Chapter 1: Strangers at a Club, Lovers at Heart
Sweat. Body heat. Alcohol. Aria pushed through the crowd that seemed to vibrate with people gently, along with her three best friends. She made her way straight to the bar and took a seat, not really feeling the want to be here anymore.
"Aria," Hanna said, taking a seat next to her best friend on the barstool, "It is your twenty-first birthday. You have to celebrate." Aria looked at her and scrunched up her face.
"Yeah, well, kind of hard to do when you catch your boyfriend in your bed with someone else," she sighed as she played with the hem of her sequence clubbing dress.
"Look," Spencer glided up behind her and wrapped her arms around her neck, "Maybe if you drink a little, get into the beat, and meet someone new, you might just forget about Eric. Come on, just try. You need this."
"Yeah, hon," Emily yelled over the boom of the music, "You're twenty-one, 5'2, tiny, and amazing. Damn, if only you were gay…"
The group laughed and Aria let out a giggle, "Em..."
"I'm kidding," she smiled widely at her and nudged her arm, "Someone will find you and never want to let go. Eric was bad news. Someone new would do you good."
"Thanks guys," Aria said as she looked around the room full of many dancing bodies, "You guys go and dance. I'll just get some alcohol running through my veins first. Really, go."
The small brunette watched as her friends scurried off onto the dance floor; being engulfed by the sea of sweaty bodies, grinding on complete strangers. She gave a sigh of stress. She had found her boyfriend, well, ex-boyfriend, Eric, at her apartment with someone who wasn't her in bed next to him. Sure, she was going to break up with him a few days later that week anyway, but it still hurt her that he would lie and hurt her like that. The incident had happened a few months ago, but she still saw him every day, since they went to the same gym. She was still heartbroken at how he or anyone for that matter, ter macould do that so easily and still be fine.
She took a sip of her drink that the bar tender had just given her and stood from her seat. As she pressed the glass to her lips, someone bumped into her from behind, causing the whole thing to spill on her chest.
"Oh my God," a man behind her said slowly, "I am so sorry about that. Would you like me to help you clean up?"
"No, it's alright," Aria replied, turning to face the young, dark-haired, tall, and handsome man standing in front of her, "Really, it's fine."
The guy looked her up and down, admiring her beauty as she admired his. Their eyes met at the same time, and Aria saw something in them that she was immediately drawn to.
"Look, I won't leave you here until I help you," he said softly, taking her hand and leading her toward the bathrooms. "My name is Ezra, by the way," the blue eyed man said as he handed her a wet paper towel.
"Aria," she replied with a sweet smile, taking the towel from his hands and dabbing it across her chest. Ezra melted inside, feeling a complete and undeniable attraction toward her. She looked up at him and hopped of the little counter, retrieving more towels from the dispenser.
"So what brings you here," Aria asked, rinsing another towel under the lukewarm water and continuing to clean her upper body.
"I needed to get out, but truthfully, clubs aren't really my thing," Ezra admitted. "And what about you? Are you one of those diehard, party girls?"
Aria giggled, causing Ezra's heart thump hard against his ribcage, "No, not at all. Today is my birthday, actually. I'm twenty-one."
"Happy birthday," Ezra smiled warmly at her as she threw away her paper towels, finished cleaning up. She leant against the wall beside him and turned her head to face him, "Thanks. My friends decided to take me out tonight, but honestly I don't really care for clubs, either. It was more of their choice."
"I know what you mean," Ezra said, scooting a little closer to her, "I'd much rather be checking out the new bookstore downtown."
"Me, too," Aria agreed, rolling her head back and looking at him.
"Well, do you want to ditch this place and go," Ezra asked with a genuine smile, "It is your birthday, after all. You should be doing what you want to do."
She scrunched up her nose, thinking it over, "Well, you don't strike me as someone who will attack me in the middle of the street and kill me. Right?"
Ezra chuckled, "I swear I won't lay a hand on you. I honestly don't think I am capable of killing anything."
