Hey again! Thank you all for reviewing and still reading my story! I can't believe it's over 80.000 words already. That is just crazy! I hope you are still with me! :) You are all probably surprised to see me update again this fast: But it's true! And it's a longer one too! Lucky you haha.. I had the Chapter already played out in my head so it was just about putting the whole thing into words, and here you have it. You will be warned: There will be some drama ahead of us. Enjoy!
...
"Bloody hell. What are you doing here? I told you not to come back.", her voice was cold, indifferent, and hearing the other girl chuckle slightly, only made it worse.
"I wanted to check on you. You put on some kind of a show the last time I visited you here."
"I am surprised Dean let you in. He can be very protective and he normally can spot a bitch from a small distance. What do you want, Mona?"
She wasn't in the mood to have to deal with this. The last days had been horrible for her. She couldn't even blink without thinking of Aria and her twin sister making out or confessing their love to one another. It made her sick to think about those images. She wasn't even sure anymore if she wanted Aria to come back to visit her or if she ever wanted to see her again. She just felt so betrayed, even though Aria never really said she liked her romantically and had denied it a few times, she did give her hopes with her and she definitely didn't refuse her direct flirting. And Alex knew Aria had felt something from the kiss she initiated. No one was an actor who performed that convincing. However it wasn't just about her feelings towards Aria. Seeing her with Spencer, made her realize how Spencer always seemed to beat her – in everything. She was tired of being second best, tired of letting people into her heart again, when - the second she let those feelings stay - somebody hurt her again.
"I know you are angry, Alex. I can understand how furious you are at Aria, how much hate you must have for your spoiled twin sister. But we both know you are stuck in here and can't do anything. That's why I came to help you with that. You don't even have to pay me back. You can look at it as an apology for freaking you out in a way that you almost had a heart attack the last time I was here."
Alex sighed, too tired to let Mona drag her into another mess. She had sworn to herself that she was done playing games with other people's lives, and even though something inside of her screamed to let Mona explain what she was planning, she felt strong enough to refuse.
"I don't want your help. You can go now."
Mona shifted closer. "See. I think you do want my help. Don't you think Spencer deserves some kind of revenge? I don't mean for you to almost kill her off again to get her out of the picture." She chuckled, before going on. "I just think she needs a little reminder that she is not the most perfect human being on this planet. A little something that makes her realize that she can't have everything she wants just because she is a Hastings."
Alex thought about it. She didn't know if she could trust Mona; She didn't know if it was a good idea to play with other people's lives again – But then again – She didn't have anything to lose. Spencer wasn't talking to her anyway, and the only person that really mattered had abandoned her because of her twin sister. Maybe it wasn't such a bad idea after all to play some tricks.
"I don't want somebody to get hurt. Do you hear me? No one gets hurt."
Mona laughed loudly, before rolling her eyes. "Wow. That coming out of your mouth, sounds pretty convincing."
"I am serious, Mona. Aria will never forgive me if something happens to Spencer."
"Don't worry, I won't touch a hair on her head. I will just mess with her mind a little bit."
Alex nodded, thinking about what Mona had said, about how maybe she could trick Spencer into showing Aria that deep down she just didn't deserve a girl like her. That Spencer and Aria just weren't meant to be. She would just show Spencer that Aria was just not hers to keep, and technically it was the truth. They didn't fit. Spencer was too sarcastic, too driven and too strict to be with someone as careless and emotional as Aria. It wasn't such a bad idea after all.
"Tell me your plan."
…
"I can't believe you are coming home!", Aria squealed into the phone. She felt like smiling the whole time and she didn't even try to hide her excitement. She couldn't wait for Spencer to be in Rosewood again and have some quality time with her and their friends.
"I know, I missed you like crazy these last two weeks. You are in for a long weekend, Miss Montgomery! I hope you got some sleep last night, because we sure will be awake quite some time tonight." Aria blushed deeply, thinking of how to make Spencer's stay extra special. She had already bought some candles and some bath salts to help Spencer relax a little after the last couple of weeks.
"When are you setting off?" Aria had promised Hanna to let her organize a small "Welcome Back" party. Technically, Spencer wasn't even gone a whole month, but Hanna had insisted that it would be the first step of their mission to convince Spencer to stay in their small town and Aria just couldn't say no. However, them being too spontaneous about things, they still had a lot to organize.
