Ali looked over at Emily as she made a sandcastle. There was something so adorable about it that Ali couldn't supress her smile, didn't even bother trying. She remembered last year, when Hanna had done the same thing, she'd snapped at her for being so immature but somehow, Alison couldn't find in herself to do it right now. Maybe it was because she was in a good mood or because Spencer seemed to be in an especially judgmental mood today.

But something told her it had more to do with Emily. Somehow, Ali didn't have the heart to go up to Emily and call her out for how childish she was being. Yet, strangely enough Ali knew she would have no problem doing the same thing to Hanna or Aria or Spencer.

She just couldn't figure it out. Whatever, maybe writing it down in her diary later would help Ali understand why she was being such a softie.

Meanwhile, Aria looked up from Great Expectations and at Alison thoughtfully. It was comparing Estella and Ali that made Aria look up in the first place but she was greeted by an unexpected sight. The Alison DiLaurentis, Queen of Mean was watching Emily Fields make a sandcastle. Instead of scowling and telling her what a baby she was, Ali looked on with a soft smile and a strange look in her blue eyes. Usually her eyes reminded Aria of ice, but today it was like all the ice had melted. They were calm and almost soft.

Puzzled, Aria frowned. What was going on? Was she in an alternate universe? "What are you staring at Aria? Don't you have better things to do?" Snapped Alison. Her eyes were suddenly icy again and her smile was gone replaced by a scowl.

"Ali. I-I... I don't think that's very nice." Emily stammered. Her face was bright red and her hands were clammy but Ali was being really mean. Hanna and Spencer looked up now, curious about the impending fight or Alison's next comment. "Whatever." She said simply. It was so strange, to see Alison brush any kind of criticism off so easily. Usually there'd be a well-placed insult or a thinly veiled threat or at the very least a back-handed compliment. Never before had Alison simply let it go, that just wasn't who she was.

Even Emily seemed a little taken aback. "What?" She frowned confused. Ali noticed her mistake quickly, she was too kind, too soft on her. "This day is too beautiful for a silly little fight to ruin it. Don't you think, girls?" She asked turning to them with a smile.

They seemed to accept Alison's excuse easily, but Aria still felt like something was off.

Soon, Aria decided that she was going to get to the bottom of this. She didn't have anything outrageously interesting going on in her life and maybe this could be like a fun project. So, Aria decided the first step was to find out what was in Ali's journal. It was morally wrong in so many ways, but Aria decided to steal it.

After all, Ali knew all their secrets so Aria felt entitled to know hers.

It's during one of their sleepovers that Aria managed to find out was in Ali's journal. Alison left to go to the restroom so Aria grabbed her phone, taking a picture of all the pages. When she heard footsteps, she quickly closed the journal leaning back and stuffing her phone into the pocket of her pyjama bottoms. "What are you doing?" Ali asked suspiciously. "What?" Aria asked panicked. "You're panting. Oh no... Are you thinking about Noel?" She replied.

"Um... Yeah." Replied Aria awkwardly. Alison narrowed her eyes suspiciously, Aria's heart thumped in her chest. What if Ali didn't believe her? "You perv!" Laughed Ali pushing her shoulder lightly, Aria laughed along relieved.

Great Expectations:

God, I have her melted like putty in my hands. With one quote, my mermaid was enraptured. I could see it on her face, that lovesick smile and stars in her eyes. She's in love with me. I could taste the desperation on her lips with that raspberry bubble-gum her dad sends her. I'm pretty sure it's the greatest scheme ever, I know because I can't stop thinking about it. About how soft her lips were and how she could have anyone under her spell if she was as elegant on land as in water.

Sometimes, I like to wonder how much she loved. If she'd stop a bullet for me or move mountains. How far would she go for me?

I don't know why I even care, when boys are into I don't care about this kind of stuff. I suppose it must be because it's so exciting, to know even girls are into me. Even my best friends aren't strong enough or good enough to resist me. That's probably it. Because the thing is, I feel different around her. Like, I could do anything, be anything I want. Around the others I don't feel like that. I feel like they don't get me like she does. Right here, looking up at the stars I wonder what she sees when she looks at me.

Does she see her best friend? A ice cold, heartless bitch? Or maybe even someone she wants to spend the rest of her life with. Someone to raise her children with, to grow old with.

I wanna go to Paris with her. God, she'd look so good on top of the Eiffel Tower, wind in her hair. In my imagination, she's wearing a red dress and looking at me like she always does. She looks at me like I'm the sun, the stars, the moon, the universe, the axis she revolves around.

I see her and I just want to break all the rules. Be someone I want be instead of someone I'm supposed to be. I want to make her proud, make her smile, make her laugh.

Oh my God, Aria thought. Alison DiLaurentis, Queen of Mean was in love.