Chapter 3: Miss Hanna Marin

Hanna Marin pounded the alarm clock for the fifth time this morning, only realizing that she's late for school. She hastily got up from her bed as she got ready for school. Her blonde messy hair was pulled into a high ponytail, and she quickly picked out her favorite jeans from the closet, a t-shirt that says "2 hot for U," and a blue cardigan. Last night was probably the most intense night in Hanna's young life. Her mom, Ashley Marin and her dad, Tom Marin got into a huge argument, something about him being late for dinner and not spending time with Hanna. It's whatever, it wasn't like her family was all peaches and creams like every other family here in Rosewood.

Mrs. Marin was standing near the doorway obviously upset waiting for Hanna. Mrs. Marin doesn't work since her husband pays all the bills in the house and spends her times on Fridays going to Saks in the Rosewood mall. It's practically her second home.

Hanna looked one last time in the mirror feeling the same like yesterday when she ate half of the cake that her dad brought home from work. It wasn't even his birthday and Hanna didn't have the heart to tell him that she ate it. He still believes that the raccoons ransacked the kitchen, and the cake wasn't the only food in the house missing. A tear surpassed the corner of her right eye and she quickly wiped it away. She put on her favorite lip gloss, cotton candy from MAC, grabbed the latest issue of Vogue and headed downstairs.

Later in the principal's lobby, Hanna stood uncomfortably where the two most popular girls, Naomi and Riley, were sitting near her. She heard them laugh quietly as they gave mean looks at Hanna and whispered something to each other. A lump in her throat made it impossible to breath and she felt like she was about to get a panic attack when Alison DiLaurentis shows up. Hanna gawked at her beautiful, thick blonde hair—compared to Hanna's frizzy ponytail—her milky skin glowed under the school's fluorescent lights, her soft, pink lips curved into a demure smile as she squinted her hazel eyes at Naomi and Riley, they immediately stopped laughing.

"Good morning Hanna. I've been looking all over for you. Is that the new flavor from MAC? What was it called again," Ali said as she brushed off her hair from her shoulders. She smiled at Hanna and at first Hanna was reluctant to say anything, but then she looked at Ali's heart-shaped face. She seemed genuine and non-judgmental.

"I-It's the cotton candy flavor. It also has a hint of mint that gives you cute and pouty lips," Hanna said excitedly. Naomi and Riley snickered in the background which discourages Hanna, but Alison's expression was still the same. She smiled coolly at her and a split second her face turned into the Alison that Hanna knew all too well.

"Naomi, Riley, you shouldn't be laughing since you two couldn't even make it to the field hockey team. You're better off eating caviar and have nothing else to do but hook up with my ex-boyfriend," she said. Naomi and Riley both looked at each other's faces like "How did she find out?" "Sorry bitches, but we're done." She grabbed Hanna's hand and waved back at Naomi and Riley for the last time. Hanna was shocked but a little honored. No one, not even her father, has stood up for her. Now, she realizes that this could change everything, and she has Alison to thank.

"Thanks, no one has stood up for me like that," Hanna said, still shaking. Ali smiled and put her hand on Hanna's shoulder and hugged her. It was an awkward hug, but Hanna embraced it none-the-less.

"So I'm having a party tonight, and I want you to come," Ali said.

"You want me to come to your party?" Hanna said as her hands are trembling.

"Well, after going to the mall. I have the cutest outfit that suits you," Ali crossed her arms as her hair fell flawlessly onto her shoulders. There was a beep from Ali's purse and took out her phone. She looked at the message from a mysterious person, feeling a little uncomfortable she ignored it anyway. "Come on, the limo is waiting outside."

"You brought a limo to school?" Hanna said. "But wait, are we going to get in trouble?"

"Don't worry about it. I have a 'Doctor's note,'" she said. And with that, Hanna and Ali climbed into the back seat of the luxurious limo. How Ali got this limo was beyond Hanna, but at that point she didn't care. She found the one person to let her hair down and not be judged. Hanna tried to stop her hands from shaking, but her excitement was just overwhelming.

Ali pulled out a bottle of champagne, only the finest, and poured two glasses of overflowing goodness. Hanna only tasted alcohol once, and it tasted very bitter. When her parents were out, Hanna snuck a bottle into her room, with a bowl of popcorn and 3 seasons of Saved by the Bell, but once she tasted it with her popcorn, she almost spit it back out. It was the kind of alcohol that just has that and less the flavor. Hanna was so not used to it, so she snuck the bottle back in and had her favorite Kool-Aid instead. She felt bad afterwards and confessed her sins to only her mom. Mrs. Marin laughed and hugged her tightly instead of punishing her.

