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~0.8: homecoming dAnce~

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Alexis lets the girls into Aria's room. Aria is lying on her bed with her back facing them. She texted the girls about giving Aria a friend intervention half an hour ago.

"Hey," Alexis says, taking out Aria's headphones.

"Mm," Aria groans. Hanna sits on her bed at her feet. Emily, Spencer, and Alexis stand around Aria's bed, looking down at her. "What are you doing?"

"An intervention. And I brought backup." Alexis answers.

"We brought takeout and rag mags," Emily says, tossing the magazines onto her bed.

"But you can't have any of those until you get out of these sweats," Hanna says, her hand landing on Aria's thigh. Aria pushes herself up into a sitting position, her back against the headboard of her bed.

"Why, what's wrong with these?" Aria asks.

"Nothing except they're starting to graft to your skin," Spencer answers, putting her hands on her hips.

"Well, they're comfy."

"So, are mom jeans and platform flip-flops," Hanna says, making Aria smile.

"Plus, how are we going to help you choose a Homecoming dress if you don't try some on for us?" Emily asks as Aria pulls her knees up to her chest.

"That's easy. I'm not going."

"What do you mean you're not going?" Alexis asks, crossing her arms.

"Yeah, you can't just not go," Spencer says.

"What are you doing instead?" Emily asks.

"I don't know. I guess I'll just read these and then inhale a gallon of chunky monkey," Aria says, touching the magazine.

"Hey, look, cutting yourself off from the rest of your life is not going to help your parents," Spencer says. "And besides, they still might work it out."

At least her friends still had hope for their parent's relationship because the Montgomery twins were running out.

"They're barely speaking to each other," Alexis says.

"People get angry. They blow up. Doesn't mean it's over," Emily says.

"Emily, they didn't blow up over their dad missing their anniversary. He slept with one of his students," Hanna responds, looking over her shoulder before looking back at Aria and Alexis. "Sorry."

"I'm just saying things can look over Friday, and by Monday, all is forgiven," Emily says, crossing her arms. "Some things just take time."

"Yeah, maybe."

"Okay, so you're coming!" Spencer exclaims, pulling Aria out of bed. "Come on."

"God...I'll think about it," Aria says, sitting at the edge of her bed.

"Well, if you're not coming, can you at least cast an absentee ballot?" Hanna asks. The four girls look at her and laugh. "What? I need her vote."

"Hanna, stop already! You've got Homecoming Queen locked down," Spencer says, sitting beside Alexis on a spare chair and helping Emily unpack the Chinese takeout they got.

"Really? You can rig the election?"

"Sorry, I have enough to do already, thanks," Spencer answers, rolling up her sweater sleeves. "I'm head of the committee, half of which is out sick with the flu, so I'll be restocking the ice and refilling the hummus bowl...and trying to look cute for my first official date."

With Alex?" Alexis asks excitedly. Spencer smiles, nodding her head. Alexis almost squeals in excitement for her best friend and instead just does a little happy dance in her seat, making Spencer laugh.

"Wait, you're bringing him to Homecoming?" Aria asks, smiling. "So, this is real!"

Spencer smiles, shrugging and rolling her eyes. Her cheeks turn pink, and Alexis nuggets her shoulder, giggling.

"Look at her blush!"

"Stop!"

"Damn, now I have to come," Aria says, sitting criss-cross applesauce, and the five girls giggle.

"But, seriously, you guys, he's not going to know anybody there, so can you just do your best to make him feel included?" Spencer asks.

"No, we were planning on freezing him out," Alexis says, trying to contain her laughter.

"Alright, moving on. Lexi, who are you going to bring?"

"I'm actually hoping Josh will ask me," Alexis says sheepishly.

"When did that happen?" Aria asks as Alexis's cheeks flush pink.

"Well, we might've kissed a few times, and I made out with him at his house," she admits, taking a bite of her food.

"Oh my gosh, Lexi!" Hanna shrieks.

"Okay, okay. Em, who are you going to bring?" Alexis asks, getting the attention off of her.

"I think I'm going to go stag."

"I will, too."

