Chapter 5

Callie’s POV:

Last night was intense. I had spent most of the night trying to figure out how Alison’s bracelet got there. It just didn’t add up, no matter how hard I tried. I’m supposed to meet up with the girls today but honestly I’m thinking about skipping it. Ever since my encounter with Alison, I just can’t help but feel like I’ll see her again. I’m pretty sure I was just sleep walking or something because once she gave me that smile, I blacked out and woke up in my bed. Yeah, it was strange. The vase that was broken was still there and I got yelled at for that, which is wonderful.

I walked into the nearest café, feeling the cold air brush against my skin. The smell of caffeine filled my nose, I stepped up to the counter and ordered the usual, a caramel frappe. I mutter a quick ‘thanks’ before exiting also taking a few sips.

As I walk further I see the girls next to a bench, pre memorial. I met eyes with Aria, who waved me over.

“Oh, look! It’s Callie. I’m sure she’ll love to keep her master’s bracelet.” Hanna quirked as I walked closer.

Spencer nudged the girl’s shoulder. “Hanna! I thought we were done with that. When she comes over here keep your twisted thoughts to yourself.” She then smiled to me which I returned.

“Hey, guys.” I greeted them, Aria and Emily replied back. “So, this is the bench.” I say sitting down on it. “Ouch. A bit stiff.”

Spencer sat down next to me, opening her laptop, Emily questioned her. “I’m gonna block all messages from people that I don’t know.” The other girls and I shifted our eyes to the screen. “IMs, texts, e-mails, everything. Screw A.” She made one final tap on the keyboard, looking up at them. “There. Who’s next?” She smiled. Emily then grabbed the device, taking Spencer’s spot. “I spy with my little eyes something that begins with F.” I turned around to see Mr. Fitz riding his bike on the street. Spencer seemed pleased by the sight.

Hanna smiled along, waving. “Hey, Mr. Fitz.” He looked over and waved back.

“Looking good, Mr. Fitz!” Spencer called out.

I groaned. “You guys are repulsive.” I scooted over to make room for Aria as she now sat down, taking the laptop.

“Callie, you’re acting like you’ve never found an older guy attractive before.” Hanna said still watching the man ride his bike.

“Eh. Not really.”

“There are teachers that you don’t wanna see on a bike and there are teachers you do wanna see on a bike.”

“I would not wanna see Mr. Gilardi on a bike.”

“I don’t wanna think of Mr. Gilardi in motion of any kind.”

“Ah. Mr. Fitz.”

“Hanna. Your turn.” Aria gave Hanna the laptop.

Spencer looked over to Emily. “You talk to Ben?”

“Nothing to talk about.” Emily shook her head.

“You sure? I’ll do more damage then Toby did if you want. Just say the word.” I said next to her.

“So you’re really done?” Aria asked.

“It’s okay. I’m fine.” She said to the both of us.

Aria nodded back. “Okay, if you say so.”

We all turn our attention to Hanna who was also on the bench with Aria. “I wish we had a drum roll for this.” She smiled. “Alright, here it goes.” She tapped apply on the screen. “We are officially A proofed.”

Emily turned to me, eyes narrowing. “Callie? What about you?”

I met her eyes, trying not to flinch. “Spencer… already did mine. Last night.

Everyone looked at me weirdly but pushed it aside.

“Listen, all those little messages zipping through the air all around us.” Spencer said looking out into the distance.

Aria closed the laptop. “Yep. And none of them were from A.”

Emily and I moved closer to the bench—she sat while I stayed standing.
“This feels like a good thing,” She said.

“It is a good thing.” I took another sip of my semi-warm drink.

Hanna smiled, leaning in. “Out of mind, out of sight.”

A paper suddenly comes flying towards us, Aria leaned to pick it up. It was a missing poster of Alison. I swear my heart dropped to the floor.

𝐃𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐃𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐢𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐢𝐬 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐝

It said in red marker. This caused all of us to look around, scared. Aria crumbled the paper up while we all grabbed our things to leave.

———–

Now we were at school in the cafeteria.

“Ooh, hot scarf, Em.” Spencer said, Emily walked over to us with a red scarf wrapped around her neck.

She looked down at it and then back up. “Thanks.”

