AN: This is a short little one-shot based off a line Noel said in the last episode. As I'm writing this, Noel and Aria are just about to kiss when Ezra walks in on them… EEP!

"Aria! Hey, Aria!" The usually smiling Noel Khan pushes his way through the hallways of Rosewood High. A dark head full of curls turns. A surprised expression softens when she realizes who is calling her.

"Hey, Noel." A smile escapes from her lips. She knew it was wrong… even though she and Ezra were most likely done, she still felt it was cheating.

Ezra had abandoned her. And Noel had… sorta swooped in to help her. Save her from the pit she stupidly dug herself into. It was just a schoolgirl crush, except this time, reciprocated.

Aria shakes herself out of her daze. "Uh, so, Noel. What did you want?" She sweeps hair back from her face. Their eyes clash.

"You know what I said before?" Aria furrows her eyebrows. Noel had said a lot to her recently.

"Uhm… no." She blushes slightly. He smiled, and scratched his neck.

"Ah, that's okay." Now that he thought about it, he didn't think it was a very good idea anymore. "Nevermind."

"No… I want to know." A slow smile formed on her face, lighting up her eyes. He could tell she was slowly opening up to her. He was so grateful- he knew she would never get over her mystery boyfriend. But he had to tell her.

"Aria… I told you… I would wait for you. And that I'd keep my options open." Her insides boiled.

"Uhh- about that. I'm so sorry I ran off like that. It's just that Spencer…" words tumbled out of her mouth in a jumble. She could feel her usually eloquent self tangle into a blob of words that made no sense.

"No Aria- it's uh, it's not about that." He could tell she was confused. Yet, he still sighed, and continued on. "It's about what I said."

Aria could feel the life draining from her face. Of course Noel Khan had found a girl so easily. Why did she feel so sad about it? She herself had rejected him. But part of her wanted to hold on to him- to make him stay.

"You know how I said I would keep my options open?" Aria just nodded dumbly. "I decided not to." A double take from her.

"What?" Noel looked down at the floor, and picked invisible lint off his pants.

"I'll wait, Aria. I'll wait for you. And… uhm… I'll wait for just you." Aria could feel her whole body tingle. She wanted to touch him in some way- but it didn't feel right.

"Thanks, Noel." He smiles.

"Just uh, keep me posted, okay? If you ever feel lonely some dark, scary night…" both laugh. She hugs him, finally deciding it's not awkward.

"Okay."

I hope you liked this. I know it's not really the best ending for Noel, but I do think it matches the couple perfectly. I think we saw a glimpse of the two kissing in the next episode? (hopefully) but then another Aria/Ezra kiss. (Not that I don't like Aria/Ezra ;) )

I HATE when the ending to a story is just "I LOVE YOU!" "I LOVE YOU TOO!" lalalala…

Anyways, review!