SUMMARY: After Hanna wins a trip to California, the girls finally think they're getting a break from A. That is, until an unexpected visitor stows away on the trip...
Disclaimer: I own nothing :)
"Here!" I slammed a photo down on the table we were sharing at the Apple Rose Grill.
"What's this?" Spencer asked picking up the picture.
"It's a five-bedroom estate in Santa Monica," I explained. "Private pool and an in house theatre."
"Why are we hearing about it?" Aria asked.
"This is what we're doing for spring break," I replied.
"This is a four million dollar house," Spencer said. "We can't afford that."
"That is true," I replied, "but I won a five night stay on the radio."
"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Emily asked.
"Come on," I pleaded. "A isn't going to follow us across eight states for 3000 miles. No one will know where we are."
"Are you just trying to get away from Caleb?" Aria asked.
"Maybe," I sighed, "but more than anything I just want to get away from Rosewood, and A, and the memory of Ali."
"I'm in," Emily smiled placing a hand over the photo.
"Me too," Aria put her hand on top of Emily's.
"Okay," Spencer said hesitantly.
"Yes!" I squealed.
"So," Mona said sneaking up on me by my locker. "Should Noel and I carpool with you guys are take his dad's Mercedes?"
"What?" I asked. "What are you talking about?"
"Your trip, sweetie," she replied. "It's all over the radio. You won!"
"Oh," I breathed. I hadn't thought of the radio station announcing my name so many times.
"Should I bring a bottle of my dad's vodka?" Mona asked.
"You know what," I said between clenched teeth. "I don't think you should come."
"What? Bestie?" she pleaded as I turned on my heel and walked away.
"Hanna," Aria said catching me as I rounded the corner.
"What's up?" I asked her.
"I just thought we could walk to the Spencer's together," she replied. "You know. Just talk."
"Uh sure," I smiled. "Is there something on your mind?"
"I was just wondering," she began, "how many people you can bring to this place."
"As many as I want, I guess," I told her. "Why? Did you want to bring someone?"
"I was hoping I could bring Ezra," she replied. "It would be a good way for us to get away and not have to deal with the drama of Rosewood."
"Yeah," I said ringing Em's doorbell. "I think that's a good idea. He needs a break from A just as much as the rest of us."
"Hi," Emily smiled opening the door. "Come in."
"Thanks," I said as we made our way into Emily's kitchen. Spencer was already standing there.
"Did you guys all talk to your parents?" Spencer asked pulling out a notepad. Spencer, always the planner.
"Yupp," I replied followed by a chorus of yeses from the other girls.
"Hanna," Emily said slowly, "do you think I can bring Samara? We just started getting together and I think going away for a week might ruin what's already kind of fragile."
"Yeah, why not," I said even though I was kind of sad that our girls' trip was falling apart. I turned to Spencer. "Do you want to bring Toby? We may as well turn this trip into an orgy."
"That would be amazing!" Spencer said giving me a pleading look.
"That's not going to be weird for you?" Aria asked. "All of us bringing dates on your trip."
"No," I said quickly. "I need to be single for all of those California surfers."
"You're sure?" Emily asked.
"Yeah," I smiled. "However, an issue came up with Mona. Apparently, the radio keeps announcing me as the winner and she wants to come."
They all gave me a look.
"I said no," I told them.
"So," Spencer said matter-of-factly, "you, me, Emily, Aria, Toby, Ezra, and Samara. That's seven people. We'll have to take Aria's mom's car. Can we do that?"
"Yeah, I think so," she smiled. "I can't believe we're actually doing this!"
"I know," I gushed. One week without A was far more than I could ever ask for but now I was faced with being the only single girl. I pulled out my phone and dialed Lucas. I needed at least one companion. I turned to the girls. "I'm going to take this outside."
"Hey," Lucas said answering.
"Hi," I told him. "Would you want to go on a spring break trip with me and the girls and a few others? We got this amazing place in Santa Monica and we're road tripping it out there."
"Yeah," he answered. "That would be awesome."
"Great," I said. "I'm really glad you're coming."
"Me too," he told me before hanging up. At least I finally had someone to keep me company while the girls ran off on their dates. I put my phone in my pocket and walked back inside.
"Did we figure out the car situation?" I asked taking a seat at the counter. "I might be bringing an extra body."
"Caleb?" Aria piped up.
"No," I shot her a death glare.
"Are we going to find out who it is?" Emily winked.
"Eventually," I said. I didn't really need them judging all of my decisions right now. It was hard enough to dodge calls from Caleb and messages from A.
"Well," Spencer continued making lists. "I'll drive the first leg and make a chart for everyone else to drive. It takes roughly forty-eight hours to get there, divided by eight drivers. That's six hours each."
"Okay Spencer," Aria teased, "can we discuss what museums we're going to see?"
"Museums?" I asked. "Don't you mean malls?"
"I'm just excited to finally go swimming in the Pacific," Emily smiled.
"I think we've agreed that our trip to California is going to be amazing!" Spencer gushed.
"Well," I smiled. "I'm going to head out. I better get started on packing."
"We don't leave for two weeks," Emily reminded me.
"I know," I winked. Fashion is something I never procrastinate. I grabbed my purse and headed home to prepare for my magical trip to La La Land!