Hey guys here is the next chapter, sorry I haven't update this week I've been really busy. Will try my best to have the next chapter up at some stage this weekend. please leave a review with any questions or idea as I read them all hope you enjoy :) have a great day or night xo

Chapter 18 telling the girls

Emily's pov

today is Tuesday and I am walking through town with Alison, on our way to Hanna's house. the girls agreed to talk to us and we wanted to do it somewhere semi private. Since getting the news last night from Ali's lawyer Ali didn't want to wait, but I couldn't stop thinking about what happened. Are you sure you want to do this? I question Ali as we make our way to the front door of Hanna's house. "Yeah I'm sure Em," she says squeezing my hand before knocking. The two of us walked into Hanna's room and handed her and Aria a coffee we had picked up from the brew. Hanna and Aria both smiled. Hey, I say trying to act as normally as possible but Aria noticed. Hi, what's up with you two, why do you look so tense? Ali sighed taking a seat next to me on the end of Hanna's bed. "It was a long day yesterday" she says. "But there's actually something really important I need to talk to you about Hanna." "What is it Ali?" she says with concern in her voice. Aria gets up to leave but Ali stops her. "Wait come back, I want you to hear this too. Emily already knows and if she trusts you then I do too."

I watched as Aria resumed her position on the bed and I held Ali's hand before letting her speak. "Ok so I don't want to go into to much detail, but Hanna you know how whenever I'm home alone with my Dad I get scared?" Hanna nodded "yeah, you call me like every time it happens." Ali sighed before continuing, "I know and I should have told you why a lot sooner, but I'm ready to talk about it now." My Dad kind of abuses me, like physically." Hanna's eyes widened in shock and Aria's face went pale. "Omg Alison are you ok?" Aria asked with concern. She smiled, "yeah I will be I'm finally putting an end to it." I looked across to Han and she's like on mute saying nothing just staring at Ali. Alison looks away, "Hanna please say something" she begs and I can tell she is close to crying again, but Hanna doesn't say anything instead she gets off the bed, walks around to Ali's side pulling her into a tight hug and letting a tear escape her eye. "Ali I can't believe you never told me, I wish I knew. I could have done something to help you, I'm sorry" she says pulling away to look at Ali. "Hey Hanna listen to me, it's not your fault ok, I didn't tell you because he threatened to do something worse if I told anyone." Aria looked at me before speaking how did you know Em? I blushed before looking at Ali, she answered for me. "Well she kind of saw my bruises on my ribs the other day and well I couldn't exactly hide it." Alison continued to explain what was going to happen Now, Meanwhile I was just glad the girls were willing to support her like me with whatever happens next.

Hanna pov

I cannot believe what Alison just told me. We have been best friends since we were five, yet she never told me how serious the situation was with her Dad. I realise she had perfectly good reasons not, I just worry about her. "So guys, I have something to say I can't hold this in any longer, this might not be the best time to tell you but Aria and I kind of have some good news. They both smiled at us and I was about to tell them when Em cut me off. Omg I completely forgot Aria, how was your date? She blushed. "um, not so great". Em frowned, "but don't worry I ended it not him." Emily nodded and Ali looked at me as if to say what's the news? Aria nudged me and I smiled realising she wants to say it. "Okay so don't freak out or anything but I kissed Hanna after my date." I looked at Ali and Emily and both of them had wide eyes clearly a little shocked. Aria laughed, "I didn't even know I was doing it until it was too late," she says before blushing. I took over, yeah so I like totally ran out on her and left her in the lounge room which by the way I regret, but we talked about it and we both agreed we liked it. Emily smiled before speaking "so what are you saying? Are you two like together?" The both of us nodded and I grabbed Aria's hand bringing it to my lips to kiss it. Yep I guess we're giving it ago. Ali spoke up next "Wait a sec Han I didn't even know you were into girls why didn't you tell me?" Ali, trust me I didn't know either until she kissed me. I still like guys just like you do. She smiled well then I'm happy for you both she says and I smiled at her glad to have her blessing. "yeah and Em" Aria says as sweet and innocent as possible, "I know you're probably thinking what the hell, considering I have been crushing on Noel for like forever but trust me this is new to me too. I don't know what I am, when I kissed Noel, It didn't feel like it did when I kissed Hanna." "Its fine Aria, I get it if you're happy then I'm happy" Em says, pulling her into a hug. Besides now we can all like double date she says trying to lighten the mood and I laughed. Em that's totally something I would say, I smiled happy that they were ok with it.

