Oh, Hanna was in big trouble, she got really pissed at Sean, stole his car and crashed it. I was quite impressed and the tenacity of my best friend.

"So how bad did your Mom bust you over wrecking Sean's car?" Em asked. We were looking at a place to have a memorial for Ali.

"Okay, I did not reck it, I damaged it. And, actually everyone's being really mature about it." Han replied.

"Han, you wrecked the car, and whoever said you couldn't be a badass. I'm genuinely impressed." I plopped down on the bench. I saw my sister roll her eyes at my comment.

"We're being mature grown ups about it." Han added as I crossed my legs

"Of course you are sweetie." I smile at Hanna.

"Okay." My sister diverted the attention away "So the town is gonna put in a new bench here. We'll plant the flowerbeds and there is gonna be a pathway of art tiles." she explained what we had come up with, just so everyone was on the same page

"Art tiles?" Spence questioned sitting down next to me.

"Yeah, Messages, pictures, memories of Alison." Emily added

"Awh like little headstones." I snorted at Hanna's comment and shook my head in amusement

"Hanna" My sister scolded

"What?" she retorted

"We should each do a tile ." Emily suggested

"I've had Alison's bracelet since the day we found it in the woods and I don't want the responsibility anymore." she took it out of her bag and I was on it.

"Not it." I said

"Well I don't want it." Aria shook her head. Spencer ended up taking it.

"Look at us a bunch of babies." She then looked at the bracelet. "There is nothing that A can say or do to get us into trouble without making trouble for herself."

"Are you sure it's a her?" I wondered sliding my sunglasses down

"Him, her doesn't make any difference." Spencer pulled out her laptop and started typing.

"What are you doing?" I wondered

"I'm gonna block all messages and calls from people I don't know. IMs, texts, emails, everything." She looked at us with a smile.

"Whos next?"

"Gimme." She gave the laptop to me and I did the same before Emily sat next to me. I stood up and went to Spencer and Aria.

"I spy with my little eye something that begins with F." Spencer chimed, I laughed at my friend.

"Hey Mr Fitz." Hanna waved and I slapped Spencer's arm she grinned as we shouted over.

"Looking good Mr Fitz!" I wolf whistles as Spencer and I burst into giggles.

"There are teachers that you don't want to see on a bike..." Spencer trailed off

"And then they're are teachers that you wish you would always be on bike or other things." I knocked her shoulder "Aye, that is some fine..."

"Erica." Aria cut me off and I lowered my sunglasses and mr Fitz rode away.

"I would not want to see Mr Gilardi on a bike." Hanna commented

"Eww, Hanna." I fake vomit and shivered at the horrible thought that replaced a good one.

"I don't wanna think of Mr Gilardi in motion of any kind." Em joked

"Hey, look i'm Mr Fitz on a bike." I pretended to ride on a bike winking at all the girls.

"Hanna, your turn." Aria sort of snapped drawing away from my antics.

"Emily, have you talked to Ben?" Spencer wondered sticking her hands in her back pockets.

"Nothing to talk about?" she answered

"So your really done?" My sister questioned. What was the big deal, Ben was a jerk and he deserved what he got.

"Aria, really and I thought I was the nosey one." I commented

"Honestly, I'm fine." Emily assured

"Okay if you say so." Aria backed off and left the subject alone.

"Ah, I wish I had a drumroll for this....Alright we are officially A proofed." Hanna grins finally correcting her settings.

"Listen. All those little messages zipping through the air all around us." Spencer thought out loud and I hummed in contentment.

"Yep and none of them are from A." Aria leans back against the bench

"This feels like a good thing." Emily smiles sitting next to my sister.

"Of course it's a good thing. Outta sight, outta mind." Hanna chimed A piece of paper came floating towards us. I picked it up and it was one of Ali's old missing posters. with 'DING DON THE BITCH IS DEAD' written in red. I scrunched it up and looked around before I grabbed Spencer's hand and we all left the bench.

------

At school I was walking through the halls when someone bumped into me.

"Hey watch where...." I stopped seeing it was Toby.

"Toby. Hi." I breathed a try smile seeing him, despite everything that had happened over they years I still counted him as my best friend

"Hey. I'm sorry, there's coffee all over your shirt." he pointed down to the spillage and I shrugged it off.

"It' fine I have a spare. How are you doing? You know with the whole daemon sister from hell." I whispered the last part. I saw a little smile set on his face.