"Well, then, sure," she said softly, "As long as you buy me a book."
"I wouldn't have it any other way," Ezra replied, sticking his hand out for her, which she took immediately.
"I really like this one," Aria said as she inspected "The Hunger Games" by Susan Collins. Ezra walked toward her and leaned over her shoulder to get a glimpse of what the book is about. Aria watched him in the corner of her eye, feeling his breath on her bare shoulder.
"I'll get it for you," Ezra suggested, "And the other three books in the trilogy. Along with this one," he held out "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee, "It's my favorite."
"Ezra, that's so sweet of you, but that, is way too much to be spending on me. A random stranger whom you spilt beer on," Aria laughed and shook her head slightly.
"I insist, birthday girl," Ezra snatched the book gently from her hand and took the others off the shelf before she could continue protesting and put them on the counter. His eyes gleamed as he looked over at Aria, who just smiled and watched him as he paid for the books.
"Just so you know, 'To Kill a Mockingbird' is my favorite, too," Aria looked up at him as he sat down next to her on the floor between two deserted bookcases. He placed the plastic bag filled with books in her lap.
"Another thing we have in common," Ezra chuckled. He watched her hazel eyes smile flirtatiously as she took out a book and flipped open to the first page. He watched those same, gorgeous eyes follow along with the words written on each page, and he didn't want to look away. Something about her, he couldn't quite figure out what it was, drew him to her. Everything she did was beautiful. It was as if he was addicted. She bit her bottom lip as she concentrated hard on the words, seeming to block out everything and everyone else.
Aria looked up from the book, catching Ezra staring. She blushed for a moment before shutting the book and placing it back in the bag, "You bought me books, so now I feel like I have to treat you to something. And I am not leaving your side until I give you something in return."
Ezra looked into her mesmerizing eyes, "Well, then I'm not telling you what I want, if that is the case," Aria sighed and gave him a puppy dog face, "Fine. How about we get some frozen yogurt and go for a walk?"
Aria held her shoes in her hand as she took another bite of her frozen treat. Ezra was right beside her, looking into the star-filled sky. They made their way into the local park, which was now deserted from it being so late. Aria took a seat on one of the benches, pulling her legs under her. Ezra smiled at her and took a seat next to her, "So, what is your birthday wish? You have to have one."
Aria's face scrunched up as she shook her head, "I have one, but I can't burden you with the story that goes along with it."
"Aria, I want to know more about you," Ezra said softly, "Maybe this is one way I can. Believe it or not, I'm a good listener."
Aria put her frozen treat down next to her, "Well, I've been hurt really bad. I was going out with this guy for about two months, but things weren't really going well for me. He just wasn't my type, so I was planning on breaking it off with him the next day. Well, I was coming home from my friend's house, and when I walked into my apartment, I found him in bed with someone else. I know I shouldn't have been hurt like that, since I was going to break up with him anyway, but it was just the idea that someone could do that to someone they supposedly care about." Ezra sat quietly, listening to every word she said. He watched as a hurt expression crossed her face. "That was three and a half months ago. I still see him a lot at the gym and around town, and he looks fine. Like nothing happened. How can someone do that?"
"I don't know," Ezra admitted, shrugging his shoulders. Aria looked up from her lap and stared into his ocean blue eyes. "I've been hurt like that. Except, a different situation. There was this girl who I had it bad for. She flirted with me and led me on. One day, I finally had enough courage to ask her on a date, and she laughed in my face when I did. What made it even worse is that she dated my best friend afterwards."
"What a bitch," Aria breathed, causing Ezra to let out a huff of air.
"No kidding," Ezra said, looking around and then back at Aria, "But I got over her. It hurt for a while, yes, but you'll move on. Trust me."
"That is my wish. To find a guy that I know won't hurt me from the start. Thank you for listening," Aria gave him a hug, her heart beating loudly. His was the same. They stayed in their embrace for what felt like hours but really seconds.
