So here's another chapter I hope you enjoy it. I would also like to thank Roza-Belikov12 and MissTerie for taking an interest in this story. Please continue to review I truly appreciate any feedback you guys give. On that note, what do you think of Miss Palladino? I want to hear who you think the mystery person that helped Spencer is. I hope to somewhat shock you with this chapter. Aside from the fact that I am updating so soon after the first chapter. But anyway. Enjoy the chapter. Please review! -Ancient 85.
"So what's the deal?" Hanna asks as Spencer sits down at their table.
"She's the new coach. She's also taking over Mr. Fitz's classes."
"That was quick." Aria states out loud.
"That's not the only thing…" Spencer starts to say when a shrill of beeps interrupt her.
They each glance at their phones knowing it was most definitely A texting them.
Recent events have shown me I have been too nice on you girls. Any questions? Ask Spencer. -A
The girls look to each other than to Spencer.
Ezra Fitz was at his computer. He wanted to get the course syllabus done as soon as possible before Aria came over. She usually did around this time that is if she came at all. He had not really heard from her since the night of the get-together at her house. He understood why she was mad. He hadn't seen as a problem at the time. He was still hoping that she would respond to his attempts to reach her.
A knock at the door brought renewed hope in his eyes. She was here. He all but ran to open the door and was shocked at who he saw on the other end.
"Alice Palladino?" The woman smiled at the look of shock on his face. She probably was the last person he expected to see.
"The one and only." Ezra stepped aside to let her in and shut the door after her.
Alice made her way into the small apartment taking in the surroundings. Definately screamed Ezra Fitz or what she remembered him to be. Alot had changed she saw him last. But one thing was certain she missed looking into those beautiful eyes of his and boyish good looks.
"I thought you were on your way to Paris." Alice turns to face him as he reaches into the fridge for two bottled waters.
"I changed my mind. You're not an easy man to find, Ezra." He smiles handing her a water.
"What have you been up to?"
"Nothing. Traveling, sightseeing, teaching your English classes. Oh and I went to visit…"
"What?"
"Guess who is the new English teacher at Rosewood."
"Oh that's good." He says non-committedly
"Well gee its not like I stole your job, Ezra. At the very least I thought you would be happy for me." She says walking over to him.
"No. I am happy for you. Congratulations." He pulls her into a short hug. She looks at him curiously.
"You seem a distant. Something on your mind."
"What? No."
"You're a regular space cadet. What's up?"
"Its nothing with all the changes and paperwork. My mind is elsewhere."
"Alright." Alice says not convinced by the excuse. Their friendship went way back to high school. She knew something was up with him, but she also knew that he would tell her eventually.
"So how do you like Rosewood?"
"Its cute little town. From what I've seen of it." She says taking a seat on the couch. Ezra looked ather curiously before speaking.
"Didn't you tell me you used to come down often to visit your grandmother?"
"I was twelve. It's different then the last time I was here."
"So where are you staying?" He joins her on the couch.
"Actually that's another reason why I'm here. I have no place to stay. And really no money until payday. So I was wondering…"
"No." Ezra says standing up.
"Come on, Ezra. Its only for a few days. Please I have no where else to go." She says taking his hands in hers.
"I don't think…"
"Please? I never said no when you asked to crash at my place when you were in a tiff with your roommate. Please" Alice puts on her best puppy dog look.
"Umm…alright…You can stay." She throws her arms over him in a bone crushing hug.
Ezra pulls out of the hug and she grins. Ezra was never one to give or receive bone crushing hugs.
"So where are your things? In your car?"
"Actually my suitcase is in the hallway."
Ezra shakes his head and walks to the door to get the suitcase outside. There was never a request that she asked of him that would go unfulfilled. She asked him knowing she would ultimately get a yes out of him.
"You rely too much on me saying yes."
"It was that or camp outside your door till you said yes." Ezra smiled. She had not changed a bit.
"Someone scratched this into my locker." Spencer says showing the girls the picture she took of her locker.
"World's worst best friend?" Emily read.
"Who could have done that?" Aria asks taking the phone to look at it.
"I think it was A." Spencer states.
"A sure seems to be focusing on you a lot lately." Hanna says referring to recent events.
"Then again it also seems that someone is out to help." Emily hands her the phone.
"How would they have gotten the USB when I saw Ian reach for it?" Spencer questions.
"Unless whoever gave it to you took it from Ian at the church." Emily suggests.
Spencer contemplates it. Her eyes widen when a sudden realization came to her.
"Someone other than A was there that night."
"Right. The hooded figure." Aria states. By this time the girls were all sitting on Spencer's bed, trying to figure out what all this new information meant.
"Whoever this mysterious person is, is not on A's good book." Hanna points out.
Ezra sat on the couch comforting Alice as she spoke.
"I have never forgiving myself for all the things I said to her that day." She says through tears. "I wish I could take it all back."
"You were a teenager. You didn't mean it."
Alice looks up a him with tear stained eyes. "Doesn't take away the fact that I said them. To her of all people."
"Its not your fault. You loved your sister."
"I know a few people that would say otherwise."
"Don't listen to them." Ezra takes her hand and gives it a gentle squeeze.
"The police hounded me for days thinking I had something to do with her disappearance. My family barely looked at me. I'm sure they thought I did something to her."
"I don't think they did, Alice."
"That didn't stop me from looking for her."
"Is that why you are here now?" Ezra asks.
