𝗚 𝑨 𝗠 𝗘 𝗢 𝗙 𝗦 𝗨 𝗥 𝗩 𝗜 𝗩 𝑨 𝗟.

━━━━ prologue.
THE DISAPPEARING ACT ,

❛ threaten me again, and i'll be the one in the cell. ❜

Rosewood, Pennsylvania
July 4th, 2009.

             An invite to the parties in Rosewood was part of the average teen ritual, especially parties held on the 4th. To be invited was to be seen, to be noticed. Especially when you were invited by someone popular or older. But it couldn't just be any party...it had to be the party. These parties were usually held by Eric Kahn, Jason DiLaurentis, Ian Thomas, Trixie Martin, and/or Luca James.

These were the parties every teen wanted to attend and once you did, you'd forever be changed. Or at least that was the bullshit everyone told you. And Stormi James was always invited due to the fact her brother held said parties and because people actually liked her. She didn't completely get why because she had no feelings whatsoever toward them, but a party was a party.

Which was why she stood in the Rosewood Mall with Malakai Walsh on her trail. Ever since she'd found him crying alone in an empty hall because he'd been outed by the girl everyone hated most, Storm had been looking out for him. He was a year younger than her which made her even more vulnerable to his eager personality.

Malakai twirled a velvet scarf around his fingers as Stormi skimmed through the blouses. "Wait, what are we even looking for? I thought you weren't going."

"Well, I've changed my mind."

He squinted his eyes at the girl, "How'd you even score me an invite?"

"Please, I'm Stormi James." Storm smirked, looking up at the boy she wouldn't even yet call a friend. "Plus, it's at my house."

Malakai chuckled at her response, knowing every answer she gave had to be five words or less. In almost a second, his eyes lit up as they stared over her shoulder. He subtly attempted to clear his throat as two older guys approached them.

"Rain?"

Storm turned on her heel at her childish nickname, letting out a sigh as she came face to face with her older brother, Luca, and his friend, Jason DiLaurentis.

Luca's eyes drifted toward the left, looking the shorter boy up and down. "Who's your friend?"

His sister stared directly at him, not moving a muscle. "His name is Malakai and he's pretty fucking cool, so don't be a dick."

Jason slightly smirked, dropping his head so it couldn't be seen as Luca threw his hands up in surrender. "I didn't do anything." He stretched his hand out toward Kai, "I'm Lu-"

"He knows." Storm rolled her eyes, pushing his hand away from the boy. "Can we help you?"

"Tonight's party location is changing," Luca informed her as he motioned over to his friend who had yet to speak up. "It's going to be at Jason's place."

"Why? I thought—"

"I know, but mom switched her flight."

Storm glanced over at Jason, quickly looking away once his eyes met hers. Ultimately, she sighed once again. "Okay, whatever."

When Luca opened his mouth to speak, he looked up, spotting someone he used to know across the room before smiling. "There's Trixie, I'll be right back."

As her brother walked away, Stormi walked over to another rack, her fingers delicately searching for the perfect top. She felt the presence of someone behind her and immediately knew who it was.

"You okay?"

"I'm great."

"Really? Because you haven't answered one of my calls."

Storm irritably continued scrolling through the hangers before her hand was stopped in place with another. She looked down to see Jason's hand on top of hers. "We can't. Not here." Storm pulled her hand away as she and Jason both quickly looked up toward Malakai who hurriedly turned his head, pretending he didn't see anything.

"Stormi, just talk to me."

"I can't talk to you, Jason."

Jason turned his head to see his friend still chatting with his ex-girlfriend before focusing his attention on said friends sister. "Because of what I said? I take it back, okay? I-I was drunk, I didn't mean it."

"But you said it." The girl told him, finally turning toward him. Stormi sighed, pushing her hair out of her face. "And now I can't get it out of my head. And if Luca finds out..."

"S, I-"

"You ready?" Luca asked, coming up behind the two. As Jason and Storm both turned toward him, he looked between them with furrowed brows. "What?"

"Nothing." Stormi stated. She looked over at Kai who stood at a distance, staring down at his shoes before decidedly changing the subject. "You and Trixie back or what?"

Luca smirked, "Not yet but we'll see."

"Cool." The brown-skinned girl nodded. "Come on, Walsh. We'll see you guys, later then."

The girl walked away, forgetting all about her blouse as Malakai hurriedly followed behind. As the two exited the mall, there was an unusual silence that lingered. One that made it clear that he'd seen the interaction between she and Jason. Once they made it to her car, Stormi looked up at him.