I looked at her puzzled. “It’s a bit hot for that, no?” Everyone’s eyes were on me. “What? It is sexy on you, Em.”

“Is it new?”

“No.” She sounded uncomfortable, I wonder why.

Hanna’s phone started to ring, she picked it up from her purse. She froze as she looked at the caller ID.

“Go ahead, answer it. We know who it can’t be from.” Aria encouraged.

“Hanna?”

“It’s my dad..” She looked at Emily with a smile. She let out a deep breath before answering it. “Hey, dad.” Hanna spoke into the phone, walking away.

We watched her leave. “Has she… even, like, talked to her dad since he walked out on them?” Emily asked us.

Aria shook her head. “I don’t know.”

“And then, her father, it’s one of those.. “Don’t ask, don’t tell” situations.” Spencer added.

“We shouldn’t stare at her. Come on.” Aria motioned for us to move on, we followed. She opens her phone and groans at it. “My brother’s post just showed up on my loop.”

“You added him as a favorite?” Aria and Spencer threw the cups away. I stayed behind with Emily as she threw hers away too.

She let out a gasp as Toby and her almost bumped into each other. On instinct I stepped in front of her with a protective hand. He looked down at me and then back to Emily. “Sorry.”

“My fault.” She quickly said, stepping away, I lurked close behind her.

“You okay?” I asked her, she simply nodded. “I can’t believe that freak is here at our school.”

“You shouldn’t call him that.” She looked over at me making her way to the girls.

“Why not? Alison said—”

“Maybe you should stop believing everything she says.” She interrupted me with a loud voice. My eyes widened but I didn’t protest.

We made our way over to Aria and Spencer, leaving the cafeteria. “I wonder if we just bumped into A.” Aria said in a hushed voice.

Spencer shrugged. “It doesn’t matter. We’re done with A, right?”

“Right. Yeah, I mean.. But, I’m still.. staying out of Toby’s way.” She said back.

“Yeah, and Jenna’s.”

“I guess that’s the safest thing to do.” Emily spoke up.

I nodded along. “If you do come into contact with either one of them, we’ll tell each other. Okay?” They nodded back at me as we agreed.

———–

I sketched in my notebook as I sat in an empty classroom. I had a free period and the teacher was on her lunch break, so here I was.

Things are so weird at the moment. Well, things about Alison, which I guess is everything. They were building her memorial soon that was nice. I just have a lot on my mind. Like, what am I going to do about Toby and Jenna? Jenna came to my house. If anything that was a warning, possibly a threat. And Toby? The lockeroom incident with Ben had to be a warning too. I won’t let them hurt my friends not again, or ever. I don’t care what I have to do.

Tap. Tap.

I immediately recognized the sound, Jenna. I looked up and seen her walk into the room, I closed my book and stuffed it in my satchel. She stopped her body as stiff as a pole. She must have heard me.

“Who.. Who’s there?” Her voice shook.

I debated on whether or not to respond. I tilted my head to the side watching her body shiver. Now that I think about it Jenna is very vulnerable, I could do just about anything and she’d have no choice but to just sit there and take it. Quite impowering.

Jenna swallowed and tapped closer trying to find out who was in the room. I made another sound just to spook her. She jumped, her lip quivered. “Hello? Please—Is somebody in here?”

“Relax, Jenna.” I heard her body physically sigh. “It’s just me.”

“Callie.” She sat up straight, shaking off her goosebumps. “Why didn’t you answer when I called out to you?”

I smirked. “Oh. I had my headphones in. Sorry about that.” She smiled at me tightly before nodding. She began to get settled in a seat beside mine. I quickly stand up from my spot. “I was just leaving.”

“You—You can’t stay a little longer?”

“Nah. I have to get to my next class.” And just on time the bell rang. “See ya, Jenna.” Oof bad choice of words.

—–

Third Person POV:

Callie sat with Spencer in Hanna’s room as they helped her pick out an outfit to go see her dad.

“I wish I had a sister smart enough to steal papers from.”

“Me too.”

Spencer sighed. “Using Melissa’s paper was supposed to be a stopgap. If I ask Sheldrake to withdraw the essay he’ll know something’s wrong.”

