This chapter is pretty much the extent of what I have written in this story, so I apologies if I don't update extremely promptly. I do write kind of fast, but the next few days are kind of busy for me. Again, I'm very sorry. :( Depending on the amount of feedback (reviews, favorites etc.) that I get, I may start updating this story weekly if people like it. Speaking of feedback, thank you guys for all the amazing reviews and other things that you guys did! I'm going to let you read the story now, but there will be another author note on the bottom. Thanks a billion, hope you enjoy this!
All the girls hugged tightly, and Aria broke down.
"When should I go?" Hanna asked after a while.
"Just get it over with. Do it tomorrow. As soon as possible." Aria said through blurred eyes filled with sadness.
Suddenly she got up abruptly, eyes ablaze. "I have to go see him." Aria said, her voice oddly strong compared to her words a few moments before. "to-to say goodbye..." was an added in a whisper, clearly for her own benefit.
"What are you going to tell him?" Emily asked carefully.
"I really don't know." Aria answered truthfully. "But I have to go. I already texted my mom that I would be here, can I just say that I'm sleeping over?"
Hanna nodded.
Suddenly Spencer looked conflicted, clearly thinking deeply about something that was troubling her. Finally she spoke "Remember Aria, they can run tests. And he will be put in jail for statutory rape if-"
"I know, Spence." Aria said tiredly, as though she had heard it a million times. She then started walking out Hanna's bedroom door.
"Let me walk you down there." Hanna shivered, not liking the idea of someone being alone.
Aria nodded, and the two girls climbed down the Marin's pristine stairs to the doorway. The night didn't look very welcoming or beckoning; rain fell in torrents down from the inky black sky. Just as Aria was about to open the door, a flash of lightning illuminated her tear-streaked and Hanna suddenly grabbed her wrist.
"I'm sorry, Aria. I really am." she whispered.
Aria gave a watery smile, as if to say that it wasn't Hanna's fault, and then disappeared into the stormy night.
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Aria cried tears with the shattered pieces of her broken heart. The whole drive to Ezra's was filled with the pain of knowing she had to hurt the person she loved more than anything. Even if she was saving people's lives, she still felt like a horrible person for ruining someone else's.
And then Aria realized something as she was almost to his apartment. She would have to lie to Ezra if she went to see him. She would have to pretend that she had no idea that their lives would change sooner than they thought. And that brought on a fresh round of hysterical sobs.
Suddenly, the broken girl steeled herself. She had to say goodbye, there was no way around it. And she had to wipe her tears, put on a mask for his sake. It took a while, but Aria was finally presentable for the role in the play she did not want to partake in.
Ezra looked confused when he opened the door and saw Aria standing there.
"Not that I don't love you or anything-" he gave a boyish smile that looked a bit confused. "but what are you doing here so late? I thought you had to go to Hana's ASAP like an hour ago?"
Here came the first round of dreaded lies. "It was a Hanna-boyfriend thing." Aria said. "She was freaking out about a bad fight."
He tilted his head, as though waiting for further explanation, and she said "I was going to go home after I left Hanna's... But I just had this terrible feeling... So I came here."
"Terrible feeling?" he murmured, taking her gently by her small hand and leading her into his dimly light apartment. Never once did Ezra take his eyes off of Aria's pain-filled face.
The next part wasn't entirely a lie. "I had this feeling... Like we would be in trouble. Like I had to say goodbye fast before I lost you forever." Tears spilled onto her pale cheeks. Ezra took her face in his hand and caressed away the hot tears with his thumb lovingly.
"Nothing bad is going to happen, don't worry Aria." he whispered as he pulled her petite frame into his chest and rested his chin against her head. Out of habit, she pulled him closer and wrapped her arms around his waist.
It was probably good he couldn't see her face, Aria thought, because he wouldn't see the guilt and pain that flitted across it at his statement. If only Ezra knew how wrong he was…
"And even if it does-" his warm hands encircled her waist. "We will make it through together. I will be there for you. He pressed his lips to her forehead.
After standing like that for a while, Aria lifted her head up and they kissed like never before.
After watching an old movie that was both of their favorite's , and when she started to look tired, he let her lie down and they fell asleep entwined quite innocently.
But at about midnight, two texts woke Aria up. One was filled with solemnity; the other had the tone of someone who was truly giddy.
Hanna's text read ''I'll go to the station tomorrow, probably during school. I might as well get skipping school out of this mess.'
Aria typed back an okay, reminding Hanna not to go too early as she didn't want the cops to find her in Ezra's apartment. That would definitely give them the wrong idea.
The other message was from A.
"Will this night be the sick couples last, my dear Aria? Or will you somehow manage to get yourself out of shit like only you have a habit of doing remarkably well. Somehow, I freaking doubt it. Sleep tight in Fitzy's arms, while you still can! XoXo
-A
Both texts left a bad taste in her mouth.
