Hi everyone! This is a new story and it's a complete AU of PLL. Basically I really love the characters and their relationships, but I had some new ideas I wanted to try writing. Some of the characters will be pretty OOC so if you don't like it, don't read, but if you do, drop me a review and let me know :) x
Everybody looks up as they walk down the hallway. There are 4 of them and they all have secrets but that's not why people stop and stare. People look because all 4 of them are shockingly, stunningly beautiful. They are dressed the same as everybody else, in the same grey skirt, white blouse and black jumper with a grey blazer, but somehow they stand out.
On the far left is a tall blonde named Hanna Marin. Her hair is in loose curls on her shoulders and she is wearing a gold chain around her neck and tiny diamond studs in her ears. She is wearing a jumper that is too small and clings to her chest, her blazer is cropped so it ends at her waist, and somehow she has managed to make the boring school skirt high-waisted, so that when she bends over, everyone gets a good look at her lacy briefs. She is wearing knee high white socks and strappy black heels and she carries a Prada bag with a flowery scarf tied around the handle.
Next to her is a tall brunette called Spencer Hastings. Her hair is in a loose Dutch plait resting on one of her shoulders and she is wearing a necklace with her boyfriend's name on it. She is wearing the uniform as it is meant to be worn, but her skirt is shorter than normal and she is wearing shiny black heels. She has a massive bag hanging on her arm, and is carrying four folders full of school work. She has badges on the lapel of her blazer, which indicate her titles as 'Senior Class President' and 'Debate Team Captain'.
On the far right is another tall brunette, whose legs seems to go on forever, called Emily Fields. She has her hair up in a messy bun and is wearing the uniform with a tiny skirt, black sneakers and long white socks. She is carrying a beige school bag over one arm, with two sports bags over the other and has a pair of headphones hanging around her neck.
In the middle is a tiny girl with long ombre hair called Aria Montgomery. She is wearing giant feathery earrings and a long necklace with a big charm on it. Her school skirt is extremely short, and fastened with a giant statement safety pin, and she is wearing knee high grey socks with strappy black stilettos. Her blazer is cropped and the sleeves are rolled up to reveal the tartan lining. She has a black Ted Baker bag over one arm and is tapping away on her phone frantically.
"Girls, get to class please," a teacher says as he passes, but they ignore him, gathering around a locker.
"What have you got first period, Han?" Spencer asks, drumming her hand on her folder.
"English," Hanna says, checking her schedule as she throws several books into her locker. "Heard the new teacher is a right sort – he's our new homeroom teacher too."
"Oh really?" Emily says, winking at her boyfriend across the hall. "I'm not in AP English this term though, hope I still get him. What about you Aria? Are you in AP?"
"Huh?" Aria says, finally looking up from her phone. "What's up?"
"Who are you kidding?" Hanna says. "Of course Aria's in AP English, she's practically a professional writer already."
"Oh yeah, I am," Aria says, looking down at her phone and starting to type again.
"Who are you texting at this time of the day?" Spencer asks, peering at Aria's phone over her shoulder. "Have you got a new boyfriend?"
"No," Aria says, but she moves her phone out of Spencer's line of sight. "No, not really, I just met this guy yesterday and we've been chatting a little bit."
"A little bit?" Hanna says, tugging the phone out of her hands. "God, Aria, desperate much? How many messages have you sent him in the last 24 hours?"
"I don't know, a lot," Aria shrugs. "He text me first though, it's not like I'm the one looking uber keen."
"Let me see," Emily says, taking the phone off Hanna. "Babe, did you sleep with this guy already?!"
"No!" Aria says, grabbing her phone back. "Look, I met him in the college bar yesterday and we just got talking. He's really smart, he likes to write, he's got good taste in music and he's so good looking."
"And…?" Spencer says. "Did you hook up with him in the bathroom?"
"How did you know that?" Aria says, blushing as she shoves her phone into her bag.
"Because I know you," Spencer laughs. "How old is he?"
Aria blushes again now and Hanna turns on her. "Is he a lot older?" she asks.
"Well he's finished college so…" Aria says and all three of the girls gasp.
"Aria, you've got to stop this," Emily says. "Find a nice high school guy. I heard Noel Kahn wants to ask you out."
"That's not true and you know it," Aria says. "And besides we've known Noel since we were three, Em; me and you dressed him up as a princess. He's my best friend in the entire world; if he wanted to ask me out, he'd do it. But how could I ever date him?"
