Chapter 9

The next morning I was sipping my coffee on the kitchen counter, my fingers tapping manically on the laptop's keyboard. I was trying, and failing, to locate the sender of the texts. All I had was the number appearing but whoever -A- is has the incoming calls blocked still.

So I went with option 2. Grabbing all albums from last summer I went through them for all familiar faces from the vacation in Cape May. Except CeCe, Jason, my parents and the occasional photo from various beach hotties I could find no one I knew.

Unless...

CeCe? Why would CeCe sign a threatening text signing it -A- though and how could she know about Hanna's grand theft auto trick? Besides CeCe knew beyond any doubt I had tricked her about the pregnancy

Flashback

"I'm late"

"How late?"

"Two weeks. I'm never late C"

Alison flung herself at Cece's arms with hot tears sliding down her cheeks.

"You have to tell your parents sweetie"

"Will you be with me?"

I whispered and she nodded. When we went to the posh hotel our parents were staying CeCe declared with a triumphant smile

"Your princess got knocked up. Not sure who the father is though she's slept with the entire male population"

Both their mothers looked ready to faint; Ken looked like he'd have a heart attack while Jason was too stoned to react. Alison opened her blue eyes wide and replied holding her flat stomach

"Unless I'm about to deliver baby Jesus, it will be very hard to be pregnant and a virgin. Is your weed past its expiration date again CeCe?"

End flashback

Cece had gotten a very big backlash from that as Jason dropped her like a hot potato the next day and my parents ridiculed hers pretty harshly but sending bitchy texts is just petty. Isn't it?

Deciding to clear my head with some retail therapy I leashed Oli and packing my laptop in my messenger bag I left the house before my folks could see me. Did I mention the constant checking up is grating?

Saturday morning at the mall. some would say it's paradise! Especially when I decided I'd let Noel take me out on Sunday.

Taking a corner to go grab a coffee I saw Hanna talking with Sean holding a pair of the ugliest shoes ever made.

"Hanna?"

"Oh hey. What's up?"

"Retail therapy, you?"

"Got a job"

Her disgruntled expression told me it wasn't because she asked for it

"Where?"

"Sean's mom's dentist office"

"Why?"

"Someone blabbed I crushed the car and I have to work it"

I raised an eyebrow

"-A-?"

"How did you know about that?"

I handed her my phone with the first text about me aiding and abetting her.

"Think someone has it out of you?"

I mocked but she didn't catch it as she only nodded

"Yeah"

I didn't bother asking her just who had seen her steal the car, it was a packed party but something began rub me the wrong way. I shook my head

"gotta go, shoes are calling me"

"What are you going to do about this?"

She asked handing me my phone back. I smirked

"If you ignore it long enough, it will go away. Besides I have a date"

I reminded her how I used to trash talk her brand new BFF and walked away.

Walking into the club that afternoon for the tennis match Jessica reminded me day after day it finally hit me. There was one person that saw Hanna leave with Sean's car, one person that was in Cape May last year and one person skulking around the bushes last night. I think it was the same one. Who notices losers anyway?

A sharp headache was the reply to that last statement. Bella definitely disagreed with Alison's arrogance. I rubbed my temples soothingly

"I'm going insane"

"What is it with you today honey? I'm surprised you haven't poked a hole through that racket yet"

Jessica joked. I smiled

"Didn't sleep very well last night and had way too much caffeine. Nothing to worry about"

"You can open up you know"

Her blue eyes twinkled and I chuckled

"I promise I will, all I want right now is a long hot bath"

And to find this -A- and put a bullet between her eyes.

"Come on. it's family dinner"

hooray!

At least even though the dinner was held at the stuffy, pretentious, seriously overpriced club Alison adores it was over rather quickly and Jason and I were walking slowly towards home wanting to leave ken, Jessica and their oyster dish alone for a while. Seriously walking in or even listening to them was nowhere near my top ten favorite things to do.

"How are you?"

Jason asked as we walked.

"Good, why?"

"You're silent. You're never silent"

"Never say never"

I retorted but bit my tongue at his hurt look. Damn Bella and her niceties

"I should be asking you the same question. How are you?"

"I'm good too. Keeping busy actually and there is a charity biking marathon tomorrow I'm training for"

I smiled

"That sounds great. Do they know about it, Jessica wouldn't let it go unmentioned?"

He shook his head

"Why didn't you tell them? You've turned a corner, they should admire it"

I told him softly. His blue eyes, identical to Alison's bore into my aqua ones.

"Should they?"

"Yes!"

I turned to look at him in the middle of the street.

"Jase, you've grown up and you've changed from the stupid stoner to someone who's admirable. Never let others tell you the opposite"

He smiled a small smile

"I think I needed to hear that. Thanks"

"Anytime"

Laughing we kept going until we reached the grill.

"Want some coffee?"

"Make it herbal tea. I want to actually sleep tonight"

We entered it and Jason walked to the counter. I stood near the doors watching Spencer, Hanna and Emily talk quietly and toby watching them upset. Watching from the outside sucks. Toby stood and left his eyes boring into mine.

yep. watching from the outside sure sucks.

When they broke apart and left, without seeing me may I add, I saw Hanna had forgotten her phone? On the screen was a text message

'Now I know TWO secrets. Hanna got dissed and Emily got kissed'

with it was a series of five pictures of Emily and another girl kissing. A slow smirk was born on my lips.

It's revenge time!