Hello all Storm here with a new chapter! Nothing to say really other than hope you enjoy the chapter. So, without further ado.
I own nothing
The girls were all gathered in Aria's house in the living room as they watched the news.
The reported o the TV said, 'Authorities have named Charles DiLaurentis as a lead suspect in the kidnapping of five Rosewood teens as well as a sixth victim from Courtland. Both state and local police remain tight-lipped..'
"Hey, did, uh, did Ali turn in those home movies to the cops? The ones that Charles left at her house?" Spencer asked. Charlotte had movies of her own childhood that were shown to Ali and Jason.
"Yeah, I think so. Why?" Emily said.
"Maybe they could do one of those age-progression sketches. We could finally put a face to the name." Spencer offered.
"And maybe someone could put a fist to that face." Hanna said bitterly as Alison and Aria walked in with coffee.
"Well, we are officially out of beans. What did we miss?" Aria asked as Spencer's phone beeps.
"Toby says that the highway patrol is setting up checkpoints at all the state borders." Spencer said.
"Did he saying anything else?" Aria asked.
"He's still texting me. That's a win." Spencer admitted.
"Hey, guys, shh." Emily shushed them as she turned up the volume on the TV.
The reporter on the TV said, "...though police have yet to comment officially. Inside sources speculate that the former Radley patient could be responsible for the unsolved murder of his mother, Jessica DiLaurentis. One of the first responding officers on the scene suffered minor injuries in pursuit of the suspect.."
"Did you know about this?" Aria asked Ali.
"No." She said simply.
"You should probably ask your dad." Spencer said.
"Yeah, like he'd give a straight answer." Hanna said rudely.
"Okay. Well, if it is true, it's awful. Ali's mom is practically the only person who visited him, who even knew that Charles existed." Emily said.
"And he used her to fertilize Spencer's petunias." Hanna said.
"My mom grows azaleas." Spencer corrected.
"Whatever. Charles is vicious. We know all that. And now everyone else knows it too." Hanna said.
"We had birthday cake." Alison said nostalgically as the girls looked at her. "That day at the arcade when Jason and I met him. Charles gave me his frosting. How does that turn into vicious?"
"We're probably done watching this, right?" Aria asked and no one objected when she shut off the TV before turning to Alison. "Do you remember anything else?"
"He cried when it was time to leave. Said it was the best birthday he ever had. The person they're describing on the news.. I mean, I don't even know who that is." Alison said, as she was having a hard time reconciling the Charles she knew as a kid with the one tormenting them now.
"You played skeeball, once. I wouldn't call that family bonding." Hanna said rudely.
"Hanna." Emily said as she found that incredibly rude.
"I think what Hanna's trying to say is that it's hard for us to imagine that A is actually your brother." Spencer tired to say only for Hanna to be rude again.
"No, what's hard to imagine is that you feel even the slightest bit of pity for Charles." Hanna said.
"That's a little harsh, Hanna…" Aria said but Hanna steamrolled over her.
"He's been out for blood, for all of us! And he's come way too close more than once." Hanna shouted.
"We hear you, but it's unfair to Ali right now..." Spencer said but Hanna steam rolled over her too.
"Why are you trying to shut me up, Spencer!? I'm just saying what you guys are thinking. If you guys are too scared to be honest, then fine. I will do it for you." Hanna said before hse turned to Alison. "I'm sorry, Alison. I know this must really suck for you. But I'm not gonna sit here and help you give A the benefit of the doubt. I hope the police catch him because there's nothing they could do to him that's worse than what he and Naruto did to us." Hanna finished as she got up and stormed out.
"Who's Naruto?" Allison asked, as she didn't remember.
Aria looked at her with rage. "Are you freaking kidding me!? You don't know!?"
"No, I don't. Why should I?" Allison said.
