Pretty Little Liars: Paying the Cost

First chapter of my Pretty Little Liars story, an introductory chapter to set the main characters and ends with a key event, anyway, enjoy.

Disclaimer: I don't own Pretty Little Liars or its characters.

Season 1: Episode 1

The teenage girl sighed as she set down the final box of her belongings in her new room, having brought it in from the moving truck outside. Straightening up she ran a hand through her hair and looked around the room, wondering how long it would take to settle in. Said girl was sixteen and a very attractive young woman with an angel face, golden blonde hair, bright blue eyes, and a dimple in the center of her chin.

"Alison?"

Smiling the girl turned to the sound of the voice of her brother.

"In here Jason." She replied.

Before long he entered, a tall, attractive young man with long shaggy dirty blonde hair and a beard, almond shaped green eyes with a square jawline and soft features, six years older than his sister.

Jason DiLaurentis nodded and smiled. "Alright well, we've got everything in, just gotta unpack and get settled in. You sure you're okay?"

"Yeah, I mean, I'm the one I wanted to come back, remember." Alison replied with a soft smile.

Jason sighed but nodded. It was true, after a drastic incident in the past, their family, that being the two of them and their parents, had moved away from their hometown of Rosewood. It meant leaving behind their friends, their schools, everything. But recently, with the start of Sophomore year coming up, Ali kept wanting to come back to Rosewood, their parents kept denying it, refusing to even budge. But Jason sided with Ali, and put everything in order and now they were back in Rosewood, all set to continue their lives here once more, Ali enrolled in Rosewood High School, Jason in the local college.

Of course this led to a schism in their family as their parents refused to even countenance the move and so it was just the siblings back at Rosewood. Their old family home had already been bought by another family, the St. Germain family, so they had moved into a smaller but still relatively nice house.

"Well, we better get unpacking." Alison said.

Jason nodded and they began to get to work. For Alison it was rather strange, being back here was certainly drawing up some old memories, memories of people she hadn't seen in years and was hoping to see again. She paused in her unpacking as she found it, an old picture of her with four other girls. The very girls she had been thinking of and hoping to see again, her old friends from before.

'Wow, you girls will have changed so much, just like me...all those years apart.' She thought to herself. 'Bet you'll be surprised when I show up at school tomorrow.'

Alison smiled at the thought, before catching herself looking at one of the people in the picture a bit longer than the others. She quickly put the picture aside and worked more on unpacking again, not wanting to linger on the picture any longer. She just told herself to relax and be ready for tomorrow. It would be strange, reappearing at the school, having to work her way back up the social ladder, she wondered how things had changed, not just the girls, but other people too.

XXXXX

So it was the next day that she was on her way into the school, she was aware of the looks she was getting, hearing the whispers, it was clear that despite the passage of time, people recognized her. That was when she heard it, of all the people she expected to see or hear, this was the one she had most anticipated.

"Ali?"

She turned and grinned at the sight of the other girl, the same age as her. She had a slightly round-oval face with full lips and deep set hooded eyes. Her dark brown hair, which was worn down as usual, complimented her olive complexion. She had an athletic body type, as she used to be a swimmer, Ali hoped she still was, knowing how good she was. She was dressed simply in a denim mini skirt, showing her fit tanned legs, and a yellow and blue striped sleeveless top under a blue light jacket and white socks and sneakers. Surprisingly, knowing that the girl wore minimal makeup, she was wearing more than usual. But she still had her same charming smile.

"Emily, hey, yup, it's me." Alison replied.

Emily was amazed. "Wow, I never...When did you get back, what are you doing back?"

Alison laughed softly. "It's good to see you again Em, I got back yesterday and well...I just wanted to come back home, to finish going to school here. To see everyone again."

"Oh…" Emily replied, her smile falling slightly.

Alison didn't noticed however. "I mean, look at you, never seen you so stylish with the makeup and what about the others, are they-?"

"Ali." Emily interrupted her, looking awkward. "Things have changed...there's someone new, a new 'Queen Bee'. We're all part of her group now."

Alison was startled by this. "Oh, um...who-?"

"You cannot be serious, Alison DiLaurentis?" A haughty voice sounded.

Alison tensed as she turned, recognizing that voice.

Alison didn't just recognize the speaker, but the other three girls too, all her old friends, all now glamorous and wearing stylish clothes and makeup, either top line dresses or skirts and tops, with either heels or flats. Emily was the simplest dressed but even she wore similar makeup to the others in terms of amount and class. The most surprising girl Alison saw was Hanna Marin, formerly Hefty Hanna, an overweight girl. The girl before her now was a very attractive woman with golden blonde hair styled in a wavy yet relaxed fashion, a heart-shaped face complimented with piercing blue eyes, full lips and a dimpled smile. She had a slender curvaceous frame with slim, shapely legs, well displayed by her mini skirt. Her skin was light with a milk and rose complexion which summed up her innocent and playful personality. The other two girls were Spencer Hastings and Aria Montgomery. Spencer had a very slim face complemented with high cheekbones, thin lips, and almond-shaped brown eyes. She had a peaches-and-cream complexion and long, medium brown hair worn down in waves. She had a very slim and athletic figure from playing field hockey, tennis, and other sports that keep her image and figure perfectly intact. Meanwhile Aria had a pale ivory complexion which complimented her round hazel eyes and plump lips. Her natural dark brown hair was wavy and had pink highlights in it. She also had a petite frame and stood approximately at 5'2", the shortest of her friends.

