a/n: Thank you to everyone who reviewed, favorited, or followed, it means so much!

I posted this chapter early to help with the pain of waiting until next week until a new episode of PLL! It's really a filler chapter but next one will have much more action!

Come check me out on tumblr as adarkromance!

always in the twilight

chapter four

the power of a name

by colorshow

Spencer hurried quickly across the schoolyard, locking her car behind he and unceremoniously stuffed her books into her bag. After being rather distracted last night she ended up getting home late. As a consequence she was forced to quickly write her AP US History paper this morning, it wasn't her best work but it would have to do. All she knew was that getting up at five this morning and barely having time to straighten her hair, not to mention the stress of writing her paper, did nothing for her stress level. Of course she wouldn't trade last night for anything, rather than the whole A deal of course, the last thing she needed was someone having dirt on her. She barely managed to convince herself it was fine most of the time.

Until she remembered that she would still have to deal with whoever the hell A was. It wasn't a good feeling to say the least.

Nearly racing down the halls she made to class just after the bell rang, earning her a disapproving look from the teacher, "Spencer, I would prefer if you arrived to class on time. Thank you very much." Mr. Fitz reprimanded. Spencer wasted no time finding her seat in the back room, muttering a half-hearted sorry.

Slinking down into her seat she winced as the leather of her jacket made a squelching noise against the plastic of the desk, desperately wishing the stares that lingered on her to go away, she grabbed her copy of The Illiad out of her bag, trying to block out the whispers.

But it's hard not to hear them when the words uttered are, Do you really think she killed Ali?

"Girls, don't you realize if we go to this party we will be the talk of the school." Ali hissed excitedly, the other girls gave her somewhat questioning stares while Spencer rolled her eyes.

"You don't need to go to a frat party to get drunk Ali, unless you have some ulterior motive?" Spencer asked, raising her eyebrows in the other girl's direction, causing her to replicate the look in response. For good measure Ali poked Spencer in the side, the silent gesture used between the two to tell the other to shut the hell up.

Hanna looked wide eyed at the two of them "How would we even get in it doesn't sound safe, you're already the talk of the school, you know that Ali?" she questioned, causing Ali to roll her eyes in annoyance "God Hanna, do you always have to be such a good girl, we'll be fine, you'd be with me and Spencer, and everyone's scared of her." Ali reprimanded, giving the girls a sly look.

"Who said I was going?" Spencer spat anxiously, "Maybe I have plans!" she uttered, her eyes subconsciously lingering on what those plans exactly entailed.

Ali gave her a look "What do you mean Spence, got a little dirty secret, or how about a secret you're getting dirty with." she sneered, causing Spencer to give her a rather harsh jab in the side.

Aria's eyes went wide "Are you seeing someone Spence, you know you can tell us anything." she said, giving Spencer a supportive smile, Spencer returned it, she was probably closest to Aria after Ali, and if anything she trusted Aria more than Ali.

But she trusted Toby most of all, she sought him in his usual spot in the cafeteria, smiling when she saw his eyes were set on her.

"It's nothing. Really, I would tell you guys if it was something. I know you'll be here for me." Spencer smiled, immediately the girls appeared less serious.

"We're best friends Spence, that's what were here for." Emily reassured her, Hanna nodded her end in agreement, "Even when you get arrested for Drunk Driving when you get your license." she affirmed causing the other girls to laugh.

"And we'll be here to kick everyone's ass when your the talk of the school." Aria giggled, causing Spencer to send her a smirk "And what makes you so sure about that Aria?" she asked, taking a sip of her soda.

Ali smirked at her "You're bound to be what everyone's talking about Spencer, just like me, trouble follows us everywhere."

The other girls smiled but looked somewhat uncomfortable with Ali's favoritism, Spencer unknown to them felt the same way.

"So, let's start with that party, shall we?" Ali said confidently, as usual leaving no room for argument they had no choice to agree. Spencer gave Ali a look, "I'm bringing my own alcohol, I don't trust college boys." she said, causing the rest of them to laugh.

Her next words were so quiet only Ali heard them, the other girls caught up in their whispers about what they planned to wear "I much prefer high school boys." Ali watched where her gaze lingered and frowned at the object of Spencer's affections.

Instead of deciding to confront her now, knowing it would only anger Spencer she muttered in her ear instead "Better bring some for me Spence, for keeping your dirty little secrets." Spencer's eyes went wide, knowing Ali had seen it all.

"Of course Ali, what are best friends for?" Spencer grimaced.

By the next week all everyone could talk about was how Alison DiLaurentis had went to a college party and made out with a college boy.

The whispers seemed ten times louder in Spencer's ears, she hadn't heard her name mentioned so much since she stopped being friends with Alison and her and Toby had started to see each other out in the open.

Instead she focused on the blackboard at the front of the room, noticing how Mr. Fitz's eyes lingered on one of his students in particular, Aria Montgomery.

Spencer wondered if they were seeing each other, hypocrite, really her teacher?

Did Aria think she was guilty Sure Ali had done some pretty awful things after their fallout, but her and Aria had still been somewhat pleasant. The small brunette had been gone last year away in Iceland, while her dad was on his sabbatical. What Spencer wouldn't give to be far away from Rosewood.

Refocusing her thoughts on her book she began to diligently answer the questions printed on the worksheet Mr. Fitz had given them, trying to drift her thoughts away from what she rather be doing, purchasing a joint from her friend Cat at lunch and enjoying a rather naked Toby when she got home.

But she reprimanded herself that none of that would happen if she didn't get her work done now rather than later. Not to mention she had a family dinner with her sister and her fiance today. If that didn't make her day better, what else could?

Maybe she'd have to settle for a quickie after school, ignoring the familiar longing in her stomach she clenched her thighs together and took advantage of the class time she had.

In what seemed like the blink of an eye her worksheet was completed and the bell had rung, she quickly stuffed her things in her bag, hoping to talk to Aria briefly before the girl ran away screaming.

Catching up to her Aria turned to acknowledge her presence wide eyed "Spencer, what are you doing talking to me?" she asked in astonishment.

"I need to ask you something it's important." Spencer whispered, Aria nodded "Yeah, what is it?"

The intercom sounded, blaring in the hallway "Spencer Hastings, Aria Montgomery, Emily Fields, Hanna Marin, and Jenna Marshall to the office please."

Spencer looked at Aria wide eyed, her look mirroring her own. "Goddammit." Spencer muttered, beginning the dreaded trip to the office.

So what did you think, please tell me in a review! Or come bother me on tumblr, I hope to be posting the prologue to a new story idea in a few days, come visit me or follow me at adarkromance to see it before I post it here, I want to write a little bit of it first but I hope to have a preview up in the next week!