A?N: Thanks for all the love for this story so far. Here's the next chapter. Please read and review.
"Aria, it's alright, I guess I just have to get use to you being with someone else," Ezra said much to Aria's surprise.
"It's not like that with Andrew. I mean I like him, but just as a friend."
"Well, I don't think he got the memo," Ezra said sarcastically.
"Well, I haven't exactly told him I'm not interested, but I'm sure he'll understand. Can we talk about something I need your opinion on?"
"Sure," Ezra said signaling for Aria to take a seat on the couch, him sitting down next to her.
"I got an acceptance letter today from Lauten University, and now I'm torn between going to Boston or Savannah."
"They're both good schools. You can't go wrong with either one, but something tells me you already knew that, so what's this really about?"
"Mike," she said in a shaky voice. "If we don't find out who killed Mona and who 'A' is, I can't leave my little brother to deal with moving so far away, and leaving him to deal this alone."
Aria was now in full panic mode, causing Ezra to take her into his arms, rubbing her back while trying to soothe her.
"If that's what is keeping you from going to Savannah, then we will do all we can to put an end to all of this."
Aria looked up at Ezra, looking deep into those blue eyes that always made her swoon, and began to move in on his lips. The kiss caught Ezra off guard, causing him to back away. He soon felt guilty when he saw the look of rejection on Aria's face.
"Sorry," she said as she backed away.
"It's alright, Aria. It's just we talked about this. If you really want to be single in college, then we can't fall back on bad habits."
Aria just nodded, before turning around to grab her bag and coffee,
"I'm gonna head home. Thanks for listening."
"Anytime, Aria. I promise I'll do whatever it takes to help you and Mike."
Aria gave Ezra a soft smile, before saying goodbye to both him and Emily, and making her way out of the Brew and into her car. Little did she know, Andrew stood outside of the coffee shop, having witnessed the exchange between the former lovers, and knowing she lied about her and Emily's plans. Rage began to build up inside of him, having realized that Aria was just leading him on, that no matter how well he treated or loved her, deep down she still loved Fitz. He wouldn't let her get away from him. If he couldn't have her, no one would, especially Ezra Fitz.
Ezra
After Aria exited the Brew, Ezra shot a glance over to Emily, who just gave him a sympathetic look. She knew how much he loved Aria, and even though ending things now was his idea, that deep down he wanted nothing more the to spend the rest of his life with her petite friend. After informing her he was leaving, and asking her to lock up, Ezra headed back to his office to grab his phone. After picking it up from his desk, he sent a text to both Caleb and Toby, asking to meet up. Toby was unavailable until ten o'clock, so Ezra and Caleb agreed to meet up at Caleb's new apartment. After arriving at the younger man's apartment, Ezra began to inform him of what was going on with Aria, and they both agreed that hacking into Varjak's phone would be their next step. After getting a call from Toby saying he was getting off work early, they all agreed to meet up at Toby's loft above the Brew.
Aria
Aria pulled into her driveway, wiping away the tears she hadn't realized had fallen down her face. She knew Ezra was right, even if being single in college was her decision, she wanted nothing more then to spend the rest of her life with that amazing man. After gathering all her things, she made her way out of the car and towards her house. She soon heard footsteps behind her and became panicked. She made a dash towards the door, before being grabbed from behind, and feeling a rag being placed over her face. She became even more panicked, before everything went black.
Andrew
Andrew stood over Aria's unconscious body, pleased that his plan was working out. He soon grabbed her phone from her hand, ready to begin step two. Even though her phone was passcode protected, he began typing in the code he had spied her entering to unlock it, 'B26'. Now with her phone unlocked, Andrew proceeded to send a text message to both Emily and Spencer, telling them to meet up with Aria. Forgetting that she was still passed out in front of her house, Andrew quickly glanced around, hoping that no one had seen what he had just done, before picking up the petite girl, and putting her in the backseat of his car, before he drove out to the abandoned building he invited the other girls to meet them at, tying Aria up inside before making his way back to the Brew, knowing Emily wouldn't leave until closing. Andrew walked in and saw Spencer sitting in the corner, obviously waiting for Emily. He checked his watch realizing she would be closing up in about ten minutes. Andrew took a seat, pulled out his computer, and tried to go unnoticed by the two girls. Five minutes later, he noticed Ezra and Caleb enter the Brew, causing him to become nervous. He was worried that Emily might inform them of the text from Aria, and where they were headed. He let out a sigh of relief when the two made their way up the stairs, not even stopping to speak to Emily, who was now informing everyone that it was closing time. Andrew quickly left the shop, and made his way back to the abandoned building, trying to beat Spencer and Emily there. After entering the building, he checked in on Aria, who was still out, before hiding and waiting for the others to arrive. Five minutes later he heard a car pulling up and saw the two girls exiting the car.
