Spencer found Hanna sitting on her bed halfway through a pint of Ben and Jerry's.

"Hanna what's the matter?" Hanna bit her lip as tears streamed down her face.

"I ran into Caleb" Hanna whispered.

"That's great! What did he say?"

"Well it wasn't great" Hanna sighed "it was awful"

"Honey what happened?"

"You know how Caleb was doing sketchy stuff with cell phones to make money when we first met?"

"Yeah?"

"Well apparently we never met and fell in love and he went from doing sketchy stuff with phones to dealing drugs."

"Oh Hanna, I'm so sorry."

"Caleb was like the one good thing in my life, well Caleb and you guys. I only thought about the good things not having Alison around would bring. I didn't realize what I was giving up."

"None of us did"

"Maybe you can get to Caleb the way you did before"

"I doubt it." Hanna mumbled.

Spencer jumped at the sound of her phone ringing. She pulled it out excitedly hoping it was that unknown caller again. Her hopes were dashed when she saw it was Melissa.

"Hi Melissa" Spencer said more so Hanna would know who was calling.

"Spence! I'm in a bind. My manager wants me to work a double shift but mom and dad won't watch Taylor, you know "consequences of my life choices blah blah blah" could you watch her tonight?"

"Can't Ian watch her?" Spencer asked annoyed.

"Ian?"

"Yeah, you know, her father"

"Spencer, Ian just came back into our life. I can't trust him with Taylor by himself. Taylor doesn't even know him! I'll just see if the Cavanaugh's can keep her."

"The Cavanaugh's?" Spencer asked now interested in her sisters life.

"What the hell is wrong with you today? You know Marion Cavanaugh watches Taylor everyday while I'm at work."

"I have a lot going on Melissa. Just see if Marion can watch her for a few hours extra and I'll pick her up and watch her until you get home."

"Thank you Spencer" Melissa said clearly sounding relieved.

After Spencer hung up she filled Hanna in.

"I don't understand how Alison not being in rosewood would change Toby's life so much. His mom never died, he has a little sister..."

"I don't know, it's weird right?" Spencer said "How could Ali have had any bearing over him having a little sister?"

"I don't know either" Hanna added.

"Well I guess I'll go pick up my sisters kid...so weird. I really think you should reconsider talking to Caleb."

"Yeah, we'll see" Hanna shrugged.

Spencer stood nervously at the Cavanaugh's door. This was going to be the hardest thing she'd had to do so far in the alternate reality that the girls had themselves thrown into.

Mr. Cavanaugh had always hated her and she knew very little about Marion. Spencer just hoped Mona wasn't over visiting Toby. She cautiously lifted her hand to the door and knocked.

Mr. Cavanaugh opened the door and a smile grew as soon as he saw her.

"Spencer, come on in. You must be here to pick up Taylor." He said as he stepped aside to let her in.

"Yeah" Spencer said taken back by Mr. Cavanaugh's pleasant demeanor towards her.

"I hope the two of you will at least stay for dinner" he said with a genuine smile "you haven't been over for dinner in ages."

"Our night is wide open" Spencer said with a smile.

"Good"

Taylor's face scrunched up when she saw Spencer enter the room.

"I'm not ready to leave yet! Mommy said it would be a few more hours! I don't want to go!"

"Good news Taylor" Mr. Cavanaugh interrupted "your auntie Spencer said you two could stay for dinner."

Taylor clapped as her smile returned. Spencer was about to sit down at the table when Mr. Cavanaugh spoke.

"Spencer, could I have a word with you in the kitchen before dinner."

"Yes" she said hesitantly. What in God's name did he have to say to her.

They walked wordlessly into the kitchen.

"I was wondering if you could talk to Toby" he finally said when they were in the kitchen "he's been accepted to some very decent schools, full rides to some even, but he hasn't picked one yet."

"You want me to help him pick one?"

"Not exactly"

"I don't understand"

"Toby is a wonderful person, bright, and a fantastic athlete, but he's just not smart enough to get into the schools he's trying to get into. I was hoping maybe you could talk him into settling for one of those other very acceptable schools."

