Aria… I-I really need to talk to you about something and I need you to promise me you won’t get mad at me.

Okay, you know ending a sentence with ‘I need you to promise me you won’t get mad at me,’ is never a good thing, right? It’s guaranteed the person will get mad. But…sure. What’s up?”

I know. I just don’t think I could handle if my best friend hated me but I really need to say this. Okay. I’m just going to come out and say it. 

I think Mona has been a bad influence on you. And I think you deserve someone better. 

Are you - are you actually serious right now…?

Mona is not a bad influence, Spence. She’s the only one who even understands me. Really understands me.

I’ve always understood you. At least I used to. Now I barely know who you are, Aria. This isn’t you. It’s what Mona made you into and I wouldn’t be your friend if I weren’t honest about this! 

You know I’ve been supportive and if I thought she wasn’t trouble trapped in the body of a pint sized angel, I would continue to be supportive.

Aria snorts. She tilts her head and shoots Spencer a nasty look. 

Spencer, I really don’t think you’re the one to judge other people’s relationships. Mona isn’t trouble. She certainly hasn’t made me into something. Can you just - Aria pinches the bridge of her nose and rubs the space between her eyes, much like Mona herself does, leave me alone, okay? Don’t you and the Keyboard Crusader have some injustice to fix at a Whole Foods or something?

This isn’t about me! Or Caleb for that matter. Aria, I don’t know exactly what you two are into but I got the impression from your little lovebug that it wasn’t anything good and I’m just worried about you.   Spencer sighs and looks towards the ground, before looking slowly back up at Aria, her eyes full of sadness and worry.    We’re Team Sparia… remember?

Anger shoots through Aria, washing way the tiniest silver of empathy she had for her argument with Spencer. She doesn’t know when it happened, but she just couldn’t give a damn. Maybe Mona had finally awoken that part of her; it had always been there. Mona was just the key.

Yeah, well, maybe I don’t want to be ‘Team Sparia’ anymore. I’ve moved on, Spencer. From Rosewood. From high school. From my parents and my entire life - I left everything but you guys behind in Rosewood when we moved out here. And now, you’ve opened my eyes. I’m done with you now, too. Fuck off.

A-Aria, stop, don’t do this!   A tear started rolling down Spencer’s cheek as she saw the darkest look cross over Aria’s face. The face that used to bring her so much comfort was now staring at her like she wanted to kill her, and suddenly, it wasn’t so comforting anymore. Spencer started to wonder if maybe there was a facet of Aria’s personality that she had missed, and if maybe it truly wasn’t Mona’s fault. 

I’m not going to give up on you, Spencer choked out. I don’t give up on my friends. You didn’t used to, either.   She wiped her tears away, trying to conceal  her hurt.

Clearly you don’t know me at all, Spencer. You have a lot of nerve, talking about my relationship. I’m sorry, but how many guys have you borrowed from other people? For fuck’s sake, you’re dating our best friend’s ex - what kind of friend does that? Aria glares at Spencer and turns briskly, storming away, Have fun with Steve Jobs, Hastings - don’t let him give you a virus. I’m out of here. She leaves their apartment, slamming the front door so hard a picture of the six of them at a fair falls off the wall, and breaks.

Spencer’s eyes widen at Aria’s explosion of anger and picks up a decorative pillow from the sofa. She holds it to her face and screams as loud as she can into it until she falls to the floor, her lungs starting to burn as her screams turn to heavy sobs and her tears start to stain the fabric. 

She was a broken heap on the ground when Caleb found her and asked what was wrong. He assumed it was a nightmare. They’d grown more infrequent but this was worse than any nightmare she had ever had. Spencer looked up at Caleb, her face streaked with trails of tears, her eyeliner smudged below her eyes.

I … I think I just lost Aria. 

Have you tried looking under a magnifying class? Caleb jokes

But Spencer doesn’t crack a smile. He frowns. What’s wrong? What happened?

What happened is I’m an idiot, Caleb!   Spencer flings the pillow across the room, knocking a vase down.  I told Aria I think Mona is a bad influence on her. I knew she’d be upset but... you should have seen her. She fucking yelled at me. Loudly! And she told me she was done with me. 

I don’t... god. I don’t know what to do. That’s not my Aria! 

Aria… I-I really need to talk to you about something and I need you to promise me you won’t get mad at me.

Okay, you know ending a sentence with ‘I need you to promise me you won’t get mad at me,’ is never a good thing, right? It’s guaranteed the person will get mad. But…sure. What’s up?”

I know. I just don’t think I could handle if my best friend hated me but I really need to say this. Okay. I’m just going to come out and say it. 

I think Mona has been a bad influence on you. And I think you deserve someone better. 

