Chapter One

Flashback

It was like slow motion. Everything, our movements, our emotions, our reactions, everything seemed so surreal. Nightmare doesn't even begin to describe what this was. Sounds were muffled. Emotions were high. Even though I was there experiencing this myself, it still felt like an out of body experience.

The sound of a car door echoes through my head. Today was supposed to be one of the happiest days of my life. Today was the day I graduated. Smiles, butterflies, and talks about what the future held. It was exciting stuff. My friends and I decided not to have our own graduation parties, but in turn show up to everyone else's. But today was not that day.

Ezra made his way to my parent's front porch. Hands shoved in pockets, eyes cast downward, and slowly making his way toward me. Nervous. It's like the understatement of the century. What I'm feeling right now, in this moment, is far beyond nervous. It's indescribable. He looks up to me with a shy smile, words are exchanged, mouths are moving but I hear nothing.

Hurt. Confused. Angry. How didn't I see this coming? Our exchange wasn't short by any means. The Levy breaks, tears begin to fall. This is all too much, too soon. It doesn't have to be this way. We don't have to break up. We could be one of the couples who make it, one of the couples who beat the odds and prove the world, science, whoever wrong.

Ezra takes a step forward, arms spread wide. A hug?! He wants a hug at a time like this? Without second thought I push him away with everything my tiny body would allow. That was a blow to his heart. He walks forward again and envelops me in a tight embrace. This time I can't fight him off, this time I don't want to. I hold on to him for dear life, not wanting him to go, not wanting this to be over. We look at each other. Eyes red, breathing uneven, cheeks stained with dry tears, as more continue to fall.

"I love you." Ezra says through labored sobs. He leans down and kisses my forehead. With one last hug, he pulls away and makes his way down the porch stairs, never turning around. And just like that, he was gone before I could even say it back.

"I love you, too."

End Flashback

Present Day

"Mmmm. No! Ezra!" I silently choke out, snapping out of my light doze. Are you serious?!, I think to myself. Not again. It's been months since Ezra and I've broken up and I constantly have that scene on loop in my head, a nightmare that never ends.

Like the true gentleman he's not, he decided that it would be best to break my heart right after graduation. And to think that I could have loved someone so heartless! I'm not sure why but I feel someone shaking me lightly.

"Ma'am? Ma'am," my eyes shoot open and I see a wide-eyed flight attendant standing over me, "I'm going to need you to fasten your seatbelt. We're about to land?" I just stare, hearing what she's saying but not really comprehending what's going on. Within seconds, my brain catches up with my ears and I remember where I am. Flight 3840, Destination: College.

From my left I hear people chuckling. No surprise here, Hanna and Spencer have their eyes locked on me trying to suppress their laughter.- obviously failing, when Hanna's head falls back letting out a loud laugh. Spencer soon follows. Emily on the other hand is oblivious, headphones blasting in her ears, and blocking out the rest of the world. Flying always makes her a bit jumpy, not to mention nauseous. We're not completely sure why she chose the window seat but one simply does not question Emily, especially these days.

"You okay there, buddy?" Hanna asks, still laughing. "I don't know what you were dreaming about but you were totally into it. It was something dirty, wasn't it?"

"No. No it wasn't." I say, slightly annoyed. For the last couple of months I've been overly bitchy; just down right mean, actually. It's not like I mean it, but with everything that's happened I just can't find my way back to the old me, and believe me I've tried.

"Look I'm sorry, okay? I know that we sometimes get these urges. Sometimes we have incredibly hot dreams. Sometimes they're even wet, but on a PLANE? Really, Ar?" Hanna says through muffled laughs.

"Are you done now?" I say sending her a glare.

"Aria, it's been months. He left you and I know it's hard. I know you loved him but don't let what he's done to you hold you back. Don't let yourself think that he was the best part of you. You are the best part of you. You don't need him. You've never needed him." Spencer says to me as she holds my hands in hers. "He's the idiot. He's the asshole."

"Not to sound pathetic or anything, but what if he was the best part of me? What if I can't move on? I love him, Spence. It's been months, I know, but I just don't think I can get over him. I can't let him go, no matter how bad I want to."

Hanna chimes in, "Look, Ezra was great. He was good looking, smart, fun-." Hanna stops to think for a second before frantically waving her hand in the air, swatting away her next point, "Well, you thought he was funny. He was great, but maybe he wasn't the one. We're on a plane, heading across the country where there is a hot guy on every corner. We're young, smart, and about to be the hottest girls the campus has ever seen. Get. On. Our. Level."

I can't help but laugh as I pull both Spencer and Hanna into a warm embrace. We stay like this for a moment before Hanna pulls away and looks at me.

"And if I have to, during Christmas Break, I will fly down to Rosewood and hand deliver my fist to his face. Merry Christmas!"

And with that we all burst into a fit of laughter. Emily joins in as well, which is weird because she's been completely zoned out for the majority of the trip. I look to her earphones and follow the chord downward to see where it's plugged in... And it's not. The input jack was dangling above the ground. Emily must have sensed my eyes on here because we quickly made eye contact and she smiled.

"Em? How long have you been music free?" I asked. Hoping that she didn't hear the beginning of our conversation.

"Well...," she says with a sly smirk. "I'd say since about when you started moaning. Out loud might I add? The old guy across the aisle from you kept shuffling in his seat and licking his lips. He was really into it. So much so, he had to excuse himself to the bathroom. Twice." Emily said as she laughed.

"I. Was. Not. Moaning." I whine.

"Yeah, tell that to the guy in row 27, seat H." Spencer winks at me.

All three of my friends burst into laughter and I find myself just wanting to crawl under a rock, or my seat, or wherever. Although I can't see them right now, I know that my cheeks are beyond red right now. Crimson even. I lift my hoodie over my head to block out my friend's laughter and to hide my face. Just as they begin to settle down the pilot's voice comes over the intercom.

"We advise that everyone fasten their seatbelts, move their seats into an upright position, and to please turn off all electronic devices. We are now preparing to land. Thank you."

A/N: Um... So yeah... That was that. This is my first FanFic EVER (I know! Talk about nerve-wracking! ), so let me know what you think? Should I keep this going or...?

Be honest... but please, be gentle with me!

Xoxo, Syn92.