September 2, 2009

Rosewood, Pennsylvania

8:27 AM

Montgomery House

Aria's POV

I woke up to the sound of my dad humming. I just smiled as I thought about my dad's Saturday morning routine: pancakes then cleaning as music guided him. I just got up and made my way down to the kitchen. Mike was sitting at the table working on what was clearly his second helping of pancakes. I just smiled as I sat down next to him with a bottle of juice and a granola bar. "You have to eat more than that, Aria." He said with a laugh. I knew that he wasn't trying to be an ass, but sometimes I don't like being pushed about things like eating. I went six months after the Jenna incident just eating small bites here and there. Then again that's part of the reason people look at me like I am nothing but a nut. I walked over to where I left my phone on the counter. I was shocked that there was only one message from Toby. Normally he would flip if I didn't text him during some point of the night. Maybe Mike told him that mom made me take a sleeping pill. I smiled as I read: Good morning, love. "Before nine and the love fest has started. This must be a new record." Mike said with a laugh as I replied to Toby's message.

"You will understand one day." I said as I sat back down next to him.

"I don't think anyone could ever understand you and Toby." He said as he looked at me. It wasn't a second later that my phone started to ring. Toby. I answered it as I thought about how unusual for him to call me. Come over sure, but not call.

"Hey sweets." I said as I answered the phone.

"Did you hear?" He asked on the other line.

"Hear what?" I asked. "I just woke up." I said as I looked at Mike.

"Allison is missing it's been all over the news this morning." He said as I heard his father talking in the background.

"Mike turn on the tv." I said as I looked at the television placed on the kitchen counter.

"What too lazy to get up on your own?" He asked as he got up. Sure enough the morning news was showing a picture of Allison. "Wow the bitch is missing." Mike said as he sat down on the table next to me.

"Dad!" I yelled as I hung up the phone. I didn't even realize what I did till my phone started to ring again.

"I got this." Mike said as he took the phone.

"Where is the fire?" My dad asked as he came into the room.

"Allison is missing." I said as I looked at him.

"What?" He said as he looked at the television. We were watching the full coverage from the Hastings back yard when there was a knock on the door.

"That's probably Toby." Mike said as he looked at me. I didn't realize he was off the phone.

"Toby usually just comes in." I said as I got up and walked to the door. "Today must be the weirdest day ever." I mumbled as I opened the door. I was expecting to see Toby standing there in his pajamas about to wrap his arms around me. However, I found two cops. "DAD!" I yelled as I looked at them.

"Aria Montgomery?" One of the officers asked as my dad came around the corner.

"That's me." I said as I looked at him.

"We need you to come with us." He said as he looked at me then at my father.