A/N: This is my very first attempt at writing Fanfiction so please be free to leave comments if you think there is anything I should work on to become better!

Summary: 5 years later, and the girls have all graduated from college and are about to start their careers. Emily and Alison have kept very little contact since graduating high school and going their separate ways. What happens when Alison answers a knock on the door of her new classroom, only to be met with an all too familiar pair of chocolate brown eyes? (MOSTLY AU. with a lot of actual PLL season 1-6A plot references )

thoughts are in italics

Enjoy...

Ali's POV

"Alright you guys, it's the last 5 minutes of class. You all know what that means," I say to my class as I close my teacher's edition english textbook I had just finished reading aloud from. As usual, the entire class gives a resounding "ughhhh" in unison, as they have done at the ending of every class to voice their hatred of the assignment. "Oh boo hoo, cry me a river!" I say with a light laugh acknowledging the reoccurring noise while walking to take a seat behind my desk. At the end of every class, I read a quote to the students who must then write a summary of what they think the quote means in their own words. I try to be the best and most interactive teacher I can be to these students at Burkley High School here in New York. Considering I was well... deprived of my full high school experience at the hands of Charlotte. I have finally come to forgive Charlotte in these 5 years that have passed, since I discovered CeCe was really Charlotte who is my older sister and also A. From the loss of my parents and the mystery that is my brother Jason, to the separation between me and the girls physically and mentally, I know that I must push forward and live my life fully now, and make up for all the time I lost running from Charlotte. I cannot let the past define my future.

I stand from my chair, freeing myself of my thoughts when I realize time is still ticking by and my students are waiting for my que to begin writing. Oh shit. I think silently, considering I'm surrounded by teenagers. I kind of have the mouth of a sailor anytime I am not in my classroom. I grab my timer and set it for 5 minutes. "Ready, set, g-" Knock, knock. Are you kidding me? Who the hell is knocking at the door fiv- well now three minutes before school is out? They couldn't wait 3 minutes?! "Hold that thought," I turn to the class irritated by the interruption. I walk to the door in a hurried fashion, because anything more than a quick walk in these heels is simply not an option. I put my hand on the door knob and turn my attention back to the class "Okay, Go!" I then open the door and to my surprise, a person I have come to know quite well, stands in their white button up and slacks, with their blazer hung classically over their shoulder bound by the index finger. I scrunch my face in confusion, "Rollins? what are you doing here?!"

After about thirty seconds of waiting for him to finish chuckling at my facial expression, which is a mix of shock, confusion, and slight irritation I say with assertion and seriousness, "Hello?!" waiting for him to answer my question. He knows that I hate when my class is interrupted, what is he up to? "I'm sorry, my last patient cancelled their appointment so I got to leave early. I just wanted to see you." he smiles at me, and starts to leans in to kiss me on the cheek before I put my hands on his chest and lightly push him back in protest. "Okay, seriously? Not in front of the student." I remind him that we're standing in the door way of my classroom. "Oh right, sorry" he mutters, before looking down in disappointment. "Does this make up for my amateur mistake?" he says to me as he lifts his head and flashes a bright smile that shows all of his flawlessly white teeth, followed by a single red rose he brings from behind his back. My face turns from slightly irritated to calm and appreciative as I look up at the tall dark haired man I once called my boyfriend. Some may wonder why my ex boyfriend would be showing up at my job with a rose, well I met Rollins at a doctors appointment here in New York, just passing through the hall, where he approached me. We dated for almost a year before recently we began to have differences over my busy work schedule and me putting my students before my relationship. Me being so head strong will always make my students a priority so Rollins and I decided on backing off the relationship. Until we're ready to work on our issues with each other as well as handling our careers but only when we're ready. We're not perfect by far. We definitely have our problems, but he is the first person in a long time to show me so much love and affection. Actually making me feel wanted. And I'd be a fool to let someone like that slip through my fingers... again. The first person I let go is my biggest regret in life so far... well other than my character in high school. But right now we're working on our issues separately before thinking of making it official again. And I must say he is showing great progress. Suddenly the class breaks out into simultaneous oowhhh and aawwwssss at the notion made by Rollins, therefore snapping me back into reality and out of my own head. I take the rose from his hand giving him a closed lip smile and a wink of thanks and appreciation which he happily accepts knowing my distaste of PDA in front of students, and turn my attention back to my class. They drive me nuts but I love these kids as if they were my own. I give them all a sly smirk and a head shake responding to their silliness. I look at the clock and right on que the bell dismissing school for the day rings. I lead Rollins and myself out of the doorway for the kids to exit the classroom. "Don't leave before turning in your work on my desk. Have a great weekend everyone!" I yell as the kids flood as quickly as possible out of the the room.

"Sooooo," Rollins says as he slowly walks over to me as I sit legs crossed neatly, on the edge of my desk, careful not to knock over the picture frame holding a photo of Rollins and I that I have placed the rose in front of. I look at him expectantly, "Do you want to go somewhere for lunch? I'm free for the rest of the day." He smiles at me hopefully, coat still slung over his shoulder. I look at him with remorse, knowing I have a ton of grades due for report card printing by 7. I touch his fore arm and open my mouth to speak but I am stopped by a finger landing on my lips. "You don't have to say anything." I furrow my eyebrows and look at him in confusion. "I can tell by the look on your face there is not enough time in your schedule, and that's fine." Rollins says ending his statement with a forgiving closed lip smile. He really can be charming when he respects my work load instead of whining when he doesn't get my attention. I slouch now feeling relieved that he is being understanding today. "Well I'll let you get to your work, and I'll call you tonight." He leans in and plants a light kiss on my lips and exits the room. I sigh as I revel in the fact that i have the rest of the day to peacefully enter these grades before I go home for the weekend. Its been a long week with report cards coming out soon and I cannot wait to relax for 3 days. I move to sit comfortably at my desk chair and begin to type on my computer when I hear another knock at the door. Are you fucking serious right now? Once again someone interrupting my work. I sigh in frustration but try to sound as pleasant as possible when yelling "It's open," just loud enough for the person on the other side to hear. It's probably just a student trying to explain to me how their dog ate their homework. The door opens and I don't look up immediately assuming it's just a student. "May I help you?" I say while concentrating still on the papers in front of me. The student now inside the classroom, "Hi, so sorry to bother you but I'm-"... and then nothing. I drop my pen, still looking down waiting for the person to finish their sentence, now realizing this voice is far too mature to be one of a student. This is a woman. I look up finally to see who the person is. Once I look up, I can't look away... I am now in a state of shock as I stare absently at the person in front of me with my jaw almost on the floor. Not sure if I am dreaming, I don't move and I can tell the woman feels the same by the expression on her face which matches mine. I finally get enough sense back in my brain to speak.. Say something you idiot! I can only get myself to mutter one thing... Her name.

"E-Emily?"