Ali looked at the hesitation in Hanna's eyes, but she smiled at her coyly and gave her the drink anyway. Hanna should be open-minded, and this is Alison DiLaurentis, the most popular girl in Rosewood Jr. High. And she's hanging out with a girl who geeks over the new episode of Keeping Up with the Kardashians. "Drink up," Ali said as they pulled out the parking lot of the school.

-Later at the Rosewood Mall-

"This will look cute on you!" Alison pulled out a baby blue peplum top that had a peep hole in the back. Hanna grazed through the fabric and it was so soft, chills spilled up her spine. She'd only seen these in the fashion magazines, now she's actually going to wear them. Ali also picked out the cutest True Religions jeans that complimented the blue peplum top. "Here try these on for me." She gave the clothes to Hanna and escorted her back to the dressing room.

Hanna was left alone in the biggest dressing room, which seemed like it was bigger than an aisle from Target, Hanna's go to store. The walls were painted red with a hint of brown and the room had luxurious red chairs. She looked at the huge, golden-embroidered mirror as she gazed into her reflection. She could see every flaw and right then and there she started feeling insecure and uncomfortable. Hanna thought real carefully of what happened last night. Her parents arguing, once again, and eating that half piece of that delicious but dreadful strawberry cake. Was she the reason why her parents aren't getting along like they used to?

Hanna started binge eating when the arguments started. She remembered the day clearly, like it happened yesterday. Last year, Mr. Marin came home really late and smelled very different. It was a scent that Hanna didn't recognize, and she would know because sometimes she would borrow some of Mrs. Marin's perfumes. He thought that no one would see him but Mrs. Marin wasn't that stupid. She had been waiting all night for him to come home. Hanna was already hiding in the stairs playing a game when he snuck in from the kitchen, but she heard every word "Where were you?" Mrs. Marin asked. "I was out!" yelled out Mr. Marin. And the arguments kept going back and forth, to a point where Hanna thought her dad said "I can't do this anymore Ashley," or something like that.

There was so much friction between them too; it felt like it was WWIII in the living room of the Marin's household. Then Mrs. Marin said "What is her name," at least that's what Hanna thought. Her mind was derailing and couldn't fathom of what was happening, she got distracted and heard a crash from the living room. Hanna peeked through and she saw her dad's hand drenched in blood. Hanna gasped and both of them looked up, but Hanna was too quick and landed into her room safely. She cried so much that night; she had to miss three days of school. That's when it all started.

Hanna heard a knock on the door, "Hanna, are you okay in there?" Alison asked. "Come out and let me see your outfit. I have more options for you!"

"Yeah, I'm coming out," Hanna buttoned up her jeans and looked at the girl that's in front of her. It was like she's a completely different person. The peplum top accentuated her curves, instead of exploiting them and the jeans made her slimmer. "Here I am," Hanna said as she extended her arms and looked down. Hanna noticed that Ali also tried on a beautiful orange top that matched Hanna's.

"Omigosh, you should totally get this top. We will look like twins," she said with a smile. Then she pulled out this dress that had the same detail of the top, but was in fuchsia pink and had a cut-out heart in the back. Hanna looked at the back and her smile grew bigger. "This dress is sooo you!"

"You think?" Hanna asked tentatively. She held the dress like it was her prized possession.

"Of course Hanna. Pink makes your skin pop. And that top compliments your beautiful blue eyes. Has anyone told you have gorgeous eyes?" Ali asked so confidentially, but Hanna kind of hesitated to answer. Not many people really know who she is, except maybe Sean Ackard, Hanna's ultimate crush. He smiled at her in the hallway like a week ago and Hanna got to excited and she tripped onto her English teacher, where everyone could see. Even Ali, but now that she thinks back on it, Ali didn't even flinch a smile, which makes Hanna feel a lot better now.

After Hanna took off the top and the jeans, she also tried on a few more clothes with Ali. They both laughed like they've been best friends for a long time. A lot of people went by and couldn't help but notice them. She even heard some of them say "They are just adorable," and it made Hanna feel a little more comfortable around Ali.

"I have to go back to school, but I scheduled an appointment with an amazing hair stylist and makeup artist that does all the A-list celebrities. You have the limo all to yourself, and don't worry about the clothes. I know someone that we can get our clothes for free," Ali said as she put all of the clothes into one bag, and they both walked out of the dressing rooms. "Ciao Claudia, see you tomorrow!" Claudia waved goodbye and blew Ali a kiss.

"Wait, how are you going to get back to school?" Hanna asked.

"Don't worry," Ali said as they walked out of the parking of the Rosewood Mall. Hanna noticed another blonde girl, but obviously older, who wore pink Gucci glasses and red lipstick. "I have my ways." She winked back at Hanna and went inside the red car that had its hood back, and they drove off recklessly out onto the streets.