Happiness.

"How to Kill A Mockingbird? Why are you trying to kill birds!?" 5 year old Aria Montgomery said to her new neighbor Ezra Fitz. A 8 year old boy who was wiser than his years. He was sitting on the edge of the sidewalk of his house reading, and curious Aria who was riding her little bike had to know what book he was reading.

"No, no, it's not about killing bird little girl." Ezra shot back. She set her bike down and sat next to him.

"Then why's it called that huh?" Aria snapped back.

"Because, well, a little girl like you wouldn't understand." Ezra said and went back to reading.

"Stop calling me little!! I'm almost tall enough to ride the roller coasters at the carnival." she stuck her younger out at him and he laughed.

"Do you like to read?" he asked her.

"Very much so. I read Macbeth last week."

"YOU read Macbeth?? That's a little beyond your years." he said.

"Well my mom only got me the kid version, but same difference" she said shrugging and they both laughed.

"How about tomorrow you meet me by the playground and I'll bring a book for us both to read." he asked the cute little Aria.

"Ohh fun!! I'll ask my mommy first though. What's your name?" she said cocking her head.

"Ezra, Ezra Fitz."

"Hi Ezra Ezra Fitz, I'm Aria Montgomery." she said holding out her small hand to shake.

"Only one Ezra sweetheart, but

hello Aria you have a beautiful name."

"Thanks Ezra!! I gotta go, but I'll see you tomorrow!" and with that she got on her bike, and pedaled across the street to her house.

"Cute kid." Ezra said before standing up and walking inside his house.

8 years later - (Aria is 13, Ezra is 16)

Aria, and her best friends Hannah, Spencer, Emily, and Ally were all in Spencer's barn waiting for the boys to show. Every Friday they would have what they called a "Family Game night". The boys were Ezra, Caleb, and Toby. Ever since their playground book date Ezra was added to Arias friend group. He fit in well because Toby was also the same age as Ezra. The eight of them hung out all the time and easily became best friends quickly. "Boys are here!" Hannah yelled.

"What's up ladies?" Toby said, walking in with Caleb following him.

"Where's Ezra?" asked Aria.

"Oh chill Aria I'm sure your little boyfriend is coming right behind them." Hannah said and a few of them started to laugh.

"He's not my boyfriend I'm only 13 Han, and so are you so stop drooling over Caleb" she spat back sassy and it was her turn to laugh.

"Aria!!!" Hannah said blushing.

"Don't worry Ar he said he had to get something at the Brew before he came, he should be here shortly." Toby said reassuringly.

"Okay cool thanks!" Aria said, as they all found spots on the couch. They started to watch Full House reruns until Ezra arrived. 15 minutes later there was a knock at the door, signaling Ezra's arrival.

"I'll get it," Aria said getting up from the couch.

"Oh course you will" said Hannah smirking. Aria playfully rolled her eyes and went to the door. Aria went through the hallway and then opened the door and there was a handsome 16 year old Ezra smiling at her.

"Hey! Sorry I'm late" Ezra said giving her a warm hug.

"You're all good, where were you?" Aria asked looking at the small brown package in his hand. He held it out to her.

"Open it, I got it for you." he said grinning widely.

"Ezra..." he said blushing and untieing the ribbon around the package, she ripped it open and a wave of excitement flooded her face, "Ezra how did you..?"

"I pre ordered it as soon as it came out, I knew how much you wanted it." She looked down at 'Go set a Watchmen', the newest book released by Harper Lee one of her and Ezra's favorite authors. It came out a week ago and sold out in an instant, leaving her unable to read it till a new shipment came to the brew. She jumped up and hugged him tightly.

"Thank you so much!! Will you come over tomorrow so we can read it together?"

"Of course." Ezra said and they both locked eyes smiling for a moment. Aria and Ezra had always felt the spark when they were together or when they touched, but never did anything about it. They were only young remember.

They then rejoined the group and they all decided to start or with a game of truth or dare, a classic. They pushed back the couch so they all could sit in a circle on the floor. They did so and played for 30 minutes with innocent questions and dares like "Who's our least favorite teacher" and "I dare you to go outside and scream I love pickles.". But after a while they had to make things more interesting. Dares got much more daring and finally Ally picked Aria. "Truth or Dare" Ally asked.

"Mmm Dare." Aria replied.

"Okayyyy, oh I have a good one. I dare you to kiss someone in the circle" Ally smirked and Aria looked in distress.

"Ohhhhhhh!" the whole group said. Ezra and Aria exchanged glances really fast before Ezra shyly looked down.

"Ughh okay okay" Aria said.

"What if everyone closes their eyes and Aria kisses someone and the rest of us guess who it is" Emily said.

"I like that twist, but we all know who it's gonna be" Ally said winking at Ezra.

"Ally!! Just everybody close your eyes." Aria said. They all did as she said, and she slowly scooted towards her kiss choice, Ezra. She was kneeling right in front of him and slowly put her hands up to his cheeks, causing him to smile. She leaned forward and kissed him tenderly and sparks flew between the two. Aria had always wanted to know what it be like to kiss her best friend Ezra, but she never wanted to ruin there friend ship. And the age difference was always a concern as well. Ezra grabbed the back of Arias head to bring her closer and deepened the kiss, but then Spencer interrupted yelling

"Aria quit being a chicken and kiss Ezra already!" the two broke apart giggling quietly and Aria rushed back to her spot and said "everyone can open their eyes now." as soon as the opened their eyes they all yelled "EZRA!" and Aria and Ezra looked at each other and laughed.

"Dang Ezra I didn't know people could turn that shade of red" Caleb commented. And in that moment Aria and Ezra realized we're in love with each other. But they wouldn't ever admit to it... at least they thought they wouldn't.

3 years later - (Aria is turning 16, Ezra is 19)

It was Arias 16th birthday, her birthday party was tomorrow and everyone including her best friends were excited, except for her. She wanted to be, but Ezra was in college and this was the first birthday since they met that he was going to miss.

Currently Aria was sitting by the large oak tree in the middle of the woods behind her house. The tree was near a pond and she was throwing rocks into it. Ezra and her considered this "their spot". In a non relationship kind of way. A year or to after they first met they found this spot and came here to read books to one another. Now she was sitting her moping about her best friend, who she loved, not being their for her sixteenth birthday. She was broken out of her trance when she heard someone walking up behind her. She swiftly turned around but saw no one. "Hello?" she called out but no one called back. She turned back around to face the lake and there he was in front of her. "Ezra!!" she screamed and leaped into his arms tackling him to the ground.

"You didn't actually think I'd miss your birthday right!?" He said sitting up next to her with his arm around her.

"You had me going there Fitz, I was totally bummed." she said looking into his gorgeous eyes.

"I'm sorry, I bet these will help you forgive me," he pulled out a beautiful bouquet of sunflowers from beside him, her absolute favorite flower.

"Oh Ezra, they're beautiful, I love them and you so much!" She blurted out.

"Really?" he said shocked.

"Oh um, I mean, um, you're my best friend, I love you so much as a friend" She rambled together.

"Haha um okay," he said standing up. "We should get inside and help your parents finish setting up for your party tomorrow." he grabbed her hands and pulled her up, they were so close and the both looked at each other's lips for a slight second. Ezra began to lean in for a kiss but Aria turned and said "race you!" and took off.

"I love you too. But more than a friend." Ezra whispered and then began to run to catch up with her.