CHAPTER ONE: Up Until Now

It's been three months since A was finally caught and Alison revealed her living self to the world. Things began to settle down soon after.

Mona slowly returned to her insane self, screaming endlessly and wrecking classrooms. She was sent away to another mental institute somewhere in Tennessee, since Radley couldn't help her anymore. Hanna didn't even try to keep her here this time.

Lucas returned to Rosewood High, Ezra and I eventually broke up, and Jason finally decided to stay in Rosewood with Ali. Ali didn't return to her former bitch self, though. Nole also revealed he wasn't as much of a douchebag as we all thought. Turns out, he's been helping Ali through everything the past two and a half years.

Mona revealed everything she did to the police, including all our secrets.

Spencer's mother, Veronica, got Hanna's mom out of jail again. Ashley has to serve years of community service and pay the fines for how much money she stole from the bank. Right now, she's a quarter through finishing, Hanna told me that Ted, Ashley's pastor boyfriend, proposed a few weeks ago.

Spencer, Hanna, Emily, and I were almost arrested but Jenna didn't press charges and moved to Boston, Massachusetts. Toby stayed here with Spencer. They're now living in the barn.

Ezra managed to convince the police that he only dated me after he quit his job at Rosewood High. We still keep contact once in a while, and Maggie has finally decided to let Ezra be Malcom's father.

My mom and dad divorced. Dad moved to New York with his new girlfriend, leaving Mike and I to our mom. Mom and Zach are taking the next step and he's let us move in. I didn't; Alison is letting me crash with her and Jason.

Mike has gone back to his normal self, sometimes acting out but not much. He plays basketball with his pals and Jason again, and I'm always there to watch his games. Mike admitted he has a crush on someone, too, which I'm really happy about.

Spencer's mom finally let go of her grudge against Jason and has been extremely kind to him since he moved back. Ali and Spencer have stopped their bickering for the most part, and Melissa and Wren got back together. Peter, Spencer's father, is the same as ever.

Hanna moved out from her house and is living with Caleb in Spencer's barn as well. Emily and Paige are on and off again, and Emily might still have a crush on Ali. After Ezra and I broke up, I've been trying to date other guys but none of them are what I want.

As I said, everything's normal again. Ali's posse has grown, though, and we're all just trying to finish senior year peacefully. Though, seeing as it's high school we're talking about, I doubt the rest of our ride will be smooth.

I woke up to the annoying voice of Alison ringing in my ears. Ever since I moved in, she's been my alarm clock. Ugh, why did I want to live here? I thought as I waved my hand around in the air. My eyes were shut and I was aiming for Ali's snooze button. She grabbed my wrist and shrieked, "Punk Princess, come on! Wake the hell up!"

I groaned, rolling over onto my stomach. The sun was rising and its light was creeping through the curtains and warming my face. Ali kept jumping on me, and my back was beginning to ache.

Ever since she returned to Rosewood, Ali has been extremely bubbly and hyper. I think she missed talking to her posse. Alison is still a little cautious, always thinking that each day is her last. You can't really blame her. On the positive side, I like this new her better than the bitch she used to be.

"Aria, pleeease," she drawled. Ali's dimpled, tanned face came into view. Fluttering her eyelashes, she gave me her puppy-dog face where she widened her baby blue eyes and pouted.

"Miley Cyrus rip-off," I muttered, blinking at her unaffected. Ali scowled.

"Don't you dare fall asleep, Aria Montgomery, or I swear to god . . . ," she threatened. "I have something super important to tell you girls."

"What?" I murmured, turning my head.

Ali shook hers. "Nope. Stay awake until the others arrive, and then I might give you a massage. Please! It's really good news."

I reluctantly nodded, sitting up. What is wrong with her? No one wakes at this ungodly hour, I thought.

"Good girl. Now, go get dressed. I already picked out your outfit." Ali stood up, stretching her limbs.

I noticed she was already dressed. When I stood up, she towered over me even more than normal since she was wearing black high heels. Ali was still the It-Girl when she came, her popularity increasing, and she had to wear everything new before anyone else. That was one of the things about Alison DiLaurentis that hadn't changed.

"Chop, chop," she huffed, clapping her hands. "We don't have all day." I rolled my eyes and hurried towards the bathroom to get ready.

Ali and Hanna were the ones that wore the most make-up. Emily and Spencer didn't like it much, and I hated it. The only thing I did was apply lip-gloss and eyeliner. Easy peasy, I thought as I brushed my hair. When I said everything went back to what it was, I wasn't kidding. My hair was now dyed blue on one side. I tried pink again before, but it made me feel too young. Blue was much better.

When I finally returned to Ali's bedroom, Spencer had arrived. It was obvious she'd be first since she was right next door. "Hey," Spencer smiled, glancing away from her phone screen.

"Hi. Are you sexting Toby?" I asked, sitting down next to her as she laid on her back. Spencer glared at me, unamused.

"No," she pointed out. "I was texting Melissa and Wren."

"Oh. Well, that's less exciting," I pouted, playing with my blue hair. "How's the home of Queen Victoria?"

"Umm, I doubt it's called that but . . . Melissa says it's cold and rainy," Spencer read. "Wren says cozy and warm. Don't know which one to believe."

I grinned. "When are they leaving for their honeymoon?"

The girls had all been a part of Melissa and Wren's wedding. Spencer was the maid of honor. Hanna, Emily, and I were the bridesmaids. Alison wasn't invited, though, which really got her mad. To say the least, she pulled a couple pranks on the less-than-happy couple before they left. Right after, Spencer and Toby moved into the barn, then Hanna and Caleb after another bedroom was built.

