Oh God, oh god, oh god. What had she done?

Her head span as she stumbled back into the ballroom, going so quickly her drunken head had started to spin. That really wasn't a part of the plan. Had she really kissed Jason DiLaurentis? And it was only a few days after she had gone on her break with Ezra as well. God, she was no worse than her dad. She could almost hear Ali laughing in scorn, with that bitter edge that always came to her voice when you disobeyed her.

"My brother, really, Aria? I thought you more original than that,"

Why was the room spinning now? Everyone seemed to blur and Aria's feet seemed to stumble, and before she knew it she fell back, her bum hitting the floor with a bang. Immediately a concerned Spencer rushed over to her, propping Aria up by the shoulder.

"Aria, are you OK? Did you break anything,"

"Only my dignity," Aria mumbled, not even trying to hide the fact that her words were complete slurred.

"Aria?" Emily called, rushing over. "You look really ill,"

"Lets sit you down," Spencer ordered, more to herself, and moved Aria over so she could sit on one of the side benches. Hanna, who had been 'deeply' engrossed in conversation with an attractive 19 year old waiter, quickly came over, having noticed her friends gathering round. "Hanna, how much did you give Aria to drink?"

"Why do you think it was me?"

All 3 girls turned to look at her with raised eyebrows.

"Ok, so I gave her some vodka, but she downed it all quickly before I could stop her!"

Spencer gave a small huff and propped Aria's head up.

"We should probably go home now, anyway," Emily sighed. "I hate wearing heels,"

"Yeah, good idea," Spencer nodded, still glaring slightly at Hanna. "Okay Aria, we're taking you home, because you're really, really drunk,"

"No need to talk to me like I'm 10," Aria snapped, attempting to get back on her feet but just falling back onto the bench. "And I only had a little bit of whatever Hanna had,"

"Aria," Emily replied, looking down at her with a frown. "We're going ho...wait, why are your shoes off?"

"I fell over and broke the heel," Aria muttered, ignoring their 'told you so' looks.

"Ok, well, I'm tired, Emily wants to get out of her shoes, you're already out of your shoes and falling over on the floor and in about 5 minutes Hanna's probably going to jump on that waiter, so we're leaving, whether you like it or not," Spencer stated sternly, hoisting Aria by the shoulders up onto her bare feet. "Now do you think you can make it to the door without falling over?"

"Ha ha,"

"Ok, well, I think my parents are going to stay on for a bit but I'm just going to get my car keys from them. You guys can go get in the car,"

Deep down, Aria knew she wasn't all that drunk; she'd had much more than a shots of vodka before and still remained on her feet. It was just easier to blame her restlessness on the alcohol. That of course was the problem. It wasn't the alcohol at all that was making her feel light and giddy and slightly out of her wits. It was the fact that she had...Nope, she wasn't going to think it, nor say it. He would probably regret it in the morning too, and she'd spend the next year avoiding him and having awkward conversations before she escaped off to college and would never have to see him again.

Yep, sounded like a plan.

But what if she didn't regret it? It had been a pretty damn good kiss after all. But the worst part about it was once again she couldn't tell anyone about it. Unlike with Ezra, her parents would probably be supportive, but her friends? They still considered Jason suspicious, a 'creep' and always would be, as Emily had put it. No, it wouldn't work it out. Damn, why couldn't she develop feelings for some normal 17 year old guy? Not a teacher, not her best friend's older brother but some guy who played waterpolo and whose biggest problem was that he couldn't spell 'dumbbell'.

Where was Sean when you needed him?

"Do you think we can take Aria home like this?" Emily asked, getting into the back of Spencer's range rover. Spencer shook her head, giving Aria the once over.

