Chapter 2

Maybe It's Meant To Be

Tuesday morning soon rolled in and Aria hadn't seen Spencer since the previous morning. She couldn't wait to bump into her and tell her everything about the wonderful Ezra Fitz because she knew she couldn't exactly go telling this to her mother since Byron had basically forbidden Ezra from dating her. She didn't know why he was being such a jerk after promising that he would allow her to have a normal college experience, a normal college experience does not include her Dad warning off every college boy who shows some interest in her.

She couldn't wait to enter Hollis and see Ezra there strolling the halls with his friends, she could wait to speak to him and feel that same elated feeling that she missed. She hurriedly grabbed her bag before sprinting down the staircase, grabbing a piece of toast from the dining table as she waved her mother and brother goodbye before climbing into the passenger seat of her father's SUV.

They finally arrived to the magnificent grounds of Hollis College, it was her second day and she knew that the world of Hollis held so many opportunities for her, more than what she had first anticipated now that Ezra was in the picture. She kissed her father's cheek and made her way into the building, proceeding to the cafeteria where Spencer had agreed to meet her. She noticed Spencer from a mile off, she sat alone with a book on psychology grasped between her hands, reading with such intensity that it caused a crease to form between her brows.

"Hey there, book worm." Aria weakly teased, knowing her attempts at provoking her with such a term would be futile instead it gained an incredulous laugh from Spencer who shook her head at Aria.

"I'm offended, Aria." Spencer sarcastically remarked, with her playful monotonous tone.

"Hurt even?" Aria feigned bitterness as she took a seat on the blue, uncomfortable plastic chair opposite her friend, leaning over the table as if to tell her a secret. "I've got news." Aria sing sang causing Spencer to lower her book and raise an eyebrow at her chirpy little friend. "I've got a date." Aria whispered to Spencer, her eyes scanning the room for the presence of Ezra or Byron.

"You've been here a day and you've already bagged yourself a college boy? Aria you are beyond words." Spencer laughed as she shook her head in disbelief. "Tell me more, tell me more." Spencer leant forward, resting her chin on her hands that were locked together, fingers intertwined.

"He is funny, handsome, he likes good music, and the list could go on." Aria said day dreamily. "But there's a catch." Aria said; bring her head out of the clouds to point at Spencer firmly.

"There's always a catch." Spencer sighed disappointedly.

"He is 22 and my Dad doesn't approve." Aria moaned, sulking like a child as she threw her head back with frustration.

"Why is life so hard?" Spencer too moaned her moan slightly lighter hearted than Aria's. "Who is this forbidden fruit?"

"Ezra Fitz." Aria breathed out, her voice sounding cheery just at the thought of him.

"Ezra Fitz? He is like one of the smartest kids in this place." Spencer stated with disbelief evident in her voice. "If you don't date him, I will." Spencer joked.

"Well too bad because I am dating him and you are dating Toby, remember him?" Aria playfully teased causing Spencer to roll her eyes in the same good humour.

"How could I forget? He only texts me every 3 minutes." She groaned and as if on cue, her phone dinged in her pocket. She pulled out her phone and read the text, her frown promptly turning into a smile. "But how he texts the sweetest things." She cooed causing Aria to pretend barf. "You don't know what being in love is like, Aria, but when you do then you will understand."

"Only then will you truly understand." Aria mocked, her voice attempting to mimic some sort of wise old man like Dumbledore or Gandalf.

"Shut up, you absolute dork." Spencer laughed at her friend before she got up from her seat, Aria following suit. "We better head to class before you embarrass me even further." Aria replied by sticking out of her tongue. "Too late." Spencer jokingly sighed.

It was lunch once again and Aria and Spencer dragged their exhausted bodies from their lecture, Aria being internally grateful that she had no more lectures to attend and could head home. Spencer, however, had to wait until later in that day for her next class and Aria had promised she wouldn't leave her to wander the unfamiliar Hollis campus. They linked arms with each other and aimlessly wandered around campus, discussing whether they should eat on campus or go and eat out. Spencer then came up with a different idea.

"Say, since I don't have a lecture until 1:30, we could roam the campus and maybe be a bit social? We haven't had much time to make friends since we've basically been attached to the hip." Spencer motioned to the linking of their arms and Aria rolled her hazel eyes at the slim brunette who pleaded her with her brown eyes. Aria caved as she always seemed to do for her best friend breathing out a 'Fine' in reply. Spencer grew excited and clapped her hands together, breaking their connected arms before she skipped off ahead of Aria, calling her to catch up.

They roamed the campus and were astonished by how beautiful the campus had actually been. Aria and Spencer had visited Hollis many times, Aria more than Spencer being that her father worked there, but she had never seen this part of the College grounds. There was an area of fresh green grass, Trees that presented white and pink blossoms on their long branches, and wooden benches that looked as ancient as the school building. Aria loved its antique look, she felt as if she was attending some posh, British Grammar School.

