Chapter Four: Miss Aria Montgomery

Aria Montgomery made the last finishing touches of her latest art piece alone in one of the library aisles. Every day Aria spends her time during lunch in the library, since no one likes the weird girl with blue tips in her hair, it seems like she did a crime of tampering her hair with blue dye instead of blonde or something. She looked at her drawing one last time and couldn't help but pat herself on the back. It was guy who has god like muscles, long dirty blonde hair and eyes that makes Aria faint and yet she has only seen him once. She sighed as she put the book down and thought about the mystery guy and thinking how they will meet.

Aria had a rough morning and she caught her dad, Bryon Montgomery, sneaking off into the night while he got his wife, Ella Montgomery, drunk from the wine. This was the first time that she'd witnessed her father leaving like that. What could he possibly do at 11 pm at night? Aria pushed back the thought of the one explanation to all of this and just thought maybe had to finish grading papers or something. He finally came back when Aria was sitting quietly at the kitchen table eating an apple.

But once she saw him, she hid under the kitchen cabinets because the last thing that she wanted was to ask where has he been. His eyes were droopy and were daring red. His skin looked paler and Aria could smell an unfamiliar perfume. Maybe her dad is trying something new; maybe he was looking for perfume for his wife…that he loves.

"Hey," a voice said looking down at Aria. She looked up to see who it was and to her surprise, it was Alison DiLaurentis. Aria tried to cover up her drawing, but it was already too late. Alison's eyebrows squinted and looked at Aria with a displeasing taste. "You're very talented, this looks a lot like Jason," she finally said.

"I'm sorry, who's Jason?" Aria asked, finally taking the art piece from her and put it in to her favorite bag.

"Seriously? You know Jason my brother. He's a junior at Rosewood High?" Ali said, seemingly annoyed by the fact that someone doesn't know her family. As if Aria cares about the popular girls and their personal lives, she has her own to deal with. "Anyways, I really want to invite you to my party tonight. I would love for you to come and maybe you can also meet my brother that you seem so fond of." Aria felt a little embarrassed as Ali gave her a letter that had gold embellishments around the corners.

She cautiously opened while Ali somehow got a hold of her artwork. Aria read what was in the letter:

You are cordially invited to Alison DiLaurentis

annual end of the summer party. It promptly starts

9:30 pm for the chosen ones (that means you).

But the actual party starts 11. Don't be late

After Aria read the invitation, Ali was still looking at her art works. "I think you have a real obsession with my brother. I'm seeing him everywhere," she snorted. Aria grabbed the notebook out of Ali's hands and pressed it against her chest. "Did I pull a nerve?"

"Thanks for the invitation, but I don't think I'm going to make it tonight," Aria said quickly.

"Of course you are, or I'm just going to send everybody in town the 'drawings' of my brother and everybody here will think that you're a freak and a stalker. Or tell everyone about your dad's secret rendezvous, boy will they have field day on that one," Ali said without any remorse. Aria swallowed a lump in her throat and she nodded her head. "Good to hear because I want you to come to my house after school to help with the preparations. My parents are out of town and my brother has field hockey practice and…"

"I'll do it, just don't tell anybody okay," Aria said interrupting Ali.

"See you there then," Ali said as she finally got up. "Oh and love the blue tips." And with that she sauntered off with that famous walk.

-After School at the DiLaurentis House-

Aria had finally arrived at the lavish DiLaurentis house that was settled quaintly near a cul-de-sac. She was surprisingly amazed of how even the bushes were trimmed with precision and the flowers were breathtaking. The tulips had that freshly watered feel and the sunflowers were tall and vibrant. They even have a bird sink, which had interesting cravings on it. A blue jay flew on the edge and it tweeted a cute little song. It reminded her of when her father used to take her to the park and they would eat their little lunch near the lake. As they were talking, Aria noticed a baby blue jay and his mother was trying to fly. She felt very nervous and was afraid that he might fall and break his beak or worse. But Bryon smiled at her and he laughed. "Well in case that does happen, we might have to take him home," he said as he bit into his bologna sandwich. Aria gleefully clapped her hands, but on the inside she wanted the bird to fly, and he did.

Aria snapped back into reality as the blue jay disappeared and she was standing in front of the door. She calmly pushed the door bell as the familiar tune was playing. At first she didn't hear anything, but then she heard something fall from the inside. She put her ear next to the door, but she really couldn't hear anything. There was mumbling in the background, it sounded like another girl's voice but Aria couldn't tell, then Ali swung the door open and it surprised Aria.