"Why don't you guys come together? Oh, you'd make such a cute couple," Spencer says.

"How did I just go from wearing mom jeans to being Samantha Ronson?" Aria asks, making the girls laugh.

"Who cares who anyone goes to this thing with? It's just a dance," Hanna says. "You should bring someone who you have fun with."

"I might want to go with someone," Emily says. "I just don't want people thinking it means more than it does."

"Are you and Ben back together?" Spencer asks.

"No. No, of course not."

"So...who's the mystery dude?"

"I'm starving," Hanna says, breaking the silence. She grabs a cookie, cracks it open, and reads the fortune. Hanna's face turns pale, and Alexis looks at her concerned.

"What's wrong? Bad fortune?" Alexis asks.

"Yeah, Confucius says stop being such a drama queen," Spencer says, licking her fingers.

"Lions and tigers and bitches, oh my! There's no place like Homecoming. See you there, A," Hanna reads out. All the girls stop eating as Spencer grabs the bag of fortune cookies. She takes them all out, breaking open each one. Each cookie had the same fortune in it.

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Alexis walks over with Spencer to the table Hanna is sitting at. Spencer sits beside Hanna, scaring her.

"Way to sneak up on people," Hanna says, closing her lipgloss. Alexis sits across from Hanna, putting her purse on the table.

"Sorry. Look, can you get it today?" Spencer asks.

"Get what?"

"Jenna's file."

"No. They canceled my shift at work," Hanna says.

"Well, go in anyway," Alexis says, opening her water bottle. "It's a therapist's office. Pretend you're having a nervous breakdown."

"Well, if I lose the crown to Heather Perez, I won't have to pretend," Hanna says, motioning to a girl wearing a floral shit behind Alexis.

"Han, we're serious. That file might be our only chance to find out what Jenna knows about that night and if she and her creepy stepbrother are planning revenge."

"Spence, I'll get it. Why the panic attack?" Hanna asks. "Is it because of the fortune cookie?"

"It's because Toby Cavanaugh, who's never had a date in his life, just bought two tickets to Homecoming," Spencer answers.

"He what?" Alexis asks. "So, Jenna's coming, too."

"Well, they did promise to see us there, right?"

"Hey, Han. Spencer. Alexis," Mona says, sitting down beside Alexis. "So, is it true? You're taking the country club's towel boy to Homecoming?"

"His name is Alex, and yes, I am."

"Knock it off, Mona," Hanna says.

"What?" Mona questions. "I think it's cute she's taking her Cinderfella to the ball."

"Can you go get me a fro-yo with sprinkles?" Mona sighs before pushing herself away from the table and walking away.

"Wow, that was exactly the reaction I want to avoid."

"Don't pay any attention to her," Hanna says. "She's just insecure."

"Yeah, like a pit bull."

"Why are you friends with her?" Alexis asks, taking a sip from her water bottle.

"Once you get to know her, she's really funny, and she's always there for me, even if it's just to watch me try on shoes," Hanna explains. "Look, she's a good person. She just talks tough so people will forget what a geek she used to be."

Spencer slaps Hanna's thigh and kicks Alexis's leg from under the table.

"Ow! Okay, you need to chillax. Or I need to start carrying a tranq gun."

"Shh," Spencer says. Alexis looks over her shoulder, seeing Toby on his phone. A part of his shirt lifts up, giving them a view of his tattoo.

"What is that?" Hanna asks as Toby pulls down his shirt.

901 Free At Last

What the hell does that even mean?

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Alexis opens her locker, exchanging two books for her History textbook. She fixes her hair with the help of a little mirror she hung up in her locker. Her curtain bangs frame her face perfectly, and she smiles in the mirror.

"Hey, you," Josh whispers into her ears as he wraps his arms around her waist from behind.

"Hey," she says, turning around in his arms. She pecks his lips before he unwraps his arms, letting his hands rest on her hips.

"So, I wanted to talk to you about something?"

"Yeah, what is it? Is it Mike?"

"No. No, your little brother is fine. He kicked ass in practice yesterday. Anyways. I was wondering if you wanted to go to Homecoming with me?"