Ail pov

So what do you guys want to do today? Do you want to be left alone? I questioned Hanna and Aria but they rolled there eyes, "No Alison its fine we can do whatever you guys want, we should hang out Aria said while looking at Hanna . I smiled, Em what about you what do you want to do? You have been looking after me all week! "I don't mind babe whatever will distract you until this afternoon. I know you're nervous you don't even have to say it." I blushed, darn she knows me too well. "Aww did you just call her babe, that's so sweet" Aria says while smiling. I saw Hanna look at her, "don't get any idea's Shorty, I don't want to be one of them cheesy couples." Han it's not cheesy it's called being charming. Aria laughed "yeah what she said." How about we take them to the tree house that we spent all our time in when we were little Aria? Em questioned. "Yeah we haven't been there in ages Em, that's a great idea." I smiled over at Hanna and couldn't help but laugh. "Ali don't look at me like that, I may have never climbed a tree as a kid, but there is always a first time for everything." Hanna never climbed a tree because she's scared of heights, trust me I tried to get her to do things with me but the minute it involves being any height off the ground she freaks. Hanna rolled her eyes at me for telling them but I just smiled, don't worry Hanna everyone's scared of something. I watched Aria kiss Hanna on the cheek. "Don't worry Han, it's not that high. Once you're up I promise you cant fall and the view will be worth it. Now let's go, what are we waiting for?"

Emily's pov

When we arrived near the lake I lead the girls along the trail and into the woods, until we eventually arrived at the tree house. It was exactly how I remembered. The leaves had started to fall as it was no longer summer, and the tree still had the wooden steps we had nailed into the side. I grabbed Ali's hand and walked over to the tree, ready to climb up. When I got to the top I turned around and held out my hand for Ali to help her. The both of us watched as Aria was next which only left Hanna. It felt so good to be back in the tree house, and even better knowing I had Ali here with me. Babe come over here I want to show you something I say while smiling at Ali. We walked around the other side of the tree house leaving Aria to deal with Hanna. I remember telling my dad that I had found this tree house when I was 7 and he helped me extend it so that it had a balcony around it. I use to come hear alone but I started bringing Aria and it eventually became our place. When we reached the spot in the tree I was looking for I sat down patting the spot next to me. I brushed away some leaves smiling when I realised it was still there. Engraved into the tree was both mine and Aria's initials with friends forever underneath. Ali placed her hand on top of mine that was resting on the tree. "That's cute Em, how long ago did you do that"? I think we were about 10. Aria is the only person I have ever brought to this place. It was always like our little hideout, when I didn't feel like seeing anyone I came here. Ali nodded while lacing our hands together. I mainly come here whenever I miss my Dad, he help built someone of it so I always feel closer to him when I'm here and he's in the army. Ali smiled at me, "well thank you from bringing me here". I laughed brushing a strain of hair out of Ali's face and pulling her close to me until I could kiss her, both of us smiling like idiots when it finished. Ali hooked her left arm around mine rested her head on my shoulder, and the two of us sat together in a comfortable silence over looking the lake.

