Author's note: hi all! Each chapter will focus on one liar, but sometimes they will have scenes together, so it will be a slight bit blended. This chapter focuses on Aria. The next one will be about Spencer, and the next next about Hanna, and the next next next about Emily! Thank you for reading this

Chapter 2

7 YEARS LATER

Aria

"Aria? I can't believe it's you!"

The tiny girl grinned widely, twirling around. She jumped into the man's arms, hugging him tightly. He smelled like expensive cologne, a manly must. She hadn't seen him in forever, but her happiness continued. She was so excited to see him again. She hadn't really had a man in her life since what happened with Ezra, not that this man was even hers. He wasn't hers. She didn't even know if they were still friends. She had guy friends, but she hadn't spoken to anyone she had ever been romantically involved with in the past.

"Jason," she said, smiling brightly. "Wow, it's been a long time. Hey... I'm really happy to see you. I didn't know that you were back in Rosewood!"

"Well yeah, I am. Plane just got in this morning," he explained, smiling back at her sweetly. "I spent some time in NYC to clear my head. Took me longer than I thought, but I had a good experience, for the first time in a while. Anyways, enough about me. How are you holding up?"

"Better," she said confidently. "Well, not the best I could ever be, but better than I thought. I didn't think I could ever be this happy again, but damn, you managed to surprise me. It's really good to see an old friend again. I mean... we are friends, right?"

"That's crazy, of course we are!" Jason exclaimed. "And that's great, it really is awesome that you're feeling better. He was a screwed up man, and I'm sorry you had to go through something like that."

"Sorry? You have nothing to be sorry for," Aria said. "What he did to me, to my friends, to everyone, has nothing to do with you. There was nothing you could have done. Some people are just really messed up."

"I know I couldn't have changed what happened, but Alison was my sister, and she was the root cause of everything," Jason said.

"Jason, blood does not determine what you do in your life," Aria said. "Nothing you did made this happen. Things happen for a reason. At least I found out he was screwed before I was too deep in my life. Luckily, I was just a teenager, and I can blame being young and dumb for falling for that..."

He chuckled, and then looked at her seriously.

"You know, if I could have done something about it, I would have, I promise you," Jason said, sighing. "Sometimes I wish that I could have protected you from him."

She smiled and said, "It means a lot to me that you would even say that..."

"Aria-nator!" an attractive dark-haired male exclaimed, running up to them. "It's your boy Nico! Do you wanna take a walk with m—Wait, who the hell are you, dude?"

"An old friend of Aria's," Jason introduced. "It's Jason DiLaurentis, and you are?"

Aria was surprised by how polite he was to Nico.

"Damn! You're the brother of that dead girl Alison from years ago?" he asked, grinning. "That's insane! Did they ever find out who killed her?"

"They did, but you can read the paper, because I really think reading... would be helpful for you," Jason said, biting his lip. "Yeah, she was my sister. And thanks for the name, buddy."

"Oh, sorry. It's Nico," he said, scratching his head. "I like skateboarding and stuff. BMX, too."

"And you're Aria's boyfriend?" Jason asked.

"What? No, Jason!" Aria cried. "Nico is my friend, and only that."

"Oh, okay, sorry," Jason said, shaking his head. "You know what, Aria? I'll leave you and Nico to talk. I'm gonna head out. I have some other old friends to meet up with. First day back is a hassle."

He walked off, leaving Aria and Nico alone.

"He thought I was your boyfriend? Why?" Nico asked.

She shrugged her shoulders and said with a smirk, "You were talking about walks. Where I come from, walks are pretty damn romantic, you know."

Nico grinned and asked, "I'm still up for a walk... if you wanna." He smiled at her sweetly. "Maybe you'd wanna see some of my new BMX or boarding tricks? I've been practicing. We can go to the park and grind some wheel!"

Aria chuckled and said, "How about no? I would much rather hold your hand and take a romantic walk through the lovely park..."

Nico gazed into her eyes, "Gosh, you look so cute when you talk... I can't help but stare at you."

No matter how hard she tried, she just couldn't get him to ask her out!

"Maybe..." she began seductively, "...you want to walk with me? Talk? I don't know. Whatever you want to do." She ran a hand down her breasts casually, causing Nico to look exactly there.

"Damn..." he muttered. "Aria?"

"Mhm?" she hummed.

"Do you wanna... uh... maybe go out some time?" Nico asked nervously, scratching his head. "Like... On a date... for real."

"God, I thought you would never ask!" Aria exclaimed.

She cupped Nico's cheeks and pulled him in for a long kiss, her hands kneading through his dark and silky hair. Life wasn't so bad without Ezra.