Constellations

| 1 | The Pilot

Valerie pulled down the sleeves of the hoodie that was much too big for her around her hands, trying to fight off the cold air and heavy rain. She walked down the path from the DiLaurentis house to the Hastings barn, she heard music blaring from the inside. Valerie pushed open the heavy doors and was met with the faces of her four best friends: Hanna, Emily, Aria and Spencer. The only person missing was Alison.

The girls gasped not expecting Valerie's appearance, "Val where were you?" Spencer asked curiously. The girls sighed in relief once they released who had arrived.

"Yeah, I tried calling you like a million times." Aria stated, waving her phone in the air.

"Sorry, mom held me up, she kept asking me if we were gonna be safe while we're out here." Valerie lied easily, not worrying about if any of the girls would be able to see through her.

"And what'd you tell her?" Hanna asked, smirking and tilting her head to the side.

"Well of course I told her yes, doesn't mean it's true." Valerie giggled, making her way to sit on the floor with her sister.

"Whose hoodie is that?" Spencer questioned her, clearly able to tell that it didn't belong to the girl.

"Mike's, he had it lying around and I was cold." Valerie answered calmly, trying to make her lies believable.

Spencer glared at Valerie, almost seeing through her, "Isn't mike a little... small?"

"Mike likes buying clothes that are ten times his size because he thinks it makes him look older." Aria defended her sister. Luckily what Aria had said was true, so nobody else chose to question it. The girls busted out into laughter and Valerie sighed as she was able to collect herself.

Valerie was one hell of a liar when she needed to be, lying was as easy as breathing to her. She could tell the most absurd lie and find a way to make you believe her. One of the only people who could see through her was Alison. Alison had a way of making you feel special, like you could tell her anything. Alison and Valerie were bonded in that way, Valerie could tell a good lie and Alison could turn it into the truth. The duo were the epitome of manipulation, they were inseparable together, where one went the other went, when one told a secret the other kept it.

The girls were telling stories and laughing right before the lights flickered off and the music died down. The only noise that could be heard was the sound of the storm booming down on the barn.

"What happened?" Emily asked nervously.

"It must be the storm." Spencer stated while remaining calm. The door to the barn creaks open, but whoever opens it stays out of sight. Spencer grabs a flashlight and the girls huddle up behind her.

"Somethings out there." Aria whispered, frightened.

"Guys." Hanna starts freaking out, hiding far back behind the group. The girls slowly made their way to the door, Valerie closed her fists, preparing to fight anyone if they were out there. The sound of glass crashing makes the girls gasp and suddenly a blonde figure jumps out from behind the door, making everyone scream and jump back.

"Gotcha!" Alison shouts, laughing at her own stunt. The girls sighed in relief when they realized it wasn't someone trying to kill them.

"That is so not funny Alison!" Spencer shouted while walking back to her previous spot.

"I thought it was hilarious girls." Alison said, making the group laugh. Valerie wrapped her arms around her cold body and sat down on a cushion next to her sister, the two leaned up against each other seeking warmth.

"Ali, did you download the new Beyonce?" Hanna asked enthusiastically.

"Not yet." The other blonde responded.