"Close your eyes," Ezra told her gently after a comfortable silence. Aria hesitantly did as she was told and shut her eyes. She heard him shuffle around a bit and then get still. "Open." Aria smiled widely as she looked at what he held in his hands. It was a large chocolate cupcake from the bakery they got their frozen yogurt from. It had the words "Happy Birthday" written across it in icing. And, last but not least, he downloaded an iPhone app that was a lit candle and held it over the cupcake.
"This is the sweetest thing anyone has ever done for me," she smiled and giggled appreciatively.
"You deserve it, Aria," Ezra replied, "You are the most amazing woman I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. Or spilling a drink on," they both let out a small laugh, "Happy Birthday." Aria's eyes watered as she blew into the phone's speaker, causing the virtual fire to blow out. Ezra handed her the treat, and she split it between the both of them.
"Thank you for everything tonight," Aria said as they neared her apartment building. "I had an amazing birthday, thanks to you."
"I had a lot of fun, too," Ezra replied, taking her hand as he carried her shoes and books in the other. "Maybe we could do this again sometime?"
"Sure," Aria agreed, stopping on the stone steps, "Name a time and date."
"Tomorrow," Ezra asked before the last word came out of her mouth. "I'll come get you tomorrow around six and we can go out together. Anywhere you want, as long as I get to spend time with you."
The corners of Aria's mouth turned up into a smile as she leaned in and gave him a kiss on the cheek, "Tomorrow at six. Give me your phone so I can give you my number." He quickly handed her his phone and took a picture for her contact. He then texted the number, causing her to receive his and take a picture.
"Well," Aria said as she began to walk up the steps, "I'll see you tomorrow. Thank you again, Ezra."
"It was no problem at all, Aria," he replied, opening the buildings door for her. She smiled warmly at him before disappearing up a flight of stairs. He sighed happily to himself and couldn't stop smiling. He had never felt this way toward anyone; especially someone he had just met. However, Aria made him feel different and amazing. He couldn't really explain what she did to him, but it was a magical feeling.
Aria slammed her door happily, smiling ear to ear. What she did tonight was crazy and daring, and she absolutely loved it. She actually met a great guy who made her feel, well, amazing. She dreamily stripped off her clothing and got into her pajamas. A bleep sounded from her phone, causing her to be pulled out of her daydream. She padded over to her bed, where her phone lay, and saw it was none other than Ezra. "I can't get you out of my head. I never thought I could feel this way for someone I just met. Tomorrow afternoon is too far away. Any way I could see you sooner?"
Aria lat out a small laugh and quickly replied, "I feel the same. Maybe you can come over for breakfast tomorrow? Apartment 4C. I can cook my famous eggs and toast. Is it a date?"
Not even a minute later there was a reply, "It's a date. I'll call you when I am at your apartment door." Aria flipped over on her back and let out a happy sigh. Taylor Swift blared from her phone's speaker, indicating someone was calling. Aria answered and got up from her bed, "I thought you said you would call when you were at my door?"
"And I don't lie," Ezra laughed. Aria ran to her door, unlocked it, and flung it open to reveal Ezra. They both hung up the phones and looked at each other. "I needed to see you again."
"It's only been like fifteen minutes," the brunette giggled as she leaned against the door frame.
"Yeah, well," he looked down at his feet, "I needed to see you one more time before I went to sleep. And now that I have, goodnight." He turned on his heel and walked down the hallway, stopping when Aria called his name. As soon as he turned around, her lips were on his. He ran his hands through her hair as it deepened slightly. They pulled away breathlessly afterwards.
"Well, I couldn't sleep tonight without doing that. And now that I have, goodnight," she smiled warmly at him and sprinted back to her door, giving him one last glance before closing the door. Ezra was grinning like an idiot, unable to form words. He just nodded his head and jumped up in the air excitedly, before walking home where he went to sleep, dreaming about the girl he met in a bar. And also loved.
Note: I have been working on this for a while now. Was it to your liking? Continue? Please tell me in a review! Thanks for reading!
~Laura