"Say what's on your mind."

"You and Jason Dilaurentis?" Malakai's lips curved up into a mischievous smile as he sarcastically gasped. Ignoring the girls' annoyed expression, he continued, not fully taking in the depth of his words. "Wait, hold on, you and Jason Dilaurentis! I'm gonna need a frappe to process this."

Storm grabbed her keys out of her bag, "There is no me and Jason. Nothing happened."

Malakai hesitated before answering, "I'm not going to tell anyone if that's what you think."

"Good." She glanced up at the door to see the two older boys walk out with the girl Luca stopped to talk to. "There's nothing to tell."

Storm sat outside her favorite brunch spot as she waited for her friend, Toby who should've been here half an hour ago. She took a sip of her Dr. Pepper when she heard heels clicking the ground near her. As she looked up, she noticed a certain blonde coming her way. Rolling her eyes, she set down her glass and awaited the taunting from the girl.

Alison Dilaurentis was despised in Rosewood but also loved and admired, depending on who you were. Storm, however, wasn't one of those crazed fan club members, she never hated someone more than the youngest Dilaurentis. Well, you can't really hate someone you care absolutely nothing for.

Alison gave her a fake smile before sitting in the seat across from her, "Who're you waiting on? Jason?" Stormi kept her composure calm and didn't move a muscle. "Didn't think I knew about that one, huh? You may want to check your surroundings next time before sneaking around like some skank."

"What do you want, Alison?" The James girl asked, chuckling at the girls comment.

"I want you to stay away from my brother."

Storm leaned forward, eyeing the blonde. "Or?"

"Or.." Alison leaned forward with a smirk, "I'll make sure he's gone for good, rotting in a cell."

Storm let out a snort, "Yeah, right. He's your brother." She scooted her drink closer toward her, "You wouldn't."

"Please, I've done worse for a lot less," Alison's eyes darkened, "Don't test me. Plus, what do you think Luca would say?"

"Why do you care so much?" Storms eyes lit up as she grinned. "Scared Jason slip up one of your schoolgirl secrets?"

Alison folded her arms onto the table. "No, I just wouldn't want him ruining Thanksgiving by bringing home trash.

Storm looked around, watching people walk around them, unaware to their conversation. She stood up with her drink in hand, walking pass the table with her head up. She wasn't gonna let some girl push her. Before continuing to walk, the brunette turned back, leaning down next to Alison's ear.

"Threaten me, again and I'll be the one in the cell." Storm could see the way Alison tensed up, but it was there for only a split second. She smirked before dropping her drink into Alison's lap without a care in the world. Alison jumped from her seat, dumping the ice cubes onto the ground.

There were some witnesses but Storm didn't exactly care. She walked away, hearing shouting from the  Dilaurentis but all she could do was smile.

Later that night, upon the party arrival, the girl noticed the DiLaurentis house was completely overtaken by eager and drunken teens. Some kids were already lighting fireworks and running with sparklers. Cars flooded the driveway, blocking a few nearby houses. She was just glad she and Malakai rode with Luca, because getting out of this traffic would be a bitch.

As the three exited the car, Stormi glanced around at all of the commotion. She'd been to the Dilaurentis house many times, but it was never like this. The house itself was almost unrecognizable with people racing in and out.

The girls eyes slowly but surely trailed across the yard, absentmindedly searching for the boy she swore she wouldn't talk to tonight. However, instead they found his younger sister —— the devil in sheep's clothing, Alison Dilaurentis. She stood surrounded by her posse, Aria Montgomery, Spencer Hastings, Emily Fields, and Hanna Marin.

Alison's eyes were planted back on Storm, burning holes into hers before trailing over toward Malakai. She said something that caught the girls' attention, and they all began to laugh as they walked toward a car on the curb.

Storm grabbed Malakai by the hand and dragged him with her before he could see what was happening.

"This is wild!" Malakai laughed as his best friend pushed open the front door, coming face to face with a crowd of people drinking, dancing, and laughing, as they played drinking games. Feeling eyes on her, Stormi looked up to see Jason walking downstairs behind Ian Thomas. He watched her the whole way down before turning his attention over to a blonde who wrapped her arms around him.

Malakai, after seeing the interaction, squeezed her hand with a small smile. "Let's get, like, super drunk and just dance the night away. You won't even remember who Jason is in the morning."

