I started writing and couldn't stop so you guys get two chapters in one day :) Here's chapter 4. Again lot of show stuff but had to be done so...*flinches* Be gentle. Happy Reading!
Emily was sitting outside of Aria's house and had been debating for twenty minutes whether or not to go in. Hanna had said to leave it alone but now that they all knew she just couldn't. Sighing she finally exited the car and walked up to Aria's door. She took a deep breath and knocked on the door.
Ella Montgomery answered and smiled at her. "Oh, hi Emily."
Emily returned the smile. "Hi, Aria and I have Calculus together and I just wanted to bring her the assignment she missed today."
"Sure, she's upstairs you can take it to her." Ella said stepping out of the way to let Emily in.
Emily made her way upstairs to Aria's room. Aria was standing at the mirror on her closet door putting earrings in when Emily knocked on the door frame. Aria looked at her through the mirror and smiled. "Hey, Emily."
Emily held up the Calculus book. "Hey, brought you homework."
"Joy." Aria said sarcastically. She turned to face Emily and held out her arms. "So how do I look?"
"Uh, you look great." Emily replied setting the book down on Aria's desk and going over to sit on her bed.
Aria looked at her concerned. "Hey, Em you okay?"
Emily hesitated before looking at Aria and sighing. "Look Aria, about Zach-"
Aria rolled her eyes. "I see you talked to Hanna."
Emily stood up. "Yes and I believe her. Why don't you?"
Aria crossed her arms. "Are you serious? Emily just the other day Spencer said you had to pull a krispie treat out of Hanna's hair and you're asking me why I don't believe her."
"Just because she was drunk Aria doesn't mean it didn't happen." Emily replied angrily. "Hanna would never lie about something like that and you know it."
"Something like what?"
Both girls turned to see Aria's mom in the doorway. "What wouldn't Hanna lie about?" Ella asked. Emily looked at the ground and Aria just stood there wide eyed and silent. "Aria?"
Aria looked to Emily then back to her mom. "I-it's nothing."
Emily grabbed Aria's arm causing Aria to look at her. "I know you don't want to believe it Aria but just think for a second. Do you want to risk it? Is that who you want your mom to spend the rest of her life with?" She whispered.
Aria looked at Emily before sighing and giving a small nod. She turned to her mom. "Mom, I have to tell you something. It's about Zach. Look I don't know for sure if it's true or not bu-"
"Aria was Zach inappropriate with you?" Ella interrupted her daughter.
Aria looked at her a little shocked. "Wha...no. Not with me." She paused and Ella looked at her expectantly. Aria swallowed. "But...he might have been with Hanna." Ella looked at Aria and Emily before stepping into the room. "Mom, why did you immediately go there?" Aria asked confused.
Ella took a deep breath trying to fight back tears. "Umm, something happened before we came here. I guess I just tried to see it as cold feet."
Aria looked to Emily then back to her mom. "I'm so sorry mom."
Ella sighed letting a few tears fall. "Me too." She said backing out of the room.
Emily stepped over to Aria and put a hand on her arm. "You okay?"
Aria shook her head. "No. But can you take me to Hanna's? I owe her a massive apology."
Emily nodded. "She's with Caleb but I'll drive you." Aria smiled her thanks and after checking on her mom, who didn't want Aria or Emily to be there when she talked to Zach, the girls were on the road.
Hanna sighed glancing at the clock. She picked up her phone and was about to call Caleb when he walked through the door. She noticed his hands were empty as he headed into the kitchen. "Uh where's the food?" She asked confused. Caleb ignored her pulling ice out of the freezer. "Caleb where have you been?"
He grabbed a dishtowel filling it with ice. "He's a piece of shit but he's got a strong jaw."
Hanna sighed and stood up. "Caleb, please tell me you didn't."
"Of course I did." Caleb replied like it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"Oh my god." Hanna said dropping her face into her hands.
Caleb placed the towel on his throbbing hand. "Hanna there's a problem."
Hanna rolled her eyes. "Yeah no kidding." Caleb handed her a piece of paper. She opened it and read.
