Hey all! So sorry. Life got in the way; school and whatnot. I'm actually in Alaska right now with family (I live in MI), and I have been crazy busy. I hope you like the update. Please read and review.

Five Years Before

Rosewood, PA - 2011

While most kids would throw a fit about moving to a new state, Mona welcomed it. She had been to more states than most kids her age, and it was all the same: the same town, with the same neighborhoods, and the same, shitty, ultra-rich (usually) snobs. The only thing that changed was her foster family. So far she had stayed with the Keaton family, the McCormick family, the Smith family, the Robinson family, the Heisenberg family, the Williams's, the Stevens', the Angelo's, and the Brant's.

Her first two foster parents had both lived in Kentucky, but then she had been bounced around to Louisiana and Massachusetts; Delaware and Idaho; California and Virginia; and lastly, Oregon. I

In just a few short days, Mona would be whisked away to some back-ass town called Rosewood, a sleepy town in Pennsylvania. The name in and of itself sounded like a soap opera, but who was she to complain? At least she was finally going to be rid of the jockstrap that was Kason Brant.

It had taken months of abuse at the hands of her foster siblings (and the parents), before she could be placed in a new home — far away from Kason and the rest of the assholes. Mona had done the calculations, and there were 2,706.1 miles between her and the hell that was Salem, Oregon. It would take them forty hours by car, approximately four hours via plane and if those fuckers were to walk, it would take them an astonishing 871 hours - provided a car didn't strike them down first. If only that would really happen, it would be the highlight of her life.

She had met her new family, the Harrison's, many a time before it was decided she would stay with them. According to her social worker, Betty Locke (whom had ties in Rosewood), the Harrison's had lost their eldest foster daughter a year ago in a nasty car accident, and they had been looking to fill the empty void in their lives; they wanted to care for another child, one for whom they could "shower with the utmost love and attention." That was what she had been told, anyway. So some calls were made. Strings were pulled. Within a week the family had flown in to meet with her, and their first visit had gone surprisingly well.

There was Mrs. Samantha Harrison, her husband Stuart Harrison, and their three children: thirteen-year-old son Shane, five-year-old daughter Shiloh, and three-year-old son Sebastian Harrison. Shane and Sebastian were their biological children, and up until a year ago, they had two foster daughters - little Shiloh and seventeen-year-old, Sasha Harrison. After Sasha died, the family had been devastated but knew they had so much more love to give. It was by pure chance that they (unknowingly) had mutual friends with Betty.

Aside from the creepy obsession with the letter S, they seemed like your typical American family, and had taken a shine to Mona instantly, She had impressed the parents with her extensive vocabulary and geographical knowledge, and she developed an instant bond with Shane over video games. Shiloh had painted her nails (quite well, for a five-year-old), and little Sebastian had giggled at all of her jokes. The Harrison's were the perfect fit for Mona, and once the paperwork was done, she was packed and ready to go. Mona didn't even so much as glance behind her when she'd left that dreadful home for the last time, nor had she bothered to ask what charges – if any – would be brought against the foster family she'd lived with.

Mona's first night at her new home had gone smooth as silk. Her favorite meal had been prepared for dinner, she had been shown her room, and she even got to decide which movie they'd watch after dessert. It had been perfect, and as Mona lay in her new (very comfortable) bed that night, she just knew things would get better. In just two days' time she would begin a new school, and maybe she would even make some new friends. Mrs. Harri - er, Samantha, as Mrs. Harrison preferred – was even going to take her shopping the next day for new clothes. At first Mona had protested, but Samantha had insisted. Mona wasn't going to lie – she was damn excited that the prospect of getting new clothes.

It all happened very quickly, and Mona soon found herself with Shane at Rosewood Middle School; Shiloh was in kindergarten, and tiny Sebastian stayed with his sitter.

Out of conditioned fear of being teased, Mona had stayed relatively quiet throughout the day, barely mumbling her name when her homeroom teacher introduced her, and not looking anyone directly in the eye. She just didn't want to say anything to anyone. What if they thought she was a freak?

The day flew by and lunchtime rolled around. Shane, in typical teenage boy fashion, had abandoned her to sit with his friends. It was rude, albeit expected (although Mona did catch him looking her way a few times with a warm smile). Still…jerk.

