Chapter 10

Callie and the other girls, minus one, were at Spencer’s house, waiting around in the kitchen. Earlier that day, something for Alison’s memorial sight arrived in the mail. Her brother, Jason, entered through the kitchen’s back door.

“You’ve done a great job. Really.” Jason was taller than the last time Callie saw him. He wore a black suit with a plaid tie to match, his demeanor more calmer than expected. “Mom, dad, and I are really grateful.” The sound of the door closing caused him to turn around. “There she is!” He exclaimed with a bright smile as Hanna approached.

On sight, her eyes widened, not predicting he’d be here. Hanna’s eyes scanned the girls before she plastered on a tight grin. “Jason..” She reached over for a hug that he reciprocated. “Uh, hey.” The two let go, shuffling around awkwardly. Hanna’s cleared her throat, running a stressful hand through her blonde locks. “Sorry, I’m sorry.”

Jason shrugged, simply, pursing her lips. “No problem. I was just saying you’ve done some lovely work on the memorial.”

Hanna walked towards Callie, shifting beside her. The girl sent a small smile while Callie mirrored her actions.

“I might have done one or two things differently but we can adjust that along the way.” Callie didn’t mind Jason. She wasn’t one to complain about his company, he isn’t a bad guy but he also wasn’t a great guy either. Jason had done numeral things in the past to Alison that Callie was forced to let go when she never truly did. Everyone in the DiLaurentis family neglected Alison, so she was finding it very hard to even look at him. She bit the inside of her cheek holding back a snarky remark. “Here’s a copy of the program for the dedication.”

Spencer and the girls were handed papers each. “Oh, I emailed you the program that we worked up.”

“Right.” Jason sent the girl a sideway glance. Callie really wanted to punch this guy. “I saw the draft.” Somehow he always figured out a way to sound like a total douche. “This just fine-tunes it. Uh, let’s see-” Jason began to search through his satchel.

The Anderson huffed. “Can we hurry this up? I have somewhere I need to be soon.” She was lying. In all honesty, she just wanted him to leave quicker than he came.

Something flickered in the boy’s eyes. Anger? Impatience? Who knew or actually cared? Not Callie, that’s for sure.

His gaze drifted back down. “Uh, if Shelly Leonard’s gonna play something, I don’t think we can give her more than three minutes. I remember she’s somewhat of a showboat with that cello.” It seemed like he wanted the girls to laugh which only Aria did, out of pity. Hanna and Emily smiled sheepishly as Spencer and Callie remained stoic.

The Hastings sent an uneasy look to the others, wanting this to be over just as much as they did.

“Then, uh.. Oh.” He paused, eyes landing on a picture of Alison. The blonde smiled at the camera, hair waving down her shoulders carelessly, head tilted ever so slightly. The sight felt genuine. “Is this the picture for the program?” He picked it up, showing them the photo.

Emily met glance, grinning. “Yes. It’s everybody’s favorite.”

Uncomfortable silence fell, stunning Callie in the gut.

Jason breathed in deeply before replying. “It’s the one I would have picked.” His lips twitched, sadly. “I thought I was gonna be able to get my whole family out here but you know, at the last minute, my mom, um-” The words caught in his throat as he swallowed a lump. “It’s crazy talking about this, isn’t it?” Jason quickly changed the subject, avoiding whatever bullshit he was probably going to say. “When I think about her, I- I think about you… The six of you, in- in her bedroom, laughing, keeping secrets.”

Callie’s face scrunched as he chuckled nervously. “Careful, Jason. Almost sounds like you care.” Aria smacked her shoulder. Jason expected an apology of some sort but it never came. She wasn’t going to say ‘sorry’ never to him.

He blinked, shaking his head, turning to get her out of his mind. “I want each of you to speak, I’d rather hear from you than Mrs. Slocomb from the PTA.”

Spencer’s eyebrows furrowed. “The PTA was a lot of help.”

“What about the rain?” Jason question ignoring her statement.

“The rain?” She asked, confused like everyone else.

“Forty percent chance before the weekend.”

Gosh, Callie loved the rain. The thought of it raining made her smile.

“Oh, um,” Spencer shifted from beside the girl. “They said that we can use the school’s multipurpose room if we have to move the ceremony inside.”