Spencer and Aria threw their worn out bodies down onto the grass, placing their bags under their heads to substitute for a pillow. They both gazed up at the sun that shone down, Aria loved summer. She loved the warm air, the way people around her seemed to glow, and how she felt like she was constantly surrounded by the smell of flowers and fresh cut grass. She allowed her eyes to flutter close momentarily to appreciate the soft sounds of birds tweeting and the gentle breeze humming.

"This isn't very social; this is actually the exact opposite of social." Spencer said matter-of-factly as she sat up on her elbows, watching Aria through narrowed eyes as Aria continued to bask in her tranquillity, internally groaning at Spencer's disturbance.

"I am at one with nature at the moment." Aria softly replied as she took a deep breath, inhaling her favourite scent of lavender.

"Aria, stop being such a tree hugger and make some friends. Nature will still be here when you get back." Spencer light heartedly groaned as she stood up and grabbed her bag. Spencer's body hovered over Aria's as she waited for a response; Aria squinted one of her eyes open, her expression showing her displeasure as Spencer blocked her sun.

"Fine." She caved as she stood up and followed her friend around the campus, aimlessly strolling around.

Aria couldn't help but mentally moan in regards to Spencer whilst she watched her from behind as she skipped around the school grounds. Aria had agreed because she knew Spencer wanted to make new friends, she didn't see how Spencer wandering around campus with her head in the clouds was anymore social that Aria enjoying lying on the grass.

"Where are we going? My legs hurt." Aria sulked like a toddler as she stomped her right foot on the concrete path beneath her.

"To find friends." Spencer curtly replied.

"We already have friends. Hanna, you, Emily and me are enough. Four is company, 5 is a crowd."

"It's actually '3 is company, 4 is a crowd.'" Spencer smugly replied causing Aria to roll her eyes at her smart ass friend.

"Exactly! And there are already 4 of us, more than enough." Aria exclaimed, as if she proved her point, yet Spencer didn't seem to stop walking ahead of her. "I'm tired." Aria groaned out, coming to a halt as she pouted at Spencer.

Spencer turned around to face the moping Aria, raising her eyebrow at her as she challenged her. Aria wouldn't budge though as she stood her ground, refusing to move an inch further. "Fine, you stay here and I will go make us some new friends." Spencer laughed as she crossed her arms against her chest. "Meet me in 30 minutes." Aria nodded gratefully in response.

Aria returned to her initial position and removed her bag and scarf, however this time she had decided to place her earphone in and read a book instead. Aria pulled out her copy of 'The Great Gatsby' a book she had already read a few times, but had regained interest after watching the film. She had always found the character Jay Gatsby to be endearing; however when portrayed by Leonardo DiCaprio, she couldn't help but fall deeper in love with him. She found herself engrossed in her reading when she felt someone above her, staring down at her. Her body instinctively shot up as she pulled the earphone from her ears. She was shocked to see it was Ezra Fitz who had been so kind as to scare the life out of her.

"I didn't mean to scare you." Ezra chuckled as he sat down beside her on the grass, crossing his legs as he did so. "I was just asking if you were enjoying the book." His boyish grin returning on his face making Aria lose thought of every word in the dictionary.

"Uh… y-yeah." Her voice croaked, clearly still startled by his sudden presence. "I've read it a few times before." She nodded her smile etching on her lips as she did so.

"I've read it once or twice. I found it to be pretty great. The ended was rather sad though, don't you think?" Ezra asked, referring to the death of Jay Gatsby which had, before, broken Aria's heart, but after rereading it, she found that she wasn't so sad about it after all.

"It was, but I actually found it rather fulfilling. I was glad that he had died; I was glad that he had died thinking that Daisy loved him. If he hadn't had died then he would have just suffered with the heart break of losing Daisy all over again. I, however, do feel sorry for Caraway since Gatsby was his only friend." Aria convicted as she scanned the cover of the book. Ezra loved how she spoke with so much compassion. She was funny, beautiful, and intelligent. She was everything he had dreamt of and more.

"I guess you're right." He thoughtfully nodded causing Aria to gleam with pride. "Anyway, I was just coming to make sure we are still on for Friday and what Friday actually means. If you know what I mean?" He returned to the same shy boy Aria had first met; enjoying the sight of his perfectly structured cheekbones as they became redder.

"It's a date, right? Unless you don't want it to be." Aria said with the upmost confidence, becoming further assured as Ezra's face lit up like a little boy in a candy store, his head nodding feverishly.

"That's exactly what I was hoping. I just didn't know whether you had changed your mind because of your dad." Ezra explained himself, staring at the grass as his fingers grazed against it, Aria's eyes following his as she watched him do so.