Are you - are you actually serious right now…?

Mona is not a bad influence, Spence. She’s the only one who even understands me. Really understands me.

I’ve always understood you. At least I used to. Now I barely know who you are, Aria. This isn’t you. It’s what Mona made you into and I wouldn’t be your friend if I weren’t honest about this! 

You know I’ve been supportive and if I thought she wasn’t trouble trapped in the body of a pint sized angel, I would continue to be supportive.

Aria snorts. She tilts her head and shoots Spencer a nasty look. 

Spencer, I really don’t think you’re the one to judge other people’s relationships. Mona isn’t trouble. She certainly hasn’t made me into something. Can you just - Aria pinches the bridge of her nose and rubs the space between her eyes, much like Mona herself does, leave me alone, okay? Don’t you and the Keyboard Crusader have some injustice to fix at a Whole Foods or something?

This isn’t about me! Or Caleb for that matter. Aria, I don’t know exactly what you two are into but I got the impression from your little lovebug that it wasn’t anything good and I’m just worried about you.   Spencer sighs and looks towards the ground, before looking slowly back up at Aria, her eyes full of sadness and worry.    We’re Team Sparia… remember?

Anger shoots through Aria, washing way the tiniest silver of empathy she had for her argument with Spencer. She doesn’t know when it happened, but she just couldn’t give a damn. Maybe Mona had finally awoken that part of her; it had always been there. Mona was just the key.

Yeah, well, maybe I don’t want to be ‘Team Sparia’ anymore. I’ve moved on, Spencer. From Rosewood. From high school. From my parents and my entire life - I left everything but you guys behind in Rosewood when we moved out here. And now, you’ve opened my eyes. I’m done with you now, too. Fuck off.

A-Aria, stop, don’t do this!   A tear started rolling down Spencer’s cheek as she saw the darkest look cross over Aria’s face. The face that used to bring her so much comfort was now staring at her like she wanted to kill her, and suddenly, it wasn’t so comforting anymore. Spencer started to wonder if maybe there was a facet of Aria’s personality that she had missed, and if maybe it truly wasn’t Mona’s fault. 

I’m not going to give up on you, Spencer choked out. I don’t give up on my friends. You didn’t used to, either.   She wiped her tears away, trying to conceal  her hurt.

Clearly you don’t know me at all, Spencer. You have a lot of nerve, talking about my relationship. I’m sorry, but how many guys have you borrowed from other people? For fuck’s sake, you’re dating our best friend’s ex - what kind of friend does that? Aria glares at Spencer and turns briskly, storming away, Have fun with Steve Jobs, Hastings - don’t let him give you a virus. I’m out of here. She leaves their apartment, slamming the front door so hard a picture of the six of them at a fair falls off the wall, and breaks.

Spencer’s eyes widen at Aria’s explosion of anger and picks up a decorative pillow from the sofa. She holds it to her face and screams as loud as she can into it until she falls to the floor, her lungs starting to burn as her screams turn to heavy sobs and her tears start to stain the fabric. 

She was a broken heap on the ground when Caleb found her and asked what was wrong. He assumed it was a nightmare. They’d grown more infrequent but this was worse than any nightmare she had ever had. Spencer looked up at Caleb, her face streaked with trails of tears, her eyeliner smudged below her eyes.

I … I think I just lost Aria. 

Have you tried looking under a magnifying class? Caleb jokes

But Spencer doesn’t crack a smile. He frowns. What’s wrong? What happened?

Aria… I-I really need to talk to you about something and I need you to promise me you won’t get mad at me.

Okay, you know ending a sentence with ‘I need you to promise me you won’t get mad at me,’ is never a good thing, right? It’s guaranteed the person will get mad. But…sure. What’s up?”

I know. I just don’t think I could handle if my best friend hated me but I really need to say this. Okay. I’m just going to come out and say it. 

I think Mona has been a bad influence on you. And I think you deserve someone better. 

Are you - are you actually serious right now…?

Mona is not a bad influence, Spence. She’s the only one who even understands me. Really understands me.

I’ve always understood you. At least I used to. Now I barely know who you are, Aria. This isn’t you. It’s what Mona made you into and I wouldn’t be your friend if I weren’t honest about this! 

You know I’ve been supportive and if I thought she wasn’t trouble trapped in the body of a pint sized angel, I would continue to be supportive.

Aria snorts. She tilts her head and shoots Spencer a nasty look. 

Spencer, I really don’t think you’re the one to judge other people’s relationships. Mona isn’t trouble. She certainly hasn’t made me into something. Can you just - Aria pinches the bridge of her nose and rubs the space between her eyes, much like Mona herself does, leave me alone, okay? Don’t you and the Keyboard Crusader have some injustice to fix at a Whole Foods or something?

