Chapter 9

The girls sat on the shoreside, lake water trickling under the smoldering sunlight. Teenagers scattered nearby, drinking cheap beer, shouting over music, living like summer would never end as the summer breeze brushed past Callie’s hair, gently.

“I wish we could just choose the age that we wanted to be and just stay there.” Aria said suddenly, her voice light and absent, as if the thought had slipped out before she could stop it.

She reclined in a beach chair along with Alison, Emily, and Hanna while Spencer and Callie laid down on a beach towel in the sand.

Alison tilted her head, considering. “The only way to do that is to die young.” Her eyes wondered off, falling onto the water. Toy boats floating gracefully through the small ripples of waves. “Leave a beautiful corpse.”

Emily stiffened immediately, shooting Alison a sharp look. “Don’t joke.” She warned, tone harsh but fear was evident.

The tough blonde met her gaze. “It’s not a joke.” She shifted towards the others, eyebrows lifting when she caught their uneasy expressions. “Oh, come on, haven’t you guys ever thought about ‘how deliciously tragic it would be’ to die in some incredibly mysterious way?” She exhaled like the mere thought put her mind at ease. “That would be superior.”

“Is that really how you want to go, Alison?” Spencer propped herself up on one elbow, squinting at Alison with mock seriousness.

Callie watched them, keeping her internal to herself.

Alison’s eyes slid to Callie, something unreadable flashing across her face. “Not just yet.” The girl shrugged with a subtle smile tugging at her lips. She gave Callie a quick, secretive wink.

“Don’t talk like that.”

“It’s gruesome.”

Aria and Hanna quipped in.

Alison looked away from Callie and to them. “It’s not gruesome.” She smiled sweetly. “It’s immortality, my darlings.”

Callie swallowed hard and pushed herself to her feet. She cleared her throat, brushing herself off. “I’m gonna go use the bathroom for a sec.” She sent the group a small smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.

Her legs outstretched over Spencer, who reacted instantly, reaching out and stopping her before she could pass completely. Callie hesitated, letting out a quiet, frustrated sigh before giving in and allowing her to follow.

From where she sat, Alison watched the two girls walk off together. Her eyes narrowed, burning into Spencer’s back, jaw tightening until it ached. She tore her gaze away.

Callie moved ahead, her pace quick and determined. The Hastings was having a difficult time catching up as she stumbled on pebbles that were scattered across the trail.

Callie scowled hearing how the girl behind her struggled. “You don’t have to come, Spencer. You could’ve just stayed back with the others.” Her fists clenched feeling Spencer’s lingering presence. Why couldn’t she just give up and leaver Callie alone? Why did she have to try? Why did she have to care? Once they were far enough away, practically secluded from everyone else Callie spun around and grabbed Spencer’s wrist, dragging her behind a large thick tree. She released her just as quickly. “What do you want from me?” Callie demanded.

“Nothing.” Spencer shook her head, her hand twitching like she wanted to reach for Callie’s again but she stopped herself. Her brown eyes lifted, locking onto Callie’s irritated expression. Spencer swallowed nervously. “I don’t want anything from you.”

Callie let out a soft scoff. “Yeah, well, it sure seems like you do. Following me around like a lost puppy for weeks.” She crossed her arms.

“Yeah! Because you’re acting completely different!” Spencer snapped her voice breaking through the quiet. The opposite girl gasped, fluttering her lashes. “You’re acting like nothing happened between us. Like nothing has been happening between us.” Spencer took a shaky breath, pushing forward.

“Oh. Spencer give me a break.” Callie stepped back, shaking her head.

Spencer surged forward, grabbing Callie’s wrist and slamming her back against the tree behind her. “Stop acting like you don’t see it!” The bark dug into Callie’s spine as Spencer planted her hands on either side of her.

Callie yanked her arm free, staring at her bewildered. “See what, Spencer?”

“That I love you!” Spencer’s chest rose and fell rapidly, eyes glassy but fierce.

“Oh, my-” Callie breathed, the words catching in her throat, eyes drifting to the ground.

Spencer lifted her chin, her fingers grazing Callie’s jaw with deliberate care. Her lips parted as she took in the girl’s sharp, familiar features, the ones she knew by heart. Callie stiffened at the touch, breath catching.

Spencer’s thumb brushed beneath Callie’s eye, wiping away the tear that had slipped free. Without thinking, her body leaned closer, pulled by instinct alone. “I love you, Cal.”

Callie’s eyes flickered up to meet hers, head tilting ever so slightly pleading, desperate, as if silently begging her not to say anything more.

“I’ve always loved you.” Spencer smiled through the ache, nodding sure like if Callie believed it, it would fix everything. “Before everything. Our first kiss, our first..” A soft, broken laugh escaped her, thinking back. “Our first night together.” Her hand drifted down again, tracing the curve of Callie’s jaw. Her gaze dipped briefly to her lips, then rose back to her eyes. “It’s always been you for me Callie. No one else.”

“Spencer, I don’t—”

A twig snapped inches away.

Alison peered from a tree, observing the scene before her. Neither girl realizing they were being stalked. Her expression harden as she stepped out now catching their attention.

“What’s going on here?” Alison asked, her expression brightening far too quickly to be genuine.

Spencer hardly backed away, not afraid of how she felt. “Me and Callie were just having a personal conversation.”

Callie remained frozen, her gaze drifting unfocused, landing on a squirrel rustling through the brush as if it were easier than looking at either of them.

Alison hummed, venturing closer. “Seems, to me, like you’re the one doing all of the talking. And last time I checked that wasn’t how a conversation worked, personal or not.” ” Her eyes slid to Callie, concern sharpening into something protective. She shuffled on her feet. “Cal.” The brunette’s eyes shot over to her, snapping her out of her trance. “Come here.” Alison said gently, lifting a hand. She stepped forward but Spencer held her back, hand catching. “Spencer-“

“No.” Spencer’s voice was low, firm. “I said we were talking and it doesn’t concern you, Ali. So back off.”

Callie’s eyes searched Alison’s, wide and pleading. Alison met her gaze and gave a subtle nod of understanding before turning back to Spencer. “Let her go, Spencer.”

The girl stubbornly shook her head once, determined.

Alison let out a quiet snicker not amused, but determined. Determined to save Callie. Her smile faded as quickly as it appeared. “Let her go,” she repeated calmly, “or I’ll tell the girls your dirty little secret.” Her head tilted, amused, eyes sharp. “Maybe even Melissa would like to know too.”

With that Callie’s was completely let go, Spencer’s grip loosened instantly.

Alison immediately stepped forward guiding the girl beside her. “Come on. I got you.” Her voice was softer than it usually was. The kind of soft she only used with her. “You okay?” She cooed at her not sparing another glance to Spencer, not caring enough to.

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A/N: another short chapter ikkk
Just wanna give into some more backstory before we continue further with the episodes.. so that’s probably what I’ll be doing for the new few chapters!!! 😁

Have a fabulous night..👻