SO I tried editing with all that's in me but I failed (miserably) This will be an two-shot. Hardy and Ezra are 5 years older and Aria is twenty four in the present day. Ezra never taught at Rosewood high or even entered the small town.

Words fall through me and always fool me

23rd May 2014, Rosewood (06:20)

Rosewood was a beautiful town, it was small and had rustic houses with all sorts of history to them. Something she had always found interesting. Nine months ago, she had moved back to Rosewood into an apartment with her three best-friends. It was something she never thought she'd do after all for the last couple of years she had been living alongside the man she had "loved" and his best-friend but things happened and she had returned to her hometown.

Since she had come back, she had gotten a job at Rosewood high. Working alongside her mother wasn't exactly something she wanted to do, but it was a means to an end. Aria Montgomery was a writer not a teacher, she didn't have in her to pursue such a career nor did she have the passion. She wasn't him. Her eyes flickered at the thought of him and she stared at the ceiling. Rosewood Daily didn't have any open positions so she had to settle. It wasn't long-term, or so she told herself. The brunette sat upright and pushed the blanket off her body as she got out of bed.

Her friends were in their living room—all of them were wide wake—and talking, very loudly, about something. After a very quick shower, she got dressed into a pencil skirt and a loose V-neck blouse which she tucked into the skirt. Her hair was in a loose bun and she applied minimal make-up before she left her room. She didn't bother greeting her friends until she had a coffee in her hand. They had spoken about this, her friends and she had, when they were younger, it hadn't seemed like it would ever happen but then one by one they all returned to Rosewood and it hadn't been until she arrived that they all decided to move together.

It seemed like a good time, they were all in their mid-twenties and if it wasn't now it wouldn't be later. Unlike her, they were all in serious relationships however they weren't living with their respective other but that didn't mean Aria wouldn't be greeted to the sight of an man in an towel every now and then. Emily's girlfriend had the decency to leave the shower or her room fully clothed much to Aria's appreciation.

"So Aria, guess who's back in town" Hanna teased, as she cupped her coffee with both hands, and then looked at her "Holden Strauss, that's who" She said, with a wink.

Aria rolled her eyes "You know the whole point of me guessing is you actually giving me a chance to guess" She said, amused.

Spencer moved over so Aria could sit down next to her "And that's never going to happen since Hanna doesn't have an patient bone in her body" She said, nonchalantly, as she looked through a folder regarding a case.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Hanna asked, narrowing her eyes.

"Exactly what it states" Spencer replied, and a yawn escaped her mouth.

Emily shook her head in disbelief "One day, we will have breakfast together and the two of you will not fight. One day." She said, hopeful, and Hanna rolled her eyes as she raised her hand to look at her cuticles.

"Never going to happen" Hanna said, in a sing-song voice. "Spencer is way too conceited" She added,

Spencer put the folder down and looked at her, wide-eyed "I am not conceited. Am I conceited?" She asked, as she looked at Aria.

Aria smiled a little "Just a teeny bit" She replied, and her friend huffed in annoyance after being proven wrong. Hanna smirked in victory, it was these little things—stupid arguments and moments together— Aria had missed whilst she was in New York. Yes, she had friends there but it wasn't the same. She was never as close to them as she had been to these three girls. They were all so different yet they were best-friends.

"So, when me and Cale—" Hanna began but was interrupted by Spencer "Caleb and I" The preppy brunette corrected and, had, once again, the folder in her hand. Aria couldn't help but laugh at the two of them.

Hanna glared at her lawyer friend "Whatever" She replied, "So when we were in New York we saw Hardy alongside a pretty redhead" She said, and, instantly, saw her friend's facial expression drop. Aria stared down at her coffee and Hanna wondered whether she had done the right thing by telling her but then she realized that if she had been in that position she would want to know, and her friend deserved to know.

"Oh" Aria commented, vaguely "Good for him" She added,

"What did you guys break up anyways?" Hanna asked, curiously "It's nearly been a year and you haven't said a word. We haven't had break-up ice-cream and we haven't heard you complain about how awful he is. Why won't you just tell us?"

A look of frustration was etched on Aria's face "Perhaps because I don't want to tell you. We may be best-friends, Han, but that does not mean we are not entitled to some privacy. I am allowed to want to keep things to myself" She exclaimed in a bitter tone and then sighed "I need to go, mom wants me to help her for some assembly thing" She added, sounding dejected. Aria placed her mug on her table and walked towards the door, she grabbed her bag and left.

The blonde sat, wide-eyed "Is she PMS-ing or something. All I did was ask a question" She said, shrugging it off.

