Four and Twenty: Chapter 1
Disclaimer: I don't own Pretty Little Liars…it would be nice if I did though. All characters (except for Paul, and any other future creations of mine) belong to Sara Shepard and ABC Family.
So turns out my plans to take a break from writing were kind of unrealistic. This plot line has been bouncing around in my head for awhile and I just had to get it out on paper. This is NOT a sequel to Miserable At Best, and I currently don't have plans to write one. I'm a one project at a time kind of girl, but perhaps later down the road…anyway hope you enjoy! Don't forget to let me know what you think.
Also check out my blog…the link's on my profile… or follow me on twitter isburke for updates, spoilers, and teasers.
August 2016: Falling In by Lifehouse
Ezra Fitz didn't pride himself on being a fool, and generally speaking he wasn't a very foolish person. He'd followed the straight and narrow path his parents had wanted for him, graduating from Hollis with honors and a double major, one in English and one in secondary education. He'd taken a job at the high school in his hometown, moved out of his parent's house and into his own warm, albeit very tiny, apartment, and had three short stories published—all by the tender age of twenty three. Then, he'd gone on to a private school in New York, earning twice the salary and playing protective sibling to his younger brother, although if he was honest, Ezra felt he was the one who needed protecting, not Paul. Yet even with his success and level headed attitude, Ezra Fitz had his moments of weakness. Today was one of those moments.
He wasn't sure why he'd chosen to come—well, it hadn't really been an option not to, but he could have made his visit brief. Say hello, watch them walk across the stage for a second time and accept their diplomas, and then leave. It was so neat and tidy, so painless—and he'd fumbled his plan and been suckered into staying by his beaming parents. Ezra may have been a successful English teacher, but Paul was a pre-med student graduating at the top of his class—doctors beat teachers any day.
He didn't begrudge Paul for choosing a field that was far more profitable than education; he really didn't. And he was proud, of all three of them. Paul had studied endlessly to pass, Aria had worked and written her butt off for her dual degree in English and journalism, and Hanna—well Hanna had gone shopping quite a bit for her fashion major. What Ezra did resent Paul for was his ability to be center of everything. His parents couldn't seem to stop smiling at Paul, Hanna clung tightly to his arm and hung on every word he said, and Aria stared at him like he was the sun—even after four years of watching her best friend date him. Paul ate it up, the compliments, the attention, and much to Ezra's distaste, he took advantage of Aria's feelings, although Ezra wasn't entirely sure if it was intentional or not.
Finally, after minutes of watching his tearful mother snap pictures of the three new graduates, and his father shake Paul's hand about fifty times, Ezra was able to catch Aria's attention. She grinned and stepped away from the joyous group to join him under the shade of the oak tree he was leaning against.
"Hey! Have you been there the whole time?"
"Sadly, yes. I was going to leave earlier and get some work done before we go out to dinner tonight, but they," he pointed towards his parents, "wanted me into stay."
"I'm glad you did. I'm so sick of taking pictures—so sick of watching them." Her eyes took on a faraway look as she glanced back over her shoulder to Paul and Hanna. "I mean, honestly how many times can they possibly kiss in an hour? It's sickening."
Ezra shook his head and chuckled.
"It's not funny, Ez."
"Whatever you say, Aria." He grinned again and this time his expression was mirrored by hers. "Let's not talk about them. I want to hear about you. What are you planning on doing since you won't have late night cram sessions anymore?"
"You'll find out at dinner. It's big."
"Big, huh? It must be something huge if you can't tell me now."
She smirked, took her cap off her head and handed it to him while she pulled bobby pins from her hair. "It is."
"Well, I'll wait with bated breath."
She giggled and reached out to take her cap back. "Please don't, dinner's not for several hours. I like you too much and that's a long time to go without breathing." Her face softened for a moment and she moved a bit closer to him. His hands sought hers out and linked their fingers tenderly. It wasn't a romantic gesture—at least not for her. The touch was familiar, comforting, and for Ezra, the only time when he felt he truly had her entire attention.
"I want to thank you. I don't think I could've survived this without you."
"Aria, I didn't…"
"You did. If it weren't for you, I'd probably still be trying to figure out the complexities of American authors." She giggled as she recalled the particularly challenging paper that he'd helped her out with. "And you helped me loosen up when I needed it. I probably would've have stayed holed up in my room writing if you hadn't been there."
