Endless patterns of unique snowflakes fell to the ground in a blizzard like manner, the sky glimmered with spectacular shades of purples and greys as night time fell upon Rosewood. I drank from my favourite mug which contained fudge hot chocolate, topped with a frosting of marshmallows and a squirt of cream, I lay on the sofa all snuggled in a tartan checkered blanket. I clutched the mug with both hands, bearing it towards my chin for extra warmth, surveying the fire place as it displayed a blazing mixture of colours, containing reds, yellows, oranges, pinks, purples and blues as it ate at the wood with a vengeance. The house was at its calmest, the quietest it had been in a long time with my mother, Mike and I all in the same space together at once. While my relationship with my own brother had been relatively fragile since the recent events that had occurred, liaisons with my mother were very much friable, a lot of trust was lost, whilst much bitterness had been gained. As for my father, speaking terms were minimal, almost all ties were cut, the atmosphere had been so tense that cutting ice with a knife would have been more achievable.

"Wakey wakey Aria, it's your turn" my mother announced, shaking two die in my direction.

I shook my head, I'd been oblivious to our game of Monopoly as my mom and brother duelled for an auction between who'd purchase 'Mayfair' in the English version of the popular board game "Thanks" I answered in a hoarse voice, snapping out of my day dream. I grabbed the two dice and shook them with little interest, not caring less whether I won a double roll of six or not.

"Five!" Mike shrieked gleefully as he surveyed the two dice. One die had managed to knock a handful of red houses out of place, while the other sat on the carpet beside my mother's knee. Grasping the game in full force, Mike scuttled the figurine from 'Whitehall' to 'Bond Street', pumping his fist in the air he wallowed "You owe me Montgomery!"

"Uh huh" I murmured, not taking particular attention to what he was saying.

A hand waved frantically in front of my face "Aria" he oogled.

I adjusted my focal point, my eyes became more awakened "What?" I questioned.

He looked at me as though I was mentally challenged "The money!" He proceeded, wafting monopoly cash in my face.

My mother sat up, straightening her posture "Mike" she began, he turned to face her "I think we've had enough for one night, maybe we should call it a day" she suggested.

As though he'd been tied down unwillingly to spend the evening with us, he shot up "What am I even doing anyway?! Monopoly with my family! Ugh!"

Once Mike had faded out of ear shot, my mother carefully began to arrange the functions of the monopoly board back into their box in perfect order "Is there something you'd like to talk about honey?" She questioned in a concerned tone of voice.

I frowned, still hazy from my own personal thought bubble "No" I answered, I fiddled with tassels that featured on the blanket.

"Sure?" She continued, contending with "You were completely out of the zone during that game, normally you're as competitive, if not more ambitious that Mike when it comes to winning".

I shrugged "I'm just not that into it" I answered.

Rolling her eyes she shot back with "That's the thing, that is just it. Playing board games isn't the only thing you're disinterested in Aria. It's like you're not here, almost as though life is non-existant; there's no interaction with you".

I watched drearily as her voice droned throughout my ear drums, I was tired of the repeated conversations, the same arguments, the same situations. I wanted all normality to resume in my life, however, I knew that was an unlikely battle I'd succeed in winning.

Author's note:

I have several ideas for this story, it will primarily be an Ezria fan fic, however, other characters from Pretty Little Liars will also feature in 'The Honeymoon Phase Never Existed". The initial chapters will be focused on exploring and developing a description of relationships between the characters.

Please feel free to offer suggestions and advice :)