Sorry if I acted shy before. I promise I'll make up for it.\
Hanna
Hanna crumbled up the piece of paper. "I didn't write this."
Caleb nodded. "I know. I think 'A' saw what a creep Zach was and took advantage of the opportunity."
Hanna held up the crumbled paper. "That's why he got into my car."
"Yep." Caleb replied.
Hanna shook her head. "God does it ever end?" She asked not expecting an answer.
"Look don't worry about that now okay? I'm starving so I'll actually go out and get some food this time." Caleb said shaking the ice out of the towel and into the sink. "Be right back." He said heading out the door a second time.
Hanna looked around the cabin and sighed. She went into the fridge and pulled out another bottle of water. She looked at all the whiskey and beer Caleb had in his fridge and shook her head. Setting the water down on the table she grabbed the alcohol out of the fridge and set them on the counter next to the sink. Twisting the lid off she started pouring them one by one down the drain.
She was halfway through when there was a knock on the door. She looked up to See Aria and Emily on the other side of the screen. Emily opened the door and stepped in followed by Aria. "Hi." Emily said looking at all the empty bottles on the counter around the sink. She smiled knowing what Hanna was doing.
Hanna smiled back. "Hi."
Aria stepped around Emily and looked at the cabin. "It's nice."
Hanna crossed her arms. "It could use a house keeper. Shouldn't you be giving a toast right now?"
Aria looked down at the ground and Emily went to the door. "I uh, I'll wait outside."
Aria was silently and looking everywhere but at Hanna. Hanna uncrossed her arms and stuck her hands in her back pockets. "What happened?" She whispered.
Aria shook her head. "Nothing that hasn't happened before. Evidently Zach is a jerk internationally."
Hanna sighed and stepped into the living room. "I'm not trying to defend the guy..." she said shrugging, "But 'A' stroked the fire."
"It doesn't matter Hanna." Aria replied shaking her head again. "He took the bait."
Hanna looked at Aria with tear filled eyes. "Why didn't you believe me?" She asked her voice cracking on the last word.
Aria stepped closer to Hanna. "Oh Han, it wasn't so much that I didn't believe you. I just...I guess I just wanted to believe something else more. I just wanted to believe that my mom could actually find someone again. Someone who made her happy."
Hanna nodded a few tears falling down her cheeks. "I get it."
"Will you forgive me?" Aria asked her own eyes watering.
Hanna nodded again. "Yeah." She said pulling Aria in for a hug.
As they were pulling apart both of their phones went off. Looking at eachother and expecting the worst they pulled their phones out. Hanna looked at Aria. "It's from Spence."
"Mine too." Aria said opening the text.
S: SOS Someone broke into Hanna's house.
Hanna and Aria looked at eachother in shock as Emily bursted through the door. "Did you get it?" She asked frantically.
"Yeah let's go." Hanna said as she and Aria ran out the door behind Emily.
They arrived at Hanna's house in record time. Hanna was the first one out of the car and into the house. "Mom?" She yelled as she entered the house. Ashley Marin came from the kitchen followed by Alison and Spencer. Hanna hugged her mother and looked around the house. "Are you okay? Did they take anything?"
"I'm fine and no they didn't. Alison and I were getting ready to leave when they broke in. I had just turned all the lights off so I don't think they thought anyone was home." Ashley replied and Hanna could see she was still scared.
Hanna hugged her mom again then looked at her friends. "Is it okay if they stay here tonight?"
Ashley nodded. "Yes, I feel better with more people here anyway. There's a patrol going around the neighborhood so everything should be fine." She looked at all the girls. "If you girls need anything or you hear anything, come get me. Do NOT come down here alone, got it." Five nodding heads. "Okay. I'm going to bed and you girls should too." She kissed Hanna on the forehead before making her way upstairs.
Spencer was the first to speak. "Okay does anyone else think this new 'A' makes Mona look like a chia-pet."
"We don't know that this was 'A'." Emily said looking to Spencer.
"Who else could it be, Em?" Aria asked.