Aria's pov

Hanna come on, we haven't got all day you can do it. I promise when you get up here I won't let go of your hand. I leaned over and watched as Hanna sighed before eventually taking very slow and steady steps up into the tree until she eventually made it. I pulled her into a tight hug and I felt her relax a little when I did. But when I let go and tugged on her hand to start walking she didn't move. It was only then that I realise how serious this fear must be. her left hand was shaking and she had tightened the grip on my hand with her other one. Hey Han look at me you're safe ok, you can't fall. Look we can go back down if this is too much for you. I don't wa…. Hanna cut me off placing her soft lips on mine for a brief kiss. I smiled at the feel I got in my stomach when she did it. "Aria it's fine, I have to get over this sooner or later as long as we stay away from the edge I should be okay. beside I saw the excitement on your face when Emily mentioned this place, it obviously means something to you so I want to see it." Okay we will stay away from the edge then. I lead Hanna inside and let her sit down before getting comfortable in between her legs, making sure not to let go of her hands. I wrapped her arms around my stomach before leaning into her. "This place is kind of cool, I mean it's almost relaxing" I felt Hanna whisper in my ear. Yeah it is, Em and I spent so much time up here when we were kids, and we always knew how to entertain ourselves without getting bored. The view is my favourite part, I use to come here at sunset and take pictures but I haven't been in ages, it's good to be back.

It was silent for a minute before I felt Hanna laughing behind me. What's so funny? "Nothing I just can't believe Ali told you I was scared of heights that's embarrassing, I swear she will pay." Han, I'm sure she didn't mean it, it probably just came out. Hanna smiled, "yeah I guess." She was right you know, everyone is scared of something I said not even realising what came out. "Oh yeah well what are you scared of?" She questioned me and I mentally yelled at myself for saying too much. Ok, promise you won't laugh I said while turning slightly to look at her, she nodded. I hate the dark I said blushing and lowering my head, but she turned it to face her. Like I won't go outside if its dark unless I'm with someone and if no one's in my room with me at night, I leave my desk lamp on or I cant sleep I said burying my face in her neck. "That's adorable," I heard her stifle a giggle. No its not, I'm like a little kid I've just never grown out of it. "Well I think it is she says while kissing my check. You helped me face mine so I will help you face yours." I felt myself smiling for like the 10th time today. You are the best I say while turning back around and bring her hand up to kiss it. Hanna laughed, I know I am she says and I can tell she is liking the compliment way too much.

Emily's pov

So I hate to interrupt this peaceful moment where having, but we kind of have to leave soon, and I want to do something before we go I say and I can tell Ali doesn't want to leave. Wait here I'll be right back. I got up and walked around the corner before returning with a rock and resuming my position on the ground. Ok face the other way, Ali rolled her eyes but did as I said and once she wasn't looking I turned around to face the tree. I started carving letters into the tree next to mine and Arias name. "what are you doing em?" She questioned and I laughed, give me a sec babe. When I finished I place the rock on the ground and let her look. The smile on her face when she realised what I did made my heart melt, I watched as she traced the initials E F + A D and the heart I had traced around it with her finger. I want this to be just as much your place as it is mine I say hoping she would be ok with it and I take it as she is because she stood up pulling me with her into a hug. "You are such a dork sometimes em" I blush feeling her breath hit my neck. So is that a yes? "Of course it is silly, I like knowing that we have something that can be both of ours. I smile kissing her on the check. So do I, I say while walk with her toward where we climbed up. When we got down to the bottom I realised that Hanna and Aria were already there waiting for us.

Hey guys Ali and I have to leave, Veronica is picking us up at 3:30 and we don't want to be late. Ali said goodbye and headed for the car and I told her I would be there in a sec. when she was gone I thanked the girls for hanging out with us today. I really think it helped take her minds off things. "No problem Em let us know if she needs anything" Hanna smiled and I gave them a quick hug goodbye, before hopping in the car. When we got back to mine, Ali went up stairs to change and I waited for her to come back. When she came down I realised she was now wearing my hoddie I lent her a few weeks ago. "I wanted to where something of yours" she says placing her arms around my waist. "That way when I make the statement it will be like your in the room with me" I smiled babe, don't stress ok I'll be right outside the door and I already asked veronica about coming in for the scan and she said it's ok. I pulled her closer to me and she rest her head on my chest the both of us enjoying the embrace until we heard the knock at the door, and I felt her tense you ready? She nodded taking my hand. Lets just go and get this over with she said walking towards the door. I wasn't sure what was going to happen in the next two hours but all I new was that she was going to need me and there was know way I was going to let her down.