Chapter Four: A Moment Frozen in Time

Allison DiLaurentis was still missing. Mr. and Mrs. DiLaurentis after months of searching and pleading had decided to sell their home and move. Hanna sat in her room looking at the pictures of her and her friends. Who knew that everything would fall apart with Alli gone? Did they really need Allison that much? Was she the only reason they were all friends? Hanna just didn't understand. Lucky for her she found an unlikely friend in Mona Vanderwaal. Mona had become a positive influence for Hanna. The two girls started working out together and watched as many make up and fashion tutorials they could. Slowly the two girls were transforming themselves from "losers" to high school royalty. Yet in the safety of her home Hanna was able to let her guard down and let her insecurities show. Jason was leaving in a matter of days and she didn't know how she would go on without him.

Jason was tired of packing. His room was practically done. His parents wanted to leave as much as they could behind especially his sister's things. He didn't understand the need to leave every trace of her behind and act like she never existed. He was angry. He was hurt. He was confused. After that night at Hanna's house, a bond had formed between the two. Jason felt very protective of her as one would a younger sibling, not that he was trying to replace Allison, but he did feel the need to look out for the blonde girl. At the end of the week he and his family would be leaving Rosewood behind, they would be leaving friends behind, everything would be left behind.

Hanna tried to focus on her homework. She may not be as smart as Spencer or Allison, but she knew that to be a "Queen B" you had to be well rounded. Smart, pretty, cool, collected: these were traits she was striving so hard for. Jason would often laugh at her when he would see her strut down the street towards his house like she owned it. He understood her need for change. After all after Allison had gone missing everything had changed. Hanna smiled at a particular photo of her and Jason taken a few weeks ago. Both had been laughing and sharing their more happy memories of Allison when Mrs. DiLaurentis snapped the picture in a rare moment of happiness without either of them knowing. When Mrs. DiLaurentis unexpectedly stopped by the Marin household a few days after the picture was taken, Hanna wasn't sure what was going on. Tea was made and an uncomfortable silence filled the air. Hanna let out a shaky breath as she remembered the events of that day.

Flashback

Hanna had just gotten home from school. She was more than happy to be done parading around and being the perfect soon to be Queen B. Her heels were slipped off and she changed into sweats and a simple tee shirt. How did Allison do it? To constantly stay perfect and be the girl everyone expected her to be? Once the weight dropped and she was able to wear more flattering and stylish clothes it was easy to become Rosewood High's little princess.

Hanna was getting out all the snacks to prepare for a movie night with Jason. At first it was weird hanging out with him and letting him into her life, but slowly he became her rock and her most trusted friend. He pushed her to be better and to be happy. The rest of the people of Rosewood would stop and stare at the pair as they made their way down the street or stopped to enjoy lunch. Was it really that odd for the friend and the brother of Allison DiLaurentis to bond and hold onto to each other as a safety net?

A knock on the door broke Hanna out of her thoughts. She checked the time and panicked thinking Jason was early. Her homework wasn't done and she wasn't even close to ready for him to come over. She walked to the door and opened it expecting Jason on the other side but who she saw shocked her. Jessica DiLaurentis. Allison's mother was standing on her front porch.

"Um, hi Mrs. DiLaurentis, my mom isn't home right now but I can let her know you stopped by," Hanna said just assuming the unexpected visit was for her mom.

"Oh... Hanna, I'm not here to see your mother, I... I hope it's okay but I wanted to speak with you a moment," she said with a shaky breath.

"Uh... of course come in," Hanna said stepping back letting Jessica into the house.

"I hope I didn't catch you at a bad time," she said following Hanna into the kitchen.

"Oh, no; you're fine. I was just getting ready to start my homework before Jason comes over," Hanna says then wincing as she realizes what she said. "Would you like something to drink?"

"Tea would be nice," Jessica said as she watched the teen girl get out two mugs and put the kettle on the stove.

"Is everything okay?" Hanna asked without thinking. "That's a stupid question of course everything isn't okay. I'm sorry." Hanna finished weakly grateful the water was ready.

Hanna poured the hot water over the two tea bags. Letting the tea settle and brew she went back to the kitchen table Mrs. DiLaurentis was sitting at.

"Hanna you don't have to be sorry. I understand why you think something is wrong," she said with a weak smile. "I wanted to drop something off and say thank you."

"Thank you?" Hanna asked confused now. As soon as the tea was ready she went over to the counter and picked up both cups before sitting back down at the table.

"Yes. This has been a very trying time for my family. Jason…Jason and Allison didn't always have the best relationship. When… when she went missing it was hard on him, losing a sister like that," she said with silent tears rolling down her cheeks.