Spencer had to hide her horror. This was the Mr. Cavanaugh Spencer knew all too well.

"Mr. Cavanaugh I assure you Toby is very smart, I think you're underestimating what he's capable of."

"Toby isn't going to be able to get into Yale." He said crossing his arms.

Spencer's heart plummeted. She believed in Toby but the Toby she knew was never that interested in school. This had to be Mona's doing.

"Mr. Cavanaugh I think you need to talk to Mona about convincing Toby to settle"

Mr. Cavanaugh leaned against the counter silently for a few minutes.

"Mona didn't get into Yale" he said before walking past Spencer back to the living room.

Spencer walked back into the living room.

"Where's Toby?" She asked quietly.

"Up in his room" Marion said barely looking up from the kitten puzzle she and Taylor were working on.

Spencer nodded before heading to the stairs. When she knocked she heard a muffled "come in"

When she opened the door she saw Toby standing in his room shirtless.

"Hey" she said shyly "your dad wanted me to talk to you"

"I was just about to take a shower, want to join me?"

"No" Spencer said but a dozen memories of showers they'd taken together crossed her mind and a soft moan escaped her lips.

"You sure about that?"

"Yes, absolutely" Spencer said closing the door and running down the stairs.

"Taylor come on. Grandpa and Grandma want us home."

"I don't want to leave!" Taylor yelled.

"Now!" Spencer yelled back

"It's not fair" Taylor mumbled tears streaming down her face "I like it here. I was having fun."

"It's okay Taylor" Marion said attempting to soothe her "we can work on the puzzle some more tomorrow"

Spencer took Taylor's bag and hand and they left the house. Spencer just knew she was in for a hell of a temper tantrum when they got home and Taylor discovered Grandma and Grandpa had not wanted them home.

To Spencer's surprise her mother and father were both home as she pulled into the drive. She breathed a sigh of relief. Maybe she wouldn't have to endure a temper tantrum after all.

Taylor skipped into the house as if she hadn't been in complete meltdown mode just 15 minutes ago.

"Spencer" her mom said when she entered the back door "I picked up your dress for homecoming"

"Thanks mom" Spencer said with a half hearted smile

"I know tomorrow night is going to be hard for you." Her mom said laying a hand on her shoulder "your father and I love you so much and no matter what anyone says it wasn't your fault."

Spencer stepped back at her mother's words. It was exactly what her mother had said after Ali disappeared. She had no idea what her mother was talking about but the words stung nonetheless. What had she done?

"Aren't you going to try it on?" Her mother ask hesitantly.

"Yes" Spencer said taking the silver box from her mother. She carried the box to her room setting it on the bed. She opened the box and pulled out a black dress. It had a solid black body with sheer fabric for the shoulders and arms.

Spencer smiled as she pulled the dress. She blushed looking at herself in the mirror. The dress barely covered her ass. Spencer slowly walked down to the living room.

"What do you think?" Spencer asked nervously.

"It's very elegant" her mother replied.

"It's awfully short" Ian said entering the room.

"Daddy!" Taylor cried as she ran to Ian.

Ian kneeled and scooped her up.

"What are you doing here?" Spencer asked beginning to feel uncomfortable in her dress.

"I'm here to spend time with Taylor of course." Ian said smiling at the child.

"Don't let me keep you then" Spencer said as she darted up the stairs. Spencer grabbed her phone and texted Hanna, Aria, and Emily and asked them to come over.

"So, homecoming?" Hanna asked when they were all gathered in Spencer's room.

"Yeah, it's Friday" Spencer said

"And Noel's party is Saturday" Hanna sighed.

"Yeah, we definitely have the social life we always wanted while A was terrorizing us." Aria said.

"Spencer what's the matter?" Emily asked noticing Spencer had zoned out on their conversations.

"My mother said something kinda weird to me" she replied "something about homecoming being hard for me and something that may or may not have been my fault."

"Well it really isn't your fault" Hanna chipped in "it wasn't you"

"I'm a terrible person" Spencer cried.

