A/N: This chapter will mainly be about Aria. The next one will explore the aftermath from Spencer's POV. Enjoy!

Chapter 6: New Beginnings

September 24, 2012

Aria's POV

I pretended to have one of those illnesses that could keep a person home for awhile. I didn't want to go to school. I couldn't handle going. There was a lot that was going on in my brain. I knew if I went, I'd only be focus on saying goodbye to Ezra and screwing things up with Spencer.

Even though I kept my phone on, I screened my calls. The only people I responded to were my parents, Mike, Hanna and Emily. I wanted to talk to Spencer, but I didn't know what say. I wasn't ready to talk to her. She probably hated me. I don't blame her because right now I hated myself. Because of how I feel I hurt one person while pushing the other one away.

The sound of vibration on my dresser caught my attention. I sighed as I saw Emily had sent me a text letting me know she was outside. I dragged myself down the stairs and out the front door. She looked at me in complete disbelief. Because I was too depressed to care how I looked I had my hair in a messy bun and wore sweats.

"You can't stay like this forever," she told me.

I sighed frustrated, "Did you come here to pick on my appearance?"

"No. I came to talk to you because Spencer's worried about you. She misses you."

I motioned for her to follow me into my house. This wasn't the kind of conversation I wanted to have out on the front lawn. We went up to my room. I closed the door as soon as we both entered.

"How come she didn't come herself?" On the inside I wanted to run to her and be held in her arms. But I built a wall to protect me from that. I didn't want to hurt anyone else again. I don't know what I would do if I saw Spencer the way I saw Ezra.

"For the same reason you haven't come to school or talked to her. She's afraid she hurt you."

My defenses were slowly starting to break down. Knowing Spencer didn't hate me was a relief. That was more than what I could say for Ezra.

I sighed. I knew I screwed up. I screwed up badly.

"She didn't hurt me. I hurt her."

"Either way, you two need to talk. Seeing you both so torn up is affecting Hanna and I. We just want you both to be happy. You should go to her."

She was right. All of this was crazy. And it wasn't Spencer's fault that Ezra was hurt. It was mine. I had to deal with it on my own and not drag her, or anyone else for that matter, down with me.

"Even if I do go, what do I say?"

"Just speak from your heart."

"Okay," I said quietly, "Let's go."

We started to walk out my room when she turned to me, "You're not going out dressed like that, are you?"

After a shower, a change of clothes, a quick application of make up, and doing my hair, Emily and I headed over to Spencer's.

"Spence?" Emily called out as we entered from the back door.

I heard foot steps before I saw her and Hanna come down the stairs.

"Aria," she said as if she were dreaming. She ran over to me and hugged me tightly.

"Yeah, it's me." I smiled as I was held in her embrace.

"I'm sorry," we both said at the same time as we broke apart hesitantly.

I looked at her confused, "What do you have to be sorry for? I'm the one who took things out on you when it had nothing to do with you."

"I felt responsible for the pain you were feeling. I don't want to ever cause you pain. I love you too much for that. When you came to my house that day, my heart broke into a million pieces. I never want to see you like that."

"I'm sorry. I really am. I should have expected Ezra's reaction to be that way. I should have known that it could have gone wrong. I guess I was expecting too much."

"Sweetie, you were expecting too much. You were just hoping Ezra would be understanding. I think he needs time."

I sighed, "I know."

She pulled me in as close as she could before kissing me. This kiss was different than the others because it felt freer. There was no longer the fear of being together. Even though I did wish Ezra's reaction would have been different, it was one I understood. But that didn't matter now. All that mattered that I was with the girl I've dreamed about for two years. We broke apart slightly, nuzzling our noses.

"So are you two together or what?" Hanna asked. We laughed. That was one thing we could count on Hanna for, her bluntness.

We looked at each other.

"Would you be my girlfriend?" I asked Spencer as romantically as possible.

She smiled, "I would love to."

Hanna squealed while Emily stood there and smiled.

"If you two don't mind," Spencer said as she turned to them, "we would like some alone time. We'll catch up later tonight?"

Hanna walked over to Spencer, "If you're not too "busy" later," she nudged her and winked before her and Emily headed for the door.

"Have fun, but not too much fun," Emily said jokingly before walking out the door.

As soon as the door closed she swept me off my feet and took me to her bedroom.

"I love you, Aria," was the last thing she said before we landed on the bed, forgetting the rest of the world.

A/N: I know this isn't my best, but I shall get better. I still hope you enjoyed it! :) Please continue to read and review! :D

~reneexoxtyler15~