"Okay. I need to ask you guys something." Hanna said, turning to us after looking in a mirror, "And I need you to be totally honest with me."
"Of course."
"Is this side of my face fatter than this side?" Hanna asked, showing us both sides of her face,
"No." We all answered at once.
"Yes."
"Is that lan?" I asked, seeing him greet another person,
"Yeah. I hear he's the new field hockey coach." Spencer answered,
"Does Melissa know he's back? Don't know why she broke up with him." Aria said,
"She didn't. He broke up with her." Spencer corrected,
We all turned our attention to Mona as she walked up to us,
"Hey. The first one's for my bestie. And one for each of you, my bestie's other friends." Mona said, handing out invitations,
"Oh, what's this?" Aria asked,
"Oh, nothing. Only an invitation to the most awesome birthday party ever, Camp Mona." Mona smiled,
"Camp Mona?" I questioned,
"Don't let the camping part scare you. It's "glamping," not camping. M is for Mona and massages, not mosquitoes." She smirked
"Why is Mona inviting us to her birthday party?" Spencer asked Hanna,
"She knows that we're friends again and she's just trying to reach out to you. She's trying to be nice." Hanna answered, "So are you gonna go?"
"I know she's your friend, but..." Spencer began,
"Yeah, but I'm gonna have to pass. I got this... A lot of stuff to do this weekend." Aria said,
"Me too." Emily replied,
"I'll go with you." I smiled, putting my arm around Hanna's shoulders,
"Thank you."
All of our phones rang and I took mine out,
"Camp Mona's a scavenger hunt and I'm the prize. Come and find me, bitches."
"A." We all finished.
...
After dealing with the FBI at lunch, I skipped the rest of school. I danced at the studio before heading to Spencer's the next morning with camping gear.
We were talking about Ian and Melissa before something popped up on the news. Or someone.
"Spence, turn the tv up." I demanded, walking into the living room,
"Authorities searched the family home earlier today... reports have confirmed that a blood stain on the sweater is a match to the victim's. If you just tuned in, police issued a warrant for the arrest of missing Rosewood teen Toby Cavanaugh. He is wanted for the murder of Alison DiLaurentis." The reporter stated,
I sat down on the couch, trying to process what was said,
"That sweater was Toby's." Hanna said,
"No, Alison was not dating Toby." I replied, "No way that's the guy she's talking to in the video."
"But you saw the news. They have proof." Aria responded,
"If it's Toby's sweater, then he has to be the boy at the kissing rock."
"Is it finally over?" Emily asked,
"No. Toby's been missing for weeks. It won't be over until he's behind bars." Spencer answered,
Toby didn't kill Alison. I know it.
"Do you?"
I looked over and glared at the smirking Alison.
...
After that I went home to pack. I put some clothes and pajamas in a small bag before taking my mom's car to the woods, where Mona was having her party. I parked the car before hearing some shuffling in the back seat. When I looked in the rear view mirror, I saw Toby.
I let out a small scream before turning around and smacking his arm,
"You scared the shit out of me, Toby!"
He let out a small laugh, "Sorry."
"I don't think it's very smart being here. They're looking for you, Toby. They said you killed Alison." I said, all humor gone from my voice.
Toby got out of the car and opened up the driver's door, his hand extended towards mine,
"Come with me?"
"Don't go, Gracie."
I smiled and nodded, grabbing his hand. He led me over to a tree and we sat down at the base of it, our backs leaning against the trunk.
"The FBI talked to the girls and I yesterday." I stated,
"What did they talk to you about?"
"They didn't really talk. They just showed us something. A video." I answered,
"A video of what?" Toby asked,
"Alison sitting on the kissing rock. Wearing your sweater. Talking to someone behind the camera."
We were silent for a moment before Toby began to speak
"I asked Alison to meet me so I could tell her that she did me a favor. She got me away from Jenna. But... we didn't go anywhere. We met right outside of Spencer's barn. I gave her my sweater because it was cold. When I left her, she was getting in the car with some guy...still wearing my sweater. She was very much alive." Toby explained,
"You have to tell the police." I said,
"You see how it looks. They've already decided I'm guilty." Toby grabbed my hand and played with my fingers, "I only came back to say goodbye."
"Back from where?" I asked,
"I spent a year in reform school. I've got friends in all the wrong places. And misery loves company." He smiled,
"You can't keep running." I said,
"I need to get as far away from here as I can now."
"But if you're innocent-"
"If? You think I'm lying? I need you to believe me, Grace. It's all that matters to me." I looked up at him and reached over to play with his longer hair,
"Of course I believe you. But I still have so many questions." I said softly,
"I left my stuff behind the church. If there's any way you can come...my ride's not picking me up until midnight. If you tell your friends, you know they'll call the cops."
"I won't tell them." I said, standing up and bringing him with me.
Toby pinned me to the tree and I gasped. He pushed a strand of hair behind my ear before leaning down and kissing me.
"Goodbye, Grace." He whispered before disappearing.
...
At midnight, I ditched the girls and made my way towards my car. As I pulled up the the church, I saw police cars and someone being handcuffed. I squint my eyes to see who it was.
"Toby." I whispered.
I didn't tell anyone. So who knew he would be here?
"A." I growled before turning my car around and going back to Camp Mona.
As I got into the parking lot, I saw Hanna get hit by a car. I gasped, covering my mouth as the car kept driving. I put my foot on the gas and followed the car.
Whoever it was, was going fast. There were so many twists and turns in the road, and it was hard to keep up. Just as I turned a corner, there was another car. It honked and I twisted the steering wheel to avoid the car, and I did, but ended up flipping off the road and going into a ditch.
The car was upside down and I couldn't undo the seatbelt. Blood from a cut on my head dripped onto the roof of the car. I felt my phone buzzing in my pocket and I grabbed it, opening the message.
Better luck next time -A
I felt the blood rushing to my head as I dialed 911. Just as the operator answered the call, I was only able to let out one word before everything went black,
"Help."
"No one can help you now, Gracie. Except me."
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