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Noel Kahn and Jason DiLaurentis were hosting the end of summer bash at Noel's cabin. Over the last few weeks they had been collecting cash from party attendees to pay for alcohol. Allegedly, the party was going to be the best one yet.
Alison was not particularly eager to go, but she had not done as much as she had planned over summer. Hanna talked her into it. Something about how her life wasn't complete if she didn't attend. Besides, Jason kept saying it was going to be life changing. A party like this was legendary, iconic. Everyone who was anyone was going, and Alison being who she was, needed to be there.
Over summer Hanna had spent most of the time with Caleb, but this was the perfect excuse to get the girls back together. Aria had returned from studying abroad (as she put it), Spencer's internship ended, and Emily was close to quitting her summer job at the pool hall.
Out of all of the friends im the group, Emily had been the only one she managed to spend some time with over summer. Mainly due to visiting her at work, but Alison also used the visit as an excuse to get a tan. Something had happened between them, however. Transpiring, blooming. A connection that differed from their other friends. The pair had definitely grown closer.
Alison had spent pieces of the summer with everyone. Group chats, the occasional movie night, a few afternoons that blurred together, but Emily was the only one she’d seen consistently. At first it had just been convenience. Emily worked at the pool, and Alison had discovered that stopping by in the afternoons was a perfect excuse to stretch out in the sun for a while, headphones in, reading, pretending she was there for the tan and not the lifeguard perched above the water. Convenience had a way of becoming routine. Routine had a way of becoming something else. She’d show up with a drink from the corner store and sit in the shade of Emily's chair, and Emily would lean down during her breaks. Their conversations scattered and half-finished between whistles and the shrieks of kids playing in the deep end. Sometimes Alison would stay until Emily’s shift ended, the two of them walking home together with damp hair and that slow, hazy exhaustion summer always seemed to bring.
Somewhere in the long summer days something had shifted. It wasn’t obvious at first. Just small things adding up. Emily bumping her shoulder into Alison’s when she laughed, Alison stealing Emily’s sunglasses and refusing to give them back, the way their teasing had grown sharper but softer at the same time, like they were both testing a line neither of them had named yet. With their other friends, the energy was loud and chaotic. When it came to Emily it felt different. Quieter, but heavier, like there were things sitting between their jokes that neither of them touched. By the time August rolled around, Alison realized she’d started measuring her days by whether or not she’d end up at the pool.
There had been that moment in the library, right before school had ended for break..
It had been one of those evenings when the air conditioning inside felt colder than it should. They’d been studying, or pretending to, Emily draped against the bookshelves beside her, their knees knocking together on the carpet. The conversation had wandered, as it always did. At some point they’d started flirting the way they always did. Mocking, playful, a little too pointed. Then Emily had leaned in. It hadn’t been dramatic. No buildup. Just a quiet shift in the air and suddenly Emily was closer, her voice softer when she had kissed her. Quick, clumsy, barely more than a brush of lips, but it had been real. For a second Alison had felt something bright and terrifying crack open in her chest. Then she’d pulled back.
She’d laughed it off. Made some dumb comment about how they should probably focus on studying. Emily had smiled, but it had been the careful kind of smile people wear when they’re pretending something didn’t matter. They’d never talked about it again.
The end of summer party was supposed to be easy. Loud music, half their grade crammed into Noel's cabin and backyard, the air thick with the smell of cheap drinks, a bonfire, and sunscreen that never quite washed off. Alison told herself that was all it would be. She spotted Emily almost immediately, but that was when she spotted the girl leaning into her. The girl was pretty in the effortless way Alison hated. Tan, confident, laughing too close to Emily's face. Emily was smiling back, that crooked half grin she used when she was flirting. By the way they were talking and thr closeness Alison figured it was safe to assume this was someone from the swim team or from her work.
