My Best Friend's Brother (PLL: A Jaria story)

Chapter 6:

Two days later:

***

It was a Tuesday morning. I was getting ready to head to school, applying a soft pink, neutral tone of lipstick in front of my mirror, when a ding ran off from my phone.

I expected it to be Ezra, and reached for the phone on the dresser to check if I was right.

Ever since the funeral, I have been avoiding Ezra. Well, not so much as avoiding. Ever since that day, he hasn't been saying much to me.

It was as if that little event, that situation we had during the funeral never happened.

He was trying to make everything seem normal, like our relationship was fine... and that what happened then didn't change anything.

As if brushing off everything I said... acting like I understood why he said what he did, when I didn't.

I get telling my parents is a huge step but... why not start to ease up to the idea... Like, say we are friends... or something, anything. Anything that shows he's making an effort.

After I ignored his texts yesterday, his texts of, 'If I was coming over,' and 'what movie we were going to watch...'

And of course after I didn't answer any of them... by the end of the day, he got the hint I was still upset and he was apologizing, saying he would make it up to me.

I didn't respond.. I couldn't. I just... I needed to think about everything.

I didn't know if his words meant anything anymore.

And the worst part?

I had no idea why.

Ever since my talk with Jason a few days ago... I just felt so...

Confused.

His words, though simple... and straightforward... were stuck in my head.

More so, the daring question that I couldn't respond to.

'What's wrong with being different...'

What is wrong with being different?

If you asked me that question two years ago, I would have said nothing, that I didn't mind being an outcast...

But now? I couldn't even answer.

I kept telling myself that I just grew up... that I couldn't be the same girl forever... but doubts plagued my mind.

Maybe I didn't miss the pink strip so much... but more so what it represented.

Freedom, a sense of individuality, a difference from everyone else... being spontaneous.

What do I have now?

I have texts... toxic texts from a bitchy A. Who isn't going away anytime soon.

Speaking of which.

I looked at the text. It was from the group chat, from the girls. Hanna texted about the lunch meeting we had with Ms. DiLaurentis yesterday. The fashion show for school was today. An annual tradition for juniors.

Ms. DiLaurentis told us would be a part where everyone takes a moment to remember Alison during the show. Guess to finally put her to rest, to gain closure knowing her killer is gone...