The unnecessarily loud bell rang through the Rosewood Day Halls warning that first period was about to start. Aria dragged her feet along the tile floors on her way to A.P. English. She sat down just as class was about to start. She looked up to see Hanna staring at her from 2 rows down. She forced a half smile and quickly turned away. Her mom was out sick, so she knew the substitute teacher would be in soon. She also knew that everyone was staring at her, thinking the same thing. She moved a few seats over until she was sitting next to Hanna. She didn't exactly feel like chatting right now, but it was better than sitting next to Noel Kahn. "I didn't think you would be in today," whispered Hanna. "It's not like I can avoid Ezra forever," Aria replied. It was true. Ezra had a son now and an on again off again ghost writing job wasn't going to cut it. "wait, your parents didn't tell you?" Hanna sounded genuinely surprised. "Han, you're making me nervous..." Hanna had a sad, almost pitiful look in her eyes- this was no joke. "Aria, Ezra was arrested last night." "Oh my God," Aria blurted out, catching the attention of a few kids sitting by the window. Her body went numb. This was not happening.
She flew out of her seat and tried not to slam the door to hard on the way out.
She was running down the hall into the empty girls bathroom when her phone rang, bringing her back into the real world. It was her mother, Ella. "Hi sweetie." Her mother's voice, which was usually comforting to Aria, suddenly sounded like nails on a chalkboard. "How could you not tell me that Ezra was arrested?" Aria said as the tears welled up in her eyes, trying desperately not to spill down her cheeks. "I didn't want to say anything until I knew more. I'm so sorry." She went on, but Aria couldn't hear her - her mind was racing. "When? When did they bring him in? Why? He would never do anything to hurt me, or anyone!" Aria couldn't help herself, she slid to the bathroom floor, sobbing. She was overcome with memories of him. How did their relationship manage to get so screwed up? She needed answers and she needed them now.