Alison felt something twist sharply in her stomach. She tried to ignore it. She grabbed a drink, let her friends pull her into conversations, laughed when she was supposed to laugh. But her eyes kept drifting back every now and then. Grabbing a glance when she could. Almost territorial. Emily's hand brushed the girl’s arm a little too frequently for Alison. The way they stood a little too close to eachother. Alison felt heat crawl up the back of her neck. It was stupid. Emily flirted with everyone. That had always been the joke between them. Except suddenly Alison couldn’t stop thinking about every time Emily had leaned over her chair at the pool, every time their knees had bumped under the table in the library, every teasing comment that had felt a little too charged. Every time Alison had rolled her eyes and called Emily ridiculous.
God. She’d been kind of mean about it sometimes, too. Cutting jokes, sarcastic remarks meant to keep things light. To keep anyone from noticing how her chest tightened every time Emily smiled at her like that. She told herself it was just their dynamic. She told herself it didn’t mean anything, but watching Emily laugh with someone else made something painfully clear.
It did mean something.
It meant a lot more than Alison had let herself admit, and suddenly all she could think about was that kiss in the library. The way Emily had looked at her afterward. The split second before Alison had ruined it.
The music inside the house felt too loud. The air felt too thick. Before she could think about it too much, Alison slipped through the sliding door and stepped out onto the back deck. Night had cooled the air, a breeze brushing across her arms. The sounds of the party dulled behind the glass. The dark sky helped calm her. She gripped the railing and stared out into the dark yard, trying to slow the restless buzz under her skin.
A few minutes passed and the door slid open behind her. Footsteps came from behind, approaching steadily, but not in a startling way.
“You disappearing already?” Emily's voice said. Alison closed her eyes briefly before turning around, inhaling silently to compose herself. Emily was leaning against the deck railing beside her. Standing next to her it was like she’d noticed something was off. Alison forced a shrug.
“Just needed some air.” Alison commented.
For a moment neither of them spoke.
The quiet between them felt heavier than usual.
“You’ve been weird tonight,” Emily said finally. "Distant."
Alison let out a short laugh, avoiding the statement. Had it been that obvious she was upset? Alison looked away toward the yard again. Because if she looked directly at Emily she wasn’t sure she could keep pretending she didn’t care.
Alison kept her hands braced on the railing, staring out into the yard like there was something out there worth looking at. She could hear Emily shifting beside her, the faint scrape of her shoe on the wood. Then Emily exhaled dramatically.
“God, it’s cold out here.”
“It’s August.” Alison joked.
“Yeah, well,” Emily said, stepping closer anyway. “Some of us are more sensitive to the elements.” She moved until their shoulders brushed. Alison felt it immediately. The warmth of her arm, the faint smell of whatever cheap drink Emily had been drinking when she was inside.
“Emily-”
“It’s freezing,” Emily insisted lightly, even as she leaned in further. A second later, Emily's head tipped sideways and came to rest against Alison’s shoulder before she could continue saying anything. Alison went very still. They both knew it was a lie.
Emily had always been a little bold when she drank, but this felt deliberate. Careful in its own way. Like she was testing something.
“Thought you needed air,” Emily murmured against her shoulder.
“I do.”
“You’re still avoiding me.”
“I’m not.”
Emily huffed softly. “You literally ran outside.” Alison didn’t respond. For a moment Emily didn’t push. She just stayed there, her weight resting lightly against Alison, the quiet between them filled with distant music and muffled voices from inside the house. When Emily spoke again, her voice was softer.
“Can I tell you something?”
Alison hesitated, then sighed, unsure of what she could possibly say. “Sure.”
“I have a crush,” Emily said quietly, but bold in a way. Confessing something close to her. Something she was proud of. Alison’s stomach flipped, fighting off any surges of jealousy. Fighting off any hope that maybe, just maybe, it was on her. She tried to keep her voice neutral. “That so.”
“Yeah.”
“Who?”
“You’re so subtle.” Emily made a small amused sound.
"I’m just asking.” Alison rolled her eyes even though Emily couldn't see it.
“It’s complicated...” Emily said. Her head shifted slightly on Alison’s shoulder, like she was getting comfortable there.
“Why is that?” Emily was quiet for a moment, like she was deciding how much to say.
“Because I don’t know if she likes me back.”
The word she hung in the air between them. Alison swallowed. “That happens,” she said, trying to sound casual.
“Yeah,” Emily murmured. “But it’s worse when you think maybe she does.”