"So, you're telling me, that you don't remember Naruto Uzumaki? The kid that was my best friend before I met all of you? You don't remember how you made his social life a living hell!? How you bullied him and called him hurtful names, like you did to Lucas and Mona!? You don't remember, how after you blinded Jenna, you rounded on me and told me that you wouldn't have my loyalties divided any longer and told me to get rid of him or you would make sure Hanna, Spencer, and Emily wanted nothing to do with me, leaving me basically alone!? AM I STARTING TO RING A BELL YET!?" She shouted at Allison, Aria's expression that of pure rage at Allison's audacity, while Allison's eyes widened in shock. Aria's eye's glowed golden, not that anyone noticed, and the coffee mug in her hand broke apart, shocking her and calming her down.
"Aria-" Allison tried to say but Aria held up her hand.
"I can't deal with you and your past sins coming back to haunt us right now, Ali." Aria said as she got up and walked into the kitchen to get something to clean up the mess she made.
"Don't worry about it Ali. I'm sure it's not as bad as she is saying," Emily said.
"Don't try to downplay it Em. Allison did do all those things that Aria said." Spencer got up and went to talk to Aria.
Brew
"I just can't imagine facing the person that did that to you." Said Clark as he was sitting with Aria at the Brew.
"Well, we didn't actually see him. Things... got hairy fast." Aria said awkwardly.
"Hmm. Well, I'm just glad you and your friends are okay." Clark said. "Did you really think you could catch him though? On your own?"
"To be honest, I don't really know what we were thinking." Aria admitted.
"Well, how do you know he was gonna be there? On the news, they, um haven't said if this guy sent a message or if it was some kind of trap or anything..." Clark asked, as he was secretly an undercover cop, trying to help his superior Detective Tanner catch A.
"Can we just move on? It was scary. Someone got hurt, but I don't, I don't..." Aria said.
"Yeah, um, sure. I'm sorry, I was.. I was just concerned, that's all." Clark said as he pulled the advertisement for the photo gallery. "Uh, they, um, used one of your photos to advertise. "I'm guessing that means they're into your work."
"And I'm guessing that this is as close as I'll get to seeing my photos on an actual gallery wall." Aria said.
"Well, I figured since you weren't gonna be there tonight you would at least want to see this." Clark said.
"Well, thanks for bringing me one." Aria thanked him. "Oh, and good luck tonight."
"Oh, thank you." Clark said.
"Yeah. Have fun." Aria encouraged him.
"Alright. I will. Bye." Clark said as he got up to leave.
"Bye." Aria said as he left. Aria thought about the gallery tonight. Her mom didn't want her go because of A. But may if she could convince Tanner to have some police on sight, her mom might be willing to let her go. And then she would need a date. Despite still being angry at him, she had mostly forgiven him for Ezra.
Later at Aria's House
Aria was with her mom and Tanner as she showed the Lieutenant the pictures she wanted at the gallery. "I had a hard time choosing but... these are the ones that I picked for the gallery tonight." Aria said.
"You have an eye for detail, Aria. Every one of these pictures are so," Tanner took a moment to observe them, "...declarative, succinct."
Tanner then addresses Ella, "Aria tells me you have concerns about her attendance tonight. That she's up for an award."
"Uh, yeah. Well, with everything going on lately, I just thought-" Ella said but Tanner interjected.
"I would be more than happy to have officers stationed on-site," She offered, "We can even put them in unmarked cars if you don't want undue attention."
"Thank you, but, Aria, you know we've already committed to Mike's-" Ella said but was interrupted again by Aria.
"I already talked to Mike and dad. They're okay with it if you are. Can you be okay with it?" Aria pleaded with her mom, "I'm-I'm sorry that I sprung all this on you but this isn't a display case at my school. This is my work in a real art gallery. Mom, you worked at a gallery. You know how important this is."
"I know, honey," Ella said as she addressed Tanner, "Are you sure?"
"I wouldn't agree to it if I felt there was risk involved. We're moving toward a resolution, Mrs. Montgomery. Things won't always be like this." Tanner assured her.
"I'm just trying to look out for you." Ella said to Aria.
"I know." Aria said.
