Aria's POV

I checked myself in the mirror, it was 3:55pm and he would be here in five minutes. This was the summer routine that I had grown to love last year when I covered the beach hut. Every Monday he would come at 4pm, leave his stuff inside the hut, grab a paddle and take out number six, which was his favorite kayak. He would return promptly at 5pm so I could lock up and he could grab his stuff. Last year I had the biggest crush on him. Honestly who wouldn't? He was tall, dark hair and bright blue eyes. He was always polite. He'd say hello and ask general questions but that was it for our relationship. Even though we worked together he was part of the activities crew, but I was hoping that this year would be different.

Over the winter my boss had approached me to see if I would be interested in running activities instead of just working the beach hut. I jumped at the chance. Now I was part of the activities staff so I was hoping we would have more run-in's other than this.

Of course I had no grand illusions of him wanting to be anything more than friends. I knew he was in a relationship with Jackie, who worked at the store and snack shack. I was the only one who didn't pair off with anyone last summer. Spencer and Toby got together and are still going strong. They made it work all winter long. Hanna and Caleb are back together. Their relationship is kind of odd because they are exclusive over the summer but they date other people over the winter. Noel seemed interested last summer but I just didn't like him. He was too full of himself and I have no patience for people like that.

So here I sit, opening my book so he doesn't think I'm waiting for him, waiting for him. Right on cue he arrives; Ezra Fitz approaches the hut. "Hey," he says stepping into the hut, setting his stuff done and grabbing his paddle.

"Number six, right?" I ask already know the answer.

"Yup, I'll be back by 5pm. I promise."

"Sounds good, I'll be here." I chuckle trying to be cute. He smiles and heads towards the lake. Why am I so goofy around him? I need to talk to Spencer and Hanna about this. They may have some insight for me.

I am trying to get ahead of the game with school this summer so I started some the reading. My first book this summer is In Cold Blood by Truman Capote. Considering how old it is, it's actually a very good story. I had not realized how enthralled in the book I had become until his voice startled me. "What are you reading?" He asked and I jumped. "Sorry I didn't mean to scare you," he said laughing slightly. Obviously he noticed.

"That's ok. I didn't hear you come back." I say looking at my watch. "Jeez, I've totally lost track of time." I say closing my book and starting the closing process. I start to grab his paddle.

"That's ok, I can put it away. So what book is it?"

"Oh. Sorry. It's In Cold Blood. It's really good, I've never considered myself a fan of non-fiction but I really like it."

"Yeah it is a good book. You'll enjoy it. Is it for school?"

"Yeah, I have a pretty heavy load in the fall so I'm trying to get ahead of the game."

"That's a good idea."

"Yeah, well it's a good plan anyways. We'll see how well I stick to it." I say laughing. "Do you have all your stuff?"

"Yeah, I actually have to get going. I told Mike I'd cover the store from 6pm-8pm. Are you done for the day?"

"No I'm running the movie tonight. I get to set up and make the popcorn."

"What are you showing?" He asks as I lock the door and head for the golf cart.

"Honestly I don't know. Mike said to stop by his office to grab it before dinner. Do you want a ride up back?"

"No thanks, I have my bike."

"Ok. If you are bored, when you finish at the store, stop by for some popcorn."

"Thanks, I might take you up on that. I'll see you later.

"Bye Ezra."

"Bye Aria." He said as he rode away. Oh my god I didn't realize he knew my name. That was officially the longest conversation I have had with him ever. I can't believe it. I can't wait to tell Spencer. I race back to my cabin in the staff quarters and I hope she's there.

"Ezra knows my name," I yell as I bust through the door of our cabin.

"What?" Spencer asked.

"Well it's Monday and Ezra came to take the kayak out. Well we actually had a conversation and when he said good bye he said my name. I was shocked he knew it."

"That's great Aria, but please don't get your hopes up. You know Jackie is coming back after the 4th."

"I know. I was just surprised. I wouldn't mind just being friends with him anyways. He seems nice and he actually was familiar with the book I was reading."

"That's fine as long as you know what you're getting yourself into."

"Thanks for being a kill joy Spencer. We aren't all as lucky as you to have Toby." I said turning to go into the bathroom. She didn't have to burst my bubble like that, but I know she's right.

"Aria, I just don't want you to get hurt." She called through the door but I was still upset. After a few minutes I emerged from the bathroom and she was waiting for me. "Don't be mad at me. Who knows what will happen?"

"I know you mean well. It's not like I think he'll be my boyfriend tomorrow. It's just nice to think that someone like him actually knows I exist."

"Try being friends. That way you get to spend time with him. He'll warm up to your charm and be proposing by Labor Day."

"Right Spence, that's what will happen." I said giving her a hug. I wasn't mad anymore. She just didn't want me to get my hopes up because that can only end in disappointment. "Crap, I need to go eat I'm covering the movie tonight."