"Still as blunt as ever, Ri." he commented making me chuckle.

"You make it sound like a bad thing." I teased lightly prodding his shoulder.

"I would have been worried if you'd change." I snort and flicked my hair back

"Please, no one can stop being awesome." I sigh dramatically causing him to smile. I had missed that smile. Though it wa ruined when the she devil arrived.

"Toby, there you are...with Erica, yes?" she asked for confirmation

"Hello...Jenna." I folded my arms

"What were you two talking about." I looked at Toby who looked worried. I came up with a smirk.

"Oh nothing really, Toby was just confessing his undying love for me. So romantic." I saw her smile drop and and lips thin out.

"Well, I will talk to you later, Bye Toby.... Jenna." I smiled at Toby and left to get my spare shirt.

After I met up with the girls.

"You changed your shirt?" Spencer asks

"Coffee accident. Where's Hanna?" I asked tying my hair up

"She is talking to her father." Aria informed me and I raised my eyebrow.

"Seriously, Wow, the man has got some balls. " I scoff adjusting my bag and blowing a stay hair out of my face.

"Erica." they all chided

"I know my name you don't have to keep repeating it you know. After all this time you expect something different ." Aria went to do something but when she came back she was with Hanna who was telling us about her Dad.

"He has to be inn New England for a couple of weeks but he's making a special trip out to see me.

"That's great Hanna." Aria replied less enthusiastic than our best friend.

"What?" she sighed noticing our expressions

"It's just do you think he's out here because of the thing with Sean's car?" Emily questioned and we all stopped as Hanna turned to look at the four of us.

"No he's not. Look, I asked. Absolutely not . And besides even if he was he's still coming to see me." she insisted and I held my hands up in defence. I wasn't gonna push it.

"Spencer!" We looked over at Mr Sheldrake.

"Mr Sheldrake."

"I was going to tell you in class but here, you are. Remarkable job on the Russian History essay ."

"Oh, thanks." She said nervously

"Very lucid presentation." I think that was supposed to be a compliment from the teacher.

"It's not really a new Idea" Spencer shifted awkwardly at the attention she was getting.

"I've submitted it for the Golden Orchid." He grinned at her and she seemed shell shocked

"Wait you what?"

"There is a honorarium. The upside to winning a competition is how it looks like on your applications." She tried to speak but he cut her off "We'll discuss the details after class." He then left us.

"Okay, what's a golden orchid?" Hanna wondered

"It's a national competition for historical writing " she told us. I smiled at her

"More academic Bling for Spencer."     Em joked .The school bell rang and I headed to science class. Toby was waiting there.

"Hey, what are you doing here?" I chime happy to see him once again.

"I'm in this class now."

"Awesome, you have to sit next to me okay." He nodded and I put my stuff down.

"Shoot no chem book. Save my seat okay." He ran out and I quickly went to my locker and got my chem book. I came back in with all the other students who sat down.

"Have you seen who's here?" Emily asked me

"I know." I smiled and He started walking over to us

"Seriosuly Ri" She whispered scowling.

"Em, hey Tob." I held my hand up to her as he stopped in front of us

"Hey. Lab partners" I smiled as he sat next to me. Em turned back round and opened her book before slamming it shut and looking round nervously. I tap her shoulder and ask if she's okay. She nods and we continue on with class.

I returned home with my sister and saw Mom making chicken oh my gosh.

"Chicken oh my gosh during the week?" Ari said

"Yeah, I felt like making a little treat for your Dad, something special." Aria and I shared a look with each other

"Are you okay with Veggie burgers?"Mom asked my sister

"Actually I said I would have dinner over at Spencers." Aria told her ash she checked on the food.

"Oh, okay"

"Yeah and I'm going to be at the dance studio. I just came to get some things." I added, I was meant to tell her erlier but I forgot.

"Right, and Mike is going to be out too so I guess your Dad and I will have the place to ourselves" she thought out loud liking the idea.

"Great." We deadpanned but covered it up with niceness.

"I'm gonna change." We both left and I met up with my dance partner for the class I was taking.

We got down with the moves and were practicing for a few hours till Aria stormed in.

"Shall we take a brake." Jake nodded and I went over to my sister.

"What's wrong? I thought you were at Spencer's." I ask her taking to once side of the dance studio

"That was a lie." I bent down to get some water not phased by it.

