Sgdp1261 and Lax, thank you for your reviews as always. I'm really happy people are enjoying the story. I can't say the ending will be any happier than Fear Island, but fewer characters die... so I suppose that counts? :p
To 'A Fan': you are brilliant. I don't think you understand how much your review meant to me. It legitimately made my week. I'm very insecure about my writing, so to have someone give me such compliments is a huge boost. I'm also glad I could introduce you to Sparia - they're one of my top ships, and I think they're absolutely adorable. Do let me know what you think of my other story (and any other stories of mine that you read; I'm pretty much always working on some kind of PLL story). And feel free to get in touch if you ever feel like it; you seem like a lovely person. :)
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October 3rd
Spencer sighed. She was at yet another party, and bored to death. It was the fourth party Aria had dragged her to since they'd started college. Aria had promised faithfully that she wouldn't leave her alone, that she'd introduce her to all of her friends and make sure it wasn't awkward. She'd kept that promise for maybe a half hour, and then she'd disappeared to get a drink and never come back.
It was barely eleven, but Spencer was sorely tempted to go to bed already. She lived on the other side of campus, so she could just walk back by herself. She'd just have to find Aria and say goodbye first. After a few minutes of searching she found her friend over by the punch bowl, talking to a group of guys who were laughing a little too loudly.
She moved towards her, but somebody stepped in front of her before she'd even taken a step.
"Spencer!" Emily exclaimed, smiling. "I didn't know you were here!"
Caught off-guard, Spencer just blinked at her friend. "Uh, hey, Emily."
"How are you?" Emily threw her arm around Spencer's neck; Spencer could smell the whiskey on her breath. She carefully stepped away.
"I'm fine, Em," she said.
"Are you having a good night?" Emily pressed.
Spencer shrugged, not taking her eyes off Aria. "It's okay."
Emily eyed her suspiciously. "What you need," her friend announced, "is a drink."
Before Spencer could say a word in protest Emily slipped off through the crowd to the drinks table. She came back with two cups of something that smelled faintly of artificial oranges.
"What is this?" Spencer asked cautiously, watching the liquid swirl around in her cup. That was about how her stomach felt right now, actually.
"Just drink it," Emily said. "It's good, I promise."
Too tired to argue, Spencer raised the cup to her lips and took a sip. It was kind of fruity, a little bubbly, and way stronger than she'd thought. By the time she finished it, which took less than five minutes, she felt a little dizzy.
"So why are you here alone?" Emily asked.
"I'm not -" Spencer started to say, but then she looked over to the punch bowl and saw that Aria had disappeared. "I guess I am."
"I came here with a couple friends from swim team," Emily said, pointing over to group of girls who were taking shots in the corner. "I could introduce you if you want."
"Um, okay."
Spencer started following her friend over to the corner. If she couldn't be here with Aria, at least she was here with a friend. And maybe she could salvage the night and make it, if not enjoyable, at least bearable. But when she was halfway across the room, Spencer caught sight of Aria again.
The small dark-haired girl was locked in a passionate embrace with a muscular guy who looked way too old for her. She was running her hands up and down his arms, leaning into him like she was afraid they were about to be ripped apart. Spencer stopped dead. The logical part of her knew that she had no right to be upset by this. Aria was single, and she could make out with whoever she wanted to. But the emotional part of her, which was currently fuelled by love and spurred on by alcohol, took control.
"Spence?" Emily asked, turning to her. "You okay?"
"Y-yeah," Spencer stammered, unable to tear her eyes away from the sight of Aria kissing someone else. "But I think I have to go now. If you see Aria, tell her I left early, and I'll see her tomorrow."
Spencer spun on her heel and strode away, grabbing another cup of whatever alcohol was on offer and downing it before she reached the door. She didn't look back as she stormed out of the room and sprinted across the campus, unable to stop the flood of tears that threatened to drown her.
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Reviews are welcome, as always. I love hearing what you guys think.