Aria had told Mike the truth about her father's infidelity, and while it caused an immediate disruption in their family dynamic, she felt a weight lifted off her shoulders. Mike had never branded Byron a traitor before, so he knew she'd revealed the truth. Aria didn't deny it; she told him she couldn't handle the lies on her own, which infuriated him. He'd gotten into a heated argument with her, saying, "How could you tell Mike? Do you realize what you've done?"
Aria had stood her ground. "I couldn't cover for you anymore."
He had said, "It wasn't your decision! You made things worse!"
"You did," she had countered. "You betrayed us, and now Mike sees you for who you really are."
Silence.
She remembered Byron glaring at her before he stormed upstairs. There'd been friction between them before, but things had changed drastically after that. He refused to look at her now, and during meals he concentrated on his plate instead of meeting her gaze. His silent treatment didn't bother Aria. He was completely to blame, and she refused to take part in his lies any longer.
As Aria descended the stairs, she could hear the faint clatter of plates. When she entered the kitchen, her father was already at the table. Mike was also sitting there, staring at his cereal with a blank expression.
"Good morning," Aria said to her mother and Mike. She walked to the refrigerator and grabbed the orange juice.
Ella turned and grinned. "Good morning, sweetie. How did you sleep?"
"Fine," Aria said, looking at her father. He still hadn't looked at her. Mike didn't either, but Aria could feel the anger emanating from him. He was still absorbing the betrayal and his silence spoke volumes.
"What about you, Mike? Are you okay?" Ella asked. She had seen his strange behavior but hadn't connected the dots.
"Just tired," he murmured, avoiding her gaze.
Aria silently agreed as she drank her orange juice. She was tired of Byron, too. Speaking of Byron, he finally looked up. "Mike," he began quietly, "maybe we should talk, buddy."
"There's nothing to talk about," Mike said with intense eyes. "You did this to yourself."
Ella looked from him to Byron, sensing the underlying tension. "Did what?"
"You'll find out soon enough." Mike got up and walked out of the kitchen without saying anything more. Aria noticed her mother giving her father an annoyed "What's going on now?" look, but of course he chose to remain silent. Aria hated that he couldn't be a man and own up to his mistakes. But it was okay. Everything would come out once she and Mike started their investigation and discovered the truth.
She left the kitchen to check on Mike. She saw him open the front door, and as soon as he did, a familiar woman appeared on the other side, her bright smile instantly recognizable. Meredith.
Aria froze, indignation sweeping through her. Meredith, here? At her home? How dare she?
She took in the sight of Meredith standing there, casually. It was insulting, and it was all Byron's fault. He made Meredith feel comfortable enough to show up whenever she wanted. And if she knew their address, it meant he hadn't only fooled around with Meredith in his car, but also in their house...
Knowing that made Aria clench her fists and dig her nails into her palms. Her hatred was almost too much to contain. She wanted to scream, to throw something, to make them feel her pain. But she couldn't. All she could do was seethe inside.
She heard Meredith ask Mike if their father was home. Mike, completely unaware of who she was, stepped aside to let her in. Aria's eyes remained fixed on Meredith, but Meredith ignored her. Then her father appeared, with Ella at his side. Aria watched him; he was a little stiff and avoided eye contact with her. He couldn't handle her disgust.
Ella looked at Meredith. "Who's this?"
Byron cleared his throat and introduced her with a fake smile. "Ella, this is Meredith. She teaches in my department."
Aria clenched her jaw and thought, "I bet that's not all she does."
Ella held out her hand and smiled politely. "Oh, hi. Nice to meet you."
Aria watched angrily as they shook hands. Meredith said, "You too. You have a lovely home."
A lovely home that you're destroying, Aria thought.
"Thank you," Ella replied. She motioned between the two of them. "So are you two close friends?"
Meredith smiled coyly at Byron. "I'd say so. I'm new to the job, and Byron has experience, so I was hoping he could show me around and help me settle in."
"Oh." Ella grabbed Byron's arm and teased him. "Do you show all the new employees around?"
Byron chuckled. "Actually, this case is unique. Meredith used to be my student."
Ella's jaw dropped and she slapped his arm. "You should've led with that! That's so sweet!"
No, it wasn't. Mike didn't think so either. He stared at Aria, his expression conveying his understanding of what was going on. He gave her a look that said, "Is that her?" alluding to Meredith. Aria nodded and he shook his head, scowling at Meredith. Then he turned back to Aria and mouthed, "After school."
She nodded again, knowing he wanted to start the investigation as soon as possible. Aria wanted to do the same, because Meredith's presence at her house confirmed her suspicions. She was sure her father was still cheating, but she needed proof to put an end to it.
