019, the naked truth
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SPENCER, ARIA, Emily and Aspen all stand around the Hastings kitchen looking at the red coat that came from Ali's— Vivian's claim ticket.

"That's what you got from Ali's claim ticket?" Emily questions frowning at the coat.

"That's what they gave me." Spencer states, "So... basically, you picked up her dry cleaning." Emily voices.

"I just can't ever picture Alison wearing this." Aria says.

"Well, picture Vivian Darkbloom." Spencer shrugs looking at Aspen who's patting Bowie's head since she couldn't get him to the puppy sitter until 10am.

"So now we're saying this Vivian darkperson had her own wardrobe too?" Emily wonders.

Spencer shrugs and points at the coat as if to say well duh, "This is so weird." Emily whispers loud until for the rest of them to hear her.

Aspen frowns seeing Aria taking a step closer to the coat, "Can I touch it?" Aria asks.

"Yeah. It's a raincoat, Aria. It's not a mummy." Aspen states seeing Aria tilt her head before taking a step closer to the clothing.

"Where's Hanna?" Spencer questions, "She and her mom had to meet with Tamborelli before school." Aspen explains knowing about the whole thing since Hanna's been venting to her.

"Yeah. Kate's mom printed out that naked picture and she's threatening to sue. She wants blood." Aria explains going through the pockets to Ali's coat.

"Hanna's." Emily mumbles, "Yeah. Probably mine too. I'm the one who told her that Kate used to be called 'boil n' baggies.'" Spencer voices.

"Who told A?" Emily shrugs, "Who tells A anything? That plan was probably in motion the moment Kate walked into school." Spencer exclaims.

Aspen stands beside Aria noticing the brunette pulling out a card from one of the pockets.

"Guys. Check it out." Aria voices, "What is that?" Spencer asks standing up.

"It's a phone number." Aria explains shocked, "Whose?" Spencer wonders handing the note to Aspen who looks around the folded paper with a frown.

"Uh... there's no name." Aspen explains looking at Spencer, "Let's call it?" Spencer suggests.

"Okay, stop. Now I feel like we're in a bad place." Emily voices nervously.

"We're in my living room, Emily. We are holding a coat." Spencer responds.

"Yeah. That belongs to someone who's no longer alive." Emily exclaims.

"Em... how can we not call this?" Aspen wonders looking at her cousin.

"Okay. Whoever this is may have some answers. Like why on earth did Alison need to be this Vivian person?" Aria wonders.

"Yeah... and who was Vivian meeting, and why?" Spencer adds onto the question.

"You think we're gonna find that out from a number in a pocket?" Emily inquires unsure.

"Well, it's probably easier than hiring the fat lady with the tube top at the farmer's market who's gonna tell you your fortune. But if you're too scared." Spencer shrugs.

"I'm not scared!" Emily shouts snatching the note from Aspen's hand and dialling the number on her cellphone.

"Yeah. I don't know about our fortunes. But that lady with the tube top makes really good apple butter." Aria shrugs seeing Aspen look at her confused.

"Hello? Okay... what if we know this person? What am I supposed to say?" Emily questions once the line on the other stops and a female voice is heard.

"The mobile subscriber at 215..." the female voice states, "It went to voicemail." Emily explains.

"Man or woman?" Aspen asks, "It's a computer." Emily answers.

"—Is unavailable." the female voice ends with a beep signalling to leave a message, Emily goes to speak but remains stuck.

"Give it to me. Just..." Aria suggests grabbing the phone and putting to her ear.

"Hi, um... this is a friend of Vivian's. Can you just give me a call back on this number today? It's really important. Thanks." Aria states hanging up Emily's phone and handing it back to her looking at the others with a shrug.

"I've gotta go drop Bowie off at the puppy sitters but see you all at school, okay?" Aspen states grabbing ahold of Bowie.

Carrying him out to her car and dropping him off at her friends before arriving at the high school at the same time as Spencer.

Walking into the school alongside Spencer looking at her phone, "Wait... they still think you sent that picture?" Aria asks seeing Hanna at her locker.