The final girl, the one who had spoken and was smirking at Alison was none other than the former loser girl that Queen Bee Alison had mocked. Mona Vanderwaal, an attractive young woman with black hair, round hazel eyes and a fine bone structure. She had plump lips and a mole under her right eye, which Alison only knew from previous knowledge of Mona as she was wearing the same heavy makeup as the others, as well as the same sexy designer clothes. Mona was as short as Aria, standing at 5'2". But this was mitigated as she now usually wore heels or pumped sneakers.

"Welcome back to Rosewood Alison. Must be strange for you being here again, seeing all this." Mona greeted her, calm yet with an undercurrent of sarcasm. "Must be hard, having to start all over again."

Alison shifted a little but said nothing; knowing Mona was right, she wasn't the most popular or feared girl anymore, she was at the bottom of the social chain.

"Emily, what have we said. Where's your proper clothes?" Mona then cut in, eyeing Emily's outfit.

Emily didn't say anything but silently stepped around Alison, although Alison did note something about her expression, before walking over to join Mona and the other girls. The other girls were still staring at her in amazement but not saying anything. Still, at Mona's word, the girls walked off, heading into the school while Alison walked her old friends walk off with Mona, noting the irony of how her and Mona's circumstances had been completely reversed.

XXXXX

Getting her books out of her locker, Spencer sighed, unable to believe what had just happened.

'Alison's back, I can't believe this...I never imagined I'd ever see her again. Why did she leave and why...Urgh what now?' She thought, mind racing before being interrupted.

Her interruption had been her phone going off. She was surprised however to see it wasn't Mona for once, but her mother.

"Make sure you get something elegant for dinner tonight and make it clear to those friends of yours you're having dinner with us tonight. We're meeting Melissa's fiancee tonight and you know how important this is."

Spencer sighed and shook her head. 'Of course, because anything involving Melissa is important, me not so much.'

Shaking her head she pocketed her phone.

"Spencer, are you okay?"

She turned to Aria and sighed, shrugging. "It's fine, just gotta put up with my sister tonight. Apparently she found a man worthy of her after all."

"Oh…" Aria grimaced. "Wow, I can see how that sucks."

Spencer nodded, before noting. "What about you Aria, you seem kinda troubled?"

"Oh um, I...It's nothing really." Aria replied. "Just, I think there's something going on with my parents, but, it's nothing to worry about."

Spencer bit her lip, wondering why Aria was brushing that off, family problems were no joke.

Meanwhile, at her own locker, Emily had just got her books and closed the door of the locker only to jump.

"Sorry, didn't mean to scare you." The girl who had been standing there said with a grin.

Emily shook her head. "Jeez, Maya, don't sneak up on me."

Maya St. Germain just laughed, she was a medium height girl with long black hair, brown eyes and light brown skin, she had a slender build with moderate curves and was dressed rather casually.

"So, what's up?" Emily asked.

Maya shrugged. "I was just wondering if you'd like to come and hang out after school, unless you have practice or something?"

"I do…" Emily admitted. "But if you don't mind it being later, I can come after practice?"

"Sounds good." Maya agreed with a grin. "Oh, heads up, lover boy's coming. See you in class."

With that Maya left and Emily just smiled, turning to greet her boyfriend, Ben Coogan, a tall broad shouldered young man with short black hair and brown eyes, fair skin and a strong build.

"Hey, what was that all about?" He asked casually, nodding to Maya walking down the corridor.

Emily just shrugged. "I'll be hanging out with Maya after practice."

Emily didn't notice it but there was a flicker in Ben's expression at that.

Still he replied calmly. "Well; hope you have fun. So...ready for class?"

He playfully offered his arm like an old-fashioned gentleman, Emily laughed and playfully smacked his shoulder, but still took his arm and they walked to class.

XXXXX

Alison was smiling again, despite the shock first thing that morning with seeing what became of her friends, the day had gone well and she was beginning to settle in nicely.

'It's calming down now and I'm just another student...never thought that'd feel so refreshing after all that time as the most popular girl.' She noted to herself. 'But it could get boring quickly...maybe try and find a balance? Well, that's for the future, just get through today and see how things go.'

She was heading for her next class, having just left her English class, which she had shared with all the other girls she had noticed which had surprised her.

"So, what did I tell you?"

Alison rolled her eyes and glanced over to her right where Mona was talking as she and Hanna walked together.

"Yeah, no kidding." Hanna replied with a smirk. "That was Mr. Fitz, huh? First day here and already turning heads."

"Can't blame him." Mona remarked. "Hot for a teacher."

