Sara Shepard

Three may keep a secret, if two of them are dead.

Benjamin Franklin

Sometimes in Ali’s presence, they didn’t feel real, exactly. They felt kind of like dolls, with Ali arranging their every move.

Now if they passed Ali’s old street and glanced at her house, they didn’t go into insta-cry mode. Instead, they started to feel something else.

Relief.

Aria: Surprise! I wonder what your pig puppet will have to

say about this . . . —A

Hey Em,

Sob! I’ve been replaced! You found another friend to kiss!

—A

Outside, Aria heard a familiar girl’s laugh. She froze for a second. When would she stop thinking she heard Alison everywhere?

Good. This seemed like an appropriate time to disappear completely.

Aria,

Maybe he fools around with students all the time. A lot of

teachers do ... Just ask your dad! —A

Mrs. Fields wasn’t upset because she thought Maya was gay. She was upset because Maya – and the rest of her family – were black.

When I dare to be powerful, to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid.