A/N And here is chapter 4. Originally I was going to use the idea of Jackie wanting Ezra back but once I stared writing and that didn't happen, thank you for the idea though.

I'm glad so many of you are enjoying this story and reviewing but since this was supposed to be a one- shot I have NO IDEAS as to where the story should go so HELP, PLEASE. I want you all to stay happy so if you guys tell me what you want from this story I can try and make that happen.

Thank you for reading, sorry for any mistakes this is not proofed, also keep reviewing please, I love reading them.

I also added a line or two from 5x05 so see if any of you can spot them J

p.s sorry for the longish note I'll shut up now and let you read.

Friendly Dinner

Chapter 4

Within minutes the couple arrived at Rose of Sharon and being a total gentleman Ezra opened Aria's door for her. As they walked towards the restaurant Ezra also reached for Aria's hand and laced their fingers together causing both of them to smile.

Once inside they gave their name, got their table and ordered before the conversation began to flow freely between the two. They had just ordered desert when Aria spoke up again.

"So I have a confession to make" Aria told Ezra sheepishly unsure if she should share her information or not.

"What's that?" Ezra asked locking his left hand in hers on top of the table. He loved how her hands fitted perfectly in his.

"I've never been on a date before" Aria confessed as she began blushing and looked away slightly.

"Really?" Ezra asked, "But you're beautiful." He couldn't believe she had never been on a date before, his words had made her blush a little more but she had now turned back to look at him.

"Really, Really"" Aria replied giggling slightly.

"Can I ask why?"

"No one nice ever asked" She simply told him.

"Well I'm glad" Ezra replied after a short pause. "I get to set the bar high"

"But not too high. In case you haven't noticed I'm not that tall." Aria joked, laughing slightly to which Ezra joined in with her.

"Oh I noticed."

Unfortunately Ezra's laughter had caught the attention of another brunette.

"Z? Hey I didn't expect to see you here. How are you?" The brunette said as she approached the couples table.

Aria couldn't hep but feel inferior to the woman. She had long locks just like she did only Aria swore they looked silkier, she was also at least half a foot taller than Aria and that wasn't including the heels she was wearing. She also looked older than Aria and portrayed a huge amount of confidence, unlike Aria. To top it off her body looked a lot more mature than Aria's. Even though she was eighteen and still growing Aria had always thought her body looked like that of a 12 year old boy, she was wrong of course but it didn't stop her from feeling beyond insecure at times, especially right now.

"Jackie hi." Ezra said faking happiness at seeing the woman, he hated her but it wasn't like him to be rude and ask her straight away to leave so he didn't. He didn't answer her question as he just wanted her to go but things only got worse once her friend joined her.

"You remember Meredith right?" Jack asked motioning to the blonde that stood beside her. Just like Jackie she was tall, had confidence galore and a mature figure. The only difference between the two was that Meredith was a blonde and slightly skinner, Aria hated both of them instantly.

"I remember" Ezra simply said as cold as he could manage hoping the women would get the message and leave him and Aria alone.

All throughout the short conversation Aria was trying to remember where she knew Meredith from, just then it clicked. Aria's face instantly turned sour and red as tears began to cloud her vision.

"I have to go" Aria said as she stood up, pulled her hand from Ezra's and sprinted to the exit. It all happened so fast Ezra barely had time to register it.

"Aria wait" Ezra said as he too stood up.

"Aria? Isn't that Professor Montgomery's daughter's name?" Jackie asked

"Yes it is" Meredith confirmed.

"You were on a date with a teenager? Come on Ezra you can do better than that" Jackie said almost tauntingly.

He ignored both women as he threw a few bills on the table to cover the bill before going after Aria.

"Aria." He called once he got outside but he received no reply, he tried again and again but came up with nothing. He thought about where she could have gone before hopping in his car and searching for her.

Less than five minutes later he found her. She was on a small park not far from the restaurant. She was sat on the grass with her head in her hands and Ezra could hear her crying from his place in the car. He quickly got out of his car and went straight to her.

"Aria" he said tentivly not wanting to scare the girl. "What's wrong? What just happened in there?" He asked once he was stood next to her. She quickly wiped her eyes before speaking.

"Nothing. Just leave me alone" she said before burying her head back into her hands.

Ezra stayed silent as he sat down next to her, she noticed his movements and turned her back to him.

"Aria please, talk to me." He asked as he placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, she instantly shrugged it off. "Is this about Jackie and Meredith?" He asked. At the mention of Meredith's name Aria tensed up. "It is isn't it" Ezra said once he noticed the change in Aria's body language.

