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Didi-Forever: I don't have much of a life, so I have a lot of time to write. I update as soon as I finish writing a chapter.


It was Monday, and I really didn't want to go to school. It's not that I minded school so much, in fact, I really enjoyed it sometimes. I wasn't as driven as Spencer, in fact the only subject I was any good at was English. What I was avoiding was the student body. I was relieved that my friends had been so supportive, not that I had expected anything less. I mean Emily kind of already knew, given that I had told her about my feelings for Spencer. But just because my friends, and to an extent, my family were supportive, didn't mean the rest of Rosewood would be as inviting. I still wasn't sure if my dad was really okay with it anyway, not that he could change anything.

I sighed forcing myself to get out of bed. I checked my phone, having turned off the volume after A sent the majority if not the whole of Rosewood that picture of me. I didn't really expect anything, but just in case somebody decided to harass me in the middle of the night, I didn't want it to disturb what was already a restless slumber. I only had one text, and it was from Spencer.

You can do it babe. Show Rosewood just how tough I already know you are.

My heart fluttered. I knew I would be okay because I had Spencer on my side.

Thanks Spence. That was just what I needed to hear. See you at school.

I decided that since I was going to be a spectacle at school anyway I would wear something that would make even Spencer's eyes pop. Fridmar had bought it for me while I was in Iceland, though I'd never worn it. It was a beautiful black dress that ran about three quarters of the way down my thighs. It had a casual appearance, despite it being strapless, but accented my body in all the right places. It was actually really me, it had a vintage feel to it.

When I got to school, I could feel all the eyes on me. I went straight to the bathroom, to do my makeup, having realized on the way to school, that I had forgotten to do it. When I was finished I left, walking straight into Spencer.

"I'm so sorry," Spencer said, collecting her books off the ground.

"My fault," I said.

"Aria?" Spencer looked up, having gathered all her belongings.

Spencer stood up slowly, looking me up and down, after a moment she composed herself.

"Wow," Spencer said, "You look amazing."

"I figured since I'm going to be a spectacle anyway, might as well give everyone something to stare at," I said laughing, "I didn't realize that it would have you checking me out though."

I had hoped it would have some effect on Spencer, though I wouldn't admit it, but I hadn't expected that extent of attention from her.

Spencer's cheeks flushed red, "Well, I, it's just, I mean, you just," Spencer stammered.

I couldn't help by smile.

"You'd have to be blind to not check you out in that," Spencer finally managed to say.

"I'll have to write to Fridmar and thank him then," I laughed.

Spencer laughed. "I actually do need to use the bathroom though, I'll meet up with you at your locker?"

I nodded. I was just opening my locker when I was approached by a guy. He was obviously a freshman.

Oh boy, here we go. The gay jokes are coming.

"Hey," the boy said, leaning up against a nearby locker.

"Hi" I said, acknowledging him, before promptly turning away.

"I'm Eric," he said.

"Aria," I said, transferring some books from my bag into my locker.

"Can I take you out sometime?" Eric asked.

"No," I said flatly, ignoring him as best I could.

"Come on, baby," Eric said.

"I'm not your 'baby' Eric," I said getting frustrated.

"One night with me, I'll have you all straightened out."

There it was, the inevitable asshole comments had begun. And I was already fed up with them.

I slammed my locker shut, but before I could say anything, Spencer was there.

"Back off asshole," Spencer said angrily.

"Oh, I get it," Eric said, looking at Spencer, "You're her girlfriend aren't you? I could straighten you out, too"

"I will kick your ass so hard you won't be able to sit for a year if you don't walk away right now," Spencer said.

Eric didn't look intimidated at all. I was worried that Spencer might actually hit him, she looked as if she would tear his head off. I was about to intervene to keep Spencer from doing something she would regret when once again, someone beat me to it.

"Hey freshman," I heard Hanna say.

Hanna and Emily reached my locker at about the same time, though they had approached from opposite directions.

Eric saw Hanna approaching, and he looked more scared at being addressed by Hanna than at being physically threatened by Spencer. I thought it was both odd and funny, as Spencer would definitely pose more of a threat than Hanna would, but I suppose I really shouldn't have been surprised as Hanna seems to have taken Alison's place as queen bee of Rosewood High.

"Tell all your friends not to even bother attempting what you just did. Now scram or I will ruin you," Hanna said.