"Yeah." Hanna agreed. "How many people out there do you know that live to scare us. This was obviously-
"Noel Kahn." Alison interrupted.
"What?!" Emily, Hanna, Aria and Spencer said all at once.
Alison crossed her arms. "I asked Noel to break into Hanna's house tonight."
"What?" Hanna said again this time angrier.
"Why would you do that?" Spencer asked.
"I needed someone like Ms. Marin to stop questioning what happened to me." Alison explained.
They all stared at her in shock. "Are you out of your mind? My mom is not some character in your messed up story book Alison!" Hanna yelled.
"You're a little loud." Ali said looking up the stairs.
"You're a little crazy." Spencer replied shaking her head.
"Ali what was the plan if he got caught?" Emily asked.
"Sorry I just wanted to borrow your butcher knife." Spencer said sarcastically.
"Guys we needed to do this. The cops are trying to poke holes in our story." Alison replied.
"YOUR STORY!" All four girls said at once.
"SHHHH!" Ali said looking up the stairs again.
Hanna glared at her. "No you don't get to shush us. Last I checked this was still my damn house. You scared my mother to death Alison and for what? To make your story more believable. To make my mother think some man out there is really after you?"
"Hanna listen-"
"NO!" Hanna yelled shaking her head and pacing. She looked up at Ali and crossed her arms. "Leave."
"What?" Alison asked shocked.
"Leave." Hanna said pointing to the door. When Alison didn't move Hanna threw up her hands. "Fine I'll leave."
"You can stay at my house." Emily said following her to the door.
Hanna smiled at her then looked back at Aria and Spencer. "Will you guys stay here? I don't want my mom here alone." She looked at Ali. "Or with just her."
Spencer and Aria nodded. "Of course." Aria said.
Hanna gave Alison one last glare before opening the door and stepping out.
Ali sighed. "Em-"
"Don't." Emily said cutting her off and following Hanna out the door.
Emily looked over to Hanna who had her head leaning against the window. "Are you okay?"
"No." Hanna replied immediately.
Emily gave her a sympathetic look and turned her eyes back to the road. A few seconds later Hanna's phone buzzed. "Your mom?" Emily asked.
Hanna shook her head. "Caleb. He was getting us food when we got Spencers text." She said typing back a reply.
Emily gripped the steering wheel tightly in her hands. "Do you want me to drive you back there?" She asked.
Hanna looked at her in surprise. "Would you do that?"
Emily nodded hiding her disappointment. "If you want to go then yes, I would." She replied glancing over at Hanna.
Hanna smiled at her then leaned over and kissed her cheek. "Thank you." She said wrapping her arms around Emily's right one and leaning against her shoulder. "But I'm where I want to be."
Emily looked down at her and smiled kissing the top of her head. They arrived at Emily's house a few minutes later. "Are you hungry?" Emily asked as they entered the house knowing Hanna hadn't eaten yet.
Hanna nodded. "Yes but I'm more tired than I am hungry."
Emily ran her hand through Hanna's hair causing her to sigh and close her eyes. "If you want you can go on up and I'll bring you something."
Hanna smiled at her. "How wifey of you." She said jokingly.
Emily rolled her eyes but smiled back. "I have my moments. So do you want anything?"
Hanna locked her eyes with Emily's and shook her head. "Not food."
Emily took the hint and leaned down pressing her lips against Hanna's. Hanna immediately wrapped her arms around Emily's neck and Emily put her hands on Hanna's hips pulling her forward. The need to breathe soon took over and they separated resting their foreheads together. "I'm sorry." Emily said.
"For what?" Hanna asked leaning back a confused expression on her face.
"Alison." Emily replied.
"It's not your fault."
"I know." Emily said running her hands up and down Hanna's sides. "But she didn't apologize and I felt like someone should have."
Hanna shook her head. "You don't have to apologize for her Em." Hanna kissed her nose. "But I do appreciate it." Emily smiled. She looked around the room then looked back at Hanna and sighed.
"What?" Hanna whispered.
"It's a lot simpler if we can pretend it's just me and you isn't it?" Emily replied.
Hanna sighed too looking at the ground. "Yeah. It is."
