Hanna's POV:
People have started to notice something is wrong. I hear them whispering as we walk down the corridor. They're wondering why Emily quit the swim team, why Spencer's been moved down classes and why I never come out anymore. Which is true. I just sit at home trying not to get killed.
But they're also wondering why Aria decided to take a teacher training course in Poland. That's what they were told anyway. There's only six people who know the truth about where Aria really is. Spencer, Emily, myself, Ezra and Aria's parents. Even her brother Mike thinks she's actually in Poland. If he were to find out, word would spread like wild fire.
I'm sitting in science class when my phone goes off. Emily stiffens beside me and Spencer clenches her fists. I take out my phone and open the message under the table, Emily and Spencer peering over. Went to visit Aria and Mr Ftiz in 'hospital' again today and she completely flipped out. Good luck trying to find me. –A
I close the message and sit completely still. It takes me a few minutes before I can react, but get up and walk to the door. I ignore the teacher calling me back and as soon as I'm out the door, I'm running as fast as I can to Ezra's classroom.
I reach the door and open it as his whole class looks up at me. Ezra drops the book he's holding and hurries into the corridor, shutting the door behind him. I don't say anything. I don't need to. I just show him the message.
"Oh my god." He whispers.
"Who else was with you when you went to see her?" I ask.
He shakes his head. "No one. It was just me. But she started screaming and said that Alison was in the room. There's no way anyone but me could have known about that."
"What are we going to do?" I say.
"There's nothing we can do, Hanna." There's no way I could pin that text on someone – no one was in the room."
I bite my lip. "Do you think..." I start, knowing I'll sound stupid. "Do you think it really was Alison? Her ghost, I mean? It sounds stupid, but you can't rule out the supernatural." I say.
He doesn't laugh like I expect him to. "Considering I was the only other person in the room, maybe. But you don't really believe in that stuff, do you?"
"No." I say honestly. "But there's no other explanation."
Ezra runs his hands through his hair. "Whoever this is, when I find out, I'm going to make them pay for what they've done to Aria. To all of you." He says. I appreciate Ezra helping us with this, though it was expected really, he is dating my best friend.
"A is everywhere." I say, glancing around, though what was I expecting to see? A shadow in the hallway? Of course not. "I don't know how they do it."
Ezra lowers his voice, just in case. "Okay, here's what we do." I lean forward to hear him, but he straightens up. "Actually, wait here."
He walks back into the classroom and picks up a piece of paper and a pen. I can see people pointing to me and whispering, but I don't care. I focus on the piece of paper he gives me and he whispers to me, "Show this to Emily and Spencer. Do not speak about this out loud. You never know who A's watching."
I walk back to the science laboratory and read the note on the way. I smile. This might just work.
Girls, there's no way A can be in three places at once. Find a public place and stage a fight. Chances are that A will be watching. Then split up and let me know which one of you gets a text from A – she'll be following one of you. Call me and I'll follow you and see if I can spot anyone that could be A. Do not mention this out loud but act now.