(A/N: Its a bit longer than the other chapters, but that's a good thing, right? *forced grin*
Spencer Hastings dropped the last box, gingerly pushing her blonde hair back with the back of her hand. It was the last day before school started, and she was getting ready to move into her family's barn for the year. The Hastings' lived in Hogsmeade, right beside Hogwarts, so Spencer had always been a day student. She didn't mind. She could throw huge parties and sleepovers whenever she wanted, and not have to wait until summer like everyone else.
Of course, most of Spencer's sixth year was going to be spent deep in studying, with her eight N.E.W.T.-level classes. But no matter how many N.E.W.T classes she took, no matter how many times her Quidditch team won, no matter how many times she came home with a nearly-perfect report card, it was never as much as Melissa ever did. Melissa was Spencer's prissy older sister, the apple of their parents' eye. In a burst of frustration, Spencer kicked the box in front of her. It just wasn't fair!
A photo frame on Spencer's wall rattled on its hook, then toppled over. She swooped forward and caught the photo. Her eyes widened. It was a picture of Spencer, Aria Montgomery, Emily Fields and Hanna Marin sitting in the Quidditch bleachers bunched around Alison DiLaurentis. Alison's smile was alluring and sincere, but Spencer couldnt help feeling disturbed knowing that this picture had been taken only a few weeks before Ali's disappearance. As the long-ago girls in the photo tittered nervously at something Ali had said, images of that last dreary sleepover fluttered through Spencer's mind. The arguing...the fight...Ali running away...
I was the last one to see her, she thought, feeling the familiar shiver under her skin.
Spencer put the photo back. All of that had happened years ago. It didn't matter anymore. She looked around, eager for a distraction. Spencer was supposed to meet her family at for dinner at seven with Melissa and her new boyfriend. He was a first-year mediwizard named Robin. Or was it Finch? Whatever. It was some dumb bird name, anyway.
Once she arrived at The Three Broomsticks, it was humming with activity. This was the busiest time of the day, with customers scattered about the green-leather booths and oaken chairs. The Three Broomsticks was no longer a pub. Madam Rosmerta had converted it to a more conventional restaurant-ish place because Hogsmeade was becoming more sophisticated. Spencer joined her family at a table.
"Where is she?" Mr. Hastings asked Spencer's mother.
"Oh, I hope she isn't in trouble." Mrs. Hastings sounded worried.
Spencer snorted. Like Melissa could get in trouble! Bored, she began to drum her fingers against the table. Suddenly, the doors opened, and Melissa promenaded into the restaurant.
"Hello, Mom and Dad!" chirped Melissa, frumpy brunette hair bobbing up and down.
"Hello, Melissa." Nice and brusque. The Hastings were never the hug-and-sob type.
"This is Wren. Wren, my parents." For the first time, Spencer's gaze fell upon the guy standing beside her sister. He was thin and fit-looking, with dark fluffy hair and high cheekbones. .
"Pleased to meet you," Wren said, smiling coyly.
Shit, realized Spencer, her heart racing. He's adorable!
"And that's my sister, Spencer." Melissa added.
Wren glanced in her direction, still smiling. "Hi, Spencer."
"Hi," Spencer said coolly as Melissa and Wren took their seats. Wren ended up in the seat beside Spencer. She gulped and took a sip of her butterbeer self-consciously, trying not to look too careful.
Spencer's parents interrogated Melissa about her life. Spencer heard Melissa say "Oh, thanks for letting Wren and I move into the barn. We really appreciate it."
"That's fine, dear," said Mrs. Hastings.
"Wait- you can't!" sputtered Spencer.
Melissa turned to look at her.
"But-! I was supposed to move in. For junior year." Spencer explained, trying to keep her voice even.
"Oh, but you don't mind, do you?" she said sweetly. "Wren and I need somewhere to stay."
"But..."
"Of course, if you want us to stay in your room..."
Melissa and Wren, living in my room and doing God-knows-what on my bed? No thanks. "N-no."
"So, it's fine, right?"
"Yes," snapped Spencer.
Spencer gulped. "May I be excused?" She rose from the table and stomped outside. Spencer threw herself down on the nearest sidewalk and took out a flask of firewhiskey, pouring it down her throat. It felt good. She wasn't legal yet- she was barely sixteen. But it wasn't like she cared.
"You know, you really shouldn't be drinking."
Spencer eyeballed Wren, shrugging. "Well, I can."
Wren sat down beside her. "I can understand you being upset about the barn. Want me to, uh, talk to Melissa about it?"
"N-no. I'm just disappointed, that's all."
They sat in silence for a few moments, before Wren asked, "Hey, can I have a bit of that?"
Spencer raised an eyebrow. "You just told me not to drink."
"We can't all be perfect." He took the flask from her.
"What would Melissa say if she knew you were drinking?" she teased.
Wren winked. "Melissa isn't my whole life, you know."
Spencer laughed. Her family might be full of idiots, but at least her sister's new boyfriend was a total cutie.