We Promised Forever

The classroom smelled faintly of dry-erase markers and paper, but Alison had always found comfort in the rhythm of teaching. The kids' voices buzzed quietly as they worked on group projects, and Alison drifted between clusters of papers, her fingers absently grazing the edges of worksheets as she checked in. Her smile felt more natural lately — not forced, not just a mask of control — but real. Or maybe, just real enough.

She looked up when the classroom door creaked open and saw Mona leaning casually against the frame, a coffee in hand and a mischievous glint in her eyes.

"Got a minute, Professor?" Mona teased, lifting the to-go cup in greeting.

Alison waved her in, subtly glancing at the clock. "You have ten. Then these kids are going to riot."

Mona perched on the edge of Alison's desk like she owned the place — because, in some twisted way, Mona had always carried that kind of unapologetic energy. Alison envied it sometimes.

"Still teaching Shakespeare to a room full of eye-rollers?"

"Currently," Alison sighed, "they're attempting to modernize Romeo and Juliet using text messages and memes."

Mona snorted. "Sounds like my last relationship."

Alison laughed under her breath. "Which one?"

"Touché." Mona took a sip of her coffee. "Okay, so. Update. You remember that dentist I was seeing? All abs and no opinions?"

"I remember the abs."

"Well, he ghosted me after three dates. I wasn't devastated. I'm seeing someone new now — tech guy. Wears glasses. Very polite. Like... almost suspiciously polite."

Alison raised a brow. "Mona Vanderwaal suspicious of politeness?"

"I know, right? I think I might be growing up. Either that, or I've finally dated so many disasters that normal behavior seems suspicious." Mona's eyes sparkled as she leaned forward. "He's cute though. Real 'disheveled genius' type. I'm not mad at it."

Alison grinned. "I'm happy for you. You deserve someone who doesn't require a psychological profile before date three."

Mona raised her coffee like a toast. "And you deserve a break from being the mom who does everything."

The bell rang then, and chaos resumed as students began packing up and grabbing their phones. Mona slid off the desk, brushing invisible dust from her skirt. "Dinner soon. You, me, Emily, and your sanity — if you can find it."

"I'll pencil it in," Alison said with a smile that lingered even after Mona slipped out the door.

Emily tucked herself into the corner of the staff lounge, her lunch barely touched as she stared at her phone. A breath later, she hit call.

"Hello?" Hanna's familiar voice picked up with a cheerful lilt.

"I miss your voice," Emily said without preamble, the exhaustion in her voice making Hanna go quiet.

"I miss yours too," Hanna replied warmly. "Everything okay?"

Emily leaned back in her chair, her eyes fluttering shut. "It's just been a lot. The girls are great, but... you know. Pre-teens. And therapy with Alison has been... good, but hard."

"Oh, Em." Hanna's voice softened. "You two are doing the work. That's what matters. I'm proud of you both."

"I just miss having you around. You kept things light — even when they weren't."

"Well," Hanna said, brightening. "Then it's good I'm planning to visit next month. Surprise!"

Emily's heart lifted immediately. "Wait — seriously?"