"Lucky you."

"What are you guys doing tonight?"

"Not sure, probably just hanging out in the staff room. I need to go over some stuff with Mike too to figure out my shifts at the beach." Spencer and Toby were lifeguards. They both worked pretty much the same hours. They also taught swimming lessons too.

"Well when I'm done I'll try to hook up with you guys if you aren't busy doing other things," I said with a wink and headed out the door. I grabbed a sandwich from the dining hall and stopped by Mike's office.

"Aria, here's the movie. I think you're going to like it," he said with a wink.

"Thanks Mike. I'll bring it back tomorrow." I looked at the movie and it was the Goonies. "Jeez, I haven't seen this one before," I said with a chuckle. Being one of the more responsible staff people, I got to use the golf cart whenever I wanted to. So I jumped in and headed down to the lodge.

I ran into the store before I went to set up. I wanted a soda and some chips to go with my sandwich. Who was I kidding? I was heading to the store to see Ezra. As I walked through the door he looked up. "Hey what's up?" He asked.

"Not much, just want to grab a soda." I say handing him my money. "How's it been tonight?"

"Not bad, steady. It's starting to slow down."

"Well I hope you don't get too bored," I chuckled. "I'm off to watch The Goonies."

"That's what the movie is. I love that movie."

"I think every boy does," I said laughing. "I'll see you later."

"Enjoy," he called after me as I crossed the road to the entertainment hall.

I set up the chairs. I started the popcorn and opened the doors. Precisely at 7:30pm I started the movie. A bunch of kids showed up. They all got popcorn and sat and watched the movie. I actually forgot how much I actually enjoyed it. I sat on the counter, Indian style, my elbows wresting on my knees and my chin wresting on my hands. I was sucked into the movie that I didn't notice him come in.

"Hey, push over a bit," he said as I looked up.

"Sorry," I said moving to the left. He climbed up on the counter and sat next to me.

"Small crowd tonight."

"Yeah, it will get bigger after the 4th. I think it's because it fell weird this summer."

"I agree. At least it's a good movie."

"Very true. Hey, how long are you working in the store? Are you coming back to activities?"

"Yeah, I'm back on Thursday. I'm in the store tomorrow and then Jackie is back and she'll take over." I hope he didn't notice me cringe at her name. Jackie was one of those people, that is really popular and people want to be like, and she knew it. She also was not very nice. She actually treated people rather poorly. After the two brief conversations I have had with Ezra I am shocked he would want to be with someone like her.

"Oh Jackie, right I forgot about her. Isn't she your girlfriend or weren't you together last summer?" Now I was fishing for information. Hopefully he wouldn't really notice.

"Yeah, I guess we were together last summer but we aren't together anymore. She texted me in October to tell me she was seeing someone else. Then she texted me in June and said she couldn't wait to get back together this summer. Not for nothing, but I'm not like that. Plus she isn't even that nice."

"Yeah, I don't know her that well but I don't blame you."

"I think I'm just going to try and have fun this summer, not be tied down."

"Hey, that's my plan too." I say with a big smile giving him a friendly punch in the arm. "Plus that way when no one wants to hook up with me I won't feel bad." I made air quotations with my fingers to emphasize the words 'hook up'.

"That's a good plan. I might have to borrow that one."

"Yeah, you'll be fighting them off with a stick. Who are you kidding?"

"What do you mean?"

"Once the other girls know you're on the market, you'll become a very popular boy."

"Good to know. Maybe it won't be a lonely summer after all," he said with a wink. "Hey the movie's over."

"Jeez, all this talking I hadn't noticed." I jumped off the counter and started putting the chairs away. Ezra helped. When it was all cleaned up we headed out together.

"How are you getting back to the cabins?" He asked.

"I have the golf cart. Do you need a ride?"

"Actually that sounds good. I'll throw my bike on the back."

"What are you doing the rest of the night? My friends said they'd be in the staff lounge if you want to join us." I asked as we headed back.

"Thanks but I have stuff I need to do tonight."

"Maybe another time. Are you in the store all day tomorrow?"

"Yeah, what are you doing?"

"Beach hut until 5pm then I'm back at 6pm for the beach party and fireworks at 9pm."

"Oh that's right I totally forgot about them. I'll be out in time to see them."

"Good. I'll see you there." I said pulling up to Mike's cabin.

"Yeah, and thanks for the ride." He said unloading his bike and heading for his cabin. He was lucky enough to have a cabin to himself. The longer you worked at The Shores the better perks you got.

I could not believe how much I've talked to him today. It's like a record or something. I decided to head to bed. I didn't want to tell Spencer what was happening because I did not feel like listening to her lecture me about not getting my hopes up. Luckily Hanna would be here Friday. She'd side with me. She loved a good romance.