Byron glanced at his watch, then at Meredith. "Well, Meredith and I should get going." He leaned over to kiss Ella on the cheek. "See you later."
Ella waved happily as Meredith followed Byron out the door. "Thanks for coming!" she called after her.
Meredith waved back and Ella closed the door behind her. She turned to see Aria and Mike looking at her with a "you can't be serious" look on their faces. "What?"
Mike crossed his arms, his face stern. "Why are you being so nice to her?"
"We always treat our guests with respect, Mike."
Aria cut in. "Yeah, but isn't their closeness strange to you?"
Ella shook her head. "There's nothing wrong with him associating with his colleagues. I do the same."
Mike's face flushed with frustration. "Everything is wrong with it."
Ella stared between them, not seeing the big picture. "Okay, is there something you two want to tell me?"
No, not yet. But there would be soon. Aria was counting on it.
Spencer was sitting on her bed with her phone in her hand. She texted Emily to check on her, but the screen remained black. She frowned as her thoughts returned to the events of the previous night.
She found Emily at Noel's party, crying on a bed while that creepy guy moved his injured hand around. Noel had taken care of him, and Spencer had stepped in to lead Emily out of the chaos and into the safety of a car. The drive to Emily's house had been filled with Spencer's worried glances as Emily mumbled incoherently and struggled to stay awake.
When they arrived, Spencer practically had to carry Emily into the house. Pam was already inside, and the disappointment in her eyes was clear. Spencer didn't have to say anything; the alcohol on Emily's breath and her unsteadiness told Pam everything she needed to know.
Her reaction, however, had taken Spencer by surprise. Instead of anger, she was met with resignation. "Just take her upstairs and let her sleep it off," Pam had suggested. Spencer nodded and led Emily up the stairs to her bedroom. She fell asleep almost immediately, collapsing on the bed in a heap.
Spencer hadn't told Pam what had happened at the party, about the guy who had crossed the line. That was Emily's story to tell when and if she felt ready. She just hoped Emily would have the courage to talk about it when the time came.
Spencer suspected that Melissa had something to say as well. She looked out the window and saw Melissa outside, moving her belongings from the barn into the house. She was struggling with a large box that appeared to contain some clothes, her laptop, and a stack of books on top of a jewelry box.
Was Melissa moving out because of her breakup with Wren? Spencer was relieved Wren was out of her life; he'd always made her uncomfortable, and he was as creepy as Mr. Freak. But she hadn't considered how the breakup would affect Melissa. She had cared for Wren, and their lives had been so intertwined. But now she had to uproot her life. Spencer felt guilty.
She rushed downstairs, not wasting any time. She needed to know what was going on, and most of all, she wanted to be there for her sister. As she approached the bottom of the stairs, she saw Melissa coming. Melissa looked up and surprised Spencer with a beaming smile. It was the warmest smile she'd ever gotten from her.
"Good morning, Spencer," Melissa said. Spencer could see the love in her eyes and it didn't seem forced. It was real.
"Morning," Spencer said. She gestured to the box in her hands. "Moving out of the barn?"
Melissa's smile faded as she shifted the weight of the box in her arms. "Yes. After everything with Wren, it didn't feel right to be out there anymore. I see his face everywhere, and the last thing I want to do is focus on that cheater."
Spencer held out her arms. "Let me help."
"You don't have to."
"I kinda do. I'm the reason your life fell apart."
"It's not your fault. It's Wren's. No one told him to flirt with you."
Spencer looked down, remorse etched into her face. "Yeah, but if I'd kept my mouth shut—"
Melissa cut her off with a forceful tone. "Spencer, listen to me." Spencer focused on her because she was so serious. "I never want you to hide the truth from me, okay? Your integrity is what makes you who you are. I admire you for it."
Spencer stammered in surprise. "Y-you admire me?"
"I do. And you have to trust me when I say that I'd do anything for you."
"Anything, huh?" She paused, then said, "Well, I have a Russian history essay coming up, and I only wrote two words: my name."
"I took that class too. Maybe you could use one of my essays?"
"You want me to plagiarize? So much for integrity," Spencer quipped.
Melissa laughed. "Hey, you're still human. You can take shortcuts sometimes. Just don't tell Mom and Dad. They'll freak."
"Deal." She picked up the box and walked to Melissa's room. It was heavier than she expected, but she didn't mind. It was a small price to pay for the chance to bond with her sister.
Spencer's heart was filled with joy as they walked. She loved the fact that they could now talk like sisters. The days of never-ending arguments and dismissing each other's accomplishments were over. Those harsh words felt like a distant memory compared to the warmth she felt now. It was the greatest feeling to know that she had someone other than her friends to lean on.
They arrived at Melissa's room and Spencer placed the box on the bed. She turned to her sister. "Is there anything else you need help with?"