The girl hated others knowing her business, which was one of the reasons she hated having friends, but Malakai was innocent. It's not like he went snooping for information, he just happened to be there. Storm smiled as she rolled her eyes and let the boy whisk her away.

About four drinks in, they were doing just as he said: dancing without a care in the world.

Storm bumped into someone and turned to apologize until she saw who it was. Roman Rivera. She didn't know him, but she knew of him, and she knew that wherever Eric Kahn was, Noel and Roman were two paces behind.

The tanned-skin boy gave her a toothy smile, "Sorry, that was my fault." He held his hand out, before attempting to yell over the music. "Roman!"

The drinks must've been getting to her, because she laughed before shaking his hand. "Stormi!"

"Do y-you, maybe, want to go someplace quiet?"

"Um," She looked beside her to see the Walsh boy dancing with a group of others before looking back up, seeing Jason and the same blonde over Roman's shoulder. "Yeah, let's go."

The two walked outside of the house, walking until the music was merely background noise. With the fireworks in the sky being one of their only light sources, Roman turned toward her and motioned to the curb. "Here?"

"Here is fine." Storm nodded, taking a seat on the curb. Roman mimicked her actions, wrapping his arms loosely around his knees.

He turned to face her, letting out a small chuckle. "Okay, I have something to admit. It's kind of embarrassing."

"What's that?"

"I'd already known who you were back there..." He shyly turned his head away, playing with the grass beside him. "I've kind of always had a little crush on you but was scared to talk to you. So, Noel, kind of, pushed me into back there."

She laughed at his truth, shaking her head. "I figured when I saw Noel laughing."

"Not so subtle, huh?"

"Not at all."

Maybe it was the drinks or maybe she just enjoyed having new and complication free company but the girl burst out into laughter, Roman soon joining in. It was random but comfortable. Easy. The two sat out there talking for what seemed like hours.

Unaware to the two, Jason stood nearby, watching their interaction. They made more sense than he and her, he should have just let her be happy. But he couldn't. Not when his happiness resigned in her.

"Sometimes I-"

Before Roman could finish his sentence, the two heard a snap of grass behind them. Roman was the first to turn, causing Storm to follow. Her eyes instantly widened as she stared up at the boy hovering over them. She couldn't make out his expression, due to the darkness engulfing them, but she could tell by his posture that he wasn't leaving.

Stormi exhaled and looked over at the sweet boy beside her. "Um, Roman, can you give me a second? I'll meet you back inside."

"Yeah," Though he was replying to her, he kept his eyes on Jason, protectively. "You gonna be okay?"

The James girl nodded her head, giving Roman the okay. Roman leaned over, whispering something in her ear making her lightly smile before standing, watching as Jason rolled his emerald green eyes.

Storm watched as he sat down in the spot Roman had just left available. She waited a minute until they were completely alone before speaking. "What are you doing?"

"Honestly?" Jason asked, staring straight ahead. "I don't know. It wasn't supposed to be like this."

"What are you talking about?"

"Us.." He turned toward her, his eyes directly on hers. "We- That night shouldn't have happened. But it did and it's all I can think about."

Storms eyes rolled as she ran her hand through her straight hair. "Jason, I-I have so much on my plate right now. Between school and grieving, my mom, Luca, hell, even Kai. I can't waste time dealing with you, too."

The boy scoffed, slowly standing to his feet. "Wow, so now I'm just a waste of time? I told you how I felt, S.. I told you I loved you." She could hear the hurt in his voice as she stood up after him.

"I never asked you to do that!" The girl stopped herself from going any further. Stormi reached out to grab his arm, but he took a step back, putting a wide distance in between them. "Jace, that's not what I meant. But y-you said you didn't mean it."

"No, I know what you meant. I get it, you don't want to get close to people, so you shut everyone out. But then you wonder why everyone leaves you. Truth is, you're the reason no one ever stays. Storm, you're the problem."

His words cut deep. Extremely deep. Jason stared at her for a short second before walking off, not even bothering to look back, and Storm just stood there. Her chest rose up and down as she blinked away her tears. She wasn't gonna let him get to her. All because she didn't love him back. There were just so many factors to why she shouldn't.

But she did. And she just couldn't admit it because people always left her.

And now he'd just used her biggest fear against her.

thunder
do you have it
????

baby kahn
give me a minute
meet me in the kitchen

After minutes of mentally battling with herself about just walking home, Stormi finally returned into the DiLaurentis house and made her way to the kitchen. Her hands moved on their own accord, grabbing the nearest drink beside her, not even caring that it had previously been drunk out of.

