CHAPTER 19: The Girl Who Lied
SPENCER'S POV:
I woke up in the middle of the night, panicking. I had forgotten to call my mom.
I reached into my purse and pulled out my phone. I had two missed text messages.
Hey honey, I know we were going to talk about Christmas plans tonight, but Emily called telling me you had fallen asleep. I understand you needing time with your friends, so I'm just going to pick you up in the morning. I love you! Have fun!
-Mom
I smiled and my heart stopped beating at the speed of light. My mom might not be the best parent in the world, but she was pretty close. I sighed and pulled open the other text message, however, I was no longer relieved.
Enjoy being with friends. Once they realize you broke your promise, they won't stay.
-A
I blinked back tears, and quickly shut my phone off. How did A know I had broken that promise? I glanced around, paranoid that A was somewhere, watching my every move. I tried to control my breathing, but nothing was helping. Eventually, worried that I'd wake my friends, I retreated to the bathroom. There, I sat on the floor and curled up into a ball in the corner, trying to keep myself from cutting again. The urges were almost unbearable, but I tried and tried.
I heard the bathroom door open, but was too worked up to see who it was.
"Spencer?"
HANNA'S POV:
I woke up really needing to pee. I had drunk two cans of soda while over here, and my bladder was paying for it. However, my bathroom needs would have to wait, for I saw the light was on.
I stood outside for a while, before growing impatient. I don't care who's in there, I need to go.
I opened the door and was not expecting what I saw. Spencer was curled up in a ball on the floor. Her body was shaking, and I could tell she was having a hard time dealing with whatever it was she was dealing with. I carefully closed the door behind me and sat down next to Spencer.
"Hey, what's wrong?" I asked, thinking that talking things through might help her.
However, she didn't respond, and remained where she was sitting. I sighed, and scooted closer to her, placing my hand on her back. She flinched, but didn't move.
"Spencer, I don't know what's wrong, and I have no idea what you're going through. I wish I did, and I could help you. But I don't have any idea." I confessed. I didn't really know how I could help her, so I just said what was on my mind. I hoped that giving her something to think about might keep her from doing something wrong.
"However, I promise that I'm here for you. I mean, I know you've probably heard that crap at least ten times, but I thought I'd say it again. Sometimes it's nice to be reminded of things sometimes." I continued. I didn't really know where I was going with this.
"I know I don't show it very well, I'm pretty open about my opinion, and kind of klutzy. But I really do care about you, and Emily, and Aria. I just have a different way of showing it, you know?" I glanced over at her. She had stopped shaking, but was still refusing to look at me.
I sighed. "Spencer…would you please look at me?" I asked.
I could hear a huge sigh escape her body, and she turned so that her bright eyes faced me. I smiled.
"God that's so much better. Now I don't feel like I'm talking to a statue." I joked. Spencer chuckled lightly, and I was overjoyed with the progress I had made.
"What's wrong Spencer?" I asked again, determined to find out. "I can't help you unless you tell me."
She was silent for a minute before responding.
"I just..got a text from A." Spencer sighed. "That's all. I don't know why I let it bother me so much." She admitted.
"That bitch!" I snapped. Spencer's eyes went wide at my sudden outburst.
"I can't believe that after everything you've already gone through, that A is still bothering you. That's sick." I muttered. Spencer nodded.
"I agree."
"Well, I promise you won't have to deal with her alone. I'm here." I smiled. Spencer smiled back at me, and I could tell it was a real smile.
"So, what did the queen of irritation have to say this time?" I asked.
Spencer's smile fell, and she glanced at the ground.
"Oh! You don't have to tell me if you don't want to." I quickly added. I hadn't meant to intrude, I was just curious.
"Thank you Hanna." Spencer smiled, obviously relieved that she didn't have to share.
"No problem. I'm always here to help." I glanced down at her, and then at my watch.
"It's pretty late, do you want to go back to bed?" I asked.
Spencer nodded before breaking into yawn. She smiled sheepishly afterwards. "That sounds lovely."
"Are you okay though?" I checked, just to make sure.
"Yeah, I'm fine. I just…I really wanted to-"
"I get it." I nodded, cutting her off. It's not that I didn't want to let her explain, I just felt that talking about that was a sore subject for her, and might bring up some bad energy.
"Thank you Hanna, for being there." She walked over and gave me a hug lightly.
"Oh come on Hastings, I know you're stronger than that." I joked, and gave her a bear hug in return. She laughed, and started to walk out the door.
"Are you coming Hanna?" She asked.
I blushed slightly. "Nah, I'll be there in a minute. You see, I've had to pee since I opened that door, so that's what I'm going to do. If you don't mind me." I smiled and closed the door. I could hear Spencer chuckling from outside, and was glad that I'd helped her feel better. I hadn't really done much, just said what I was thinking about. I figured she'd already had enough of that mushy stuff, and didn't really want me going into an emotional speech.
Once I was done, I walked over to the bed and laid back down. Spencer was sleeping silently next to me, and I was amazed at how fast she could fall asleep. Before I could drift off, my phone buzzed. I groaned, thinking it was my mom, ready to nag me about some chore I had forgotten.
Helping a friend? That's so sweet. Too bad she lied to you.
-A
I rolled my eyes. Spencer would never lie to me, she was my friend.
I sighed when my phone buzzed again. I opened it up, and felt my heart sink.
And I thought she had promised.
-A
Attached was a photo. I quickly shut my phone and glanced over at Spencer.
How could she do this to us?