Melissa plopped down on the bed. "No, that's it. Thanks."
"So what are you gonna do now?"
Melissa shrugged, looking tired. "Keep concentrating on my studies, and I'll probably be single for a long time. And as for you, I don't want your efforts to go to waste."
Spencer tilted her head in confusion. "What are you saying?"
"I'm saying I want you to move into the barn."
"But—"
Melissa interrupted her. "There are no buts. You spent the whole summer fixing it up. Mom and Dad should've given it to you, not me."
Spencer thought about it. "Well, I'll admit, I'm not a fan of being in this house anymore. Not after Dad tried to kick me out."
"He was trying to ease the tension."
"I don't care. It was wrong. So, okay, I'm moving into the barn."
Peter came to the door, intrigued. "You're moving into the barn?"
Melissa turned to him. "I'm giving it to her."
He had a look of relief in his eyes. "Oh, that's nice. I'm glad you girls are finally getting along." He turned his attention to Spencer, his tone hopeful. "Spencer, I was wondering if you wanted to go for a run sometime. Like we used to?"
Sarcasm dripped from Spencer's voice. "I'm surprised you'd want to go running with a 'rebel' like me."
Peter's face fell. "I didn't mean that."
"You meant it, Dad. You were going to kick me out, so just leave me alone."
She pushed past him, refusing to breathe the same air as him. Peter called after her, but his pleas went unheard. He hadn't thought twice about suggesting she stay with one of her friends, so why should she listen to him? He clearly believed she was the problematic Hastings, so they didn't need to talk again. And they certainly didn't need to run together.
Peter sighed, frustrated, and his voice softened as he spoke to Melissa. "Will she ever forgive me?"
No.
Hanna promised Wilden she would work things out with her mother, so she headed downstairs. The familiar aroma of eggs greeted her as she entered the kitchen. Ashley stood there, concentrating on the frying pan. She was aware of Hanna's presence; the tension in her shoulders revealed it. But she didn't say anything, perhaps thinking Hanna was still angry and didn't want to talk.
Hanna stood and watched. Her mother had been through a lot, and Hanna knew she hadn't made it any easier lately. She took a step forward, determined to break the ice. "Morning, Mom." She leaned against the counter, her eyes fixed on the eggs frying in the pan. "You're making over easy eggs again?"
Ashley looked over her shoulder. "Would you like a plate, or are you going to storm out again?"
"I'll take a plate because we need to talk."
Ashley handed her a plate and watched as Hanna sat at the counter. She turned off the stove and faced her. "Listen, Hanna. I love you, okay? That will never change."
Hanna's voice was sincere, and she met her mother's eyes. "I love you too."
Ashley sat next to her. "And I have no negative feelings towards you. I'm just concerned about your recent activities. I don't want you to get arrested again because I won't be able to help you next time."
"Mom, I'm never going to steal from the mall again. And I gave that girl her lip gloss, so you don't have to worry about that either."
"Is there anything else you've been up to that I need to know about?"
"No, other than the fact that I'm showing Caleb around. He's a new transfer student."
Ashley had approval in her eyes. "That's nice. Making connections is important. Speaking of connections, Darren and I had a great time last night."
Hanna's ears perked up. "Darren? You're on a first-name basis now?"
"Yes. We got to know each other, and you were right. He's nice, but I get the impression he didn't want to have dinner with me just for fun. Did you tell him to do that?"
Hanna's voice became mischievous. "Maybe."
Ashley scolded her calmly. "Hanna..."
Hanna leaned forward. "Mom, you can't focus on Tom forever. He's gone and he's not coming back. But Wilden is here and available. You have to take your chance."
The sound of footsteps descending the stairs caught their attention. Wilden appeared and walked over to Ashley, leaning in to kiss her cheek. Ashley turned to him, smiled, and hugged him. The tenderness of the moment was undeniable, signaling that they were truly working towards a romance.
Hanna cupped her chin. "Oh, I love this," she exclaimed, her eyes shining with genuine joy. It had been a long time since she'd seen her mother happy, and the sight of them together gave her hope.
Wilden approached the stove and helped himself to some eggs. He joined them at the counter and sat with an ease that made it clear he felt at home. For the first time, they were eating breakfast together. As a family. Which was exactly what Hanna wanted: a family that was whole and content.
Just as she was about to take another bite, the doorbell rang, breaking the peace. She stood after putting down her fork. "I'll get it."
As she opened the door, her breath caught in her throat. Standing on the porch was the man who had abandoned her: her father. She rubbed her eyes, half expecting him to disappear, but he remained, smiling at her with such audacity.
She experienced disbelief and confusion. But most of all, she felt a deep, burning rage that had been simmering inside her since the day he'd left. She thought she'd be happy to see him, to have him back in her life, but now she just wanted to slam the door in his face.
