Thanks again for all of the support! Here is part IV! There is a little redemption for Ali in this chapter that some may or may not agree with. I honestly love her though and since we have no idea where the show is going with her character I decided to give her a little redemption in my story. Hope you all enjoy.
The Precipice
Part IV
After swim practice Paige immediately texts Hanna, when she gets no response she starts to panic. Tossing her stuff in her locker she searches the school until she finds Hanna slumped against the wall in a bathroom stall.
The blonde's bare arms are exposed, fresh cuts mixing with the old. Hanna doesn't even look at her, she just stares, unseeingly at the floor. That when she notices Hanna's flask is sitting beside her drained of whatever liquid was in there previously.
Paige sighs.
Wordlessly she helps the blonde to her feet, but she's unsteady. With some difficulty she pulls Hanna's jacket back on, covering the wounds.
She tries to help the girl out of the stall, but Hanna's legs refuse to work. Her knees buckle under her weight. She nearly falls to the floor but Paige manages to catch her.
With a sigh Paige places one arm under the smaller girls knees the other on her lower back and scoops her up off of the floor.
Grateful for her strong, athletic body and Hanna's tiny frame, she carries the girl out of the bathroom, down the hall and out into the parking lot.
Hanna, still dazed, tucks her head into Paige's chest when the bright sunlight hits her face. It's enough to snap her of out of her reverie and Paige hears her whisper a thank you into her chest.
She smiles a little bit.
As Paige moves towards her car, the other girl cradled in her arms, she doesn't see Spencer and Aria across the parking lot, staring at them open mouthed.
It takes some awkward manoeuvring to get Hanna into the passenger seat of her car, but somehow she manages. Hanna curls up on the seat without a word and by the time they pull out of the school the girl is fast asleep, absolutely exhausted and drained.
Paige thinks about going straight to her house, until she remembers that Hanna will need clothes for tomorrow. Cursing under her breath she wonders if Alison will be at the Marin house, she hopes not.
Taking a left instead of her usual right, she drives down the street until Hanna's house comes into view. Pulling into the driveway she lets out the breath she'd been holding. Hanna's car is the only one in the driveway. Shutting off the car she grabs Hanna's house key from the girl's keychain and heads towards the front door.
She swings the door open, and luckily the house is empty. Quickly she goes up to Hanna's room, tosses a few her things including her makeup and toothbrush into a bag.
Ripping a piece of paper from the notebook on the desk she scribbles a note.
Mrs. Marin,
Hanna and I have a school project to work on, so she's gonna stay at my house tonight. Hope you don't mind.
-Paige McCullers
P.S. Hanna's phone is dead, so while she charges it, you can call my phone if you need her, 215-610-9754
She leaves the note on the kitchen counter, hoping the older woman will see it and not worry too much about her daughter.
When she finally pulls into her driveway Paige gently shakes Hanna awake.
"Hey, we're at my house. I got you some clothes and stuff so you can stay again okay?"
Hanna stares at her with wide, sad eyes but nods.
Together they grab their bags and head into the empty house.
The smaller girl barely makes it to the couch before collapsing again. Paige sits next to her.
She desperately wants to ask the girl what happened in the bathroom, but she knows it's better to let Hanna do it on her own terms.
So they sit in silence for what feels like hours before the girl speaks up.
"Emily and Spencer came into the bathroom. They didn't know I was in there. I had already…"
She gestures to her arms.
"Well, you know. I'd just read your message and one Caleb had sent earlier when I heard them talking about me, saying that we… that I'm… "
The blonde can't manage to get out any more than that, she's crying now, and her words are almost incoherent. Paige can't help but hate the girls for what they've done to Hanna.
Scooting closer she puts her hand on the girl's shoulder. Hanna leans in, lays her head in Paige's lap and just cries.
Paige soothingly rubs her back, feeling tears sting her own eyes.
Eventually Hanna falls asleep but she doesn't move the girl. Instead she just (difficultly) removes Hanna's jacket, and both of their shoes.
It's hours later when her phone vibrates, it startles her because she'd been lost in thoughts of Emily, Alison, Spencer, Aria and everything Hanna had told her over the past few days.
Shaking off her thoughts she wiggles the phone out of her pocket and opens the message.
October 13, 2014 10:39pm
From: Caleb Rivers
How is she?
October 13, 2014 10:40pm
To: Caleb Rivers
Not great, she's sleeping now. I guess she overheard Emily and Spencer today, I'm not sure what they said, but it was bad.