"You know it's a touchy subject for her" Emily said, "Just don't keep shoving it in her face that her relationship was failed" She suggested,

"I don—"

"Yes, you do" Spencer interrupted, "Just buy her lunch and you guys will be fine again" She added,

Hanna nodded "Fine" She said, sighing "All I wanted to know was why they broke up. Is that so bad?" She asked,

12th May 2011, a small bar in down town New-York

Ezra Fitz sat in the loud bar, he sighed and ordered another beer. It hadn't been an ideal way to spend a Thursday night especially considering he had a class the next day but since Hardy had nagged him he decided he would come and here he was sitting alone. The idea of tonight was for Ezra to meet Hardy's girlfriend, it wasn't often when his best-friend liked a girl so much he decided to take an more serious approach as opposed to just sleeping with her so he, somewhat, looked forward to tonight but it seemed as though his friend would be late.

He was sitting on the counter beside the bar and could, from the corner of his eyes, see some sleazy guy trying to chat up a beautiful girl. Most of the time, he would just ignore it as usually her friends would intervene but it seemed as if that was not happening.

"Hey" He said, loudly "Why don't you just leave her alone?"

The guy, who was much more muscular than Ezra, turned around and looked at him with a chuckle "Oh yeah, and if I don't what are you doing to do—throw your book at me!" He said, and laughed. Ezra glared at him and then looked at the girl who seemed nervous.

"Well, if you continue being such a jerk I might consider it." He bluffed, and the guy rolled his eyes.

"Okay geek, whatever" The guy said, and then turned around to the girl. "Come on, sexy. Just give me your number—Screw that, I can just book a room and we can—," He moved closer to her ear and whispered something Ezra could not hear.

Her eyes widened and she shuddered "Are you fucking serious?" She spat out, "Get the hell away from me. Can you not get it in your thick head? I do not want to sleep with you. You are the last person I would ever sleep with." The girl said angrily, she was obviously scared and sickened by whatever this guy did.

"I was serious" Ezra said as he got up and walked over to the two of them with his book in his hand "Get the hell away from her" He said, sternly.

"Or what, pussyboy" The guy asked, and Ezra didn't know what overcame him.

Suddenly, he swung the book in his hand across the guy's face. The girl's eyes widened and she gasped, she quickly got off her chair. Blood released from the guy's nose and she looked at the other stranger, who had helped her, and saw people was rushing over—security was coming—and she had been in enough situations to know that it would not end well for the attractive stranger. She grabbed his hand and rushed out of the bar.

He ran out with her and they ran down several blocks until they lost track of the man he had just hit, she sat down on the bench and he sat down next to her. All of sudden, a laugh escaped her mouth and it seemed infectious as he began to laugh too.

"I can't believe you hit him with your book" She said, and he smiled as he looked at her. Her hazel eyes were the most magnificent thing he had ever seen in his entire life and she looked at him with such adoration "Thank you, he was an asshole and I should have just … left" She said, shaking her head

Ezra shook his head "No, no it wasn't your fault" He said, "I'm Ezra" He added, offering her his hand.

"Aria" He said, and shook his hand "I can't believe I hit a guy with my book—it was Ulysses so it must've hurt—for the first time in my entire existence" He said,

The girl—Aria—smiled "Well I am glad to hear you don't go around just hitting guys with books" She said, teasingly.

He let out a laugh "So, were you waiting for someone?" He asked, "I'm afraid that because of me you won't be able to go back to that bar tonight. Or ever." Ezra said, it still came as such a shock to him that he had done what he did. He was never a violent type even when he was younger but something about that sleaze acting so awfully to her made him incredibly angry.

"It's fine, really." Aria assured him with a bright smile "How about I buy you a hotdog or something? I think I owe you." She suggested, and then brushed a strand of her hair behind her ear "It won't make up for what you did but I could also buy you a soda" She said, and then giggled.

"Sounds great" He replied, with a grin.

Aria smiled "I saw a hotdog stand a couple of blocks away. I hope you don't mind a walk" She said, hopeful, and he shook his head "So, what do you do? If that's not too personal" She asked, and he chuckled.

"I am a teacher" Ezra said, "Sounds terribly mundane, doesn't it?"

She shook her head "No, of course not. My parents are teachers, and I would also be pursuing teaching but I am incredibly impatient when it comes to ill-mannered teenagers" She commented and he laughed "What do you teach?"

"English" He replied

"That's what I am majoring in" Aria said with a bright smile "Okay, so what's your favourite book. No classics." She added,

Ezra groaned "Oh god, that's hard. Uh, okay. I suppose 'Once'" He said, "I just love the whole dynamic of their relationship, it's realistic yet really romantic" He added, and then saw her wide eyes.

"That's my favourite too" She whispered, "Wow, this is amazing." She added,

He nodded "Yeah, I've never met someone who had read it. It's not exactly the most famous book but it's really great" He said, softly.

"So, where do you teach?" Aria asked, curiously.

"Vassar" He replied, "Where do you learn?" His attempt at a joke was rather lame but she still laughed

"I learn at Columbia" Aria said, playing along. "I was originally going to go to this college in my home-town but I chose against it"

"Why?" Ezra asked, curiously.

"—during my sophomore year of high-school my best-friend was murdered, and after we were tortured by this freak who knew everything about us and held it against us. It wasn't until our senior year, he was caught and he was someone I was friends with. Someone I trusted—Rosewood has lots of bad memories so I ran away when I could to the city that never sleeps" She exclaimed, dramatically, and then spun around the empty block.

