Note: Switching it up with this story. This is my interpretation of how season 5 episode 1 will play out for Emily, Paige, and the other liars. This first chapter is Emily's POV. Lyrics and song is "Perfect" by Hedley. I don't own the rights to it or anything PLL related. They are just my playthings! ;) Thanks for reading! Reviews, feedback, and prompts are most welcome! Enjoy! :)

Perfect

Emily's POV:

"Falling a thousand feet per second.

You still take me by surprise.

I just know we can't be over.

I can see it in your eyes."

I don't know what happened. One minute I was completely happy and now I feel like crap. Why? Oh yeah, that's right. How could I forget? I blew up at Paige for turning Alison into the cops. In hindsight, that was the best option for her to protect me, her, the liars, and Alison. We should've done that from the beginning. Did we? Nope, not at all. And look at everyone who's been caught in the crossfire. Did I listen when she tried to explain it to me in the bathroom and outside my house before leaving for New York to save Alison? Nope, I pushed her away and acted rashly in the moment.

"Making every kind of silence.

Takes a lot to realize.

It's worse to finish, than to start all over

And never let it lie."

Now, the five of us, including Alison have returned to Rosewood. It's been quite the adjustment for everyone with "Ghost Girl" being back from the dead. Alison. I want to believe she'll change, and maybe she will. In the meantime, I traded my happy, loving relationship with my soulmate for a rocky, confusing relationship with my first love. I must live with the fallout of that mistake. I hope Paige can forgive me. I must be stupid and crazy. If Spencer were here, she would agree.

"And as long as I can feel you holding on.

I won't fall.

Even if you said I was wrong."

Spencer. Now, out of the four of us, her, besides Paige has changed the most since Alison's re-arrival. Paige I understand. Between the way Alison and I treated her, it's no surprise. But with Spencer, I don't get it. Is it jealousy because she won't be our group 'leader' anymore? Or is it something deeper. Its frustrating for me since I can't work the puzzle out.

"I'm not perfect, but I keep trying.

Cause that's what I said I would do from the start.

I'm not alive if I'm lonely"

Paige, however, seems to understand Spencer and her complicated history with Alison. In fact, they've been real chummy lately. So much so, that now I feel like I lost a best friend to boot. Both of them ignore us when we're walking down the hallway with Alison. I don't know what's going on, but I want it to stop. I want them both back in my life. But, am I willing to give up Alison in the process? The girl who played my heart like harp with her delicate hands. Up and down, just teasing and baiting me. Was that what I wanted? No. Hanna thinks I need to confront Paige and Spencer, and get them to discuss their beef with Alison. Aria suggested just allowing the chips to fall where they may.

"So, please don't leave."

Instead, I decide to sort my own life out and get it back on track. After I accomplish that, then I can work on fixing the tangled web of lies and hurt I've created. Hopefully, when all of this is all said and done, I'll feel complete and whole again. In order for that to happen, I need three things to occur. First I need to keep my friendship with Alison a platonic one. Second I need to reconcile with Paige causing us to pick up where we left off. And finally, I need figure out what's wrong with Spencer and have my best friend back. I love Hanna and Aria to death, but there are three remaining parts missing.

"When you're caught in a lie,

And you've got nothing to hide.

When you got nowhere to run,

And you've got nothing inside."

I hope I don't run out of time or miss my chance.

"It tears right through me,

You thought that you knew me."

I don't think I could survive without any of them. And that scares me.

"I'm not perfect, but I keep trying.

Cause that's what I said I would do from the start.

I'm not alive if I'm lonely."

So, here goes nothing.

"And as long as I can feel you holding on.

I won't fall.

Even if you said I was wrong."