Chapter 18, Right Versus Wrong

Author's Note- I'm so sorry I took so long to update!!

Alison DiLaurentis's Perspective

When I think about it, it's a pretty good idea. We'll get everything. Yes, Spencer's world will spin right off of its axis, but I feel no guilt. A proper family is what I want. My mother was supposed to pay for every mistake she'd made. Instead, she was about to have everything she could ever want. She didn't deserve to have that, but if I destroyed it, my life would be destroyed too. Courtney, I can tell, is desperate for happiness. That crazy bitch took away a year of her life. So, by doing this, she can get her happiness. So doing the wrong thing is what I have to do. All of a sudden, I hear Jason and Courtney, talking. Loudly. About what happened outside. Good thing Mom went outside. And our "father" went out drinking. I stalk into Jason's room.

"You two are lucky no one's home!" I shout. And then I see them. Jason's arms are wrapped around Courtney. She's crying hysterically. What's wrong with her? Then I knew.

"You got a guilty conscience, didn't you?" She nods. A bit of anger sparks in me. Can't she see I'm doing this for her? And okay, I'm doing it for me too, but that's what has to be done! We can get everything, and Courtney's backing away from it like a shy puppy. Where had my twin gone? 

"Damn it, Courtney, can't you see we'll get everything? We have to do this!" Jason opens his mouth but I glare at him. "C'mon, Court, it'll be us, and Spence and Mom and Dad. Everything we've always wanted." 

"I can't." Courtney insisted. "It's wrong. How can I look our sisters in the eye and take their lives away from them?" I rolled my eyes. 

"Then don't. Just keep your mouth shut. I'm fine with lying. It'll be ok." I said.

"You're going to ruin lives, Alison?" Jason snarled. I gave him a cold look.

"Please. No one will be poor, Jason. Stop overreacting." I said, irritated. Instead of making him calm down, he just got more fired up.

      "That's not what this is about!" Jason yelled, and stalked away. I scoffed. Whatever. Screw him. I was determined to get my way. Courtney went into her room.  I went into mine.  I grabbed my diary and started writing.  

When I finished writing about Courtney's guilty conscience, I called Hanna and we went shopping.  I was determined not to think of my family. We walked into Sephora when Hanna finally asked about what was happening with my family.  

      "Hey, Ali?" Hanna asked, somewhat timidly. I turned from the new eye shadow I was peering at.

      "What's up?" I asked. Hanna pursed her lips. 

"Is everything ok at your house? It's ok if you don't want to tell me." Hanna said, sounding a bit embarrassed. I straightened and fidgeted uncomfortably. Typically I don't talk about my sucky home life. Because Alison DiLaurentis only radiates perfection.  But I wasn't really feeling perfect today. 

              "I think my parents are splitting up. But you can't tell anyone, Hanna. I'm trusting you." I said. Hanna winced. Divorce was something she understood. Her own parents had gotten divorced. Her father was still in Annapolis with Isabel, the plain new wife, and Kate, the pretty stepdaughter. It was bizarre that if my mother married my father, this time, my mom would be Spencer's stepmother. She'd be my half sister, but she would be a stepdaughter too. Things would certainly be different for her. But I wasn't about to tell Hanna that. 

             "I'm really sorry, Ali. If you ever need anything, I'm always here."  Hanna said sympathetically.  

I knew. That's one of the reasons I chose her. She may have been popularity obsessed, but she was a good friend.  And she related so well with this subject.

"Thanks, Han. Now let's go look at mascara!" I tugged Hanna's arm.  We had a good time, but I was still thinking about my family, even though I promised myself I wouldn't. 

         When I got back home, Courtney helped me put my shopping bags back in my room.

"Have you changed your mind?" I blurted out, when we reached my room. Courtney pursed her lips.

"I'll do whatever you want me to, Ali. But please don't make me lie to Spencer. Everything else, I will gladly do for you, and for us." Courtney said. I smiled. Courtney wouldn't get in my way after all. Good. Just then, my mother called up the stairs.

     "Alison, Courtney, Jason, come downstairs, your father and I want to talk to you." I flashed a look at Courtney. 

"Do you think it's about-" I questioned.

"I think they're going to." Courtney whispered. We cautiously peered into Jason's room. He was on his bed, and listening to music with his headphones. I saw Sports Illustrated on Jason's dresser and threw it at him. It hit him in the face. Whoops.  His head snapped up, and he looked pissed. He took the headphones off.

"Ali-" He began.

"Mom wants us, so hurry up!" I ordered. Then I hurried out of the bedroom, with Courtney right behind me. She started laughing when we got to the top of the stairs. 

"What?" I asked.

"Jason's stash of explicit magazines had a note on them. Hide Where Mom Can't Find. You know what Mom would do if she knew he had them!" Now I was laughing. 

"Girls, what's so funny?" A voice asked. We whipped around, panicking. But it was only Mom. 

"There was a video of a fat panda being stuck in a tree." Courtney said, convincingly. I started laughing again. A fat panda?  Where did Courtney get her lying material? Mom shook her head.

"It doesn't matter. Alison, stop laughing at your sister. I just wanted to tell you two not to say anything. Don't give me that look, Courtney! Now, I know that we have a few unresolved issues, but they will stay unresolved until I finalize the divorce. Just remember. I'm doing what's best for you." Mom said.

I raised an eyebrow. Courtney made a noise at the back of her throat. But Mom just shook her head and stalked over to the stairs.

            "Jason! Get downstairs! Now!" Mom yelled. Jason slouched down the stairs.

"What?" Jason asked.  "What's so important I have to come down here?" 

"That's not the point, Jason, it's the fact that I called you downstairs, and you didn't come!" Jason rolled his eyes.

"So, then, what is the point?" Jason asks, frustrated. Mom runs her hands through her hair. The man who I had thought my father was nodded to her.

"We're getting a divorce." Mom says. Courtney and I pretend to be shocked. Two identical jaws drop. Jason glares at them, and then us.

"Finally." Jason snarls, throwing a disgusted look at me, and then storms back up to his room. Courtney and I make our exit. I let out a breath I didn't even know I was holding. Why was Jason so angry with me? I didn't even do anything wrong! 

"Why does he keep glaring at me?" I snapped. Courtney flinched. Then she shrugged. 

     "He's probably just pissed that we're going along with Mom, even though we were all planning to take her down. It's okay though, Ali. You know Jason. Always in his Elliot Smith mood." Courtney reassured me.  True enough. Why do I even care? I never cared before. I can't think about people being angry at me anymore. My head will explode. 

   "I'm going to go to bed now, Court. Good night." I said, heading to the stairs. Courtney stays put.

"Good night, Ali." Courtney answers, her gaze fixed upon Mom's nearly empty wineglass. I hope she doesn't drink tonight. Hangovers totally suck.

When I get upstairs, I pull down my covers, but before I can get in, my phone rings. It's Spencer.

"My parents are getting a divorce." Spencer says numbly. 

"What?" I ask.

"A divorce," she repeats, "Dad told Melissa and I tonight. She started screaming and crying. Then she left. I just went upstairs. Is this because of what happened when you confronted your mom?" 

  "Yes. My parents just announced their divorce as well. Spence, what would you call our lives now?" I asked.

"Sucky?" Spencer said. I laughed. 

"Damn right. We will get through this Spence. You, and me, and Court. Even Melissa. Let's meet at the mall tomorrow, for some therapy. As in manicures and pedicures."

"God, totally." Spencer agreed. "Good night, Ali."

"Good night, Spence." I said. Then I get into bed and sleep, hoping to forget, at least for a little while, about my crazy life.