Location: Rosewood, Pennsylvania — August 2009 One month before Alison DiLaurentis disappeared.

Summer in Rosewood had a way of feeling endless. The streets buzzed with life, arcades chimed nonstop, and the café, The Brew, which was now owned by Ezra Fitz, was packed with teens. Secrets lingered in the air.

Tonight, though, everything revolved around Spencer Hastings’ barn. The slumber party had been planned for weeks, meticulously organized by Spencer, dramatically hyped up by Alison.

Inside the barn, fairy lights cast a golden glow over the space, mixing with a dim flicker of a movie Aria had long since abandoned in favor of gossip. Music hummed low from Hanna’s speaker, some pop song blending into laughter.

Alison, smug as ever, had stolen some alcohol from her parents like it was just another game she couldn’t lose. Emily arrived with snacks while Spencer made sure everything was where it should be, and you brought the Ouija board.

You were all dressed in matching pajama sets, coordinated but still so you. Alison’s idea, obviously.

Nextdoor at the DiLaurentis house, Jason lingered near his window more than he’d ever admit. His excuse, if anyone asked, was keeping an eye on Alison, making sure she and her friends weren’t doing anything stupid, but that was far from the truth. His gaze always found you.

He told himself it was nothing. Just boredom or curiosity, but every now and then, the laughter got louder. He found himself watching a little longer than he should. Maybe he just wanted an excuse to talk to you like he usually did.

Back inside the barn, the Ouija board was being set up by you and Alison. Spencer was trying to say it was just a game to either calm herself down or Hanna, maybe both.