"Well, as soon as I can. Probably in an hour. I think I won't be later than half two, three maybe."
Aria frowned slightly. This was certainly too early to organize everything, but she had an idea on how to give Hanna some extra time to prepare the surprise.
"How about we meet just outside Rosewood at that Italian place you like so much then? We could go and have some lunch. I know you will probably be hungry and that way I can have you to myself before the others will come over to your place to scream at you for disappearing like that."
That way, Hanna, Emily and Alison had enough time to set up the house, to get everybody in who was invited and to prepare the food. Even though it was technically Hanna's idea, she wanted everything to be perfect. Spencer deserved to know how many people loved her and she deserved to realize how special she really was. Especially in such a difficult time, when she was so desperately trying to succeed it was important to Aria that Spencer knew she wasn't alone in this and that she and their closest friends and family were there for her.
She heard Spencer chuckle. "I would like that. Our first official date."
Aria smiled at her words, not having thought about it in that way. But it was true. It was their first official date as a couple, and Aria couldn't be happier. Aria would be lying if she wasn't nervous, and she didn't know how being with Spencer in public would feel like, but she was ready to find out. She let that thought linger for a moment before answering softly. "Yeah, that's pretty perfect. You can text me half an hour before you arrive and I will set off."
"Sounds awesome. I can't wait. See you soon, Ar."
"Neither can I. See you soon, Babe."
"Aria?", she heard Spencer call out before she was about to hang up.
"Yeah?"
"I love you."
Aria smiled and she heard the phone click then. She knew Spencer had hung up so Aria wouldn't feel bad for not saying it back, but she loved Spencer for being so patient and wonderful about it. Aria knew she was probably falling deeper every second and that it wasn't so much about the feelings and emotions she was feeling for her taller friend, but the confidence and courage to say those words out loud, to think about what they meant, and to confess to herself and to Spencer how she felt. She couldn't wait to be ready to announce it not only to Spencer, but to the whole world.
…
Arriving at the small restaurant, Spencer parked her car right outside and noticed that Aria's car was still not there. She had texted her about half an hour ago that she was close to Rosewood and Aria had replied that she was setting off then, so she wondered why she would take so long if it was just a ten-minute drive. She didn't think much of it and decided to go inside to not wait in the car and have some coffee while waiting for Aria. She was nervous to see her again. She had missed her terribly and she couldn't help but take her in her arms and overwhelm her with kisses.
Half an hour later, there was still no Aria in sight, so she grabbed her phone to see what was taking her so long. When no one picked up after the fifth ring, she got confused. It wasn't like Aria to not show up and to not pick up her phone. She would have sent a text even though it she would be only ten minutes late. She tried not to worry as she stirred her coffee, her eyes fixed on the clock at the restaurant's wall in front of her. Every second that passed felt like an eternity and Spencer's left foot began to tap on the floor in a fast rhythm as she tried to calm herself down.
Drinking the last bit of her coffee, having left already three messages, Spencer noticed it was already an hour since Aria was supposed to show up. While paying for her coffee she accidently let some change fall to the floor because of her shaky hands and she took a deep breath as she finally sat down in the car a few minutes later. She knew Aria had probably a good explanation as to not show up and part of her wanted to be angry at her for standing her up like that, but another part of her brain, the part that couldn't help but remember the days of someone threatening her and her friends constantly, was filled with worry. It wasn't an easy baggage that she and the other four carried around constantly. The rational part of her knew it was impossible, though. Because AD was locked up in a nutshouse, and the rest of her team was buried under ground, but still - she couldn't help but fear the unknown.
It took her less than 8 minutes to arrive at Aria's house. On the way home, she began to think that something might have happened to Aria's phone and maybe that's why she wasn't calling her back. It didn't necessary explain her not showing up, but knowing Aria she probably was too concerned about her technical device, that she forgot the time.
Knocking loudly, she felt blood rush through her body as her heart beat so fast she could basically feel the vibration through her chest. The door opened and she was about to scream at Aria for making her worry so much, when Hanna's arms wrapped around her torso and the blond girl hugged her tightly. "Spencer!", she shouted and was dragged inside. She was too confused to notice what was going on but as she walked into the living room and saw a bunch of people standing in front of her, something clicked.