Alison rolled her eyes and shook her head, ready to return her focus to the notes she had taken in class to double-check she had everything. But before she did, Mona looked over and their eyes briefly locked. Mona pressed her lips tight, eyes narrowed as she noted Alison and wondered how much she had heard. Hanna didn't notice however and continued to chat casually about various other things, including the possibility of a shopping spree after school. Mona calmed down at that, the idea of a little quick spending would be just what she needed to deal with this unwelcome intrusion into her perfect life that was Alison's return.

Meanwhile, outside the arts class, Aria was talking with two of the boys at school, one that she had come to know well enough since he moved to Rosewood last year, the other was a neighbour. Both boys were around the same height of five foot seven and the first had short dark red hair, hazel eyes, fair skin and a normal build, his name was Ryan Ericson. The other was Anthony Bruno, called Tony by his friends, he had brown, almost black eyes, light blonde almost brown hair and a slim but athletic build and fair skin. Anthony had moved to Rosewood with his family a couple of years ago when his father ended up joining Spencer's parents law firm.

"Hey guys." She greeted them, friendly.

They both turned to her, Tony instantly smiling, a side effect of his outgoing nature.

"Hi Aria, what's up?" He greeted.

"Nothing much." She replied. "How are you guys doing?"

Ryan smiled shyly and his voice was quiet when he replied. "Pretty good, was just telling Tony about the class project we got for English class."

Aria nodded. "Ah, yeah...it's certainly interesting."

"Yup. So, what's all the buzz about the new girl?" Tony then asked.

"Oh, Alison." Aria replied quickly. "I...I think you guys have heard me mention her before, or one of the other girls. She's that old friend of ours who moved away years ago, after some terrible incident."

Both boys nodded at once, remembering, but before they could say anything else, the bell rang and Aria and Ryan entered the arts class while Tony crossed the hall to his science class.

XXXXX

"I still can't believe this, Alison is back?" Hanna said in a startled tone.

She was sitting with the other girls at lunch, all of them clearly in the same state of surprise.

"I know, I mean, what brought her back here all of a sudden?" Spencer remarked. "The last time I ever heard from her was the day she left, was it that bad where she was?"

Emily shook her head. "Not really, at least, not the last I heard. She did contact me once or twice after leaving, she was having a fun time."

"Girls, let's stop talking about this please." Mona cut in, looking around seriously at them all. "We have other, more important things to discuss, like Hanna's latest idea, shopping spree at the mall."

She grinned and got the other girls to start talking about it, although Spencer disappointed her by explaining she wouldn't be able to be there for a spree, only to find a classy dress then had to leave. But she could forgive it, given her reason, Melissa once again. What Mona didn't show, outwardly at least, was that all this talk of Alison was getting to her, feeling threatened like she never had since Alison left and Mona reinvented herself.

XXXXX

Emily bit her lip, wondering exactly what she should say as she walked with Ali after their last class that day.

"So, you've got a little trip to the mall with Mona today huh?" Alison commented.

Emily sighed. "Y-yeah. We do."

"Cool." Alison said, thinking for a moment. "So, things really have changed around here huh. I almost didn't recognize Mona, or Hanna."

Emily gave a small, awkward smile. "Yeah, it's crazy I know, well...things just sort of happened from there and we, it's hard to explain."

"Then don't worry too much about explaining." Alison replied calmly. "Just know I'm not going to actively try and cause conflict with Mona but if she starts anything with me I will defend myself."

"I should hope so." Emily said with a small smirk.

"Em!"

They both turned to see Ben in his car, waving. Emily smiled, although she moved closer to Alison and Alison felt something pass between their hands, she tightened her grip to hold it and waited while Emily walked over to the car and rode off with Ben. With a small sigh, Alison turned around and began to walk home, on the way she noticed that she was passing her old family home.

'Wow,...it, it doesn't really look different. Feels weird knowing a new family lives there.' She noted to herself.

"Hey, can I help you?"

She turned to see a now familiar face, she had been introduced to her in school, Maya St. Germain.

"Hi Maya." She greeted her.

Maya smiled a little wider upon seeing her. "Oh yeah, Alison right, nice to see you again."

Alison smiled back and looked up at the house. "Settled in well, I guess?"

"Shouldn't I be asking you that?" Maya laughed good-natured. "Oh yeah, this used to be your house didn't it?"

Alison nodded. "Yeah, that's why I was asking."

They began talking for a little while until suddenly Maya's mother called out to her, asking for her help in the back yard. Maya excused herself and hurried inside while Alison resumed her journey home.

Once home Alison checked the paper that Emily had slipped into her hand and smiled when she noticed what it was.

'Emily's new number...so we can get back in touch.' She noted. 'Guess being with Mona hasn't poisoned her against me, hopefully the others too…'

"What the hell!?"

She started at Jason's sudden shout and she hurried through to the living room.

"Jason, what!?" She gasped.

He stared at her in shock. "Ali, what...you, look."

He pointed to the screen and she turned her attention to it, eyes widening in shock as she saw he was watching the news and the current story was about a dead body that had been found. Found in the burned out remains of the shed in the back yard of their old home, of the current St. Germain home.

End of chapter, hope you enjoyed it, read and review please.