He smiled about her ability to be so carefree and happy despite what had happened "I'm sorry for what happened, you seem very strong" He commented, and she shrugged "So, Miss Aria how is the city that never sleeps treating you?"

"Could be better but then again it could also be worse" Aria said, nonchalantly, he smiled and then saw as a cab stopped right by them. The door opened and his best-friend rushed out, he looked at the two of them with a furrowed eyebrow.

"What are the two of you doing out here?" He asked, walking towards them, and for a moment Ezra stood, confused. Hardy walked over to Aria and pecked her on the lips causing Ezra to realize what was actually happening. Aria pulled away and looked at Ezra, she never forgot the look in Ezra's eyes. He seemed disappointed and upset. The two of them never did tell Hardy what had happened that night, it remained between the two of them.

23rd May 2014, Rosewood (13:45)

He was a stranger to Rosewood and to small towns, his life had consisted of the hustle of bustle of New York. The only time he was free of that was when he was taken to the Hamptons when he was younger and ever since he was sixteen he hadn't been. He licked his bottom lip, nervously, knowing that being here was a bad decision. The last thing he need was for his friend to hate him even more than he had but for crazy reason he felt as though this was something he had to do.

It was stupid, crazy and naïve.

After staying still for a couple of moments, he stepped out of the station only to be greeted by suburbia when he exited. Everything was so picturesque, so idyllic. There was no wonder why she had left, he could imagine that there was an expectation here for everyone and she never would mould into someone's expectation. She was unexpected, and passionate and wonderful. You could never know what she would do next and that was one thing he loved about her. One of the many.

Ezra didn't know where to go, and where she was even staying. She had, once, mentioned something about where she lived. Bridgewater Lane? He couldn't, quite, seem to remember where exactly she used to live. A groan escaped his mouth and he decided on eating something before he went to go see her, if she was even here. He walked down a couple of blocks until he arrived at what seemed to be Rosewood's town-centre. He almost let out a laugh when he saw a small dinner called 'Aunt Bessie's" but that didn't stop him from going in. He walked into the diner which seemed to be something out of a Nicholas Sparks novel.

After he took a seat, he was greeted by an elderly woman who he presumed was the owner of the diner. She smiled brightly at him as she held a notepad and a book. He looked up from his menu and then smiled in response.

"Hello Darling, what can I get for you?" Aunt Bessie asked, sweetly.

"Uh, I am not so sure. How about a coffee for now?" He replied,

She nodded "Okay and I will also get you a pie—you look like you need it— don't worry, it's on the house" She said,

He chuckled "Sounds great" He added, "Thank you"

The woman with slivery white hair smiled a crooked smile "No problem, you here to see someone? We don't get any visitors in this town. We did when that poor girl was killed—but it was mainly reporters. Sleazy ole reporters, they wouldn't let those four girls alone no wonder they all left when they could" She said, shaking her head in disapproval.

Ezra's lips parted as he listened to her, he remembered her saying something her friend. During my sophomore year of high-school my best-friend was murdered. Her voice echoed in his head, she had never said too much about her home town and he wasn't even sure that Hardy knew about what had happened. "Did one of them happen to be Aria Montgomery?" He asked,

Her eyes narrowed in suspicion "You're not one of them, are you?" He shook his head "Who, exactly, are you?" She asked, sternly.

"Ezra Fitz" He replied, almost immediately "I knew her when she lived in New York, we were room-mates" He added, with a low laugh "And I just wanted to get in touch with her but I don't know where she lives or her number"

A small smile tugged on her lips assuring him that she believed him "Oh, I see. Well she works at Rosewood High, and she lives in that new building by the brew. I do not know the apartment number but I hope you succeed"

It was his turn to eye her, suspiciously "In what?"

"In wooing the girl" She replied as though it were obvious "There has to be a reason you came to this small-town and not just to reconnect with your friend"

February 2012, Hardy and Ezra's apartment

It had been a couple of months since Aria had met her boyfriend's best-friend in a bar and ever since she had slowly intervened in their lives. Almost everything the two did involve her in some aspect, she had even been staying with them in their two bedroom apartment. She laid on the bed reading the material required for the test she had on Monday and a yawn escaped her mouth. In a couple of months she would graduate and she could not wait.

The door opened, Ezra walked in with a white T-shirt and his boxers. He looked at her, amused. "You look like you want to cry" He commented, amused.

"Not funny" She said, with a glare "Is there any pasta left?"

He shook his head "No, I'm afraid it's finished" He said, sounding dejected.

"What?" Aria said, wide-eyed "But when I came home from college there was still some left" She asked,

Ezra nodded "Yes, but then I came home" He said, with a chuckle. His smirk faded once he saw her glare at him, she got up and pushed past him on the way out "Hey, I was hungry. Can you blame me? Plus, that Pasta was mind-blowingly food" She mimicked him as he spoke "Hey, real mature" He added, rolling his eyes.

