Chapter 3

After hearing about Alison’s body being found, Callie went back into her hibernation. She had multiple messages and missed calls from Spencer, asking her if she was going to the funeral for Alison or if she could meet up with the other girls at the Grille.

Callie sat her on bed, phone untouched. This was all too much for her. First Alison goes missing and then her body gets found a year later, which meant she was dead. Alison DiLaurentis was dead.

Thoughts were interrupted by knocks on her bedroom door.

Without lifting her head from her pillow she shouted back. “Go away, Dad! Please. I just want to be alone!”

Despite her outburst the door flew open. Hanna, Emily, Aria, and Spencer walked into room.

Hanna examined the room. “This place looks like a dump.” Emily nudged her with her shoulder. “What?” Emily cleared her throat in response. “I’ve seriously been to homeless shelters that look better than this.”

“Why are you all here?” Callie said from under her blankets not daring to face them.

Aria was the first to speak up. “Did you get the texts from A?”

“What?” Callie sat up pulling the covers from off her head. “What texts?”

Emily sighed. “We’ve all gotten texts from this A person and we were wondering if you got them too.”

Callie blinked. “Yeah I actually did. But I didn’t understand what it meant.”

“Can we see it?” Aria asked, Callie nodded handing her the phone. The girls read the message over and over trying to decipher it.

“Especially when it’s in your veins?” Hanna read. “What the hell does that mean?”

Callie shrugged. “I wish I knew.”

“Well, whoever this person is they claim to know ‘everything'” Emily said crossing her arms in discomfort.

“Everything? Just everything? They couldn’t be more specific?” Callie questioned.

Aria sat in her own thoughts before making one of them known. “Why was Jenna there?”

Callie’s eyebrows furrowed. “Why was Jenna where? and why is she back?”

“The funeral.” Spencer said. Dang, Callie didn’t even notice she was there. She looks good in all black.

“That cop acted like we were suspects or something.” The Marin girl said, now Callie was happy she didn’t go.

“Do you think we looked guilty?” Emily asked around genuinely wondering.

Aria looked at her confused. “Why would we be? We haven’t done anything wrong.” She tried to reassure the others.

Callie sighed. “Well, in a missing person’s case everyone’s a suspect.”

“Murder case.” Hanna corrected. “Alison’s dead.” Callie felt a pit in her stomach, actually hearing someone say it made her sick. “Except lie about the Jenna thing.” She went back onto Aria’s topic.

“We promised we’d never bring up the Jenna thing again, remember? It never happened.” Spencer stated.

Aria’s eyes widened. “Have you found a way to forget? I still wake up sometimes in the middle of the night.”

“Aria, it was an accident.” Spencer interfered.

“I don’t understand it. How does A know something about me that only Alison knew?” Emily asked around.

Aria looked down. “Ali knew all of our secrets but.. we never knew any of hers.” Callie looked away from them and fiddled with her fingers.

“I knew some.” Spencer mumbled taking a seat onto the bed along with Emily, Hanna and Aria.

Callie knew some of Alison’s secrets too, she wondered if Spencer knew the ones she knew.

Aria’s eyes lit up. “Go on.”

The girl remained silent.

“Talk.” Hanna perked up.

Spencer leaned forward. “I can’t.”

“Spence, no, you are not gonna drop a bomb like that, and just clam up!” The Montgomery girl slightly raised her voice.

Spencer swallowed. “She’d so kill me if I told you.”

“She’s dead.” The blonde girl deadpanned, Callie felt a lump in her throat. Everyone looked at Hanna also surprised by her casual response. Emily sighed. It was almost like Hanna didn’t even care about Alison dying.

“Alison was seeing someone that summer.” Spencer finally spoke up, the Anderson girl jerked. Did she know? There was no way Spencer knew.

Emily raised. “I knew she was keeping something from me… From us.” She awkwardly looked around as if she knew more then she was letting on. Shit. Did Emily know too?

“Well, why didn’t she want us to know?”