"Yep." Hanna sighs, "At least you weren't suspended, Han. This is gonna blow over." Spencer voices.

"Yeah. Until A gets hungry again and takes another bite out of my ass." Hanna mutters, "Hanna." Aria tries to say.

"No. We thought we had all the power because we had A's phone. Well, guess what... now A's using our phones against us." Hanna states turning around walking into the hallway watching everyone looking at her.

Aspen sighs in sympathy for Hanna at this very moment before looking at Spencer and the others noticing Hanna turning around away from Kate and her mother walking into the opposite direction.

"Guess it could have been a lot worse, right?" Aria questions, "Tamborelli's a jerk. Hit the wall with him last week." Emily mutters looking at the new principal.

"Wait, is he the one who's keeping you off the swim team?" Spencer frowns.

"Totally. He's got some major sponsor on the hook and doesn't want anyone in the pool who might tarnish the team's image." Emily mocks what he said to her last week.

"What? God. Talk about bullies!" Aspen seethes annoyed, "How much longer are we gonna have to pay for picking up that stupid shovel?" Emily questions walking into the bathroom followed by Aspen and Spencer.

✹

ASPEN AND Spencer walk out into the courtyard holding onto their lunch seeing Noel and Jenna laughing about something in the corner.

"Well, I've officially just lost my appetite." Aspen comments grimacing at the cuddling couple in the corner.

"Me too." Spencer mumbles in disgust, "Spencer? Aspen?" An all too familiar voice calls out.

"Oh, fuck me." Aspen groans in annoyance, "Hey. What are you doing here?" Spencer asks looking at Aspen who's looking at her feet and fidgeting with the sleeve on her sweatshirt.

"Just had to drop off some old forms. Some kids that I counsel after school." Jason explains staring at Aspen before breaking the stare frowning at her lack of looking at him.

"Were you out of town?" Spencer questions already knowing the answer from Aspen.

"Yeah. Yeah. Georgia. We're still trying to fix up my grandmother's house. It needs a little work." Jason voices.

Aspen frowns looking up hearing he wasn't that far away and only messaged her if he wanted to and ignored her texts and phone calls of her breaking down.

"Hey, can you... uh, do me a favor?" Jason asks looking at Spencer.

"Um, what do you need?" Spencer hums, "Give your father a message for me. Tell him he owes me a call." Jason suggests.

"Why?" Spencer frowns confused all of the sudden.

"Just give him the message. I'm back... and he can't keep dodging me." Jason firmly states looking at Spencer looking at Aspen confused.

Aspen raises her brows in surrender not knowing anything, "We broke up. Remember Spence." Aspen whispers not that quietly since Jason hears their small conversation.

"Jason!" a voice calls out seeing the male, "Hey, Jason. Sorry to interrupt." Ella— Mrs Montgomery states looking at the two girls.

Aspen shrugs going to walk off only to be held back by Spencer, "That's okay. We were done. I think... how you doing, Ella?" Jason questions looking at the woman.

"Frazzled. I volunteered to recruit supervisors for tomorrow's event... and I am still short on staff. Are you by any chance free?" Mrs Montgomery inquires.

"I don't think so." Jason responds hearing a not so quiet scoff come from Aspen.

"Hmm. Typical." Aspen mumbles, "Well, it was worth a try." Mrs Montgomery smiles facing Spencer.

"Please tell me your parents are still on board. Because I need bodies." Mrs Montgomery begs.

"Yeah. I'm pretty sure." Spencer confirms with a nod and smile.

"What's the event? Maybe... uh, maybe I can be there." Jason wonders with a shrug, "Really?" Mrs Montgomery questions.

"Well, yeah. I mean, you know... if you're desperate enough to ask me. Then sure. Count me in." Jason responds with a soft chuckle looking at Spencer who's looking at him confused and Aspen glaring at him.

"Have fun. Yay. Now can we please go?" Aspen questions loudly looking at Spencer who sighs and nods ushering the young woman back into the hallways hearing her inhale and exhale.