This isn’t about me! Or Caleb for that matter. Aria, I don’t know exactly what you two are into but I got the impression from your little lovebug that it wasn’t anything good and I’m just worried about you.   Spencer sighs and looks towards the ground, before looking slowly back up at Aria, her eyes full of sadness and worry.    We’re Team Sparia… remember?

Anger shoots through Aria, washing way the tiniest silver of empathy she had for her argument with Spencer. She doesn’t know when it happened, but she just couldn’t give a damn. Maybe Mona had finally awoken that part of her; it had always been there. Mona was just the key.

Yeah, well, maybe I don’t want to be ‘Team Sparia’ anymore. I’ve moved on, Spencer. From Rosewood. From high school. From my parents and my entire life - I left everything but you guys behind in Rosewood when we moved out here. And now, you’ve opened my eyes. I’m done with you now, too. Fuck off.

A-Aria, stop, don’t do this!   A tear started rolling down Spencer’s cheek as she saw the darkest look cross over Aria’s face. The face that used to bring her so much comfort was now staring at her like she wanted to kill her, and suddenly, it wasn’t so comforting anymore. Spencer started to wonder if maybe there was a facet of Aria’s personality that she had missed, and if maybe it truly wasn’t Mona’s fault. 

I’m not going to give up on you, Spencer choked out. I don’t give up on my friends. You didn’t used to, either.   She wiped her tears away, trying to conceal  her hurt.

Clearly you don’t know me at all, Spencer. You have a lot of nerve, talking about my relationship. I’m sorry, but how many guys have you borrowed from other people? For fuck’s sake, you’re dating our best friend’s ex - what kind of friend does that? Aria glares at Spencer and turns briskly, storming away, Have fun with Steve Jobs, Hastings - don’t let him give you a virus. I’m out of here. She leaves their apartment, slamming the front door so hard a picture of the six of them at a fair falls off the wall, and breaks.

Spencer’s eyes widen at Aria’s explosion of anger and picks up a decorative pillow from the sofa. She holds it to her face and screams as loud as she can into it until she falls to the floor, her lungs starting to burn as her screams turn to heavy sobs and her tears start to stain the fabric. 

She was a broken heap on the ground when Caleb found her and asked what was wrong. He assumed it was a nightmare. They’d grown more infrequent but this was worse than any nightmare she had ever had. Spencer looked up at Caleb, her face streaked with trails of tears, her eyeliner smudged below her eyes.

I ... I think I just lost Aria. 

Aria… I-I really need to talk to you about something and I need you to promise me you won’t get mad at me.

Okay, you know ending a sentence with ‘I need you to promise me you won’t get mad at me,’ is never a good thing, right? It’s guaranteed the person will get mad. But…sure. What’s up?”

I know. I just don’t think I could handle if my best friend hated me but I really need to say this. Okay. I’m just going to come out and say it. 

I think Mona has been a bad influence on you. And I think you deserve someone better. 

Are you - are you actually serious right now…?

Mona is not a bad influence, Spence. She’s the only one who even understands me. Really understands me.

I’ve always understood you. At least I used to. Now I barely know who you are, Aria. This isn’t you. It’s what Mona made you into and I wouldn’t be your friend if I weren’t honest about this! 

You know I’ve been supportive and if I thought she wasn’t trouble trapped in the body of a pint sized angel, I would continue to be supportive.

Aria snorts. She tilts her head and shoots Spencer a nasty look. 

Spencer, I really don’t think you’re the one to judge other people’s relationships. Mona isn’t trouble. She certainly hasn’t made me into something. Can you just - Aria pinches the bridge of her nose and rubs the space between her eyes, much like Mona herself does, leave me alone, okay? Don’t you and the Keyboard Crusader have some injustice to fix at a Whole Foods or something?

This isn’t about me! Or Caleb for that matter. Aria, I don’t know exactly what you two are into but I got the impression from your little lovebug that it wasn’t anything good and I’m just worried about you.   Spencer sighs and looks towards the ground, before looking slowly back up at Aria, her eyes full of sadness and worry.    We’re Team Sparia… remember?

Anger shoots through Aria, washing way the tiniest silver of empathy she had for her argument with Spencer. She doesn’t know when it happened, but she just couldn’t give a damn. Maybe Mona had finally awoken that part of her; it had always been there. Mona was just the key.

Yeah, well, maybe I don’t want to be ‘Team Sparia’ anymore. I’ve moved on, Spencer. From Rosewood. From high school. From my parents and my entire life - I left everything but you guys behind in Rosewood when we moved out here. And now, you’ve opened my eyes. I’m done with you now, too. Fuck off.