"You know you should watch your weight. All those pies, and cakes and take-outs can't be good for you" Aria said, as she turned around, and poked him in the stomach. He rolled his eyes and then plopped on the couch.

"Speaking of Pie, there's a new bakery opened across the McLarens" He said, and changed the channel.

Aria sighed as she thought of the delicious desert "Do you want to go get some?" She asked,

"I thought you told me to watch my weight" He asked, with a furrowed eyebrow.

She rolled her eyes "I was kidding, idiot. You coming or not?"

"You know, I think you need to be nicer to me. I do nothing but tolerate your presence and you're mean, Aria." He said, dramatically.

"So … you're not coming?" Aria asked, confused.

"Oh, no, I'm coming" He stood up, "This is pie we're talking about" He said as though it were obvious, and she supressed a giggle as she saw him rushing into his room. Over the last couple of months Aria and Ezra had become closer as friends. She would even go as far as to say he was one of her closest friends in New York at least. The sound of her phone chiming startled her and she took it out of her pocket only to see an incoming call from Hardy.

Hardy worked long hours and late hours because of the fact he was a lawyer so the majority of her day was either spent at College and out with her friends or just in this apartment, that she had unofficially moved in to, alongside Ezra.

"Hey babe" She heard his voice "How's it going?"

"Good not great." Aria replied, with a pout "I miss you" She added, and then saw Ezra come out fully-dressed "Fitz and I are going to get some pie. Want some?"

He laughed "No, what is it with you guys and pie? I miss you too. I'm going to be here for a couple more hours so don't wait up" He replied,

"Okay fine" She said, with a sigh "I love you" She said, with a small smile.

"I love you too" Hardy said, "I'll see you in a bit—tell Fitz if he makes a move on you I'll make sure he will never have kids" He added and she giggled as she hung up.

Ezra eyed her, curiously, and then grabbed his keys. Aria followed him out and as they walked towards the elevator she looked at him—at his intoxicating blues eyes, at unshaven face resembling one of an tired man, and pink lips which were pressed into an thin line—he was attractive, and she would be an liar if she said she didn't feel anything towards him, she did but he was her boyfriend's best-friend. She wondered how it would be if he did ever make a move on her. Of course, she would recoil. She would, wouldn't she? They stepped into the elevator and observed how he spoke to a neighbour, he was so friendly and kind even though he didn't realize it.

Yes, of course she would. She was in love with Hardy Matthews, he was her boyfriend not Ezra Fitz. But something was brewing inside her, a feeling she had never felt before. It caused her to have butterflies in her stomach and blush every time he looked at her, longingly. It was as though he were suffering. Once they were walking side by side on the streets of New York and she had her hands inside the pocket of her coat. The harsh wind hit against her face and she let out a sigh. He looked at her, and smiled. She was still not used to New York's harsh weather and she never dressed correctly for it. Without thinking, he wrapped an arm around her pulling her closer. Aria looked up at him curiosity and he realized what he had done.

"You'll feel warmer this way" He said, simply, and they both knew that this was overstepping the thin line—the boundary—they had but they shrugged it off after all they had an legitimate excuse—the cold—but she still looked up at him tears brimming her eyes due to the cold harsh air and he looked at her eyes of ever-changing colour. He could see specks of blue, brown and even a hint of green in her eyes and looked away. She bit her lower lip and knew that he never would do something to jeopardize his relationship with Hardy, they had been best-friends since elementary school.

Aria felt comforted in his arms and she felt absolutely awful for thinking so. Soon enough, they arrived at the little bakery. It was empty and she followed him to the counter. They looked at the different selections of deserts and she rolled her eyes as she looked at how in awe he was.

"Its pie not love, Ezra" Aria retorted,

"Well considering no one will love me, I'll have to settle for pie" He said as they took a seat in the small table by the window after ordering.

Aria looked at the pretty waitress who was eyeing him but he took no notice of it. She shook her head in disbelief. "She was flirting with you." Aria said, in a whisper. He scrunched his face up rather adorably and she rolled her eyes. "You should go get her number" She suggested.

"She wasn't—"

"Yes she was" Aria said, wide-eyed.

"I don't want to" He replied, and then saw as she walked towards them with pie.

For a moment she looked at him strangely and then she parted her lips to speak "Why?" She asked,

"Because I am past the point in my life where I want to be in meaningless relationships that last only a month or so—I want the real thing" He said, and then sighed. He watched as she began to eat the pie.

Aria licked her bottom lip and then thought about herself "And what if the real thing never comes?" She asked,

"What do you mean?" He asked, furrowing his brow. He saw some whipped cream on the corner of her lip and absent-mindedly wiped it with his thumb and licked his thumb. She looked at him in shock but they pretended as if it never happened.

"What if you spend your whole life searching and never find this real thing" Aria said, "Wouldn't it be better to just find someone who you like and are, somewhat, compatible with?" She asked, and he nodded.