She smiled brightly. "You're like the big brother I've never had."
He tried not to wince at the last statement. Big brother wasn't exactly what he wanted to be to her, and while being her best friend was rewarding, he wanted to be more. He knew they could be much more; if only she'd give him a chance.
"You're welcome then. I'm still pretty sure you would've been alright without me though."
She shrugged. "Maybe, but I wouldn't have had as much fun."
He opened his mouth to respond, but was cut off by the approach of Hanna, sans Paul at the moment.
"Aria, are you almost ready?"
Aria nodded and dropped Ezra's hands. "Sure, is Paul coming?"
"Nope, his parents want to have some 'alone time' with him."
Ezra struggled not to grin at the exasperated eye roll Hanna gave Aria. She may have been beautiful, but to Ezra's intellectual parents, intelligent vocabulary ranked higher than perfectly sculpted eyebrows.
"Oh, Ezra, I'm supposed to tell you that they want you to go with them too."
Ezra sighed. The last thing he wanted to do was spend his afternoon with his parents and gloating younger brother. "Alright. I'll see you girls tonight then?"
Aria nodded and Hanna smiled. "Of course. Seven thirty at Gallagher's."
Ezra headed off towards his family, leaving Aria and Hanna alone beneath the tree.
"You know, Aria? I feel like an adult for the first time in my life."
Aria giggled and linked her arm through Hanna's. "Somehow I'm not surprised. Let's go grab coffee and do a bit of shopping before we go out tonight. I want a new dress."
Hanna smiled. "Did you say shopping? Count me in!" Laughing and grinning like children, the two girls headed off towards the parking lot, turning to wave one last time at the Fitz family before they did so.
Aria Montgomery didn't consider herself beautiful. Her eyes were too large for her face, the darkness of her hair too much of a contrast against her fair skin, and her petite 5'1'' frame seemed nearly dwarfed by everyone around her. She had very few curves to speak of, and her cheekbones were just a bit too high. But it didn't really matter, because being beautiful was Hanna Marin's job. Growing up, they'd been inseparable. It'd only taken one morning in Mrs. Anderson's kindergarten class at Rosewood Elementary to discover that they were two parts of the same puzzle—even if their personalities were completely opposite.
Hanna loved dolls, Aria loved books. Where Aria was dark and thoughtful, Hanna was golden and impulsive. Hanna was a ballerina, Aria was a writer. And most importantly, lest Aria forget for one moment that Hanna was the prettier one (although that never really happened because Hanna's baby blues and blonde curls were a constant reminder) Paul chose the fair haired vixen over the brunette bookworm.
Aria's job, in contrast, was to be the smart one, the stable one, the one that picked up the pieces when things fell apart. And she'd done that plenty enough in the past few years. Paul may have been the perfect guy—sensitive, smart, and attractive—but when his temper collided with Hanna's fiery nature all hell broke loose. Since they'd started dating their senior year of high school, Paul and Hanna had broken up fourteen different times. Each fall out fostered hope in Aria that one day she might get her shot with Paul. Inevitably though, Paul and Hanna found their way back to one another and Aria was left crushed, and alone.
Well not entirely alone, Ezra was always there; sweet, caring, and protective Ezra. He'd been her stable one, the one who'd tried, although was never really successful, at putting the shattered fragments of her heart back together after each reconciliation. There was no one she trusted more, no one she relied upon more heavily. When she came to him after a rough day, or after escaping the crowded atmosphere of her shared apartment with Hanna, he listened and offered advice, though whether he understood or not was never really clear.
"Aria, are you going to be in there all night? I have to shower too, you know!"
The sharp knock on the door and Hanna's terse question jarred Aria out of the stupor she'd been in. With a twinge of embarrassment, she realized she'd been standing beneath the scalding spray of the shower for nearly fifteen minutes and she hadn't even washed her hair.
"Sorry Han! Let me wash my hair real quick and the bathroom's all yours!"
"I'm timing you. Ten minutes, Aria."
Aria rolled her eyes. If her best friend had one major flaw, it was her flair for dramatics, and she considered lingering for another twenty minutes in the shower just to annoy her. However, a pissed off Hanna was never fun to deal with, and even less fun to be around, so true to her word Aria left the bathroom exactly ten minutes later, wrapped in a fluffy white robe and hair hanging limply over one shoulder.
