24 - Same Ali and Same Arguments

Hanna pov

I sat across from Ali, having heard her explanation. I didn't know what to say. I was absolutely stunned. Emily had rubbed my back soothingly while Ali spoke. It helped, but honestly it made me want to kiss her.

"I'm sorry, Hanna, I really am. But it's safe now. I'm back for good. I just have to wait for the right time to announce it." She said, and then looked at Em. Em gave her a smile, and Ali blushed slightly.

"So, I have to lie to Spencer and Aria? And everybody else?" I asked, wondering if this was some kind of trick. Em shook her head, but Ali cut her off.

"Not lie. Just don't tell them." She gave me a pleading look, and I groaned. I turned to Em.

"What do you think?" She looked at me, and I was lost in her caramel eyes.

"When the time is right, Ali will tell the girls." She took my hands in hers. And then, I didn't care. I didn't care if Ali was back, or staying. Or if I would fail the history test tommorow. Or if I wanted pizza or pasta for dinner. I only cared about Em. And as long as she was going to help out Ali, then I'd be right beside her.

"Okay. I'm in." I said, much to the delight of Emily and Alison. Em kissed my cheek, but I pouted and she kissed my lips instead. I deepened the kiss, when I heard Ali clear her throat.

"Erm, sorry." I mumbled, pushing a strand of hair behind my ears. Ali smiled, and then clapped her hands.

"I'm glad you're both happy together. My work entirely, but please don't do the whole coupley thing in front of me, okay? There's only so much I can handle." She winked, and Em and I laughed. To be honest, it felt like summer again, back when we were laughing and joking together.

Except Spencer and Aria aren't here.

But I couldn't help that. I mean, Ali needed me to keep this secret. When the time was right, she would tell them. So I just laughed along and snuggled into Emily.

Maybe now everything would be different. Ali seemed nicer. She seemed to be joking with us, and the conversation flowed easily. She never made a mean comment about my weight, or hinted at Em's sexuality. She seemed more grown up, mature. The way she sat, or spoke. The way she would make direct eye contact with the person she was talking to, or listen contently. It was almost as if she had been replaced with a better Ali.

But I guess that's what happens after two years of faking your death, hiding out and escaping a dangerous stalker. And I believe Alison did that remarkably well.

But I was glad that she was back, even if she was hiding from everyone. I wouldn't give this up for anything.

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Aria pov

I woke up wrapped in Spencer's arms. I sat up, which woke her up. She looked dazed for a minute, before her sight adjusted and she figured it out. She turned to look at her alarm clock, finding it was 9:45am, Saturday. She groaned, then layed back. I layed back too, and she wrapped her arm around me.

"So, are you going to talk to your father?" She asked, making conversation but keeping it light.

"I don't know. Can't I just spend today with my girlfriend?" I turned to give her a smile, and she scrunched up her face in an adorable way. I went to her bathroom, followed by Spence, and she gave me a toothbrush. She always kept spares. I remembered that from multiple sleepovers. Spencer and I were always the closest. I brushed my teeth beside her, and caught her staring at me. I rinsed my mouth and looked at her, and she gave me a wide grin, all the toothpaste running down her chin. I laughed, wiping her chin with a towel.

"Should we watch a movie? Or we could go out? Or just sit around and cuddle?" She offered, prancing around her room. I laughed, then grabbed her arms to stop her moving. She looked down at me, and then leaned in. I pressed my lips to hers, and our mouths moved in sync.

"Spencer?! I need help!" Melissa yelled from downstairs. She sounded stressed, and I heard footsteps on the stairs. Wren showed up in the doorway, dressed casually. He shoved his hands into the pockets of his jeans, and leaned against the doorframe.

"Sorry to interupt, but Melissa needs some help, Spencer." Wren said in his accent, and Spencer sighed. Wren left, and Spencer turned to me.

"Settle down, make my side warm, and put a movie in. I'll be back in a minute." Spence said, and then pecked my lips. I smiled, and went to browse her shelf of DVD's. She dissappeared, and I heard some bangs from downstairs.

I put in a DVD, which turned out to be the Vow, one of my favourite films, and then settled down on Spencer's bed. My phone buzzed, so I checked it.

Byron: Aria, we need to talk. Please come home.

I sighed, and then Spencer came back in. She hopped on the bed, and cuddled into me. I smiled, resting my head on her chest. I could hear her steady heartbeat through the thin fabric of her shirt. I quickly typed out a reply, and then left my phone on the bedside table.

Me: I'm busy right now with someone who cares about me. I'll be home whenever.

I snuggled closer to Spence, and focused on the movie that was playing.