"Okay, wanna tell me where you really were." she messed with her necklace

"You remember when you told me something along the lines of you were seeing someone older and for both of your safety you couldn't say?" She bit her lip fidgeting slightly

"Yeah."

"Ditto." I sigh

"Okay what did Ditto do." we sat down. I wasn't going to push her on who it was because I was keeping the same secret and it was for the better, at least for now.

"I told him about Dad and when we were talking he basically implied that I was a child and I should mind my own business ."

"Ah, well there is always the other option." I looked at her and she shook her head.

"No." she denied about revealing everything to Mom.

"Fine. I tell you what, why don't you stay here and watch. That way you won't look suspicious going home early." I suggest rising back to my feet

"Thank you." I smiled and heading off back to practice

"Hey." I turn back round to her.

"Can we make a deal. Not to keep secrets." she hoped and I let out a small deep breath.

"Aria."

"Except for this one. But I'll promise that once your ready to share I will to." She offered, knowing that I wasn't ready to share.

"Okay, just don't be expecting it any time soon." I went back to dancing and it wasn't until another hour that we went home.

-----

"The next day Hanna was telling us about her meal with her Dad as we waited for English to begin.

"It was great, incredible really." she boasted

"Where did your Dad take you?" Emily asked with her arms folded but a grin on her face happy that her friend was happy.

"Jolly Rogers" She answered and I snort in amusement 

"The lame amusement park?" I asked

"It's not lame. We didn't go on a tilt - a - whirl. We walked around and talked and I told him about what was going on." We looked apprehensive "Some of what was going on and he listened. And he wants to take me to a real dinner tonight. He said he has something to tell me. I don't know I think he wants to spend more time with me. Maybe summers in Maryland." I smiled at her enthusiasm.

"Seriously?" Em wondered with a grin

"Would you go?" Aria questioned curiously

"Well I wouldn't move away. Not forever." I frowned at that. the five of us had just got each other back. "I don't wanna leave my mom alone, but I would like to see my Dad more. The bell rang and we all sat in our places for English.

"I'm wondering is anyone else bothered by Atticus' hypocrisy at the end of the novel?" Mr Fitz asked as he very slowly paced the classroom "No? Well, he's Mr Due Process when it comes to Tom Robinson. And as soon as Bob Ewell get's stabbed he's willing to buy into the sheriff's cover up." Spencer put her hand up.

"He was protecting Boo Radley." She voiced and I sat forward In my chair as I scanned through the book once more.

"Protecting him? From what the Justice system? Atticus is an officer of the court and he's conspiring to cover up the crime. And he's willing to let his own son take the fall for something Boo did?" Mr Fitz debated back with my friend.

"It was a trade?" Aria called out.

"What was a trade?" Mr Fitz swung towards my sister.

"Mr Ewell would have killed those kids. Boo saved them. And Atticus was still feeling guilty over Tom Robinson so he offered Jem to take Boo's place. Almost like a sacrifice ." he started moving towards the back and I watched the two of them debate the topic

"How noble. Too bad Jem was unconscious . You think he had a different opinion." Mr Fitz retorted and my head tilted as I watched them

"Jem would have said yes." Aria fired back

"You sure about that?" Mr Fitz questioned

"Yes, he was brought up right." Ah, I get it...Ditto. someone cleared their throat.

"I'm sorry, do you have something to the discussion, aside from phlegm." mr Fitz addressed Bobby who sat at the back of the class, breaking the focus of their attention.

"Just, his dad was a lawyer. He could get the kid off. Um being brought up right has nothing to do with it." Bobby answered

"Really. The book is about what shapes us into adults. Have you being paying attention?" Mr Fitz countered to the light haired boy.

"I'm just saying." Bobby defended

"That Aria made an attempt to understand this book, and you haven't." I sat up straighter. Mr Fitz was now way out of line with what he was saying.

"No that wasn't what I was trying to say?"Bobby sank in his chair

"What were you trying to say?"

"Well, it's probably be easier for Atticus to get the kid off rather than get Boo off." Bobby summarised

"Ewww, gross dude." I commented and there was a chuckle throughout the class, it eased the tension that had been created.

"Do you have something to say? Miss Montgomery ." I glanced at my sister who shook her head. I smiled.

"I have a question in fact?" I reply tapping my pen agains the note book I had out on my desk.

"Go ahead." he nodded turning to me and giving me his attention.