October 13, 2014 10:42pm
From: Caleb Rivers
I just don't get it. Why is this happening, I know they care about her, so why do they keep hurting her? I just wish I knew, or that I could help…
October 13, 2014 10:45pm
To: Caleb Rivers
I wished I knew… Honestly it's more than just them though, she's just having a hard time with life, I think everything finally caught up with her, and them acting this way just sent her over the edge. But she'll be okay. I'm doing everything I can. And I know you want to help, but after everything you've been through with Miranda and Ravenswood, you need to get yourself on track before you can help her.
October 13, 2014 10:46pm
From: Caleb Rivers
I'm trying. For her.
What about you? How are you holding up?
October 13, 2014 10:48pm
To: Caleb Rivers
I'm managing. Helping Hanna actuals helps keep my mind off my own issues… I had a huge blow out with Emily today though; apparently she's not very fond of me spending time with Hanna.
October 13, 2014 10:50pm
From: Caleb Rivers
*eye roll*
October 13, 2014 10:51pm
To: Caleb Rivers
Lol, get some sleep Rivers… if you want come pick Hanna up after school, I think she'd like to see you… BUT NO ALCOHOL!
October 13, 2014 10:53pm
From: Caleb Rivers
Why do you sound like my mother right now? But yes, I want to see her. And no alcohol. I promise. Night Paige, and thanks again.
Paige rolls her eyes at his last text, but can't help the smile that crosses her face. Ever since she'd teamed up with him to try and figure out the whole "A" thing, Caleb's been one of her best friends. He's the only one Paige has ever opened up to about her past… well until she told Hanna.
Setting her alarm she tosses her phone aside, and re-adjusts on the couch, tossing a blanket over both herself and a sleeping Hanna.
The sound of her alarm jerks Paige awake. She can hear Hanna grumbling about the loud noise too. Serves her right for drinking so much.
It takes her a few seconds to fumble around until she finds her phone and shuts the noise off.
Hanna pulls herself into a sitting position, yawning.
She looks at Paige, realizing that the girl had stayed with her all night.
"Thank you."
The sound of Hanna's voice startles her and she turns to look into blue eyes.
"For what?"
"For bringing me here, for letting me cry, for staying with me last night, for not giving up on me…"
"Well get used to it. You can't get rid of me that easily."
She smiles at the blonde who gives her a small smile in return. Paige starts to stand but Hanna reaches out and grips her arm, stopping her.
Paige looks at the girl again.
"Umm, do you think that we could lay here a few more minutes before we have to get ready for school? I'm not ready to face this day yet…"
The taller girl doesn't respond and instead sits back down and lets Hanna lay her head on her chest. The position is intimate, and it should make them both extremely uncomfortable, but it doesn't. It's not about romance or anything remotely close to that, it's about the comfort of being close to another person, and as Hanna listens to Paige's heartbeat she doesn't feel so alone, doesn't feel quite so worthless.
In that moment she vows to try harder, for herself, and for Paige.
Their day at school starts almost exactly like the day before, only this time Paige walks Hanna to the music room.
Paige can see the other four liars watching them through the window but she ignores their gazes.
"You're going to do great. Keep your head up okay? I'll save you a seat at lunch."
Hanna nods and enters the classroom.
The class goes on and on, but today Hanna doesn't let Aria, Spencer and Emily's whispers or Ali's stare bother her. Instead she focuses on her work.
When the bell rings she heads for her locker, grateful that she won't see her former friends until lunchtime.
Her other three classes and lunch period are the same as yesterday, although she doesn't feel the need to run when she enters the cafeteria.
At lunch Paige tells her that Caleb is going to take her to dinner and a movie, and she's hesitant at first, because as much as she wants to see him she's afraid that he'll have more alcohol and that's something she's not ready to resist.
Paige assures her that there won't be any involved and that Caleb is supposed to have her back at the house by 10pm sharp. She can't help but chuckle to herself; she never knew Paige could be such a mom.
When lunch ends the girls go their separate ways, Paige to her biology lab, Hanna to her English class.
Walking into Mr. Fitz's old room is tough because she shares this class with Alison and Aria. She tries not to look at either of them but halfway through the class she accidentally meets Alison's gaze. It burns looking into the other girls' eyes; she can't help remembering every nasty thing the girl ever said to her.
Just as she's about to avert her gaze she sees a sadness flicker behind crystal blue orbs and it sends an ache through her chest.