Ezra smiled a faint smile "I don't want compatible. I don't want to settle and I am fine with being alone if that never happens. I want to be so love in a person that my day feels incomplete without a kiss or a look from them. I want to wake up in love and go to sleep in love. I don't want to ever have doubts. I want love that makes me feel as though I am the luckiest person in the world" He said, and she looked down at her pie.

"You're a hopeless romantic" Aria observed,

"Yes, and so are you" He replied, and the two sat in comfortable silence followed by an array of photographs and videos on her part.

23rd May 2014, Rosewood (14:21)

In the past months Aria had found herself shifting into a daily routine. Every morning she would wake up at six and then have breakfast with her friends, after which she would walk to Rosewood high and maybe grab a coffee on the way. Usually, she would end up talking to her mother in the halls of Rosewood high. Despite her disdain for normal, she felt comfortable here. Sometimes it was okay to have a regular routine and not always be so spontaneous. She enjoyed knowing everything and everyone after all she didn't have as many as she once did.

Her eyes glanced over the writing of a ninth grader and she was, then, interrupted by a knock on the door. Aria looked up and saw Hanna holding a box of, what seemed like, cupcakes. She smiled a little as the blonde entered her classroom.

"I'm sorry for being so insensitive in the morning" Hanna said, apologetically, "Sometimes my curiosity gets the best of me" She admitted

Aria nodded "No, I understand. If it were you I would be curious too, and the truth is the reason my relationship failed was because—" She began, and was interrupted. Hanna shook her head and then pulled a chair sitting in front of her.

"It doesn't matter." Hanna replied, and opened the box "Who cares? Relationships fail. Things happen. We move on" She added, with a bright smile. "Do you remember when it was us here in this classroom?" She asked.

The brunette smiled and nodded as she took a red velvet cupcake "I do" She replied "Oh god, it seems like so long ago." She said, with a sigh.

"We're still young" Hanna said, stubbornly.

Her friend laughed "That is true, Han. We're only as young as we feel" She said, amused.

"And I feel sixteen" The blonde said, smiling "So, are we going to Mona's party tonight?" She asked,

"Do we have too?" Aria asked, with a sigh.

Hanna nodded "Yes, we do" She replied "We're going to look pretty and go out to a party which will be great because … Mona and have fun. I have had enough of this adult life" She added, and Aria nodded with a laugh.

21st June 2013, Hardy and Ezra's apartment

Ezra watched as Hardy organized everything for Aria's party, and he sipped his beer. It was a surprise party and she didn't know it was happening, she didn't even have the slightest of hint. They had made sure she would be oblivious. It had been nearly three years since they were living together and Ezra kept thinking about moving out. He hadn't told anyone but maybe it would be a good idea. He was nearly thirty and was earning enough to have an apartment of his home. He needed privacy, his own space and not being greeted to the sight of Aria and Hardy kissing.

"Can you please help me?" Hardy said as he hung a couple of banners and Ezra placed his beer on the table walking towards him. He got some tape and stuck of the edges to the wall, he could hear Aria's voice yelling at him telling him not to use tape as it would get rid of some of the paint on the wall.

"You do realize that she will know no one, tonight, at the party" Ezra said, raising his eyebrow in curiosity.

Hardy furrowed his eyebrow "She will know you" He said, obviously.

He let out a little scoff "And that's it. The rest of these people are your friends." He replied.

"It's not my fault she doesn't have many friends" Hardy said, nonchalantly, and looked around seeing if there was anything else needing to be taken care of.

"She HAS FRIENDS" Ezra said, defensively.

His friend chuckled at his sudden outburst and just as he was about to respond he heard a knock on the door "Everyone's here" He said, excitedly, and then went to open the door. Ezra picked up his beer and sighed as he saw the crowds of people coming into the apartment. In less than ten minutes music was blaring and people were being very sociable. He didn't want to be here tonight and he knew Aria wouldn't.

But he didn't want to seem as though he thought he knew more about her than her actual boyfriend did. He could remember her saying something about having low-key celebrations, ever since she had started working at a publishing company she had always been tired and she wouldn't want to have to pretend to be happier than she was for the sake of everyone else. He saw Maggie, one of his closest friends, walk towards him.

"Are you prepared to act as though you aren't in love with Hardy's girlfriend?" Maggie asked, a slight hint of amusement in her voice.

"I am not in love with her" Ezra replied, rolling his eyes and held the beer bottle to his mouth "I don't know why you would ever think that I am" He added,

"Cause you are, idiot. You're infatuated with her. If it wasn't crazy it would be cute" She said,

He let out a humourless laugh and then saw as Hardy quietened everyone. The room, suddenly, went dark and after a couple of seconds they could hear the sound of her key opening the door. As though it were practiced everyone said 'Happy Birthday' on time. Aria was clearly startled and he watched as she forced a smile. Hardy walked towards her wrapping his arms around her and kissing her on her lips whilst whispering things in her ear. Ezra looked away and then after a couple of minutes he stepped out onto the fire-escape. He climbed to the room and sat on the edge looking at the view. He watched as everything was illuminated by the light. It was all so beautiful and seemed so full of hope.

