Chapter 4

Callie’s POV:

Mrs. Fields recommended that we should make a tribute place full of items to mourn Alison. I didn’t really want to participate but my dad insisted that I should, and eventually I agreed. I need to move on and this was the next step.

Me and girls were walking through the woods trying to find the shed we all used to hang out in. 

“They’re not mosquitoes, they’re gnats.” Aria argued back at Hanna, who was complaining about the bugs.

She rolled her eyes with a huff. “Whatever! They’re small and annoying and they’re flying up my nose.”

Spencer chuckled behind Hanna. “Well, they’re attracted to you perfume and your hair product, and your lip gloss.”

“So, what are you saying? I attract flies?”

“Gnats.” Aria corrected.

Emily looked around at the trees. “Why do I feel like this is the wrong way?” She stopped walking, everyone stopping too.

Spencer shook her head. “No, this is it. I remember that tree.” She pointed to the tree in front of them.

I quint my eyes at it. “It does look pretty weird for a tree.”

“It’s the halfway point. There’s a 136 step left to the shed.” Spencer said looking up at the sky.

Aria and Emily looked at her. “Have you been out here since… Alison?” The latter questioned.

Spencer motioned to herself. “Me? No. No way.”

Aria looked at her suspiciously. “But.. You remember that tree.” 

Hanna butted in. “You guys, it’s not that weird.” She walked into frame. “I mean, we came out here in the eighth grade like, every day. Even after.” 

Third Person POV:

Callie and Spencer giggled as the ran through the woods. Spencer bit her lip as she pushed Callie up against a tree. 

She smiled before looking up at the tree. “This is very odd looking tree.” Callie looked back down her eyes meeting Spencer’s. Callie’s arms found their way onto the other girl’s shoulders. Spencer pulled her closer hands on her hips. “Someone’s excited.” The Anderson girl teased causing Spencer to groan, leaning in to kiss her lips.

Callie kissed her back, moaning into the kiss. Their tongues danced like a beat to an old 80’s song. They stepped closer making the space between them nonexistent. The kiss was hot, needy and desperate. 

The Hastings girl pulled away for air. Callie smiled seeing that she was out of breath already. Spencer tilted her head at the girl a smirk toying on her lips. “What’re you smiling at?”

Callie giggled. “You.” Her smile dropped, seriousness taking over. Her eyes trailed back to Spencer’s lips. “I hate to admit it but I do find you overly attractive.” 

Spencer’s eyes widened before she smiled once more. “Oh, so, you find me attractive, huh?”

“Yeah, you’re hot. Annoying as hell, but…” Callie stepped in just a little closer, her voice low, teasing. “So unless you plan on being helpful, you might wanna back up… or do something about it.” She let her eyes drift, slowly from Spencer’s eyes to her lips and back. 

Spencer arched a brow, that smile tugging at her lips again. “Helpful has never really been my thing.” She stepped in closer, her voice dipping, calm and cool. “But if you’re looking for a distraction…”Her eyes dropped, slow and deliberate. “I’m very good at that.” She breathed. “Just say the word.”

Both girls looked at each other’s eyes, getting lost in them. Spencer looked at her eyes then her lips, leaning in to capture them once more.

A twig snapped in the distance, both girls pulled away from each other.

“What was that?” Callie questioned fear striking her like a missile. Spencer looked around with her trying to spot the source of the noise. 

“I don’t know.” She grabbed Callie’s hand. “Let’s get out of here.”

“I think this is totally the wrong place to do this,” Spencer smacked her lips together. “whatever you call it shrine.”

Emily got offended. “It’s not a shrine, it’s just a place to remember Alison.”  Her stomach started to flutter. “What’s wrong with that?”

Spencer crossed her arms. “Doing it way out here makes it look like we have something to hide.”

“You’re worried what other people think?”

“Well, aren’t you?” She remarked back.

“Guys.” Callie interfered making both girls shut up. Before she could get her word in, Hanna started to walk away. “Hanna?” She quickly jogged after the blonde.

Everyone else followed behind. 

“Hanna, why are you so quiet?”

She let out a frustrated smile. “I’m trying to keep the bugs in my nose and out of my mouth.”

“You’re allowed to have an opinion on this.”

She turned around. “You want my opinion?” They stared at her waiting. “I say we hold off and not remember her till we know for sure she’s not still here.”

Spencer scrunched her nose. “What?”

“What are you talking about?” Aria and Callie said in unison.

“You think she’s still alive?” Emily joined in. 

She looked down unsure.

“Hanna, they found her body.” Spencer told her believing there was no possible way that was true.

“And you all went to her funeral.” Callie added, Spencer nodding along.

Aria put her hand up. “Stop, I’m officially scared. Can we just not—”

“You know what?” Hanna rolled her eyes in annoyance. “You asked for my opinion.” She shook her head. “I don’t believe she’s really gone.” She then stormed off.

