CHAPTER TWO: The Dare
November 14th, 2007.

It was a little over a week ago when Aria got recruited. A week since she defended Alison's rude, older brother and he defended her back . . . sort of. Since then, she'd been ignoring him like all the others. So far, Spencer was her favorite. Emily was sweet but too shy, while Hanna spoke too much and listened to Ali's every word.

Aria was known as a whole different person at school. Before she was just the not-so-new new girl with pink hair. Now she was one of "Ali's friends". Aria had rarely spoken to anyone before, one of the only people being Toby Cavanaugh in band class. Now he avoided her, too. Even her brother, Mike, and his friends spent less time at her house.

Ali forced herself into her world, becoming involved with everything. Today was going to be Aria's first sleepover ever, but Ali only thought it was her first sleepover with Ali and the other girls.

"I don't know how she sleeps there at night," Hanna told her one day.

"Why?" Aria frowned, concerned.

"Jason lives there, duh. He's so scary. Ian and Garrett, his friends, always do drugs with him in the living room!" she whispered as if Ali could hear her. But knowing Ali, she probably could.

Right now, the she-devil and Emily were in the library while Spencer had to call her sister. Hanna and Aria were getting ready before class in the bathroom. Two days after Aria was recruited, she was introduced to make-up. Mascara and lip-gloss became her new best-friends.

"Jason isn't that bad, is he? I mean, he's probably just misunderstood by Ali," Aria defended. Hanna snorted as she puckered her lips to apply more gloss and adjusted her dress that squeezed her round stomach. Aria helped her pull her hair into pig-tails.

"Yeah, right," snorted Hanna. "You'll see what I mean when you sleep over."

Aria sighed as she observed herself in the mirror, giving up completely on convincing the other girl that Jason DiLaurentis maybe wasn't as bad as he looked. Except Alison was so convincing that Aria herself almost believe that Jason was a stoner jerk.

Just then, the bell for fifth period rang and the girls separated. Aria went to Advanced English while Hanna departed for Math. As Mrs. Thompson talked about the assignment due next week, Aria's mind drifted towards other things.

One of them being Jason. They hadn't spoken since the first car ride, and Aria always arrived early so she could sit in the back. Hanna usually ended up in the passenger seat nowadays, much to her misery. Was Aria ignoring Jason, or was he ignoring her?

Whatever, she thought. Doesn't matter either way. He's way too old to be talking to someone four years younger than him.

"Aria, can you answer the question?" Mrs. Thompson suddenly asked.

"Uh . . . ," Aria began, knowing she'd been caught. From across the room, Spencer gave her an odd look to which she shrugged at.

"It'd be good for your grades if you decided to pay attention. One more time and I'll give you a detention on Friday," warned her teacher. Aria reluctantly nodded and returned to thinking about the book they were reading in class.

At lunch, Spencer immediately attacked Aria. "What was that about?" she demanded as they sat down. Hanna and Emily were already there while Ali was probably in the bathroom.

Aria nibbled on her breadstick. "The book was just boring, so I didn't really pay attention," she shrugged. Spencer gave her a suspicious look before turning to her sandwich. Just then, Ali sat down next to Aria on the bench she shared with Spencer.

"Wow, I can't believe you didn't tell me!" Alison exclaimed, facing Emily.

"Tell you what?" Hanna asked, her mouth full. Ali decided to ignore it this one time.

"Emily's got a boyfriend - and she asked him out!" she exclaimed. Spencer almost choked on her food while Aria's eyes widened.

"Wow," Aria stated.

"Who is it?" demanded Hanna.

"Ben Roberts," Emily blushed. Her light brown skin was quickly turning pink as she nervously stared at the table.

"Ew," Spencer choked. "His teeth are huge."

"Doesn't he play basketball?" Hanna asked.

"No, he plays football," Alison corrected. "Look at her! The shy, little Emily finally makes a bold move. God, I thought you were gay before." Emily gasped, turning towards her.

"Um, that's kind of harsh," Hanna said.

Ali simply shrugged before starting a new subject. "So, Aria, today's going to be your first sleepover at my house," she smiled as she took a bite of her salad. "Watch out for Jason and his friends. They're all weirdoes that spy on us."

Aria bit her lip. "Are you guys staying over too?" she asked to Hanna, Emily, and Spencer.

"Of course!" Spencer exclaimed. "I won't let you be tortured by Jason on your own." Hanna nodded.

Again with the Jason thing, Aria thought. Can't they just lay off?

When school ended, Aria found her brother in the fifth-grade hallway. "Mike, can you tell Mom that I'm going to stay over at Ali's tonight?" she asked. Mike glared at her, his blonde hair falling in front of his eyes.

"Sure, whatever. Let go of me," he said. Aria frowned but obliged, watching as he hurried to his friends.

When she arrived at Jason's car in the lot, Aria realized she took up more time looking for Mike than she thought. The only seat left in the car was the passenger seat, and Ali was smirking at her. Sighing, Aria climbed in, buckled, and ignored Jason.