"Hi, Hanna," he began, his voice overly pleasant, as if he hadn't left her and her mother. Hanna's fingers tightened around the doorknob, her knuckles turning white. She had a bitter taste in her mouth, the result of all the pain and contempt she'd bottled up for so long. He disappeared from her life, and now he was back, expecting what? A warm welcome? Forgiveness?
Her mother appeared and didn't seem surprised to see him, which was odd. Hanna growled at her. "What is he doing here?"
Ashley seemed hesitant. "I may have contacted him yesterday morning..."
Hanna's cry rang out across the room. "Mom!"
Ashley put her hands up defensively. "I was worried about you stealing!"
"So you ran to the guy who abandoned us?"
"I thought he should know what was going on. But I had no idea he was going to travel all the way to Rosewood."
Tom stepped forward. "Why wouldn't I? I had to check on our daughter."
Hanna's eyes blazed at him. "Now I'm your daughter? I haven't been for a year."
Feeling the regret, Tom's face fell. "I apologize for my absence. But now is not the time to talk about me. We need to talk about what's been happening with you."
Hanna crossed her arms in defiance. "I'll pass."
He huffed, knowing she'd be difficult. Then he saw Wilden enter. "Who's this?"
Wilden started to introduce himself. "I'm..."
Hanna quickly interrupted. "My new dad!"
Tom looked at Ashley in surprise. "Oh. I didn't know you were dating again, Ashley."
Hanna's voice was harsh. "How could you? You don't talk to us."
Ashley gave her a warning look. "That's enough, Hanna. You wanted your father to come back and now he's here."
"Yeah, and he's judging me!"
Tom defended himself. "I haven't said anything! But I want that to change. I was thinking about having lunch with you after school."
Before Hanna could answer, Wilden spoke. "She'll be there."
Hanna gave him a "what the hell?" look as Tom smiled in relief. "Great. I'm planning on staying in town for a few days, too, so hopefully we'll have more chances to catch up."
Hopefully not.
Tom left, promising to come back for her later. Hanna turned to Wilden as soon as the door closed. "What was that about?"
"He's your dad, Hanna."
"No, you are."
"There's no harm in hearing him out. Don't you think you deserve some answers?"
Ashley nodded in agreement. "Darren's right. You should get the closure you need, and if you still don't want your father around, tell him so. I'm sure he'll go home."
He had to. Hanna had always wanted Tom to come back. But now that he was here, all she could feel was discomfort. And his presence gave her a new fear: Wilden might leave now that he was back in her life.
She had worked hard to bring Wilden into their family, to create the unity and love they were finally experiencing. She couldn't let Tom destroy that. So sure. She'd get her closure. But once she did, Tom would have to go back to where he came from.
Emily awoke from her slumber as she felt a light touch on her arm. Her eyes opened, and through the haze of grogginess, she saw Maya's familiar face, framed by her dark curls. She was shocked to see Maya, but also relieved she'd come back despite their fight over Alison. She was also relieved that A hadn't hurt her. But she hated that Maya saw her like this. She looked sloppy and smelled of alcohol.
"Maya, you're okay," she murmured, her voice heavy with sleep. "You're not hurt."
"I think you're the only one who hurt me," Maya said.
Emily's forehead wrinkled in confusion, still trying to shake off the sleep. "What are you talking about?" she asked, her voice weak.
Maya didn't answer. Instead, she pulled out her phone and pressed a few buttons. A second later, Emily recognized her own voice, slurred and angry. Her eyes widened as she listened to the drunken voicemail she couldn't remember leaving.
In her outburst, she told Maya how unhappy she was that she hadn't been there to help her at the party or at school. She was especially irritated by Maya's lack of sensitivity about her attachment to Alison.
Her voice grew louder and more passionate as she told Maya that she knew she had feelings for her, and that she needed to come out and say it. She said that Maya was afraid, and Emily admitted she was afraid too—of losing her. She cringed at how the alcohol had made her so vulnerable, so she reached for Maya's phone to end the voicemail. She didn't want to hear any more.
"I don't remember saying that," Emily said in horror. "I'm sorry. I was drunk."
Maya put down her phone. "Don't apologize. I haven't been a good friend, but I'm going to change that." She sat on the bed. "What happened last night? Your mother said—"
Emily's panic was obvious. "Wait, my mom saw me like this?" Maya nodded hesitantly. Emily groaned and covered her face with her hands. "Oh, I'm so grounded."
"She doesn't seem mad. She's worried, and so am I."
Emily stared at her in frustration. "Ben is ruining my life, Maya. No one respects me since he said I cheated with Toby."
"That weird guy who blinded his sister, right?" Emily forced herself to nod, even though she knew it was a lie. Maya's concern grew. "You should stay away from him."
