I sat on the quiet flight with my headphones in my ears as the hours flew by thinking about what my life would be like in Central City. With all the excitement I couldn't sleep so I settled for reading one of my favourite books. Before I knew it the plane was landing, so I put my book in my carry-on and waited till we could get off. I put my headphones away as I turned Airplane mode off and started to take my bags out of the overhead bin. I couldn't believe it. I had escaped Rosewood. I was finally free to start my life afresh. As the happiness bubbled inside of me, my phone buzzed signalling a message as I walked through the gates.

Iris: Hey where has your flight landed yet? I'm waiting for you on the other side. Can't wait to see you again!

I texted her back smiling at her words.

Me: You won't have to wait long! I just got off the plane. I'm walking through the gates right now.

As I walked through, I looked around searching for a curly black-haired girl. My eyes landed on someone familiar so walking up to her I asked, "Iris?" The woman turned around with a grin before launching herself at me. Her arms squeezed me tightly and I returned the hug with equal force happy that it was her.

"Oh my God Aria! You're actually here! I'm so happy, I've missed you so much!" She squealed pulling back to look at me.

"I know I can't believe it either! We have so much to catch up on!" I exclaimed.

"That we do, but first let's get your bags and then we can get you to your new home. It'll be like sharing the same dorm again but better!" She laughed. I could only imagine what things would be like now. We had no essays to work on, we were free to hang out all the time but the only big difference was that we'd be living with her dad. I could only imagine what he was like. If he had a daughter like Iris he must have been a pretty amazing dad.

We located the rest of my bags quickly and exited the airport. Iris showed me her car as we loaded my bags in them and started to drive to her house. I remembered to call my parents and let the know that I had landed and they told me how much they missed me already even though I'd only been gone for a few hours. I promised them that I'd visit soon for the umpteenth before hanging up to call Ali. She told me she had just left Welby and Charlotte had improved a lot since she last visited before asking me how things were going. I told her that we were on our way home and what the city looked like and the differences to Rosewood when she told me she had to go finish off some work for her next class. Finally I called Toby.

"Aria! Are you okay? Did you land safely?" He asked before I could say a word.

"Yes Toby, I'm fine! I just called to let you know I had landed safely. By the way, thank you for the gifts, they're lovely but did you by any chance get Yvonne to help you pick them out?" I asked as I thought of the perfume and makeup that I now possessed.

"Uh, sort of. She picked out the makeup and I got the perfume and teddy bear. I know that the bear's for kids but I thought you'd like at least a tiny reminder of the good in Rosewood." He admitted sheepishly.

"Toby, I love it. And the bear is perfect. I know I said I wanted to forget about Rosewood but that didn't include the people in it. This will be the perfect reminder. Anyway, you probably have to get back to work, tell Yvonne I said 'Thank you' and make sure you visit soon!" I told him smiling.

"I will, see you soon Aria." He replied.

"See ya." I said hanging up. I saw Iris looking at me from the corner of my eye.

"What?" I asked curiously.

"Oh nothing. So who's this Toby? A boyfriend?" She asked smirking.

"God no! Toby's like a brother! He's one of my best friend's exes." I said grossed out by the insinuation that he was anything more than a friend.

"Right." She said sarcastically.

"Seriously, he's just a really good friend. And besides he has a girlfriend." I mentioned.

"Okay I believe you." She finally said laughing at how uncomfortable I was.

"Thank you!" I exasperated throwing my head back. She laughed at my antics as the car slowed down in front of a house.

"Welcome to your new home!" She presented.

"Thanks." I smiled as we got out of the car and collected my bags. She unlocked the door with one hand and led me inside. The house was perfect. It was similar to my house in Rosewood but was different at the same time. There were pictures decorating the house with 3 consistent faces. I could tell that the older one was Joe seeing his resemblance to Iris and the other boy had to be Barry.

'Cute.' I thought before frowning. 'No Aria, that is not how you think of guys who are in comas who you have never met!' I chastised myself.

"So, what do you think?" She asked nervously.

"It's perfect Iris. I can't thank you enough for letting me stay here." I smiled at her grateful for her kind heart.

