September 4th 2014

The next day after school Aria found herself dancing up to Ezra's apartment, still glowing from the day before. It hadn't gone unnoticed that she'd radiated off happiness all day, as her friends had all pointed out several times, especially Hanna.

She knocked on the door in a rhythmic tune, half disappointed when he didn't answer. She lifted up the mat and took the key before letting herself in, a pattern that had become all too familiar to her. She sent a quick text to Ezra letting him know she was there before making herself a cup of coffee and settling down in his apartment.

Just as she was about to call him to find out where he was, his house phone began to rang making her jump. She let it go to voicemail, not wanting to pry but felt a wave of shock go through her as the voicemail played, "Hi this is Jack Evans from NYU just calling to say that you've got the job and we would be delighted to have you join us next January. Please call back as soon as possible."

Aria felt the tears prick her eyes as she felt a wave of realisation hit her, if he took this job he'd be over an hour away from her. She shook her head to try and get rid of these thoughts she couldn't be so selfish. Ezra had always told her about his love for New York, who was she to stop him from achieving his dreams.

She paced around his apartment, unsure of what to do and whether or not to leave. She debated calling Hanna but she them realised she should probably talk to Ezra about it first. Just when she was about to give up and leave, Ezra showed up surprised to find her pacing around, she usually had an old movie on or was doing her homework.

"Is everything okay Aria?" He asked as he walked towards her and placed a soft kiss on her forehead, she nodded stiffly and sat beside him as he took a seat on the sofa.

"How was your day?" She asked weakly, glad that he didn't hear the slight crack in her voice.

"Tiring, but I was glad to find you here. Sorry I'm so late, your father wanted the whole English department to stay behind for a meeting," Ezra said as he laid back and closed his eyes, Aria chuckled softly and moved closer to Ezra. He put his arm around her, with her head resting delicately on his chest. For just a second she forgot her worries, that was until Ezra reopened his eyes and saw his machine flashing. Aria tensed up as he pressed play and the message was replayed.

Ezra stopped dead when he realised what it was, now realising that Aria must've already heard it. "Aria I can explain.."

"I get it Ezra, I hear the way you talk about New York it's your passion, I'll support your decision to go," Aria said bravely as she held back more tears, Ezra caressed her cheek softly before kissing her temple.

"Aria, New York was my passion when I was younger, but that all changed when I met you. I found a new passion."

Aria blushed when she realised he was talking about her, "I don't want to stand in your way, we can find a way to make it work right?"

"Of course we can, we can get through anything," Ezra promised as she rested her head against his chest and his arms went round her protectively.

"You should at least call the guy back. See what else he has to say?"

Ezra released Aria and picked up his phone before dialling the number, Aria held his hand soothingly as he talked.

"How long do I have to make a decision?" Ezra asked, nodding to himself when he heard the answer.

"Okay thank you. I'll be in touch on Saturday then," Ezra said hanging up the phone, he turned back to a nervous looking Aria. "I have until Saturday to make a decision."

"I want you to take it Ezra, this is a great opportunity and you never know when it might open up again. If you don't go I will never forgive myself for standing in your way," Aria said with tears streaming down her face, Ezra wiped them away delicately before pulling her into a warm embrace.

"You could always come out here for college, you could come and live with me and we could start a life together in New York?" Ezra suggested hopefully.

"I've had my heart set on UCLA for years I'd need to explore my options in New York too. The bad thing about UCLA is that it's over-"

Ezra cut in," 2700 miles from New York. If your heart is still set on UCLA then maybe in a years time I'll find work in LA and I'll join you, we're going to make this work," Ezra promises, kissing the top of her head.


September 8th 2014

"So he's just moving to New York?!" Hanna asked furiously as Aria told her the news shakily, she'd waited until Saturday before telling her friends now that she knew what Ezra's decision was.

"Yes, but please don't mention it today. I want to try and enjoy my time with Ezra before he goes," Aria said letting a tear trickle down her face, Emily immediately pulled her into a hug.

Hanna, Spencer and Alison all took turns to hug Aria comfortingly. "What are you gonna do about college? Do you still want to come out to UCLA with me and Caleb?"

Aria nodded, "I think so, for now anyway. Ezra said that if I choose UCLA he'll try and find work over there."

"We'll all be fairly near to each other with me at Stanford and Em and Ali at Berekley," Spencer said trying to comfort Aria, Aria nodded and wiped away her tears.

"So what time are the guys getting here?" Alison asked trying to change the subject, Aria gave her a grateful smile.

Hanna looked down at her phone, "Caleb said between 1 and half past and Toby's probably with him so they'll be here soon."

"Anyway, let's not talk about boys. Why don't we all go in the hot tub?" Emily suggested, Hanna cheered and the 5 all stripped down to their bikini's and got into the hot tub.

Aria finally let out a smile, "Now this was a good idea."

"How about I go and make us some drinks?" Spencer suggested as she clambered back out of the hot tub.

"Margaritas would be nice!" Hanna yelled as Spencer walked away.

A little while later after Toby and Caleb arrived, Ezra arrived too. Aria got out of the hot tub immediately and made her way over to him as he walked through the Hastings' back gate.

"So have you called them yet?" She asked as she gave him a chaste kiss.

"I took the job."

Aria could feel the tears in her eyes but kept them at bay, "That's- That's wonderful Ezra I'm so happy for you."