Spencer shrugged. “He was an older boy,” She then glanced at Callie who quickly looked away. “and he had a girlfriend.”

“Who was it?” Hanna immediately asked.

Spencer shrugged again. “She never told me his name.”

Wait. His? He? Boy? Alison was hooking up with some dude? She never told Callie… Wait why didn’t she tell Callie?

She then spaced out, her mind running with all these different thoughts and ideas. When specifically was this? How did Callie not know about it? Her and Alison shared everything. Well, I guess not anymore.

Callie felt a nudge to her shoulder.

“You okay? You’ve been awfully quiet.” Callie looked up to see beautiful brown eyes staring back her, Emily Fields.

She nodded not giving a verbal answer. Emily look at her worried but offered a small smile not wanting to push it. “I miss Ali.”

“Me too.” Callie softly spoke.

Hanna looked down at Emily’s wrist. “I can’t believe you still wear that.” She gestured towards the bracelet that had her name on it. Alison had made everyone their own.

Emily fidgeted with it. “Ali still wears hers.” She blinked before correcting herself. “Wore.” Callie also wore hers everyday. She quickly hides her arm under her blanket, afraid of Hanna saying something to her too.

“When Ali didn’t come home that night. I knew something terrible must have happene-“

Callie cut Spencer off. “Can we not?”

They ignored her. “Yeah, I used to think that maybe she’d just…” Aria sighed before continuing. “Run off with some guy.”

Emily smiled nodding. “She was laying on a beach somewhere.”

Hanna also smiled her imagination going wild. “Or getting a tan out by the pool with that hot lifeguard.”

Aria joined along. “Ohh. Yeah. What was his name?”

“Who cares?” Hanna said. “Save me!” She mocked making everyone laugh except Callie, who tried to hold back her tears. No one seemed to notice though.

_________

Callie’s POV:

After everyone left last night, I might’ve balled my eyes out into my pillow. It’s too much to explain.

Anyways. I decided my dad was right, I’m tired of being locked up in my room. I need to move on. So I’m going to go spend the morning at Emily’s house. She was a very sweet girl, I could never be upset at her.

I closed the door behind me and walked off my porch. I sniffed the air breathing in all the oxygen I possibly could. It did feel good to get out. I should definitely do it more. Now if only I could remember what direction her house was in. East? West? Maybe East and slightly West..?

“Callie Anderson?”

I turned towards the voice.

“Jenna Marshall.” I sigh. “To what do I owe the pleasure?” I fake smirk although she obviously couldn’t see it, I don’t why I even bother. She smacked her stick to walk towards me. I chuckle lowly. “Careful, Jenna. Any closer and I might have to tackle you.”

She laughed. “You’re still cracking jokes that’s good.”

“Quit the shit, Jenna. What do you want?” I pinched the bridge of my nose feeling a migraine starting to form.

Once she was as close to me as she wanted to be, she let out a breath. “I wanted to see how you were after…” She paused for a moment. “After Alison.”

I scoffed with a smile on instinct. “Really?” She nodded in response as her glasses sat on her face covering her eyes. “You expect me to believe that? You hate Alison.” I looked down realizing what I said. “Hated—You hated Alison.” Jeez, I really have to get used to the thought that she was dead.

“That is true but from what I’ve heard you and her were awfully close.” She smirked like she knew something.

I crossed my arms. “So? We all were. Me and the other girls.” What was she trying to say? What was she trying to prove?

She hummed at me that smirk still on her lips. “But you were closer to her than anyone else weren’t you?”

Was she toying with me?

I stepped forward. “You shouldn’t speak on something you know nothing about.”

Her grin widened. “I know enough.” She tilted her head. “I wonder if the other girls knew what you and Alison were doing when nobody was around.” She whispered. My eyes grew big from shock. “I can smell your fear.”

“What the fuck?” I mumbled. Who says things like that? A fuck psycho that’s for sure. “I’m going to be late.” I said trying to shake off the fear that I’m guessing radiated of my body.