Alison glanced down at her. Emily's s hair had fallen across her face in the breeze.
Without really thinking, Alison lifted a hand and brushed the strands away, tucking them back gently. Emily looked up at her then, studying her face. Studying her expression. For a second neither of them spoke. Alison cleared her throat slightly to break the tension.
“You gonna elaborate on this mystery girl, or am I supposed to guess who she is?”
Emily smiled faintly, starting to feel shy. Though she had been drinking, she wondered if she had consumed enough liquid courage to truly speak her mind.
“She’s…” Emily started, then paused, like she was searching for the right words.
“She’s really hard not to notice.” Alison’s chest tightened.
“Like,” Emily continued quietly, “the second she walks into a room, I know. Even if I’m not looking. I try to act normal, but my brain just kind of short circuits.”
Alison’s fingers were still hovering near emily’s hair. She slowly lowered her hand.
“My heart starts going faster,” Emily confessed. “Which is annoying, because she definitely notices things like that.”
“Sounds inconvenient.” A small smile tugged at Alison's mouth.
“It is,” Emily said dryly. “Especially because she’s always messing with me.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah. Flirting. Teasing. Playing hard to get. Acting like it’s all a joke.”
Alison looked towards the door into the cabin, trying to look anywhere other than Emily. Her throat felt tight. There was a lot she wanted to say, but her nerves got the better of her. Instead, she listened and allowed Emily to continue.
“The worst part,” Emily continued softly, “is that sometimes I think she almost means it.” Emily shifted slightly, her shoulder pressing closer into Alison’s side.
“Like earlier tonight,” she said. “When she was watching me.” Alison’s stomach dropped.
“I wasn’t..”
“You were,” Emily said gently. Alison didn’t answer. Emily’s voice lowered.
“Anyway, sometimes I think… if I leaned in again, she might kiss me this time.”
The library flashed through Alison’s mind. Emily leaning closer, the quick, electric moment their lips had met. The moment Alison had ruined. Emily let out a soft breath.
“Which makes it really hard,” she said, “not to want to kiss her.” Emily mused.
Silence stretched between them. Alison felt Emily's head still resting on her shoulder, warm and familiar and terrifying all at once. Finally after a long, very long moment Alison spoke quietly.
“Maybe,” she said slowly, “your crush is just scared.” Emily didn’t move.
“Scared?” she asked. Alison nodded slightly.
“Yeah.” She glanced down at Emily again, her voice softer now.
“Maybe she wants it too, and that scares her.” Alison confessed.
"Maybe." Emily said quietly, almost sounding sad. Standing up straight, Emily finally lift her head from Alison's shoulder. She turned around and rest her forearms on the hand rail, taking in a deep breath of the cool nights air. Maybe it was colder than she thought.
Disappointment riddled through Alison's body. Not just in the lack of physical connection, but disappointment internally. She knew that Emily had been talking about her. She also knew Emily was aware she also had feelings. Yet still she found it hard to say the words out loud. Alison watched Emily’s back as she leaned against the railing, shoulders slightly hunched against the cold. Or maybe not the cold. The party behind them hummed through the closed glass door. Muffled laughter, music thudding faintly, but out here it felt strangely quiet.
Emily had said the word like she understood it. That was the problem, wasn’t it? Alison was scared. Not of Emily. Never of Emily. But of what came after. Of ruining the easy way they fit together. Of saying something she couldn’t take back. Of wanting it so badly that if it fell apart, she wouldn’t know where to put all the pieces. Her gaze drifted to Emily again. To the way her fingers curled around the railing. The slight sway in her stance thanks to the drinks she’d drank. The way she kept staring out into the dark like the answer might be somewhere out there instead of right here between them. Alison’s chest tightened. God, she already knew the answer.
“Ali.” Emily's voice was quieter this time. She turned, pivoting just enough to look back at her over her shoulder. The porch light caught in her eyes, making them softer somehow. More open.
“Was she?” Emily asked. “Scared?” Alison swallowed.
Yes.