"That is a good point," Emily laughs. "But still, there are plenty of guys around here who would give their right arm to date you."
"Whatever," Aria says, rolling her eyes. "It's just because the rest of you are all coupled up."
"Well you need to get a boyfriend so we can go on squad dates," Spencer says. "Speaking of which, Em, is Ben coming this weekend?"
"Nah, he's training," Emily says. "So Aria can come instead?"
"On a triple date with those two?" Aria says, sticking her tongue out at Hanna. "No thank you."
"We're not that bad," Hanna says, grinning as she thinks of Sean. "Okay, we are, but you're just bitter because you're alone."
"I'm not bitter," Aria says. "I'm perfectly happy being single, I just wish you guys would stop bugging me about it."
"Alright, alright," Spencer says. "We're gonna be late to homeroom if we don't hurry up."
"We're always late to homeroom," Emily says.
"Yes, but we have that new teacher," Spencer says. "Will you come on?"
"Come on, Han, before that vein in Spencer's forehead pops," Aria says. Hanna laughs as she slams her locker shut and follows the girls down the corridor, their heels clicking against the tiles. They walk quickly down to their homeroom and slip into their seats, in a square formation at the back of the room, just before the teacher comes in. He is texting on his phone, and he sends a message before slipping his phone into his pocket and looking up at the class.
Less than a second after he sends the text, Aria's phone pings, and she blushes as she glances up at him with concern. He meets her eye disapprovingly and his entire face falls. "And you are?" he says clearly.
"Aria Montgomery," she says, blushing scarlet.
"Well, Miss Montgomery, you can see me after class," he says. Everybody in the room gasps under their breath but Aria simply nods, drops her phone into her bag and pulls out her notepad.
"Right, hello everyone," the man says. "My name is Mr. Fitz and I'm your new English teacher. I'll be taking you for homeroom as well so if you could all give me a wave when I say your name, that would be really helpful."
Half an hour he dismisses the class. Spencer, Hanna and Emily leave last, shooting Aria sympathetic looks as she gets up and heads up to his desk. "Hey," she says awkwardly.
"What the hell?" he says. "You said you were in college."
"I did no such thing," Aria says, smiling. "I said I was thinking about majoring in English. I never lied to you."
"Oh really?" he says. "So you really took time out to travel Europe?"
"Yep," Aria says. "I mean technically it was just summer vacation, but I went with my family, and we did a massive European tour for three months. Ezra, I swear I didn't lie to you."
"You can't call me that anymore," he says. "What happened yesterday never happened, do you understand?"
"Pretty sure it did though," Aria says. "Look, I'm not going to tell anyone I made out with the hot new English teacher, you don't have to worry."
"I would get arrested, Aria," he says. "Please tell me you understand."
"I do," she says simply. "I thought we had something special though."
"I did too," he sighs eventually. "But it doesn't matter, it has to be over now."
"It doesn't have to be over," Aria says, tutting. "Live a little, Ezra, take a couple of risks."
"I'm not a child anymore," he snaps. "I need this job."
"No you don't," Aria says. "Maybe you should take the risk. Might be the push you need to get you to start writing again."
"No, Aria," he says firmly. "You need to delete my number."
"I will do no such thing," she teases. "What if you need a little booty call one night?"
He bites his lip, grinning, and pauses. She sits down on the edge of his desk and crosses her legs, flashing him her panties as she does so. "Give it a chance," she says lightly. "No-one has to know."
"You're playing with fire," he says, grinning broadly.
"I know," she beams. "And you love it. Come on, Ezra – if I were just a couple of months older, there would be nothing wrong with it."
"But you're not," he says, clearing his throat. "This can't happen, Aria. Not ever. Now get to class – I'm going to write you a late pass."
"Um, Ezra," she says as he fumbles through his piles of stuff. "I have you first period."
"Oh," he says, glancing at the door, where he can see a line of people waiting. "Okay, well then take your seat, Miss Montgomery, and I'll invite the rest of the class in."
Aria heads back to the back of the classroom and immediately Hanna and Spencer rush into the room, taking seats on either side of her. "What did he say?" Spencer hisses. "That looked intense."
"Nothing," Aria says, shrugging. "You know me, I'm a real smooth talker. I got him onto the topic of the reading list and he completely forgot to give me a punishment for the phone thing."
"That didn't look like a discussion about the reading list," Hanna whispers. "He looked angry. And did you flash him at one point?"
"Girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do," Aria murmurs, laughing under her breath. "No big deal. Are we meeting Emily after first period?"
"Yeah," Hanna mutters. "Oh and I forgot to mention – my mom wants you all to come to dinner at the new restaurant tonight."
"On a school night?" Aria says, pretending to be scandalised. "However will Spencer get all her assignments done?"
"Shut up you," Spencer hisses, nudging her. "Will your dad let you come? Or are you still grounded?"
"Nah, I got paroled yesterday," Aria replies. "He's never been so angry though, honestly."
"You did get caught making out with his teaching assistant in the college bell tower," Spencer says fairly. "What is it with you and older guys, eh?"
"I think it's authority figures," Aria teases. "Anyway, he'll let me come to dinner with you lot, so it should be fine. Are you bringing Sean and Alex or have we got a boyfriend-free night for once?"
"Well Sean is heading down to Kentucky to see his brother at college," Hanna says. "Spence, what's Alex up to?"
"He's on a job," Spencer says, rolling her eyes. "In Pittsburgh. So no, he's not coming."
"Aw okay so we can have a girls' night!" Aria says happily. "Shall we hit up a club after?"
"I know you were teasing before, but it actually is a school night," Spencer says. "Plus you do not need to be caught breaking your curfew so soon after your dad pardoned you."
"Spence's right," Hanna says. "We can go this weekend though?"
"No, you guys are going to dinner," Aria says, rolling her eyes. "Eh, I'll head out on my own."
"Don't be silly," Hanna says. "We can cancel, go to dinner another time. Em's already had to bail anyway and it won't be as fun without you two there. We'll hit up a club instead."
"Actually that does sound better," Spencer says. "Saturday night good?"
"Yeah, do you want to get ready at mine?" Hanna asks. "We'd better not let your parents know where we're going, huh Aria?"
"Nah, probably not," Aria says, grinning as she starts to take notes. She's ignored him thus far as he's done his introductory spiel, but now he's actually started teaching, she can't deny that she's interested in what he has to say. No matter how awkward the situation between them may be, she loves his subject and wants to learn from him.
"Mr. Fitz," Aria says, knocking on his door quietly.
"Ah, Miss Montgomery, what can I do for you?" he asks, glancing out of the window to see if anyone is watching.
"I just wanted to apologise for earlier," she says, closing the door behind her. "It was irrational of me to proposition you like that, I just…I haven't enjoyed talking to someone like that in a long time."
"Me either," he says quietly. "But we can't, Aria. Maybe in the future, when the situation changes, but right now…"
"Yeah," she says, stepping closer to him. "I wanted to thank you for last night too. I had a great time."
"So did I," he says, moving even closer to her. Her eyes flick down to his lips and then she grins, moving even closer, kissing him on the cheek and then heading for the door. "Aria," he says, grabbing her arm and pulling her into a deep, hungry kiss.
Half an hour later, Aria walks into the restaurant and drops into a seat beside Emily. She has changed into a strapless black skater dress, a chunky neon yellow belt and matching stilettos. All of the other girls have changed too. Hanna is wearing a pale blue ruffled shirt, tiny black shorts and black open-toed heels. Emily is wearing a tight leather skirt and a backless red top with knee high leather boots. Spencer is wearing a white vest top tucked into a red tartan skirt with knee high white socks and black heels. "Where have you been?" Hanna hisses. "My mom thought you bailed, she's really upset."
"I'm sorry, I got caught up in something," Aria says, blushing. "Is she in the kitchen? I'll go and apologise."
"Yeah, she's in there," Hanna says.
Aria springs up from her seat and hurries into the kitchen. "Mrs Marin?" she says loudly. "Are you in here?"
"Aria, you're here!" Ashely Marin says brightly, hugging the small brunette. "It's so good to see you, darling, how are you?"
"I'm great, Mrs Marin," Aria says, smiling fondly. "How about you? The place looks great; you've really worked wonders."
"Well I couldn't have done it without Spencer's Alex – do you know if he's coming?" Ashley says.
"He's not," Aria says, shaking her head. "He's on another job tonight apparently, but I'm sure he sends his love."
"What about the other boys?" Ashley asks, linking her arm through Aria's. "Sean and Ben? Hanna didn't say anything about them."
"Apparently Sean is headed to Kentucky tonight," Aria says. "And you know Ben, he's probably training."