When the bell rings she quickly grabs her books and bolts for her locker. Taking a deep breath she tries not to think about the burning in her throat or the sting of her arms, or the sound of the monster inside taunting her.
Tossing her English book in her locker she grabs her Calculus book and slams her door shut, keeping her thoughts focused on Paige, remembering her promise.
When she turns around to head towards her class, she runs straight into someone. Without even looking up Hanna apologizes and tries to step around the figure but they move in front of her.
For a second she freezes thinking of A and Mona. Shutting her eyes tightly for a second she wills herself not to panic.
Slowly she lifts her gaze, until she sees who's blocking her path.
The second she meets Emily's deep brown eyes she steps backwards.
Her emotions are all over the place, and the intensity of Emily's stare is almost frightening.
She can't keep looking at the girl and instead drops her gaze and hugs her books tightly to her chest.
If someone who didn't know the girls was looking at the scene from the outside, they'd assume Hanna was the cowering, scared victim, Emily the ruthless bully.
Emily doesn't say anything, she just waits.
Not knowing what to do Hanna opens her mouth.
"I need to get to class Emily, can you please move?"
Her voice comes out small and shaky, not at all the voice of the girl Emily thought she knew.
"We need to talk Hanna."
The small girl doesn't reply, she just scuffs her boot against the tile.
Emily sighs.
"What's going on with you? You won't talk to us, you won't look at us and every time I see you you're with Paige… you know, my ex? Care to explain?"
Not knowing what to say Hanna stays silent.
"So you're really not going to talk to me? What is wrong with you? First the drinking, then the lying about Zack and now this? What's going on with you? Are you like seeing Paige?
Tears sting Hanna's eyes, the monster inside her spitting insults at her.
See you are worthless! You're poison, you're disgusting, no one could ever love you! See! She hates you!
A tear falls down her cheek, and Emily notices it. That's when she realizes that maybe Paige was right. Just as she's about to apologize the girl in question steps in front of her.
Brown eyes meet hazel.
Paige's eyes are swirling with rage, her nostrils flared, her jaw set. Emily can see the protectiveness in the girl's stance, in the way she shields Hanna's hunched form.
For a moment she cringes desperately looking around for the threat she knows is there, but when she finds no one else in the hallway she looks confusedly back at Paige.
A pang of hurt rushes through her when she realizes that she's the threat Paige is shielding Hanna from.
"Paige I…"
"Save it."
The swimmer's tone is low and dangerous, and Emily desperately wants to explain herself.
"I'm sorry… I didn't… please, let me ex…"
Paige lets out a noise that sounds almost like a growl.
"You've done enough."
Paige hears books hit the ground and without another word she turns around to see Hanna running away.
"HANNA! Hanna wait!"
With one last disgusted glance at Emily, Paige takes off after the blonde.
When Paige finally finds the girl she's huddled under the bleachers, tears on her cheeks, razor blade in hand.
Lightning fast Paige snatches the blade out of the girl's hand and tosses it as hard as she can.
Hanna lets out a pained whimper and Paige scoops up her in her arms and hugs her tightly to her chest.
"Shhh, shhh, it's gonna be okay. I'm here. I'm here."
Thirty minutes later Hanna's finally calmed down, her eyes are ringed red, mascara on her cheeks. She's still resting her head on Paige's chest when she lets out a choked whimper.
"It hurts."
It breaks Paige's heart, but she runs her hand through Hanna's messy hair.
"I know."
They stay together under the bleachers until the school bell rings. Paige is able to coax Hanna out only because Caleb will be waiting for her in the parking lot.
The taller girl wipes Hanna's cheeks removing the streaks of mascara before they head off towards the parking lot.
Caleb sees the pair walking towards him and immediately hops out of the car and opens the passenger door for Hanna. His brows furrow when he sees her dishevelled state.
Once the door is closed he looks worriedly at Paige.
"Emily cornered her, started badgering her in the middle of the hallway. She's still pretty upset."
Caleb lets out a sigh, and Paige can see the exhaustion in his eyes.
"I'll see what I can do."
"Okay. She told her mom she's staying with me again, so just drop her off when you're done, but nothing crazy okay?"
"Okay."
With that Caleb climbs into the driver's seat, and Paige leans into the passenger window.
"Try not to think about it and just have fun okay? I'll see you later."
She kisses Hanna's forehead, backs away and watches the pair drive off before jogging back into the school to get ready for swim practice.