I try to walk past her but she grabs my arm. “Don’t worry I’ll keep this between us.”

I yanked my arm away. “You’re one odd bitch.” I seethed slightly pushing my shoulder into hers making her almost lose her balance. I smirk before walking away.

————

After seven wrong turns and a migraine later (thanks Jenna), I still don’t know how she knew about me and Alison, did she tell her? No she wouldn’t. I finally arrived at Emily’s house, I looked up to see some random girl hugging Mrs. Fields.

“Hey, Emily!” I shouted jogging over to the three of them. “I hope I’m not interrupting.” They all turn to me before I could say another thing the girl wraps her arms around me. “Oh— Well, hello to you too.” I raise my arms to hug her back.

“I’m Maya.” She said before letting go. “I live across the street.”

“Oh. In the DiLaurentis’ house?” She nodded. “I didn’t know they moved out.” I pouted.

Emily shook her head. “How would you? You’re always in your house.” I frowned at that. Damn, Emily. Harsh much?

“Hi, Callie.” Mrs. Fields hugged me as well. “It’s good to finally see you again.”

Great now everyone’s commenting on my life.

She pulled away, turning to Maya. “You know, Maya, why don’t you just spend a few days with us?” She offered. I’m guessing they’re continuing their conversation from early on. “You could sleep in Emily’s room.” Emily and Maya looked at each other, smiling. Okay.. There’s definitely something going on there.

Maya turned back to Pam. “Thank you.” Mrs. Fields nodding with a hum.

I lifted my hand up. “Got room for one more?” Pam chuckled. “Kidding. I love my bed too much.”

Emily looked off to the side. “A little too much.” She said under her breath.

————-

Emily informed me that we were going to go meet with Spencer, so here we were walking towards her.

Spencer shoots the ball into the net. “Nice!” Emily called out. “So I hear you’re gunning for varsity captain.”

Me and Spencer locked eyes, I give her a small smile but she looks away. “Well, I have a shot, so..”

Emily smiled. “If a Hastings has a shot, she takes the shot.”

Maya laughed at her comment. I’m really feeling a vibe. “Is that a drinking game?”

“Yeah, it should be.” Spencer laughed lightly.

Emily gestured towards Maya. “Spencer, this is Maya.”

Her smile dropped. “Oh.”

“Yeah. New girl who moved into the dead girl’s house.” She said nodding along. All of our faces dropped at her words, memories flashed through my mind. She put her head down. “I can’t believe I just said that.”

“Me either.” I said side eyeing her.

“I think Brad Pitt and I are missing the same sensitivity chip.” Maya said trying to fix her mistake.

Spencer smiled, loosely. “It’s fine.” She took her hand off the stick. “We’re all trying to find a way to deal with it.” She motioned between us.

Emily swallowed before looking at Maya. “Um, Maya and I are going for some caffeine.” Okay, fuck me then? She turned back to Spencer. “Do you want to join?” Okay, fuck me twice.

She scrunched her face. “Oh, I’d kill for a latte… But, um…” She perched her lips. “This is my only time to practice, so..”

I nodded. “Yeah, I should get going too.” They looked at me waiting for some type of explanation. “Uhh.. I have to…”

“She has to help me practice!” Spencer said helping me out.

I smiled at her, nodding. “Yup. That.”

Emily smiled at both of us, Maya doing the same. “Catch you later.” They walked off.

I stayed behind and looked at Spencer. “Thanks.”

She smiled at me getting back in position to hit the ball. “Of course. You’re a lot of things, Callie.” She looked at the net, eyes narrowed. “But a good liar isn’t one of them.”

I looked at her for another minute before walking away.

——-

School. How I hate you so much.

I walked through the hallway and catch a glance at Emily and Ben kissing. Ben… Right. I forgot little Fields had a boyfriend.

I hummed at the sight getting ready to head into my first class of the day before the announcement speaker goes off.

“Will the following students please come to the office?”

I looked up listening to the voice.