“Great.” Jason bit his lower lip. “People think this dedication is about closure. There won’t be closure until they find out who did this to Alison.” He fiddled with his ring. Callie’s eyes fell onto his fidgeting fingers. “The cops in this town have been jerking my family around for more than a year. No more of that.” She felt eyes on her, looking up to find Jason glaring at her. “I’m here to get some action and this memorial is gonna help me get it.” His glare dissipated when she broke eye contact. Jason motioned back to everyone. “Oh, and I’m adding one speaker to the program-” He took out a red pen, writing the person’s name.

Reading along, Emily and Callie’s eyes widened. “Jenna Marshall?” They asked incredulously.

Hanna scratched at her brow, confusing dripping from her lips like a fountain. “Wait, you want Jenna to speak at the dedication?” 

He nodded, grinning. “That’s right.” Aria questioned him. Jason shrugged, unbothered. “She asked me if she could.”

“And you’re just going to let her?” Callie stared daggers into his soul. If Jason knew any better he’d be shitting himself.

Emily had the same idea. “Jenna asked to speak?”

His eyes shifted between the two, unwavering. “Is there a problem?”

Callie scoffed, eyes lingering everywhere else but at him. “Yeah, you’re a fucking moron-“

“What she means to say is-” Spencer jumped in. “I- it just didn’t occur to us that Alison and Jenna were that close.”

“Yeah, I didn’t know either, Jenna called, and said my sister was a lot of help to her after her accident.” Jason clutched his hands together, oblivious nonetheless.

“Jenna is a pathological liar, who, deserves to rot in hell for eternity.” The Anderson girl shook her head as all eyes fell onto her. Some judging others in disbelief. Callie didn’t care though. She knew Jason was full of shit and so was Jenna. She wasn’t afraid to call them out. “I mean, seriously, are you that stupid to believe any of that? Did you even truly know Alice? Or are you just acting like you did so you’ll feel better for shutting her out her entire life, while you smoked pot in your bedroom 24/7?”

Jason blinked taken aback. “Cal-“

“No! She came to you- fucking begged for your help and you did nothing.” She stood up from her stool. “You did nothing!” Spencer’s hand wrapped around the girl’s wrist, grounding. Callie shut her eyes, clenching the tears away, wincing as she kept them at bay. “Now, she dead.” Her eyes landed on him, gaze blazing like hot fire. “It’s too late to play big brother, Jason, you lost that title long ago.” With that she yanked herself free from the firm gasp. Her heels clicked against the brown tile as she walked over and out of the front door.

———

Callie and Alison laid down in the latter’s bed. The crickets could be heard chirping from outside as the moonlight beamed brightly through the window, casting a shadow amongst the that resembled a tree branch.

Soft finger brushed through the brunette’s hair, effortlessly. Callie hummed out a content sigh, eyes lidded while Alison admired her features.

They were comforted by simple silence and each other’s warmth.

The blonde opened her mouth to speak. “You okay?” Her head tilted slightly, thumb pad caressing the other’s scalp.

 Callie’s chest rose and fell at the pressure of an intense exhale. “Okay as I’ll ever be.” Ali’s lips parted before Callie interrupted, eyes fluttering open. She sensed that Alison wasn’t going to let it go. “We don’t need to make it a big deal.”  Her brown eyes stared up at Alison’s blue ones.

The DiLaurentis blinked. shocked but contained her relaxed demeanor. She ran another stroked through Callie’s silk hair. Gosh, she loved that girl’s hair. She could play with it for hours and never get tired. “It is a big deal.” Callie shifted. “Spence, basically confessed her undying love for you.”

The Anderson sat up slightly, Alison’s hand falling from her head and onto the blonde’s lap. Her stare immediate, gaze wondering. “Why don’t you sound surprised?”

She shrugged, briefly, expression nonchalant. “It was obvious.” Ali’s reached out halfway while the girl took a quick stand. “She’s been in love with you since, like, fifth grade. Anyone could tell.”

Cal walked towards the glass, staring in disbelief. Her chest clenched  as she turned around sharply. “I couldn’t!” She shouted.

Alison snickered masked behind a scoff, crossing her arms over her chest, energy shifting. “Yeah, that’s because you’re you.” Truly, she was jealous of Spencer. She hated how Callie refused to blindly ignore how she was being crushed on.

Callie flinched. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?” Alison perched her lips, deciding that silence was the best answer. Callie rolled her eyes, turning back to the window. “Whatever.” She huffed out, tiredly.

The stars sparkled harshly at her, daring her to look away. A pit set inside the girl’s stomach.

