*Full A/N at the end.
*Some Ezria (sorry Jaria fans, but you may like a twist I have in later ;D) also, In NSTS Alison is living, she is not dead. I felt like that would help keep things interesting.
*Disclaimer: I do NOT own these characters, they belong to the wonderful Sara Shepard as well as the writers of the tv show. Future characters may belong to me, but we will cross that bridge when we get there.
Nothing Stays The Same
Chapter 3. The Wedding Planner
Spencer walked down the street toward Aria's house. The Fitzgerald house was certainly smaller than the Hastings' but it was certainly one of the larger ones in the town. All of the girls were certainly among the wealthier in Rosewood. Alison Dilaurentis, Aria Montgomery-Fitzgerald, Emily Fields, Hanna Marin, and Spencer Hastings; the inseparable friends. Each of them were different inside the group, but that's what kept them so close knit.
Spencer knew that all of the girls would be there, it was where they always hung out. And sure enough, when she walked through the fence to the back of the wrap around porch they all sat there.
"Finally." Aria said, looking up at Spencer who walked toward them with her right hand covering her left, knowing that Hanna would see it if she didn't hide it. Hanna always had an eye for things that shined.
Alison flicked one of her golden curls over her shoulder, "Maybe Toby had a little more planned today than a trip to the park."
The other girls giggled and Spencer wondered if Ali knew, she always did seem to know everything going on in their lives. No. She couldn't know.
"Ali. It was just a walk in the park." she reassured the girl, but Alison wasn't buying it and she just shook her head.
"Hm. I'm sure you took a walk in his park."
They all turned to Ali, mouths wide open and they were all laughing except for Spencer.
"Ali. It wasn't like that. Seriously.. don't joke."
Alison was not a force to be reckoned with, she liked having the upper hand, and she had ways of making sure it stayed that way. "Spencer. We all know that you've already done the dirty with Creep Cavanaugh. Was he at least good?"
At that Spencer began to grow furious, something about this just ticked her off. She and Toby did decide to wait, and what gave Alison Dilaurentis, of all people, to be judging her. "I'm not- We're not- Ali, this is getting insane. And I'd really appreciate if you would stop calling him that! I thought we were past that!" she said, frustrated.
Emily put her hand on Spencer's arm, "Spence, it was just a joke... calm down." she told her. Emily always had this soothing tone, she was the peace keeper of all the friends.
Spencer took a deep breath, let it out, then spoke. "Look, guys. I wanted to tell you all what-"
At that moment the porch door swung open and Ezra interrupted the girls. "Oh, hey girls. Sorry to interrupt. Just wanted to let Aria know that I brought home dinner. So, you won't have to cook tonight, love." he said, turning to Aria midway. He then kissed her on the top of the head and she smiled softly at him. Aria loved him, she grew to, at least.
Spencer wouldn't be the first of the girls to be married. Aria had an arranged marriage. Her parents, Ella and Byron, set her up with Ezra Fitzgerald. It was all a part of some big business plan that the Fitzgerald family had to help boost company profit and other business things that Aria had no interest in. All Aria knew was that she would be marrying a 23 year old man at the age of 17. She didn't like the idea, but an arranged marriage was how her parents were together, and they were fine. Aria and Ezra had been married for a full year now, and she grew to love him and care for him like she had always known him and actually chosen to marry him.
When Ezra left the room and he was out of ear-shot the girls immediately turned their attention back to Spencer, who was unnoticeable about playing with the ring on her finger.
"Continue." Hanna said, as she hugged the little pillow, resting her head on it.
"Right. So... I'm getting married." she spat out, finally having had enough courage to tell them.
Aria jumped up and cheered, Emily grinned and hugged her, Hanna had this little wave going on where she practically fanned herself and squealed. The only girl who didn't seem so thrilled about the good news was Ali who sat still with her head cocked and a look that screamed "I really don't care." . As usual, Alison had to bitch about it all.
Ali was never one to be thrilled for other people, but when she wanted to, she could make you feel really special. That's why the girls were so close. They all would occasionally butt heads with Alison, but in the end, she was a real friend.
"Congrats, Spencer." Ali finally said. It was obvious that the smile she wore was fake, but most times, you took what you could get with Ali.
Spencer smiled back. "Wait. I'm not done. I would like, for all of you to be my bridesmaids." she said.
A ring of smiles filled the porch. Hanna managed to squeal more, she loved weddings, and now she would be a bridesmaid.
"When's the wedding?" Hanna asked, excitedly.
Spencer stuttered for a moment, "Uh, Ah.. Well, Melissa's planning it..." she told the group, glancing around at them.
Ali scoffed, "Ha! Are you asking for someone to ruin your big day? Melissa can't be trusted! I thought you hated her?"
Spencer narrowed her eyes at the blonde. Aria looked over at Ali, "Ali... Can you be more gentle?"
"I'm just trying to give her a chance. She promised she wouldn't screw things up for me. I'm trusting her with this, she begged me." Spencer told Alison, defending Melissa for once.
Ali rolled her eyes. "Go ahead and trust her. But when you end up wearing the fugliest dress to a run down trailer trash wedding, you'll know who to blame, and I'll be saying 'I told you so'."
It was then, that Spencer felt like breaking down. How could Alison say something so hurtful to her? Yet again, it was one of those power struggles and upper hand type things.
"I.. I need to go. I have dinner with my family.. I'll talk to you guys later." Spencer said, before she stood up and left the girls, leaving the Fitzgerald house, and walking down the street. She walked hurriedly, the sun was just beginning to set but she already felt like she should just lay down and wait to wake up tomorrow. She had had enough of Alison't jokes for one night and she hoped that when the big day did arrive, Ali would have more of a heart than she usually did, and she would be the friend that they all knew she could be.
That evening at dinner, things were slow and conversation was lulled. Nothing of the wedding was really mentioned other than locations and everything that Melissa suggested were impractical and outrageous for some of the people on the guest list's price range. They all couldn't possibly fly out to Miami, or New York City, or California. It just wasn't possible. And Spencer and Toby wanted everyone to be there, so they would need a better location than what Melissa had picked out.
"What about the park?" Spencer suggested.
Melissa nearly dropped her fork on the floor, "Ew. Why would you want to have your wedding in the park? In Rosewood?"
Their mom gave Melissa a look of disapproval and Melissa backed off.
Spencer shrugged, "It's affordable and with the right decorations it can be really great."
Melissa's brows furrowed, "You're bluffing. What's the real reason?"
Spencer hung her head in submission, "It's sentimental." she admitted.
"Please, Melissa. Don't make this wedding about where you want it. Please." she said.
Melissa sighed. "I'm not trying to make it about me. But if it will make you stop nagging me, you can have your wedding at the freaking park.
"Thank you." Spencer said, smiling at Melissa.
The rest of dinner's conversation was untouched with mentions of the wedding or anything to do with it, needless to say, Spencer was sort of relieved that more wedding conversation wasn't on the menu.
*A/N: Okay, Hi my dear readers (: How did you like chapter 3? ;D Lot's of fluff, I know, I'm sorry. But we're building up to the big things. ;) As always, reviews and favorites are appreciated! Once again, I leave you with a bad ending, but this chapter was putting my brain to the test with so much fluff and nothing of much significance. Sorry. Again. So, uhm, leave feedback, reviews, you know, the usual stuff. And Chapter 4 will be up soon.(: Thanks guys!