"Take some time to think about it. If you decide to go, I will make sure that we have enough manpower there to keep you all safe." Tanner offered.
Afternoon
Ella had agreed to let Aria go tonight, and she was currently searching for an outfit to wear with Emily.
"I like the one on the left." Emily said. Aria looked at it and thought it wouldn't really fit the scene.
"Yeah, but it doesn't scream downtown art scene. Hey, there's a jacket in the closet to the right in the back."
"The one with the skulls?" Emily asked.
"Am I that predictable?" Aria asked. "Did you text Spencer and Hanna?"
"Yeah, they said they'll meet us at the gallery." Emily said.
"What about Ali?" Aria asked.
"I haven't heard back." Emily said uncomfortably. "Especially not after you blew up on her."
"Well, I don't blame her. And I'm not apologizing for blowing up on her, Em. She ruined my friendship with him." Aria said as Emily decided to focus on something else as she found a dress in covers.
"What's this?" She asked. Aria saw it and put it back.
"Oh, that... is not for tonight. That's for prom." She said, surprising Emily, "I found it in a vintage store a couple of months ago. You know that feeling when the perfect dress just speaks to you?"
"Yeah, I think your wardrobe speaks a lot louder than mine. Can I take a peek?" She asked and Aria immediately shot her down.
"No. No looky-loos. I added my own spin to match the fairy tale theme. Just want it to be a surprise." Aria said.
"I get it. It took two fittings to get my dress right. Just hope we all get to wear them. My mom says that Hackett's just appeasing a vocal minority, but-" Emily was saying but then saw Aria did not know what she was talking about. "Your mom got the e-mail, right?"
"The memo about side boob and backless gowns?" Aria asked, "They send that out every year."
"No. This was just sent to our parents. I guess the school board is debating whether it's safe for us to go to prom." Emily said and Aria look indignant.
"How can they tell us we can't go to our own prom?" Aria demanded.
"People have expressed safety concerns, according to Hackett." Emily said, as she thought it was bullshit.
"Because of what happened at the arcade? Because of Charles?" Aria asked, wondering it that was the reason.
"We'll fight it. I mean, after everything we've been through we deserve to go." Emily said when she got an idea, "We can all kick in for a limo. We'll have dinner at Carlo's. They've that really cute patio with all the twinkle lights."
"My dress kinda was made for twinkle lights." Aria admitted and the both chuckle before she continues. "Okay, so if we do this will you be my prom buddy? Two single ladies, we can buy each other those giant corsages and just go out and have stupid fun. Oh, and I'll even throw in a couple of slow dances. You can lead."
Emily had other plans though, "Um.. I think I might want to slow dance with somebody else." "Who?" Aria asked before she realized who it was Emily wanted to take, "Sara?"
A little bit later, they continued the conversation while sitting on Aria's bed. "So, have you asked her yet to prom?" Aria asked.
"I'm not really sure how to. I mean, I know she wants more, but... we haven't really hung out like that. And prom is kind of loaded for a first date." Emily said.
"We make it a group thing, like you said. But Sara was down there for so long. Has she been to a high school dance? Has she even had a first date yet?" Aria wondered.
"Probably not." Emily admitted in mild worry. "Um, don't worry. We'll take it slow."
"Good. And we'll all make sure she has an amazing time. I promise." Aria promised her.
"And you're okay with goin' solo? I mean, it's not 1912. You can ask the guy." Emily mentioned.
"I'm sure that Caleb and Toby will throw me a bone and give me one dance. Besides, I can only think of one guy who would say yes if I asked and you guys probably would not approve of him." Aria said, as while she may slowly be coming to terms with the fact that Ezra was never who he claimed to be, she was not sure she was ready for something like prom with Naruto.
"You know, you're right. Prom is kind of loaded." Aria admitted as she lay back in her bed.