"It's been hard on all of us. Allison was a very special person," Hanna said putting her hand over Mrs. DiLaurentis'.

"I just… I never thought I would see my son happy especially with how things are going, but you… you make him smile. He cares for you," she said wiping away her tears. "I wanted to give you this." Jessica said pulling out the framed photo of her and Jason just a few days ago.

Hanna was stunned their forever frozen were her and Jason smiling together. She felt a pull at her heart seeing them so happy. "Oh… it's beautiful," Hanna said meaning it with every fiber of her being.

"Yes, I also want you to know that should it ever arise, you are more than welcome to visit Jason," Jessica said hoping she was doing the right thing. It hurt to be around her daughter's friends especially now that Hanna Marin had become a close friend to Jason, but she recognized the need her son had for someone or something to hold onto.

"Really? Mrs. DiLaurentis thank you," Hanna said wrapping her arms around the poor mother without thinking. Being able to see Jason whenever she could was the best gift she could be offered. "I know it will mean so much to Jason."

"Yes, yes it will make this whole move easier on him I hope," Mrs. DiLaurentis said surprising herself and hugging the teenage girl back.

End Flashback

Hanna wiped tears off her cheeks. She was going to miss Jason and she knew that Jason was going to miss her. She didn't want him to leave, but it was something she had no control over. Letting out a heavy sigh she got ready for their last movie night until a visit could be arranged for the two to get together. Hanna had ordered a pizza for the two to split and got the pop corn out. Within the few months they had to become friends it was common for him to just walk into the house as if he also lived there.

Jason steadily made his way over to Hanna's house. He couldn't understand the pang in his heart about having to leave her behind. Yes she was doing so much better since when he first stopped actually got to know her. With Mona by her side he really hoped that she wouldn't relapse into her old habits. Why was he so worried that she would relapse if he was gone? Why did he hate that without him there someone could swoop in and take his place in her life? Frustrated he ran his fingers through his hair. Was it that bad that he genuinely cared for Hanna and her well being? He finally arrived at her house and let himself in as was his habit now.

"Hanna?" Jason called to let her know that he was there.

"I'm in the kitchen!" she shouted as she placed the pop corn bag in the microwave.

"So what movies did you pick out?" Jason asked really hoping she wasn't in the mood for chick flicks.

"If you don't mind, I just picked out a bunch of comedies," Hanna said with a small smile. She really hoped something funny would lighten the mood between the two.

"Sounds perfect," Jason said walking into the refrigerator and pulled out a container of juice.

Just like the two were in their groove of prepping snacks and drinks to enjoy while they absorbed themselves in the movies and each others company. A comfortable silence filled the air as they moved around each other and set up the couch for a night of movies. Jason smiled as he watched Hanna grab blankets and made sure to have them in easy reach in case they got cold.

"I'm going to miss this," Hanna said with a shaky breath trying to hold back her tears. Lord knew that she was done with all the crying she had been doing lately.

"Me too," Jason said wrapping his arms around Hanna. "Promise me that you won't forget me." Jason jokingly said wanting to make her laugh and smile.

"I couldn't even if I wanted to," Hanna said with a smile.

And just like that they were looking into each others eyes. Both mirrored sadness about having to lose the other, but a small shadow of happiness knowing that no matter what they would still be there for the other. The air was thick with a tension neither of them knew what to do with.

Without even thinking Jason lowered his lips to hers. A shock went through him at how right all of it felt. The kiss, her in his arms, her just in his life period all felt so right to him. Sure Aria had fascinated him. She was different and artistic, but Hanna was well Hanna. She was a light in his life. She made him laugh and she made him think. She was often forward and direct, but so, so innocent.

Hanna just melted into him and the kiss. It felt like everything since that first conversation on his front porch had led to this moment. She felt whole and complete. Jason was her rock, her safety net. He never judged her or criticized her. He made her feel good about herself and encouraged to leave behind bad and dangerous habits.

They both pulled back. They were both breathing heavy. They had kissed. They had kissed and neither of them regretted it. Hanna didn't know what would happen now, but she knew that from this moment on Jason would always be a part of her life. Jason was stunned, a simple kiss had rocked his world and he was okay with it. Both smiled and went to the couch to enjoy their last moments together. Speaking wasn't necessary. Just like they enjoyed the kiss, they would enjoy the night. They would watch movies, Hanna would fall asleep on the couch, Jason would carry her to bed and he would fall asleep on the couch waiting for her mom to be home so she wouldn't be alone.