"Aria you have nothing to worry about I'm not interested in them I lo…I want you"

"It's not you I'm worried about" Aria whispered as the tears still flowed down her face.

"Then who? Who are you worried about?" Ezra asked confused by her words. He placed his hand once again on her shoulder only this time she didn't shrug him off. After a few seconds of silence she answered him.

"I'm worried about…my dad"

"Why?" Ezra asked still confused. Aria stayed silent once again. "Aria please tell me, I hate to see you so upset, I want to fix whatever is hurting you."

"It's too late" Aria said turning her body to face him. It broke his heart now that he could see her properly, she looked so broken. She was a complete mess. Her make up had run, her eyes and nose were all red as well as puffy which only served to make her look much more fragile than she was.

"Why is it too late? What happened?" Ezra asked softly as he began to wipe her make up off her face with the pad of his thumb.

"It's complicated." Aria simply said to which Ezra replied. "I've got time." Aria then took a deep breath before she began.

"The blonde who came into the restaurant, Meredith, I've seen her before. Around two years ago I saw her, with my dad, they were kissing."

Ezra listened carefully as he finished wiping the make up from Aria's face. He was still confused though. He didn't see why it was such a big thing, he knew that Professors hooking up with students was frowned upon but it wasn't illegal. Aria could see he still didn't understand why she was so upset so she continued her explanation.

"At the time he was married to my Mom" Aria explained, now Ezra understood. He had a feeling how this was going to end; his heart went out to her.

"He knew I knew and begged me not to tell her."

"Did you tell her?" Ezra asked.

"Yes, but not right away." Aria took another breath. This was the hard part; it was still a raw subject for her. "I kept his secret fir a few months but it was killing me. I got drunk one night with my friends, stupid I know, my mom had to pick me up and when she asked why I was drinking, like an idiot I told her. She was so mad at me." Aria said as a lone tear escaped. Ezra quickly wiped it away whilst she continued.

"She got furious at me even for not telling her. She wouldn't stop shouting at me and once we got home she confronted my dad. They fought for hours and then…. And then she took off. She didn't want to have to 'deal' with either of us so she just left. She hates me Ezra, this is my entire fault." Aria said as her tears flowed more freely now. Without thinking Ezra pulled her into his lap and held her close. She held onto him tighter than imaginable as he kissed her head and soothingly rubbed her back.

"It's not your fault Aria." Ezra told her softly.

"Yes it is" she chocked.

"No it's not; it's your Dad's fault. If he hadn't have had an affair none of this would have happened.

"But..."

"No buts" Ezra said as he slightly loosened his grip to look at Aria in the eyes before adding, "Except your butt cause it's adorable" Aria let out a small smile. "There's that smile I love" Ezra commented as he too smiled.

"I know it must hurt not having your mom around but you have to stop beating yourself up. You said it's been what two years," Aria nodded her head yes. "You have to find a way to get passed it."

"I know I do. I mean I thought I already had, but when I saw Meredith she just brought it all back I guess."

"I'm sorry" Ezra apologised.

"You don't have to be sorry, it's me who has to be sorry, I ruined our dare, I'm sorry, so sorry."

"I don't ever want to hear you say your sorry again." Ezra said as he leaned in for a kiss. As soon as their lips locked Aria began to feel instantly better. There was just something about him that made her feel better, she didn't know what it was but was grateful he had it.

After a few moments the pair pilled away to catch their breath, Ezra leaned his forehead against Aria's before he spoke.

"You know, we have a few hours before I have to take you home, do you wanna go see a movie? They're showing all the classics just down the street, it's It happened one night tonight I think. Ezra suggested.

"I love that movie" Aria replied.

"Me too, it's one of my favourites" Ezra told her barely managing to finish his sentence as Aria crashed her lips onto his.

"What was that for?" He asked once their lips parted.

"Because you're great, because I wanted to, because you came after me, because It happened one night is my favourite too and did I mention because you're great."

"Once or twice" Ezra replied before standing up. He then reached down and helped Aria up too before the pair began walking back to his car.

After a few steps Ezra noticed that Aria had taken her shoes off and was now carrying them in her hands. He stopped in front of her before crouching down slightly.

"Get on" He said referring to his back. He wanted to give her a piggy back so she wouldn't have to walk barefoot.

"What? Why?" Aria asked. He stood back up straight then turned to face her.

"Because we're gonna hit gravel soon and I don't want you to hurt your feet so, get on" He said as he turned around again.

"You're so sweet you know that?" Aria said rhetorically once she had hoped on. "Thank you."