"You can get in now."
Hanna gave a noncommittal grunt that sounded somewhere along the lines of "okay." Aria nearly laughed as Hanna trudged into the bathroom looking completely put out. Knowing her best friend however, Aria was fairly certain that a little hot water and rose scented body wash would solve Hanna's attitude problem—at least for the present moment.
In the meantime, and with plenty of time to kill before they had to leave for the restaurant, Aria pampered herself. Tonight was the first time in sixteen years that she didn't have to worry about anything school related, and her job, the job she was going to tell everyone about over dinner, didn't start for another week. She painted her nails a dark shade of navy and then added a coat of OPI's black shatter polish to add a bit of something extra. Her dress, which she'd bought earlier in the afternoon, fell to mid-thigh and was a silver silk tunic with an ebony lace overlay and cinched waist. She'd also purchased a pair of killer, glossy black pumps that made her legs appear far stronger and far longer than they actually were. Her hair she towel-dried and curled loosely before applying her traditional duo of neutral eye shadow and pink lip stain, layering her eye liner on just a bit thicker than normal to highlight her eyes. And for a few brief minutes, as she studied her reflection in the mirror she felt pretty. Her cheeks were flushed from the warm shower, her hair had just the right amount of shine, and each curl fell perfectly against the lace of her dress.
That moment of complete self confidence ended when Hanna breezed in glowing and radiant seconds later, wearing a pale pink, off-the-shoulder, chiffon dress and golden locks twisted elegantly at the nape of her neck.
"Wow, you look fantastic Aria! Looking to pick up guys tonight—or maybe just one guy in particular?"
She arched her eyebrow suggestively and Aria's eyes widened in shock—she couldn't know that her best friend had a thing for her boyfriend, could she? Aria had been so careful, saying all the right things, smiling as much as possible when they were together, and playing the role of supportive best friend when they fought.
"What are…what are you talking about?"
She sank down onto the edge of the bed and smiled softly. "Really, Aria? Don't play innocent with me. You know exactly what I'm talking about."
Aria frowned and bent to rummage in her jewelry box for a pair of earrings. "I really don't, Han."
"Sure you do. I mean come on, you and Ezra are nearly inseparable."
The bracelet she'd been holding clattered as it hit the top of the dresser. "Ezra? Hanna, I don't have a thing for Ezra."
"Come on, Aria. The guy's clearly in love with you, and I understand why you don't give him a shot. If I wasn't so in love with Paul, I'd probably be trying to get with the elder Fitz myself."
"This is ridiculous. Are you hearing yourself right now? We're talking about Ezra Fitz, as in my best guy friend since middle school. It's not like that with us."
"Fine, if you say so. At least just admit you find him attractive."
"Nope, not at all."
"Not even the tiniest little bit?"
Aria took a deep breath and composed herself before turning to face Hanna. The last thing she needed to do was say something snappish and then regret it when Hanna was ill with her for the rest of the night. "Sorry, Hanna. Not even a little bit."
She huffed and crossed her arms across her chest. "Fine, but you're no fun."
"That's your job, remember? I'm supposed to be the sensible one."
"Right. Well, oh-sensible-one, do you think I could borrow those vintage gold earrings you bought last week, you know the ones with the pearls?"
Aria smiled, grateful that Hanna had abandoned the topic of matchmaking. "Of course." She plucked the jewelry off hershelf and handed it to Hanna. "Will you be ready to go in about five minutes?"
She nodded and skipped out of the bedroom. "Sure, just let me grab my bag."
Aria slipped a few bangles onto her wrist and slid a pair of pearls into her ears, before grabbing a black studded clutch off of the night stand and heading out to meet Hanna.
New York City is called a place of opportunity—they say if you can make it there, you can make it anywhere. Paul Fitz hadn't made it yet, but he was going to. One day, he'd be chief of surgery at Mount Sinai Medical Center, and he'd be making millions; he was sure of it. In the meantime, he was going to take another big step, and propose to his girlfriend of nearly four and half years, Hanna Marin.
They'd started dating in high school, she the quintessential "it" girl, and he captain of the lacrosse team. He'd fought hard for her, waiting out several other boyfriends until he got his chance. When she'd broken up with Sean, her longtime boyfriend, just three weeks before prom he'd been her knight-in-shining armor. Now, as their lives finally settled into some sense of normalcy, he felt ready to take the proverbial leap from bachelorhood to married man.