“We went to her funeral.” Spencer exclaimed, repeating Callie’s statement, walking after her. Aria, Emily, and Callie right behind her.

“Yeah, and when we left we all got a text from her, except Callie-” She immediately stopped herself mid sentence, also coming to a halt, turning to look at her. “Wait. Why weren’t you there?”

Spencer tugged on her earlobe. “Yeah, why weren’t you? I asked if you were coming and you never texted me back.”

The girl remained silent.

Aria fluttered her eyelashes, butting in. “You don’t have to tell us why.” She shook her head. “It’s okay.” Aria offered her a small smile and a hand on the shoulder.

“The hell she doesn’t!”

“Hanna—” Spencer tried to calm her down.

“No! We can all admit she’s been acting weird since Alison disappeared!” Hanna stepped closer trying to come off as intimidating. “She’s probably helping her mess with us.”

Callie looked at Hanna but didn’t say anything, standing in her place.

Spencer came to her defense like she always did. “No.” Her eyes shimmered, but she didn’t let the tears fall. “Callie wouldn’t do that.” She looked at the girl who stayed quiet. “Would you, Callie?” She said her voice cracking slightly.

Emily rocked on her heels, eyes darting. “I mean, she was the closest one, out of all of us, with Ali.”

Spencer whipped around, fury flashing across her face. “Shut up, Emily.” She turned back around slowly, eyes glossy and lips trembling. “Callie..” 

Callie opened her mouth, then closed it again, words caught somewhere in her throat.

“Oh my gosh.” Emily’s eyes flew open, mouth parting slightly. “You are.”

She swallowed hard, trying to push the words past the lump in her throat. “I don’t have to explain anything to any of you.” She held Spencer’s gaze just long enough to see the hurt, then looked away, leaving her there.

Callie left as Spencer stood there, motionless, as the words settled like ash around her. It wasn’t anger that hit first it was the silence. That horrible, sinking stillness that comes when something you trusted slips through your fingers. Her chest ached, not in a dramatic, storybook way, but in a quiet, hollow one. Her eyes stung, but she didn’t cry not yet.

While Callie was making her way out of the woods her phone rung.

𝘿𝙞𝙙 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙠 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙟𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙬𝙖𝙡𝙠 𝙖𝙬𝙖𝙮? 𝙂𝙪𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙮 𝙙𝙤𝙣’𝙩 𝙣𝙚𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙚𝙭𝙥𝙡𝙖𝙞𝙣 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙨𝙚𝙡𝙛, 𝙙𝙤 𝙮𝙤𝙪?𝘼 𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙩𝙡𝙚 𝙨𝙞𝙡𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙙𝙤𝙚𝙨𝙣’𝙩 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙥 𝙖 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙢. 𝙄𝙩’𝙨 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙦𝙪𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙮 𝙖𝙨𝙠 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙧. 𝙄𝙩’𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙤𝙣𝙚𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙮 𝙙𝙤𝙣’𝙩. 𝘿𝙤𝙣’𝙩 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙧𝙮… 𝙮𝙤𝙪’𝙡𝙡 𝙜𝙚𝙩 𝙘𝙖𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙞𝙣 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙤𝙬𝙣 𝙬𝙚𝙗.

– 𝘼

She blinked slowly, like each blink was a way to hold herself together. She felt a hot feeling in her throat that burned so much she winced, wiping away her tears, she continued to walk back to town.

________

Callie’s POV:

It was now later in the afternoon when the sun started to set. I was on my bed sketching in my notebook.

“Callie!” I heard my father’s voice call for me downstairs. “Callie!” He called once more before I heard heavy footsteps on the stairs. I looked up at him as he appeared by my door. “You didn’t hear me calling for you?”

I look back down at my drawing. “I did but I knew you were going to come up here regardless.” I shrugged.

He hummed. “I’m headed off to work so I’ll see you tomorrow morning.”

“You’re working tonight?” I asked him.

“Yep. New boss wants me in to teach the newbie.” 

I grimaced. “Dad, really?” I set my pencil aside meeting his gaze. “Newbie?”

He chuckled. “See you later, kiddo.”

I smiled at him. “Bye, Dad. Love you!”

“Love you too.” 

I watched as his figure faded away and listened as he stepped down the stairs, closed and locked the door before pulling off.

I sighed. I was alone now. It was just me and my dad in this empty house. Mom skipped out as soon as she pushed me out, running off with whomever. Didn’t matter though my dad was all I needed and I was all he needed.

Snapping out of my thoughts I picked my pencil back up, going back to sketching a wild horse in a forest.

All of a sudden I heard a large shatter. 

My head jerks up so quickly I felt my brain smash against my skull. I lightly put down my writing utensil, standing up from my bed.

