A/N:

Okay guys, next chapter has arrived.

Someone requested Hannily in a review on the last chapter, and I'm sorry to say that there won't be any in this chapter, maybe not for a while either but I will try to incorporate some in a chapter in the future.

This is a Sparia story and at the end of the day, it's about them. There isn't gonna be an abundance of other pairings here. Sorry! :/

Up until now this story has been pretty fluffy, but this story is about to get heavy, I hope you're ready for it.

Read, Enjoy, and please Review if you can.

A week later

After a very exhausting week back to school, the girls and I were almost settled back in to our normal routines. Meaning I wasn't waking up at 3am and not being able to get back to sleep anymore.

Our weekend was almost over and Monday was rolling around to quickly so we decided to go to Apple Rose, get some coffee and catch up since we hadn't been able to spend that much time together this week.

"Hey Ar you want a scone?" I asked standing up to go and order for us.

"Yes please, raspberry and…"

"White chocolate, I know." I cut her off.

"Thanks Spence."

After buying 4 coffees and a scone I returned to the table.

"So what have you guys been up to? I feel like I haven't seen you in forever." Aria asked when I got back to the table, giving me a wide grin when I handed her a coffee and her scone.

"I've been swimming pretty much every day after school; we have a big meet next week that I'm trying to prepare for."

"I've been texting Lewis all week…" Hanna said shyly.

"You have?! That's great!" Aria said excitedly.

"Yep. He's amazing. He's so sweet and so mature. It's like when I'm not talking to him I miss him so much, you know?" she said happily.

"Awh Han, you really like him don't you?"

"I really do… it just sucks that he lives so far away. He said he wants to come visit though, he told me he's always wanted to come here."

"I'm sure he will Han, and you guys could spend some time together, it would be great."

"So what about you guys?"

"I've just been trying to paint and sketch some more pieces in case I need to add them to my portfolio for Yale."

"What about you Spence?" Emily asked taking a sip of her coffee.

"Not a lot really, just doing homework, going to the gym and stuff. Trying to keep myself occupied so I'm not just sitting around waiting for acceptance/rejection letters from colleges."

"Spence, you need to get out more. And anyway, I wouldn't worry you know you're gonna get into everywhere you applied." Hanna laughed.

"Well I would but you see my best friends and my girlfriend have been busy this week so I had no one to spend time with or 'get out' with. I'm still allowed to worry, and there is a chance I won't get in." I smirked.

"Well, we will all be a lot more available this week so you can have a life." Aria said cheekily. "And we're all in the same situation; we don't know what's gonna happen when we get those letters." She explained calmly, but then she was a shoe in for Yale so she had no reason to worry.

"I guess I'm just really anxious."

"You'll see, they'll all be fighting over you and all you have to do is sit back and relax." Aria said smiling and kissing my cheek before taking my hand and squeezing it.

After a couple of hours of us catching up and gossiping it was getting late so we decided to say goodnight.

"See you guys tomorrow." Hanna said, both her and Emily hugging Aria and I goodbye.

"Bye guys."

"And then there were two." Aria said as she interlaced our fingers.

"Come on shortie, I'll take you home."

I clicked the unlock button on my car keys before opening the passenger door for Aria to get in and then getting into the driver's seat to take us home. I arrived at Aria's house shortly after and kissed her goodnight before driving the short distance to my own house.

I pulled into the driveway and grabbed my bag from the back seat, before going inside and getting changed and ready for bed. I sent Aria a quick "I love you" before I fell into bed and tried to mentally prepare myself for the week of school ahead.

-XXXX-

The next day I woke up late and had to run around my house trying to get ready. I ran out the door and grabbed a pastry from the kitchen island on my way.

I drove as quickly (and carefully) as was physically possible for me to do and arrived just before class was about to start. I ran to my locker to grab my things as quickly as possible because I was so close to being late, and I found Aria standing there with all the books I needed for my first few classes in her arms. She raised her eyebrows and handed me the books.

"You're a life saver, I love you!" I placed a chaste kiss on her lips and ran to class as quickly as possible.

After a hectic morning I was finally able to take a breath at lunch with my 3 best friends.

"So Spence any idea if your acceptance letter came today?" Hanna asked as I sat down.

"It might not be an acceptance letter and no, I have no idea."

"Don't worry babe, I'm sure it'll be a huge envelope for every college you applied to." Aria said smiling and squeezing my hand tightly.