Mona poked her lunch with her fork. She wasn't feeling very hungry for stale macaroni and cheese.

"I did not!"

"Yes, you did!"

Voices from the next table over caught her attention and she glanced up. A group of five girls sat around a circular table, and two of them were arguing – one was a tall, lanky brunette and the other was a short, skinny blonde. Next to the blonde sat another girl with blonde hair and a bored expression – she honestly looked like a bitch. Squished next to her was a girl with beautifully tan skin and raven-black hair. On her other side sat a tiny brunette was staring down at something on the table. Maybe she was reading a book?

"Shut up, Spencer!" the blonde squealed, and Mona's attention snapped back. So the tall brunette was named Spencer? Mona wondered what the other girls' names were. As the girls fought, Mona watched, thoroughly amused. The two girls had switched topics so many times Mona didn't even know what had started the fight. Just then, the brunette on the end hopped up and slung her backpack over her shoulder. It was shaped like a ladybug, and a smile tugged at Mona's lips – she had always adored ladybugs.

"You guys suck," the girl exclaimed, with a heavy sigh and a roll of her shoulders. "I'm outta here." She scampered off before her friends could say anything, but not two seconds later did Spencer and the other chick go right back to arguing. Mona's eyes drifted from the four girls and over to the one who had just walked away. Mona felt a powerful urge to follow her. So she did.

Mona followed the girl through the courtyard, down a hallway, and a side door that lead to a playground. The air smelled different, like that funky smelling grass Kason would light and smoke, whatever that was. After scanning the playground in search of the girl, Mona was about to leave when a voice piped up behind her.

"Hi."

Mona whirled around, heart in her throat. Well…there she was.

"Uh, hi."

"Why were you following me?" the girl demanded. Anger flashed in her eyes (which were a gorgeous hazel) and Mona took a slight step back.

"I wanted to tell you that I like your backpack," Mona shrugged. "I've always liked ladybugs."

"Oh." A smile formed on the small girl's lips. "Thanks. I made it, actually. Are you new here?"

Mona nodded. "I just moved here from Oregon. What's your name?"

"Aria," the girl replied. Aria. The word spun around in Mona's brain. It was an odd name, but it fit her.

"That's a cool name," Mona heard herself say. A basketball suddenly flew by, and the girls had to jump back to avoid being trampled by the gang of boys who were after it. One of them sneered at Aria as he passed and gave her a light shove.

"Hey!" Mona called after him, "come back!" But the boys just ignored her. She scowled and turned to Aria. "They suck. Are you Ok?"

Aria grasped something tightly in her palm. Her eyes had glazed over with fury and she stared at the boys, her jaw set. "I hate them," she spat. "They're always so mean to me.."

Mona exhaled. She knew all too well what that felt like. "Screw 'em," she said. "They're just…just dumb boys."

Aria's gaze shifted from the boys to her and she smiled. The fury faded from her eyes and Mona was glad to see her shoulders sag when she'd relaxed. "Thanks," she whispered.

"No problem."

A beat of silence passed, and Mona awkwardly kicked the dirt at her feet. What else should she say? "Uh…so, do your friends argue a lot?"

Aria snorted. "Spencer and Hanna? Yeah, like, all the time," she exasperated. "It's so annoying."

Mona made a mental note that the blonde arguing with Spencer was named Hanna. "Sexual tension," she joked. A flurry of bubbles fizzled in her stomach when Aria grinned.

"Most likely," Aria's tone was light and carefree, and it made Mona's insides feel…gooey.

"Who were the other two?"

Aria picked at a cuticle. "Huh? Oh! Alison - Ali for short - is the other blonde, and then there's Emily."

Ali and Emily, Mona noted. Spencer, Hanna, Alison, Emily, and…she peeked at her new friend to find she was staring at her, like she had missed a question. Aria.

"What?" Mona blinked. "Sorry. I…spaced."

Aria rolled her eyes. "I asked you your name." She held out a hand to shake. "We've gotta make it official."

Mona grasped her hand and shook. "Call me Mona."

There you have it! More to come. I'm going camping this week, but I'll bring my laptop or tablet so I can get more chapters completed. Love you all!