Chapter 13

Callie walked down the school hallways, avoiding her friends until she was stopped by Mona Vanderwaal.

“Here. This is for you.” Mona beamed as she shoved a brightly patterned piece of paper into Callie’s hands. It was an invitation. “For my birthday party, of course.”

Callie’s eyes scanned the sheet, face scrunching up in disgust. She looked back up at Mona in disbelief. “Glamping?” Mona nodded vigorously, smiling sweetly. “What the hell is ‘glamping’ and why’d you assume that I would automatically go?”

Mona shrugged. “You’re Hanna’s friend, so you’re like already invited. Obviously.” Callie stepped forward to protest but Mona beat her to it. “See you there, Cal!” She quickly made her exit further away.

“But I didn-” Callie cut herself off seeing how Mona wouldn’t be able to hear her anyway. Her body visibly deflated as she huffed placing the letter into her locker which was sadly close to Spencer’s.

Their eyes met for a brief second, Callie immediately looked away and slammed her locker shut harder than necessary.

A voice spoke up.

“Um. Callie? Could we talk for a second?”

She glanced over to see Emily staring back at her anxiously. Callie swallowed sharply, shaking her head.

Emily groaned in annoyance. “Please? I know it’s shitty that I felt the way I did back then because it was so obvious that you had a thing for her-” She ranted on without thinking.

“Just save it!” The words came out sharper than Callie intended. “I don’t want to be around you..” Her words trailed off flickering towards Spencer. She felt her throat swell up. “Or you for that matter.”

For once, Spencer didn’t say anything.

Aria stepped forward first, hand flying to the opposite girl’s arm. “Do you want to talk about it, Cal? I’m here for you.” Her voice was careful.

Something in Callie’s chest loosened. “I appreciate that, Ari.” She flashed a sweet smile. “I just…” She exhaled slowly. “I need a break from the drama right now.” Her eyes flickered between them. “If that’s alright.”

Aria nodded her head almost instantly. “No. Of course, take all the time you need.”

Callie gave her another thankful gesture before leaving behind a somber Emily and an indifferent Spencer.

——-

“Hey, Cal!” Rick’s voice echoed from the staircase. “You wanna watch a movie tonight? Hang out with your old man?” He jogged up further, knocking on her bedroom door.

“You can come in.”

The door creaked open.

Rick poked his head inside first, offering a small smile. “Movie night?” He asked softly.

Callie was curled beneath her blankets, a notebook balanced on her knees. Her pencil moved absentmindedly across the page as she glanced up at him. “Yeah, sure. Just give me a moment to finish up.” 

Rick nodded before quietly pulling the door shut behind him.

Her phone buzzed beside her.

It was a text message from Emily.

Callie huffed, turning her phone off. If she was being honest, she wasn’t even actually mad at Emily. Callie was more upset how Alison hadn’t come to visit her again like she said she would. Emily bringing her up just reminded Callie of something she tried not to dwell on. She’d apologize and stop avoiding the Fields girl eventually.

——-

The next day at school, Callie grew some balls and walked over to Aria was talking to Noel Kahn inside the cafeteria. 

Aria Montgomery was currently the only person Callie Anderson could stomach being around.

“Ready to go?” Aria asked Noel, which she was interestingly close to, with a small smile. Her eyes drifted over to the brunette approaching them. “Cal?”

Callie waved stopping beside them. “Hey, Aria.” Her expression changed to a slightly bitter one, turning her head at the boy. “Noel.” She greeted stern.

His eyebrow lifted. “Why do I have a feeling you don’t like me, Cal?”

“Callie.” She corrected. “And I never said I didn’t like you, Kahn. I just don’t respect you.” Callie patted his arm firmly, causing Noel to jump lightly at the intense pressure. 

Aria pinched the bridge of her nose, staring between the two. “She doesn’t really respect anyone so don’t take it personal.” She leaned forwards, whispering in reassurance. “That’s actually one of the nicer things she’s said about somebody.”

Callie looked offended. “That’s not true.”

“It absolutely is.”

Noel laughed under his breath. “Good to know.” Noel coughed as Callie removed her hand, redirecting his attention back to his girlfriend. “Oh, we got to talk to coach.” His head inched closer to hers. “I’ll see you later.” He placed a loving kiss on Aria’s lips before standing up from the table. Callie gagged. “Nice seeing you too, Anderson.” He gave her a mock salute before heading off.