"Not in the state she's in,"

"Hey, I resent that!" There was quiet in the car as they all turned to stare at Aria. "Ok, you're right,"

"We can't take her home to mine as you know my mom will flip," Hanna stated, leaning her head on Emily's shoulder. "...Plus she'll probably figure out it was me that gave it to her,"

"Aren't you a great friend," Spencer laughed, pulling the car into reverse. "My parents are still here so I can take Aria to mine and they'll be none the wiser,"

"Apart from when she wakes up with a wicked hangover," Emily teased, prodding Aria in the back.

"Thanks guys," Aria groaned, rubbing her forehead. She could already feel the warmth and dizziness of the alcohol fading away, only to be left with a brutal headache and a painful awareness of quite precisely what she'd done that evening. "I can already feel it coming along. Seriously, what kind of vodka was that Hanna?"

"Just some stuff my mom had lying around," Hanna shrugged. "Oh did Aria tell you we saw Jason DiLaurentis there? And that Aria was the biggest flirt in the world?"

Oh, she did more than see him, Aria mentally sighed. Spencer's head snapped round quick as lightning.

"What?"

"I did not, Hanna's just exaggerating," Aria turned around and slapped Hanna's knee. She really didn't need the Spanish Inquisition from Spencer right now about Jason as well, alcohol plus sleepover plus Aria's knowledge of her secret kiss with Jason did not bode well. "Thanks for that, Han,"

"You did! With all your waving and batting of eyelashes," Hanna laughed, imitating Aria to Emily.

"I didn't even speak to him!" Aria cried out in indignation. "...Much,"

"Wait, you talked to him? In your drunken state?" Spencer asked, her voice getting higher and higher. "What did you say?"

"Okay, Spence you're really going to have to let this Jason thing go..."

"Aria, what did he say?"

"We just said 'hi', that's all," Aria sighed. Her conversations with Jason weren't anybody else's business but her friends almost always forced the details out of her. "I went outside for some fresh air, and he was there, so to be polite I said hello,"

"And that's all?"

"...Ooh, is that a deer over there..."

"Aria, don't change the subject," Spencer huffed, swerving round the corner.

"Did I really look like I was in the mood to be having deep intellectual conversations?" Aria snapped. "...Sorry. Its just I hate getting the whole 20 questions routine every time I even look at the guy,"

"Do you really blame us?" Emily said from the back. "Considering your feelings for him and the fact you stayed the night at his house?"

Oh crap.

There was silence in the car.

"Thanks Em," Aria groaned. Emily swore under her breath.

"Sorry Aria, I didn't mean to say that..." But it was too late, Spencer and Hanna had already latched on.

"You spent the night in his house?" Spencer was practically screeching. And Aria thought her headache couldn't get any worse...

"Wait, you've been having dirty nights with Jason and you didn't tell us?" Hanna teased, wiggling her eyebrows at Aria. "Does Ezra know about this..."

"Hanna, this is not a laughing matter," Spencer stated sternly. If Spencer was going to be in this mood for the rest of the night now, Aria figured she'd rather be caught drunk by her parents than be lectured continuously. "Why the hell would you willingly go into that house? With a potential murderer, no less,"

"Ok, of that you have no proof," Aria replied defensively. "And it wasn't like we were having a slumber party or anything like that,"

"Did you share a bed?"

"Hanna!"

"Ok, sorry, sorry but, on a serious note...did you tell Ezra?"

"No," Aria sighed. "Didn't see the point,"

"Didn't see the point of telling your boyfriend you spent the night with another man?" Spencer lifted an eyebrow. "You haven't even told us what you possessed you to do it in the first place,"

"It wasn't like that, ok..." Aria rested her head in her hands, feeling Emily rub her back reassuringly.

"Aria does have a valid reason," She stated comfortingly. The other two girls looked at her as an indication for her to continue. "Shall I tell them, Aria?"

Aria gave a brief nod, and Emily began to explain, albeit briefly and not as in depth as the story Aria had told her, omitting certain parts, about how Aria was mobbed by thugs on the way home and Jason saved her. The other girls looked at her in sympathy as Aria continued to stare out the window. They all looked at her as if she was the victim, but if they saw the video...saw what a monster she was...