"What about you guys?" I asked.

"Nothing for me yet." Emily said.

"I didn't want to say anything yet, but I got mine a few days ago..." Hanna said smiling widely, "I got in to fashion college!" she said grinning.

"Oh my god Hanna that's amazing congratulations! Why didn't you tell us as soon as you heard?!" I yelped.

"I just didn't want to be so happy around you guys if we weren't all going where we wanted, but I can't keep secrets clearly!"

Aria and I ran around the table and joined Emily in group hugging Hanna.

"That's so great, I'm so proud of you Han." Emily said.

"We all are, you're gonna do so great there." Aria squeaked excitedly as we gave her one final squeeze.

-XXXX-

The rest of the day had been very uneventful, after Hanna's news I couldn't concentrate, I was so happy for her but it also reminded me how nervous I was to get my own reply from Princeton.

After I grabbed all my books for the night I made my way home quickly, I wanted to get all my homework done as fast as possible because Aria and I had a movie date in her house tonight and I wanted to spend as much time with her as I could, while I could.

I pulled up in my drive and grabbed my bag from the backseat and made my way inside. I placed my books on the kitchen island and went to the fridge to grab a bottle of water. I turned around and jumped out of my skin when I saw both my parents sitting in the living room looking at me.

"Jesus" You guys scared me to death! What are you doing home?" I asked incredulous.

"We're sorry sweetheart. Things at the office were slow and we decided to take a half day, and when we got home…" my mom trailed, looking at my father and smiling.

"What? What happened when you got home?"

"We found this at the front door…" slowly my mom reached over to the coffee table and picked up a large white envelope.

I recognised the orange and black shield immediately, and once I did my heart started pounding. I walked over to where my parents were seated and took the envelope from her. I took a deep breath and began to open the top part where the envelope had been sealed.

Slowly I pulled the piece of paper from the envelope and started to read the contents of the sheet in front of me.

"Go on, what does it say Spencer?" my dad encouraged.

"Dear Ms Hastings, we are delighted to inform you that you have been accepted into the pre-law undergraduate programme at Princeton University…" I read aloud.

My head was spinning wildly and the last thing I remember seeing was my parents hugging and jumping up and down before the blackness dragged me under.

-XXXX-

"Spencer? Spencer honey, wake up, are you okay?"

"Whu… wha… where?" I mumbled.

"Spencer, honey, you 're at home with your family, you fainted."

"I… wait… Princeton?" I asked as my mind came back to me.

"That's right, you're going to Princeton. You got accepted to Princeton." My dad said happily.

"I got into Princeton?" I got into Princeton… I'm going to Princeton.

Suddenly a burst of energy and emotion shot through me and I jumped to my feet.

"Oh my god! I'm going to Princeton!" I yelped loudly and ran into my dad's arms.

He picked me up and hugged me tightly before putting me down, and I was quickly engulfed into a group hug by my mom, much like the one in which I had partaken in earlier in the cafeteria with my best friends, except I now knew what it was like to be on the receiving end. And it felt great.

"I love you guys so much. Thank you for your support, it means so much to me. Not just with Princeton, but with Aria… and with every decision I've ever had to make. You've always been there cheering me on. I wouldn't be here in this position if it wasn't for you guys."

"We love you too Spencer. Speaking of Aria, go and tell her the good news!"

"Right! I'm going to her house tonight, I'll go and get changed and then head over there now."

I hugged my parents tightly before going upstairs to change and go and share my good news with the most important person in my life.

-XXXX-

I quickly texted Aria to tell her I would be over soon before I threw my clothes in the wash basket and decided on something to wear for tonight. I went with tight black skinny jeans and a long, blue vest top. I grabbed a light cardigan from a hanger and went to grab my keys and wallet from my bed. I picked up my phone to slip it in my pocket.

Aria hadn't replied. That was weird. 6pm. I guess I was going to be a little early, she probably had to run and get a quick shower before I got there.

I said quick goodbyes to my parents and made my way outside to my car. I drove for a few minutes before pulling up outside the Montgomery house. I got out and locked my car behind me, feeling nervous and excited to tell Aria about my acceptance.

I got to the door, took a deep breath and knocked three times. I waited for a few moments before the door was opened agitatedly by a frantic looking Ella Montgomery.

"Hi Mrs. Montgomery."

