I was back in Rosewood with Jason. We were here to prepare for the wedding. I wanted to get marry in New York where we live, but he insisted we return for my family. We had announced our engagement three months ago and the wire was running thin. Only three weeks until the wedding and so much was still needed to be done.
Jason and I had been together for one year. Ezra and I had broken up after graduation when I moved to New York to attend Columbia and he stayed in Rosewood to teach. We tried the distance thing, but it didn't work. After two years at Columbia I ran into Jason and after a year of friendship we started dating and needless to say we got engaged.
Rosewood hadn't changed one bit. We drove into town, passing the coffee shop where Spencer, Hannah, Emily and I all met to discuss the latest A texts. The mystery of A was over. We were no longer tied to her demands. We were free to live our lives. Ezra and I made our relationship public the day after graduation (I was finally 18 and legal). Most of the town didn't care much except for my family and Jackie, Ezra's ex. My parents finally warmed up to the idea when I was leaving for college. We passed Ezra's apartment. I wonder if he still lives there. Maybe he lives with Jackie now. After five more minutes Jason pulls into my old driveway. The house looks the same, the unruly bushes just as crazy as ever. We enter the house where my family is waiting to launch the surprise. Balloons fly everywhere and a big banner hangs by the stairs—Congratulations.
It felt both good and bad to be home. It was great to see my parents and Mikey. I didn't return during breaks because I was scared I would run into Ezra. For summer we chose a location to go to. I was worried about running into Ezra again especially with the wedding so close. Jason knew of our past, but I had reassured numerous times that he was my one and only.
My room remained untouched. My bed neatly made and my books staggered throughout my room. A package sat on my bed marked from over three years ago. Another one sits on the floor. I open the first one and see its Ezra's first book that he had written when we were still together. It was called "Affairs of the Heart" and it was all about a teacher who fell in love with his student; it was our story. I open the second one and see it's his second book; the one he wrote after we broke up. It was called "Lonely" and it was about a guy who had just gotten out of a relationship only to realize how much he actually needed her in his life. They are both dedicated to me.
Jason enters my room trying to get away from the rabid crowd downstairs. "Hey you ok, you look sad?"
I try to fake a smile, but the best I can do is not cry. "I just miss here."
Jason grabs my hand and hugs me. We walk downstairs and are greeted by a loud cheer. My three best friends run forward to congratulate me. Spencer talks first. "So you're getting married to Ali's brother. That must be weird."
"Jason is sweet and completely different from Ali."
Hanna snorts, "I can't believe you're marrying him."
"We don't choose who we love, we just do." This made me think of Ezra.
Emily just hugs me which instantly reassures me.
Finally my parents come over. They pull me into a corner and we hug.
"I can't believe my little is getting married." My dad is practically in tears.
"I can't believe it either dad."
"I'm just glad you're getting married in Rosewood so everyone doesn't have to travel to New York for it. By the way we have so much wedding planning to do."
"Can we do it over lunch tomorrow? I am really tired. I didn't get much sleep last night."
We stay and mingle a little bit longer until the crowd starts to thin out. I say goodbye to Spencer, Hanna and Emily and then to my parents before grabbing Jason's hand and walking out.
"We should get to our hotel. I'm tired from that long drive." Jason runs his fingers through his hair which always makes me go weak. We pass the Chinese place where Ezra and I always got take-out. It brings back all the memories of me waiting at his apartment while he got the food. I loved these nights where we just cuddled and talked while we ate. Jason and I never did that.
"Well here we are-Rosewood Hotel." Jason grabs our suitcases while I check us in. It doesn't take us long to settle into the hotel. I start reading one of Ezra's books that I had taken from my room. By the time I finish it, it's almost ten and Jason is passed out on the bed. I grab a key, put the book in my bag and go for a walk.