Chapter 2
Flashforward to start of eleventh grade.
A day before Spencer, Aria, Emily and Hanna began eleventh grade, they all began to wonder what might have been if Ali hadn't disappeared. That night they tossed and turned fitfully, sleeping on-off and, in Spencer's case, sleepwalking and ending up in the hallway.
The next day they arrived at Rosewood Day, ready to start another year. They all arrived at the same time, exchanging tight, close-lipped smiles with only Aria and Emily pausing to talk. A little later they split up-Hanna and Aria to go to AP English, Emily to PE and Spencer to read the daily notices.
Midway through their first class, Hanna felt her BlackBerry vibrate. She surreptitiously slid it out to check the screen-as did Aria, she noticed. I'm watching you, and I know what you did in seventh grade.-A
Aria dismissed it as nothing-maybe some random freak trying to pretend to be Ali?
Hanna freaked out-she slowly scanned the classroom to see who it might have been.
P.S If you don't do as I say, I'm telling everything. -A
Neither girl knew that Emily and Spencer had also received the same message, or that if they'd bothered to look, they would have seen the sender of the message simply smiling to herself.
(I know I said no-one's POV in this chapter, but here is one, just for a little bit)
Sender's POV
The sender of the message simply smiled to herself, slipping her old-model LG back into her skirt pocket and adjusted her icy blue tank-top. She threw back her bony shoulders and peeked through the window again. They were passing notes now. It could be so easy to just fire off another quick message, watch them squirm even more... But no. She couldn't yet. Give them a day or two of quiet, then start again. She knew she could keep them quiet. She knew each of their weak spots and strengths-or did she? Either way, it didn't matter to her. In the meantime, she would play the friend. Emily was such a softie. Aria looked aloof; her attitude exuded 'I'm too good for you now'. Hanna looked like she'd be a tough one to crack now-when had that happened? Spencer was good... She was such the hyper-achiever that such things would really rattle her. She might even... Stop achieving. Wouldn't that be something?
They wouldn't dare rat on her. Ever. Once they knew who she was, they would be grateful. They would do anything for her. But, she wondered idly tracing a finger over the doorknob, would they die for her?
(Back to narrative)
Spencer scrutinized her Sidekick, looking for a clue as to who had sent the messages. Surely there was a clue in the time, or number... But it was a blocked number.
Suddenly, a glimpse of blond hair caught her eye. She noticed the figure appeared to be staring straight at her.
Sender's POV
The girl squared her shoulders and ran a finger lightly over her well-glossed lips. For some reason, she shook with nerves. Her mouth was dry and her fingers shook too much for her to hold the doorknob steady. She wished she could have a cigarette, but she couldn't. Stupid rules. She couldn't place why she felt so nervous-she'd just started her scheme to ruin four girls' lives. It'd taken a decent amount of nerve to send them, but she pushed away the trace of guilt and cleared her throat. Glossed up again. Adjusted her skirt. It was obvious she was stalling. She really didn't want to walk into the classroom, but she had to.
Pushing aside all nervous feelings, she swung open the door and strode in, taking great pleasure in the way Aria's and Hanna's faces paled with shock.
Wow, my biggest chapter yet. Hope you enjoyed it. Reviews motivate me to write more. I like con-crit, advice. Flames would make me sad. But are still welcome. Even if you hate it, please be gentle.
Please R&R (And I don't mean rest and recovery). And hopefully chapter 5 will be up by Monday. If not, you can throw cookies (or reviews) at me.
Now off to woRk on gEtting more of my art history assessment that i haVe to hand In nExt Week...