She downed the entire bottle before searching for another. As she made her way around the kitchen to continue her search, she heard her name being called. Storm turned on her heel to see Noel Kahn standing behind her with his usual smirk.

"Stormi James.."

"Noel Kahn." She rolled her eyes, "Here to push Roman off on me again?"

"No, no." He smiled and walked around her to grab a himself a drink, "Rome went home. He figured you and Dilaurentis had some unfinished business. What's that all about?"

The girl carelessly hopped on the bar counter, before shrugging, "None of your business."

"No, I get it. Older guys spark your interest," Noel grabbed a can from the cooler, shaking the ice cold water off. When he turned around, he walked toward her, stopping directly in front of her. "But you and him? It's nothing serious, right?"

Storm remembered what had happened between the two outside and reluctantly shook her head. Noel smiled, once again, placing his can down as he placed his hands around each side of her. "Good because we used to have so much fun together."

Noel leaned in, his lips just inches from hers as she opened her legs, giving him room to inch closer to her. She could feel the heat and smell the cologne coming off of his body.

Before his lips could touch hers, the James pulled back, placing her hand on his chest. "Do you have it?" Keeping his eyes seductively on her, he lowered his hand into his jeans pocket, pulling out a small clear bag with two white pills.

As Storm stared down at the bag, her eyes began to water. She was done with this life. She had to be. But it hurt. Everything just hurt. All the time.

"Rain, it's dad. He didn't make it."

"I love you, Stormi."

"You think he's gonna want you when he finds out?"

"You're my only real friend."

"Your father would be disappointed in you. I know I am."

"You're the reason no one stays."

She snatched the little bag and opened it, popping the two pills in her mouth before grabbing and opening Noel's beer can, taking a sip to wash down the pills. She knew exactly what she was doing. This was her disappearing act.

"Are you sure you should be mixing that?"

"Noel, shut up.." The girl grabbed him by the shirt and pulled him toward her, crashing her lips on his. He placed his hands on her hips, scooting as close as he could given the counter was there. Storm yanked at his hair, ignoring the laughter she heard flood the kitchen.

This didn't stop the pain, but it dulled it for a moment. And a moment, that's all she needed.

The party had died down a lot from when it first started. There were only a couple people in the house, some who were helping clean, some who were passed out on the floor, and some who just didn't want to leave.

Storm was laid out on the couch, her dark hair covering her face. She'd been there for a while, not that anyone realized or even minded. Until Luca.

Luca came down the stairs with the biggest grin as he buttoned up the buttons on his shirt, followed by his ex girlfriend, Trixie, who rolled her eyes at his excitement. Once they made it to the bottom of the stairs, he leaned in but she pushed him away and made her escape from the party.

Luca let out a deep chuckle, turning to go get a water bottle. He knew tonight meant they were back together. And he knew she knew it too.

As he made his way toward the kitchen, he stopped in place, seeing his sister lying down on the couch. "S." He called out as he hopped over to where she was, doing basketball motions with his hands. "Hey, Rain. Come on, get up. We have to get home soon."

Storm didn't move.

"Rain, damn. How much have you drank?" He laughed, shaking her by her shoulder. He pushed her over, causing her body to fall limp draped over the couch as her mouth foamed. "Storm? Stormi?"

He removed her hair from her face and chest, leaning over to hear if she had a heartbeat. It was weak but it was there. "Jason! Jason, help me! Storm, wake up!"

"Stormi, get up!" The boy was freaking out and didn't know what to do. His eyes began to water. He'd already lost one family member, he couldn't handle another, especially his baby sister. This was his fault, he brought her here.

"Just leave it, I'll clean tomorrow." Jason stated as he came walking down the stairs. However, once he saw what was happening over at the couch, he sprinted the rest of the way, "Luc, call 911!"

Luca ran over to the landline, dialing the number as he kept his eyes firmly on his sister.

"I'm sorry, Storm. Okay? I take it all back." Jason didn't know what the protocol was for an overdose so he just sat with her, holding one of her hands in his while running the other over her head. "Just wake up."

𝒂𝒖𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒓𝒔 𝒏𝒐𝒕𝒆 ,,

** I changed her name smh.

   ❧ this chapter sucks so bad. I hate prologues. But here it is ig after twenty redos.

   ❧ anyway next chapter will be better 💀

ravensshome_