"No you're not" Aria said trying to make her feel better.

"Then why do I feel that way?"

"You're just lost" Emily said

"We all are" Aria agreed.

After the girls left Spencer called Andrew.

"What's up" he said when he answered the phone.

"I feel pretty silly for even asking this but are we going to homecoming together?"

"Homecoming?" He asked as if he hadn't thought of it "of course I'll go with you..." he said still sounding hesitant.

"Don't we normally go together?"

"Well...no..."

"But I thought you were supposed to be my fake boyfriend?"

"Well I guess you don't feel up to being fake on homecoming"

"Homecoming?" Spencer said her brain working overtime. Spencer heard her mother's voice from earlier

I know tomorrow is going to be hard for you.

And now Andrew said she didn't "feel up to" being fake at homecoming.

"I want to go to homecoming together"

"Whatever you want" Andrew said before muttering "as always"

As much as the girls wanted to get ready for the big homecoming dance, they each got ready at their own house so as not to cast suspicion on themselves with their dates. Aria was going with Noel, Spencer was going with Andrew, Emily was reluctantly going with Ben, and Hanna had extended a last minute invitation to Lucas, whom had eagerly accepted.

Spencer noticed everyone looking at her hesitantly. She tried to ignore the looks. Spencer and Andrew had just sat down at their table when Aria came over.

"Hey Spence" she said "there's some kind of presentation and Noel told me to come get you"

Spencer looked at Andrew apologetically but he just motioned for her to go on. Spencer followed Aria her heart pounding in her chest. She had no idea what was about to happen but relaxed a little when Aria looped her arm with hers and she remembered she didn't know either.

Aria and Spencer walked up the stairs to the stage where Noel, Toby, Emily, Ben, Abby, Mike, And Mona already stood.

All the lights went out before a loud voice announced.

Before beginning tonight's festivities, Rosewood High's student body would like to say goodbye to one of their own.

Spencer gasped as "In The Arms Of An Angel" began playing and a large picture of Jenna Marshall was put up on the screen. Spencer cast a look to Aria who in turned looked at Emily and they sought out Hanna's eyes. By the time Spencer's eyes had returned to the screen there was a picture of Jenna and Toby posing for homecoming king and queen. The next one was of Jenna, Spencer, and Aria, all in cheerleading uniforms. The montage continued most pictures were either Jenna and Toby or Jenna and Spencer. They looked like best friends. It took Spencer a minute to realize, in this reality, Marion had never died, Toby's dad had never fallen in love with Jenna's mom and so Toby and Jenna hadn't ever been step siblings. After the montage, the dj began playing music and everyone began dancing.

Spencer was surprised by how much she enjoyed Andrew's company and Hanna had barely said two words to her as she'd been so busy grooving the night away with Lucas. As the night began to wind down Lucas took to the stage.

"All right everyone!" He said with a smile. "It's time to announce who you all chose for homecoming king and queen!"

"This years homecoming king is...Toby Cavanaugh" everyone cheered as Toby took the stage "and his queen is..." Lucas stood speechless at the contents of the envelope. Mona was at the bottom stair of the stage clearly ready to accept her homecoming queen crown.

"Jenna Marshall"

Some cheered while everyone else just clapped.

"Go ahead Mona" Andrew muttered under his breath at their table "protest the nomination of a dead girl"

Toby had taken the mic.

"I want to thank everyone who voted for me and who voted for Jenna. It's still weird to me that she's not here today. Jenna wouldn't want me up here by myself. I'd like to ask someone to accept the nomination in her honor. Someone who has a big heart and is fearless. She was there for me in the worst days of my life after Jenna died. She knew when I needed to stay in bed all day and when I needed to be dragged out of the house. She is the only one I feel could ever take her place and do it justice.

"That's definitely not Mona" Spencer muttered

"Spencer Hastings" Toby said And again the whole room cheered.

Spencer didn't know what she was doing but found herself moving toward the stage toward Toby. She didn't miss the glare from Mona as she climbed the stairs and stood inches from Toby as he placed the crown on her head.