What was she going to do? This changed everything. Her childhood best friend was in love with her. Callie had no clue what she’d say if they ever crossed paths again. She didn’t know what to think.

Alison could tell what she was thinking, fixing her posture. “You should avoid her.” She suggested bitterly, blinking as she tore her eyes away from the girl’s back. “It’ll make things easier for the both of you.”

The brunette shook her head, unimpressed. “But, it’s Spencer.”

“Exactly.” Ali snapped.

Callie looked away from outside, facing Alison. “Exactly, what?” Her tone was defensive like she was sticking up for the love sick puppy that was Spencer Hastings. The girl who had secretly been in love with her for years. 

The blue eyed girl’s gaze turned into a glare, anger bubbling inside her. “Do you know how pathetic it is to constantly watch her moon over you?” Callie blinked, lips parting. “And you just sit there and let her-!”

“I don’t let her-!”

“Yes.” She snarled. “yes, you do, Cal! You act so fucking oblivious like you’re stupid.”

That hit hard.

“I’m not stupid..” Callie said lowly, her voice breaking. She hated that it did.

Alison felt offended. “I didn’t say you were!”

Both girls, now standing face to face. So close they could feel each other’s breath. 

Callie glare faltered, turning solemn. She swallowed, tears prickling in her brown eyes.

Alison sighed in defeat, guilt showering over her like rainfall. “I’m sorry.. I shouldn’t have said those things.” Her voice grew softer, that special soft tone reserved just for Callie. The girl’s head remained facing downwards in shame. Alison swallowed the guilt almost becoming overwhelming. “I’m sorry- It’s just.. I can’t stand the fact that someone wants you the way I do.” Brown eyes met blue, hopeful. “I get so angry at myself that I take it out on you. You don’t deserve that. I’m sorry, honey.” 

Callie’s lips twitched at the nickname that was used ever so often. A warm feeling of wet, soft lips kissed her forehead.

“Do you forgive me?”

“Of course I do.”

But that wasn’t it. Alison didn’t just hate the fact that someone liked Callie the same way she did. She hated that it was Spencer. Out of anyone else it could’ve been… It had to be her.

————

After a few hours, Callie had finally calmed down. She was now walking into the local pharmacy where her dad work.

Spotting him behind the counter in his white uniform coat, she smile. “Hi, dad.”

He smiled back, eyes flashing with happiness. “Hey, kiddo.” She walked over to him, his face grew sour. “Shouldn’t you be at school?”

“Eh, free period.” She said blatantly, he nodded. Her body changed, leaning on the marble counter. “I was wondering what you wanted tonight for dinner? I was thinking Chinese..?” She grimaced hoping he’d accept her suggestion.

“This couldn’t have been a call or a text? Was it absolutely necessary for you to come here?” He questioned. 

She rolled her eyes. “Look at you relying on technology. I thought all old people were anti-tech?”

Rick chuckled. “Okay, I’m not that old. And no I’m in love with my phone.” He tucked it gracefully in his pocket.

“Whatever you say grandpa.. So can we?”

“Again?” Rick groaned.

She smiled shyly. “Pleaseeeee?” Her lashes bated at him, persuading, a moment passed before he finally gave. Callie giggled, sweetly. “See, this is why you’re my favorite dad.”

“I’m your only dad.”

Callie spun on her heels, treading towards the exit. “See you at home! Love you.”

“Love you too.” 

———–

Later that night, after eating dinner, Callie sat on her bed scribbling in her notebook. Her pencil stroke the page effortlessly, highlighting and shading the features of her drawing.

“You really love drawing in that thing, huh?” 

Callie froze, recognizing the voice almost immediately. She was afraid that if she turned to face the person would disappear. With a slow, subtle turn their eyes met. A smile crept on her lips. “Alice.” She quickly shuffled to her feet. “Am I dreaming again?”

“No, silly. And you weren’t dreaming the first time.” Alison shook her head in same pink blouse. Her hair look wavy than it did last time. The girl walked pass and sat down on the bed. “I can still recall all of the memories we made on this bed.”

Callie grinned slyly, sitting down beside her. “Yeah, there were a lot.” Alison reached over intertwining their hands. Callie peered down at their conjoined hands, it felt just as it used to. As if nothing had changed. Her hand felt so warm against hers like it used to. If Alison was dead, then she was talking to a ghost. She was crazy, talking to the dead. That meant the girl beside her was a ghost. A dead, cold ghost and yet she was warm. She felt real and alive. “Alice.. Are you alive?”

