This class has drained on for days. The old ratty professor just kept on talking, never has Aria checked the clock as many times as she did today, she couldn't wait to get out of that small stuffy room smelling like odor.
As soon as the clock hit 11am signaling the end of the class, Aria waited… and waited… and waited til the lecturer dismissed them all. Contemplating just gathering her things and leaving, Aria's thoughts were interrupted by the old man dismissing the class. As she hurriedly packed her books and laptop away to get out before the flock of students crammed the steps, she was again interrupted by the old man
"Aria Montgomery please come see me before you leave here"
She groaned. No, no, no. Why her, why today. His face was firm as he again lectured her, this time for her "ability to make it on time to his lectures each time" sarcasm dripping from his mouth onto his unshaven, messy beard.
Life's a game but it's not fair
I break the rules so I don't care
So I keep doin' my own thing
Walkin' tall against the rain
Victory's within the mile
Almost there, don't give up now
Only thing that's on my mind
Is who's gonna run this town tonight
Hey-hey-hey-hey-hey-hey
Hey-hey-hey-hey-hey
Hey-hey-hey-hey-hey-hey
(Is who's gonna run this town tonight)
Hey-hey-hey-hey
Aria huffed at the irony of the song radiating through her car speakers playing on the radio and put the volume down as she tried to find a parking spot at the Grille where she was supposed to meet her friends after her morning class… 15 minutes ago.
"Shit" she muttered under her breath as she checked her watch and rushed to get out of her car.
"Hey guys sorry i'm late" Aria rushed in quickly saying before finding a seat on the comfy couch between two of the people that helped her get through the rough patches in her life, Spencer and Hanna and the third who sat on a separate seat across from them, Emily.
"Mike was late for school which made me late for class and the professor kept me back telling me that he won't put this up for much longer since it's the third time this has happened in the past two weeks but then there wa-" she rambled on
"Aria. Stop. It's okay, we understand" Spencer warmly interrupted with a firm yet soft hand to Aria's left shoulder
"Thanks you guys" she sighed "so what have I missed?"
"Well Toby is -"
"Caleb's taking me to this fancy spa get away in the city for the weekend so i bought these killer thigh-high leather boots and when i told him what i bought he extended the trip so i want to go back to Philly to buy some sexy lingerie, maybe he'll buy me a car" Hanna finished proudly
"Han did you seriously not hear me, i was literally in the mid-"
"Aria did you want to come? I looked through your draw and your lingerie is seriously so last year"
"HANNA!"
"Spencer what is wrong with you, why are you shouting? People are staring, keep your voice down woman" and because of the Hanna-ness of that comment, it caused the whole group to break out into laughs but cease down when their coffees arrived soon after.
"But seriously, Aria. Girls day on Saturday, Caleb wants to go out with Mike to that new arcade in the city and I really want to go shopping" Hanna whined
Aria hesitated. "Uh Han, i don't know. This time of year is getting really hard for us and I think it might be better if we stick together. The one year anniversary is next week and Mike is being really distant lately, like even further away than usual…"
"That's exactly why you both need to go! Mike has got so close with Caleb and the guys this past year and he can be a guy around them. He needs those male-influences in his life, Aria. Lord knows Byron won't do that considering he just sending a gift and called you guys on birthdays. And you need to come out with us. You have been stressing and working so much we hardly ever see you. Come on"
It's true. Aria has been working herself to death when she doesn't have classes and spending her spare time at home studying and cleaning up, only seeing her friends twice in the past week when they show up to her work.
"Uhhh... Ok fine I'll see what I can do for the both of us… Spence what were you saying about Toby?"
"Okay so I think he's cheating on me" and the other two girls groaned
"Jesus, Spencer, I told you he wasn't cheating on you, why are you so paranoid about this?" Hanna said
"He's been really secretive around me and I walked into his apartment a few days ago and he was on his laptop but as soon as he saw me he closed all his browsers; locked his computer and when he was in the shower I tried to log on to do some work and he changed his password! Who even still does that anymore? Like, is he watching porn then?"
"That's a turn on. You should act it out in nothing but stilettos one day"
The girls all simultaneously turned with a shocked yet questioning glance to Hanna who simply shrugged
"What? I overheard someone saying it once and you know…" which again caused them to laugh as one
"We're going to change the topic now. Em?"
"I don't really have any problems lately. No boy drama definitely. No girl drama so everything's pretty smooth lately."
"Paige doesn't seem to think so" Hanna said in a sing-song manner under her breath. Emily excused herself thinking she was the only one who heard Hanna and left before Hanna could continue, unknowingly to her Hanna did carry on "she broke up with Paige last week because apparently she hinted at them getting engaged and moving closer to scouts together in like Boston" but stopped as Emily walked back and they continued their earlier conversations.
*Knock knock*
"Hey Mike, can I come in?"
With no response coming from the other side, Aria opened Mike's bedroom door and was met with a heart-warming sight. Mike was curled up on his bed with a framed photo of the Montgomery family standing on a glacier in Iceland, a time when they were all happy and thankful to have each other
"What do you want?" He mumbled
"Caleb wants you to have a guy's day on the weekend; I think Toby's going too... Um me and the girls will be at the mall and the guys really want you to go"
"Yeah I know, Caleb texted me"
"Okaaayyy" she dragged out "well dinner will be done soon… After I start it" she laughed to herself at the joke
"Fine"
Sensing his clipped attitude, she walked forward tentatively. "Hey Mike… How are you, really? I know it's pretty hard around this time right now and i don't see you as much as i used to but i really am trying my best to do right by you" but she was met with silence. As she turned on her heels to leave the room she heard a faint noise coming from the bed
"I'm really glad you're still here Aria, thank you"
The next morning came and went fairly easy: no complaints from Mike regarding school or breakfast and he was up and ready sitting and the counter before Aria even told him to and wordlessly made his way to the car.
Since it was Tuesday, it meant Aria had no classes to attend to, but it did mean that she had her second job as a waitress at the Grille to get to. Making it right on time, she put her apron on and got ready to serve her first customer for the day
"Hi what can i get you?" She asked without looking up
"Wow Aria i thought by now you already knew what i liked" a voice croaked
Her head snapped up to the familiar face. "What do you want, Noel" she waited a split second before sensing a snarky remark and continuing "from the Grille, not me"
"Aria come on"
"No Noel. Not here, not now, please"
"I'm not going to leave you alone til you talk to me. Damnit Aria it's been months and you haven't spoken to me. You didn't even let me explain" he snapped and slammed his hand down on the counter which caused Aria and those in line behind him to jump and those in the close radius to them turn and watch on
"Noel" Aria said firmly, looking around the café hoping he would catch on and understand her point of view and with that he turned and stormed out of the Grille without buying anything, leaving Aria to sigh and place her aching head in her hands but recompose herself a minute later for new customers and the regulars.
"Hi what can i get you?" She again asked again without looking up
"Hey Aria" a new voice said
"Oh hi Mr Fitz, how have you been?"
"Not too bad actually. Can i just get a blueberry muffin and a latte to-go please"
"No problem.. One thing though before I give you your food. I know PT interviews aren't until next fortnight but can you just tell me how Mike's doing really quickly"
He stifled a small laugh "he's doing fine Aria, you don't need to stress about him, i'll take care of him during school. See you next time Miss Montgomery" he said with a wink
Feel it comin' in the air
Hear the screams from everywhere
I'm addicted to the thrill
It's a dangerous love affair
Can't be scared when it goes down
Got a problem, tell me now
Only thing that's on my mind
Is who's gonna run this town tonight...
Is who's gonna run this town tonight...
We gonna run this town