A-Aria, stop, don’t do this!   A tear started rolling down Spencer’s cheek as she saw the darkest look cross over Aria’s face. The face that used to bring her so much comfort was now staring at her like she wanted to kill her, and suddenly, it wasn’t so comforting anymore. Spencer started to wonder if maybe there was a facet of Aria’s personality that she had missed, and if maybe it truly wasn’t Mona’s fault. 

I’m not going to give up on you, Spencer choked out. I don’t give up on my friends. You didn’t used to, either.   She wiped her tears away, trying to conceal  her hurt.

Clearly you don’t know me at all, Spencer. You have a lot of nerve, talking about my relationship. I’m sorry, but how many guys have you borrowed from other people? For fuck’s sake, you’re dating our best friend’s ex - what kind of friend does that? Aria glares at Spencer and turns briskly, storming away, Have fun with Steve Jobs, Hastings - don’t let him give you a virus. I’m out of here. She leaves their apartment, slamming the front door so hard a picture of the six of them at a fair falls off the wall, and breaks.

Aria… I-I really need to talk to you about something and I need you to promise me you won’t get mad at me.

Okay, you know ending a sentence with ‘I need you to promise me you won’t get mad at me,’ is never a good thing, right? It’s guaranteed the person will get mad. But…sure. What’s up?”

I know. I just don’t think I could handle if my best friend hated me but I really need to say this. Okay. I’m just going to come out and say it. 

I think Mona has been a bad influence on you. And I think you deserve someone better. 

Are you - are you actually serious right now…?

Mona is not a bad influence, Spence. She’s the only one who even understands me. Really understands me.

I’ve always understood you. At least I used to. Now I barely know who you are, Aria. This isn’t you. It’s what Mona made you into and I wouldn’t be your friend if I weren’t honest about this! 

You know I’ve been supportive and if I thought she wasn’t trouble trapped in the body of a pint sized angel, I would continue to be supportive.

Aria snorts. She tilts her head and shoots Spencer a nasty look. 

Spencer, I really don’t think you’re the one to judge other people’s relationships. Mona isn’t trouble. She certainly hasn’t made me into something. Can you just - Aria pinches the bridge of her nose and rubs the space between her eyes, much like Mona herself does, leave me alone, okay? Don’t you and the Keyboard Crusader have some injustice to fix at a Whole Foods or something?

This isn’t about me! Or Caleb for that matter. Aria, I don’t know exactly what you two are into but I got the impression from your little lovebug that it wasn’t anything good and I’m just worried about you.   Spencer sighs and looks towards the ground, before looking slowly back up at Aria, her eyes full of sadness and worry.    We’re Team Sparia… remember?

Anger shoots through Aria, washing way the tiniest silver of empathy she had for her argument with Spencer. She doesn’t know when it happened, but she just couldn’t give a damn. Maybe Mona had finally awoken that part of her; it had always been there. Mona was just the key.

Yeah, well, maybe I don’t want to be ‘Team Sparia’ anymore. I’ve moved on, Spencer. From Rosewood. From high school. From my parents and my entire life - I left everything but you guys behind in Rosewood when we moved out here. And now, you’ve opened my eyes. I’m done with you now, too. Fuck off.

A-Aria, stop, don’t do this!   A tear started rolling down Spencer’s cheek as she saw the darkest look cross over Aria’s face. The face that used to bring her so much comfort was now staring at her like she wanted to kill her, and suddenly, it wasn’t so comforting anymore. Spencer started to wonder if maybe there was a facet of Aria’s personality that she had missed, and if maybe it truly wasn’t Mona’s fault. 

I’m not going to give up on you, Spencer choked out. I don’t give up on my friends. You didn’t used to, either.   She wiped her tears away, trying to conceal  her hurt.

Aria… I-I really need to talk to you about something and I need you to promise me you won’t get mad at me.

Okay, you know ending a sentence with ‘I need you to promise me you won’t get mad at me,’ is never a good thing, right? It’s guaranteed the person will get mad. But…sure. What’s up?”

I know. I just don’t think I could handle if my best friend hated me but I really need to say this. Okay. I’m just going to come out and say it. 

I think Mona has been a bad influence on you. And I think you deserve someone better. 

Are you - are you actually serious right now…?

Mona is not a bad influence, Spence. She’s the only one who even understands me. Really understands me.

I’ve always understood you. At least I used to. Now I barely know who you are, Aria. This isn’t you. It’s what Mona made you into and I wouldn’t be your friend if I weren’t honest about this! 

You know I’ve been supportive and if I thought she wasn’t trouble trapped in the body of a pint sized angel, I would continue to be supportive.