"I wanted to. I didn't tell him to fight Ben, but he did, which started all this drama. I was so upset that I got drunk and passed out last night. Then I woke up and some guy was trying to take advantage of me."
Maya was horrified. "Trying?"
"He almost succeeded, but I bit his hand. And you know what he said? That I deserved it because I'm a cheating bitch." She covered her face again, obviously stressed. "I can't catch a break."
Maya held her. "I'm sorry I wasn't there to kick his ass. But don't worry, I'm going to have a word with Ben. He can't get away with this."
"He hates you."
"I hate him even more, and I'm going to tell him so. But for now, I was thinking about staying here for a few days, like you asked. You need support."
Emily nodded and took her hand. "Thank you for coming back. I don't deserve it, but I appreciate it."
"That's not true. You deserve the world, Emily. Don't let Ben or any of those other idiots tell you otherwise."
Emily felt a warm sensation in her chest. She met Maya's gaze and for a moment, the noise in her head, the stress, the pain, all of it faded away. The only thing that existed was the two of them in this moment of intimacy.
Emily's eyes traced the curve of Maya's lips and she saw Maya doing the same. She wanted to kiss Maya, but a hint of doubt crept in. Ben had already convinced the school that she was cheating. Would this make things worse? But how would they find out?
Mischief glittered in Maya's eyes. "If you want to kiss me, you can."
Emily's heart skipped a beat. "You want me to?"
"Yes, since you were also right about my attraction to you. I guess I've liked you since the first day we met."
"So you're a lesbian?"
"Not exactly. I just like to have a good time, so I'm open to anything."
"I like to have a good time too. With the right people. And you're right, Maya."
Maya's expression turned serious for a moment. "What about Alison?"
"I still love her, but I think she'd want me to get on with my life. So I am. Starting now."
Maya cheesed hard. "Sooo, does that mean we're girlfriends?"
"Yeah, it does." She demonstrated by leaning forward. Her hand found its way to Maya's cheek, her thumb brushing gently against her skin. Maya's breath caught, her eyes fluttering as she leaned into the touch.
Their lips met in a sweet, passionate kiss. It began softly, a tentative exploration, but soon deepened as the pent-up longing between them was released. Emily's other hand moved to the nape of Maya's neck, pulling her closer, while Maya's fingers tangled in Emily's hair, holding her in place as if afraid to let go.
When they finally broke apart, they were both out of breath, their foreheads resting against each other. Maya's eyes slowly opened, a small smile playing on her lips. "Wow."
"Yeah," Emily breathed. "Wow." She paused, her expression pensive. "I'm glad we figured this out, but maybe we should keep this quiet? With everything going on..."
Maya agreed. "I agree. No one needs to know about this but us."
Emily had a soft, dreamy expression on her face that was quickly shattered by the sound of her mother's voice calling her from downstairs. Her smile vanished, replaced by a look of utter terror. Her mother was against underage drinking and Emily could feel the inevitable punishment closing in on her.
Her gaze shifted to Maya, who noticed the change in Emily's demeanor. "Hey," Maya said quietly, soothing her with a squeeze of her hand. "I'm right here with you. Everything's going to be okay."
Emily took a deep breath and tried to calm her nerves. They stood, and Emily led the way downstairs. Her mother stood at the bottom of the stairs with her arms crossed, but Maya was right: she didn't seem upset.
Pam's voice was soft, and her concern was clear. "How are you feeling?"
Emily's shoulders sagged. "Not so good."
"Well, I'm glad Spencer brought you home last night. That could've been bad, Emily."
Emily looked down as shame washed over her. "I know. I'm sorry I drank. I was stressed out about my breakup."
"What breakup?"
Emily hesitated, afraid of breaking her mother's heart. She knew how much Pam cared for Ben, but she needed to know the truth. "Ben and I aren't together anymore."
Pam gasped. "Why am I just finding out?"
"It just happened, so don't expect him to drive me anymore."
Pam frowned and shook her head. "That's such a shame. He was a good boy."
That irritated Emily. "No, he's a jerk. He told the school that I cheated, and now they hate me."
"Did you?"
"No!" She couldn't believe her mother was asking that.
Pam apologized. "I'm sorry. I just don't understand how things could go wrong so fast."
"I guess I have bad luck. Even last night, I almost..." Emily stopped herself, not wanting to tell her mother what that guy had done to her. If her mother knew, she would force her to contact the police, something Emily didn't want to do. She couldn't handle the scrutiny, the invasive questions, or the pitying looks. She had been through so much; she didn't need to draw any more attention to herself. She just wanted to fade into the background and be a nobody again. The constant spotlight and the drama—it was too much.
"Almost what?"