Whilst downstairs, Aria blew out her candles and smiled as she looked at everyone. She cut a slice of cake and fed Hardy, she appreciated his effort but the truth was she wanted something low-key she had told Ezra so he would tell Hardy but it seemed as though that hadn't happened.

Hardy wrapped his arm around her waist and introduced her to everyone "Where's Ezra?" She asked, whispering into his ear. "I don't know. Does it matter?" He said, as he looked down at her. She forced a smile and then leaned up kissing him softly on his lips "No, it doesn't" She replied.

After an hour or so Aria escaped, she began getting worried as she hadn't seen Ezra yet and then realized he would be in his safe-haven: The roof. She climbed up the fire escape and saw him sitting on the edge of the room. It always terrified her when he did that, he could fall off any second. Something could, something could startle him and he'd fall.

"Ezra …" She called, softly, and he tilted his head seeing her. "What are you doing up here? You missed cake." She said, biting her lower lip.

He chuckled and then turned around "I just needed to breathe" He said, slowly.

Her eyes caught the beer bottles on the floor "How many have you had?" She asked, referring to the bottles on the floor. He shrugged "You know how dangerous it is to come up here and drink. What if you fell, Ezra? You could die" She said, angrily.

"Would that be so bad?" He asked, in a whisper.

She stomped over and pulled him up, he looked down at her. They were so close together "Don't you dare ever say that. Do you hear me? Don't you dare?" She spat angrily, still holding onto him. He could feel her body pressed against his.

"I was just joking" He said, quietly "I didn't mean it" He looked at her worry-filled eyes.

She nodded and then wrapped her arms around her neck. Hesitantly, he held her waist "I don't ever want to lose you" She murmured against his chest, and he didn't see the lonesome tear that escaped her eyes.

"I don't want to lose you either" He added, knowing that there was no going back. The thin line had been crossed and even if they wanted too they couldn't ever go back.

23rd May 2014, Rosewood (15:20)

Spencer sat in her apartment alone looking through the several papers she had, she got up to get a bottle of water. This case had really been stressing her, and had become her entire life. It was, primarily, the reason why she was so excited to go Mona's party. She would be able to get away from work for once, a knock on the door interrupted her train of thought. She turned around and opened the door.

A guy—an attractive one—greeted her with a smile "Hello" He began "Uh, is Aria here?" He asked, she shook her head and narrowed her eyes in curiosity as she saw him. He looked familiar but she couldn't, quite, recall where she had seen him but then it hit her. Aria has shown her a picture a couple of years back, he was Hardy's best-friend.

"No, she's working. She should be home in an hour or so" Spencer replied, "You're Ezra, right? I remember Aria speaking about you, she said you were one of her closest friends." She added, and he nodded.

Ezra smiled a little "Yes, I was. Has she spoken about me recently?" He asked, She shook her head "No, she hasn't spoken about New York since she got back" She replied, he sighed and wonder whether coming here was actually a good idea.

"I need to go" He said, suddenly "Sorry for disturbing, I should—" He turned around and then bumped into someone—a blonde—who looked up at him angrily "I'm sorry" He said, immediately, and she nodded pushing past him.

Hanna looked, curiously, at him as he rushed off "Who the hell is he?" She asked Spencer.

"I think he may be the reason why Aria left New York" Spencer replied and then rushed out of the apartment "Hey, wait!" She called

25th November 2013, Aria, Hardy and Ezra's apartment

Aria slammed the door shut as she left their bedroom after another stupid argument, she rubbed her eyes and grabbed her bag leaving her apartment. Ezra watched from the kitchen and then saw Hardy leave his bedroom.

"What the hell did you do?" Ezra asked, curiously.

Hardy shrugged "I don't know, one minute we were fine and then she was just—" He said,

Ezra didn't even listen to his excuses instead he also rushed out of the apartment. Once he was out of the apartment complex he looked left and right until he saw her. He rushed down the street until he caught up with her. He saw as she turned around and her eyes were full of tears, it broke his heart, and immediately he pulled her into a hug.

"Hey, hey" He said, softly, as she sobbed on his chest "It's okay" He murmured and kissed the top of her head "It's okay" He let go of her "Are you okay?" He asked, softly, and saw her smile a little but she wasn't smiling at him but behind him. He turned around and saw Hardy.

She walked towards her boyfriend and Ezra watched as they made up, he sighed and walked past them. No one noticed his absence, or so he thought. Aria looked over Hardy's shoulder as he walked past her but she didn't do anything. She just allowed Hardy to hold her and closed her eyes.

26th July 2013, Aria, Hardy and Ezra's apartment

It had been a whole month since Aria and Hardy had worked their issues out. Hardy was gone away for the weekend to visit his grandmother and the two friends were alone in the apartment. Usually, they would just go about their daily routine and eat dinner or lunch together but everything just seemed so awkward all of a sudden. Ezra would barely look her in the eye when they spoke and it was killing her. She walked out of her room and watched as he marked papers.

"How's the life of a teacher?" Aria asked, teasingly.

