Chapter 22:

"So what's up?" Mike asked, sitting down on Ezra's couch. He had just arrived after receiving Aria's text.

Aria looked at him, hesitantly. She didn't want to believe it but she was afraid that, if he really was A, he could hurt her for finding out his secret.

"Umm...could you just give me a minute?" Aria said, getting up.

Mike looked at her, confused. "I guess..."

Aria got up and went into the bathroom, sending a quick text to her friends, Ezra and Caleb, telling them to hurry over and that she was with Mike, about to confront him about his lie. Then, she stared into the mirror, reapplying her make-up, trying to delay going back to where Mike was sitting, waiting for her. After a bit, there was a knock on the door.

"Aria, I have to leave, can we do this another time?" Mike asked from outside the door.

"No, I'm coming. Just a minute." With a deep breath, Aria exited the bathroom to where her brother now stood, impatient.

"Are you hungry?" Aria asked, trying to delay her confrontation until her friends, or Ezra arrived.

"No, I'm good."

"How about a drink?"

Mike sighed. "I'll take a coke. Can you please hurry up and tell me why you called me, I have to go out soon." he said, looking at his watch.

"Where?" Aria asked, handing him a can of coke.

"I'm meeting Noel and some of the guys at the Grille in an hour." Mike said, turning around as he heard the door opening.

"Hey, I got your tex-" Ezra stopped when he saw Mike. "Hey Mike, what's going on?"

Mike shrugged. Aria looked at Ezra, relieved. "Hey, I'm so glad you're home." she said, walking over and giving him a kiss.

"Okay, can you guys save that for later?" Mike said, rolling his eyes.

"Sorry. Okay Mike, there's something I need to talk to you about." Aria started.

"Okay..." Mike said, sitting back down on the couch, sipping his coke.

Aria took a deep breath, taking Ezra's hand for support. "I know you lied to me."

Mike stared at Aria, confused. "About what?"

"You've been in Rosewood longer than you said." Aria said, automatically seeing the guilt in Mike's eyes. Most people wouldn't be able to tell, especially because his expression didn't change, but Aria had known him since he was born and knew just about everything about him...well, except for the fact that he could be A.

"What are you talking about? I got back the night I came to see you." Mike stated, as there was a knock on the door. The girls and Caleb walked in, already having been briefed on the situation from Aria's text.

"Mike, don't try to deny it. I know you've been in Rosewood for 3 weeks."

Mike swallowed loudly. "Okay, even if I was, what difference would it make?"

"It makes a huge difference, actually. For starters, it makes me question whether or not I can trust you." Aria said.

Mike hung his head. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have lied to you."

"Why did you lie to me in the first place?" Aria asked.

Mike didn't say anything.

"Mike?"

"I can't tell you." Mike said.

"Why not?" Aria asked.

"It's private." Mike replied, looking down.

Aria paused for a moment, looking at her friends, and then turning back to her little brother. "Mike, what were you doing in my room that night?"

What do you think Mike's hiding? Leave your guesses in the reviews. :)