Emily shook her head, trying to ignore the topic. "Nothing. Just know that I won't be going to another party for a while, so you don't have to worry."
Pam spoke with relief. "Good. I think you should do something to cheer yourself up, though. How about you organize a memorial for Alison?"
Emily and Maya exchanged glances, the discomfort obvious. Talking about her ex in front of her new girlfriend was awkward. "Why would I do that?"
"To keep her memory alive, and for your own comfort. She always made you happy."
Emily's voice wavered. "Yes, but..."
Maya cut in, her tone firm. "She'll do it."
Pam grinned, despite Emily looking horrified. "Great!" She kissed Emily's forehead. "Have a good day at school, okay?"
As if that was possible, Emily thought.
She looked at Maya in disbelief as her mother went upstairs. "You really want me to focus on Alison again?"
Maya's look was one of understanding. "Emily, I accept that Alison will always be a part of your life. Besides, I think it'll be a good distraction for you. So get in touch with your girls. I'll see you at school."
...
Emily invited Spencer and Hanna to meet with her to discuss the memorial. She was the last to arrive, and Hanna rushed over to hug her, her expression full of concern. "Hey, are you okay? I heard about last night."
"Yeah, I'm fine. That guy almost had his way with me, but I did some quick thinking and bit him."
Hanna pulled back. "I'll never let you out of my sight."
Spencer approached with a serious look on her face. "You should tell the authorities, Em. We can't give him the chance to hurt anyone else."
"I hear you. But I don't feel like being interrogated by more cops."
"Well, it's your decision, and I'll always support you. Now, what's this meeting about?" She looked around and noticed that someone was missing. "And where's Aria?"
"I wasn't going to tell her to come, obviously," Emily replied. "We're not really talking right now. You can give her the message." She explained the reason for the meeting. "My mother wants us to do something to remember Alison."
"We already have. A funeral."
"Something more permanent, like a memorial. It should be in a place we can visit whenever we want." She looked between them. "Any ideas?"
Spencer thought. "Should it be somewhere only we know about? Like a hang out spot that we used to go to?"
Emily disagreed. "We should do it where we can see it every day."
Spencer tilted her head, thinking. "Like somewhere at school?"
"No. In town. If whoever killed her is still in Rosewood, we should force them to look at it every day."
Spencer seemed to agree, but Hanna hadn't said anything. She seemed to be tuned out. "Hanna, you have a say in this."
Hanna shrugged. "Honestly, I don't think this is necessary."
"It is, considering we're the reason she's dead."
They shared stunned looks. Spencer's voice was incredulous. "Excuse me?"
Emily explained. "Mona mentioned it."
Hanna started to look annoyed. "Oh, great. Another thing I have to scold Mona for."
Emily had a guilty voice. "Look, I hate Mona, but she's right. If we hadn't fallen asleep during the sleepover, we could have stopped Alison from leaving the barn. She'd still be alive."
Spencer spoke firmly. "Okay, first of all, don't listen to anything Mona says. She's the enemy."
Hanna's tone was harsh. "And Alison isn't dead. That bitch is still alive."
Emily became protective, even though she had Maya now. "Don't call her a bitch."
"But she can call me Hefty Hanna?"
Trying to defend Alison's actions, Emily's voice softened. "She didn't mean it in a mean way."
"Really? She used to fat-shame me all the time, and the sad part is that I let her." She whispered to herself, "I wish I had stood up to her."
Spencer said, "I did. That's why she couldn't stand me."
Emily couldn't believe how they were acting. "You just mourned her, and now you hate her?"
Spencer replied with, "No. But we can't ignore the fact that she was a bully, Em."
"And that she's A." Seeing their confused expressions, Hanna presented her theory. "Isn't it obvious? Who else would know everything about us?"
Emily was unsure. "I don't know. Maybe someone's spying on us?"
"Or it's the mastermind herself. This is probably one of her pranks."
Spencer didn't believe it. "Hanna, we were at her funeral."
"Did we see a body?"
Spencer tried to be logical. "She'd been in the ground for a year. Of course it wouldn't be an open casket."
"Or maybe we're being lied to."
Emily was getting tired of her wild imagination. "Hanna, you're being ridiculous. Alison wouldn't fake her death." Alison wouldn't leave her.
Hanna, determined to settle the matter, straightened up and said, "Okay, let's find out for sure."
"How?"
No one knew the answer. They stood in an uncomfortable silence, each lost in their own thoughts, as their phones buzzed simultaneously. They exchanged worried glances. They knew that receiving synchronized texts was never a good sign.
They slowly pulled out their phones and Hanna read the text: "Where it ends for all, and secrets sleep, the truth you seek lies buried deep. -A." She tried to wrap her brain around it, but she gave up. "Okay, I'm not good at riddles."