He chuckled a little "One day you will stop making fun of my profession" He replied,

"One day isn't any day soon" She said, with a smile "Do you want to go catch a movie? The great Gatsby is playing, do you want to go and complain about how awfully it is adapted and how it is crucifying the words of Scott Fitzgerald?"

Ezra looked at her "As tempting as that sounds I'm afraid I have to stay home and mark all these papers" He replied,

"Oh" Aria said, "Couldn't you do that tomorrow?"

He shook his head

"Come on, Ezra, I'm sure you can" Aria said, smiling brightly "Let's go, please"

"NO!" He said, loudly, startling her. She stiffened and looked at him, wide-eyed. He had never spoken to her in a raised voice "Just because Hardy isn't here doesn't mean that you can suddenly acknowledge my existence and I'm not going to pretend like I don't care. The only time you want to spend time with me is when he's being a jerk to you or isn't here" He said,

Aria gulped, and shook her head "That's not true" She said, biting her lower lip.

"It is" Ezra replied, "Haven't you noticed? In the past couple of months you have been treating me as I don't matter, and then BAM! He does or says something and you come rushing to me so I can make you feel about yourself or tell him off. I am not your puppet, Aria."

She looked at him, sadly, "I am sorry I made you feel that way. I didn't mean it to make y—"

He scoffed "I don't want your pity, Aria." He replied "I don't need to tell me you're sorry. I think I need to leave—I need to go" He said, standing up abruptly. She watched as she watched him leave, her heart raced and she felt as if she was going to be sick.

A couple of hours later he returned and saw all of his papers had been organized in three separate piles. The ones he had marked, the ones he needed to mark and the ones she thought he needed to re-mark. She would, often, do this when she was bored or thinking about something. He let out a little chuckle and then mentally berated himself for what he had said. It wasn't fair to her, he was just angry that her relationship with Hardy was moving forward and for him to be so was wrong—but he was.

He heard the sound of footsteps and turned around to see Aria in a pair of shorts and oversized t-shirt. She looked beautiful, just as she always did, and almost instantaneously he realized why he got so angry at the fact she was giving him less attention.

"Hey, I, uh, I'm sorry about what I did" Ezra said, apologetically "You didn't deserve it and I was being an ass" He added,

"—Hardy proposed to me" Aria said, suddenly, shocking him "It was, uh, an couple of months back and I said I wasn't ready—and that's true—he didn't tell you because he didn't know whether I would say yes or no and when I said no he told me not to tell you. He was embarrassed that I said no. Hardy may seem like he has thick skin and he does, majority of the time, but sometimes even the strongest people break."

Ezra looked down and shook his head in disbelief "Why are you telling me this?" He asked,

She pursed her lips together and her hands shook a little "The only reason I have been acting distant towards you when Hardy is here is because I don't want him to find out that—that I … I have feelings for you, Ezra" And as soon as the words left her mouth she regretted it. Saying aloud just made it all the more real.

He licked his bottom lip, nervously, and nodded "How long has it been?" He asked,

"Since I met you" Aria replied, sheepishly.

"Since you met me" He asked, wide-eyed, and she nodded. He didn't know how to react, it wasn't every day when your best-friend's girlfriend admitted her feelings for you and you had the exact same feelings back. "Oh god" Ezra breathed as he rubbed his temple in frustration.

A sigh escaped her mouth "I'm sorry, I really am" She said, biting her lower lip "—we can forget this ever happened and we can—" She rambled, trying to find an way out but then he looked at her with those beautiful blue eyes and walked towards her. His arm wrapped around her waist pulling her closer to him, she let out a squeal, and her body was pressed against his. She arched her back and raised her face. His face moved closer to her, she could feel his breath on her, and slowly he leaned in. His lips touched hers—she closed her eyes—and her fingers bounced on his chest as they reached the back of his neck. She moved backwards and he picked her up as she wrapped her legs around his waist. The night ended in the two being absolutely enraptured in each other and claiming nothing happened the next morning.

1st August, 2013.

Ever since their slip a couple of nights ago, they barely spoke aside from the fact that they decided to keep what happened a secret. They both decided that it was a huge mistake, and that it was never to happened again. Aria was in her bedroom preparing for work the next day when she heard yelling, her eyes widened as she thought Hardy must have found out. She stepped out of her room and saw Ezra and Hardy standing in front of each-other.

"Aria, hear what this idiot is saying" Hardy said, as he turned around, and Aria looked at him curiously.

"What's happening? What is with all the yelling?" Aria asked,

Ezra looked at her for a mere moment and then shifted his glance over to his best-friend "I'm moving out" He said, and her eyes widened. Immediately her arms went out to her side and she looked at him, worriedly.

"Is this because of what happened?" She didn't know what caused the sudden outburst but for some reason she said this and Ezra looked at her, curiously, he didn't know what she thought she was doing and Hardy looked at the two of them.

"W-what are you talking about, Aria?" Hardy asked, and then looked at Ezra who was avoiding eye-contact.