Paige pushes herself harder in practice than normal trying to get rid of her frustrations. When she climbs out of the pool her body aches.
She drags herself into the locker room, throws on a t-shirt and sweats and heads for home.
When she pulls up into her driveway she stops short as she gapes at the figure sitting on her porch.
Anger fills her chest. Getting out and slamming the door she storms up to the figure.
"What the hell are you doing here?"
The figure looks up, and Paige notices the all too familiar traces of tears on pink cheeks.
"I'm sorry, I know you don't want to see me, but I just, I'm worried about her…"
Paige feels her anger fade slightly. As she takes a seat next to the girl the irony of the situation doesn't escape her.
Of all the other girls, the only one who seems to actually care about Hanna is the last one she'd imagine. Neither Spencer nor Aria had even bothered to see what was going on with Hanna, and Emily only did so in an accusatory manner, but here was Alison, sitting on her porch, tears on her perfect pink cheeks, asking about the girl she'd so dutifully been taking care of.
Paige wanted so badly to lash out at the blonde girl, to tell her to go to hell, but she couldn't, because whatever her issues with Alison, this was about Hanna.
"She's pretty messed up."
The brunette can't bring herself to look at the blonde but she continues.
"She's with Caleb now, and I'm just hoping that's not a mistake, she doesn't need more alcohol on top of everything else."
Alison turns towards the other girl.
"I know you hate me, and you have every right, but I appreciate you putting that aside because even if I'm a horrible person I really care about Hanna…"
Paige unwillingly turns to face Alison, and for the first time she thinks that maybe the girl is telling the truth.
"I'm doing what I can, you coming back hasn't been easy for her, but the way the others are treating her is what's sending her over the edge."
"I know she doesn't want to see me, or talk to me, but if there's anything I can do, please…"
Paige just nods.
They sit in silence for a while, it's awkward, but Paige can't help but wonder if Alison's support could be the thing that brings Hanna back.
Across town in the Hasting's living room, Emily paces in front of the couch, desperately explaining the hallway incident to a dishevelled Aria and a confused Spencer.
"The look in Hanna's eyes… I just, I've never seen her look so scared, not because of Mona or A… but because of me…"
On the last word Emily plops down into the arm chair, feeling upset and defeated.
"How did this happen? When did my best friend start being terrified of me?"
Emily swallows hard trying to push down the pain.
Aria and Spencer just look at each other, both confused. After sitting in silence for a long time Aria decides that it's time to come clean about the real reason she fought with Hanna. At this point she's desperate to figure out why Hanna's losing it, they all are.
"I lied."
Instantly Spencer and Emily both look at their smaller friend.
"That night Hanna came by, she told me that Zack came onto her and I sorta flipped out, I told her everything was her fault, that she's the problem, that she's always the problem and I…"
Before she can finish three cell phones beep simultaneously.
Staring at each other wide eyed they all pull out their phones and click on the new texts.
October 14, 2014 4:23pm
From: Unknown
Once a liar, always a liar… Or not? –A
Aria looks up at the others,
"There's a video attached to mine."
Brows furrowed both Emily and Spencer move over to look at the screen of Aria's phone as she hits play.
Instantly Aria's mouth falls open, Spencer gasps and Emily's eyes fill with tears. They see Hanna at the brew, asking Zack to make her a sandwich. He invites her inside and they make small talk. They can tell Hanna's drunk, but they also see the uncertainty in their friend's blue eyes when Zack starts flirting with her. Aria feels her blood boil, a tear rolls down Emily's cheek and Spencer feels her pulse race. When he places his hand way to low on Hanna's back Aria has to look away.
The video cuts out for a second only to be replaced by another. This time Hanna's in her car, it's dark outside, her eyes are rimmed red and she's snacking on something from the grille. A moment passes when the passenger door opens and a man climbs into the seat. Hanna looks alarmed, panic clear on her features as she looks into Zack's face. He doesn't waste any time and instantly starts coming onto the blonde, telling her that he feels a connection and that they could have a good time. All three liars watch helplessly as Zack hands a scared looking Hanna his number. When he leans into her, his hand on her upper thigh and tries to kiss her, Aria feels bile rise in her throat.
The clip ends just as another text appears on her phone.
October 14, 2014 4:26pm
From: Unknown
It's funny, I've been trying to break Hanna for years, lucky for me, you did it instead! Kisses! –A