A Pretty Little Christmas Carol

Chapter 2

Ali's hands shook as she dialed Emily's number. It seemed to take an eternity for the phone to ring, though maybe that was more because of how nervous she was. Usually Ali wouldn't be this nervous, but after what she'd just experienced, she was more than a little shaken up. And knowing they Emily might not care- well, it scared her. And knowing that it scared her scared her too.

Finally, the ringing ended and Emily's cheerful voicemail began. "Hey, it's Emily. I probably just missed you, or else my phone's dead, or else I'm ignoring you, but probably not that last one." She laughed, which felt like a knife to the chest for Ali. And the irony of that last statement didn't escape her either.

In the background, Spencer's muffled voice could be faintly heard. Emily sighed at whatever she said. "I am getting on with it, Spencer. Sorry. Anyway, leave a message and I'll try to get back to you soon. Bye!" To Spencer, she said "Spence, say bye. They already know you're here."

Spencer sounded amused as she said "Bye..."

Ali furiously wiped a tear off the cheek as a robotic voice droned on. And then she heard the dial tone.

She sucked in a breath. "Hey... Em. It's Alison. I know you don't want to
talk to me right now, but I really need someone to talk to, and- I don't know. You were the first person I thought of.

"Something really weird just happened, and I'm worried it's -A behind it. I know you and everyone else think I'm -A, but how can I be if this crap is happening to me too?

"Just call me back, okay? I know we can't be like we were before, but." Ali took another deep breath. "I wasn't lying when I said those kisses weren't for practice. I lied about a lot of stuff, but not about that. And, yeah. Just call me back."

Ali exhales slowly, then nearly choked on her own breath as two people appeared in her bedroom. It was Aria and Hanna.

Aria wore a gorgeous soft yellow dress that seemed to shine, literally. Hanna's hair was the same way. Ali could only gape at them.

"You know," Hanna said conversationally. "If Emily doesn't take you back, it's your own fault."

Ali hesitantly nodded. "I want to make it better."

"And you will." Aria said. Ali began to smile, until she heard what Aria said next. "Assuming you survive the night, that is."

Hanna and Aria smirked at each other. Then, Hanna snapped her fingers, and they were suddenly in Ali's living room. A younger version of Ali played the piano peacefully, until she discovered two matching presents hidden the lid, preventing her from playing.

Ali didn't even need to watch the rest. She knew what happened. Her mom would find her, and convince her to lie, or her father would leave, she said.

"So, the habit started young." Aria commented.

Ali found herself nodding again. "Mom used to do that a lot. She was so convinced that Dad would leave. The worst part is, I believed her."

Hanna snapped her fingers again, and they were in Ali's kitchen. It was a couple years ago. Jessica was making cookies, and as Past Ali reached for some cookie dough, she slapped her hand away.

"Mom!" Past Ali snapped. "What gives?"

"If you keep eating whatever you want, you'll end up like your friend Hanna." Jessica lectured. Hanna crossed her arms and scowled.

Past Ali looked offended. "I won't let myself go that much. I'll be fine."

Jessica wouldn't relent. "Ali, you've gotten through in life because of your good looks. If you do let yourself go, where will you be then?"

"Hanna, snap your fingers. I don't want to see the rest of this." Ali said.

But Hanna did nothing.

Past Ali crossed her arms. "That's not true. I'd be fine without being hot."

Jessica fixed her with a death glare. "Oh really? How would you be fine? You're not a genius like Spencer, or creative like Aria. You're not as nice or compassionate as Hanna and Emily."

Past Ali abruptly stood up and ran to her room, while tears formed in Ali's eyes.

Hanna snapped her fingers.

They were now standing in Ali's room again, watching Emily and Ali from a few months later talk on her bed.

"What did Jason say this time?" Emily asked in a soothing voice. She put her hand on Past Ali's shoulder.

"Just the usual. That I'm a horrible person, that I should just die. I know he was high when he said it, but is that really what he thinks of me?"

"I'm sure it isn't. He's just in a bad place right now. You'll both be fine."

"I really hope so, Em."

As the hour went on, Hanna and Aria showed Ali more and more memories. Some were happy, and some were painful. But even the worst ones were nothing compared to the last.

"No-" Ali breathed out as the sky turned dark around them, and she saw Emily, furious.

She plugged her ears, but couldn't block out "I'm so done with you!"

"No, Emily." Ali began to sob, crouched down with her arms around her knees.

"I think we're done here." Aria stated.

"Agreed." Hanna said, and they were gone.

Ali woke up on her bedroom floor, alone, still crying. Awaiting her next ghost.