Hanna turned to look at her. “Spencer, what makes you so sure you’re gonna win the competition?” Spencer looks up at her, tilting her head slightly. “Oh, right. I forgot. It’s in your DNA.”

“Here. Try this one.”

She started to put the jacket on. “This has to be the perfect outfit. My dad hasn’t seen me since I lost the weight.”

“Are sure he’s not here because your mom told him about Sean’s car?” Callie questioned.

“Ugh. You sound like Emily.”

“That jacket’s not really you.” Spencer told Hanna looking at it through the mirror.

The blonde smiled. “Then it’s perfect.” She then bit her lip wondering if she should ask. “Spencer?” The girl looked up, acknowledging. “Have you peeked?”

“We blocked whoever it was, and that’s it.” Spencer reassured. “United front, remember?”

“No. No, yeah, I know. I just wondered if you’d peeked.”

“No.”

“Yeah. Me neither.”

Spencer then turned to the other girl nudging her shoulder. “Callie?”

The girl didn’t look at her but nodded to tell her she was listening. When she was met with silence she looked up and saw Spencer’s eyes on her. “No. I didn’t peek.”

“What are you doing?” She asked.

Callie shrugged. “Just drawing.”

Spencer looked at the page, confusion struck. “Alison?”

“Uhh. Yeah.” Callie made one final touch before closing the book. “I had a dream, few nights ago. Where I saw her in my room.”

“You saw Alison?” Hanna spoke now entering the conversation.

“In a dream, Hanna.” The girl answered back.

“I knew it. I knew she was still alive.” Hanna said completely dismissing her former statement. “What did she say? Did you asked her why she faked her death or why she ran away?”

“I—”

“Come on! You have to tell me.” She sat down in front of her ushering her to go on.

“Jeez, Han. Back off.” Spencer put a protective hand over Callie. “She said it was a dream. Okay?” Hanna quirked a brow but didn’t push any further, going back to her previous task. Spencer knew Alison was a spore spot for Callie ever since she broke down in front of her at Noel’s party. She felt like she had to keep her safe especially when Callie did that for everyone else. Who was gonna keep her safe?

——-

After they took care of Hanna, Spencer asked Callie if she wanted to go out for dinner. She said yes.

They sat across from each other at The Grille. Spencer ordered a Caesar salad, making Callie smile.

“What are you smiling about?” Spencer asked, smiling too.

“You got the Caesar salad.”

“I’ve always wondered why that was your nickname for me.”

“Well, now you know,” Callie said, pointing at the plate. “That, and the fact that saying ‘Spence’ got really boring.”

“Boring?” Spencer leaned in, and for a moment, something flickered behind her eyes, uncertainty. “You don’t like it?” she asked, quieter this time.

It wasn’t teasing anymore. There was something real in her voice now, like the idea unsettled her more than she expected. And hearing Callie call her nickname boring—it hit somewhere she hadn’t seen coming.

Callie blinked, caught off guard. “No, I do. I like it,” she said quickly. “But everyone calls you Spence. I wanted something different. Something just for me.”

Spencer studied her for a second longer, like she was trying to read between the lines, then her smile came back—slower this time, but warmer. “You started calling me Caesar the night we first kissed.”

“Yeah. I know.”

“We never really talked about what happened between us.”

“We talked about it.”

“Not directly.”

Callie swallowed, scratching the back of her neck. “I guess not.” She dropped her hand back to her drink. “Why? Do you want to talk about it?”

Spencer opened her mouth to speak—but her phone buzzed.

“It’s Hanna. She said it went well with her dad. She’ll fill us in tomorrow in class.”

Then Callie’s phone dinged.

“It’s my dad. He wants me home.” She stood. “Maybe another time, Caesar.”

And just like that, she was gone.

———-

“I mean, it was—it was great. Incredible, really,” Hanna said, clearly amused. The night with her dad had gone better than she expected, and she was practically glowing as she shared it with her friends.

“Where’d your dad take you?” Emily asked, arms crossed as she listened in on the conversation.

If it were even possible, Hanna’s smile grew wider. “Jolly Roger’s.” She lit up, heart lighter than it had been in days. It felt good—her friends were actually listening, actually interested, and for once, she didn’t feel like the odd one out.