For a moment she couldn’t speak. Her eyes drifted down without thinking, just briefly, from Emily’s eyes to her lips. When she looked back up, Emily had noticed. Neither of them moved. Behind them, the sliding door suddenly rattled as someone inside grabbed the handle. Laughter spilled through the glass before it even opened. The moment was about to disappear. Alison realized quickly with a sharp clarity that almost startled her that she didn’t want it to. Before she could talk herself out of it again, Alison stepped forward. Her hand came up instinctively, brushing lightly against Emily's arm to steady herself. Emily looked surprised, eyes widening slightly. Alison hesitated for half a second. Nervous. Then she leaned in and kissed her. It wasn’t rushed or messy or fueled by the party behind them. Just soft. Certain. It was like answering a question neither of them had quite managed to say out loud. More of a confession than anything else. It said what she had been too afraid to say. When Alison pulled back, she stayed close enough that their foreheads almost touched.
“Yeah,” Alison murmured softly. “She was.” For a second Emily didn’t react.She just stared at Alison like her brain was trying to catch up with what had just happened. Then a quiet, breathy laugh slipped out of her.
“Wow,” she murmured, blinking a few times. “Okay.” Her shoulders relaxed, some of the tension leaving her body all at once. She looked down briefly, shaking her head a little to herself before meeting Alison’s eyes again. There was something warmer there now. Softer.
“So,” Emily said, voice light but unmistakably fond, “I guess that answers that.” Alison huffed out a quiet laugh, the nervous energy still buzzing under her skin, responding with a light "yeah".
For a moment they just stood there, close enough that neither of them stepped away. Alison’s hand found Emily's almost without thinking, fingers sliding into hers. Emily glanced down at their hands, her thumb brushing lightly across Alison’s knuckles like she was making sure it was real. She squeezed gently. Emily tipped her head back, taking a long breath of the cold air.
“Okay,” she said after a moment, a crooked smile forming. “But I’m still pretty sure you came out here because you needed air, but I think i definitely could use some.”
“Oh yeah?” Alison raised an eyebrow. Emily nodded. “Mhm.” Alison leaned a little closer, their joined hands pulling Emily half a step toward her.
“Then go ahead,” she said quietly, with a hint of playfulness hiding in her tone. Emily frowned in playful confusion. “Go ahead and what?” Alison’s gaze flicked from Emily’s eyes to her lips again. “Get some air.”
Emily snorted, rolling her eyes.
“You’re literally standing in my-”
“Give me a reason to move,” Alison interrupted softly. Emily stared at her for half a second, realization spreading across her face. “Oh,” she said. Then she stepped forward. The second kiss wasn’t as tentative as the first, but it still had that slight awkwardness to it, like they were both learning something new at the same time. Emily's free hand came up instinctively, hovering near Alison’s arm before finally settling there. Alison squeezed her hand a little tighter. It wasn’t perfect, but it felt right. When they pulled apart again, Emily rested her forehead briefly against Alison’s.
“Okay,” she murmured, a quiet laugh escaping her. “That was… definitely a reason.” Alison smiled, a little shy now that it had actually happened. She was proud of herself, for working up the courage to overcome her fear and kiss her. They stayed like that for another second before Emily shifted slightly, glancing down at their hands again.
“So…” she said slowly. “What does this mean now?” Alison thought about it for half a heartbeat before letting go of Emily’s hand just long enough to wrap her arms around her instead, pulling her into a warm, steady hug. Emily melted into it almost immediately.Alison rested her head lightly against her shoulder.
“We don’t have to figure that out tonight,” she said gently. Emily exhaled, the sound somewhere between a sigh and a laugh as she hugged her back.
“Good,” she murmured. “Because I’m still a little drunk.” Alison smiled against her shoulder.
“Yeah,” she said. “I noticed. I am too."
They stayed there for another moment, hold eachother, clinging on for some additional warmth. Emily was right when she said it was cold out.
The sliding door behind them suddenly rattled open. A burst of music and laughter spilled out onto the patio.
“I’m telling you she took my drink.” Lucas commented. His voice stopped abruptly when he noticed them standing there. Emily pulled back just enough to glance over Alison’s shoulder.
