Chapter 6:

Aria was sitting on Hanna's bed munching on her pinky nail listening to Spencer. Emily, Hanna, and Aria's eyes were extremely wide after they heard Spencer say the last line. "One of the A's is… Toby."

"What!" Hanna yelled, sucking on her spoon to get the last bit of ice-cream.

"That can't be true!" Aria specified, giving Spencer a sympathetic look.

"Well then why would he run away?" Spencer asked starting to cry.

"Uh..." Emily mumbled, dumbstruck.

"Exactly! He probably just wanted to get information or something." Spencer sniffled.

"I'm sure there has to be an explanation for this, Spence." Aria comforted her friend.

"There isn't. He's a part of the A team, along with the other forty one people we don't know." Spencer cried.

All of them sighed and finished the ice-cream.

[Shalie's POV]

The same afternoon I was sitting on a bench, waiting for a train. A bunch of people were scrambling around, trying to get tickets before the train arrived. My duffel sat beside me as I listened to my favorite band, NONONO.

I heard a sound of gas that meant a train was coming. I checked my IPhone and it was just on time. I rushed to the stop and paused. Now, only about four hours of train ride to Rosewood.

When I got to Rosewood, I could see why people love it here, but then again, I could see why Ali wanted to leave. My curls got in the way of my sunglasses so I pushed them away.

There were four girls that looked like the exact reason why I came here were walking on a sidewalk. I decided to begin this long journey by following them. Their footsteps to us to a small café called The Grille.

I pretended I didn't already know who they were and got in line next to them.

BACK TO NORMAL:

"Hey, um, guys? Who's that?" Aria whispered, elbowing Spencer.

"I don't know…"

"She looks like Cece." Emily murmured, gazing at the brown haired girl's beauty. You could basically see the drool coming out of her mouth while watching that girl.

"Yeah…" Hanna said.

"Mhm." Spencer mumbled while shoving her bag to Aria, very distracted, and walked to the stranger.

"Hey. Spence." Aria grumbled.

"Hello. I'm Spencer Hastings." Spencer supposed, extending her hand to the teenager?

"Shalie Drake. Nice to meet you." She said back, shaking hands with the warm, big hands that belonged to Spencer Hastings.

Bingo. Aria thought.

"Uh- would you like to eat with us? I know this is kind of out of the ordinary, but would you?" Spencer asked.

"Sure, I'd love too. I need some friends, I just moved here. Do you girls go to Rosewood Day?" Shalie answered.

All of them nodded.

"Great, I will also see you there." She added.

"So, what are your names?" Shalie questioned while taking a large bite of sautéed arugula.

"I'm Aria."

"Emily."

"Hanna."

"You've already met me." Spencer added.

"Cool names." Shalie said.

"Thanks…" They all mumbled.

"So. This is really awkward." Shalie giggled.

"Yea. Let's just, ya know. Talk." Hanna said.

After their run in with Cece's sister, Aria, and the others, plus Shalie went back to Hanna's. After their awkward little conversation, they actually brought up some things about how Shalie is an actor, a singer, and a field hockey player. For say, they were actually enjoying her company.

[Shalie's POV]

I really am struggling. Why doesn't Ali like them? It was all Courtney, not them. They seemed really nice. I mean like I really love Ali to death, but that Emily was something else. She was extremely gorgeous as a plus point. I learned that she swims and is going to UNC.

We were walking back to Hanna's house. My phone beeped through my loose bag. I picked up and to speak of the devil.

PHONE CALL:

"Did you meet them?" Ali asked.

"Yea, there cool." I said

"What?"

"What?" I asked.

"Oh, yea I'm supposed to hate them. Meanwhile, there actually quite cool. Al's you do realize it was all Courtney, right? And you took care of her. Listen, babe. You don't have to pay any attention of these girls, they got nothing on you." I said.

"Shalie, you know I love you right? Good. Okay, you know how bad I need this revenge. Right?" Ali requested sarcastically.

I sighed and hung up the phone.

"Hanna's is right around the corner." Spencer said while adjusting her over the shoulder bag.

BACK TO NORMAL:

"Nice place. Got any ice-cream?" Shalie laughed.

Aria snickered at how up front Shalie was. Even when she just met us, Aria felt like she knew her for a long while. Like she could tell all her secrets to her. Sorta like Ali. Aria thought, then shook the thought out of her head while watching Shalie roam the kitchen.

"Yea, in the freezer. To the left." Hanna cried while dabbing her injury with more cover up.

"What happened to your head?" Shalie asked as she peeked at the small spot that Hanna left uncovered.

"Oh, uh. I hit my head on the cabinet." Hanna murmured while turning the other way and rolling her eyes.

"Strong cabinet." Shalie hooted whilst making herself at home by plopping her butt down on the chair at the island in Hanna's kitchen.

"SO! Any of you guys got boyfriends, girlfriends?" Shalie asked staring straight at Emily.

"Uh, yea. Her names Maya."

"No, not now." Spencer whispered.

"Yea, his name is Noel." Aria smiled.

"Yea, Mike, Aria's brother."

Shalie snickered at what Hanna said. "You guys wanna go to the mall?"

Hanna's entire face lit up, because no one ever asked to ever go to the mall. "YES! C'mon guys! Please!? For me?" Hanna made a pouty face and flickered her lamp by the couch.

Spencer glared at Hanna and sighed, "Fine…"

On the way to the mall, there was not much talking. The only thing you could hear was Miley Cyrus blasting through the speakers of Hanna's car, everyone singing along, and the window's open as the breeze flew by. They pulled into the parking lot and scrambled in their high heels and converse sneakers. First, they went to Hanna's favorite store, which they all found out later, that Shalie loved the store as well.

Hangers hung on racks that held beautiful clothing attire. In the back of the store, there were dresses that looked like they cost over seven-hundred dollars. Aria felt an off white silk top. The fabric slipping through her fingers. "I love this." She blubbered.

Aria flipped the tag over to see the price. $40.00 it said.

"Um. I don't think so." Aria whined, sadly.

"Hey, how much is it?" Shalie asked walking over to Aria.

"Forty-fucking-dollars." Aria moaned while shrugging and strolled over to another rack.

"It's okay. I can get it." Shalie smiled at her new friend.

"No, really. It's fine, it's just a shirt, I-"

"I'll get it." Shalie cut her off.

"Okay…" Aria stammered while holding up a pair of parim pants to her legs. "Do these look okay?"

"Fabulous! Ooo! How about with this shirt? And possibly these shoes? AND THOSE EARRINGS!" Hanna demanded, staring at Aria's earrings.

Aria glanced at Spencer and Emily, who in which were at the end of the store looking at the bags. They gave her a worried look. And Emily even mouthed the words, just go with it.

Her heart started to race as two people walked into the room. One was a boy and one was a girl. They were holding hands, and giggling. The boy kissed her cheek. It was Noel.

As if it was a reminder that she won't stop until she gets what she wants, Aria received a text from an UNKNOWN CALLER:

Twinkle twinkle little star,

How I wonder what Noel and you are?

Sweetie, life's not a challenge.

It's a game of tag, and I'm after you.

Kisses,

-A