"It's fine, besides, dad wanted to meet you after I told him how you were such a great friend and even encouraged me to let you stay." She told me truthfully. I thanked her once more before she showed me the room I would be staying in. It had been left bare for me to decorate with my own pictures and possessions but there was a bed with duvet covers as well as a closet and chest of drawers for me to use. Some of my items that had been sent over before me remained in boxes waiting to be put in place, yet I didn't know quite exactly where I was supposed to start. It was a fresh beginning in this town so I figured that wherever things fell naturally they'd stay. Iris helped me unpack my bags and put the basics where they belonged; I decided to put a few pictures up to make me feel at ease. On my bedside table sat a picture of me, Hanna, Spencer, Emily and Alison. It was one we had taken before we all headed our separate ways. It was one of my favourites seeing as it was one of the only ones where we were truly free. I smiled at the picture before turning to Iris.

"So now that I'm kinda settled, when do I get a tour of the city?" I asked smiling.

"How about right now?" She asked holding the door open.

"Hm, sounds perfect!" I said with fake contemplation. We laughed as we headed out with her leading the way to show me the best parts of Central City. The first place we went was the CCPD where Joe -her father- worked as a detective along with her boyfriend, Detective Thawne or as her dad called him, Detective 'Pretty Boy'. His dad had a strong feeling of dislike towards her boyfriend it seemed so they had to keep their relationship a secret from him until they thought he should really know. Walking into the CCPD felt different to what I expected. It wasn't as intimidating as the Rosewood Police Department that was for sure. But maybe it was easy because this time I wasn't being arrested or accused of committing a crime. We ran into Detective Thawne or as he introduced himself, Eddie, before meeting Joe who sent Eddie off to do paperwork with a withering glare. He was a very warm man for someone who worked in crime and it was different to what I thought was normal.

"Aria was it? Nice to meet you. How are you liking Central City so far?" Joe asked kindly shaking my hand.

"It's different to what I'm used to but a good different. Much more lively than Rosewood and definitely more inviting!" I admitted with full honesty.

"Glad to hear it! Wouldn't want you leaving Iris here. She's been a lot happier since you mentioned you'd be moving here especially what with Barry's incident." Joe mentioned trailing off at the end.

"Well, I'm glad that my presence can make such a difference and hopefully it will continue to do that." I told them both honestly, smiling at the two West's.

"It will. Anyway, we should probably get going, I still have a few places to show Aria and then we're gonna stop off at Jitters cause I have work and you'll need a coffee break if you don't want your jet-lag forcing you to fall asleep on me." Iris said in one breath pulling me out of the station.

"I'll see you two at home!" Joe yelled, chuckling.

Tugging me around, Iris showed me the remaining 'important' parts of the City not including the once famous STAR Labs. She did however tell me all about it on our way to Jitters. She mentioned how the explosion led to it being closed down and how the only people that still worked there were Dr Harrison Wells himself, Cisco Ramon and Dr Caitlin Snow who all took care of Barry.

"I would've shown you it but I'm not sure Dr Wells would like that and I'd miss work if I did so if I get the all clear I'll show you later. Anyway, moving on," She said tying an apron around her waist as she walked behind the counter, "what can I get you to drink?" She asked with a sugar sweet smile as she became my server.

"Well, that depends. Do I get a discount?" I asked cheekily, with a big smile.

"Um, obviously..." She said with a tone telling me I was stupid for thinking otherwise.

"In that case, I'll have a hot chocolate with whipped cream and sprinkles!" I said with a cheery voice.

"Hot chocolate? In this weather?" She deadpanned.

"Hey, you aren't supposed to question a customer's request!" I scolded her jokingly.

"But I am supposed to when it comes to a friend who makes questionable choices." She fought back.

"Look, hot chocolate is the cure for everything in life no matter the weather!" I stated showing I had no care for whoever disagreed.

"Okay, hot chocolate coming right up!" She laughed. I smiled as I walked away to a small table in a corner that gave me my own space as I pondered over the good fortune I had found here in Central City. I watched Iris take orders from customers and make them drinks with skills that only someone who had worked as a barista for as long as Iris had could possess. As she finally came to my table to give me my drink, her breath caught in her throat. I frowned wondering what was wrong until I followed her eye-line.

A tall boy at least a few years older than me, stood in the doorway with a handsome boyish grin plastered over his face make his aristocratic features seem more enhanced than before. He was dressed in casual clothes and was looking right at Iris.

He's awake.