“Emily Fields, Aria Montgomery, Callie Anderson, Spencer Hastings, Hanna Marin”

The hallway was now empty only us five remaining, we all looked at each other, shrugging. The school bell rings just before Aria’s phone goes off.

She stops dead in her tracks and looks at her phone, eyes wide looking up at us. “Wait.” She stops us. We look at her. “It’s from A.”

I smiled sarcastically. “Great,” All of us walk to her to look at the message she received.

Hanna pushed some hair behind her ear. “Dead girls walking.” She read off the phone.

_______

Inside the front office me and the girls sat on the black leather sofa. Well, they sat on it while I sat on the arm besides, Emily.

A man in a suit holding a file, paced the room. “Can you stop pacing please? I still have a wicked headache and you’re not making it any better.” He stopped and looked at me, then look over all of us.

“So let’s see.” He pointed at Spencer. “You thought you heard her scream.”

“Wait. So, this is about her?” I was referring to Alison I just couldn’t say her name out loud.

Everyone seemed to ignore my question.

“I-I said that, yeah.” Spencer stuttered.

The man nodded. “And when you four woke up in the barn Alison was gone, and so was Spencer?”

Spencer nodded at him. “Yes, I woke up before them, and I realized that Ali was missing, so I—”

“So you went looking for her.” He finished for her sitting on top of a desk.

“That’s what happened.” Spencer said with a fake smile, trying to sound sure.

“I got that.” Okay this guy is lowkey a dick. “So, what’s up? Was this a slumber party, or—”

“Is this an interrogation?”

“No, just a routine follow-up.” He answered her. “Why did you guys all fall asleep?”

Aria tried to answer him. “I guess we were tired.”

He chuckled. “Tired? Really? Is that how you remembered it, Hanna?”

I lean forward. “I’ll say this again. So this is about her?”

He looked at me, then nodded. “Alison DiLaurentis. Yes.”

I crossed my arms over my chest. “So, why are we still talking about this? It happened over a year ago. Not to mention you’re questioning minors without an adult present.”

He swallowed. Got him.

“Look, we’ve told you everything that we know just like we did the night she went missing.” Spencer backed up our claims.

He looked down at his file. “I know, I know, and you see the thing is, it’s almost exactly like what you said last year.” The man looked back up at us. “Almost like it was rehearsed.”

“Or maybe it sounds the exact same because that’s what happened.” I was tired of him throwing accusations at us even though it wasn’t directly, not yet at least. I could feel that this man liked getting comfortable, too comfortable.

“Sure.” He replied back to me.

Aria sat up. “Like Spencer said, we’ve told you everything we know.”

———–

Third Person POV:

Aria bit her lip nervously. “He knows we’re lying.”

All five girls were sat at lunch, none of them bothered to touch their food though.

“Lying is not a crime.” Hanna Marin said to her trying to calm her nerves.

Spencer leaned forward. “It is when you’re giving false statements to the police, it’s called obstruction of justice.”

Callie scoffed taking a bit out of her dry salad. “Noted. I’ll add it to my growing list of crimes against humanity.”

“I agree with Callie. We lied about drinking!” Hanna exclaimed thinking this whole thing was ridiculous. “But the truth that matters is we don’t know anything about what happened to Ali that night.” She reasoned.

Spencer rolled her eyes. “We also know about someone who might have wanted to hurt her.”

“Who? Jenna?” Callie asked around the table, everyone looked at her. “Oh. Come on guys, Jenna is as blind as a bat and me in fourth grade.” She mumbled that last bit.

Emily still looked nervous. “We should have told the police the truth about Jenna’s accident. The night it happened.”

“I wanted to, remember?” Hanna said looking at Emily while Callie rolled her eyes. Hanna saw this. “You got something to say, Cal?”

Aria interjected before anything else was said. “We had a chance to do more than just tell the truth. We had a chance to stop Ali.”

Spencer held her hands out. “But we didn’t.” She looked at them. “And telling the police now about what happened to Jenna isn’t going to make her see again.” She blinked. “It’ll just ruin our lives.”