At Naruto's house
Naruto was sipping on some blood, thinking about his situation. He needed to get Charlotte compelled so he could get the blackmail, now that he had gotten her off Vervain, and he was going to do it soon. But he was concerned with something else. Aria and the girls went after Charlotte with Toby and his partner last night. Charlotte was gearing up for her little endgame, and he needed to cut her off at the legs before she went through with it. He may also bit a little sad that Aria probably did not want anything to do with him right now.
It was then at a ring came off on his phone. He looked at it and was surprised to see it was Aria. He answered it, "Hello, Aria."
"Hey, Naruto." Aria said on the other end.
"I wasn't expecting to hear from you. I thought you were mad at me still for Ezra." Naruto said.
"No, I'm not...Okay, maybe a little bit, but I've been dealing with some other things as well, not just coming to terms with Ezra being the monster he turned out to be and all the supernatural stuff."
"You mean like confronting A in that arcade?" he asked and she sighs on the other end before he asks, "Are you okay? A didn't hurt you, right?"
"No, I'm okay." Aria said as she was touched by his concern for her. "Hey, so I wanted to ask you something."
"What is it?" He asked.
"…Will you be my date to the art gallery tonight? It's just, I really don't want to go alone." Aria asked.
Naruto was surprised as he figured she didn't want anything to do with him for a while after Ezra and the revelations he dropped on her, but he was not gonna look a gift horse in the mouth. "Yeah, I'd love to go."
"Can I pick you up 7?" Naruto asked.
"Yeah, I'd like that." Aria said.
"Alright. I'll see you then." Naruto said as he hung up.
Before he went to get dressed though, he had a thought. He wanted this to be perfect for Aria and he knew Charlotte would try something. Maybe it was time to take care of that blackmail and break ties with the A-Team.
Naruto vamp sped away.
A's Lair
Charlotte was in her hidden lair with Sara. Both were in their respective black hoodie and red hooded coat. They were plotting to ruin Aria's evening and let Tanner know that she could not have them.
A buzzer on the door went off and Charlotte pressed a button, revealing an irate Naruto.
"AH, just the one I wanted to see. We need to talk." Charlotte said as she got up.
"No, we are done." Naruto said before he vamp sped and punched Charlotte to the ground before he backhanded the Sara knocking her out, before grabbing Charlotte and pulled her to his eye level.
"Where is the blackmail you have on me?" He demanded as he successfully compelled her.
"I have a copy saved on this this USB stick and the hardrive on this computer." She said as she pulled out the USB to show him.
"Give it to me." She handed it to him before he went to her computer and pulled up DOS and input a few commands to wipe her computer clean as the blue screen of death appeared.
"Is there any more blackmail about me saved anywhere else in any form?" He asked.
"No, that was it." Charlotte said.
"What about the Aria and her friends? Where was their blackmail?" He compelled.
"It was all on the that computer and on the USB." She-He-It? Answered Charlotte.
"What are you planning tonight for the art gallery?" Naruto asked.
"I'm going to ruin Aria's career in art before it's even off the ground by replacing her pictures with the ones you took when they were on those metal tables in the dollhouse. I've already switched them out." She said.
"Where's her real pictures?" Naruto demanded and she told him.
"What are you planning for prom? Naruto compelled as she told him. He then compelled her to forget everything that happened after he came in the room, but not before compelling her to slip up and let herself get caught by police when the time came, before he used a spell to wipe Sara's mind of the event, and left to make sure Aria had a fantastic evening.
Aria's House
7 pm
The doorbell rang as Aria threw on her coat. She opened the door to see Naruto, looking very sharp in his expensive black suit, socks, and shoes, wearing underneath that a dark green vest and bowtie, which was worn over his white shirt, and a dark green straight pocket square.
"Wow," Aria said out loud.
"I know my style is usually more casual, but did you think I couldn't pull off the suit and tie?" He teased.
"No, it's not that. Everything's…perfect," Aria sighed as he looked so handsome in that suit.
"Aria, who is that at the door?" Ella asked as she came forward and saw who it was. "Naruto?"
"Good Evening, Mrs. Montgomery," Naruto said respectfully.