Aria snorts. She tilts her head and shoots Spencer a nasty look. 

Spencer, I really don’t think you’re the one to judge other people’s relationships. Mona isn’t trouble. She certainly hasn’t made me into something. Can you just - Aria pinches the bridge of her nose and rubs the space between her eyes, much like Mona herself does, leave me alone, okay? Don’t you and the Keyboard Crusader have some injustice to fix at a Whole Foods or something?

This isn’t about me! Or Caleb for that matter. Aria, I don’t know exactly what you two are into but I got the impression from your little lovebug that it wasn’t anything good and I’m just worried about you.   Spencer sighs and looks towards the ground, before looking slowly back up at Aria, her eyes full of sadness and worry.    We’re Team Sparia… remember?

Anger shoots through Aria, washing way the tiniest silver of empathy she had for her argument with Spencer. She doesn’t know when it happened, but she just couldn’t give a damn. Maybe Mona had finally awoken that part of her; it had always been there. Mona was just the key.

Yeah, well, maybe I don’t want to be ‘Team Sparia’ anymore. I’ve moved on, Spencer. From Rosewood. From high school. From my parents and my entire life - I left everything but you guys behind in Rosewood when we moved out here. And now, you’ve opened my eyes. I’m done with you now, too. Fuck off.

Aria… I-I really need to talk to you about something and I need you to promise me you won’t get mad at me.

Okay, you know ending a sentence with ‘I need you to promise me you won’t get mad at me,’ is never a good thing, right? It’s guaranteed the person will get mad. But…sure. What’s up?”

I know. I just don’t think I could handle if my best friend hated me but I really need to say this. Okay. I’m just going to come out and say it. 

I think Mona has been a bad influence on you. And I think you deserve someone better. 

Are you - are you actually serious right now…?

Mona is not a bad influence, Spence. She’s the only one who even understands me. Really understands me.

I’ve always understood you. At least I used to. Now I barely know who you are, Aria. This isn’t you. It’s what Mona made you into and I wouldn’t be your friend if I weren’t honest about this! 

You know I’ve been supportive and if I thought she wasn’t trouble trapped in the body of a pint sized angel, I would continue to be supportive.

Aria snorts. She tilts her head and shoots Spencer a nasty look. 

Spencer, I really don’t think you’re the one to judge other people’s relationships. Mona isn’t trouble. She certainly hasn’t made me into something. Can you just - Aria pinches the bridge of her nose and rubs the space between her eyes, much like Mona herself does, leave me alone, okay? Don’t you and the Keyboard Crusader have some injustice to fix at a Whole Foods or something?

This isn’t about me! Or Caleb for that matter. Aria, I don’t know exactly what you two are into but I got the impression from your little lovebug that it wasn’t anything good and I’m just worried about you.   Spencer sighs and looks towards the ground, before looking slowly back up at Aria, her eyes full of sadness and worry.    We’re Team Sparia... remember?

Aria… I-I really need to talk to you about something and I need you to promise me you won’t get mad at me.

Okay, you know ending a sentence with ‘I need you to promise me you won’t get mad at me,’ is never a good thing, right? It’s guaranteed the person will get mad. But…sure. What’s up?”

I know. I just don’t think I could handle if my best friend hated me but I really need to say this. Okay. I’m just going to come out and say it. 

I think Mona has been a bad influence on you. And I think you deserve someone better. 

Are you - are you actually serious right now…?

Mona is not a bad influence, Spence. She’s the only one who even understands me. Really understands me.

I’ve always understood you. At least I used to. Now I barely know who you are, Aria. This isn’t you. It’s what Mona made you into and I wouldn’t be your friend if I weren’t honest about this! 

You know I’ve been supportive and if I thought she wasn’t trouble trapped in the body of a pint sized angel, I would continue to be supportive.

Aria snorts. She tilts her head and shoots Spencer a nasty look. 

Spencer, I really don’t think you’re the one to judge other people’s relationships. Mona isn’t trouble. She certainly hasn’t made me into something. Can you just - Aria pinches the bridge of her nose and rubs the space between her eyes, much like Mona herself does, leave me alone, okay? Don’t you and the Keyboard Crusader have some injustice to fix at a Whole Foods or something?

Aria… I-I really need to talk to you about something and I need you to promise me you won’t get mad at me.

Okay, you know ending a sentence with ‘I need you to promise me you won’t get mad at me,’ is never a good thing, right? It’s guaranteed the person will get mad. But…sure. What’s up?”

I know. I just don’t think I could handle if my best friend hated me but I really need to say this. Okay. I’m just going to come out and say it. 

I think Mona has been a bad influence on you. And I think you deserve someone better. 