Watching Noel leave for a moment Callie looked over to one of her best friends. “So..” Aria shifted. “When did you guys become official?” Her arms crossed over her chest.

“Awhile, but it’s still fresh. You’d know if you weren’t always sulking and pining over Spencer.”

Instead of getting upset like Callie’s instincts told her, she just hummed. “You know what? Touché.” They started to walking out of the student filled open space. “Wait. Who snitched?”

“Hanna told me the other night.” Aria shrugged still keeping her pace as her eyes were focused on something else entirely. Callie gasped dramatically, attempting to follow her eyeline, however, she couldn’t exactly pinpoint where she was looking. “I needed an explanation after everything that went down with Emily about Alison. Which apparently is a lot of emotional baggage even for me.”

“She told you basically everything?” Callie exasperated, Aria nodded with a hum. Callie groaned loudly, drawing attention from half of the cafeteria. “I never telling her anything ever again. I mean, what the fuck, Hanna? Can’t trust anyone nowadays to keep a simple secret.”

“There’s nothing simple about you love life, Cal.” Aria stopped halfway, eyes still glued in some unknown direction. “Can you give me a second? I need to talk with someone.”

Callie perched a brow. “You? Talk with someone other than me and the girls? Look at you evolving.” A smirk tugged at her lips. “Iceland really changed you. I’m proud-” She cut herself off seeing the irritation building in Aria’s posture. “Yeah. I’ll just go see you in five.” She quickly scurried off.

——-

“Speaking of..” Aria’s words trailed off as she saw the other girls huddled together, whispering amongst themselves. “You know what that’s about?”

Callie rolled her eyes. “Nope, don’t care to know either.” 

Aria let out a sigh like she’d been holding it in all day. “Come on, Cal. You’ll have to talk to them eventually.” Before Callie could protest, Aria was already steering her forward through the crowded hallway. “What better time than now?” Callie tried to claw her way out of Aria’s, surprisingly tight grip. “And we’re already here,” Aria said, stopping in front of the group with an exaggerated little pout. “Too late.”

Callie muttered under her breath, “Shit.” 

Aria’s pout faltered, noticing how serious the girl’s were looking. “Hey, what’s going on?”

“The cops are here.” Hanna answered eyes shifting between them before landing on the Anderson. “You okay?” She asked her.

“Peachy.” Callie avoided everyone’s gaze while Aria bumped her shoulder, signaling for her to be nice. “I’m just tired of all the questions and interrogation. They suck at their job anyway. It’s been over a year and they still haven’t found any source of evidence? Sounds like a shitty police investigation to me.” Callie huffed at the thought. “The best they’ve done is breathing down our necks for a month straight.”

Aria placed a hand on hers. “I get it. I’m angry too but don’t let them see this side of you. The last thing we want is for you to be a suspect.”

“And you’re already on Wilden’s hitlist.” Spencer added flatly.

Callie shrugged carelessly, Aria’s hand falling from hers. “Fuck him, who cares?” Spencer, Emily, Hanna, and Aria all went to rebuttal her sentence, probably to say that they all care and that she should too. Callie raised her hand cutting them off. “I’m heading to class so save your breath.”

“I heard they found something of Alison’s.” Spencer announced seeking to stop her, when she noticed nothing in Callie’s body changed whatsoever she frowned.

“Don’t care.”

“Spencer Hastings, Callie Anderson, Aria Montgomery, Emily Fields, Hanna Marin please come to the office.” A man’s voiced over the PA system.

“Tell them I’m sick or something.” Callie inched to make a run for it but Aria and Hanna caught her. “Double shit.”

——-

Now, inside the principle’s office, they were sat down on that same leather couch. Except for Callie because there was no more room so she leaned on the small table beside Spencer.

Emily looked over at her, who was fiddling with her bracelet that Alison had gifted them, she felt a pang of guilt in her chest. “Cal. Could we talk after? Please?” She asked whispering, not wanting the other girls to hear even though it was obvious because she was talking over them.

“Shh.” Callie shushed back as two detectives walked inside the room. “We’ve got company.”

Emily sighed quietly and sank back into the couch.

