youth

(Chapter One)

The sun peaked out on the dreary morning as the flowers dripped the fresh dew of the morning. Miles away, sleeping was Aria Montgomery, her dark hair spread out with different hair dyes in her chopped locks. Her clock buzzed her awake, causing her to rub her eyes. Mascara from the previous day streaked her face from doing this, and she groaned and picked herself up to the bathroom. It took awhile to apply the makeup correctly, Ali would nearly have a stroke if Aria didn't follow the regulations of what Ali wanted. She brushed the mascara on her eyes and remarked on what Ali told her the other day. 

" If you want to be my friend, you better look like it honey," she sneered. It was one of those moments when Aria wanted to slap her face. Ali could be like that. Aria sighed and closed the cap, changing into a striped shirt and neon pink feather earrings, which contrasted in a way that only Aria could pull off. It had surprised Aria to see that Ali approved of her style, only to have it altered for makeup. She pulled her hair, and applied the lip-gloss Ali gave her.

" It's not Jungle Red, but maybe you could pull it off," Ali said, shrugging while giving her a light pink gloss that was called Rose Berry. She quickly applied it. The bathroom was dark, with Aria tying to become perfection for no one but Ali. A bang on the door interrupted her thoughts. 

" Aria! Hurry up already!" Mike moaned. Aria sighed and gathered the several tubes of makeup she had. It was already costing her a fortune to buy all of the brands. She stepped out to see Mike rush in. 

" Have a good game," she said ruffling his hair. He groaned like he hated it, but Aria knew he loved it.

" Thanks," he muttered, still angry at the amount of time it took Aria to get ready lately. Actually, Ali had became more annoying then usual, keeping secrets, being distant, and all together pretty much the same. Aria shook her head. Ali was like their queen, if they broke their loyalty, there would be consequences. 

Aria stepped down to her kitchen to see her mother Ella making some pancakes. It made her mouth water. Ella smiled and kissed her forehead while placing the pancakes on a white plate. Everything in her house had that warm feeling. The sun poured into the kitchen as she quietly munched on her pancakes. Ella spoke first.

" How's your friends doing? You really don't talk about about them to much,"

" Okay, I guess," Aria replied. Ella nodded and took her plate.

" Thanks mom," she said giving her a smile. Ella smiled in pleasure and waved to her as she got on the bus to RoseWood High. Ella saw her choppy hair and the mascara, she wasn't stupid. She knew it was just a phase, anyway. Ella supported her kids with all of her heart. It pained her to see them upset in anyway. She only wanted to love her children. Her husband, Brynn, came in smiling and kissing her lightly. He seemed...distant lately? He shuffled through some papers and grabbed some pancakes waiting for him. Mike jumped down the stairs and quickly scarfed down the fluffy goodness.

" Hungry boys," Ella joked. They nodded. Ella's pancakes were always the best. Ella packed a lunch for Mike today.

" Mom, why can't I just buy?" he moaned.

" It's just one day, besides, you like garlic bread.."

" No, I don't" he said. "It makes me sick,"

" Okay, fine I will give you money," Ella said sighing in defeat. She handed him a crisp five dollar bill. He hugged her in return. 

" I won't be able to make dinner so I already have it premade in the fridge when you get home," Ella said kissing his forehead.

" Meeting?" he asked, grabbing his backpack.

" Yeah," she said sighing.

" Enjoy dinner, and have a good day,"

" Bye mom," he said walking outside to bike to school. 

" Mike!" she said.

" What?"

" Eat your broccoli tonight!"

He rolled his eyes and shut the door behind him.

--

The first day of tenth grade was frightening for Aria, for it was the first year without Mike by her side, instead was Ali smelling like roses and smiling, ready to take her crown. Emily walked in with her backpack slung  on her shoulders. She simply wore a plain green shirt with ripped shorts, the color contrasted with her eyes quite nicely. The way her eyes sparkled looking at Ali, the intensity in those deep eyes concluded to Aria it wasn't just some close friendship Emily held on to. Emily hugged her tightly and spoke  to them both.

" How was your summer?" She asked.

" Basically me reading and dying my hair," she said smiling. Ali nodded in approval and rolled her eyes at Emily's reaction. They walked down the hall, taking the school by storm. Students whispered to each other. Was that really Alison, Jason's brother? She strutted down, seeing Spencer. She wore a button down shirt with plain jeans and plain flats. Plain. She wore, however, a pretty gold chain that Ali allowed her to wear.

" Dad," she said pushing up her glasses. He had given her the necklace. Aria saw Hannah approach them, her eyes bright with excitment. 

"Hey Ali! How was your summer?! Mine was good I-"

" Save it Hefty," she said while everyone else snickered. Hannah shone tears but quickly turned. Aria turned to Ali.

" Stop Ali that was mean," she said crossing her arms.

Ali lifted a perfectly trimmed eyebrow. 

" I could care less about what you think," she replied reaching the classroom. Ali saw her desk and plopped on it. Aria sat across, grimacing at Hannah. Where was Hannah? Aria stood up to see Ali on her phone, frowning. Aria walked into the bathroom to see Hannah sobbing. She touched her and she turned, wiping her eyes, mascara streaked.

" Let me help you," she offered, getting out a tub of mascara out. She sniffed and nodded. Aria applied it on while Hannah calmed down.

" She can be a real pain in the butt" Hannah muttered. Aria weakly laughed in unison. Ali walked in.

" What's wrong Hannah?" She asked mockingly. She walked up to her.

" That mascara looks good on you Han," she said. Hannah nodded and left quickly after.

" It's High School, she'll get over it," she said rolling her eyes. Aria sighed and left the bathroom to be thrown on a ground to see a boy staring at her on the floor, papers flying everywhere.

Aria quickly tried to pick the papers up and saw a name on the paper:

Holden Stauss.