"I actually came here to tell you I can stay here today, I've got a meeting with the dean in New York, how about I see you tomorrow instead? We can go to the movies.."

Aria nodded before kissing his cheek, "Sure I'd love to."

Aria watched as Ezra walked away, finally breaking down into tears as he left. Everyone rushed over to her, Caleb and Toby stood in confusion as to why she was crying, Hanna explained and Caleb put his arm around Aria in a brotherly fashion.

"He took the job, by January he'll be gone."


September 23rd 2014

"Aria?" Ella called as she knocked on her daughter's bedroom door, Aria opened it reluctantly.

"Byron told me about Ezra," Ella confessed, Aria nodded mutely as her mom flung her arms around her comfortingly. Aria hugged back tightly.

"Sorry I didn't tell you, it's just I feel like if I say it out loud, the more real it becomes."

"I understand, you two have been through a lot already Aria, you'll get through it easily," Ella promised as she sat down on Aria's bed.

"It doesn't seem that easy."

"And it won't at first but it will get easier as the time goes on. How about you invite Ezra over for dinner tonight? Byron was actually the one that suggested it," Ella said laughing at Aria's surprised face.

"Okay I'll text him now," Aria replied pulling her phone out of her pocket and typing a text to Ezra.

My parents asked if you wanted to come to dinner? -Aria xx

Ezra typed a quick reply, confirming that he could make it and that he'd be there about 7.

"Ezra says he'll be here around 7, is that okay?" Aria asked, her mom nodded and gave her one last hug before she went off to start the dinner.

Once Ezra has arrived, Aria had pulled him up to her room after Byron told them to keep the door open. She obeyed her father's rules and left the door open as they sat down on her bed.

"Close your eyes for a second," Ezra said, Aria closed them after raising an eyebrow questioningly at Ezra.

Ezra gently placed a necklace around her neck before clasping it together. Aria opened her eyes and looked down, gasping when she saw a silver chain with the letter A on it.

"Ezra it's beautiful," She said tearily as she pulled him in for a passionate kiss, Ezra slipped his tongue in and Aria reacted right back by moving her own tongue against his. He moved one of his hands to her jaw as he deepened the kiss and placed his hands on her waist as she moved to lie on top of him. They parted immediately when they remembered where they are, luckily after they parted Byron came upstairs to announce dinner.

"Dinner will be ready in a minute, you two want anything to drink?" He asked politely, despite knowing what they had probably just been up to.

"Uh can I have a glass of red wine please dad?" Aria asked sweetly, knowing her dad would never say no, he nodded with a smile and turned to Ezra.

"Would you like wine or a scotch or water?"

"Scotch please Mr Montgomery," Ezra replied almost kicking himself, Byron chuckled and shook his head as he walked back downstairs.

"I thought you didn't like the scotch Byron drank?" Aria asked giggling as she pulled him up off of the bed.

Ezra grinned, "I don't but I have to get into your dad's good books somehow."

A few minutes later they took their seats at the table and started on their meal, at first the silence was a little awkward until Aria ended it, wondering where her younger brother was.

"Hey where's Mike today?" She asked looking at his usual seat which was empty.

Byron swallowed his mouthful of food before answering, "He had lacrosse training and then went to the Kahn's house after, he'll be back around 10."

"I never realised he and Noel were close friends," Aria muttered to herself feeling slightly confused.

"They started talking at Lacrosse training one day, you know what guys are like with their sports," Ella said rolling her eyes and causing Aria to grin as she ate her food.

The rest of the meal continued on in a polite manner, Byron asking Ezra questions in an attempt to get to know him better and Ella teasing Byron about grilling Ezra all the time.

Once they had finished, Mike came stumbling in, surprised to see Ezra. He opened the door wider and let Noel in.

"Hello Mr and Mrs Montgomery, Aria and- Mr Fitz?" Noel asked questioningly as he raised an eyebrow at Aria who had her hand on Ezra's leg.

"Hi Noel, you know by now that you can call us Ella and Byron," Ella replied as she gave him a warm smile.

"You guys hungry? We've just eaten so I can order you a takeaway?" Byron asked as he helped his wife clear the table.

"No we ate at Noel's, you guys don't mind if Noel stays over do you?" Mike asked, Ella and Byron shook their head and welcomed him in.

Ezra looked at the time before realising he still had marking to finish off. "I better go now, I've still got some papers to mark. Thank you for the lovely dinner Ell. And thanks for the great scotch Byron," He said shaking their hands. Aria grinned at his last statement as she walked outside with him.

"Thanks for the great scotch?" She teased gently, Ezra laughed and shook his head.

"It just came out..Anyway I really do need to get home now so how about you come over to my place next Saturday and we spend the whole day lazing in bed and watching old movies?" Ezra suggested, Aria nodded eager to spend more time with him before he left for New York.

"Sounds good to me," She replied before placing a delicate kiss on his cheek. He got into his car and waved at her one last time before disappearing. Aria waltzed back into her house with a huge smile on her face which did not go unnoticed.


"He took a job in New York?!" Summer asked in shock as he mom felt tears prickling her eyes, she kept them at bay not wanting to upset her daughter.

Aria nodded, "After I found out we spent as much time together as possible, went on movie dates, went ice skating, we even spent Christmas together a few days before he left."

"So what happened when he was in New York?"

AN: Thank you all for your kind reviews, they really mean a lot to me! If this chapter gets 8 reviews or more then I'll update by Tuesday:)