She watches Josh reach into his bag, pulling out two Homecoming tickets.

"I'd love to go to Homecoming with you," she says, smiling. Josh smiles back, putting the tickets back in his bag.

"Are we going to match colors or..."

"I actually haven't picked out my dress yet, but as soon as I do, I will make sure to text you the color so you can get a matching tie," Alexis explains, closing her locker. The smile on her face doesn't fade, her cheeks starting to hurt.

"Great." The bell rings, and the two walk to class together.

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Alexis stands in her closet, looking through her dresses, Hanna raiding her jewelry box for a pair of earrings to match her dress.

"How long did you wait?" Alexis asks, flicking through more dresses.

"I finally left when Chewy's five-o-clock shadow turned into a beard," Hanna answers.

"Did you tell Spence?"

"Relax. I rigged the door so we can get back inside later this weekend."

"Good job, Han."

"Hey, do you have anything a little less hippie and a little more bougie?"

"Whatever's in there is what I have."

"Okay, so, what do you think?" Hanna asks, and Alexis looks over her shoulder at Hanna. "It's an honor just to be nominated, or it's about time. Where's my throne?"

"Second one," Alexis says. "Now, come help me pick a dress."

Alexis pulls out a forest green dress and a navy blue one, showing them both to Hanna. "These are my best options." Hanna takes a second, looking at both dresses.

"Green one brings out your eyes. Josh's jaw will hit the floor when he sees you," Hanna says as Alexis puts the navy dress back into her closet. She pulls out her phone sending a quick text to Josh.

I'm wearing a forest green dress ;)

I will get a Forest green tie to match :)

"I even have jewelry to match. Let me find it," Alexis says, walking over to her jewelry box on her dresser. Hanna stands beside her, helping her find the emerald necklace and earring set.

"What's this? This is cute. When did you get this?" Hanna asks, pulling out the necklace Jason gave her. She quickly takes it away from Hanna, the fear of her finding out about her and Jason consuming her.

"Oh, just a gift my dad got me in Iceland. There was a shop that did special engravings into jewelry." She puts it back into the box and finds the emerald necklace and earrings. "Got them."

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Alexis and Josh walk into the school, holding hands. They can hear the music blasting from inside as they walk through the doors into the dance. They walk down the stairs, and Alexis leads him to her friends.

"Hey!" Spencer exclaims.

"Hi, guys! Josh, these are my friends. Spencer and Hanna. Emily and my sister should be here soon. Guys, this is Josh."

"Hi, Josh!" Spencer and Hanna say in unison.

"This is Alex," Spencer introduces.

"Hi, I'm Alexis, but everyone calls me Lexi. I've heard good things about you."

"Nice to meet you, Lexi," Alex says, smiling.

"Hi! There she is!" Hanna exclaims as Aria walks up and stands beside Alexis.

"I was worried you were going to bail," Spencer says.

"No! No, I'm ready to have a fantastic time tonight."

"With no date?" Mona says, standing with her date. "My, how the mighty have fallen."

Alexis rolls her eyes, and Josh squeezes her hand lightly.

"Whatever. Aria can share my date," Hanna says.

"Yeah. I have no problem with that," Sean says, an arm wrapping around Hanna's waist.

"And mine," Spencer says, her hand on Alex's arm.

"Yeah."

"Hey, I'm Aria."

"Alex. Nice to meet you."

"And mine too," Alexis says, and Aria looks at Josh. "Josh, this is my twin sister."

"Aria, it's nice to meet you. You're sister talks about you and your brother a lot."

"Unfortunately, you have to work before you can play. 'Cause you've got the first shift at the beanbag toss!" Spencer exclaims as Aria walks past her to the beanbag toss. "You're a hero!"

"Me and Josh are going to get drinks," Alexis says, leading Josh to the punch table. Josh pours punch into two cups and hands one to her.

"I don't think I told you how beautiful you look," Josh says, looking down at her.

"You look great as well." She downs her whole drink and throws the cup away. He wraps an arm around her waist, drinking his drink.