Aria scoffed. “What, the lame amusement park?” A smile tugged at her lips, despite the jab.

“Okay, it is not lame,” Hanna said with a light laugh. “We didn’t even go on the Tilt-A-Whirl. We just walked around and talked.” She paused, biting her lip as she collected her thoughts. “And I told him about what’s been going on.”

The girls exchanged glances—this wasn’t something they could just tell anyone. Or maybe, anyone at all.

Hanna nodded like she understood their worries. “Some of what was going on. And he listened,” she said simply, then looked down with a soft smile. “He wants to take me to a real dinner tonight. Said he has something to tell me.”

She shook the thoughts around in her head, eyes distant for a moment.
“I don’t know… I think he wants to spend more time with me.
I mean—maybe summers in Maryland.”

“Seriously?” Emily and Callie said in unison, matching smiles on their faces.

“Would you go?” Aria asked, her voice quieter now.

“Well, I wouldn’t move away,” Hanna said, though even she didn’t sound sure. “Not forever.”

Emily’s eyes dropped to the ground, worry flickering across her face. She loved Hanna—didn’t want her to leave. But if it was something Hanna truly wanted, Emily wasn’t going to be the one to stand in her way.

“I don’t want to leave my mom alone,” Hanna added softly, pausing. “But… I would like to see my dad more.”

“That’s amazing, Han.” Callie placed a hand on her arm, gently supportive.

“Great,” Spencer added, beaming.

Hanna nodded just as the bell rang, and the girls all began to take their seats, settling in as class was about to start.

Mr. Fitz launched into a passionate rant about Atticus Finch and his hypocrisy. Partway through, Spencer raised her hand and challenged a point, sharp and articulate as always. Aria jumped in too, her voice steady but laced with something harder to read.

The tension between her and Mr. Fitz crackled—subtle but unmistakable. There was something unspoken between them, something layered beneath the debate. Everyone in the classroom felt it, but no one dared to call it out.

Then a blond boy in the back cleared his throat and offered his own take. Mr. Fitz looked ready to snap—but caught himself, exhaled, and backed down.

The tension slowly dissolved. Moments later, the bell rang, and class was over.

——-

Callie’s POV:

It was later in the day, closer to night, and I was having dinner with my dad. He couldn’t cook to save his life, so as always, we were eating takeout.

“How was school today?” he asked, mid-chew on his lo mein. My dad was such a sloppy eater he’d even talk with his mouth full. It was truly gross.

I sighed, stabbing at my food before taking a bite. “It was school.”

“School? Meaning…?”

“Meaning it was miserable and boring. Downright pointless,” I said, half-joking. Okay, maybe not entirely joking. It was all those things and with Jenna and Toby running around, not knowing what they were planning next was nerve-wracking.

He hummed, totally unfazed. That was the answer he expected.

“What about you?” I asked, glancing up at him.

He met my gaze, then looked back down at his food. “Oh, honey. You know I graduated years ago.”

“Oh. Ha. Ha,” I deadpanned. “How did I get blessed with such a funny father? The funniest guy in town, honestly.”

He cracked a smile. “It was fine.”

“School?”

He chuckled, shaking his head. “My job, silly.”

He worked as the town pharmacist—always helping people with a smile. Even after everything my mom put him through, he somehow kept it together. My dad was a good man. Better than most.

My phone lit up, drawing both of our attention. I slurped up a noodle, swallowed, then picked up my phone to check the screen.

“I’m glad,” he said, catching me off guard. “That you’re spending time with your friends again. How are the girls, anyway? You haven’t had them over in a while—oh! You should have a sleepover soon, Cal!”

I barely heard him. I was already out of my seat, shoving my phone into my back pocket.

“I gotta go,” I said quickly, darting toward the front door. I paused to peek back around the wall at him. “Put my leftovers in the fridge, please?”

He nodded, confused, but didn’t ask questions.

“Thanks, Dad! Love you!” And I shut the door before he could answer.

——–

Third Person POV:

Callie and Hanna sat in the latter’s car in front of a motel. “Why was I called to come here again? Seems like Spencer just dropping off another one of her exes. Only this time it’s ‘Mr. Almost-Husband-of-Melissa’.”