"My queen" Toby said taking her hand and guiding her to the dance floor. Someone had turned on "Too Much To Ask" by Niall Horan.

When the song ended, Spencer was so full of emotions that she ran out of the auditorium. Toby followed her.

She ran until they were in a secluded hall way.

"I know" Toby said taking her arms "I know this is hard for you but it won't always be like this."

Spencer just looked at Toby. There was so much she wanted to say to him but she reminded herself he wasn't the Toby she knew. As he stood there looking back at her he started to give her what she used to refer to as his "sex" look. She had to admit the thought of Toby fucking her against a wall was mildly appealing. She smiled as she let him back her into a corner.

Toby kissed her as he pulled her flush against his body. Spencer moaned at the feel of him and Toby put a hand over her mouth as he trailed kisses to her neck.

"I've missed you" Toby whispered in her ear as she heard the satisfying sound of Toby unzipping his pants.

The sound of clacking heels pulled them apart and the adjusted themselves and moved to an appropriate distance apart when Mona appeared.

"Kind of funny isn't it" Mona said slurring her words as she drank from a flask "you two commiserating over Jenna's death when you two are the reason she's dead."

Spencer was taken back and looked to Toby waiting for her to deny it, to be angry and outraged but all he said was "come on Mona, I'll take you home."

"I'll take myself home" Mona snapped and Toby picked her up throwing her over his shoulder like an errant child.

"Put me down!" Mona yelled flailing her arms and legs but Toby didn't falter a bit. Spencer could remember a few times he'd carried her drunken self out of a few parties.

"We'll talk later" Toby said before walking away with Mona still screaming to be let down.

Spencer was walking back to the auditorium when she noticed Caleb in the quad drinking a beer. Spencer figured if Hanna wouldn't talk to him she would.

"What do you want Hastings?" He said gruffly when she got close enough.

"I don't know" Spencer admitted not sure what to say.

"You said everything you needed to say after Jenna's funeral" Caleb said taking a sip of his beer "so leave me alone to mourn in peace"

"Mourn?"

"Jenna wasn't like you. She was a good person who cared about people. She was one of the few people in this school that was actually nice to me and not nice just because she wanted something"

"Jenna had her faults..." Spencer said although she knew nothing about this realms Jenna.

"Yeah, but so do you" Caleb said walking over to Spencer so their faces were just inches apart "and I'll tell everyone what a piece of shit you truly are if you don't leave. Me. Alone!"

Spencer turned hurt by his words. When she got back to the auditorium she was in tears:

"Can you take me home?" She sobbed when she got back to Andrew.

"Sure" Andrew said standing up and putting a comforting arm around her pulling her close as they walked. Andrew was quiet as he started the car, letting Spencer stew in her thoughts until one came bubbling to the surface.

"What happened to Jenna? How did she die?" Spencer asked.

Andrew let out a heavy sigh as he drove the car.

"She killed herself"

"Why?!" Spencer gasped. She couldn't imagine what had been so awful to make Jenna commit suicide.

"I don't know" Andrew replied "everyone suspects that you and Toby know but it's not anything you ever shared with me."

After Andrew dropped Spencer off at her house she sent an S.O.S. to Aria, Emily, and Hanna. Half an hour they were all in her room and she told them everything she'd learned. The girls just stared blankly back at her.

"How is any of this possible?" Spencer cried as she plopped down in her desk chair "this world couldn't be crazier or more upside down"

Hanna walked over her to Spencer patting her back as she leaned against the desk and knocked over a rosewood yearbook.

"Jeez Hanna" aria yelled reaching for the hardback book. She grabbed the back of the book picking it up. She was about to close it when something crossed her eyes and she gasped.

"What is it Aria?" Spencer asked. Aria turned the book to Spencer and pointed to a passage.

I solemnly swear to never speak of "that night" to anyone.

9/1/2008

Spencer Jill Hastings

Tobias Christopher Cavanaugh

Jenna Isobel Marshall

#weplayedtostay