"Ali. You're alive." I hugged my older sister tightly to me once she returned to Rosewood. I already knew she was alive, as I had gone with the girls from the fashion show to see her. I had slipped back home before everything with Fitz and Shana happened though. Still, for the sake of appearances, and secrets, I welcomed her back as if this was the first time I was seeing her in years.

Jason was less excited by the prospect of living with Ali again. Meanwhile, Mike was happy for me. He thought I needed some happiness again. Though he himself didn't seem too happy. It was obvious he missed Mona. I was almost tempted to tell him I'd understand if he'd rather be with her. Almost.

The happiness didn't last long. The dog my mom had ordered before she'd disappeared, I'd assumed it was to get away from my father who came to see Ali, turned up finding a body in Spencer's backyard. My mother. I headed out with Ali and Jason to see what the commotion was about, and upon seeing the corpse, Jason pulled me into his embrace, turning my head away from the scene. He kept his cool exterior, but I could feel his heart pounding with anxiety. Ali herself put her hand on me, trying to keep herself upright.

Ali helped me get ready for the funeral while Dad and Jason fought downstairs. "What a welcome home party." I sighed, turning to my sister. "I'm sure he knows Jason isn't his."

"Don't talk like that. Dad won't ever know about you or Jason. Promise." Ali said, zipping up my dress. I turned to face her and embraced her.

"You're not allowed to disappear ever again. Mom's gone, and Jason is as unpredictable as ever."

"As if I could leave my mini-me behind." She hugged me back. That phrase froze me to the core. Was I really that much like her? I could only see myself doing the same horrible things she would do, as she said that.

"We'd better get going. I want this day to be over as soon as possible." I straightened up, and headed for the stairs. Ali nodded and followed after me.

Things in Rosewood obviously got worse, as evidenced by Toby's home burning down. Especially worse when Mike and Mona got back together. Aria invited me to some dapper movie event so she wouldn't third wheel them, but it ended up making me feel like the third wheel. Mona ran off to the bathroom at one point, Aria following her, leaving me with Mike.

"Do you think Mona will be okay? She's been gone a while." Mike worried. The same way he used to worry about me.

"I'll go make sure Aria didn't get into a catfight with her in the bathroom." I offered, desperate to escape the awkward atmosphere. It would be so easy to scoot over a few seats and put my hand in his, the way it used to be, but I couldn't do that.

"Do you think Mike likes me?" I heard Mona sniffle from the door to the powder room.

"Yes." I answered as I headed in. Aria and Mona both seemed caught off guard by my sudden appearance. "If he didn't, I wouldn't be 'just friends' with him, now would I?"

"Mads, I didn't mean-"

"No, the breakup was my fault. And now we're friends. And I'm not Ali. I don't step into another girl's territory. Now you better head back out there to your prince charming." I smiled at Mona, who grinned back and practically ran out the door. "God knows he's mine too." I muttered and took a deep breath, turning on my heel to head back out into the torture chamber of watching the guy I loved, fawn over another girl.

I may have gotten Ali back, but I think A thought it was funny to ruin my life. My mom was found dead the same day we had adopted Pepe. That dog had been the one to find my mother's body. Her three children had been wondering where she'd disappeared to. And there she was. Rotting away under our noses.

As the cops arrived, Jason came outside to see what the commotion was about. He took one glance and immediately pulled Ali and I to his chest, shielding us from the world's horrors for a single moment in time. The funeral would be worse. The entire time I was petrified of the tension between Dad and Jason bursting into a full-blown fight, but Ali tried to soothe me as she dressed me in one of her best black dresses that morning. Ali was good like that. Always better at keeping her thoughts and emotions in check. I wore my heart on my sleeve. Maybe that's why she was a master manipulator.

"Are you sure they'll be fine?" I wondered aloud as she zipped up the dress.

Ali sighed. "Relax Maddie. You're super stressed. Boys, family, A…just relax."

Relax. Right.

Even looking at family photos from now on would be impossible. I could see Alison going on about how great a day had been, Jason complaining how terrible it was. In reality, it had been another lame day with my lame parents trying to do fun things at the beach or cabin or wherever we were for the vacation.

Memories.

A/N: I may put this story on a permanent hiatus at some point...it's hard to keep up with these stories nowadays...hmmmmm.