“Dad?” I asked out earning no response. I peered my head out into the hallway not seeing anything or anyone. There was no way in hell I was going downstairs to check it out. 

That was until I heard another shatter. Now I have to. Crap.

Cautiously I walked down the steps looking out for any potential danger. My foot met the bottom of the floor as I was now downstairs. Stepping into the living room I saw a beige vase broken on the ground. I bend down to inspect the mess almost cutting myself in the process. A creak sounded on the stairs which caused me to swiftly turn around. I slowly went back by the stairs seeing nothing but I heard my bedroom door creak.

With any hope left in my body I call out to my dad again but once again there was no answer. 

Mirroring the movements I did before, I walked up the stairs, down the hallway, and to my bedroom.

Weird enough my door was close, even though I left it open. 

I entered my room twisting the door handle, looking around the semi-messy space. Hanna literally forced me to clean it while she watched.

Nothing.

The room was empty, nothing had moved or changed except for my notebook that was no longer on my bed. I wandered over to my bed, searching under the covers, my pillow, trying to find it.

Click.

The bedroom door had closed by itself. I felt a shiver gradually run down my spine as I reluctantly turned around.

“Alison?” My stomach dropped when I saw a blonde girl in pink blouse holding my notebook.

She smiled at the book admiring my drawing. “Wow.” She flipped to the next page. “Your drawings have gotten better.”

My eyes glistened with tears. “Alice?” She finally tore her eyes from the page as they met mine. “Is that really you?”

Alison blinked, the notebook still open in her hands. Her smile faltered, just a little. Something passed through her expression. “You still call me that.” She said softly, almost stunned.

I looked at her, aching to speak, but silence was all I had.

She looked at the drawing again, tracing a line on the page with her finger. Then she closed the book gently, holding it to her chest as if it were fragile.

“I wasn’t sure you’d remember me… not like this.” Alison spoke quiet, but sincere.

I smiled, sadly. “Of course, I’d remember you.”

Her eyes met mines again, and this time, they were glassy full of unsaid things, full of time lost and emotions buried too long. “I didn’t know if I’d ever see you again.” Those words came out almost breathless.

All I could do was stare at her, there was so much I wanted to ask but the time never felt right. 

She took a step forward. “And now that I’m standing here, I don’t even know what I’m supposed to say. Except… I missed you. More than I’ll ever admit out loud again.” Her voice breaking slightly.

“I missed you too.” I stepped closer as well. I wanted to be as close to her as possible, I don’t know why but I felt like she was going to disappear again.

She smiled, this time smaller, more uncertain.

I hesitate before asking, “Alison, what happened that night?” I swallowed some of my fear. “What really happened the night you went missing? Everyone thinks you’re dead..” She didn’t answer me just kept that same sweet smile. “Alice—”

That name broke the silence like glass. Her smile flickered.

“You always knew how to ask the dangerous questions.” Alison replied back quietly. She walked slowly toward the window, pulling back the curtain just enough to watch the wind stir the trees outside. Her reflection in the glass looked distant, like she was seeing a version of herself that didn’t quite exist anymore. “The truth is… it’s not the kind of story you tell. It’s the kind you survive.” She let the curtain fall back into place.

I opened my mouth to press again, but she turned before I could, her voice calm, too calm. 

“Some things, when you say them out loud, they stop being memories and start being monsters.” She walked past me slowly, brushing her fingers across my arm like an apology she couldn’t bring herself to speak. “And I have enough of those already.” She whispered. Then she smiled again, not sweet this time, not even sad just unreadable. The kind of smile that meant this conversation was over. For now.

————-

Third Person POV:

Aria had texted Callie to come to Noel Kahn’s cabin party which she obviously wanted to decline but Aria said they needed to discuss something important. So, here Callie Anderson was at a Noel Kahn party. Definitely not her scene. 

Her eyes scanned the hundred amount of people trying to find Aria, once she spotted her, she made her way over.

“Aria!” She turned at the sound of Callie’s voice. She gave her a small smile as she fully stood in front of her. “After what happened yesterday I thought you wouldn’t want to talk to me.”

Aria looked at her, serious. “Look I’m sure what happened yesterday was just a misunderstanding.” Callie tilted her head motioning for her to go on. Aria sighed before continuing. “I know Ali going missing was really hard for you more than the rest of us. You were probably just grieving and didn’t feel like going, and I won’t hold that against you. It’s okay to be sad about her,” She grabbed her hand and rubbed it to give the girl comfort.

Callie gave her a sad smile. “Thanks, Ari.” She pulled Aria in for a hug. “Out of everyone you’re the one who always understood me.”

She nodded hugging the girl back. “We got to go meet the other girls outside, okay?” Callie nodded wiping her eyes dry. 

“Are they still mad at me?”

She pursed her lips. “I wouldn’t say mad just frustrated.”