“Sorry to keep you waiting. I’m Agent Cooper.” A dark skinned woman greet handing Spencer her card.

The Hastings read it quickly, looking up shocked. “FBI?” The girls glanced around at one another eyes wide, Callie remained indifferent because, well, it’s Callie.

Agent Cooper nodded her head over to a man. “This is my partner, Agent Randall and we’re here because the bureau was asked by the local authorities to assist in the investigation of Alison DiLaurentis’ murder.” She grabbed ahold of a small remote. “I wanna show you something that was sent to the Rosewood Police Department by an anonymous source. The family’s given me permission to show it to the four of you.”

The video played on the box T.V. it was a video of Alison in her yellow shirt, the same one she wore the night she went missing, only this time a greenish dark jacket was wore over it almost swallowing her whole. Couldn’t have been hers is what Callie thought. 

“Wanna see more? I know you want to.” The blonde on the screen pulled the jacket down to hug her by the forearms, smiling to whoever was behind the camera. “If the girls knew I was seeing you.. Oh, my gosh, they would not stop talking about it. I wish they were more mature, but..” Alison stops midway switching the subject. “We don’t have a lot of time. I have to get back before they wake up.”

Callie itched her eyebrow in confusion, not fully caring about the video or investigation. She knew Alison was still alive and she also knew she couldn’t tell anyone. However, Callie didn’t have the energy to fake curiosity or concern for the case even though Alison insisted she had to.

What did spark Callie’s interest is who Alison could’ve been talking to. That, she did not know and she wanted to. Whenever Alison visited again that would be her first question.

“I know you wanna kiss me.”

Those were the last words Alison said before the video ended. Callie figured it must’ve been the older guy she had been seeing behind her back. The girl mentally cursed herself for being too distracted to ask Alison about him.

“Is there, uh, anything you can tell about what you see?” Agent Cooper asked amongst the teenaged girls. 

Emily nodded, speaking up first. “They’re at the kissing rock. I-it’s in the woods behind the lake.”

“I-I think this was taken the night Alison disappeared… She was wearing that yellow top.” Aria added as well.

Hanna shook her head, confirming Callie’s suspensions. “But, that’s not her sweater.” 

“Are you sure?” The head Agent asked.

“Ask me what’s in each one of our closets and I’ll give an itemized list. I know clothes.”

Feeling the need to speak next, Spencer fixed her hair and shuffled. “I think she’s talking to the older boy.” Another confirmation for Callie.

Cooper hummed. “So-called, uh, mystery boyfriend?”

“Alison didn’t want us to know who he was.”

“Was he an older high school boy?”

“She only told me enough to make it a secret.” Spencer opted.

“Huh..” Cooper tilted her head. “Alison liked secrets, huh?”

“She thought sharing secrets kept us close.” Hanna said looking at the floor as she fidgeted with her fingers.

Cooper nodded. “They do, but secrets are made to be found out with time.” She then turned her focus to the quietest one, who hadn’t said a word since she entered which immediately rose suspension. “What about you? Anything to add on, Anderson?”

Callie was snapped out of her dazed gaze from the sound of her name. “Sorry, what?” She looked over at the older woman confused.

“Everyone has said their bit but you. What do you think about the tape?” She asked again growing most intrigued with the girl’s reaction.

Callie inhaled sharply, which didn’t go unnoticed by the agents. “Nope. No comments or thoughts. The girl have pretty much said everything that I was thinking.” This wasn’t a lie, very true fact indeed.

Agent Cooper didn’t buy it. “Right.. And you’re sure? A colleague has informed me about you, said I should keep an eye out. Any reason for that?”

Callie’s expression didn’t change but something in her eyes sharpened. “He’s a sissy bitch who can’t stand up to someone ten times younger than him. That about covers it.” 

“Callie!” The girls hissed at her words and bluntness.

“Anderson, out.” Callie went to stand and walk over to the exit. Agent Randall said some parting words about how they’ll be keeping their eye out or whatever. Callie simply flicked him off.

——-

“Callie, you really got to stop making enemies.” she said, trying to keep her voice steady. “I mean, what if you get put on a suspect list? That’s the last thing any of us need right now.” Spencer paced after Callie, worried for the girl she still loved, would always love despite her obvious faults. “Could you please slow down?”

