~2~

Marlene ran into her bedroom as soon as Andrew dropped her off.

Tears ran down her face and stained her blanket as she laid down and cried.

Melissa walked into her bedroom and sat on the bed.

"Marlene, what's wrong?" She asked.

"I got a message. Read it." Marlene placed her phone in Melissa's hand.

"Oh my God. Do you know who this A is?"

"No. I assumed Spencer would know."

"We will have to ask her. Come on." Melissa held out a hand for Marlene to take. Marlene stood up slowly and followed Melissa downstairs.

"Hey, Spence. Marlene got a message." Melissa said as she placed Marlene's phone down on the table.

Spencer's back tensed slightly as Aria, Emily and Hanna turned to face the other Hastings sisters.

She silently read the message and then turned to face Marlene.

"So the "friend" you met up with was Andrew?" She asked as Marlene nodded lightly.

"So first A was targeting us, and now it is targeting Marlene?" Aria asked.

"It appears that's the case." Hanna lightly put her head down in her hands and sighed quietly as if she had a headache.

"But what has Marlene done that was so bad that made A want to target her?" Aria asked.

Emily chewed on her fingernail nervously while looking around the room.

"I think I know why this A is targeting me," Marlene said as she entered the kitchen all while feeling the other girls' glares at the back of her head.

Marlene walked through the town desperately needing a break from this A nightmare.

"Hey, Marlene! Marlene! Over here!" The class clown and popular athlete Noel Kahn shouted as he strode over to Marlene.

"Why hello Kahn." Marlene adjusted her bag on her shoulder and continued walking.

"Little birdie told me that you and Andrew Campbell were seen hooking up in his car. A Mini Cooper no less."

"So what if it's true? Andrew has liked me for a long time."

"Well, didn't he used to date Spencer?"

"Yes, he did. And for the record, she's not exactly Andrew's biggest fan at the moment. But she's happy that I'm happy." Marlene continued speed walking down the street. She went so fast that Noel had to slightly run to catch up.

"Damn, you're fast. Anyway, you like him?"

"Yeah. I do. What are you going to do about it? Beat his ass? You don't have the nerve."

Noel turned to face Marlene. "Come on. In the alley."

Marlene followed Noel into the alley and looked around as if she was being watched. All of a sudden, her back was pressed against the smooth brick wall.

"Oh, Marlene, precious Marlene. Do you actually like Andrew? I won't tell him."

"I don't know. I mean he's a good kisser, yes but I have always loved you." Marlene quickly covered her mouth and looked up at Noel's lips.

"You have always loved me? Marlene Hastings has always loved me?" Noel asked as he placed his hand on Marlene's waist.

"Now Marlene, place those lips on mine." Noel's finger beckoned to Marlene's chin and lifted it up. Her skin touched his and their lips were lightly placed on top of each other.

Marlene pulled apart slightly and looked up again.

"I'll have to tell Andrew that the kiss was a mistake." Marlene looked down at her hands as if they were covered in blood.

"Hey, hey. I'll help you, it's okay Marlene." Noel kissed her again, this time the kiss was more intense and he lifted her by the waist, wrapping her legs around his waist.

Marlene moaned quietly into Noel's mouth all while twirling her tongue with his. Their bodies were pressed against each other's causing tension in the air between them.

"Oh fuck Marlene. You're so beautiful, I can't stand it."

"And you're so hot. But you already know that don't you?" Marlene ran her fingers through Noel's hair causing it to static.

Marlene felt that Noel was growing erratically in his pants, causing her to jump slightly.

"Oh, I know you feel it, Marlene. Go ahead, let me use it." Noel sucked her neck, adding hickeys.

"Shouldn't we be somewhere privately?"

"We could, but I know you would want us to be seen together." Noel traced his finger along Marlene's face. "And since school starts tomorrow, we can announce that we are officially a couple."

"But won't that break Andrew's heart?" Marlene asked.

"Fuck Andrew's heart. You need a man who can take care of you, and he has a fucking Mini Cooper, and I have a Corvette. It has a lot more makeout room that he will ever have."

"Well then, let's cut the talking and make out." Marlene tugged at Noel's shirt collar and started to kiss him.