CHAPTER 14: Confrontation

SPENCER'S POV:

It's been a week since our last attempt at catching A in the act. School had flown by, I wasn't paying much attention during class anyways. My grades weren't suffering a whole lot from it, apart from the occasional A- or B on assignments. My parents were worried however, my teachers had apparently called in, concerned for me, judging my recent behavior.

It wasn't that I didn't care about school, I was just constantly trying to wrap my brain around all of the possibilities for A. I knew now that I was dangerously obsessed with the process, but I embraced it. It was necessary for me to finally help Bethany, and my friends.

Bethany and I never knew when she was going to vanish from my head, and I wanted to make the most of the time I had with her before that happened. I needed what she knew, and it was nice to have someone with you all the time, who wasn't physically there. It was convenient, and I had grown close to the blonde. Despite the fact that she was dead, I really enjoyed her presence.

However, my gaining of a friend was starting to cause me to lose some others, one being my girlfriend. I had made excuses as to not hang out with her; I didn't want to waste valuable research time. However, I was at a stalemate. I couldn't seem to fit the pieces I had together, it just didn't make any sense.

Emily was certain something was wrong, but I brushed her off, as well as my other two friends. I desperately wanted them to know about Bethany, but I was still unsure of their reactions. Also, my anxiety about the possibility of them not understanding stopped me whenever I tried to mention it.

Eventually, after them questioning me and my behavior every time we got together, I stopped showing up when they called a gathering. I didn't want to go through another round of questions, especially since I could be doing more with my time. My parents had also picked up on my isolation, and were worried, but I insisted that I had school work to do. They never argued past that point, and it soon became a routine lie I used to avoid more questioning from my parents. However, I knew they were still somewhat worried, and I was careful to be cautious around them.

I sighed as I finished re-reading over all the A notes I had taken, for the fourteenth time that week. Nothing was adding up, and I couldn't pin the info gathered on one sole person. I tried to think of combinations of people working together, but I couldn't seem to crack that code either.

I tried to talk to Bethany more about Radley, but she was still uncertain, even though we'd gotten so close. Bethany did tell me however that most of her time in Radley was blacked out of her mind. She figured it was the heavy medication she was put on, though for what she never told me.

"Bethany, what are we going to do?" I muttered.

I'm not sure. I've been constantly thinking about this, but I'm at the same spot you are. Nothing seems to add up.

"I don't get it. I mean, we've gotten this far, why are things difficult now?"

Maybe we're analyzing the information too much. Maybe taking a glance from further away will simplify things.

"I guess you're right. I'm not sure how much longer I can do this. My friends are already paranoid about me." I sighed.

I guess you could always tell them. I'm not certain of their reaction, but it would ease your stress.

"I just, I'm not sure I'm ready to tell them about us. It doesn't seem right." I closed my eyes, trying to think, when I heard my door open.

I glanced over, expecting to see my mom. However, I was wrong.

EMILY'S POV:

Something was wrong. I had been saying it for weeks, but I knew now that I was right. I hadn't seen or talked to Spencer in so long. She was at school, but she didn't sit with us during lunch anymore, and we no longer carpooled in the mornings.

She never returned any of my calls, and whenever I asked if she wanted to get together and hang out, she always had some excuse.

She was definitely avoiding me, and it wasn't just me either. Aria and Hanna also claimed they hadn't heard from her anymore either. It was strange, and despite the fact that I wanted her to just be busy, I knew that wasn't the case.

Aria insisted that Spencer would never cheat on me, but now I wasn't so sure. She had been avoiding all of us, and could never look me in the eye when we did speak. She was definitely keeping something from me, and I was determined to find out what.

I guess that mentality is what led me to be standing in front of her house. I needed to speak to her. I didn't even bother calling, or texting, I figured if I just showed up, she'd have a harder time finding a way to avoid me.

I knocked on the door hesitantly. Her mother let me in with a smile, glad to see Spencer spending time with friends. I asked her mother what she meant, but Mrs. Hastings didn't really know herself.

"She's just been so swamped with homework lately, I'm glad to see she found time to hang with you though." Mrs. Hastings had said. This raised my suspicions also. Mrs. Hastings was obviously oblivious to the fact that Spencer never had homework, and had thought Spencer invited me over.

I didn't bother her any longer however, and walked upstairs to Spencer's room. I was about to head inside when I heard Spencer talking. Considering what Mrs. Hastings said, I figured she didn't have anyone in there with her, so she must be on the phone. I didn't want to snoop, but I was genuinely curious about who Spencer was talking to.

""I don't get it. I mean, we've gotten this far, why are things difficult now?" I heard her ask.

What did she mean? What was difficult? How far have they gotten in what, and with whom? My heart and mind raced, as I ran through the options in my head.

"I guess you're right. I'm not sure how much longer I can do this. My friends are already paranoid about me." I heard her sigh.

What? She can't do what any longer? I felt a few tears swell in my eyes when I thought of her having a secret relationship. Was she finally feeling guilty for cheating on me?

"I just, I'm not sure I'm ready to tell them about us. It doesn't seem right."

I covered my mouth before she could hear me gasp. She was cheating on me, and she didn't want me, or Aria and Hanna to find out. That's what it was. Biting my lip, anger and betrayal coursing through my blood, I opened the door.

Spencer turned around slowly, and her eyes widened at the sight of me. I was furious.

"How could you do this to me?" I asked through gritted teeth.

Spencer stood up hastily, and I saw her turn her laptop off. She walked over, confusion evident on her face.

"What do you mean? What did I do?" She asked.

"You should know." I snapped. "You're the one that cheated, not me."

"Cheated? On you?" She was clearly lost, and I rolled my eyes.

"Don't play dumb Spencer. Of course on me. That's why you've been avoiding me, and Aria, and Hanna. You've been making excuses, and I just heard you talking anyways. The jig is up Spencer, I know what you've been up to." I felt tears sting my eyes, but I blinked them back.

"How could you do this to me? I thought you loved me!" I cried.

"I do love you Emily! I never cheated on you I swear!" Spencer cried back, and I could tell she was being genuine,

"Then why? Why have you been avoiding me? And who were you talking to?" I demanded.

"I'm sorry I've been avoiding you. I've been so…obsessed with finding A….that I guess I put you guys aside. It was wrong of me." She muttered, and I was surprised.

"You've been hunting for A this whole time?" I was shocked, that was a shit load of research and a huge chunk of hours.

"Yes." Spencer replied softly, somewhat ashamed.

"But I never was cheating on you. I promise, I love you too much, I would never do that to you." Spencer looked up at me, confident in what she was saying.

I sighed.

"Who were you talking to?" I asked. Spencer fiddled her thumbs, and I could tell she didn't want to tell me.

"Spencer…." I urged.

"Bethany." She burst, almost as if it was hard to get off her chest.

"Bethany? Who the hell is Bethany?" I screamed, certain it was another girl she was into. She was cheating on me! I was right!

"Bethany, Bethany Young." Spencer muttered quietly, and I felt my skin pale at the mention of that name.

"What?"