Emily jerked her head towards the stairs. "Bed?"
Hanna nodded. "Yeah."
They made there war up the steps in silence. Emily entered her room to see Hanna's clothes folded neatly on her bed. "Mom must of washed those for you."
Hanna looked a little panicked. "Great. She knows what my beverage of choice has been lately."
Emily looked back at her. "Don't worry she won't say anything. She'd be more uncomfortable with her mentioning it than you would."
Hanna shrugged. "I doubt that but whatever you say."
Emily grabbed two pairs of shorts and two shirts tossing one set to Hanna. "Here."
"Thanks." Hanna said catching the clothes. Both girls stood awkwardly in front of each other holding the clothes. Hanna rolled her eyes. "This is ridiculous. We've changed in front of eachother before."
Emily laughed. "Right." No one moved.
"I'll change in the bathroom." Hanna said opening Emily's bedroom door.
"Good idea." Emily replied as Hanna walked out.
A few minutes later Hanna opened the door and poked her head in. "You good?"
Emily smiled. "I'm good."
Hanna came back in the room and set her clothes on Emily's desk chair. She turned to Emily and watched with a smirk as Emily got the bed ready. Emily looked over her shoulder and gave Hanna a look. "What?" She asked with a hint of a smile.
"You have really nice legs." Hanna replied.
Emily blushed and laughed. "Um, thanks. Where did that come from."
Hanna shrugged. "I've always thought it but never said it. Now I can."
Emily tilted her head and bit her lip. "I've always loved your eyes." She admitted.
Hanna grinned. "Really?"
Emily nodded. "And your dimples."
Hanna touched her cheeks self-consciously. "I always hated them."
"Why?" Emily asked.
Hanna looked embarrassed. "They just felt like giant cheek wrinkles to me." Emily clenched her jaw to keep from laughing. Hanna saw her fighting off a smile and rolled her eyes. "Go ahead and laugh." Emily let the laugh bubble up and Hanna smiled at the sound. "That's another thing." Emily looked at her questioningly. "I really love your laugh."
They sat there smiling at eachother for what felt like hours before Emily spoke. "We should go to bed."
Hanna nodded and both girls crawled into the bed and stared up at the ceiling. All was quiet until Hanna heard Emily giggle. She rolled her eyes. "It's not that funny."
Emily just laughed louder and sighed. "Cheek wrinkles?" She looked at Hanna. "Only you." She said shaking her head.
Hanna laughed too shrugging. It was silent again until Hanna rolled onto her side facing Emily. "Em?"
"Yeah?" Hanna hesitated and Emily looked at her. "What?" She whispered.
"Um, don't take this the wrong way but...what do you see in Ali? I mean, I know she's pretty but so are Spencer and Aria. What is it about Alison that attracts you to her?" Hanna asked.
Emily stared up at the ceiling so long Hanna thought she just wasn't going to answer. Finally though Emily looked back at Hanna and shrugged. "She's Ali." Hanna looked at her confused so Emily shrugged looking back up at the ceiling. "It's not something I can really explain. It's just what it is. I don't know when I started seeing Ali as something more than a friend and I stopped trying to figure it out. I just did. There's not something specific Alison has that attracts me to her. It's her as a whole." Emily finished with a sigh. "I guess some people just start a fire in you that can't die. And no matter how hard you try to put it out there's always that one spark that stays. Waiting for the chance to light the fire again." She looked at Hanna and saw nothing but understanding in Hanna's beautiful blue eyes.
Hanna grabbed Emily's hand under the blanket and laced their fingers together. "I think I'm starting to know what you mean."
Emily didn't have any words for that so she just pulled Hanna into her side like she did the night before and ran her fingertips up and down Hanna's back. Hanna sighed and buried her face in Emily's neck. Hanna was asleep in minutes but Emily was wide awake staring at the ceiling. She still didn't know what she wanted but all she knew is if she hurt the girl in her arms she'd never be able to forgive herself. Sighing she kissed Hanna's forehead and closed her eyes hoping it all worked out all right.
Yay or nay?