I saw the terror in Eric's eyes as Hanna spoke to him. He ran as soon as Hanna stopped speaking.

Spencer, Emily, and Hanna all turned their eyes toward me.

"Holy shit," Hanna exclaimed, "Damn girl, you look hot."

I laughed.

"Is there something you're not telling us, Han?" Spencer teased.

Hanna frowned, but for some reason I saw Emily blushing.

"Don't get me wrong, I play for the men's team, but I can appreciate when someone looks good, Spence," Hanna said.

"You really do look great, Ar," Emily said.

I smiled at Emily.

"How are you?" Spencer asked.

"I was getting annoyed," I admitted, "but Spence, you looked like you were going to kill him."

Spencer pulled me into a hug, "I don't like when people mess with you. You're my best friend."

I reveled in Spencer's embrace.

"I appreciate you sticking up for me, guys, I really do, but don't do anything that could get yourselves in trouble, okay?" I said.

Spencer mumbled something that sounded like 'I'll try' holding me tighter.

The rest of the day went pretty smoothly, I could feel everyone's eyes on me, but there were only a couple other incidents that ended with some combination of Spencer, Emily and Hanna telling them to get lost. Not that I couldn't have told them off myself, they just always showed up to defend me. I'm lucky I have such great friends.

I received a text as soon as I walked in my front door.

You didn't give in that time, but you will. This time, I'll let your mom know exactly how close your dad is with his students. You know what to do. You have twenty-four hours. –A

I grunted. Whoever this A was, was a bitch.

But I wasn't going to give in to A's demands. I figured that A would use this against me again anyway, and my mom would rather hear it from me than from anyone else, except for my dad.

I sat at the kitchen table, attempting to focus on my homework. It took a while, but I had just finished when my mom walked in the door.

"Mom," I said nervously.

"Yes honey," my mom said.

"I need to talk to you."

My mom sat down at the table with me.

I thought I'd tie in that night with Ezra, just so A can't use it as fuel to the fire she's building.

"I lied, earlier, the whole being outed by some random person really bothered me. I was still coming to terms with it myself."

"Okay," my mom said.

"When we got back from Iceland, I tried so hard to be into guys. I met this guy at the Hollis Bar & Grill. He was seemingly perfect for me, he had been to Iceland, he majored in English, and we ended up making out in the bathroom, but it didn't feel right," I said, "When I got to school, I found out he was my new English teacher. When we got the chance to talk, we both agreed that there couldn't be anything there."

"You did the right thing, honey," my mom said.

"There's more," I said, "I thought you should hear this next part from me. Before Ali disappeared, Ali and I saw dad making out with one of his students in his car."

My mom started to say something but I cut her off, "Dad begged me not to tell you, and so I didn't, but it's been eating at me, and I couldn't keep it a secret anymore."

It was so silent in the room that you could hear a pin drop.

After a while my mom finally spoke, "Thank you for coming to me. I'm sorry your father put such a burden on you, it's clear that it wasn't something you wanted to keep from me. I'll speak to your father when he gets home."

"I'm sorry, mom," I said.

"I know."

And with that my mother left me sitting at the kitchen table. I put my homework and books back into my bag and retired to my bedroom.

I sat on my bed for a moment, before I realized that I didn't want to be around when my dad got home. I knew I could spend the night at Spencer's but I was afraid A would make a move.

I dialed Emily's number in my phone.

"Hello?" I heard Emily say.

"Hi, Em, is there anyway I could possibly spend the night at your house?" I asked hopefully.

"Of course," Emily said.

"Thanks so much, Em, I'll be over soon."

"See you when you get here."

I packed a bag with some clothes and grabbed my book bag.

"Mom, I'm gonna stay at Emily's house, I don't want to be here when you talk to dad," I said honestly.

After receiving my mother's understanding permission, I made my way to Emily's.

I knocked on the door. Emily answered the door. I gave her a hug and we made our way upstairs to Emily's room.

"What's wrong?" Emily asked.

I was about to answer her when I got a text.

You've spoiled my fun and I don't take kindly to that. This is your last chance. Tell Spencer or she'll follow in Alison's footsteps –A

"A"


What do you think of this chapter's ending? What about Aria's determination not to tell Spencer?

Last chance to tell me what you think should happen when Aria confesses, as that will be the next chapter I write. Shouldn't be a surprise, unless you think Aria would let Spencer go missing.

Please review! Tell me what you like, what you don't and what you want to happen!