Chapter 2: Power Shift

A/N: So, here's the next chapter. I can't believe how fast this has come out. I want to thank all those who have read and reviewed so far. I'm so glad that you like this story and are encouraging me to continue. This chapter's for you guys. I hope you enjoy it.

Disclaimer: See the prologue

"So, why are you here?" Iris asked Ali. She had just confessed to being sent to the Preserve for an eating disorder. Although she was getting better, her parents still thought she would relapse, so they decided to keep her there. But Iris knew she'd never relapse. All she had to do was keep telling herself she was beautiful. It was just an excuse for her parents to be rid of her.

Alison hesitated as she tried to come up with a plausible disorder. She knew Courtney would have been sent here for an identity disorder, but Ali knew that would sound lame. "Uh, mild depression," she said. That sounded way cooler than an identity disorder.

"Ah, I see," Iris mused. "Did you ever cut yourself?"

Ali shook her head in disgust. "No way!" she said. She couldn't imagine doing something like that anyway. Why would anyone want to carve hideous marks into their skin? "But I did attempt suicide twice," she added. "Once I tried to overdose on sleeping pills, and another time I tried to jump off a bridge."

"What stopped you?" Iris asked her.

Ali rolled her eyes. "I got caught both times," she replied. "But I've often had thoughts about killing myself. I mean, my parents act like I don't exist. They're so obsessed with my sister."

"Your sister?" repeated Iris.

"Yeah, my sister, Alison," replied Ali. "She's my twin."

"Cool!" exclaimed Iris. "Did you guys try to fool people about who was who?"

"We did when we were younger, but then I got sick of it," said Ali. "But Ali kept on doing it, even as we got older. She would always tell people she was me even when my parents kept asking her to stop." She remembered how Courtney constantly tried to pretend she was Ali. At first, her parents thought it was cute, but then they began to see that Courtney had an identity disorder and needed help. They thought it had worked at the Radley, but now things had changed. Courtney had once again stolen Ali's life, and this time she was going to do it for a long time, possibly forever.

"Wow!" giggled Iris. "It sounds like she should be the one at the Preserve, not you."

You have no idea how right you are, Ali thought. Out loud she said, "Tell me about it. But my parents think Ali can do no wrong. She's a saint in their eyes. She once told me that she wished I had died so she could have my life. She even tried to drown me in our pool when we were younger. But when I tried to tell my parents about it, Ali said I was lying. They just didn't want to believe that Saint Alison could do any wrong."

"That's awful!" commented Iris. "She sounds like a total bitch."

"She is," agreed Ali. "I think that's the one good thing about me being here. I don't have to put up with her anymore."

Iris nodded. She was an only child, so she didn't have to worry about any sibling rivalry like Ali did. "Well, if it makes you feel better, I'd love to have you for a sister," she said.

Ali laughed then looked at the clock. "We'd better get to GT before someone gets pissed," she said.

Group therapy (GT) and individual therapy were both a big joke at the Preserve. Ali had seen therapists on TV, and most of them tried to grill their patients with questions and get them to talk about their problems. But at the Preserve, that was one thing the therapists didn't do. Instead, they let their patients talk about whatever they wanted and had them avoid talking about anything they didn't want to talk about. Iris said it was a ploy because the longer a patient was kept in there, the more money the hospital received. Ali had been startled and said, "No wonder the patients rarely get out of here." It mad her wonder if she'd ever get out of here either. If that was the case, then she'd never be able to execute her plan to get her life back.

Ali and Iris entered the group therapy room where all of the girls on their floor were gathered. Ali saw Tara and her group sitting together. Tara caught her eye and motioned for Ali to sit with her, but Ali rolled her eyes and chose two seats that were far away from Tara and her group.

Dr. Felicia, the one in charge of group therapy, came into the room, smiling at all of the girls. "Hello, girls, I'm happy to see you're all here for this session," she said.

"Yeah, like we had a choice," Iris muttered only loud enough for Ali to hear. Ali stifled a giggle with her hand.