Spencer was met with nothing but silence. The girls had parted ways after the meeting with the FBI. Aria told Spencer that Callie deserved her alone time without any drama but Spencer ignored her and chased after Callie anyway.

“Can you just talk to me?” Spencer pressed, breath catching slightly. “I thought we were okay?” Callie led her outside now, not slowing down once. “What did I do now, Cal?”

That’s when she stopped, turning so fast Spencer nearly ran into her. “What didn’t you do?” Spencer flinched, blinking taken aback. “You know, you act like you’re so fucking innocent. Like you’re perfect and you continuously shame me when you’re in the same boat!” Callie’s laugh came out thin and bitter. “You kiss me and then I find you making out with Alex the next day!”

Spencer didn’t even hesitate. “Because he’s my boyfriend,” she said, like it was obvious. “Is that really surprising?”

 “Yes.” Callie’s voice cracked just slightly on the word before she caught it. “Yes, it is.” Her hands flexed at her sides like she didn’t know what to do with them. “Especially after all the things you said.. What you said it-” Callie huffed softly, running a quick hand through her hair, averting her eyes to the grass. “It meant something to me.” She said lowly to herself, Spencer stepped closer to listen but fell short. “It was fucked up.” This time she spoke louder, Callie refused to let her feelings show. “You’re in a relationship, like you said, right? Weird to confess and then kiss someone else.”

Spencer’s face fell, she hoped one day that Callie would give up. That her emotional wall would fall, she spent so long hoping for that exact moment but it never came and probably never would. 

In this moment, Spencer decided she’d stop waiting for her. Stop waiting for someone who clearly wasn’t going to change anytime soon. 

Spencer Hastings was done wasting her time on Callie Anderson.

——-

Later in the day, Aria dragged Callie to Spencer’s to pack for Mona’s glamping birthday party.

“I still have no clue what ‘glamping’ even is or why I’m being forced to go.” Callie huffed, rolling up her light blue sleeping bag. 

“Because of A.” Aria barely looked up from her own bag.

“Okay, great,” Callie said flatly. “Now explain glamping.”

“Since when are you mending Melissa’s relationships?” Aria ignored Callie who was struggling to pack her back pack, asking Spencer who walked over to them from the stairs.

Spencer shrugged. “I kind of owe it to her.”

“What’s she ever done for you?” Emily asked besides Callie, the two of them made up an hour before, helping her fold the sleeping bag properly.

Spencer pulled out another sleeping bag, dark blue. “It’s more about what did I do to her.”

Everyone looked at her puzzled by her statement.

“She kissed Wren and Ian. Total slut for older taken men, aren’t you Spence?” Callie spoke up for her, no longer caring for the emotional damage she caused afterwards. Spencer only rolled her eyes in annoyance while the others sighed at the tension. “Hm. Thought so.”

Emily looked between them, confused. “Kissed…?”

“Yes,” Spencer said, a little faster now. “But Melissa doesn’t know about Ian.”

Hanna leaned forward, stunned. “Shut up.”

“It was early in the summer before Alison went missing.” Aria shook her head in disappointment but didn’t comment, not that Spencer saw. “It was just one kiss, but after they broke up we started seeing each other.” Noticing her friend’s expressions, she exhaled. “I feel like the poster child for poor judgement.”

“You could’ve told us, Spencer.” Emily reassured, hitting Callie when she snickered. 

“Really? ‘Cause Ali knew about the first kiss and she thought I was awful.” Spencer rebutted.

Callie mumbled under her breath sarcastically, “And you guys say she has terrible judgement.”

“Enough.” Hanna flicked her, reaching over Emily to get her.

“Well, we are not Ali.”

Spencer winced. “I should not tell Melissa, right?”

The girls all nodded at once. “Right.”

Then a news announcement appeared on T.V. about how the bloodstains found on Alison’s shirt was a match to her own and that Toby a warrant out for the arrest of murdering Alison.

Hanna scoffed at the news. “That sweater is Toby’s.” She concluded.

“No, Alison was not dating Toby.” Aria denied. “There’s no way that that’s the guy she’s talking to in the video.”

“Ari, you saw the news. They have proof!” Hanna counterclaimed Aria, believing that Toby was in fact responsible.

