The next morning, Aria dragged a full duffle bag down the carpeted stairs. It was hot pink with zebra print trim, and held quite a bit.

Ella heard the sound and spotted her descending as she rounded the corner. Panicked by the sight, she asked, "What are you doing?"

Aria reached the bottom step and replied, "Going to Spencer's beach house for the weekend. Did you forget?"

"Yes, I did," Ella said tiredly. "It's not the best time-"

"You okayed this weeks ago!"

"I remember, but after everything, we really need to talk." Her eyes couldn't help focusing on Aria's mid-section, though there was nothing there yet to see.

"We can talk when I get back. Please, I want to spend this weekend with the girls. We've been looking forward to it."

Ella seemed to be considering it.

"We worked hard this year, and we made it through." In one piece. "We deserve a break," Aria added.

"Okay.." Ella gave in. "Maybe it's a good idea."

"Do you think dad would rather not look at me?" she asked, knowing the answer regardless of what her mother said.

"No, Aria! That's not it! He's just angry. And frankly, so am I. But I'm also late for school." Ella had to be there early to help set up and proctor an exam. She, understandably, didn't sleep well last night. "We'll pick this up later," she said and started walking toward the door.

"We're leaving straight from school," Aria informed her, finally leaving her place on the bottom step. The bag, which had been behind her legs the whole time, slid down next to her feet.

Ella turned around and asked, "When will you be back?"

"Sunday."

"Then we'll pick this up Sunday. I love you. Be careful. Call every day to check in." Ella gave Aria a quick kiss on the forehead and said, "Have Mike bring that to the car for you."

"It's not that heavy." It was pretty heavy. There was a reason she had dragged it down the stairs instead of carrying it.

"Do it anyway," she said and rushed out the door.

.

"School is out!" Hanna exclaimed as she sped down the steps of Rosewood High and did a little twirl. Caleb, not quite as giddy as his girlfriend, but just as happy to be free, grasped her swinging hand and walked with her. Aria, Spencer, Emily and Paige were close behind. The sun was high in the sky and they were all outfitted in summer attire, Aria in an Aztec-print loose-fitting tank, black shorts and wedges.

Paige and Emily had remained friends and become closer after Paige came out to her parents. It took Emily a little while to realize the feelings were still there and decide they should give it another shot. This development was pretty new. The girls were very surprised when they found out Paige was gay, considering everything that went on months ago, but they accepted her just like they did Emily when she came out, or 'fell out' of the proverbial closet 'on her face,' as Emily once put it.

"It's been a looong year," Emily said.

"Sure has," Spencer agreed.

When they turned the corner, they saw Toby leaning against Spencer's SUV in the parking lot. She ran ahead of the group and gave him a long kiss.

"D'you walk here?" she asked as the others approached. "We could've picked you up."

"I wanted to surprise you," he said, taking her hand. "And my truck is in the shop."

"How come?"

"The brakes felt weird last time I drove it so I had them pick it up this morning. They said it's been leaking brake fluid. I must have sliced the brake line when I drove it onto the work site yesterday," he explained.

"You're lucky nothing happened while you were on the highway.."

"Yeah."

"Hey, Toby," Emily said when she got near..

"Hey," he smiled, glancing down at Emily's hand intertwined with Paige's.

"This is Paige," Emily introduced. Toby hadn't yet met Paige, but he knew all about her and knew she would be joining them this weekend as Emily's girlfriend.

"Hey, how's it going?" he asked while shaking her hand.

"Good! I'm excited for this weekend. Emily's told me so much about you. I'm glad to finally meet you. Officially." Paige had seen Toby around school when he still attended, but they had never met, Toby being a grade ahead and somewhat of a loner with a bad reputation.

"Likewise."

Emily smiled at each of them, pleased.

During this exchange, Caleb moved Aria's duffel bag from the trunk of Hanna's car to the back of Spencer's. Hanna's mom had gotten her a (pre-owned) sporty black sedan for her birthday in March. Caleb knew cars pretty well and helped them find a good deal on it since they still belonged to a one-paycheck household. Hanna had picked up Aria for school this morning and she had been the one to put Aria's bag in the car, which was no problem because she'd lifted her own suitcase into the trunk first and it weighed twice as much.

"Okay! Everybody ready to go?" Spencer asked, excitedly.

"Mmmhmm," they all nodded.

"Great! We'll swing by Ezra's, then be on our way."

"Ezra?" Paige asked.

"Aria's boyfriend," Emily explained.

"You didn't mention…?" Aria questioned Emily.

"It never came up…" Emily admitted.

"What?" Paige asked.

"Well, Ezra…" Aria began. "He used to teach here. Do you remember Mr. Fitz?"

"Oh," Paige said, shocked.

"We started dating after he left. I'd really appreciate it if you didn't mention it to anybody. We don't really want it to be public knowledge just yet."

"Sure, of course. I won't say anything," Paige said sincerely, making a 'my lips are sealed' gesture.

Tapping her foot impatiently, with a fist on her hip, Hanna said, "We could have filled her in on the way. Let's get going!" Hanna couldn't wait to lay out on the beach. The closest thing Rosewood had to a beach was a lake about 20 minutes away. Pile all the lounge chairs and beach umbrellas around it you want, there was no comparing it with the real deal.

Hanna and Emily and their respective plus-ones piled into Hanna's car while Spencer, Toby, and Aria hopped into Spencer's and they all drove off in search of some well-needed summertime fun.


[So did anyone think she was running away? I didn't really mean for that, but I knew "and started packing" would be a bit of a cliffhanger. Hehe.

Aria is wearing the outfit she wore in 3.01 It Happened 'That Night' except the tank top doesn't tie at the waist like that. Link to pic in my profile.

To Notinyourlifetimehoney - Thank you for reading and leaving comments!

To maddie - Thank you so much! Good luck with your story! I'm sure it'll be great. :)

Get ready, you guys. I think I lied when I said the karaoke scene was my favorite. This whole beach weekend might be my fave part. I really hope you enjoy it. :) ]