Chapter 7:
Aria's POV:
Where was I going to go? To live? And who would I live with? I guess I'm moving back in with my parents in Rosewood. Was this the right choice? Yes. You have hurt Ezra way too much and don't need to do it anymore. I argued back and forth with myself, driving and driving, oh, and more driving. Just me, myself, and I. My argument was cut short when I heard my phone loudly ringing. I thought it would be Ezra, who called thirty-two times in the past two hours. I was just going to ignore it, but then saw it wasn't Ezra. "Hello?"
"Aria Fitz, where the hell are you," I heard the raspy voice of, none other than Spencer Hastings. "I'm not sure right now. I'm just, driving," I said with a big sigh. "Well, you need to find out because your HUSBAND called me and was sobbing so hard, I could barely comprehend his words at times. But what I did understand was 'Aria left.' Do you realize how much I wanted to punch you when he told me that? You were never a quitter Aria!" "Ughh! I always end up hurting someone! That's the reason I left, Spence. Because I could tell how much he is hurting and it's all because of me," I told her with tears welling up in my eyes. "You're right." I wanted to attack her for being so forward, "I'm right?" "Yeah. You do hurt him. He hurts because you are hurting. And when he tries to help you, you decline and that hurts him even more." "Yeah, well, I can't hurt him anymore if I'm not around," I said, letting a tear drop, "Look, I need a break from everything. The big city, troubles, life itself. I promise I'll come back, after I figure out some stuff and get my feelings in check, okay?" There was a slight pause, then Spencer said, "Fine, but don't wait too long. And remember that he loves you, and we love you. Like Ezra says, forever and always," she then laughed lightly causing me to smile. "Can you please tell me where you are going though? Just so I know," she asked with desperation clear in her voice. "Rosewood. Maybe I can rekindle the love that me and Ezra had before. Maybe seeing where it all started will help me get back to how it is supposed to be. But I have to do it alone. All right?" "Mhmm," she answered. "Do not tell him, because all he'll do is come after me." "But -," I immediately cut her off, "No Spencer! I have to go, love you!" "Love you, too," she said in a monotone voice. Rosewood, please help me...
It was late, around nine o'clock and I still wasn't home. My eyes were burning and my coffee was draining me instead of helping. I felt so alone. Who am I kidding? I've felt alone ever since Aislyn's death. I guess I did't want to let anyone in. not even Ezra. Oh, crap, what was that sound? I looked in my side mirror and saw that I blew a tire. And of course, no one was around to help. Oh! Did I mention it's like the middle of the winter? I pulled out my phone and scrolled through my contacts, dialing the most familiar number of them all. "ARIA," Ezra hollered on the other end. "Crap," I said in almost a whisper, then hung up. I gave up hope and went sit in my car. Way to go, Aria. I thought to myself when a truck passed by. The driver noticed me, but kept on driving. I guess he knew me or something, because he stopped suddenly and reversed. It was then who I realized who the driver was. "Noel?"
Spencer's POV:
"Toby, have you seen my-," the shrill ring of my cell phone in the couch cushions cut me off, "Never mind!" "Hello?" "Sp-Spencer," a familiar voice rang out, but she couldn't place the speaker because of his uncontrolled sobbing. "Um, I'm sorry, but who is this," I asked curiously. "Oh, uh, sorry it's Ezra." He cleared up just enough for me to understand him, and then he resumed crying. "Ezra, what's wrong? Is everything okay," I asked and didn't let him respond before I asked, "Is Aria okay?" "Oh, um," you could hear the pain and nervousness in his voice, "Spencer, she left. Aria left. She said that she was tired of hurting me. I called you because out of you four girls, you are the one who gives the best advice, and I am I need of some. I don't know what to do. I want to go after her, but I don't know where she is," he was debating with himself. Just like Aria, go figure, she thought to herself smiling, "Ezra," he didn't respond to her, but kept on talking to himself, "Ezra!" "Oh, I'm sorry. It's just I need her, and I know she needs me. I am completely clueless with women. Ugh!" "Okay, how about I call Aria, check on her, and make her tell me where she is. All right?" "Okay. Spencer? If it is not too much to ask, can you tell me where she is? I'm begging you, please," he was still apparently crying and becoming more nervous. "Ezra, chill. I was going to tell you anyway! She won't want me to, of course, because she knows that you will come after her. We all know how stubborn that girl can be on the outside, but inside she has her emotions, wants, and needs buried beneath a mental blockade. She most likely feels guilty and hurt. But there are two things I am sure of, she will, no matter how much she denies it, want you to come after her. Every girl dreams of a knight in shining armor, rescuing her away. The other thing I am sure of is that she needs you. I see the way she looks at you, and honey, it's intense." "Yeah, well, she never touches me anymore or looks at me that way," he said sadly, "And you know what else? I never get you girls. It really amazes me how you know what's always really going on inside each other," he sounded a slight more cheerful. "All right, Fitz. I have to go call your wife and hopefully knock some sense into her. I'll call you later and tell you where she is, okay?" "Sounds good. Oh and Spencer thank you. You girls are my life savers and I love you guys like my own sisters. Bye." "Bye, Ezra." Aria Camille, where have you gone? I dialed her number and she finally answered. "Where the hell are you?"
Noel's POV:
"Hey guys, I think I'm going to head out. Thanks again for the party, really," I said whilst saying my goodbyes and walking out the door. I was twenty-five today. My friends invited some random girls because I am still single, but no one sparked my interest. No one ever has. Well, except for one amazing girl. Aria Montgomery. Well, Aria Fitz now. Ezra Fitz was a lucky man. I envied him for having Aria's heart. And because he was a great guy in general, which is all I want for Aria if she doesn't want me. I think they have been married a few good years now. What, four? I hardly ever see them, and never talk to them. I only know because they invited me to their wedding. Even if I would see Aria, I wouldn't try to get in the way of her and Ezra. The way that they look at each other is incredible. No one, not even me, would be stupid enough to challenge that. I still really want to see her again, though, for old time sake. I want her to know that 'Hey I'm still here if you ever need a friend' and to catch up. It was about twenty minutes after nine and was really cold outside. I saw a car with a flat down the abandoned road. I didn't stop because you never know who could be a psycho killer or stalker. Mona Vaanderwall, Jason DiLaurentis, and some girl named JackieMolina proved that to be right. I glanced at who it was and saw one familiar face I haven't seen in a while. I slammed on the brakes and backtracked to her car. No one was with her. "Noel," she asked in her soft, angelic voice. "Aria," I said with a bright smile on my face. Yes!