"Aria. You didn't tell me your old friend was back in Rosewood." Ella said to Aria, who looked a little embarrassed as she couldn't tell her mom for obvious reasons. So, Naruto covered for her.
"I got back 2 weeks ago. Aria and I have been meeting up regularly to, shall we say, rekindle our friendship, since we both felt terrible about how we left things years ago." He said, keeping what had really been going on a secret.
"And you're taking Aria to the art gallery as a date or as a friend?" Ella asked as she wanted to know.
"It's a date," Aria confirmed. Ella looked at her in surprise.
"Are you sure, Aria? Ezra was only just convicted a week ago, and I know how close you two were." Ella asked, as she was so angry with herself that she hadn't taken a firmer hand with Ezra, when his evil deeds were revealed, and felt sick that she had allowed that freak to get close to her daughter.
"I know it's a lot to take in, Mom, but I have mostly come to terms with the fact that Ezra was not who I thought he was. And Naruto has been a big part of that." Aria said.
"If it will put your mind at ease, Mrs. Montgomery, I'll bring her home immediately after the gallery is over." Naruto respectfully said.
With Ella's slow nod, Naruto his arm out for Aria to take, and Aria hooked her arm around his as he escorted her to his black 2010 Novitec Rosso Ferrari California.
Art Gallery
"Did you just see that?" Spencer asked Hanna as they walked in.
"The guy whispering to his cuff links? God, this place is crawling with the police." Hanna said. "You know, Aria wasn't kidding when she said Tanner promised to have this place secured."
"Where is Aria? I wanna show her that picture of Rhys." Spencer
"Charles." Hanna said.
"Okay. Look, resemblance isn't fact, Hanna. We still don't know for sure." Spencer said.
"How else did he have Ali's perfect chin and Jason's perfect hair? What if this whole Carissimi Group setup is just one big elaborate black hoodie?" Hanna speculated.
"Can we just keep this to ourselves for now? Tonight means a lot to Aria." Spencer told her, warning her to keep quiet.
"Spencer, this is a big deal. How am I supposed to keep my mouth shut?" Hanna asked, as she felt that Aria needed to know.
"Talk about the art. Stuff your face with hors d'oeuvres." Spencer offered as Emily walked up.
"What took you guys so long to get here?" Emily asked.
"Uh, there was just a really long line in the valet and.. We were following a hunch about Charles." Spencer said.
"And did you find anything?" Emily asks.
"Don't tell Aria." Hanna whispers as she shows a picture of Rhys to Emily. Emily thought it was Jason.
"Why would Aria care if you had a photo of Jason on your phone? Wait, why do you have a photo of Jason on your phone?" Emily asked in confusion.
"That's not Jason. He says his name is Rhys." Spencer clarified before the heard soft laughter from Aria and turned to see her across the room with her arm hooked around Naruto's and they were both laughing about something.
"What the hell!?" Hanna asked.
"What is Aria doing here with him?" Emily asked.
"They are old friends, guys. Aria knew him when they were kids, way before she met us." Spencer said.
"I get that, but why is she here with him?" Emily asked.
"Isn't that obvious? They're on a date." Spencer said, to Emily's surprise and Hanna's disgust.
"What do you mean 'they are on a date'? Wait, did she tell you about this?" Emily asked.
"She called me earlier to let me know, so at least one of us wouldn't be freaked out." Spencer admitted.
"No," Hanna grumbled furiously, "No, No, No, No, No!" She began to march furiously to go over to Naruto and tell him off in front of everyone. She was pulled back by Spencer when she grabbed her arm.
"Spence, let me go!" Hanna said.
"Hanna, no! What did I just say about tonight meaning a lot for Aria!?" Spencer demanded of her.
"I don't care! I am not gonna let the guy who held us captive for a month anywhere near her!" Hanna nearly shouted.
"Okay, that's it." Spencer said, as she pulled out hand-cuffs and cuffed Hanna's right arm to Spencer's left arm.
"What the-? You cuffed me!?" Hanna said.
