Aria is sobbing so hard her stomach is starting to hurt. She's sick and tired of playing –A's game and she wants her life back. She doesn't remember the last time she did something good…something that brought someone happiness…something that didn't end in death or destruction.
She throws herself into Ezra's couch – her couch, even if it doesn't feel that way – and that's when she really lets the tears loose. They're rushing down her face now, and her shoulders are heaving in big, heavy gasps. She lets her body concave and she folds in half against the cushions, her head hitting a pillow, and her whole being just sinking into itself.
Maybe it's finally over.
Maybe it will never end.
She closes her eyes and tries to squeeze the tears away, but that only makes her eyes sting. Distantly, she hears the door open and close, but she's too torn up to focus on Ezra as he walks across the room and kneels in front of her. She doesn't want to see him. She doesn't want to listen to him. She doesn't want anything to do with him right now. He's part of the problem.
If he had just stayed home…if Nicole had just stayed out of the picture…maybe then she would be free. They would have flown to Tuscany and eloped; they could have stayed there and started a new life. Instead, all she can see is the blood on her hands and the bodies stacking up in the closet.
His hands are rough against her arms and their weight makes her open her eyes. She draws out of herself just enough to sit up and reluctantly falls into him. He holds her there, tight against his chest and pushes her hair back until it's out of her face.
"Shhh…" he whispers, trying to coax her into looking at him. "Focus on me. Hey," he says, a little more serious.
She takes in a deep breath and tries to steady herself as he wipes the tears that are covering her cheeks.
"What happened?" he asks quietly.
She shakes her head and tries to look away but he follows her, not letting her break eye contact.
"Ezra…" she starts, pulling her lips together into a tight line. She can feel the sob catching in her throat as it bubbles up from her chest. She feels dizzy, like she might get sick. "I have done some really terrible things…"
His eyes shift from concern to something more and he wonders what could have happened this time.
"Just…tell me what it is. I'm sure everything's going to be okay."
Against her better judgment, she slowly shakes her head and lets him in like always. She should be saving him the grief. She should be letting him live his life, before it's too late. She gives him a soft, sorry, sympathetic look before going on. Then, with a deep breath, says, "No. This time…I don't think it is."
AN: I wasn't sure what else to title this so...that's why it is literally the least creative thing ever Lol. If you feel so inclined, leave a review! Why do YOU think she's crying?