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Alexis stands beside Spencer and Hanna as Aria walks up to them.

"Hey, that was a quick shift," Spencer says. "You okay?"

"No, my claustrophobia kicked in," Aria responds. "Can you find someone to take my place?"

"Are you okay?" Alexis asks her twin, concerned.

"I'm okay."

"Yeah. Alone in a dark booth with Fitz? It's, like, every fresh-man girl's dream," Spencer says.

"Hey, Hanna," Maya says, walking up to the girls.

"Hi!" the four girls say in unison.

"Hey. Um, have you guys seen Emily around?" Maya asks.

"No, I was just about to text her," Hanna says, opening her purse. Alexis smiles at Maya, but her smile quickly fades when she sees Emily walking in with Toby.

"Don't bother," Alexis says, and Maya looks over her shoulder. Maya walks away, and Emily walks up to the girls, holding hands with Toby.

"Hey guys," Emily says. The girls don't respond, avoiding eye contact with Toby.

As if he could read their minds, Toby says: "I'll go get us some drinks."

"You're here with Toby?" Alexis whispers through gritted teeth.

"Either you've got some genius plan of sleeping with the enemy, or you've lost your mind!" Aria says.

"You don't even know him."

"What is there to know?" Spencer asks. "Who else could've helped Jenna? He has every reason to hate us."

"Well, he doesn't."

"Emily, if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it's a fricking duck!" Hanna says, and Alexis looks at her confused but shakes it off.

"Wow. I thought at least you'd understand." Emily walks past them, but Hanna stops her. Spencer, Aria, and Alexis step away, letting them talk. Alexis leaves them and goes to find Josh.

"There you are. Come on. Let's dance," Alexis says, grabbing his hand. She pulls him away from Sean, who goes to look for Hanna. She positions them in a way so she can keep an eye on Emily while they dance.

Josh's hands land on her hips as she wraps her arms around his neck—the two sway to the slow song playing.

"You okay? You seem distracted?" Josh asks, looking down at her. He is still a few inches taller than her despite her wearing 3-inch heels.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Just keeping an eye on a friend."

"Why are they okay?"

"Yeah, just came to the dance with someone—me and the girls didn't expect, that's all."

"Lexi, can you come here?" Spencer asks. "I'm sorry."

"Yeah, one second, Josh." Alexis follows Spencer to the top of the stairs with Aria and Hanna.

"I figured out what Toby's tattoo means," Spencer whispers.

"What?" Hanna asks.

"901 Free at Last. It's September 1st," Spencer answers.

It all clicks in Alexis's head. 901 Free At Last. 901. September 1st. The night Alison disappeared. The night Ali died.

"That's the day Ali disappeared," Aria says, also making the connection.

"Han, you've got to get the file," Alexis says.

"Tonight?" Hanna asks, pouting.

"Emily's not going to believe us without proof. She could be walking into a trap," Spencer says.

"Could we do it after they announce the Homecoming Queen? Please."

"Hanna!"

"Okay, fine. Fine. I'll get it," Hanna says. "Keep an eye on Emily until I get the file."

"Already way ahead of you," Alexis says, and Hanna turns to leave.

"Wait, what about me?" Aria asks, stopping Hanna from leaving.

"Keep an eye on Sean."

"What?"

"I can't exactly tell him where I'm going," Hanna says. "If I make something up, he'll want to come with me. Just keep him busy."

"How am I supposed to do that?" Aria asks.

"I don't know, just figure it out," Hanna answers, turning around and leaving.

"Come on," Alexis says, walking down the stairs.

"Hey, I was looking for you. Want to go play the bean bag toss?" Josh asks, grabbing Alexis's hand.

"Sure," she answers, smiling. Josh leads her to the bean bag toss game while she watches Emily and Toby play another carnival game.

"Oh! Hey, Mr. Fitz," Alexis says, making eye contact. He paused for a second before relaxing his shoulders.

"Hello, Alexis. And Josh," Mr. Fitz says.

"Mr. Fitz," Josh says. Josh grabs a few bean bags, and Mr. Fitz spins the wheel. He gets all the bean bags into the holes.