"Hanna, your one of my best friends, but you need a serious attitude adjustment! Ever since we came back from the dollhouse, you have been nothing but rude, obnoxious, and impulsive, and it's nearly gotten us into serious legal trouble, like letting lab animals out of their cages in a college we weren't supposed to be in, or that stunt you pulled at Carissimi's today, and now you want to go and make a scene when this is supposed to be Aria's night? I don't think so," Spencer said.
"Where did you even get police handcuffs?" Emily asked.
"Toby left them at my house a few nights ago," Spencer shrugged, implication about her sex life clear as day.
"Besides, look at Aria again," Spencer told Hanna and the three looked at her and Naruto again. "Do you not see that happiness on her face? That is a genuine smile and genuine happiness, not the fake one she puts up 95% of the time because she is terrified and paranoid of what A has planned next. This is what our lives should be looking like, not scared to death of what our tormentor has planned for us, and being unable to go to adults for help. Let her enjoy it while it lasts."
"So, Hanna," Spencer said, bringing their attention back to her, "Until you stop throwing a temper tantrum like a child and start acting like a friend again, you're on timeout."
With Aria and Naruto
"And do you remember that first time you and I tried to paint?" Aria said with giggle.
"Oh that," Naruto sighed happily in remembrance, "Remind me, what was it we were trying to paint again?"
"The setting sun," Aria said.
"Yeah, and then I spilled the red paint allover my mom's garage and even got some on her car? Oh, she was furious when she came back home that day. I swear, it took 3 days to clean all that up."
Naruto got tear-eyed for a second and wiped his eye, and Aria asked in concern, "Hey, what's wrong?"
"Sorry, talking about mom brings up all the good memories and I'm forced to remember she's not here anymore, and it still hurts, but it's easier now." Naruto said.
"I'm so sorry I wasn't there for you when you needed me." Aria said honestly, causing Naruto to smile.
"You're here now. And that's what counts the most," He said before he switched topics, "Wow, you must be excited. This is quite the turnout."
"Yeah, It's pretty great." Aria said, though it was half-hearted.
"What's up?" Naruto said, noticing her unease.
"I just can't help but feel like A is going to ruin it. That's what he does. Ruin's mine and the others lives whenever we a have moment of happiness. This is what my life should have been looking like from the beginning. Instead, it's been the opposite. Always looking over my shoulder, always afraid of what A is going to do next." Aria said, showing her vulnerable side and admitting her fears.
"Hey," Naruto said softly as he placed his hands gently on her shoulders, "A is not going to ruin this night for you."
"How do you know that?" Aria asked.
"Because I took steps to make sure of it," Naruto said, "Besides, cheer up. You're going to win this thing."
"How can you be so sure?" Aria asked before she followed up with, "Wait, you didn't compel the judges, did you?"
"I don't need to." Naruto said, "Remember, it was out respective love for art that drew us together and helped us become friends. I know how amazing an artist you are. And by the time this event is over, everyone else will see it too."
"Hey, Aria," Clark said as he walked up.
"Clark," She greeted.
"Hey, I thought you weren't comin'." He said.
"Yeah, my parents had a change of heart." Aria said.
"Well, I'm glad you made it." Clark said as he moved to greet Naruto, "Hi, I'm Clark, Aria's photography buddy from Hollis."
"Well met, Clark. I'm Naruto, her old childhood friend." Naruto greeted as they shook hands and Naruto turned back to Aria, "I'll let you two have a moment." Naruto left them alone to mingle with a few other guests and he eavesdropped on their conversation.
"So, you feeling good?" Clark asked.
Aria sighs and says, "Still a bit nervous actually. These photos have been so personal. I didn't think what it would feel like to show them to a room full of mostly strangers. I mean, you've done this before. Does it ever start to feel normal?"
"This is a first for me." Clark said, surprising Aria as he tried to maintain his cover.
"I just thought in the program, in your bio it says that you won some kind of Governor's Award." Aria asked and he built on that.