"Okay, let's talk about how we've been doing since we last met," Dr. Felicia began. "Tara, why don't you start? How have things been going with you?"

"Pretty good," Tara replied. "I talked to my mom, and she said that for my birthday she got me tickets to a Backstreet Boys concert for when I visit back home."

Ali let out a snort. "Are you serious?" she scoffed. "That's the best your mom can do?"

Tara bristled. "They're my favorite band," she said defensively. "You just don't know what good music sounds like."

"Sure I do," Ali replied. "Boy bands are so out. You remind me of this girl back home. She's so obsessed with Justin Timberlake and fantasizes about being with him. Maybe you two should be friends since you have the same taste in lame bands."

"Justin Timberlake sings for 'NSync, dumbass," Tara retorted.

"Oh, shut up, Tara," a girl piped up. "Nobody cares about your love for stupid boy bands anyway."

Ali and Iris gaped at her. The girl had light brown hair and brown eyes. They couldn't believe that she'd burned Tara like that.

"Girls, that's enough," Dr. Felicia scolded. "Tara, you may continue."

Tara deflated. "That's all I wanted to say," she said softly.

"All right, Liana, tell us how you have been doing." Dr. Felicia gave her a stern look.

The girl who had taunted Tara crossed her legs. "Well, Doc, I've been peachy keen," she replied. "I went to a therapy session that was extremely pointless. All I wanted to talk about was my sister and how much I hated her, but I wasn't allowed to. Then I went to visit my family and had to deal with my know-it-all sister, who gloated about her perfect grades at school. Then I came back here and had to deal with my loser of a roommate who constantly pulls out her hair." She glared at Ruby, who immediately started tugging on her hair. "You want to hear about my bowel movements, Doc?"

"No, that's more than enough, the doctor replied. "Does anyone else want to talk about their experiences?" Her eyes rested on Ali. "What about you, Courtney?" I know you're new here, but I want to know what you think about our facility. Are you adjusting well? Have you made any friends?"

Ali smiled and crossed her legs just like Liana had done. "Well, Doctor, I think this place is just the best," she responded. "I mean, it looks so nice and well-cared for. If it weren't for all of the patients dressed in pajamas, you'd never know this was a nuthouse would you? And as for friends, it should be obvious that Iris is my best friend, considering we're seen together a lot. We're two of a kind. Hell, when we get out of here for good, I'm going to invite her to my summer house in the Poconos."

"Well, I'm glad to hear you're doing well," Dr. Felicia said, missing Ali's sarcasm by a mile. "That's all the time we have for today. I'll see you all again next week, okay?"

After she left, some of the girls got out of their seats to mingle together. The girl named Liana came up to Ali and Iris. "Hey, I just want to welcome you to the Preserve," she said. "I'm Liana."

"I'm Courtney and this is Iris," Ali replied. "That was awesome how you burned Tara like that."

"Thanks," Liana responded. "She's such a loser along with Alexis and Ruby. I have to be roommates with Ruby, and it's so annoying. She's just so needy."

"I guess I'm lucky I didn't get stuck with her," Ali said.

"That's an understatement," Iris agreed. "So, Liana, what are you in here for?"

"I'm a klepto," Liana answered. "My parents sent me here because of my stealing habits and my wild behavior. I partied a lot, took drugs, drank alcohol, and had sex. I even got caught having sex at school once."

Ali gasped. "Seriously?" she asked. Her school had never had any scandals like that before. The only real scandal Rosewood Day had was the mysterious "illness" Imogen Smith had developed.

"Yep," Liana said. "I really liked this boy, and he liked me back, so we decided to just do it. We thought that under the bleachers would be a safe place, but we got caught anyway. I was suspended for the rest of the year and had to repeat that grade over. They were going to expel me, but my parents talked them out of it. My parents sent me here because they figured my wild ways were because of a mental problem."

"Wow!" Iris gasped. "You really are badass, Liana."

"Thank you," Liana giggled. "You should've seen my sister's face when she found out I got caught having sex. It was so hilarious. She lectured me and even asked if I had respect for myself. I said, 'Of course I do, bitch. You're just jealous because I got laid first.' Melody and I are twins, but she's two minutes older than me."