"No, but I am shocked you had the confidence to come and talk to me when the window to my Dad's office faces this side of campus." Aria informed him, she expected him to jump out of his skin with fear, but instead he had just shrugged. Aria liked that he didn't care, that he was interested enough to go against her Dad's wishes even if he was Ezra's favourite professor.

"I really like you, Aria." Ezra coyly admitted, finally allowing his eyes to trail up from the grass and to her face that beamed with the upmost flattery.

She giggled and hid her face; Ezra wanted nothing more than to kiss her in that moment, but knew it wasn't the right time. He wanted his kiss with her to be spontaneous and meaningful, it was stupid because it was just a kiss and Ezra had done much more than kiss girls yet Aria was different. He wanted everything for her to be special; he wanted to kiss her and wanted her to think about that kiss for years after even if she never saw Ezra again.

"I really like you too." Aria smiled.

Her words pulling Ezra from his wandering thoughts. He couldn't help but too beam with happiness. Ezra thought about all they had in common, they liked the same books, the same music, had the same sense of humour, and he was undeniably attracted to her. Ezra couldn't help but think that maybe it's meant to be.

As Ezra and Aria both stared at each other in silence, adoringly, Aria noticed Spencer approaching the pair in the corner of her eye with a girl who was unfamiliar to Aria. They walked at a slow pace, ambling along as they were clearly caught up in conversation. The girls finally reached both Aria and Ezra as they attempted to act casual when really both of them had been exchanging words that would possibly make outsiders cringe. Spencer's eyes became wider as she looked down at the couple, her eyes glancing between the two at a rapid pace. Spencer had known about Ezra, yet, she had never seen him. She had not realised how attractive he was, Aria's description hadn't done him justice.

"Hey, Z." The girl that stood beside Ezra chirped, everyone's attention instantaneously diverting to her. Aria's eyes roaming over her as she tried to decipher whether she was a potentially threat to her in regards to Ezra. The girl was beautiful, making Aria feel ugly in her presence. She had shoulder length blonde hair that was slightly curled, her eyes a gorgeous shade of blue, and her smile was flawless.

"Hey, Sammy." Ezra returned, smiling up at the girl. "How you finding Hollis?" He asked; his voice showed genuine interest in the girls answer. It became clear to Aria that she was, in fact, a first year too. It was still unclear how she knew Ezra. Ezra felt Aria's confused eyes boring into the side of his head and knew he should explain himself to her. "Aria, this is Sammy, Hardy's little sister." He informed her, the words making Aria relax slightly as she stood up to greet the girl with a friendly hand shake.

"Nice to meet you, I'm Aria." Aria was still wary of the beautiful blonde. It wouldn't shock Aria that Ezra had interest in Sammy regardless of the fact she was Hardy's sister.

"I know, Spencer had just been telling me about you. Her description didn't do you justice, you are beautiful." The girl complimented Aria, astonishment evident in her voice. Aria blushed before thanking the girl.

"Sammy." Ezra warned with a pointed finger.

"I was merely giving her a platonic compliment, Z." Sammy defended herself, her eyes narrowing onto Ezra's. He let out an awkward chuckle as his hand rubbed the back of his neck, Sammy making clear that he had been warning her not to flirt with Aria. Ezra was hoping he was being discreet, thankful the baffled Aria hadn't caught on.

"This is an odd exchange." Spencer stern voice was heard, their heads all turning to face the brunette who had her arms crossed tight against her chest. "I'm Spencer Hastings, Aria's best friend." She introduced herself, sticking out her hand for Ezra to shake, he complied.

"I am Ezra F-." Ezra began saying before he was brought to an abrupt stop at the interruption of Spencer.

"I know exactly who you are." Spencer light heartedly said as she released her hold of his hands, giving Aria an obnoxious wink which made her stomach tie into knots.

"Great." Ezra replied awkwardly as he glanced over to Aria who made sure to avoid his look as she stared down at her sandals, revealing her pink painted toenails. "I better head back to my dorm; I have so much coursework to do. I'll see you Friday." Ezra cheerily said before leaning over to kiss Aria's soft cheek. He winced as he realised what he had done, right in front of her Dad's office, he just prayed to God that he hadn't seen.

As soon as Ezra was out of sight, Aria turned to the two girls who eyed her with amusement evident on their faces. Aria's cheeks turned pink as she felt their gazes on her, she bugged her eyes at them causing them to smirk.

"I didn't know you were dating Ezra, Aria." Sammy said, Aria had only just met this girl yet found herself comfortable talking to her.

"I'm not." Aria shrugged as she picked up her bag from the ground.

"I've known Ezra for a long time, enough to know that he doesn't just platonically kiss girls on their cheeks." Sammy stated, matter-of-factly.

"I only met the guy yesterday." Aria chuckled, playfully rolling her eyes at the two girls.