“Oops,” Lucas muttered, quickly turning back inside. The door slid shut again after Lucas quickly disappeared inside.
“Well,” Emily said, rubbing the back of her neck. “That was subtle.” Alison laughed under her breath. Neither of them made a move toward the door. Emily glanced back at it, then toward the driveway, then finally back at Alison.
“Do you… maybe want to get out of here?” she asked.
Alison raised an eyebrow. “You mean abandoning the party I begged you to come too?” Emily shrugged.
"I feel like I’ve accomplished the important part of the evening.” Alison smiled at that.
“Yeah,” she said. “Okay.”
They didn’t even bother going back inside.
Instead they slipped off the patio steps and headed down the long driveway, the noise of the house fading a little more with every step. For a while they just walked.
Their hands found each other again without discussion. Emily swung their joined hands slightly between them as they moved, the motion loose and absentminded. Above them the sky was clear, the air cooler away from the crowd. It felt strangely calm. After a minute Emily glanced over.
“You doing okay?” she asked. Alison squeezed her hand lightly.
“Yeah.” It was the truth.
They reached the end of the driveway where the pavement met the quiet road, and Emily slowed slightly. To the side of the drive was a thin stretch of woods. Nothing deep, just trees and brush separating the property from the next. Emily looked toward it, then back at Alison with a small, crooked smile.
“Privacy?” she suggested. Alison huffed, but followed. They stepped just far enough into the trees that the house lights disappeared behind them. The sounds of the party were muffled now, replaced by the soft rustle of leaves and distant crickets.
Emily turned toward her. For a second they both just stood there.
“You know,” Emily said thoughtfully, “this might be the most productive party I’ve ever been to.” Alison rolled her eyes.
“Your standards are extremely low.”
“Hey,” Emily said, pointing lightly at her. “I confessed my secret crush and got kissed twice.” Alison felt her face warm.
“Technically,” she said, “you never actually said my name.”
“Didn’t need to.” Emily grinned. The smile softened a little as she looked at Alison. Something about the way she said it made Alison’s chest tighten again,but not in a scary way this time, more like recognition. Like something had settled into place.
Alison stepped closer, her hand sliding from Emily’s to rest lightly at her wrist.
“You know,” she said, a little shy, “for someone who needed air earlier, you’re spending a lot of time very close to the problem.”
“True.” Emily pretended to consider what she said. Leaning in slightly, Emily lowered herself enough to imply she needed more. "But I think I’ve decided I like the problem.”
Alison laughed softly, getting the hint then kissing her again. This time it lingered a little longer. Still not smooth, still a little unsure, but warmer now. Familiar in a way that made Alison realize something quietly surprising. This didn’t feel like a onetime thing. It felt like the beginning of something they would eventually get better at. Something they’d learn together.
When they pulled apart, Emily rested her forehead lightly against Alison’s again.
“So,” Emily murmured. “Hypothetically.”
Alison smiled. “Hypothetically.”
“If we keep doing that,” Emily said, “this isn't a one time thing?”
“I don't want it to be. I don't want to stop." Alison admitted honestly. It was a shy tone, but Emily could hear the confidence growing. For once, the thought of the future didn’t make her nervous. Standing there with Emily’s cheeks in her warm hands, it felt less like something scary waiting ahead, and more like something they would discover together.
For a moment they just stayed there, close together beneath the trees. The quiet around them felt different now. No longer heavy with unsaid things, just soft and open. Alison could still feel warmth from where their foreheads touched, their hands loosely linked between them. Neither of them seemed in a hurry to let go. Emily was the one who moved first, though only slightly. Her hand shifted, brushing along Alison’s arm until it rested gently at her elbow.
“Hey,” she said quietly. Alison hummed in response. Emily hesitated, studying her face like she was memorizing it. The porch lights from the distant house barely reached them here, but Alison could still see the faint shine in her eyes.
“You’re not… freaking out right now, are you?” Emily asked, feeling more sober by the minute. The question was careful. Not teasing this time. Alison thought about it for a second. Normally she would’ve been. Her brain would’ve been running through every possible outcome, every reason to slow down, step back, protect herself.
"No." She just shook her head. Emily's expression softened immediately, something relieved settling into her shoulders.
