Pretty Little Liars belongs to Sara Shepard.

Also credit to ABC Family.

I do not own anything.

I know it's short and really a weak chapter but I'm getting there!

When I got back to the Hastings that night it felt like all the energy had been sucked out of me. Tonight at the Montgomerys was mixed emotions. The food was great, always is. Aunt Ella has the magic touch when it comes to cooking and I for sure missed it. I was kind of surprised that they waited till we were all in the family room to ask about the accident. It took me a bit to gather my thoughts, but I was eventually able to get it out. Telling them lifted so much weight off my shoulders, but it left me feeling horrible. I was so emotional that I had them all in tears. I continued to apologize about not telling them but they didn't pay mind to it. They completely understood and I was happy that they were okay with this. Other than that, everything was pretty smooth and normal. It was as if we never moved away from each other.

After I parked my car I crept through the backyard and headed inside. It was no surprise that no one was hanging about, it was a bit after midnight now. I head to the stairs, slowly and quietly climbing the steps. Pretty exhausted I half drag my feet to my room and collapse onto the bed. My body completely relaxes from the comfort of the soft bed and I close my eyes.

It seemed like a minute later when I felt someone shaking me a bit. I make an annoyed sound and roll onto my stomach. I feel the lightness of a hand on my back and slightly get shaken again. "Jessie." I slowly open my eyes and turn my head towards the voice. Spencer was sitting on the edge of my bed.

I rub my eyes. "What's going on?" I start to turn onto my back.

She shrugs. "Oh nothing. Just this thing we have to go to. You know...it's called school."

I sit up so fast that I gave myself a head rush. When I could see again I look at my clock and notice I over slept. "Why didn't you wake me up sooner!" I get up and run off to the closet.

"Because I heard you get in late. Thought you could use the extra sleep."

I look at her, stumbling over my jeans as I struggled to get them on. "You heard me?" She nods. "But I tiptoed."

She smiles. "I was in the bathroom. When I got out I went to check on you but you were knocked out."

"Oh. Yea, I was pretty tired."

"Clearly. You didn't put your alarm on."

"My bad." I grab my phone. "Hold on. So you risked not being early for school to let me sleep in?" She nods, half smiling. "Who are you and what have you done with Spencer?"

She starts laughing. "It's not a big deal Jessie."

"For you it usually is."

She shrugs. "New year. Little things can change."

I nod. "Right." I slip on my sneakers. "Whatever you say."

She smiles. "Come on. Mom left money for us to pick something up at the Brew."

"That's new."

She shrugs. "She was in a good mood." She starts to walk out.

"I'll meet you downstairs. I gotta brush my teeth." She nods and walks off.

Since now we could both drive we decided before school started that we would take one day at a time to see who was in the mood to drive that particular day. It was silly of us to take two different cars unless we had to. Then we would pick Andrew up and head to school. But considering that I'm in a cast Mr. Hastings told us that he would rather Spencer drive whenever we were together. I agreed rather than argued.

When we got to school Spence parked her car in the parking lot a block down from the school. Andrew slips his fingers between mind and smiles down at me. I loved when he did this. It made me feel gushy inside. Everything he did made me feel this way and I couldn't stop smiling whenever I was. He kisses me and we head down to the school.

As usual we saw the cool kids hanging around their cars. They were blasting the music, making fun of the dorky kids and acting like they were the best people who entered the school. It's really obnoxious and annoying because no one should be downgraded based on others. I may be a Jock but I am certain that I am not like that. If I was I would like someone to tell me. I didn't like being treated like that and I sure as hell wouldn't want to do that to others.

I get to my locker and see Emily. "Hey guys." She says.

We all smile. "I'll see you at Gym." Andrew kisses me and he leaves. Spencer smiles and was right behind him.

"Can't you guys reconnect?" I say as I open my locker.

She looks at me. "It's not that simple."

"If you were close before, why can't you be again?"

"We were only close because of Ali." I tried not to cringe when I heard her name. Alison was horrible. Yes I feel bad that she disappeared and no one has any ideas what happened. But I can't say that I miss her. Even after being out of the state for a couple years I noticed the difference when I came back. It still has it's jerks, just like every school. But it's a better atmosphere without her being a total brat and ass to everyone.

"But that shouldn't be the reason you guys stopped being friends."

"It's complicated Jessie."

"Okay...whatever. I won't get in the middle of it." I close my locker. "But I'm friends with all of you. So could you try to act like you know each other if I invite you guys to do something?"

She smiles. "Of course." She looks over my head. "Hey I gotta go. I'll see you later." I nod and she walks away. She heads over to some of her friends and now I found myself standing alone. Always a great feeling. So I just decide to sit on the floor of the lockers and draw a bit. Was the only thing I could think of to keep myself busy. I was happy that I could do this again without thinking about it.

Not too long later I hear. "Hey Jessie." I look over and see Aria at her locker.

"Hey."

"Busy?"

I shake my head. "No. Just..."

"Keeping busy." She finishes for me.

I nod. "Yea. Something like that."

She smiles. "How are you?" She closes her locker and walks over.

"I'm okay."

"Just okay?" She sits down.

I shrug. "Not much to say after the night we had."

She nods. It got a bit quiet. "You know what we forgot to do yesterday?" She stares at me.

I look at her and shake my head. "No. What?"

"We didn't take our first day of school picture."

I raise an eyebrow. "You still do that?"

She laughs. "No. When I moved I stopped. Besides that was something our parents started for us. Why would I do it without you."

"Because you grew out of it?"

"You're never too old to take pictures Jessie." I give her a look. "Oh come on. It's basically a tradition. We've been doing it forever."

"It's not even the first day."

"No one needs to know that."

I shrug. "I don't know."

She gives me a little shove. "Don't be sucha party pooper."

I laugh. "Fine...fine. Just for old times sake."

"That's the spirit!"

She takes out her phone and clicks on the camera app. Then she leans in and snaps the photo. We both look at it "Not to bad for our first picture together in three years." She says.

I nod. "Except that my face is messed up and I look exhausted."

She laughs. "We both look exhausted. But that's okay." She saves it. "I'm not going to put you through taking a million pictures before I like it."

I look at her. "Oh. You're one of those girls." I laugh.

She laughs herself. "Yes I am. Problem?" It was a little weird. She's the same Aria I grew up with, but at the same time she's a bit different. I didn't really notice it yesterday but today it seems her style has changed a bit. She's more girly than she used to be. No one will call her Goth anymore.

I shake my head and laugh. "Nope. Nope. No problem here."

She smiles and shoves me playful. "Man I love you."

I smile. "Love you back."

"Love you more."

I shake my head. "Can't be true."

"Always true." I just smiled at her. I missed this. We had the best friendship anyone could ask for. It's rare to have a friend that you've known since little and can still be as close as ever. Even moving away didn't brake that bond and I'm very grateful for that.

She watches me draw till the bell rings. I pack up and she helps me to my feet. Then we head inside for English class. Let the school day begin.