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The next morning Aria woke up after having a terrible dream. It was only after waking up fully that she realized her dream was soon to be reality. She emptily got dressed for school, Ezra already having left for an early lecture he had to set up for. He left a note with his love and whereabouts, and Aria shoved it into her pocket. Moral support would be nice on what would inevitably be a long, hard day.
Later, Aria couldn't pay attention to her classes one bit. She hadn't seen Hanna all day, which only made her heart beat faster.
It was the middle of third hour when the stiff announcement was made over the loud speaker for 'Aria Montgomery to please come to the principal's office'. She had an idea about what that would be about.
Emily and Spencer gave her sympathetic looks as she walked shakily to the office.
When Aria walked into the dark office, a young women and older man in police uniforms were standing there. But what really caught her eye (and not in the good way) was officer Wilden, in his uniform as always.
"Aria, Aria, Aria." Wilden started, the ghost of a grin on his face. "What are we going to do with you?" His words brought out a flash of anger in Aria. Why was he talking to her like she was some naughty, small child?
"What'm I being called down here for?" she asked brusquely.
"I think you know the answer to that already." Wilden actually grinned this time.
The male police officer cleared his throat warningly and Wilden blinked. The women suddenly said "We are taking you to the police station for questioning."
"Under what circumstances? Is this about Allison?" the principal asked incredulously. It was clear he hadn't been previously briefed and was thoroughly confused.
Wilden spoke up this time, his 'dutiful police officer' face back on like a mask.
"No, nothing to do with Allison's murder. It's for a relationship with a former teacher and allegations to inappropriate actions with said man. Since she is a minor for another few months, we have to peruse this." Aria took a sharp intake of breath. It sounded so horrid when they said it like that, like Ezra was some horrid criminal and not just a man who fell in love at the wrong place and wrong time.
The Principal looked as though Wilden had just announced that he was pregnant. "Are these accusations correct?" he asked Aria, extremely formal in front of the officers for image's sake.
There was no point in lying. The police already saw the picture that A had sent Hanna.
"Yes." Aria whispered, not even loud enough for herself to hear.
"Yes." She said, her voice a bit stronger after clearing her throat.
The unnamed officers nodded, not at all surprised by her answer.
The principal looked, if even possible, more confused than before.
And Wilden... Well Wilden's face resembled that of a Cheshire cat.
Aria felt as though a heavy weight had been lifted off her chest. But unfortunately, as soon as she was free, another hefty weight came crashing down. The consequences of this whole scenario were enough to blow everything out of the ordinary. She felt as if she had been toeing the line for months, but now she suddenly leapt over it. Unfortunately Aria had a feeling the other side of the line held waters that were darker and deeper than ever before.
After an awkward silence commenced, the male officer spoke, his voice gruff "Okay, then. We have to head over to the station now. Anything you need to ask, sir?" he looked in the general direction of the principal.
"You have to get going. I will be in contact with you about some of my questions and concerns."
Everyone, excluding Aria, gave awkward goodbyes that seemed more procedure than anything. She was led out of the stuffy office, Wilden steering her by her rigid elbow.
Just as Aria' foot stepped into the hallway, the bell rang for the end of 3rd hour and the hallways flooded with kids. Just her luck, it seemed the whole universe was out to get her.
Aria kept her face blank and head down as kids gaped at her being escorted by, not one, but three police officers in full uniform. It looked as though she was in some serious trouble. Which she very well may be.
Her mind breathed a sigh a relief as the bell rang again and all the kids scurried into their next class.
The officers were all silent until Aria was led into the black and white cruiser. There was actually two cars, but the male got in one and sped off before Aria even got in the seat.
Wilden and the female cop sat in the front seat of her car, Wilden driving. It didn't take a rocket scientist to figure out this wouldn't be the most fun car ride ever.
The awkward few minutes of loud silence was shattered by the girl officer.
"Hello, Aria. My name is Annie Sol, and that's officer Wilden. My partners name is Mr. Luther. Do you have any questions or things you would like to say on the record? "
Aria kept quiet even though her head was teeming with a million questions.
"...okay. We will question you at the station, but right now you can relax if you would like."" Annie said, obviously a little taken aback by Aria's stubborn silence. The ride was just as awkward as expected.
I will update soon, and if I don't, feel free to send me a scolding PM. Lol
How do Sunday's sound for updates? Or possibly Saturday… Really any day except Monday would be fine by me. If you would like, tell me which date is best for you. :)
PrettyLittleBethany- I like your name too! :) haha. Thanks for being my first ever review on a story!
degrassifan2333- thanks!
love ezria- Thanks so much!
GoingDownWithThisShip- Thank you
OnceAWildcatAlwaysAWildcat- Here you go! :)
-Bethanynel813
