I hugged my arms tight across my body as I walked. The sound of crickets filled my ears, and I tried to block it out, having always found it eerie. I tried to focus on the slight breeze that blew my hair back, on the sound of my bare feet on the sidewalk, even on the rise and fall of my chest as I took each carefully measured breath. I was trying so hard not to scream. I could almost feel it piercing the darkness, the echo ricocheting all around me as if I really had. Maybe it would loosen the knot that had tied itself around my stomach, pulling tighter and starving me of air every time I was contacted by A, or saw anything that reminded me of Ali's death and the events that followed. Were still following.

I looked down the street, at the outline of houses and garages and cars. Every moving shadow made my heart lurch, and I fleetingly thought of turning around and running home. But that was the last place I wanted to be. Mike had come home late again, and again refused to tell me where he was. He was also lying to our parents and had broken into my friends houses. Not to mention throwing me into a table when I saw him at Spencer's, and trying to throw a rock through Jason DiLaurentis's window. I couldn't stand to look at him when he met my gaze with such anger and defiance, and had just walked out the door after our argument. And I would keep walking until I couldn't keep my eyes open anymore. I tried not to worry about Mike, but that look on his face was burned in my mind, gnawing at me. How could I be such a bad sister to not even notice this was happening to him? He wasn't even my brother anymore. He was a stranger.

" Aria?"

His voice made me snap out of my thoughts, and I realized as I turned my head that it was Jason's. I had already made it to his house, even though I had been walking blindly.

" Hey." I replied, watching as he strolled down the driveway toward me.

" What are you doing out here in the middle of the night?"

I noticed his eyes take in my short tank top and yoga pants, and my bare feet. I felt a blush creep up my neck, uncomfortable at him checking me out.

" Just taking a walk." I said, crossing my arms in front of me.

He stepped close enough that I could feel the heat radiating off his body.

" Are you trying to end up like Alison?"

I gaped at him, at his gaze intensifying to match the hard edge in his voice.

" I-"

But he cut me off.

" You know better."

His voice softened, but I avoided looking up into his eyes.

" I'll walk you home."

" No." I blurted out.

I met his eyes, explaining myself.

" Not that I don't want your protection, I just don't want to go back there."

He nodded like he understood.

" Come inside then."

The knot around my stomach pulled tighter, but I had no chance to argue. He had already turned around and started walking. I followed him in the door, noticing the house was clean but dimly lit, and there were no pictures or any personal things anywhere. I followed him down the hall into the kitchen.

" I'll be right back," He turned and told me. " You can get something to drink."

When he left I opened the fridge, seeing bottles of pop, water, and alcohol. I got a sick feeling in my stomach from looking at it, remembering how Jason said he got angry when he drank. I didn't feel comfortable taking anything and closed the fridge. Then I sat down in a bar stool at the kitchen island.

Jason came back in the room, looking no different than when he'd left. If only that he seemed slightly uncomfortable at me being here.

" So," He started, standing on the other side of the island, " What happened at home?"

" Just another fight with Mike. He wouldn't tell me where he'd been, and I just got angry and left."

" When I got angry I never took walks. I drank."

I watched as he pulled a bottle of whiskey and a coke from the fridge. He set it on the counter, and then turned around to grab two glasses from the cabinet.

" No thanks." I said, frightened by the thought of drinking with Jason.

" Relax." He told me, mixing the two drinks and setting a full glass in front of me. " We're not getting drunk."

I sighed, lifting my hand from under the table and grabbing the glass. Jason watched me as I lifted it to my mouth and took a sip. I'd had whiskey before, and was pleased that I could barely taste the burn, the soda diluting it.

We drank in silence for a while, and I was surprised when my glass was already empty. I set it on the table, and he took it from me, immediately filling it up again. I knew it would take about four glasses before I actually got drunk, so I didn't mind.

" Thanks." I said, taking it back and drinking almost the whole thing before setting it back down again.

" Better?" He asked me.

My stomach felt warm, and I was completely relaxed for the first time in a while.

" Yeah." I found myself smiling at him.

" Good. Can I take you home now?" He walked over to stand beside me.

" I guess." I said, sliding off the chair. Too my surprise, I stumbled and Jason caught me, his hands on my waist, and mine on his shoulders.

" You're not very good at holding your alcohol." He said with a smile.

But I didn't reply, the shock of him touching me too much. I suppose I could've moved my hands but I didn't, and so he leaned into me. I felt his heat again, and I could also smell his musky cologne and a bit of Jack Daniel's. I don't know why, but I didn't move, letting his mouth collide with mine. He pushed softly against my lips, and I knew in the back of my mind I should be ashamed, but his kiss felt too good. After my surprise wore of I responded, pressing my body against his. The guilty feeling grew, and as I took a breath the kiss deepened. But it was too much. I knew this had gone way too far. As his tongue brushed my lips I pushed him away, our moment broken.

I didn't know at the time, but outside a figure in a black sweatshirt walked towards the trees at the back of the property, their camera full of pictures.