Axiom 1: One Cannot Not Communicate

     Oftentimes when someone does not want to talk about a certain situation they avoid communicating or use an excuse such as saying, "I'm sick". Using "something that renders communication justifiably impossible" such as sickness or sleepiness is known as symptom strategy (Griffin 183). In Pretty Little Liars, this happens many times because the characters are constantly keeping secrets. Hanna avoids talking about her break up when her mother asks and Aria hides her relationship with Ezra by changing the subject when he is brought up in conversation. Even Aria's brother, Mike, constantly avoids confrontation with his parents about his anger problems and his lack of effort in school, often going to his room and saying "I'm fine" to avert from discussion. However there are nonverbal cues that communicate feelings, opinions, or events because even silence has an impact. Facial expressions also can speak just as loud as words and therefore avoiding all these different types of communication is impossible.
     In the Pretty Little Liars scene shown below, Hanna's mom, Ashley, asks Hanna about a crime she was accused of committing and about someone who is potentially framing her. Hanna avoids the topic by saying they don't need to talk about it. After, when her mom asks if she in fact committed the crime she doesn't respond and instead starts crying. This type of nonverbal communication speaks to Ashley and she leaves the room because Hanna's crying gives her the impression that she is in fact guilty. Despite not saying anything, Hanna's crying communicates in spite of this.