Liars Best Friend

Chapter 9

Mona's back in school and I'm so excited about it. I mean I probably should hate her, but I don't.

As I walk down the hallway towards her locker, I feel an arm around my shoulders. Kahn.

"Hey Noel," I said continuing to walk.

"Hey, Candice. You ready to see Mona back in action at school?"

"I'm heading for her locker right now," I responded.

"Have fun. But not too much fun," he said winking.

I shoved him away laughing and saw Mona at her locker. When she saw me, she smiled widely and we raced towards each other, hugging immediately.

"I'm so glad you're back," I said smiling and pulling away.

"Me too. Now, what's going between you and Noel?" She asked grabbing her books.

"Nothing's going on between me and Noel. I just really needed a friend, and he was there for me," I responded as we headed to English.

"I bet Hanna and the others were trying to be there for you to."

"Yeah, but I'm angry. I'll probably talk when I'm not," I said as we took our seats.

"We both know you're lying," she said laughing.

"True, very true."

We continued to talk until class started. Fitz. Aria's boyfriend. Ugh, I don't want to learn from him.

"Miss Smith, you need to go to the guidance counselors office," Fitz said handing me the pass.

"Right now?"

"Right now."

"I'll see you later Mona," I said picking up my things and heading over there.

What does Jason need? I don't need to talk to him. I don't want to talk to him. How has he not realized that?

When I get to the door, I debate whether or not I should knock and stay. Or just leave.

As I begin to leave, the door opens and I pretend I didn't hear it. Just my luck. Why????????

"Candice, please come in," Jason said when I turned around.

"Why did you want to talk to me?" I asked sitting on a chair.

"To see how you are doing being back and Mona being back as well."

"I didn't like coming back myself, but I love that Mona's back. Can I go now?"

"Candice, please don't be mad about being out into Radley."

"Oh, I'm not mad. I'm way passed it. I'm angry. No, I'm furious. I say one little thing and I'm crazy. How is that fair?" I asked standing.

"It's not, but please. You don't have to forgive me. Just forgive your friends. Hanging out with Mona is not a good idea."

"Well, I didn't ask for your opinion. I have a class to get too. Can I leave?"

"In a minute. Why are you trying to run from a conversation?"

"I'm not. You're trying to control who I hang out with. But guess what? You don't get too. J-"

"I'm not trying to control anything. I'm advising that you don't hang around with someone who tried to hurt and your friends."

"What gives you the right-"

"Because I care. Candice, I care about you," he said walking around his desk towards me. "I love you, let me try to help."

"There's nothing for you to help with," I said and walked to the door. "Goodbye Jason. I'll see you around."

I left after that. When I got to my locker I cried. Why? Why did he have to say those three words?

Luckily everybody was in class, so no one could hear me. Or so I thought. Someone hugged me and at the moment I didn't care who.

I hugged back and continued to cry. If none of this had happened, we wouldn't be in this situation.

When I finished, I pulled away and saw it was Hanna. I smiled and she smiled back.

"I'm sorry," I said.

"For what?"

"For ignoring you when you've been trying to help me. For hating you for helping put me into Radley," I said.

"I'm sorry, too. We all overreacted to you saying what you did. Of course you would want to go and see Mona. Try to figure out why she did what she did."

"I guess we forgive each other?"

"Yeah, now let's go get you cleaned up."

"Hanna, are you guys mad at me for being friends with Mona and Jenna?" I asked as we walked to the bathroom.

"No, just confused, but it's fine. Don't worry."

After I was cleaned up, it was time for lunch and Hanna and I went to the cafeteria.

When Mona saw me she smiled and walked towards us. She looked apologetically towards Hanna and gave her an envelope.

"Hanna I'm so sorry for everything I did. I wrote an apology note for you and the others. I hope one day, you'll forgive me," she said then left.

"Hanna, at least read it. She really is sorry for everything that has happened," I said as we got our lunches.

"I will, but I'm afraid that if I do forgive her she'll do something like it again."

We sighed and went outside and saw Aria, Emily, and Spencer at a table waiting for Hanna.

When they saw me with her, they looked surprised but smiled anyways. Maybe we can get back to the way things were.

As we sat down, I saw Caleb talking to Mona and I stood up.

"What?" Emily asked.

"Hanna come with me."

"Why?" She asked.

"Because your boyfriend is talking to my friend and I know it won't be good," I said making my way towards them.

"Stay away from them. Especially Hanna," Caleb said as we got there.

"Hey, Mona want to go get a muffin. They're selling then today," Hanna said.

"Sure," Mona said in response and left with Hanna.

"Caleb, what the hell is wrong with you?" I asked.

"I'm trying to protect you guys."

"We're big girls, and if we're with Mona, it's because we choose to be. Like I have said throughout the day a billion times. Mona and I are friends, and she apologized to everyone."

"I don't trust her," he said.

"You don't have to. But if Hanna does or if she is with Mona, trust her that she knows what she's doing, okay?"

"Yeah."

"See you later," I said and walked back towards the table.

Hanna and I were silent for the rest of lunch while the others talked about A. Can't there be another subject topic.

I mean, I of course want to figure out who A is, but I just don't want to talk about it 24/7.

After school when I got in my car, there was a note.

Hey, Candice.
Might wanna watch out on who you're telling to back off. Maybe Caleb is right about Mona. If he is, you better get him on your side, before I snatch him into mine.

~A