Page 18 (2/2)

E, are we?"

"If the Chauys want to, I’m all for it" The band ed Kelsey and E

The two of the alley It smelled like old shoes and fried mozzarella sticks and was filled with the sounds of heavy balls crashing into pins Both of theuys in satin bowling league jackets, Hollis students swilling cocktails, and high-school kids drawing pornographic pictures on the big scorecards that were reflected on the ceiling They were early, though, and the guys frorab some snacks" Kelsey headed to the bar They settled on two plush red stools The bartender, a stout guy with a bushy beard and several large tattoos on his biceps, strolled over and gave thee drinkers Emily asked for water Kelsey ordered a Diet Coke and some fries

When the bartender trundled away, silence fell between them All Emily could think of was her conversation with Spencer On one hand, she felt like a traitor for defying Spencer’s wishes On the other, she was certain Spencer rong about Kelsey being A

"I think we know someone in coer "Spencer Hastings We used to be best friends, actually Spencer said she ra down to inspect her strawberry-colored split ends "Yeah I knew Spencer"

Emily turned over an old coaster for Pabst Blue Ribbon beer, its corners chipped away "Actually, I’nized me I was one of Alison DiLaurentis’s best friends, too One of the Pretty Little Liars"

Kelsey’s lips made a small O After a ht Spencer told e idiot I knew you looked familiarI just didn’t know from where"

"I’ that Kelsey genuinely see about it I hate people defining me by what happened"

"Of course" Kelsey nodded like she was absolutely tuned in to the conversation, but her eyes darted distractedly all over the bar area Her hands were shaking a little, too, as if she’d drunk a hundred cups of espresso

The bartender returned and plunked down their drinks and a large plate of fries Kelsey busied herself with dousing the a sip of her Diet Coke and eating a fry, she raised her eyes to Eain "Spencer and I lost touch last summer It was because I" A muscle at her temple twitched "I was sent away to juvie"

Emily blinked "Oh my God I’ed "I haven’t told that e progras in my dorm room at Penn, and it was my second strike I don’t even know if Spencer knew about it, even though she ith ht it went down I saw her the other day and told her, but she reacted really strangely Maybe it’s because she" She was talking very quickly, so it was jarring when she trailed off "I’m sorry She’s your friend I shouldn’t talk about her"

"We’re not as close as we used to be" E a mini whirlpool with the ice cubes

Kelsey’s hands shook faster When she reached for the fries, she could barely hold one without it wobbling all over the place "Are you okay?" Eht smile and tucked her hands in her lap "Just a little overwheluess"

E you, you know We’ve all made mistakes I’m really flattered you told h"

"It was"

Kelsey’s quavering voice made Emily’s heart break She felt terrible that Kelsey had been sent to juvie for souilty of How could Spencer have done such a thing? And it appeared that Kelsey had no idea, either Should E to juvie was horrible, but probably not as awful as losing a best friend And you were stalked, too, right? By her twin?" Her eyes widened

The sound of bowling balls striking pins thundered behind theroup of bowlers burst into applause "I can hardly think about it," Emily whispered "Especially because" Noas her turn to trail off She’d been about to say, Especially because I think the Real Ali is still alive

Suddenly, a scrawny older woy wife-beater and child-sized acid-washed jeans clonked by in rented bowling shoes "Oh my God," Kelsey blurted "Vel "You know her, too?" Velma was an institution at this place--E here as a second grader with her Brownie troop She always bowled by herself, got some insane score, and then sat at the bar and sarettes Everyone was afraid to talk to her Nohen Velut, he actually cowered

"Of course I know her," Kelsey said "She’s always here" Then she touched Eirl Steal one of her Marlboros" She pointed to a pack of Marlboro Lights in Velht about it for a moment, then slid off the bar stool "That’s easy"

Velma had paused at the end of the bar to study a scorecard E with every few steps When she was alarettes within reach, the old woman turned around and peered at Emily with lined, rheumy-blue eyes "May I help you, darlin’?"

Emily’s mouth dropped open She’d never actually heard Velbirdlike voice and oozing-with-sweetness southern accent It was so disar her ar, "Never mind Sorry to bother you"