Callie didn’t believe it. Alison wouldn’t date him, she always confessed to Callie how much she despised his character. Yet, Alice was always a liar and a good one.

“If it’s Toby’s sweater, then he was to be the boy at the kissing rock.”

Emily frowned. “Is it finally over?”

Spencer didn’t look away from the screen. “No.” Her voice was steady in a way that didn’t feel comforting. “Toby’s been missing for weeks. It won’t be over until he’s behind bars.”

“Or six feet under.” Callie’s mouth tilted, almost absent.

“Callie!” Aria and Emily snapped at the same time.

“Geez, Cal…”

——-

“Welcome to Camp Mona!” Mona greeted Spencer, Aria, and Callie.

“Happy birthday.” Aria said politely, her and Spencer handing over their gifts to her.

Mona glanced down at box presents. “Oh, whatever it is, I’m sure I’ll love it. And if not, I’ll return it.” She turned to hand some random boy the gifts, her face shifted sour not seeing a present in Callie’s hand. “No gift, Cal?”

“I don’t want to be here.” Was all she said.

Mona looked as if she was fighting off an internal battle in her head before nodding with a faux smile that didn’t reach her eyes. She walked over to a table and gifted the girls gift baskets. “Swag.”

Aria and Spencer took it. “Oh, thanks. Take yours Callie.” Aria ordered which Callie did.

Spencer pulled out a black shirt with pink words that read, ‘Camp Mona’. “Oh, it’s, um.. Subtle.” She smiled at the birthday girl.

Moan smiled back, posture straightening. “Okay, tour time.” They followed her steps. “So over here, we have the massage tent, the mani-pedi area, the blow-me bar and the mini bar.” She pointed all around her. “Excuse me.” Mona sighed before walking away something else catching her attention.

“I’ll be the first to say it.” Spencer and Aria looked at Callie. “Glamping is cool as shit.”

“Thought you didn’t wanna be here?” Spencer pressed.

Callie hushed her. “Shh. I like you better when you’re silent.”

——-

Around an hour later, Emily had arrived telling them how Toby came to pay her a visit. “He came back to tell me that he’s innocent and that he didn’t hurt Ali.”

Spencer didn’t even hesitate. “He’s lying.”

“I agree with Caesar.” Callie nodded, biting into a protein bar. “Toby’s a lying piece of shit just like his incestual adopted sister, Jenna.”

“We have to tell the police.” Aria agreed with her best friends trying to convince Emily. Then her phone rings. “It’s Hanna.”

Callie exhaled and leaned back further, suddenly far too comfortable for the situation. “This shit is actually amazing,” she said, finishing her bar. “I’m getting another—”

“Wait!” Aria cut in. “I just got a text from A.”

“Oh, lovely,” Callie muttered, dropping back into focus as she sat up again.

“You found my bracelet. Now come find me. Good luck, bitches.” Aria read off her phone.

“I think we’re supposed to go where we found Ali’s bracelet.”

“That was in the middle of nowhere.”

Spencer shook her head. “Uh, actually, it was fifteen steps east of the half-point tree which is one hundred and thirty-six steps from the main road.” She explained clear as day.

Aria stared at her amazed. “You’re a freak and I love you.”

Callie smirked slightly without looking up. “Hate to admit it but, wow, your nerdiness is so hot.”

Spencer froze for half a second, then cleared her throat and looked away like the ground had suddenly become fascinating.

Mona stepped in. “Emily, Aria, your turn to get blown.” She said before leaving shortly.

“We have to learn a better terminology.”

“Well, it has to look like we’re here for the party.” Spencer said to Emily and Aria. “So, go glamp and I’ll be back before it gets dark.”

“You have to take Cal with you.” Emily told her.

Spencer paused, already halfway turning away. “Callie stays here.”

“No,” Emily said immediately.

“She didn’t say either of your names.” Aria pitched in.

“And you guys need to settle your differences. When you come back it should be all smiles and rainbows.”

Aria pointed between them. “Yeah. You two are weird. Fix it.”

Spencer groan lowly, looking over at Callie who was grabbing another bar. “Fine.” She started to walk ahead. “Come on.” She tugged her along.

“Hopefully they kiss and makeup.” 

“Yeah. Their tension is really ruining our group.”