"Congratulations," Mr. Fitz says, monotone. He hands a teddy bear to Josh. and Josh hands it to Alexis.

"Thank you," she says, smiling. Josh grabs her hand, leading her away from the bean bag game.

"Lexi, I need you," Spencer says, grabbing her arm.

"What's wrong?" Alexis asks, letting go of Josh's hand.

"It's Emily. She needs help. In the bathroom. Come on." Spencer drags her away before she can say anything to Josh. They stand at the top of the stairs in the hallway.

"What is it?"

"Emily's in danger," Spencer answers.

"We know that already," Alexis says.

"No, no. I got a message from A. It said kiss-bye-bye to your B.F.F.," Spencer responds. "We need to find her."

"What's going on?" Aria asks, walking up to them. Hana walks up the hallway with Lucas. She hugs him and leads the girls through a door.

"Is that Jenna's file?" Spencer asks, closing the door behind them.

"No, I got Toby's. Turns out Jenna wasn't the patient," Hanna says, out of breath. "The therapist had her come in for one session to see how she felt about Toby coming back home."

"Oh my god. Well, what else does it say?" Aria asks. Hanna opens the file, going through a few pages.

"Well. The dates prove Toby wasn't away at school when Ali disappeared. He was still here in Rosewood."

"What else?" Alexis asks, taking the file.

"See for yourself."

"Session 12, August 15th," Aria reads out loud.

"Think I didn't see what was going on in there?" Alison asks.

"It's not what it looked like," Toby answers.

"Maybe not to you."

"What were you doing here, anyway?" Toby asks. "What the hell did I ever do to you?"

"You've been peeping in my window for years," Alison answers.

"Never. I never looked in your window."

"Well, I've looked in yours, and we're not taking the blame for this."

"Oh, yes, you are."

"No, not unless you want the entire world to know how close you are with your stepsister," Alison threatens. "You talk, and I'll make sure everybody knows you've been doing it with her.

"So that's what Ali had on him?" Spencer asks, looking up from the file at Hanna.

"It's enough to want her dead," Hanna answers.

"And us," Alexis says, looking at Hanna.

"Emily!" Aria says, pulling out her phone. She calls Emily, but she doesn't answer. "She's not picking up."

"Text her!" Spencer says urgently.

"We have to find her. Come on!" Alexis exclaims, opening the door and walking out. The four girls run into the cafeteria, looking for Emily. "Where is she?"

"Maybe they left," Hanna says.

"Let's hope not."

"Get away from me!" Emily yells.

"That's her," Spencer says. The four girls run in the direction of Emily's screams. Alexis hears her heart pounding in her ear, matching with the sound of her heels striking the ground as she runs.

"Emily!" Alexis yells, hoping to hear her scream back so they can find her, but nothing. She only hears the sound of her heart beating louder and louder.

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"Emily!" Alexis yells as the girls run through the hallway.

"Emily!" Hanna yells.

"Emily!" Aria yells.

"Em, are you up here?" Spencer calls out. "Emily!"

Alexis flicks the light switch on the wall—the light flickers, so she turns it back off.

"Um, why don't we split up?" Spencer suggests.

"Um, why don't we not?" Hanna says, breathing heavily.

"Spence, haven't you seen a single horror movie? Splitting up is the worst idea," Alexis says. "We stick together."

"Who are you calling?" Hanna asks Aria.

"I'm calling her until she picks up."

In the distance, the four girls hear a phone ringing. The four girls walk toward the sound, seeing a phone on the floor in front of the Biology room. Hanna picks up the phone, and Aria hangs up.

"Emily?" Spencer calls out, walking towards the cracked open door. The four girls walk into the room. The room is a mess. Stools flipped over, glass, and a spot of blood on the floor.

"Is that blood?" Alexis asks.

"Don't go there," Spencer says.

"How do I not go there? She was up here with Toby, who we think is A. And there's blood on the floor," Alexis whispers, trying hard not to freak out.

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Hi guys!!!! I hope you enjoyed this eventful chapter!!! Chapter 9 is coming out in just a few minutes!!!<3