"Oh, yeah, sure. No, I-I just meant that this is the first at an event this big." Clark said as he commented on "Oh! Looks like you have a pretty nice turnout."
"Yeah. What about you? Did your parents come up from Baltimore?" Aria asked and Clark had to think of something real quick.
"Uh, no, no. They, uh, they couldn't make it." Clark said, confusing Aria.
"But they, they know how big of a deal this is, right? And it's-it's not that far of a drive?" Aria said.
"No, well, it's not. I just.. I didn't wanna make them feel obligated to come. In case I don't win." Clark said.
"Oh! So there's no one here for you?" She asked and he nodded, "Well, I am. So.. And... thank you. I mean, seriously, I'm not sure I would have done this if it weren't for you.
"You did the work. You used your camera to tell the truth and I respect the hell out of that, no matter what happens." Clark complimented.
It was then that the female announcer came on the mic, "On behalf of the Cardillo Arts Fellowship.."
"Catch up with you later?"
"Sure," Aria said as she and everyone else gathered around the podium that the woman was speaking from, and Naruto stood next to Aria.
"...I'd like to welcome you all to our gallery night. We are here to celebrate a fresh crop of promising new photographers one of whom will leave here tonight with a $5000 cash prize and a summer internship to a premier travel and leisure magazine based in Los Angeles. I would like to thank all of the young artists who applied this year. You gave the judges a real challenge. And thank you to the Rowitz Fine Arts Gallery for so generously hosting this event." The female announcer said and everyone clapped.
"Now, I'd like to invite you all in to meet our finalists," The female announcer said as the lights turned on, and as if it was divine intervention, Aria's actual pictures were on display and not one's that Charlotte picked out to damage her career. She breathed a sigh of relief and looked at Naruto, who winked back at her, as she realized this is what he meant he said that A was not going to ruin this night for her.
After a while of people looking at the pictures of the finalists and casting their votes, the female announcer came back on. "Thank you everyone for casting your votes. And now, I am proud to announce…that the winner…of tonight's event is…Aria Montgomery." She announced.
Clapping could be heard as Aria was slightly stunned that she won, but she couldn't contain her elation and actually hugged Naruto, who was surprised but took it in stride, before she went up to join the female announcer to receive her prize.
Later
After the event was over
"You know, I can't believe how smoothly everything went tonight for Aria," Hanna said, kinda calmed down from her temper tantrum from earlier and no longer handcuffed to Spencer.
"Yeah, I was A would try something to ruin Aria's night." Spencer admitted, as that was totally something A would do.
"Well, I'm just glad Aria was able to have a good night." Emily said.
Spencer thanked the valet as they went to get in her car when they saw Rys.
"That's him. Across the street." Hanna said as they saw him talking on the phone.
"Why is he here?" Emily asked.
"He's probably calling his secret boss to report that their plan to screw Aria out of her internship failed."
"We should follow him." Hanna suggested and Spencer agreed.
"I already told my mom that we're on our way home." Emily protested but got in the car anyway.
"Tell her we stopped at my place and decided to watch a movie. Buy us some time." Spencer suggested as they followed him.
Aria's House
Naruto walked her up to her door. "I had a wonderful time tonight." She said.
"That's what I was aiming for." Naruto said as she walked in and looked back to see him standing there.
"You can come in, you know," She teased, knowing as vampire, he had to be invited in.
"Well, my uncle did try to teach me how to be a gentleman. I'm not the best at it, but I do try." He said with a smile as Aria composed her self for her big question.
"So can I ask you something?" She asked.
"Anything." Naruto said.
"This might be a weird question. It's so not a big deal. I-I have no idea why I'm making this such a big deal, but...will you go to prom with me?" Aria asked.
"Aren't we moving this along a little fast, Aria?" Naruto asked.
"I know, but last year, I went to prom alone and that was when I was still with Mr. Fitz, and I don't want to go through that again." Aria said as she sat down on the couch and Naruto sat next to her.