——-

After thirty minutes of wondering around they found something. And even with their alone time together and Aria and Hanna’s hopes, the tension between them only worsened.

Aria and Hanna stepped out of the tent with their hair blow dried to the max.

“Wow,” Spencer said, breaking into a small laugh.

“Shut up.” Aria deadpanned, Callie stated that she liked it. “Thanks.”

Spencer stuck a finger out with a curious smile. “What happens if you touch it?”

Emily exhaled deeply when the girl touched her hair. “Did you guys find anything or make up?”

“If anything I hate her more.” Callie grumbled. Spencer didn’t even look offended anymore. She just shook her head like she’d accepted that as background noise and motioned for them to follow.”We found a bracelet with Jenna’s name on it.” 

Spencer showed them.

Emily admired it. “Is Jenna telling us that she’s A?”

“I don’t think so,” Spencer said, already shaking her head. “There’s more.” Spencer then pulled out a small white card. Reading off, “You’re as in the dark as Jenna looking for me in all the wrong places.”

“Well, if this is the wrong place then what’s the right place?”

——-

Nighttime had finally hit and Callie was dead asleep. Snoring softly, she was woken up by Emily and Spencer calling her name. Telling her they had to head to some playground?

“I think you’re actually enjoying this.” Emily said to Spencer who looked very determined. They arrived at the playground that was completely empty. “Cal, you’re killing me.” She grunted trying to hold the girl upright. Callie barely stirred, mumbling something incoherent and leaning heavier into Emily’s shoulder. “A little help?” She asked Spencer.

“I’m not touching her.” Spencer said without turning around.

Callie’s eyes cracked open just slightly. “Why not?” she muttered. “Weren’t so opposed before.”

Spencer stopped walking for half a second, then kept going like she hadn’t heard it.

“Geez. How did I get stuck with you both?” Emily complained, wrapping Callie arm around her shoulder.

Callie, still half-asleep, slurred, “Yeah… where are Hanna Banana and Aria the Explorer?”

Spencer shushed her, spotting something in the distance. “Wait. Look.” They walked over to a tree that had words engraved.

“Alison loves Ian?” Emily read after she wiped off the covered name.

“Holy shit.” Callie blinked harder now, fully waking up. “He’s the guy in the video.. I knew I recognized that ugly ass jacket.” She stepped forward, staring at it like it might rearrange itself if she looked long enough.

“And you couldn’t mention that before? I don’t know, to the police?!” Spencer whipped around.

Callie gave her a flat look. “Like I’d tell them shit.”

Spencer’s expression tightened immediately. “Of course you wouldn’t. That’s the problem.”

Callie scoffed. “Oh my gosh, here we go.”

“See?” Spencer snapped, stepping closer. “You’re so difficult and stubborn! Why can’t you just talk to us? To me instead of hiding everything?”

“Oh, please, don’t project your insecurities on me, Spence. Save your breath.”

“My insecurities? At least I can actually communicate something you rather die than do!” Spencer didn’t back down.

“Okay? Sue me! Sorry, if I don’t want to express how I’m feeling all the time.” Callie stepped in closer, voice low and sharp. “It’s exhausting you should really win a metal since you’re so good at it.”

Emily held her head in her hands while the two continued to bicker back and forth until her phone dinged. “Shut up! Please.. Hanna texted me to meet her in the parking lot..” Callie’s jaw tightened as she listened. “She knows who A is.”

——-

Spencer, Aria, Emily, and Callie spotted Hanna in the parking lot waving her over. The blonde ran over to them.

Spencer stopped abruptly. “Hanna!”

“Look out!” Emily screamed.

A speeding car out of nowhere came rushing in hitting Hanna in the process. Her body rolled over the top before falling down on the ground hard.

“Oh, my gosh!” Aria cried.

“Call 911!” Spencer shouted, dropping to her knees beside her immediately.

Spencer, Aria, and Emily rushed over to check on her. However, Callie had other plans.

Aria knelt too, voice breaking. “She’s not breathing!”

Aria grabbed her phone, a new notification. “She knew too much – A.” She read out loud.

——————–

A/N: *not proofread* 

soooooo i have a proposition.. 

if someone could explain the dynamic between any ship of their choice.. I will double upload another chapter today..

i think that’s fair… right? or should i just kys.. 😬

lmk if yall interested just drop a comment