“Good,” she murmured.
“Yeah?”
“Yeah.”
There was still a flicker of hesitation in Emily’s posture, though. Not fear, just patience. Like she was leaving the decision entirely in Alison’s hands. She would wait as long as it took. Alison noticed. Something warm spread through her chest at the realization. She stepped forward first this time.
The kiss started gentle again, almost cautious out of habit, but it didn’t stay that way for long. Emily’s hands slid a little lower along Alison’s frame, her fingers curling lightly against the fabric of her jacket, pulling their bodies closer. Alison’s other hand came up to rest near Emily’s shoulder. They were still figuring it out. Their noses bumped once, which made Emily laugh softly into the kiss before trying again. This time it lingered longer, both of them relaxing into it as the nerves shifted into something brighter. Excitement. Curiosity. The quiet thrill of realizing they could take their time.
When they finally pulled back a little, Emily was smiling again, a little breathless.
“Okay,” she said thoughtfully. “Be honest.” Alison raised an eyebrow.
“Is this just practice?” The question carried a hint of teasing, but there was something sincere underneath it too. Alison shook her head almost immediately.
“Not practice.”
Emily’s eyebrows lifted slightly.
“No?” Alison leaned forward again before she could overthink it, kissing her once more, slow and certain this time. When she pulled back she stayed close enough that Emily could still feel her breath.
“It’s… much more than that. It's real. This is real.” Alison said quietly, referring to the spark that was igniting between them. Emily stared at her for a second, the smile returning slowly.
“Good,” she mused. Her hand slid down to find Alison’s again, their fingers intertwining naturally now.
“I can work with that.”
They kissed again after that, longer this time, softer in the spaces between, both of them slowly learning where the other fit. There was still a little awkwardness in it, but neither of them seemed to mind. It didn’t feel like something fragile that might disappear. It felt like something they had time to grow into. Together.
They didn’t rush the next kiss. It came slowly, naturally, like neither of them had to think about it anymore. They had became a little more familiar with the other. Emily tilted her head slightly this time, her hand sliding from Alison’s fingers to her wrist and then back again, unsure where it belonged but unwilling to let go. Alison laughed softly when their noses bumped again, the sound warm and unguarded.
“Still learning,” Emily murmured against her.
“Yeah,” Alison said, smiling, but neither of them stopped. The kiss deepened in tiny ways rather than sudden ones. Lingering longer, hands shifting with a little more confidence. Alison’s fingers found the collar of Emily’s jacket, holding lightly there, while Emily’s traced absent patterns across the back of Alison’s hand.
It wasn’t polished or practiced. It was real. It was them.
Eventually they broke apart again, both a little breathless, though neither of them moved very far away. Emily rest her forehead against Alison’s shoulder this time with a quiet laugh.
“Okay,” she said. “Now I definitely needed that air.”
Alison rolled her eyes, but she was smiling.
“You’re ridiculous.”
“Maybe,” Emily said. “But I feel great about my life choices right now.” Alison shook her head, though her fingers were still lightly tangled in Emiky's sleeve.
The quiet returned around them again. The rustle of the trees, the faint thump of music in the distance. It felt far away now, like something happening in a different world. For a moment they just stood there. Then Emily spoke again, her voice softer.
“You know,” she said, “I meant what I said earlier.”
Alison glanced up at her.
“About what?”
Emily shifted slightly so she could see Alison’s face better. There was something steady in her expression now. Not joking, not nervous, just honest.
“About you being scared,” she said. “That’s okay.” Alison didn’t answer right away. Emily squeezed her hand gently.
“I’m not in a hurry,” she added.
Alison’s chest tightened again, but this time it felt warm instead of overwhelming.
“I know,” she said quietly. Emily shrugged a little.
“I mean, I’ve liked you for what, months now?” she said. “Probably longer if we’re being honest.” Alison blinked.
“Months?” emily smiled sheepishly, ducking her head for a moment.
“Don’t ruin my dramatic confession.”
Emily continued, softer now.
“I waited this long,” she said. “Waiting a little more for you to feel ready? That’s not exactly hard.”