"Surprise!", the group of friends chanted and Spencer felt her body calm down, as she looked around the room, her eyes searching the little monster that had probably organized everything. Despite feeling furious at Aria for letting her go through this phase of going crazy, she couldn't help but smile at all the people that had welcomed her back even though she wasn't even gone that long.
"Welcome back!" Emily and Alison stepped forward and hugged her close, as Alison stayed by her side with an arm around her side. "I missed my cousin."
She smiled at her friends when her mind drifted back to Aria. "So, where is she, huh?" She didn't want to sound mad, but she was. Still, she wanted nothing more than to hold her even though she probably didn't deserve it.
"Who?", Emily asked confused and Spencer rolled her eyes.
"Don't tell me she is hiding from me. C'mon Aria. Where are you?", she yelled through the room as some of the other guests looked at her a little weird.
Hanna was the first whose eyes began to widen. "Spence, Aria is not here yet. I thought she was parking the car or something or still on her way since you both drove separately to that Italian place."
Spencer couldn't help but squint her eyes, not really wanting to understand what Hanna was implying. Her worries surfaced again and she tried to calm her nerves. There had to be some explanation. She was tired of surprises, tired of jokes.
"Hanna, don't try and mock me. Just tell me where she is. I promise not to get angry at her for throwing this surprise party. Just her out of her hiding place so I can see her."
Emily turned towards her then, a nervous expression on her mind and before Spencer could even protest she was dragged into the kitchen, away from the starring eyes. Alison and Hanna followed suit, and when the girls where inside Alison quickly shut the door.
"Spencer, I swear she is not here. She was supposed to go meet you at the restaurant. We were organizing the house when you texted her to let her know you would be there soon, so she set off."
Spencer tried to avoid the other's worried glances as she starred at the wall in front of her, different scenarios rushing through her mind, one more terrifying than the other one.
"Please tell me you are not messing with my head, Emily. Because right now I am on the edge of really freaking out. Please tell me she is here somewhere. My brain can't stop from spinning and I am starting to really, really worry right now."
Her breaths were fast, and Hanna put a comforting hand on her arm. "Look Spence, I am sure there is some sort of explanation. There has to be. Have you tried to call her?"
"Yes!", she let out frustrated, still not fully believing what was happening.
Alison sighed as she pulled out her phone. "I will try again."
The four friends waited impatiently, but after a soft click the only thing that was heard was Aria's soft but recorded voice as it told them to leave a message on her answering machine if it was important.
"Please tell me this is not happening.", Spencer breathed, thinking about what she could do.
"Maybe we shouldn't freak out just now.", Hanna voiced. "Maybe she just had something to do."
"I doubt that. This was way too important to her to do something else.", Emily argued.
"Maybe there was an accident." Spencer turned her head towards Alison. It wasn't that she hadn't thought about such a possibility before but hearing somebody else voice her worries out loud made it more real. Aria was missing. And Spencer didn't know what to do.
"I think they would have called or rang the house by now, in case her family was home to go see her. But l am still calling the local hospital to be sure.", Emily said as she already pulled out her phone. And even though she was scared out of her mind, Spencer was glad to have her friends with her to keep a tough face and tried to figure out the situation.
The air tensed however, when the hospital informed them that there was no Aria Montgomery there and that there was no car accident recorded around Rosewood in the last few hours. Having heard those news, Emily decided to let everybody know that the party was over because Aria hadn't been able to come and Spencer wasn't in the mood to celebrate as she was too tired after the journey. The guests left, confused, but at least they were civil enough to not question the real reasons behind being thrown out. Hanna had even managed to get Caleb out of the house. She had explained to them that she didn't want him to worry too much. Ever since, he had helped Aria with her mission to rescue Spencer he had grown a soft spot for her, and Hanna knew he was probably only going to make Spencer even more worried.
Sitting on the couch, the girls stayed silent for long moment, and Spencer guessed they were starting to feel as hopeless as she was and that this was the moment they really started to worry.
"Oh my god." It was Hanna's shocked voice that cut through the silence. Spencer noticed how her friend's face turned pale and her eyes closed briefly before starring into Spencer's eyes worriedly. Not needing to be told, she continued with her shocked realizations.
