Spencer sat on the brick wall that divides the court yard from the football field reading a book. There was always something about being on top of everything that made her feel... safe. With Spencer it was always about winning. She is the highest in her class and the captain on the field hockey team. It's not like she had a choice of what she wanted to do anyway. Her parents expected to much of her, not that she would change any of it if she could. Spencer never had unconditional love from her parents, only when she achieved, or did something they wanted did they love her. Or that's what Spencer thought.

"Hey Spencer!" She heard a voice call from behind her.

"Hey, Em." Spencer said as Emily sat down next to her. Emily was one of Spencer's best friends. They had been through the good, and the bad, but still stick together.

"So. You're never going to believe what happened in English today." Emily said, a huge smile on her face. It was a rarity that Emily smiles so Spencer was happy. Ever since Emily came out to her parents she had been sort of depressed. She denies it, but her parents froze her out and her mom sent her love away.

"What?" Spencer said smiling.

"Hanna and Aria pulled a prank on Mr. Fitz!" Emily said a huge grin on her face.

"Really?" Spencer asked.

"Yeah!" Emily said laughing.

"It's really good to see you happy, Em. I was worried for a while." Spencer said.

"Yeah, Well. I decided that I can't be sad forever." Emily said.

"That's a good attitude." Spencer said.

"Do you believe in fate?" Emily asked.

"More or less." Spencer said.

"I feel as though fate has pushed us together. Strengthened our bond. The four of us are stronger than before." Emily said.

"It certainly took its toll though." Spencer said closing her book and setting it down.

"So I think Hanna and Aria are in detention. Wanna go get them in trouble?" Emily asked smiling.

"It would be an honor." Spencer said hopping up. "And then... Coffee!" Spencer exclaimed. Emily smiled and got up.

"How did I get so lucky?" Emily asked.

"Fate?" Spencer said, although she said it more as a question, Emily understood. They walked back to the building with their arms linked. When they found the detention room they looked inside to make sure that they were in there.

"Okay. First silly faces." Emily said. Spencer nodded. They did all kinds of faces and when Hanna saw them she cracked up and pointed. Aria looked too and started laughing. The teacher walked by and slapped a ruler on her desk.

"Shhh." She hissed. Hanna and Aria hung their heads low.

"Okay Em. This is what you have to do." Spencer said before whispering the plan in her ear.

Emily burst through the door and looked at the teacher.

"Someone just wiped their diarrhea all over the place." Emily said wiping the brown ink on the wall. The teacher looked at her disgusted and ran out of the room. Emily walked over and handed Hanna a note and ran out to stand next to Spencer. Hanna got up and sprayed brown ink all over the room. Aria got up and ran towards them.

"What are you guys doing?" Aria asked, laughing.

"Having fun." Emily said, a huge smile on her face.

"Oh, Em. It's so great to see you live for once." Aria said.

"Hey. I know how to live." Emily said.

"Like Spencer does?" Aria asked.

"Hey!" Spencer said, with mock hurt. "For your information, I didn't do my Spanish homework." Spencer said.

"Spanish isn't even a class." Aria said.

"Shut up!" Spencer said laughing.

"Hanna?" Emily asked.

"Almost done!" She shouted. In a few seconds she walked out and sighed. "Done." She said. Emily laughed and clapped.

"Okay. Act causal. She's coming. They acted like they were in a conversation as the teacher walked into the door. They heard her screams and ran. Once they were in safety they all cracked up laughing.

"That was hilarious." Spencer exclaimed.

"Careful with the big words Spence." Hanna said.

"What? That's not even a big word!" Spencer said.

"Well it sounds hard to spell." Hanna said.

"Not really." Aria said.

"Coming from the writer." Emily said. Aria laughed.

"Coffee?" Spencer asked.

"Yes!" Hanna exclaimed.

"Sure." Aria said. "I need to write an essay for English and I can't fall asleep." Aria sai with a laugh.

"Then it's settled." Emily said. "To the Brew!" She exclaimed.

"To the Brew!" The 3 other girls called out in unison.

Once they got to the Brew and ordered their coffee, they all sat at their favorite booth.

"They should engrave our names on this table." Spencer said laughing.

"Yeah. I can see it now. Hanna and the other 3 losers." She said with a smile. Everyone laughed.

"Oh. There's Toby Cavanaugh." Aria said as a boy walked through the doors.

"I heard he's trouble." Hanna whispered.

"He's nice." Emily said.

"You know him?" Spencer asked.

"He's my friend. He helped me get through a lot. You know, with the coming out." Emily said. Spencer nodded.

"He should sit with us." Spencer said.

"Why?" Hanna asked.

"He's Emily's friend. The least we could do is make him feel welcome." Spencer said covering Emily's hand with her own.

"Thank you." Emily said.

"What are friends for." Spencer said.

"Toby!" Emily called out. He looked over in her direction. She scooted over so the space between her and Spencer was open and patted the seat. He came over and sat down. Spencer was uncomfortable (between Toby's broad shoulders and muscled arms) But she wasn't going to say.

"Hey." He said. His voice was shy, but safe. Spencer didn't know exactly why she was thinking that, but for some reason, she was kind of attracted to him. Spencer smiled as if she was trying to be nice, and laughed like she would anyone who told a bad joke and she didn't want to hurt their feelings. But the thing was, his jokes were funny. His laugh was cute. And his eyes, his eyes melted her. She couldn't look at those piercing blue eyes without doing or saying something extremely stupid. Spencer kept sneaking quick glances his way,and while he was talking she was intent on listening. To the girls it was just supporting Emily, but to Spencer... She didn't even know what to think. She didn't even have time for boys right now. She had so much on her plate. She had to start getting ready for college now In order to get into UPenn She had to be the best of the best. If she didn't get into that school, she was afraid of losing her parents love forever. Suddenly Spencer was sucked back into reality.

"Spencer! Spencer?" She heard Emily say.

"Yes?" Spencer said.

"Oh.. I thought you were dead or something.." Emily said.

"No.. Just thinking about UPenn." Spencer said.

"Spencer. You're a freshman." Hanna said.

"But I have to get in." Spencer said.

"Just because your whole family went there doesn't mean you do." Aria said.

"Yes I do! You guys have no idea whats riding on this for me!" Spencer exclaimed.

"Spencer. Your parents will only be a little dissapointed." Hanna said. "It doesn't matter. You're still their daughter."

"No. You don;t get it. My whole family went their. Its the school I have to o to. If I don't... I guess I lost my only family." Spencer said as she got up and ran outside. She sat on the bench and put her face in her hands. She felt the tears coming any second. She wasn't usually this emotional but now... now she was all over the place. She felt weight on the bench. Someone put their hand on her shoulder. It wasn't one of her friends, the had tiny hands. This one was larger, rougher. Spencer lifted her head and saw Toby.

"Toby?" She whispered.