"You're late," she said annoyingly. "But I'm glad you're here. I really need you right now," she said. Aria noticed that her eyes were bright red, as if she's been crying. Ali had on a different outfit than what she was wearing to school. Her orange peplum top complimented her olive skin and her luscious hair. The bottom she wore a tight fitting skirt that accentuates every curve in her body. She looked flawless and Aria couldn't help but feel self-conscious next to her. Aria's outfit consisted of a skull infested t-shirt, bleached leggings and black boots. As if Ali read her mind "Are you going to wear THAT to my party?" She said with an extra emphasis of "that."

"I didn't have time to change. I mean you wanted me right after school," Aria complained as she held out her arms and looked down.

"Hmm, so I did," Ali crossed her arms and pouted her lips, similar to a duck face, and thought about what she should do. "I actually like it. I mean the boots are so cool and edgy. And Jason really likes edgy. In fact he's here right now."

Feelings were reeling in Aria's head and she felt a little dizzy as she held onto the side of the door. She was still outside and the unusual warm October breeze crept onto her skin. "Can I come inside now?" She asked anxiously. Alison led out a half laugh and sigh. She led her arm and welcomed Aria to her gorgeous home.

Since the weather outside was warm, it was definitely cold in the inside. Aria looked at the perfect picture of the DiLaurentis family in the foyer before Ali led her to the kitchen. Aria was again shocked to see that their kitchen was probably as big as her own living room and the room was filled with party balloons, decorations, cups, plates and in the stove smelled like caviar. For a moment it smelled heavenly and Aria's mind was at piece, until she heard someone come in from behind and scared the living insides of her. "Omigosh, you scared me," she said to the unknown person, until she turned around. There standing was the gorgeous Jason DiLaurentis. His genuine smile gave Aria chills and all she wanted to do was pounce at him. "Hi," she heard her lips say surprisingly. She had no clue where that came from.

"Uhm, hi," he looked at her quizzically, but with intrigue. Aria never noticed it, but he liked what he saw. "Nice boots," he finally said as he walked off with a bounce in each step. Aria felt like her legs were made of jello and the only thing that was keeping her up was this chair next to her.

Ali stood next to her "I told you he likes edgy girls like you, but even I have to admit he's not good for you." It was like Aria was shot in the heart or something very hard punched her in the stomach. It was like her world was crashing down all within two minutes. Even though she just met him, she felt some feeling towards him. There was something very exciting about him, and Aria felt she needed that in her life. Other than adding blue tips, maybe she should try pink strips. "Uhm earth to Aria, I need you to help me prepare for my party," Ali said with a tone like astronauts that just shipped off to space.

"Oh sorry," Aria said and she picked up a very pink lantern. "Let the party begin!"

A few decorations up, the drinks pulling in and the smoldering looks from a certain cute boy later, it was just a matter of moments of when the party was just about to start when the first door bell rang. Ali turned up her iHome to the song Milkshake and opened the door. She shrieked through the music as a blonde girl came with the exact same top as Ali's, except in blue, and jeans that flatters her body. Aria recognizes the girl; in fact she's in almost every class with her but never notices her. Guilt flooded into her body, the girl looked stunning and she seemed happy. Ali looked at Aria and motioned her head to the inner circle. "Aria in case you didn't know, this is Hanna Marin. Hanna this is Aria Montgomery. You guys should get to know each other," she winked at both of them as Aria and Hanna awkwardly stood there. The bell rang some more and Ali went to door as two more girls walked in. Aria immediately recognized one of them, Spencer Hastings; she was actually surprised that she even showed up. The other girl looked familiar as well but she still doesn't know her name.

"Omigosh, just in time," Ali escorted the two girls to the middle of the room. "Spencer, Emily this is Aria and Hanna. Aria, Hanna this Spencer and Emily!" Immediately there was silence between the group of five and Aria suddenly felt uncomfortable. Ali didn't mind the silence at all; in fact she went into the kitchen and bought fancy drinks. "Drink up ladies," she said as the girls, including Aria, grabbed a glass and downed the bitter yet satisfying drink. She looked in the corner of her eye and noticed that Jason was leaning on the wall. He gave her a devilish smile and a wink before he went upstairs. Blushing, Aria turned quickly only to notice that Ali gave her an unsatisfying expression. This is going to be a long night.