That Monday Emily, Spencer, Hannah, Aria, and Alison met before school.

"So how'd your date go?" each girl asked Alison excitedly.

Alison had made a point to avoid them all weekend. A difficult task for the close friends, but when you're a leader like Ali was, you could do whatever you wanted, just about. But she wanted to be vague and mysterious, not just disappear forever. "He's nice. And I learned a lot of… cool stuff about him. His whole story is quite intriguing."

"How so?" Emily asked.

"Well—OH! Time for class! I can't be late again, my mom'll kill me. See you guys at lunch!"

"Wait!" Hannah called uselessly as they watch Alison run off.

"Something's up."

"Well yeah, Sherlock Spencer," Aria replied. "But what?"

"Hey, Em. You wanna befriend Jenna right? You know what's up?" Hannah questioned.

"I haven't befriended her yet. And I have no idea. Besides, it's not my business. And get over me and Jenna, friendship isn't that serious!"

"Cool it, Killer—"

"Don't call me that."

"Sorry."

"Why are you getting so defensive anyways?" Aria asked.

"I'm not, ok? Look, I don't know anything about Jenna or Toby. Get over that. And stop making this such a big deal."

"I was just—"

"Look, I gotta go, ok? See ya around." And with a small, forced smile, Emily was also gone.

"…What's going on?" All 3 remaining girls wondered.

Later, Emily walking into and sat right next to Jenna, her goal in mind. And she was determined not to give up. Maybe it was just Spencer rubbing off on her, but she would not let herself lose. Not a chance.

She cleared her throat.

"Hey Jenna. So… how's it goin'?"

"…I'm fine, thanks." She turned away to talk to Mona.

"Liking the neighborhood?" Small talk. It was all she could come up with, but it was something.

"… no, honestly. People keeping prying and won't give up," Jenna said giving a cold look to Emily.

"Just making friendly chat."

"Why are you so obsessed with me?"

"I'm not, ok? Just being friendly."

"And I don't need a friend like you."

Their tones were becoming increasingly angry and began to draw attention.

"Emily, leave her alone," Mona jumped in.

"Is it really such a crime to talk to someone?" Emily yelled.

"It—"

"Mona, it's okay." Jenna turned to Emily and with a lowered voice said, "We both know there could be a crime resulting from you talking to me."

"Look, I talked to Alison. It's cool! And besides, she honestly isn't that bad."

Jenna took a moment to think. "So now you need permission to talk to me? Reassurance? Totally awesome friend she is."

"No! I just wanted to be sure, since you so insisted last time we talked."

"Well even if my life isn't in danger, my reputation is. Being new is hard enough, I don't need Alison of all people sending a spy to learn every little thing about me."

"I'm not a spy though!"

"Maybe not willingly. But you know that's what you'll become. That's all she does. Dig up dirt, then use it to throw at people."

"That's not fair."

"But it's true. Look at what she's doing to Toby."

Emily noticed a change in Jenna's face, no matter how slight, when she mentioned Toby's name. She couldn't quite place what it was, but something was definitely wrong.

Jenna continued anyways. "Innocent as she may seem, I'm not getting involved."

"But I'm not her!"

"And that makes it worse! She's using you. She's using everyone! I don't care how innocent you think you are! Everyone here is guilty of something."

"…Then let's make a difference," Emily said courageously.

"And how do you propose we do that? Humor me."

"… Alison thinks she would use our friendship against you. But… maybe we can just lead her astray. If it works, maybe she'll stop for good."

"I doubt that'll work."

"But you know she trusts me. Maybe it will work. And we hardly have anything to lose." She paused. "And you can trust me."

The bell signaling the end of homeroom rang.

"Fine. I'll think about it. But no promises!" Jenna said, standing to leave.

"All I ask is that you think it over," Emily replied with a smile. "See ya later."

This whole exchange certainly didn't go unnoticed, but for now, both girls were fairly content. Though of course, they didn't know what—or who- was lurking right around the corner.