"And what about you, honey?" Ashley asks. "Any boys catching your eye? It would be nice for you to settle down for a while."
"You've been speaking to my parents then," Aria says, folding her arms.
"I have, but I'm not going to lecture you," Ashley says. "God knows, I fooled around enough in my day. I just think you could find a really lovely high school boy and be very happy. What about Noel Kahn?"
"I'm happy now, Mrs Marin, honest," Aria says. "And I'm pretty sure that Noel Kahn has a girlfriend so I wish everybody would stop suggesting him to me."
"Alright," Ashley says. "Are you staying at ours tonight?"
"No, my parents want me home," Aria says. "I think on Saturday though?"
"Well you're welcome anytime," Ashley says. "I better get back to the kitchen, but you order whatever you like, on the house."
"Now now, that's no way to run a restaurant," Aria teases. "Thanks, Mrs Marin." She hugs Hanna's mom again and then heads back over to their table to join her friends.
"I can't believe how much my mom loves you," Hanna says, laughing.
"Eh, I'm like a second daughter to her but without all the bad bits," Aria teases. "How is she doing though? Did you tell her about your dad and Isabelle?"
"I didn't," Hanna frowns.
"Oh, Han, you have to," Spencer says, looking up from her phone. "You don't want her to hear it from somebody else."
"I know, I know," Hanna says. "As soon as they schedule the wedding, I'll tell her. Until then, I can pretend it's not happening. What about you, Em? When is your dad due home?"
"Couple of weeks hopefully," Emily says. "Mom said they want him to extend his tour but he's really trying to get out of it."
"He's been gone a long time," Aria says. "When was the last time you saw him?"
"March?" Emily says. "I don't actually know; it might have been as far back as Christmas."
"Will he be home for Thanksgiving this year?" Hanna asks. "Because my mom suggested that all four of our families got together at our cabin and did a massive meal?"
"That's a good shout," Aria nods. "I'll mention it to my mom – usually we go up to see her sister but since they're fighting, I think we'll be free."
"Yeah, I don't see why we couldn't do it," Spencer says. "Melissa said she'd be back for Thanksgiving with her new boyfriend so I think I'd have to invite Alex to avoid all the snide comments. Would you bring Sean, Han?"
"Yeah, if he's not too busy with his family," Hanna says. "What about you, Em? Would Ben come?"
"He might," Emily shrugs. "How about you, Aria? You could bring your mystery man."
"Definitely not," Aria laughs. "That's not a thing, and even if it was, I can't imagine him going down very well with my parents."
"I can't imagine anyone going down well with your parents," Spencer says. "Except…"
"If you say Noel Kahn, I swear to God I'm going to throw this breadstick at your head," Aria threatens.
"Don't waste them," Hanna says. "They're really good!"
"They are," Aria laughs. "So, what's the back to school goss?"
"I heard Courtney Holt had lipo over summer vacation," Emily says quietly and all the girls turn on her.
"What?!" Hanna says. "Are you kidding? That's major news!"
"I didn't see her today," Aria says, thinking hard. "Is it noticeable?"
"Very," Emily says.
"Wow," Spencer says. "God, her parents must be loaded."
"I don't think so," Hanna says. "Have you seen her sneakers? They're a mess, they're falling apart."
"Yes, but I have a pair of sneakers like that," Aria says fairly. "It's sentimental, I can't bring myself to throw them away."
"You really should, you know," Spencer says. "You've got like a million pairs; you do not need a pair of old sneakers as well."
"Yes but that's beside the point," Hanna says. "Aria, you don't wear your sneakers, you just keep them. She wears hers which means she doesn't have another choice."
"Well maybe she sold all her other shoes to pay for the lipo," Aria laughs. "What else… oh did you see that Sam is back from military school?"
"No," Emily gasps. "I didn't think they were ever gonna let him back!"
"I thought they swore they wouldn't," Spencer says. "I mean, he's dangerous, right?"
"He definitely is," Hanna says. "He's a psycho, I don't get it."
"Whatever, we're hardly gonna see him," Aria says. "He's just come back to finish his diploma and then he's off."
"How do you know that?" Emily asks.
"I spoke to Mom," Aria says. "Did you guys see that she was subbing today?"
"Oh of course," Spencer says. "Hanna, did Mrs Hernandez give you a detention?"
"No," Hanna tuts. "But she did say that I had to help out on the yearbook."