The ring he'd chosen was large, silver, and full of diamonds. Ezra had gone with him when he picked it out, and his older brother thought it was a bit gaudy. "It's what girls like these days," said the old man behind the glass counter at the jewelry store. So Paul had purchased it, and he'd been carting around the black velvet box everywhere he went all week, waiting for the right moment to ask her. Tonight was the night.
"I'm doing it tonight, man."
Ezra stared at his brother over the rim of the glass he was holding. "Doing what?"
"Proposing to Hanna."
The Jack Daniels Ezra had been tossing back nearly flew right back out of his mouth. "Tonight, like here at the restaurant tonight?"
"Yeah, should I not?" Paul shifted uncomfortably in the booth and signaled the waitress for another beer.
"I don't know. Do you think it's wise? I mean, shouldn't it be a private thing between the two of you-not broadcast for dozens of people to see?"
"Maybe. I'm just so nervous; I want to ask her before I lose my nerve again."
"I tell you what, wait until after dinner. I'll take Aria somewhere, to get coffee or something, and then you can ask Hanna however you want. Walk her back to the apartment, stop by central park, and pop the question there."
Paul grinned. "Ezra, you're a genius."
Ezra snorted. "Says the brilliant med student."
"Well, I can't deny that." Paul raised his glass, and Ezra followed suit. "To us and our brains."
The two brothers laughed, and each took a sip of their drinks.
"Starting without us, boys?" Hanna Marin smiled saucily as she slid into the booth beside her boyfriend.
"Just warming up, babe." Paul winked and leaned over to kiss her. "You look fantastic tonight." He glanced over towards Aria who'd taken a seat beside Ezra. "Not looking too bad yourself either, Montgomery."
Aria let out a light giggle, and Ezra knew she was reverting back into the fake persona she sported whenever she was around Paul and Hanna. "Thanks. Hanna and I went shopping this afternoon."
"Shopping, sweetheart? Paul draped his arm over Hanna's shoulders, and arched an eyebrow at her inquisitively. "Didn't we just do that yesterday?"
"Well yes, but it isn't everyday that a woman graduates from college. Rule number one of fashion: always go shopping on special occasions." Hanna laughed and Ezra rolled his eyes. Hanna didn't need a special occasion to go shopping—it was a daily habit.
Ezra felt the tap, tap, tap of Aria's fingers on the table top and slid a hand over hers to still its movement. "Relax," he whispered into her ear.
She sighed and glanced towards him. "I'm fine."
Hanna smirked at Aria from across the table and Aria shook her head vehemently.
"What's going on? I feel like I missed something."
Aria pressed her lips together and turned to smile sweetly at Paul. "Nothing. Hanna just thinks she's funny."
"But she is funny, comic, actually."
Aria stiffened and Ezra's hand slid to her lower back, the pads of his fingertips rubbing lightly over the silk of her dress. Again, she relaxed almost instantly. Eager to relieve the tension that seemed to be oozing from Aria, Ezra brought up the subject that'd been bugging him all afternoon—Aria's surprise.
"So, Aria, what's the big news? I've been waiting all day."
The first authentic grin Ezra had seen since the girls arrival curved on Aria's lips. "I got a job." She bit her lip and her eyes sparkled with excitement. Experience told him that she was beyond excited and was struggling to keep the good news to herself.
"And?"
"And I've been hired as a columnist for the New York Times lifestyle section. They read my blog about life in the city and they want to print something every week! Isn't that amazing? I mean, I just graduated today and…"
"Whoa, slow down a minute? The New York Times, as in the most famous newspaper in the world, New York Times?"
Aria nodded eagerly as Paul questioned her. "The one. I start next week."
"That's wonderful!" Paul flashed her a grin and Aria blushed.
She exhaled breathily. "Isn't it? I didn't believe it when they called me."
"What do you think, Ezra? Our little Aria all grown up and getting a job in the real world?"
Ezra frowned. Aria was the same age as Paul, and nothing bugged him more than when his younger brother referred to her as a child. "She's definitely not little anymore." His tucked a lock of hair behind her and smiled. "And it's great. I guess this means I'll be subscribing to the New York Times now."