"Spencer! Thank goodness you're here! Where did you find her?" she asked desperately.

"Find who? What's going on?" I asked confused.

"Spencer, Aria's missing!" Ella said sadly, with tears forming in her eyes.

"What? What do you mean she's missing? What happened?" I yelled.

"A letter came for her. From Yale…" she trailed and took a breath, composing herself, "she didn't get in Spencer."

The penny dropped and I dropped too, straight to the floor.

"I… But… How? She's the perfect candidate."

"I don't know Spencer, she read the letter and she ran out of here without saying anything, I tried to call her but she left her phone and I have no idea where she went. She's been gone for almost 3 hours it's getting dark out, I'm worried sick about her!" Ella sobbed, tears flowing freely now as she fell on the couch and held her head in her hands.

I sat beside her and took her hands in mine.

"Mrs. Montgomery, everything is going to be fine. I'm going to find her, and I'm going to bring her back here okay?"

"How will you find her? How will you know where she is?" Ella asked as I stood up and made my way toward the door, I stopped and turned halfway around to look at her.

"She's my best friend. She's my girlfriend. And she's the love of my life. I'll find her." And with that, I ran through the front door, got in my car and started driving. I knew exactly where she was.

-XXXX-

After driving into town, I stopped abruptly outside the entrance to the park. I locked my car and began walking through the empty plains of grass. It was crazy to think that it had only been a month or so since Aria and I were here, celebrating our anniversary. Which is why I had a hunch that this is where she would be, going back to a moment when all of us were together and things were the same as they had always been.

I walked through the large mass of trees to the opening by the lake where my planning and preparation had led her on that day. As I expected, she was sat on the grass in front of the lake as it glistened in the moonlight.

I sighed and walked over to her slowly. I dropped to my knees behind her and slid my arms around her waist, pulling her back to me and rested my head on her shoulder from behind, nuzzling my face into her neck and squeezing her tight to me, making sure she knew that I wouldn't let her go. I would never let her go.

"Spence…" she sobbed, shaking in my arms.

"I know… I know…" I whispered.

She didn't say another word after that. She just lay back in my arms and cried, and I held her there, letting her cry as much as she needed to.

After a couple of hours, she eventually pulled back and turned to face me. Even though her eyes were red and puffy and her face was streaked with different tints of red, she still took my breath away, and my heart broke into pieces when I realised I had never seen her look so broken, so defeated. Finally she spoke,

"Spence… what am I gonna do…." She asked, her lip trembling and fresh tears spilling from her eyes.

"Baby, come here…" I pulled her into another embrace and held her against my chest, "We don't have to think about that right now. Your mom is worried sick about you, let's just get you home and we can talk about everything tomorrow."

She didn't say anything, she just nodded into my chest and I held her close as I stood up slowly, taking her with me. I held her in my arms as we walked to the car and I sat her down in the passenger seat and put her seat belt across her body, clicking it into place before getting into the driver's seat and turning the key in the ignition. I took her hand in mine and squeezed tightly, never letting go for the entire journey back to the Montgomery's house.

I took her hand when we had gotten out of the car and brought her inside. Ella met me at the door and hugged her tightly before bringing her upstairs.

I sat in the living room and put my head in my hands. Ella came down the stairs a short while later and sat beside me.

"I think you should stay here tonight, she needs you."

"Are you sure? I don't want to put you out Mrs. Montgomery." I said.

"You'd be putting me out by not staying. She loves you and she needs you more than anyone right now."

"Of course, I'd do anything for Aria."

"I know sweetheart I'll call your parents and let them know." Ella stood up and began walking towards the kitchen "Oh and Spencer…"

"Yes Mrs. Montgomery?" I asked standing up.

"Thank you for bringing her home." She smiled at me weakly and disappeared into the kitchen.

I made my way upstairs and knocked on Aria's door, before slowly opening the door and peaking inside into the darkness. From what I could make out Aria was in her bed, under the covers and laying on her side, staring into black space.

I walked over to her and took off my jeans before climbing in bed next to her. I pulled her into me and slid my arms around her waist, kissing her cheek softly.

"I love you Spencer." She said faintly.

"I love you so much, and you're gonna get through this, WE'RE gonna get through this. I promise." I whispered.

I didn't know what was going to happen in the next few months, and I didn't know how we would get through it. All I knew was that Aria needed me, and no matter what, I would be there for her.