"Oh Aria, I'm sorry," Hanna took her friend's hand, pulling up Aria's sleeve and rubbing the bruises Aria had carefully masked with make up.

"You should have told us," Spencer said, her voice having lost the hard edge it had earlier. "You could have come to my place, stayed the night..."

"I didn't want to bother any of you, I didn't want to bother anyone," Aria spoke quietly. "I only stayed the night with Jason because he already knew and wouldn't judge or question me,"

"Aria we would never judge you, ok, we love you," Spencer moved her hand from the steering wheel over to her friend's shoulder. "And I'm really sorry if we, well, I, made you feel the way. I'm only ask so many questions because I'm concerned and worried about you and I love you, ok?"

"We all love you," Emily and Hanna chimed in, giving their reassurances.

"Okay, guys here's your stop," Spencer said, the car coming to a halt. The duo bid their farewells and quickly exited the car, Hanna emptying her flask into one of the bushes as she went. Aria and Spencer sat in silence for a few moments as the car started again, taking them on the 5 minute drive to Spencer's house from Hanna's.

"Do your parents know?" Spencer smiled faintly.

Aria gave a soft sigh. "No, I mean, with everything that's happening with Mike I thought it was best if they didn't have one more thing on their plates,"

She half expected Spencer to argue, to say that she'd feel better if her parents knew, but all she did was give a quiet 'OK' and continue to drive. They pulled up into the Hastings' driveway, looking at the dark empty house looming ominously above them. Aria shivered; everything in Rosewood looked slightly more sinister at night time. She cast a quick glance at the house next to them, a house she knew very well. There were no cars in the drive way, so she supposed Jason was still at the ball, thank heavens. That was one awkward run in she wanted to avoid...especially with Spencer in tow.

Because, in the current mood she was in, there was half a chance she might just kiss him again.

/X/

"Can you make it up the stairs?" Spencer teased, sticking out her tongue.

"I'll try but you never know, two drunk girls trying to make it up the stairs, how many make it..." Aria laughed, following her friend up. "I'm sure there's a joke in there somewhere..."

"I am not drunk!"

"Aw, Spence, did you not steal even the tiniest bit of champagne..."

"No, because I'm sensible,"

Aria opened her mouth in mock outrage.

"I am sensible, I'm the sensiblest sensible person you'll ever sensibly meet..."

"Ok, now I know you're drunk," Spencer gave a whoop of laughter, pulling out a spare set of pyjamas from a cupboard. "Here, these'll fit you,"

"Thanks, Spence for letting me stay," Aria said softly, before Spencer could say anything else.

"Anytime, Aria. At least this stops you from spending another night with Jason DiLaurentis,"

Aria blushed and looked away, not answering on the pretense that she was changing into pyjamas. She was sure that if Spencer looked her directly in the eye she'd be able to tell she was hiding something.

The girls swiftly went to bed, having sent a quick text to Aria's parents explaining the situation, well, Spencer did as Aria's head was still pounding from the vodka. She was never, ever drinking again, or certainly never drinking anything Hanna provided. Spencer fell asleep much quicker than Aria, and from next to her, Aria could hear her soft snoring.

Aria just lay in bed, unable to sleep.

She wanted to say it was all because of the alcohol, but that would have been a lie. She wanted to say she was kept up with recurrent thoughts about Ezra and how to mend their relationship, but that would have been a blatant lie too.

No, all she could think about was Jason DiLaurentis and just how damn good that kiss had been.

/X/

Aria had rolled over and woken at 8am, blinking her eyes hastily, quite sure she'd never seen 8am on a Sunday morning. Of course Spencer wasn't next to her, having been up and about for a while now. Damn the Hastings and their efficiency. She wanted to continue to sleep but she figured she'd better go home and see her parents. They wouldn't like it if she stayed away for too long.