"I'd love to," Naruto said with smile, causing her to smile as they talked about various things.
Later
Spencer, Hanna and Emily walked as Aria opened the door. "Hey. I got your text. Why didn't you just ring the doorbell?" Aria asked.
"We thought that your dad might be home." Spencer whispered.
"Well, he's not but someone else is." Aria said just as Naruto walked back into the living room and saw them.
"Ah. Parties over, I see." Naruto said.
"Naruto." Spencer greeted.
"Hello, Spence. Ms. Fields. Ms. Marin." Naruto said, greeting the other two like a gentleman, even he didn't really care about those last two, especially not Hanna.
"What are you-? Hanna was about to ask but Spencer interrupted.
"Hanna, what did I say earlier about throwing a temper tantrum?" Spencer chided and Hanna bristled.
"Fine. Can you tell us why you are here. Please?" Hanna asked sarcastically.
"Because, we need to clear the air about a few things." Naruto said as he walked around. To address them all.
"First off, the reasons I came back were simple. The reason I helped A was because I wanted revenge on Allison for making Aria ruin our friendship. I got that revenge when I helped A convict her."
"You held us captive for a month." Emily pointed out.
"I shielded from A. A wanted you guys to suffer while you were in there. I made sure that didn't happen." He said.
"How long have you really been on our side?" Spencer asked.
"Since you all first arrived in the dollhouse. It was about that time, I started rebelling against A, not following orders like putting tracking chips in the back's of your necks, traumatizing you all, or leaving you out in the cold rain when during that fake prom." Naruto pointed out.
"You made Mona suffer." Hanna pointed out.
"Mona started this whole damn mess that we are all stuck in. She tormented you for a whole year, and you're a fool to defend her. She's not your friend, Marin. She never was. Friends don't try to turn their friends into roadkill." Naruto pointed out, and Hanna bristled, as she was still sore about that.
"Did you break ties with A tonight?" Aria asked.
"I did. I was gonna let A ruin an amazing opportunity for you. I would have done it sooner, but I had to get ahold of A's blackmail on all of us, so when the time came to get take her down, she didn't us all with her." Naruto said as he pulled out a USB and placed it on the table. "That is the copy of the blackmail that A had on you four. I've already destroyed the other copies. Burn it, crush it, that's your choice."
Aria was very touched by how much he cared about her.
Naruto walked back to the door and turned back to them. "A doesn't know that I've betrayed her. A's overconfident, too used to winning, and that overconfidence will be her downfall. By the end of prom, this will all be over." He said, "And as for going to prom, don't worry about Hackett. I'm paying him a visit tomorrow to make him understand that any attempt to bar you four from attending prom, will not end well for him."
Naruto opened the door and made to walk out, but Aria's voice stopped him. "Naruto, wait a moment." Naruto turned around to face her. "Before you go, there is something I want to give you."
This time, Aria kissed Naruto first, giving him a passionate, hot kiss as she wrapped her arms around Naruto's neck. Naruto responded by wrapping his arms around her waist and they stayed like that for a few moments before he ended the kiss, and they rested their foreheads on each other with content smiles.
"I'll see you soon." He said as he pulled away and closed the door behind. Stood there for a moment and enjoyed how she felt for a moment before sitting back down with the girls and they told her about Clark.
Police Station
Lieutenant Tanner was in her office examining the evidence about Charles.
"Lieutenant Tanner", Naruto's voice came as she looked up and before she could say anything, he compelled her to not act suspicious around him and to follow his orders. "I hear your having problems with A."
"What can you tell me about Charles?" Tanner asked, not suspicious due to the compulsion.
"I know who she is. I know what she's planning. And if you follow my instructions, then by the end of the highschool prom, Charlotte Dilaurentis, will behind bars where she belongs." Naruto smirked as he got to work on setting up A's ultimate failure.
So, what did you think, good. Yep we're close to wrapping up the PLL part of the story and then we'll be going down to New Orleans! So, review if you liked go away if you didn't.
Storm out
