Hi guys! So this is my first PLL story, I couldn't quite get this idea out of my head.

Please let me know what you think

It started off as a means to defend herself.

It ended up being her escape.

She honestly can't remember how it first happened. Why she was at the studio so late after class; (she thinks that maybe she was meant to be meeting Jake).

But as she looks back on it, she realises she just doesn't care. Because it doesn't matter how she got into it. She's just thankful she did. (Well, she was initially)

The first fight she signed up for, she got her ass handed to her (and that's putting it politely). She's fairly certain she didn't land one punch the entire 4 rounds she managed to stay out there. She walked out of that studio completely humiliated and in more pain then she's ever been in her entire life.

Yet she's never felt so alive.

So focused.

So safe.

And that's why Aria went back, that's why she continued to go back.

Because that place became her safe haven (mentally at least).

It became a place where she could escape.

Because even with the punches being thrown at her, and the physical damage she sustained during each fight; it was the safest she'd felt in the last 4 years.

Because when she was in that ring, what you saw was what you got.

Because yes, the person opposite you was trying to hurt you.

But that wasn't a secret.

And that's why she loved it.

Because she could deal with people trying to hurt her. It was the lies and deception that were constantly eating away at her. Because when she knew where the next blow was coming from, she could prepare herself for it, she could make an effort to avoid it.

And that's what 'A' had taken away from her.

Because that darn letter at the end of all those fucking messages had taken away her ability to control anything in her life.

And she needed to get some of that control back.

And these fights gave her that opportunity.

Because out there she was focused.

Out there she wasn't effected by the messages, or the threats.

Out there, 'A' had absolutely no bearing on what was coming next.

Out there she was in control.

And it was worth all the bruises in the world to have that sense of control back, even if it was only temporary.

Hiding the bruises became just as much part of the battle as the fights themselves. Luckily enough for Aria, her friends were quite distracted. And rightfully so;

Because Hannah's mum was in jail,

And Emily just had a ghost car driven through her living room;

And Spencer had been rejected by her first choice College.

So they didn't have time to worry about her; but that didn't stop them from noticing Aria's change in behaviour.

Because they were her best friends, of course they would noticed;

"Aria what's with the bruise?" Spencer asked urgently, after the shorter girls' sleave rolled up, revealing a particularly dark bruise on her forearm. The question causing Emily and Hannah to look up from their conversation in concern.

"Oh, um, I tripped up the stair-case last night, stupid I know." She laughed it off, hastily rolling down her sleeve; offering a tight lipped smile.

Her friends could tell she was lying, they didn't need Spencer's IQ to figure that out. But they were distracted,

They were busy.

And they knew from experience that if Aria didn't want them to know something then it would remain a secret.

History had proved that.

So they accepted her lie; because they didn't have time to worry about something that they couldn't change. And Aria tries to pretend that their ignorance doesn't hurt; because she knows if she asked them, they'd be there in a heartbeat.

But she can't do that, she's not that selfish;

Because they've got real issues to deal with.

And she doesn't need any help (that's what she continues to tell herself).

It's 1am by the time she's staring at the contact list in her phone. She stops briefly over Ezra's name, before continuing up to the person who she knows she's going to end up calling anyway. Because she's done this dance the last three times.

Because as much as she wants to call Ezra, she knows she can't.

Because she can't explain this to him;

She can't deal with the seeing the love and regret in his eyes.

Because he said it once: "You know there isn't anything I wouldn't do for you right?"

And as much as she wants him, she can't handle that right now.

Part of her considered calling Jake, but she knew that that wouldn't end well. He'd force her to stop, and she can't afford to let him take away her control, especially not now.

And that's how she first came to the name at the top of her contact list, a name that she can't actually remember adding.

Because she didn't need an ex-boyfriend, or a love interest, or a family member.

She just needs a friend, an acquaintance.

Someone who she can trust;

Someone who she can convince to keep this between them;

Someone who doesn't quite know her as well as everyone else seems to.

And he answered on the third ring,

"Aria?"

When his phone rings at 1am he knows there's only two people who would be calling at such an ungodly hour. And considering he was in bed next to Hannah; that only left one option. A week ago he probably would've thrown his phone at the wall. But this was not the first time in the last week he'd been woken up by the incestuous ringing of his mobile.

To say Caleb was surprised when Aria's name first flashed up on his caller ID would be the understatement of the year.

"Aria?" He question with concern into the speaker, skipping over all pleasantries.

"Caleb?" She asked in surprise (as though she didn't expect him to pick up the phone) "Sorry, I didn't know who else to call."

"Aria what's wrong?" He asked getting straight to the point.

"I was wondering if maybe, you could um, come and get me?" Aria forced out rather reluctantly.

And that was all it took for Caleb to figure out the secret that Aria had successfully managed to keep from all the girls over last couple of weeks.

Because she had no makeup to cover the bruises;

Because her hand was too swollen to even hold onto the steering wheel.

Because she owed him an explanation as to why she had forced him out of the comfort of his home so late at night.

She managed to convince him not to tell Hannah (much to his displeasure). Convincing him that it wasn't serious, that it was just a means to vent. But unlike the girls, he wasn't so easily distracted,

And he wasn't buying it.

He didn't know exactly what she was into.

But he also knew he couldn't stop her.

She insisted that she was in control, that it wasn't dangerous.

And despite his doubts he agreed to keep her secret, on one condition;

That, if and when, things got out of control, or if she ever needed a lift home or someone to help her, that she would call him.

Terms to which she reluctantly and silently agreed to.

So when his phone rings at 1am he picks it up immediately before sneaking out of Hannah's bed. And the fact that he's leaving his girlfriends bed in the middle of the night to help out her best friend doesn't once strike him as odd. Because he knew if Hannah knew what Aria was involved with, that she'd be doing the exact same thing.

So he did this for Hannah, as well as Aria.

Because there's been so much crap that's been going on with his girlfriend recently; and he hasn't been able to do anything to help her.

But this is something he can do.

Because right now Aria needs someone.

And Hannah is in no emotional state to help her (and apparently neither are any of the others).

So it's up to him;

And he's more than okay with that.

Because he'd do anything for his girlfriend, he's proven that time and time again.

So he's going to be there for Aria come hell or high water;

Because these girls were a package deal; and by helping Aria he was helping Hannah.

And that was something he would always do.

Sooo... What did you think?

I know it's a little bit of an odd character pairing; but I was trying to go for something a little different.

I'm not sure if I want to keep it going or end it here, I've got a few idea's of where to take it. I wanted to explore Aria's relationship with some of the other characters, but I'm not sure, what do you think?

Thanks for reading!