to be nowhere for her insecurities to hide. They were going to be there together.
Hanna’s house was already loud when Emily stepped through the front door, voices spilling from the living room and kitchen like the house itself was breathing them out. Music played somewhere in the kitchen, low enough to talk over but loud enough to give the night that familiar, comfortable chaos their group always created.
“Em!” Aria called immediately from the couch, spotting her like a hawk at the front door even though she had not knocked. Of course she did. Emily smiled nervously and lifted a hand in greeting as she slipped off her shoes.
“You’re late,” Hanna added dramatically, rolling her eyes before walling over to give her a quick hug.
“I’m like five minutes late at the most,” Emily laughed.
“Late because you and Ali were-" Hanna jokingly began making air kisses. From the kitchen, Spencer leaned halfway around the doorway. “We were starting to think you got lost on the way to your girlfriend's best friend’s house.”
The word girlfriend hit Emily like a spark. Her cheeks warmed instantly. She knew they were going to be teasing tonight, but she didnt expect Spencer to be the one chiming in first. Before she could form a response, a voice spoke beside her.
“She didn’t get lost.” Alison stepped in through the doorway behind her like she had been there the whole time. Which, technically, she had.
The room shifted. Not dramatically. Not in some big cinematic moment where everyone gasped or stared. Because this was the first time they’d walked in together. Alison looked completely unbothered. Relaxed shoulders, easy posture. One hand resting casually in the pocket of her jacket like this was the most normal thing in the world. Like she and Emily had been showing up places together forever. In a sense, they had. Emily always offered to drive Alison, even before they were dating.
Her fingers brushed lightly against Emily's back as she stepped past her, entering into the living room. The touch was brief, quick, subtle, something anyone would have done and no one would have thought twice about the gesture. However, there was more to it. The touch was grounding, because Alison, despite appearances, was absolutely aware of every single pair of eyes on them.
"This is fine." She had spent the entire drive reminding herself of that. It wasn’t like their friends didn’t know. Hanna had practically interrogated them the moment she knew. Aria had already sent three celebratory texts and one unnecessarily dramatic voice message. Nothing about tonight should be nerve wracking.
Still, her brain had that annoying habit of running quiet calculations.
What if they stare too much? What if Emily gets uncomfortable? What if someone says something stupid?
Alison exhaled slowly.
The what it's would have to wait.
Alison smoothed every trace of that anxiety off her face like it had never existed. Because Alison was very good at that, and if Emily was nervous, even the good kind, then Alison would be calm for her.
“Wow,” Aria said slowly, leaning forward on the couch with a grin that was already dangerous. “You two walking in together like that was very… Romantic.”
Spencer crossed her arms with exaggerated interest. “Yeah. We love a debut.”
Emily laughed nervously. “It’s not a debut.”
“Oh?” Aria said. “Because from where I’m sitting it definitely feels like a debut.”
Alison tilted her head slightly, completely unfazed. “If this were a debut,” she said smoothly, “there would be better lighting.”
Spencer snorted back laughter. Hanna pointed accusingly.
"See? That’s the energy right there. Alison’s acting like this has been happening since kindergarten.” Alison shrugged lightly.
Inside her head, however, a quieter thought slipped through.
God, I hope Emily isn’t panicking.
Her eyes flicked sideways for a fraction of a second. Emily looked a little flushed, nervous, a little jittery, but she also looked happy. Genuinely happy. The relief that passed through Alison was subtle enough that no one else would have caught it.
“Relax,” Alison added calmly to the room. “Nothing’s changed.”
Aria leaned back with a smug grin. “Oh, something definitely changed.”
Spencer nodded. “Yeah. Now we get to watch you two be disgustingly cute in real time. Like Hanna and Caleb.”
Emily groaned, covering her face for half a second. “Please don’t narrate our relationship.”
“No promises,” Spencer replied immediately. Alison’s lips curved into the faintest smile. Without making a show of it, she reached down and gently took Emily’s hand, squeezing reassuringly. Natural. Effortless. Comforting. Her hand had always belonged there. Emily felt that little spark again in her chest. She felt nervous, excited, but mostly happy. Because maybe this new chapter wasn’t something to be scared of after all. It was the beginning of something great.