CANARY CRY [pretty little liars]

00. the night it happened

Thunder and lightning crashed in unison in the small, posh town of Rosewood, Pennsylvania where nothing ever happened. To five young girls, in particular, they thought their hometown was boring, until one girl brought light into their life. Alison DiLaurentis was the unofficial leader of the group, seeing as she brought all of them together. Next in line was Adaline Argent - her and Alison had been friends since before middle school, making their bond unbreakable, and Adaline respected more than some. Following after comes Spencer Hastings, Aria Montgomery, Hanna Marin, and Emily Fields. Each of which more different from the last. Spencer, an uptight girl with a lot of money.  Aria, a child of two teachers with pink stripes in her hair. Hanna, a blonde with slick fingers that can steal anything. And Emily, a swimmer with wandering eyes.

Together, the six of them were inseparable, spending most of their time together ever since 8th grade, ruling the school behind Alison's lead. 'Ali Dee' the Queen Bee of Rosewood High School, always known for her cutthroat attitude. She would do anything for her friends, Adaline in particular. That's why she made the others wait in the barn, until the girl's arrival.

Adaline looked out the car window in despair, hating the gut feeling storms gave her. Something bad was going to happen tonight -- she could feel it.

"Scared of a little storm?" asked the man in the driver's seat.

"Scared of what happens in a storm," replied Adaline. Pulling herself out of her thoughts, Adaline reached in her bag and handed the man a wad of cash. "Is that enough?"

The man took the cash and examined it closely, nodding when he considered it was a good amount. He stuffed the money into his pocket and pulled out an orange bottle. Adaline took the bottle out of his hand and shoved it into her bag. Before any more words could be shared between the two of them, she opened the door and got out, heading towards the barn in Spencer Hastings' backyard.

The storm's wind whipped her now black with blue tips hair around. Little amounts of mud gathered on her boots, dirtying them with every step. Adaline reached the door of the barn and slid it open, seeing all of her friends already inside. Alison's face lit up at the sight of her best friend.

"Don't tell me you started the party without me?" joked Adaline, walking into the barn, closing the door behind her. She showed no indication to the illegal activity she just took part in.

"You're just in time, babes," said Alison. She took the red cup from Aria and held it out for Adaline to take.

Adaline took the cup, glancing inside at the contents. She looked at Hanna. "Is this the tequila you stole?"

Hanna nodded with a smile, and Adaline remarked on it being impressive.

Time passed and the storm died away. All around Adaline, the girls were asleep. Hanna and Emily laid on the couch, while Aria laid on the floor next to Spencer, both of their heads were resting on a pillow. Alison was not in the barn. Quickly, Adaline grabbed her bag and reached for the bottle. Opening the childproof cap, she dumped three pills onto her palm and popped them into her mouth, washing them down with whatever was left in the cup.

She quietly placed the cup back down, so she wouldn't wake the other girls, and stood up, brushing the dirt of the floor off of her clothes. She tiptoed to the door and slipped through the small opening. Though slightly confused, Adaline ignored her gut and went into Spencer's house, using the bathroom, and then heading back out, spotting Alison sneaking through the yard.

"Ali?" Adaline called out, stepping onto the porch. "Where were you?"

"Nowhere important," said Alison, crossing her arms over her chest. "Why are you awake?"

Adaline shrugged, giving Alison her answer. A cold breeze sent chills across Adaline's bare arms. At the beginning of the night, Adaline wore a leather jacket over her tank top, but now she wasn't sure where the jacket went. Though, with the loss of one jacket, Alison seemed to get on of her own.

Seeing as she wasn't cold, Alison took off the jacket she was wearing and handed it to Adaline to put on. "I talked to Toby," she admitted.

"What!" exclaimed Adaline. She felt her insides twist. How could Alison do something like that without consulting her? All other feelings were thrown out the window as anger bubbled inside her. This is what she was scared about during storms - the fear turns into anger.

[REWRITTEN 3/27/20]