"For a moment the last sunshine fell with romantic affection upon her glowing face; her voice compelled me forward breathlessly as I listened then the glow faded, each light deserting her with lingering regret, like children leaving a pleasant street at dusk." F. Scott Fitzgerald "The Great Gatsby"
In a town like Rosewood, it's pretty easy to get used to the stares, especially when you are the brother of a popular or not-so-popular murder victim. Many of the stares are accusing and cruel, while others are simply curious. They wonder about my motives for coming back to town. I often wonder about them myself. Of course I want answers, revenge. But that isn't all that I want. I've left many old relationships behind as well as a newly developing relationship with Spencer. She needs my help. But there is someone else who needs me too, I hope.
As I entered through the clouds of artificial smoke, loud music, and crowds of people ready to board the Halloween train, I searched the crowd for a familiar face. I see her immediately. She looks just as beautiful as I remember. Her petite frame looking even more petite when she is surrounded by her taller friends, even though she is wearing a pair of her ridiculously tall high-heels. She always hated her small stature, especially when I would comment about it. I feel a small smile creeping across my face.
I start to really notice her costume. A 20's style green dress with a beaded headband, with tons of accessories of course, this is Aria we're talking about here. I could really tell she put a lot of time in on her costume. As opposed to me, it takes only a few things I already had and a comb to look like James Dean. My eyes start to linger on her too long. She catches my stare. She looks apprehensive, and then slowly returns a small smile my way. I start to weave my way through to her, when they call for everyone to board the train. She is quickly rushed through the crowd, easily disappearing in the sea of her taller peers.
Time passes quickly with no sign of her. I stop my search to catch some air on the balcony of the train. The cool air clears my head. The passing scenery quiets my nerves. I knew what I had to do. I am not leaving this party tonight without telling her how I feel. This time I will fight for her. I won't give up so easily. You just don't stop caring for someone. I start moving on forward through the train. Each cart filled with people I've never seen before, and some that I have. Cart after cart there was no sign of her. I could probably just text and ask where she is. But she probably wouldn't answer. Things hadn't ended very well that last time he had left town. She didn't owe him anything. She has a boyfriend and her best friends and a life. She is happy. It has been a long time since I've felt that same way.
The carts get progressively less crowded as I make my way through them. The music starts to fade through the speakers to a bare hum. As I reached the last cart, I see her. She is alone in a corner booth, distracted by her own thoughts as she played with her necklace in her hands mindlessly. She looked different then she had earlier, almost sad.
I approached the table tentatively. I don't want to disturb her. I almost turn away entirely and give up. She seems so peaceful and serene. I gaze at her a little longer. That's when she looks up, clearly startled. Way to go, Jason. What a great way to start this conversation.
"Hey!" She smiles.
"Um.. .hey I didn't mean to bother you.." I say apologetically.
She waves off my apology. "Of course you didn't bother me. I was about ready to fall asleep." She laughed and I swear it's like hearing an angel sing. I can't help but laugh along with her. My laugh sounds far less graceful.
"Come on, take a seat" She suggests. Of course I take it, anything to get closer to her.
"So.. James Dean?" she asks curiously, gesturing to my costume.
"Yes. You like?" I coyly ask.
"Well duh. I've seen "Rebel without a Cause" about a million times. It's one of my favorite movies." I nod. I knew this; she had let it slip in one of late night sessions of 20 questions. It's not like I remembered that when I picked this costume out. Okay, I lied. Of course I did.
"Well your costume isn't too shabby either," I commented.
"Why thank you Mr. Dean. I'm Daisy from "The Great Gatsby. We read the book in English class last year and I just fell in love with her." She babbled on excitedly.
"I think that you look absolutely stunning Ms. Daisy. So.. ugh.. Where is Mr. Gatsby?" I ask awkwardly. It's pretty hard to catch her alone without Ezra. It hurt just to say his name. Why was he so special? It does no good to compare myself to him. It doesn't change anything.
"Oh, he had some ghost writing thing out-of-town. So he canceled on me."
"Well he's missing out." She replies to my remark with a slight blush.
"If you need a replacement Gatsby, you know who to ask." I throw out.
She smiles at me and says," Now why would I want Gatsby when I can have a James Dean?" Now it was my turn to blush, which was easy to see. She smiles widely at my reaction. She always knows what to say to make me react. It's not very hard, everything she does affects me.
"So how have you been Aria?" I asked seriously, changing the tone of the conversation immediately. I could tell she hadn't been sleeping well, as hard as she tried, I can still see the dark rings under her eyes.
"Where do I start?" She says, suddenly sounding exhausted.