Are you - are you actually serious right now…?

Mona is not a bad influence, Spence. She’s the only one who even understands me. Really understands me.

I’ve always understood you. At least I used to. Now I barely know who you are, Aria. This isn’t you. It’s what Mona made you into and I wouldn’t be your friend if I weren’t honest about this! 

You know I’ve been supportive and if I thought she wasn’t trouble trapped in the body of a pint sized angel, I would continue to be supportive.

Aria… I-I really need to talk to you about something and I need you to promise me you won’t get mad at me.

Okay, you know ending a sentence with ‘I need you to promise me you won’t get mad at me,’ is never a good thing, right? It’s guaranteed the person will get mad. But…sure. What’s up?”

I know. I just don’t think I could handle if my best friend hated me but I really need to say this. Okay. I’m just going to come out and say it. 

I think Mona has been a bad influence on you. And I think you deserve someone better. 

Are you - are you actually serious right now...?

Mona is not a bad influence, Spence. She’s the only one who even understands me. Really understands me.

Aria… I-I really need to talk to you about something and I need you to promise me you won’t get mad at me.

Okay, you know ending a sentence with ‘I need you to promise me you won’t get mad at me,’ is never a good thing, right? It’s guaranteed the person will get mad. But…sure. What’s up?”

I know. I just don’t think I could handle if my best friend hated me but I really need to say this. Okay. I’m just going to come out and say it. 

I think Mona has been a bad influence on you. And I think you deserve someone better. 

Aria… I-I really need to talk to you about something and I need you to promise me you won’t get mad at me.

Okay, you know ending a sentence with ‘I need you to promise me you won’t get mad at me,’ is never a good thing, right? It’s guaranteed the person will get mad. But...sure. What’s up?”

So...

Spencer, I really need your help with Aria.

I’m an expert at all things Aria! She’s my little big one. What do you need? It’s not something …gross, is it?

No, Spence. I just….well, Aria and I are into this…hobby. And we were wondering if you’d like to join us?

Come along now. This way.

Mona. What makes you think I would blindly follow you, not knowing what I was walking into? You’re smarter than that and we all know it. 

You talk too much, darling. I want to show you something. You don’t think I’m going to hurt you, do you? Spencer. please. This isn’t high school. 

Anyway, Aria and are into this really cool form of art. We’re not your Picasso’s or your Van Gogh’s, but we are pretty damn skilled. Mona leads Spencer to the woods behind their apartment building and off the trail. After a lot of walking with (way) too many twists and turns, they come to a small clearing with that holds an isolated cabin. Mona slips the key out of her pocket and shuffles inside, dragging a bewildered Spencer with her. She shuts the door and locks it.

So…wanna see?

God damnit, I hate that you know my curiosity tends to trump my cautiousness. If I’m about to see Aria, like, hogtied or something, I swear to Lucifer I will kill you. Spencer sighs, annoyed that she played into Mona’s hands so easily, annoyed that Mona had manipulated her without any difficulty whatsoever. She turned around and kicked the door in frustration.

FINE! It’s not like I have much of a choice now, Mona!

Hey! No kicking things in my house. You’re not fucking Jenna Cavanaugh, you can see where you’re going.

Mona eases Spencer into a chair and disappears to another room. She returns with an old-fashioned camera and a belt. 

Okay, so, I know you and the others think we’re just, I don’t know, crazy, or something, but we’re not. And it kind of hurts us that you guys talk about us behind our backs. Aria and I aren’t stupid; we know the things you guys have joked about at our expense.

I’m frustrated, Mona! You threatened to bloody kill Hanna if she looked at Aria the wrong way. Let’s not act like you don’t have a temper either. 

Whatever. I’m over it. Show me whatever you’re going to show me; I’m listening. And for the record, that’s mostly Hanna who talks like that. I’ve had my own bout of actual crazy so I’m not one to judge. And to be totally fair, you did hit her with a car. Spencer shrugs and motions for Mona to carry on.

Mona smirks. But did she die? No. Stop pulling that card; I still feel bad enough as it is. She drags a photo album out from under the coffee table and runs her slim fingers over its spine. The contents of the album made her head spin and her heart pumped rapidly in her chest. It was almost…orgasmic; knowing the things she and Aria had done together.

Do you know what conversion therapy is, Spencer?

Spencer glares at Mona and turns her attention to the photo album, eying it suspiciously. She wasn’t quite sure she wanted to know but she had to. 

I’m not fucking stupid, of course I know what it is. They were still doing it at Radley when we were there. Charlotte was only able to avoid it because of the fact that Mrs. D was on the board there, otherwise they would have used it on her. Not that sexuality was even what she was dealing with, but did Radley care? Nooooooo, Spencer muttered, full of bitterness. 