Callie dropped her fork. “Ah, yes, doing the bare minimum and praying for a miracle. I’m on board.”

Then there was a tap followed by a few more.

“She’s back in school too?” Hanna said watching as Jenna walked in tapping her cane. Everyone else turned too.

“It just gets better and better.” Callie said under her breath. The girl decided not to tell them about what happened earlier that morning. It would stir the pot more than it needed to.

Jenna stood there like a lost puppy, turning her head.

“Why is she turning her head? It’s not like she can exactly see where she wants to sit.” Spencer nudged Callie’s shoulder also earning glares from Hanna and Emily but she ignored them.

Aria stood up and walked over to Jenna, guiding her to their table.

Spencer rolls her eyes and sighed.

Callie perched her lips. “And better.” She then whispered seeing Jenna and Aria getting closer.

Jenna held Aria’s shoulder while the latter held Jenna’s tray. “So you’re gonna be between Hanna and Emily, and Spencer and Callie’s right across from you.”

Hanna side-eyed Emily, who scooted over to make room for the blind girl. Callie looked at Spencer, their eyes meeting.

“Thank you.” Jenna said as Aria set her tray down. “So, this would be Alison’s chair, right?” She sat down.

“No. We’re not even sitting at that table.” Emily with a smudged look on her face.

Jenna nodded as she began to fold up her stick. “You know, she came to visit me in the hospital after the accident.”

Aria and Spencer leaned forward. “Alison did?”

Jenna hummed in response placing her purse on the floor. “Everyone misunderstood Alison, but I knew exactly who she was.” She said smirking ever so slightly. “But I’m sure Callie knew her pretty well too. Right, Cal?”

“You’ve been blind for over a year, Jenna. Not just physically, but mentally, too.” Callie muttered playing with her salad, Jenna bit back a remark. “None of us truly knew her.”

Spencer cleared her throat. “When did you get back, Jenna?” She asked trying to lighten the moment. “We heard that you were in Philadelphia. A school for the visually impaired.”

“You can say blind, Spencer. It looks like Callie is already comfortable.”

“Looks? Interesting choice of words, Jenna.” Callie smiled.

Spencer turned to her. “Callie.” They met eyes again, Spencer giving her the ‘look’. She looked away nodding her head, meaning she wasn’t going to let out anymore outbursts. “Thank you.”

Moments go by and the table is completely still no one dared to utter a word. It was just awkward to.

So, Jenna spoke up. “Wow. It’s so quiet.” She took a sip of her orange drink. “You guys used to be the fun table.” Everyone stayed silent. “What happened to you girls?” Jenna laughed.

“An annoying bitch decided to crash in on the party.” Callie said under her breath feeling Spencer’s eyes on her so she avoided eye contact.

The girls laughed inside the bedroom going through the clothes on the bed.

Alison pulled a pink dress with flowers over her head, flicking her hair in the mirror, both her and Emily stared at it, smiling at each other.

Alison smile quickly dropped as she spotted something at the window. “I can see you!” She yelled rushing towards it.

Everyone stood still. “Alice, what is it?” Callie stood up from the bed.

Alison turned around. “I can’t believe it!”

Emily looked at her confused along with everyone else. “Who was it, Ali, what did you see?”

She checked the window again, before looking back at all of them again. “He was in that tree spying on us!” Her eyes darted between each of them before they landed on Callie. “I am so creeped out!”

“Who was it?” Spencer asked again.

“It was that perv, Toby Cavanaugh.”

Callie bit her lip in frustration. “I’ll kill him.”

“Are you sure?” Aria looked at Callie and then at Alison.

Alison eyes widened. “Yes, I’m sure. He was right there!” She then stood up straight realization taking over. “I bet he saw us all naked.”

The more Alison talked the more Callie grew upset.

Aria pushed her hair behind her ear. “Wh.. Should we tell someone?”