Callie swallowed. “What about, Spencer?” She said with a shake in her voice. “How is she?”

“She’s okay. She just feels betrayed.”

“Aria, I’m not working with A. You have to believe me.” Callie pleaded with her eyes.

“I do.” Both of them started heading to the back door. “You just got to get them to.” Aria gestured to the three girls who were standing off in the distance.

Callie looked at them but mostly at Spencer. She looked so heartbroken and sad.

———–

The girls talked amongst themselves explaining everything that happened today with Emily and Toby.

“Where are you going?” Emily asked Aria, who looked like she was about to leave.

She fixed her purse on her shoulder. “The gallery. I promised my mom.” She gave the girls a tight smile before walking away just as Hanna did moments ago.

Maya walked over two blue plastic cups in her hand. “Have you checked out the photo booth they’ve got in there- Oh. Hey, Callie.” She smiled before turning back to Emily. 

“No. Show me the booth.” The two girls walked off leaving Spencer and Callie alone.

Spencer held her cup, arms crossed shifting uncomfortably.

Calle fiddled with her fingers, gaining the courage to talk to her. She swallowed a thick lump in her throat. “Spenc—”

“I can’t do this right now, Callie.” She huffed as she started to walk away but Callie was quick on her tail.

“Spencer. Wait. Let me just explain.” She reached out for Spencer’s arm.

But she snapped around to face her before she could lay her hand on her arm properly. “Explain what? The fact that you’re working with freaking A! Who’s Alison, the girl who manipulated all of us?”

“I’m not working with A!” Callie yelled back causing people to stare in their direction, the girls looked around them before walking to somewhere that was more private. “The reason I didn’t come to the funeral..” She whispered to Spencer but her words got caught in her throat. Callie was never good at expressing her feelings to someone especially her sad ones. Spencer waited for her to speak and when it seemed like she wouldn’t, Spencer rolled her eyes and walked away. “I was crying.”

She came to a halt. “What?” She said turning around.

Callie sighed. “I was crying. Everyday that summer. That’s why no one ever saw me.” She sniffled, tears starting to fall. “When I heard that she was dead… I just couldn’t-” She couldn’t finish her sentence as she choked on a sob. “I couldn’t-” She was about to fall to the floor but Spencer rushed to catch her. “I couldn’t.. I’m sorry.” Callie cried.

Spencer shushed her as she held her close, pushing her hair behind her ear, kissing her head. “It’s okay.” Callie cried her eyes out finally letting herself feel in front of someone she trusted. “It’s okay, it’s okay. I got you.” She whispered to her holding her as she cried.

———–

The next morning all of them met up in the woods.

“Alison wanted us across the street so she could have it out with Toby.” Spencer said looking over at Callie to make sure she was okay. The girl was just staring at the ground, picking at her nails, Spencer then reached out and took ahold of the girl’s hand. Callie met her eyes with a smile. “Ali had something on him.” 

Hanna said holding her bag of things for Alison’s tribute. “Besides being a total perv who peeped in our windows?”

Spencer looked back at everyone. “Yeah, something way bigger and she was threating to tell everybody. That’s why he took the fall for us.”

Aria fidgeted with her bag. “Why are you waiting until now to tell us?”

“I don’t know.” She took a deep breath. “Ali made me promise and.. I guess I was scared.” She felt a squeeze on her hand which gave her the motivation to speak more confidently. She stood up straight. “I thought if we never talked about that night again i-it would just go away.”

“Well, it’s not going away.” She let out a humorless chuckle. “Not unless we toss our phones and join the Navy.”

This caused Spencer to walk off, Callie still in hand.

“Look, there’s five of us and one freak sending messages. If we just talk to each other like this I feel like it makes it easier to deal with everything.” Emily stated walking after Spencer and the other girls.

“Can we just go the police? I’m don’t care what this A person has on me, I’ll tell my secrets for him. Save him the time and effort.”

Like always Callie was ignored. 

“I think Emily’s right.” Aria said from behind. “And there’s way too many secrets. We shouldn’t do this in the middle of nowhere. We should do it where we can see it every day.”

“Why? So, some of Alice’s haters can come trash it?”

Again. Ignored.

“You mean, like, somewhere in school?” Hanna asked swatting away bugs.

“No, in town, we should ask if we can put a bench somewhere.” They continued to walk past the trees. “Wait, and you know what? Whoever did this to her if they’re still in Rosewood..” She stopped walking making everyone else do the same. “We should make them look at it every day, too.”

Hanna held a disgusted look on her face.

“What, you hate the idea?”

“No, no, I just.. I had a rough night.” She explained.

Everyone turned their heads as they heard rustling in the trees. They looked at each other and dropped their item, running to catch whatever was causing the sound. The girls halted and looked around to find nothing but a purple bracelet with the name “Alison” engrave into it.

————