Get to the point before I get up and leave.

Temper, Spencer. You know you need to watch your blood pressure.

Good, good. Well, I’ve tried a different...type of conversion therapy on my Ari-bear, and it worked! I just want to show you. 

My blood pressure is perfect, thank you very much. Now, what have you done to my best friend? What have you brainwashed her into doing, Mona? The Aria I know and love is compassionate and lovely and I don’t know what you’ve convinced her to do, but I feel pretty confident in saying that it’s probably not very good!

So...

Spencer, I really need your help with Aria.

I’m an expert at all things Aria! She’s my little big one. What do you need? It’s not something …gross, is it?

No, Spence. I just….well, Aria and I are into this…hobby. And we were wondering if you’d like to join us?

Come along now. This way.

Mona. What makes you think I would blindly follow you, not knowing what I was walking into? You’re smarter than that and we all know it. 

You talk too much, darling. I want to show you something. You don’t think I’m going to hurt you, do you? Spencer. please. This isn’t high school. 

Anyway, Aria and are into this really cool form of art. We’re not your Picasso’s or your Van Gogh’s, but we are pretty damn skilled. Mona leads Spencer to the woods behind their apartment building and off the trail. After a lot of walking with (way) too many twists and turns, they come to a small clearing with that holds an isolated cabin. Mona slips the key out of her pocket and shuffles inside, dragging a bewildered Spencer with her. She shuts the door and locks it.

So…wanna see?

God damnit, I hate that you know my curiosity tends to trump my cautiousness. If I’m about to see Aria, like, hogtied or something, I swear to Lucifer I will kill you. Spencer sighs, annoyed that she played into Mona’s hands so easily, annoyed that Mona had manipulated her without any difficulty whatsoever. She turned around and kicked the door in frustration.

FINE! It’s not like I have much of a choice now, Mona!

Hey! No kicking things in my house. You’re not fucking Jenna Cavanaugh, you can see where you’re going.

Mona eases Spencer into a chair and disappears to another room. She returns with an old-fashioned camera and a belt. 

Okay, so, I know you and the others think we’re just, I don’t know, crazy, or something, but we’re not. And it kind of hurts us that you guys talk about us behind our backs. Aria and I aren’t stupid; we know the things you guys have joked about at our expense.

I’m frustrated, Mona! You threatened to bloody kill Hanna if she looked at Aria the wrong way. Let’s not act like you don’t have a temper either. 

Whatever. I’m over it. Show me whatever you’re going to show me; I’m listening. And for the record, that’s mostly Hanna who talks like that. I’ve had my own bout of actual crazy so I’m not one to judge. And to be totally fair, you did hit her with a car. Spencer shrugs and motions for Mona to carry on.

Mona smirks. But did she die? No. Stop pulling that card; I still feel bad enough as it is. She drags a photo album out from under the coffee table and runs her slim fingers over its spine. The contents of the album made her head spin and her heart pumped rapidly in her chest. It was almost…orgasmic; knowing the things she and Aria had done together.

Do you know what conversion therapy is, Spencer?

Spencer glares at Mona and turns her attention to the photo album, eying it suspiciously. She wasn’t quite sure she wanted to know but she had to. 

I’m not fucking stupid, of course I know what it is. They were still doing it at Radley when we were there. Charlotte was only able to avoid it because of the fact that Mrs. D was on the board there, otherwise they would have used it on her. Not that sexuality was even what she was dealing with, but did Radley care? Nooooooo, Spencer muttered, full of bitterness. 

Get to the point before I get up and leave.

Temper, Spencer. You know you need to watch your blood pressure.

Good, good. Well, I’ve tried a different...type of conversion therapy on my Ari-bear, and it worked! I just want to show you. 

So...

Spencer, I really need your help with Aria.

I’m an expert at all things Aria! She’s my little big one. What do you need? It’s not something …gross, is it?

No, Spence. I just….well, Aria and I are into this…hobby. And we were wondering if you’d like to join us?

Come along now. This way.

Mona. What makes you think I would blindly follow you, not knowing what I was walking into? You’re smarter than that and we all know it. 

You talk too much, darling. I want to show you something. You don’t think I’m going to hurt you, do you? Spencer. please. This isn’t high school. 

Anyway, Aria and are into this really cool form of art. We’re not your Picasso’s or your Van Gogh’s, but we are pretty damn skilled. Mona leads Spencer to the woods behind their apartment building and off the trail. After a lot of walking with (way) too many twists and turns, they come to a small clearing with that holds an isolated cabin. Mona slips the key out of her pocket and shuffles inside, dragging a bewildered Spencer with her. She shuts the door and locks it.