"You said this book is about shaping us into adults. Did it shape you?" I wondered, priming myself up for the take down

"Yes. It did." he answered

"So it shaped you into a jerk-off teacher who has what seems to me a purpose filled heated discussion with one student then snaps at the next embarrassing him in front of the whole class. Or am I just guessing here...Mr Fitz?" I smile sweetly at him as the class began to chatter.

"It was a debate, Miss Montgomery." he countered back

"It's Erica and I thought this was English not a debate class. "I sassed back, he rubbed his chin.

"Do you cause disruption in all of your classes." Mr Fitz inquired standing in front of me

"I wasn't aware I was disrupting. I simply asked a question. Seen as were mixing classes lets do a vote, if you think I'm being disruptive put your hand up and I'll leave." I looked all around, everyone kept their head down.

"Looks like all is clear." He cleared his throat and went back to teaching. I felt my phone vibrate and I stiffened. At this point it would have been the perfect opportunity for A to make some comment. I looked down and saw it was from Aria.

-what the hell-

I relaxed and just went back to what I was doing. The bell rang, signifying the end of the lesson and I was dragged out of the class by my sister.

"What?" I whined pouting like a child at being dragged out when I was leaving anyway.

"Seriously, what was that back there." The others came out and joined us, oh this was just fan gabby dizzy

"Erica, you're scaring me." Spencer stated

"What did I do." I scowled not getting why I was getting this reaction.

"It wasn't what you did, it's how you sounded and looked. It reminded me of Ali." Spencer added and the others agreed

"Oh, you did not just go there. Spencer." I walked off to the girls bathroom. When I came out I saw Toby staring at his locker with what looked like shaving cream on everything.

"What happened?" I questioned him looking at the mess before us.

"Just some stupid prank. It's fine."

"It's not fine, who did this?" I asked looking at everything.

"Some jocks, probably friends of Ben's or something." That got to me. I was gonna rip this guys head off. I might as well continue on my roll today.

"I'm gonna" He pulled me back

"It's fine." I huff at his response

"Well, we're ditching school getting new schools books and then we're going to chill." I declared with a purpose. I wasn't taking no for an answer, this day blew anyway.

"Why are you being so nice to me. You weren't when..." he trailed off and I knew he was talking about when I was with Alison and the others, but mainly Allison.

"It was different back then, I wanted to be a normal girl who had girlfriends to gossip and have fun with. " I explained or at least tried to, but ti was a lame excuse.

"What makes it different this time?" he wondered

"I ran away from my problems, Ran away from things i shouldn't have let get to me. Tried to be a different person. I'm gonna be Erica and this Erica is best friends with you and the girls. So let's go." I grinned and pulled him away. I took him to get new books and stuff, then dropped him off back at his house.

"See you later." I beam at him, enjoying the tie we spent together. I had missed this, but tit was a lot easier with a car and money.

"Thanks for this afternoon."

"Pleasure. No matter what anyone says you're cool to me." I knocked his shoulder, he got out of the car and I made sure he got in okay before leaving

-------

I went to the grill to get something to eat when my phone rang. I looked at the caller id and I bit my lip.

"Hey." I answered lamely. I didn't know what else to say apart from that.

"Hey." he replied

"So what's with the call? I thought you were ignoring me."I questioned when my order came over. I gave a silent thank you as the waiter left.

"Rica." he sighed

"Please, don't call me that." I messed with my locket

"Erica. I...I..." I couldn't do it, I couldn't talk to him yet. So I hung up. I asked for my food to transferred to a go bag and I drove home and when I got in Aria was already back. She turned to me looking surprised .

"What did I do this time?" I sighed readying myself for some boring scolding.

"It's not you."She handed me a piece of paper and I read it. I froze, this was all about Dad's affair, what happened how long, all of it especially about me and Aria knowing. I looked up sharing the same expression as my sister. I sat down and dropped the letter.

"Why?" I asked

"Why what?"

"Why won't she leaving us alone? Why did she tell Mom and why did you talk me into keeping Dad's dirty little secret. Just why? I have enough shit to deal with Aria, just Why?"

"Erica." I shrugged her off and stormed out of the house. I was almost at Toby's house when I got a S.O.S text from Spencer. I turned back round and ran. Getting there Spence took me and my sister upstairs. I looked at the mirror and gasped

'IT WON'T BE THAT EASY BITCHES - A'

"Is that jungle red?" Hanna asks

"Alison's colour" I added