Alison looked at the ground. “I mean, we could..” She then looked at Callie, who had her fist clenched. Alison knew she’d do whatever she told her to. She was the most obedient. A smile grew on Alison’s face. “But I have a better idea.”

It was dark and fireworks filled the night sky.

Alison, was in front with Callie right behind her, then there was Aria, Emily, Hanna and Spencer being the last one in line.

Aria broke the silence. “Are we sure he’s not in there?”

“If he was that would be even better.” Callie said tone as serious as ever.

“He’s not, okay?” Alison said trying to hush Aria up. “Like, Callie said even if he was, he deserves a little wake-up call.” She continued to approach the house. “You’ve got the lighter, right, Spencer?”

“Let’s wait a second.” Emily grabbed Alison forearm.

She turned her entire body towards her. “What, Emily?”

“I don’t wanna do this.” Emily gulped looking around like a scared squirrel.

Alison rolled her eyes. “Fine. Go back.” She threw her hand up. “You’re on your own.”

Aria stepped in. “Okay, maybe, Emily’s right.” She tried to defuse the situation not wanting to do it either. “We should just call the cops. They’ll take him in.” She shook her head. “They’ll take care of it.”

Alison smiled looking at all of them. “Where’s the fun in that?” The girls, except Callie, looked down in shame knowing there was no stopping this. “Girls, Toby Cavanaugh is a freak and we need to teach him a lesson.” She stepped closer to them. “If he thinks he can come and spy on us while we’re in your bedroom, Emily.. He needs to know his little domain is no longer a safe little hideout.” They sighed but listened. “I mean, who knows what he does in there all day that little freak.”

“Are you sure that it was Toby?” Spencer asked softly.

Callie rolled her eyes done hearing them go back and forth. “Can we just do this already? He deserves more than what he’s getting.”

Alison nodding agreeing with one of her favorite girls. “And it’s a stink bomb, we’re not nuking the place! Now let’s do it.” She and Callie walked over to the door of the garage. “Give me the lighter.”

Spencer hesitated holding her arm.

“Come on, Spence.” Callie encouraged.

All it took was one look into her eyes and Spencer completely melted right there. She dug inside her pocket and handed Alison the lighter.

Alison flicked it to life and lit the stink bomb. It sparked as smoke arose, Alison quickly opened the door and tossed it in there. She gasped once she spotted someone and immediately closed it. “Let’s get out of here. Run.”

Alison held Callie’s hand, Spencer held her other, Emily held onto Aria’s, Aria held Hanna’s as they garage let off a loud bang, an explosion. The garage was now on fire.

“We have to get out of here.” Emily shouted over the roaring sound of fire, all the girls nodded. “Come on, let’s go.”

The six girls ran from the scene leaving the mess they caused behind them.

Back inside the lunchroom, all their phones rang. Caught by surprise everyone froze up.

Jenna reached up in front of her picking up Spencer’s phone. “Aren’t you gonna get that?” She held the phone up for the other girl to take.

Once, Spencer took it everyone else opened their phones.

𝙄𝙛 𝙤𝙣𝙡𝙮 𝙨𝙝𝙚 𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙨𝙚𝙚 𝙝𝙤𝙬 𝙜𝙪𝙞𝙡𝙩𝙮 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙡𝙤𝙤𝙠…

–𝘼

Spencer looked up at the others a chill going down her spine. Everyone got the same message except Callie.

𝙈𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙙𝙤𝙣’𝙩 𝙖𝙡𝙬𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙜𝙧𝙤𝙬𝙡. 𝙎𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚𝙨, 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙮 𝙟𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙗𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙠 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙬𝙖𝙡𝙠 𝙖𝙬𝙖𝙮. 𝙉𝙤 𝙨𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙢𝙨, 𝙣𝙤 𝙜𝙪𝙞𝙡𝙩… 𝙟𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙨𝙞𝙡𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚. 𝙔𝙤𝙪’𝙫𝙚 𝙜𝙤𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙩 𝙙𝙤𝙬𝙣.

–𝘼

Callie looked up and out into the distance. She took a deep breath, shutting her phone off.