So…wanna see?

God damnit, I hate that you know my curiosity tends to trump my cautiousness. If I’m about to see Aria, like, hogtied or something, I swear to Lucifer I will kill you. Spencer sighs, annoyed that she played into Mona’s hands so easily, annoyed that Mona had manipulated her without any difficulty whatsoever. She turned around and kicked the door in frustration.

FINE! It’s not like I have much of a choice now, Mona!

Hey! No kicking things in my house. You’re not fucking Jenna Cavanaugh, you can see where you’re going.

Mona eases Spencer into a chair and disappears to another room. She returns with an old-fashioned camera and a belt. 

Okay, so, I know you and the others think we’re just, I don’t know, crazy, or something, but we’re not. And it kind of hurts us that you guys talk about us behind our backs. Aria and I aren’t stupid; we know the things you guys have joked about at our expense.

I’m frustrated, Mona! You threatened to bloody kill Hanna if she looked at Aria the wrong way. Let’s not act like you don’t have a temper either. 

Whatever. I’m over it. Show me whatever you’re going to show me; I’m listening. And for the record, that’s mostly Hanna who talks like that. I’ve had my own bout of actual crazy so I’m not one to judge. And to be totally fair, you did hit her with a car. Spencer shrugs and motions for Mona to carry on.

Mona smirks. But did she die? No. Stop pulling that card; I still feel bad enough as it is. She drags a photo album out from under the coffee table and runs her slim fingers over its spine. The contents of the album made her head spin and her heart pumped rapidly in her chest. It was almost…orgasmic; knowing the things she and Aria had done together.

Do you know what conversion therapy is, Spencer?

Spencer glares at Mona and turns her attention to the photo album, eying it suspiciously. She wasn’t quite sure she wanted to know but she had to. 

I’m not fucking stupid, of course I know what it is. They were still doing it at Radley when we were there. Charlotte was only able to avoid it because of the fact that Mrs. D was on the board there, otherwise they would have used it on her. Not that sexuality was even what she was dealing with, but did Radley care? Nooooooo, Spencer muttered, full of bitterness. 

Get to the point before I get up and leave.

So...

Spencer, I really need your help with Aria.

I’m an expert at all things Aria! She’s my little big one. What do you need? It’s not something …gross, is it?

No, Spence. I just….well, Aria and I are into this…hobby. And we were wondering if you’d like to join us?

Come along now. This way.

Mona. What makes you think I would blindly follow you, not knowing what I was walking into? You’re smarter than that and we all know it. 

You talk too much, darling. I want to show you something. You don’t think I’m going to hurt you, do you? Spencer. please. This isn’t high school. 

Anyway, Aria and are into this really cool form of art. We’re not your Picasso’s or your Van Gogh’s, but we are pretty damn skilled. Mona leads Spencer to the woods behind their apartment building and off the trail. After a lot of walking with (way) too many twists and turns, they come to a small clearing with that holds an isolated cabin. Mona slips the key out of her pocket and shuffles inside, dragging a bewildered Spencer with her. She shuts the door and locks it.

So…wanna see?

God damnit, I hate that you know my curiosity tends to trump my cautiousness. If I’m about to see Aria, like, hogtied or something, I swear to Lucifer I will kill you. Spencer sighs, annoyed that she played into Mona’s hands so easily, annoyed that Mona had manipulated her without any difficulty whatsoever. She turned around and kicked the door in frustration.

FINE! It’s not like I have much of a choice now, Mona!

Hey! No kicking things in my house. You’re not fucking Jenna Cavanaugh, you can see where you’re going.

Mona eases Spencer into a chair and disappears to another room. She returns with an old-fashioned camera and a belt. 

Okay, so, I know you and the others think we’re just, I don’t know, crazy, or something, but we’re not. And it kind of hurts us that you guys talk about us behind our backs. Aria and I aren’t stupid; we know the things you guys have joked about at our expense.

I’m frustrated, Mona! You threatened to bloody kill Hanna if she looked at Aria the wrong way. Let’s not act like you don’t have a temper either. 

Whatever. I’m over it. Show me whatever you’re going to show me; I’m listening. And for the record, that’s mostly Hanna who talks like that. I’ve had my own bout of actual crazy so I’m not one to judge. And to be totally fair, you did hit her with a car. Spencer shrugs and motions for Mona to carry on.

Mona smirks. But did she die? No. Stop pulling that card; I still feel bad enough as it is. She drags a photo album out from under the coffee table and runs her slim fingers over its spine. The contents of the album made her head spin and her heart pumped rapidly in her chest. It was almost...orgasmic; knowing the things she and Aria had done together.

Do you know what conversion therapy is, Spencer?