Spencer, usually quick to solve any puzzle, looked equally stumped. Their phones vibrated again. A sent another message, this time with two pictures: a grave and a shovel. Emily's face paled, as did Spencer's and Hanna's, because the solution was now obvious to them.
Spencer spoke in a worried voice. "Uh... Does A want us to do what I think they want us to do?"
Emily swallowed hard. "Yes," she replied, knowing A wanted them to dig up Alison's casket. "And we're definitely not doing that."
Hanna gave it a thought. "But it's the only way to get answers..."
Emily's face hardened as she looked at her. "We're not doing it, Hanna. Alison died. End of story."
"Fine. If it's not Alison, it's Aria. She's the only other person who knows things about us."
Spencer really didn't like that accusation. She was the closest to Aria, so she stepped forward defensively. "Now you're accusing everyone."
"Nope." Hanna gestured around the empty space. "Look around; she's not here. She wasn't even at the party."
"One: Emily didn't invite her. Two: What's your point?"
"My point is that we were fine for a year. Then she comes back and the chaos begins. And she's been way too distant."
"That's thanks to Mr. Freak."
"Or maybe she spends that time texting us!"
Emily asked, "Why would she do that?"
"Why does Aria do anything she does? We didn't expect her to hook up with our teacher, but she did." Hanna shot a sharp look between them. "We don't know her like we think we do, guys."
Emily's mind spun with possibilities. "I can't deny that Aria is the most sneaky of us all, but she got a text with us after the funeral. And at lunch with Jenna."
"She must have found a way to schedule texts or something."
Spencer's annoyance was clear in her tone. "Or maybe you're wrong. This is what A wants: for us to turn on each other. We can't let them win."
Hanna didn't give up. "If you don't believe me, I'll prove it."
Spencer's voice rose in irritation. "For God's sake, Hanna, it's not her!"
"We'll see!" She walked away.
Spencer shook her head and watched her go. "She's fooling herself." She focused on Emily again. "But, hey, about the memorial? Maybe we can have a bench built in Alison's honor."
"Yeah, maybe."
But Emily's thoughts were so far away from Alison's memorial right now. Hanna had given her a lot to think about.
...
Emily, Spencer, and Hanna arrived at school, their argument about Aria never ending. Emily remained silent, her thoughts wandering as they walked. She was used to being the center of attention, but today felt different. The students were fixated on their phones, their eyes darting to her periodically. The whispers were louder and the gossip more intense.
"Did you see it?" one girl whispered to her friend, her gaze shifting to Emily. "She's such a mess."
"I know, right? How could she let herself get like that?"
Emily assumed they were discussing her drunken state at Noel's party, but the intensity of their stares suggested something else. Her anxiety grew when Spencer and Hanna's phones buzzed. They stopped walking, their eyes glued to their screens.
"What happened?" Emily asked, fear creeping into her voice.
Spencer's face paled as she showed Emily her phone. It was a picture of Emily passed out in a suggestive position at Noel's party. She had no idea the photo had been taken, but now it was on everyone's screens, exposing her to judgment and humiliation.
Hanna's eyes were filled with pity as she looked at her. "Oh, Em..."
But Emily scowled. Who could have done this? Her thoughts immediately went to the creep who tried to take advantage of her. He must've followed her into the room after she passed out and taken the picture. And he probably put her in that position, because she didn't remember falling asleep like that. And now he'd sent the picture around the school to make her life hell.
Or maybe she was mistaken, because her phone buzzed in her pocket. The screen lit up with a message from an unknown number, and her heart sank, knowing who sent it.
Enjoy the nap, Emily? I'm sure everyone's enjoying the view. You're welcome!
-A
Emily put the phone down, the truth hitting her like a punch to the gut. That guy wasn't the culprit. It was A. It was always damn A. Emily was beginning to feel like she was being targeted more than Hanna and Spencer. It seemed like A had a personal vendetta against her and was always taking pleasure in her suffering.
Her mood worsened when Ben approached, accompanied by Mona and Noel. His smirk made her blood boil.
"Well, if it isn't the star of the latest exposé," Ben teased.
Spencer had enough of him. "Go away, Ben."
"I will. I just want to see how the cheater is holding up."
Hanna said, "Really?"
"What? It's true. Emily said she never liked me. She was just getting ready for the real thing, aka Cavanaugh. And this?" He waved his phone in the air, the image of her passed out looking back at them. "Proving me right about you being a slut, Em."
Spencer's patience had run out. "I'm so tired of all the name calling. Yes, she was drunk, but I don't see how that makes her a slut. Everyone was drinking."
"Sleeping with Cavanaugh behind my back makes her a slut."
Emily completely lost it. "I didn't! I don't even talk to Toby!"