Aria gulped "I, uh, I kissed Ezra" She said, and he looked at her.

"YOU KISSED MY BEST-FRIEND?" Her boyfriend said, Anger brewing in his eyes and his voice.

She nodded "It wasn't his fault. You were gone and he was there, I knew him and he was being really sweet so I kissed him—Ezra pulled away immediately. We didn't tell you because we didn't want to hurt you. It didn't mean anything, Hardy," She said, and he didn't even look at her.

Hardy shook his head in disbelief "I can't believe you did this after everything we have been through. I love you, I proposed to you. We're over. This is over as it clearly doesn't mean anything to you, I can't even look at the both of you." He said, and then walked towards the door slamming the door shut, angrily.

Ezra sighed and then watched as Aria walked towards her room and closed the door. He inhaled and exhaled deeply before he rushed into her room, he saw her packing. She was putting everything that was hers in her suitcase.

"Why did you do that?" He asked,

"I am sorry I told him but he needed to know the truth" She replied, sniffling. She threw all of her shoes into the suitcase, and as she stopped to look at him he could see her tear stained cheek. He stopped her from packing.

"No, why did you lie? Why didn't you tell him that I was the one who kissed you? And that's not all that happened. We slept together, Aria." He said, as he held her upper arms. She shook her head and released herself out of his grip. She wiped her tears with the back of her hand.

Aria grabbed her books and her laptop "Because I want him to forgive you. In a week or two, he will. It doesn't matter how he feels about me, I'm just a girl. I haven't known him since I was five like you did. You guys are best friends and in a couple of years the two of you are going to laugh at this." She stated,

"Do you remember when you said you didn't want to lose me?" Ezra asked, and she let out a sigh as she remembered her twenty-third birthday. "I didn't want to lose you either, and I don't want to now. You're not just a girl, you're Aria Montgomery. The girl I had lived with for the last three years. You annoyed me, left panties on the floor of our bathroom, stained the toilet sink with hair dye and harassed me endlessly about my boring profession. You can't just leave. Where would you even go?" He asked,

"Home" She replied, vaguely.

"You are home" Ezra said, wide-eyed "When Hardy comes—"

She shook her head "I don't want to be with Hardy anymore, Ezra, and I am going home. To Rosewood. And even if I do stay, and somehow the two of us—me and you—end up in a relationship. It wouldn't last long and you will have lost your best-friend and me."

Ezra closed his eyes "Please don't go" He pleaded "Don't leave me."

Aria smiled a sad smile and touched his face softly unable to stop the tears from falling "I am so sorry for ruining everything"

23rd May 2014, Rosewood (16:07)

The man sat, stiffly, in the apartment as he looked at the clock. More than half-an-hour ago he had been dragged into this place by Spencer claiming that Aria would be home any minute and he was still waiting. In his head, he thought of what to say. Every thought, phrase and words was in shambles. He didn't know what to say or to do. He didn't know whether to beg on his knees or be angry at her for leaving.

Aria was so young when he had first met her. She was still in college and was waitressing at a little diner she hated and he had watched as she changed over the years. He had seen her grow into a wonderful and smart woman. He sighed, Hardy didn't know what he had when he had her. He didn't realize how amazing the girl, who he slept next to, was and, often, took her for granted. Ezra had been there during the nights when he saw her crying on the couch or watching the clock awaiting for his arrival. He loved his best-friend but he was an ass for letting Aria go.

His thoughts were interrupted when he felt the burning stare of Hanna, he turned to face her and she smiled at him.

"So, you and Aria huh?" Hanna said, with a smirk "I always thought of Aria as an one-man girl but it seems as though she was getting down and dirty with the guy next door" She added, and his lips parted in shocked. How was he supposed to respond to that?

Spencer rolled her eyes "Don't mind Hanna." She said, "She doesn't think when she speaks"

Hanna tilted her head to the side and glared at the brunette "Don't mind Spencer, she thinks that everything that comes out of her mouth is pure gold" She taunted, "Everything that comes out of my mouth is pure gold" Spencer replied, a smirk tugging on her lips.

A sound resembling a chuckle escaped his mouth as he observed the two girls fight. He could see why Aria was friends with them, it was strange. Whenever Aria spoke of her friends it was as if all three girls were from different planets and he could definitely see it now. They were all so different and yet they were so close—they lived together. The door opened and Aria walked in alongside another girl—they were carrying boxes.

"Seriously, what the hell is in here?" Emily asked,

"Books, I think." Aria replied, "Can't believe my mom dragged us down to pick up my things from the loft" She said, frustrated.

Emily put the boxes down and then put her hands on her hips breathing in and out. She narrowed her eyes as she saw the man who had stood up all of a sudden. Hanna looked at her and motioned for her to be quiet by placing her finger on her lips. Aria shifted the box so that she could see in front of her. She let out an gasp as she saw the man who she hadn't stopped thinking about since she left New York.

"Ezra …"

I hope you guys enjoyed it. Please let me know what you thought in the reviews :) And if you have any questions, please do review or PM.