"I know she's still here."
"Its been more than twelve years."
"The police refused to check here in Rosewood thinking I had done something to her beforehand." Alice wipes away the tears. "I can't leave here without knowing the truth."
"I will help you with whatever you need." Alice smiles as he pulls her into a comforting hug.
"You could always make me feel better, Ezra."
"How about I make something for us to eat." Ezra offers. Alice pulls out of the hug.
"Not to knock your incredible cooking talents. I prefer to avoid food poisoning." Ezra feigns hurt feelings. "Much rather cook for you. Seeing as you are giving me a place to crash."
"You hear no complaints from me."
"Great! I will go to the store and be back in a bit."
"I can go to the store." Ezra offers.
"I have to run an errand anyways." She says then adds, "Thanks again for everything."
"How does this person know about the USB?"
"Great just what we need another crazy freak watching us." Hanna says out loud.
"Whoever this person is saved Spencer's life. I think that's the important thing in all of this." Emily states.
The other girls nodded in agreement. Spencer remained thoughtful.
"Logan! Are you okay?" Alice says rushing to the bench where he sat rubbing his wrists.
"Thanks for bailing me out."
"They said you were resisting arrest and even took a swing at the arresting officer. I told you not to go. Did you listen...no!"
"I needed the cash. I can't really keep asking you to bail me out."
"I won't have to if you stayed out of trouble." Logan shrugs his shoulders and stared at the floor. Anywhere but her. Alice grabs his hand and pulls him up.
"Look it doesn't matter now. They said you're free to go."
"How much do I owe you this time?" He fulling intending to mark it on his mental list of things he was indebted to her for. She aways managed to save his hide countless times and never really berated him for it.
"Nothing I didn't have to pay this time." Logan turns to her with a curious look.
"What did you do? Don't tell me you…" He receives a jab to the arm. "Ow!"
"I traded your freedom for this." She hands him a folder.
The folder contained a printed copy of emails between Logan and Ian. As well as the website page where Ian had solicited a messenger.
"You're the best! How did you get all this?"
"Easy I hacked into your email accounts. Had to weed through the endless junk emails though."
"Should have guessed. Where are you staying? I'm sure my cousin can let us both stay at his place."
"Actually I'm staying at Ezra's apartment."
"Ezra?" Logan questions trying to recall the name.
"I told you about him, remember?" She says as they walk side by side out of the police station.
"He isn't that jerk you dated back in high school?" Alice lets go of his hand.
"He's not a jerk. And I can't believe you're jealous."
"I'm not jealous. I just like the idea of you staying with another guy in his apartment."
"Well find us an apartment and then we can talk." Alice says walking away from him.
"Ok I'm sorry. I will get the money we need and get us an apartment. Just don't be mad at me."
Alice mulls over his words before turning around and giving him a quick peck on the cheek.
"You have no reason to be jealous, Logan. You mean a lot to me."
"Spencer! We have some good news for you." Spencer's mom states entering kitchen followed by her dad.
The girls had decided to take a break from all thoughts of A and this new mystery person to grab a snack.
"What?"
"I just got word that the police no longer considers you a person of interest."
"What? How?"
"Someone brought in a taped recording of the other night." Veronica walked around the kitchen counter to embrace Spencer.
"I am so sorry I didn't believe you. I should have and for that I am sorry." Her mother's behavior made her curious as to what was actually on the tape.
Spencer's dad came from behind to stand beside her mom.
"We will have to talk about this further. We need to speak to your sister. She is going to need us all after we tell her." With her dad's parting words, she looked to face her friend with a mixture of relief and confusion.
It was then that she heard the tone of her laptop. She had received a new email message.
The girls stared at the laptop as Spencer went to open the email.
I couldn't stay long, but it was long enough to record this. Ian and the police won't be bothering you anymore. Stay safe.
Spencer clicked on the attachment. It was a voice recording of that night at the church. An audible grasp came from Spencer's lips.
They listen to the entire recording before anyone said anything.
"That explains what your parents said." Aria was the first to speak.
"Yeah but I want to know who gave it to them."
"Who cares about who gave it to the police, other than the fact he/she maybe watching us too, I don't see the point playing detective." Hanna declares.
"It important if only to find out what this person knows." Emily states agreeing with Spencer.
Alice Palladino walked into her office only to be grab from behind. Her assailant covered her mouth to prevent her from screaming. A quick elbow to the gut sent the assailant back a couple of steps.
"Ow! Easy ninja. Its only me."
Alice turned to face Logan bent forward clutching his stomach.
"What have I told you about doing that?"
"Didn't think you'd go all street fighter on me."
"What are you doing here?"
"I came to tell you I think I found us an apartment."
"Couldn't you have waited to we met up later. Someone could see you."
Logan chuckled. "Are we secretly dating again? Are your parent forbidding me to see you." Logan says in his best parental voice.
"Go ahead and joke. Don't blame me when you get hassled again."
"Alright I'm leaving." Logan says giving her a quick kiss before leaving. Alice followed him out.
The girls were at their table during lunch discussing the mystery person when Aria noticed their new English teacher walking outside with the same guy from the night before.
"That's the guy Ian sent to meet us at the park."
The girls turn to face the direction Aria was motioning to.
"What he doing here?" Emily asks out loud.
"More importantly why is he saying goodbye to Miss Palladino." Hanna states.
That all for now. Hope you like the chapter!