"So... he's back." Spencer voices, "Fantastic." Aspen mutters stomping off towards her next class hoping and praying that she doesn't bump into her ex boyfriend at all.

✹

THE NEXT day Aspen drops Bowie off at her friend's house thanking the woman for looking after her puppy while she's at the school event.

Aspen frowns standing away from the line with Aria, Hanna and Emily seeing Spencer walking towards them.

"You guys... Tamborelli's telling kids to turn off their cell phones. Otherwise, he's gonna have to confiscate them." Spencer states.

"They can't do that. Can they?" Emily questions.

"Those are the rules. Turn off the digital spigot. Or they will." Spencer comments.

"Wait, what's a spigot?" Hanna asks confused hearing Aspen chuckle beside her.

"It's..." Spencer starts to explain, "Never mind. I really don't care." Hanna states holding up her hand.

"Are there any messages from that number in Ali's coat?" Spencer questions, "No." Emily replies.

"People, please, pick a line. Any line and it does not matter which one. You will be given your group assignments... and they will tell you where to go. But... please, just pick a line!" Mrs Montgomery voices ushering the students towards a line seeing Aspen and the others walking towards a line.

Aspen organisers everything walking into the school seeing Aria and Caleb smiling at her thankful she's in their group.

"Thank god. I'm in a group with people I actually get along with." Aspen states ruffling Caleb's hair and laughing along with Aria sitting in their seats seeing Jenna playing the piano in the corner.

"Hey, did you know she was gonna be in this group?" Caleb wonders looking at Jenna, "No." Aria groans.

"Nope." Aspen comments annoyed, "If I did. I would have given myself a fever this morning." Aria states.

"Oh, amen to that." Aspen grunts hearing Caleb chuckle.

Caleb sits down beside Aria and Aspen who look around the group seeing everyone coming into the room.

Aria sends a look over to Aspen seeing the figure who just walked into the room.

"Spen." Aria whispers capturing the blondes attention who directly looks at Jason.

Aspen audibly groans under her breath looking at Aria wide eyed, "You've got to be kidding me." Aspen voices, "What? You know that guy?" Caleb asks.

"Yeah. It's Alison's brother." Aspen states, "And her ex boyfriend." Aria adds with a smile seeing Aspen glare at her before sighing.

"I can't do this." Aspen mutters going to walk out of the room.

"I don't think you've got a choice. Besides... with everybody spilling their guts today. Some of us might have a lot to say. I know I do." Caleb smirks looking straight towards Jenna who places her cane beside her and sits down on her seat.

Aspen mumbles curses under her breath and looks at Caleb still smirking at the brunette.

"Hmm... maybe this will be worth it." Aspen shrugs with a chuckle seeing Aria nod as well.

After a while of sitting in silence Aria's phone chimes alerting the whole room along with Aspen's that buzzes.

Said girl frowns pulling out her phone and seeing the text message from none other than Jason sitting across the room from her.

YOU'RE REALLY NOT
GOING TO TALK TO ME?
— JASON

Aspen scoffs looking at Mrs Hastings seated on the windowsill.

"Mrs Hastings, may I use the restroom please?" Aspen questions seeing the woman nod and motion for her to leave the room.

Aspen smiles at Caleb and Aria before walking out of the room towards the bathroom doing her business and splashing water on her face not caring about her makeup anymore.

Seeing Hanna in the hallway since it's break-time for the activities, "You doing okay?" Hanna frowns seeing the angry look on Aspen's face.

"Hmm. Jason's in charge of my group with Mrs Hastings. How fun." Aspen mutters with an eye roll.

"Wait Jason's here?" Hanna frowns seeing Aspen bite her lip and nod before walking back towards her group seeing Jason and Spencer talking in the hallway.

"Jason... I heard that you and my mom are leading a group. How weird is that?" Spencer asks awkwardly.

"Yeah. It is. I was hoping it would be your dad, though." Jason admits.