“You’re serious.” Alison studied her for a moment.
“Very.” Emily nudged her shoulder lightly. “We can figure it out together. No pressure.” Something about the way she said together made Alison’s stomach flip in a completely different way than before.
For the first time all night, the idea of the future didn’t feel like it was frightening. It felt possible.
She stepped closer again, wrapping her arms around Emily in a hug that was a little tighter this time. Emily hugged her back instantly.
“Thank you,” Alison murmured into her shoulder.
“For what?”
“For being patient with me.” Emily pulled back just enough to look at her.
“Hey,” she said gently. “You’re worth being patient for.”
Alison opened her mouth to respond, but whatever she was about to say disappeared when Emily leaned in and kissed her again. This one was slower. Comfortable, almost like they’d already started memorizing each other. When they finally separated, Emily glanced back toward the house through the trees. The music had gotten louder again, which probably meant someone had opened the door.
“You think anyone noticed we vanished?” she asked.
“Probably just the girls.”
“Think they care?”
“Definitely not.”
“Good.” She reached for Alison’s hand again, lacing their fingers together.
“Come on.”
“Where?”
“Walk,” Emily said simply. They stepped back out of the trees and onto the edge of the driveway again. The gravel crunched quietly beneath their shoes as they moved farther away from the house lights. The road stretched ahead of them, dim and quiet under the night sky. Emily swung their joined hands slightly between them as they walked. They kept walking, hand in hand.
The party faded farther behind them, the music dissolving into the quiet hum of the night. Somewhere in the distance a car passed, headlights briefly lighting the road before disappearing again. Neither of them talked much, because they didn’t need to.
Playful jokes and stolen kisses were shared as the night passed. They walked up and down the street sobering up. Eventually they were ready to return to the party, ready to face their friends. Neither had spoken about that was transpiring between them, about when would be a good time to reveal it to their friends. Emily had said she wasn't going to pressure her, and she meant it. Hours had passed since they left the party initially. As each step the house grew closer to them, Emily silently allowed Alison to take the lead. She guided them to the front door.
Alison paused with her hand on the doorknob, the cool metal pressing into her palm. Emily’s fingers were still wrapped gently around hers, a quiet reassurance that hadn’t asked for anything in return. She could feel her heart beating faster.
"You could still back out. Say it was a mistake. Laugh it off. Pretend this never happened." The voice in her head was her anxieties she was struggling against. For a moment the thought was tempting. Hiding was familiar. Safe. But another thought rose up, steadier.
"No." She was tired of letting fear make her choices. Tired of shrinking herself down into something easier to explain. What she felt when she looked at Emily, whatever fragile, frightening, hopeful thing it was, deserved more than that.
"I’m scared," she admitted to herself. But scared doesn’t mean wrong. She glanced sideways at Emily. There was no pressure in her expression, no demand for declarations or explanations. Just patience. Support. Like she was saying, however you want to do this, I’m with you.
That alone made Alison’s chest loosen a little. They didn’t have to make a big scene. They didn’t have to walk back in holding hands or announce anything to the room. Their friends were still out there laughing, music humming softly, the same ordinary night waiting for them. Only Alison felt different.
She turned the knob and pulled the door open. Voices spilled toward them, warm and familiar. For a second she hesitated on the threshold, but Emily stepped beside her easily, like this was the most natural thing in the world.
"Okay," Alison thought. "One step." They walked back in together. From across the room Spencer waved them over. Hanna was halfway through telling a story, an arm draped around Caleb's waost. He was holding her up, for the most part.
Nothing had changed. The world hadn’t tilted or cracked open. Alison let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding.
When she looked at Emily again, Emily was already looking at her as well. They shared a small smile, quiet, unashamed, something just for them. Before Alison could overthink it, she leaned in quickly and pressed a soft kiss to Emily's cheek. It was brief, almost shy, but when she pulled back, the fear in her chest had softened into something lighter. Hopeful. Emily’s smile widened just a little. Alison bumped her shoulder lightly against Emily's as they moved toward their friends, the two of them slipping back into the circle like nothing dramatic had happened at all.
Except, maybe, everything had changed for them.