"Well, he definitely likes you." Sammy grinned. "You're lucky. Not many girls have had the chance to date, Ezra Fitz." The statement confused Aria.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Ezra just doesn't just like any girl." Sammy nonchalantly shrugged as the three girls began walking off the college grounds.

"So, how do you and Spencer know each other?" Aria asked her, hoping to change the conversation topic before she fainted. She was overwhelmed by Sammy's words, never before has a boy gone out of his way so much to date her. Aria was usually second best after Hanna when it came to receiving attention from boys. Ezra, however, was yet to meet Hanna which scared Aria.

"We attended camp together a few years back and we became really close. We emailed for a while then completely lost contact, until I bumped into her wandering the world of Hollis College." Sammy eagerly explained. "Spencer was the first person I came out to." Sammy added.

"Really? So, you're gay?" Aria realised her question could have been seen as stupid and insensitive, but Aria found herself relieved. Mental note: Sammy is not a threat.

"Yep." She proudly nodded. "Hence why Ezra was being so protective over you." Sammy said with a smug look on her face. She in fact was a threat to Ezra.

Another blush crept on Aria's face before they finally arrived to their cars, the conversation instantly dropping.

Ezra returned to the spot he had just left Aria, realising he had forgotten his bag. He grabbed his bag and let out a content smile as he glanced down to where Aria had been lying and noticed her scarf there. He picked it up from the ground and turned back to see if she was in close proximity, but she was already gone. He thought of running after her, but didn't want to seem overbearing, so instead he tucked it into his jacket pocket and returned to his dorm.


It was Wednesday afternoon and Ezra consumed Aria's thoughts; she almost couldn't pay attention as Professor Kingston spoke to the class. Aria's eyes roamed the room to see a sea of girls drooling over their English Professor. Aria was just grateful she hadn't been the only one caught in a daze, though for different reasons. Of course, Aria found the Professor attractive, but she was too into the blue eyed man that had taken her breath away. Aria was also grateful that Spencer wasn't present to pull her head out from the clouds with her constant contributions. The bell rang throughout the room and Aria was the only one who looked pleased that it was the end of the day, the other girls were each groaning at the fact that they could no longer stare at Professor Kingston. She couldn't help but find those girls pathetic, teacher-student relationship just never happened, and even if they had they just wouldn't work.

"Aria." She heard a male British voice call out. It was obviously Kingston, no one else there was a British male. She span around to face the man who grinned at her, his smile was cute, she had to admit it to herself, but she didn't find herself interested. "Your father is Professor Montgomery, right?"

"Last time I checked." Aria nodded as she pursed her lips, wondering where this conversation could be going.

"I just want to make sure you understand that no special treatment will be given just because your father is my colleague." He told her, his words were serious and she didn't doubt that, but his cheeky grin made everything he said seem almost charming.

"I know. I wouldn't have expected it." She gave a tight lipped smile. "Goodbye, Professor." She waved before leaving the room and colliding with a hard body.

She looked up scornfully at whomever the perpetrator was that blocked her exit and to her pleasant surprise it was none other than the man who she had not stopped thinking about- Ezra. He smiled down at her, his 5'11 frame towering over her, their bodies were at such a close range that it made Aria's heart race at unbelievable speed. She was breathless as her eyes met his, panic setting in.

"You've got to stop following me." He joked making Aria blush.

"Excuse me? I was just leaving my lecture, what are you doing here?" She playfully poked his hard chest with her finger making him give a low chuckle that she found to be the sexiest noise on the planet.

"I am here to talk to Professor Kingston." He told her matter-of-factly. She just rolled her eyes and stepped out of his way so he could enter the room. "Wanna grab something to eat tomorrow?" He called out to her before she could walk away.

"I can't. I'm going out of town with my mom. I guess you're just going to have to wait until Friday." She gave a sultry smirk that made his heart skip a beat before she sauntered away, his eyes never drifting from her before turning to his Professor who looked at him with amusement, shaking his head at him.

"She's Professor Montgomery's daughter, you know?" Professor Kingston chuckled as Ezra approached him.

"I know." Ezra shrugged, wishing to not dwell on the topic. He knew he shouldn't be going after her, but he couldn't stop himself. Ezra Fitz grew up in a rich family; he was used to getting what he wanted and he never usually wanted much, yet he wanted nothing more than he wanted Aria Montgomery.

"You know, yet you continue to go after her. I've met her before you know, at a mixer at the Montgomery's house. She was 16 and she was planning on going on a date with an 18 year old, Byron wasn't having it. He admitted that he was over protective and said that older boys only want one thing." Kingston light-heartedly warned Ezra who took note of his professor's caution, but it wasn't going to stop him pursuing Aria.

"I am not only after one thing." Ezra assured Professor Kingston.

"You're going to have a hard time convincing Professor Montgomery that."

A/N: The response from just the first chapter was amazing. Thank you so much. - Tasha x