"Why? Why is it so important that you talk to him?" Spencer questions hearing Jason softly chuckle in disbelief.

"Jason. Look, I know about the will. I know that my dad risked a lot to protect you. I just don't know why. Was there something that happened between our families?" Spencer inquires looking at the male noticing Aspen walking into the hallway towards them.

"Just talk to your dad when he gets back in town." Jason suggests, "He's not out of town. And I've already asked him. He won't tell me." Spencer states.

Jason clenches his jaw turning around now noticing Aspen walking towards Spencer in a comforting way.

"Asp. Can we talk now? Please." Jason demands motioning for the blonde to follow him into one of the free classrooms.

Aspen looks around trying to find some excuse, "Ah... I have to get back to the group." Aspen voices.

"The activities are over and you kind of disappeared on the last hour anyways." Jason voices hearing the blonde sigh and nod walking into the free hallway.

"We can talk here." Aspen states firmly crossing her arms across her chest.

"Okay. How are you?" Jason asks seeing Aspen bite her cheek annoyed.

"How am I? How am I... Jason, you fucking left me when I needed you the most. You left the second things got bad and I told you I just lost our baby. I never fucking cheated on you. We weren't together and you were seeing CeCe anyways!" Aspen snaps seeing Jason nod looking up at her with the green eyes she use— still adores.

"I was too afraid to face you, Asp." Jason voices pissing the blonde off a lot more.

"So you left without a word? You made me feel like nothing. You were afraid? Good for you! All I wanted was for you to see me and stay with me Jason! You couldn't even do that." Aspen shrieks forcing away the tears that threaten to fall down her cheeks.

"I shouldn't have left. I'm sorry Asp..." Jason begins being cut off by Aspen.

"No! Don't call me that! You lost that right the second you left Rosewood and never returned my phone calls and only messaged me when you needed too. I'm done Jason. So fucking done. You broke me." Aspen cries finally feeling herself break seeing Spencer and Aria standing outside the bathroom near them.

"Okay. I'm sorry. I'll leave you be. Just know I'm back for you and I fucking love and adore you and I want to be with you and Bowie— that's his name right?" Jason voices pecking Aspen's forehead and walking out of the classroom.

Aspen nods in relief before releasing sobs sinking into one of the tables.

Eventually sobering up her emotional thoughts and walking out of the classroom towards the bathroom to splash herself with water for the fifth time tonight.

"Are you okay, Spenny?" Spencer asks walking into the bathroom worriedly.

"I'm fine. Sorry." Aspen smiles with a nod following the brunette out of the bathroom into the hallways suddenly aware of Jason and Mrs Hastings conversation.

"It's always been my business. I just didn't know that until recently." Jason voices.

"Jason... this day is about forging new connections. Are you sure that this is the right approach?" Mrs Hastings questions.

"Well, that depends on how you look at it, Mrs Hastings. It's also about coming clean and owning up to the truth. But, hey, if you want to stay in denial, go for it. I'm not going anywhere." Jason states firmly.

Aspen looks at Spencer remembering a conversation with Alison that happened a few years ago.

🕷️

"So, are you ready for this? Some dude in Germany went on a dating website and advertised for someone he could kill and eat." Alison reads from the magazine while Aspen paints her nails at the end of Spencer's bed.

"Shut up." Spencer says, "I'm serious! And it got, like, 220 responses. Why does every woman think that she can change a guy?" Alison mutters.

"Ali, are you even going to take this test?" Aspen wonders with a smirk before Mrs Hastings shouting is heard coming from downstairs.

"We've been neighbors for 15 years!" the woman yells, "What's going on with your mom and dad? Are they splitting up?" Alison questions.

"No." Spencer frowns walking towards the door and closing it, "Do they do this every night?" Alison wonders.

"No. My dad's just upset. Your brother gave Melissa a ride home from Philly... and they got caught making out in the car." Spencer explains.

"Ew." Aspen comments screwing up her face in disgust, "Seriously? Open the door." Alison states, "Ali, stop. I don't want to hear this." Spencer mutters.