"Uh, in a week. I don't know what's taking them so long. Melissa seems like she wants to get the hell out of there," Spencer snorted. Downstairs, the bell rang. "Jason, can you get that!" Spencer called.

I raised an eyebrow. "Since when did you guys become so . . . sibling-ly?" I asked when I heard Jason hurry downstairs to answer the door.

He and I hadn't spoken much. Jason mostly spent time with his basketball friends (including Mike), Ali, and Spencer. It was sort of like old times before A and this whole mess. I remember when Ali and the rest of us would be scared to approach him and we never, ever spoke unless we had too. In fact, I don't think any of us had ever said a word to him before Ali's fake funeral.

"That's so not a word. I guess we just did," Spencer shrugged.

"Whatever. Hey, where's Ali?" I said, looking around.

"She said she had to go get some stuff she let at my house," she answered.

Just then, Hanna entered. It took a little longer for her to get here than Spencer, even though they shared the same roof. I wonder . . . . "Oh, was someone lip-locking Caleb?" I teased.

Spencer immediately looked up and burst out laughing. Hanna's cute clothes were rumpled, and her face was flushed. I grinned at her messy lipstick and bloated lips. "Definitely," Spencer snorted. "You can just smell the sex."

"Oh, and how would you know what that smells like? Have you and Toby been naughty?" Hanna huffed, jumping on the bed. Spencer blushed, not answering.

Suddenly, the doorbell rang again. Emily's here, I thought. "I'm not getting that," Jason called. Spencer glanced at Hanna who glanced at me.

"Oh, thanks a lot, guys. Fine," I scowled. Hurrying downstairs, I opened the door and let Emily in. "Hey, Em. The others are already here." She nodded and followed me upstairs.

"So, what exactly does Ali want to tell us?" Hanna demanded. "I am giving up some precious face-time with Caleb so it better be important." She looked around. "Oh, don't tell me the girl isn't even here. Uh, yeah, good-bye." I grabbed her wrist pulling her down again as she was about to leave.

"Nuh-uh. Stay. Caleb will still be there," I commanded. Hanna sighed.

Surprising us all, Ali burst into the room. "Yes, you're all here! Okay, so, I have some amazing news," she announced, pausing. "We're going to Alaska!"

"What?" frowned Spencer, sitting up.

"Um, did you leave your mind somewhere in the dirt?" Hanna snorted.

"Hanna," I scolded.

"What?!"

In Ali's hands, she was holding a dozen airplane tickets, each one stamped with 'ALASKA'. "My mom and dad decided to let us go to their ski cabin in Alaska for winter break. It's going to be awesome, and we can invite all the guys!" Ali cheered.

"Seriously?" Emily grinned. "That's amazing!"

"Wait, so who's going?" Hanna frowned.

Ali rolled her eyes. "Jason, Toby, Caleb, Paige, Mike, Wesley, and obviously us five. That makes, uh . . . eleven people in one cabin."

"Wait, Wesley's coming? Why?" I asked. I didn't know Ali knew him. It's been a long time since we last talked.

"He's one of Jason and Mike's basketball friends," Ali explained.

"Wesley Fitz? As in, Ezra's little brother?" Spencer said. I nodded.

"When do we leave for the trip?" Emily said.

"In two days. Which means we should start packing, like, right now." Ali immediately went over to her large closet. The rest of us glanced at each other, surprised, before Hanna, Emily, and Spencer left.

"Should I pack anything? All my stuff is already in a suitcase . . . ," I trailed off. Ali shook her head.

"Great! That means you can help me pack! So, which should I bring? The winter coat, the sweater, or the cardigan?" Ali asked.

"Um, it's Alaska. Bring the fur coat," I said, rolling my eyes.

"Fine, but it's ugly. Okay, high heels, bootie heels, or wedges?"

"Bootie heels, I guess."

This went on until Ali had finally packed all of the things she needed. The reason my things were still in my suitcase even though I'd been living here for two months, was because Ali took up the whole closet.

"Jason, are you packed?" Ali called as she sat down next to me.

"Yeah," he called back.

"Don't forget your acne lotion for your nether regions!" Ali winked at me, and I raised my eyebrows.

"I already told you, that was Dad's! Not mine!"

"Acne for . . . ?" I began.

"Yup, Punk Princess. Acne for exactly where you think," Ali shuddered. "I found it in the bathroom on Jason's side, but he keeps saying it was my dad's. Doubt it. Jason stresses so much that I have a feeling acne is starting to go there."

"Shut up, Ali," Jason growled from the doorway. He was shirtless, his six-pack showing, and obviously annoyed. Ali just rolled her eyes.

"As if. I think Aria deserves to know exactly what her future boyfriend's body is going to be like." Ali grinned at me, her teeth sparkling. My eyes widened and I scowled at her.

So did Jason. "Seriously? That's so immature." Just as he was about to stalk off, Ali spoke up.

"Watch out, Aria. He might be getting a lacrosse stick to hit us with."

Jason briefly froze, remembering that day. His shoulders slumped slightly in shame. That summer wasn't his best, seeing as he was constantly on drugs. You could say that he got violent with Ali more than once in front of the "Power-puff Girls." I bit my lip, feeling a little guilty on Ali's behalf.

"Anyway, want to discuss hot guys? Since you and I are the only ones single in the group," Ali sighed. I could hear Jason stomping around downstairs. After Ali returned, he was a caring brother before going back to his old self. Well, close enough to his old self.

"Sure." I shrugged.

Just like that, we became the same old girls we were. It feels like nothing ever changed in Rosewood, Pennsylvania but we all know that's not true. As much as we'd prefer to forget it, it's not possible. But for now, we can just keep on going.