She paused, debating on what her answer should be. She took her free hand and cupped Callie’s cheek making her look up. Callie leaned into the touch on instinct. “I am but no one can know. Not even the girls. Not even my family.”

“Why?” Callie asked looking intently like she was trying to read Ali but she was never good at doing that anyway.

The blonde swallowed. “Can’t say.” Her fingers brushed the girl’s lower lip. “I’m not even supposed to be here with you, right now…” She bit her lip, face drawing closer. “I just couldn’t stay away. Not from you. Never from you, Cal.”

 ———-

Callie’s POV:

In the middle of me and Alison’s talk, I had received an S.O.S text from Spencer. Which meant I had to leave her. My Alison. I didn’t want to but she told me I needed to go. I was scared I’d never see her again but she reassured me that she’d visit again soon.

“So she tried to pin it on you?” Hanna asked bewildered as we all stood gathered together in Spencer’s living room. 

I guess the Hastings house is the main meetup spot these days.

Spencer shrugged walking off pass me. “That’s what she told Jason.” Her movements were anxious.

Emily gripped the back of own neck. “But why you?”

“Because Spencer could stand up to her and Alison didn’t like that.” Aria chimed in.

“What?” I said confused on how she even came out with that concept. “If that were true she should be after me too.”

Hanna groaned, throwing her hands up. “Gosh, this is officially insane!” She and Emily went to sit down on the opposite couch.

I watched as Emily grew comfortable. “Is that what she told Jenna when she was at the hospital?” The Fields wondered.

“I don’t know. I don’t think so, but I don’t know.” Spencer played with her sleeves. I have never seen her so worked up before.

“Spence-” I sat down next to her, hand on the shoulder. She glanced at me. “It’s going to be okay.” It looked like she wanted to protest but she didn’t.

“Okay, so, so one minute, she’s trying to cover it up and the next she’s ratting us out to her brother?” Aria shifted on her feet.

Emily blinked growing panicked. “Like she wanted Jason to know the fake story in case anything happened to her.”

“Trust me, Jason is not a threat. But if he was stupid enough to believe Jenna about Alison than he’s dumb enough to believe her about this.” I rubbed the girl’s shoulder next to me trying to sooth her. It seemed to be working. “I’ll cut off his dick if he even tries to have us arrested.”

“That’s really reassuring, Cal, thanks.” Aria said bitterly.

“Well, she isn’t lying is she? We did cause that accident.” Hanna crossed her arms.

“Why?” Emily said out loud once more.

Spencer’s jaw tightened. “So they’d know who to blame.”

Aria scoffed, head shaking. “Gosh, this is still Alison’s movie and we are just filling up the screen.”

A wave of silence fell over us as no one dared to speak.

————-

The next day it was Alison’s memorial, we all went up and said our piece as did Jenna and to our surprise she actually said kind things about Alison.

Was it all bullshit? Probably.

“That was my folks.” Jason spoke up while we settled down in Spencer’s kitchen. “They say thanks, and so do I.”

“You’re welcome.” Emily nodded politely the only one speaking up. I rolled my eyes not caring enough to fake gratitude. 

“I want you girls to have something.” He dug in his coat pocket pulling out a small, pink, cloth bag. “The police returned this to my family. I think you should have it.”

It was Alison’s bracelet, except that was impossible..

We looked up at Jason. “The police gave that to you?” Emily asked what we were all thinking.

“Alison was wearing it.” He nodded.

Hanna blinked. “You mean when they found her?”

Aria, Emily, and I examined the cloth. It looked exactly the same. The words faded slightly due to time passing.

“After listening today, I just thought you should have it.” His lips perched before nodded at Spencer. “I’ll keep in touch.”

“No, that’s okay- Ouch!” I winced holding my arm, tightly.

Jason leaves.

“If that’s Alison’s bracelet.. What about the one we found in the woods?”

“I don’t know.” Aria said breathlessly still holding the item.

“Someone made a copy of Alison’s bracelet.”

Spencer agreed with Hanna. “Yeah, and made sure that we would find it.”

The thunder rumbled as rain fell down more harshly than ever. Leaving a deep stain outside on the pale concrete while someone in a dark hoodie destroyed Ali’s memorial.

—————-

A/N: WOWWWWW THAT WAS A LOONNNGGGG CHAPTER

hope you guys enjoyed though.. unfortunately i did NOT proofread this so i apologize for any typos.

thoughts on this chapter??

how should be endgame??