She borrowed one of Spencer's old t-shirts and jeans, mentally reminding herself to give them back later, and wandered down the stairs. Spencer and her mom were already assembled around the kitchen island, her mom reading the paper while Spencer was texting readily on her phone. From somewhere she could hear swearing and stern tones; she presumed Mr. Hastings was making an angry work call.

Upon hearing Aria enter, both Mrs. Hastings and Spencer looked up, greeting her with wide smiles.

"You didn't have to get up so early! You could've slept a bit longer," Spencer said warmly, getting up to pour her friend a cup of coffee.

"Thanks but I should probably get home, I, uh, need to help my mom with a couple of things around the house," Aria gave a smile. The smell of coffee was making her feel slightly nauseous anyhow.

"Aria, its no problem to us if you want to stay a bit longer," Mrs. Hasting looked up from her paper. "Peter and I will be going out soon, anyway,"

"No, I really should go home, I'll see you later Spencer?"

"Wait, do you want me to give you a lift?" Spencer asked, looking at her friend with concern.

"I think I'll walk, I could do with the fresh air," Spencer gave her a knowing look and laughed.

"Ok, I'll see you later then, yeah?"

"Bye Spence. It was nice seeing you, Mrs Hastings," Aria waved goodbye and stepped onto into the cold, new morning air. When did it get so cold in Rosewood? She shivered, and wrapped her arms around Spencer's thin t-shirt. She walked down the path before seeing a sight that stopped her dead in her tracks.

The door to the DiLaurentis house opened and out came a familiar site.

Lucy.

Aria lingered, watching as she gave her goodbyes to Jason, in an overtly affectionate manner if she said so herself, and bounded down the path with so much enthusiasm that Aria began to wonder if it wasn't chemically enhanced. How could someone be so cheerful at 8am on Sunday? What was she doing at Jason's house, anyway, this early in the morning? Had she...had she stayed the night? Something about that idea made Aria's heart grow cold. So he was going to kiss her and then spend the night with some other girl? Fine. Two can play at that game.

She tried to hide from Lucy, after that terrible advice she had given her before but alas, the girl had senses like a hound dog and cried out in delight upon spotting Aria in the distance.

"Aria? What are you doing here?" She said it as if she were greeting an old friend, but something in her tone made Aria feel resentful.

"Hey," Aria muttered, trying to appear cheerful. "Oh, I just stayed the night at a friend's,"

"How wonderful!" Was it? "Listen, I just want to thank you for the advice you gave me, it really helped,"

Wait, what?

"It...helped?"

"Yeah! I played it aloof and cool like you said, and I think it really worked, we seemed to really...connect, you know, went back to his place, had coffee,"

"Wait, went back to his place? I didn't tell you to do that..."

Had her advice really worked? Had she unwittingly driven this girl into Jason's arms?

"Anyway, I'm seeing him again this weekend, so it all went well, thanks to you!"

Bugger.

"Oh that's...great," Aria knew just how unenthusiastic she sounded.

"I know, right?" Lucy smiled, those pearly whites flashing again. "I better go, places to be and all that, but it was good to see you! See you later, sweetie!"

"Um, bye!"

Sweetie? What were they, BFFs now? Did this Lucy not have any other friends that she had to imprint on Aria like a baby duck?

If Hanna could see her right now she'd tell her that Aria was only jealous of Lucy, and that was why she disliked this girl so much. But that couldn't be true, could it?

It was then Aria realized she really was in dire need of caffeine. And if it wasn't 8am on a Sunday, she'd say more alcohol too. Much more alcohol.

A/N: Once again, thanks so much for the reviews! Only 2 eps left of the first half of PLL season 2, what am I going to do for 4 months? I'm hoping that after the Jason thing is revealed next week, everyone starts seeing him for the BAMF that he is. Anyway, hope you guys like this chapter and once again, give me your feedback!