"I do. Jason and Melissa? That's juicier than the guy that eats his dates." Alison comments walking towards the bedroom door.

"My dad is freaking out over nothing. Melissa's obsessed with Ian. She doesn't even like Jason." Spencer explains while Mrs Hastings voice is heard again.

"A kiss. I think you're overreacting." said woman's voice states, "She'd better not." Alison says looking at Spencer and Aspen who raises her head once finishing doing her nails.

"Why not?" Spencer frowns while the arguing is still heard downstairs.

"Let's just say it would be a match frowned upon by the gods." Alison explains with a glint in her eyes.

🕷️

Aspen looks at Spencer before rushing over to one of the walls hiding away from the woman's sight not noticing Jason seeing her leaning against the wall.

✹

SPENCER DRAGS Aspen along with her trying to find Jason around the school to ask him a question.

"Why am I being dragged along?" Aspen grunts annoyed before pointing at the male outside leaned against on the pillars listening to music, Spencer's phone chimes with a text message.

"Because he loves you and won't send us away if you're with me. Now please, come on." Spencer begs.

Aspen nods and walk out into the courtyard seeing Jason snap his head over noticing the two of them sending a gentle smile to Aspen who actually returns the gesture without a glare and sits by his feet.

"Jason. I have to ask you something. Just hear me out. Please, did you— are you back because my dad... is your father too?" Spencer asks curiously seeing Aspen watching Jason and his jaw clench.

"Who told you?" Jason asks, "Ali. A long time ago. I just— I didn't hear it until tonight." Spencer states seeing Aspen looking at the two of them in realisation.

"Half-siblings?" Aspen gasps seeing Jason look at her, "Woah." Aspen breaths out deeply at the reveal.

"Sorry. I didn't tell you..." Jason voices seeing Aspen shake her head.

"No. No. You didn't have to tell me anything. I cannot believe you two are half-siblings." Aspen states stunned seeing Spencer leaving the ex couple alone for a few minutes until they have to go inside and sleep.

"I'm sorry I snapped before." Aspen mumbles feeling Jason's hand on her cheek wiping away a fallen eyelash.

"I deserved it." Jason chuckles seeing Aspen shake her head.

"No. No you didn't. I'm sorry Jace. I really missed you and I've found some stuff out this week so I've been a little emotional." Aspen rambles.

"Breathe Asp. Please." Jason pleads seeing Aspen take a breath and exhale chuckling at the rambling she just did.

"Bowie misses you." Aspen states looking at the male.

"You really named him Bowie?" Jason asks, "Yeah." Aspen laughs seeing Jason nod and smile at the name, "The names adorable." Jason voices.

"Thank you. Hanna did tell you and Bowie just fits him." Aspen smiles kissing Jason's cheek before walking into the cafeteria to sleep with her friends.

Aspen and Spencer sit together staring out the window of the large room, "Spen. Spence? What time is it?" Emily whispers.

Both Aspen and Spencer shake their heads not knowing the time.

Emily looks at her phone before gasping, "Oh, my god. I got... like, six missed calls from that number." Emily states.

"What's going on? What— what number?" Aria groans waking up.

"Where the hell am I?" Hanna mutters, "The number in Ali's raincoat." Emily answers feeling her phone start vibrating again.

"Who's calling now?" Spencer whispers while Aspen and herself get down onto the floor on top of their sleeping bags.

"The same number. Do I answer it?" Emily wonders.

"Yes. Answer it." Aspen voices with a nod looking at the cellphone vibrating.

"Hello?" Emily answers the phone call, "Hey, is this Vivian's friend?" a man questions on the other line.

"Y-yes. Yes, it is." Emily states, "What do you want?" the man asks, "I— was calling because we... um, I had a few questions." Emily explains.

"Yeah. Well... I have a few myself. But I don't want to do this on a phone. Will you meet me?" the man asks.

Aspen immediately nods silently telling the others she'll do this part, "Yes. I will." Emily confirms firmly looking at her cousin worriedly.

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TO BE CONTINUED...