"If you don't talk to him, he wouldn't have fought me."
Emily criticized him. "Have you ever considered that you're just plain annoying? Nobody likes you, Ben."
He snorted and waved off her words. "As if I'd believe anything the bitch says."
Hanna was outraged by his constant insults. Her hand swung without thinking, fueled by all the anger she'd suppressed. The slap boomed down the hall, its sound crisp and jarring. Everyone turned to stare, gasping as they took in the scene unfolding before them. Even Mona and Noel exchanged worried glances between Ben and Hanna.
Ben raised his hand to his already battered face. He rubbed the red mark that had appeared on his cheek. "Did you just slap me?!"
"Yes, and?"
His shock turned to anger as he got closer to her, but Spencer stepped between them. "Back off, Ben," she said, her voice deep and threatening.
Mona jumped in defensively. "No, you should back off. You too, Hanna. Ben is our friend."
"Not anymore."
Ben sneered. "So you're siding with these fools?"
Noel tried to de-escalate the situation. "Ben, chill."
"Why?" Ben challenged, his voice thick with defiance. "Since when do you care about them?"
Emily noticed that Noel and Spencer exchanged a long look before quickly looking away. There was something unspoken between them, but she couldn't focus on it right now.
Hanna spoke for Noel. "Noel actually has a heart, unlike your toxic ass."
Ben rubbed the spot where Hanna had slapped him. "Coming from the girl who slapped me."
"You deserved it," Hanna shot back. "You think you can disrespect my best friend and get away with it? You even convinced the school that it's acceptable to treat her anyway they want."
Mona stepped forward, focusing on a particular word Hanna had used. "Best friend? Since when?"
Hanna rolled her eyes. "Mona, this is not the time for your jealousy."
"It's also not the time for you to switch sides."
Hanna argued back. "Look, I get it—you don't like Emily. But you know what Ben is doing is wrong."
Mona crossed her arms. "All he's doing is exposing the truth about Emily. She did him dirty, Hanna. This is her karma."
Emily looked away in disgust. Mona was just as much of a turn-off to her as Ben was. And it was funny how they suspected her of sleeping with Toby. But Mona was so protective of Ben that it looked like she was sleeping with him.
Hanna was over her, too. "Wow. I thought you couldn't possibly be that cruel, but I guess I was wrong. You clearly don't know how to think for yourself."
"Whatever, Hanna," Mona replied, her tone cold. "If you want to be a loser again, that's fine. But I won't be joining you."
"Good riddance!"
Noel interrupted. "Can we please just go to class?!"
"Gladly." Mona left the scene. Noel followed her, casting a quick, worried glance back at the others.
Ben fixed Hanna with a deadly stare. "You're going to regret this, Hanna."
"Not as much as you'll regret messing with us."
He rolled his eyes. As Ben walked away, the students whispered, the gossip spreading. Spencer turned to Hanna in admiration. "That was intense, but very brave. I never expected you to stand up to Mona like that."
"Neither did I, but the fact that she's siding with Ben tells me she's garbage."
Emily, still reeling from what had happened, expressed her concern. "So what are you going to do? I mean, she's your best friend."
Hanna corrected her. "You two are my best friends. I don't need Mona. I never did."
Emily, feeling a wave of gratitude, smiled warmly. "Thank you."
Hanna returned the smile. "No one treats my friend like that. Not while I'm around."
Spencer spoke seriously. "We have to stay strong. Everyone's trying to break us, but we can't let that happen."
"We won't. We'll fight back. Together."
They formed a group hug. It was a non-verbal but meaningful gesture, each of them finding strength in the embrace. But they couldn't hug forever. They let go, feeling a new sense of unity.
Spencer and Hanna headed for the English room. Emily would've followed, but her phone vibrated. She checked it and saw another text from A.
P.S. I also have this.
Emily opened the attachment. It was a picture of her and Maya kissing in her bedroom, taken not long ago. Panic coursed through her veins, since this was even more disturbing than the drunken picture. She couldn't afford to have this particular photo circulating. She couldn't afford to have her sexuality exposed.
She looked around anxiously to see if anyone else had received the picture. The students were still chattering about her passing out, indicating that A hadn't sent the picture to everyone. But the threat loomed large, and she knew that her life was in A's hands. One wrong move could have devastating consequences.
Emily scanned the hallway, hoping to find the culprit. Ben stood out in the crowd of kids, glaring at her from the end of the hallway. He was also holding his phone, and the realization hit her that A wasn't Alison or Aria. It was Ben.
It had to be. He despised her, and apparently had a lot of power. And now, more than ever, she had to figure out how to take him down without compromising her biggest secret.
To Pllfan: Yes, Aria will talk to Jason again. When he comes back to Rosewood.