Aria woke up in a confused daze. She tried to sit up, but something was holding her back. Immediately, she realized she had fallen asleep in Jason DiLaurentis' arms. They were just talking and watching movies and Aria had felt more comfortable than she had in a long time, so she had fallen asleep. She pulled her phone out of her front pocket and saw that it was almost seven in the morning. And that she had 5 messages from Spencer wanting to meet for coffee.

"Shit." She had to be at school by eight.

Slowly, she wriggled out of Jason's arms, and he didn't so much as stir. She quietly walked out of his house, closing the door behind her and stepping out into the cool morning air.

As Aria walked back to her house, her thoughts ran rampant inside of her head. How long did she have to pretend to be Vivian before Mona found out that the ID cards were missing? More importantly, would Jason help her get answers despite the recently revealed risk?

Jason. The thought of him made Aria smile. He had done nothing but be kind to Aria and try to help her since the second he saw her. Aria couldn't deny herself the fact that she had feelings for him, but it had been so soon since she had found out about Ezra that she wasn't sure if she was ready to really let someone in again. Besides, that didn't matter. Jason probably didn't even feel the same way.

"Oh my god," Spencer's voice broke Aria's train of thought, "You're doing the walk of shame."

Aria realized the Spencer was leaning against her car, parked in Aria's driveway. She looked down at her own outfit, and then back up at Spencer.

"I am not," Aria defended, crossing her arms.

"You totally are!" Spencer laughed, "Those are the clothes that Hanna gave you to wear to coffee with Jason. Except I guess it wasn't just coffee. . ."
"Nothing happened!" Aria swore, "I was just talking with him and fell asleep?"
"Mhmm," Spencer gave an unconvinced nod, "Come one Aria, we have to be at school. Go get a shower and put on some clothes that don't make you look guilty and I'll make some coffee for us."

Aria rolled her eyes at Spencer, but let her into the house nonetheless. Everyone was gone already, but Aria knew that no one would have taken much thought to her absence that morning. Byron and Ella were very laid back, despite the whole Ezra and Alison thing, and let Aria come and go as she pleased. They probably had just assumed she had spent the night with Spencer or one of the other girls. Aria walked upstairs to her bathroom, leaving Spencer to fiddle with the coffee maker as much as she pleased.


Aria noticed two new bodies chattering in her kitchen when she came back downstairs wearing an oversized polka dotted sweater and a pair of leggings.

"Invite yourselves over why not?" Aria directed at Hanna and Emily.

"Hey, Spencer called and said you guys were going to be late so Emily and I decided to join." Hanna shrugged.

"Coffee?" Spencer offered, holding out a steaming pot, "Though I'm sure it won't be as good as coffee with Jason was."

Emily broke in, "Yeah, how did that go?"

"She had sex with him." Spencer said blatantly.

"Ooh, really?" Hanna smiled, "You go girl!"

"Guys!" Aria said sharply, "I did not have sex with Jason DiLaurentis!"

"Mhmm, then why were you walking back to your house wearing the same clothes as you were yesterday, this morning?" Spencer demanded to know.

"I told you," Aria defended, "I fell asleep!"

All three girls gave Aria an accusing look.

"You know you can tell us anything, right?" Emily asked.

"Yes, I know!" Aria was clearly getting annoyed, "And I am telling you guys everything."

"Okay, whatever," Hanna ended the topic, "Anyways, why don't we just skip? You know, instead of showing up late and getting the stink eye from teachers. I've been wanting to go to the mall anyways.

The girls all agreed with Hanna. A little R&R time was all that they needed right now. After finishing a quick breakfast of assorted cereals at Aria's house, they all hopped into Hanna's Mercedes and drove off towards the mall.


Aria was looking into her full body mirror when the doorbell rang. She had bought a new dress at the mall and wasn't entirely sure if it really suited her or not. Black dresses had always seemed a little risqué to her, and this one was especially short and sexy, with a revealing one-shoulder strap. Not having time to change out of it, she quickly ran downstairs to get the door, hoping it wasn't anyone important.

"Jason," Aria smiled, "Hi. Uh, wow."

"Hey Aria," Jason said, "How was school today?"

"I didn't go," Aria explained, "The girls and I decided to go to the mall."

"Oh, well how are they then?" Jason asked.

"Good," Aria said, "Except. . .they think we had sex last night. Spencer caught me walking back home this morning."

"What?" Jason exclaimed, "I would never! Not that. . .it's just. . . I'm not that guy."

"Not what guy?" Aria raised an eyebrow at Jason.

"What I mean is that you're going through a really hard time right now," Jason said, "And I couldn't sleep with you without feeling like I was taking advantage of you or something."

"Jason, that's really sweet of you to look out for me like that," Aria said, "No offense though, but why are you here? I know you didn't come all this way just to ask me how my day was."

"You're right," Jason admitted, "I was going to call you but . . . it's not considered proper to ask a girl out on the phone. . ."
Aria's eyes lit up, "You were coming over here to ask me out . . . on a date?"

"Yeah but. . ." Jason's eyes scanned Aria's dress, "It looks like you already have plans."

"No, Jase," Aria reached out to touch Jason's arm, "It's not that. I was just trying this on. I'd love to go on a date with you, a lot actually."

"Well then," Jason said, "Aria Montgomery, would you like to go out to dinner with me this Friday?"

Aria laughed, a girly giggle, "Yes Jason, I'd be happy to.

Jason shifted his weight and bit his lip. Aria smiled up at him, unable to process what was happening. She had thought that she wasn't ready for a relationship quite yet, but looking at Jason she realized that he was the one that would make her whole again.

"Jason I. . ." Their eyes met one another.

"Yes?" Jason looked at Aria quizzically when she trailed off.

Aria reached up and cupped Jason's face in her hand. He quickly responded by stooping down and crushing his lips against hers. The chemistry between them in that moment was undeniable. Aria was nervous; she hadn't kissed anyone since Ezra, but it felt so right. Jason's lips were rough to the touch but he was so gentle with her it was all she could do not to melt in his arms. After kissing for what felt like an eternity, Jason pulled away from Aria leaving her breathless.

"So. . ." Jason smiled, "Friday it is then."

A/N: I hope you guys like this chapter as much as you have liked the last ones. I'm a huge Ezria shipper but I'm also a big Jaria fan so I'm enjoying this series because it's a little bit of both. Sorry if you wanted to find out what Aria is going to do with Vivian Darkbloom's ID cards in this chapter, that won't happen until at least the next one. If you want to find out what happens, leave a review. What's your favorite part about this story? Least favorite? Thanks so much! I'll try to post the next chapter as soon as possible, but I'm going on vacation over the weekend so it might not be until Tuesday or so.