She scoffs, clearly annoyed, and her voice drips with sarcasm. “Seriously, what is it with her and Melissa’s boyfriends? Are we just collecting them now? Maybe we should start a support group for all her ‘close connections.’ Or better yet, a dating service — ‘Exes of the Hastings Family: Apply Here.'”

“Geez, Cal. Look who’s getting a little territorial. You sure you’re not just jealous?” Hanna said with a raised eyebrow, watching the interaction between Spencer and Wren. 

“Oh. Please. What is there to be jealous of? Over Spencer’s ex-fiancé collection? Because, you know, there’s nothing more attractive than a guy who’s already been almost married to her sister.” Callie snapped back a disgusted look on her face, watching Wren get close to Spencer.

Hanna leans in, enjoying the playful tension between them. “But hey, no judgment here. We all know Spencer’s type… apparently, it’s ‘everyone who’s ever been almost good enough.'”  She said mock sympathy. “So you should fit right in, don’t you think?” Hanna flashes a knowing smile, her tone teasing but still with that sharp edge of humor.

Callie was taken aback by her words. “Frick you, man.” She shoots her a look, annoyed, but then quickly shifts, shaking it off with a small sigh. “So anyway, I was thinking we could grab some food after. You up for it?”

“Didn’t you just have dinner?”

“Well, yeah but I couldn’t finish it thanks to you.” She said back rolling her eyes, elbow meeting  her chin. “But seriously, why did you call me here, Hanna?”

Hanna still kept her eyes on the window. “I needed someone to help me babysit, Spencer. And be here with me for…” Spencer and Wren’s lips connect into a kiss, following by a few more. “That.”

The moment was intimate. Hands cupping faces, on hips, in hair. The two pulled away, Spencer smiling, biting her lips.

Wren looked around to her, his room door, then back at her. “Come inside.” His motioned to the door.

Spencer smiled, fingers lingering on where Wren’s lips used to be. “I’ve done some pretty stupid things lately.” She met his gaze. “I’m… way over my limit.”

He looked at her for a few beats a smile toying on his lips. “Good night, Spencer.” 

“Bye, Wren.” The girl sweetly spoke before walking away.

Spencer inched closer and closer to the car, opening the passenger door, and sitting down. “Okay, whatever you’re thinking,” She lets out a nervous laugh looking over to Hanna. “It’s not what you think.” Her smile faltered at Hanna’s cold, stiffened state.

A beat. “We are so out of our league.” She finally said.

Spencer and Hanna locked eyes. A had sent a message through the radio to Hanna. This was bigger than any of them.

“So, what should we think? You were just making out with your sister’s ex-fiancé again. There’s not a lot to think about—it’s exactly what it looks like,” Callie said from the back seat.

Spencer jumped. “Callie?” She whipped around, startled. “Why is she here? When did she get here?”

“She can speak for herself,” Callie cut in, leaning forward between the seats. “And don’t try to switch the subject, Caesar.”

“Thanks a lot, Hanna,” Spencer muttered, shooting her a glare. She straightened up and met Callie’s eyes in the rearview mirror with a tight smile. “It just happened. It doesn’t mean anything.”

Callie snorted. “Yeah, okay. You really looked like you weren’t enjoying—”

“I wasn’t!” Spencer snapped.

“Really? ‘Cause if I’m not mistaken… there was tongue.”

“There was no tongue.”

“Eh. There was definitely tongue.”

“There wasn’t.”

“Was to.”

Spencer blinked. “Was to?”

“Yeah. There was to tongue.”

“That’s not even correct grammar—”

“Who cares? Just admit you liked kissing him!”

“Cal—”

“And admit that…” Callie raised her eyebrows. “There was tongue.”

“There wasn’t—how are you going to tell me? I was the one tha—”

“Enough, you two. Please,” Hanna groaned from the driver’s seat, rubbing her temples. She had no idea why they were fighting over this. Who Spencer kissed shouldn’t matter—and yet, Spencer seemed to really care that Callie cared. It made zero sense. And probably never would.

“We have bigger issues. Like A hacking into a freaking radio station!”

“Sorry, Hanna,” Callie and Spencer muttered in unison.

——-