"So's my sister, Alison," Ali told them. "She thinks she's so cool and always makes fun of me for being in a nuthouse." She gritted her teeth in anger at the thought of Courtney. Then she told Liana the story of how her sister tried to drown her in their pool when they were little. "I was so scared of her after that," she concluded. "I thought that maybe she'd try to kill me in my sleep next."

"Then why the hell are you here instead of her?" Liana asked her. "You don't sound like someone who should be here."

"I have mild depression," Ali answered. Liana's eyes were filled with sympathy as Ali told her more about her sister and how horrible she was.

"That sucks," she said softly. "Maybe there's a way you can get her committed."

Ali smirked. "I doubt that," she replied. "My parents would never buy it. Ali has them wrapped around her little finger."

"So, Liana, do you want to join us for lunch?" Iris asked her, changing the subject.

Liana gave her a genuine smile. "Sure," she said.

"Great," replied Ali. "I think this is the start of a fabulous friendship." She linked arms with Iris and Liana, and the three of them left the group therapy room. At that moment, Ali felt just like she did when she was with Naomi and Riley: confident and sure of who she was. No one could stop her from getting what she wanted. It was as simple as that.

22222

Courtney sighed impatiently as she waited for Jason to get out of school. He was supposed to drive her home, but he was taking his sweet ass time. As she waited, she reviewed her day. School went along as it normally did with the same boring routine. Courtney sat with Naomi and Riley in the cafeteria, chatting about Riley's birthday party. At one point, Courtney spotted Aria Montgomery staring at their table. She was sitting by herself while everyone else had someone to sit with. Spencer Hastings sat with her field hockey friends, Emily Fields sat with her swimming teammates, and Hanna Marin sat with Scott Chin, the yearbook photographer. Courtney longed to go over and sit with Aria, but she knew it wouldn't be a good idea.

Riley spotted where Courtney was looking and snapped at Aria, "Why don't you take a picture? It last longer." She turned to the other girls and muttered, "God, what a freak."

"Yeah, she's just a dumb stalker, right, Ali?" Naomi asked.

But Courtney kept looking at Aria as though she wanted to say something and hadn't heard Naomi.

Riley waved her hand in front of Courtney's face. "Earth to Ali," she singsonged. ""Why the hell are you still staring at that freak?"

"Oh, I was just noticing how her clothes clash with her hair," Courtney replied.

"Yeah, totally," Riley agreed. "Now, let's get back to talking about my party. I figured we could finalize plans this Saturday and maybe shop for court dresses for you two."

"That sounds awesome," Naomi gushed. "What do you think, Ali?"

"Great," Courtney replied. "I can't wait to shop for some dresses."

Courtney snapped out of her thoughts as Jason came over to her. "It's about damn time!" she scolded. "What took you so long?"

"I had to meet with my chemistry teacher," answered Jason. "I'm not doing well in the class, and I need help, so we arranged for me to have a tutor."

"Oh," replied Courtney. "Well, at least you'll have some help, which is good."

Jason nodded and drove them home. Both siblings didn't really talk much on the way home. When they arrived home, Jason hurried out of the car and up to his room to do his homework. Courtney followed him inside and was intercepted by her mother.

"Oh, Ali, you're home," she said. "Good. I wanted to tell you that I signed you up to work at the Rosewood Day charity drive this Saturday. They said they were looking for student volunteers."

"But, Mom, I'm supposed to go shopping for court dresses with Naomi and Riley!" Courtney protested.

"Well, you'll just have to tell them to postpone it," Mrs. DiLaurentis said.

"I can't believe this," Courtney mumbled as she stomped up the stairs to her room. She flopped on her bed and called Riley. "You're never going to believe what my mom just did," she fumed. "She volunteered me for that stupid charity drive at school this Saturday, so now I can't shop for court dresses with you."

"Bummer," Riley moaned. "Well, maybe you could stay there for a little bit and then sneak out. I'm pretty sure no one will notice if you're missing."