Hanna giggled and Aria shot her another look. "Thank you, Ezra, although I'm pretty sure you should save your money. I'll get you a first edition copy."
"Speaking of money," everyone turned to look at Hanna, "guess who got an internship at Vogue? Looks like we'll both me working women, Aria!"
"That's fantastic, Han! It's what you've always wanted."
"I know, right? Just think of all the dresses, and shoes, and jewelry!"
"Hanna, it's not polite to drool at the table."
Paul and Aria laughed at Ezra's sarcastic comment.
"Well, since now seems the time to announce everything, I guess I'll throw in my two cents."
Ezra gulped as Paul spoke. If he did what Ezra thought he was about to do, Aria might have to be physically restrained.
"So this might be a bad idea, and tell me if you guys think it is, but what if the four of us get an apartment? I mean it doesn't make sense for all of us to be living separately when we spend practically every waking moment together."
There was silence for a moment, and then Hanna squealed, drawing curious stares from the other diners seated around us. "That's a great idea! What do you think, Aria?"
She shrugged, and glanced over at Ezra. "I guess I'm in."
"Well, I can't be the one to ruin the party, can I? When do we start looking?"
Aria picked up on the concerned note in Ezra's voice, and made a mental note to ask him about it later.
"Awesome! How about Saturday?"
"Sounds like a plan."
Their conversation was cut off as the waitress stopped by to take orders, and once she left, they quartet fell back into the easy rhythm of conversation, speaking of the commencement ceremony and what kind of apartment they wanted.
It was well after nine when the conversation began lulled. Ezra took it as his cue to leave, and tossed a few bills on the table top to pay for his check.
"I think I'm heading out for the night. It's getting late and I have some grading to do."
"Stay a little longer, please?" Aria stared at him with large eyes, her top lip quirking up in the classic don't-leave-me-alone-with-them look.
"I can't. But why don't you come back with me? We'll stop by and grab some coffee at Starbucks, and then you can read the new short story I wrote. It needs the expert hand of a New York Times journalist." He winked at her and held out a hand.
She smiled gratefully. "Deal. But you're paying for coffee."
The two said their goodbyes to the Paul and Hanna, and left lovers alone in the booth.
Ezra Fitz was not a night owl. He liked getting his full eight hours, and he hated any kind of interruption, unless it was an emergency. Apparently, Paul had deemed his engagement to Hanna an emergency, for he called at one in the morning to tell him that she'd said yes.
"Hello?" Ezra blinked his eyes slowly, wincing as he realized he still had his contacts in and they were incredibly dry.
"She said yes! Dude, you're a genius."
Shifting slowly, Ezra was surprised to find a warm, and very much asleep Aria curled up at his side, one tiny hand clenched in the soft fabric of his t-shirt. He didn't remember dozing off, only that they'd been watching a movie and he'd murmured something about being tired. Apparently, Aria had felt the same, for when Ezra shifted to get up off the couch without jostling her, she didn't even stir.
"Paul, couldn't this have waited until morning?"
"Why are you whispering? And no, it couldn't have. I'm so excited."
"We're whispering because Aria's asleep on the couch and I don' t want to wake her."
"Oh."
"Congratulations, Paul."
"Thanks, man. Listen, do you think Aria could crash over there tonight? Hanna's well on her way to being hammered, and I don't want Aria to have to deal with it."
Ezra smirked. Hanna Marin wasn't a heavy drinker. Paul just wanted to have the girls' tiny two bedroom apartment alone to himself…with his new fiancée. He glanced over at where Aria lay sleeping on the couch. She hadn't moved, and by the looks of it she wouldn't be waking up anytime soon. "Sure, Paul. Just call me before you head back over here tomorrow."
"Can do. Hey, could you do me one more thing?"
Ezra rubbed his temple in frustration and bit back a sigh. "Of course, what do you need?"
"Don't tell Aria, Hanna wants to tell her."
"Alright, I'll keep it to myself tonight."
"Thanks, I'll see you in the morning."
"Bye, Ezra."
Shutting his phone, Ezra grabbed a fleece throw blanket off the back of the arm chair and draped it over Aria. He felt guilty for not telling her, and he was already mentally prepping himself for the nightmare of tomorrow. He was quite certain there'd be tears, anger, and an extremely emotional Aria. He flicked off the lamp and gently removed her stilettos before heading back towards his bedroom, anxious to get what little sleep he could.