"God really?" Aria says disapprovingly. "Where are you gonna find time for that? In between Homecoming and college applications?"
"I know, right?!" Hanna says. "Honestly, Spence, I don't know how you do it."
"I don't sleep," Spencer teases. "Have you picked out your dresses yet? For homecoming?"
"Yeah, I found something when I was in New York this summer," Aria says. "What about you, Em? You need me to come shopping with you?"
"Nah, my mom came with me last weekend and we found the perfect dress," Emily says.
"Really?" Aria says, beaming. "I'm so excited to see it! Hanna?"
"Yes, I've got my dress, it's just everything else I need to worry about," Hanna says honestly. "I don't have any shoes."
"Oh, don't start that again," Spencer says. "Look, between you and Aria, I'm pretty sure you've got 1000 pairs of shoes – you must be able to find something."
"Yeah, look, if you wanna come round to mine tomorrow evening and raid my closet, that's totally fine," Aria says. "And if not, I'll come shopping with you."
"I might take you up on that actually," Hanna says, nodding.
"But that's not the important thing," Emily says. "Aria, who are you gonna take?"
"No-one," Aria shrugs. "I'll go stag."
"You can't go stag to Homecoming!" Hanna squeals. "Look, I know you're not interested in him, but maybe you should think about taking Noel Kahn."
"Don't tear her head off," Spencer jumps in as Aria opens her mouth. "Look, all we're saying is that if you take Noel Kahn, you can get your parents off your back and give it a try all in one go."
"Wow," Emily says.
"What?" Aria says, looking around and trying to follow Emily's line of sight.
"Nothing," Emily says. "Just…speak of the devil!" She points over Hanna's left shoulder to where Noel has just walked into the restaurant.
"Go and say hello," Hanna hisses to Aria. "You were late, this is your punishment, go and say hello."
"It's no punishment, but fine," Aria says, getting up and bouncing over to Noel's side.
"Aria," he says, leaning in and kissing her on both cheeks. "How are you, my darling?"
"Very well thank you," Aria says brightly. "How was your vacation? Mom says you went to Haiti to build houses?"
"Yeah, did Em not tell you?" Noel says, glancing over her shoulder. "I bumped into her once or twice."
"Oh that must have been nice," Aria says. "A friendly face down there?"
"Yeah it was," Noel says, nodding. "It was a really amazing experience – you should come next time!"
"Yeah, I'll definitely think about it," Aria says. "So were you there the whole summer? When did you get back?"
"Only a few days ago," Noel says. "So I'm still pretty wrecked, but I'm getting my energy back. I was thinking about heading out Saturday night if you wanna come?"
"Actually we were gonna go out Saturday night!" Aria says brightly. "So we'll probably see you?"
"Yeah, sounds good," Noel nods. "And did I mention I'm having my annual cabin party the weekend before Homecoming?"
"You didn't, but I will definitely be there," Aria grins. "You know I never pass up the opportunity to party."
"That much I do know," Noel laughs. "Are you excited about Homecoming? Who are you taking?"
"Nobody asked me," Aria says coyly.
"A beautiful girl like you?" Noel says. "You know what that is?"
"No, what?" Aria says.
"You make them nervous," he whispers.
"Oh?" she giggles. "Do I make you nervous, Noel?"
"Not at all," he says confidently.
"So ask me," Aria says.
"Will you be my date to Homecoming?" he asks and she grins.
"Sure," she says, leaning in and kissing him deeply. He grins into the kiss, slipping his tongue into her mouth and then when she pulls away, he blushes. "I better get back to my friends; I'll see you Saturday?"
"Definitely!" he says, grinning broadly. "Bye, Aria."
Aria walks smoothly back over to the table and drops into her seat, where immediately all the other girls start talking. "Whoa whoa whoa," she laughs. "One at a time, please!"
"You are such a tease," Spencer says, poking her with a breadstick. "He really thinks you're interested in him, poor guy!"
"Did he ask you to Homecoming?" Hanna hisses. "Or did you ask him?"
"I invited him to ask me," Aria shrugs. "And he did."
"What else did he say?" Emily asks.
"He said he's going out Saturday night," Aria says, thinking. "He said he's having his annual cabin party the weekend before Homecoming and…oh he said he saw you – in Haiti?"
"Oh yeah I forgot about that," Emily says. "He was on a different crew; I hardly saw him."
"Yeah he did say that," Aria nods. "Hanna, did you see Claudia Stram in Trig today?"