"Alex." It was one word, one simple name, but it was all it took to make Spencer jump from her seat on the couch.
"That whore! I swear to god if she even touched her I am going to kill her the minute I find her!"
She was already halfway towards the door, when Emily and Alison dragged her back inside, Alison trying to make Spencer stop from storming off.
"Spencer, calm down. If Alex has really something to deal with Aria's disappearance we can't just act on impulse. That woman is dangerous. And I am not going to have you walk into another trap of hers!"
"Aria is missing! And I bet Hanna is right and Alex has something to do with it! So I am sure as hell not going to sit here and do nothing when my girlfriend might be terrified to death right now! I am going to Philly and give that whore a piece of mind! Right now. And I swear I will not leave that bitch until I get some answers!"
"Okay. Just breathe for a second, okay? Alex is locked up in her room and there is no way for her to escape. That facility is not like Radley. Plus, we don't even know if Aria is really missing." Emily tried and her gaze shifted to Hanna. "Hanna, can you call Caleb and see if he can locate Aria's car?"
Hanna nodded, phone already in hand, and Spencer gave up the struggle against the other two girls. She slumped tiredly onto the floor, waiting for Caleb to get some information.
"He has a location!", Hanna screamed after some mumbled explanations and questions and Spencer snatched the phone out of Hanna's hand, pressing the speaker button.
"Where is the car?", she demanded, not even caring how rushed her voice was.
"It tells me it's on some road, but it's not moving.", his tone was soft, but Spencer could spot the worry in his voice.
"Shit. Maybe she really had an accident after all!", Hanna yelled and even though Spencer was never really religious she prayed that Aria was safe.
"I need to go there. It's still light outside. I have to see if she is there!"
"I have an idea." It was Emily who spoke again, and Spencer wondered when she became the voice of reason.
"Caleb, you are going to come here and pick Spencer up and you're driving to that location as soon as possible. And me and Hanna – we are going on a trip to Philly to- "
"No way, Emily! You are not going to see that crazy bitch! She is insane and reckless, I am not letting you – "
"Like I said before, she is locked up and under surveillance. We will be fine, Ali." As to prove a point she kissed her on the cheek softly.
"I agree with Alison, if someone should talk to her, it should be me!", argued Spencer but Hanna shook her head.
"No! Emily is right. This is how it will work. You need to go to Aria's car. Spencer, if something did happen to her and she is still there, maybe even hurt you're going to regret no going to look for her and maybe – "
"Enough!", interrupted Spencer, not wanting to let thoughts so dark slip into her mind. She reluctantly agreed to the plan, hoping it wouldn't be long until she had Aria back in her arms. But right at that moment, she couldn't do anything else than wait for Caleb to pick her up.
"Call us if you find her by the car.", Hanna told Spencer, wrapping her arms tightly around her in a hug. "I promise you everything will be okay." She added in a whisper and Spencer wished she could believe her.
"All right, Hanna, let's go. Visiting hours will be almost over if we get there. Spencer, call us if you find her. Maybe there is an explanation and everything will be solved sooner than we think."
"Wait!", Alison interrupted. "What about me?"
"You are going to stay here in case Aria comes back home." Emily pressed a loving kiss to her lips and Spencer couldn't help but wish Aria was here so she could kiss her too.
Emily then moved to stand in front of her to take one of her shaking hands in hers. "We will find her, Spence. Trust me. We will find her." With one last squeeze to her hands Emily and Hanna rushed outside the door. As Spencer starred towards the closed wooden door, she began to realize what was happening. Aria had never showed up at their meeting place. She had been missing for more than three hours by now. They couldn't reach her on the phone, and there was no accident recorded in the town's database. Something was seriously wrong. Aria would have called if something had happened, she would have come home, she would have find a way to tell Spencer that she was okay as she knew she was waiting for her to come meet her. It was that realization that broke the walls she had managed to built up earlier and she fell to the floor in sobs. The crying only got worse as she felt Alison wrap her arms around her in a tight hug, whispering words of hope into her ear.
...
TBC - of course haha
So what did you think? Please let me know in the reviews :) Also, what do you think happened to Aria; were you surprised something would happen? I am curious to find out what you think!
Until next time xx