Jason was smoking again, like always, and the smell was more distinct up front. He glanced at her before looking away and driving home, one hand on the wheel while the other held the cigarette. It smelled disgusting, and Ali could see that Aria hated it. That's exactly why she did what she did later that day.

They were in a circle in Alison's room on the floor. Hanna was wrapped in blankets, Emily was holding an ice-pack on her head, and Spencer was in the hallway eating some mash-up of sweets to vomit in front of Jason's door. The teen in question was locked up in his room with Ian and Garrett, doing who knows what.

The five girls were playing a game of Truth and Dare. So far, everyone but Aria had done at least one dare. This time, Ali was forcing her to choose dare. Aria hoped the dare wasn't to die her hair blonde or something like that. However, the dare was far worse than she expected.

"I dare you . . . to smoke one of Jason's cigarettes," Ali smirked, pulling it out of her purse. "Or else you have to strip yourself in the backyard."

All of the dares were outrageous but they were better than the other option. Hanna had to jump in the bath tub full of freezing water in only a bra and underwear. Emily had to slide down the stair railings. Spencer was still working on hers. Aria's was the craziest, though.

"Fine," she huffed, grabbing the cigar from Ali. Ali also pulled out a lighter and lit it. Aria slowly brought the cigarette to her mouth, puffing out, as angry voices were heard in the hall. Suddenly, Jason burst into the room.

"Ali, why the hell is one of the power-puffs trying to vomit on my door, and - what the hell are you doing?" he yelled, noticing Aria.

"It's a dare, Jason. God, can you get out?" Ali snarled. Jason growled at her before walking over to Aria, snatching the cigar out of her hands, and turning back to his sister.

"Ali, this is crazy shit. It's not just some cigarette. If I ever find you or your friends with another cigarette, I swear to God I'll . . . " he ranted.

"You'll what?" yelled Ali. Jason glowered at her.

"Where the hell did you even get this?" he demanded, shaking the cigar. Aria watched as cinders fell to the ground by her toes, recoiling. Jason glanced at her, his eyes slightly . . . worried? Angry? Maybe both.

"Ian," Ali grinned.

Jason frowned. "I'm gonna kill him. You're too young for this."

"You get high all the time!" Ali argued, standing up. Spencer, Aria, Emily, and Hanna sat there, witnessing the argument with wide eyes. In the doorway stood Garrett watching as well with a camera.

"That's different!" Jason yelled, raising a hand as if he were going to hit her. Aria flinched along with Ali. Aria's uncle on her father's side always threatened to hit Mike and her, so it was a natural reaction.

Jason breathed in deeply, lowering his hand. "Stay away from this shit, a'right?" Turning to Aria, he asked, "You okay?"

Aria gulped, her eyes wide as she mutely nodded. Did Jason DiLaurentis just ask if she was okay? Hanna was staring at her and frantically waving her hands behind his back. "Good. If Ali dares you to do this again, tell me." Before Aria could respond, he was out of the room, slamming the door shut and dragging Garrett with him.

Ali was shaking in either fear or fury. Deciding to take her anger out on someone, she automatically turned on Aria. Hanna, Emily, and Spencer cowered on Ali's bed. "This is all your fault!" yelled Ali. "You are so weak and ugly! I can't believe you!" Aria glowered at her, standing up as well.

"What the hell are you talking about? This isn't my fault!" Aria yelled back. Annoyed, she snatched her vest from the bed and stormed out. Spencer was calling after her, and Aria saw Garrett looking out from Jason's bedroom.

"Aria, wait!" Ali called, but she ignored her, too. Angry, Aria began to walk home, freezing in her pajamas. The rest of her clothes were left in Ali's room, so she texted Hanna: Can you stop by my house later and drop off my clothes?

Hanna replied: okay. that was just... wow. jason actually stood up for u. OMG!

Thanks. Can we talk about it tomorrow in school? I'm too pissed right now.

totally. i understand. hope u feel better tom. and for the record, ali was way out of line. don't tell her i said that tho, Hanna sent, making Aria grin.

Just when she reached the main road, a familiar car pulled up next to her. Jason opened the passenger door and said, "Come on, get in." Aria obliged, buckling up as he drove her home with her directions.

Her mother and father's cars were already in the drive way and Aria saw Mike playing soccer in the backyard with Louis. As Aria was going to climb out, Jason grabbed her wrist, tugging her back in. Ignoring her fast heartbeat, Aria stared at her sock-clad feet. "Honestly, are you alright? Ali's crazy sometimes, and I don't . . . I don't want you to get hurt," Jason repeated, his eyes clear so she knew he wasn't high at the moment. Aria nodded again.

"Thanks, Jason. A lot."

Jason nodded a welcome and let go of her. "Goodnight, Aria." Aria froze. That was the first time he ever said her name. Before she could return the favor, Jason drove away. Holding back a smile, Aria went inside and immediately to her bed. Ali would be pissed about that too, but who cares anymore, right?