________

At the Grille, Spencer was having dinner with her father, her older sister, Melissa and her new fiancé, Wren, while Aria was picking up a meal.

Spotting Aria, Spencer excused herself from the table and walked over to her.

Aria turned around and returned Spencer’s smile. “Hey!”

“Hey. I was gonna e-mail you when I got home. How weird was that lunch?” Spencer said stopping right in front of her.

Aria sighed. “I’d say on a scale from one to ten, eleven.” She then lowered her voice. “Also the tension between Jenna and Callie..?” She dragged out her sentence before a thought came to mind, her eyes glowing up instantly. “Do you think Callie’s keeping something from us?”

“Like what?” Spencer shifted in her spot, uncomfortable with the thought.

Aria shrugged. “I don’t know.” She took a deep breath looking Spencer in the eyes. “About her and Alison?”

She thought for a second. “No.” She shook her head even though truly she was thinking differently.

“Oh. Come on, Spence. Really?” Aria searched her eyes knowing Spencer was also unsure. “We all know whatever Alison said Callie did. Like what happened to Jenna.”

“That was Ali’s idea.” Spencer was quick to come to her defense. “You know how protective Callie gets. When she heard Toby might have been snooping on us, of course she was ready to come to our defense. That’s just who she is.”

“Spence..” Aria looked at her knowingly.

Spencer looked at her confused. “What?”

“Do you—” Aria was cut off as Melissa and Wren finally arrived. “Oh, is that the new fiancé?” Spencer followed her line of vision a smile grew on her face. “Is he as uptight as Melissa?”

“No one’s as uptight as Melissa.” She turned back to Aria, they both chuckled. “I’d better get back.”

“Alright. See ya.”

——–

Callie’s POV:

The next day I sat in Spencer’s bed as we were doing our project.

The sun had just fallen while the moon lit up the night sky.

“How you doing over there?” I heard Spencer asked her head also buried into her laptop.

I roll onto my back, eyes closed. “I’m doing great. Just powered by regrets and whatever’s left of my will to live.”

I heard Spencer laugh which cause my lips to curve into a smile. “Be glad you don’t have parents like mine. This is just a normal, Tuesday.”

“Makes sense. Most families do Taco Tuesday, yours does trauma.” I said sitting up glaring at my screen. I haven’t typed a single word for the past twenty minutes.

Spencer’s eyes left her screen. “Let me see what you have so far.” She started to reach for my computer.

“Yeah, yeah, totally. Just—just a minute, okay?” I stood up fast. “I’m gonna take a quick bathroom break. Or… break from life. Either works.” I smiled nervously. “I’ll be back before you even miss me.” I hurriedly leave the room making my way to the Hastings bathroom.

Wow. I really did have to pee. After I flushed the toilet, I washed my hands and all that other boring stuff.

As I walked back to Spencer’s room I see Melissa walking in my direction. “Hey, Meli—” She pushed past me not even acknowledging my presence. “Okay..?” I shrugged as I continuing walking to the room, I stop dead in my tracks at the door.

Spencer and some random guy were making out. Wait. No, not random. Spencer said something about a fiancé. I barely listening when she talks with more than three syllables.

“Well, this is awkward. Didn’t know I was walking into a private screening.” I stood there, arms crossed, trying to keep a straight face.
“Should I just get out of the way or start charging for tickets to this show?” It bothered me seeing her kiss him, I don’t know why.

They quickly pulled away, both clearing their throat. I fully walk into the room, eyebrows raised to roof. The older boy walks past me and out of the room.

“Wow. Caesar, I didn’t know you liked older men.” I motioned to the door. “And taken ones at that. Engaged to your sister, by the way.”

Spencer slapped her hands onto her face. “I know.” She let out a groan.

“Do you?” I casually sat back down on the bed, making myself comfortable. “Well, that was… something. I’ll just pretend I didn’t see that and try to move on with my life.” I let out a sharp, humorless chuckle.

———