A Pretty Little Christmas Carol

Chapter 1

Alison DiLaurentis lied on her bed, staring up at her ceiling morosely. It was almost Christmas, and about an hour after her Ice Ball. The Ice Ball should have been fun, but all she could think about was her old friends. They didn't come- not that she expected them to- and were probably at home, together, with the family they had formed while she was gone.

She should have known Spencer would turn on her eventually, and since she was the group's new leader, Hanna and Aria would follow. But Emily's betrayal was the one that hurt, because she didn't expect it. Emily was always the loyal one, the sweet one, the one Alison could depend on to be by her side, no matter how horrible she treated her. But now, Ali couldn't depend on anyone.

Distantly, Ali heard the large grandfather clock announce that it was midnight. She rolled over and turned her lamp off, and tried to get some sleep. When that failed, she tried to think of what her friends were doing without her. She guessed they were all together, since a snowstorm had blocked nearly all the roads, preventing travel. Spencer was freshly out of jail, so Ali imagined she was cautious that this might be her last Christmas, and was overcompensating because of it, making sure everyone was having a good time even with the threat of -A lurking over their heads. And as Ali had learned, wherever Spencer went, Toby followed, so she was probably spending time with him.

Aria probably brought Ezra, and they probably were feeding each other food and acting all lovey dovey. Hanna had brought Caleb, her bad boy boyfriend, and Emily might have invited Paige. They didn't miss her at all, that was clear. It made Ali shake with anger at how easily she'd been forgotten while she was gone. Spencer and Hanna had forgotten their places; Spencer having take over the group, and Hanna becoming Rosewood High's new queen. Aria had dated a man who wasn't just Ali's leftovers, but someone she really liked. And Emily had kissed her, making her believe that she could change and be forgiven, and then gotten back together with Paige. None of it was fair.

Ali rolled over again, shifting her position, and screamed. There, sitting on the chair across from her, was Mona, who had been dead for weeks now. Mona wore a gray dress, and when Ali looked closer, she saw chains strung around her. Mona's hair had turned gray too, and was messy and unkept.

Mona stared back at her, and her lips tilted up in a smirk. With what seemed like some effort, Mona picked herself up and walked towards Ali. Ali shrunk back against her bed frame. She may claim she wasn't afraid of everyone, but Mona was dead. Mona didn't count.

"What do you want?" Ali snapped.

Mona turned her mouth down in an exaggerated pout. "Someone's a grinch this Christmas." She noted.

Ali crossed her arms. "Can you blame me? All my friends abandoned me at the same time, and my family's a mess. I'm a mess."

Mona glared at her, all trace of teasing gone. "At least you're alive, sweetie. Some of us aren't that lucky."

Ali looked down awkwardly. "I didn't kill you."

"Someone did."

A heavy silence filled the air.

"Why are you here?" Ali finally asked.

Mona sighed. "You ever read A Christmas Carol?"

Ali looked confused. "Yeah. What does it matter?"

"More than you think." Mona began pacing the length of Ali's room. "You've noticed the chains I wear. Why haven't you asked about them?"

"I thought it would be rude." Ali mumbled.

Mona laughed. "Since when have you cared about rude?" She stopped pacing. "Well, I wear them for a reason. When I was alive, I wasn't exactly the nicest person. And I'm paying for it now. Helping you will help me a little bit. I'm here to warn you."

"Of what? Three ghosts?"

"Yes." Mona raised her eyebrows and grinned a Cheshire grin. "Surprise, Scrooge. You know the drill."

Ali shook her head. "You're saying I have a chain then?"

Mona threw her head back and laughed. "Oh, honey. Your chain is yards longer than mine. You don't change now... well. You'll see." She winked, and started walking towards Ali's door.

As soon as she put her hand on the doorknob, Ali called out "Wait!"

Mona slowly turned around.

"What if I don't want the ghosts?"

There was a pause.

"You'll get them anyway." Mona opened the door and stepped out.