Pretty Little Liars, LIARS UNITED

Chapter Three: The Queen's Shadow

Hanna Marin had always known she was destined for greatness. Or at least, that's what Alison DiLaurentis used to tell her. Alison had taught her how to wear confidence like a crown, how to make every room stop when you entered, how to turn heads and make everyone want a piece of you. Now, Hanna was the girl everyone stared at. Her golden hair shimmered in the sunlight, perfectly straightened and always styled to perfection. She had become the new queen bee of Rosewood, effortlessly slipping into the role Alison had once ruled with an iron fist. The whispers in the halls were about her—how she'd grown into the most popular girl at school, how she was thin, beautiful, and confident.

The transformation had been nothing short of remarkable. A few months after Alison disappeared, Hanna had become a completely different person. No longer the girl with the extra weight, the one who hid behind baggy clothes and avoided mirrors.

But it wasn't just her looks that had changed. Hanna had found a new strength, one that had made her unstoppable. The change wasn't just physical; it was mental. Hanna was powerful, and she knew it. She was the center of attention now, and it was a power she reveled in.

Hanna walked down the halls of Rosewood High with Shawn by her side, his arm draped over her shoulder. He was tall, blonde, a true adonis—everything every girl in Rosewood would have killed for and he was all hers. They were the picture of perfection, their lives shiny and flawless on the surface. But inside, Hanna was still unsure, still wrestling with that gnawing feeling that maybe she wasn't as secure as she seemed.

"I can't believe it's been a year," Shawn said as they stopped by her locker, his voice quiet but heavy.

"Yeah," Hanna said, "Hard to forget."

"You doing okay?" he asked, his eyes full of concern.

"Of course," she said quickly, forcing a smile. "I'm fine. Just... doesn't feel like a year."

Shawn pulled her into his side, his hand sliding over her, but even as she leaned into him, the familiar weight of something heavy pressed against her chest. Her fingers traced the edge of her jacket, feeling the tightness there, an ache in her stomach as she tried to ignore the thoughts that crept in. It had been a while since she'd felt completely comfortable in her own skin.

She sighed, pushing the thought away. That was the past.

"Well, I think you're even more stunning than before, so..." Shawn leaned down, his lips brushing her ear, his voice full of charm. "That's all that matters, right?"

She laughed, the sound hollow even to her own ears. "Of course," she said, looking up at him. "I'm the same Hanna. Just better."

But deep down, she wasn't sure if she was.

Hanna's thoughts drifted, and she caught a glimpse of Mona down the hall. Mona had changed too, the shy, awkward girl who had once been Alison's target for ridicule, was now a force to be reckoned with. She had ditched the thick glasses and braces, swapped out her freakish clothes for stylish, form-fitting outfits, and suddenly, the world saw her—really saw her. She'd blossomed right alongside Hanna, the two of them rising from the shadows of Alison's reign like two stars emerging in the night sky.

"Ugh, why are we awake this early? Summer was way too short," Mona groaned as she approached, rolling her eyes dramatically.

She was a vision of confidence—her long hair, now free of the childish pigtail braids she used to wear, cascaded down her back in perfectly sculpted curls. She had worked hard for this, as had Hanna. Together, they'd spent months shedding old versions of themselves, they'd both earned the confidence they now wore like armor.

"This year better be as good as last, or I might just snap."

She looked around, like she was about to make a scene, but instead, her focus shifted to the other students passing by. A boy, clearly not paying attention, bumped into them, sending Mona's bag swinging with the impact. He muttered a half-hearted apology, but before he could walk away, Mona's sharp voice cut through the air.

"Are you serious?" she snapped, turning around to face him. "Maybe next time, keep your eyes open, genius. It's not that hard to avoid people when you're walking, you know." Her tone was venomous, but she didn't care—Mona was unapologetically herself now.

Hanna gave the kid a sympathetic look, but said nothing, just like she always had whenever Alison made someone feel small.

The two minute warning bell for the first period rang, the sharp sound echoing down the hall. Mona perked up immediately, her expression shifting from cool to bright in an instant.

"Do you have English first period?" she asked, her voice practically singing with a new excitement. "I heard the new teacher's supposed to be hot. This year might not be boring after all."

Hanna found it errie how quickly Mona's mood switched, there was something a little unsettling about how easily Mona could go from scathing to sweet in a heartbeat. It reminded Hanna a little too much of how Alison used to be.

Still, Hanna smiled and nodded, slipping her arm through Mona's. "Sure, why not."

Shawn, watching them with a knowing grin, kissed Hanna lightly on the cheek. "Catch you later," he murmured softly.

"See you in a bit," she said, offering him a bright smile before turning back to Mona, the unease from the earlier exchange still lingering in the back of her mind.

As they walked through the crowded halls, Mona continued talking, her tone light and teasing. "Noel Khan's bonfire is this Friday," she said, almost as if it was an afterthought. "You know we're going, right? First week of school—we have to make it count."

Hanna immediately thought back to last year. The memory was still fresh—how Alison had talked excitedly about Noel's bonfire. She had been so eager to mention it to the girls, her eyes practically glowing with excitement. "Can't wait for the bonfire this year. Noel invited me, of course I wish I could bring you girls, I'll ask Noel if it's okay. It's going to be amazing."

The words echoed in Hanna's mind. Alison had been so sure of herself, so in control. She was always the one who made everything seem so effortless, and the bonfire was just another thing that was hers for the taking. But of course, Alison never made it.

Yes, this year it was Hanna's turn. She wasn't Ali's shadow anymore, the one watching others live the life she wanted. No, she was in the spotlight now. She was the one invited.

Hanna stood a little taller, her posture exuding the confidence she had worked so hard for. She glanced over at Mona with a playful smirk.

"Wouldn't miss it!" her voice dripping with self-assurance.

Of course she was going—she was thin, she was flawless, and she was definitely a part of the scene now. The roles had switched, and she had no intention of stepping back.