The thought hit me as I realised that Barry was the one standing there after nine months of being comatose. I looked at Iris and noticed she was ready to burst into tears. I gave her a slight nudge forward as they both stood taking each other in. She took notice that she was yet to move and ran over to Barry who also started forwards meeting in the middle. I smiled at their slightly teary greeting and comforting words as I sipped on my drink. I decided to distract myself to allow them privacy so I looked out the window and tried thinking of which directions I take to get to certain places nearby. All of a sudden, a sound of cups smashing greeted the ears of customers and co-workers as a barista bumped into someone.

"Are you okay Tracy?" I heard Iris ask.

"Yeah, I got it." The girl assured her already cleaning up the mess. Iris nodded before glancing at me.

"Let me introduce you to someone." Iris said pulling Barry by the coat towards my table.

I wiped any residue of my drink from my lips before straightening up as they reached me.

"Barry, this is my friend, Aria Montgomery, from college. Aria this is Barry." She introduced smiling more than I had seen her do since I arrived.

"Hey, nice to meet you." Barry said holding out a hand to me.

"Nice to meet you too. Glad to see you up and about too." I said shaking his warm hand as a jolt ran through me. I waved it off as some form of static electricity as I brought my hand back into my lap.

"It's good to be up and about. I can't believe it's been nine months since the explosion." He mused shaking his head with astonishment.

"You had us really worried Barry. My dad is going to be so happy to see you. Let me go get my stuff!" Iris exclaimed as she ran off. Barry nodded as she rushed off.

"So, how are you feeling?" I asked filling the silence.

"Pretty good for a guy who was struck by lightning, but I think I'm still getting used to things." He replied honestly as he rose his eyebrows.

"That's understandable, I mean people who go through stuff like this need time to adjust to changes that they weren't expecting especially when they're expecting their day to be normal." I told him as thoughts of A flooded my mind.

"You sound like you're speaking from experience." Barry said with concern.

"Not exactly, I mean, I went through a lot of life changing things when I was a teenager with my friends and I thought my days would be like everyone else's but they weren't and after some things it took us time to adjust to everything else, I mean I'm still adjusting so I sort of see where you're coming from."

"Is it hard to talk about, I mean we can talk about something else if you want." He suggested.

"It's fine honestly. I mean, I don't talk about it because it brings up horrible memories but you don't have to feel awkward about it. Besides, I have to tell Iris and Joe about it tonight so I might as well tell you about it too." I said as I finished my drink to settle my nerves.

"Joe? Why does he need to know?" He asked curiously.

"Iris offered for me to move into your old room when I decided to move here so I'll be staying with her and Joe but I still have nightmares about what my friends and I went through so I don't want them to worry." I admitted sheepishly looking at my hands.

"Hey," Barry said as he placed a hand on my shoulder, "you don't have to tell us anything if you're not ready. You can just tell Joe that you went through something that causes you nightmares. He won't mind, trust me. I used to have nightmares all the time when I was a kid because of what happened to my family."

"Thanks Barry." I smiled as he pulled back his hand with a frown. Just when I was going to ask what was wrong Iris came back ready to take us to her dad.

We arrived to the station quickly and as soon as we were inside Barry was greeted by many. Joe pulled him into a giant hug telling Barry how scared they were as I smiled at the reunion much like Iris. I laughed at the remark an officer had made in regards to Barry's age while he rolled his eyes and let Joe ask how he was. But soon enough, Joe was off on another task with Eddie who stopped to greet us.

"Aria, Allen. Good to see you buddy. Hi Iris." He spoke breathlessly.

"Detective. You should go. My dad doesn't like to be kept waiting." Iris said briskly as she hid her feelings. I held back a laugh as Eddie replied simply and walked off.

The three of us turned around and Barry was greeted by more coworkers when I noticed that the criminal they had caught was reaching for one of their guns. As soon as it was in his hands I got ready to call out a warning but before the words had formed on my lips, the gun was nowhere in sight and the officers were pulling him away. I noticed how Barry was flustered and wondered if he saw what happened but before I could ask, he was telling us he'd see us later and was out the door.

"Weird." Said Iris shrugging as we walked away.

Yeah.

I silently agreed as we left the station yet again that day. I had a feeling that the station would become a regular thing in my life.

Here is another Chapter for you guys, still working on some more but when I have a few I'll try to update more frequently!

Much Love, Serena xoxo