"Riley, you're a genius!" Courtney exclaimed. "Thanks for the save!"

"No problem," Riley answered. "See you on Saturday!"

After Courtney finished talking to Riley, she felt a little better. She'd go to the charity drive for a little while and then she'd get to hang out with her friends. But little did she know that the charity drive would change things for her and for her sister as well. It would be a new beginning for Courtney and for Alison, though Alison wouldn't know it yet.

22222

Saturday rolled around before she knew it, and Courtney was getting ready for the charity drive. Naomi and Riley had promised to pick her up later to go shopping at the King James Mall, but Courtney really wasn't sure she wanted to skip out on the charity drive. Riley and Naomi were beginning to annoy her, especially when they kept making snide comments about Aria, Spencer, Emily, and Hanna. She just couldn't understand why Naomi and Riley hated the four girls, but she knew better than to ask them.

When Courtney arrived at Rosewood Day and said goodbye to her mother, she saw that the main lobby had signs pointing to where the charity drive was taking place. Courtney entered the cafeteria and saw four long tables spread out in the room. On the tables were boxes labeled for clothes, toys, bathroom items, household items, and food. Behind the tables were other boxes labeled differently for different items according to the types of items. Courtney spotted Spencer holding a clipboard and hurried over to her.

"Hey, I'm so glad to see you," she said. "Do you need any help?"

Spencer beamed at her. "Yeah, we need a lot of help," she replied. "Go to table three and start sorting those clothes. Once they're sorted, put them in the boxes behind the table according to gender."

Courtney nodded and hurried over to the table. The pile was enormous, and Courtney was having a bit of trouble sorting through it all. She spotted Aria walking toward her and motioned her over. "Hey, can you help me sort these clothes?" she asked her. "I'm having some trouble."

Aria's face lit up. "Sure," she said and joined Courtney at the table. Soon they were both joined by Emily, Hanna, and Spencer. Courtney was glad she had their help and thought that maybe the charity drive was a good thing after all. She talked to Hanna about fashion, asked Emily about swimming, and laughed at a joke Aria's brother, Mike, had told her. Then she looked over at Spencer's clipboard and commented how neat her handwriting was. "It's neater than mine," she added.

While Courtney was talking to the girls, Naomi and Riley arrived to pick her up. Courtney couldn't believe they'd actually come.

"Hey, Ali, you ready to shop for some awesome court dresses?" Riley asked her.

"Hey, girls, after the drive's over we can all go over to my house and use my hot tub," Spencer offered. "You can come, too, Ali, if you want."

"Ali doesn't want to go and soak in your stupid hot tub," Naomi retorted. "Come on, Ali, you don't have to hang out with these losers anymore. Let's go have some fun."

Courtney couldn't help but be amused. She'd never had anyone fight for her friendship before. Then again, she'd never really had friends before either. Suddenly, she'd had enough of Naomi and Riley telling her what to do. She smirked at them and put her arm around Spencer.

"Sorry, girls, but I've got better things to do," she simpered. "Have fun shopping for your dresses."

Naomi and Riley gaped at her then turned and stormed out of the cafeteria. Emily and the others just stared at her incredulously.

"Wow, I can't believe you ditched them!" Hanna gasped.

"Believe it," Courtney replied. "Come on girls, let's have our own fun." She linked arms with them, and they went to Spencer's house to soak in her hot tub and trade gossip. That day became a day to remember for Spencer, Aria, Emily, and Hanna. It was the day they finally became friends with somebody instead of being on the outside looking in. For Courtney, that day became the day she finally gave her sister a makeover and changed the course of Alison's life as she knew it.

A/N: Wow. I can't believe I reached eleven pages! Did I mention how much I love writing this story? Well, I do. It's so much fun to get inside Courtney's and Ali's heads and interpret what they may have been thinking and feeling. I also loved adding Liana to the mix. I just felt that maybe Ali formed her own posse while at the Preserve and that it just didn't include Iris. So, feel free to leave a review after you've finished reading, and have a shelltastic day.